Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken
{{Short description|Boxing match}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name = Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken
| image =
| caption =
| fight date = 24 February 2018
| location = Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nürnberg, Bavaria, Germany
| titles =
| fighter1 = {{flagicon|GBR}} Callum Smith
| nickname1 = "Mundo"
| hometown1 = Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| purse1 =
| record1 = 22–0 (17 KO)
| age1 = {{age in years and months |23 April 1990 |24 February 2018}}
| height1 = 6 ft 3 in
| weight1 = 167+1/2 lb
| style1 = Orthodox
| recognition1 = WBC
No. 1 Ranked Super Middleweight
The Ring
No. 3 Ranked Super Middleweight
TBRB
No. 8 Ranked Super Middleweight
WBC Silver super middleweight champion
| fighter2 = {{flagicon|NLD}} Nieky Holzken
| nickname2 = "The Natural"
| hometown2 = Helmond, North Brabant, Netherlands
| purse2 =
| record2 = 13–0 (10 KO)
| age2 = {{age in years and months |December 16, 1983 |24 February 2018}}
| height2 = 6 ft 0 in
| weight2 = 167+1/2 lb
| style2 = Orthodox
| recognition2 = Former BeNeLux super middleweight champion
| result = Smith defeated Holzken by Unanimous Decision
}}
Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken was a professional boxing match contested on 24 February 2018.{{cite web |title=Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Callum_Smith_vs._Nieky_Holzken |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=18 July 2024}}
Background
On 27 October 2017, 39 year old former world champion Jürgen Brähmer (49–3, 35 KOs) defeated American boxer Robert Brant to advance to the semi-finals against Callum Smith, who had defeated Erik Skoglund a month earlier, with the fight scheduled to take place in early 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/21188068/juergen-braehmer-beats-rob-brant-world-boxing-super-series-quarterfinal-bout|title=Braehmer beats Brant in WBSS quarterfinal|work=ESPN|access-date=2017-11-21}} A couple days later, Smith spoke out stating he would like the fight to take place in his home city of Liverpool, however would be open to fighting anywhere else.{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/callum-smith-juergen-braehmer-liverpool/|title=Callum Smith wants Juergen Braehmer semi-final in Liverpool|last=WBN|work=WBN - World Boxing News|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en-gb}} On 15 November, promoter Kalle Sauerland stated the fight could take place in Liverpool at the Echo Arena or Germany.{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/exclusive-kalle-sauerland-reveals-venue-options-for-groves-v-eubank-smith-v-braehmer-semi-finals/|title=Exclusive: Kalle Sauerland reveals venue options for Groves v Eubank Jr. / Smith v Braehmer semi-finals|last=Jay|first=Phil |work=WBN - World Boxing News|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en-gb}}
Smith's trainer Joe Gallagher believed a fight in Germany would be unfair on Smith, due to Germany having gained a reputation for contentious decisions and home fighters receiving questionable wins.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Boxing/More+British+Boxers/Callum+Smith|title=NewsNow: Callum Smith news {{!}} Breaking News & Search 24/7|website=www.newsnow.co.uk|access-date=2017-11-21}} He later went on to state the fight should take place on neutral ground, mentioning Monte Carlo, Dublin and Amsterdam as potential locations.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11130415/callum-smith-deserves-neutral-venue-for-world-boxing-super-series-semi-says-trainer-joe-gallagher|title=Callum Smith deserves neutral venue for World Boxing Super Series semi, says trainer Joe Gallagher|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2017-11-21|language=en}}
On 11 January 2018, the fight was finally announced to take place at the Arena Nürnberger in Nuremberg, Germany on 24 February, a week after the first semi final between George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr..{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11204499/callum-smiths-world-boxing-super-series-semi-final-against-juergen-braehmer-will-be-staged-in-germany|title=Callum Smith's World Boxing Super Series semi-final against Juergen Braehmer will be staged in Germany|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-01-12|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ringtv.com/525937-callum-smith-juergen-braehmer-wbss-semi-final-set-for-feb-24/|title=Callum Smith-Juergen Braehmer WBSS semi-final set for Feb. 24 - The Ring|date=2018-01-12|work=The Ring|access-date=2018-01-12|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingnewsandviews.com/2018/01/12/callum-smith-vs-braehmer/|title=Callum Smith vs Braehmer Date and Venue Confirmed {{!}} Boxing News and Views|date=2018-01-12|work=Boxing News and Views|access-date=2018-01-12|language=en-US}}
