20.09.06 – At noon today, an entertaining press conference before the middleweight world championship fight between champion Arthur Abraham (Berlin) and Edison Miranda (Colombia) on Saturday in Wetzlar came to an entertaining end for the reporter and photographer. Before the obligatory posing photo the challenger ran his finger over his throat in order to show Abraham that he wants to give him a real clobbering. The world champion replied to the unkind gesture by raising both middle fingers at Miranda.
Miranda´s team repeatedly had liven things up during the last weeks by verbal attacks. Even today, the Colombian self-confidently presented himself at the microphone. “I´ll win this fight – prematurely in fact. I´ll knock Abraham down. And I have a question: Where´s the belt, anyway? It´s only two days for you to have it. Seize the time and take a few cherished photos. On Saturday the belt will belong to me and you´ll never see it again.”
During the challenger´s dialog of almost ten minutes, Abraham appearing amused listened to the translation from Spanish and whispered into his manager´s ears: “Mr Sauerland, the fight won´t last as long as he´s talking now.” Unlike his opponent, Arthur did not need many words at the microphone..
“Miranda rather should have become a teacher than boxer. Telling the children something at school – that seems to be his thing. Fortunately, there are just three meetings left – the weigh-in, the fight and afterwards, I´ll visit you at the hospital one time.”
Miranda´s manager Steve Benbasat who had called Abraham a “one-dimensional boxer“ in the run-up put his statement into concrete terms today. “We have watched videos. Abraham has a few weapons but that won´t be enough to beat Edison “Pantera” Miranda.
Meanwhile, Arthur´s coach Ulli Wegner has not the slightest doubt that Abraham leaves the ring as the champion. “It´s about a world championship – that means against a strong opponent. But Arthur is one of a kind. Miranda never has felt such a punch. Arthur will smash him. He wins by k.o.!”
Even the new entry of the former Smurfs´ boxer was one of the press conference´s topics. Abraham is going to walk into the Rittal Arena as “King Arthur” after the entry as a Smurf has been prohibited for copyright reasons. “Thinking about the music something really special occurred to me,” the champion tells. “But that remains a mystery up to the fight.”