IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester (33-3-1, 16 KOs) and challenger Mahir Oral (28-2-2, 11 KOs) expect a similar kind of fight on Saturday night – only the outcome will be different. Both fighters have prepared for 12 hard rounds. “I expect it to go the distance,” Sylvester said. “Mahir has prepared well and will be a difficult opponent. But if I hit his chin or his liver, it could be over soon for him. With the support of my home fans, I will defend my title.”
Oral does not believe the “Hurricane” has the power to knock him out. “He can hit my chin or my liver as often as he likes – it will not help him,” Oral stated. “He can waste his energy doing that. I will make the most of my chance and leave as the new champion. I have learned my lesson from the world title fight against Arthur Abraham. Back then I had not prepared well enough to shake off his heavy shots. But this time everything went well in practice. I am in great shape and I will take the title.”
On the undercard, heavyweight hopeful Kubrat Pulev (8-0, 5 KOs) will be looking for his ninth victory in as many fights when he battles it out with experienced American Dominick Guinn (33-6-1, 12 KOs). Meanwhile, Norwegian WBA, WBC & WBO female welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus has promised her fans a spectacular victory over Sweden´s Mikaela Lauren (6-0, 1 KO) on Saturday night. The First Lady, undefeated in 14 fights (14-0, 2 KOs), is confident of success in the Scandinavian showdown.
“I have prepared very well for Lauren,” Braekhus said. “As a former swimmer, I know she will have excellent condition and exceptional strength. But she will be in deep waters against me. I want to beat the best fighters out there and Lauren is certainly one of them. She is ranked second by BoxRec and she comes off an impressive victory over Jill Emery. So I will be prepared for a tough fight. As a champion, you have to prove yourself against the very best and that is just what I will be doing in Rostock on Saturday night.”
