Firat Arslan

Firat Arslan (Turkish: Fırat Arslan born on 28 September 1970 in Friedberg) is a German professional boxer of Turkish descent best known for winning the WBA title in Cruiserweight division at the age of 37.

Professional career

Southpaw Arslan began his professional career in 1997 and won his first 13 fights with aggressive brawling before dropping back to back decisions to Collice Mutizwa and Rüdiger May. His biggest success in the early phase of his career was a draw against unbeaten Russian Vadim Tokarev in 2003 but he lost his next fight to Czech Lubos Suda. In 2005 he beat local hero Alexander Petkovic and his career picked up momentum. His big breakthrough was entirely unexpected,though, as he managed to not only dominate but also KO unbeaten Russian fringe contender Grigory Drozd. For that he got a title shot in July 2007 and captured the Interim WBA Cruiserweight Title with a split decision win over yet another Russian in Valery Brudov. Later that year he bested 43-year-old Virgil Hill for the WBA title. He beat contender Darnell Wilson on May 3, 2008 in Germany by Unanimous Decision.

He lost his title against Panamanian Guillermo Jones in Hamburg, on September 27, 2008, one day before his birthday. After the loss to Jones, Arslan took an extended leave from boxing and returned almost two years later to face unheralded Steve Hérélius for the interim title. Arslan was in front but at the end of the 11th round he was unable to continue because of a syncope.

Arslan recently fought Yoan Pablo Hernandez for a chance to take Hernandez's Cruiserweight belt, but lost in a tightly contested match^[2] with scores of: 115-113, 116-113, and 113-115.

Professional boxing record

26 fights, 26 wins (16 knockouts), 0 loss, 0 draw
No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
48	Win	38-8-2	Nuri Seferi	UD	12	17 Sep 2016	Goeppingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	For WBO European Cruiserweight title.
47	Win	37-8-2	Claudio Morroni Porto	KO	1 (8), 2:35	04 Jun 2016	Autohaus Duerkop, Kassel, Hessen, Germany
46	Win	36-8-2	Paata Aduashvili	KO	2 (12), 2:33	07 Nov 2015	MHP Arena, Ludwigsburg, Germany	Won vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Cruiserweight title.
45	Win	35-8-2	Gyula Bozai	UD	8	2 May 2015	ASV Halle, Dachau, Bayern, Germany
44	Loss	34-8-2	Yoan Pablo Hernandez	SD	12	16 Aug 2014	Messehalle, Erfurt, Thüringen, Germany	For IBF World Cruiserweight title.
43	Win	34-7-2	Tamas Bajzath	UD	8	07 Jun 2014	Sport and Congress Center, Schwerin, Germany
42	Loss	33-7-2	Marco Huck	TKO	6 (12), 1:56	25 Jan 2014	Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany	For WBO World Cruiserweight title.
41	Win	33-6-2	Varol Vekiloglu	UD	10	27 Apr 2013	Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg, Germany
40	Loss	32-6-2	Marco Huck	UD	12	03 Nov 2012	Gerry Weber Stadium, Halle, Germany	For WBO World Cruiserweight title.
39	Draw	32-5-2	Alexander Alekseev	MD	12	11 May 2012	EWS Arena, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	For EBU & vacant WBO Inter-Conti. Cruiserweight title.
38	Win	32-5-1	Orlando Antonio Farias	TKO	2 (10), 2:18	28 Jan 2012	Grand Elysée, Rotherbaum, Hamburg, Germany
37	Win	31-5-1	Lubos Suda	TKO	5 (12), 2:41	15 Jul 2011	EWS Arena, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	For vacant PABA & IBF International Cruiserweight title.
36	Win	30-5-1	Michal Bilak	TKO	3 (8), 2:39	01 Apr 2011	Digibet Pferdesportpark, Berlin, Germany
35	Loss	29-5-1	Steve Herelius	RTD	11 (12), 3:00	03 Jul 2010	Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, Germany	For interim WBA World Cruiserweight title.
34	Loss	29-4-1	Guillermo Jones	RTD	10 (12), 2:33	27 Sep 2008	Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany	Lost WBA World Cruiserweight title.

References

External links

• Professional boxing record for Firat Arslan from BoxRec