Sven Fornling confident about the title match: "He is hopeless"

It was in December last year that Malmö boxer Sven Fornling won against the merited German Karo Murat and took home the IBO belt in light heavyweight.

Then the idea was that he would go a big title match against Russian IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev in May, but a stress fracture caused the match to be canceled.

Now a fully restored Fornling, 30, is getting his chance to defend his master belt for the first time when he meets Dominic Bösel, 29, at a gala in Halle, Germany on Saturday night. At the same time, the WBA's interim title is at stake.

- To meet Beterbiev in the US would have been a super match. I should not say that this is easier because Bösel is also tough, but it is a step down compared to Beterbiev. Now it is eleven months since I joined the match and I need to come back to the ring and take a new grip on the US after the winter, says the Swedish to SVT Sport.

The home run Bösel has won 29 out of 30 professional matches. The only loss came against Karo Murat 2017, the same man that Fornling defeated to win the World Cup. Since then, the German has lined up five straight wins.

- Bösel led on points against Murat before being knocked out in the eleventh round. He does most things well, but gets things extraordinarily good. He has a German style, so well-trained and makes few mistakes, but if I get in shape he is without a chance. Thats how it is.

Do you feel like a favorite?

- I don't know, I've been away from the ring for a long time now, but I wasn't a favorite against Murat either and yet I made his day pretty pissed. I will make life miserable for Dominic Bösel as well, says the Swede.

After an injury in 2019, Sven Fornling is aiming for an even more active 2020.

- I want to go three games next year and meet those who have the heavyweight World Cup titles. In the long run, I want all the world champion belts in light heavyweight and be able to say that I am unquestionably the best boxer in the world in my weight class. After that I can leave, says the 30-year-old.

During the training camp ahead of the weekend's title match, the scout has become a father for the second time.

- I have a daughter since before and now I have got a boy. I have commuted between two worlds: From family and tranquility at home to the club where young and hungry boxers try to tear my head off. My wife has pulled a heavy load now in the beginning so after defending my title I plan to pay back and take some vacation, says Fornling.