Am 2. Juli will Igor Mikhalkin wieder auf Titeljagd gehen. In London trifft der russische Halbschwergewichtler von EC Boxpromotion auf den Briten Callum Johnson. Für den Rechtsausleger aus dem Hause ECB geht es dabei jedoch nicht nur um den WBO Global Titel, den der bis dato in 21 Kämpfen nur einmal geschlagene Johnson innehält. Auch der WBC Silver Gürtel soll zwischen den beiden Boxern, die nur den Vorwärtsgang kennen, in der Wembley Arena in London ausgeboxt werden.
Der Kampf gegen den Briten Callum Johnson könnte dabei wegweisend für Igor Mikhalkin sein. Mit seinen 36 Jahren möchte er noch einmal Anlauf auf einen WM-Titelkampf nehmen. Diese Chance erhielt er bereits zweimal. 2017 kürte sich der technisch starke Mikhalkin bereits zum IBO-Weltmeister, zuvor war er EBU-Europameister. Im März folgte dann die große Chance, um die WBO-WM gegen den damaligen Top-Knockouter Sergey Kovalev zu boxen. Igor Mikhalkin stand seinem Landsmann sieben Runden gegenüber, ehe er vorzeitig aus dem Kampf ausschied.
Nun möchte ihn dessen Promoter Erol Ceylan, der international beste Beziehungen pflegt, erneut zu einem WM-Titelkampf führen: „Die letzte Niederlage war für uns alle bitter. Es war nicht Igors Tag, denn wir wissen, was er leisten kann. Als wir die Chance bekamen, in England gegen Johnson zu boxen, haben wir nicht lang überlegt und zugesagt. Das ist eine großartige Möglichkeit, dass sich Igor eindrucksvoll zurückmelden kann. Bereits seit zwei Jahren versuchen wir den Kampf gegen Johnson auf die Beine zu stellen und nun scheint es endlich zu klappen!“
Das neue Jahrzehnt beginnt mit einem Knall für EC Boxings Halbschwergewichtler Igor Mikhalkin! Den 34-jährigen Russen (25 Kämpfe, 23 Siege, 10 Knockouts) verschlägt es am 02. Mai in den Norden Englands, wo er in der Manchester Arena auf den britischen Lokalmatadoren Callum Johnson (19 Kämpfe, 18 Siege, 13 Knockouts) trifft. Wäre diese Ansetzung nicht schon spektakulär genug, so steht bei diesem Duell zusätzlich der vakante EBU-Titel auf dem Spiel. Das alles wird im Rahmen des Aufeinandertreffens zwischen Dillian Whyte und Alexander Povetkin über die Bühne gehen. Mit Matchroom organisiert einer der führenden Promotions diese Veranstaltung – übertragen werden die Kämpfe u.a. von Sky Sports (England) und DAZN (USA).
„Wir sind sehr froh, dass Igor nun endlich wieder einen Kampf auf ganz großer Bühne bekommt. Mit einem Sieg wäre er sehr nah dran an einer erneuten WM-Chance – das ist das Ziel!“, so Mikhalkins Promoter Erol Ceylan über diesen Kampf. Rund zwei Jahre sind vergangen, seit der Rechtsausleger 2018 im legendären Madison Square Garden von New York auf Superstar Sergey Kovalev traf. Zuletzt siegte Mikhalkin in der Hamburger CU Arena überzeugend nach Punkten gegen Landsmann Timur Nikarkhoev.
„Ich bin sehr froh, dass ich mich in England von meiner besten Seite präsentieren kann. Ich werde beim Kampf in absoluter Topform sein“, zeigt sich Mikhalkin selbstbewusst. Bereits zwischen 2014 und 2016 war er Europameister der EBU, verteidigte den Gürtel mehrfach erfolgreich.
Gegner Johnson boxte vor über einem Jahr ebenfalls um eine Weltmeisterschaft. In Chicago lieferte er sich einen packenden Fight mit IBF-Titelträger Artur Beterbiev, schlug diesen gar zu Boden, zog am Ende aber den Kürzeren. Im Anschluss feierte Johnson noch einen vorzeitigen Sieg über den US-Amerikaner Sean Monaghan. Generell ist der 34-Jährige bekannt für seine Schlagkraft – Ex-British-Champion Frank Buglioni musste gegen Johnson beispielsweise schon in der ersten Runde die Segel streichen. Man darf am 02. Mai also von einem explosiven Gefecht ausgehen.
Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Rasheda Ali, will present the winner of the World Boxing Super Series Super Middleweight Final with the Muhammad Ali Trophy, The Greatest Prize in Boxing, on Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“It is so exciting to be a part of the World Boxing Super Series,” said Rasheda Ali.
The daughter of ‘the greatest of all time’ arrived in Jeddah Wednesday and saw the trophy for the first time at the press conference for the all British final between George Groves and Callum Smith.
“It was an unbelievable experience to be able to see these super middleweight champions, Groves and Smith, on the stage. Seeing these champions go after this prestigious award. It was my first time seeing the Muhammad Ali Trophy in person, and I was blown away.“
“You know, boxing has done so much for my dad and I am so pleased that the World Boxing Super Series has embraced my dad’s life and legacy.”
