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17.05.06: After
suffering three straight losses in his most recent ring
apperances, one would think that Austria’s formerly
world-rated superwelterweight Gotthard ‘The Cougar’
Hinteregger is not in the best of moods, today, on his 39th
birthday, as the odds against ever again reaching past glory –
which netted him the IBF/WBO Intercontinental belts – seem
slimmer by the day. But the hardened Vienna veteran, much like
Evander Holyfield, refuses to go away, despite arguments with
his German manager Olaf Schroeder about the issue of retirement.
Now Hinteregger got the birthday present he was hoping for and
which made him smile broadly, when Schroeder today confirmed
conclusion of a shot at the Austrian national title against
inexperienced, but unbeaten Gojko ‘Gogi’ Knezevic,
4-0 (1 KO), on June 25 in Velden, Austria.
“That’s it,”
Fight Production’s Schroeder said, “Gotti’s final throw of
the dice. If he can’t beat this kind of opponent anymore, the
show’s over. He promised me to retire if he looses.”
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However, the
manager can be safe in the knowledge that Hinteregger won’t
lack in motivation, especially since this fight takes place just
a stone-throw away from his city of birth Villach and will
likely be attened my many of the fighters family and old ‘homies’.
Hinteregger’s
late-career rise in 2004/05 to become Austria’s most
successful boxer in more than a decade, and subsequent fall
towards the end of last year, obviously make him a target for
young, up-and-coming fighters like Knezevic in his country. The
26-year old (13 years Gotti’s junior!) of Serbian roots wants
to make a name for himself in Austria, and what better way than
to beat the popular Hinteregger? But has Knezevic bitten off
more than he can chew?
Hinteregger is
nothing but mightly experienced; his 25-10-1 (13 KO’s) career
record, compiled in more than eight years as a professional,
includes eight championship fights of sorts and ‘The Cougar’
has boxed 10 rounds and more a total of four times. That’s the
number of total fights on Knezevic’ record! ‘Gogi’ turned
pro in 2004 with a six- twos points win, was out of the ring for
almost one and a half years, won two four-round decisions in
2005, disappeared again for six months and finally scored a TKO
in the fourth earlier this month for his inaugral
inside-the-distance win. The combined records of his so far four
professional opponents is a dismal 3-35-1! It’s a typical
cross-roads, young vs old fight and while Knezevic’ motto
could be ‘Who dares, wins!’, for Hinteregger it’s
redemption or retirement.
The
10-rounder, to take place at the Casino Velden, is promoted by
Hans Neuner.
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