Thomas Ulrich (29-3, 19 KOs) takes on Rachid Kanfouah (27-5, 22 KOs) for both the vacant European and Kanfouah's WBO intercontinental belts © boxing.de

The year begins in attractive fashion on Saturday for boxing fans in Halle/Saale as the first "Universum Champions Night" delivers five title fights at the sold-out Brandberge Arena. 4,500+ spectators will be on hand to see record-setting WIBF female flyweight world champion Regina Halmich (51-1-1, 16 KOs) against Reka Krempf (13-7-3, 5 KOs), the current WIBF super flyweight world titlist, who is moving down a division to face Halmich. "It's great that the arena will be so full," stated Halmich at today's press conference. "The Hungarian boxing queen meets the German boxing queen – we'll see who the 'real queen' is in the ring!"

Also, in a double title clash, light heavyweight Thomas Ulrich (29-3, 19 KOs) takes on Rachid Kanfouah (27-5, 22 KOs) for both the vacant European and Kanfouah's WBO intercontinental belts. The 31-year-old Ulrich, who was defeated in a world title bid against Zsolt Erdei in his last fight stated, "I am highly motivated and would like to get a third shot at a world title belt in the near future. I have learned a lot from the loss to Zsolt. However, Kanfouah is a serious opponent who can punch hard." In Addition, European heavyweight champion Vladimir Virchis (21-1-0, 18 KOs) will appear in a non-title bout against Marcus McGee (16-11, 8 KOs). (Photos: Sebastian Seemann)