On December 15 Mateusz Masternak (28-0, 21 KOs) faces his toughest challenge
inside the ring to date. Right before Arthur Abraham´s first WBO Super
Middleweight Title defense against Mehdi Bouadla, Masternak takes on Juho
Haapoja from Finland. The two cruiserweights will fight it out for the
vacant European crown.
The Pole heads into the title bout with some extra motivation. During the
summer, his wife gave birth to a baby boy. “My life has changed quite
drastically. Now I want to be even more successful,” said the prodigy of
Coach Andrzej Gmitruk.
However, Masternak knows that his Finnish opponent has a lot of experience.
“There are no easy fights at this level. Haapoja already won the EU
Championship and successfully defended it on two occasions. He is also
physically very strong and constantly on the front foot.” But over the last
year, the Pole has been growing in experience himself. The fight in
Nuremberg will be his fifth in 2012. “It is great that I have been fighting
so much over the last twelve months. It gave me the chance to develop as a
boxer. I am very happy with my situation within Team Sauerland and that I
have gotten this far.”
However, Juho Haapoja believes that he is in great shape ahead of the title
clash. “My preparation is going on very well. My last fight took place in
September and I have been back in training ever since. I am currently in
London for sparring sessions in order to be at my best come December 15,”
said the Finn. The 32-year-old fighter is convinced, that he will be ready
when he finally meets Masternak inside the ring. “There is no question about
his boxing abilities. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve which will cause
him some troubles.” Haapoja, who started off in boxing as a heavyweight,
says that the spectators at the arena will have a lot of entertainment
during the bout. “I always put a lot of pressure on my opponents. That won’t
change during the next fight. From what I have seen, Masternak faces his
opponents full on. Our two styles will create a real battle inside the
ring.”
Unsurprisingly, both fighters have a very different view on the outcome of
the fight. “Unfortunately I do not have a magic 8 ball. But I can guarantee
that I am not travelling all the way to Germany to lose,” said a confident
Haapoja. Masternak has a similar view. “I don’t think about how a fight
could end – all that matters is a victory. I will be the new Cruiserweight
champion of Europe.”
Tickets for the big fight night in Nuremberg are available at
www.eventim.com and www.boxen.com.
