Krasniqi-Doberstein Final Press Conference

Photos: Eroll Popova/Team SES –

Former world title challenger and WBO #5 rated super middleweight Robin Krasniqi (45-4, 17 KOs) and WBA #12/WBO #14 rated Jürgen “Doberman” Doberstein (20-2-1, 6 KOs) faced off Wednesday at the final press conference for Friday’s clash at the Saarlandhalle in Saarbruecken, Germany. Both the WBA super middleweight Intercontinental title and the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt will be on the line.

Jürgen Doberstein: “I left my belt at home today. Robin shouldn’t get accustomed to seeing it too much. Joking aside, the fact is I only want to box the best in my weight class to move ahead, Robin belongs to that group and I will win this fight!”

Robin Krasniqi: “Jürgen Doberstein is my job on Friday and we know how to beat him. I did my work in the United States and Canada and before sparring, in the Bavarian Forest with my strength coach Sepp Maurer. I’m already on weight and a “Doberman” can’t stop me on my way to a new world title shot.”

Promoter Ulf Steinforth: “For both main event fighters, there is very, very much at stake – the doors for a world title chance are wide open for the winner, the loser goes to the back of the line. The spectators here in Saarland can expect a great and exciting fight. By the way, only 300 tickets left. That shows how well this event resonates with the local fans!”

WBC female super middleweight champion Nikki Adler (14-0, 8 KOs) defends her title against #4 rated Elene Sikmashvili (8-1, 4 KOs) in the co-feature.

Nikki Adler: “I have a hard and strong opponent. But, that won’t stop me on the way to conquering the three other championship belts of the other organizations in my weight class!”

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/krasniqi-doberstein-final-press-conference-346084

Photos: Eroll Popova/Team SES

Jürgen Doberstein 167.5 vs. Robin Krasniqi 167.5
(WBA/WBO Intercontinental super middleweight titles)

Venue: Saarlandhalle, Saarbrücken, Germany
Promoter: SES Boxing/Doberstein Promotion
TV: RAN

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/weights-from-germany-29-346130

Photos: Eroll Popova/Team SES –

A particularly hard and long training camp for former world title challenger and WBO #5 rated super middleweight Robin Krasniqi (45-4, 17 KOs) was completed with yesterday’s final sparring rounds at the SES Gym in Magdeburg, Germany. Krasniqi takes on WBA #12 and WBO #14 rated Jürgen “Doberman” Doberstein (20-2-1, 6 KOs) for the WBA super middleweight Intercontinental title and the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt next Friday at the Saarlandhalle in Saarbruecken, Germany.

“This can be a big step toward a new world title shot,” said Krasniqi after the last round of sparring in Magdeburg SES Gym. “The last three months have been a hard time. The strength and conditioning in the mountains of the Bavarian Forest and then the intense sparring here with very good sparring partners. More couldn’t be done. Now I’m in top shape and very good for the weight in my new weight class, the super middleweight division. Now when the “Doberman” comes I’ll pull his teeth!”

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/krasniqi-ill-pull-the-dobermans-teeth-345215

Report/Photos by Tony Mayger –

Back in April 2012, Robin Krasniqi (42-3-0) traveled to London to do battle with Nathan Cleverly, the WBO light-heavyweight world champion at the time. The Welshman put Krasniqi through a torrid 12 rounds and retained his belt by unanimous decision. 18 months on and Munich-based Krasniqi has worked his way back to the brink of another world title shot with not one but two sanctioning bodies.

On December 20th, Krasniqi will defend his WBO international and WBA continental titles against Poland’s Dariusz Sek (20-1-1) at the BallhausForum in Munich, Germany. Also appearing on the bill are WBO Youth champion Dominic Bösel (16-0-0) and former cruiserweight world title challenger, Alexander Petkovic (49-4-4).

It’s going to be an emotional occasion for Krasniqi who headlines the show in his home town for the first time.

‘It’s a dream come true that I can box again in Munich. I have a lot of friends, a lot of fans and my family is here but I’m relaxed, I want to put on a good boxing show and hopefully I’ll do that” said Krasniqi speaking to Fightnews today.

Should Krasniqi be victorious next month, he could line up a world title clash against the WBA belt holder and fellow countryman, Juergen Braehmer. Krasniqi is currently ranked #2 at the WBA and the WBO, meaning a possible meeting with highly regarded Russian Sergey Kovalev might also be an option.

