Erik Skoglund (22-0, 11 KOs) is bringing big-time boxing back to Sweden on Saturday night with a historic defence of his IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title against Oleksandr Cherviak (15-4-1, 5 KOs) at the Rosvalla Stora Ishallen at the Nyköpings Arenor in Nyköping, Sweden.


 
The 24 year-old champion will become the first fighter to contest a major title on Swedish soil since 1968 when he takes on the Ukrainian challenger in his hometown arena. At today’s final pre-fight press conference, both fighters shared their thoughts on their championship clash.


 
‘’It feels great to finally get the chance to box at home,’’ said Skoglund. ‘’I’ve dreamt of this moment for a long time, and now we are only days away. The support I have received has been amazing. Everyone has got behind me and I’m looking forward to repaying this support with a victory on Saturday night.


 
‘’This is a great event for me, and a great event for Swedish boxing. This is a chance to bring professional boxing back into the mainstream.

Sauerland Event

 

‘’I’m in great shape, my training has gone better than ever, and I’m ready to defend my title. Cherviak is a tough opponent. I’ve been studying his fights and preparing accordingly. He is here to win and expect him to try to push me back and give me twelve hard rounds.’’

Yigit

 

‘’It’s great to be here in Sweden,’’ said Cherviak. ‘’Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve been in this situation before and I know what I need to do to win.


 
‘’Skoglund is good fighter, he is young, but already very experienced. I’m expecting a competitive fight. I’m in top shape and I’m ready to bring the belt home to the Ukraine.’’
 
Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’On Saturday night we’re making history. There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make this a reality. Now, it’s Erik’s time to shine. He has the potential to become Sweden’s next big boxing superstar!’’

Anthony Yigit (14-0-1, 6 KOs) has vowed to give ‘clown’ Chaquib Fadli (13-4, 7 KOs) a boxing lesson when the light welterweight’s clash on Saturday night at the Rosvalla Stora Ishallen at the Nyköpings Arenor in Nyköping, Sweden.
 
The undefeated 24 year-old is unimpressed by what he has seen from the Frenchman, brandishing his fighting style ‘disrespectful’, and warning the former EBU-EU title challenger against attempting any of his tricks against him.

Sauerland Event

 

‘’I’ve watched Fadli’s last fight against Lenny Dawes for the EBU-EU title and he’s a tricky guy,’’ said Yigit. ‘’He’s tough and he’s unorthodox, but he also seems a little arrogant. He likes to play around and fight with his hands down. It might all be for show, but to me, that’s disrespectful.

 

‘’I’m going to make him respect me in the ring. I’m going to go in and show him who’s boss.  If he jumps in, flexes and dances around like a clown in front of me, I’m going to kick his ass back to the circus. I’ll give him a boxing lesson.

 

‘’I’ve seen a lot of flaws in his technique and I’m going to expose them on Saturday night. He’s not going to be able to keep his hands down, smile, show his teeth and talk trash to me in the ring. He will have to keep his hands up and box, for once.’’

 

Ahead of their eight-round contest, the Stockholm fighter believes he has all the motivation he needs, as he fights at home in Sweden for the first time in his professional career.

 

‘’It’s amazing to get the opportunity to fight in Sweden,’’ said the slick southpaw. ‘’I have a lot of fans travelling from Stockholm to watch me fight and I want to put on a show. There is no way I’m going to lose this fight!’’

 

Tickets for ‘Making History’ featuring Erik Skoglund’s historic IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Cherviak are available via biljettforum.se. All the action is available to watch live on TV10 in Sweden.