By Per Ake Persson: Contrary to what one might believe EBU middle champ Sebastian Sylvester did not take over Javier Castillejo´s position as mandatory challenger for WBA ruler Felix Sturm despite beating the Spaniard. Randy Griffin is ranked # 1 while Sylvester is # 2. There are apparently some moves made to get the rematch between Sturm and Griffin recognized as mandatory defence by the champion..
There will be five fights scheduled for 12 rounds on Universum´s Night of the Revenges´ show July 5 in Halle / Westfalen. Outside of Sturm vs Griffin and Chagaev vs Valuev WBO I/C middle champ Sebastian Zbik defends the title against Belgian Jamel Bahki, Vitali Tajbert´s postponed defence of the EU jr light belt against Portugese Joao Bento goes ahead here, Hungarian supermiddle Karoly Balzsay take on Argentinian Jose Alberto Clavero in a defence of the WBO I/C crown. In other action Russian heavy Dennis Boytsov is in against Fernely Feliz in an interesting prospect vs veteran clash.
EBU welter Jackson Osei Bonsu´s defence of the title against Slovenian Jan Zaveck July 26 in Maribor is postponed until late September as Zaveck suffer from a back injury. Jackson is also booked to headline a show at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp November 11.
According to Chris Meyer, CEO for Sauerland Event, there is no offer for Lolenga Mock to fight EBU supermiddle titleholder Karo Murat. “Truth of the matter”, says Meyer, “is that we were offered Mock by Team Palle but turned the offer down as their financial demands were too high.”
Who Murat will defend against isn´t out yet and neither is when and where.
German jr middle champ Maurice Weber defends the title against Johannes Fabrizius July 11 in Cuxhaven. Supermiddle Robert Stieglitz has his first fight since losing an IBF eliminator against Librado Andrado and face Dane Fawaz Nasir. Natascha Ragosina vs Conjestina Achieng headlines this SES promotion.
Stockholm, Sweden, based Ugandan Hassan Saku defends the ABU welter title July 25 in Johannesburg, South Africa, against Christian Van Heerden.
Ukrainian welter Valery Brazhnik returns to action July 5 on K 2 East´s “Tornado in the Ring” show after a brief layoff due to a handinjury.
41-year old Italian veteran Massimo Bertozzi ended his career last night in Reggio Emilia with a defence of the IBF Mediterranean lightweight title against Frenchman Mhand Boukedim.
The small Baltic Boxing Union, who are affiliated with the WBF, have started the BBU Int´l title which can be made over six two minute rounds as well. With this the BBU hope to reach the Swedish market where the max distance allowed is 12 minutes.