26.02.04 – German super middleweight contender Mario Veit will fight on very short terms next Tuesday on an event at the Universum-Gym in Hamburg. Promoter is Spotlight Boxing. Former world title challenger Veit, 41-1 (22), will face Russian Sergey Karanevich, 18-9 (8), in a ten-round non-title fight. Eurosport will broadcast the contest and two other fights live from 21:00 to 23:00 German time.
„The notice is real short. My training was running very good. But if I had a bit more time for sparring it would have been better”, Veit explained. “However, I like to box and the short notice shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve had three sparring fights with Felix [Sturm] and three more with another sparring partner.”
Mario Veit was basically scheduled to fight on a March 6 card in Bochum. This event, however, was cancelled when WBO middleweight champion Felix Sturm agreed to a mega fight against Oscar de la Hoya on June 5.
The 30-year-old Veit who became father of a boy (“Dustin Noel”) in mid January is ranked #1 in Europe and has the right to challenge European champion Mads Larsen.
Since his loss to WBO champion Joe Calzaghe in April 2001 Veit scored eleven consecutive victories, among others against the undefeated European contenders Jose Maria Guerrero (Spain) and Malik Dziarra (Russia).
The World Boxing Organization ranks Veit #3. But he may soon get the chance to rise one or two spots after #1 ranked Mger Mkrtchyan just lost to Calzaghe who now wants to move to the light heavyweight division. Should this happen Mario Veit may get the opportunity to fight for the vacant title.
„We hope that Mario will get a shot at the European title this year“, Veit’s coach Fritz Sdunek said. “If things can’t be worked out with Larsen perhaps an immediate world title shot would be possible. Since the Calzaghe fight Mario made visible progress. He has more self-confidence now and his upper body movement is much better now. Mario is using his skills with a lot more confidence. I’m sure he has excellent chances now to win a European title fight or a world championship.”
The fightcard in Hamburg includes seven more contests. Fighting out of the red corner are Geir Inge Jorgensen (lightweight), Sören Engelbrecht (jr. welterweight), Koren Gevor (middleweight), Dimitri Sartison (super middleweight), Goran Gogic (heavyweight) Daisy Lang (GBU super bantamweight champion) and Alesia Graf (bantamweight).