By Jake Donovan
Every performance counts for any top light heavyweights these days, especially as the division continues to load up with talent.
Sitting a rung or two below top divisional players Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson is 36-year old Juergen Braehmer, who rates high among the best of the rest. It’s a status on which he plans to improve heading into his September 5 showdown with Konni Konrad in Dresden, Germany.
The bout marks the fifth defense of the light heavyweight title Braehmer claimed in Dec. ’13, having stopped Robin Krasniqi in the 9th round of his most recent fight this past March. By his own admission, the bout wasn’t his best performance, but rather a night where he did what he had to do to win. Braehmer felt under the weather heading into the bout, but decided the show must go on in fighting through less than desirable physical conditions.
No such excuses are in play for this weekend, as Braehmer was brimming with confidence during Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference.
“Before my last fight with Krasniqi, I was sick with the flu,’’ Braehmer (46-2, 34KOs) revealed. “But this time, I‘ve had no handicap. My training has gone exactly as planned. I feel stronger than ever and ready to deliver a devastating performance in Dresden!’’
Konrad (22-1-1, 11KOs)—a 30-year old Montenegrin living in Cologne, Germany—comes in riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak following his lone loss, at the end of his “first career” in 2006. Two separate returns have followed, but he has been back for good since 2012.
The upcoming bout represents a considerable leap in competition for the first-time title challenger, who also insists he is in peak condition for the biggest fight of his boxing career.
“I feel completely relaxed and prepared for Saturday night,” Konrad confidently stated. “Many people crumble in front of such an opportunity, but I’m different. I’ve done everything possible for this fight, and we have the perfect game plan. Nothing can go wrong!”
The winner will remain in contention for a future crack at Kovalev, the undefeated unified titlist and widely regarded as the best light heavyweight on the planet.
Saturday’s show airs live on SAT.1 in Germany.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene