It is fight week in Schwerin, Germany, and the local fight fans are already excited and can hardly wait to see the big event at the Sport- und Kongresshalle this Saturday.
On Tuesday, around 400 boxing enthusiasts along numerous media outlets turned up at the Schlosspark-Center Schwerin to make themselves an impression of the main protagonists on August 24.
The open workout featured all main fighters: European Champion Juergen Braehmer (40-2, 31 KOs) along with his challenger Stefano Abatangelo (17-2-1, 6 KOs), the co-challengers for the WBO Intercontinental Championship, Arthur Abraham (36-4, 28 KOs) and Willbeforce Shihepo (20-6, 15 KOs), as well as heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KOs) and Tony Thompson (38-3, 26 KOs), who will fight it out for the IBF mandatory spot.
Most people came to see local hero Juergen Braehmer. The 34-year-old is delighted to compete again in his backyard.
“My preparation for this title defense was terrific,” said the southpaw. “I am in very good shape. It’s worthy to show up early on Saturday as all fights should deliver great competition.”
His Italian opponent wants to crash Braehmer’s homecoming. “I will make it a fight,” 31-year-old Abatangelo predicts. “I am seldom the favorite, but most of the times I am winning in the end.”
The most intriguing bout on the card is definitely the Pulev vs. Thompson fight, which has major implications for the heavyweight division right now. Meanwhile, Braehmer and Abraham are in pretty soft as they await bigger bouts, but we’ll see what the fights show us.
