By Allan Fox: WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham (35-3, 27 KO’s) will be making his first defense of his World Boxing Organization 168 lb title on December 15th against an opponent still to be determined, according to Dan Rafael. Abraham, 32, captured the WBO strap last weekend in beating champion Robert Stieglitz by a 12 round unanimous decision in Berlin, Germany.
Abraham has a number of directions he can go in for his next fight. His promoters at Sauerland Events will likely try and maximize the money Abraham can make for his first title defense by picking out the biggest fight possible rather than having him milk the strap against bottom tier opposition over and over again.
The options for Abraham’s first defense are as follows:
Felix Sturm
George Groves
Mikkel Kessler
Andre Ward
Andre Dirrell
Thomas Oosthuizen
Sturm and Kessler would likely bring in the most money for Abraham and Sauerland. A rematch with Carl Froch, now the IBF super middleweight belt holder, would be a great fight, but Froch will be fighting on November 17th and won’t be available for the Abraham fight.
If Abraham’s promters aren’t able to get Kessler or Sturm, then he’ll have to settle for taking on unbeaten Groves, #8 IBF. That’s not a good fight for Abraham, because it won’t be a huge bout and Groves uses a lot of movement when he faces punchers. Abraham might have to chase Groves around the ring all night long to land anything. However, the fight in Germany, Groves won’t win many rounds using a hit and run style against Abraham.
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