European Boxing News: Chagaev, Valuev, Murat, Sylvester, Solis, Hide

By Per Ake Persson

Sauerland Event have acted quickly to the news that WBA Heavyweight Champ Ruslan Chagaev is injured and are asking for either Chagaev to be stripped of the title or to have Valuev allowed to fight for an interim title.

This was the second postponement of the scheduled rematch between Chagaev and Valuev and considering the rumors around the champion, Sauerland are asking for an independent evalutation of Chagaev´s physical status.

European Super Middle champ Karo Murat will defend the title against Spaniard Gabriel Campillo on August 30 or September 20 at a site to be announced in Germany.

European Middleweight Champ Sebastian Sylvester has, since the last update of this column, been named official challenger for WBA Champ Felix Sturm. The winner of Sturm vs Griffin on July 5 has 120 days to defend against Sylvester.

Cuban heavyweight Odlanier Solis is injured and the fight against South African Frans Botha set for July 4 in Ankara is off. On is WBC International Cruiser Champ Herbie Hide, who defends the title against Swiss-Albanian Nuri Seferi. Middleweight Mahir Oral faces Latvian Jurijs Boreiko. The show is headlined by Sinan Samil Sam and Paolo Vidoz in a fight for the European heavyweight title.

The big show planned for Odessa, Ukraine, July 12 is postponed until September after headliner David Tua pulled out.