Battle in the Roman arena

“Ring free!” for the gladiators of the modern era

The "Bambi Killer" takes on the title fight in the Römerarena near Carnuntum.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/zVg, Marcin Szala)

Next Saturday, July 13, the CWA heavyweight world championship belt will be contested in Lower Austria: And the wrestling pros are heading to the Carnuntum amphitheater for the mega event!

When record champion Chris "Bambi Killer" Raaber meets Maltese Gianni Valetta in the arena in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, Bruck an der Leitha district, the two heavyweights will fight for the title once held by the legendary Otto Wanz. Today, his son Michael is committed to upholding the tradition of this sport in Austria. Even seven years after the death of "Big Otto", his ring battles are still on everyone's lips. "Those who are not forgotten are immortal," emphasizes Michael Wanz, who sees the Styrian Raaber as a legitimate successor to the title.

Even as a young athlete, Raaber was feverishly following catching legend Otto Wanz, who passed away in 2017.(Bild: zVg)

Childhood dream comes true for wrestler
"I remember watching the first fights as a little boy. Even back then, I knew that I wanted to wear the world champion belt myself one day," says the "Bambi Killer" himself, feeling a little sentimental. After 26 years as a pro in the wrestling scene, his childhood dream will finally come true with the fight in Lower Austria.

In keeping with the historic venue. The event of the Catch Wrestling Association (CWA) on Saturday from 3 pm under the motto "Gladiators of the Modern Era". A total of ten fighters will be competing, and at 5 p.m. it's "Ring free!"