IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester (33-3, 16 KOs) will make a second defence of his title in Neubrandenburg, Germany on June 5 when he takes on mandatory challenger Roman Karmazin (40-3, 26 KOs). Boxing-Online.com has caught up with the 29-year-old “Hurricane” ahead of what could be the most difficult fight of his career.
Q: Sebastian, how has the preparation going for the big fight on June 5?
A: Things have been going really well, thanks a lot. I have been in training camp in Gustrow (East Germany) since the end of March. My coach Karsten Rower comes up with new mean training exercises all the time. It has been exhausting but very productive. I am in great shape.
Q: How hard is it mentally to be in an isolated training camp for such a long time?
A: It is no problem. We are a little bit isolated but that is fine. It helps to relax and to focus.
Q: How do you kill the time?
A: Last weekend, we went fishing in the Baltic Sea, which was a great experience. I also like to play poker. But most of the time I just try to relax and sleep because I am really tired from all the tough work-outs.
Q: You have a tough defence coming up against Karmazin. What do you know about him?
A: We have analysed him closely. He is a very strong guy with a very good left. His left is very versatile – he uses it as hook, straight or uppercut. Sometimes he keeps it low to lure his opponent into opening up so that he can counter quickly. His speed is quite impressive. But I am the world champion – and I will remain the world champion, no doubt about that.
Q: What makes you so confident of success?
A: I have had the longest preparation of my career. We have again come up with a strong game plan. And I will have support of my fans. Karamzin will find out what that means.
Q: It is the fifth time you will be fighting in Neubrandenburg. All of your fights have sold-out, and the fans always raise the roof when you are inside the ring. What does their support mean to you?
A: It is very important for me and gives me the little extra motivation I need. When I first fought in Neubrandenburg, I was baffled – the support was gigantic. I was so happy to give the fans something back by winning the world title last September. Now I look forward to putting on another strong performance on June 5.
Q: You will get married after the fight…with or without the belt?
A: I am indeed planning to get married before my 30th birthday – and of course I want to be a world champion when I get married. But I am sure my fiancée Diana would also marry me without the belt…
Q: What does your family mean to you?
A: My family means everything to me. Diana and I have been together for 13 years and we have a nine-year-old daughter, Lea-Chantal. Unfortunately, I am away quite a lot with all the training camps. I would love to see them more often. But we are all very close, and that is the way it should be. If they are happy and all is well, I have the focus and concentration I need to perform at a top level in practice and also during the fights.
BRIAN ROSE plans to emulate Blackpool’s amazing Premier League rise in the boxing ring. Unbeaten Rose (14-0-1) is heading towards boxing’s top flight and is booked to challenge British champion Sam Webb in the autumn.
He has a warm up at Huddersfield Leisure Centre on Friday (28/5) when he faces Birmingham’s Max Maxwell (11-9-2).
Blackpool fan Rose hails from the seaside town that hit the headlines after their sensational play-off triumph against Cardiff City on Saturday.
And his supporters at Friday’s testing fight will don tangerine wigs worn by Blackpool fans at Wembley.
Rose, 25, said: “The Wembley triumph has given Blackpool the lift that it needed.
“What Ian Holloway and the boys achieved was magnificent and I wouldn’t mind some of that success myself.
“Some of my fans are still celebrating promotion and everyone who has bought a ticket from me will be wearing tangerine wig at the Maxwell fight.
“Provided I get thorough Maxwell, my promoter Frank Maloney will deliver a British title fight and like the footballers I won’t let the town down.”
Maxwell, 30, (11-9-2) will certainly give Rose a test in their eight rounder that is likely to be televised live on Sky Sports.
He holds a draw with Prizefighter winner Prince Arron although he lost their return on points earlier this month.
Top of the bill is local favourite Gary Sykes (14-0) who makes the first defence of his British super-featherweight title against Belfast’s Kevin O’Hara (17-5).
Former domestic champion Carl Johanneson (28-4) who is lined up to face the winner is a late addition to the bill.
There are some tickets left price £30 and £70 from 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com
