Gutknecht to defend European Light Heavyweight Title against Di Giacomo on July 16

European Light Heavyweight Champion Eduard Gutknecht (21-1, 9 KOs) will make a first defence of his title on July 16 when he takes on Lorenzo Di Giacomo (41-4-1, 19 KOs) in Munich. Gutknecht joined Team Sauerland at the beginning of the year and clinched the European title with an eighth-round TKO victory over Danny McIntosh last month. “I have big plans for the future,” Gutknecht said. “I have worked hard to become European champion. By successfully defending my title in Munich, I want to further climb in the rankings and get myself into a position for a world title shot.”

Gutknecht suffered the only loss of his career in April 2010 when World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super-Middleweight Champion Robert Stieglitz defeated him on points. He has won three straight since. “It was great to become European Champion in just my second fight for Team Sauerland,” Gutknecht stated. “It is a great motivation as I know that there are big things coming up for me. It was a great first step and I will keep working hard to accomplish the next goal on my way to the top.”

In the main event of the night, WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck faces former champion Hugo Hernan Garay in what will already be his seventh title defence.