11.12.06 – By Per Ake Persson: EBU champ Amin Askainen´s defence against German middle Sebastian Sylvester has now been set for January 20 in Basel on the undercard to Valuev vs McCline. Sylvester must first get through the defence of his WBA I/C title against Australian Peter Mitrevski, Jr, December 16 in Kempten in the chief support to Aurino vs Huck. It doesn´t look very likely that he should be able to fight two 12-rounders of this magnitude inside five weeks but time will tell..
Former WBA and EBU bantam champ Johnny Bredahl was badly assaulted in the center of Copenhagen this past weekend. At first it was reported that Bredahl´s life was in danger but now seems to be on his way to full recovery despite a bad beating. Danish police have arrested a 19-year old male for the assault. The attack took place early in the morning when Bredahl was on his way home after a party. He remembers nothing of the incident.
WBO I/C feather titleholder Stanislav Merdov will defend the title December 23 on Union Box Team´s Christmas show in Donetsk. The bill also include lightweight Andrey Kudryavstev, welter Vyacheslav Senchenko, jr welter Vladimir Kravets and supermiddle Stas Kashtanov. Opponents are to be announced. The promoters are looking to use the new EBU title for non-EU citizens in Senchenko´s and Kravets´ fights.
IBF I/C heavy champ Oleg Platov, from Ukraine but based in Belgium, is still not back in full training due to the right hand injury he suffered in the win against Henry Akinwande in November.
The vacant EU lightheavy title will be contested between Frenchman Karim Bennama and Pole David Kostecki.
The Croatian Federation have informed the EBU that they have suspended cruiser Asmir Vojnovic for two months after his tko loss in Bosnia November 11. They also make it clear that the by now 48-year old veteran no longer will be permitted to fight with a Croatian license. Vojnovic plans however to continue his career and will apparently return already December 15 on a charity show in Croatia.
Finnish amateur Robert Helenius have made his debut in the German Bundesliga. Helenius, a silver medallist at the European championships at superheavy, have his eyes on the 2008 Olympics. Sauerland Event have first option on him should he turn pro.