Matt Skelton’s European heavyweight title challenge against Sinan Samil Sam has been postponed because of an injury to the Turk. The fight was due to take place in Istanbul on May 30. However, it will now be arranged at a later date when Sam has fully recovered. Skelton was looking to get back to winning ways after losing a WBA world title fight against Ruslan Chagaev on points earlier this year..

” I am disappointed that the fight has been postponed after putting in lots of hard work in the gym, but I am looking forward to the re-arranged date and proving to everyone that I can beat Sam and go on to a second shot at the world title,” said Skelton.

New Opponent For Carl Froch

Hennessy Sports in association with GoldenPalace.com today announced a change of opponent for Carl Froch for May 10th at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham, live on ITV1. Carl’s opponent Rubin Williams was unable to leave the US in time to challenge Carl in the scheduled 12 round International Super Middleweight contest at the Trent FM Arena this coming Saturday due to personal problems..

Hennessy Sports can confirm that Unbeaten Polish fighter Albert Rybacki (15 wins, 8 KO) has agreed to fight Froch on Saturday night. Rybacki who was already preparing for a fight jumped at the opportunity and will be flying into the UK later today. Rybacki has already signed contracts.

Carl Froch said: “It’s always difficult to fight an unbeaten fighter as he doesn’t know how to lose and obviously he will put everything on line as he could gatecrash the world title but I am in prime condition and looking forward to fighting on Saturday night.”

Hennessy Sports was yesterday informed that John Fewkes will be unable to fight John Murray for the English Lightweight Title due to suffering from gastroenteritis. We are in negotiations with new opponents and further information will be released shortly.

Konstantin Airich vs Danny Williams

German Interim heavyweight champion Konstantin Airich will face his toughest opponent so far on May 30th in Istanbul in “Brixton Bomber” Danny Williams. Experienced Williams (38-6-0, 30 kos) has a tko-victory over none other but Mike Tyson in his record. Williams has also been in the ring with the two competitors who will fight for the vacant European heavyweight championship in the main event in Istanbul – both Matt Skelton and Sinan Samil Sam were able to beat the “Brixton Bomber”..

Airich (9-0-1, 8 kos) is looking forward to the fight: “It will be a very hard one and I have respect for Williams and his achievements but it’s also my big chance to prove that I’m ready for the next step on my way to the top.”

Former world heavyweight champion Herbie Hide who knows both men from sparring thinks that Konstantin has a chance of winning the bout: “Why not? Konstantin is definitely the hardest hitting guy in the ARENA gym. He got stones in his fists. If he hits Danny with one of his devastating right hooks everything is possible. But Danny is far more experienced, of course.”

By the way, Herbie who like to tell his opponents to “call the police ‘cause the bad guy is coming for you” had to call the police himself when someone broke into his car in Hamburg and stole his navigation system. “Those guys got lucky that I didn’t catch them”, stated the “Dancing Destroyer”.

John Ruiz Wants Valuev

Former two-time WBA heavyweight champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz has announced that he’s prepared to replace WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev to fight another former WBA title-holder, Nikolay Valuev, for the WBA belt..

Chagaev pulled out of his scheduled mandatory defense against Valuev in May, reportedly due to a cold that forced him to break training, but Ruslan hasn’t made his initial mandatory defense since capturing the WBA belt on April 14, 2007 via a 12-round majority decision versus Valuev. His only title defense was a voluntary fight this past January in a 12-round decision against Matt Skelton. WBA champions are required to make a mandatory defense within a year of winning the belt and/or last mandatory defense. Chagaev is officially over the deadline and seeking further delays.

“We have to respect mandatory defenses and if Chagaev isn’t willing or able to fulfill his obligation as champion,” WBA No. 2 rated Ruiz said, “he should step aside so the WBA can move forward instead of standing still. There’s so much speculation about Chagaev. First there was Hepatitis B and now another viral infection – it must have moved from his intestines to his throat – and nobody really knows when or if he’ll be able to fight again. We will be filing a letter of petition with the WBA to strip Chagaev and order a fight between me and Valuev for the WBA title.”

Ruiz is also rated No. 3 by the WBC, No. 6 by the IBF, No. 10 by The Ring magazine, and No. 12 by the WBO.

“The heavyweight division drives boxing,” Ruiz added. “Fans are waiting for things to explode, but it seems like the heavyweight champions are holding the title belts hostage. They’re all tied up and don’t want to fight the best heavyweights. No wonder fans criticize heavyweights. I’m ready to clean-up the division and willing to fight any of the world champs or top contenders. How long do I have to wait for my title shot?”

Ruiz is the first and only Latino heavyweight champion of the world. He has fought in 10 world championship fights and defeated three world heavyweight champions — Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman and Tony Tucker – as well as top contenders such as Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo, Kirk Johnson and Jameel McCline during his 15-year pro career.