Johanneson gets chance for Euro revenge by Ian McNeilly Apr 21st 2007

Be careful what you wish for. Carl Johanneson recently told BBN that he would love to get a chance for revenge against current European champion Leva Kirakosyan. It looks like Frank Maloney has secured that opportunity for them, and the two fighters are likely to square off for the Russian's European title at Leeds Town Hall on July 13. Date and venue to be officially confirmed but these are the likely arrangements. Alex Arthur gave up the EBU title as he saw little point in fighting mandatory challenger, Portuguese Joao Antonio Bento. So Kirakosyan travelled to the Algarve and stopped Bento in the third. Johanneson will be his first defence. The pair first met in December 2004. Carl was iced in 101 seconds - but few people knew the mental baggage he was carrying. His long term girlfriend had just died of cancer and the last place Johanneson should have been was a boxing ring - especially a danger man like the Russian. Maloney told Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I saw the Russian win the title in Portugal. I wasn't very impressed with him. "The target is to get Carl to the European title, and then secure a world title fight within 18 months – a genuine world title fight. "There were reasons behind Carl's defeat to Kirakosyan, good reasons which we've spoken about. That won't happen again." Rick Manners, Johanneson's former manager from whom the British champion recently split in acrimonious circumstances, said: "I wish him all the best. He's free from his contract and there are no hard feelings. "We've achieved a lot over the last two years and I think he's good enough for European level. At world level, you can't really say yet. "He put on the performances and produced the wins, but none of it would have happened without my involvement. He did his part and I did mine." At a recent meeting of the Central Board after the boxer cited a grievance against his now former manager, Johanneson was awarded £6836 after a review of his purses and Manners has had his manager's licence withdrawn, though he retains his trainer's and promoter's. Manners is thought to be appealing the ruling.

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