05.08 - It rarely happens, but once in a while two Scandinavian boxers are matched against each other, and each time a special hype surfaces because of the fight. Richel Hersisia, 19-0 (15), is from Holland (originally Curacao), but he has fought many times in Denmark, and is promoted by Dane Anders Vester. This coming Saturday in Salzburg, Austria, he will take on Finland’s number one big-man: Sami “The Bull” Elovaara, 14-1 (9), in a defence of the Dutchman’s WBF heavyweight crown. Read on to see what some of Scandinavia’s boxing experts think will happen in this bout, and who they think will win.

Per-Ake Persson (Swedish Boxing Writer, Correspondent Boxing News): Hersisia by TKO 8 - the bigger, stronger Dutchman will have it rough early against the quicker, slicker Finn but will somewhere around the fourth get on top and wear his opponent down. Both men are rather untested against stand-up opponents but Hersisia have, in his outings against Palatis, Bartnik and Vazquez, showed a few important things: heart, stamina and a never-say-die attitude.
Janne Romppainen (Finnish Freelance Boxing Writer): Both men like to come forwards and to be in control of the fight. As a result, there has to be a collision, somebody has to give. Personally I feel that Hersisia is a bit too big and strong for Elovaara to handle. The Finn won't fold easily but I think Hersisia will be able to drive him back with his heavy punching and pound out a close, hard-fought decision victory. My prediction is Hersisia W 12.

Teddy Stenmark (Swedish Freelance Boxing Writer): Although I am not too familiar with Sami Elovaara’s professional career I know him well from his amateur days, and I know I have seen him a few times in the unpaid ranks when he weighed a lot less. He is a solid performer but I do believe that Hersisia is a very capable pro. He seems a bit more tested as a professional to me. I predict an early stoppage win for the Dutch-man! Hersisia KO 5 is my guess!

Henrik Risum (Danish Manager and Matchmaker, Publisher of The Scandinavian Yearbook Of Professional Boxing): This is a fight that I have been rooting and hoping for for long time now. I know both boxers fairly well, having seen Hersisia several times in Denmark, and having seen Elovaara several times in Finland. I thought that Elovaara lost to Joseph Akhasamba, but that wasn’t one of the Finns best days in the ring. Both guys can be a little “la, la” sometimes, but I am convinced that this will really be a barnburner of a fight. To me, Hersisia has a big advantage in professional experience, as he already fought in three title fights, while this will be Elovaara´s first. But against Akhasamba, Elovaara kept coming forward as much as he could muster for all eight rounds, despite getting a little tired in the end, but even though there is a big difference between eight and twelve, there is no doubt in my mind that his conditioning is going to be adequate for this fight. This is going to be a pretty even fight, but if I have to pick a winner, I am going to pick….no, I am not going to pick, I think it will be a draw!

Denzel Ivarsson (Swedish Boxing Writer): I don’t really have a solid prediction regarding these two boxers but I think it’s a good match-up between two superb athletes. Elovaara I think have the punchers chance while he is still fresh in the earlier rounds, while I on the other hand also think Hersisia have a slightly bigger chance if it goes into the later rounds! If you hold me to a prediction I have to say either Elovaara KO2 or Hersisia KO9!

Miika Forsström (Finland, Contributor www.danish-boxing.dk): This is a great match up! Puncher vs. Puncher! It will surely be a very good fight! Elovaara can probably outbox Hersisia with some movement and hand speed. The way I see it, Hersisia has never faced as good boxing skills and hand speed. And besides that, Elovaara has got great power too, especially in his left hook to the body. The problem for Elovaara might be stamina. He tired in the late rounds against Joseph Akhasamba (W 8) and Hersisia has good stamina. Akhasamba was able to outbox Elovaara, but I don’t believe that Hersisia can. Hersisia should fight defensively in the early rounds and put some pressure on in the middle rounds. His high active style will give Elovaara some problems, because Elovaara is used to fighting at his own pace! Hersisia might stop him if the fight goes into the late rounds. But the way I see it, if Elovaara uses movement and hand speed he will knock Hersisia out in the 3rd or the 4th round! But it won’t be easy!

Competition: Send your prediction on the result of this fight to fight-production@t-online.de! The first ten correct predictions will receive a free copy of the “German Yearbook Of Professional Boxing 2003” CD Rom from Richel Hersisia´s manager Olaf Schröder.