The fight between WBC interim middleweight champion Sebastian Zbik and two-time title challenger Khoren Gevor is off. They were slated to meet on July 17 in Schwerin, Germany. Universum General Manager Stefan Braune said: “We needed to have our plans finalized for our promotional partners and Sebastian Zbik hadn’t signed the fight contract on time. Therefore we had to reorganize and we’re pleased that we’re able to present to the fans two additional great fights with local favorite Jürgen Brähmer and Susi Kentikian..”
Universum has agreed to submit a new offer to Zbik to fight in a subsequent event. “We’re working with Sebastian on a new plan for his next title defense,” Braune added.
The new TV main event will feature WBO/WBA/WIBF flyweight champion “Killer Queen” Susi Kentikian (27-0, 16 KOs). Universum had hoped to put Kentikian in a rematch with Nadia Raoui, whom Kentikian recently a controversial win over. “Nadia was offered double her previous purse by my promoter, but for her that’s not enough. I would be happy to box her again immediately. It’s still there if Nadia wants it. I really want a rematch, but now I need to concentrate on another challenger, probably a Mexican.”
“I’m really happy that I can fight in Schwerin again,” WBO light heavyweight world champion Jürgen Brähmer (36-2, 29 KOs) stated. “Although it was very nice to fight in Hamburg in April, a home game is always something special. First, I’m hoping for a great World Cup, and then a great Boxing World Cup for me. The stupid thing is that now I have to miss some games because of all the training.”
The name of Brähmer’s opponent will be released in a few days.
Also on the card is the previously announced WBO cruiserweight eliminator between Alexander Alekseev (19-1, 17 KOs) and Denis Lebedev (20-0, 15 KOs) with the winner to be mandatory challenger of Marco Huck.
Universum Promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl commented: “Brähmer, Kentikian and a world title eliminator – for me this is the strongest program we have ever had in Schwerin ever. We are delighted with this Champions Night. I also hope that many from Hamburg will come to this beautiful city located just one hour away. Everyone will get their money’s worth!”
“Universum Champions Night” – on July 3 at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart
Ina Menzer will be defending her three world title belts: “I’m looking forward to Stuttgart. It will be a great show!”
Firat Arslan will be fighting for the WBA interim belt: “At first I thought I wouldn’t get back to normal again, let alone box…But now I’m well again and I’m back!”
In the headling bout female superstar Ina Menzer (26-0, 10 KOs) will be defending her WIBF/WBO/WBC world title belts while former WBA cruiserweight champion and local hero Firat Arslan (29-4-1, 18 KOs) returns after nearly a two-year layoff.
Both fighters appeared before the local press on Wednesday. The unbeaten featherweight championesse Ina Menzer will fight against an opponent to be named. It will be her second fight in Stuttgart while her last appearance was in 2005 when she was quite inexperinced with only five bouts on the record. Now crowned with three belts she returns to action.
Ina Menzer stated: “The ink on the contract isn’t dry yet, but it’ll happen in the next few days. No matter who it is, I’m looking forward to this city and the local boxing fans. It’ll be a new experience. In my first fight here in 2005 I was prelim fighter and no one was interested in my fight.”
Menzer will now enter a full arena with her three world championship belts, including the new pink WBO belt. “The WBO sent me for the first time a real women’s belt, which is much lighter and totally pink. It looks beautiful. I’m delighted with this special honor. Womens boxing is becoming more popular.”
The card will also feature former WBA cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan. Arslan, who hails from just outside Stuttgart, returns after nearly a two-year layoff to face Steve Herelius (19-1-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA interim belt. Arslan lost his WBA title to Guillermo Jones in September 2008, but Jones hasn’t defended the belt since and is in danger of being stripped due to inactivity.
Last June, shortly before a fight against the current WBO champion Marco Huck, Arslan suffered serious injuries in a bicycling accident in the Alps. “In June 2009 I crashed quite badly while training on a bike in the mountains. I really smacked the asphalt. I had to be taken to hospital by helicopter. I happened to have a helmet on, but I had torn neck muscles and multiple fractures. At first I thought I wouldn’t get back to normal again, let alone box…But now I’m well again and I’m back! I’ve fought all my life. I am the proof that you can fight for everything in life. So now I’m burning for this opportunity to get my WBA belt back. How successful I’ll be, we’ll see on July 3rd.”
Trainer Michael Timm on Ina Menzer: “Ina has greatly developed,” he added. “Lately she has faced the best female boxers in her weight class and won. She loves these challenges. We are now very focused in Hamburg and beginning our preparations.”
Timm, who has helped eleven Universum boxers become world champions, will prepare both fighters. “Firat is very pleasant and has an indomitable will. That makes working with him so enjoyable. I’m sure we’ll bring Herelius a tough fight, with hopefully a positive outcome!”
Additional fights will be announced shortly. ZDF will televise the fight of Ina Menzer live from 11:00 pm.
Tickets for the “Universum Champions Nigth” at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart are available at:
Universum Ticket Hotline: +49-40-696 559 59
CTS-Eventim Hotline: +49-1805-57 00 00
Easy Ticket Service Stuttgart: +49-711-2555555
or at www.boxing.de