European Light Heavyweight Champion Eduard Gutknecht (21-1, 9 KOs) will make a first defence of his title on July 16 when he takes on Lorenzo Di Giacomo (41-4-1, 19 KOs) in Munich. Gutknecht joined Team Sauerland at the beginning of the year and clinched the European title with an eighth-round TKO victory over Danny McIntosh last month. “I have big plans for the future,” Gutknecht said. “I have worked hard to become European champion. By successfully defending my title in Munich, I want to further climb in the rankings and get myself into a position for a world title shot.”
Gutknecht suffered the only loss of his career in April 2010 when World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super-Middleweight Champion Robert Stieglitz defeated him on points. He has won three straight since. “It was great to become European Champion in just my second fight for Team Sauerland,” Gutknecht stated. “It is a great motivation as I know that there are big things coming up for me. It was a great first step and I will keep working hard to accomplish the next goal on my way to the top.”
In the main event of the night, WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck faces former champion Hugo Hernan Garay in what will already be his seventh title defence.
Mazelanik, Szebeledi clash for vacant WBF bantam belt
On July 2, 2011 the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) female world bantamweight title will be on the line when Germany’s Pia Mazelanik and Hungary’s Renata Szebeledi meet inside an open-air ring at the Regenstorplatz in Lemgo, Germany. The admission to the event will be free to all boxing fans. After the main event, there will be a public viewing of the highly anticipated Wladimir Klitschko versus David Haye fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
The main event, of course, will be the battle between two of the rising stars in female bantamweight boxing. At age 23, Pia Mazelanik (12-3-1) is slowly graduating into a world class fighter and will be in for her very first shot at a major world title in Lemgo. The hard-hitting 20-years old Renata Szebeledi (11-8, 6 K.o.’s) already fought for the world title three times. She lost decisions against Unathi Myekeni for the WBF female super bantamweight belt and against Oksana Vasilieva for the WBF female featherweight strap in 2010. But she also captured the UBO super bantamweight title last year against Gabriella Insperger. Still, Szebeledi is considered the underdog against Mazelanik.
Mazelanik herself is on a three-fight winning streak. She last lost in 2009, a very close split decision to Doris Koehler – a fighter she had beaten before. Winning the WBF belt would fulfill her dream to become world champion and make some noise in boxing. The bout between Mazelanik and Szebeledi is being promoted by Kai Gutmann and Thomas Mrutzek.
Interview with Patrick Hyland
Later this month, undefeated Irish featherweight champion Patrick Hyland, 22-0 (10), challenges for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) world title in the biggest fight of his seven-year pro career. He meets Frenchman Philippe Frenois at the National Stadium in Dublin, one of Ireland’s best known boxing venues. “Pajo”, as Hyland is nicknamed, took time out to talk to WBF Media Director Clive Baum about this big opportunity and his career in general.
Mr. Hyland, on June 25, you will be fighting for your first world championship when you face Philippe Frenois for the vacant WBF world featherweight title. How do you feel about the fight and this opportunity?
I feel great and am very grateful for the opportunity to fight for the WBF title and for my first world title. Hopefully this is the start of my dream: To be at the top of the world in boxing.
How is your training camp going?
Training is going great and I’ve been getting great sparring and I’m feeling great coming up to the fight.
What do you know about your opponent?
I’ve watched Philippe on youtube and I find he is a very good boxer who stands up tall and uses is jab very well.
I understand you have quite a following in Ireland and you will be fighting in Dublin in the biggest fight of your career so far. Some people might get nervous before such an event. How about you?
I feel great about fighting for this title in my home town. It will give me more of a push to win the title for my fans and I love to fight on the big stage.
The featherweight division is full of talent at this moment. Do you have any “dream opponent” right now?
Dream fight and opponent would have to be to fight in Madison Square Garden for the world title against the biggest featherweigt at the time.
Let’s talk about your past. How did you get into boxing?
I got into boxing through my family in my fathers local boxing club, I went up with him one day and loved it.
Can you describe your fighting style to the boxing fans who might not know you yet?
I am a boxer/fighter, like to box from far out but also love a row and stand toe to toe at times.
Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
I would like to thank the WBF for the opportunity to fight for your world title and hoping all goes well, I will defend it a couple of times in the future.
Thanks for your time and good luck on June 25.