European Boxing News: Asikainen, Klose, Cunningham, Bonsu, Canclaux

ByBoxing Press

By Per Ake Persson

Finn Amin Asikainen has relinquished his position as mandatory challenger for the European Union middleweight title. Amin is expected to be named mandatory challenger for the European title held by Sebastian Sylvester, who is 1-1 against Asikainen, as Javier Castillejo, the current official contender, figures in a WBA eliminator against Mariano Carrera November 13.

“We want Sylvester vs Asikainen III in Helsinki”, says Asikainen´s manager Pekka Mäki. Asikainen will not fight on P 3 Boxing´s show in Helsinki December 7.

Frenchman Frederik Klose and Ukrainian Vyacheslav Nuzhenkio will fight for the WBA interim welter title December 8 in Cannet, France. On the same bill WBA lightfly ruler Juan Carlos Reveco defends against Brahim Asloum.

Sauerland Event won purse bids earlier this week for IBF cruiser champ Steve Cunningham´s defence against Marco Huck. The winning bid was for 425,000 USD as compared to 405,000 USD from Don King. Date and site will be announced soon.

German Willi Zeller and Frank Shabani both have spots on the undercard to Bento vs Nagy November 20 in Vilamoura, Portugal. Zeller, a heavyweight, takes on Brazilian Adenilson Rodriguez while Shabani, at welter, faces an opponent to be announced.

Italian junior middle Sven Paris returns to the US and fights Said Ouali in California November 30.

European welter champ Jackson Osei Bonsu could be defending the title at home in Antwerp, Belgium, early January. The plan is then to make another defence before heading for the US and bigger fights.

French junior middle Christophe Canclaux squares off against Steve Conway on the Mormeck vs Haye bill on November 10 in Paris.

Italian light heavy champ Dante Cichello defends the title against Francesco Versaci November 16 in Pisa. Welter Luciano Abis squares off against Hungarian Laszlo Komjathi on the undercard.

WBC # 1 heavy and former European champ Wladimir Virchis fights American Robert Hawkins November 17 in Magdeburg, Germany on the undercard to Dimitrenko vs Hoffmann.

German heavy Rene Dettweiler is sidelined with a broken hand. Dettweiler should have fought Miyan Solomons on Sauerland Event´s show in Erfurt on October 27 but had to pull out. Stablemate Oleg Platov substituted and took apart Solomons in two.

Italian welter Giammario Grassellini takes on undefeated Irishman Paul McCloskey December 8 in Belfast on the Duddy vs Eastman bill.

Danish promoter Robert Larsen has signed up Swedish-based Sam Rukundo. Rukondo could be making his debut for Larsen Boxing on November 24 in Gilleleje.

French light heavy Christophe Dettinger won the national title Tuesday night in Massy with a majority decision over much more experienced Kamel Amrane. In the co-feature, Malik Bouziane won the bantam belt with a win over John Bikai.