The tension is building, will Arthur Abraham (35-3, 27 KOs) be successful in his first defense of the WBO Crown against Mehdi Bouadla (26-4, 11 KOs)? If it is up to Promoter Kalle Sauerland, Abraham’s super-middleweight reign will be just as successful as he was during his days at the middleweight. Back then, the prodigy of coach Ulli Wegner defended the IBF Belt on ten occasions before he took the step up to the higher weight class.
“His victory over Stieglitz in August was just the beginning. I truly believe that Arthur is back at his best and has some glorious years ahead of him,” Sauerland said during Wednesday’s press conference in Nuremberg, Germany.
Of course, Abraham agreed with his promoter. The 32-year-old is excited about putting his title on the line in Franconia.
“I feel comfortable entering the ring as the champion. In hindsight, maybe I should have picked some easier fights for the transition from middleweight to super-middleweight. However, I went straight in there with the best the division has to offer and it has been a learning curve for me. That is exactly why I’m so happy to have won the World Title in August,” said the WBO Champion.
“I am fully aware of the fact that this will be a tough fight. This could be the last chance of Bouadla’s career to win a world championship. He will try everything he can.”
But no matter what Abraham said, it was still evident that he feels pretty confident ahead of the clash. Coach Wegner explained why.
“I always believed that Arthur could be a Super-Middleweight World Champion. We got even closer after his great fight in August. That also showed during the preparation for this fight. He was very concentrated during the training camp. You can tell that he has learned from his experience and that he has developed as an athlete.”
Nevertheless, Mehdi Bouadla is planning on standing in his way. The 30-year-old, currently ranked as number 13 by the WBO, promised Abraham a run for his money. “My preparation has been going extremely well. I will give it 100 percent in order to take the belt of Abraham.”
The fans at the arena do not only have the WBO Title fight to look forward to. Two more championships are on the line on December 15. Jack Culcay (13-0, 9 KOs) takes on Jean Michel Hamilcaro (17-4-3, 6 KOs) in the second defense of his WBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight Title. Poland’s Mateusz Masternak (28-0, 21 KOs) fights it out for the vacant European Cruiserweight Championship. His opponent of the night is Juho Haapoja (18-2-1, 11 KOs) from Finland.
