6’7 super-sized heavyweights Alexander “Sascha” Dimitrenko (26-0, 16 KOs)from the Universum stable and “The German Oak” Timo Hoffmann (36-5-1, 20 KOs) of Sauerland Event faced off today at the press conference for Saturday’s showdown at Bördelandhalle in the boxing hotbed of Magdeburg, Germany..
“It’s my first time here and I’ve already heard a lot about the great atmosphere,” said the WBO #2 ranked Dimitrenko. “Naturally, I know Timo Hoffmann very well since he has already boxed some of my stablemates. He’s a big guy, a very experienced boxer and sort of a local fighter. But on Saturday there will only be one winner and that will be me. I’ve spent almost six years in Germany and with Universum and I’m finally close to accomplishing my goal to become a world champion.”
Dimitrenko’s trainer Fritz Sdunek added, “I’ve known Timo Hoffmann for a long time and have followed his career. Timo Hoffmann is unpredictable like the weather – today rain, tomorrow sunshine!”
Hoffmann, who is trained by Uwe Schuster, stated, “During the training in the Commander Gym in Halle everything ran brilliantly. My sparring partners had all Dimitrenko’s size so I feel well prepared.”
For Dimitrenko the bout represents one of the last stops on the way to a world title fight, while for Hoffman the fight could be his last chance to live up to the big expectations many thought his career would bring.
An another world title fight, WIBF featherweight champion Ina Menzer (18-0, 8 KOs) will defend her title against Laura Serrano (16-3-2, 6 KOs). “I am very prepared,” said Menzer. “We were in training camp in Sölden and then did some fine-tuning in Hamburg. My opponent will look for the chance to attack and then try to get away. I will expect that and have my answers.” The fiesty Serrano promised to be aggessive on Saturday. “I’ll move forwards with a lot of pressure and will take advantage of this 5th chance at the world championship belt in spite of my nearly 40 years!”
Two big men from the spotlight boxing team will also see action.
WBC #1 ranked heavyweight Vladimir “The Hunter” Virchis (23-1, 19 KOs) will take on dangerous Robert Hawkins (22-9, 7 KOs). Virchis, who recently vacated the European championship to pursue a world title shot, is ranked in at least the top seven of all the rankings organizations. He is hoping to land a fight as soon as possible against WBC champion Oleg Maskaev or WBC interim champion Samuel Peter. Hawkins is coming off an upset win over Terry Smith (30-4-1).
Highly regarded cruiserweight Grigory Drozd (27-1, 21 KOs) defends his WBO Asia Pacific belt against against power-puncher Laudelino Jose Barros (25-1, 23 KOs) in a bout that promises fireworks. Drozd is rated WBA #3, WBO #5, WBC #6 and IBF #8. His only loss was to current WBA interim world champion Firat Arslan in an eliminator.
Also in the ring in seperate bouts will be heavyweight Evgeny Orlov (3-2-1, 3 KOs), welterweight Oliver Güttel (9-1, 5 KOs) and female jr flyweight Asiye Ozlem Sahin (3-0).
Tickets for „Universum Champions Night“ are available under:
Ticket Shop Magdeburg: +49 391-533 480
Karstadt Magdeburg: +49 391-59 59 103
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49 40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49 1805-5 70 000
or under www.boxing.de