04.01.06 – Fight Production, the German management company of Dutch heavyweight powerpuncher Richel Hersisia headed by Olaf Schroeder, today confirmed that a three-fight deal for the current Benelux champion has been signed with German promotional powerhouse Universum. The first outing of the package will see Hersisia, 26-1 (21 KO’s), take on Brazilian champion Rogerio Lobo, 38-14 (32 KO’s), live on DSF television already on January 14 on a show in Aschersleben staged by Universum partner SES Boxing..
This move for Hersisia comes as a huge surprise, especially since in the past decade Schroeder didn’t exactly worked overtime with the Hamburg-based Universum Box-Promotion. Also, Spanish outfit Tundra vs Barcelo just months ago started to make promotional plans for the 31-year-old from Den Haag, who fluently talks Spanish. Talking about the rather secretive negotiations, Schroeder said: “Let’s face it, it’s time to make noise with Richel and Enrique (Soria, CEO of Tundra vs Barcelo) understands that in this business you have to go to the players with the asses – and Universum has a full range of highly-ranked heavyweights that we can all target. Plus there is a breath of fresh air at Universum thanks to Dietmar Poszwa, with whom it’s a pleasure to deal with. If Richel gets by Lobo and does so impressively, he will be ready for big fights. Universum can put us on the road to the top and I’m sure lots of people will eat their words once they discover what Richel is really capable of!”.
Meanwhile, the man who is called ‘The Dutch Sonny Liston’ but doesn’t like it too much, has been in training over the holidays. In a pro career that started in 2001, Hersisia only lost to Olympic champion Audley Harrison, when defending his WBF ‘world’ heavyweight title for the second time in March 2004, but has since reeled off five consecutive wins, all by knockout. “I don’t talk much, and I don’t care much where or who I fight,” said Hersisia from his new training base in Rotterdam, “I just want a chance to be the best I can be and I’m glad Olaf put this deal with Universum together. I’m ready to get it on!”.