Domestic rivals Naim Terbunja (10-1, 1 KO) and Sven Fornling (10-1, 6 KOs) will square off in a mouth watering eight-round clash for the Swedish Light Heavyweight title on December 9 at the Rosvalla Arena in Nyköping, Sweden.

With the recent revival of professional boxing, the Swedish Professional Boxing Commission has decided to bring back the once prestigious Swedish title.

Terbunja and Fornling, who both hold identical records of ten wins with only one defeat, will battle it out for the Swedish Championship on the undercard of Erik Skoglund’s WBA International Light Heavyweight title fight with Timy Shala.

‘’I’m looking forward to facing Sven for the Swedish title,’’ said Terbunja, who represented Sweden at the 2008 Olympics, and is back in action following a unanimous points win over Baptiste Castegnaro on September 10 at the Hovet.

‘’Sven is a good, technical fighter, but in my opinion, he lacks power. We may have a similar record as professionals, but records don’t always tell the full truth. I think my amateur experience will prove the difference in this fight.

‘’Winning the Swedish title would be a great achievement for me. Even though I'm Albanian, I’ve always been proud fighting for and representing Sweden, and I owe them everything for my success.’’

Fornling, who will be fighting for a third time in Nyköping having recorded victories over Simen Smaadal and Gary Abajyan last year, sees the Swedish title as an important step in his progression and for the progression of Swedish boxing.

‘’Professional boxing in Sweden is still growing, and I hope the Swedish title will build interest in the sport,’’ said the Fornling. ‘’I believe this is a good match up, worthy of a title, and as a proud Swede, I would be very honoured to wear the Championship belt!’’

However, the Malmo-boxer believes he will be a class above his opponent from Linkoping, and has labelled the former amateur star as ‘one of the biggest disappointments’ in Swedish professional boxing.

‘’Naim had a great amateur career, and I think many people in Sweden saw him as a big prospect, but with that said, he is also one of the biggest disappointments in Swedish professional boxing. I have seen him a few times since he turned pro and he hasn’t looked very convincing,’’ said Fornling.

‘’I can imagine the first rounds to be close, but the longer the fight goes on and the more I push the tempo, it will become clear who the better fighter is. I hope Naim comes prepared because he is entering a World of pain!’’

Explaining the Swedish Professional Boxing Commissions decision to revive the Swedish Championship, Secretary Olof Johansson says:

‘’The Swedish title was very much a live championship back in the 1920s when we had a good number of professional boxers and the title was in high demand. Since then, we’ve not had the same amount of active fighters, but now, we believe the time is right to bring the Championship back.

‘’Eligible to box for the Championship belt will be the two top rated fighters in each weight category. The fighters must be ready to compete at elite level over the stipulated 8 round distance, and with the understanding that if there is an international star holding an international title at any specific weight, the next two fighters in line can compete for the title.

‘’We believe Terbunja versus Fornling will be a terrific Championship fight. Of course, Skoglund is above them in the ratings, but as the next two highest ranked fighters, this is a legitimate title fight. They are both on equal terms, with equal records, and aspiring for top-level recognition.’’

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’This is great addition to our show on December 9, and we hope, the first of many Swedish title fights we are able to promote. Naim and Sven are both talented boxers, who will give their all to win this bout. I expect their styles to make for an entertaining fight for the fans in Nyköping.’’

Naim Terbunja and Sven Fornling contest the Swedish Light Heavyweight title on the undercard of Erik Skoglund’s WBA International Light Heavyweight title fight with Timy Shala on December 9 at the Rosvalla Arena in Nyköping.

Tickets are available online via www.biljettforum.se or by calling 0771-130 150. All the action will be shown live and exclusive in Scandinavia on Viaplay Fighting. For more information please visit http://www.viaplay.se.