WBSS Semifinals finale Super Middleweights in Germany: Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken

Published by Shawn C.

*EDMONTON, Canada (February 21, 2018**)* – World Boxing Council (WBC)
Diamond champion *Callum “Mundo” Smith* (23-0, 17 KOs) takes on late
replacement *Nieky “The Natural” Holzken* (13-0, 10 KOs) this Saturday in
the last World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) semifinals-round match in the
super middleweight division, at Nurnberger Versicherung Arena in Nuremburg,
Germany

The Smith vs. Holzken card, starting at 2 p.m. ET, will air live in Canada,
exclusively on Super Channel.

Holzken, an undefeated Dutch prospect, has replaced two-time world
champion *Juergen
Braehmer*, of Germany, who withdrew from the WBSS semifinals match due to
illness.

“I have been battling a feverish infection since Sunday,” Braehmer
explained. “Unfortunately, a fight in this state is out of the questions.
It is not possible for me to go into the ring like this and I would like to
apologize to my fans. I was well prepared and looking forward to fighting
Callum.”

The Smith-Holzken winner will advance to the WBSS super middleweight
championship final against World Boxing Association (WBA) and International
Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Middleweight World Champion *”Sir” George
Groves* (28-3, KOs), of the United Kingdom, June 2 at The O2 Arena in
London, in a battle for the coveted *Muhammad Ali Trophy*.

Super Channel acquired the exclusive rights in Canada to broadcast the
World Boxing Super Series from MP & Silva, a leading international media
company that provides media rights, digital, technology and sponsorship
services.

Smith was the least tested WBSS semifinalist in terms of having faced
quality opponents, as well as the youngest at 27. The undefeated Brit is
one of four fighting Smith brothers.

In the WBSS quarterfinals, Smith took a 12-round unanimous decision from
previously unbeaten *Erik Skoglund* to capture the World Boxing Council
(WBC) Diamond super middleweight title.

“I gave an interview last week and said it was great there have been no
drop-outs,” Smith said. “Looks like I spoke too soon. We got the call as we
were boarding the plane. I am committed to fighting Saturday and will fight
whoever the World Boxing Super series puts in front of me.”

The 34-year-old Holzken was preparing to fight *Dmitri Chudinov* in
Saturday’s WBSS Super Middleweight Substitute Fight. He has had only four
scheduled 10-round matches during his five-year professional career, the
most notable being a win by 10-round unanimous decision in 2016 over *Farouk
Daku* (20-9-1) for the vacant BeNeLux super middleweight title.

Holzken is determined to make the most of this opportunity by upsetting
Smith, despite his obvious leap in class. “I’ve been waiting for this
chance to come,” Holzken commented. “I signed up as a substitute fighter,
so I’m in great shape and prepared for Saturday. I’ve watched Callum fight
many times. I study everyone in my weight class. He’s a good, solid
fighter. We’re both big body punchers. It will make for an excellent fight.
Callum, you better be ready, because I am, and I’m coming to beat you!”

*Five exciting fights on the “Smith-Holzken” card, presented by Sauerland
Event, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.*

In the 10-round WBSS Substitute Fight, *Dmitrii “Night Wolf” Chudinov* (20-2,
13 KOs), of Russia, faces an opponent to be determined in the co-featured
event. 2016 Olympic bronze medalist *Filip Hrgovic* (3-0, 3 KOs), of
Croatia, faces Irishman *Sean “Big Sexy” Turner* (12-1, 8 KOs) in an
eight-round bout; former WBC Youth light heavyweight champion *James
Kraft* (13-0,
9 KOs), of Germany, meets Cameroon native *Bernard Donfack* (23-17-3, 11
KOs) in an eight round super middleweight match; 19-year-old German super
middleweight *Leon Bauer* (12-0-1, 8 KOs) squares off with *Marco Miano* (6-6,
2 KOs), of Italy, in a six-round fight to open the Super Channel broadcast.
A six-round “swing bout” between German super middleweight *Toni Kraft*(12-0-1,
4 Kos) and Hungarian *Jozsef Racz* (7-20-1, 2 KOs) may also be aired.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.