King Arthur: Coach Wegner declares the winner of Abraham v Ottke Pic: ©Photo Wende
Arthur Abraham means business when he faces the unbeaten Andre Dirrell in his second fight of the Super Six World Boxing Classic and has been sparring with former undefeated WBA and IBF super middleweight champion Sven Ottke to prepare for the March 6 bout in California.
The two unbeaten champions battled it out at the Max Schmeling Gym on Wednesday thanks to coach Ulli Wegner who feels the now retired Ottke’s speed can help Abraham prepare for the fast and awkward Dirrell.
“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 which goes back to his beginnings with promoters Team Sauerland.
“I started my career at Team Sauerland with a sparring session against him,” recalled Abraham. “Ulli Wegner liked what he saw and brought me back. The rest, as they say, is history.”
The 42-year-old Ottke sparred four rounds with Abraham and is confident his former colleague can emerge victorious against the American Dirrell.
“I am happy to do my former coach and my former colleague a favour and help to prepare for the Dirrell fight,” said Ottke who retired in 2004. “It will be difficult for Arthur but I am sure he will win.”
Abraham enjoyed the training session in front of the German press and hopes an impressive performance against Dirrell will allow him to become a star in the US.
“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.
“We look forward to going to America,” Huck said. “It will be a lot of hard work but it will be a great experience.”
