Middleweight contender Khoren Gevor (31-4, 16 KOs) has decided to remain with Universum Box-Promotion. Khoren Gevor: „I still have a lot of plans and am convinced that there is no better promoter with which to reach my goals. Universum has always been a fair and dependable partner for me and has kept always to our agreements. I’m glad that we can go on together..“
Universum promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl stated: „After Khoren had signaled that he would like to continue with us, we didn’t hesitate. He has delivered great fights and further attractive fights, which have the stuff to be classics, are possible with him. We are pleased to be able to present on July 17th an explosive fight between Zbik against Gevor, which both boxers immediately agreed to.“
In January Gevor had surprisingly terminated his contract with Universum the after there had been a house ban to one of his personal advisors. Universum had denied the validity of the termination made by Gevor. Both parties have resolved their differences and the ensuing litigation is now a moot point.
The 31 year old Gevor will now have his third shot for a world title under the Universum. In 2007 he was defeated by former world champion Arthur Abraham in an incredible fight while in 2009 he lost against Felix Sturm. After a clear victory in January 2010 over the Brazilian Jeferson Luiz Goncalo he will now have his next chance to become world champion. The fight is scheduled on July 17 at the Sport- und Kongresshalle in Schwerin. His opponent will be reigning WBC Interim champion and undefeated local hero Sebastian Zbik (29-0, 10 KOs).
Sebastian Zbik: “On the one hand I’m looking forward to this great fight but it is also difficult to fight against someone you have trained with for 5 years with my former coach Fritz Sdunek. On July 17 you will have to foget about this for at least one hour.”
This highly explosive collusion will be carried live on ZDF. Addiotional match-ups will be announced soon.
Tickets for this „Universum Champions Night“ on July 17 in Schwerin are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49-40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49-1805-57 00 00
or at www.boxing.de
Universum Champions Night on 22nd May 2010 in Rostock | Press Conference: Comments by Chagaev, Tajbert, Meehan and Velazquez
The headliners on Saturday’s huge “Universum Champions Night” in Rostock, Germany, faced off on Monday during a press conference at a local VW dealer. In the main event, former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1, 17 KOs) takes on Kali Meehan (35-3, 29 KOs) in a WBA eliminator. Also WBC super featherweight world champion Vitali Tajbert defends his belt against the well know Hector Velazquez.
Chagaev stated: “I’m in top shape and looking forward to Rostock and the fans. I will take advantage of this chance, I will defeat Meehan, and I will prove that you have to reckon with me again.”
Chagaev’s trainer Magomed Schaburow added, “We’ve trained together since September. It’s a very fruitful relationship. Ruslan is very capable of learning. Everything has gone great in preparation. Ruslan is also a great personality and a terrific person. That makes him pleasant to work with.”
Meehan, however, wasn’t impressed. “The camp is neither here or there since you can’t do anything except train,” he stated. “We’ve also done that. I have 70 rounds of sparring behind me. I’m glad to finally get this chance. I was the WBA #1, but Valuev never wanted to fight me. Now I want to follow a different path towards the world title. I’m looking forward to this opportunity. Ruslan was once world champion, so I have respect for him. Nevertheless, I can beat him and will do it with a KO!”
Meehan’s trainer Stacy McKinley commented: “Chagaev is known as the “White Tyson.” Mike Tyson was world champion for many years. Chagaev nothing like Tyson. We’ll see on Saturday in the ring. Kali will clearly beat him!”
Meehan’s promoter Don King is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.
Vitali Tajbert (19-1, 6 KOs) made it known that he has to plans to relinquish his belt in his first defense.
Tajbert commented: “Hector is a very dangerous guy. He’s very experienced, has boxed good people. Moreover, it is my first title defense. But in my world championship belt are 17 years of blood and sweat. I never want to give it up. I am very proud of this belt.”
Schaburow, who also trains Tajbert, said “Vitali is young and we have big plans. Vitali backs up his words in the boxing ring with his fists. Always brash and free speaking.”
The 35-year-old veteran Velazquez (51-14-2, 35 KOs) challenged Edwin Valero for theWBC lightweight crown in his previous fight, and fought Elio Rojas for the WBC featherweight crown two fights before that.
“I’m very surprised. I’m from Mexico the roads there aren’t as clean as here. Even the sidewalks are clean. And I’m also surprised that to not see police and military anywhere as we see in the streets of Mexico,” stated Velazquez.
Turning his attention to the fight, he continued, “I’ve watched many of Tajbert’s fights on YouTube. He’s a good champion, but I’ll be able to defeat him. I’ve studied him closely.”
World amateur champion Jack Culcay (3-0, 2 KOs) also spoke. Light middleweight Culcay was to have faced Brazilian Isak Tavares on April 24, but Tavares refused to get on a plane due to the Icelandic volcano.
“I hope he shows up this time. I look forward to Rostock and I’m also glad that I can quickly return to the ring. In Hamburg last time, I could only show my boxing for one round then it was already over. But I realize I’m slowly rolling. The early excitement has subsided and I’m getting used to the big crowds and TV,” Culcay said
This Universum Champions Night card is particularly loaded with talent.
