Mikkel Kessler and Danilo Haussler have voiced their confidence ahead of Saturday´s WBA super-middleweight title fight in Oldenburg, Germany. After both fighters underwent a brief public practice session today, they answered questions from the media in great detail. “I never underestimate my opponents,” the Danish champion said. “Danilo Haussler is physically very strong but I have advantages when it comes down to reach and footwork. I have trained very hard in Monaco and Denmark. I feel in great shape..”
The Viking Warrior (40-1, 30 KOs) has firmly set his sights on his 41st victory. “I am prepared for the possibility of going 12 rounds,” he stated. “But I have no doubts that I will leave the ring victorious!”
His opponent, however, is envisioning a different outcome. “I have been working many, many years to get the chance to fight for the world title,” Haussler (29-3, 7 KOs) said. “I will make the most of it and want to win. Kessler might be taller than I am, but I have a huge heart and will show my tremendous fighting spirit.”
Also in action will be European cruiserweight champion Marco “Captain” Huck (22-1, 17 KOs), who defends his title against Italy´s Fabio Tuiach (22-1, 14 KOs), as well as the First Lady Cecilia Braekhus (9-0, 2 KOs), who comes face to face with Borislava Goranova from Bulgaria.
Tickets are available at www.ticketcorner.com.
BUTE’S POPULARITY IN CANADA IS SIMPLY OFF THE CHARTS
NEW YORK (Oct 21, 2008) – Lucian Bute’s popularity in Canada has quickly reached Gretzky-like proportions with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion ready to defend his title once again in Montreal on Friday, Oct. 24, in a special championship fight on ShoBox: The New Generation.
“In his last two fights, only the Montreal Canadiens playoffs games have been more popular sporting events on television,” said David Messier, the director of communication for InterBox, which promotes Bute’s fights in Montreal, the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec.
Since March 2006, Lucian has been the main attraction of every InterBox event at the Bell Centre, home of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. His boxing abilities and his style have made him popular among sports fans. His charisma, kindness and generosity have made him a national hero.
America’s neighbors to the north are all abuzz about Bute. With only one previously televised fight in the U.S., America’s boxing fans will get their second look at Bute (22-0, 18 KOs) when he takes on once-beaten, No.1 ranked challenger Librado Andrade (27-1, 21 KOs) of La Habra, Calif., on SHOWTIME on Friday at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
“He is among the most sound, technically proficient fighters in the game,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “Although he doesn’t have a flashy style or early-round knockout power, he is refreshing to watch because he’s never off-balance, he doesn’t fall in after punching, and he fights with calm and poise. Something tells me he would really have prospered going the old championship distance of 15 rounds.
He continued: “For the past few years, the super middleweight division has been all about Joe Calzaghe and then Mikkel Kessler. Bute has to begin to close the gap of recognition. He’s already won a title. Now he is looking to establish himself as the best 168-pounder in the world. That’s a tough assignment because Kessler is still around, but a win over Andrade will be a big step because Andrade is not only a universally respected challenger, but also the toughest opponent of Bute’s career to date.”
In a country where hockey has always been king, Bute has garnered interest from sports and non-sports fans alike in Quebec and throughout the entire country. A native of Galat, Romania, Bute moved to Canada in October 2003 when he was 23 years old.
His last nine fights have headlined at the Bell Centre and drawn huge crowds with his most recent fight drawing a capacity crowd estimated at 14,000. Of his 22 professional fights, 16 have been fought in Montreal.
A capacity crowd of 16,000 is expected for Friday night’s fight. Last October, Bute won the IBF 168-pound title with an 11th round TKO against Alejandro Berrio with 1.1 million viewers, according to InterBox. On Feb. 29, in a title defense against William Joppy, a 10-round TKO, there were 1.25 million viewers, according to Messier.
