09.06.04 – WBA International/EBA News: It is a hard question to answer. However this Friday June 11th we will have a first finalist after Steffen Nielsen meets Italian national Champion Paolo Vidoz in Copenhagen. Then the winner should face Nikolai Valuev within 90 days. But let’s get some facts before we get to a conclusion….
STEFFEN NIELSEN is 1,88 m. tall (6′ 2″) with a record of 23 wins, 1 loss and 13 KOs. His only loss was against Julius Francis (UK) on September 13th 2002 but in a later re-match on June 13th 2003 he defeated Mr. Francis by clear UD10.
PAOLO VIDOZ is 1,90 m. tall (6′ 3″) with a record of 16 wins, 1 loss and 9 KOs. His professional career is not too extense but among his amateur background we find several bronze and silver medals on World and European Championships, including a broze medal at Sydney’s 2000 Olympic Games with a very close point decision lost against Olympic Champion Audley Harrison.
NIKOLAY VALUEV is 2,18 m. tall (7′ 3″) with a record of 35 wins, 0 losses and 27 KOs. He holds one of the most impresive records at current Heavyweight division and keeps a reputable # 11 at World ratings.
After such a list of numbers is difficult to give any prediction on who will prevail as new EBA Champion. Three important promotional firms are involved in this Tournament: Team Palle (Nielsen), Boxe Loreni (Vidoz) & Sauerland Events (Valuev).
The first part will be promoted this weekend (Friday 11th) in Copenhagen by Team Palle and will be televised live by Canal Digital Scandinavia. As agreed and signed by all three parties the winner of Nielsen v Vidoz will face the Russian Champion Nikolay Valuev within 90 days.
ABAZI v LEDWABA co-headlines this Friday’s show
Also on Friday June 11th as co-headline of the Team Palle event in Copenhagen EBA Featherweight Champion SPEND ABAZI (Denmark) will make a voluntary defense against 6 times former IBF Champion LEHLO LEDWABA (SA). Ledwaba with 35 wins, 2 losses (including 1 to Manny Pacquiao for IBF Title) probably is the strongest Challenger Abazi ever faced as EBA Champion and if he passes this test will be doubtless ready to face current World Champion Chris John (Indonesia).