German heavyweight prospect Sebastian Köber (19-1, 13 KOs) will return to the ring on May 22 at the Stadthalle for the first time since his surprising loss to Zack Page in January. Köber, who still holds the German interim heavyweight title, will defend against Markus Tomala (6-2, 3 KOs) in a rematch of last October’s clash which Köber won via split decision.
The Don King promoted and former heavyweight world champion Sergei Liakhovich (24-3, 15 KOs) will make his comeback Rostock. The „White Wolf“ claimed the WBO title in 2006 with a victory over Lamon Brewster but he lost the title shortly after against Shannon Briggs. The Belarussian Liakhovich will face Evans Quinn (18-3-1, 16 KOs) of Nicaragua.
Also scheduled is an highly explosive stable duel between two light heavyweight contenders. Aleksy Kuziemski (18-1, 4 KOs) of Poland will face his teammate, the highly regarded Igor Michalkin (11-0, 7 KOs) of Russia.
The 32 year old Kuziemski, who is trained by „King“ Artur Grigorian, wants to get back on track in order having another chance fighting for a world title. After his defeat against WBO world champion Jürgen Brähmer in August 2009 he will now face the 24 year old Russian Igor Michalkin who is coached by Magomed Schaburow. Universum Vice Dietmar Poszwa: „I’m very excited about this highly explosive duel. It will be a battle between an experienced and hot prospect fighter. Aleksy must win, this is his last chance to fight again for a world title. Igor is extremely motivated nd ready to get in line for a title fight very soon.“
Also all-action flyweight sensation Pal “Pimpa” Bedak (7-0, 4 KOs) returns against Pedro Cardenas (12-6, 7 KOs).
Information: You can see the full video message of Don King on our new YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/UBPboxing) or embed the link to your website.
ZDF will televise the WBA eliminator fight between Chagaev vs. Meehan in Rostock live from 11:00 pm. The highlights of the title defense of Vitali Tajbert will be shown afterwards. Additional fights will be announced within the next days.
Tickets for the “Universum Champions Night” on May 22nd 2010 at the StadtHalle Rostock are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49-40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49-1805-57 00 00
“Universum Champions Night” – on July 3 at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart
Ina Menzer will be defending her three world title belts: “I’m looking forward to Stuttgart. It will be a great show!”
Firat Arslan will be fighting for the WBA interim belt: “At first I thought I wouldn’t get back to normal again, let alone box…But now I’m well again and I’m back!”
In the headling bout female superstar Ina Menzer (26-0, 10 KOs) will be defending her WIBF/WBO/WBC world title belts while former WBA cruiserweight champion and local hero Firat Arslan (29-4-1, 18 KOs) returns after nearly a two-year layoff.
Both fighters appeared before the local press on Wednesday. The unbeaten featherweight championesse Ina Menzer will fight against an opponent to be named. It will be her second fight in Stuttgart while her last appearance was in 2005 when she was quite inexperinced with only five bouts on the record. Now crowned with three belts she returns to action.
Ina Menzer stated: “The ink on the contract isn’t dry yet, but it’ll happen in the next few days. No matter who it is, I’m looking forward to this city and the local boxing fans. It’ll be a new experience. In my first fight here in 2005 I was prelim fighter and no one was interested in my fight.”
Menzer will now enter a full arena with her three world championship belts, including the new pink WBO belt. “The WBO sent me for the first time a real women’s belt, which is much lighter and totally pink. It looks beautiful. I’m delighted with this special honor. Womens boxing is becoming more popular.”
The card will also feature former WBA cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan. Arslan, who hails from just outside Stuttgart, returns after nearly a two-year layoff to face Steve Herelius (19-1-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA interim belt. Arslan lost his WBA title to Guillermo Jones in September 2008, but Jones hasn’t defended the belt since and is in danger of being stripped due to inactivity.
Last June, shortly before a fight against the current WBO champion Marco Huck, Arslan suffered serious injuries in a bicycling accident in the Alps. “In June 2009 I crashed quite badly while training on a bike in the mountains. I really smacked the asphalt. I had to be taken to hospital by helicopter. I happened to have a helmet on, but I had torn neck muscles and multiple fractures. At first I thought I wouldn’t get back to normal again, let alone box…But now I’m well again and I’m back! I’ve fought all my life. I am the proof that you can fight for everything in life. So now I’m burning for this opportunity to get my WBA belt back. How successful I’ll be, we’ll see on July 3rd.”
Trainer Michael Timm on Ina Menzer: “Ina has greatly developed,” he added. “Lately she has faced the best female boxers in her weight class and won. She loves these challenges. We are now very focused in Hamburg and beginning our preparations.”
Timm, who has helped eleven Universum boxers become world champions, will prepare both fighters. “Firat is very pleasant and has an indomitable will. That makes working with him so enjoyable. I’m sure we’ll bring Herelius a tough fight, with hopefully a positive outcome!”
Additional fights will be announced shortly. ZDF will televise the fight of Ina Menzer live from 11:00 pm.
Tickets for the “Universum Champions Nigth” at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49-40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49-1805-57 00 00
Easy Ticket Service Stuttgart: +49-711-2555555
or at www.boxing.de