European Boxing News: Karmazin, Joval, Vidoz, Carrera, Messi

By Per Ake Persson

Former WBA middle champ Mariano Carrera returns to action on Saturday in Duesseldorf, Germany and takes on Hungarian Janos Petrovic. Carrera won the title last year with an upset stoppage win over Spaniard Javier Castillejo in a fight of the year candidate but was later stripped of the title after a positive doping test. However, he only got a short suspension as it was viewed he hadn´t taken the forbidden stuff deliberately but as part of his medication for asthma.

The team behind Carrera inisisted they had done nothing wrong but were obviously guilty of not checking the medication. Carrera have since prepared in Venezuela and is trained by Eleazar Castillo. As with Castillejo, Mariano is under a promotional deal with Universum, which means a rematch is very much possible – and something to look forward to. Also on the Duesseldorf bill are Russian cruiser Gregorz Drozd, super middle Lukas Wilaschek, junior lightweight Vitali Tajbert and heavyweight Dieter Roth.

Former IBF junior middle champ Roman Karmazin takes on Italian Luca Messi September 8 in Los Angeles.

Dutch middle Raymond Joval could get his first fight since 2003 at home October 8. “Well, there is some talk about it” says manager Stan Hoffmann, “but it´s far from a done deal.”

Former European heavy titleholder Paolo Vidoz is on the mend after a hand injury and will return to action October 20. Vidoz is trained by ex-World champ Sumbu Kalambay, whose nephew Carel Sandon, a lightweight, turns pro July 26 against Civianova Marche.

Belgium-based juniorr middles Kimfuta Makusu and Carlos Schram clash August 25 in Kinshasa, Kongo.

IBF Intercontinental junior welter ruler Fedele Bellusci defends the title against Georgian David Makaradze August 10 in Ostia, Italy.

A team of pros from Uganda arrived in Stockholm on July 23 for preparations for the show promoted by Pro Box Scandinavia August 18 at the Eriksdal Hall in Stockholm.

It will the first professional boxing event in the Swedish capital for 39 years. Middleweight Tonton Semakala headlines along with lightweight Sam Rukundo.