Ali Eren Demirezen, the Turkish boxer who recently sparred with Anthony Joshua and destroyed Sergiej Werwejko in eight rounds in Germany, will collide with Izu Ugonoh on December 8th in a WBO European title clash in Gdansk/Sopot Ergo Arena in Poland.
A Rio Olympian, Demirezen made a successful first title defense against Polish opponent Werwejko and took his revenge from their amateur days. The 28 year old is placed 13th in WBO rankings.
Now he needs to overcome a harder challenge and defend his title against Polish fighter in his backyard.
Demirezen won the WBO European title against Rad Rashid in Germany on March 24th of this year. He knocked out Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka in the amateurs.
Demirezen A/K/A “Ice Man” went to Sheffield to spar with unified heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua before his defense with Alexander Povetkin in September.
“Joshua was humble and helpful during our camp. I learned a lot and tried to help the champ for his preparations. I wanted to ensure that we were both successful,” said Demirezen.
Ugonoh is well known with his roller coaster fight with Dominic Breazeale, from February 25th of 2017 in the United States. Ugonoh had knocked down his experienced rival but could not escape from being knocking out in the fifth round.
After losing to Breazeale in 2017, Ugonoh returned to the ring in May of this year. Ugonoh face Fred Kassi and won with a two round stoppage.
“My dad came to Poland to study after he finished his studies. He went back to Nigeria and got married there. Then he came back to Poland. I was born in Poland and raised here. I am pretty well known in the country. Last couple years I trained in Las Vegas and fought in New Zeland. My former coach Kevin Barry taught me a lot. Now I am with a new team and they believe in me. I do believe in myself,” Ugonoh told BoxingScene.com.
“The cornerstone of my career was the fight with Breazeale. It’s now in the past. I could have won the fight and I’d be in different place now but I learned a lot from that fight. I am also very aware of the fact how important experience is in boxing. On December 8th, fighting with a good opponent is going to bring the best out of me. That’s why my promoter selected Ali.
“I ve been looking forward to fight in my home city of Gdansk. Ali is a good fighter, he is undefeated, 10 bouts 10 KOs, definitely he believes in his abilities. Its a fight the crowd will enjoy. Of course I will go for the win. As a kickboxer I won the European and world championships. I wanted to have same success in boxing. Winning the European belt will help to win the world championship. I am ready for the eight of December to get the belt.”
EC Boxing fighters, cruiserweight Nikola Milacic (19-1-0) and Croatian heavyweight Agron Smakici (14-0), will also fight on the same card. 28 year old Smakici worked with German legend Jurgen Blin who fought with Muhammad Ali in 1971, at Zurich. Smakici stated that it’s an honor to learn from the experienced Blin and improved a lot since he came to Germany.
By Cihat Gemici / boxingscene.com