The Past Week in Action

MÉNDEZ VS SALGADO

March 4

Toronto, Canada: Light: Ghislain Maduma (13-0) W TKO 10 Josafat Perez (13-5-1). Cruiser: Denton Daley (9-0) W PTS 10 Richard Hall (30-12).

Maduma vs. Perez
Maduma just proves to be too strong for Mexican. The Canadian based DRC boxer stamped his authority on the fight in the second round when he floored Perez and also opened a cut in the middle of the Mexican’s forehead. Maduma was effective with rights throughout the fight, the perfect punch against southpaw Perez. Maduma was boxing soundly and out boxing the aggressive Perez. The Mexican kept trying to turn the fight around, but Maduma was controlling the fight and picking his punches well.

Both fighters traded in the ninth with Perez finally getting through with some body punches. In the last round it was a body punch from Maduma that ended the fight. Perez went down on one knee. The referee tolled off the eight count but Perez was finished and the fight was stopped. Maduma wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title and goes to nine wins by KO/TKO, He has ended 7 of his last 8 fights that way. Only one win his last seven fights for Perez.

Daley vs. Hall

Canadian Daley paces himself for win over fading veteran Hall. Daley started in a counter-punching style often letting southpaw Hall take the lead and set the pace. However, the 30-year-old Canadian was scoring easily through the defence of his much slower opponent. Daley finally picked up the pace in the middle rounds getting through with hooks and uppercuts and it was now the Canadian who was setting the pace.

Hall stayed in the fight using a sharp jab to pick up points but was taking punishment and once or twice it looked as though Daley might win inside the distance. The last two rounds saw both boxers letting their punches go but again it was the hooks from Daley landing harder and more often. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Daley wins the vacant NABF title. The 41-year-old Hall, a former interim WBA light heavy champion, who lost to Roy Jones and Dariusz Michalczewski in world title fights, has now lost four in a row.

March 6

Santa Clara, Argentina: Light Heavy: Roberto F Bolonti (32-2) W KO 3 Jorge R Olivera (24-6). Controversial win for Bolonti. “Hemlock” had a big edge in reach and over the first two rounds he was walking Olivera down, but only throwing a jab-long and right with no variety in his work. In the third Bolonti stepped up the pace and was throwing left hooks to the body. In rounds one and two Olivera had just been short with wide rights.

Finally one landed high on the left side of Bolonti’s face. That led to both letting punches go. Bolonti landed a right to the body and caught Olivera with a glancing shot to the top of the head. It did not look a hard punch, but Olivera went down. He got up at seven and walked to the ropes, not looking shaken, however, as he turned to face the referee, the third man complete the count. Sixth defence of his WBC Latino title and 21st win by KO/TKO for Bolonti as he tries to rebuild after being outclassed by Tony Bellew in November. Uruguayan Olivera has lost 3 of his last 4 fights but against good opposition.

March 7

Detroit, USA: Middle: Darryl Cunningham (28-4) W PTS 8 Ruben Galvan (27-23-4). Welter: Lanardo Tyner (29-8-2) W TKO 1 Gabe Morris (4-21-2). Light Middle: Tony Harrison (21-0) W KO 1 Tom Amaro (2-1). Heavy: Ali Mansour (12-0) W KO 1 Dione Craig (4-25-1).

Cunningham vs. Galvan

Cunningham has no trouble with travelling loser Galvan. The 38-year-old Detroit southpaw never allowed Galvan to get into the fight and was always in control, but Galvan is a good survivor. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Cunningham had run up 17 wins in a row before being derailed by losses to Andre Dirrell and Adam Trupish. He now has three wins in a row. Galvan without a win in his last 16 fights, but only four of his defeats have come inside the distance.

Tyner vs. Morris

Horrible mismatch ends early as Tyner floors inept Morris three times and fight is stopped with just two seconds left in the round. The 37-year-old “Pain Server” makes it 18 wins by KO/TKO. They don’t give Tyner too many easy nights. He has scored upset wins over Antwone Smith and Vivian Harris, but came up short against Wale Omotoso, Kevin Bizier, Jesse Vargas and Dierry Jean. He has won his last four including a 104 seconds victory over Charles Hatley (17-0-1). Morris came in as a very last sub. He has lost his last 12 fights, but usually lasts the distance.

Harrison vs. Amaro

Detroit prospect softens up Amaro with a couple of rights and then puts him down and out with a left hook. Amaro made it to the perpendicular, but the fight was stopped. Harrison, who was originally trained by the late Manny Steward, has nine wins by KO/TKO. He is the great grandson of Henry Hank, a great tradesman of the 50’s/60’s and 70’s. Hank had 97 fights against the best in the world and only lost once inside the distance, and that was to Bob Foster.

Mansour vs. Craig

Another late sub failed to last out three minutes. The Canadian “Bomb” Mansour scored three knockdowns in 90 seconds. The 33-year-old Lebanon-born Mansour was out of the ring for almost three years, but it is now four wins, three on the trot inside the first round. Poor 40-year-old Craig last won a fight back in 2006 and has failed to win any of his last 19.

March 8

Maipu, Argentina: Light: Daniel E Brizuela (25-1-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Diego A Chaves (12-4-2). Former Olympian Brizuela wins unanimous decision but Chaves makes him fight hard. Chaves shook Brizuela with a right cross in the first round, was on top in the fifth and hurt Brizuela again in the last, but in between it was Brizuela’s fight. The skill gap was just too big for Chaves.

Brizuela was just too quick and accurate and cemented the decision when he dropped Chaves with a left hook in the ninth. He went on to win on scores of 97-93, 97-94 and 96-93. First fight for eight months for 27-year-old Brizuela since suffering a fractured jaw in beating Mario Martinez, the second jaw fracture that “Tatu” has suffered. He boxed more cautiously than usual for that reason. Chaves now 3 losses in his last 4 fights.

Melbourne, Australia: Super Feather: Dylan Sendeckyi (4-1-1) W PTS 10 Justin Medoro (0-7-2). Super Middle: Zac Dunn (7-0) W PTS 8 Mariano Riva (9-4).

Sendeckyi vs. Medoro

The Australian champion fails to impress as he just scrapes past fellow Australian Medoro on a split verdict in a non-title fight. Still a novice, the 28-year-old Sendeckyi won the Australian title by upsetting Bilel Dib, another split decision. Medoro fought a draw with Sendeckyi in 2011, but is still looking for his first win.

Dunn vs. Riva

Aussie No 7 Dunn, 22, goes the distance for the first time in taking a unanimous decision over Argentinian Riva. The 35-year-old Riva had won his last four fights.

