Beyer, Abraham in Zwickau!

May 9, 2006

http://www.fightnews.com/1144.htm

Photo: Sauerland Event
In advance of Saturday's big world title twinbill at the Stadthalle Zwickau in Zwickau, Germany, the Sauerland-Team with both world champions Markus Beyer and Arthur Abraham have arrived and set up headquarters at the Holiday Inn.

"The last few weeks of preparation at the Kienbaum training camp were intensive and successful," stated trainer Ulli Wegner. "I expect difficult fights for Markus and Arthur. But if both implement the tactical instructions, they will defend their titles."

WBC super middleweight champion Markus Beyer climbs into the ring in Zwickau with Sakio Bika. The 27-year-old challenger is a dangerous opponent who has dominated most of opponents to date with his aggressive pace.

"Boy, oh boy! He has a quite nice hammer," Beyer commented on the punching power of his opponent after seeing the videos for the first time. The only blemish on the ledger of the Cameroon-born Australian is a controversial points loss to Sam Soliman in October 2002. Bika enters the bout with a 20 victories (13 KOs), a draw and a defeat. "This is a real fighter who can punch awfully hard. This will be quite a hot dance. Markus can only exist against Bika if he keeps to his boxing," warns Wegner.

Beyer, who grew up only about 20 miles away from Zwickau, has prepared meticulously for this title defense in the Stadthalle. The WBC titleholder says he does not have motivation problems for this defense. "To be enthusiastic over and over again is difficult," he admits. "But I know why I do it. I am and want to remain a world champion."

With a victory over Sakio Bika, Beyer is not sure what his next step will be. "A unification fight against Joe Calzaghe would be a highlight and also a goal," he commented. "But for now only the next fight counts. I have sweated in the training camps in Zinnowitz und Kienbaum and have concentrated fully and completely upon this fight," reports the champion.

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Arthur Abraham isn't a local like Beyer, but the area has a special meaning for him also. It was in Leipzig, about an hour away, where he won the IBF middleweight title with a convincing KO against Kingsley Ikeke. On Saturday in Zwickau, the Berlin-based champion will defend against Kofi Jantuah (30-3, 19 KOs). The "Smurf Boxer" Abraham is unbeaten in 20 fights, winning 17 by KO. This will be his second title defense.

"We have found a very attractive opponent for Arthur," says manager Wilfried Sauerland. "Jantuah is a good puncher who goes forward and is always looking for the confrontation. The fans will like this!"

For Abraham, this voluntary title defense is the last before his mandatory title defense against Edison Miranda. "The duel against Miranda is planned for August or September," according to Sauerland, "and we want to promote that fight in Germany."

Although as a world champion Arthur could call himself "King Arthur," he has no plans to exchange his Smurf hat for a crown. "(Recording artist) Father Abraham and the Smurfs have brought me so much good fortune," states the 26-year-old. "Therefore I am the "Smurf Boxer"....plus it's funny to see how surprised my opponents always look when instead of heavy metal the Smurf song is played."