| Jack Culcay (18-1, 10 KOs) will now face Karim Merroudj (13-3-2, 1 KOs) in the first defence of his European Light Middleweight title on December 6 at the EWE Arena in Oldenburg, Germany. Merroudj replaces Ruben Varon who was forced to withdraw having contracted an eye infection.
‘’These things happen in boxing,’’ said Culcay, who claimed the European title with a unanimous points win over Issac Real in August. ‘’This will not derail my preparations forDecember 6. To reach the top I must beat whoever is put in front of me.’’
‘Golden Jack’ is currently in Copenhagen training with former two-time world champion Joey Gamache. Culcay’s collaboration with the renowned American coach has proved successful thus far. Having claimed the European crown with Gamache in his corner, the 29 year-old, who is currently ranked #5 with the WBA and WBO, #12 with the IBF and #16 with the WBC, is now looking to continue his climb up the world rankings in pursuit of a world title shot.
‘’It’s great to see my name up there in the rankings,’’ says Culcay. ‘’I’m right there in the mix with all the big names in the division. These fighters are the best in the world. They are the guys I want fight on my way to becoming a world champion.”
Culcay’s European title defence is part of a bumper bill in Oldenburg on December 6, featuring a world championship double header. Juergen Braehmer defends his WBA World Light Heavyweight title against Pawel Glazewski, while IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez faces mandatory challenger Ola Afolabi. British heavyweight star David Price is also in action. Tickets are available via eventim.de. |
