Arthur Abraham (44-5, 29 KOs) says his opponent Tim-Robin Lihaug (15-1, 8 KOs) should expect no sympathy from him when they meet on July 16 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.
The former two-weight World Champion is aiming to launch another World title assault following his defeat to Gilberto Ramirez in April, and as he prepares for his return to the ring, ‘King Arthur’ knows he cannot afford any slip-ups if he is to reclaim his super middleweight crown.
‘’Tim-Robin Lihaug is a young, emerging talent,’’ he says. ‘’He is someone who still has a lot to prove and perhaps has a great future ahead of him, but on July 16, he will learn what it means to fight at the very highest level. When the bell rings, he should expect no sympathy from me. This is a fight I must win, and win in style.’’
Abraham adds that he is now eager to atone for his World title defeat and repay the support shown to him by his long-time coach and mentor Ulli Wegner.
‘’Mr. Wegner has shown great belief in me and I want repay his support by proving to him that I can become World Champion again,” he said. ”He is not only a great coach but also a great person, and he is right when he says ‘we win together and we lose together’. Things did not go to plan in Las Vegas, but we have learnt from this, and I will come back stronger and more determined than ever.’’
The 36 year-old is also welcoming a return to the Max-Schmeling-Halle and his adopted hometown of Berlin, where he holds a one hundred per cent win ratio.
‘’I have never lost a fight in Berlin,’’ he says. ‘’And I intend to keep it that way. Here I have the full support of the crowd, and I’m sure they will play their part in another great victory for me.’’
