Ulli Wegner still enjoys forming fighters into champions. Therefore, the 71-year-old signed a contract extension with Team Sauerland last week. On November 23, two of his fighters can validate Wegner's decision: IBF and RING Cruiserweight World Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (27-1, 13 KOs) has a mandatory defense against Alexander Alekseev (24-2-1, 20 KOs) lined up and Eduard Gutknecht (25-2, 9 KOs) can make the next step towards a world title shot versus Dmitry Sukhotsky (20-2, 15 KOs) at brose Arena in Bamberg, Germany. Here are Wegner’s assessments on the following topics...

...Training: Both throw themself into it. Hernandez and Gutknecht are already in tremendous physical shape. There is still some work to do regarding tactics in training camp. But I feel certain that both will be more than ready come November 23.

...IBF World Champion Hernandez: He is working very consciously in training. However, as soon as he steps inside the ring for his fights, his Cuban temper gets the best of him. If he can find a way to canalize it and stays focused, Pablo would be nearly unbeatable. Never before, I had a more talented boxer with the combination in skills and explosiveness under my wings. I see him putting it all together against Alekseev, beating him in dominant fashion.

...Light Heavyweight Contender Gutknecht:  He can do much better than he did in the past and he is aware of this fact. Eddy is really a clever guy. When I am talking to him about certain tactics and technique, he often tells me not to speak to him like a professor. Altough Sukhotsky is determined and uncompromising fighter, I see Gutknecht making the next step towards a world championship fight in Bamberg.

Tickets for the big fight night at the brose Arena in Bamberg can be purchased at www.eventim.de and www.boxen.com .

Team Sauerland is hopeful to set a new world record for fan noise on November 16 when WBA & WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Champion Patrick Nielsen (20-0, 9 KOs) fights in front of his boisterous home fans in Albertslund for the first time of his career. The 22-year-old Dane takes on Jose Pinzon (24-5, 15 KOs) at MusikTeatret Albertslund, with his younger brother Micki Nielsen (10-0, 8 KO) also in action. “The Nielsen brothers, their wild fans and a packed music venue with great acoustics – I´d say we´ll have a brilliant chance of breaking the record,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “Just in case, we´ll be handing out free ear plugs at the entrance should things get too noisy.”

 

Team Sauerland is currently looking into details, but the world record for fan noise (indoor) is believed to be at 106.6 dBA. It was apparently set during a time-out in of the LA Clippers-Milwaukee Bucks NBA game at Bradley Centre, Milwaukee in December 2008. “Patrick and Micki have had great support throughout their careers,” Sauerland said. “Their fans have followed them all over the country. They have created a hell of an atmosphere whether in Herning, Frederikshavn, Esbjerg or Aarhus. Now imagine a packed venue – built specially for music concerts – in their backyard, with their family, friends and fans around, and you know that we have a chance. And even if we can´t break the record, we will still scare the hell out of their opponents.”

 

Patrick Nielsen is thrilled about the plans. “I am so grateful for the support I get from my fans, it would be great to break the record together,” he said. “When I hear their screams and shouts, I know that I am not alone in the ring and that gives me a big energy boost. I will do my part and give the crowd an exciting fight. Let´s make some noise!”

 

Team Sauerland is currently finalising the details of the attempt. “We have arranged for a special device that can measure decibels beyond the 130-mark,” Sauerland said. “It was not easy to come by.”

 

There will be a DJ to warm up the crowd, and ring announcer Tuukka Koistinen will also help to get the party going. Sauerland: “It´s going to be crazy!” Tickets for the Nordic Fight Night at MusikTeatret Albertslund are available at billetnet.dk.

BUTLER: I'LL GIVE MONTOYA 'L'!

Ellesmere Port star Paul Butler says his first Mexican opponent isn't his toughest test yet - his driving theory test is!

The unbeaten super-flyweight ace defends his WBO Intercontinental title in the biggest fight of his career against Ruben Montoya at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday 7th December, but has failed his test four times so far in the build up.

Butler, who also holds the British and Commonwealth titles, also aims to add the vacant WBA Intercontinental crown against Montoya, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

"Montoya is being billed as my hardest test so far, but I'm having a nightmare of a time with my theory test," Said Butler.

"I've failed it four times so far, two of the times I've failed by one point when I've not revised and the others by two points when I had revised, it's driving me mad!"

"I'm so frustrated with it at the moment, my trainer Anthony Farnell is taking the brunt of it on the pads after I've found out I've failed again, but if I don't pass it by fight night then Montoya is going to be getting it off of me,"

"I'm sitting the test again next Tuesday, the day after my 25th birthday, and if I don't pass it then there'll be hell to pay!"

The 24-year-old is confident he'll pass his first Mexican exam though and has been fired up by his rival's comments that he's going to take him into dark places in the ring.

He added, "Montoya's certainly getting my juices flowing for the fight.  I'm glad he's coming here for a real fight because I want him to take me to the next level so I can show just what I can do.  The better the opponent, the better I perform and Montoya's going to raise my game,"

"People have seen how I fight and I don't take a step back, him being a proud and tough Mexican he won't be taking a step back either so it's going to be an explosive night,"

"I'm fit and ready for the twelve rounds, if it goes the distance fine, but I'll be looking to make a real statement with my performance and knock him out early."

The Liverpool Echo Arena show is now headlined by the big-hitting, all-action, star Derry Mathews in an exciting showdown against tough Irish battler and WBO European Lightweight Champion Stephen Ormond.

British Light-Middleweight Champion Liam Smith makes the first defence of his title in the chief-support against Mark Thompson, plus Liverpool’s unbeaten Joe Selkirk and Oldham’s hard-hitting Ronnie Heffron clash for the Vacant WBO European Light-Middleweight title.

The undercard will feature Ellesmere Port’s fast-rising lightweight Matty Fagan; top unbeaten Welsh talents Craig Evans (super-featherweight) and Liam Williams (middleweight) will both feature and making his debut for Queensberry Promotions will be Stoke welterweight Josh McLaren who will be looking to make a big impression.  Completing the card will be Edinburgh’s John Thain (light-middleweight), Manchester’s Liam Cullen (cruiserweight) and Ciaran McVarnock (featherweight)

Remaining tickets are available from the Liverpool Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400 or online at www.echoarena.com

Watch live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).  Join at www.boxnation.com