Saarbrucken, Germany: Super Middle: Juergen Doberstein (14-1-1) W PTS 12 Blas Miguel Martinez (18-7). “Doberman” Doberstein wins wide unanimous decision over Spaniard. Doberstein tried to force the fight and was in control all the way. However, Martinez showed a tight defence, and Doberstein just could not get through with enough hard shots to convert his dominance into a quick win. Scores 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110. The 24-year-old German wins the vacant WBFederation Intercontinental title and is unbeaten in his last ten fights. Martinez, 31, is 5-3 in his last eight fights.

Accra, Ghana: Light: Richard Commey (15-0) W KO 7 Bilal Mohammed (24-6). Commey wins vacant IBF Continental Africa title with kayo of more experienced Mohammed. It was Mohammed who came out firing but with Commey finding gaps to get through with hard countering shorts of his own. The fight swung Commey’s way in the fourth when he floored Mohammed twice. Not many of Mohammad’s fight go the distance, only 6 out of 31, and this was no exception. Commey was on top in the seventh as he landed a series of hard jabs and uppercuts and floored Mohammad again.

Mohammed made it to his feet but was on wobbly legs and the fight was stopped. Commey has won all of his 15 fights by KO/TKO. However, with what passes for matching in Ghana, none of his first eleven opponents had won more fights than they lost. In a couple of bouts in Britain, where he halted Scot Kris Hughes, Commey showed he was for real and could be a star of the future. Mohammed had won 10 of his last eleven fights, but again had been winning disgraceful mismatches. He lost to George Ashie in two rounds for the vacant Commonwealth title in April last year.

Monza, Italy: Super Middle: Roberto Cocco (12-9-1) W PTS 10 Luciano Lombardi (18-12-4). Light Welter: Renato De Donato (12-1) W TKO 6 Antonio Santoro (7-2-1).

Cocco vs. Lombardi
Not great deals of skill on show as these two engage in a close quarters scrap with plenty of body punches and a whole lot of clinching. Cocco is ahead going into the seventh and from then is the busier and more accurate. Lombardi, knowing he is behind wastes time looking for one big punch. Both veterans start to tire, but Cocco has a strong ninth round as he has Lombardi rocking with hard rights.

Two tired battlers try to outdo each other in the last, but Cocco already has the decision sown up. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93. “The Hammer”, 35, retains the title in his first defence. After three unsuccessful shots at a national title he finally won the vacant title in December. Before that title winning victory he was without a win in his previous seven fights. Local fighter Lombardi, 37, has had three unsuccessful shots at the Italian middleweight title.

De Donato vs. Santoro

De Donato was in charge of this fight from the first round when he busted open Santoro’s nose, caused a cut on his eyebrow, and put him down on his knees. Santoro was trying to walk inside behind a high guard but southpaw De Donato had a good reach advantage and was able to find gaps for long rights and counters. Santoro continued to press the fight, but the injury to his nose was worsening with each round. Santoro was put down on his knees again in the sixth and De Donato was scoring with accurate punches to the face.

In the seventh a hard left smashed into Santoro’s damaged nose and the referee stopped the fight and asked the doctor to have a look at the injury. The doctor decided it was too bad for the fight to continue and the fight was stopped. De Donato, 26, retains his Italian title for the second time and also gets only his second win inside the distance. First loss inside the distance for 30-year-old Santoro, but with only two wins by KO/TKO I wonder where he got the nickname of Dynamite from?

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Fly: Johnny Garcia (17-4-1) W TKO 11 Oscar Ibarra (27-9). “Labyrinth” Garcia makes a return to the winning column with a late stoppage of Ibarra. Garcia was in control most of the way. His good lateral movement, constant attacks and punch selection were just too much for Ibarra to handle. Now on the slide, Ibarra tried to rally and get into the fight, but he was gradually being broken down.

In the eleven with Ibarra tiring and Garcia getting through with hard punches to head and body the referee had seen enough and halted the fight. Garcia, 24, was having his first fight since losing in eleven rounds to Omar Narvaez for the WBO title in October.

Although he has dropped out of the ratings, with wins over Henry Maldonado, William Urina and Manuel Vargas he will come again, and eventually get another title shot. Ibarra, 27, was world rated after wins over Sonny Boy Jaro and Juanito Rubillar, but has now lost five tough fights in a row.

Panama City, Panama: Light: Evens Pierre (23-1) W PTS 8 Fabian Marimon (17-8-1). Haitian Pierre continues his winning run. He was too fast, strong and accurate for the Colombian southpaw and ran out a clear winner on scores of 79-73 from each of the judges. The “Sun City Kid” has won his last eleven fights, including a revenge victory over his only conqueror. Marimon has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Moscow, Russia: Light: Andrey Klimov (15-0) W TEC DEC 7 Matias E Gomez (29-2). Middle: Dmitry Chudinov (8-0-1) W TKO 1 Milton Nunez (25-7-1). Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (14-0) W TKO 2 Orlen Padilla (19-5-1).

Klimov vs. Gomez

A good scrap as the respective styles gel to make for plenty of action. Klimov is an excellent technical boxer with a fast, stiff jab and good defence. Gomez has no pretence to style he just walks forward throwing punches from both hands. Klimov boxed beautifully on the back foot and was threading hard counters through the non-existent defence of the Argentinian.

Gomez was paying a price for his aggression being caught with some classic right uppercuts and walking into the jab time after time. A clash of heads in the third opened a bad cut over the right eye of Klimov, but again the uppercuts were getting home. A right knocked out the mouthpiece of Gomez in the fourth but he kept coming. The referee examined Klimov’s cuts at the end of the round but let the fight continue.

In the fifth Klimov was pot-shotting the advancing Gomez and at the end of the round Gomez was nicked by the right eye and also had a swelling coming up. Gomez was going to the body in the sixth and seventh and as both fighters tired Klimov was being forced to stand and trade more. His face was covered in blood and at the end of the seventh the fight was stopped.

There then followed about five minutes of discussion and miming to get the Argentinian corner to understand that as it was a clash of heads that caused the cut it would go to the cards. Scores 69-64 from all three judges. The 30-year-old Russian wins the vacant IBF Intercontinental title. Gomez, 24, had lost on points to Thompson Mokwana in South Africa on 16 January. He had won 28 of his 29 victories by KO/TKO, but leaving Argentina for fights has exposed his lack of skill.

