Arthur Abraham criticizes Wladimir Klitschko for opponent choices
Top rated German-based fighter Arthur Abraham has called Wladimir Klitschko out on his recent defense of his WBO/IBO/IBF titles, referring to Klitschko's rematch with Samuel Peter a 'disgrace'.
Abraham, who held the IBF middleweight title from 2006 to 2009, told reporter Alexander Pavlov that Klitschko simply needs to face opponents who are more qualified and competitive in the ring.
Abraham said, “It is very embarrassing and shameful when a man like Peter goes to fight for the championship belt. Klitschko's opponent must be well-prepared. This is one of the conditions of a championship fight. But the assumption that Peter came out
to fight was disastrous. This does not demonstrate a fight-even in amateur boxing," Abraham scorned.
In place of Peter, Abraham offered some names that would be good opponents for Klitschko. "For example, Alexander Povetkin of Russia, British boxer David Haye, Odlanier Solis of Cuba, and Nikolai Valuev, if he recovers from injury," Abraham speculated.
Abraham is currently tied up in Showtime’s Super Six boxing tournament. In his first match in the tournament, he defeated Jermaine Taylor in a devastating 12th round knockout (Taylor has since all but retired). In his second bout, he lost to Andre Dirrell
due to a disqualification in the 11th round, after hitting him when he went down. Abraham claims it was an honest error and that he was watching Dirrell’s head, not his feet.
He is currently waiting to participate in a postponed bout with Carl Froch for the title of first contender for the WBA and WBC super middleweight titles. The winner of the bout will take on the successor of Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward for the two titles.
The October 2 bout with Carl Froch was postponed after Froch announced a back injury that he suffered during training. The fight will take place in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
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