06.06.06 – By Per Ake Persson: According to TeamPalle.dk, Showtime executives Ken Hersmann and Matthew C Blank were in Copenhagen last week to discuss a possible showcasing of WBA Suppermiddle champ Mikkel Kessler. Showtime is looking for European talents that can be introduced in the US..
Newly crowned EBU 160 lb “Idi” Amin Asikainen has hit the big time at home in Finland and will appear on four different TV shows this week. Manager and trainer Pekka Maeki, the son of Finland´s last -prior to Amin – EBU champ, Olli Maeki, will on Friday meet with TV executives and sponsors to decide on the next move. Mandatory challenger Javier Castillejo is occupied with a shot at WBA ruler Felix Sturm July 15 which means a voluntary defence probably can be squeezed in.
Polish welter Rafael Jackiewicz takes on Chilean Joel Mayo June 10 in Kedziernzyn Kozle. Mayo, based and licensed in Austria, comes off a retirement loss to slick Russian Sergey Sorokin as late as May 29 but have been declared medically fit for another fight less than two weeks later. On the same show Don King Production´s Ukrainian heavy Wolodnia Lazebnik squares off against Latvian Aleksander Borhovs. Tomasz Bonin is in against Alexander Subin in another heavyweight fight. Lightweight Matt Zegan, who was to have headlined this show is off the bill and could have a very important fight coming up for Hammer Knockout´s July 1 show.
The all Spanish showdown between EU superbantam champ Kiko Martinez and Miguel Mallon that was set for July 14 in Alicante is postponed after Mallon suffered a foot injury in a car accident. Martinez will now defend against someone else July 14 and the Mallon fight could be happening in October.
EBU fly champ Ivan Pozo takes on Italian Andrea Sarritzu July 21 in Cagliari with OPI 2000 promoting.
Elite Box Promotion´s former trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick is now heading back to the States and will train Laila Ali for her August 5 fight in South Africa. Paddy will also work with Kelsey Jeffries.
Norwegian jr welter Geir Inge Jorgensen is finally, after months of being stuck with visa problems, at the Kronk gym in Detroit and have sparred with Jermain Taylor. There are almost daily updates – in Norwegian only – at gijorgensen.com
Swedish welter Isam Khalil´s US debut June 3 in Trenton, NJ, ended with a fourth round knockout loss to Doel Carrasquillo but Isam have been invited back for a rematch. “Isam boxed beautifully and did a number on his opponent until he was caught by a left hook at the end of the fourth” says trainer Leif Carlsson.