by T.K. Stewart
IBF middleweight titlist Arthur Abraham, hot off his electric knockout over Edison Miranda back in June, is now getting ready to defend his title for the eighth time against veteran former 154-pound titlist Raul Marquez on October 4th in Germany.
While Abraham prepares to fight Marquez, WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is gearing up to fight Bernard Hopkins on October 18th in Atlantic City. Both Abraham and Pavlik say they want to fight each other, and boxing fans are thirsting for a unification fight between the two undefeated belt-holders, so look for it in 2009 if both guys can win in October.
"I'd like to fight Kelly Pavlik in the United States," said Abraham. "Pavlik in the United States and Marquez in Germany. I have so many fans in Germany and if I were to box in the U.S. every time it is no good for my fans in Germany," claims Abraham who has a sterling record of 27-0 (22KOs).
Abraham says he will prepare diligently for Marquez who is well past his best days, has a tendency to cut, and will turn 37 next week. Despite that, Abraham says he is expecting a tough fight from Marquez and doesn't see the fight ending early. With the fight only six weeks away, Abraham offered his view of Marquez.
"Marquez is strong, Marquez is a very strong man," he said. "I think it will be a very interesting fight."
Abraham, who was born in Armenia, fought in the United States for the first time in June when he knocked out Edison Miranda in the fourth round of their rematch. The fight was televised live on Showtime and the network also broadcast the first bout on a delayed basis. Abraham says he made a lot of American fans during the visit and he is eager to come back to the U.S. shores and fight again, especially if the opponent is Pavlik.
"I like American people," says Abraham. "I made a lot of friends and fans there and when I come back I think a lot of fans will come and see me."
Another name in the middleweight mix for Abraham is three time middleweight titlist Felix Sturm who is currently the WBA belt holder. Like Abraham, Sturm also fights out of Germany, but Abraham claims that Sturm is afraid of him.
"Felix Sturm is not interested in fighting me, but in Germany it would be an interesting fight," says Abraham. "My promoter told Felix he would give him 1.5 million Euros to fight me and he said, 'No.' Abraham raised his eyebrows at the offer and was surprised that Sturm turned it down. "That is about 2.2 million U.S. dollars," he said.
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