Jurgen Braehmer should be stripped of his title

By Boxing News - 05/18/2011 - Comments

Image: Jurgen Braehmer should be stripped of his titleBy Ben James: This article is purely my own personal opinion based on what I know about Jurgen Braehmer and his record as the WBO light heavyweight champion of the world. The man has now pulled out of 3 title defences and has only defended his title once in the past two years, yet the WBO let him keep on pulling out of every fight where he has a chance of losing his title due to apparent illnesses or injuries.

The WBO stripped welterweight prospect Kell Brook of his intercontinental strap because he did not defend it within a certain period of time (if I remember correctly about 120 days). This whole situation wreaks of unfairness and incompetence by the WBO.

Nathan Cleverly has spent months preparing himself physically and mentally for this fight, his big chance to take a step up and become a world champion, and I believe he would have succeeded this Saturday if Jurgen Braehmer had the balls to step into the ring and finally defend his title.

It has been said that Jurgen Braehmer has pulled out of this fight due to an eye injury which occurred Tuesday, only 4 days before the big fight. Now I am no expert but I have spent a lot of time around pro boxers including world champions in the gym and I know what is done in the run up to a fight.

One thing I know is nobody would be sparring the week of the fight, if anything it would be the lightest possible sparring, pad work and generally maintaining their level of fitness and conserving energy for the big fight.

I see no other way Jurgen Braehmer could have injured his eye other than sparring. If he has pulled out of 2 other fights because of injuries sustained in his training camp then maybe he needs to adjust his style of training.

What I do know is Nathan Cleverly and Frank Warren his promoter should be compensated for this incident. Frank has spent months and thousands of pounds promoting this fight and thousands of fans have paid good money to come and see it. It is a disgrace and the WBO need to act now.

Strip the champion of his title and let Nathan Cleverly fight for the title this Saturday night, or at least demand the fight be rearranged to happen within the next 3 months. Just do something!



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