Arena Boxing: Skelton Out, Vidoz In Against Samil Sam For European Title

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.

The next one in line would have been Universum’s Alexander “Sascha” Dimitrenko, but Universum declared him “unavialable” for no obvious reason. So now, former title holder Paolo Vidoz gets the shot at the belt.

“It’s a fight for a major title”, states Arena CEO Ahmet Öner. “So, you cannot choose your opponent. But I think Sinan would have beaten all three of them. He wants to win the Europe an title for the second time and I am pretty sure that he will.”

“I am happy and proud to have this chance”, says Sinan. “Especially as the fight will be in Turkey. I want to win the title not only for me but for all my friends and fans in the whole country.”

The co-main event of the night will be long estimated clash between heavyweight sensation Odlanier Solis and former world champion Francois Botha.

On his way to Istanbul, Solis beat Harry Duiven Jr., from Netherlands. “I heard there was some critique on me not knocking out this Dutch kid”, says Solis.

“What most people don’t know is that this fight has been my first sparring for Botha. To me it was not a real contest and I hadn’t prepared for the fight. Nonetheless, I felt good in the ring. You will see a different Odlanier Solis in Istanbul.”

Also on the card will be former WBO Heavyweight and reigning WBC International Cruiserweight Champion Herbie Hide, former WBO Heavyweight Champion Henry Akinwande, EBA interim middleweight champion Mahir “Lion” Oral, Olympic Silver Medallist Atagün Yalcinkaya and many more.