Undefeated IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (24-0, 19 KOs) will return on December 8 when he takes on Britain´s Wayne Elcock (18-2, 8 KOs) in Basle. "I am looking forward to my first fight in Switzerland," King Arthur said. "It will be a hard fight against a strong opponent. Elcock last defeated a strong Howard Eastman so there is absolutely no reason to underestimate him."

In his last fight in August, Abraham clinched a spectacular 11th-round KO victory over mandatory challenger Khoren Gevor. The 27-year-old vowed he will be "perfectly prepared" for his sixth title defence. "I have been working hard in practice and I promise not to disappoint the Swiss boxing fans," he stated.

Sauerland managing director Chris Meyer was pleased to bring another spectacular bout to Basle, where then-WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev stopped Jameel McCline in the third round of their meeting in January 2007. "I am very pleased we could come to terms with Mick Hennessy to make this fight happen," Meyer said. "It will be a great fight."