IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is thrilled to finally return to action on Saturday night when he takes on Sebastien Demers in his hometown of Bamberg, Germany. The unbeaten 27-year-old has been out of the ring ever since his legendary battle with Edison Miranda who dropped a unanimous points verdict even though Abraham had his jaw broken twice. King Arthur (22-0, 17 KOs) is confident that neither the injury nor the two titanium plates inside his jaw will hinder him in the ring. “I am back in great shape,” he said.
“I´ve been training for five months now and can´t wait to fight again. Demers probably hopes that the jaw will bother me. First of all, I have already forgotten that it was broken, and secondly, he won´t even hit me.”
It will be a special homecoming for the IBF champion who grew up in Bamberg. “The support of my hometown fans will give me another boost,” he stated. “I want to show them my talent. I won´t disappoint them.”
Abraham´s coach Ulli Wegner has been full of praise for his fighter. “He is in the best shape of his life,” said the 65-year-old. “I have never seen him box so well in practice. But he has to be on alert because Demers is a strong opponent.”
The Canadian (20-0, 9 KOs) hopes to make the most out of his title shot. “I haven´t come all the long way from Canada to lose,” he stated. “I know Abraham is a good champion. But I have worked hard and prepared well. It will be a tough and difficult fight.”
On the undercard, Marco “Captain” Huck and Vadim Tokarev will battle out an IBF cruiserweight eliminator. “This is my ticket to a world title fight,” unbeaten Huck (18-0, 14 KOs) vowed. “I have been dreaming about being a world champion all my life. That´s why I will beat him. No matter how strong he is on Saturday night, I will defeat him.”
35-year-old Tokarev, unbeaten in 24 fights, remained tight-lipped during the press conference. “My only thought is to win,” he stated.
Also in action will be 2004 Olympic gold medal winner Alexander Povetkin (11-0, 9 KOs), who takes on Canada´s Patrice L´Heureux (20-3, 12 KOs).