Simon Zachenhuber fights on the Fury undercard in London on Saturday. Despite a last-minute change of opponent, the goal remains clear: to make a statement on the big stage.
When Tyson Fury makes his comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, a German boxer will also be in the spotlight: Simon Zachenhuber. The unbeaten super-middleweight (28-0) will be making his biggest appearance on the international stage to date. For the man from Erdingen, the fight on the undercard is more than just a fight – it is a chance to present himself in front of a global audience and take a decisive step towards his goal of a world championship fight.
Originally, a duel with the Brit Troy Williamson was planned, but this was canceled at short notice. Instead, Zachenhuber will now face Pawel August, who is also unbeaten. An opponent who is less well-known, but remains difficult to assess for precisely this reason. Zachenhuber nevertheless sees advantages on his side. The German has more experience at a higher level and has recently been able to win important rounds against strong opponents. Nevertheless, the starting position is clear: for August, this is the chance of a lifetime – and the opposition is likely to be correspondingly strong.
For Zachenhuber, it’s the performance that counts in the end. After a difficult last performance, he wants to make a clear statement this time. The stage for this could hardly be bigger: a soccer stadium, a global stream and millions of eyes on the event. The fight will be held as part of the Prelims and can even be watched free of charge before the big heavyweight spectacle follows in the evening.
Text by Robin Josten