IBF number six ranked cruiserweight contender Artur Mann 17-1 (9) has the power to hurt IBF and Ring magazine world champion Mairis Briedis 27-1 (19) when they meet at Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia on October 16.
That’s the word from the 30-year-old German’s trainer Vitali Boot who says despite his boxer’s moderate knockout ratio, he can still do damage.
Mann, the former WBO International champion and IBO world cruiserweight title challenger, travels to Riga to take on reigning world champion Brieids in his hometown following an explosive KO victory over Rad Rashid.
Helping the challenger prepare is long-time coach and mentor Boot, a seven-time German national super heavyweight champion and 2001 World Amateur Championship bronze medallist who now trains fighters out of the Olympic Headquarters in Hannover, Germany.
“Artur has the power to hurt Briedis,” said Boot. “Any boxer who is almost 100kg has the power to hurt his opponent and Briedis is only human so yes, I believe Artur can hurt him.
“He will need to be highly concentrated during the whole fight, stick to the game plan and keep ahead of the situation even when under pressure.
“He won’t be concerned about fighting away from home or having the fans against him. He has had that over and over again in his career so this is not new for him.
“Artur’s greatest strength is his technical ability. He’s like a sponge, you show him something new and he can implement it in his work in a split second.
“I have been training Artur more or less since he started boxing. This is a big opportunity for him and one I believe he will take. On October 16, we will see a new world champion.”
“I’m very excited to get this opportunity to fight Mairis Briedis for his world titles,” said Mann. “I would like thank Kalle Sauerland and Wasserman Boxing for making this fight.
“This is not a new situation for me. I know the game and I have fought all over the globe. When the bell rings, I will be ready.
“It doesn’t matter how many people are in the arena supporting Briedis. There is no pressure on me. All the pressure is on him. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
But Latvian Briedis, 36, is not about to surrender his titles easily.
“Of course, it will be a great pleasure to return to the Arena Riga to defend my IBF and Ring Magazine titles in front of my Latvian fans,” the three-time world cruiserweight champion said.
“My opponent Artur Mann is an experienced and unpredictable boxer. I have watched many of his fights and each one has been different.
“In Arena Riga, we will see real boxing, not old masters like [Evander] Holyfield or YouTubers. I hope people who love boxing will come to the show to witness a real fight.”
