By Francisco Salazar

Youth versus experience will take center stage Friday night between unbeaten Rob Brant and former world two-time world titleholder Juergen Braehmer.

It is a compelling matchup, but which of the two will have their arm raised in victory?

Brant is strong, has an improving skill-set and entering his prime, but has yet to face anyone at the level Braehmer has faced.

Meanwhile, Braehmer was stopped in his last fight that occurred over a year ago.

The two will square off in a 12 round bout at the Sport and Congress Center in Schwerin, Germany. The bout is also the final quarterfinal super middleweight matchup of the World Boxing Super Series.

Braehmer (48-3, 35 knockouts) lost his last bout, including the WBA light heavyweight title, when he was stopped after the sixth round by Nathan Cleverly on Oct. 1 of last year.

The loss snapped a consecutive streak of 19 victories for the 39-year-old Braehmer, who will be fighting before a partisan crowd in his hometown of Schwerin.

Braehmer will be dropping down a weight class to 168 pounds for the Brant fight and one has to wonder whether he will have the stamina and legs to deal for the fight.

"At the age of 39, this is my last chance to achieve something big," said Braehmer earlier this week. "I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity."

"I am very excited that this bout is going to take place in my hometown of Schwerin. In short, I cannot wait to start my journey to win the Ali Trophy. I feel good, top motivated. I am not underestimating Brant, but I am in this tournament to win it."

Brant (22-0, 15 KOs), who resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota, but trains in the Dallas area, became a top-five contender in major sanctioning bodies through defeating modest opposition.

In his last bout on Jan. 20, Brant stopped Alexis Hloros in the opening round. He has stopped his last four opponents.

Despite the lack of experience and having not yet faced a bonafide contender, some boxing pundits do tab Brant to win Friday night. The 27-year-old likes his odds to win the tournament, but is not overlooking Braehmer.

"Braehmer is well-accomplished and a proven boxer worldwide with star power in his own country," said Brant, who has sparred and trains alongside welterweight titleholder Errol Spence. "I have no problem going into his backyard for a fight, (and) he is a seeded fighter in this tournament."

"I feel this is a pure crossroads fight containing a proven well-known fighter toward the end of his career against a hot prospect looking to make his name in the sport. I feel confident in winning this fight as does everyone in my training circle. Juergen has done it all, seen it all, but he hasn't fought me. I am confident that I will win on Friday."

The winner of the Braehmer-Brant fight will advance to the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) semifinals early next year against unbeaten Callum Smith (23-0, 17 KOs).

Also on the card, super middleweight Vincent Feigenbutz (27-2, 23 KOs) will square off against Gaston Alejandro Vega (27-11-2, 11 KOs). The 10 round bout is a WBSS Substitute fight.

Middleweight Abdul Khattab (15-2, 4 KOs) will face Ronny Mittag (30-2-1, 15 KOs) in an eight round bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and FightNights.com. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing