22.03.05 – Thomas Ulrich headlines an event of Universum Box-Promotion on March 26 at „erdgas arena“ of Riesa, Germany (Saxony). The man from Berlin will defend his European light heavyweight title against Englishman Matthew Barney. Second attraction will be undefeated Russian heavyweight contender Ruslan Chagaev, 15-0-1 (13), who is fighting Sherman Williams, 25-9-2 (15) from the Bahamas..
Chagaev is a former two time amateur world champion with his career-best victory coming over Cuban legend Felix Savon in 1997. In the professionals Chagaev is trained by coach Michael Timm who is thinking highly of his 26-year-old charge, arguing that he would already rate him top-10 in the world.
“He is so tough and has an extremely hard punch”, Michael Timm said who frequently hurts his hands when Chagaev lands his powerful hooks on the pads held by Timm. “He also has a very attentive realization for the right moment to throw a knockout punch. All he needs to learn is the experience to go twelve rounds. We will also constantly improve his footwork and his bobbing and weaving.”
The 40-year-old German coach is eager to bring Chagaev all the way to a world title fight.
“Ruslan is very disciplined and vicious in training. He often works out three hours twice a day. He is willing to take great riscs inside the ring. Ruslan has absolutely no fear. He is looking for openings and lands his punches there.”
Since 2003 the Uzbekian born heavyweight is living in Hamburg, fighting under the banner of Universum Box-Promotion. Meanwhile his wife and his one-year-old son moved to Germany as well. Chagaev gave his son the name Artur, in respect and friendship to his Uzbekian countryman Artur Grigorian, the former WBO lightweight champion.
“His family provides Ruslan with the kind of support that every professional athlete needs”, Timm said.
Chagaev, nicknamed “White Tyson”, began his professional career in the US in 2001 but moved to Germany two years later where he urged his career successfully, fighting on boxing shows of the German promoters Spotlight and Universum. His fights were broadcast live and all over Europe on Eurosport TV.
“The fight in Riesa will show how Ruslan can deal with a man like Sherman Williams”, Timm said. “He must convice spectators and experts that he is world class material. From past experiences we know that the spectators in Riesa are real boxing experts. They watch every fight very closely.”
On the undercard: Koren Gevor (middleweight), Karoly Balzsay (super middleweight) und Sebastian Zbik (middleweight).
Tickets available on www.boxing.de.