Mandatory Eight Count - Felix the Fat Free Agent who Fingered Freddie

By jove, there is news outside of Pacquiao-Mayweather!

Felix Sturm targeting Kelly Pavlik | Fight News

Not a big surprise, but Sturm is once again stating he wants to unify with Kelly Pavlik.  The article also mentions that he's walking around at about 192 pounds at the moment, so we'll see how much longer he can actually make the middleweight limit. 

Felix Sturm signs big new deal | Bild.de (link in German)

Sturm recently signed a 20 million Euro contract that officially gives him the largest multi-fight contract in German history.  The contract is with promoter Ufa Sports (which is really more of a general sports agency than a boxing promoter) and he'll likely have his next 10 fights televised on RTL, the German television station where the Klitschkos' fights are aired, since RTL is a partner with Ufa.  All of this is contingent on him winning his lawsuit with Universum, where he's declared that he's a free agent.  However, this contract may end up being a problem because... 

Sergei Dzinziruk still a Universum fighter | ESPN

Speaking of fighters wanting to break with Universum, according to Dan Rafael, Universum has won a lawsuit against Sergei Dzinziruk upholding their contract and stating he's actually NOT a free agent.  Universum is, however, amenable to a buyout whenever someone else makes a contract offer.  We'll see if that offer's actually coming.  Dzinziruk isn't even a draw in Germany. 

Bute may be heading back to Romania | Financiarul.ro

Fortunately not permanently, but with a lack of available big-name opponents and an interest of backing by the Romanian Boxing Federation, Romanian-born but Montreal-based Lucian Bute may be heading back to Romania for a title fight in the near future.  The Romanian authorities say they have come to a general understanding with Bute promoter Interbox, and it seems that the fight would likely be in the summer in an outdoor soccer stadium. 

Alexander-Urango unification seemingly official | St. Louis American

Devon Alexander will unify with Juan Urango on HBO's Boxing After Dark.  This is the first time I've seen Alexander's trainer talking about it like it's a certainty.  According to the BBC, former titlist Gavin Rees could step in if Urango falls through as an opponent.  If he doesn't get this fight, Rees may be contemplating moving to lightweight.  Frankly, he could probably make super featherweight if he really tried hard. 

David Haye vs. John Ruiz to take place April 3 at O2 Arena | ESPN

No word on whether there will be US TV coverage of this one, but I'd bet it's another independent pay per view.  Haye and the British boxing public really overestimate how much of a draw Haye is in the U.S., which is to say that he isn't one at all here. 

Nkosanthi Joyi to face Raul Garcia for IBF Strawweight Title | Dispatch Online

South African promoter extraordinairre Branco Milenkovic won the purse bid to ensure that the fight between two top five undefeated minimumweights will be in South Africa.  Milenkovic beat out Top Rank with a purse bid in the mid-six figures, which is huge for this weight class.  Unfortunately, this probably means no exposure for these two miniature warriors in the US. 

Mike Tyson to host Monday Night RAW | TV By the Numbers

WWE Raw has been running out different celebrity guest hosts each week, including Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather serving as prior hosts.  This Monday, Mike Tyson, who has some connections to the old WWF, will be hosting.  Just hope he doesn't don any tights.