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The “Sniper” Returns.

ByBoxing Press

Hamburg. Former WBO world champion Corrie Sanders will make his first fight for German promoter Universum on December 14. The hard punching South African heavyweight contender will step into the ring in Sölden, Austria, on the Tuesday evening event of Spotlight Boxing. His opponent is Alexei Varakin, 21-13-2 (12), from Russia. The Sanders-Varakin fight as well as three other contests from the show at Freizeit Arena Sölden will be broadcast live on Eurosport TV all over Europe at 20:30 CET. Five contests from the undercard in Sölden will be broadcast live and worldwide on the internet on www.boxing.de starting at 18:00 CET (9am PT, 12am ET).

Corrie Sanders, 39-3 (29), is beginning his comeback after losing a vacant WBC world title shot against now reigning champion Vitali Klitschko on April 24 in Los Angeles. Prior to his brutal battle against the hulking Ukrainian he fought Vitali’s younger brother Wladimir Klitschko on March 8 in Hanover, Germany. Sanders floored Wladimir Klitschko four times and stopped him in round 2 in the heavyweight upset of the year. When announcing his comeback Corrie Sanders stated that his aim is “to regain a heavyweight world title”.

Coach Harold Volbrecht confirmed that Sanders “is already in top shape.” “That’s why Sanders will already fight on December 14 on the Spotlight show”, manager Dietmar Poszwa said. “Next year he will continue his comeback on Universum events, live on ZDF TV.” In 2004 Corrie Sanders was given the nickname “The Sniper” from Lennox Lewis because the South African is one of the quickest starters in heavyweight boxing (18 of his 29 knockouts came in round one) and one of the most dangerous counter punchers. Sanders rocked Vitali Klitschko several times deeply in round one and two of their WBC world title fight eight months ago.

In the main event in Sölden heavyweight stable mates Konstantin Onofrei, 19-1 (13), and Taras Bidenko, 13-1 (8), will fight for the WBO intercontinental crown and for the international German title. The contest is scheduled for twelve rounds. Also on the card: Ruslan Chagaev, Denis Boytsov, Karoly Balzsay, Lukas Wilaschek, Gerry Ahmedov, Willy Blain and Sebastian Zbik.