By Per Ake Persson

43-year old veteran Gianluca Branco won the vacant EU jr. welterweight title this past Saturday night in Civitavecchia with a unanimous decision over Pole Krzysztof Bienias. The judges had it 117-111, 117-113 and 116-113. Older brother Silvio, 46, is also still around and there are rumors of another showdown against Giacobbe Fragomeni. Both Branco brothers are promoted by OPI 2000.

 

French feather Sofiane Takoucht won the vacant EU title with a split decision win over Italian Davide Dieli November 9 in Celano. Takoucht won on scores of 115-113 and 116-113 while third judge had it 116-114 for Dieli. Takoucht lost the EBU title to Alex Miskirtchian last year and then tested positive for a forbidden substance - a painkiller - but was never suspended.