Ljubljana, 11th May 2011 – Dejan Zavec (Jan Zaveck) revealed potential opponents for the match that will happen during the summer and will most probably take place in USA. Andre Berto, Randall Bailey and Miguel Cotto are among favourites.
“If I could choose, I would pick up Berto. Wishes to fight for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title are coming from his team also, after he lost the World Champion in WBC,” said Dejan Zavec (31 win, 18 KO, 1 lost), the IBF World Champion, about potential opponents at his press conference yesterday.
Zavec – widely known as Jan Zaveck – expects to fight before the end of the summer and gives 90% possibility that the fight will happen in USA. However, the final decision about who Mr. Simpatikus will fight against will be made at the end of May at the IBF Congress.
Andre Berto (27 wins, 21 KO, 1 lost), the eminent boxer in the welterweight category, looks to be the most possible opponent, what has also been spoken a lot about in foreign media and Twitter. Berto is ranked 4th on the BoxRec ratings, just a place higher from Zavec. His physical training for the match will once more be under his fitness coach Tommy Jagarinec supervision, as technical and tactical training with coach Dirk Dzemski will take place in Magdeburg (Germany).
Tommy Jagarinec, his fitness coach is convinced that Dejan will be at his best physical fitness so far in his career: “At 35 he is at the peak of his fitness – physical as well as mental. It is still some time to go, so I believe there is no one who wants to see Zavec in the opposite corner.” Zaveck added in his style: “I am ready to fight anyone. There are no “miracles”. They all have one head and two hands, the same as me.”
Andy Murray vs. Gavin Rees on 6/4
Unbeaten Cavan man Andy Murray and former World Champ, Gavin Rees look set to serve up a summer sizzler when they clash for the vacant European Lightweight title in Cardiff on Saturday, June 4th. The two men meet on a Matchroom Sports promotion at the Motorpoint Arena in an eagerly anticipated matchup which will be live on Sky Sports.
Murray boasts the longest unbeaten run in Irish boxing and he’s determined to extend that perfect record to 25 and 0 with a European title win over local favourite, Rees. “This is the chance I’ve been waiting for,” revealed Murray from his isolated training camp in Connemara on Ireland’s western seaboard. “I’ve worked hard to get into this position and I’m determined not to let it pass me by. I’ve seen quite a few of Rees’ fights from winning the World title to winning the Prizefighter and British titles so I know what he’s about. He’s an excellent fighter and a very experienced professional so it will be a big test for me but these are the kind of challenges you want in your career.”
The 28-year-old Irishman says he has no problems going into the lions den and is expecting to have plenty support of his own in Cardiff. “A ring is a ring at the end of the day whether it’s in my backyard or his backyard. Once that first bell rings it will be just the two of us and the referee in there. I know that a lot of people are planning to make the trip over to Cardiff and I’m very thankful for all the support and it will certainly drive me on.”
Murray’s has been clocking up the miles on the road and the rounds in the ring at his Connemara base and he believes the sacrifices will all prove worthwhile next month. “It’s the first time I’ve gone into training camp for a fight but I’m really enjoying it here. When I’m training in Belfast it’s a 4 hour round trip from home in Cavan and that can be draining but here everything is on my doorstep, I’ve brought in good sparring and I’m working with a strength and conditioning coach and being in camp has allowed me to focus 100% on the job at hand.”
Rees however is determined to inflict the first defeat on Murray’s unblemished slate and capture the European title in front of his home fans. “It’s great to have home advantage and it’s up to me now to make the best of it,” said the former WBA light welterweight champion.
“I’ve a lot of respect for Andy Murray. He’s unbeaten and I’m sure he sees this as his big chance. I haven’t watched that much of him as I never watch all that much of my opponents, I leave that to my trainer, Gary Lockett. From the little bits I have seen he puts his combinations together well and he seems to be a nice little boxer but Im experienced enough now not to worry too much about my opponent.”
Rees has been out of action since winning the British Lightweight title last November due to a persistent nose injury but the Newport native says that’s behind him now. “Training for this fight has gone great and I’m just tuning up now so I’m ready for action. The nose is fine again, I had it cauterized and I haven’t had any problems so it’s not an issue for me anymore.”
While Rees won his World title one division up at light welterweight he feels happier being back at lightweight. “This is my natural weight really. The only reason I went up to light welterweight was because the World title opportunity came about but lightweight is where I’m at my best.”
For all the latest visit brianpeterspromotions.com or add us on Facebook.
Mobile, Alabama to Host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing, July 31-August 6
(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – Mobile, Alabama will showcase the biggest event in men’s Olympic-style boxing action, July 31-August 6, as the 80 top male boxers in the United States converge on the Mobile Civic Center for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing. Yet, the boxing action won’t end there, as the sport’s future stars will compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships, August 2-5, at the Civic Center as well.
“This new event structure provides the boxing fan a unique opportunity to view and embrace multiple levels of Olympic-style boxing, ranging from the future stars of our sport to the elite male athlete vying for a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games,” USA Boxing Executive Director Anthony Bartkowski said. “We are thankful to have a fantastic host in the Mobile Sports Authority as well as a top notch venue, the Mobile Civic Center, which they have provided for this unique sporting event and we look forward to enjoying their southern hospitality.”
In addition to the wide range of boxing action, USA Boxing’s key personnel outside the ring will convene at USA Boxing’s Annual Meeting, August 3-6. The organization’s dedicated volunteers will enjoy the opportunity to attend both the Olympic Team Trials and Junior National Championships while handling pertinent USA Boxing business.
“The USA Boxing board of directors is pleased to offer these three key events to the membership, and we appreciate the efforts of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau,” said Harold Adonis, USA Boxing President. “This opportunity is innovative and provides all attendees an opportunity to celebrate with the best athletes in the country as they embark on their journey to the 2012 Olympics and future Olympics.”
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing will be a double elimination tournament showcasing eight boxers in each of the 10 men’s Olympic weight divisions. The 10 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing champions will represent the United States at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in September where they will look to qualify internationally for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
“Mobile is incredibly pleased and honored to be hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing, the USA Boxing Junior National Championships, and the organization’s Annual Meeting,” added Bud Ratliff, Executive Director, Mobile Sports Authority. “This area has a great sports history and heritage and USA Boxing’s decision to hold such prestigious events here truly validates Mobile as a legitimate sports destination.”
Olympic Trials qualifying began at the 2010 National PAL Championships in October, and continued at the 2011 Armed Forces Championships and recent National Golden Gloves Championships. The champions at those three events will be joined in Mobile by the top four finishers at the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships, June 20-25 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 10 champions from the Last Chance Qualifier, July 3-9 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The full list of participants will be released the week of July 10 following the last chance tournament.
The three-pronged event in Mobile will allow the Junior Olympic National Championships participants the opportunity to watch the sport’s current stars vie for a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team, providing great motivation for the youngsters who will likely compete for Olympic spots in 2016. Women’s boxing will make its Olympic debut in 2012, but the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing will be held in early 2012 prior to their international qualifying tournament.
The event in Mobile will mark the fourth straight Olympic Team Trials for Boxing event in the southern section of the United States with the previous three events taking place in Tampa, Fla., Tunica, Miss., and Houston, Texas respectively.
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).