Rasheda Ali will be guest of honour while watching the historic Groves-Smith final live at The Indoor Sports Hall at King Abdullah Sports City and award the winner with the trophy after the hotly anticipated conclusion of Season I on the World Boxing Super Series.
“To see these two champions questing for this prestigious title in my dad’s honour is something very humbling, and my dad would have been deeply proud to be a part of this,” said Rasheda Ali.
Watch the Rasheda Ali interview ;
Fans in the UK can watch Groves vs Smith LIVE on ITV Box Office. Ringwalks for the final will be at 9.00 pm UK time. Registration is open at itvboxoffice.com.
Fans in the U.S. can watch LIVE on DAZN, the global sports streaming platform. To sign up for a one-month free trial, fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.
Boxing fans with Visa for Saudi Arabia or situated in the country can buy tickets via sauditickets.sa/en
You can watch the Groves vs Smith pre-fight documentary here: bit.ly/GGvsSprefight
We have a fight! Groves and Smith make weight ahead of historic Ali Trophy Final
George Groves and Callum Smith both made weight today ahead of their historic Ali Trophy Super Middleweight Final tomorrow night at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Groves, the defending WBA Super World Champion, tipped the scales at 76.1 kg, and “The Saint’ says the time for talking is over as he believes his experience and superior skill set will prove the difference in their all-British showdown.
“It’s fight time now. I’m ready to go,” said Groves. “All the talking is done. I’m sick of talking. I’m ready to fight. This is the most prestigious fight I’ve ever been involved in. It’s a must win for me. An absolute must win.
“Experience is going to count for a lot. I don’t necessarily require it, as I believe I’m a better fighter than Smith, but it’s going to count for a lot. It’s a massive advantage that I have.”
Smith, the WBC Diamond titlist who weighed in at 75.9 kg, described his countryman as looking like an ‘old man’ as he looks to stake his claim as the best super middleweight on the planet.
“He’s a good fighter. I have a lot of respect for him but he looks like an old man,” said Smith. “He looks like he’s had a very hard career. He’s had a very good career but there’s a lot of miles there and I just think I’m the younger, fresher, better fighter man, and I’m here to take his title.
“I can do a bit of everything. I can box. I can fight. I’m very big for the weight but I do the weight very well. I feel good, I feel strong and I’m here to do a job and that’s become World Champion and I believe I’m going to do it.
“It’s a massive chance. As I’ve said previously, this fight ticks a lot of boxes for me. There’s a lot at stake. There have been a lot of good World Champions who never had the chance to fight for the Ring Magazine title, and I’m getting a chance to win it in first World title fight. That’s all the motivation I need. I can become the best on the planet, and that’s exactly where I want to be.”
Fans in the UK can watch Groves vs Smith LIVE on ITV Box Office. Ringwalks for the final will be at 9.00 pm UK time. Registration is open at itvboxoffice.com.
Fans in the U.S. can watch LIVE on DAZN, the global sports streaming platform. To sign up for a one-month free trial, fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.
The Ali Trophy Final in the Super Middleweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series between George Groves and Callum Smith will take place on September 28 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Comosa AG is delighted to announce that the pieces are in place for a spectacular event in Jeddah, the conclusion of a sensational first season in the quest for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Saudi Arabia continues its tradition of hosting big sporting events as it hosts the WWE and the Italian Super Cup in spring 2019.
Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer is looking forward to taking the Ali Trophy Jeddah. “The Super-Middleweight Final in Saudi Arabia, where the Muhammad Ali name and legacy is so revered, has all the ingredients to capture the world on a stage not normally associated with boxing.”
“Groves vs Smith is an incredible match-up between two proved gladiators, two rivals, it’s certainly a final not to be missed!” He continued.
The journey to the final began at the Draft Gala in Monaco in July last year where Groves, the number one seed, and second-seeded Smith, picked their opponents.
The final on September 28 will be Groves’ third defence of his WBA Super World title, with all three fights involving British opponents – Jamie Cox, Chris Eubank Jr. and now Callum Smith.
Callum Smith booked his place in the final after defeating Sweden’s Erik Skoglund and Dutchman Nieky Holzken in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively. The WBC Diamond belt holder has his first shot at a World title after being in mandatory positions over the last few years, and like Groves, a unique chance to bring home the Muhammad Ali Trophy, The Greatest Prize in Boxing. The vacant RING super middleweight championship belt will also be on the line.
“It’s fantastic news that we now have a confirmed date and location for the final and I’m incredibly excited that the fight has been formally confirmed to take place in Jeddah,” said Groves. “I’m excited and sure this final will eclipse every WBSS fight to date for excitement and drama. I have been in camp for a while already but am now looking forward to stepping the training up now that the dates been set.”
“Smith is a good fighter but I believe I am the best super middleweight on the planet,” continued Groves. “I’m World Champion, number one in the division and am now looking forward to putting on a show in Jeddah and winning the Ali Trophy.”
Callum Smith believes he can change the super-middleweight hierarchy in Jeddah.
“It has been a long time since my semi-final win over Holzken,” said Smith.“But the most important thing to me is that my opponent is George Groves. It means that by the end of September I have the chance to be the WBA champion and the number one super middleweight in the world. I believe I will do it,”
“I am excited to be part of such a big night of boxing. It began with the red carpet treatment in Monaco and will end with more of the same in Jeddah.”
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