ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Roman Greenberg is scheduled to make his long-awaited return to the ring next month in the Ukraine.
Back in full training in Kiryat Motzkin, near Haifa, the Israeli-based heavyweight has been reunited with David Porat, his original coach, and is likely to be fighting in a co-promotion by his manager Robert Waterman and K2 East Promotions, a company owned by the Klitschko brothers.
Greenberg, 27, has not fought since suffering his first loss, a second-round technical knockout against Cedric Boswell in August 2008. He has since relinquished his IBO Intercontinental belt and, during the past 12 months, has gone under the knife to repair a long-standing hand injury.
Holding a 27-1 record, Greenberg has, according to Waterman, “not reached his physical peak yet”. He will be sparring with the Klitschko team, of whom Waterman said: “Roman couldn’t be in better hands.
“He’s never been in proper shape as he’s always been injured. But if he had waited until he was injury-free, then he’d never have fought. The layoff has given his body the chance to recover. He’s back to normal now and wants to get the show back on the road. One of the key things for Roman is to stay well.
Waterman believes that Greenberg has been boosted by David Haye’s recent victory that saw him crowned WBA World champion. He said: “They used to train together and Roman always held his own. Roman holds his future in his own hands. In heavyweight terms he is just a baby.”
If all goes to plan, Greenberg will have three fights before challenge for a European or world title.