There is still, to be sure, a long way to go: Akin Birdal, a leading human-rights campaigner, lost his appeal against a jail sentence this week.

ECONOMIST: Dark in the east

His disgraced predecessor, Aryeh Deri, whose appeal against a four-year prison sentence for taking bribes is to be heard early in the new year, stayed away.

ECONOMIST: Israel��s great divide

The title could become vacant if Braehmer - who pulled out of a 17 July defence against Vikapita 'Beast Master' Meroro because of injury - fails in his appeal against a 16-month prison sentence for assault and insulting behaviour.

BBC: Nathan Cleverly eyes Jean Pascal after Chad Dawson win