But before turning his attention to Braehmer or Kovalev, he must first get past Sek who has just one decision loss on his record coming against Robert Woge in 2013. The 28-year old southpaw was in confident mood at today’s press conference.

“I’m going to beat Robin Krasniqi. As a southpaw, with my left hand carrying the power, I’ll cause him problems and use that advantage to my benefit. Krasniqi hasn’t boxed many southpaws. If my compatriot Pavel Glazewski beats Brahmer and I win the fight against Krasniqi, then it is 2:0 for Poland again.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/just-a-sek-krasniqi-faces-polish-challenge-ahead-of-potential-showdown-with-brahmer-271169

(Photo: SES) –

“Super Fight Night” on July 26, 2014 in Dessau

Robin Krasniqi meets Oleksandr Cherviak – the attack on the world title opportunities with the WBO and WBA.

SES-half-heavyweight Robin Krasniqi (41-3-0 (16)), in addition to the defense of his WBO International title in the half-heavyweight also the vacant WBO Continental title in his sights. After his crushing knockout win against Emmanuel Danso in March in Potsdam Krasniqi has reported impressive back in the boxing scene. Against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Cherviak (14-3-1 (4)), which is performed at the WBA to position 5 and at the WBO as number 15, the Munich Krasniqi can now make the jump right at the front in two world rankings. As the No. 3 of the WBO world rankings and the fourth in the WBA rankings Robin Krasniqi has an ideal position to be restored promptly to develop a world title chance at a win.

“The World Cup project!”

The fifth WBO title fight is now fixed:

Moritz steel from the “Team Germany” is fighting for his first Belt: WBO Youth Inter-Conti-title fight against the Spaniard Guram Natsulishvili
The Referee:

WBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Championship
Robert Stieglitz vs.. Sergey Khomitsky

The other title fights:

WBO International Championship Lightheavyweight
WBA Continental Cup Lightheavyweight
Robin Krasniqi vs. Oleksandr Cherviak

WBO world championship in junior middleweight
Christina Hammer vs. Anne Sophie Mathis

WBO Inter-Continental Championship in Lightheavyweight
Dominic Boesel vs. Daniel Regi

SAT.1 is transferred fight night live from 22.15 clock in a length of nearly four hours from Dessau

+ + + SES boxing event on Saturday, July 26, 2014, Anhalt Arena in Dessau + + +

http://www.sesboxing.de/?lang=en&site=news&index=20140722153521_Newsflash&title=The%20fifth%20title%20fight%20is%20fix

Photo: Team SES / P. Gercke

SES Boxing held the final press conference on Monday for Saturday’s clash between two-time world champion Robert Stieglitz against WBO #9 Sergey “The Ghost” Khomitsky (29-10-2, 12 KOs) at the Anhalt Arena in Dessau, Germany. The presser took place in front of an old transport aircraft named JU 52 at the “Hugo Junkers Museum”

Robert Stieglitz: “I am forewarned. A ghost always comes surprisingly and unexpectedly. I’ve prepared myself for the fighting style Khomitsky so I’m safe. He can’t scare me. Khomitsky is good for surprises, well rested and he boxes smart. His victory for the WBO European championship against Buglioni in England was no coincidence. One may never, ever underestimate him. He is a daredevil! If I want to get back “my belt,” then the only possible way is with a clear victory over this “ghost!”

Sergey Khomitsky: I’m something of a fear maker! That’s where my fight name ‘The Ghost’ comes from. I make pressure, move forward, makes surprises and many opponents can’t adjust. I know Stieglitz from many fights I watched myself. He will be defeated!

SES promoter Ulf Steinforth: We want the WBO world title of Abraham as quickly as possible! Khomitsky was the highest rated fighter who would face Robert. A WBO European champion must not and will not be underestimated!

In other action, WBO #8 rated light heavyweight Dominic Boesel (15-0, 5 KOs) will take on Daniel Regi (22-9, 11 KOs), former light heavyweight world title challenger and WBO #3/WBA #7 rated Robin Krasniqi (41-3, 16 KOs) meets WBA #8/WBO #15 Oleksandr Cherviak (14-3-1, 4 KOs) and female middleweight champion Christina Hammer (17-0, 8 KOs) moves down to jr middleweight to take on the very dangerous multiple world and European champion Anne Sophie Mathis (27-3, 23 KOs).

