By Per Ake Persson

Earlier today, the opponent for heavyweight contender Tony Yoka was announced and it will be German fighter Michael Wallisch (20-2) that takes on the French star on September 28 in Nantes. Wallisch was stopped by Efa Ajagba in April in Las Vegas but came came back with a win over Abdulbaser Delalic in June.

He´s like Yoka´s last opponent Aleksander Dimitrenko promoted by EC Boxing in Hamburg. Wallisch can to a certain extent fight but must be regarded as a heavy underdog to the former Olympic Gold Medal winner.

EC Boxing have also today announced a show for Istanbul (Turkey) October 25 and at welterweight Fatih Keles (11-1-1) takes on Deniz Ilbay (21-2) while super middleweights Jack Paskali (5-0-1) and Emre Cukur (14-0) clash in the co-feature. Big heavyweight Ali Eren Demirezen appear on the undercard.

IN OTHER NEWS: David “El Bandera Roja” Benavidez successfully weighed in at 183.5 lbs. today, in compliance with the WBC’s mandated 30-day pre-championship-fight weigh-in for his 12-round quest to regain his beloved title belt against Anthony Dirrell.

22-year-old WBC Champion in Recess Benavidez (21-0, 18 KOs) and 34-year-old current WBC Champion Dirrell (33-1-1, 24 KOs) will meet on Saturday, September 28, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to determine the legitimate WBC world champion.

According to WBC rules, 30 days before a championship fight, boxers cannot be 10% over the contracted limit. By scaling 183.5, Benavidez is safely within that parameter (184.8 lbs.).

Phoenix-born Benavidez began his training camp June 6 in Canastota, New York, where he held public workouts on the museum grounds for the 30th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend. He and Father/Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. have since moved operations to Brendan O’Reilly and Marvin Somodio’s Combinations Boxing Academy in Lawndale, California.

Per WBC rules, Benavidez must also make weight seven days before the fight by being no more than 5% over 168 lbs.

Benavidez vs. Dirrell will serve as the main supporting bout to the Errol Spence Jr., vs. Shawn Porter battle for the WBC and IBF World Welterweight Championships.