The Past Week in Action 12 May 2014

Miss any of this week’s action in the sport? Get caught up with “The Past Week in Action” by Eric Armit; with a review of all major cards in the sport.

                          The Past Week in Action 12 May 2014

 

May 7

 

Osaka, Japan: Fly: Amnat Ruenroeng (13-0) W PTS 12 Kazuto Ioka (14-1). Straw: Katsunari Takayama (27-6,1ND) W PTS 12 Shin Ono (17-6-2). Light: Masayoshi Nakatani (8-0) W PTS 12 Ricky Sismundo (26-8-1).

Ruenroeng vs. Ioka

Ruenroeng upsets the odds by retaining his IBF title against Japanese star Ioka. The Thai refused to be drawn into a brawl and used speed of hand and foot to keep Ioka on the outside. His clever tactics, which included constantly switching guard, saw him take the first four rounds as Ioka just could not find the target but was being caught with counters. Ioka tried to work the body but Ruenroeng covered up well and was scoring with fast accurate shots throughout. The champion had set a fast pace and that seemed to catch up with him over the middle rounds and he resorted to holding more to smother Ioka’s attacks. Those tactics cost him a point in the tenth. Ioka went all out over the last two rounds but still found Ruenroeng a hard puzzle to solve and could not close the gap. Widely differing scores saw Ruenroeng only get a split decision which should have been unanimous. Scores 119-108 and 115-112 for Ruenroeng and 114-113 for Ioka. The 34-year-old Thai was making the first defence of the IBF title he won with a decision over Rocky Fuentes in April. It is unusual for top Thai amateurs to turn pro and Ruenroeng did not do so until he was 32. He started late as an amateur as he learned to box whilst in jail for armed robbery. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the South East Asian Games (on release whilst still serving his sentence) and the Kings Cup. In the Kings Cup he beat Ioka by a score of 19-7. He was a World Championships bronze medalist and competed at the 2008 Olympics. Former WBA/WBC straw and WBA light fly champion Ioka, 25, was trying to win his third world title in a different division in only his 15^th fight. Surely that would have been an all-time record. This was already his ninth world title fight. The Japanese will make sure he gets another chance at a flyweight title eventually.

Takayama vs. Ono

Fighting in his home city Takayama retains his IBF title with a points win over fellow-countryman Ono. It proved a troublesome defence for Takayama as the southpaw style and speed of the light-punching Ono gave him problems. Takayama edged the early rounds but Ono came on strong in the middle rounds to claw back that lead. Takayama also had to contend with a cuts over both eyes in the middle rounds and by the end of the eighth round Takayama was in front on one card and Ono ahead in the third. The tenth round proved pivotal as Ono tangled himself on the ropes after missing a punch and Takayama pounced on his tangled opponent and battered him to the canvas. Ono got up, but it was a 10-8 round and Takayama scored another knockdown in the last as Ono tired. Scores 117-109 twice and 115-111. Second defence for the 30-year-old former WBC champion. Ono, 31, the former OPBF champion and IBF No 10 (8)  had won his last six fights.

Nakatani vs. Sismundo

Tall Japanese starlet Nakatani retains the OPBF title with a unanimous decision over Filipino Sismundo. The 5’ 11 ½” (182cm) 24-year-old from Osaka was able to use his huge advantages in height and reach to establish an early lead with all three judges having him 39-37 ahead after four rounds. However, he was also sprouting a cut by his right eye.  He continued to use his jab and counters to dominate the fight and was still in front on all cards after eight. In the ninth Sismundo landed a left hook that had Nakatani on shaky legs but the Filipino just could not find a punch to end it. Nakatani fought back and had Sismundo hurt in the last. Scores 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112.  Nakatani is WBA 14 and IBF 15 and had beaten world rated Yoshitaka Kato for the OPBF title in January. Sismundo, 27, had mainly been fighting eight round fights since being kayoed by Dante Jardon in 2011. He was OPBF No 7 under his Japanese ring name of Harada Mondo.

 

Saint-Quentin, France: Light Heavy: Tony Averlant (20-8-2) W PTS 12 Serdar Sahin (22-2). Super Feather: Guillaume Frenois (33-1) W PTS 10 Kakhaber Avetisian (33-22-1). Cruiser: Thierry Karl (31-5) W PTS 8 Tamas Bajzath (9-10-1).

Averlant vs. Sahin

Averlant wins the WBFed title with unanimous decision over Sahin. After Sahin took the first two rounds Averlant used his jab to control the action. Sahin was dangerous with rights but was just not working hard enough and spent too often on the back foot looking to counter. Averlant had Sahin in trouble in the seventh and eighth but Sahin fought back with a couple of good uppercuts on the inside. As both tired the action was close and Averlant suffered a cut over his left eye. Despite this he had clearly had the better of the scoring and despite a strong effort by Sahin he won a deserved decision on scores of 116-112 twice and 115-113. The 30-year-old local fighter, the EBU No 12, was a former EU champion. A controversial split decision loss to Eduard Gutknecht for the EBU title, a points loss to Mounir Toumi for the WBFed International title and a stoppage loss to Juergen Brahmer, again in a EBU title fight, derailed Averlant for a while but he has won his last two fights. German “Bomber” Sahin, 32, was dangerous early but waited too long to let his punches go. He won his first 20 fights before being kayoed in four rounds by Robin Krasniqi in August 2012 but had won his last two fights.

Frenois vs. Avetisian

Hometown favourite Frenois just had too much class for experienced Georgian Avetisian. The 30-year-old southpaw constantly found a home for his jab and quick two-handed flurries. Avetisian was just too slow to catch the Frenchman other than with the occasional leaping attacks. Sores 98-92 twice and 99-91. Second win for the EBU No 3 since losing to Devis Boschiero for the EBU title in September. The 34-year-old Avetisian was coming off an upset victory over former WBO title challenger Andreas Evensen les than four weeks ago.

