Finland´s former EBU middle champ Amin Asikainen is in full training for the upcoming fight for the now vacant EBU title against Matthew Macklin September 25 in Manchester. Amin have Russians Konstantin Piternov and Gennadyi Martirosyan as sparring partners with Swedish welter Patrick Bogere joining the team today. Trainer and manager Pekka Maeki says things are going well and reveals he will bring Norwegian feather Andreas Evensen and Russian jr welter Dennis Shafikov with the team to Manchester where they will fight on the undercard. Evensen will take on Italian Giampiero Constestabile while opponent for Shafikov isn´t ready yet.
Former WBA heavy champ Ruslan Chagaev will return early next year and have changed trainer from Michael Timm to Magomed Schaburow, who already trains Susianna Kentikian and Denis Inkin.
French bantam Jerome Thomas, for a long time an outstanding amateur – world champ in 01, appeared in the Olympics three times winning bronze 00 and silver 04 – might join the Acaries team. The 30-year old Thomas, 5-0, didn´t turn pro until last year and feels he needs progress fast in order to make it to world class.
Dimitri Sartison finally got a co-challenger to fight for the vacant EBU supermiddle title and it´s Dane Mads Larsen who have accepted the nomination.
Italian cruiser Salvatore Erittu defends the national title September 25 in Porto Torres against veteran Paolo Ferrara.
German cruiser Alexander Frenkel takes on Hungarian Lazlo Hubert on the undercard to Kessler vs Perdomo September 12 in Herning, Denmark. Also on the bill are comebacking Danes Ahmed Kaddour and Kasper Bruun.
Former WBA lightheavy champ Stipe Drews is retired – more or less – but there have been rumors of a comeback as late as this past spring. Drews, 32-2, have been inactive since losing the title to Danny Green in December 07.
Ukrainian supermiddle Vitaly Tsypko is sidelined with a shoulder injury and it will be a few months more before he is ready to return. Tsypko, 22-3-1, lost to Librado Andrade in April in a IBF eliminator.
06.09 Euro News
