Us against the World by Oliver Fennell Jun 5th 2007

BBN newcomer Oliver Fennell takes a look at how the international scene affects British boxing. May 19 Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor did himself no favours with his lacklustre split decision over Cory Spinks in Memphis. Having originally demanded $10m to face Joe Calzaghe up at super middle, Taylor was negotiated down to $6m, but may have to drop his fee again in the wake of what was considered by most to be a fourth consecutive snoozer. Having struggled against light middleweights in his last three fights, Taylor would be a big underdog against 12st Calzaghe, and he doesn't even figure to make the fight exciting. Howard Eastman's stoppage loss to Edison Miranda looks worse in the light of Miranda's defeat to Kelly Pavlik on the Taylor-Spinks undercard. Considered a surprise at the time, Eastman folding against Miranda became no disgrace as Miranda evolved into something of an ogre at 160lb. But now the Colombian has had his own limitations exposed, Eastman's already-tenuous grasp on the world picture looks even more shaky. European heavyweight holder Vladimir Virchis posted a wide, unanimous decision over old rival and ex-champion Paolo Vidoz in Hamburg. Virchis is known to British fans for his highly disputed points win over Michael Sprott, who would no doubt love a chance at revenge. Meanwhile, British boss Danny Williams has also made clear his ambitions of a second Euro tilt. May 26 IBF middleweight titleholder Arthur Abraham returned, complete with a titanium plate in his jaw following last year's war with Edison Miranda, and enjoyed an easier night's work in stopping Canadian Sebastien Demers in three rounds in Bamburg, Germany. It was Abraham's fourth defence and rumour has it he may now consider making a voluntary defence against Howard Eastman, whom he outpointed two years ago. American Steve Cunningham gained revenge and the IBF cruiserweight title against hometown boy Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in Katowice, Poland and is reportedly being tempted by a unification showdown with Wales' WBO counterpart Enzo Maccarinelli in July. June 1 Former WBC super middleweight champion Cristian Sanavia scored a mild upset in relieving Russia's David Gogiya of the 12st European crown in Ajaccio, Corsica. Gogiya had been a target for streaking Nottingham contender Carl Froch, who will presumably now switch his attentions to experienced but erratic Italian Sanavia. June 2 Britain's aspirations for further world heavyweight title glory took another knock with the dethroning of WBO holder Shannon Briggs. Frank Warren had promised the winner of his postponed Matt Skelton-Michael Sprott rematch a world title shot, with the beatable Briggs appearing the most obvious target. A lethargic Briggs was outworked by Sultan Ibragimov of Russia, who represents a tougher proposition to any future challengers than did the deposed American.

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