By Per Ake Persson

On June 5th in Berlin, Germany, local hero Ali Yilderim stopped Czech Jindrich Velecky in ten to win the vacant WBB 175 lb title. Velecky was behind on points, had injured his right arm and retired between the ninth and tenth rounds. Yilderim, trained by Werner Papke, showed improvements, was patient, picked his moments and was in full control against a muscular, strong, previously unbeaten (5-0) opponent.

Muzaffer Tosun, another local hero, outscored Czech Zsolt Botos over eight fastpaced rounds. Tosun suffered a flash knockdown early in the fight but got stronger as the fight progressed.

Polish heavy Volodia Lazebnik can box pretty well but can´t punch much and allowed Pavel Habr, too brave for his own good, to last into the fourth before it was stopped.

The show was staged at the Sporthalle Schoeneberg by Adil Clifti and partners. It was at this venue future world title challenger Nikolai Valuev began his career. Valuev will by the way not, repeat not, take part in an "interim" titlefight as indicated in yesterday´s report but may participate in an eliminator before challenging WBA heavy champ John Ruiz.

Jr middle Marco Schulze headlines a small hall show in Berlin June 18 before taking on Austrian Gotthard Hinteregger July 9 in Magdeburg.

EBU welter champ Oktay Urkal defends against Dane Thomas Damgaard September 3 in Berlin. There was to have been purse bids today (June 6) in Rome but the parties reached an agreement. Damgaard will first take on Kenyan Stephen Chungu June 17 in Aarhus.

WBA 126 lb champ Chris John´s promoters have began negotiations with Dane Spend Abazi for a possible defense in late summer or early fall. Abazi is also on Team Palle´s June 17 show and fights Geoffrey Munica.

Sauerland Event´s June 11 show in Kempten toppped by Hoffmann vs Sprott (EBU heavy) and Sam vs Okhello (WBC Int´l heavy) also features jr middle Alexander Abraham vs Frenchman Majid Ben Driss, cruiser Marco Huck against Tipton Walker and heavy Rene Dettweiler is in against Robert Kooser.

Serbian Ljubisa Simic, an amateur standout and later a fine pro, closed out - or so it´s claimed - his long career with a third round knockout against Bulgarian Krasimir Dimitrov June 3 at home in Smederevo with 5000 fans in attendance.

Swiss jr light Erdal Kiran outscored Bulgarian veteran Kirkor Kirkorov June 3 in Geneve over twelve to win the NBA I/C title.