Universum excited about November 19 card
Universum-Box Promotions has confirmed that November 19 will mark a return to grace, with some of the company’s top heavyweights returning to the ring. Included on a card will be Ruslan Chagaev (26-1, 17 KOs) (WBA mandatory challenger for David Haye) and
prospect Denis Boytsov (27-0, 22 KOs).
As well, heavyweight hopeful Manuel Charr (14-0, 7 KOs) and featherweight Marcel Meyerdiercks (17-0, 7 KOs) will make appearances.
“Many fans have asked us when we are going to finally return to the great atmosphere in our Hamburg Gym for an evening of boxing,” Universum Promoter Klaus Peter Kohl said. “Now it is time. We offer the fans great fights in preparation for the big fights of
2011.
"The boys are going to confirm their form for the bigger tasks. Ruslan, for example, for a shot at David Haye, Denis Boytsov will test his hand that was operated on. In addition, the Hamburg boxing fans will get a chance to see Ruslan Chagaev for the first
time in four years, Denis Boytsov for the first time in more than three years. It was time."
Chagaev’s last fight was in May, when he outpointed Kali Meehan in a WBA eliminator bout. Due to being WBA No.1 contender, it is fairly clear Universum will not put him up against too strong an opponent, for fear of losing his status.
Chagaev hopes to win the WBA title anew, after it was relinquished in 2008 to Nikolai Valuev. The matter is still looked upon in controversy, and a definitive factor for David Haye becoming champion.
Chagaev was awarded the title after beating Valuev on points in 2007. Valuev then took on Sergei Liakhovich in a WBA elimination bout and won, meaning that he could face Chagaev again for the title. However, he refused when Chagaev contracted Hepatitis
B, and announced a second injury. The belt was thereby relinquished to the winner of Valuev and John Ruiz, a bout Valuev won.
Finally Valuev, the new WBA champion, who had been awarded the title even though he didn't fight previous champion Chagaev, lost to Haye, making Haye the WBA titlist.
Boytsov is relatively untested against true opposition, but his seventh round stoppage of Jason Gavern has mounted him some credibility as Gavern fought Jonathan Banks to a draw recently. Boytsov would like to use the November 19 card to push himself into
a title shot.
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