Team Sauerland will kick off 2011 with a world title doubleheader in Neubrandenburg, Germany on January 22nd. IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester (34-3-1, 16 KOs) will make a fourth defense of his title when he takes on Frenchman Mehdi Bouadla (21-3, 10 KOs). IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve Cunningham will also defend his crown against mandatory challenger Enad Licina.
“We are thrilled to kick off the new year with a big bang,” said Chris Meyer, Team Sauerland´s General Manager. “The fans in Neubrandenburg have seen many exciting fights and I am sure that both title clashes will be very entertaining. More than half of the tickets have already been sold now.”
Sylvester comes off a spectacular victory over Mahir Oral in October. The Hurricane knocked down his opponent three times before cruising to a clear points victory. “I look forward to fighting in Neubrandenburg again,” Sylvester said. “It is like my second home and I intend to deliver my fans another exciting evening. Boudla is a strong and aggressive fighter but together with my coach Karsten Rower we will find a way to beat him.”
In the co-featured main event, Steve “USS” Cunningham (23-2, 12 KOs) will return to action for the first time since winning the IBF Title with a TKO victory over Troy Ross in June 2010. He will come face-to-face with Enad Licina (19-2, 10 KOs), who defeated Felix Cora Jr. on points in an eliminator in Manchester last month. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring,” Cunningham said. “I’m working hard to win and retain my title on January 22nd. I still feel the world hasn’t seen the best of Steve Cunningham yet. I’m expecting a hard fight from Licina. I know he’ll come prepared.”
Licina is also confident of success. “Every world champion is beatable,” he said. “Cunningham is a strong fighter but I have spotted some weaknesses and we are going to exploit them.”
