WBC cruiserweight champion Giacobbe Fragomeni insisted on Wednesday that Polish challenger Krzysztof Wlodarczyk will get a fair crack at the title on Saturday here in Rome.
The 39-year-old Italian makes the first defence of the belt he won in October against Czech Rudolf Kraj on a controversial, technical decision.
The fight was stopped after eight rounds when Fragomeni had a small cut, but he was still awarded the fight as he was leading 77-74 on all three judges scorecards.
That fight was staged in Milan and the Kraj camp complained afterwards that the stoppage had been unfair.
Former IBF champion Wlodarczyk stoked up the tension when he claimed he would be at risk of some home-town refereeing.
"I'm very happy to be here in Rome to take on the champion. I hope it will be a fair fight with fair refereeing and that everyone remembers that this is sport."
Veteran Fragomeni insisted, though, that Wlodarczyk has nothing to worry about.
"I'm very happy to be defending my title in Rome. I respect my opponent as I always do but everyone needs to calm down, the bout will be fair."
Fragomeni has only lost once before when he was stopped in the ninth round back in 2006 by former undisputed cruiserweight champion David Haye.
Wlodarczyk won the IBF title by split decision against American Steve Cunningham in November 2006 but then lost a rematch by majority decision six months later.
Copyright 2009  AFP Global Edition
