Gradus Kraus Meets Attila Baran in Utrecht On June 14

Originally posted on Fights Around The World | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 6:13 PM ET

Next Generation Warriors, Exceed Boxing and Nederlandse Boksbond join forces to host Queen and King of the Ring at the BetCity Arena, a unique outdoor venue, from the heart of Utrecht in the Netherlands this Saturday on June 14.

In the main-event promising light heavyweight Gradus Kraus (5-0, 5 KOs) will face-off with the experienced Hungarian Attila Baran (17-9, 10 KOs) in an eight round bout. Kraus comes into the contest after a period based in the UK claiming two victories on British soil. The 23 year old scored a first round TKO win against the undefeated Frenchman Tony Amoaku at the historic York Hall in London two months ago. Kraus is trained by his father, K1 boxing legend Albert Kraus and has also sought the help of English trainer Peter Fury. Baran comes off three straight victories and arguably represents the Dutchman’s toughest test to date.

In the ten round chief-support Willy Kyakonye (11-0, 10 KOs) collides with Michael Essomba (10-1, 9 KOs) for the vacant BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) heavyweight title. Born in Uganda, Kyakonye has based himself in the Netherlands, where he has fought his entire career. The 30-year-old knockout artist needed just one round to claim the WBF belt against Wilmer Vasquez less than one month ago in his hometown Leeuwarden. He comes off six consecutive stoppage victories. Belgian based Cameroonian Essomba has only tasted defeat against Mattar Garcia in a close majority-decision in the away corner last November in what has otherwise been a flawless career.

The undercard features Dutch champion Somay Bilal (15-1, 6 KOs) taking on Estonia’s Semjon Kamanin (5-2, 3 KOs) in a six round contest at super lightweight. Dutch based Ugandan Fazil Juma (7-0, 3 KOs) opens the card against Englishman Connor Adaway (8-2, 3 KOs) at super bantamweight over six rounds.

Ahead of the professional boxing show will be an Olympic style four-way Interland tournament between teams representing the Netherlands and neighbouring Germany. All bouts are Olympic standard 3×3:

Bout 1: Jenairo Gomes (NED) vs Omar Sloian (GER). Men’s 70kg, light middleweight.

Bout 2: Aaliyah Hoppema (NED) vs Maria Sedaia (GER). Women’s 65kg, welterweight.

Bout 3: Mahmoud Alchabtun (NED) vs Ari Berkant (GER). Men’s 60kg, welterweight.

Bout 4: Gabriella Werheim (NED) vs Maria Avram (GER). Women’s 57kg, featherweight

The full event will broadcast live on the Exceed Boxing YouTube channel. Coverage starts at 18:00 local time (Amsterdam, GMT +2).

https://www.youtube.com/@ExceedBoxing

This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.

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