By Per Ake Persson

Former EU heavyweight champ Francesco Pianeta has asked to be released from his contract with Team Sauerland, and general manager Chris Meyer has advised that his company agreed to let him go. The contract was set to expire on December 30, 2011.
 
Pianeta is 23-0-1 with a well protected record - Francesco showed, at times, great talent but sometimes fought as if his head was elsewhere.  For instance the split decision win for Pianeta against Paolo Ferrara in their first match, which was nothing short of a gift from the judges. He won the rematch and made a move to Berlin and Ulli Wegner as trainer seemed to help
 
Late in 2009, Pianeta was diagnosed with cancer but came back a year later and won three comeback fights. His future plans are not known.