Juergen Braehmer (47-2, 35 KOs) will defend his WBA Light Heavyweight title against Thomas ‘Tommy Gun’ Oosthuizen (25-0-2, 14 KOs) on March 12 at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany.
The bout was originally scheduled to take place last November in Monaco before a hand injury suffered by Braehmer forced the fight’s postponement, but now fully fit, the reigning champion is relishing a return to Neubrandenburg, where he claimed the WBA World title back in 2013.
‘’Neubrandenburg holds a very special place in my heart,’’ said Braehmer. ‘’It was here that I beat Marcus Oliveria to become World Champion for a second time. So of course, I’m looking forward to returning to the Jahnsportforum and successfully defending my title against Oosthuizen.’’
The 37 year-old southpaw will face tough opposition from the South African Oosthuizen, who is unbeaten in his twenty-seven professional contests, and will be travelling to Germany full of confidence.
‘’It is great news that the fight is going ahead,’’ he said. ‘’Let’s hope Braehmer doesn’t come up with another excuse not to fight me! I’m definitely going to cash in on my skill, speed, youth, power and agility to win the fight. I’ll put him away for sure. You’ll here nothing from the scorecards.’’
Oosthuizen’s confidence is shared by his coach Harold Volbrecht, who believes his fighter has the beating of the two-time World Champion. ’There’s no way in a million years that Braehmer wins this fight,’’ said Volbrecht. ‘’He’s going to be in the ring with a real fighter, and he better be ready because Tommy is coming for him.’’
Standing at 1.93 meters tall, the challenger will hold both a height and reach advantage over the 1.81cm champion, but rather than see this as a disadvantage, Braehmer believes his opponent’s stature bodes well for his sixth successive World title defence.
‘’His height doesn’t bother me. I have always done well against taller opponents,’’ says Braehmer. ‘’Enzo Maccarinelli was a similar size and I stopped him inside the distance. Regardless of his size, whether by KO or points – I will be sending the South African home empty handed.’’
Promoter Kalle Sauerland expects Braehmer to prove his worth by inflicting the challenger’s first defeat. ‘’This will be a technically high-class fight,’’ said Sauerland. ‘’Oosthuizen is a dangerous, undefeated opponent, and by beating him, Juergen can prove why he is considered among the best light heavyweights on the planet.
‘’The people in Neubrandenburg are true boxing fans and they will stand behind their fighter and cheer him to victory on March 12.’’
Rodney Berman, Oosthuizen’s promoter, said: “Juergen Braehmer is ranked in the top six in the World in all the ratings that count. Tommy Oosthuizen wants to be in this position and he sees Braehmer as the stepping-stone towards that goal. I can’t see Braehmer living with a fit and motivated Tommy Oosthuizen.”
