By Per Ake Persson
Injured Italian featherweight Alberto Servidei has been replaced by Frenchman Karim Ketoun, # 7 in the EBU ratings, as opponent for Cyril Thomas on May 20 in St Quentin with the vacant EBU 126 lb title at stake. Servidei pulled out with a cut eye on May 8.
WBA champ Felix Sturm´s defense against Spanish veteran Javier Castillejo appears now to be on for July 15 in Germany. Castillejo will at the same time remain official challenger for EBU title holder Sebastian Sylvester, who will make a voluntary defense on June 3 in Hannover, most likely against Finn Amin Asikainen.
Paddy Fitzpatrick, trainer of light heavyweight Kai Kurzawa, who challenges EBU champ Stipe Drews in Munich on May 27, has written to the EBU and pointed out that Drews was guilty of holding Paul Briggs in their WBC eliminator no less than 68 times in nine rounds. Fitzpatrick asks that the clinches, which he feels is a part of Drews´ technique, be reviewed before the fight and adressed. "Drews, a very tall man, seems to be clinching every time his opponent gets past his jabs" states Fitzpatrick, who still feels his man has an exellent chance of winning the title.
EU 122 lb champ Kiko Martinez takes on Miguel Mallon in an all-Spanish matchup on July 14 in Alicante, Spain.
Norwegian jr. welterweight Geir Inge Jorgensen, managed by Emanuel Steward, finally had his US visa problems sorted out and expects to join the team at the Kronk gym next week. Jorgensen hopes to be able to be back in the ring by the end of May.
Lolenga Mock, who challenges WBO I/C light heavyweight champ Lucien Bute on May 16 in Montreal, left Denmark today. I spoke with him yesterday and he sounded very "up" for the fight. "I´m going to kick his ass" was included in his answers to every question I asked.
Jean Louis Mandengue and Madjid Zaim clash for the vacant EU 175 lb title on June 23 in Les Mazures, France.
Ex-champ Henry Maske, one of the biggest names ever in German boxing, will be commentating for ARD during Beyer vs Bika and Abraham vs Jantuah event on May 13. This position is normally held by either Beyer himself or Sven Ottke.
