Arthur Abraham (born Avetik Abrahamyan on February 20, 1980) is an Armenian-German professional boxer. He is a former two weight world champion, having held the IBF middleweight title from 2005 to 2009 (his ten successful defenses being the fourth most in middleweight history): and the WBO super middleweight title twice, from 2012 to 2016.

Early life

Arthur Abraham was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union on February 20, 1980 to parents Grigor and Sylvia Abrahamyan. He moved to Germany with his parents and brothers in 1995 at the age of 15. As a teenager, Abraham showed an interest in cycling; he became the North Bavarian and Franconian Youth Champion. However, after watching an exciting Mike Tyson fight, Arthur was inspired by Tyson's intensity and wanted to become a boxing star too. In 1999, Arthur and his brothers returned to Armenia for military service. After 2002, all the brothers had finished their military service and returned to Germany in 2003.

Professional career

Middleweight

Early career

Abraham started his professional career on August 16, 2003, being promoted by HyeFighters. Sauerland promoted Abraham had many impressive early victories. He defeated Canadian southpaw Ian Gardner (18-1) for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Middleweight title, Hector Velazco (former WBO Champion) and contender Nader Hamdan (36-1).

In July 2005, Abraham defended his WBA Inter-Continental title against the highly regarded Briton Howard Eastman. Eastman had previously only lost to American William Joppy and former Undisputed Middleweight Champion Bernard Hopkins.

IBF Middleweight Champion

On December 10, 2005, in Leipzig, Germany, Abraham won the vacant IBF Middleweight title against Kingsley Ikeke (23-1, 13 KOs) by a 5th round knockout. The IBF belt had previously been vacated by undisputed champion Jermain Taylor after a bout with Abraham was denied in October that year. In the fifth round, Arthur met Ikeke with a hard shot to the head. Ikeke began to tumble toward the canvas and Abraham landed some final rights to seal the victory.

Abraham defended his title on March 5, 2006 with a unanimous decision against Australian Shannan Taylor. Two months later, Abraham won a second title defense against Kofi Jantuah, also on points.

On September 23, 2006, Abraham won a decision against undefeated contender Edison Miranda despite having his jaw broken in two places in round four. Miranda took advantage of this by fighting dirty. Miranda was docked five points for landing repeated low blows as well as intentionally headbutting Abraham. However, even without the five points deducted, Abraham would have still won the fight. Abraham's jaw was operated on the night after the fight. He had 22 screws inserted into two titanium plates. After the Miranda bout, Arthur was praised for his ability to finish the fight despite his injury.

Abraham defeated Canadian Sebastien Demers by KO in the third round after two minutes and fifty-seven seconds. Abraham was clearly physically superior than his opponent. Arthur won his fifth title defense by defeating fellow Amenian Khoren Gevory 11th round knockout from a powerful left hook.

On December 8, 2007, Abraham defeated Wayne Elcock to make his sixth title defense by technical knockout in the 5th round.

During two of his matches, Arthur Abraham was accompanied by live performances of the Scorpions and is currently accompanied by the track "Ready For The Fight" by The Young Punx.