It´s not officially announced by Universum but in Hungary it´s a well publicized fact that WBO lighheavy champ Zsolt Erdei defends the title in Germany January 10 probably against Brit Dean Francis and WBO supermiddle ruler Denis Inkin makes his first defence against Hungarian Karoly Balzsay.
OPI 2000 have welters Luciano Abis and Yacine Chaouou headlining their show in Cagliari November 11 with the WBC Mediterranean title at stake. In the chief support flyweight Andrea Sarritzu take on Alain Bonnel.
Serbian jr middle Nikola Stevanovic is injured following a car accident and won´t fight against Alexander Abraham for the EE-EU title in Oldenburg October 25 and may be out for as long as six months. Abraham will still be on the show but against who isn´t clear yet.
Romain Jacob, son of former world superbantam champ Thierry Jacob, makes his prodebut October 31 in Calais against Slovakian Ladislav Nemeth.
The Lukas Wilaschek, 22-0, vs Robert Stieglitz.32-2, fight for the vacant WBC Int´l supermiddle title won´t go ahead November 22 in Rostock as previously planned but will headline a Spotlight Boxing promotion December 9 in Solden, Austria.
Finnish jr middle Mika Joensuu, 11-1, lost to Pole Damian Jonak Saturday in Zabrze, Poland. Joensuu was retired by his corner after a knockdown and afterwards suprisingly announced his retirement. -Mika realize the step to world class is too big and don´t want to be stuck at European level, said manager Markku Pirinen.
Retired Austrian middle Frans Csandl celebrated his 60th birthday late September in a restaurant owned by another Austrian great of yesteday: Ferdinand Pachler. On hand was the likes of Johann Orsolics, Frans Dorfer, Teddy Schall and Nayim Mayegun. Csandl lost to future world champs Jose Manuel Duran and Eckhard Dagge in EBU titlefights in the mid-70´s.
The annual show in Izegem November 1 is headlined by Ayoub Nefzi and Michel Recloux in a battle for the Belgian jr middle title and Dutch jr light Innocent Anyanwu taking on Hovhannes Zhamkochyan for the BeNeLux belt.
Argentinian jr welter puncher Rene Maidana take on American Paul Delgado on the Sturm vs Sylvester bill November 1 in Oberhausen.
Grant hopes to light up Reid at his old stomping ground
Hayemaker Boxing’s new signing Michael Grant doesn’t anticipate any nerves or stage fright when he makes his bow for the team on November 15 at The O2 in North Greenwich, London. Despite the size of the venue and the magnitude of the event, light-welterweight Grant is honoured to call The O2 his home away from home.
“I can’t wait for it,” beams Tottenham’s Grant, a light-welterweight standout with impressive 10-0-1 (1 KO) credentials as a pro.
“My dad’s an electrician and I used to do a lot of work with him down at The O2 when they were getting it ready. We were at The O2 for about six months putting in the main power supply when it was getting re-made. I spent day after day in that arena and would always say to my dad, ‘I’d love to box here one day’. Now that dream’s come true and I’m itching to get in there.”
While headline attraction David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye hopes to one day create heavyweight history at The O2, Grant can already claim some bragging rights of his own when it comes to making a mark at Europe’s leading indoor venue. The 24-year-old slickster is already part of the arena’s rich history.
“They’ve got a board at the side of The O2 which basically thanks all the people that have helped put the arena together from the beginning,” adds Michael. “There’s about a thousand names on it and my name’s there.”
Though proud of his part in the development of the arena, Grant would happily swap the recognition for a world championship fight in front of a capacity O2 crowd. Having recently signed with David Haye and Adam Booth’s Hayemaker Boxing, the go-getting Grant is confident he now has the support to realise his dreams.
“I’d fight anyone in Britain right now,” admits the confident Grant, a former 2005 Senior ABA champion and veteran of over 100 amateur bouts.
