With neither Armend Xhoxhaj nor Niklas Rasanen currently ranked by the WBO at cruiserweight, the addition of that sanctioning body’s vacant European strap to proceedings means the victor will earn a world ranking.
The contest is set to take place on November 22 at Kraftverkehr Chemnitz in Germany, meaning that Kosovo-born Xhoxhaj, who is based in Germany, will have the home advantage of sorts. Xhoxhaj, who lost to Joshua Buatsi in the amateur ranks, is 31 years old and brings a record of 22-4 (11 KOs). He has won four in a row since getting stopped in two rounds by Huseyin Cinkara in April 2024.
Rasanen, 19-4-1 (10 KOs), is a 39-year-old southpaw from Finland.
In the headliner on this SES/Blanko Sports promotion, Artur Reis, 15-1 (9 KOs), moves up to light heavyweight and challenges WBO European beltholder, Poland’s Mateusz Tryc, 16-2 (8 KOs).
On the undercard, heavyweight hopeful Michel Dobler, 3-0 (2 KOs), is in against Alessandro Jandejsek, 9-5 (7 KOs). As an amateur, Dobler lost twice to Moses Itauma.
