WBO cruiser champ Marco Huck (37-2) defends the title May 3 at the MHP Arena in Ludwigsburg (just outside of Stuttgart) against an opponent to be announced.

 

It will be Huck’s 13th defence of the title - a record in the weight division. Huck was bood when he entered the ring in front of 10 000 fans or so against Firat Arslan in Stuttgart January 25 but was cheered when he left and that probably plays a part in the fact that Captain Huck is back in the region so soon.

 

 

It will be Emanuele Blandamura (22-0) and Billy Joe Saunders (19-0) that will fight for the vacant EBU middleweight title. Blandamura is thus stripped of the EU title he won January 25 in an upset win over Marcos Nader. The EBU will open all received purse bids March 3 at noon in Rome. Saunders, who holds the British and Commonwealth titles, must be regarded as a big favourite in this one but Blandamura’s conditioning and workrate played a big part in his win over Nader and may also play a part here.

 

 

Istvan Szili (17-0-1) and Matteo Signani clash for the vacant EU middleweight title May 2 in Gatteo Mare (Italy) with Boxe Loreni promoting. Szili is from Hungary but has been fighting out of Switzerland for the last few years. Signani (20-4-2) is the reigning Italian champ.

 

 

Ivan Ruiz Morote (16-3-1) and Rudy Encarnacion (28-23-3) clash for the vacant EU featherweight title March 8 in Madrid. Ruiz Morote fought to a technical draw with Sofiane Takoucht last time out with the very same title at stake while Encarnacion won the Spanish title in 2012 and have since defended it three times and have five straight wins.

 

 

Sauerland Promotion’s British heavy David Price (16-2) continues his rebuilding process March 8 at the Max Schmeling Hall on the undercard to Hernandez vs Kolodziej. Price will begin a four week training camp with new coach Tommy Brooks.