superpressmedia.com – a German PR company – have made a survey asking which heavyweight out there that can beat the Klitschkos, Wladimir and Vitali. 41,4 % replied that Alexander Povetkin can be the man. Ruslan Chagaev finished second and David Haye third. J C Gomez, who I personally feel have what it takes to beat Vitali Klitschko, only got 6,5 % of the votes.
27-year old French amateur star Ali Hallab have finally decided to turn pro and have signed with Ami Production. Hallab makes his prodebut March 5 in Paris. Ali participated in the Olympic Games 04 and 08, won silver in the European championships in Pula 04 and a bronze in the World champions 05. Hallab will campaign at bantam as he´s done in the amateurs.
Hamlet Petrosian, from Armenia but now fighting out of Switzerland, defends the IBF I/C jr middle title February 13 in Carouge against South African Vincent Vuma.
Kessler-Larsen update: WBA supermiddle champ Mikkel Kessler came back from vacation in Thailand last week and signed according to Danish media the proposed contract from Team Palle for a fight against Mads Larsen. However, with the contract came a side-contract with demands such as that the fight against Larsen would be his last for Team Palle where manager Bettina Palle have a contract for another year and Mogens Palle have an option for three voluntary defences. Sauerland Event, who have Mads Larsen under exclusive promotional contract, insist on having Kessler vs Larsen as a co-promotion with Palle, who wants it as an exclusive Team Palle promotion. Meanwhile, Mads Larsen insist on having Kessler as opponent (having previously turned down a shot at IBF titleholder Lucian Bute) have told media Sauerland Event should let go of their demands for a joint venture. Sauerland´s CEO, Chris Meyer, insist on a co-promotion though due to the heavy investments from their side in resurrecting Larsen.
Adrian Diaconu´s defence of the WBC lightheavy title against Italian veteran Silvio Branco could now go ahead April 10 in Rome with OPI 2000 promoting.
Former EBU jr middle champ Davide Ciarlante from Italy is coming back after eight years out. Ciarlante first comeback fight is set for March 27 in Palestrina. Ciarlante, 26-2, challenged Keith Mullings for the WBC title back in 98.
04.02 Euro News
