Pemberton wants to put Ottke out of his misery

30.01.04 – Promoter Jimmy Burchfield, on behalf of world super middleweight contender Scott “The Sandman” Pemberton (27-3-1, 22 KOs), is calling out IBF and WBA champion Sven Ottke. Pemberton, rated No. 10 by the WBC, is coming off exciting back-to-back victories against Omar Sheika at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Pemberton won a 12-round decision last July in ESPN2’s 2003 Fight of the Year. He recently followed-up that fight, again in ESPN2’s main event at Foxwoods, with a 10th round TKO of Sheika, who had never been floored in 28 previous pro fights, including world title matches against Joe Calzaghe and Eric Lucas. Pemberton-Sheika II has already been declared the standard to beat for 2004 Fight of the Year honors.

“Scott has proven to be one of the most colorful, hardest punching and entertaining fighters in the world,” Burchfield, president of Classic Entertainment & Sports, Inc. (CES), said. “He’s paid his dues and deserves a big money fight on HBO or Showtime. We’ve heard that Ottke wants to come to the United States for a fight. Well, here’s his opportunity, and Ottke-Pemberton can be held at one of the world’s greatest casinos. These world champions like Ottke, Calzaghe, (Markus) Beyer, (Danny) Green and (Anthony) Mundine should stop hiding overseas. We issue a challenge to all of them to step up to the plate and fight Scott Pemberton. If the money’s right, we’ll fight (Charles) Brewer again, (Jeff) Lacy or even (Antwun) Echols.

“Pemberton-Sheika II was one of the top three moments I’ve had in my 25-year boxing career. The other two were packing 16,000 fans into the Providence Civic Center to watch Vinny Paz fight Joe Frazier, Jr. and Paz’ fight against Roberto Duran in Las Vegas. Give Sheika a lot of credit, too. He’s as tough as they come. Omar’s only 26 and in the not too distant future he can get himself in line for another title shot. It’s Scott Pemberton’s time now.”

Pemberton is the reigning International Boxing Union and North American Boxing Federation super middleweight champion.