Chudinov vs. Nunez
A right from Chudinov puts Colombian Nunez down late in the first round. Nunez makes it to his feet, but is in no condition to continue. Five wins by KO/TKO for Chudinov. The 26-year-old Russian was a World Cadet Champion, European Cadet Champion and World and European Junior champion. Nunez, 25, is 2-4 in his last 6 fights, but there are names such as Deandre Latimore, Jorge Melendez and Matt Korobov in those losses. He also lost to Gennady Golovkin for the interim WBA title in 2010.

Troyanovsky vs. Padilla
After a probing first round Troyanovsky floors Colombian Padilla twice and the referee stops the fight. The 32-year-old “Eagle” retains the PABA title and has won 10 of his last 11 fights by KO/TKO. Second inside the distance loss in a row for Padilla, but he has been in some tough matches.

Manchester, England: Light Welter: Shayne Singleton (14-0) W PTS 10 Curtis Woodhouse (17-5) . Welter: David Barnes (26-2-2) W PTS 6 Ivan Godor (11-29-4). Welter: Craig Watson (22-5) W TKO 4 Mark Lloyd (15-8).

Singleton vs. Woodhouse
Singleton wins English title with controversial decision over champion Woodhouse. After being rocked by a right in the first Woodhouse began to make his strength tell and he was coming forward and scoring well to the body. Singleton quickly began to show the signs of battle with a cut on his right cheek and another on the left cheek and swelling around the left eye. Singleton was scoring with his jab and was the busier fighter, and despite the cuts was making it a very close fight.

Woodhouse seemed to just have the edge going into the last round, but with Singleton staging the better finish Woodhouse really threw the fight away when he lost a point for hitting on the break. Scores 96-94, 96-95 and 94-96. Important win for 23-year-old Singleton as Woodhouse was a step up in class. Former pro football player Woodhouse, 32, impressed when only losing on a split decision to Frankie Gavin, but is 2-2 in his last four fights and talking retirement.

Barnes vs. Godor
Barnes tries another comeback and gets six useful rounds against Slovak Godor. Referees score 60-54. First fight in a year for the 32-year-old southpaw, a former undefeated British welterweight and light welterweight champion. Godor is 3-8 in his last eleven fights, but usually goes the distance.

Watson vs. Lloyd
Another former champion gets a win as a bad cut above his left eye sees Lloyd retire at the end of the fourth round. The 30-year-old local fighter is a former British welterweight and Commonwealth welterweight and light middleweight champion. He is rebuilding after back-to-back losses to Lee Purdy in 2011. Now five losses in a row for 37-year-old Lloyd.

Indio, USA: Light Middle: Hugo Centeno Jr (18-0) W PTS 10 KeAndre Leatherwood (12-2-1). Feather: Braulio Santos (10-0) W KO 1 Kevin Hoskins (7-2).

Centeno vs. Leatherwood

Centeno advances to 18 wins with wide unanimous decision over Leatherwood. Centeno came to fight, but Leatherwood seemed determine to survive. Centeno continued his progress showing improving skills whether on the front foot or the back. First ten round fight for Centeno. He is still a work in progress, but making very good progress.

On paper Leatherwood looked a reasonable test for the 22-year-old from Oxnard but Centeno bossed the fight all the way. Scores 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91. Leatherwood disappointed. He was giving away height for once and resorted to holding every time Centeno got through with a hard shot. He had scored three wins and a draw after being halted in six rounds by John Jackson in November 2011.

Santos vs. Hoskins
Another power show from Puerto Rican Santos. A left hook to the body and another to the chin and Hoskins is down. He got to his feet, but was in no condition to continue. All over in 56 seconds. Nine wins by KO/TKO for 23-year-old Santos, Six in the first round.

Atlantic City, USA: Light Welter: Emmanuel Taylor (17-1) W TKO 8 Victor Cayo (31-4,1ND). Heavy: Magomed Abdusalamov (17-0) W TKO 5 Victor Bisbal (21-2).

Taylor vs. Cayo
Taylor climbs off the floor to put a big dent in any hopes Cayo had of getting back to the top. The “Tranzformer” ignored the physical advantages that Cayo had and just rumbled forward behind a high guard. Taylor looked to have the power, but Cayo was throwing fast combinations and getting through with some hard counters.

Taylor finished strongly in both the second and third rounds rocking Cayo with crosses. It looked as though Cayo would overcome the better start enjoyed by Taylor as he shook Taylor in the fourth and floored him with a left hook in the fifth. Both fighters had some success in the sixth with Taylor landing a hard left hook only for Cayo to come back with body punches.

Early in the seventh the body punches from Cayo seemed to be giving him the edge. In the eighth Taylor jolted Cayo with a jab and then a series of crosses put Cayo down. The Dominican beat the count but it only required one more shot from Taylor to convince the referee to stop the fight. The 22-year-old Taylor makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO.

He lost a split decision to Pernice Brewer in November 2011 and did not fight again until last October. He had won his two fights since then including a stoppage of Ray Serrano (18-1). For 28-year-old Cayo this loss really does put a big question mark over his future. His previously losses had been to Marcos Maidana for the interim WBA title, Lamont Peterson and veteran Nate Campbell. He had won the Dominican title with a win over Vladimir Baez (17-0-2) but only one of Baez’s victims had won more fights the he had lost, and eight of the rest had never won a fight, so no real achievement there.

Abdusalamov vs. Bisbal
To some extent both fighters were exposed here. Puerto Rican Bisbal was faster and took the fight to the Russian southpaw. Bisbal took the first two rounds working well to both head and body. A right from Abdusalamov at the end of the second showed the Russian had more power.

Bisbal was willing to mix it with Abdusalamov but he was unable to shake the Russian who has beginning to put his punches together. By the end of the fourth, with both fighters tiring, it was Abdusalamov who was getting through with heavy rights. In the fifth a barrage from Abdusalamov floored Bisbal. The Puerto Rican got up but was on shaking legs and the fight was stopped.

Abdusalamov has won all 17 of his fights by KO/TKO and his southpaw left is a fearful, if ponderous, weapon. Unfortunately the 31-year-old Russian- WBC No 10-for beating no one really- is slow with a leaky defence and wins on power alone. The 32-year-old Bisbal was a star amateur in the Puerto Rican team and big things were expected from him. However, he lost on a kayo early in his career and was heavily protected after that-until this fight.

