27.09.06 – By Per Ake Persson: Universum have announced that the WBA eliminator at heavyweight between John Ruiz and Ruslan Chagaev now will go ahead November 18 in Duesseldorf. It was originally announced for Universum´s big show in Stuttgart October 28. However, there were purse bids September 21 and according to the WBA rules you can´t stage the fight until at least 45 days later. John Ruiz and his management protested and won. Headlining the Stuttgart show is now big Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko vs Argentinian Gonzalo Omar Basile in a WBO I/C titlefight. As for the Duesseldorf event ex-WBA middle ruler Felix Sturm is already announced as headliner – and current WBA titleholder Javier Castillejo have tentatively been set to box on this show as well.
Leon Margules, CEO for Warriors Boxing who promotes talented middle Edison Miranda, was nothing short of furious late Saturday night in Wetzlar right after Abraham vs Miranda had ended with the German a winner on points. Margules is still, after viewing the tape, convinced that Miranda won ten of the twelve rounds but won´t comment on any legal issues.
If all works out all past and present WBC champs from Europe could be attending the WBC convention in Dubrovnik, Croatia, October 29-November 4. There will also be a boxing event during the convention (Oct 31) featuring Mia St John in a WBC female jr welter fight. Heavies Ivica Pericovic and Ratko Draskovic clash for the Int´l Croatian title in the co-feature and perhaps Don King Production´s Croatian heavy Mario Preskar also appear.
Norwegian superbantam Reidar Walstad fight Valery Vanchy, a Belorussian fighting out of Spain, October 6 in Helsinki on the Asikainen vs Sipos show. Lightweight Ville Piispanen face Angolan veteran Manuel Gomes.
SES promotes in Salzwedel October 14 with jr middle Marco Schulze headlining in a six-rounder. Cruiser Serdar Sahin is also on the bill.