Only a few days to go before IBF Cruiserweight Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez
(26-1, 13 KOs) is hoping to defend his title against mandatory Troy Ross
(25-2, 16 KOs) at Stechert Arena, Bamberg in Germany. At today’s press
conference promoter Kalle Sauerland promised that the bout will be fought
out at the highest level. “It’s one of the best match-ups this weight
division has to offer!”
IBF-mandatory challenger Troy Ross agreed, stating, “Yoan Pablo Hernandez
has some great boxing abilities and a powerful punch. He seems like a nice
person but my all-around game is just better than his is. Boxing is similiar
chess. And after I checkmate Hernandez I will be the new IBF World
Cruiserweight Champion!”
Christopher Amos, the coach of 37-year-old Ross, is confident that his
prodigy will take the belt of Hernandez: “In 2010, Troy lost a fight against
Steve Cunningham for the vacant IBF Title. Back then he lost the fight due
to an injury to his eye. Afterwards, nobody wanted to fight him. They all
feared the risk of losing against Troy. That’s why we didn’t get a second
chance to fight Cunningham. That’s why I have a lot of respect for
Hernandez. At least he has the guts to face Troy Ross inside the ring.”
Amos gave one bold argument why he believes Ross is going to end up being
the winner: “Skills pay the bills!”
After hearing that, Hernandez seized the moment and told the gathered press
that his skills are superior to Ross. “I fought some world class opposition
and ended up beating them. I know that Ross has some speed as well as a mean
punch. But what can I say – I am not that bad either, to say the least.” The
27-year-old southpaw continued to speak about his preparation for the fight.
“After I broke the metacarpal bone in my left hand during the fight against
Steve Cunningham in February, it took some time before I was able to finally
train properly again. Now, everything is all right and I got trough sparring
without any problems.”
His coach Ulli Wegner seemed pretty relaxed himself before the fight. “Pablo
is like Sven Ottke. Not often I have coached a fighter who can analyze and
optimize his work out on the fly. He has an outstanding attitude to the
sport of boxing. That’s what is going to pay the bills come Saturday night,”
said the 70-year-old coach.
Tickets for the event in Bamberg can be purchased online at www.eventim.de
and www.kartenkiosk-bamberg.de.