Bute’s trainer Stephane Larouche said the crowd goes wild when he enters the ring. “As of right now, Lucian is the biggest attraction in Montreal,” he said. “When he did his first main event, we sold like, 7,000 seats, then 9,000 seats, then 10,000 seats. It always gets higher and higher. He’s got that charisma in the ring. So far, he’s the talk of the town in Montreal. I think that boxing has never been this popular in Montreal, and Lucian is one of the keys in that right now.”
Messier said there are three big reasons for Bute’s immense popularity: He simply wins, he gives back and he has embraced the French-Canadian culture.
“The main reason he is so popular is because he learned the French language,” he said. “He made the effort to learn French and the people are recognizing him for it.
Bute is also the foundation president at InterBox. This foundation was created two years ago for young children with difficulties at school and for kids with behavior problems. Last summer, the foundation conducted a youth boxing training camp for 16 children between the ages of 11 and 17. They lived and trained for a week as a boxer would prepare for a fight. A second camp is planned next year.
Bute said signing with InterBox to promote his fights will only continue his love-affair with the Canadian people. “I relied on the support of Quebec boxing fans and they did not let me down,” he said. “The ambiance during my fights at the Bell Centre is extraordinary. I was adopted by the people here, and I have adopted Quebec.”
“On top of all this,” said ShoBox host and play-by-play announcer Nick Charles, “we’ve got a fight fans fight on Friday night. Two tough, determined and talented men will be squaring off. We’ll have the home-crowd hysteria and Bute’s title on the line. It’s a wonderful testament to the fortitude shown by both Bute and Andrade to get to this point.
“I can’t wait to see who will control the range, pace and dynamics of this fight. Because whoever does will go home with the title Friday night in Montreal.”
In the co-feature, top prospect and No. 11 ranked World Boxing Council (WBC) contender Ronald Hearns (19-0, 15 KOs) will take on Paul Clavette (14-1-1, 2 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.
Charles will call the action from ringside with Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
John Duddy returns Nov. 21 in NYC
MIAMI (October 21, 2008) – Undefeated sensation “Ireland’s” John Duddy returns to action November 21st in his adopted New York City home, headlining “The Grande Event” against veteran Sam “The Punching Policeman” Hill, at famed Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan.
Duddy (25-0, 17 KOs), on his way from the middleweight to light middleweight division, is fighting at 158 pounds against Hill (17-9-1, 10 KOs), who has beaten former world champion and Olympic gold medalist David Reid (TKO9), and fought world champions Jermain Taylor and Maselino Masoe.
“The Grande Event,” promoted by Cedric Kushner’s Gotham Boxing, also features middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (20-0, 15 KOs), light middleweight Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (22-1, 15 KOs), and NABO lightweight champion Jorge Luis “The Truth” Teron (22-0-1, 15 KOs) in separate bouts.
“I’m glad to get back in the ring,” Duddy said. “It’s going to be a great show. I had a good fight in Boston and I’m really looking forward to fighting again in New York City. I can’t wait to show my fans there what I’ve been doing to improve with Pat Burns (head trainer for the second Duddy fight). This fight will get me one step closer to a world title shot someday.
“Hill comes to fight. He’s a crafty pro who knows his job and is very capable. He went the 10-round distance against Jermain Taylor, Everybody brings their A game because they want to be the first to beat me. They all raise their game and I’m preparing for Hill’s best.”
Duddy, rated No. 2 by the WBO, as well as No. 4 by the WBC and No. 7 by the IBF, has been training in Miami.
“Training camp has been great and the sparring is good,” Duddy added. “I’ve been sparring with fighters who have a lot of speed and decent power. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had with faster guys. I’ve picked up a lot and it’s better than sparring with plodding, heavier guys.”
Tickets, priced at $80.00, $100.00, $150.00 and $250.00, are on sale and available to purchase by calling Irish Ropes Promotions (212.868.9544), Jack Demsey’s Restaurant & Bar in Manhattan (212.629.9899), Hilltop Bar in Queens (718.429.8870) and The Heritage Bar in Yonkers (914.776.7532). For more information about “Ireland’s” John Duddy or “The Grande Event” go to www.irishropes.com. Doors will open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.