Karl vs. Bajzath

Former French middle and light heavy champion Karl returns to action with a points win over Hungarian Bajzath. Karl had some rust to shed and Bajzath showed some good moves to offset the pressure from the local. Karl deservedly took the unanimous decision in his first fight in over two years. He had built a run of eight wins but then lost in eleven rounds in 2011 to Danny McIntosh for the vacant EBU light heavy title when all he had to do was to stay on his feet to become champion. Five losses in his last six fights for Bajzath.

 

 

May 8

 

Sydney, Australia: Heavy: Hunter Sam (10-2-2) W PTS 10 Jarad Treloar (1-3). Super Feather: Kye MacKenzie (9-0) W KO 3 Hwi Jong Kim (5-12). Heavy: Lawrence Tauasa (34-9-1) W TKO 2 Tom Peato (1-1).

Sam vs. Treolar

Too easy for Australian champion as he outpoints novice Treloar in a non-title fight. The 29-year-old Sam wins on scores of 100-90,100-91,100-92. Aussie champion or not he can’t get into the OPBF ratings. He is the son of Doug Sam who was Australian super middle and OPBF light heavy champion but lost to Chong-Pal Park for the IBF super middle title in 1987.

MacKenzie vs. Kim

Another Australian champion gets a win as prospect MacKenzie kayos Korean in three. The 23-year-old from Sydney, a former Australian Youth champion, makes it 4 wins in a row by KO/TKO and six in total. Kim, 33, has lost 10 of his last 11 fights but went the distance with Billel Dib for the vacant Australian title in 2012.

Tauasa vs. Peato

Hong Kong-based Samoan Tauasa returns to the ring with a win over poor New Zealander . The 34-year-old former Australian cruiser champion, inactive since April 2012,  makes it 22 wins by KO/TKO but like the other “matches” on this show it was pitiful.

 

Wat Punoi, Thailand: Fly: Paiphrob (24-0) W TKO 4 Jay-ar Estremos (10-7). Bantam: Ratchasak (21-2-1) W PTS 6 Anis Cuenfin (16-19-6). Bantam: Fonluang (19-1-1) W KO 4 Marcelo Santos (0-2).

Paiphrob vs. Estremos

Highly touted Paipharob wins the vacant WBO Oriental title with a stoppage of Filipino. Now 19 wins by KO/TKO for the 31-year-old Thai. Currently the WBO have him at No 3 strawweight and the WBA at No 12 light flyweight but I guess he can make either poundage as he is also a former WBC Asian Council Continental flyweight champion. First loss inside the distance for “Smasher” Estremos, 21 who in February only lost on a majority decision to Kwanpichit (26-0-2).

Ratchasak vs. Cuenfin

Routine mark time win for 22-year-old Thai and tenth win in a row. Indonesian Cuenfin has lost 12 of his last 13 fights.

Fonluang vs. Santos

Rubbish match sees 24-year-old Thai kayo unknown novice Santos in four rounds. Now 10 wins and a draw in his last 11 fights for Fonluang. Not difficult as Santos had never won a fight and four of his other victims had never had a fight!

 

May 9

 

Dover, DE, USA: Feather: William Gonzalez (27-5) W KO 7 Cornelius Lock (22-7-2). Welter: Ray Robinson (18-2) W TKO 2 George Sosa (13-8). Super Feather: Omar Douglas (12-0) W PTS 8 Jesses Carradine (8-3-2).

Gonzalez vs. Lock

This was an all-southpaw slug fest from the start with Gonzalez fired up and Lock under pressure in the first only to hit back with a left that Staggered Gonzalez. It was more of the same in the second with Gonzalez throwing wild swings and Lock getting through with shorter and more accurate shots. A left from Gonzalez put Lock down in the third but the Detroit boxer got up and saw out the round. The wild swings of Gonzalez were curving around the back of Lock’s head and the Nicaraguan lost a point for that in the fourth. The pressure was staring to tell and by the end of the fifth Lock was tiring and cut over his right eye. Gonzalez floored Lock with left in the sixth and the end was near. It came early in the seventh when a right from Gonzalez put Lock down again and the fight was immediately waived off. “Chirizo” Gonzalez, 33, moves to 23 wins by KO/TKO. He lost to Joseph Agbeko for the IBF bantam title in 2008 and then looked to have rebuilt well with four wins over decent opposition. However in 20112 he lost two straight to low level prelim fighters who had lost more than they had won. He was then inactive for 16 months before returning with a win in March last year and did not fight again before this win. He will now be in demand as a stepping-stone. Lock, 35, also had back-to-back losses but his were to top quality fighters in Daniel Ponce De Leon and Mikey Garcia in 2010. He was out until January 2013 and had run up three wins and a draw with Mike Oliver. It may be time to call it a day for Lock.

Robinson vs. Sosa

“The New Ray Robinson” (those shoes are too big for any boxer to fill) made it seven wins in a row with a stoppage of Sosa. The 28-year-old southpaw chipped away at Sosa finding him an easy target in the first and wobbling him with a combination at the end of the second. Robinson was able to pick his spots in the third and body shots weakened Sosa. In the fourth a body punch took all of the fight out of Sosa and the referee stopped the fight. Robinson, 28, also lost back-to-back fights to top opposition in the shape of majority decision to Brad Solomon in 2009 and a wide unanimous decision to Shawn Porter in 2010. He took 14 months out after the Porter loss and since returning in January 2010 has acquired 7 wins including victories over Terrence Cauthen, Ray Narh and Aslanbek Kozaev (25-0-1). He lost to Frankie Gavin as a Junior and is one of the few pros to have competed at the World University Games. He is WBO No 8. Sosa, 27 has lost 4 of his last 5

Douglas vs. Carradine

“Super O” Douglas given eight good rounds by the taller Carradine. Douglas had to work hard to get inside the jab of the lanky Carradine so that he could go to the body. The tactic was effective although Carradine counters had the mouthpiece of Douglas flying across the ring a couple of times. Douglas worked the body hard in the seventh and dropped Carradine with a right in the last to get the unanimous decision. Scores 78-73, 77-74 and a too close 76-75. Good learning fight for the 23-year-old who had won his last six fights by KO/TKO. Carradine, 26, gave Douglas a good fight. His other losses have also been to undefeated fighters in current IBF feather champion Evgeny Gradovich and Karl Dargan

 

Helsinki, Finland: Light: Edis Tatli (23-0) W TKO 8 Antonio De Vitis (26-4-1,1ND). Light Middle: Jussi Koivula (16-1) W TKO 3 Ramazi Gogichashvili (12-2-2). Middle: Niko Jokinen (22-2) W PTS 6 George Kandelaki (11-8-1). Welter: Juho Tolppola (23-6-1) W PTS 6 Suro Ismailov (5-1).

