Arslan-Wilson presser!

Photos: Eroll Popova

April 28, 2008

The table is set for the red hot WBA cruiserweight title fight between world champion Firat Arslan (28-3-1, 18 KOs) and big-punching challenger "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Darnell Wilson (23-6-3, 20 KOs) at the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart. Arslan will be making his first defense since dethroning Virgil Hill last November. The card will also feature an important collision between heavyweight contenders as unbeaten WBO #2 Alexander Dimitrenko (27-0, 17 KOs) takes on #7 rated Derric Rossy (18-1, 10 KOs). In addition, WIBF/GBU champion Alesia Graf (20-1, 8 KOs) faces Rosillette Dos Santos (10-2, 7 KOs) in a female junior bantamweight world title fight.

The fighters spoke at today's prefight press conference at the Cinemaxx Stuttgart.

WBO cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan: My first title defense is very special. But during my career I have always prepared myself equally intensely and concentrated upon every fight. The preparation with my team in Sölden was great – I feel fitter than in my fight against Virgil Hill. I have a lot of respect for Darnell Wilson. I always want to box the best, and in the cruiserweight division he is the hardest puncher in the world. The fans will want to see this fight! I'm not man of big words - I'll give everything and defeat one of the best of my weight class!

Cruiserweight title challenger Darnell Wilson: I prepared in Florida, running on the beach among other things. Firat Arslan is physical and a very strong boxer defensively. In the USA, we know him not only by his victory over ex-world champion Virgil Hill but by his KO victory over Grigory Drozd. Firat is a hard worker. That this fight has come about is a win for all boxing fans. My dream to take the world title will become a reality. I'm ready to go twelve rounds.

WBO #2 heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko: I am glad again to be in Stuttgart, where I've had a quarter of my fights. I take Derric Rossy very, very seriously as an opponent and have been sparring with Larry Donald and Fernely Feliz, good sparring partners. With this optimum preparation, I am armed by my trainer Fritz Sdunek for a big fight.

WBO #2 heavyweight Derric Rossy: This is my first time in Europe and in Germany, and I'll meet a fighter who up to now has had a great career. I got my nickanme "The Shaolin Fist" from Asian trainers during the preparation for a fight in China. We're here with the intention to win!

WIBF/GBU junior bantamweight champion Alesia Graf: Like my last three opponents, the Brazilian Dos Santos comes with a good record to my hometown Stuttgart. But on Saturday, she will take a back seat. I want to satisfy my audience! “