21.05.06 – By Per Ake Persson: French feather Cyril Thomas was stopped just six weeks ago by a bad cut in his fight against Mohamed Benbiou. The cut was apparently not 100% healed yet and Thomas was in a hurry to end matters against compatriot Karim Ketoun, who stepped in at ten days notice for Alberto Servidei, last night (May 20) in St Quentin. Cyril knocked out Ketoun in the second to win the vacant EBU title..
On the undercard middleweight Thierry Karl won the French title with a controversial technical decision over Frank Mezaache. Karl built an early lead but was caught in the sixth round, went down and was badly cut – but it was ruled an accidental clash of heads had caused the cut and he got the decision.
IBC heavy champ Tomasz Bonin knocked out Brazilian Adenilson Rodrigues in the third round in Ketrzyn May 20 in front of 2500 fans at the sold out arena. Hammer Knockout headed by Andrew Wasilevski may now sign Bonin to a promotional deal with Don King Productions. In the chief support welter Rafael Jackiewicz stopped Yuri Tsybenko in the fifth round.
Italian jr middle Sven Paris is now signed with Rosanna Conti Cavini. Paris have previously been with the Cotena & Oliva outfit.
Norwegians Nikita Dubunin and Andreas Evensen both scored wins over their Slovakian opponents Friday night in Torrevieja, Spain. Dubunin, at jr middle, knocked out Patrik Prokopecz in the third of a scheduled six-rounder while Evensen, a jr light, won a unanimous decision over Stefan Berza in another six-rounder.
Ukrainian heavy Alexander Dimitrenko headlines a Universum show in Oberhausen July 29.
Headlining boxing.de´s part of the Spotlight show in Ptuj, Slovenia, May 23, is cruiser Firat Arslan defending the WBO I/C title against Hungarian Gabor Halasz. The EuroSport part of the bill have SES´ welter Jan Zaveck on top.
Sauerland Event´s heavyweight prospects Rene Dettweiler and Francesco Pianeta both scored stoppage wins last night in Rome. Dettweiler stopped Czech David Vicena in the eighth round while Pianeta took out Dirk Mandelarz in the first. Cruiser Vicenzo Cantatore headlined and won a unanimous decision over Luxemburger Jean Claude Bikoi.
Latvian heavy Edgar Kalnars headlines the third Friday Night Fights show in Potsdam June 2 when he takes on German Mario Schmidt.