Tina Rupprecht will fight Sumire Yamanaka for the “Undisputed” atomweight title on April 5. The three-time champion spoke about the upcoming fight at a press conference.
The undisputed fight between Tina Rupprecht, WBC, WBA and WBO world champion in the atomweight division, and IBF champion Sumire Yamanaka (Japan) will take center stage on April 5. But the SES Boxing Gala in Potsdam will also feature other title fights with Nick Hannig and Julian Vogel. Sound bites from the first press conference at the Kongresshotel Potsdam:
Benedikt Poelchau, Blanko Sports:
“A fight of this magnitude, like Tina Rupprecht’s, is unique for German boxing. The interest in this fight is already enormous. Together with Potsdam, we have prevailed over Tokyo to host this fight and so this major boxing event, which will already – as of today – be broadcast live in over 30 countries, will take place here in the state capital of Brandenburg. Germany has never been so close to an undisputed world title!”
Ulf Steinforth, SES Boxing:
“We are finally back in Potsdam after a good 10 years and the program is more than impressive. Our Tina Rupprecht’s fight in Potsdam is not just about belts – it’s about German sporting history. Tina is boxing for one of the greatest triumphs possible in boxing: ‘Undisputed’ – forever unforgotten, the unification of all world titles held by one boxer!”
“With Nick Hannig’s first title defense, we also have the local hero at the start, who, in addition to his successful boxing career with many, many fans, is also a real ‘jack-of-all-trades’ with his professional activities – the ‘Mr. Business’ in boxing – and brings the hall to a boil. In addition, our WBO Junior World Champion Julian Vogel will show where the future of German boxing lies. On this evening, in the SES Boxing anniversary year, this undisputed fight by Tina Rupprecht is also the crowning glory of our work over the last 25 years!”
Tina Rupprecht, three-time world champion:
“Of course, I was delighted with the great response and attention, especially from the media on all channels, after my victory with the three world titles in Heidelberg. But after the fight is before the fight – so now I’m only focused on the fight against Yamanaka. I know that I can achieve historic things as a boxer, but I can block it all out.”
“We’re going back to a training camp in Uzbekistan for two weeks, I’ll have lots of tough sparring partners there and I see this as the ideal preparation for a tough opponent. Sumire Yamanaka naturally has the same goal as me – she also wants all the belts. I’m expecting a great fight!”
Axel Schulz, German boxing legend:
“Tina is a great boxer, extremely likeable. She is a credit to German boxing with her fights and her performances in and out of the ring and is now on the verge of her greatest possible triumph. Potsdam is almost my home and I really want to be there in the ring – you can’t miss such a unique event that SES has put together here!”
Nick Hannig, WBO European light heavyweight champion:
“With the WBO Europe title, it’s nice to have a belt again. I want to keep it, even though I have a strong opponent in Mateusz Tryc. But my many, many fans are behind me here in Potsdam and the hall will be packed – that’s to be expected and I have to give them something!”
Julian Vogel, WBO Youth World Champion Half Middle:
“After two fights in my home town, I now have to fight ‘away’ – no problem for me. I’m doing my job and I really want to take my belt back home to Aschersleben!”
The SES Boxing Gala on April 5 from the MBS Arena in Potsdam will be broadcast by MDR “SPORT im Osten – Boxen live” from 10.35 pm.
Text: Press release / SES Boxing