Arena Box-Promotion
On The Way To The Top
 

By Oliver “The Ring“ Richardt



As a fighter Ahmet Oener didn’t earn too much recognition worldwide. When he finished his career in February 2002 his fight record was at 16-5-2 with 11 KO’s. But now, almost five years later, the 35-year old Turkish is stepping back in the ring – with bigger steps than before as a professional.

Oener returns as Germanys third big box promoter with a huge perspective.

 

Said Ahmet, “When I was young, I saw the first Rocky movies and dreamt of being a boxer and promoter. Now I want to enter the top level of boxing.”

  


A couple of months ago Ahmet Oener with some huge investors behind founded Arena Box-Promotion. With a lot of power, meaning money in the background. “We start with a package of more than 20 million euros”, says Oener who is close to setup a possible TV deal with German pay TV station Premiere.

 

A proof of his power was shown recently to the two established box promoters in Germany, Klaus-Peter Kohl and Wilfried Sauerland: Arena Box-Promotion made big salary offers to “Sauerland’s” IBF Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham (1 million per fight) and “Universum’s” Super Middleweight hope, German Juergen Braehmer. Both fighters want to join Arena Box-Promotion but argue right now with their actual promoters about the difficult contract situation. Oener: “Arthur Abraham told me, I shouldn’t worry. So said Juergen Braehmer too.”

 

 

 Oener is optimistic – also with his top fighter Heavyweight Juan Carlos Gomez who just started his comeback two weeks ago. Gomez was tested positive after his victory over Oliver McCall (xxx in Duesseldorf, Germany) and became a one year drug suspension although he still says: “I was betrayed. I never took cocaine.” The Cuban (33), former WBC-Cruiserweight Champion (42-1-0) is supposed to fight for a title in 2007. Oener: “We need two more fights for him, then Gomez should be ready to become a champion.”

 

Among his 16 boxers is also Heavyweight and former European champion Sinan Samil Sam, who is listed third at the WBC rankings. “I have a great contact with Jose Sulaiman from the WBC.”

Since September Arena has already arranged three events with the fourth coming up. Something really special on the 10th of February there will be a boxing dinner at the noble “Grand Elysee Hotel” in Hamburg. Oener: “We have 300 guests, only invitation. It’s my way to thank the people and friends who stand behind Arena.”

 

Besides a gala dinner eight fights are scheduled. Top event shall be the “black panther” Juan Carlos Gomez. Oener: “I plan to fight with him in Miami for a title. That’s where you have the biggest Cuban community – that’s where Gomez is really popular.” But this should be only the first step to more fights in US and the “Mecca of Boxing”, Las Vegas.

 

The Arena-Boss has also big hopes also in three great talents. The two German Heavyweights Steffen Kretschmann (26/3-0-0) and Konstantin Airich (28) and Super Lightweight Seluk “Mini-Tyson” Aydin (23/3-0-0).

 

Arena Box-Promotion – on it’s way to become Germanys new top address.