First it was WBC Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik. Now it is IBF Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham. One by one the world's middleweight champions are avoiding undefeated IBF/WBC mandatory middleweight challenger Giovanni Lorenzo.
Only weeks after Pavlik selected Gary Lockett as his next opponent rather than risk his crown against Lorenzo, Sauerland Promotions (Abraham's promoter) has begun discussions with Warriors Boxing about defending the IBF crown against Edison Miranda in June. Not so fast says Lorenzo.
"The IBF has sent a letter to Abraham's promoter and to my promoter (Main Events) that negotiations must begin immediately for his mandatory defense against me," said Lorenzo. "I've been waiting a long time for this title opportunity and I'm not going to let politics in boxing screw me out of chance. I thank the IBF very much for supporting me."
click here to view the letter sent by the IBF
Lorenzo (26-0, 18 KO's) has stopped his last eight opponents. The 27-year-old Washington Heights, NY resident by way of Jerringa San Cristobal, Dominican Republic has knocked out 15 opponents within the first three rounds. In his last bout on Dec 17, 2007, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lorenzo blasted Ulises Duarte in one round (KO 1).