By Per Ake Persson
Former two-time world title challenger Francesco Pianeta (32-2-1) is now promoted by Petko´s LMS Box Promotion in Munich (Germany) and begins the long way back November 5 when he takes on the dangerous Timur Stark (a/k/a Musafarov, 8-2).
Musafarov impressed in Hamburg this weekend when he knocked out Christian Lewandowski. While small for a heavyweight, Timur has the heart of a lion and keeps coming and would be a tough opponent for most of the big boys on the European circuit.
Pianeta did relatively well against Wladimir Klitschko before getting stopped but flopped badly against Ruslan Chagaev and was knocked out in the first round. In Stark he will get tested and needs to put it together to keep his career alive.
Also on the Munich bill is Avner Yilderim (13-0) vs Schiller Hyppolite (21-1).
IN OTHER NEWS - LAS VEGAS, NEV. -- Remaining tickets to the world championship fight between boxing's only eight-division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade, Senator MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (58-6-2, 38 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, and defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion JESSIE VARGAS (27-1, 10 KOs), from Las Vegas, can be purchased online at http://www.unlvtickets.com/, at UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas and La Bonita Supermarkets and charged by phone call 702-739-FANS (3267) or 866-388-FANS (3267). The Thomas & Mack Center box office will reopen on Thursday. The Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is playing host to the third and final presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions and Wynn Las Vegas, the Pacquiao vs. Vargas world championship event will take place on Saturday, November 5, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Remaining tickets are priced at $1,000, $700, $500, $300, $100 and $50, not including applicable service fees.
"Our ticket sales are great with Las Vegas fighters on this card in significant world championship fights. Fans in Las Vegas can still buy their tickets online or by phone," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. "And to Mr. Trump's chagrin, the only drug testing taking place at Thomas & Mack, between now and November 5, will be the ones given by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to the fighters on the Pacquiao - Vargas card."
Pacquiao vs. Vargas, and its three co-main event world title fights, will be produced and distributed live by Top Rank® Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT, and will be available on all conventional platforms, including all major cable and satellite systems, as well as Top Rank's digital distribution via www.TopRank.tv and mobile devices.