Micki Nielsen (17-0, 12 KOs) is relishing the chance to test his punching power against experienced cruiserweight contender Ismail Abdoul (56-34-2, 20 KOs).
The 22 year-old southpaw aims to send shockwaves through the division by becoming only the second man to stop the 38 year-old Belgian when they clash on June 20 at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen.
In a career spanning thirteen years, Abdoul has fought a ‘who’s who’ of cruiserweight greats including former undisputed champion David Haye, IBF World Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez and WBO titlist Marco Huck.
Despite his opponents’ pedigree, the 92-fight-veteran has only been stopped once. In just his third professional contest, Abdoul suffered a twelfth-round technical knockout defeat to former WBC and IBF World Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
‘’I’m looking forward to fighting such an experienced and durable opponent,’’ said Nielsen. ‘’I don’t just want to beat him. I want to make a statement and stop him. He has fought some of the biggest and best names in the cruiserweight division and now it’s my turn. On June 20, we will see if he can stand up to my power!’’
Nielsen’s confidence is high following hugely successful 18 months, which has seen the undefeated southpaw named ‘Fighter of the Year’ by the Danish Professional Boxing Federation and claim the WBC International Cruiserweight title with an impressive points victory over Julio Cesar Dos Santos.
In spite of his recent success, Nielsen, who trains in Copenhagen under the guidance of former two-time world champion Joey Gamache, believes fans are only just beginning to see the best of him.
‘’I’m working hard everyday in the gym and everything is going to plan,’’ said the cruiserweight talent. ‘’There is still a long way to go, but I can feel myself improving with every fight. For now, I must continue to take it one fight at a time, but I know I have the right team around me to take me all the way to the top!’’
‘’This will be another tough test for Micki,’’ said promoter Nisse Sauerland. ‘’Abdoul looks next to unstoppable, and this fight will provide a good indication of how far away Micki is from world level. It’s another great addition to our last Nordic Fight Night event before the summer and we are going out in style!’’
Micki Nielsen’s older brother Patrick (25-1, 12 KOs) headlines the ‘Danish Dynamite’ Nordic Fight Night show with a first defence of his WBA International Super Middleweight title against Charles Adamu (23-6, 17 KOs), while featherweight talent Dennis Ceylan (14-0-1, 7 KOs) takes on Sergio Prado (11-4-1, 4 KOs), Rashid Kassem (8-0, 5 KOs) battles Reynaldo Mora (7-1-1, 4 KOs), and following the withdrawal of Andreas Lynggaard, Landry Kore (3-0, 1 KO) faces Laszlo Molnar (0-5). Tickets are available via billetlugen.dk.
