Industry boxing in Graz

“I’m getting into the ring for my sister who was killed”

Jean Van Lülik (right) challenges Christoph Konrad, fighting for his deceased sister Sara.

(Bild: Branchenboxen, Krone KREATIV)

The industry boxing event in Graz on Saturday - the event will be streamed in full on krone.at on Sunday(here are our offers) - has one more highlight: Jean Van Lülik is stepping into the ring for the injured Sepp Kitzecker. He dedicates the fight to his sister, whom he tragically lost.

It has now been four years. Not a day goes by since then that Jean Van Lülik doesn't think of his sister Sara. Sara, who was the victim of a crime in her home town of Großwilfersdorf. Murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who turned out to be dangerous after the break-up, stalked his former love and broke into her home.

Call for help went unheeded
Sara had recognized the danger in time and warned both the community and her wider surroundings about the ex. "Hello neighborhood. I need your help. As I'm sure you've noticed, my house was burgled two days ago, and the problem is that it's my ex-boyfriend. It turns out that he has mental health problems. Now he's laying siege to our house! If you see his car, call the police immediately!" Sara's cry for help was clear. But it wasn't heard.

On the day of the crime, Sara alerted her brother Jean and the police. But the ex, a lawyer from Linz, couldn't be stopped and did the incomprehensible with his gun. He was later convicted of murder and attempted murder.

Jean Van Lülik stands in for the injured Sepp Kitzecker.

(Bild: Branchenboxen)

"The fight is for you"
Four years later, Jean Van Lülik's wounds have not healed. He never made a secret of his grief and pain. Now he wants to step into the ring for his deceased sister and challenge Christoph Konrad. "I've always said that I want to get into the ring for a special person once in my life. This fight is for you," Jean sends a message to his sister. "The fight is also for all the people who have had to suffer something so terrible, for families who have to live with the fear and pain every day. They have to carry on even though they have no strength left."

In sporting terms, there is no favorite between Van Lülik and Konrad. "They are quite similar in weight and height," says organizer Rene Wollinger, analysing the upcoming fight. "They are roughly the same age, Jean is perhaps even a little fitter. But he doesn't have any fighting experience yet, he only started boxing six months ago." Van Lülik recently spent time in Thailand and learned a lot about boxing. Will that be enough against Konrad? 

The fact is that this fight will make up for the cancellation of Sepp Kitzecker. "We can appease the audience with this, everyone is excited about this duel!" says Wollinger happily. 

Krone+ subscribers (see our offers here) can follow the action exclusively on krone.at from 6pm on Sunday!