March 9

New York, USA: Light Heavy: Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2,2ND) W PTS 12 Tavoris Cloud (24-1). Welter: Keith Thurman (20-0,1ND) W PTS 12 Jan Zaveck (32-3). Light: Mike Perez (18-1-2) DRAW 7 Lonnie Smith (14-4-3). Light Middle: Eddie Gomez (13-0) W TKO 1 Javier Gomez (14-11). Heavy: Marcus Browne (3-0) W TKO 1 Josh Thorpe (1-3)

Hopkins vs. Cloud
Once again 48-year-old Hopkins finds a way to win and beats his own record as the oldest pro to win a world title. The crafty veteran slowed the fight down to his pace with lots of clinching. Although Cloud was busier his accuracy left a lot to be desired and it was Hopkins who was scoring the cleaner shots.

Cloud was also having trouble letting his hands go as Hopkins gave him very little in the way of a target. Cloud suffered a cut over his left eye in the sixth which was ruled a butt but was actually caused by a punch. Cloud became more aggressive after the cut and forced the action in the seventh and eighth but over the last three rounds Hopkins frustrated the champion’s effort and was still the one scoring with more accuracy. Scores 116-112 twice and 117-111.

This was the 28th world title fight for the amazing Hopkins and you have to wonder when he will retire. It was thought that retirement might be near after back-to-back losses to Jermain Taylor in 2005 but since then he has won fights for the both the WBC and now the IBF light heavyweight titles. A legend in his own time. Cloud, 31, was making the fifth defence of his IBF title. He only just scraped by Spanish veteran Gabriel Campillo on a split decision in February last year so he has some rebuilding to do.

Thurman vs. Zaveck
Thurman showed he was real as he takes a wide unanimous verdict over former IBF champion Zaveck. Thurman had never gone more than eight rounds before, but showed he had the strength and stamina for the championship distance. The punching power of Thurman was the difference here.

He was landing with heavy rights from the first round and Zaveck showed a great chin to withstand those power punches. Seeing just how good that chin was saw Thurman also going to the body but Zaveck was unfazed, A right in the ninth caused a slight cut above the left eye of the Slovenian and a right had Zaveck in serious trouble in the tenth, but the former champion just kept coming.

Thurman was landing with hard punches from both hands and was winning every round, but Zaveck showed a tight defence and loads of determination and although outclassed lasted the distance. Scores 120-108 from all three judges. Thurman wins the WBO Inter-Continental title. A real break through win for the 24-year-old “One Time” even though his current run of wins by KO/TKO was snapped at eight.

In his previous fight Thurman had stopped Carlos Quintana in four rounds, so wins over former champion in successive fights. Losses to Demetrius Andrade cost Thurman a spot on the US Olympic team in 2008, but Thurman could beat Andrade to a world title fight with Paul Malignaggi his favourite target. An unlikely event due to opposing promotional ties. The 36-year-old Zaveck is far from finished. He lost his IBF title to Andre Berto when the fight was stopped due to Zaveck’s right eye being shut by a swelling, but he comes to fight and is still a big name. He was WBO No 1 going into this fight.

Perez vs. Smith
It looked as though it might be a short fight when early in the second Perez nailed Smith with a left uppercut that put Smith down. Perez was trying for a finish, but by the end of the round Smith was fighting back and getting in some hard shots of his own. Smith was on top in the third and fourth and Perez was struggling in the fifth.

The 23-year-old fought back in the sixth making good use of his jab, but Smith was pressing the action. In the seventh a clash of heads saw Perez suffer a bad cut on his forehead. The doctor examined the cut and deemed that Perez was unable to continue. The score cards showed 66-66 twice and 67-65 for Perez making it a majority draw. Perez had run up three wins since a stoppage loss to Omar Figueroa in January 2012. Smith, 26, had a nine bout winning streak broken by losses to Vicente Escobedo in one round and on points against Mason Menard.

E Gomez vs. J Gomez
Eddie G scores another quick win. The Bronx-based Puerto Rican floored Javier G with a left hook. Javier G got up and the referee stopped the fight after just 77 seconds. The 20-year-old Eddie G, who is promoted by Golden Boy, has nine wins by KO/TKO. Seven losses by KO/TKO for Mexican Javier G.

Browne vs. Thorpe
London Olympian Browne finishes it in the first. He floors Thorpe near the end of the first and although Thorpe got up a few more shots from Browne convinced the referee to stop the fight. The 22-year-old Browne has three wins by KO/TKO with the last two being first round wins.

Costa Mesa, USA: Super Feather: Argenis Mendez (21-2) W KO 4 Juan Carlos Salgado (26-2-1,1ND) W. Light Heavy: Cornelius White (20-1) W Otis Griffin (24-11-2). Welter: Javier Molina (13-1) W PTS 8 Joe Elegele (13-2). Welter: Oscar Molina (2-0) W TKO 2 Willie Walton (4-7. Light Welter: Brandon Bennett (15-0) W PTS 6 Mario Padilla (11-8-3). Light Welter: Miguel Roman (40-11) W PTS 8 Miguel Munguia (28-27-1).

Mendez vs. Salgado
In a one-sided fight Mendez wins the IBF title and gets revenge for a controversial points defeat when losing to Salgado for the vacant title in 2011. From the moment that Mendez floored Salgado with a right in the first the Dominican was in command. Salgado took the standing eight count and saw out the rest of the round.

It looked as though with a bit more effort Mendez could have ended the fight in the second when he rocked Salgado with a two-punch combination, and again in the third when he was again scoring with rights. In the fourth a scorching left hook put Salgado down on his back and out. The 26-year-old Dominican had beaten Cassius Baloyi to earn the shot at the vacant title in 2011.

He lost that one to Salgado but put things right in this one. Mexican Salgado, 28, was making the fourth defence of his title. He had won the WBA title with a shock one round stoppage of Jorge Linares in 2009 but lost the title to Takashi Uchiyama in his first defence.

White vs. Griffin
White makes easy work of it against veteran Griffin. The 6’2” White controlled the fight with his jab and it was a puzzle that Griffin never came near to solving. When White began to throw rights hands behind the jab it was bad news for Griffin. In the fifth a jab followed by a right put Griffin down for a short count.

Griffin continued to try to work his way inside but in the eighth the same combination put him down again. White ran out an easy winner on scores of 80-72, 79-71 and 78-72. After a crushing first round loss to Don George, when he was on the floor three times, White has bounced back with four wins including victories over Yordanis Despaigne and Dmitry Sukhotsky to get himself in the top ten with the four sanctioning bodies. Boxing helped White get his life together after a spell in jail and he is taking full advantage of the opportunity. Griffin, 35, has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Javier Molina vs. Elegele
Tall southpaw Elegele had the better of most of the first two rounds getting his shots off first and scoring to Molina’s body. Meanwhile Molina was working to close the distance and get inside and he scored with a couple of left hooks at the end of the second. From the third Molina was able to work the body.

