By Rick Scharmberg
Lajuan Simon (21-1-2, 12 KOs), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Sebastian “Hurricane” Sylvester (30-3, 15 KOs), of Greifswald, Germany will face off Saturday in a twelve round IBF middleweight eliminator at Max Schmeling Halle in Berlin, Germany. Simon, ranked #10 by the IBF, and Sylvester, ranked #5, will battle for the vacant #2-spot in the IBF rankings. The shot is a reward of sorts for Simon, who fought tooth and nail with IBF world champion Arthur Abraham in a title challenge last March, only to lose a lopsided decision. Many neutral observers felt that Simon deserved perhaps a draw. Sylvester dropped a decision to Felix Sturm in a WBA title challenge last November, but bounced back to win the IBF International title in his next bout.(More.)
