European Boxing News: Valuev, Chagaev, Murat, Spada, Betare, Kessler

By Per Ake Persson

It´s confirmed: Sauerland Event will stage Nikolai Valuev vs Ruslan Chagaev II on May 30 at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki along with Tailor Events, Live Nation and P3 Boxing.

No official word but Karo Murat´s rumored defence of the European super middle title against Lorenzo Di Giacomo could go ahead here.

It will be the first world title fight held in Finland since 1962 when Davey Moore took out Olli Maeki. Helsinki is, these days, said to have 50,000 Russians residing there and is close to St. Petersburg, where Valuev is from. The Hartwall Arena can, I believe, hold up to 15,000 spectators.

Italian middle Domenico Spada takes on Slovakian Robert Blazo on April 25 in Ancona. Spada just stepped out of a European title fight against champ Khoren Gevor and it´s rumored that he will fight German Sebastian Zbik for an interim version of the WBC title.

Pole Krzysztof Bienias, the WBO Intercontinental champ at welter, will give Sven Paris a rematch and the two square off July 17 in Frosinone. Paris, stopped in nine in what was regarded as an upset in February, will have a tuneup on May 28 in Ravenna.

Russian cruiser Alexander Kotlobay squares off against Czech Lubos Suda on Friday in St. Petersburg. At welter, Daniil Utenkov faces former African Boxing Union champ Hassan Saku, who fights out of Stockholm, Sweden.

Former European middle champ Erland Betare has re-retired after returning last year after being out since 2002. Betare won his two comeback fights but, after having a few other scheduled bouts fall through, he again retired – this time for good. The 37-year old goes out at 37-7-2.

WBA super middle champ Mikkel Kessler is now training in Copenhagen after a month in Spain. Kessler reports he is ready to fight mandatory challenger Gusmyl Perdomo – but the dispute with Team Palle is still not solved and there are no news on the matter.

P4P Box Promotion in Aachen, Germany, headed by retired heavyweight boxer Mario Guedes, stages its biggest show yet May 30 in Aachen with GBU junior middle female champ Jessica Balougun defending the title.