Gradus Kraus IBF European light-heavyweight title defence announced against world title contender

Gradus Kraus will defend his IBF European light-heavyweight belt to Adam Deines

Gradus Kraus (12-0, 7 KOs) will defend his IBF European light-heavyweight title against former world title challenger Adam Deines (26-4-1, 16 KOs) on Saturday, November 28 in Amsterdam.

Promoted by BOXXER in partnership with leading Dutch promoter Boxing Gladiators, the fight will mark another major occasion for Kraus as the 24-year-old headlines in the capital for the first time.

Kraus has emerged as one of the most exciting young fighters in world boxing, building a huge fanbase at home in the Netherlands and internationally with his explosive performances and devastating knockout power.

The dynamite-fisted Dutchman has floored every opponent he has faced since turning professional, with only one fighter making it beyond the second round.

Kraus delivered arguably his most impressive performance to date this August at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds needing just 63 seconds to dismantle American contender Sean Hemphill.

Hemphill, who had been brought in from the United States to provide Kraus with his toughest test, was blown away inside the opening round as the Dutchman continued his remarkable 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 Adam Deines.

The German-based contender has competed at the highest level, challenging Artur Beterbiev for the WBC and IBF World Light Heavyweight Titles at the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow in March 2021.

Deines is a former German champion, having defeated then-unbeaten prospect Stefan Härtel to claim the domestic crown, and has also previously held the WBC International Silver and IBF Intercontinental Titles.

The 35-year-old arrives in Amsterdam with European honours of his own, having claimed the WBO European Light Heavyweight Title with a fifth-round knockout victory over Mateusz Tryc in his last contest in May.

Gradus 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.

“Adam Deines 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 28, I’m going to show that again in front of my home crowd.”

Adam 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 Founder & 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.”