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/stieglitz-khomitsky-final-press-conference-253652

Fightnews.com will present live stream of Krasniqi-Dansu at 2PM ET, 11AM PT

Date: April 20, 2013

WBO Light Heavyweight Championship Title Bout

Location: Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom

Promoter:  Frank Warren

Referee:  Mark Nelson

Judges:  Denny Nelson (119-109), Zoltan Enyedi (120-108) and, Phil Edwards (120-108)

Supervisor:  Itsvan Kovacs

Results:   Nathan Cleverly retains his WBO Light-Heavyweight title by unanimous decision over Robin Krasniqi.

Nathan Cleverly produced his most disciplined performance on Saturday to retain his WBO world light-heavyweight title for the fifth time as he defeated mandatory challenger Robin Krasniqi by winning every round bar one on the cards of the three judges.

Frank Warren Promotions’ Rule Britannia has been delayed five weeks but Cleverly (12st 6lbs 8oz) hadn’t over-trained, he was as sharp as ever as he romped home to a 120-108, 119-109, 120-108 points win to improve his record to 26-0, 12KO.

Krasniqi (12st 5lbs) was handed his first defeat in seven years, leaving his record to 39-3, 15KO. The challenger had spent all week attempting to rile Cleverly, giving him a skirt reading “Princess” at the press conference but Cleverly laughed off the insult and even wore the skirt to weigh in and the coolness was reflected in the ring.

A short right wobbled Krasniqi half way through the opener but he survived a follow up attack, it was a sign of things to come. It wouldn’t be the only moment that Cleverly hurt the challenger who was unbeaten in 38 fights prior to this weekend; a right slip-uppercut in round four, left hooks to the pit of Krasniqi’s body in the round six and a flurry at the end of round ten also made their mark on the Serbian born German.

Krasniqi refused to fold and sent a few of his own reminders, most notably in the middle rounds, but Cleverly stuck to his game plan and made relative easy work of an opponent many were tipping to cause the Welshman some trouble.

Krasniqi’s first mark was made in round three as a right hand landed flush but every time he enjoyed success, Cleverly raised his game to have the last and most telling say. Much had been made or Krasniqi’s uppercut that saw him rise through the WBO rankings via four straight knockout wins but it was absent on the whole as Cleverly rotated to his right to nullify Krasniqi’s greatest asset.

Throughout the bout Krasniqi was over-reliant on his right hand and it was something Cleverly had prepared for, opting to box at range and go to his right away from the shot. The 26-year-old Welshman was aided by a great jab that varied from a piston shooting straight down the pipe to a blinding flick from the hip. Whenever Krasniqi, also 26, caught up with Cleverly the Welshman would utilise his superior footwork to regain centre ring and start again.

Donned in the blue of Cardiff City who celebrated promotion to the Premiership earlier that day, Cleverly sustained a ruthlessly efficient output, producing on average 87 punches per round – the exact same rate he threw against Shawn Hawk in November.

It was a polished and mature performance from Cleverly who showed many of the attributes he’s been criticised for neglecting in the past and it demonstrated that he’s a level above mandatory challenges as he goes in search of a big fight.

With long term target and IBF champion Bernard Hopkins due to defend his title against former Clev victim Karo Murat in July, there are preliminary plans for Cleverly to feature on the undercard and against WBA champion Beibut Shumenov.

http://www.nathancleverly.co.uk/2013/04/23/clev-cruises-past-krasniqi/

Photos:  Boxingscene/Boxing Photos

Nathan Cleverly has declared 2013 as the year he will unify the light-heavyweight division after polishing away the ring-rust against outclassed Robin Krasniqi at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.

Cleverly defended his WBO title for the fifth time with a landslide points decision against the tough but limited mandatory challenger, winning every round on two scorecards and all but one on the third.

It was only his fifth appearance in nearly two and a half years, but the 26-year-old hopes it is the beginning of a busy and triumphant chapter of his career that will see him acquire two more belts.

First in the crosshairs is WBA champion Beibut Shumenov with victory in that contest setting up his dream showdown with IBF king Bernard Hopkins.

“This is the year to stay active and push for the big fights. It’s very important for me to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” the Welshman said.