Tatli vs. De Vitis

Tatli retains his WBA Inter-Continental title as Italian De Vitis retires at the start of the eighth round. The Kosovo-born Finn was able to use his reach to outbox the challenger over the first two rounds but was over confident. He was looking for the knockout and got sloppy. He paid for that in the third when a countering right over his low left put him down. He got up and from then on kept a tight guard and a tight hold on the fight. Tatli was in control and in the seventh punished De Vitis severely and the Italian failed to answer the bell for the eighth round. That makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old “Prince”. He is rated No 12 by the WBA and No 4 by the EBU. As an amateur he was Finnish champion at 48kg and 54kg, so has grown since then. “Pitbull” De Vitis, 35, the EBU No 7 super feather was having his first fight in 10 months. This is the first time he has been beaten by a TKO. His only previous losses were a majority decision for the EU title and a technical decision for the EBU title both against Ermano Fegatilli and a points decision for the EBU title against Devis Boschiero, all of those fights at super featherweight.

Koivula vs. Gogichashvili

Former top amateur Koivula halts Georgian with uppercuts. The local 30-year-old had Gogichashvili hurt with a right uppercut in the first. He used the same punch to put him down in the second. The Georgian was down again in the third but it looked more like a slip. However the referee stopped the fight and it seemed an early stoppage. Early or not it gives Koivula his fifth win by KO/TKO and his third win in a row as he rebuilds after a stoppage loss to Lukasz Maciec in April last year. Koivula was Finnish amateur champion from 2002 through 2008 as he climbed from 57kg to 64kg. Gogichashvili, just 19, was having only his second fight outside Georgia. Both have resulted in losses by KO/TKO but both against tough local opposition.

Jokinen vs. Kandelaki

Lanky Jokinen is also engaged in reconstruction after two straight losses. The 26-year-old from Helsinki had height and reach over modest Kandelaki and boxed his way to a clear unanimous decision. Scores 60-54 twice and 60-55. Jokinen suffered back-to-back losses last year to useful Lithuanian Virgilijus Stapulionis, the first on points and the second a crushing three round demolition. Georgian Kandelaki, 40, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

Tolppola vs. Ismailov

Tolppola returns to the ring with unanimous decision over young Swede. The 32-year-old Finn won every round as he shed the rust of five years of inactivity. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. Tolppola retired in 2009 after being disqualified in a fight for the EU title against Giuseppe Lauri. He had lost in a previous shot at the title and in two EBU title fights. Way back in 2000 he was a bronze medalist at the European Championships. Twenty-three-year-old Armenian-born Ismailov a former Swedish Junior champion was having his first six round fight.

 

Las Palmas, Spain: Welter: Ceferino Rodriguez (16-0) W TKO 6 Ismael El Massoudi (39-8). Cruiser: Gabriel Campillo (23-6-1,1ND) W TKO 7 Ricky Dennis Pow (11-3-1). Light Middle: Sergio Garcia (13-0) W PTS 6 Kobe Vanderkerkhove (24-21-4).

Rodriguez vs. El Massoudi

Second successful defence of his EU title for Rodriguez as he halts Frenchman El Massoudi in the sixth. Local favourite “Ferino V” was in charge early with his superior speed, technique and strength. El Massoudi could do nothing to change the course of the fight. A big left from Rodriguez in the sixth had the challenger badly hurt and unable to defend himself and the fight was stopped. Now 10 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old Rodriguez who is joint managed by Sergio Martinez. The 36-year-old “Desert Storm” El Massoudi, he is of Moroccan descent, is a former interim WBA light welter champion, but is now 3-5 in his last eight fights.

Campillo vs. Pow

Former European super middle and WBA light heavy champion Campillo moved up to cruiserweight for this his first fight since being kayoed in nine rounds by Andrzej Fonfara in August. Spanish-based Brit Pow put the Spaniard under pressure early in the fight forcing Campillo to use his skill and experience to blunt the attacks of the Brit. Pow did enough to make it an entertaining fight but was taking too many hard counters and it was stopped in the seventh round. Ten wins by KO/TKO for the 35-year-old Spaniard who intends to box at light heavy. Having held both the WBA and Spanish titles he is now aiming to win the European to make it a clean sweep. Third loss by KO/TKO for 27-year-old Pow.

Garcia vs. Vanderkerkhove

Prospect Garcia continues his unbeaten skein with a unanimous decision over Belgian Vanderkerkhove. The 21-year-old “El Nino” used his considerable height advantage to keep this one on the outside and won clearly. Vanderkerkhove is 3-8-1 in his last 12 fights.

 

Sheffield, England: Welter: Chad Gaynor (15-1) W TKO 2 Adil Anwar (20-4).

This was Gaynor’s first ten round fight but he did not let it go that far. This was expected to be a close fight that would go the distance. The more experienced Anwar edged the first round but Gaynor produced a crunching combination in the second to put Anwar face down on the canvas. The referee halted the fight so that the paramedics could give Anwar oxygen and it was almost two minutes before he was finally back on his feet. Eight wins by KO/TKO for 23-year-old Gaynor. A victory that will propel Gaynor up the British ratings. His only loss was in the 2013 Prizefighter and this was his fifth win since then. “Platinum Kid” Anwar, 26, had an 18 bout winning streak broken when he lost on points to Darren Hamilton for the British light welter title in July but then lost a decision to Simone Lewis (4-18-3) in September, so the wheels have come off in a big way.