Elegele was still scoring with counters and making it a close fight, but it was Molina who was picking up the rounds with his work inside and hooks from both hands and overtaking Elegele’s early lead. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-72. The 23-year-old Molina makes it four wins since losing on points to Artemio Reyes in 2011. He competed for the USA at the 2008 Olympics and beat Danny Garcia, Karl Dargan and Danny O’Connor as an amateur. Elegele, 28, was coming off a good win over Lanard Lane and will win plenty of fights, but not this one.

Oscar Molina vs. Walton
London Olympian Molina makes it a family double. He hurt Walton with a right to the body in the first and then shook him with a left hook at the end of the round. A right to the head put Walton down early in the second. Walton got up but was trapped on the ropes and shipping more punishment when the referee stopped the fight. Oscar is Javier’s twin brother, but he fought for Mexico at the Olympics. Walton now has six losses in a row, five inside the distance.

Bennett vs. Padilla
Southpaw Bennett remains unbeaten as he takes every round against Mexican Padilla. “Untouchable” Bennett, 25, was a high class amateur, but has still to face a real test as a pro. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. Three losses in a row for Padilla. But the other two were to world rated Misael Castillo

Roman vs.Munguia
Roman is never in a bad fight and this was no exception. These two experienced Mexicans fought hard for three minutes in every round. Roman had the winning punch in his right hook which Munguia just could not seem to defend against. Munguia was competitive over the first four rounds but took a beating over the last four and seemed close to going down on occasion. Roman wins on scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74.

After winning his first 22 fights Roman has settled down into the role of dangerous journeyman who can never be taken for granted as wins over Fermin De los Santos, Daniel Ruiz, Ty Harris and Dante Jardon show. A natural super feather he took too high a step when challenging Antonio DeMarco for the WBC light title in March last year and was kayoed in five rounds. Munguia has been used as a test by many of the top super feather and lights.

Guadalajara, Mexico: Fly: Edgar Sosa (48-7) W KO 2 Ulises Solis (35-3-3). Bantam: Alejandro Gonzalez (18-0-2) W KO 4 Alex Acosta (1-8-2).

Sosa vs. Solis
Sosa crushes Solis with left hook to end battle of former world champions. Solis had the better of the first round as he took the centre of the ring and probed with his jab. Sosa looked dangerous at the end of the round as a couple of rights just swished past the chin of Solis.

Sosa was more aggressive in the second and the action hotted-up. Solis stepped in and threw a right at the same time as Sosa threw his right. Neither of those punches had much effect, but the left hook that Sosa threw behind his right smacked Solis on the point of his jaw and “Archie” went down. He tried to rise but failed and was counted out.

The 33-year-old former WBC light fly champion Sosa retains his WBC Silver title and keeps his No 1 rating with them He is sure of another shot at the WBC fly title having lost on points to Pongsaklek for the title in 2011. “Archie” Solis, 31, twice IBF light fly champion, did not lose the title in his second reign. He was still champion when he suffered a broken jaw in an attack which he alleges was carried out by Saul Alvarez. That incident meant he was inactive from August 2011 until last November and his title was taken away. No reason for Solis to retire so he will be back in action and trying to get back into the title picture soon.

Gonzalez vs. Acosta
Gonzalez took control of this awful mismatch from the second round hurting Acosta with body and head shots. In the fourth a body punch put Acosta on the deck. Acosta beat the count, but a left right combination put him down and out. Second win in three weeks for 19-year-old “Cobrita” and now 12 wins by KO/TKO. Six losses by KO/TKO for Acosta.

London, England: Middle: Darren Barker (25-1) W TKO 4 Simone Rotolo (35-4). Welter: Lee Purdy (20-3-1) W TKO 9 Cosme Rivera (35-16-3). Super Middle: George Groves (17-0) W TKO 3 Dario Balmaceda (11-7-2). Cruiser: China Clarke (11-0-1) W TKO 7 Wadi Camacho (6-1). Light Welter: Danny Connor (8-5-1) W PTS 10 Chris Evangelou (9-2). Light: Liam Shinkwin (6-0-1) W PTS 10 Ryan Taylor (7-1-1). Light Middle: Erick Ochieng (13-1) W PTS 8 Frederic Serre (14-8). Middle: John Ryder (14-0) W PTS 8 Farai Musiyiwa (18-13-2).

Barker vs. Rotolo
Barker returns in style as he floors Italian with a right in the first and Rotolo retires at the end of the fourth round claiming a hand injury. Rotolo proved an awkward, experienced fighter, but after the first round he was never in the fight. Barker was bigger and stronger and used those advantages to boss the second and third rounds. In the fourth Barker got through with more hard rights and Rotolo seemed to be unwilling to use his own right.

At the end of the round his corner retired the Italian due to an injury to his right hand. The former undefeated British and Commonwealth and European champion had been inactive for 14 months after losing to Sergio Martinez in October 2011, but returned with a stoppage of Kerry Hope in December. The 30-year-old Barker wins the IBF Inter-continental title and will now return to the world ratings alongside other Brits Martin Murray and Matthew Macklin. Rotolo, 37, lost a split decision to Sebastian Sylvester for the European title in 2007. He had won seven fights in a row before this loss.

Purdy vs. Rivera
Purdy gets valuable experience against former world title challenger Rivera. Purdy got the best possible start when he floored the Mexican with a left hook in the first round. However, Rivera was not finished by any means. He used his experience to get back into then fight and Purdy was unable to repeat his early success.

As the fight wore on Purdy was piling up points with good body shots but was not launching sustained attacks. Rivera was scoring with good counters, particularly uppercuts, to blunt some of Purdy’s attacks. Purdy was building a lead based on his aggression and higher work rate and had opened cuts over both of Rivera’s eyes. Purdy looked to be on his way to a points win when the referee had a long look at the bad cuts and stopped the fight.

Purdy fails to live up to his “Lights Out” nickname, but gets another win and a good learning fight. The 25-year-old English champion and IBF No 10 retains his IBF International title. He is on an impressive run with stoppage wins over Adnan Amar, Chris Johnson and Gumersindo Carrasco. Rivera, 36, came in as a late substitute. He lost to Zab Judah for the IBF/WBA/WBC welter titles in 2003 and was 4-1-2 in his last seven fights with a win over Antonio Pitalua in those figures.

Groves vs. Balmaceda
Groves just hits too hard for limited Argentinian. Balmaceda came to fight, which was not a wise choice. Groves had the Argentinian under pressure in the first and floored him with a right to the body at the end of the second. It was all over in the third as another right put Balmaceda down and ended the fight. The 24-year-old British and Commonwealth champion had only two fights in 2012 and is aiming to be much more active this year. Balmaceda, 28, was a late substitute. He now has six loses by KO/TKO.

