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Former IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko (28-4, 22KOs), 32-years-old, will return on February 22nd in his native Ghana, facing Luis Melendez (34-8-1, 25KOs) for the vacant title of the International Boxing Organization. Agbeko broke away from promoter Don King and is now a free agent. The promotional troubles kept him away from the ring since a decision loss to Abner Mares in December 2011.
Heavyweight prospect Artur Szpilka (12-0, 9 KOs) is getting ready for his showdown with veteran Mike Molla (20-3-1, 12KOs) on February 1 at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago. After the clash with Mollia, there is the possibility of a fight with fellow Polish prospect Krzysztof Zimnoch (13-0-1, 10 KOs). The fight with Zimnoch has reportedly been rumored for the big event in Poland on February 23rd, which features the return of Andrew Golota in the main event.
The IBF's super middleweight situation is still unresolved. Carl Froch has a mandatory defense due to Adonis Stevenson (19-1, 16KOs). Froch's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is trying to reach an agreement with Sauerland Event for a rematch with WBA "regular" champion Mikkel Kessler. The IBF would likely approve a unification between Froch and Kessler. If a deal is not reached, or the IBF rejects the exception request, Froch would be forced to face Stevenson or vacate his title.
Promoter Jean Bedard of InterBox is currently in negotiations with Top Rank to secure Kelly Pavlik as the next opponent for former super middleweight champion Lucian Bute. Pavlik was scheduled to fight WBC/WBA champion Andre Ward, who fell out due to a shoulder injury. Bute has a rematch clause to face IBF champion Carl Froch, but the English is close to a deal to face WBA "regular" king Mikkel Kessler.
Former super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (31-1, 24KOs) says the rematch with Carl Froch could "take place in the fall." Bute was stopped by Froch in five rounds on May 26th. There was a rematch clause for a return bout in Montreal. Both fighters have already taken interim-fights. Bute won a tough decision over Denis Grachev at a catch-weight of 170-pounds, and Froch knocked out Yusaf Mack.
In June, Polish heavyweight Albert Sosnowski (47-5-2, 28 KOs) took part in an international Prizefighter tournament in the UK. After beating Maurice Harris in the first match, he was eliminated in the second round when he lost a three round decision to Kevin Johnson.
WBA "regular" super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler (46-2, 35KOs) is responding back to the recent statements that were made by Andre Ward (26-0, 14KOs), holder of the WBC and WBA super title. Ward said Kessler and IBF champion Carl Froch are avoiding the possibility of facing him for a second time. Ward decisioned both fighters in the Super Six tournament. Kessler and Froch are likely going to face each other in a 2013 rematch.
Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya is very interested in making a match between WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13KOs) and Leo Santa Cruz (23-0-1, 13KOs), the unbeaten IBF champion at bantamweight. Santa Cruz saw action five times in 2012, eclipsing the busy schedule of super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, who fought four times. Mares wants to unify with Donaire, but the feud between their promoters is preventing the match from happening.
Former champion David Haye is mentally focused on getting WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in the ring in 2013. There is a good possibility that Vitali will retire and pursue a full-time career in politics. If Vitali decides to retire and the belt becomes vacant - and then the vacant belt was captured by either Tyson Fury (20-0, 14KOs) or David Price (15-0, 13KOs) in the next twelve months - Haye says there wouldn't be any interest in fighting either of them.
WBC silver super middleweight champion James DeGale (14-1, 9KOs) believes he has what it takes to defeat IBF beltholder Carl Froch (30-2, 22KOs). DeGale has closely followed the career of Froch, and has a lot of respect for the Nottingham star, but also sees exposable flaws. DeGale wants to stay busy in 2013, with at least four to five fights against good opponents. Once that stretch of activity takes place, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to fight Froch if the chance came around.