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03/07/2008 Archived Entry: "Godfrey, Kraj Square Off in WBC Title Eliminator Saturday night in Germany"
Godfrey, Kraj Square Off in WBC Title Eliminator Saturday night in Germany
Press Release
KREFIELD, Germany (March 7, 2008) – Unbeaten WBC No. 1 cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (16-0, 9 KOs), of Providence, fights undefeated No. 2 ranked Rudy Kraj (13-0, 10 KOs) tomorrow night (Saturday) in a WBC title elimination showdown to determine the mandatory challenger, in Krefeld, Germany.
Godfrey weighed in today at 199.9 pounds, Kraj was 198.4.
The winner of Godfrey-Kraj not only will become the WBC’s mandatory challenger, it also has additional implications because WBC/WBA title-holder David Haye fights WBO champion Enzo Maccarinelli tomorrow night (Saturday) in London. A Haye victory reportedly will send him up to heavyweight, leaving the cruiserweight division wide open, and the Godfrey-Kraj winner possibly the new WBC champion or interim title-holder.
Matt, second heavyweight alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, had a 194-23 amateur record, capturing six national championships -- four open tournaments including the 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships, plus two in the Junior Olympics – as well as a Bronze medal at the 2001 Pan-American Games, Silver in all four of that year’s national major tournaments (National Golden Gloves, PAL (Police Athletic League), U.S. Championships and U.S. Challenge) and six-time New England Golden Gloves champion.
Kraj, born in the Czech Republic but now living in Hamburg, Germany, captured a Silver Medal at the 2000 Olympics