Clarke vs. Camacho
Clarke wins vacant English title with stoppage of Camacho. The fight started badly for Camacho when he was cut over the right eye in the first. It ended badly when he was floored in the sixth and he later retired. The 34-year-old Clarke also holds the International Masters title. Spanish-born southpaw Camacho, 27, had won 4 of his last 5 inside the distance.

Connor vs. Evangelou
A good little scrap sees Connor retain his Southern Area title and repeat a September points win over Evangelou. Connors built an early lead with his higher work rate and greater accuracy. Evangelou then got some momentum and it looked as if it might be a close finish. However, in the seventh Connor floored Evangelou twice with lefts to the body.

Evangelou only just survived to the bell, but the impetus was now with Connor and although they both fought hard to the final bell, Connor got a well deserved decision. The referee scored it 97-93. Despite the two knockdowns the 26-year-old is not a puncher and has yet to win inside the distance. “The Flash” Evangelou, 27, also a light hitter, after winning his first nine fights, loses for the second time in a row to Connor.

Shinkwin vs. Taylor
Taylor rumbled his way into the lead in the first, but although he had some rust to shed Shinkwin took the second. Over the next three rounds the better boxing of Shinkwin allowed him to build a lead. Taylor got back into the fight and took a couple of rounds, but Shinkwin kept to his boxing and took the decision. Referee’s score 97-94. Shinkwin wins the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title in his first ten round fight, and his first fight since April. Taylor had floored Shinkwin in sparring a few years back, but could not repeat the feat.

Ochieng vs. Serre
French import gives Kenyan-born Ochieng a hard fight and a good test. Serre suffered a cut in the first round, but battled hard all the way. Ochieng is still a work in progress, but he is making progress and this was a useful win over a game opponent. Referees score 77-75. Seven wins in a row for 25-year-old English champion “The Eagle” Ochieng. Serre, 32, was coming off a good win over Salim Larbi in November.

Ryder vs. Musiyiwa
London southpaw Ryder, 24 extends his winning run with points victory over Musiyiwa. “The Gorilla” wins by referee’s score of 79-72. Zimbabwean Musiyiwa, 32, has won only one of his last seven fights, but wins over Bradley Pryce and Jez Wilson show he can’t be taken lightly.

Cerete, Colombia: Straw: Merlito Sabillo (21-0) W TKO 8 Luis De La Rosa (21-2-1). Light: Darley Perez (28-0) W PTS 8 Julio Camano (8-9-1).

Sabillo vs. De La Rosa
Filipino southpaw Sabillo goes into the lion’s den and comes away with the vacant interim WBO title. The bout started badly for local fighter De La Rosa as he was cut in a clash of heads in the first round. That only seemed to stir the Colombian to greater effort and both were willing to trade heavy shots.

Heavy punches from De La Rosa had Sabillo rocking on occasions, and he built a lead, but the little Filipino was also getting through with some thumps of his own. Something had to give in this war and in the eighth it was De La Rosa who broke. A right from Sabillo put the home fighter down. The Colombian made it to his feet but was badly shaken and the fight could have been stopped then.

Sabillo attacked again and a left floored De La Rosa for a second time. Once more the Colombian staggered to his feet but this time the referee stopped the fight. The 29-year-old “Tiger” Sabillo, former undefeated Philippines and OPBF champion, has eleven wins by KO/TKO. He is now in a position to challenge the real WBO champion Moises Fuentes, or step up to full champion if Fuentes vacates. De La Rosa had lost on points to Raul Garcia in a previous shot at this title.

Perez vs. Camano
Rude shock for world rated Perez as he has to climb off the floor to outpoint modest Panamanian. Perez had the fight well in hand for the first three rounds although both boxers were having problems with a slippery canvas. It was no slip when a right uppercut and a left hook from Camano deposited Perez on the canvas.

The Colombian made it to his feet, but was badly shaken. After surviving the round Perez then boxed with more caution. It Camano’s turn to go down in the seventh but he was not hurt and it looked more of a slip than a knockdown. Perez tried for a finish in the last, but Camano was never in trouble. Scores 78-73, 76-72 and 77-73. Perez, 29, nearly blew his top rating with the IBF (he is No 3 but the first two positions are vacant). No wins in his last eight fights for Camano, but he nearly caused a lot of ratings to be torn up.

Barrio Santa Brigida, Argentina: Light Welter: Cesar Cuenca (44-0,2ND) W KO 5 Diego Ponce (25-7-3). A rare event. An win inside the distance for Cuenca. The WBO No 5 was far too quick for Ponce. The 32-year-old southpaw was firing from all angles and Ponce could never get close enough to score with counters.

A clash of heads in the fourth saw Ponce cut on the left eyebrow and the fast combinations from Cuenca were getting through with ease. In the fifth a right to the jaw and a shot to the body put Ponce down and out. Only the second win by KO/TKO for Cuenca which for a world rated fighter with 46 fights must be some kind of record. No wonder he used to be known as “Fred Astaire”. “Butcher” Ponce, 33, had lost only one of his last eleven fights and that was on the road against Chad Bennett in Australia for the vacant WBFoundation title.

Herstal, Belgium: Bantam: Stephane Jamoye (25-3) W TKO 8 Ashley Santos (14-2-2). Light Welter: Steve Jamoye (13-0) W PTS 10 Luis Solis (11-5-1).

Stephane Jamoye vs. Santos
Successful first defence of his European title by Jamoye. This was a close fight over the early rounds with the jab of Jamoye giving him the edge. Jamoye was on top in the fifth with Sexton under pressure. The sixth was all Jamoye with Sexton resorting to holding and having a point deducted.

Sexton was floored by a body punch in the seventh and when he was floored twice in the eighth the fight was stopped. The 23-year-old Belgian is a clever boxer who seems to have found additional punching power. He is 10-3 in his last 13 fights with all ten wins coming by KO/TKO.

The losses have been to Tomoki Kameda (split decision), Jamie McDonnell (a majority decision) and a kayo loss to Leo Santa Cruz. All world rated. He is still improving and is probably on his way to a world title shot. Sexton, 25, a former top amateur, has struggled to find consistency as a pro but is still young enough to make his mark.

