Juergen Braehmer (40-2, 31 KOs) is stepping back into the ring in his home city. The European Light Heavyweight Champion will make his second title defense at the Sport- und Kongresshalle Schwerin, Germany on August 24. His opponent on the night will be Stefano Abatangelo (17-2-1, 6 KOs) from Italy.
The 31-year-old challenger is travelling to Germany full of confidence. On May 31, the man from Montanaro, close to the city of Turin, dethroned the Italian Champion Emanuele Barletta via a seventh round TKO victory.
“Abatangelo is on a good winning streak. He did not lose once in his last twelve outings. He will do everything he can to take the EBU Title back home to Italy,” said Team Sauerland Director of Sports Hagen Doering.
Juergen Braehmer will definitely have to be careful, as he is not just putting his European Title on the line. The German is also the mandatory challenger to the current WBO Champion Nathan Cleverly, who he will be facing towards the end of 2013.
“It was a good decision to move to Team Sauerland. After signing with them I became the European Champion in February, and then I defended my title against Tony Averlant back in April,” remembers the 34-year-old.
“The second fight in Hamburg proved that I have developed over the past few months and I think I haven’t reached my peak yet, so there is still more to come. The fight against Abatangelo should give me even more confidence ahead of the world championship fight.”
For Team Sauerland the fight in Schwerin is a real premiere, as it has never before hosted an event in the north-eastern city of Germany. The same goes for Braehmer’s coach Karsten Roewer. “I am really looking forward to August 24. Although I am from Schwerin, I have never worked here during my professional career.”
