European Boxing News: Erdei, Francis, Inkin, Wilaschek, Stieglitz, Maidana

By Per Ake Persson

It´s not officially announced by Universum, but in Hungary it´s a well publicized fact that WBO Light Heavy Champ Zsolt Erdei defends the title in Germany January 10, probably against Brit Champion Dean Francis and WBO Super Middle ruler Denis Inkin makes his first defence against Hungarian Karoly Balzsay.

OPI 2000 have welters Luciano Abis and Yacine Chaouou headlining their show in Cagliari November 11 with the WBC Mediterranean title at stake. In the chief support, flyweight Andrea Sarritzu takes on Alain Bonnel.

Serbian junior middle Nikola Stevanovic is injured following a car accident and won´t fight against Alexander Abraham for the EE-EU title in Oldenburg October 25 and may be out for as long as six months. Abraham will still be on the show, but against who isn´t clear yet.

Romain Jacob, son of former world super bantam champ Thierry Jacob, makes his prodebut October 31 in Calais against Slovakian Ladislav Nemeth.

The Luk as Wilaschek, 22-0, vs Robert Stieglitz.32-2, fight for the vacant WBC International super middle title won´t go ahead November 22 in Rostock as previously planned but will headline a Spotlight Boxing promotion December 9 in Solden, Austria.

Finnish junior middle Mika Joensuu, 11-1, lost to Pole Damian Jonak Saturday in Zabrze, Poland. Joensuu was retired by his corner after a knockdown and afterward suprisingly announced his retirement. Mika realize the step to world class is too big and doesn’t want to be stuck at European level, said manager Markku Pirinen.

Retired Austrian middle Frans Csandl celebrated his 60th birthday late September in a restaurant owned by another Austrian great of yesteday, Ferdinand Pachler. On hand were the likes of Johann Orsolics, Frans Dorfer, Teddy Schall and Nayim Mayegun. Csandl lost to future world champs Jose Manuel Duran and Eckhard Dagge in European title fights in the mid-70´s.

The annual show in Izegem November 1 is headlined by Ayoub Nefzi and Michel Recloux in a battle for the Belgian junior middle title and Dutch junior light Innocent Anyanwu taking on Hovhannes Zhamkochyan for the BeNeLux belt.

Argentinian junior welter puncher Rene Maidana takes on American Paul Delgado on the Sturm vs. Sylvester bill November 1 in Oberhausen.