05.12.06: Austria’s superwelterweight champion Gotthard ‘The Cougar’ Hinteregger aims to close out 2006 by collecting the third straight win on his comeback when he takes on Slovakian trialhorse Igor Krbusik over eight rounds in Vienna on Saturday, December 9.

One year ago, ‘Gotti’s’ career seemed in tatters. He had turned 38 years and not only lost his IBF Intercontinental title to Marco Schulze but also failed in a shot at the WBF ‘world’ crown against old nemesis Jozsef Matolcsi. Both times, Hinteregger was stopped in eleven rounds and was subsequently urged by manager Olaf Schroeder to retire as Austria’s most successful boxer in more than a decade. But the stubborn veteran would have non of it and instead changed back to old trainer Johann Senfter in a bid to work his way up the ladder again the hard way for one more shot at a big title.

Hinteregger convinced Schroeder to stay on board and mastermind the unlikely-looking dream. Although he lost his first fight under Senfter to unbeaten prospect Sebastian Zbik (“The money was too good to turn down,” admits Schroeder), Hinteregger hasn’t looked back since. In June, he seized the vacant Austrian title with a TKO 4 win and followed that up with a good workout in October, outscoring Patrik Prokopecz over six rounds.

“Hansi (Senfter) has indeed made me better! I have made steady progress since training with him and early next year would be ready for a rematch with Schulze for my old title. I hope he will be fair enough to give me another chance. Our first fight was a cracker, the TV people were very happy with it and should I win my next fight, I believe I am deserving,” said Hinteregger.

Like his last fight, this coming outing is again sponsored by the Austrian Boxing Federation (FVA).