Up-and-coming Danish super middleweight Oliver Zaren will look to continue to his journey against Ante Bilic Oct. 4.

The two collide in the main event in Herlev Hallen, Herlev, a suburb of Copenhagen, for a vacant IBF regional title, in a scheduled 10-round contest.

"It will be a fantastic evening," Zaren (17-0, 7 knockouts) told The Ring. "It will also be a hard day at the office; he is a strong opponent. I know he will come at me through the whole fight, so I have to box smartly and I know I will come out with a win."

Zaren had been tabbed to face Delali Miledzi (29-1-1, 22 KOs) only for the Ghanaian to pull out 10 days before the fight. Thankfully, his promoter was able to find a good replacement.

"I have prepared optimally for Delali, but I am in good shape, I am strong physically and mentally and I have worked hard for this - it will not change the outcome of the evening for me," he said confidently.

This will be his third fight of the year having previously beaten Samuel Cavret (KO 4) in March, before returning with a lopsided 10-round unanimous decision over Joseph Maigwisya on June 14.

"It was a great fight, a slightly awkward opponent who kept coming and never gave up, he fought all the way to the last round and at no point did I feel sure that it was won, but it was also a learning fight for me, and I got to go the full [10-round] distance," he said. "But I was in good shape so I knew I could."

The 25-year-old has spent the past 12 weeks training diligently under the watchful eye of arguably Denmark’s greatest ever boxer, Mikkel Kessler and Thomas Macon, who has been with him since he turned professional back in 2019.

"We have developed a lot since the last fight, there has been no time for any break after the last fight we have been running non-stop," he explained. "I have had sparring partners from Ukraine and Germany staying with me for several weeks."

While Zaren is fighting at home in Denmark now, that hasn't always been the case. Earlier in his career he was fighting in Germany, Austria and England.

"Boxing in Denmark is always special for me, after almost 5 years first in Germany and then England," he explained. "It's an experience to box at big events abroad but you're always the underdog so you always have something to prove and that helps to make you tough mentally, and here at home in Denmark I have family and friends who are helping to make this evening a success I'm glad it's going to be a big evening in Danish boxing."

Interestingly, his compatriot, Jacob Bank, is also making noise at super middleweight. The two enjoy a friendly rivalry that could one day develop into something big in their homeland.

"It is 100 percent friendly we train together, of course we work towards the same goal but there is a long way to go before it is a topic of conversation, we are just two boys fighting for our dreams," he said.

For now, his focus is on this fight though he has big aspirations further down the line.

"It will definitely be to box at the top of the world with this fight, put my name among the best boxers there is, at the same time it is also the biggest title fight that has been boxed here in Denmark since Mikkel Kessler,” he said. “I have worked hard and long for this so it is just about proving it on October 4, and I am ready for that."

His promoter, Kasper Holgersen of Primetime boxing, feels that Zaren and stablemate, Jacob Bank, will help revive boxing in Denmark.

"Oliver Zaren is not just a remarkable talent – he is a powerful personality with an unshakable will to reach the top," said the promoter. "His dedication and relentless daily work make him one of the most exciting prospects in Danish boxing. With a strong and experienced coaching team behind him – a team that has been part of some of the greatest moments in Danish boxing history – Oliver has the perfect foundation for success.

"We are incredibly proud that he has chosen to sign with us and place his trust in the Primetime Boxing project. With two of the world’s very best super middleweights in our stable, we are confident that Danish boxing is heading toward a bright and victorious future on the international stage."

Bilic (31-2, 17 KOs) made his debut in 2002. The Croatian-born fighter who is based in Germany fought around Europe running his record to 15-0, when he lost for the first time against future world title challenger Lukas Konecny (UD 12) at junior middleweight in May 2006. He lost to Sergey Sorokin (UD 8) in July 2007.

After notching several wins, he walked away after beating Rafael Bejaran (UD 12) in April 2012. After a 13-year hiatus, the 42-year-old returned earlier this year and has won four fights.