Vincenzo Gualtieri wants to get back to the top of the middleweight division. To do so, the AGON pro must once again get past Alexander Pavlov – the WBO European Championships are at stake on February 15!
The light flickers in the AGON gym on Mallorca. Drops of sweat slowly fall to the floor. Every punch from Vincenzo Gualtieri (23-1-1, 8 knockouts) on his trainer’s pads echoes through the training hall like an echo of his determination. “Faster, harder, more explosive,” shouts coach Franquis Aldama. It is this mantra that has been driving Gualtieri for months.
On February 15 in Neu-Ulm, Germany, it will become clear whether the hard work will pay off when “Il Capo” faces Alexander Pavlov (22-4, 16 knockouts) again in the fight for the vacant WBO European middleweight championship. Gualtieri, who was crowned IBF middleweight world champion against Esquiva Falcao in July 2023, is on the hunt for a second big opportunity. His goal: a convincing victory to catapult him back into the international elite.
Pavlov out for revenge
The 30-year-old AGON pro and the Hamburg native fought a close fight back in the summer of 2020 – back then for the German championship. After a tough duel, Gualtieri won very narrowly on points (96-94; 96-95; 95-95). “I learned a lot from that defeat,” says Pavlov confidently. “I’ll approach things differently this time.” A lot has changed for him since then anyway: The 36-year-old gained valuable experience, celebrated convincing victories – such as the impressive knockout win against Thomas Piccirillo in April 2024. But Pavlov also suffered setbacks, such as last year when he lost to AGON’s world championship contender Etinosa Oliha by T.K.O.
New start – old goals
For Vincenzo Gualtieri, this fight is more than just a European Championship duel – it is set to be a milestone on his tough road back to the top of the world rankings. After his defeat in mid-October 2023 in the unification fight (IBF/WBO World Championships) against Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, the Berlin native initially disappeared from the scene. He rethought his strategy and worked harder than ever last year. “I know what I have to do better,” says Gualtieri. “My team prepared me perfectly.”
Click here for the trailer “The Rematch – Gualtieri vs Pavlov II”:
AGON head coach Aldama is convinced: “Vincenzo is now more mature and more dangerous. Pavlov will face a different Gualtieri than he did in 2020.” But the professional from the Hamburg stable “Boxen im Norden” also feels completely ready for this “rematch” and is confident: “Vincenzo won’t be able to stop me this time!”
Exciting co-main event
As the co-main event at the “Ein Sturm zieht auf” event, which crowns the comeback of Felix Sturm, the fight for the vacant WBO European middleweight championship is particularly in the spotlight. A victory could open the door to further big fights for Gualtieri, perhaps even another attempt at the world championship. But for now, the fans in the Ratiopharm Arena can look forward to an exciting German-German duel with plenty of rivalry.
Text: Robin Josten