30.12.06 – By Per Ake Persson: K 2 Promotions are likely to put on Wladimir Klitschko vs Ray Austin March 10 in Mannheim, Germany. Swiss cruiser Nuri Seferi could be facing Dutchman Don Diego Poeder on the undercard to Valuev vs McCline January 20 in Basel. On for the bill as a chief support are Christophe Canclaux´s defence of the EU jr middle crown against ex-champ Jimmy Colas in an all-French matchup that was on for Sauerland´s show in Wetzlar in September. However, Colas was forced to pull out due to illness and the title was declared vacant with Canclaux outscoring Youkri Chentour to win it..
Frenchman welter Franck Harroche Horta, 7-2-3, have produced several good results on the undercards to big shows in Germany, France and Italy during 2006. On January 9 in Bergamo, Italy, Franck, again on the road and again the underdog, takes much more experienced Italian Antonio Lauri in the headliner of a EuroSport televised show promoted by OPI 2000. This show also feature a female EBU titlefight at flyweight between Simona Galassi and Nadia Hockmi.
WBA heavy champ Nikolay Valuev is now in Berlin for sparring as he prepares for the fight against Jameel McCline January 20.
It appears that heavyweight Aldo Colliander is off the “Return” show in Gothenburg January 27. The promoters. New Sweden, still have Armand Krajnc on their list of fighters. Giovanni Alvarez, to return at cruiser, is set to take on Argentinian Christian Leal. Alvarez was last seen getting knocked out by Lolenga Mock late in 2004. Another comebacking fighter, Johan Thorbjornsson, takes on Russian Daniel Peret. All fights are scheduled for four three minute rounds with 10 ounce amateur gloves to be used. Scoring will be done by the ten points must system. The doctors at ringside can stop the fight at any time without consulting with the referee. If you regard this as professional boxing then it will be the first such event in Sweden for 37 years.
Boxning (Boxing), the Swedish trade paper, is now officially out of business after almost 32 years of existance. While the main reason for shutting down is bad economy the internal feuding that have torn apart boxing in this country play a big part. Editor in chief, Olof Johansson, is now working on putting together another type of magazine that will concentrate less on the lottery game some call amateur boxing and more on the pros.
Lightheavies Vyacheslav Uzelkov and Artem Vychkin clash for the vacant EEEU title February 10 in Kiev.