King Arthur Abraham 36-3, 28 KO’s the WBO super-middleweight will be putting the title on the line in a re-match with Robert Stieglitz 43-3, 24 KO’s in the former champions back yard. Abraham won their last outing in August on points in a closely fought contest 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. Last time they were in the O2 in Berlin this time the GETEC-Arena in Magdeburg.
“For me it is a question of honor”, Abraham told DAILY SPORT. “Robert was brave enough to face me in my backyard. Now I am travelling to Magdeburg and have to enter ‘the Lion´s Den’ to fight him.” This will be the second time that the current WBO-Champion steps into the ring of the arena, which has a capacity of 7.000 people. ”The first time I fought in Magdeburg was only my ninth pro bout. I won against Branko Sobot by technical KO in round two. Back then the arena was still known as Boerderlandhalle and Sven Ottke won his farewell fight. The fans were fantastic.”
In order for the rematch to take place, the challenger, Robert Stieglitz, had to win his last test ahead of the title shot on Saturday night. The 31-year-old traveled to Barcelona, Spain where he won in convincing fashion against Michal Nieroda by KO in round three. After coming through the bout with no injuries he is now completely focussed on the project of wining back the title. Robert Stieglitz: “Somehow I wasn’t able to fight to my full potential during my first fight against Arthur. After I suffered cuts, I couldn’t get back into it. It just was not my day. But that will not happen again”, promised the prodigy of coach Dirk Dzemski.
Tickets for the big fight night on March 23 will be available from February 4 onwards and can be purchased at www.eventim.de as well as www.boxen.com and www.sesboxing.de.