KING ARTHUR ABRAHAM WELCOMES SPECIAL SPARRING PARTNER SVEN OTTKE TO PREPARE FOR DIRRELL FIGHT

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.02.2010 15:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two undefeated champions battled it out in the
Max-Schmeling-Gym on Wednesday afternoon when King Arthur Abraham
welcomed a special sparring partner. In order to prepare for the
Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 2 meeting with Andre
Dirrell on March 6, coach Ulli Wegner had invited former WBA/IBF
Super-Middleweight Champion Sven Ottke to challenge Abraham. The
"Phantom", who retired undefeated in 2004, is known for his fast legs
and special movements. "Sven can help Arthur in the preparation for
Dirrell," Wegner said. "Arthur will have to track Dirrell down. That’s
why sparring with a fast, smart and clever fighter like Sven certainly
helps."

King Arthur has a special relationship with the famous German boxing
idol. "I started my career at Team Sauerland with a sparring session
against him," he recalls. "Ulli Wegner liked what he saw and brought
me back. The rest, as they say, is history."

Ottke, now 42, sparred four rounds with Abraham on Wednesday
afternoon. "I am happy to do my former coach and my former colleague
a favour and help to prepare for the Dirrell fight," he said. "It
will be difficult for Arthur but I am sure he will win."

Abraham enjoyed the special sparring in front of more than 20 German
reporters. "It was a good session," he said. "Things are going well in
practice. I want to become a star in America and in order to accomplish
my goal, I need to put on a convincing performance against Dirrell. I
have a lot of respect for him. He is a strong fighter, but I want to
defend my tournament lead."

Abraham and Wegner will move training camp to Palm Springs on Monday.

He will be joined by WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck, who will
return to the ring on March 13. He will fight in Berlin. "We look
forward to going to America," Huck said. "It will be a lot of hard
work but it will be a great experience."

"King" Arthur Abraham (born on February 20, 1980 in Yerevan, Armenia)
is an Armenian-German professional boxer residing in Berlin, Germany.

He has been undefeated as IBF Middleweight World champion. As of the
end of 2009, Ring Magazine has ranked Abraham as the 14th best boxer
in the world.