European Boxing News: Taibert, Abraham, Froch, Gomez, Campillo, Larsen

By Per Ake Persson

WBC junior light champ Vitaly Tajbert makes the first defence of the title May 22 in Rostock in the co-feature to Ruslan Chagaev vs Kali Meehan in a WBA heavyweight eliminator. Opponent is to be announced. Both Tajbert and Chagaev are trained by Magomed Schaburow.

Bild writes today that Arthur Abraham vs Carl Froch in the third round of the Super Six Tournament will go ahead August 21 in either Berlin or Nottingham. Froch fights Mikkel Kessler April 24.

The Black Pearl, Juan Carlos Gomez, acknowledges in a press release from Arena Box Promotion, that he is no longer a cruiser but a heavyweight, and an overweight one at that. The former outstanding WBC cruiser king vows to get back in shape and become a heavyweight contender again.

Boxingwise, few have the skill Gomez have but the power and strength of a genuine big boy appears to be missing – on the other hand take away the Klistchkos and we come down in size and skills a lot.

Former WBA light heavy champ Gabriel Campillo returns to action in Madrid May 14 after his two controversial – one win, one loss – fights against Bubeit Shumenov.

Talented Swedish super middle prospect Badou Jack has signed with Empire Boxing and will fight out of Miami, FL, from now on. Jack, 4-0, will be trained and managed by Herman Caicedo. Jack was “discovered” by Shannon Briggs, who visited Sweden last year for the Ingemar Johansson Memorial show.

WBA # 12 ranked heavyweight Robert Helenius underwent surgery on his injured right hand Tuesday in Berlin but was back in training Wednesday. Helenius is expected to be out for four months after injuring the hand in the fight against Gbenga Oloukun.

Danish super middle Mads Larsen tested positive for an illegal substance after the loss to Brian Magee January 30 in a fight for the vacant European title. The Danish Federation´s sports committee won´t suspend Larsen but will give him a warning and a small fine.

The case is appealed though as some members of the Federation demand a suspension – and fact is they have to as the Federation is a member of Anti Doping Denmark.

Matthew Macklin has relinquished the European middleweight title, which now will be contested by Darren Barker and Affif Belgecham already April 9 in London. The winner of this fight inherits Khoren Gevor as mandatory challenger. On this show Michael Sprott and Audley Harrison clash for the vacant European heavyweight title.