Last week, Arena CEO Ahmet Öner decided to quit his engagement with the German boxing commission (BDB). The BDB didn’t strip his license as falsely reported. Öner himself left the BDB as Wilfried Sauerland and the Klitschkos had done before him.

“I didn’t consider this to be a big thing”, states Öner. “That I laid down my BDB membership and my license was just a consequence of the mistreatment of BDB president Dr. Bodo Eckmann, who pretends to represent all German boxers but only defends the interests of one German promoter, namely Klaus-Peter Kohl and Universum Box Promotion. To my mind, Dr. Eckmann is unworthy of leading a big and reputable federation like the BDB. More...

Today, the EBU announced that Sinan Samil Sam is the new European heavyweight champion. “The Bull from Bosporus” had faced Italian warrior Paolo Vidoz in a 12 round-battle in Ankara , Turkey , on July 4.

The fight ended in a controversial draw after one of the judges had changed his scoring of the 12th and final round. After the EBU investigated the scoring the concerned judge admitted his mistake and confirmed that he keeps his initial scoring of the round of 10-10 which makes Sam the winner by split decision. More...

By Per Ake Persson

The EBU have declared Sinan Samil Sam as winner in the fight for the vacant European Heavyweight title against Paolo Vidoz on July 4. The fight was scored a draw but one of the judges - Frenchman Robin Dolpierre - first had the final round 10-9 for Sam, then crossed out the 9 and scored the round 10-10. More...

After the very emotional discussions right after the European heavyweight championship between Sinan Samil Sam and Paolo Vidoz in Ankara, Turkey on Friday night, Arena CEO Ahmet Öner gained broad support for his reaction to the draw. After the dust had settled, Öner talked to the involved officials, who made clear that they understand his anger. More...

© M.A. Sayer / Arena Boxing

After the dust had settled in Ankara, Turkey last night, the controversial draw between Sinan Samil Sam and Paolo Vidoz in their European Heavyweight Championship bout still led to lots of discussions. “The Bull from Bosporus ” had been the more active fighter over the 12 rounds, but Vidoz could score with his pumping jab. More...

© M.A. Sayer / Arena Boxing

“I am only thinking about Friday night – there is nothing else on my mind right now“, states Sinan Samil Sam. “I am very well prepared for Paolo Vidoz.” More...

Ankara is not only the Turkish capital, it is also about to become a major city for professional boxing in Europe. After last year’s “Bull Fight At The Bosporus” between Sinan Samil Sam and Oliver McCall, Arena will be back in Ankara on July 4 at the Büyük Anadolu Hotel. More...

Originally ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner had planned to present heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis in the USA on May 17th, 2008 but the Cuban Olympic gold medallist was denied visa. Now ARENA’s attorneys tried again to get “La Sombra” into the US but the Consulate in Berlin denied the application again. More...

Sorry to all Spanish boxing fans! Because there have been so many request from the United States regarding heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis recently promoter Ahmet Öner decided to move the fight between the three-times world amateur champion and 2004 Olympic gold medallist and “White Buffalo” Francois Botha from the show on May 30th in Bilbao to the next US-show on June 27th in Miami. Solis will be fighting on the same card as Cuban defector and freshly crowned WBC international champion Yuriorkis Gamboa who will step into the ring against WBA #2 rated Jose “Cheo” Rojas the same night. “We will make it a Cuban night”, states Öner. “Our gold medallists are ready to shine.” More...

When German Interim-Champion Konstantin Airich (9-0-1, 8 kos) faces “Brixton Bomber” Danny Williams (38-6-0, 30 kos) in Bilbao next week (Friday, May 30th) it seems very likely that the fight doesn’t go the distance. Both men are well known for their heavy hands – though Williams is far more experienced, of course. The question will be: Who punches harder? More...

Olympic Gold Medallist Odlanier Solis and former world heavyweight champion Francois Botha were meant to meet in the ring in December 2007 but the “White Buffalo” drew in his horns on very short notice. Now everything is set and the contracts are signed for the fight to take place on May 30 in Bilbao, Spain. More...