10.14.04 – Old habits are hard to change, so Dutch heavyweight Richel Hersisia, 21-1 (16), who comes back from his first career loss as well as from elbow surgery this coming Saturday (Oct. 16) in Halle/Saale, Germany, says what sounds familiar: “I am just happy that I can start kicking ass again. That’s all that counts now and the rest I don’t care. The Audley loss was a setback, sure, but I still have lots of potential.”
The first part of Hersisia’s prediction might well come true, because manager Olaf Schroeder has picked Hungarian journeyman Viktor Juhasz as his protégé’s opponent – fully aware of the critisism that might come his way. But Schroeder is unfazed: “Last year, Richel and Sami Elovaara fought the most exiting European heavyweight 12-rounder of the year and what happens?.”
The ‘experts’ said Richel has boxed nobodies, while of course everyone else has featured in tough battles. So now I give them the chance not to just look like cynics, but like real boxing experts. As I said all along, this is about Richel getting back on the winning track, nothing more, nothing less, and when that is achieved, we are ready for all challenges.”
Hersisia and his trainer Mourad Louati are expected to arrive in Germany tomorrow. The promotion is staged by Ulf Steinforth’s SES Boxing outfit and televised live nationwide on sports channel DSF.
HINTEREGGER VOWS REVANCHE
Heartbroken former IBF Intercontinental champion Gotthard Hinteregger has made his mind up in almost as quick a fashion as he lost his beloved crown last Friday against Hungarian challenger Jozsef Matolcsi: “I definitely want to regain the belt, ideally getting in the ring again with Matolcsi as soon as possible!”, declared the man whose title-winning effort earlier this year in Italy made him the most successful Austrian boxer in the last 15 years.
“For seconds, my mind could not believe what my eyes were telling me,” said manager Olaf Schroeder of Fight Production, the man behind the fairytale-like resurrection of the Vienna superwelterweight’s career, of the sudden ending to Hintereggers first defence, which took place in Brentwood, England. The champion had dictated his challenger, knocking him down a total of four times – until one Matolcsi haymaker destroyed all dreams. “I know I probably fought the best fight of my career so far,” said Hinteregger after a few days back home in Austria, “and one stupid, stupid mistake cost me everything. Nobody is more angry than I am at myself. I just hope I can get the chance of a rematch very quickly, although I hear that in December Matolcsi wants an easy non-title fight, which is understandable given the beating I gave him. But I am fine and we just need to do it again.”