European Boxing News: Cleverly, Brancalion, Braehmer, Platov, Hide

ByBoxing Press

By Per Ake Persson

PI 2000 have won the rights to stage the fight for the vacant European light heavy title between Nathan Cleverly and Antonio Brancalion. OPI bid 63,100 Euros while Frank Warren came in second with a bid for 60, 000 Euros. Date and site is to be announced.

WBO interim light heavy king Juergen Braehmer defends the title December 19 at home in Schwerin. By then it´s likely he´s “full” champ as Zsolt Erdei will by then have challenged WBC cruiser king Giacobbe Fragomeni. Co-headlining is WBC interim middleweight champ Sebastian Zbik, who takes on Italian Emanuele Della Rosa.

It´s on again: the heavyweight clash between Oleg Platov and Cengiz Koc and should go ahead November 7 in Nuremberg on the undercard to Valuev vs Haye.

Platov vs Koc have been on and off more times anyone cares to remember. It´s an important fight for both though and another internal Sauerland eliminator. Platov have been training in Las Vegas in the Samuel Peter camp for some time now.

Istvan Varga is off the WBF International fight against Tamas Kovacs on Saturday in Dessau. Varga was stopped on a cut eye this past weekend in Switzerland and is now replaced by Gaspar Guylar.

This means all three featured fights in Dessau have substitutes in the visitor´s corner. WBF heavy champ Francois Botha headlines in a defence against Pedro Carrion and the South African is busy promoting the show and doing charity work as well.

Former WBO super middle ruler Karoly Balzsay returns December 4 in Solden, Austria. Opponent is to be announced.

Swedish heavy Attila Levin faces Leri Okhanashvili on Saturday in Helsinki. Okhanashvili comes in as sub for Humberto Evora, who took part in a K1 show in Lisbon this past weekend and then pulled out of the Levin fight.

Arena´s show in Cuxhaven October 24 is headlined by three eight-round heavyweight fights. The most interesting matchup features Czech heavy Ondrey Pala, a big, promising guy, against ex-amateur star Alex Mazikin from Ukraine.

Wladimir Virchis eases back against Latvian Edgars Kalnars while the nominal headliner features Konstantin Airich against Cisse Salif. At super middle, Christian Pawlak faces Michal Bilak.

Paolo Vidoz and Albert Sosnowski clash for the vacant European heavyweight title December 18 in London with Matchroom promoting.

Italian heavy Clemente Russo, Olympic silver 08, World champ 07, one of the best amateurs around, has reportedly turned pro with OPI 2000. Christian Cherchi confirmed the other day talks with Russo but word is now that Clemente has signed a deal with OPI.

Herbie Hide and Dennis Lebedev are co-challengers for the vacant European cruiser title. Hide is new in this spot and replaces Firat Arslan, former WBA champ. Herbie could as previously reported also feature in a clash for the WBC interim crown against Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.