Markussen vs Recloux Bout in Herning on September 3

Aug 22, 2011 • 10:34 AM ET

Rudy Markussen (35-2, 22 KOs) will take on Michael Recloux (19-11-2, 8 KOs) at the next TV2 Fight Night in Herning on September 3. It will be the Hardhitter´s first fight since November 2010 when he destroyed Dejan Ribic in the first round. “We are glad that Rudy has overcome his neck problems,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “The injury break was very frustrating for him because he was so close to getting a major title shot. His strong performances have been acknowledged by the WBC where he is already ranked in the seventh spot. A victory over Recloux will put him in a perfect position. But he needs to win in style.”

Markussen is eager to get in the ring again. “I had to wait three-and-a-half years to make my comeback so the neck injury could not have happened at a worse time,” he said. “I was just getting back to old strength when the neck slowed me down. I showed that I can still do it, and I´m not the WBC´s number seven for no reason. I know I hit harder than anybody else at super middleweight and Michael Recloux will be in for a painful night on September 3.”

Fighting out of Liege, Belgium, 27-year-old Recloux boasts a record of 19 victories, 11 defeats and two draws along with eight KOs. In October 2009, he challenged German jewel Dominik Britsch (24-0, 9 KOs) for the IBF Youth Middleweight Title but lost on points. Recloux is convinced he will put Markussen into retirement: "I am looking forward to coming to Herning to end Markussen´s career,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for him and his past achievements, but to be honest, he is finished and I will expose him."