GRADUS KRAUS' BIG DREAMS CONTINUE WITH THEO BROOKS TEST IN ROTTERDAM
Light heavyweight prospect Gradus Kraus has made quite the impact in a short time since turning professional in October 2024.
The 24-year-old from Oss, Netherlands has won all 10 fights to date, with nine opponents being stopped in the first two rounds.
Kraus will take the next step in his burgeoning career when facing unbeaten Theo Brooks in a scheduled eight-round contest at Topsportcentrum, Rotterdam, on Saturday.
"I'm happy with him because he won all his fight, almost all by KO," Kraus told The Ring. "I think he's a tough guy and also had a lot of amateur fights, it's a good opponent."
The Dutchman is coming off an impressive second-round stoppage over Boris Crighton on his promotional debut with Boxxer on January 31.
"It was the first time I had fought southpaw; we wanted to do that, it was one of our game plans," he said. "I dropped him three times in the second round with body shots. It was a good fight, nice opponent, nice name, he had given good fights to other opponents and I beat him in two rounds, so think I did a good job."
Kraus will return home for his upcoming fight with Brooks as he continues to build his following in The Netherlands.
"I like to fight in The Netherlands because it's my home country and a lot of fans watch me there," he said.
"I can't wait to fight for Boxxer again in the UK, though. For me, it doesn't matter if we fight in the UK or the Netherlands, I like to fight."
Kraus, currently trained by father and nine-time kickboxing world champion Albert, began his journey as an eight-year-old. Although initially immersed in the same sport his father excelled at, he later switched to boxing and now also benefits from the wisdom of Peter Fury.
"I wanted to go pro four years ago but Peter told me, 'Stay, keep going in the amateurs, learn a lot,'" recounts Kraus, who openly admits to losing between 15 and 20 times during his 86-fight amateur stint.
"That's what I did. He also said it doesn't matter if you win or lose, because you're only making steps [to improve]."
In the unpaid code, Kraus won silver at the 2022 under-22 European championships but was unable to qualify for the Olympics before turning over. Nonetheless, his father believes this is a far more natural fit for his son.
"He was never really interested in the amateur fights," said Kraus Sr. "He has improved maybe even faster than we expected."
So far, Kraus' power has told in his fights and that highlight reel ability has allowed him to remain active thus far.
"I like to be active, I like to fight," he said. "Almost all my fights, I finished in the first or second rounds. I don't have injuries, so every fight when I win, I can't wait to get another fight and that's how it goes.
"I hope after May 9, three fights more [fights this year], I hope to be in the world's top 10 and at the beginning of next year, a title shot. We'll see how it goes, how Boxxer can get me some good opportunities, I can beat some good names and then step up to the top."