Steve Jamoye vs. Solis
The younger of the Jamoye brothers, 21-year-old Steve wins the vacant WBC Youth Silver title. The Belgian champion was having his second ten round fight and came through with flying colours with a unanimous decision on scores of 97-93 twice and 99-92 over defending champion Solis. Only two wins by KO/TKO for Steve but he shows real talent. Mexican Solis is still very much at the novice stage.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Light Middle: Michael Oliveira (20-1) W KO 2 Orlando de Jesus Estrada (8-4-1). Middle: Giovanni Lorenzo (32-5) W KO 1 Johnny Valentin (3-27-1).

Oliveira vs. Estrada
After weighing-up what was in front of him Oliveira went to work in the second. A series of body shots floored Estrada and the fight was over. “The Brazilian Rocky” retains his WBA Fedebol and WBC Fecarbox titles. Now 14 wins by KO/TKO and two wins since losing in nine rounds to Acelino Freitas in June. Colombian Estrada’s fourth loss by KO/TKO.

Lorenzo vs. Valentin
A horrible, disgraceful bit of rubbish “matching” as Lorenzo kayos 51-year-old Valentin in one round. Lorenzo, 32, has come up short in the big fights so far with losses to Sebastian Sylvester, Felix Sturm and Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam for versions of world titles and to Sam Soliman in a final eliminator.

Espoo, Finland: Light: Edis Tatli (20-0) W PTS 12 Felix Lora (16-10-5) . Super Middle: Niko Jokinen (20-0 W PTS 8 Guzman Castillo (8-4). Cruiser: Juho Haapoja (19-3-1,1ND) W TKO 5 Levan Jomardashvili (29-8).

Tatli vs. Lora
Good win for Finnish-Kosovan Tatli. It was the skilful, smart boxing of 25-year-old Tatli against the aggression and body attack of Lora. Tatli built an early lead being quicker than the Dominican and getting his jab working. Tatli probably shades the fourth but Lora’s pressure is getting him into the fight.

Tatli is still keeping his boxing together, but Lora is getting through with body shots and has the edge in the middle rounds. In the ninth Lora seems to be tiring and Tatli has him rocking with a right, but fails to capitalise on the opportunity to finish the fight then. Lora makes a big effort in the tenth and eleventh, but in the last round, with just 30 seconds left in the fight, Tatli drops Lora with a left-right combination and wins unanimous decision. Scores 119-111, 117-110 and 116-112.

Good win for European Union champion Tatli. He won the European Union title by stopping Italian Paolo Gassani in 86 seconds and adds the WBA Inter-Continental title. Lora, 28, can give anyone trouble on his night as a draw with Martin Kristjansen and wins over Krzys Szot, Krzys Cieslak and Massimiliano Ballisai on the road indicate.

Jokinen vs. Castillo
Jokinen gets unanimous decision over Spaniard. Castillo does not have the greatest chin, but he is a skilful boxer and resisted all of Jokinen’s efforts to put him away. Jokinen always going to be the winner, but is not a power puncher. He takes the verdict, but Castillo steals some rounds with his clever boxing. Scores of 79-73, 79-74 and 77-76.

Haapoja vs. Jomardashvili
The Finn was always on top against the Georgian. It was a messy, untidy fight with not much clean action. Haapoja put the Georgian down in the fifth and when he got up Jomardashvili just walked back to his corner in surrender. The 32-year-old Haapoja, a former European Union champion, has twelve wins by KO/TKO. He was having his first fight since losing to Mateusz Masternak for the European title in December. His only loss in his last 16 fights. Jomardashvili was disgraceful. He weighed in at 10lbs over the weight limit and was only there to survive.

Hamburg, Germany: Light Middle: Nico Salzmann (14-7-3) W PTS 10 Ali Mammadov (10-2). Heavy: Alex Dimitrenko (34-2) W PTS 8 Ivica Perkovic (19-19).

Salzmann vs. Mammadov
Someone forgot to tell Salzmann he was supposed to lose. Azeri Mammadov, 24, was the aggressor taking the fight to Salzmann. The Bosnian fighter was having his first fight since June 2008 and took a while to shake off the rust.

Once he was in his stride Salzmann was boxing on the back foot but continually catching Mammadov with hard counters. Mammadov kept the pressure on to the end, but was just not accurate enough and could not get through the defence of Salzmann. Scores 97-91, 97-93 and 96-94. Salzmann wins the vacant WBC Baltic Silver title. There was some confusion over the scores but Salzmann was the winner.

Dimitrenko vs. Perkovic
Dimitrenko gets the win but it poses more questions that it answers. The big Ukrainian was comfortably bossing the fight against the out of condition Croatian. He was snapping his jab and getting through with right crosses. There was not a lot of variety in his work but there did not have to be as Perkovic was constantly going backwards and falling into a clinch whenever he could.

The same pattern was on show in the fourth. However, when Dimitrenko launched an attack, for once Perkovic stood his ground and fired back with a right and a left landing. Dimitrenko almost went down but stayed up in a u-shape bent over with both gloves resting on the canvas. He straightened up quickly, but his legs were shaking slightly. As the referee completed the standing eight count the bell rang, and Perkovic’s chance had gone. After a tentative start to the fifth Dimitrenko was again bossing the fight with his jab and right cross offence and won on points. Scores 77-74 twice and 78-73.

Civitavecchia, Italy: Light: Emiliano Marsili (26-0-1) W TKO 2 Luca Giacon (21-1,1ND). Super Middle: Giovanni De Carolis (20-4) W TKO 4 Artem Solomko (11-22-1). Light Middle: Daniele Petrucci (30-1-2) W PTS 8 Pavel Semjonov (8-2-1).

Marsili vs. Giacon
Fireworks from the start in this one, but coming from local idol Marsili rather than big puncher Giacon. A southpaw left hook from Marsili puts Giacon down. He beats the count but another left puts him down again. He is in deep trouble but makes it to the bell. In the second a shot from Giacon sends Marsili to his knees for a count.

When Marsili gets up he nails Giacon with a shot to the chin and launches a barrage of punches with the referee stepping in to save a groggy loser. Marsili wins the vacant European title. The 36-year-old Marsili, a former undefeated Italian champion, has eleven wins by KO/TKO with his best being a stoppage of Derry Matthews for the vacant IBO title in January 2012. Spanish-born, Italian-based Giacon, 24, had won 19 of his fights by KO/TKO but had been carefully matched.

De Carolis vs. Solomko
De Carolis was just too good for the limited Belarus-based Uzbek. The Italian chose to keep on the outside and box his way to a win. Solomko showed guts to keep going in the face of the punishment he was taking, but finally retired at the end of the fourth round. Ten wins by KO/TKO and seven wins in a row for De Carolis. He has failed in two shots at the Italian middleweight title, and one shot at the European Union super middle weight title, but is in contention again. Solomko was a late substitute and has now won only one of his last seven fights.

