Robin Krasniqi: record, next fight and profile →
When former WBO welterweight champ Jan Zaveck was injured, SES, co-promoter with Sauerland for the big show August 25 at the O2 Arena in Berlin - was left with an empty spot on the show. It´s now however filled and light heavyweight Robin Krasniqi, a somewhat inflated 37-2, will take on former stablemate Serdar Sahin, 20-0, with the WBO Int´l title at stake.
Nathan Cleverly is the latest casualty in a stretch where more fights are being canceled than inked. The unbeaten light heavyweight titlist was set to defend against Robin Krasniqi on April 28 at Royal Albert Hall in London, but was forced to withdraw due to a viral infection. Cleverly (24-0, 11KO) was bit by the flu bug long enough to miss a significant portion of training camp. The Welsh fighter was prepared to make up for lost time once healthy, but medical advice suggested otherwise.
Nathan Cleverly already has his sights set on a "special" unification showdown with legendary veteran Bernard Hopkins this summer as he prepares to get a WBO light-heavyweight title defence against Robin Krasniqi out of the way this month.
The World Boxing Organisation have now officially approved Robin Krasniqi as the challenger for Nathan’s Cleverly’s World Light-Heavyweight title on Saturday 28th April at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
European Super-Middleweight Champion James DeGale (11-1, 8 KOs) will make his mandatory defence against Cristian Sanavia (45-5-1, 13 KOs) at the Nordic Fight Night in Frederikshavn on April 21. The fight will be co-promoted by Team Sauerland and Italian promoters Round Zero. “DeGale versus Sanavia will be an exciting battle for the European crown,” promoter Nisse Sauerland said. “This is a great addition to the Nordic Fight Night. We are delighted to bring the very best of European boxing to Frederikshavn.”
WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has rejected Nathan Cleverly's announced fight against Robin Krasniqi, which promoter Frank Warren announced earlier today for April 28th. Cleverly (24-0, 11KOs) was given permission to face Tommy Karpency in February with the understanding that a mandatory defense against Dmitry Sukhotsky (18-1, 13KOs) would take place in 120 days. Sukhotsky and his management have long complained about being unable to secure their mandatory shot at the title.