Hernandez and Arslan respectful, confident of victory!

Picture: Team Sauerland

Here are the main quotes from today’s kick-off press conference ahead of the fight between IBF Cruiserweight World Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (28-1, 14 KOs) and former WBA Champion Firat Arslan (34-7-2, 21 KOs) on August 16at the Erfurt Exhibition Hall in Thuringia, Germany.

Yoan Pablo Hernandez: It is good to be back – back to work! Even before my last fight in November last year, my health was on the downside and it got even worse by February. Finally, I am fit to fight again and I cannot wait to defend my world championship. Firat Arslan is a fighter my teammate Marco Huck had some trouble with. I respect the way he performs, already being 43 years old. I will be well prepared for Arslan as I do not want to go more than twelve rounds against him.

Firat Arslan: My deep respect for Yoan Pablo Hernandez, who is not only the defending IBF Cruiserweight Champion but also the best at that weight, courtesy of Boxrec.com. However, I will have a plan to beat him on August 16. The man who will help me to work this plan out will be Fritz Sdunek. With him and my friend Dieter Wittmann at my side, I am more than equal to Hernandez and his coach Ulli Wegner. My dream will come true – I will become a world champion again!

Tickets for their world championship fight on August 16 in Erfurt, Germany are available via www.eventim.de.