Undefeated Albanian heavyweight Nelson Hysa hopes to have a triumphant homecoming against Germany’s Thorsten Fuchs in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBO European belt this Thursday, July 11, at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania.
Hysa-Fuchs and undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Undercard action includes the return of Top Rank-promoted junior welterweight prospect Hugo “The Fresh Prince of Monaco” Micallef, who will take on Bogdan Draskovic in a six-rounder.
Hysa (17-0, 15 KOs) had a late start to his pro career, debuting at 37 with a first-round stoppage over Stefan Cajic in May 2022. In April, he notched a second-round knockout against previously unbeaten Brayan Santander. Less than two months later, he returned to stop another undefeated fighter, this time Colombia’s Jeison Troncoso in Switzerland. Fuchs (13-1, 10 KOs) suffered his first pro setback in February via second-round TKO against Elvir Sendro. Since then, he’s gone 3-0 with three knockouts, including a second-round triumph against Deibis Berrocal last month.
Micallef (9-0, 2 KOs) signed with Top Rank in 2021 following an extensive international amateur career. The 26-year-old is Monaco’s first pro boxer and one of the principality’s most popular homegrown athletes. Since turning pro, he has competed in six countries: the United States, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and his homeland. Draskovic (9-14-1, 5 KOs) returns following a unanimous points verdict over Miroslav Ivanovic last month.
In other streaming action from Tirana, Albania: Mauro Forte (20-0-2, 8 KOs) vs. Cristobal Lorente (18-0-1, 8 KOs), 12 Rounds, Forte’s European Featherweight Title
Alban Bermeta (16-0-1, 12 KOs) vs. Obinna Joseph Mathew (23-0, 23 KOs), 12 Rounds, Vacant WBO Global Light Heavyweight Title
Denis Nurja (14-0, 6 KOs) vs. Angel Adrian Barroso (9-4, 8 KOs), 6 Rounds, Super Middleweights
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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