Vienna becomes the host for the IBA Champions’ Night, which is scheduled for tomorrow, 19 October at the Hilton Park Hotel in Austria’s capital city. The main event will feature IBA Pro European Champion title in the super heavyweight division between Austrian boxer Ahmed Hagag and Vladan Babic from Serbia.

The weigh-in ceremony took place tonight confirming 114kg for 24-year-old Hagag and 120kg for 33-year-old Babic, both ready for eight round contest.

‘I want to thank the IBA for giving me this chance, and I hope it will not be the last one,’ Ahmed Hagag said. ‘I’m in excellent condition now, and that’s what I will be trying to demonstrate on Saturday. We know each other with Vladan Babic, he is a strong boxer with a lot of experience. I respect him. I know it will not be easy, but I’m here to win. I’m very excited that a big event like this will be held in my country, it is something that motivates me to keep working harder and to improve myself.’

Hagag’s family will come to witness his fight, hoping for his success.

‘My family is my first and the most important supporter,’ he went on to say. ‘Eight round format is something new for me, I am looking forward to demonstrating my capabilities. That is what we train for, we keep on pushing to achieve all our dreams. Whatever it takes.’

The home favourite sent a message to his rival, saying, ‘Finally, I would say to Vladan Babic that I respect him, but on Saturday, I will show all the people what the champion is about. He must stop thinking about the title, it will stay in Austria.’

The Serbian, in turn, assumed that the fight should be exciting for the public, as both rivals know each other well.

‘Although I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for Hagag, we knew each other from various competitions. I am sure that this fight will be very exciting for boxing fans, as the two different styles meet in one ring, and both of us want this title! Ahmed Hagag is young, but he has a lot of experience and good results in boxing. I will try to put pressure on him at all times and avoid long-distance fight. I need to make him stay on the back foot and control the ring during all eight rounds.’

He continued, ‘The IBA title is one of my dreams, and I will give my best to bring that belt to Serbia. I’m very proud because of that and thankful for this opportunity. Professional boxing is a new chance for all of us, boxers, particularly those who are at the end of their amateur careers. It is an opportunity to make good results and get remembered by everyone who loves the sport. If I stay focused, I am confident that I will take the belt and go home with the title and leave the Austrian public in tears, while making all Serbians proud and happy.’

In the 54kg division, Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov is to meet Samuel Carmona from Spain over eight rounds, while Venezuela’s Yoel Finol faces Samar Zhetibaev from Kazakhstan in the other bout of the same division.

North Macedonia’s Lulzim Ismaili aims to continue his professional winning streak, as he meets Sumbu Nsasi (14-3-1) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 75kg division. In the super heavyweight category, Albania’s Fabio Kaciu is to meet Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Zokirov.

In the opening match of the night, European bronze medallist Sara Beram from Croatia is set to make her professional debut in the women’s 63kg division against Lithuania’s Ana Starovoitova, twice European bronze medallist, over six rounds.

The event will be live-streamed on IBA YouTube channel.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

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