“I need to stay active and keep the rust away and try to unify the light-heavyweight division. 2013 could be the year to do that.

“I want fights that test me and that’s the elite fights now – Hopkins and those guys.

“They’re technically brilliant and will tell me if I’m an elite level fighter or just a world champion. I’m looking forward to finding out.

“Fighting back in Wales is a possibility at the back end of 2013, but next will be a fight in America in July.”

The plan could yet be derailed by Juergen Braehmer, another mandatory challenger to the WBO belt, although unification fights take precedence over defences ordered by governing bodies.

With that in mind, promoter Frank Warren will be keen to nail down meetings with Shumenov and then Hopkins and hope that Cleverly’s belief that Braehmer is not genuinely interested proves correct.

A slight tinge of disappointment laced Cleverly’s words as he reflected on his performance against Krasniqi, although he could have done little more against the Kosovan.

The 120-108 119-109 120-108 decision was entirely justified and on two occasions it seemed as though Krasniqi was on the verge of being stopped, indeed he was saved by the bell in the 10th.

“I’m still learning, but I’m winning and winning quite well now,” said Cleverly, who extended his unbeaten record to 26 fights.

“Maybe I was a little bit rusty. There were times when my lungs felt a little bit heavy.

“It’s been a good few months since I was in the ring, so maybe that was a factor.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=64730

By:  Scott Christ –

Nathan Cleverly easily defended his WBO title today in London, scoring a wide decision win over Robin Krasniqi.

Nathan Cleverly dominated Robin Krasniqi today in a mandatory WBO light heavyweight title defense, winning on scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109.

To be totally clear, due to the Fury-Cunningham fight, I did not see the first five rounds. But Krasniqi, while tough and staying in there the whole was, just wasn’t good enough to deal with Cleverly’s activity and speed. Cleverly (26-0, 12 KO) looked sharp from what I saw, and though there could fairly be criticism that he didn’t finish the fight, that’s short-sighed, I believe, and I’m a Cleverly critic in some ways. He outclassed Krasniqi (39-3, 15 KO) and won the fight handily.

Cleverly did address the one thing most likely to be noted as a con about his performance.

“The only thing missing was the finish. I thought he was going to go a few times, but he dug deep, and he stayed the full 12 in there,” Cleverly said after the fight.

Cleverly will be back in July, according to promoter Frank Warren, and it appears he will fight another mandatory challenger, Juergen Braehmer. It remains a hope that he will unify with Bernard Hopkins later this year.

http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/4/20/4246998/cleverly-vs-krasniqi-results-nathan-cleverly-dominates-over-12-epix-boxing-news

Nathan Cleverly was taken the distance by Robin Krasniqi but always looked a class apart as he retained his WBO light-heavyweight title at Wembley. A confident start by the 26-year-old Welshman suggested an early stoppage but Krasniqi rallied as Cleverly dropped his work-rate. The champion was caught by unnecessary shots in the mid-rounds but Krasniqi lacked the power to cause any damage. Two of the judges scored it 120-108 to Cleverly, with the other 119-109. The fifth title defence extended Cleverly’s unbeaten record to 26 fights, but the performance lacked dynamism against a durable yet limited opponent.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-nathan-cleverly-retains-by-outworking-krasniqi–64669

Photos: Eroll Popova / SES Boxing –

WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly (25-0, 12 KOs) and Robin Krasniqi (39-2, 15 KOs) faced off at the pre-fight press conference for Saturday night at Wembley Arena in London. Referencing the three times the fight was postponed by the Cleverly Camp, Krasniqi presented Cleverly with a skirt with “Princess” written on it.

Nathan Cleverly: When I’m prepared mentally 100% and physically ready, there’s no way this guy can beat me. I’ll make sure of that on Saturday night. I’m going to take this guy out and move on to bigger and better things,

Robin Krasniqi: I’m not coming to London for a holiday, I’m coming to win the title….I will be flying back to Germany with the belt and the title.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/cleverly-krasniqi-heats-up-187472

WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly weighed-in just under the limit at 12st 6 1/2lbs (174lbs) and mandatory challenger Robin Krasniqi came lighter at 12st 5lbs (173lbs) for their big fight tomorrow night at Wembley Arena.

WBO European Lightweight Champion Liam Walsh hit the scales at 9st 8 1/2lbs (134 1/2lbs) with challenger and former two-time WBO World Featherweight Champion Scott Harrison coming in at 9st 8 1/2lbs (134 1/2lbs).

