Its official: Arthur Abraham is going to challenge World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super-Middleweight Champion Robert Stieglitz for his crown at o2 World, Berlin. Sauerland Event and SES-Boxing are proud to present this fight as the main event on August 25.
“I’m happy that this fight will take place at o2 World. I was hoping for another chance to show my skills in this incredible arena in front of as many fans as possible. I am looking forward to entertain them again, like I did back in 2009 with my last round knockout against Jermain Taylor,” said Arthur Abraham.
Robert Stieglitz is not fazed at all with the outlook of fighting in Abraham’s backyard: “That’s my belt and we are going to battle for it – in the end it will still be mine. I will prove that my championship is legitimate, no matter of the opposition, time or place.” And these are not just empty phrases. Stieglitz would have moved forward with a fight against Danish superstar Mikkel Kessler, if it had not been for an injury sustained by the Dane just a few weeks before they should have met in Denmark. This was not the only cancellation in the past two years for Stieglitz. None of his mandatory challengers were able to get into the ring with him, always bowing out of the fight due to different injuries – be it Georges Groves, Dimitri Sartison or Mikkel Kessler. Robert Stieglitz is in possession of the WBO World Championship since August 2009, when he beat Karoly Balzsay in Hungary. Since then, he has defended his title six times.
Now, Stieglitz’ next mandatory defence will come to life with the bout against Abraham on August 25 at o2 World, Berlin.
The champion’s promoter, Ulf Steinforth, who turns 45 on the night of the fight, wants to celebrate his birthday with a win by Stieglitz: “Robert and Arthur are currently two of the best super-middleweights in the world – they are going to set the ring on fire come August 25!” Kalle Sauerland is also looking forward to the fight: “The bout will be fought on even terms. Besides the UEFA Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games, Stieglitz versus Abraham will be another sportive highlight to look forward to during the summer. In addition, All-German encounters are always special.
Ticket sales for Robert Stieglitz vs. Arthur Abraham are going to start this Friday, June 8. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventim.de or www.o2world-berlin.de. Alternatively, ticket information can be obtained at www.boxing-online.com or www.sesboxing.de.
PASTOR RICK WARREN’S VISIT TO MANNY PACQUIAO’S TRAINING CAMP
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (June 6, 2012) – On May 29, Pastor Rick Warren paid a visit to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif., to observe Manny Pacquiao train for his June 9 world title defense against Timothy Bradley, Jr.
Following the training session, Pastor Rick interviewed Manny and his wife Jinkee, conducted a Bible study and prayed with them. This link will take you to their video. Hit the “download” button. http://vimeo.com/43315952
“Manny Pacquiao is THE purpose-driven boxer! His huge heart for God energizes his heart for everything else – his family, his country, his sport, the street kids, and all his fans,” said Pastor Rick. “Right in the middle of a hectic schedule packed with training and media interviews, Manny made the time to sit down and do a one-on-one Bible Study with me, ignoring cameras and onlookers, and focusing instead on what God might want to say to him personally at the moment. What most people don’t know about Manny is that he has more of the Bible memorized than many pastors do. He not only quotes the Bible from memory; he applies it to his life. But what I love most Manny is that, in spite of his fame and wealth, he is training for this fight in a typical inner city gym, surrounded by the kinds of kids he used to be on the streets of Manila. Rather than training in some exclusive, over-priced and air-conditioned celebrity gym in Beverly Hills, he is modeling his workout for kids who also dream of one day living a better life.”
About Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church (Provided by Saddleback Church)
Pastor Rick Warren is first and foremost a pastor. He founded Saddleback Church in 1980 which today is one of America’s most influential congregations. More than 120,000 people call Saddleback their church home. Saddleback meets on 9 campuses with over 300 ministries, including our new PEACE center which offers our county’s residents with basic assistance in food, financial education, career counseling, support groups, orphan care and adoption support.
Pastor Rick is also the founder of the PEACE Plan, which networks over 400,000 churches all over the globe to solve the world’s biggest problems. The network is committed to:
· Promoting reconciliation
· Equipping servant leaders
· Assisting the poor and educating the next generation.
· Caring for the sick
· Educating the next generation
Nearly 15,000 people from Saddleback have traveled to every country in the world working with, in and through local churches. Known for his commitment to local ownership of problems and solutions, Pastor Rick approaches orphan care with unique tenacity with a commitment to end the orphan crisis rather than manage it.
Pastor Rick is an internationally recognized author. His book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold more than thirty million copies in English, and is published in over 100 languages. His book on growing healthy churches, Purpose Driven Church, has sold over a million copies. In addition, Pastor Rick has been invited to lecture at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Nations, the Global Health Summit, the Aspen Ideas Institute, and TED.
WORLD RANKED CRUISERWEIGHT B.J. FLORES WANTS UNDEFEATED LATEEF KAYODE
LAS VEGAS (JUNE 7, 2012)–#2 WBO; #4WBA #4WBC world rated cruiserweight BJ Flores 27-1 (18kos) watched intently as the fight this past Saturday took place between Lateef “Power” Kayode vs. Antonio Tarver. He was hoping with the Showtime exposure that one of the two boxers would emerge as a star.
The bout ended in a draw. Neither guy moved forward, yet both received valuable tv time on a BIG time boxing network. BJ Flores was smiling.
“The cruiserweight division is definitely starting to heat up”, Said Flores. Flores has been not only one of the most active cruiserweights in the world scoring 3 wins in the last 8 months, but has attracted very large gates in Springfield Missouri where he has a HUGE hometown following.
“Both guys fought well and Tarver started a little slow but came on down the stretch. He definitely Hurt Kayode and showed he can still punch. The decision being a draw was just. I was leaning towards Tarver but this fight was good for the division. Both guys fought well”
But one of the fighters is on the radar of Flores. Lateef Kayode.
Flores has desperately tried to secure a fight with the powerful Nigerian and now feels the timing is perfect.
“I want to make a formal challenge to Kayode. This is a fight between two top world rated Cruisersweights both trying to get into position for the world title. I need a fight like this to make a statement. A dangerous fight! A Big fight between two top #5 world rated guys on Showtime between us will be exciting and bring more notoriety to the cruiserweight division.”
“It’s no secret that I’ve wanted Kayode for a long time. After he beat Nick Iannuzzi , I contacted Gary Shaw Promotions immediately for a match between us. Well, they went in another direction and I fought Iannuzzi next to make a statement. They said the timing wasn’t right. I respect their decision. But now the Time couldn’t be more right! I have had 3 fights in 8 months and would love to face Kayode next. He has shown improvements and this fight can be big. We can do it in Springfield, Missouri and sell 5000 seats with this on Showtime or any network! But the truth of the matter is I will fight you anywhere. I just want it to be known that the money is there and we can easily make this happen”
“No cruiserweight can sell tickets in America like that so it makes perfect sense. Who else should Kayode fight with all the champions buys in upcoming defenses?? It’s a natural fight. Two top rated guys in America. We built up a VERY good fan base in Springfield and I want to bring a big fight back home. I am ready immediately!! Let’s get it done!!”
“This is the kind of fight I need. I respect Kayode and his manager Steve Feder. I respect Gary Shaw Productions. I know this will be a difficult fight and this will bring out the best in me. I need a challenge like this. GSP, my phone lines are open!”