 

Neuquen, Argentina: Light Welter: Mauro Max Godoy (15-0) W TKO 5 Federico Malaspina (13-6-2). Local fighter “El Rayo” Godoy goes to 15 wins with crushing victory over Malaspina. Godoy scored four knockdowns, one in the second round, two in the fourth and one in the fifth when the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old “King” wins the interim WBO Latino title and has six wins by KO/TKO. Malaspina, 30, has now lost 2 of his last 3 fights by KO/TKO.

 

May 10

 

Los Angeles, CA, USA: Heavy: Bermane Stiverne (24-1-1) W TKO 6 Chris Arreola (36-4). Heavy: Eric Molina (21-2) W TKO 5 DaVarryl Williamson (27-8). Light Welter: Amir Imam (14-0) W PTS 8 Yordenis Ugas (15-3).  Light Welter: Abel Ramos (9-0-2) DREW 6 Levan Ghvamichava (11-1-1). Cruiser: BJ Flores (29-1-1) W KO 1 Adam Collins (12-10,1ND). Heavy: Razvan Cojanu (10-1) W TKO 5 Rodricka Ray (5-7-1).

Stiverne vs. Arreola

Stiverne wins the vacant WBC title with stoppage of previous victim Arreola. It was Arreola who made the more positive start coming forward for most of the first round and taking Stiverne to the ropes and scoring with punches to head and body. If there was a down side for Arreola it was when he was trading punches with Stiverne on the ropes and a counter left uppercut from Stiverne at the end of the round caused Arreola’s knees to dip. It was same again in the second as Arreola, fighting in bursts twice back Stiverne to the ropes and unloaded with both hands. He rocked Stiverne with a right but again Stiverne seemed to momentarily shake Arreola. The Haitian-born Canadian was just not letting his hands go and only looking to counter. The third was a big round for Arreola as he chased Stiverne across the ring taking him to the ropes and landing 8 unanswered shots and chasing Stiverne to the ropes again and unloading with little coming back. It was a one-sided fight in the fourth as Stiverne did little except probe with his left whilst in short bursts Arreola was taking the Canadian to the ropes and throwing combinations including some powerful body shots. Stiverne was giving away the rounds. Arreola did less attacking in the fifth but was still throwing more and landing more than Stiverne. There was always the danger that Arreola would walk onto a counter from Stiverne and that was what happened. At the one minute mark in the sixth, as Arreola was launching another attack Stiverne nailed him with a huge right. Arreola staggered back and his legs did a little dance before he pitched sideways to the canvas. He was badly hurt and still looked groogy as he climbed to his feet on the eight. Stiverne drove Arreola to the ropes and landed a volley of head punches that sent Arreola to his knees hanging on to the ropes and gazing out into the crowd. Once again he got to his feet, this time at 8 ½. Stiverne rushed in landing more head shots and even though Arreola was trying to punch back the referee stopped the fight. The 35-year-old Stiverne becomes the first world champion in a long time to not have Klitschko as his family name and is the first Haitian-born and the first from Montreal to win a world heavyweight title. He had to wait a long time for his title shot and took that chance when it came. Arreola made the fight. He was coming forward and threw more than twice as many punches as Stiverne and landed almost three times as many. However he never seemed to hurt the Canadian whereas Stiverne twice looked to have shaken Arreola with counters similar to the one that caused the first knockdown. The 33-year-old “Nightmare” will have to think about his future. This was his second world title shot, Vitali Klitschko beat him in ten rounds for the same WBC title in 2009, but there are plenty of young, and a few old, heavyweights out there he can earn good pay days against.

Molina vs. Williamson

“Drummer Boy” Molina gets stoppage win over veteran Williamson. This was a dull fight for most of the way with Williamson using his wiles to survive and a rusty Molina taking a while to find the rang. Molina finally started to land his punches in the fourth. They traded shots in the fifth and when Molina shook Williamson with an overhand right the referee stopped the fight. It looked a premature stoppage. The 32-year-old  6’4” (193cm) was having his first fight since beating Tony Grano on points for the NABF title in April last year. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO and the only loss in his last 21 fights was a one round thrashing by Chris Arreola in 2012. “Touch of Sleep” Williamson, 45, was having his first fight since being kayoed by Grano in June 2012. he lost a close decision to Chris Byrd for the IBF title in 2005.

Imam vs. Ugas

Best win so far for Imam as he gets unanimous decision over former Cuban amateur star Ugas. The Cuban Olympian took the early rounds being busier and more active and scoring with class counters but Imam made the stronger finish. From the fifth Ugas let his work rate drop and Imam was able to sweep the later rounds to take the unanimous decision. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73. The tall 23-year-old “Young Master” from Albany had won his last 12 fights by KO/TKO but this was a more valuable win. Imam lost to Errol Spencer at the US Olympic Trials. It would take the rest of this page and more to list the achievements of 27-year-old Ugas as an amateur but suffice to say he beat Terrence Crawford, Darley Perez, Jose Pedraza, Khabib Allakhverdiev, Francisco Vargas, Luis Franco, Sadam Ali and many others. Somehow he is just not cutting it as a pro.

Ramos vs. Ghvamichava

Ramos maintained his unbeaten record but only just. Ramos had the better of the first two rounds but suffered a bad cut by his right eye and the fight changed. Georgian Ghvamichava took charge coming forward putting Ramos under pressure and getting home with good combinations. The Georgian looked to have done enough to take the decision but had to settle for a draw. Scores 57-57 twice and a way out 59-55 for Ramos. Second draw for 22-year-old Ramos who ended all square with unbeaten Maurice Hooker in January. The “Georgian Wolf” Ghvamichava, 28, lost his unbeaten tag against Alan Herrera in July but had rebounded with a win. He represented Georgia at the 2005/2007 & 2009 World Championships.