Dereck Chisora weighed in at 18st (252lbs) with his opponent in the ten-round international contest, Hector Alfredo Avila at 15st 8lbs (218lbs) .

Paul Butler was 8st 2 1/2lbs (114 1/2lbs) for his Commonwealth Super-Flyweight title challenge against the champion Yaqub Kareem who came in at 8st 2lbs (114lbs).

Cleverly v Krasniqi headlines a massive fight card, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546) with coverage starting at 7pm.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-cleverly-krasniqi-get-very-tense-weigh—64596

El campeón mundial semipesado de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el invicto galés Nathan Cleverly, se enfrentará al retador mandatorio alemán Robin Krasniqi, intentando defender por quinta ocasión su corona, en el combate estelar de la velada que se desarrollará en la noche del sábado en el Wembley Arena de Londres, Inglaterra, en una presentación de Frank Warren.

Cleverly (25-0, 12 KOs), que viene de realizar su primera defensa en Estados Unidos al detener en ocho asaltos al estadounidense Shawn Hawk el pasado 10 de noviembre en Los Ángeles, intentará revalidar su reinado frente a Krasniqi (39-2, 15 KOs), N° 1 del ranking mundial semipesado de la OMB, y actual monarca europeo e internacional OMB, que llega a su primera oportunidad mundialista.

En la tarde del viernes, ambos superaron la ceremonia de pesaje, dejando todo listo para su duelo titular. Cleverly registró 174 libras. En tanto Krasniqi marcó 173 libras.

Cleverly, nacido en Caerphilly, Gales, hace 26 años, buscará retener la corona que conquistó primero interina el 11 de diciembre de 2010 en fallo unánime sobre el francés Nadjib Mohammedi en Liverpool, Inglaterra. Defendió la corona, ya regular, sobre el polaco Aleksy Kuziemski (KOT 4), el inglés Tony Bellew (DM 12), el estadounidense Tommy Karpency (DU 12), siempre en el Reino Unido, hasta que viajó a tierras estadounidenses donde el pasado 10 de noviembre noqueó técnicamente en ocho asaltos al estadounidense Shawn Hawk en Los Ángeles, en su última presentación.

Krasniqi, por su parte, oriundo de Munich, Bayern, y de 26 años, registra apenas dos reveses pero cuando recién comenzaba su carrera, en su primera y tercera pelea. Desde allí se ha mantenido imbatido en treinta y ocho presentaciones. El 21 de octubre de 2011 derrotó al francés Abdelkahim Derghal por nocaut técnico en el cuarto round y se alzó con el cinturón europeo semipesado OMB, que luego refrendó al noquear en el duodécimo al francés Hakim Zoulikha. Tras ello, el pasado 25 de agosto añadió la faja internacional semipesada OMB al liquidar en cuatro capítulos a su compatriota Serdar Sahin, cinto que retuvo el 16 de noviembre al terminar en el tercero con el estadounidense Max Heyman, en Magdeburgo, Alemania, en lo que fue su última actuación.

Las autoridades designadas por la OMB son: el árbitro será el estadounidense Mark Nelson. Los jueces serán Denny Nelson, de Estados Unidos, Zoltan Enyedi, de Hungría, y Phil Edwards, de Reino Unido. El supervisor será el húngaro Istvan Kovacs.

En el combate semiestelar, el campeón europeo ligero OMB, el invicto inglés Liam Walsh (13-0, 10 KOs), se enfrentará al escocés Scott Harrison (27-2-2, 15 KOs), intentando defender por primera ocasión su corona.  Tanto Walsh como Harrison detuvieron la báscula en 134.5 libras.  

En otra atracción de la noche, que se desarrollará en categoría pesado, el ex retador mundialista inglés Dereck “Del Boy” Chisora (15-4, 9 KOs), chocará contra el ex campeón argentino crucero, el bonaerense Héctor “El Tiburón” Ávila (20-12-1, 13 KOs), actual monarca mundo hispano pesado del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC), en un enfrentamiento no titular y a la distancia de diez asaltos. Chisora acusó 252 libras. En tanto Ávila pesó 218 libras.

