Sinan Samil Sam has to postpone his comeback again. The two-time European heavyweight champion and former world amateur champion has been kept out of the ring for more than a year now by different illnesses and injuries.

“The Bull from Bosporus ” had planned to make his comeback in early October. Now Sam had to undergo surgery because of gall stones. More...

Two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz, 43-8-1 (29), as well as his advisor/attorney Tony Cardinale and head trainer Manny Siaca, Sr., believe they faced sizable unfair disadvantages August 30 fighting Nikolai Valuev, 49-1 (34), for the WBA heavyweight title in Berlin.

Valuev recaptured the WBA belt by way of a 12-round decision clouded in controversy. Team Ruiz is demanding a full videotape of Valuev-Ruiz II to further review for evidence of alleged corrupt practices.

Points of contention include the following issues: More...

By Per Ake Persson

Russian giant Nikolai Valuev won a unanimous decision over John Ruiz in a rematch to win the vacant WBA heavyweight title last night at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany.

It was scored 116-111, 116-113 and 114-113, all for Valuev, but it was however first announced as a split decision, which was due to a mix-up in the scoring slips used by the judges. More...

By Per Ake Persson

Newly crowned European Heavyweight Champion Sinan Samil Sam has relinquished the title rather than go through with a rematch against Italian Paolo Vidoz. It will now be Vidoz vs. British fighter Matt Skelton for the vacant title. Deadline for purse bids or agreement is noon on September 8. More...

© Arena Boxing

At a press conference in Ankara, Turkey on Tuesday, heavyweight Sinan Samil Sam received the European championship belt that he had won by majority decision against Paolo Vidoz on July 4. More...

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...

By Per Ake Persson

Mikkel Kessler weighed in at a perfectly fit 76.1 kg/167.75 lb for tonight´s WBA title fight in Copenhagen against Dmitri Sartison, who came in at 75.9 kg/167.25 lb.

Sartison looked smaller though, both in height and weight, as the two had a short staredown and then smiled for the cameras. The WBA have ordered the winner to face Danilo Haussler inside 120 days with a 60-40 split of the purse in case Kessler wins and 50-50 if Sartison should pull of a huge upset. 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...

By Per Ake Persson

Former European Cruiser Champ Johny Jensen has announced his retirement after failing a brainscan, which is bad enough - unfortunately the story doesn´t end there. More...

By Per Ake Persson

British heavyweight Matt Skelton is out of the fight against Sinan Samil Sam for the vacant European title July 4 in Istanbul. Replacing Skelton is Italian veteran Paolo Vidoz. More...

On July 4, the vacant European Heavyweight Championship will be on the line in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally, Matt Skelton was meant to fight local hero Sinan Samil Sam, but the former British and Commonwealth Champion had to pull out of the fight due to a virus infection. More...

European heavyweight championship postponed

Sinan Samil Sam has to take a break in preparing for his European heavyweight championship bout against Matt Skelton due to a hand injury.

The title fight that was originally scheduled for May 30th in Istanbul will be postponed for about for weeks. More...