Flores vs. Collins

Flores failed to get some much needed ring work as he flattened Collins with one devastating right after just 118 seconds. The 35-year-old former IBO title challenger has managed only 5 fights in the last 48 months since losing to Danny Green for that IBO title and this was his first fight since October 2012. He is talking of challenging Krzys Wlodarczyk for the WBC title but needs to do more than this to land a title shot. Only one win in his last 7 fights for 38-year-old Collins and  now eight losses by KO/TKO.

Cojanu vs. Ray

Yet another European giant on the scene and Cojanu makes it ten wins in a row as he halts Ray in fifth. Las Vegas-based Romanian had huge advantages in height and reach and slowly wore Ray down. In the fifth a body punch floored Ray. He got up but the follow-up attack from Cojanu broght the referee’s intervention. The 27-year-old 6’7 ½” (202cm) Cojanu hit the scales at 269 ½ lbs giving him 52 lbs advantage over Ray. As an amateur Cojanu was Romanian champion, won a bronze medal at the European Union Championships and competed at the 2009 World Championships. This was Ray’s first fight for 18 months and his second loss by KO/TKO.

 

Pasay City, Philippines: Light Fly: Donnie Nietes (33-1-4) W TKO 9 Moises Fuentes (19-2-1). Fly: Milan Melindo (31-1) W PTS 12 Martin Tecuapetia (11-6-2). Super Feather: Rey Bautista (35-3) W PTS 10 Sergio Villaneuva (26-4-2). Feather: Mark Bernaldez (13-0) W TKO 1 Marvin Tampus (27-19-2)

Nietes vs Fuentes

Last time these two fought in March last year it ended as a controversial draw. This time Nietes showed his domination with a ninth round kayo to retain his WBO title. Fuentes had come to win and took the fight to Nietes. As with many Mexican’s he concentrated on the body and despite some classy countering from Nietes Fuentes built a lead by the end of the sixth. Nietes had been troubled by the height and reach advantages of Fuentes but he finally began to scores heavily with rights down the pipe in the seventh.  Nietes kept up the pressure in the eighth and in the ninth broke through with a volley of punches which put the Mexican down. Nietes blotted his copy book by landing more punches when Fuentes was down. Fuentes got temporary relief as the referee deducted a point from Nietes for those punches but the relief was very temporary. Nietes put Fuentes down with another right and when the Mexican staggered to his feet another right put him down and the referee waived off the fight without a count. The 31-year-old Ahas (Snake) was making the fourth defence of his WBO title and is on an unbeaten streak of 24 fights going back to 2004 when he lost a split decision in Indonesia to Angky Angkotta who came in 6lbs over the contracted weight for the fight. Nietes first won the WBO straw title in 2007 and has now been in eight world title fights. He does not get the credit he deserves. Fuentes, 28, also a former WBO straw champion, and interim light fly champion had only lost once before, to Juan Hernandez on a split decision in 2011, and so this was the first time he had failed to last the distance.

Melindo vs. Tecuapetia

Melindo wins the early rounds but then has to hang on as Mexican Tecuapetia commands the second half of the fight and looks unlucky not to get the decision. “Method Man” Melinda was in control over the first six rounds catching Tecuapetia with a succession of jabs and uppercuts and generally outboxing the less experienced Mexican. However too often Melinda was finding himself trapped on the ropes by the relentless pressure from Tecuapetia. Over the second half of the fight Melindo tired badly and Tecuapetia was bossing the action and eating into Melinda’s lead. An exhausted Melindo needed all of his skills to make it to the final bell. The judges gave him the majority verdict on scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 so he retained his WBO International title and preserved his WBO 5/IBF 7(5) rating. “Devil” Tecuapetia was coming off a career best win over Gilberto Parra (15-1) in November, but there was nothing in his record to show he could push Melindo this hard so Melindo’s conditioning has to be queried.

Bautista vs Villaneuva

Another loss could signal the end of Bautista’s career so although this was an unconvincing win in a fight that never really came alight he did what was asked of him. It was a subdued Bautista who did the cleaner and more accurate work with Mexican Villaneuva using his longer reach to score to the body. Many rounds were close but Bautista just did enough to deserve the unanimous decision. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. “Boom Boom” was having his first fight since losing a split decision to Jose Ramirez in April last year. The 27-year-old from Tagbilaran City is hoping to work his way to another title shot so that he can banish the memory of his 150 seconds blow away by Daniel Ponce De Leon when he challenged for the WBO super bantam title in 2007. Villanueva, 22, a former WBC Youth champion, lost in seven rounds to Puerto Rican prospect Jose Pedraza in June.

Bernaldez vs. Tampus

“Machete” Bernaldez added another win to his record as he forced experienced Tampus to retire at the end of the first round. Now 5 wins in a row by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old from Cebu City the GAB No 5, but seven losses in a row for 30-year-old Tampus.

 

Liverpool, England: Light Derry Mathews (35-9-2) W PTS 12 Martin Gethin (24-5-1). Light: Terry Flanagan (24-0) W TKO 2 Yordan Vasilev (16-36-2). Middle: Chris Eubank Jr. (15-0) W TKO 7 Robert Swierzbinski (13-3).Light Welter: Thomas Stalker (8-0) W PTS 8 Ryan Hardy (7-2). Light Welter: Jack Catterall (8-0) W PTS 8 Krzys Szot (18-13-1). Light Welter: Nat Brough (11-0) W PTS 8 Mark McKray (5-26-1). Light: Craig Evans (12-0) W PTS 8 Dame Sek (8-6-2).