En combate complementario, el campeón Commonwealth (Imperio Británico) supermosca, el nigeriano Yaqub Kareem (10-2-1, 7 KOs), se medirá al inglés Paul Butler (10-0, 5 KOs), buscando la primera defensa de su cinturón. Kareem marcó 114.5 libras, mientras que Butler dio 114 libras. 

Resultados del pesaje:

Nathan Cleverly 174 lbs. vs. Robin Krasniqi 173 lbs.

Título mundial semipesado OMB

Liam Walsh 134.5 lbs. vs. Scott Harrison 134.5 lbs.

Título europeo ligero OMB

Dereck Chisora 252 lbs. vs. Héctor Ávila 218 lbs.

Yaqub Kareem 114.5 lbs. vs. Paul Butler 114 lbs.

Título Commonwealth supermosca

Escenario: Wembley Arena, en Wembley, Londres, Inglaterra.

Promotor: Frank Warren.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Cleverly_174_Krasniqi_173_en_Londres.php

Click the link below to see:

Purse Bid Minutes Cleverly vs. Krasniqi

Click the link below to see:

PURSE BID-CLEVERLY vs. KRASNIQI

WBO #1 and mandatory light heavyweight challenger Robin Krasniqi will be back in action Friday night at the Maritim Hotel in Magdeburg, Germany. Krasniqi (38-2, 14 KOs) will take on Max Heyman (25-11-4, 14 KOs) in a scheduled twelve round duel. Also seeing action will be unbeaten WBO #8 heavyweight Francesco Pianeta (27-0-1, 14 KOs) against Nelson Dario Dominguez (14-1-1, 7 KOs) in a ten-rounder.

Here’s what they had to say at the preflight press conference.

Robin Krasniqi: “I am really looking forward to this next fight. For me, every fight is now like a championship fight….when I fought in January, I’ve gained a lot of experience and I have the best trainer in Germany, Dirk Dzemski, – so I have the best conditions to win the next fight and then to become world champion.”

Max Heyman: “Robin Krasniqi is a young, strong boxer. I was well informed about him. This is a tough fight and I have to do my best.”

Francesco Pianeta: “I’m not that far away from the Klitschkos. I know that now. But I have every time in the ring again get the best performance. I will also be on Friday. ”

Nelson Dario Dominguez: “I see it as an opportunity to fight against someone like Pianeta. He is a southpaw. I can gather a lot of experience. I am impressed with his success against Oliver McCall and Francois Botha, but he’d better study the video and not underestimate me.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/krasniqi-heyman-presser-149375

World Champion Nathan Cleverly has been forced to withdraw from his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light-Heavyweight title defence against Robin Krasniqi due to a viral infection.

The unbeaten Welsh star was scheduled to face Kosovan Krasniqi on Saturday 28th April at the Royal Albert Hall in London, but has been unable to train for his fourth title defence.

Hatfield’s Olympic star Billy Joe Saunders, who was chief support on the card, will now replace Cleverly and headline the first night of professional championship boxing to be held at the world famous venue in nearly 13 years when he takes on Tony Hill for the Vacant English Middleweight title.

Joint top of the bill on the show will see Chislehurst’s Sam Webb in a final eliminator for the British Light-Middleweight Championship against Manchester’s hard-hitting Matthew Hall.

A devastated Cleverly said, “I’ve been unable to train because I’ve been laid up in bed with a viral infection and there’s not enough time to make up what I’ve missed in training to make sure I’m fully fit,”

“I’ve taken the advice of my doctor and been told to fully rest before attempting to start training again,”

“I’m really disappointed because I was looking forward to being the first fighter to bring boxing back to the Royal Albert Hall in over a decade and the first of the century,”

“It was a big night for me as Hopkins was facing Dawson on the same night and I was looking to do a good job on Krasniqi to get a fight with the winner,”

“I’m sorry for my fans, but I’m happy that the show will go on and a great talent like Billy Joe Saunders will now be topping the card along with Sam Webb and Matthew Hall which looks like a cracking fight.”

Saunders, the Southern Area Middleweight champion, said, “This is a great chance for me to shine on the show and show my potential,”

“I’m Britain’s next star in the making and to now headline the Royal Albert Hall is dream come true for me and I will put on a fight to remember against Hill.”

