The EBU had set today (Jan 30) at noon as the deadline for purse bids for the fight for its vacant heavyweight title between German Tom Schwarz (29-1) and Belgian Ryad Merhy (32-2).
However, a few hours before the deadline Schwarz withdrew.
The Belgian was for a few hours alone as challenger but then Daniel Dubois (20-2) stepped in and is now co-challenger along with Merhy. The EBU has set February 13 as the deadline for purse bids.
Both men are coming off good wins as Merhy outscored Frenchman Tony Yoka while Dubois stopped Jarrell Miller.
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P2M’s big show in Stralsund (Germany) is, as previously reported, headlined by middleweight Max Suske (8-1). Also on the bill WBA and IBF Euro super middleweight champ Simon Zachenhuber (22-0), heavyweights Peter Kadiru (17-1) and Vikor Jurk (6-0) as well as WIBF lightweight champ Dilar Kisikyol (9-0).
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Dane Preben Rasmussen has passed away at the age of 78. Rasmussen represented Denmark in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 1964 and won a silver medal in the European championships in 1965 before turning pro. Preben was around in what was a golden era for Danish boxing and never quite made it to the big time but compiled a 29-3-1 record until he retired in 1969.
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EBU female super welter champ Priscilla Peterle (9-0) won the title back in April of 2022 and now finally has a mandatory challenger – and that is April Hunter (7-1). The EBU has set February 13 as the deadline for purse bids.
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EC Boxing promoted Ukrainian heavyweights Viktor Faust (11-1) and Igor “Hulk” Shevadutskyi (10-1) will both return to action on February 25 in Wiesbaden after injury related layoffs. Faust, who lost to Cuban Leiner Pero last time out after suffering a back injury, is in against Argentinian Marcos Antonio Ahumada (25-12).. Shevadzutskyi, stopped by Martin Bakole last time out, meet Edonis Berisha (7-0).