Matthews vs. Gethin

An excellent little scrap sees Mathews withstand a strong finish from Gethin to win the vacant British title for the second time with a split decision. Mathews built a lead on the basis of his excellent jab as he was just too quick for Gethin over the early rounds. It was a different fight over the late rounds as Mathews, suffering from a nose damaged by a Gethin punch in the second round, let his work rate drop and the pressure from Gethin began to tell. Despite tiring and being hurt with body punches Mathews kept his boxing together and did enough to hold on to his early lead. Scores 117-113 and 116-114 for Mathews and 116-112 for Gethin. Mathews, 30, a big local favourite, is also a former holder of the CBC title. He is a real rubber man having been written off once or twice but as in this one bouncing back. A loss might have ended his career.Gethin,30, also a former British champion, was having his first fight since a seven round crushing loss to Ammeth Diaz in an IBF eliminator in May last year.

Flanagan vs. Vasilev

Southpaw Flanagan warmed-up for his shot at new champion Mathews with an easy disposal of Vasilev. A hard combination dropped Vasilev at the end of the first round and when Flanagan went to work again early in the second he had Vasilev on unsteady legs and the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old “Turbo” a former undefeated English super feather champion and Prizefighter winner has 8 wins by KO/TKO. He has an injury victory over Nate Campbell and his fight with Mathews will be interesting. Bulgarian Vasilev is 2-6 in his last 8 fights and has 11 losses by KO/TKO.

Eubank vs. Swierzbinski

Eubank wins again and takes his eccentricity to new heights-or lows. For the three minutes of the first round with exception of one brief visit to centre ring Eubank just stood in his own corner behind crossed arms allowing the Pole to come at him and throw punches with both hands whilst Eubank threw occasional counters. One of those, a right, caught Swierzbinski on the temple and sent him stumbling back to mid ring. Eubank made no attempt to follow-up but just stood and waited for Swierzbinski to regain his balance and come to him again. When the bell went Eubank was still in his own corner. He adopted normal tactics in the second taking the centre of the ring. He floored the Pole with a combination of shots. The Pole was up at three and Eubank chose not to follow-up his advantage. The difference in power was evident and Eubank was stalking Swierzbinski in third and every time he landed the Pole was hurt. Body shots put Swierzbinski down twice in the fourth but Eubank could not finish the job then. Swierzbinski tried to come forward in the fifth and force Eubank onto the back foot and had some success as Eubank was unable to land any hard punches. Two more knockdowns followed in the sixth from hooks to head and body. Swierzbinski was going over but getting straight up and fighting back although at the end of the sixth even his corner looked as though they expected the fight to be stopped. Another attack from Eubank in the seventh saw Swierzbinski go down on his knees and after completing the eight count the referee stopped the fight. Eubank, 24, now has 7 wins in a row by KO/TKO and is showing improvement in every fight. Swierzbinski showed useful skills but some of the knockdown looked weak and he did not have the power to match Eubank.

Stalker vs. Hardy

British 2012 Olympic team captain Stalker controlled this one from the start. He was a class above Hardy who tried to force the fight to upset the Liverpool fighter. Stalker had the skills and with everything flowing from his jab he dominated. He had Hardy bloodied and hurt in the second and constantly scored with uppercuts without ever looking as though he was going to get an early finish and the frustration of that made it an untidy scrap at times. Hardy wasted some time clowning but apart from a useful fifth round he could not match the class of Stalker. The 29-year-old southpaw, a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner won on the referee’s card by 80-73. Hardy maintained his record of not losing by KO/TKO.

Catterall vs. Szot

Young Catterall came through his first eight round fight in fine style winning every round against Polish trial horse Szot. The 20-year-old southpaw showed excellent skills and continues to improve. Referee’s score card 80-72. Now 8 losses in his last 9 fights for 35-year-old Szot as the once high class amateur settles into the “opponent” role.

Brough vs. McKray

The lanky Brough, badly in need of ring time, gets eight useful rounds of work from journeyman McKray.  Referee’s score 79-74 but just getting out without hand injury is a win for Brough. The 29-year-old former World Junior bronze medallist had been plagued by hand injuries and has taken almost seven years to accumulate his eleven wins. Jamaican-born McKray has lost six times in a row on points with useful opposition such as Tyrone Nurse and Gary Sykes having to go the distance for their wins.

Evans vs Sek

Welsh southpaw Evans struggles against late substitute Sek. The 24-year-old Evans gets the verdict but drops a couple of rounds on the way. Referee’s score 78-76. Evans was a top amateur winning a bronze at the European Championships and competing at the 2009 World Championships.

 

Sheffield, England: Super Bantam: Kid Galahad (17-0) W RTD 4 Fred Mundraby (15-2-1). Heavy: Hughie Fury (14-0) W PTS 8 Danny Hughes (12-3-2). Light Welter: Lenny Daws (28-3-2) W PTS 8 Sylwester Walczak (4-12-1).

Galahad vs. Mundraby

Galahad adds the CBC title to his collection as brave little Aussie Mundraby retires after four one-sided rounds. Galahad spent each round hunting down Mundraby and getting home with jabs and combinations to head and body. A southpaw straight left had Mundraby staggered in the first and a left hook to the body had him wincing. In the second Galahad was in close pursuit as Mundraby backed around the ring trying to avoid Galahad’s shots. A series of punches drove Mundraby across the ring but he rallied at the end of the round and fired back with a brief flurry. Mundraby tried to get on the front foot at the start of the third but was soon put into defensive mode by hard jabs and hooks to the body. Both fighters were given a warning. Galahad for pushing Mundraby’s head down and Mundraby for ducking low. The fourth saw Galahad in total control trapping Mundraby on the ropes and firing shot after shot with the referee looking closely to see whether he should step in. Just before the bell for the start of the fifth Mundraby’s corner signaled the retirement of their man. The 24-year-old Galahad was a class above the little Aborigine and had big edges in speed power and strength. Galahad is yet to achieve a world rating but holds the WBC International and European titles and is looking for fights with either Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg. Mundraby, 26, was just too small; he has fought as low as super fly, and lacked the power to make any impact here.

