Back in 1930, German heavyweight Max Schmeling won the world championship fighting in the USA. No German has done it since. Felix Sturm came oh so close, losing controversially to Oscar de la Hoya. And Axel Schulz nearly pulled it off in a controversial loss to George Foreman.
But tonight in Nashville, Tennessee, super middleweight Vincent Feigenbutz (31-2, 28 KOs) is looking to beat the curse and become the first German boxer to win a world title in the USA in 90 years.
Local defending IBF champion Caleb Plant (19-0, 11 KOs) is a prohibitive 32:1 favorite, but Team Feigenbutz believes their man has more than a puncher’s chance. “We have the impression from Plant that he does not take Vincent seriously as an opponent and is convinced of a quick victory in front of the home crowd,” said manager Rainer Gottwald.
The 24-year-old Feigenbutz is no stranger to the big stage. He briefly held the WBA interim title in 2015 when he was just 20 years old. “I’m a man now,” he said. “I’m much more experienced and I have everything I’ll need to beat Caleb Plant!”
The bout will air on FOX in the U.S., while German fans will be staying up until 3AM to see the fight live on Sport1.
The German Canelo! I learned on Fightnews a couple weeks ago he turned pro at 16 with zero amateur experience! You see that a lot in Latin countries but it’s kinda rare Europe! On paper, he sounds great, but sometimes when you actually see these guys fight you wonder who the hell have the fought to achieve such a stellar record! We will see!
Doubt it
Plant will dominate and KO this guy…He’s about like a Mike Lee with less defense…
That’s the same thing my buddy Roy D Mercer said.
In the weigh-in, Feigenbutz looks so small next to Plant. Wow!
Tbf, if there was not a bias in boxing, for guys who sell lots of tickets, both Sturm & Schultz would have become champions in America. They were robbed of fame and fortune.
@Andy, ABSOLUTELY! STURM BEAT OSCAR!
Plant is tough and super talented.. But if/when he gets tagged and staggered how will he react? Hes slick and I dont expect him to get caught but VF has a puncher’s chance.
For those of you who want to know, Max Schmelling beat Jack Sharkey for the vacant World Heavyweight Title on December 6, 1930. Gene Tunney relinquished the belt after his rematch with Jack Dempsey. aka The Long Count. It was a DQ win. Sharkey beat Schmelling in the rematch. Sharkey lost to both Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Primo Carnera, and, Max Schmelling.
Plant is not only a decent talent, his fiancee makes him more marketable. The suits do not want to see Jordan Hardy’s man lose.