Michalczewski to defend against
Derrick Harmon
17.03 - Hamburg - On March 29 WBO light heavyweight
world champion Dariusz Michalczewski will defend his
crown against American Derrick Harmon at the brand
new Color Line Arena in Hamburg. The 14.500 seat arena
is expected to be a sell out.
Chief coach Fritz Sdunek doesnt expect another
sensational upset after his other charge Wladimir
Klitschko was knocked out by South African Corrie
Sanders two weeks ago. However, the experienced coach
warns against Michalczewskis American challenger.
I think we are going to win this fight. Dariusz
will remain the world champion and he will continue
to seek for new world records Sdunek said. But
we dont take Harmon lightly. There are similarities
to Corrie Sanders. He is little known in Germany but
he fought against top opposition in the US. And he
also looked very good against Roy Jones. He landed
a lot of punches against Jones.
Ten days after the Klitschko shocker Fritz Sdunek
explains what was going wrong when Wladimir Klitschko
lost his WBO title to the South African southpaw.
Wladimir wasnt concentrated. He fought
hastily. After he was hit by a relatively light punch
he wanted to retaliate immediately. He rushed Sanders
without setting it up with his jab and he paid for
it. He ran into a counter punch and never recovered.
Sdunek supports the idea of a direct rematch between
Klitschko and Corrie Sanders.
Everything went optimal in Wladimirs training.
Only Wladimir can tell what was wrong when the fight
began. I dont know what was going on in his
head.
Coach Sdunek is confident that his 34-year-old light
heavyweight world champion wont suffer the same
fate as Klitschko.
Dariusz has great experience. And he can take
a shot. Of course when somebody lands a big lucky
punch it can be over for anybody. But I hope that
this wont happen. For the present weve
had enough big surprises. Wladimirs defeat was
another sensation in boxing. But I hope this wont
happen to one of our boxer any time again.
Sdunek explains that Dariusz Michalcezwski started
training this time very early because he had a relatively
long break since his last fight, a brutal rematch
against Richard Hall in September that he won by knockout
in round 10.
We made a lot of sparring this time, all in
all 80 rounds. Dariusz is in great shape physically
and he is also mentally very stabile.
It will be the 23rd title defense for Michalczewski,
47-0 (40 KOs) who won the WBO belt in September
of 1994 against Leeonzer Barber and has since defended
it against an impressive list of top opposition, including
Virgil Hill, Graciano Rocchigiani (twice), Drake Thadzi,
Montell Griffin and Richard Hall (twice).
Its the second attempt to win a world title
for Derrick Harmon, 23-3 (11 KOs). In February
2001 he gave Roy Jones Jr. a solid challenge for 10
rounds until Harmons corner men stopped the
contest between rounds because of an injury to the
fighters ear.
Last July the 33-year-old dropped a 12-round decision
to former world champion Montell Griffin, then scored
a 2nd round knockout over Tim Littles in November.
In April 2002 Harmon defeated Glencoffee Johnson,
the single conqueror of Michalczewskis stable
mate Thomas Ulrich. Derrick Harmon is ranked #9 by
the WBC, #5 by the IBF and #10 by the WBO.
On the undercard in Hamburg undefeated light heavyweight
from Hungary Zsolt Erdei, 14-0 (10 KO's), will defend
his WBO intercontinental title against Brazilian José
Hilton Santos.
Also in action at Color Line Arena: Former European
heavyweight champion Luan Krasniqi, 22-1 (12), 6-foot-7
heavyweight prospect from Russia Alexander Dimitrenko,
6-0 (4), undefeated cruiserweight contender Alexander
Petkovic, 25-0-3 (13) and former WBO middleweight
world champion Bert Schenk, 31-1 (19).
More news, photos and insider information on www.boxing.de
The next events of Universum Box-Promotion
March 29
Color Line Arena, Hamburg
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Derrick Harmon
for Michalczewski's WBO light heavyweight title
April 26
Sport- und Kongresshalle, Schwerin
Sinan Samil Sam vs. Julius Francis
for Sam's European heavyweight title
You can order tickets for the event in Hamburg online
on www.boxing.de.