Price’s European title challenge set for July 17 in Stuttgart
David Price (19-2, 16 KOs) will travel to Stuttgart, Germany on July 17 to challenge Erkan Teper (14-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant European Heavyweight title. Contracts have been signed and venue and ticketing details will be announced shortly.
Price is currently recovering from a minor neck injury, that left the former British and Commonwealth champion unable to compete in a scheduled ‘homecoming’ fight at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on June 26.
Already back in the gym and set to resume full training next week, the 31 year-old insists he is ready to make history by becoming the first heavyweight from Liverpool to claim the European crown.
‘’This is an absolutely massive fight for me,’’ said Price. ‘’To win the European title, and to become the first heavyweight from Liverpool to do it, would mean the world to me. It’s something no one could ever take away from me and would confirm my credentials as a world title contender.
‘I’ve watched all of Teper’s fights and he is the perfect opponent for me. I’m 100% confident I will win. He is exactly the type of fighter I’ve been looking to fight, so to do it with the European title on the line is an added bonus.
‘’I’ll tell you now; he has never been in the ring with anyone who can punch like me, who can move like me and with my ability. I’m not messing around anymore. I’m coming with bad intentions. In my last couple of fights I’ve been trying out things we’ve been working on in the gym and my opponents may have got off a little lightly, but this time it’s for real, and I’m looking to do some serious damage.
‘’Germany is like a second home for me, so I have no problem going over there to take the title. It may be my first fight as the away fighter, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and I believe I’ll thrive under the pressure. I want to bring the European title home and defend it at the Echo Arena ten years on from when Liverpool became champions in Istanbul!’’
‘’David has successfully worked himself into the position to challenge for the European title with four good wins and now it’s time to bring the belt home,’’ said promoter Kalle Sauerland. ‘’The heavyweight division is thriving at the moment and this is a chance for Pricey to prove that he is not only the best in Europe, but that he’s ready to challenge for world titles. It’s not going to me easy. Teper is a good fighter, who is undefeated for a reason, but he’s never met anyone like David before. On July 17, we hope the British fans get behind their man and travel to Stuttgart to cheer him to victory!’’
Nielsen aims to make statement with KO win over Abdoul
Micki Nielsen (17-0, 12 KOs) is relishing the chance to test his punching power against experienced cruiserweight contender Ismail Abdoul (56-34-2, 20 KOs).
The 22 year-old southpaw aims to send shockwaves through the division by becoming only the second man to stop the 38 year-old Belgian when they clash on June 20 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.
In a career spanning almost two decades, Abdoul has fought a ‘who’s who’ of cruiserweight greats including former undisputed champion David Haye, IBF World Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez and WBO titlist Marco Huck.
Despite his opponents’ pedigree, the 92-fight-veteran has only been stopped once. In 2002, Abdoul suffered a twelfth-round technical knockout defeat to former WBC and IBF World Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
‘’I’m looking forward to fighting such an experienced and durable opponent,’’ said Nielsen. ‘’I don’t just want to beat him. I want to make a statement and stop him. He has fought some of the biggest and best names in the cruiserweight division and now it’s my turn. On June 20, we will see if he can stand up to my power!’’
Nielsen’s confidence is high following hugely successful 18 months, which has seen the undefeated southpaw named ‘Fighter of the Year’ by the Danish Professional Boxing Federation and claim the WBC International Cruiserweight title with an impressive points victory over Julio Cesar Dos Santos.
In spite of his recent success, Nielsen, who trains in Copenhagen under the guidance of former two-time world champion Joey Gamache, believes fans are only just beginning to see the best of him.
‘’I’m working hard everyday in the gym and everything is going to plan,’’ said the cruiserweight talent. ‘’There is still a long way to go, but I can feel myself improving with every fight. For now, I must continue to take it one fight at a time, but I know I have the right team around me to take me all the way to the top!’’
‘’This will be another tough test for Micki,’’ said promoter Nisse Sauerland. ‘’Abdoul looks next to unstoppable, and this fight will provide a good indication of how far away Micki is from world level. It’s another great addition to our last Nordic Fight Night event before the summer and we are going out in style!’’
Jumah returns on June 20 in Copenhagen
British light heavyweight Deion Jumah (4-0, 2 KOs) is the latest addition to Team Sauerland’s Nordic Fight Night show on June 20. The former two-time ABA Champion will face Karel Horejsek (3-2-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round contest at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.
‘’I can’t wait to get back in the ring,’’ exclaims Jumah, who returns following a devastating second-round technical knockout victory over Josef Krivka in December 2014. ‘’Six months is a long time but I’ve been in the gym everyday and I feel like I’ve really grown as a fighter.
‘’Just because I’ve not been in the ring doesn’t mean I haven’t been progressing. I may have only had four fights but I’ve been involved in world class training camps and sparring. I’ve been breaking records in the gym and I’m faster and stronger than I’ve ever been!’’
Jumah, who is trained by master tactician Adam Booth, has had a slow start to professional career due to injury and illness, but now fully fit the 25 year-old southpaw believes he is ready to show his true potential.
‘’I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, and while I haven’t had the smoothest start to my pro career, the best is definitely yet to come,’’ said Jumah. ‘’On June 20, fans are going to see the real Deion in the ring.’’
