16.11.06 – By Per Ake Persson: EBU heavy champ Vladimir Virchis from Ukraine but promoted by Universum in Germany defends the title against Russian Dennis Bakhtov January 13 in Halle an der Saale. Virchis was originally to have defended the title December 2 in Berlin. Official challenger for Virchis is his stablemate Luan Krasniqi..
The African Warrior, Evans Ashíra, returns to action on Bettina Palle´s show November 24 in Copenhagen. Ashira takes on tough Belgian veteran Mike Algoet. Evans is currently in Aarhus, Denmark, sparring with Reda Zam Zam, who headlines the show defending the WBA I/C jr middle title against Brazilian Mike Miranda.
Former World and European bantam champ Alphonso Halimi has passed away at the age of 74. Halimi, a three time French amateur champ, turned pro in 1955 and won the World title in 57 with a points win over Italian Mario D´Agata. Halimi retained the title once but lost to Joe Becerra in 59. He then won the EBU title in 1960 in London outpointing Freddie Gilroy; he would lose and regain the title in the years to come. Alphonse retired in 1964 at 41-8-1 and is regarded as one of true greats in French boxing.
New Sweden Boxing Promotion Inc, headed by Robert Nordman, have now received permission to stage a boxing event January 27 in Gothenburg from the Swedish Boxing Federation and it´s special proboxing commission. The application to the local authoroties in Orebro, who handle the martial arts law, is now regarded as complete. A first decision on the matter is expected in December – but look for more to come in regards of rules.
Female Norwegian amateur star Cecilia Braekhus have turned pro with Stonehand Promotions, headed by Helge Waeroy. Braekhus, rated # 1 at 63 kg in the amateurs, was to have participated in the world championships in India but got sidelined with an injury and decided to turn pro. Braekhus thus joins Nikita Dubunin and Andreas Evensen. She will first heal her sore shoulder before any date for her prodebut will be set.
Ebubbekir Bulut won the vacant German middleweight title November 11 with a points win over veteran Janvier Isidor at a Ralf Reiser promotion in Berlin. Jr welter Nico Salzmann outscored Muzaffer Tosun over eight in the chief support in a battle between local fighters.
Belgian Alexandre Polizzi won the vacant BeNeLux jr middle crown with a points win over Kenneth Van Eesvelde in Montignies November 11. Polizzi normally campaigns at 160.
WBA I/C jr middle champ Reda Zam Zam defends the title November 24 at the Falconer Center in Copenhagen against Brazilian Mike Miranda. Also on the bill is WBC, WBA and GBU bantam champ Anita Christensen, welter Christian Bladt, cruiser Anders Hugger, heavyweight Claus Bertino and jr middle Thomas Povlsen.
BoxingEurope, headed by Andrei Gmitruk, promotes in Ostroda, Poland, November 24, with supermiddle Roman Shkarupa on top taking on Belgian Michael Henrotin for the TWBA title. Jr middle Mariusz Cendrowski face Henrotin´s stablemate Jamel Bakhi in a supporting bout.
German jr middle Marco Schulze knocked out Tanzanian Ramadan Miyeyusho in the third to win the vacant IBF I/C title in the headliner of a sold out SES promotion in Oranienburg last night. Cruiser Serdar Sahin took out Dennis Rosendahl in the first in the chief support.
Belorussian lightweight Yuri Romanov knocked out defending champion Juan Carlos Diaz Melero in the third to win the EBU title in Ciudad Real, Spain, November 11.
French veteran Frederic Bonifai won the national crown with a two-round stoppage of Karim Ketoun in Henin-Beaumont also November 11.
Ex-EBU heavy champ Paolo Vidoz won on points over Russian Alexei Osokin in Camisano Vicentino yesterday. It was Vidoz´s first fight since losing the title to Vladimir Virchis in July.