Artur Grigorian takes on undefeated Polish challenger Matt Zegan

08.01 - Essen – On January 18 Universum starts the new boxing year 2003 with a championship event that consists of four title fights: Two with women, two with men.

In his 17th world title defense WBO lightweight champion Artur Grigorian will be facing Polish Matt Zegan. The young and undefeated challenger is 24-0 with 13 knockouts. It will be Zegan’s first professional appearance in Germany but beside fighting in his home country he also boxed several times in England.

“I’m eager to step into the ring again and I’m in great shape. The age difference doesn’t bother me”, Grigorian, 35-0 (22), stated who at age 35 is nine years older than his challenger.

“The only thing that keeps my attention is the fact that Zegan is southpaw like me. I have to figure out the game plan for that”, Grigorian said who kept on training twice a day even on Christmas and New Years Eve.

The last time he fought against a southpaw was in the amateurs.

“I have to adjust decisively. But my opponent has the same problem of course.”

Grigorian who is the WBO lightweight champion since April of 1996 still dreams of a big unification fight.

“I hope for a unification fight against another world champion. My favorite choice would be WBC champion Floyd Mayweather. If Mayweather would fight against me like he did against Castillo he would have no chance.”

In another title fight European welterweight champion Michel Trabant, 37-0 (18), will defend his crown against Jacek Bielski, 21-1 (7), who like Zegan hails from Poland. It will be Trabant’s second title defense after he won the EBU crown against Christian Bladt last April, then retained it against Joszef Matolcsi in August.

Also on the card are two woman world championships that attract great interest in Germany. Record keeping world champion Regina Halmich will be challenged by undefeated fellow German Nadja Loritz for the WIBF flyweight title whereas Daisy Lang will battle Silke Weickenmeier for the GBU jr. featherweight crown.