January 12, 2008, Antwerp, Belgium - It was Sugar time again at the packed Lotto Arena as "Sugar" Jackson Osei Bonsu retained the EBU welter title with a unanimous decision over tricky, awkward and brave French challenger Brice Faradji. It was scored 118-109, 116-111 and 115-113. Osei Bonsu was overall too strong and powerful for the challenger, who was floored in the fifth, out on his feet late in the sixth and stunned a number of times. But his speed and tricky movement gave the champion plenty of problems, especially in the later rounds. The crowd was on their feet almost throughout the fight as the two slugged it out and everyone, probably including Jackson himself, expected a knockout.

News: EBU jr welter champ Colin Lynes will defend the title against Juho Tolppola from Finland January 25 in Dagenham.

Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin is sparring with Larry Donald and Michael Sprott in Berlin.

German middleweight Mahir Oral is out of the IBF eliminator against Fulgencio Zuniga due to a broken hand.

Ukrainian super middleweight Vitaly Tsypko is off the IBF eliminator against Robert Stieglitz due to illness.

Spanish promotional outfit Gallego Prada begins the new year February 8 in Hosptalet with a show headlined by lightweight Paco Nohales.

German heavy Timo Hoffmann denies all wrongdoings and demands further tests. Hoffmann tested positive to steroids after his brave stand against Aleksander Dimitrenko last year and could be facing a two year suspension.