14.09.06: Finally,
a new trainer has been announced for the Netherlands’
hard-punching heavyweight Richel
‘The Dutch Sonny Liston’ Hersisia
and it is renowned German coach Torsten
Schmitz.
The new team started working out at the Universum Gym in Berlin
on Monday, it was confirmed. For the Dutchman’s manager Olaf
Schroeder of Fight Production, the engagement of Schmitz means a
real coup, because without a doubt the 42-year-old is one of
Germany’s young top trainers, who has had success at the
highest level already.
Both
Bert Schenk and Armand Krajnc were guided by Schmitz to the WBO
‘world’ middleweight title and he has trained female stars
Regina Halmich and Michele Aboro for many ‘world’
championships. Interestingly, Schmitz currently trains WBO # 1
heavyweight Luan Krasniqi, with whom Schroeder worked at the
start of the adopted Germans career. Earlier this year, there
were newspaper reports about a possible clash between Krasniqi
and Hersisia, 27-1 (21 KO’s), but whatever the truth was in
that, this new constellation seems to rule out any thoughts of a
meeting between two men now sharing a trainer.
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That
trainer, Torsten Schmitz, was a successful amateur boxer
by all standards. From 250 contests, Schmitz scored 215
wins and his collection of medals includes six German
championships, a silver medal each in the world and
European championships amongst many more. He retired as
a 29-year-old in 1993 and three years later started life
as a trainer with Universum Box-Promotion, the German
promotional powerhouse who now have Richel Hersisia
under contract.
Photo:
Hersisia’s new trainer Torsten Schmitz. |
Schmitz
is also happy to start working with Hersisia: “I can see there
are many things that Richel never really learned. I only want to
work with winners and it seems Richel brings the right
determination and attitude to learn, so obviously I am convinced
we will have success together.” As of writing, manager Olaf
Schroeder is working with Universum’s Dietmar Poszwa on a date
for the Dutch and Benelux (and former WBF ‘world’)
champions’ first outing with Schmitz. That is naturally
supposed to be a non-title fight, also given Hersisia’s recent
injury-induced inactivity. The 32-year-old from Den Haag (born
on Curacao) last fought in January, winning a decision over the
recently murdered Brazilian Rogerio Lobo, before undergoing
shoulder surgery and rehabilitation.
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