European Boxing News

By Per Ake Persson
AMI Production, headed by Michel Acaries, have cancelled their big April 27 promotion. Instead the mainbouts, European Super Middle champ David Gogiya´s defence against Cristian Sanavia and Christophe Rodriguez vs. Jose Lopez Bueno for the vacant European Union Flyweight title will take place June 1 in Ajaccio on the island of Corsica along with Andrea Sarritzu´s already scheduled defence against Bernard Inom.

WBO Light heavy champ Zsolt Erdei is reportedly defending the title June 16 in Budapest. In the co-headliner, cruisers Valery Brudov and Firat Arslan could clash for the WBA interim title.

French bantam David Guerault has announced his retirement. Guerault, a former European Fly and bantam champ, suffered an upset loss to Fernando Guevara in Madrid March 27. David goes out at 33-4.

Swedish jr light Shadi Hamsho, 9-0, will fight in Las Vegas, NV, May 4.

Marco Huck´s IBF cruiserweight eliminator against Vadim Tokarev has been moved back to May 26 after the 22-year-old was flattened by a stomach flu. Captain Huck (18-0, 14 KOs) was originally scheduled to take on the unbeaten Russian on May 5 in his hometown of Bielefeld. “Marco got sick last week and complained about stomach problems,” coach Ulli Wegner revealed. “He went to see a doctor who then made the diagnosis.”

Huck was forced to pull out of practice for a couple of days before returning today. “In this crucial tune-up period the break was fatal,” Wegner added. “Of course he would have loved to fight on May 5, but as his coach I could not take responsibility for this. He needs to be in prime shape for such an important and tough fight.” The three-week delay will also affect the venue – a new one has yet to be named.

Huck remained upbeat despite the postponement. “I am disappointed not to fight in front of my home fans but I hope for the crowd´s support in the new city,” he stated. “I will do all I can to win on May 26. And then I´ll try to convince my management that the world title fight will take place in Bielefeld.”

Pugnus Boxing Promotion announced today their plans for the show September 15 at the Lofbergs Lila Arena (9000 seats for this event) in Karlstad, Sweden. Former heavy champs Riddick Bowe and Bruce Seldon are on for the show. Evander Holyfield is to appear in an exhibition IF he is not near a world title shot. However, when I checked with Donald Tremblay of Main Events how on Evander reallys is the answer was fast and clear: “Not truth to this and you can quote me on it.”
Pugnus (known as Pro Box Event Inc for a few days) have applied to the Martial Arts Delegation to do three fights over six three minute rounds. MAD haven´t approved this yet and if there´s a no then all bouts will be for either four threes or six twos in accordance with the Swedish rules (well, MAD must according to the legislation give their permission to all professional boxing and martial arts events).

From Sweden heavyweights Mikael Lindblad and Johan Thorbjornsson are on as well as jr middle Daniel Hartwig and welter Benjamin Kalinovic. NY-based female middleweight Aasa Sandell will be featured in another WBE titlefight and Pugnus have signed her up for the next two years with the goal set on Laila Ali.

Norwegian superbantam Reidar Walstad, currently in London for sparring for the show May 4 in Helsinki, could also be on the show.

There will all in all be ten fights on the show.

Pugnus? I was told it´s “fist” but in latin. The company is headed by Anders Holmberg, Kjell Tuvemark and Benny Rosen.