By Per Ake Persson

Boxing in Belgium kicks off 2014 with a bang as featherweight Alex Miskirtchian, 23-2-1, take on Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht, 27-2-1, in an IBF eliminator tomorrow (Jan 11) in Liege on an Alain Vanackere promotion. Miskirtchian, who relinqushed the EBU title for this chance, is # 3 in the IBF ratings while Takoucht is # 5. It´s also a rematch and Alex won the first encounter in France in 2011 on a close, split decision in what was reported as a fight of the year candidate in Europe.