By Per Ake Persson

 

German heavyweight Steffen Kretschmann, 14-1, has extended his contract with Arena Box Promotion until 2014. Kretschmann suffered a one-round stoppage against Dennis Bakhtov this past summer but is looking for a rematch.

 

Swiss promotional outfit BoxingKings presented a big show on December 26 in Berne topped by two EE-EU titlefights. Local man Yves Studer, a middleweight, retained the title with a unanimous decision over Andrey Salakhutdzinau while Belorus light heavy weight Mahamed Aripgadzhiev took out Mohamed Belkacem in the tenth round to keep his crown.

 

WIBF haspresented its Hall of Fame for 2009 with Korean Kim Ju Hee the only non-German based lady. The others are Natascha Ragosina, Susi Kentikian, Ina Menzer and Maria Lindberg. Regina Halmich have been named honorary President beginning in March 2010.

 

There appears to be financial problems with Francois Botha´s defense of the WBFederation heavyweight title against Evander Holyfield set for January 16 in Kampala, Uganda. It´s still not officially postponed but on the other hand there has not been a word about the show, the undercard, PPV or TV.

 

Arena Box Promotion is now officially based in Duisburg but still has a gym and office in Hamburg. Former EBU welterweight champ Selcuk Aydin is currently training in Duisurg and in Turkey former EBU heavyweight champ Sinan Samil Sam is planning to come back early next year.

 

Lightweights Hoang Sang Nguyen and Rudy Encarnacion clash for the vacant EU title January 16 in Madrid with Rimer Boxe Promoting. Both men are based in Spain.