Luan Krasniqi

[fightnews.com][photo: Erroll Popova]
On the July 14 "Universum Champions Night" at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Universum heavyweight Luan Krasniqi (30-2-1, 14 KOs) will collide with Tony "The Tiger" Thompson (29-1, 17 KOs) in a WBO eliminator that will produce the mandatory challenger for champion Sultan Ibragimov.

"I'm happy to again fight in Hamburg, especially in an eliminator against Thompson," said Krasniqi today at a press conference taking place aboard the "Rickermer Rickmers," a fully-rigged ship anchored in Hamburg Harbour. "I expect him to be a dangerous opponent. He isn't the quickest, but he has an unwieldy style of boxing. However, I will be fully prepared to step into the ring and compile a victory bit by bit."

'The Lion' Krasniqi is extremely focused on his next task. "Thompson is the next opponent and I must first clear him out of the way," "Other than that, I'm not thinking about anything else."

For Krasniqi, the fight represents a chance for a second opportunity to become the first German since Max Schmeling to win a heavyweight title. In his first title challenge, in a dramatic fight on September 25, 2005 at the same arena (on the 100th birthday of Max Schmeling) Krasniqi was ahead to points when he lost in round nine to then-world champion Lamon Brewster by what Krasniqi terms "a lucky punch."

Universum promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl is optimistic about Krasniqi's chances. "For Luan a lot is going on. Naturally we want to remain on course for the world championship and this [fight] is particularly interesting for Hamburg."