Fielding to challenge Zeuge for WBA title in July

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  Nick Parkinson

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  •Reports on boxing for ESPN.co.uk, as well as several national newspapers
  •Has been reporting on British boxing for over 15 years
  •Appears on BoxNation’s Boxing Matters show

England’s Rocky Fielding will challenge Germany’s Tyron Zeuge for the WBA super-middleweight title on July 14.

Fielding seems unperturbed that Zeuge (22-0-1, 12 KOs) will have home advantage for a fourth defence of the ‘regular’ title at the Baden Arena in Offenburg, Germany.

“I’m very excited for this. It’s what I have dreamed of since being a young kid — to become world champion and we’re nearly there,” Fielding said.

“To have the date locked in makes it all the more real and it’s something now to focus and aim towards. I have watched and tracked Zeuge since he won the World Title against Giovanni De Carolis.

“He’s a good fighter with decent foot work in particular. He’s undefeated and has done everything they have asked of him so far.”

Fielding’s compatriot George Groves is due to defend the full version of the WBA world super-middleweight against Callum Smith — who blew away Liverpool-born Fielding in a round three years ago — in the World Boxing Super Series this September at a date to be confirmed.

The winners of both fights could end up meeting each other in 2019.

Fielding, 30, boxed in March and has been training alongside WBO interim featherweight champion Carl Frampton.

Fielding had been linked with a shot at Mexican Gilberto Ramirez, the WBO world champion.

“I boxed on the recent Kell Brook card and been ticking over and working with my coach Jamie Moore since,” said Fielding.

“The Ramirez fight fell through which was disappointing but everything happens for a reason, my promoter Eddie Hearn said I will be in big fight in July so that kept me going. I can’t wait for the opening bell.”