Fury vs. Hughes

Fury remains unbeaten as he wins clearly in an uninspiring fight. Both men are big Fury 6’6” (198cm) and Hughes 6’5” (196cm) but both were also slow. The fight had no highlights as neither fighter committed himself and both did more posing than punching. Fury was slightly more active in the first six rounds with Hughes very rarely taking the initiative and only letting his punches go over the last two rounds. Fury just did enough but he is still very raw and his right swings were so wide he probably had to pay at the ticket office to get them back in the arena. Referee’s score 79-74 which tallied with mine. Fury is still only 19 so has time to improve. He has a good jab but needs to tighten up his wild swings when coming forward. Hughes previous losses had been to Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott in Prizefighter Tournaments but he just did not turn up for this fight.

Daws vs. Walczak

Daws continues his reconstruction with a wide points victory over Pole Walczak. Daws is tall for a light welter at 5’10 ½” (179cm) and he was able to use his physical edge and his superior skill to win every round. Referee’s score 80-72. The 35-year-old former British champion makes it three wins since losing a hotly disputed decision to Italian Michele Di Rocco for the vacant European title in June. Only one win in his last 14 fights for Walczak. Strangely that was over unbeaten Brit George Carman.

 

Tandil, Argentina: Feather: Matias Rueda (18-0) W TKO 3 Claudio Tapia (23-24-4).

Argentinian Rueda nearly finished this non-title fight in the first but finally had to climb off the canvas to halt Tapia in the third. “La Cobrita” floored southpaw Tapia with a right in the first round. Tapia was badly shaken and later in the round was floored by a left cross. He made it to his feet and was saved by the bell. Rueda picked his shots in the second hurting Tapia to head and body and was in command. He was looking for the finish in the third only to walk onto a left to the chin which put the hometown fighter down and stunned the crowd to silence. Despite being shaky Rueda got up and landed a right which put Tapia down. When Tapia got up both landed heavy shots and both were wobbled but Rueda had more power and he put Tapia down with a left to the jaw. Tapia managed to beat the count but another left to the chin put him down and out. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO for the WBO No 12 but being floored and wobbled have put a question mark over his chin. Tapia, 33, is no longer the force he was when he was facing future world title challengers and beating Fernando Saucedo and drawing with Vicente Rodriguez. he is now 3-4 in his last 7 fights with all four losses by KO/TKO.

 

Niort, France: Middle: Karim Achour (17-4-2) W PTS 10 Davy Armand (15-4-1).

Achour retains French title with unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Armand. Achour fought his usual aggressive fight against the hometown fighter with Armand countering and scoring well. It was a close fight over the first three rounds but from then Achour increased the pace and was able to work inside with hooks and uppercuts on his way to a clear victory. Scores 98-92 twice and 98-93. Fourth defence for 27-year-old Achour the EBU No 10. He is 11-2 in his last 13 fights with the losses being in good efforts against Martin Murray and Lukas Konecny. Armand, 29, had won his last 4 fights but found Achour just too strong.

 

Fuerstenwalde, Germany: Light Middle: Nick Klappert (19-1) W KO 3 Gogi Knezevic (26-5-1). Welter: Azad Azizov (29-4-2) W PTS 12 Lukasz Janik (11-5-1).

Klappert vs. Knezevic

Klappert delights his hometown fans with kayo of Austrian to retain his IBO Inter-Continental title. He floored Knezevic in the first but the Austrian survived the round. Klappert handed out more hard knocks in the second and then put Knezevic down in the third with a crunching right. Knezevic made it to his feet but on shaky legs and the fight was stopped. The 31-year-old German has 13 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was a majority decision against Koko Murat in 2010 and he has run up 7 wins since then. “Lionheart” Knezevic had won 8 of his last 9 fights.

Azizov vs. Janik

Azizov wins the vacant GBC welter title but looks lucky to get past less experienced Pole Janik on split decision. Scores 116-112 and 114-113 to Azizov and 114-113 to Janik. The 30-year-old German-based Azeri already holds the GBC light welter title. He has good wins over Valentyn Kuts, Rene Mahling and Philipp Schuster and his only loss in his last 9 fights is to Serhiy Fedchenko. Janik, 25, is 3-5 in his last eight fights and this was the first time he has been in a bout scheduled for more than eight rounds so a very good showing.

 

Budapest, Hungary: Super Middle: Norbert Nemesapati (14-0) W TKO 6 Ivan Stupalo (7-4). “Noble” Nemesapati retains WBC Youth Silver title with stoppage of Croat Stupalo. Nemesapati had to work his way inside against the taller Stupalo and it was a good competitive fight with Nemesapati working the body and Stupalo scoring with hard counters. The aggression of Nemesapati told in the sixth when he took Stupalo to the ropes and scored with body shots forcing Stupalo down and through the bottom ropes. He got up but was under pressure again. Nemesapati drove the Croat to a corner and another bunch of punches saw Stupalo down on one knee. The Hungarian landed a punch when Stupalo was clearly down and after a pause landed another one. The referee ignored the two foul blows and stopped the fight. The 18-year-old local has won his last 13 fights by KO/TKO but those two punches when Stupalo was down were certainly not noble. Second loss by KO/TKO for former amateur international Stupalo.

 

Monterrey, Mexico: Super Bantam: Andres Gutierrez (29-0-1) W PTS 10 Jairo Hernandez (10-6). The unbeaten “Little Jaguar” wins a well deserved decision over game Hernandez. There were no knockdowns but Gutierrez was landing the harder shots with Hernandez firing back and doing enough to pick up the odd round and be competitive. Gutierrez suffered a small cut on his left eyelid but it was not a factor in the fight. The 20-year-old’s WBC Silver title was not on the line. He is WBC No 2 so in line for a shot at the winner of Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton. Hernandez is 2-6 in his last 8 fights but the only fighter to beat him by KO/TKO is current WBO bantam champion Tomoki Kameda.

