Boxing In Germany: Felix Sturm And Stipe Drews In WBA Championship Fights April 28

Promoters Universum have scheduled a fantastic night of boxing at the König-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen for their “Universum Champions Night” card on April 28, 2007.

Topping the bill will be a pair of rematches, the first between former titlist Felix Sturm and champion Javier Castilliejo of Spain for the WBA Middleweight crown along with ex-European titlist Stipe Drews challenging Italy’s WBA Light Heavyweight Champion Silvio Branco.

Heading up the undercard will be Champion Ina Menzer against challenger Maria Andrea Miranda for the WIBF Featherweight title.

Former World Champion Felix Sturm, 26-2 (12), will have another shot at the WBA Middleweight belt. He’ll meet the reigning Champion Javier Castillejo, 62-6 (41), who had beaten Sturm by KO in their last meeting in July 2006 in Hamburg.

Although the Spaniard lost his belt shortly after winning it against the Argentinean Mariano Carrera, he is still the Champion as Carrera was stripped of the belt as he was tested positive for banned substances after their collision in December 2006.

As the #1 ranked WBA challenger, Sturm is the mandatory for Castillejo. Boxing fans will expect another thrilling rematch at this year’s Universum Champions Night in Oberhausen.

“It was not so great with the defeat (to Castillejo) and the death of my mother,” stated Sturm at a press conference today. “Without the support of my trainer Michael Timm and my friends at “Plus One” in Cologne, Roland Beback and Clive Salz, this fight wouldn’t be happening.

“Now I feel fit as ever, have learned from the mistakes in the fight against Castillejo and now know that talent alone is not sufficient. Castillejo is great boxer, a tough fighter. I’m glad about this great rematch. I will deliver the greatest fight of my career.”

Universum’s Stipe Drews, 31-1 (13), challenges the reigning and well experienced WBA Light Heavyweight Champ, Silvio “Barbar” Branco, 55-8-2 (34), of Italy.

This will be also a rematch as both boxers met three years ago in a fight for the European Championship. That challenge was won by the Croatian “Spiderman” and surely Drews wants to add a second win over Branco as well as the World Championship belt to his collection.

Also, female featherweight champion Ina Menzer, 16-0 (8) ,defends her world belt for the sixth time against Colombian Maria Andrea Miranda, 7-1 (3).

The undercard is loaded with unbeaten WBC International cruiserwight champ Rudolf Kraj, WBO Intercontinental jr welterweight champion Willy Blain, middleweight Khoren Gevor and former WBO interim world champion Mario Veit seeing action in separate bouts.

Tickets are available:Universum Hotline 040- 696 559 59

König-Pilsener-Arena-Hotline 0208-82000 and at all known Ticket Shops or www.boxing.de