Javier Castillejo believes experience will make the difference on Saturday night when he takes on European middleweight champion Sebastian Sylvester in Neubrandenburg. The 40-year-old Spaniard is confident he will defeat his German opponent in front of his home fans. “I can count on the experience of 20 years as a pro,” Castillejo (62-7, 43 KOs) said at today´s pressconference. “That gives me a lot of confidence.” The former world champion shaped up in the mountains near Madrid. “He is in great shape. It´s almost as if he was 20 years old,” coach Ricardo Sanchez Atocha praised..
Meanwhile, Sylvester (28-2, 13 KOs) revealed he went through over 100 sparring rounds during the course of the preparation. “I´ve been working harder than ever before to improve all aspects of my game,” the Hurricane said. “Be it condition, tactics or speed – I have gotten much stronger.” The 27-year-old knows that Saturday could easily mark the most difficult fight of hiscareer. “Castillejo is a very experienced fighter,” Sylvester added. “But we´re prepared and know how to beat him – and I will beat him.
Next up for Sylvester could be an all-German showdown with WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm. But the Hurricane has refused to waste a single thought about it. “All my focus is on Castillejo. Defeating him will be a tough task but I am up to it,” he said.
In the co-featured main event, up-and-coming Karo Murat (16-0, 11 KOs) hopes to tear the European super-middleweight title away from Cristian Sanavia (40-3, 12 KOs). And just like Castillejo, the Italian veteran is counting on his experience. “I know Murat is a very good boxer,” the 33-year-old said. “But experience will prevail and beat youth on Saturday night.” Murat has different plans: “I am young and hungry and I want the European belt,” he said. “Sanavia needs to understand that I will make the most out of this opportunity.
Returning to the ring will be Marco Huck (19-1, 14 KOs), who suffered the first loss of his career in December when IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham clinched a dramatic 12th-round TKO victory. “The loss was like a cold shower,” Huck said. “But I am well recovered and will make it back to the top.” The 23-year-old takes on Leon Nzama.