 

Brodnica, Poland: Middle: Maciej Sulecki (18-0) W PTS 10 Nicolas Dion (11-2). Light Heavy: Dariusz Sek (20-1-1) W PTS 8 Serhiy Demchenko (14-7). Super Middle: Norbert Dabrowski (15-2) W TEC DEC 4 Andrei Salakhutdzinau (15-4).

Sulecki v. Dion

After flooring Frenchman Dion in the first round Sulecki forgets his boxing and makes the fight harder than it needed to be. A right put Dion down and he was in deep trouble but survived. After that with Sulecki ignoring his jab and trading with the Frenchman Dion was able to get back into the fight and make it a fairly even contest. Sulecki was winning but many rounds were close. The Pole made sure of the decison with a strong finish flooring Dion in the last round with a series of punches and the Frenchman only just made it to the bell. Scores 100-90, 98-90 and 96-92. The 25-year-old from Warsaw, the Polish champion, wins the vacant Polish International title. He is No 15 with the EBU.  The 32-year-old Dion had won his last 10 fights and this was his first fight scheduled for more than six rounds.

Sek vs. Demchenko

Sek outboxed the Ukrainian for most of the way but Demchenko remained strong and Sek was hard pressed at the end as he tired and was glad to hear the final bell. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-73. First fight for Sek, 27, since losing to Robert Woge in a battle of undefeated fighter in June. He is EBU No 12. Italian-based Demchenko, 34 has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

Dabrowski vs. Salakhutdzinau

Local fighter Dabrowski was boxing his way to victory when a clash of heads left Salakhutdzinau with a gash on his forehead and the fight went to the scorecards. Dabrowski won on scores of 40-36, 40-37 and 39-37. After losing 2 of his last 3 fights the win was welcome for the Warsaw 25-year-old. Salakhutdzinau a 28 year-old from Belarus had seen a six bout winning streak ended by a points loss to Pawel Glazewski in December.

 

Doncaster, England: Bantam: Jason Cunningham (11-0) W TKO 5 Isaac Owusu (23-4). Super Feather: Andy Townsend (8-3) W TKO 7 Sean Dodd (8-1).

Cunningham vs. Owusu

Impressive display by Cunningham as he halts Ghanaian in CBC eliminator. Cunningham was able to use his considerable height and reach advantages and worked his southpaw jab smoothly to keep the aggressive fellow-southpaw Owusu out. By the end of the fourth Owusu was tiring and Cunningham stepped up the pace before slamming home a right to the body in the fifth which had Owusu wincing with pain. The Ghanaian retired at the end of the round. Only the third win by KO/TKO for the English champion who was also ABA (English) champion as an amateur. Owusu, 28, a former CBC super fly title challenger had a streak of 21 wins going in but it was deceptive as 9 of his victims had never won a fight and only two had positive records.

Townsend vs. Dodd

“The KO Kid” Townsend gets back on the winning trail with stoppage of Doyle. After losses to Rendall Munroe and Dai Davies Townsend needed the win and this stoppage of Dodd wins him the BBB of C central Area title and his fifth victory by KO/TKO. “Masher” Dodd was in his first eight round fight.

 

La Guaria, Venezuela: Light Welter: Johan Perez (19-1-1) W TKO 10 Fernando Monte de Oca (15-3). Straw: Alexis Diaz (13-0) W TKO 3 Jorle Estrada (18-8). Super Feather: Jaider Parra (22-1-1) W TKO 3 Rafael Hernandez (17-4-2).

Perez vs de Oca

“El Terrible” struggled early against the aggressive Dominican and had to absorb some heavy shots. However once Perez went back to using his skills de Oca had no answer to the jab and hard rights of Perez who at 5’11” (180cm) was able to control the fight and slowly broken down the challenger. Perez hits hard with both hands as breaks in his left hand have led to him developing more power in his right and it was those heavy rights that undid de Oca who retired at the end of the tenth round. The 30-year-old Venezuelan was making the first defence of his interim WBA title in his second reign. He lost the title to Pablo Cesar Cano on a technical decision in 2012 but had rebounded with wins over Steve Forbes and Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-0-1) before beating Paul Spadafora for the vacant interim title in November. De Oca had won his last 8 fights. Sounds ok? No.  His 8 opponents had amassed combined records of 17-219-9 with none of them having more than four wins. That’s how you get a title shot with the WBA.

Diaz vs. Estrada

Prospect Diaz won the vacant WBA Fedelatin title as he used a sustained body attack to destroy Colombian Estrada who retired before the start of the fourth round. Diaz, the WBA No 13, has won his last 5 by KO/TKO.

Parra vs. Hernandez

In an all-Venezuelan match Parra makes it two wins since losing on a fifth round kayo to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title in May last year. Hernandez was a decent level opponent but Parra’s body shots proved too much for him. Parra, 31, is the brother of former WBA flyweight champion Lorenzo Parra. Hernandez, 31, lost in nine rounds to Poonsawat for the interim WBA super bantam title in 2009. He was 6-1-1 in his last eight fights with the loss being to Clive Atwell who challenges Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC title later this month.

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

ABF=Asian Boxing federation. I assume this is an affiliate of the IBF

ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC

ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

BBB of C Southern/Central/Midlands/Scottish Area etc. British Area titles

BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

BSA=Boxing South Africa responsible for administering boxing in South Africa

CBC=Commonwealth Boxing Council a sanctioning body for titles competed for by citizens of Commonwealth countries

CISBB-WBC title covering the rump of the USSR and the Slovenian Boxing Board

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

GAB=Philippines Games & Amusement Board responsible for administering boxing in the Philippines

GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

PBF=Philippines Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body in the Philippines

UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating for a fighter where there is a vacant position ahead of them in the rankings which affects his rating I will put his numerical rating i.e. No 6 and in brackets and his rating based on the number of fighters ahead of him so IBF 6 (5) shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one or more of the higher rating positions being vacant.