BOXING: KING ARTHUR’S AMERICAN MISSION

Agence France Presse — English
August 15, 2007 Wednesday 9:18 PM GMT

IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is set to launch his America
mission if he wins Saturday’s defence against mandatory challenger
Khoren Gevor, it was announced on Wednesday.

"Arthur is the best middleweight in the world and we’re planning
to bring him to the States," manager Wilfried Sauerland said at
Wednesday’s press conference in Berlin.

"There has already been a lot of interest in him and I’m sure he
would be a huge hit."

With 23 wins from 23 fights and 18 knock-outs, Abraham tends to have
more problems from airport x-ray machines than some of his recent
opponents.

With two titanium plates and 22 screws in his jaw, he usually sends
the alarms at the security checks ringing.

"King Arthur" broke his jaw in two places during his victory over
Edison Miranda in 2006, the injury gives him no problems now and three
months ago he put aside Canadian Sebastien Demers inside three rounds.

Next up for the Armenian with German citizenship is the meeting with
countryman Gevor and Abraham is highly motivated.

"I am in great shape and I will prove that in the ring on Saturday
night," the champion stated.

The 27-year-old also revealed how he plays mind games before a fight.

"I tell myself that I’m weaker than my opponent. As a consequence,
I will train much harder and beat him in the ring."

But Gevor is confident of an upset.

"I have good chances to win the fight," he stated. "I’ve had a great
preparation and very good sparring partners.

"The IBF belt will be a present for my wife Nenel, who is pregnant."

And coach Fritz Sdunek added: "I can understand that many people
consider Abraham the favourite.

"But it would not be the first time for a favourite to lose. I expect
the fight to go the full distance, with Khoren benefiting of his good
physical condition towards the end."

The meeting will just be the second time that German coaching legends
Sdunek and Ulli Wegner come face-to-face in professional boxing.

"There will be a lot at stake. It is a question of honour," Wegner
said. "But I am confident we will win."