Ok... From what i am hearing... Sam Soliman keeps his No.1 ranking Felix Sturm and Predrag Radosevic will box off for the no.2 position very soon. Sam is next in line for a shot at the title but obviously has to maintain his ranking. He has to win his next fight which should be around August.
Interesting development. After the the way the ibf handled the lamont Peterson drug case I couldn't see them striping Sam of his no1 ranking.
By Boxing Bob Newman An agreement of sorts has been ironed out in the ongoing Sam Soliman-Felix Sturm doping case as to how it affects the mandatory status in the middleweight division. Representatives of Soliman and Sturm both met with IBF president Daryl Peoples, championship chairman Lindsey Tucker and ratings chairman Anibal Miramontes this morning in Berlin during the IBFs 30th annual convention. As of yet, the BDB hasnt made a decision on Solimans appeal of his suspension and his victory being overturned to a no decision. The IBF however has decided not to keep the rest of the division waiting. It was decided that Soliman will retain his #1 rating at this time. In the mean time Sturm will resume his previous #3 rating and enter into an eliminator with #4 Predrag Radosevic for the #2 spot. The winner of that fight will get the first mandatory shot at IBF champion Daniel Geale, if Soliman loses his appeal. In that case, Soliman will get the next mandatory within 18 months, provided he remains active and doesnt lose a fight. As of now, Solimans suspension is in Germany only.
So Geale now has to make two mandatories and Soliman gets to keep his ranking despite an official 'NC'?
So if he loses the appeal he loses the ranking? Or are they steering towards another tourney where Soliman fights the winner of Sturm-Radosevic at a time which coincide with his 9 month ban expiring? Either way Geale has sort of lucked out having no mandatory for another 18 months, which seems weird to me..hopefully then he can pursue just about any fight he wants without risk of losing his belt outside of the ring.
I'd say if Geale and Sam win their next fights then you will see them fight in November. Knowing the IBF they will prob do another box off as you suggest.
Not a chance. Winner of Sturm v Radosevic will get the first Mandatory shot at Geale should Geale get past Barker. BDB wont lift the suspension meaning Soliman will loose his appeal, which means Soliman wont get the next Mandatory shot at the title until 18 months time, provided he remains active and doesnt loose a fight.