Below are postfight comments from Saturday’s “Universum Champions Night” event in Schwerin, Germany. In the featured fights, cruiserweight Denis Lebedev stopped Alexander Alekseev in round two of a WBO eliminator and Susi Kentikian kept her WBO/WBA/WIBF flyweight titles by technical draw after a third round headbutt against Arely Mucino. WBO light heavyweight champion Jurgen Brähmer’s scheduled defense against Alejandro Lakatos was cancelled due to a Brähmer back injury on Thursday. “We have to apologize to the Schwerin fans,” said Universum Vice President Dietmar Poszwa. “It started with the injury of Brähmer and went through the whole weekend. The surprising defeat of Alexander Alekseev, then the early end of the Kentikian fight. This wasn’t our weekend. Sport is sometimes cruel.”
Alexander Alekseev: “I want to apologize for the bad boxing. It’s solely my fault. I just didn’t see the punch. I lost. Denis was simply better. I don’t know how I go on after this. I’ll take my time and go through everything in my head. I just was not good. I made a lot of mistakes.”

Trainer Magomed Schaburow: “The first round he was sleeping and the second round was the end. We were well prepared and fit. Actually, everything was perfect. But that’s how it is in these high weight classes. Once you’re not paying attention, you’re lying on the ground.”

Dietmar Poszwa: “It was a very career-crucial fight for both athletes. The preparations were very good. Unfortunately, it went completely backward after that. From the beginning, Sasha wasn’t in the fight and was already taking some heavy punches. Of course, Lebedev should be congratulated for his great performance. Good luck for the future.”