MosJan Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 ‘Armenian v Turk’ as Boxing King Arthur challenged by ‘fellow German’ Fans hope “King Arthur” will still be all smiles after his June 27 bout By Suren Musayelyan ArmeniaNow reporter Published: 19 June, 2009 Article toolshttp://www.armenianow.com/images/printable_icon.gifprintable versionhttp://www.armenianow.com/images/emailthistoafriend_icon.gifemail to friendhttp://www.armenianow.com/images/comment_icon.gifcomments (0)share the article Boxing A German-Armenian thumper will be in the tenth defense of his professional boxing title against a fellow German challenger of Turkish descent next week. Sparring partners in their early days in professional boxing, International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (dubbed King Arthur) and Hamburg-based Mahir Oral (dubbed Lion) will have a showdown in Berlin’s Max-Schmeling-Halle on June 27 in what in fact will be a home fight for King Arthur. “I have very good memories of this arena, particularly the fight with Khoren Gevor,” said Abraham, referring to the 11th round knockout against a fellow German-Armenian fighter in August 2007. Abraham (29-0, 23 KOs) and Oral (25-1-2, 10 KOs) are both 29 years of age. They sparred together in Cologne in 2003-2004 still as commencing professional boxers and both say they have been on good terms ever since. At the first press conference before the fight the two boxers spoke with respect about each other. Abraham said he took the fight seriously: “We are both sportsmen and are training hard. We both do our own job – he does his and I do mine – but of course I would be lying if I didn’t say I want to win. Afterwards, things will revert to how they were before.” And Oral said: “It was a great pleasure for me to hear that I was going to fight Arthur…We know each other from our early days as sparring partners, although now we have both matured. Arthur has become King and I have developed a lot too…” Abraham’s trainer Ulli Wegner said he expected a great fight on June 27. “Mahir is a great lad. We will let what happens in the ring decide who is the best,” he said. “…Boxing fans have had to witness a few bad fights recently and that is why we want to put on a particularly good show.” (Combined sources: Based on foreign media reports) Soccer Despite a 0-0 draw against Gandzasar, Yerevan’s Pyunik continues to be in the first place in Armenia’s Premier League championship, with equal points with second-placed Mika but with a game at hand. In other matches played over the weekend Ulis lost to Mika 1-2, Kilikia drew against Shirak 1-1 and Ararat lost to Banants 0-2. Mika beat Banants 2-1 in a match postponed from one of the previous rounds. Ararat, the club that was in a close contest with Pyunik for the championship title last season, thus suffered its eleventh defeat in as many games this year. It is now ten points behind Gandzasar and travels to play the latter on Saturday. In other weekend games (June 20-21), Shirak will host Pyunik, Banants will play Ulis and Mika will play Kilikia. (Source: Football Federation of Armenia) Chess WGM Lilit Galoyan finished in the seventh place (with 6 points) in the Maia Chiburdanidze Cup that recently ended in Tbilisi, Georgia, reports www.armchess.am. In a tournament that had brought together 57 female chess players, the other two Armenian representatives, WGM Lilit Mkrtchyan and WIM Siranush Andreasyan, scored 5 ½ and 5 points and finished 12th and 19th, respectively. Georgia’s Bela Khotenashvili and Lela Javakhishvili shared the top spot with 7 points each. (Source: www.armchess.am) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Arthur Abraham: I hope I will win Oral by knock out again 23.06.2009 18:59 GMT+04:00 http://panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ King Arthur Abraham has returned to Germany’s capital following an exhausting training camp at the Baltic Sea. The undefeated IBF Middleweight Champion (29-0, 23 KOs) is determined to defend his title for the 10th time when he takes on Mahir Oral (25-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night. “Everything went very well in practice,” King Arthur said. “We had everything we needed in Zinnowitz – fresh air, the sea, good food and a decent gym.” The sparring sessions went very well, meaning King Arthur will again be oozing with confidence on Saturday night. “I never underestimate an opponent,” the 29-year-old said. “Oral punches a lot and likes to be inside. But I don’t mind. I will please my home fans.” Abraham only has the best of memories of the Max-Schmeling-Halle. In August 2007, he knocked out Khoren Gevor in the 11th round. “I hope I will win by KO again,” he said. “But you can never predict one. If it comes, fine. If not, I’ll win on points. The only thing that matters is that I will leave the ring victorious,” boxingscene.com cited him as saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Arthur Abraham believes Kelly Pavlik is backing out 23.06.2009 18:17 GMT+04:00 http://panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_print.gif http://panarmenian.net/news/images/ico_mail.gif /PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to numerous reports over in Germany, this Saturday could be the last appearance of undefeated Arthur Abraham (29-0, 23KOs) in the middleweight division. Abraham is said to be having a tough time making weight and plans to make a move to super middleweight very soon. He defends his IBF title for the tenth time in Germany against undefeated challenger Mahir Oral (25-1, 10 KOs). The fight will be televised in America on Showtime. A unification bout between Abraham and WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik is the biggest fight at the weight. Abraham blames Pavlik and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for the fighting not happening. "I say Pavlik is backing out. One time he's injured, the next time he doesn't want to fight. They always have an excuse and I don't know why. I'm always ready to box against him," Abraham said. Abraham plans to be a much better fighter at 168. He says there is a lot of room for improvement. "My trainer says I'm only at 60%. If he says it, then that's how it is. I believe in him. We have another 40% to go and the best is yet to come," Abraham said. He says Europeans are starting to dominate the sport because American fighters lose focus when they reach a certain goal, like winning a major title, boxingscene.com reported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zartonk Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 So an immigrant fights a true German Ay ta jartti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 “Armenian King” v “Turkish Lion”: Armenia sports fans await Abraham’s Saturday night challenge http://www.armenianow.com/images/uploadedimages/ai385800.jpg Arthur Abraham in training ahead of the Saturday bout (Germany, June 27). Women looking for their men Saturday night in Armenia need go no farther than TV screens and sports bars at around 10 p.m. local time when beloved son “King Arthur” defends his crown in the boxing ring. Favored great Abraham (Abrahamyan) brings a sensational 29-0 record into the ring in Berlin, Germany to face his friend, but ethnic foe, Turkish-German Mahir Oral. Nearly all of the native Armenian’s fights (23) have ended in knock outs (KOs). Oral himself brings a sparkling 25-1-2 (wins, losses, draws) to the match, including 10 KOs. Armenia-born Abraham has heard, throughout this week, his next opponent’s threats of “dethroning” him amid words of respect and admiration from the underdog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 The KIng Artur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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