On Saturday, March 12, at Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, WBA World light heavyweight champion Juergen Braehmer (47-2, 35 KOs), the southpaw from Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, defends his title against former WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight champion Eduard “Energy Eddy” Gutknecht (29-3-1, 12 KOs), from Gifhorn, Niedersachsen, Germany, by way of Dzhetysai, Kazakhstan.
Braehmer was supposed to fight Thomas Oosthuizen (25-0-2, 14 KOs), twice, but both bouts with the hard-drinking, street-fighting southpaw from Boksburg, Gautang, South Africa, were postponed, the most recent postponement leading to a scramble to find a suitable challenger for the champion.
Although names like Nathan Cleverly and Seanie Monaghan were thrown into the mix, Team Sauerland, who promotes Braehmer, has instead enlisted the services of a former opponent and stablemate.
Braehmer vs. Gutknecht II will be a rematch of their 2013 fight at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany, for the EBU light heavyweight title, which Braehmer won by unanimous decision.
Reflecting on that fight, Braehmer said, “It was a very tough fight against Eddy. I did manage to take advantage of most of my strengths, but it was difficult for me to keep focus for the whole duration of the fight.”
It was only Gutknecht’s second loss, having lost a unanimous decision to Robert Stieglitz in 2010.
“I can’t complain,” said “Energy Eddy” after the first fight. “I should have knocked him out. I had the chance to. In the end I was too focused on the harder punches and forgot about the easy ones.”
Braehmer said at the time, “I haven’t seen such an exciting fight in Germany for years. I believe that everybody left as a winner today.”
Going into Saturday’s fight, Braehmer’s camp has accused Gutknecht of being a “dirty fighter.”
“Energy Eddy” doesn’t know what they’re talking about .
“I don’t know how Juergen and his team can label me a dirty fighter,” said 33-year-old Gutknecht. “I’m not a dirty fighter, but I promise one thing: I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win. I respect Braehmer’s achievements, but I’m the younger, hungrier fighter, and on Saturday night, it’s my time to shine!”
Braehmer heard enough talk. Braehmer is ready to fight.
“Eduard talks too much,” said the WBA light heavyweight champ. “He reminds me of my wife. Everything he says goes in one ear and out the other.”
Gutknecht is nobody’s wife. But if he’s not careful, he might end up as somebody’s victim.
“This fight is very special for me,” said Braehmer. “Not only will I shut Gutknecht up once and for all, I will also celebrate my fiftieth fight by defending my title in front of thousands of fans at the Jahnsportforum.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
