Boxing News Boxing News
© Giancarlo “Rio” Di Caro
Former German Super Middleweight Champion, Juergen ‘The Rock’ Hartenstein, 11-13-1, is back in action this coming Saturday against Puerto Rico’s number 1 rated Carlos ‘Baby Sugar’ De Leon Jr., 20-2-2, at the Zeferino Entertainment promoted fight night at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta, Kansas.
In 2006, Hartenstein moved from his home town of Munich, Germany to Philadelphia in the hope of resurrecting his once glorious career. The award winning film ‘Comeback’ documents Hartenstein’s preparations for his return to the sport after a three year sabbatical as well as his journey across the Atlantic and his first fight on American soil against Max Alexander at the Blue Horizon.
Hartenstein lost and it looked like his American dream might be over before it had even started. But that turned out not to be the case,as various local promoters liked what they saw in the plucky German and decided to give him another chance.
His next two fights, against Cullen Rogers and Jacob Rodriguez, didn’t go well either as he lost both of them.Then after his controversial ‘loss’ against Khalil Farah at the Blue Horizon back in January this year, Hartenstein, who at the time was training himself, decided that if he was going to get back to winning ways he would need some serious professional help.
In May 2008, he found just that when he recruited famed trainer Willie Folks as well as moving to new training facilities at the Legendary James Shuler Memorial Gym.
Training alongside current IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, USBA Heavyweight Champion ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, USBA Light Heavyweight Champion Yusaf Mack and sparring with notable fighters such as Gee Culmer and Jamaal ‘Da’ Truth Davis, Hartenstein has come on a pace and has quickly rediscovered the skills that took him all the way to a challenge for European title against Silvio Branco in 2002.
Hartenstein vs. De Leon is co-feature to the David Medina vs Steve Walker WBC USHBC Middleweight Title fight on Saturday, September 6 at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta, Kansas.
For tickets call 785-966-7777.