“I’d love to fight all the top boys in my weight division. What I want to do and what I’m going to do are two completely different things, though. I trust Johnny (Eames, trainer), Adam and David to give me the right fights at the right time. I feel ready, talent-wise, to beat all these guys in Britain. I just want the chance.”
Grant’s ideal career plan closely mimics the one constructed by former world cruiserweight champion Haye. Grant wants to stay busy, he wants to take risks and he wants to do things as quickly as possible. Haye acts as his template.
“Me and David go way back,” explains Grant. “We were on England squads together and we’ve been friends since I was a teenager. I always thought David was class and always knew he’d make it where he is today. Everyone knew he would.
“He played a big part in me deciding to sign with Hayemaker.
Grant takes the next step towards British and world title glory on November 15 at The O2 when he locks horns with Stoke’s rugged and hard-hitting veteran Gary ‘The Bodysnatcher’ Reid. It’s the sternest test of Grant’s unblemished career.
“Gary’s something like number 16 in Britain and has boxed for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title,” adds Grant. “It’s a really good fight for me and one I’m looking forward to. I’d much rather be put in with someone like Reid than just fight some journeyman who doesn’t have a ‘go’. I’m at a stage now where I’m not expecting any walkover jobs.
“After this fight we’ll start looking at domestic titles. I’d love to be British champion next year. Whenever it happens, it happens. I’ll be ready.”
*** Michael Grant’s fight with Gary Reid makes up part of the undercard to David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye’s intriguing heavyweight showdown with Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett at The O2 on November 15. HAYEMAKER2: ‘One Hayemaker vs. Two Gunz’ will be screened live and exclusively on Setanta Sports.
TECATE CELEBRATES MEN OF CHARACTER AS SPONSOR OF THE ANTICIPATED DE LA HOYA VS. PACQUIAO BOUT
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Oct. 21, 2008) – Tecate, cerveza con carácter, announces its sponsorship of the most important boxing event of the year: the 12-round bout between the Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) and Ring magazine’s No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs), on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
According to an ESPN poll, boxing is one of the most prominent sports among Hispanics, drawing 62 percent of Hispanic viewers. As such, Tecate has developed an aggressive multi-platform campaign to further connect with adult consumers through a relevant medium and raise awareness of the fight. Program highlights include the launch of a commemorative 24-oz and 12-oz can and thematic packaging for 18-packs and 12-packs, as well as a $20 Mail-in-rebate discount for the HBO Pay-Per-View event with the purchase of a 12-pack or larger of Tecate or Tecate Light (where legal).
“This fight creates a great opportunity for us to reinforce Tecate’s sponsorship prominence within the sport and strengthens our connection with Hispanic adult consumers by tapping into their passion for boxing,” said Carlos Boughton, brand director for Tecate brand equity. “As part of our commitment, we will be launching various promotions, as well as on- and off-premise initiatives to enhance the consumer experience before and during this historic match.”
Tecate also will develop thousands of thematic POS elements and posters with fight details, to be distributed nationally at grocery, convenience and liquor stores. Furthermore, Tecate will tailor its TV and radio spots to promote the fight. These will air two to three weeks prior to the event in key markets such as Los Angeles; Fresno, Calif.; Monterey, Calif.; Sacramento; San Diego; San Francisco, Albuquerque; Las Vegas; Phoenix;; Austin; Dallas and Houston.
To create buzz and excitement in the days leading up to Dec. 6, Tecate will offer boxing aficionados the opportunity to meet their idols through exclusive autograph and photo sessions with Golden Boy Promotions fighters and the popular Chicas Tecate in markets including Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
“For the past two years, Tecate has sponsored some of the most important Golden Boy Promotions events, and we have seen how their activation elements help further engage consumers,” said Richard Schaefer, chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions. “This is a sold out event and we now need to focus on getting boxing fans at home equally excited. We are confident Tecate’s promotions will help generate buzz and make the last bout of the year a success.”
For more information on Tecate’s boxing platform, please contact Paola Ruiz or Alejandra Calva at (212) 219-0321.