Promoter Frank Warren added, “It’s such a shame that Cleverly has been hit with a viral infection and at a crucial time in his training and career,”

“He is unable to fight and he now needs to have a good rest, get himself healthy and resume training before we look to reschedule his title defence,”

“However, Billy Joe Saunders, who is one of the best young talents in Britain right now, is hungry and ready to prove that he is next big thing and this is the perfect occasion for him to do this.”

The rest of the card features some of the best talent in Britain including unbeaten welterweight Bradley Skeete; hard-hitting super-middleweight Frank Buglioni, light-welterweight Bradley Saunders; welterweights Freddie Turner and Dean Byrne.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=31632&more=1

WBO President, Francisco Valcarcel clarifies the reasons which lead to the sanction of the Nathan Cleverly vs. Robin Krasniqi bout scheduled for April 28, 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London, despite having previously said that it would not be sanctioned because Nathan Cleverly had to face the mandatory challenger.

Unfortunately though, #1 ranked Dmitry Sukhotsky has managerial issues. He has three different promoters calling the shots for his fights.  Meanwhile, the actual promoter who was awarded the judgment, the boxer doesn’t even want to deal with.  This entire issue is not conducive to anyone attempting to negotiate a contract.

Then, there’s the #2, Braimah Kamoko…  Back in 2006, the BBB of C did not allow Mr. Kamoko to fight in the UK due to cataracts.  He was supposed to resubmit his medical documents.  The WBO attempted to get him approved by the BBB of C, but unfortunately UK’s doctors, denied the necessary permission that would have allowed him to fight in their country.

The sanction given to Cleverly – Krasniqi has the provision that the winner must face the mandatory challenger designated by the WBO within 90 days from the date of the bout; i.e. April 28, 2012.  The WBO has yet to advise the parties who the mandatory challenger will be.  President Valcarcel says that Bernard Hopkins has not been designated the Mandatory Challenger. The WBO has not designated anyone yet so all rumors regarding a Cleverly – Hopkins bout sometime in the summer is just that – rumors.

Maritim Hotel, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany – In a fierce battle, up-and-coming WBO #6 light heavyweight Robin Krasniqi improved to 37-2, with 13 KOs, after a spirited twelfth-round TKO over dуtermined Frenchman Hakim Zoulikha (16-3, 8 KOs).

This fight was very much different than the previous encounter thanks to the will and determination of the challenger. Zoulikha, 25, and the smaller of the two, tried to find his luck on the inside. The Frenchman lacked quality punching power but was very active in winging wild hooks and swings to scare the lanky Albanian. Krasniqi, his real name being Haxhi, used some elements of rope-a-dope tactics alongside constant lateral movement and uppercuts on the inside. The first couple of rounds was rather even but in the third and in the fourth stanzas Krasniqi reached some success with his jabs and uppercuts to trouble Zoulikha a bit.

Rounds five and six turned into a crowd-pleasing war with both fighters swinging wildly in order to deliver one meaningful punch. It soon became obvious that the close quarters favored the French brawler over the German boxer, both fighters landing bombs in a sensational sixth round. Sensing the fight was going his opponent’s way, Krasniqi found something in him to turn back the tide. He increased the distance between him and Zoulikha in the second half of the fight. He was also fresher than the Frenchman and he got better and better with each fought round.

As the bout progressed into the final quarter Krasniqi’s advantage became clearly visible. However, he was unable to rock durable Zulikha up until the middle of the twelfth and final stanza. It was when his combinations had finally penetrated Zoulikha’s guard and started to wobble him. After a lengthy barrage of unanswered punches referee Lahcen Oumghar of Netherlands halted the action with just five seconds remaining. Krasniqi retained his WBO European title in a surprisingly thrilling encounter.

By Alexey Sukachev

Photos: Eroll Popova

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48244

Robin Krasniqi 174.4 vs. Hakim Zoulikha 173
(WBO Europe light heavyweight title)

Venue: Maritim-Hotel, Magdeburg, Germany
Promoter: SES Boxing

SES Boxing starts in 2012 on January 7^th with the boxing gala in Maritim Hotel Magdeburg, Germany. Under the slogan “Schwere Jungs” (Heavy Boy´s) is the newly crowned WBO European Champion, Robin Krasniqi, defending his belt for the first time in Light Heavyweight. He is currently number 6 at the official WBO ranking in Light Heavyweight.

SPORT1, the German broadcaster, transmit the fight live at 10:00 p.m. CET.