http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/alexander_dimitrenko/73448 Recent articles about Alexander Dimitrenko en-us For at least the last year and a half, fight fans have wondered when American heavyweight Deontay Wilder was going to take a step up. Wilder was the only medal winner from America's blighted Beijing team, capturing a bronze, and has racked up a 27-0 record since turning pro. None of those opponents has survived to see the final bell, yet none of them was better than a journeyman, and most were mere tomato cans. In taking on Audley Harrison, Wilder is fighting a "name" opponent at last. Ostensibly, Harrison is serving as Wilder's gatekeeper, the guy who isn't quite a world class opponent himself, but is good enough to keep misfits from rising into the world rankings. The problem is that Harrison has big name recognition, at least in the UK, but isn't much of a gatekeeper. Credit: Tom Casino / Showtime A gold medal winner at the Sydney Olympics, Audley Harrison was thought of as the successor to Lennox Lewis for a time, but his career was derailed by back-t... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:13:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/audley_harrison_a_disappointing_step_up_for_deontay_wilder/13353580 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/audley_harrison_a_disappointing_step_up_for_deontay_wilder/13353580 Audley Harrison a disappointing “step up” for Deontay Wilder http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/audley_harrison_a_disappointing_step_up_for_deontay_wilder/13353580 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/9/4970abf6b47fa993011367326c6b9520fa4cebc8/mini/Olympics_Day_14_adc5.jpg Not a lot of heavyweights have leaped to the top of the division in such a short period of time. When current European and IBF International Champion Kubrat Pulev steps into the ring at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany, he will not only be fighting to defend his titles but also for the number one spot in the IBF rankings - all that within in three years since turning pro. The prodigy of coach Otto Ramin won the European Crown in Erfurt, Germany, in May against Alexander Dimitrenko. Now he is aiming to beat Ustinov and hoping to get a shot for the world championship. Kubrat Pulev, your first title defense of the European Championship will be on September 29. How is your preparation going? Credit: Team Sauerland Kubrat Pulev: It is pretty much business as usual. I took a short break after the Dimitrenko fight. After that, I started with basic training in Bulgaria. Then I flew out to Berlin for two weeks to work on my athleticism. I went back to Sofia for a few days. At the end of th... Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:38:02 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_with_kubrat_pulev_preparing_for_ustinov_showdown/11765437 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_with_kubrat_pulev_preparing_for_ustinov_showdown/11765437 Interview with Kubrat Pulev: Preparing for Ustinov showdown http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/interview_with_kubrat_pulev_preparing_for_ustinov_showdown/11765437 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Marco Huck successfully defended his WBO cruiserweight title Saturday night when he boxed a majority draw with Britain's Ola Afolabi at the Messehalle in Erfurt, Germany. After 12 rounds, two of the judges turned in scores of 114-114, with the third giving it to Huck by 115-113. For once, a decision in Germany made sense, probably because the three judges were from abroad. This was a humdinger of a contest, with Afolabi (19-2-1, 9 KOs), taking the first half of the fight, and Huck (34-2-1, 25 KOs), the second half, with the two fighters sharing a 12th round that will be a contender for round of the year. Huck was his usual self, punching in spurts, but generally allowing himself to be speared on the end of roundhouse lefts and rights from the on-coming Afolabi. Huck's nose was bloodied in the third round, and he was cut by the left eye in the sixth. Gradually, though, the Serbian-born German found a foothold in the fight as Afolabi slowed, and Huck began to land some clubbing right hands. With 20 s Sun, 06 May 2012 05:50:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 Huck, Afolabi fight to draw http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_afolabi_fight_to_draw/10728644 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d498e33df7201eda98942f9cd1664ee9fe1f71e/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_b845.jpg While most of the boxing world (At least in the United States) is focused on tomorrow night's Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto PPV, there's also a stacked boxing event taking place in Germany. The card is headlined by a cruiserweight title fight and rematch between Marco Huck and Ola Afolabi. But there's a whole lineup of intriguing fights on the card, and right here you can find the official