On 20 February, four days before the fight, German website boxen1.com reported that Brähmer had withdrawn from the tournament after failing to overcome an illness he had been fighting for a week. Comosa stated the event would still go ahead with a replacement to be announced.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/callum-smith-fight-new-opponent-braehmer-withdraws--125462|title=Callum Smith To Fight New Opponent, Braehmer Withdraws|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-us}} 34 year old Dutch kickboxer and boxer Nieky Holzken (13–0, 10 KOs), who was scheduled to fight on the undercard against Dmitry Chudinov, became the frontrunner to replace Brähmer.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/callum-smith-vs-nieky-holzken-play-wbss-clash--125464|title=Callum Smith vs. Nieky Holzken in Play For WBSS Clash|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-us}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/22509533/callum-smith-set-fight-nieky-holzken-juergen-braehmer-withdraws|title=Smith to face Holzken as Braehmer drops out|work=ESPN|access-date=2018-02-20}} In a short statement, Brähmer stated he had a 'feverish infection' and apologised to his fans. Promoter Kalle Sauerland later confirmed that Holzken was the reserve fighter and would replace Brähmer and fight Smith.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/holzken-warns-callum-smith-ready-im-coming-beat-you--125467|title=Holzken Warns Callum Smith: Be Ready, I'm Coming To Beat You!|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-us}}{{cite web |title=Callum Smith to fight Nieky Holzken after Jurgen Brahmer withdrawal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/43126251 |website=BBC |access-date=18 July 2024 |date=20 February 2018}}
The fight
Smith used his jab from the opening bell and managed to control the distance throughout the fight, also managing to land his right hand successfully on many occasions. Holzken was the faster and frequently more aggressive fighter, however Smith was far more busier in each round. Each round was the same with Smith standing straight up, jabbing constantly and throwing right hands.
After 12 rounds the three judges scored the fight 118–110, 117–111 and 117–111 in favour of Smith giving him a unanimous decision victory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2018/02/24/callum-smith-defeats-nieky-holzken-toset-george-groves-world/|title=Callum Smith defeats Nieky Holzken to set up George Groves World Boxing Series final|last=Davies|first=Gareth A.|date=2018-02-24|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-02-15|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}
Aftermath
In the post-fight, Smith stated, "He was tough but I landed a lot jabs and my hand hurts a little bit. He was awkward, novicey but I'm not engaging in a shoot-out. I'm the better boxer."{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/callum-smith-outboxes-nieky-holzken-results--125606|title=Callum Smith Outboxes Nieky Holzken, George Groves is Next|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-25|language=en-us}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11266680/callum-smith-sets-up-george-groves-final-in-world-boxing-super-series|title=Callum Smith sets up George Groves final in World Boxing Super Series|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-02-25|language=en}} George Groves faced off with Smith immediately after the interviews took place.{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2018-02-25/smith-beats-holzken-to-set-up-groves-bout/|title=Smith beats Holzken to set up Groves bout|work=ITV News|access-date=2018-02-25|language=en}}{{cite web |title=World Boxing Super Series: Callum Smith joins George Groves in final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/43185938 |website=BBC |access-date=18 July 2024 |date=24 February 2018}}
Undercard
Broadcasting
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Erik Skoglund}}
{{s-ttl | title=Callum Smith's bouts |years=24 February 2018}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. George Groves}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. Viktor Polyakov}}
{{s-ttl | title=Nieky Holzken's bouts |years=24 February 2018}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Bernard Donfack}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Holzken}}
Category:February 2018 sports events in Germany
Category:Boxing matches in Germany