by Vienna is hosting the IBA Champions’ Night, which will take place tomorrow, October 19th, at the Hilton Park Hotel in the Austrian capital. The main event will be for the IBA Pro European Super Heavyweight title between Austrian boxer Ahmed Hagag and Vladan Babic from Serbia.
The weigh-in ceremony took place this evening and confirmed 114kg for 24-year-old Hagag and 120kg for 33-year-old Babic, both ready for the eight-round contest.
“I would like to thank the IBA for giving me this opportunity and I hope it will not be the last,” said Ahmed Hagag. “I am in excellent shape now and I will try to prove that on Saturday.” We know Vladan Babic, he is a strong boxer with a lot of experience. I respect him. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m here to win. “I am very happy that a big event like this will take place in my country. This is something that motivates me to continue to work harder and improve.”
Hagag’s family will come to witness his fight and hope for his success.
“My family is my first and most important supporter,” he continued. “The eight-round format is something new for me, I’m looking forward to proving my skills.” That’s what we’re training for, we’re continuing to strive to make all our dreams come true. Whatever it takes.’
The home favorite sent a message to his rival: “Finally I want to say to Vladan Babic that I respect him, but on Saturday I will show everyone what the champion stands for.” “He has to stop thinking about the title, it stays in Austria.”
The Serb, in turn, assumed that the fight would be exciting for the audience since both rivals know each other well.
“Although I didn’t have much time to prepare for Hagag, we knew each other from various competitions. I’m sure this fight will be very exciting for boxing fans as the two different styles collide in one ring and we both want this title! Ahmed Hagag is young, but has a lot of experience and good results in boxing. I will try to put pressure on him at all times and avoid long-range fights. I have to make sure he stays on the back foot and controls the ring for all eight rounds.”
He continued: “The IBA title is one of my dreams and I will do my best to bring this belt to Serbia.” I am very proud of that and grateful for this opportunity. Professional boxing is a new opportunity for all of us boxers, especially those who are at the end of their amateur careers. It is an opportunity to achieve good results and be remembered by everyone who loves the sport. If I stay focused, I am confident that I will win the belt and go home with the title and leave the Austrian audience in tears while at the same time making all Serbians proud and happy.”
In the 54kg class, Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov will face Samuel Carmona of Spain in eight rounds, while Venezuela’s Yoel Finol will face Samar Zhetibaev of Kazakhstan in the other bout in the same division.
North Macedonian Lulzim Ismaili looks to continue his professional winning streak by facing Sumbu Nsasi (14-3-1) of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 75kg class. In the super heavyweight division, Albanian Fabio Kaciu meets Uzbekist Jakhongir Zokirov.
In the opening match of the evening, European bronze medalist Sara Beram of Croatia will make her professional debut in the women’s 63kg class against Lithuania’s Ana Starovoitova, a two-time European bronze medalist, in six rounds.
The event will be broadcast live on the IBA YouTube channel.
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Media contacts:
Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: [email protected]
