Title showdown live on MDR: Tina Rupprecht wants to become the first German “Undisputed” champion in Potsdam. The anticipation for the fight against Yamanaka is huge!
Next Saturday, April 5, 2025, the tradition-steeped MBS Arena in Potsdam will make sports history: At the SES Boxing Gala, three-time world champion Tina Rupprecht (14-1-1, 3 knockouts) will face Japanese IBF title holder Sumire Yamanaka (8-0, 3 knockouts) – a historic fight to unify all four major world titles in the atomweight division. “I’m looking forward to this fight – it’s going to be a great fight!” announced Rupprecht from Augsburg confidently at the press conference at Filmpark Babelsberg. “I know about my leading role in German women’s boxing. That’s pure motivation – and I’ll take it with me into the ring!”
With the WBC, WBA and WBO world championship belts in her possession, Rupprecht is only missing the IBF crown to become “Undisputed Champion”. A feat that no German male or female boxer has ever achieved. In addition to the fourth world association belt, the prestigious “Ring Magazine” belt is also at stake.
Rupprecht’s coach Alexander Haan was confident: “Tina is well prepared. Yamanaka will put a lot of pressure on her and look for the infight. But that’s exactly what we prepared for at the training camp in Uzbekistan.” Yamanaka, who is looking forward to what is probably the most important fight of her career, also spoke with great respect: “Tina Rupprecht has my great respect – but I have come here to make history for Japanese boxing.”
Three title fights, ten fights – Potsdam becomes the boxing capital
In addition to the undisputed highlight between Rupprecht and Yamanaka, there are two other title fights on the fight card: Nick Hannig, local hero from Berlin, will defend his WBO European light heavyweight title against the strong Pole Mateusz Tryc. “Three weeks of training camp in the Sierra Nevada, sparring with world champion William Scull – it doesn’t get any better than this!” says Hannig. “Potsdam is almost like a home game. The hall will be shaking – I have to deliver!” WBO Junior World Champion Julian Vogel (22) is also back in action. In his third title fight, he will face the Czech Milos Beranek. After his TKO victory against John Bielenberg, Vogel also wants to make his mark in Brandenburg.
Heavyweight Michel Dobler from Thuringia is making his promising professional debut for “Team Germany”. “At 2.00 meters tall and with a strong amateur career, Michel has it all,” praised SES boss Ulf Steinforth. “We can look forward to seeing him!” Also in the ring: Richard Meinecke, Armend Xhoxhaj, Max Suske, Mike Jaede, Gol Agha Haddi and Hamburg EC fighter Viktor Faust, who has to fight US veteran Rydell Booker.
MDR will broadcast the event live on the program “Sport im Osten – Boxen live”. Tickets are still available at www.eventim.de and at all known advance booking offices. Ulf Steinforth sums it up: “This evening is not just the crowning glory of our anniversary year. It could become a milestone for German boxing.”
Text by Robin Josten