After Murat went the distance with superstar Bernard Hopkins two years ago in the United States in the battle for the IBF belt, a second World title bout is now within reach. On 12 December, Murat (IBF # 13) faces Sullivan Barrera (IBF # 7) in an IBF eliminator to decide who will challenge World Champion Sergey Kovalev (WBA, WBO, IBF).
The winner of the eliminator will claim the previously unoccupied number one sport in the light-heavyweight rankings and therefore, be deemed to be the next mandatory challenger Kovalev.
Currently in second and third place are the Russian Artur Beterbiev and the Swede Erik Skoglund both of whom were offered the chance and declined.
“Karo Murat has made a good name for himself in his world title fight against Hopkins in the US,” said Erol Ceylan, the promoter of EC boxing. “I’m sure he has a good chance of winning against Sullivan Barrera.”
The training will take place again in Berlin with Ulli Wegner. “For Ulli and Karo it is the 31st joint preparation together. But if Ulli Wegner should not be operational after his surgery on his achilles tendon, ECB coach Bülent Baser is available in California to work Karo’s corner. “
