SOPHIE ALISCH SIGNS LONG-TERM PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH WASSERMAN BOXING

Wasserman Boxing is delighted to announce that featherweight sensation Sophie Alisch has signed a long-term promotional deal with the company.And the unbeaten 22-year-old German will return to the ring on Friday, October 25 as part of Wasserman Boxing’s bumper Bolton show, which is headlined by Harlem Eubank.
Alisch plans on making a statement against hometown favourite Linzi Buczynskyj later this month, to announce she is back, and ready to get in the featherweight title mix. 
The former amateur star will be keeping a close eye on the world title clash between Skye Nicholson and Raven Chapman, in Saudi Arabia later this month, and hopes that a win over Buczynskyj on October 25 will officially launch her assault on the champions at 130lbs.
Sophie Alisch, who is 9-0, said: “I’m thrilled to re-sign with Wasserman Boxing and build on the momentum we’ve already created.

“This partnership has been instrumental in my growth, and I’m ready to push even further toward championship opportunities, which I know with the backing of Wasserman Boxing, and my team at Summit Sports, we can make them become reality.”

Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman, said: “Everyone at Wasserman is thrilled that Sophie has signed a new long-term deal with us.

“Sophie is already a star, but she has the pedigree, the talent and charisma to be a superstar and the next face of female boxing. We’re delighted to be working with her on this exciting journey.”

Adam Smith, Director of Boxing Talent, Summit Sports: “The whole Summit Sports team absolutely adore Sophie and believe that she will become a huge star in and out of the sport.

“The talent, charisma, personality and dedication to become a World Champion is all there, and this opportunity with Wasserman gives Sophie the perfect platform to build her thrilling journey to new levels.”




HRGOVI? AND ALISCH NOMINATED FOR WBC ‘PROSPECT OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

Following a blockbuster year for Croatian heavyweight sensation Filip Hrgovi? (10-0, 8 KOs) and German teenage prodigy Sophie Alisch (5-0, 1 KO) both have been nominated for the WBC’s ‘Prospect of the Year’ Award for 2019.

Hrgovi? started the year in style, marking his American debut with a first-round knockout win over Gregory Corbin at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland, successfully defending his WBC International title for the first time.

‘El Animal’ then headed to Hermosillo, where he made quick work of local hero Mario Heredia. The referee waved off proceedings one minute into the third round following a brutal attack that sent the Mexican tumbling to the canvas.

The Olympic Bronze medalist then continued his impressive campaign on the biggest card of the year as he faced two-time World title challenger Eric Molina on the undercard of Joshua-Ruiz 2 in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Hrgovi? once again ruled supreme as he forced the stoppage in the third round having dropped the American multiple times on route to sealing his tenth professional win.

Now ranked seventh with the WBC, eighth with the IBF and fifteenth with the WBO, Hrgovi? is considered one of the hottest prospects in the heavyweight division as he closes in on a World title shot in 2020. 

“Myself and my team are very satisfied with 2019,” said Hrgovi?. “I got three good wins, made my debut in America, fought in Mexico and I got to fight on the most anticipated fight night of the year in Saudi Arabia.

“The highlight of 2019 was fighting on the Ruiz Joshua 2 card. The whole world was waiting to see what was going to happen and it was a huge honour to be part of such a show. I will take 2020 step by step and continue my winning streak.”

18-year-old Alisch has been nominated in the women’s category following a magnificent 2019 that began with a knockout victory on her professional debut on February 16th in Koblenz, and concluded with an eight-round shutout points victory over two-time World title challenger Irma Adler in November.

Alisch, who won all five fights in her maiden year as a professional, is keeping her feet on the ground and hopes a successful 2020 will edge her closer to achieving her ultimate dream of becoming World Champion.

“2019 was a fantastic year for me. I got a knockout on my professional debut and ended the year with 5 victories, but we are only just beginning,” said Alisch.

“Making my debut was incredibly special for me, it was the first step towards my dream of becoming a World Champion. 2019 was full of highlights but you are only as good as your last fight. I prefer to look forward than backwards.

“My goal has been the same since I started boxing – to become a World Champion. 2020 is about chasing dreams. I want to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey so far and I look forward to sharing more success with you in the future.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland was pleased to see two of Team Sauerland’s brightest stars among the WBC’s nominations for their annual awards, and predicts 2020 will bring even greater success for the talented duo.  

“It’s great to see the WBC recognising Filip and Sophie for their fantastic achievements in 2019,” said Sauerland. 

“We see Filip as a contender rather than prospect as he is becoming a global star. He boxed in three different countries last year and won all of them by knockout. 2020 will be an even greater year. It’s now just a matter of time until he fights for a world title.

“Sophie has made a blistering start to her professional career. She knocked out her opponent in the first minute of her debut and she hasn’t slowed down since. She has only just turned 18 and is already beating World title challengers. She is known as ‘The Future’ in Germany and we expect her to be the face of female boxing for many years to come.”




BARAOU AND ALISCH RETURN TO ACTION ON JANUARY 25 IN HAMBURG

Two of Team Sauerland’s most exciting talents Abass Baraou (8-0, 5 KOs) and Sophie Alisch (5-0, 1 KO) step back into the squared circle on January 25th in Hamburg, in a historic evening that will see Germany’s oldest promoters Team Sauerland and Universum co-promote a show for the first time in history. 

Baraou enjoyed a fruitful 2019 claiming four victories, including wins over former World Champions Carlos Molina and Ali Funeka, he also won the WBC International Super Welterweight title and made his International and UK debuts, claiming stoppage victories over Abdelghani Saber in Dubai and John O’Donnell in London. 

The unbeaten 25-year-old, ranked number 9 in the IBF world rankings and number 15 with the WBC, is hoping to use the January fight as a springboard to another successful year as he looks to push himself into world title contention. 

Also returning to action is highly rated 18-year-old prospect Sophie Alisch. Alisch claimed five victories in her first year in the professional ranks and caught the fans attention with her slick skills and aggressive style.

“This show will be pure fireworks and sets the bar for 2020,” said Team Sauerland promoter Nisse Sauerland. “Whenever the countries two biggest and oldest promoters combine forces to send their best into the ring, it is great news for German boxing and the fans.

“We will see three hours of high level boxing on SPORT1 and I am sure Abass and Sophie will once again demonstrate their great skills and huge potential!”

Also on the card is IBO International Super Lightweight Champion Artem Harutyunyan (8-0, 5 KOs), Robert Harutyunyan (8-0-1, 3 KOs) and James Kraft (16-0-1, 9 KOs). Further fights and opponents will be announced shortly. 

All the action from the Work Your Champ Arena will be broadcast live on SPORT1.




ALISCH FACES FORMER WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER IN KOBLENZ

Sophie Alisch (4-0, 1 KO) will face the toughest test of her career on November 2nd as the 17-year-old boxing sensation takes on former two-time World title challenger Irma Balijagic Adler (16-12, 8 KOs) at the CGM Arena, Koblenz.

The exciting German star returns to the ring following a dominant points win over Spain’s Vanesa Caballero at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen in August, and will hope to continue her ascent up the featherweight division with a fifth professional victory. 

“I am very pleased to compete against such an experienced opponent and to be in an eight round fight for the first time,” said Alisch. “Irma Adler has already boxed the best in the world and for World Championship belts, but as always I am well prepared and have had a great training camp.

“I made my professional debut at the CGM Arena so I will return to Koblenz with many positive memories, and look to make more!”

Adler, who has twice challenged for WBO World Super Featherweight title against Germany’s Ramona Kühne and Poland’s Ewa Brodnicka, and has shared the ring with a number of world-class fighters including Eva Wahlstrom, Delfine Person and Erica Farias, believes her experience will prove the difference on November 2nd.

“I know Sophie is very young and people are expecting great things from her, but I am much more experienced,” said Adler. “I am expecting a fantastic fight and will give my best to get the victory!”

“Sophie has had an excellent first year as a pro and she’s ready for these bigger tasks,” said promoter Nisse Sauerland. “It is unbelievable that she’s already so dominant at seventeen.

“Having her first fight over eight rounds against an opponent as experienced as Irma Adler will bring Sophie further forward. We think she’s ready for a title fight soon, maybe in 2020.”

This tantalising featherweight clash features as chief support for Leon Bunn (14-0, 8 KOs) versus Enrico Koelling (26-3, 8 KOs) as Bunn defends his IBF International Light Heavyweight title. Also on the undercard are local stars Slawa Spomer (8-0, 5 KOs), Roman Gorst (6-0, 5 KOs), Hizni Altunkaya (31-3, 18 KOs) and Yasin Altunkaya (14-0, 11 KOs). 

‘Fighting For Future’ on November 2nd is a special event that will see ticket revenue and money raised from the evening donated to three charities: Laughing Hearts, a charity that provides support and opportunities to children affected by poverty, Parents’ Initiative for Children with Cancer Koblenz, who provide support to the parents of children suffering from cancer in Koblenz and Education Unlimited, an education charity who encourage diversity and training across Europe. 

All the action from the CGM Arena is available to watch live on Sport1 in Germany. Tickets are available online via www.eventim.dewww.adticket.de and www.westticket.de.