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WORLD BOXING CLIPS

2011 Brähmer sick; unification off

WBO light heavyweight champion Jurgen Brähmer (36-2, 29 KOs) was forced to pull out of Saturday’s unification clash with WBA champion Beibut Shumenov (10-1, 5 KOs) in Shymkent, Kazakhstan due to an acute gastrointestinal illness. Brähmer and BDB President Thomas Pütz, another member of the five-person German delegation both fell ill. “A few hours after arrival in Shymkent, both came down with severe diarrhea with nausea and severe vomiting which lasted all night,” explained Dr. Michael Ehnert. “This caused severe headaches and abdominal pain. Jürgen was particularly so weakened that he couldn’t train and it’s not possible for him to be able to compete for a world title in a few days. Due to the unclear cause and ambiguous symptoms, it was decided to arrange for an immediate return to Germany this evening to head directly to the hospital after landing for treatment. So far, we have only a vague suspicion of the cause. Jürgen and Thomas Pütz were eating together on Sunday afternoon near the hotel and that evening they complained about the first symptoms, which increased on Monday.”

Promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl stated “This is a big catastrophe, we and above all Jürgen are crestfallen. This fight would have written German boxing history. Now we hope that Jürgen and Thomas become healthy as soon as possible.” The team is scheduled to arrive back in Hamburg tomorrow at 9AM. It is not known if the bout will be rescheduled.

IBF orders Lazarte-Solis rematch

The IBF has ordered an immediate rematch between flyweight champion Luis Lazarte and Ulises “Archie” Solis of their controversial December 18 draw in Mar del Plata, Argentina. After a protest from Zanfer Promotions, the IBF reviewed the tape of the bout in which Lazarte repeatedly fouled Solis. Two judges scored it 113-113, with Solis ahead 117-109 on the third card. The rematch must take place within 120 days and representatives of both fighters have until February 3 to close the negotiations. Zanfer is hoping to promote the rematch in Guadalajara in the month of March.

Judah Vs Mazuba For Vacant Title

Zab Judah has signed to fight Kaizer Mazuba for the vacant IBF welterweight title at the Prudential Center in New Jersey in early March.

Judah earned the right to fight for the title after beating Lucas Matthysse.

The 33 year-old won a split decision points win over the previously unbeaten Matthysse in November.

Mazuba, 23-6-3, earned his opportunity by beating previously unbeaten Sergiy Fedchenko and American Kendall Holt respectively, but hasn’t fought in almost a year.

Rigondeaux to Face Casey March 19

Interim WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, is preparing to school challenger Willie “Big Bang” Casey when they square-off March 19 in Dublin.

The Guillermo-Casey title fight features a pair of unbeaten boxers headlining a show promoted by Top Rank, Nowhere 2 Hyde Promotions and Dolphil Promotions.

Rigondeaux (7-0, 5 KOs), a southpaw now fighting out of Miami, was a 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, as well as a 7-time national champion who captured a pair of World Championship titles during his incredible 243-4 amateur career.

“Rigo” defected from Cuba and made his pro debut May 22, 2009, won the NABA super bantamweight title in his third action as a pro and last November in only his seventh fight, he won a unanimous 12-round split decision against Ricardo Cordoba (37-2-2) to become the Interim WBA 122-pound divisional champion.

“Casey doesn’t belong in the same ring as me,” the 30-year-old Rigondeaux said, “but I admire his courage for wanting to fight me. I’m excited about fighting in Ireland again, where I won my first World Championship as an amateur in 2001. My last fight, against Cordoba, was on the Pacquiao-Margarito card. Millions of people watching on pay-per-view, along with 61,000 fans in Dallas, watched me do what I had to do to win the WBA title.

“I am world champion. Casey and all of the fans in attendance will see a true world champion in action March 19. If Casey thinks I’m going to Ireland to lose my world title belt, he’s making a big mistake because I’m going to win, and in sensational fashion. He is tailor-made for me. I watched a couple of rounds of Casey’s previous fights and concluded that he’s a bit of a one-trick pony. We are as far apart in class as in residence, make no mistake about that and when the bell rings March 19th, that will certainly be evident to all.”

Casey (11-0, 7 KOs) stopped Paul Hyland in the fourth-round of their Nov. 6 fight in Willie’s hometown, Limerick (Ireland), to capture the vacant European super bantamweight crown. The 29-year-old Casey, however, must relinquish that belt in order to fight Rigondeaux.