Petrucci vs. Semjonov
Useful eight rounds for Petrucci as he continues his efforts to get his career back on the road. Not an impressive win as “Bucetto” finds the jab of Semjonov a constant nuisance and never really seems to generate any fire. Petrucci wins every round but it was not an exciting fight.

Petrucci was out of the ring for a year after losing to Leo Bundu for the vacant European title in November 2011. Now two wins on his return for the 32-year-old from Rome. Two losses in a row for 27-year-old former Estonian amateur champion Semjonov, but he came in at short notice and fought well. His previous loss was a majority decision to unbeaten Sherzod Husanov (16-0-2).

Yokohama, Japan: Super Bantam: Tomoki Kameda (27-0) W KO 6 Nouldy Manakane (24-14-1). Super Bantam: Daiki Kameda (27-3) W KO 6 Faustino Cupul (25-9-1).

Tomoki Kameda vs. Manakane
The younger of the three Kameda brothers notches another win and adds to his inside the distance score. Indonesian Manakane out of his class and after dominating all the way Tomoki finishes the fight with a body punch early in the sixth. Now 19 wins by KO/TKO for the 21-year-old “Little Mexican” who is No 4 bantam with the WBC. Manakane lost on points to Koki Kameda for the secondary WBA bantam title in April last year.

Daiki Kameda vs. Cupul
Former WBA flyweight champion Daiki made a family double as he put away Mexican Cupul with a left hook in the sixth round. Five wins for Daiki since losing on points to Thai Tepparith for the WBA light flyweight title in December 2011. Cupul suffers sixth loss by KO/TKO.

Madrid, Spain: Fly: Xavier Urpi (11-1-1) W TKO 1 Ivan Pozo (33-9-1). Middle: Luis Crespo (9-4-1) W PTS 10 Jose Yebes (11-4-1). Super Feather: Ruddy Encarnacion (26-23-3) W PTS 10 Antonio Rodriguez (5-7-4). Light Welter: Ruben Nieto (12-0) W TKO 3 Jesus Garcia Simon (13-17-3).

Urpi vs. Pozo
A major shock has Urpi winning the vacant European Union title with first round stoppage of Pozo. A left from southpaw Urpi put Pozo down. The former European champion and WBO title challenger got up but was badly shaken. Urpi took Pozo to the ropes and was unloading with both hands when the referee stopped the fight.

Perhaps it should not be such a shock as in May 2011 Urpi floored and outpointed current European champion Silvio Olteanu. However, this was his first fight for 20 months. If there was any rust to shed he must have done so in the dressing room. End of the line for 33-year-old Pozo. He has been European flyweight champion twice, European Union bantam champion and lost in a challenge for the WBO flyweight title to Omar Narvaez in 2008. However he has now lost three in a row inside the distance so time to put the gloves away.

Crespo vs. Yebes
Crespo retains Spanish title in a good night for the champions. Last time these two met in May Yebes had halted Crespo inside a round. It was a close fight. Yebes took the early rounds with southpaw Crespo boxing carefully to avoid a repeat of the earlier disaster.

Yebes built a lead but once Crespo got his confidence he was out boxing his challenger and with a couple of rounds to go had put himself in front. The last two rounds were hard fought and probably shared leaving Crespo with that slight edge. Scores 97-96, 96-94 and 96-95. First defence of his national title for 32-year-old Crespo. Yebes, 33, was having his second shot at the Spanish title.

Encarnacion vs. Casero
Strangely subdued fight from normally fiery Encarnacion as he retains his Spanish title on a unanimous decision. The 34-year-old Dominican-born “Black Wolf” chose to box cautiously and was always doing just enough to win the rounds. The relatively inexperienced “Chily” Rodriguez just lacked the skill, but gets good marks for endeavour. Encarnacion a clear winner on scores of 98-93 twice and 99-92 with the last score looking the most representative. Now 5 wins in his last 6 fights for Encarnacion. Substitute Rodriguez just a prelim fighter.

Nieto vs. Simon
Prospect Nieto retained the Spanish title with stoppage of Simon. This was a one-sided fight with Nieto putting Simon down in the first round. Nieto found Simon an easy target in the second and with Simon talking punishment in the third his corner threw in the towel. First defence for Nieto who won the title with an upset victory over Daniel Rasilla last month. Tenth loss by KO/TKO for Simon and third unsuccessful challenge for a Spanish title.

Glasgow, Scotland: Middle: Gary McCallum (9-0) W PTS 10 Paul Allison (5-2-1). Fly: Ian Butcher (7-0) W TKO 1 Galin Paunov (2-6). Light: Mitch Prince (11-1-1) W TKO 1 Radoslav Mitev (3-9-1).

McCallum vs. Allison
McCallum wins Scottish Area title with points win over Allison. After an even first round McCallum got his jab working and piled up the points as he continually threaded it through the defence of Allison. Together with right crosses McCallum was controlling the fight.

Allison did get inside on occasion and did enough to pick up a couple of rounds, but in trying to cut back McCallum’s lead he was throwing punches without any real accuracy whereas McCallum was working with confidence and precision. Referee’s score 98-93. First ten round fight for McCallum and he handled it well, but a lack of power could be a problem. Allison had lost in four rounds to Chris Eubank Jr in his last fight in April, and was also having his first ten round fight.

Butcher vs. Paunov.
The 20-year-old prospect had nothing much in front of him. But Butcher got the job done and dusted in quick time. Looking class Butcher put the Bulgarian southpaw Paunov down three times and the fight was stopped after just 117 seconds. One to watch.

Prince vs. Mitev
Prince was also onto an easy night and he finished even quicker than Butcher. A right put Mitev down and he stayed there. All over in 79 seconds. First win inside the distance for 28-year-old Prince and his fourth victory since losing for the Scottish title to Stuart Green in 2010.

March 10

Kobe, Japan: Super Bantam: Shingo Wake (13-4-2) W TKO 10 Yukinori Oguni (10-1). An upset as Wake halts previously unbeaten Oguni in front of the loser’s own fans to win the OPBF title. Southpaw Wake decked Oguni with a left in the second round and that threw the local boy out of his game plan. Both fighter suffered punch induced cuts in the fifth with Oguni’s cut being the more severe of the two. Wake had a wide lead at the end of the eighth and Oguni was unable to turn the fight around. At the end of the tenth round his corner retired him. Wake was No 7 with the OPBF whilst Oguni was No 9 with the WBA. Those ratings will have to change.