By Per Ake Persson, photos by Photo Wende

Both Brian Magee, the WBA's interim-super middleweight champ, and his Danish challenger Rudy "Hardhitter" Markussen, looked superbly fit for Saturday´s fight at the Brondby Hall. The two fighters weighed in at the Crowne Plaza Towers Hotel. Magee weighed in bang on the limit at 76.2 kg/168 lbs, while Markussen weighed in at 76.1 /167.75. At the staredown Magee looked cool, calm and tough while Markussen looked as if he had to psyche himself up in order to face the Irishman.

In the chief support, the 2011 Danish Fighter of the Year, Patrick Nielsen, 73.2 /161.5, squares off against Hungarian journeyman Joszef Matolsci, 72.0 / 158.75.

OTHER WEIGHTS AND NEWS

Norwegian featherweight Andreas Evensen, 57.0 / 125.75, faces Nicaraguan Julio Buitrago, 54.5 / 120, over ten rounds which seems optimistic if looks are anything to go by.

 

Spanish veteran Juan Nelongo, 80.0 / 176.5, is in against Swedish prospect Erik Skoglund, 79.3 / 175, over six rounds. Nelongo have been in a lot of tough fights over the years and is at the end of his career while Skoglund is about to begin his. It´s not if Erik wins - it´s how that counts in this one.

 

Patrick´s brother Micki, 89.5 /197.25, fights Attila Szatmari, 85.5 / 188.5 and in the show opener Torben Keller, 70.5 / 155.5, has Dzianis Makar, 70.0 / 154.25, as the opponent.

 

News: The world´s biggest heavyweight, Torben Paulsen, was present at the weigh-in. Torben, 4-0 in the amateurs and 37 years old, announced that he plans make his pro debut in April but he is not yet licensed. Paulsen is a big man though, standing at about 7ft2 but then again size alone seldoms helps a fighter.

 

Ukrainian heavyweight Alex Mazikin will certainly fight Edmund Gerber February 25 in Stuttgart. The contract is signed but if Mazikin can also fight on March 9 against Erkan Teper on the Arena show is an open question.

 

The EBA, the European Boxing Association, is reportedly again out of business and out of the close collaboration with the WBA - which has been off before in the past. The WBA will for now try to concentrate on their Int´l and I/C titles while the EBA future again appears to be in doubt.