Catcher honor

Accolade from Otto Wanz for the “Bambikiller”

Otto Wanz (left) was the mentor of Chris Raaber (right)(Bild: zVg)

What an honor for Styrian wrestling star Chris Raaber! The Bambikiller can follow in the footsteps of his legendary mentor. The big fight is coming up on Saturday.

"She's beautiful," marveled the Bambikiller after the birth of his daughter Lucia, who was born on June 21. And made the Raaber family's happiness perfect. "I get up every day with the little one!"

In the footsteps of the gladiators
The Styrian wrestling star has to take a short break from baby duty. Because a very special catch event awaits him. In the Deutsch Bad Altenburg amphitheater near Carnuntum ("that's where the gladiators fought"), Raaber is looking at a special world championship title - that of the CWA of mentor and role model Otto Wanz, which remained under lock and key after his death.

Chris Raaber with daughter Lucia in his arms(Bild: zVg)

"In 2009, Big Otto was in the ring with me in Leoben - he told me back then that you are the true world champion. That was like a knighthood!" Michael Wanz has now given his blessing ("in the spirit of my father"), giving Bambi the unique opportunity to follow in the legend's footsteps.

Unpredictable opponent
"We spoke on the phone again and again after his retirement, he came to some of my events," recalls Bambi, who has to uphold the legacy on Saturday (admission 15:00, world championship fight 18:30, followed by an appearance by Wolfgang Ambros voice Wolfgang Frey).

His opponent is the "chain man" Gianni Valetta(Bild: zVg)

He will be up against the unpredictable Maltese Gianni Valetta, who likes to throw chains around. "We fought each other once in Malta - the referee had to stop it!"

The Austrian premiere of Andi Theque will also be exciting, as the German combines wrestler and pop singer. Bambi's Styrian compatriot Rockn Rolla has his sights set on the European title against Sultanov.