weights for the fighters, as well as some photos from the weigh-in event this afternoon. Here are the weights from Erfurt, Germany: WBO Championship Cruiserweight Title: Marco Huck: 90,0 kg / 198.4 lbs Ola Afolabi: 90,3 kg / 199.1 lbs WBO Championship Super-Middleweight Title: Robert Stieglitz: 75,6 kg / 166.7 lbs Nader Hamdan: 75,5 kg / 166.9 lbs EBU Championship Heavyweight Title: Kubrat Pulev: 111,4 kg / 245.6 lbs Alexander Dimitrenko: 116,8 kg / 257.6 lbs Of course, the card was supposed to be even better, as Stieglitz was supposed to take on George Groves. However, G... Fri, 04 May 2012 15:03:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 Huck vs. Afolabi weigh-in results, pictures http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_vs_afolabi_weigh_in_results_pictures/10721549 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/d/ad5a54d40c606eb0dc2d21f89f037a502f1b4413/mini/Sauerland_Boxing_Gala_e0e4.jpg The Messehalle in Erfurt, Germany plays host Saturday night to an intriguing bill headlined by the WBO cruiserweight rematch between Marco "Captain" Huck and Britain's Ola Afolabi. The chief support features two European heavyweight prospects, Alexander Dimitrenko and Kubrat Pulev, who'll be contesting the vacant EBU title. Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) is reprising his December 2009 first WBO title defense, when he handily defeated Afolabi over 12 rounds. This time he's making the ninth defense of the strap, just three months after an abortive assault on Alexander Povetkin's WBA heavyweight title (of sorts), when he swapped punches on pretty much even terms with Povetkin but was narrowly out-scored. Huck, 27, picked up some plaudits for his brave effort against Povetkin, and the fight was a barn-stormer, if woefully lacking in quality. He'll drop 10 pounds in weight to renew hostilities with Afolabi (19-2, 9 KOs), who has gone 6-0 since their last outing, and has looked like a fighter i Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:33 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 Huck, Dimitrenko, Steiglitz fight Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/huck_dimitrenko_steiglitz_fight_saturday/10707113 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/a/9a75594975506bb4e5ca40e428bbc5f570bb2ecb/mini/Universum_Champions_Night_dbbb.jpg Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing has announced that all tickets have been sold for VIP BOXING III, set for Tomorrow Night, May 2nd, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. Headlining VIP BOXING III is the return of longtime heavyweight contender and fan favorite Vinny Maddalone of nearby Flushing, Queens, in a scheduled ten round bout against tough Youngstown, Ohio veteran Chris Koval. Sporting a record of 34-7-0 with 25 knockouts, Maddalone looks to continue his momentum following a first round knockout of Mike Sheppard on October 22nd in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 29-year-old Koval enters the clash with a record of 25-8-0 with 18 stoppages including battles with notable names Shannon Briggs, Alexander Dimitrenko, Travis Kaufman and Tye Fields. The co-main event at VIP BOXING III features an eight round junior welterweight tilt between former world title challenger "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis of Astoria, New York and Albany's Broderick Antoine... Tue, 01 May 2012 19:57:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vip_boxing_headlined_by_vinny_maddlone_mike_arnaoutis_sold_out_for_wednesday_night/10698008 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/vip_boxing_headlined_by_vinny_maddlone_mike_arnaoutis_sold_out_for_wednesday_night/10698008 VIP Boxing headlined by Vinny Maddlone & Mike Arnaoutis sold out for Wednesday night http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/vip_boxing_headlined_by_vinny_maddlone_mike_arnaoutis_sold_out_for_wednesday_night/10698008 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/5/a560d0d3bdbd73c23e7776563e1f216da1f894cb/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f72600587.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D05C8323F55EB22DED.jpg Gerber takes on Harris on Stacked May 5th card in Erfurt, Germany The May 5 fight card at the Messehalle in Erfurt is going to be stacked up with big clashes for titles, like Marco Huck defending the WBO crown at cruiserweight against Ola Afolabi as well as Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Dimitrenko challenging for the vacant European Championship at heavyweight. Besides these highlights, the show is also going to offer some young guns who are trying to make themselves a name and entertain the crowd. One of them is Edmund Gerber, who is currently, according to his manager Wilfried Sauerland, the biggest heavyweight talent to come out of Germany. Trained by Karsten Roewer, the Schwerin-native already has 19 wins in 19 fights under his belt, 13 of them coming by way of knockout. The European Boxing Union (EBU) ranks him inside their top ten, which shows that he could already be considered to fight for their prestigious title. However, the 23-year-old Gerber does not just aim fo... