Light heavyweight Gradus Kraus will step up in class when he boxes former title challenger Adam Deines (26-4-1) on Saturday, November 28th in Amsterdam. Promoted by Boxxer in partnership with Dutch promoter Boxing Gladiators, the event will mark another major occasion for Kraus as the undefeated 24-year old headlines in the capital for the first time. Kraus, who Boxxer says is rapidly building a fanbase at home in the Netherlands, has floored every opponent he has faced since turning professional, with only one fighter making it beyond the second round. In August, Kraus (15-0 including IBA Pro bouts) needed just 63 seconds to dismantle Sean Hemphill, who had been brought in from the United States to provide Kraus with his toughest test. But Hemphill was blown away inside the opening round as the Dutchman continued his knockout streak.  

 

Kraus now returns to fight in Amsterdam for the first time since making his professional debut and will look to take another significant step forward against the experienced Deines. The German-based contender has competed at the highest level, challenging Artur Beterbiev for the WBC and IBF light heavyweight titles in Moscow in March 2021. Deines is a former German champion, having defeated then-unbeaten Stefan Härtel to claim the domestic crown. The 35-year-old arrives in Amsterdam after a fifth-round knockout victory over Mateusz Tryc in his last contest in May.

 

Kraus said: “I’m very happy to be headlining a major event in Amsterdam. I’m training hard with my father. We will be going to Bulgaria for our training camp, as well as coming to England to work with Peter Fury.bDeines is a strong opponent. He has fought for a world title and shared the ring with some great fighters, but I’m going to show that I am on another level. I want to make a statement and prove that I’m ready to beat the very best and challenge for world titles. I believe I’m the best in this weight class, and on November 28th, I’m going to show that again in front of my home crowd.”

 

Deines said: “Gradus Kraus is a talented young fighter with a lot of power, but he has never faced anyone like me. I have fought against the best and I know what it takes to compete at the highest level. I’m not coming to Amsterdam to make up the numbers. I’m coming to win. Kraus will have the crowd behind him, but when the bell rings it is just the two of us in the ring.”

 

Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom said: “Gradus Kraus is a special talent. Every time we step him up, he responds with another spectacular performance. Now he takes another major step against a former world title challenger in Adam Deines. This is exactly the type of progression we need for Gradus. He is building a big following at home in the Netherlands. We saw the excitement around Gradus in Rotterdam earlier this year and we’re looking forward to working with Boxing Gladiators again to deliver an even bigger night in Amsterdam.”