Another exciting match-up is on the cards on May 5 in Erfurt: Light-Heavyweights Dustin Dirks and Thomas Ulrich, both from Germany, will square off in the Messehalle. Dirks is undefeated, having won all of his previous 23 fights (17 KOs). Ulrich on the other hand surprisingly lost his last bout back in April 2011 against the Lithuanian Sergej Razvadovskij. The record of the former European Champion stands at 32 victories (22 KOs) to six losses out of 38 fights. The fight in the Messehalle will determine who will play a bigger role in the future of the light-heavyweight division.
Up until now the bout has been ill-omened. The fight has already been rescheduled twice. The first time, Thomas Ulrich had to cancel the bout scheduled for January 14. During his training camp, the former European champion broke his left eye socket while sparring in the ring. “It was a fracture to my orbital cavity. It looked worse than it actually was. But of course I was not able to step into the ring. Fortunately I did not have to rest too much and I was able to continue with my running training,” remembers Ulrich.
A lot is on the line for the 36-year-old. The former world title challenger and previous European champion knows that he will have a strong opposition in Dirks. “He is a tough kid, maybe even the rising star in the division,” said the boxer of coach Ali Yildirim. “If I manage to access only 80 % of my abilities, it could be enough for a strong guy such as Dirks is.” Coach Yildirim is just as confident as his boxer. “In my opinion, Thomas is still a natural. If he just keeps boxing and his head is right, he can challenge the very best the sport has to offer.”
Dustin Dirks is not taking his opponent lightly either. The prodigy of coach Otto Ramin had to pass on the second date of the fight scheduled for March 31 in Kiel. “It started off with a flu. Then I was head-butted during sparring and had a bruise. I had a huge headache. And it turned out that I also had a dislocation of a vertebra in my neck. Now I am fine and look forward to taking on Thomas Ulrich. I have never faced such a strong opponent,” according to the 23-year-old.
Although both men are from Berlin and both are signed to the same team, it is not about the prestige. “I treat every opponent the same way and with the same level of respect. Therefore it is a fight like any other. Some people may say that he is past his peak but I have to be prepared for every eventuality,” Dirks said. “He probably just had a bad day during his last fight. It could be a whole different thing when he squares off with me. Ulrich is very agile. He is also capable off throwing some fast punches. For both of us this fight will determine where we stand.”
As both Berlin-based men are in full training mode, the bout scheduled for May 5 should go ahead as planned and third time hopefully is the charm. The night of boxing in Erfurt also offers some more world-class fights: Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Cruiserweight World Championship against mandatory challenger and interim champion Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs). Super-Middleweight World Champion Robert Stieglitz (41-2, 3 KOs) also puts his belt on the line on the same night. The boxing fans can also look forward to a heavyweight title fight when Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) will battle it out for the vacant European Championship.
ANDREW CANCIO GETS MAJOR TEST IN LONG-TIME CONTENDER ROCKY JUAREZ ON JUNE 2
LOS ANGELES, April 23 – Top junior lightweight prospect Andrew “Chango” Cancio has passed the tests placed in front of him thus far, but the biggest test of his career will come on Saturday, June 2 when he faces former world title challenger and 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Rocky Juarez in the main event of TeleFutura’s “Sólo Boxeo Tecate,” at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
Cancio vs. Juarez, a 10 round junior lightweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. Doors open at 6:00pm PT on fight night and the first bell rings at 7:00pm PT. The TeleFutura broadcast begins at 11:00pm ET/PT.
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45 are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Hailing from Blythe, California, 23-year-old Andrew Cancio (13-1-2, 11 KO’s) will have the home crowd in his corner on June 2 when he steps up to the plate against the world-renowned Juarez. The winner of five fights in a row since his lone loss which came via a controversial decision to Carlos Vinan in 2008, Cancio has won three of those fights (against Lowell Brownfield, Fernando Carcamo and Gerardo Zayas) at Fantasy Springs, and he can’t wait to put on a show for his growing fan base and a national television audience against the former Olympian.
Houston’s 32-year-old Rocky Juarez (28-9-1, 20 KO’s) represented the United States in the 2000 Olympics and his popularity has only grown since then, thanks to his aggressive style and willingness to go to battle with anyone who steps through the ropes to face him. A six-time world title challenger who has come extremely close to nabbing a championship, Juarez has faced the best of his era, including current and former world champions Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Marco Antonio “Baby Faced Assassin” Barrera, Chris “The Dragon” John and Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto. Now looking to put a recent winless streak in his rearview mirror, Juarez will be bringing his best to Indio on June 2.
MIKE MOLLO RETURNS MAY 18 vs. FRANKLIN “YAH YAH” LAWRENCE
April 23, 2012 – Heavyweight contender, Mike Mollo (20-3-1, 12 KOs), returns to the ring on May 18 against Franklin “Yah Yah” Lawrence (17-2-2, 12 KOs) in a 10-round bout for the vacant NABA title. The fight takes place at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino inside the Rollins Center in Dover, Delaware on their “Friday Night Fight” series.
Promoted by Boxing360, Mollo has been in the ring with some of boxing’s top heavyweights, including Jameel McCline, Andrew Golota and Kevin McBride. Looking to get back into title contention, Mollo is determined to show the boxing community and those in attendance that he’s serious about his boxing career.
“Although I’ve been out of the ring since August of 2010, I feel confident in my ability to make some serious noise in the heavyweight division,” Mollo said. “I’ve been training hard in the gym and my timing is right on point in my last few sparring sessions. Ring rust will not be a factor when I step in the ring. Lawrence is a big puncher and I know he’s coming to fight. One thing is for sure, I’m coming to fight as well, and the fans are going to witness a great night of boxing.”
Said Boxing360 promoter Mario Yagobi, “Mollo is in great shape right now which means trouble for Lawrence. I’ve seen the positive progress with his mental approach to the game and his trainer, Pete Brodsky, says he’s looking fantastic in sparring. With the right training regimen, Mollo is one of the best heavyweights in boxing. I’m excited to see what he will bring to the ring on May 18 because he’s a has a crowd pleasing style.”