Sebastian Sylvester to defend title against Pablo Navascues

Sauerland Event sent out a press release announcing that Sebastian Sylvester will defend his IBF middleweight title against Pablo Navascues on January 30.

Sylvester (32-3, 15 KO) won the vacant title against Giovanni Lorenzo in September, winning the belt that Arthur Abraham vacated to move up in weight for the Super Six World Boxing Classic. The losses on his record came to Amin Asikainen in 2006 and Felix Sturm in 2008. He avenged the loss to Asikainen and also has wins over LaJuan Simon and Javier Castillejo, among others.

Navascues (24-1-1, 16 KO) is a 34-year-old Spaniard with an empty record. He drew the aforementioned Castillejo in April of this year, which is the most noteworthy thing on his sheet. He held the Spanish junior middleweight title, and most of his career wins are against total scrubs. His last fight was in October, when he overcame a first round knockdown against Mike Algoet (28-33-1 coming in) to win a six-round decision.

On paper, it's a much bigger mismatch than their respective records might lead you to believe. Sylvester has never beaten a truly world-class fighter, but a lot of good or at least solid guys. Navascues has really never beaten anyone, and really doesn't deserve the title shot.

The two will fight in Neubrandenburg, Germany.