The Protagonists are on edge ahead of Saturday’s showdown. The all-German
affair between Eduard Gutknecht (24-1, 9 KOs) and Juergen Braehmer (38-2, 30
KOs) for the European Light Heavyweight Championship is just days away and
it seemed like the nerves were finally kicking in at today’s press
conference. Promoter Kalle Sauerland got straight to the point: “We are
excited about this duel. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner.
Whoever is on top after the bout will be in possession of the EBU Title and
will get a crack at the WBO Championship. Consequently there is a lot on the
line for everyone involved.”
Both participants, Gutknecht as well as Braehmer, made it clear that they
see themselves ahead of the respective opponent, without giving too much
away. “I am looking forward to the fight,” said 30-year-old Gutknecht. “We
will see in which manner I will win on Saturday. I will keep my belt.” The
current champion is also counting on the knowledge of his coach Ulli Wegner.
“Mister Wegner has a lot of experience. I am planning to follow the game
plan he came up with. I am only thinking positive – a loss is not even a
possibility in my mind.”
The same goes for Braehmer. “I will win because I am better,” said the
former WBO Champion. Asked about the duel between the two coaches, Ulli
Wegner and Karsten Roewer, the 34-year-old only replied: “I don’t know why
everybody keeps talking about that. This fight is between Eduard Gutknecht
and myself – the coaches aren’t fighting each other, we are!”
The theme of the evening is obvious: “There can only be one!” But what
happens to the one who is not on the winning side afterwards? Kalle
Sauerland: “We are not going to leave any of our boxers outside in the cold
but it will be a long way back for the loser.”
Another one who is only at the beginning of the road to glory is Robert Woge
(10-0, 9 KOs). In only his eleventh pro fight, the 28-year-old will get his
first crack at a title. The only person standing in the way between him and
the vacant IBF Intercontinental Title is Hakim Zoulikha (18-3, 9 KOs).
However, Woge, who is known for his direct and no-nonsense approach once
again made it clear that he is only focused on himself and his personal
style: “At the end of the day this isn’t athletics. If two grown man face
each other in a fight they will start hitting one another. That is what I am
going to do and so far I have been successful with this method.”
It is pretty much a given that Saturday night will be huge spectacle and
action-packed. The only question left to be answered is who will walk away
with a new sense of achievement and who will have to start from square one.
Tickets for the big fight night at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin,
Germany can be purchased at www.boxen.com and www.eventim.de.
