21.11.06- By Per Ake Persson: Cuban heavy Juan Carlos Gomez, fresh off his one-year suspension, returns “home” to Hamburg where he started his pro career and will co-headline Arena Box Promotion´s show on December 15. Arena had first planned to have the show at a venue on the outskirts of the town but with Gomez on the bill they will now do it at the Sporthalle. Gomez, former WBC champ at cruiser, will take on former IBF king in the same weight division, American Kelvin Davis..
In the other headliner middleweight Mahir Oral will square off against Italian Domenico Spada in a defence of the EU title and with the vacant WBC Int´l belt at stake. Heavyweight prospect Steffen Kretschmann will both fight at a show in Koblenz December 2 and if all goes well he will be on this show as well.
Danish promoter Bettina Palle has announced a show on the very same date in Slagelse headlined by local lightweight Martin Kristjansen, who will defend the WBO I/C title. Evans Ashira might go for the IBF I/C 154 lb crown on that bill but must first get past Belgian veteran Mike Algoet on Friday (Nov 24) in Copenhagen.
Boxing Europe promotes as previously reported a show in Ostrova November 24 and will stage its final promotion December 16 in Poznan with big heavyweight Mariusz Wach shooting for the vacant TWBA title. Headlining the Nov 24 show is supermiddle Roman Shkarupa taking on Belgian Michael Henrotin.
Russian welter Marat Khuzeev stopped unknown Egyptian Tarek Ablazim November 17 in St Petersburg to win the vacant IPBF title. IPBF? Interregional Professional Boxing Federation that is.
Cruiser Ali Ismaylov fight Brazilian Luciano Torres for the WBO Latino title December 16 in Baku, Azerbadjan. Spanish welter Amaro Dialo is in against Russian Roman Lubachev in the chief support.
The Gerry-Weber-Stadion in Halle/Westfalen is just about sold out for the comeback from heavyweight Axel Schulz, who takes on American Brian Minto, November 25, reports German news agency dpa. Sold out means about 12 000 tickets and televising network RTL plans for a big show – not boxing wise though as there are only four supporting bouts. MC will be Michael Buffer.
Ex-heavy champ Vitali Klitschko states at klitschko.com that the rumors of his comeback are just rumors.
Check out the European ratings at britishboxing.net. It´s put together by one of the best in the business, Eric Armit.