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:48:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 Edmund Gerber wants to make a statement against Maurice Harris http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/edmund_gerber_wants_to_make_a_statement_against_maurice_harris/10641154 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Robert Woge: “I have arrived! Robert Woge (8-0, 7 KOs) will face his next challenge on his way to the top on May 5 at the Messehalle in Erfurt. Further to the three boxing highlights of Marco Huck's (34-2, 25 KOs) WBO cruiserweight title defense, Robert Stieglitz's (41-2, 23 KOs) mandatory defense of his super-middleweight belt and the bout for the vacant European heavyweight title between Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs), Robert Woge will take on his ninth opponent. This time he will face off with Ferenc Hafner from Hungray. Hafner is currently unbeaten in his twelve fights as a professional, ending nine of the bouts early. The fight in Erfurt is a special occasion for the Bernburg-born Woge. “A lot of my friends will be there to support me. This is like a fight on home soil. I want to shine on the night.” He definitely did so during his last bout. The last man who fell victim to Woge was Carl Dilks on March 31 in Kiel. Dilks... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:00:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/undefeated_robert_woge_also_added_to_may_5_card_in_germany/10631920 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/undefeated_robert_woge_also_added_to_may_5_card_in_germany/10631920 Undefeated Robert Woge also added to May 5 card in Germany http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/undefeated_robert_woge_also_added_to_may_5_card_in_germany/10631920 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Another exciting match-up is on the cards on May 5 in Erfurt: Light-Heavyweights Dustin Dirks and Thomas Ulrich, both from Germany, will square off in the Messehalle. Dirks is undefeated, having won all of his previous 23 fights (17 KOs). Ulrich on the other hand surprisingly lost his last bout back in April 2011 against the Lithuanian Sergej Razvadovskij. The record of the former European Champion stands at 32 victories (22 KOs) to six losses out of 38 fights. The fight in the Messehalle will determine who will play a bigger role in the future of the light-heavyweight division. Up until now the bout has been ill-omened. The fight has already been rescheduled twice. The first time, Thomas Ulrich had to cancel the bout scheduled for January 14. During his training camp, the former European champion broke his left eye socket while sparring in the ring. “It was a fracture to my orbital cavity. It looked worse than it actually was. But of course I was not able to step in... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:14:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/dustin_dirks_vs_thomas_ulrich_clash_added_to_stacked_may_5_card_in_germany/10624876 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/dustin_dirks_vs_thomas_ulrich_clash_added_to_stacked_may_5_card_in_germany/10624876 Dustin Dirks vs. Thomas Ulrich clash added to stacked May 5 card in Germany http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/dustin_dirks_vs_thomas_ulrich_clash_added_to_stacked_may_5_card_in_germany/10624876 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Stieglitz: Groves first, then Abraham! Pulev: European title first, then the Klitschkos? Three top highlights at Erfurt's night of boxing: Boxing fans will not only be looking forward to the WBO cruiserweight world championship between Marco “Captain” Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) and Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 KOs) but also to two other world-class title bouts. Robert Stieglitz (41-2, 23 KOs) will defend his WBO super-middleweight belt against George Groves (14-0, 11 KOs). The heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) will fight it out for the vacant European title. Especially the fight for the European heavyweight crown promises to be very interesting. Therefore both fighters are extremely eager to step into the ring. “The fight against Alexander Dimitrenko is going to be the toughest of my career to this point,” says the 30-year-old Pulev. And it seems that the prodigy of coach Otto Ramin might be correct with his prediction. The f... Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:32:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/stieglitz_vs_groves_opening_presser_quotes_photos/10544143 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/stieglitz_vs_groves_opening_presser_quotes_photos/10544143 Stieglitz vs. Groves opening presser quotes & photos http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/stieglitz_vs_groves_opening_presser_quotes_photos/10544143 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Kubrat Pulev to take on Alexander Dimitrenko for vacant European Heavyweight Title on May 5 A real heavyweight highlight is on the cards for the spectators at the Messehalle Erfurt on May 5. Not only will Marco Huck take on Ola Afolabi to defend his WBO Cruiserweight Title but there is also a bout for the vacant European Championship when heavyweights Kubrat Pulev (15-0, 7 KOs) and Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KOs) meet in the ring. “This is a great chance for me,” said the 30-year-old Pulev, who is currently ranked inside the top 15 by the WBA, IBF and WBO. Since his professional debut back in September 2009, he is unbeaten and of course aiming to keep this record alive. Last October Pulev won the Heavyweight IBF-International Championship against the American Travis Walker in Ludwigsburg. He then defended his title only three months later in Offenburg against the Brit Michael Sprott. But competing for the European title is something very special for the Berlin-base... Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:36:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 Pulev vs. Dimitrenko for European heavyweight title on May 5 Huck-Afolabi undercard http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/pulev_vs_dimitrenko_for_european_heavyweight_title_on_may_5_huck_afolabi_undercard/10522604 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It's been a heavyweight season to forget, for varying reasons -- most of them involving the Klitschkos, who continue to foist their own peculiar brand of mediocrity on the division and on the sport in general. On some level it's difficult to be too critical of the brothers grim -- it's perhaps not their fault that for the last half decade or so their opposition has been spectacularly poor, or that all they've had to do is turn up fight night in decent physical condition to walk through big-talking, big-bellied fighters who barely merit the name. It's perhaps not their fault either, that they can fill a stadium with 50,000 baying fans without providing an ounce of entertainment in the ring -- substituting that instead for a lurid light and music show so that by the time the first bell sounds the audience is fired up enough and drunk enough not to notice that what is happening between the ropes is pure crap. Isn't that what WWE is all about? Wladimir's desperate showing against Je Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:03:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/heavyweight_boxing_in_the_doldrums/10314484 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/heavyweight_boxing_in_the_doldrums/10314484 Heavyweight boxing in the doldrums http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/heavyweight_boxing_in_the_doldrums/10314484 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Welcome to The Queensberry Rules' annual year-end awards, starting today and continuing throughout the week. Here's how we do it around these parts: The major categories are Knockout of the Year, Round of the Year, Fight of the Year and Fighter of the Year. The final leg is a pu-pu platter of awards ranging from Trainer of the Year to more frivolous topics. For each category, I give five finalists, with video and/or relevant info. You tell me if my finalists and honorable mentions are lacking, and give your vote on who you think should win. Maybe you sway me to adjust the list, and maybe you sway me on the eventual winner. On the second day after a category is introduced, I give that winner and explain why. (There are no major fights left in 2011, but we reserve the right to change our category winners if something crazy happens.) So, up first: Knockout of the Year and Round of the Year candidates. On deck: Knockout of the Year and Round of the Year winners, ... Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:06:37 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/2011_boxing_knockout_of_the_year_nominees/8840935 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/2011_boxing_knockout_of_the_year_nominees/8840935 2011 Boxing Knockout Of The Year Nominees http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/2011_boxing_knockout_of_the_year_nominees/8840935 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After his surgery due to an injury on his left elbow from his last fight on September 24th, heavyweight Alexander Dimitrenko is on a good road of recovery. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:04:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/dimitrenko_still_on_world_title_course/8113660 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/dimitrenko_still_on_world_title_course/8113660 Dimitrenko Still On World Title Course http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/dimitrenko_still_on_world_title_course/8113660 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/9/c964816a1cdc5ce0a0ac74521b94ecf65768af06/mini/Universum_Fight_Night_5dc4.jpg