Dominik Britsch vs. Roberto Santos for vacant EBU 160 lb title on September 15th

International Boxing Federation (IBF) Cruiserweight World Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (26-1, 13 KOs) will defend his title against Troy Ross (25-2, 16 KOs) at the Stechert Arena of Bamberg, Germany on September 15. But there will be a second title bout in Upper Franconia. Middleweight Dominik Britsch (26-0-1, 9 KOs), currently ranked at number three by the IBF, will step into the ring in Bamberg. The 24-year-old will once again take on Roberto Santos (17-6-2, 9 KOs) from Spain to fight it out for the EU Championship. Their first meeting on February 25 in Stuttgart, Germany ended in a draw. The title stayed vacant. Now the rematch will prove who, out of the two of them, is the better fighter.

“For me there is no question,” said Britsch. “I will be the winner of the rematch.” He does see the draw of the first fight as a blemish on his record. After dominating the first eight rounds his legs started to cramp up. “I don’t want to use this as an excuse, but the cramps definitely hindered me in executing my game plan. The cut above my right eye from round twelve didn’t help either. I was quite happy when the fight ended. I actually did see myself in the lead but the judges had a different opinion. I have the opportunity to better the previous result and make my fans forget
about the draw.”

Bamberg bears good memories for the prodigy of Coach Ulli Wegner. He has been to the Stechert Arena on three previous occasions. “I fought Hicham Nafil, Amar Amari and Evariste Kabongo here. All three of them were tough opponents but I won against every single one of them. Therefore I am very fond of Bamberg and I am happy to return,” said Britsch.

IABA UPDATE (IRISH OLYMPIC SQUAD WIND UP ASSISI TRAINING CAMP)

The Irish Olympic boxing squad wound up their final training camp in Assisi, Italy today and will fly directly into London tomorrow (July 24th) ahead of the start of the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Irish squad were training and sparring with Italy, Azerbaijan and a team from the Ukraine in Assisi ahead of London 2012.

The Ireland panel finished one final training session amongst themselves today following Sunday’s sparring session with host nation Italy.

The team are due to arrive in London early on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the general weigh-in on July 27th.

Eric Donovan and Dean Walsh also trained with the Irish Olympic squad in Assisi.

“We had a fantastic training camp in Assisi and we had world class sparring with Italy and Azerbaijan. The facilities were top class and the squad got a lot of work done , said Irish head coach Billy Walsh.

“Everyone is happy and healthy and the team are in a good place. We’re looking forward to getting to London and settling in at the Olympic village and familiarising ourselves with the surroundings and the venue.

“It’s all just a matter of days away now and hopefully we will get the rub of the green in the draw.”

250 male and 36 female boxers will compete at the 30th Olympiad across 13 weight categories, a record for Olympic boxing.

Competition begins in the bantamweight and middleweight classes at the Excel venue on Saturday.

The welterweights will be in action on Sunday, followed by the flyweights on Monday and the light-flyweights on Tuesday.

Women’s boxing will be making its historic debut at London 2012 in three weight classes – flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

The first women’s bout is scheduled for August 5th.

Irish 2012 Olympic squad

49Kg (Light-flyweight) Paddy Barnes (Holy Family BC, Belfast)

52kg (Flyweight) Michael Conlan (St John Bosco BC, Belfast)

56kg (Bantamweight) John Joe Nevin (Cavan BC)

60kg (Lghtweight) Katie Taylor (Bray BC, Wicklow)

69kg (Welterweight) Adam Nolan (Bray BC, Wicklow)

75kg (Middleweight) Darren O’Neill (Paulstown BC, Kilkenny)

Team Manager: Des Donnelly

Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Pete Taylor

Physio: Conor McCarthy

Strength & Conditioning: John Cleary

Performance Psychologist: Gerry Hussey