Undefeated Dutch super middleweight Nieky Holzken replaces Juergen Braehmer as Callum Smith’s Ali Trophy opponent after the German veteran was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s semi-final showdown in Nuremberg.
Braehmer has been suffering from influenza and yesterday revealed he would be unable to compete against Smith at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung.
The World Boxing Super Series was going so well, too. The 168 pound tournament had gone without a hitch until this past Saturday, when George Groves badly injured his shoulder in his wide win over Chris Eubank Junior in their semifinal clash; meaning Groves’ slot in the final, scheduled for June 2, might be in jeopardy.
Smith: I am expecting a tough night in Nuremberg
Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs) is expecting the best version of Juergen Braehmer (49-3, 35 KOs) before their Ali Trophy semi-final clash in the super middleweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series February 24 at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung.
Callum Smith’s prediction: Groves on points after a few rocky moments
Callum Smith believes he will face George Groves in the final for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
“Groves-Eubank is a good fight, a very good one. The winner will become an even bigger name after the weekend,” said Smith.
The IBF super-middleweight champion has been ruled out of the World Boxing Super Series with a shoulder injury and says that in his absence, there will be a British winner of tournament
He believes it’s likely to be George Groves or Callum Smith, but says Eubank jr can prove he’s a real contender with victory over Avni Yildirim in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.
Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs) fought an excellent fight in beating Erik Skoglund (26-1, 12 KOs) by a 12 round unanimous decision in super middleweight action on Saturday night in his first fight in the quarter finals of the World Boxing Super Series at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The 6’3” Smith unloaded on Skoglund in round 11 to knock him down.
British Callum Smith (76,02 kg) (22-0, 17 KOs) and Swedish Erik Skoglund (76,06 kg) (26-0, 12 KOs) are ready for Saturday’s super middleweight premiere of the World Boxing Super Series and the quest for the Ali Trophy at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.
“I can’t wait for the fight,” said Smith.
For a long time, boxing was in decline and arguably is still in a very fragile state. The arguments for how this has come about differ widely depending on who you speak to, from blaming subscription based viewing only (Sky, Boxnation) right through to it being culturally objectionable.
Skoglund invites Zlatan to be ringside for World Boxing Super Series clash
Erik Skoglund (26-0, 12 KOs) has invited countryman Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be ringside for his World Boxing Super Series quarter-final clash with Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Luke Blackledge: “Smith-Skoglund is a 50-50 fight – Skoglund is one hell of a fighter!
Luke Blackledge, the only man to face both Callum Smith (22-0, 17 KOs) and Erik Skoglund (26-0, 12 KOs) in a professional boxing ring, has labeled their super middleweight clash a 50-50 fight and believes the Swedish star could be the dark horse in the tournament.