Things have taken an unexpected turn in the super-middleweight World Boxing Super Series. Juergen Braehmer has pulled out of this weekend’s WBSS semi-final against Callum Smith; however, the date will still go ahead with Smith taking on a replacement.
Comosa, which is the parent company behind the World Boxing Super Series. They have announced Dutch super-middleweight contender, Nieky Holzken as the replacement.
Putting that road work in @CallumSmith23 #WBSS #WBC #roadisalwaysopen #alitrophy #mundo #Feb24 #liverpool #germany pic.twitter.com/CDbhGeXQX6
— GallaghersBoxingGym (@GallaghersGym) February 8, 2018
To the surprise of many, the event at Arena Nürnberger Versicherung in Germany will still go ahead.
George Groves triumphed via a unanimous decision against Chris Eubank Jr in Manchester on Saturday night in the tournament’s first semi-final.
A spanner had already been thrown in the works ahead of the final.
The tournament promoter Kalle Sauerland confirming the injured shoulder Groves suffered in his fight with Eubank Jr will not be able to push the originally scheduled date for the final of June 2 back more than a few weeks.
Groves was scheduled to take on the winner of the Callum Smith – Juergen Braehmer.
https://twitter.com/JoeG/status/965520422958764032
But Braehmer has now pulled out, citing he had been battling a bad illness for a few days.
“I have been battling a feverish infection since Sunday,” said Braehmer.
“Unfortunately, a fight in this state is out of the question.
“It is not possible for me to go into the ring like this and I would like to apologise to my fans.”
“I was well prepared and looking forward to fighting Callum.”
Regarding the Groves injury situation, he stated that he was going to make a request to the WBSS to push back the date of the final bout.
After eliminating two domestic rivals in the form of Jamie Cox and Chris Eubank Jr.
Groves is now determined to compete in the finale. ‘
The Saint’ has no intention of allowing another fighter to replace him in the tournament.
To reach the semi-finals, Smith claimed a 116-112, 117-110, 117-111 decision victory on the judges’ cards against Sweden’s Erik Skoglund at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Beginning of a new series: ??#RandomKOGenerator
Vicious shot from @CallumSmith23 in 2016. pic.twitter.com/Us16dnllbZ
— . (@YorksBoxing) January 18, 2018
Germany’s Braehmer, who is in the twilight stage of his career at 39 years old.
The German moved down from the light heavyweight limit. He used his expertise to dominate the overmatched Rob Brant in Kongresshalle in Schwerin.
The judges scored it 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112. In favour of the former light heavyweight world titleholder.
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