By Per Ake Persson
EBU President and WBC vice president Ruben Martinez could be facing up to three years in jail and a big fine if he is found guilty by a Spanish court for the charges brought against him with respect to money that is claimed to have "disappeared" from the Spanish Federation. The trial took place on March 29, but the investigation against Martinez began in the fall of 2003 and also involves the President of Spanish Federation, Justo Vazquez Marcos and Margarita Rodriguez Monastina, the secretary of the Federation. The Spanish Federation controls both amateur and professional boxing and receives substantial support from the government. A verdict is expected next week.
Former WBC and EBU jr middleweight champ Eckhard Dagge has passed away in a hospital in Hamburg - close to the Ritze nightclub and gym where he used to train - at the age of 58 due to cancer. Dagge had last year sought treatment for his alcoholism and during the medical checkup he was diagnosed with cancer.
Dagge was a good amateur and fought in the 71 European championships losing to Manfred Wolke, representing East Germany. He turned pro in 1973 and became German champ in his sixth fight, then he challenged EBU champ Jose Duran after only 18 months as a pro, but lost. In 75 he beat Duran for the EBU title, lost it in 76 to Vito Antuofermo. Later that year he became WBC champ by beating Elisha Obed and defended the title against Emile Griffith, he lost it in 77 to Rocky Mattioli. He retired in 78, but came back in 81 and won three straight before getting stopped by Brian Anderson.
Dagge was just as famous for his wild lifestyle and his statement on his drinking is still alive: "There are many champions who have become alcoholics but I´m the only alcoholic who became a world champion."
Dagge remained in boxing and had a good reputation as trainer and worked during the early 90´s with Dariusz Michalczewski but eventually his drinking got the better of him although he was clean for long spells as well. I spoke with him a few times at boxing events in broken English and German and he came across as a nice and knowledgeable guy and always seemed to be in good shape - but I also met him at the Ritze one evening and let´s say just say he wasn´t the same and leave it at that. Rest in peace, champ.
Norwegian Thomas Hansvoll, 25-3-1, has announced plans for a comeback. Hansvoll began his career as a super middleweight and challenged then WBA light heavyweight champ Bruno Girard in 2002, but if the comeback comes off, he will campaign at heavyweight.
If Hungarian jr lightweight Janos Nagy, who is rumored to face WBO champ Jorge Barrios at a date to be determined, goes through with his tuneup April 22 in Paks - he might face Russian Eugeni Strausov.
Heavies Timo Hoffman, Alexander Povetkin and Oleg Platov are all on the undercard to Klitschko vs Byrd on April 22 in Mannheim.
Swedish welterweight Isam Khalil, 13-0-2, returns to action after a lengthy layoff on June 3 in Trenton, NJ. Khalil last fought in January of 2004.
Comebacking Danish promoter Anders Vester has been forced to postpone his planned April 22 pro/am show until May 5 due to problems with the amateur federation that no longer allow amateurs to appear with the pros. Vester will now do an all-pro show topped by son Allan, jr welter Dennis Holbaek and possible Evans Ashira with more names added. Site is to be announced.
Norwegian jr welterweight Geir Inge Jörgensen is currently in the Klitschko training camp on the island of Mallorca. Geir Inge will however not fight on the undercard in Mannheim on April 22.
French jr middleweight Christophe Canclaux and cruiserweight Marco Huck will both be on the undercard to WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev´s June 3 defense in Hannover.