Arena Boxing: Yuriorkis Gamboa Returns To Germany For Hamburg Fight Card

On March 27, Ahmet Öner’s Arena Sports Promotion will team up with major TV station SAT.1 for the first time for a big show in Hamburg, Germany featuring the heavyweight rematch between German prospect Steffen Kretschmann and Russian veteran Denis Bakhtov and the return of featherweight phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa to Hamburg where his pro career started in April, 2007.

“This will be our biggest show in Germany so far”, states Öner. “With SAT.1 we have finally found a major TV partner who helps us to bring great fights to a big audience. Of course, a German TV station wants to present German fighters. That is why we have decided to feature the heavyweight clash between Steffen Kretschmann and Denis Bakhtov as one of two main events.”

In June, 2009, Bakhtov had stopped then unbeaten Kretschmann with a lucky punch in round one. Now the German heavyweight hope is seeking for revenge. SAT.1 will not only broadcast the fight live but also cover Kretschmann’s preparation for the “biggest fight of his lifetime” in four episodes of a documentary starting at March 2nd.

“This is a big chance for us to present Steffen to the German public”, adds Öner. “We are very happy that SAT.1 will accompany the whole event the way they are planning to do it. This shows us how serious they take their return to the boxing ring.”

Ten years ago SAT.1 has covered some world championships featuring “Tiger” Dariusz Michalczewski and the early fights of Wladimir Klitschko. Now they will return not only with Kretschmann but also with one of the fastest rising stars in the business today.

WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa will co-headline the show on March 27th defending his title in Germany for the first time.

“This will be our special highlight for our new TV partner”, explains Arena CEO Öner. “Of course, it is not easy to bring a superstar like Gamboa to Germany but he is my fighter so I am very proud to bring him back to where his pro-career started three years ago.”

On April 27, 2007 Gamboa won his pro debut in Hamburg against Alexan Manvelyan after defecting from Cuba with fellow teamates Odlanier Solis and Yan Barthelemy. Three years later he is not only world champion but held to be one of the hottest fighters in the world who has been featured on HBO and defended his championship at world famous Madison Square Garden two times.

“When Gamboa will be back in Hamburg it will feel like a circle is complete”, says Öner. “I know that he has lots of friends here and is happy to return to Germany . But this will be an exception. Gamboa’s main market is in the USA now.

“He will be in Germany for this one fight only and then continue his great career in the big venues in the States. Maybe we bring him to Middle and South America and Asia as well. He is on his best way to become an international megastar so we will probably present him wherever people want to see him fight.”

Besides Kretschmann and Gamboa Öner will also present last year’s world title contenders Juan Carlos Gomez and Mahir Oral on the undercard as well as former German amateur standout Robert Woge who will give his pro-debut at light heavyweight.

Tickets are on sale for 15,- / 30,- / 45,- / 60,- / 85,- Euro (plus fees and tax). Exclusive VIP-packages cost 160,- or 200,- Euros (plus fess and tax). Tickets can be ordered online through www.eventim.de/kretschmann or via ticket hotline +49(0)1805-570067. For more information on the show visit www.ran.de or www.arenaboxpromotion.com