FABIAN HURZELER is ready to KO Manchester City after taking up boxing.
Brighton’s boss was inspired to pull on his gloves following a pep talk from Chris Eubank Jr’s cousin Harlem.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has developed a love of boxing[/caption]
The German has recently struck up a friendship with Hove-based hitman Harlem Eubank[/caption]
Eubank Jr visited the Brighton boss ahead of their 2-1 win over Fulham last weekend[/caption]
He took up the sport this year and reckons it helps him get away from the pressure of being a Prem boss.
And like local fighter and Albion fan Harlem, Hurzeler wants to bring sporting success to the city.
The German has the Seagulls punching above their weight — and victory today at the Etihad would take them past City.
He said: “It’s a thing where I can really switch off.
“When I’m boxing I can’t think about the starting eleven or the next training session, otherwise I will have a problem in the ring.
“I don’t see my future as a boxer but I always want to face new challenges.”
He became a Eubank fan after watching the Brighton boxer win the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title eight days ago, stopping Tyrone McKenna in the tenth.
Eubank played in the Albion youth system alongside Lewis Dunk and Solly March before deciding on boxing as a career.
Harlem Eubank was once part of Brighton’s youth system[/caption]
And he met up with Hurzeler before parading his belts at last weekend’s 2-1 win over Fulham.
Hurzeler said: “My interest in boxing is growing and I had a chance to see a boxing match live for the first time and to support a local guy with Harlem.
“I want to completely identify myself with this city and the personalities who have achieved amazing things here and Harlem is one of them.
“He has another big supporter with me and, hopefully, he can keep doing great stuff in the ring.”
KO’ing City today will boost Brighton’s chances of a European place.
And Hurzeler sees plenty of comparisons between football and the noble art.
He said: “It’s co-ordination between legs and hands, protecting yourself and then at the right moment you have to attack. It’s a little bit similar to our season.
“We got a lot of hits, we had some bad results but the main thing is that, the same as a boxer, you have to get up.
“If you don’t stand up again you’ve lost and I don’t want to be a loser, I want to be a winner.”
