ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Roman Greenberg, the British-based Israeli heavyweight, is set to return to the ring towards the end of the year. Greenberg, 27, has not fought since suffering his first loss, a second-round technical knockout against Cedric Boswell last August.
He has since relinquished the IBO Intercontinental title and, during the past 12 months, has gone under the knife to repair a long-standing hand injury.
Robert Waterman, Greenberg’s promoter, says that his fighter is scheduled to have a comeback fight in November or December.
Holding a 27-1 record, Greenberg has, according to Waterman, “not reached his physical peak yet”.
Speaking about Greenberg’s state of mind, Waterman said: “The problem was not so much his fitness, more getting his head straight. He was dreadfully upset when he lost. It affected him more mentally than physically.
“Many people felt that when Roman lost it’d be the making of him but Roman didn’t necessarily agree. I don’t believe the loss is career significant. What is is how Roman reacts to the situation. He’s started missing it which is a good sign. His verbal attitude has changed.” Since his last fight, Greenberg returned to Haifa where he has been working as a bodyguard and doorman. The comeback fight will be a six-rounder, although it is unlikely to be in the UK. Waterman said: “Roman is in great physical condition. He’s been keeping fit but didn’t return to boxing training until very recently. The layoff has probably done him a favour in many respects. It’s given his neck and hands a good rest. He’s hardly been injury free the last year or two and doesn’t have the confidence.
“I believe that the fact that he’s been beaten isn’t terrible for any boxer, let alone a heavyweight. Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno both lost before becoming world champions.”
Waterman believes that “Greenberg lies in the second rung of top heavyweight boxers in the world. The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, are in a league of their own but Roman’s still in the mix, a contender.”
Waterman said that the comeback fight will be “followed by a second, more competitive fight and then it’ll be back to the serious stuff”.