Before his mandatory defense against Edison Miranda in Oldenburg, IBF middleweight world champion Arthur Abraham spoke about his preparations for the world title fight and his challenger Edison Miranda.

Arthur, your first mandatory defense takes place in Oldenburg. Is that a coincidence?

No, it's not. I absolutely wanted to box here. The EWE Arena is almost like my living room. Oldenburg, with its great fans, has always brought me luck. I have won the Intercontinental title here and have already once defended my world championship belt against Shannan Taylor. I will give everything not to disappoint my fans here.

Your preparation was very long. How did it go?

It went very well. I have prepared three months for this fight, a little longer than otherwise. The time was hard. Above all, in the training camps in Zinnowitz and Kienbaum it went right to the point. During the last weeks I have done eight rounds of sparring a day, always against two opponents. This has helped me. Now I am in top shape.

Your opponent, Edison Miranda from Colombia, known as "the Panther," is deemed to be a merciless KO puncher. Do you have respect for him?

The respect that I have for every opponent, but not more. So far he is known above all for his big talk. What's more, the reputation my punch has is also not the worst one.

How do you react to the comments which have come from Miranda's team?

Not at all. I find this ridiculous. Miranda has bitten off more than he can chew. He's boxing for the first time for a world championship and should be glad that he gets the opportunity. Before the fight, I don't care about talk. I will say a little bit more in the press conference after the fight when Miranda sits as a loser beside me.

The story of Miranda's difficult childhood was published in Germany. Your opponent grew up as a street child in Colombia. Does this interest you?

No. He has his history, I have mine. In the ring this makes no difference.

But normally boxers coming from such hard backgrounds are especially hungry for success.

So what? He can climb hungry into the ring. Many have come hungry and were also hungry when they left. Hunger for success is not the only determining thing if you want to become a world champion. There's also a little bit more. I am also hungry. I haven't tormented myself for three months to now concede my title. I am the champion, and many fans in Germany and Armenia are keeping their fingers crossed for me. I don't want to disappoint them. As a world champion you are on top, a popular person, but this is over very fast if one loses. I know this, and, therefore, I am as hungry for success as my opponent.

You have seen Miranda on some videos. What are his strengths?

Strengths? I have seen none. Ronald Wright or Jermain Taylor, these are strong middleweights. But Miranda?

For your entrance into the arena, you prefer the most unusual outfit of all boxers in Germany. Will you come into Oldenburg again with the Smurf hat?

Sure. With the golden Smurf hat of the world champion. I have become known in Germany as the Smurfboxer, and the outfit has always brought me luck. Unfortunately, my friend Father Abraham who sings the Smurf song is unavailable, so this time the music comes only from a tape.

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