Irishman Gary Hyde has been Rigondeaux’ manager since signing “El Chatel” (The Jackal) to an exclusive management agreement, in Cuba, back in March, 2007. “Willie is a warrior and a manager’s dream,” Hyde noted, “but unfortunately for Team Casey, Rigondeaux is unlike any boxer Casey has ever faced. ‘Rigo’ is a freak of nature! His amateur pedigree is unmatched in boxing history and he has already stamped his unique talent on the professional scene by winning the WBA World Interim Title in just his seventh pro fight.”

Rigondeaux will be working with Ronnie Shields as his head trainer for his third straight bout. “Casey is very tough and he appears to have a big heart,” Shields added. “Once Rigondeaux catches Casey, though, ‘Rigo’s’ power will shake him down to his boots. ‘Rigo’ hits hard for his weight and Casey will be punching the air most of the night because ‘Rigo’ is also a defensive master. I’ve worked with him for his last two fights and we understand each other very well.”

Rigondeaux reports January 3 to his training camp in Houston, Texas.

Klitschko Vs Solis negotiations

After a promising start, negotiations for the WBC heavyweight championship between Vitali Klitschko and mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis seem to have stagnated.

"The offer we got from the Klitschko side are not what we have been expecting. In addition they don’t want to comply to any of our requests. We have made a counter offer but so far they didn’t respond to that. So I guess we’ll have to go to purse bid", says Solis’ promoter Ahmet Oner.

"The Klitschkos’ arrogance really pisses me off", added Odlanier Solis. "My promoter informed me about every step in the negotiations and it looks to me like Vitali is trying to take advantage of me. I will make him pay for that. This is not about money – it’s about respect.

"The Klitschkos seem to think that I am just another opponent like the last tomato cans they cherry-picked so Vitali could easily beat them up. But I am not only the mandatory challenger. I have been the best amateur fighter in the world and I will prove that I am the best professional fighter as well. I am not interested in a couple of extra dollars. The only thing I want is to strip the world championship belt from Vitali. Klitschko shouldn’t be afraid of losing money; he should only be afraid to lose his title."

Adds promoter Ahmet Oner: "Everybody has to understand that the Klitschkos always want to be in control. It’s hard for them to deal with mandatory challengers or other champions because they don’t want to compromise. I understand that to a certain point. What I don’t understand is that they are trying to produce their own challengers now.

"In Germany people are talking about the fight between Luan Krasniqi and Jonathon Banks as "elimination bout" to fight Wladimir Klitschko. This is ridiculous and it harms the credibility of boxing in general. Krasniqi hasn’t fought in two years and lost his last two fights and Banks is merely a mediocre cruiserweight who was lucky enough to get signed by the Klitschkos so they hyped him to a point where he can fight for a title. They are always trying to take advantage of their strong position. When it comes to the fight between Vitali and Solis they have to understand that Solis is the mandatory challenger which puts us in a strong position as well. And we don’t have to agree to all of their terms although we definitely want the fight. Anyways, we will make sure that the fight happens."

"La Sombra" also has his own thoughts about Vitali’s motives. "Maybe the Klitschkos think that they can get out of the fight by making ridiculously low offers. But I have to disappoint them. If money is a real problem I would even do the fight for no purse at all.

"Of course, only if Vitali accepts to fight for no money as well. I will not let him take advantage of me. If money is not a problem the only other explanation I can think of is that Klitschko might know that this will be his last big pay-day because I will end his career. But to be honest I don’t care about him or him motives. All I can say is that now I understand why the fight between David Haye and either Klitschko hasn’t happened so far.

"Until now I thought Haye was afraid. But if the Klitschkos are always as arrogant as they present themselves in our negotiations, I have to say that I understand Haye for not signing a contract. But sorry, Vitali, I am not David Haye. I will fight you anyways. You can run but you can’t hide. I will get my hands on you and become the first ever Cuban heavyweight champion of the world."

Larsen vs Markussen possible for April in Denmark

By Teddy Stenmark: It is being reported over in Denmark that Team Sauerland is working hard on a hot domestic clash at Super middleweight between Rudy Markussen and Mads Larsen, Two former European champions, both with a reputation of performing at the highest level.

The idea from Team Sauerland is to give Larsen warm-up fight on the TV2 FightNight-show in Herning, Denmark on February 12th (question is can Larsen get in shape until then?) and then toss these two warriors together on the following card in April.

Larsen is said to be fairly interested in the bout while Markussen has apparently shown something of a negative approach towards the fight according to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, saying he would rather fight Brian Magee or one of the other top names out there.

Nisse Sauerland is fully convinced though that a Larsen vs Markussen fight is the best option for both of them at this time.