16.06.06 – By Per Ake Persson: Dutch middle Raymond Joval, reigning IBO champ, is back in training after his bad neck injury. Joval was all set to challenge IBF ruler Arthur Abraham in May but was forced to pull out. Joval is still not fully recovered and there´s no date for his comeback. Loreni Boxe promotes in Brescia June 18 with Simone Rotolo on top making his debut at middleweight after previously campaigning at 154. Rotolo takes on Romanian journeyman Mugurel Sebe.
The Kimfuta Makusu vs Fabrice Colombel clash set for Brussels June 30 is off after both men suffered injuries.
Elite Box Promotion in Potsdam have signed up former amateur star Nick Klappert, who makes his debut on the Friday Night Fight show at the Blue Box July 14.
The Swedish Parliament passed the new “Martial Arts” law with an overwhelming majority, 188-44, yesterday (June 15). As previously reported it will allow professional boxing, K 1, martial arts etc, only if it is regarded as “safe” by the local authorities. At the same time all contact sports, including amateur boxing, which is what the law makers used as reference when they set the guidelines for what is to be regarded as “safe”, will need a special permission (and they will have to pay for it as well) to stage a show. They will have to apply for this permission 90 days in advance.
The Swedish Boxing Federation, badly hurt by internal feuding, have acted very late in defence of amateur boxing and pretty much left professional boxing behind. Sweden holds a full EBU membership and have a special commission for professional boxing – that is sound asleep with no activity whatsoever. The new law goes into effect September 1 with professional boxing included at the end of the year when it replaces the law that have prohibited proboxing.