By Alexey Sukachev
Rising Belgian prospect Bilal Laggoune (19-0-1, 9 KOs) is a new challenger for a vacant European cruiserweight title. The announcement was posted on the official portal of the European Boxing Union (EBU). Laggoune’s opponent for a blue belt is Ukrainian’s Dmytro Kucher. Both parties have to come to an agreement until the noon of June 9. If no agreement is reached, a purse bid will follow.
European cruiserweight title got vacant this month after its previous holder Rakhim Chakhkiev chose to fight for a vacant IBO title instead (and as a part of business relationship between the IBF and the IBO – also for a better rank within the IBF) and won it on the kayo against Junior Anthony Wright.
WBC #8 Dmytro Kucher (22-1, 16 KOs) was previously scheduled to fight Chakhkiev on May 30 as a part of a huge British PPV card. Kucher, 30, has scored a single win since dropping a majority decision to the world-rated Congolese Ilunga Makabu in July 2013.
He is fighting next tomorrow at Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, USA, versus 33-year old veteran Bobby Thomas Jr. (14-3-1, 9 KOs) in what seems to be a tune-up bout for the Ukrainian.
His 22-year old official opponent is a holder of the EBU-EU cruiserweight title but his toughest opponent to date was 10-3 Croatian Stjepan Vugdelija. He will have to jump well over his head against Kucher.