[kenyan_cheena]

EuroBox

Published out of London, England
by LondonSports Productions

ISSUE 2 - OCTOBER 2006

LEWIS & SCHMELING LEAD
CHARGE OF EURO HEAVIES

Story by Alex Macklin

It's been said on more than a few occasions during 2006 that the heavyweight division is entering into what will possibly be the most exciting period in its entire storied history. Much of the credit for this must be given to the International Boxing League, the organisation that was introduced to the world back in January and managed to pull off the astonishing achievement of signing most of the division's major talents to exclusive contracts. These include former alphabet soup champions Ken Norton, Sergey Anyukov and Terone Haynes, established contenders Andrew Golota and Ike Ibeabuchi and a bunch of up-and-coming pugilists like Jack Johnson, Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis and Peter Jackson. With all of them competing under the IBL's banner boxing fans can look forward to a future full of outstanding matchups, with 2007 set to be absolutely fantastic.

Of the European heavyweights Anyukov is obviously the top dog but it's the two young Athens Olympians, England's Lennox Lewis and the German Max Schmeling who most observers regard as being the continent's best chance for future world championship glory. Lewis was born in West Ham, London in 1981. When he was twelve his family moved to Ontario, Canada. Taking up boxing in his mid-teens Lewis went on to win a world amateur championship and represented Canada in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and then again at Athens in '04, where he claimed the super-heavyweight gold medal. Shortly after his Athens success Lewis announced that he was both turning professional and returning to his native England, a decision that angered some in Canada as they felt he was abandoning the nation that had helped him become one of the best young heavyweights in the world.

Lewis claimed he'd always considered himself British, but many in his homeland held doubts over his integrity. It didn't take long for him to win them over as he produced a fantastic start to his pro career, winning his first fourteen bouts through until February before signing a contract with the IBL. Lewis was selected to take part in their Challenger's tournament, the winner of which will be rewarded with a shot at the league's newly crowned world champion in their first title defense. After convincingly defeating New Zealand's Sam Leuluai in his opening bout Lewis squeezed past Joe Jeannette in the quarter-finals before booking a berth in the final when his semi-final against fellow Athens gold medallist Jack Johnson was judged a draw in something of a controversial decision. Lewis' higher tournament seeding saw him progress to the final. He takes on another Olympian in Australia's Peter Jackson on December 31, the tournament final scheduled to be held in Jackson's home town of Sydney.

Germany's Max Schmeling has not received the same exposure or recognition as some of the division's other young hotshots but that's something that doesn't concern him. The 24 year-old has been content to develop his skills and talents in comparative anonymity, having gone the same route as Lewis in joining the professional ranks after the Athens games where he won a bronze medal. He went undefeated through his first twelve pro bouts before signing with the IBL in April. He was installed as the #3 seed in the Inter-Continental Championship tournament and after impressive victories over Trevor Berbick, Herbie Hide and Sione Tialata is now just one win away from claiming the title. He'll take on Francesco Damiani in the championship bout after the 13th-seeded Italian made an unexpected run through the tournament. Schmeling will go into the fight as a warm favourite and in the opinion of many could become the first of the IBL's regional champions to earn a world title shot by successfully defending his own belt five times.

There had been a lot of talk earlier in the year regarding a perceived rivalry between Schmeling and his compatriot heavyweight Scott Mundt, the American-born slugger who was also an Inter-Continental tournament entrant. Mundt missed out on a golden opportunity to thrust himself in front of Schmeling when he crashed to his first career defeat in his opening tournament bout, the New Zealander Neemia Sivivatu flooring him four times on the way to a unanimous decision win. Mundt has been victorious in two outings since then and Schmeling has said he's looking forward to the day when the two trade blows in the ring, hopefully with the I-C belt on the line. It's a clash that could very well eventuate during 2007.

No matter what the immediate future holds in their respective tournament finals Lewis and Schmeling have already made it clear that they'll be ranked amongst the top contenders for the heavyweight championship for many years to come. Following their progress and development will be one of this writer's greatest pleasures during that time, without a doubt.