Sinan Samil Sam has to take a break in preparing for his European heavyweight championship bout against Matt Skelton due to a hand injury. The title fight that was originally scheduled for May 30th in Istanbul will be postponed for about for weeks.

“It’s a pity”, states Sam. “I’m fired up to fight Skelton and I know that all of Turkey wants to see this fight. But at the moment I can’t use my left hand and I cannot take any risk before this fight. I know that this is my last chance to make it to the top. And I definitely don’t want to blow it.”

The big show in Istanbul will now most probably take place on July 4th. “Of course, the Turkish fans are disappointed at the moment”, says ARENA-CEO Ahmet Öner. “But they only have to wait four or five weeks longer to see their national hero win the European championship for the second time.”

To make sure that his other fighters keep busy Öner set up an event for May 30th in Bilbao, Spain in cooperation with local promoter Arturo Moral (Stock Eventos) featuring light welterweight phenomenon Sergej Sorokin, middleweight prospect Mahir Oral, Olympic gold medallist Odlanier Solis and the already announced bout between Konstantin Airich and “Brixton Bomber” Danny Williams.

Judah – Mosley Off

The scheduled May 31 fight between Shane Mosley and Zab Judah has been canceled due to an arm injury suffered by Judah during his Las Vegas training camp it was announced by Golden Boy Promotions today. The HBO Pay-Per-View event was scheduled to take place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Judah suffered multiple severe lacerations on his right forearm and received 50 stitches to close the wounds suffered in an accidental fall. As a result, Judah will be unable to train for four weeks and was forced to withdraw from the bout.

“It is very unfortunate that Zab suffered this injury and that this great event had to be canceled,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “We are already in discussions with all parties involved to attempt to reschedule the fight for the near future.”

Tickets purchased for this event may be refunded at the original point of purchase.

Martin Castillo Retires

Former super flyweight world champion Martin “EL GALLO” Castillo has retired from boxing, it was announced today by his longtime manager Frank Espinoza. “We’ve talked numerous times over the last couple of weeks and Martin has concluded that this is the end of the line for him. He didn’t feel like himself during the Montiel fight and is happy with what he has accomplished in the sport. As he put it ‘I owe everything to boxing and I don’t want to fight anymore if I can’t go at a world class level.’ .”

“The fans have always been very supportive of Martin and he wants to thank them for all their years of terrific support, it’s meant so much to him. Bob Arum and the whole Top Rank family have been great to work with and he also wishes to thank them for the opportunities they gave him, said Espinoza.

Castillo was stopped by Fernando Montiel in the fourth round on February 16, 2008 in a super flyweight title bout in which Montiel was defending his World Boxing Organization belt.

The 31 year old Castillo, a native of Mexico City, finishes his career with a record of 33-3 with seventeen knockouts. He won the WBA super flyweight by defeating Alexander Munoz on December 3, 2004 in Laredo,Texas.

Long a popular fan favorite with boxing fans in the United States, Castillo also fought three times in Japan, his only loss there coming when his war with Nobuo Nashiro was stopped on cuts in the tenth round. Prior to that stoppage loss, Castillo had defended his title three times including a rematch with Munoz and a win over 1996 US Olympian Eric Morel.

Castillo made his pro debut on July 27, 1998 after an outstanding amateur career that featured his participating in the 1996 Olympics representing Mexico. He also defeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the amateur ranks.