WBA "regular" cruiserweight champion Ryad Merhy (30-1) has along with 12Rounds Promotion signed a three fight deal with Russian RCC Promotion based in Ekaterinburg.

No further details have been announced. 

 

Merhy, from Brussels, Belgium, won the WBA Interim-title in October of 2019 by stopping Imre Szello. He was later "upgraded" to "regular" champion. 

 

Then came the coronavirus and it wasn't until July of last year when Merhy was able to defend the title and he stopped Zhaoxin Zhang, who came in as a late sub for Kevin Lerena.

 

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Former French welterweight champ Alain Ruocco has passed away at the age of 76 after a long illness, reports L´Equioe.

 

Ruocco fought professionally 1970-79 and compiled a record of 29-8-1 and was known for his toughness. He took on all comers and split two fights with Louis Acaries and as it was the two became close friends.

 

After his active career ended Ruocco became a trainer, manager and promoter. He trained the likes of his son Marc, Frederic Seillier, Daniel Bicchieray, and Jeremy Parodi, who all were among the top in Europe.

 

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Cruiserweights Nikodem Jezewski (20-1-1) and Arthur Mann (17-2) clash on February 19 in Wroclaw, Poland, with the IBO Intercontinental and WBA Continental titles at stake.

Jezewski's sole loss came against Lawrence Okolie while Mann has lost to Mairis Briedis and Kevin Lerena in world title fights.

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Agit Kabayel and Marco Huck are still on course to fight for the vacant EBU heavyweight title with date and site to be announced by SES, who by agreement with Marc Huck Promotions, will promote the fight.

The agreement came already in early October of last year, as was reported by BoxingScene, but the delay in finding a date is most likely due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

If Kabayel (19-0 or 22-2) is interested in an IBF eliminator against Filip Hrgovic, ranked # 7 by the EBU, is an open question.