Ulli Wegner has hit back at claims questioning Arthur Abraham’s (44-5, 29 KOs) motivation prior to his WBO International Super Middleweight title fight with Tim-Robin Lihaug (15-1, 8 KOs) on July 16 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.
Lihaug’s trainer Thomas Hansvoll had called into question Abraham’s desire, stating that he believed the former two-weight World Champion ‘had lost his hunger’ and after years at the top of the sport was ‘not so interested anymore’.
Wegner has disputed these remarks, and says Abraham is hungrier than ever as he looks to regain the World title he lost to Gilberto Ramirez, starting with a victory over the rising Scandinavian star Lihaug.
‘’The loss to Gilberto Ramirez has only made Arthur more determined,’’ said the 74 year-old star coach. ‘’Now he is without a World title, the hunted has become the hunter. He feels a new kind of motivation, and we will see that in the ring on July 16.
‘’Obviously it was a big blow to lose the title in Las Vegas, but now we must work together to reach the top again. I believe he has what it takes to become World Champion again, if I did not, I would be the first person to tell him to retire. Anyone who knows me knows I am always honest in my assessments, and I can tell you this is not the end of the road for Arthur.’’
While optimistic for the future, Wegner realises another defeat could signal the end of Abraham’s illustrious career. ‘’Anything but a win would be disastrous for Arthur,’’ he says. ‘’But we’ve trained well and I’m confident his hand will be raised.’’
The WBO International Championship fight between Tim-Robin Lihaug and Arthur Abraham will provide chief support for Tyron Zeuge’s WBA World Super Middleweight title challenge against Giovanni De Carolis. Tickets are available online via www.eventim.de and www.tickethall.de or by calling +49 (0)1806-570044.
Arthur Abraham returns on July 16 in Berlin
Arthur Abraham (44-5, 29 KOs) returns to the ring on July 16 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, Germany.
The former World Champion says he is ready to defy his critics and get back on the World title trail following his defeat to Gilberto Ramirez.
‘’I’m not ready to say goodbye to the sport I love so much,’’ said the 36 year-old. ‘’The fight with Ramirez did not go as planned, but I promise this will not happen again. I will show that I can do better and that I can become World Champion again – that is my greatest wish!’’
‘King Arthur’ will be joined by his long-time coach and mentor Ulli Wegner, who following crisis talks after Abraham’s World title defeat, has agreed to give his star pupil one last chance.
‘’I was not happy with Arthur’s performance against Ramirez, but I have decided to give the boy another chance,’’ said the 73 year-old coach. ‘’He did not do enough in Las Vegas to retain his title and call himself a champion. Now, he must work harder and show that this was just a blip in his character.’’
Promoter Kalle Sauerland believes Abraham can bounce back from his World title defeat and prove he is ready for another shot at World honours.
‘’Arthur has overcome many obstacles in his career – fighting through a broken jaw to defend his middleweight title against Edison Miranda and suffering defeat in the Super Six on his way to becoming a two weight World Champion,’’ said Sauerland.
‘’He has come back from defeat before and we’re sure he can do it again. It’s now about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered as a boxer. He must show that the fire still burns and that he’s willing to put in the work to become World Champion again.’’
Abraham fights on the undercard of Tyron Zeuge’s WBA World Super Middleweight title challenge against Giovanni De Carolis. Tickets go on sale shortly and will be available via www.eventim.de