Former EU heavyweight champ Francesco Pianeta have asked to be released from his contract with Team Sauerland and general manager Chris Meyer say they agreed to let him go. The contract was to have expired December 30, 2011. Pianeta is 23-0-1 in a well protected record – Francesco showed at times great talent but sometimes fought as if his head was elsewhere. For instance the split decision win for Pianeta against Paolo Ferrara the first time they fought was nothing short of a gift from the judges. He won the rematch and a move to Berlin and Ulli Wegner as trainer seemed to help Late in 2009 Pianeta was diagnosed with cancer but came back a year later and won three comeback fights. His future plans are not known