By Per Ake Persson
Botha vs who: Not a word from promoter Eddie Bazira in Uganda about the change of date and opponent for WBFederation´s heavyweight champ Francois Botha´s February 27 defense in Kampala against Joey Abell. However, the story gets better than that because in Las Vegas Sterling McPherson says he's got a contract with Botha and will try and stage the fight against Evander Holyfield over there but "the deal isn´t completed yet".
Botha vs Abell February 27 in Kampala? "Just bull**it" says McPherson. "I got a contract with Botha, end of story!"
When this reporter tried to suggest that many have confirmed Botha vs Abell, Mr. McPherson replied: "didn't you hear what I just to told you?"
Howard Goldberg, President of the WBFederation, says the story of Botha fighting Abell is completely rubbish and that the Uganda event fell through due to lack of funds.
According to Goldberg, based in South Africa, a venue in Las Vegas will be confirmed Monday and "at present Botha vs Holyfield remains on, with a date in March to be confirmed". Ken Sanders, representing Holyfield, told this reporter Tuesday the fight with Botha was off but that a fight on March 6 was being worked on with a second set up for April 24. Sanders was well aware of that Botha vs Abell was on (or claimed to be on). It deserves to be noticed that Botha vs Holyfield on for February 20 in Kampala had been up on the WBFederation website until it was pointed out by yours truly.
It´s a been a bit overlooked but WBO I/C light heavyweight champ Karo Murat, 20-0, defends the title against Sean Corbin in a supporting bout to Sylvester vs Lyall on Saturday in Neubrandenburg. Off the show due to illness is cruiser Alexander Frenkel, who was to have fought Michael Simms, who beat Martin Kempf on his last visit to Germany.
Newly crowned Finnish heavyweight champ Jarno Rosberg have tested positive for an illegal substance following his win over Juho Haapoja in November but there are questionmarks around the doping procedure. The Finnish Federation will decide on the matter February 1.
Danish lightweight Martin Kristjansen now fights Felix Lora, from the Dominican Republic but fighting out of Spain, on the undercard to Larsen vs Magee in Aarhus on Saturday.
Rachid El-Hadak´s defence of the French cruiser title against Zakaria Azzaoui is postponed from February 10 until March 4 with site remaining Hyeres.
