Juergen Braehmer (43-2, 32 KOs) brings the WBA World Championship to his hometown! Schwerin, Germany will host the 35-year-old’s next title defense against even-aged challenger Roberto Bolonti (35-2, 24 KOs) on June 7. The Argentinian already provoked the defending champion in the run-up to their fight. In the following Q&A, you can read Braehmer’s verbal counter as well as his future plans inside the ring.
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Juergen, you last defended your world title in early April. About two months later, you are going to put it on the line again. Is the short break between fights a problem for you?
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Juergen Braehmer: No, not at all. I see it more as an advantage to me. After enjoying a few days off, I went back into the gym after the Easter holidays. I did not start at zero and therefore I could lay my concentration more on technique and tactics.
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Arthur Abraham made similar statements recently, only to suffer from an old training injury, which had broken up during his title defense in early May…
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Juergen Braehmer: I said this ahead of my recent fights but have no problem to repeat myself: I will only step into the ring being in shape a 100 percent. That is what I learned from my loss to Garay in 2008. And I will not change my attitude now or in the future. I do perform well in training being and tip-top shape. There is a saying, by the way: If you do not use it, you lose it.
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Your upcoming opponent said that you are battle-worn, while he is on top of his game. What is your answer to those statements?
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Juergen Braehmer: …Maybe he did not watch my last fights. My last real war inside a ring is so long ago, I cannot even remember it. However, I can keep this delusion on his mind. I will charge him come fight night and it will not be cheap.
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What are your thoughts on Bolonti’s abilities? His nickname “La Bestia” promises an action-packed fight…
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Juergen Braehmer: He is a boxer with a typical Argentinian style – always fighting hard and with maximum effort, but not the most technically sound. That is what I heard from my coach Karsten Roewer. He is studying all my opponents in detail and adjusts my tactics. I only think about my own strengths. That works best for me.
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Defending your world title at home for the first time must be something special to you, right?
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Juergen Braehmer:Â It is always nice to fight on your doorstep, although the last time I did, I was a bit over-motivated when I defend the European Championship in Schwerin last August. I do not think that this will happen again but I will show further improvements to my game. My family, friends and fans can look forward to an entertaining fight.
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…which should not be the final chapter in your career. What are your plans for the future?
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Juergen Braehmer: Clearly some big, career-defining match-up’s, preferably title unifications. Bernard Hopkins is sitting on top of that list but with him being 49 years old, he may not have a lot fights left in him. That is why I am hoping for a quick consent to fight him. I am also open to compete with all other world champions at light heavyweight. I want to show that I am the best at this weigh class!
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First, you have to deny the challenge that is Roberto Bolonti. What is your prediction on this fight?
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Juergen Braehmer: The only thing that is currently on my mind is beating him. I would love to make it an early night like the one I delivered years back against Francisco Antonio Mora. Let us see if he can take my hooks to the liver better than his compatriot did…