Match deal signed, Oskari Metz challenges European champion in London “It’s done miracles before”
Helsinki-based professional boxer Oskari Metz, 30, takes a huge leap in his career and sets out to fight for the intermediate European championship in March. Metz will meet at London Wembley on March 19. reigning European champion David Avanesyanin.
Metzin managers Pekka Mäki confirms to Sportka that the match agreement has now been signed. The promotion agreement has been concluded Frank Warrenin With Queensberry Promotions.
Warren also serves as the heavyweight world champion Tyson Furyn As an English promoter. The match between Metz and Avanesyan was previously scheduled to be a preliminary match on the same night as the heavyweight World Cup match.
Metz, who has only played in the away circle once in his career, finds himself in a really tough place under the limelight of Wembley. The Russian Avanesyan is unquestionably one of the top players in the intermediate series.
Avanesyan, the top ranked of all professional boxing federations, is even a world champion in the WBC rankings Errol Spencen another challenger. A victory over the experienced Avanesyan would almost require a miracle from Metz.
However, Pekka Mäki, Metz’s second coach and manager, believes in the possibilities of his protector in the upcoming title match.
– Miracles have been done here before. Not at all Amin Asikainen no one in the past believed in victory. Amin and I went to Germany to play away in 2006 and we returned to Finland with us.
– Someone may see this match as a risk, but we see it as an opportunity. We are ready to make Finnish boxing history, because no Finn has won the European Championship in the intermediate series, says Mäki.
Directly from Thai boxing to the professional circle
Metz, who has not lost so far, has 15 matches behind him as a pro. Helsinki’s journey to the future has not been normal. Metz has no background in amateur boxing at all.
He transitioned directly from Thai boxing to professional boxing and played his first match as a pro in late 2016.
– Oskari has been boxing for five years and is mentally and physically ready. He is now entering a tough category. The opponent’s level is now rising wildly, it’s a world-class guy, Mäki says.
– We are well prepared for the future, and I have never taken my boxers straight to the wolf’s mouth. Yes, we are now going to seriously challenge the reigning master. As long as there are items left in the match, there are always opportunities, Mäki assures.
According to Mäki, the position of the underdog also opens up opportunities, and according to him, the reigning master cannot afford to make mistakes either. Mäki hopes Avanesyan will come to the match too confidently. Despite Metz’s advantages in length and dimension, Mäki puts the mental qualities of his athlete first.
– Oskari is a willboxer and has good psychological qualities. I strongly believe in our potential. Oscar is brave, has a strong will and strength of character. Mental qualities rise to a really important role in these big matches. Boxing is not a kind of cowardice, Mäki reminds.
Dream comes true
Sport has been involved in Metz’s life since he was very young. He started playing martial arts at the age of five when he went to karate with his mother.
Before moving on to professional boxing, Metz dreamed of entering the top match in Thai boxing. Now his dream of getting to the top match comes true on the boxing side.
– I was afraid I would have to work much longer to get to the big match. It would be really great to do the same trick that Amin Asikainen did earlier. This is a great and big match for me. I am very excited about this opportunity, Metz rejoices.
The lack of an amateur boxing background doesn’t seem to bother Metz, he sees a lot of good in it.
– My brain cells are spared. Surely a lot of good would have come from the amateur side, but I don’t miss it.
Metz says he knows quite a bit about his opponent. He reveals that he watched Avanesyan’s matches and encouraged him.
– I’m only going there to win, and I’m not going to the match at all for the money. This time, though, I can’t encourage him to win, Laughs Metz.
The exact amount of the match fee will not be disclosed by manager Mäki. However, he says the reward amount is five digits. Profiting from Avanesyan would mean a second-class reward for Metz in the future. His status as a boxer would also rise to a new level.
In the Avanesyan camp, a match against the inexperienced Metz is considered a so-called intermediate match. However, with the right attitude and tactics, Mäki believes in the possibility of a surprise at Wembley.
– From the first round, you have to get involved in the match and earn the respect of your opponent. Of course, everything practiced in the ring will be left to the athlete. Oscar is a very active boxer who always takes his opponents to the deep end.
As the Manager belongs, Mäki glows with his protector’s opportunities in the title match. Hill points out that Metz has a good seam to win the European Championship.
– It must be remembered that the underdog has nothing to lose. This is a great opportunity for Finns to compete in Britain for one of the biggest promotions in professional boxing.
– In this case, the loss would not be a disaster either, because the seed of victory always lives in the loss. I strongly believe that the championship belt of the intermediate series will be brought home in March, Mäki concludes.