European Boxing News: Markussen, Braekhus, Kaddour, Erdei, Campillo

By Per Ake Persson

Danish super middle Rudy Markussen is injured and off Sauerland´s show in Herning, Denmark, February 12. WBC, WBA and WBO female welter ruler Cecilia Braekhus is also off the bill due to a virus. Comebacking former Contender participant Ahmed Kaddour has stepped in as replacement. Middleweight Patrick Nielsen headlines in his first six rounder over three minute rounds and faces Eric Avlastimov. Both men are unbeaten but over relatively moderate opponents, especially true for Avlastimov.

Former WBO light heavy and WBC cruiser champ Zsolt Erdei is training at home in Hungary for a fight in the US sometime in April. The plans for a fight against Gabriel Campillo, the former WBA light heavy king, are still there but Campillo´s promoter Rimer Boxe wants to do the fight in Madrid. The WBA appears willing to sanction it as for the interim title. The plans for Erdei vs Campillo for the WBA “standard” title first fell through when WBO ruler Juergen Braehmer was forced out of the unification fight against Beibut Shumenov.

Ismael El Massoudi and Danish veteran Christian Bladt square off for the vacant WBF welterweight title February 11 in Casablanca, Morocco. Bladt has recently been to Magdeburg to spar with IBF welter champ Jan Zaveck.

Danish lightweight Tommi Schmidt came back after nine years out and needless to say he returned to fight a 12-rounder for a title. Schmidt was stopped in nine by Hedi Slimani in Eucassines, Belgium.

Finnish cruiser Tommy Antman won the vacant national title with a close, controversial split decision over Harri Hakulinen in front of a packed house in Pori Saturday night. Hakulinen skipped the doping test after the fight and now faces a lengthy suspension. On the undercard Jan Nyholm became the first Finn to fight over four decades and beat Aleksandrs Radjuks over six.

European female junior welter champ Vinni Skovgaard has announced her retirement. Skovgaard fought Cecilia Braekhus in 2009 for the WBC and WBA welterweight titles for the sole loss in her career.

European Union super middle titlist Lolenga Mock is in Cologne and sparring with WBA superchamp Felix Sturm who prepares for a defence of the title February 19 in Stuttgart against Ronald Hearns. Mock defended his title late December in Italy and there have been some rumors of another Italian adventure, this time against Andrea Di Luisa but they have yet to be confirmed.