The Past Week in Action

May 20

Santa Monica, CA, USA: Heavy: Charles Martin (17-0-1) W KO 1 Rafael Pedro (21-11-1). Light Middle: Luis Grajeda (18-2-1) W PTS 8 Said El Harrak (12-3-1). Light Heavy: Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (8-0) W KO 1 Paul Vasquez (10-5-1).

Martin vs. Pedro
”Missouri” Martin continues his winning ways with first round stoppage of Cuban Pedro. Martin floored Pedro early with a left. Pedro got up and tried to trade but was nailed by a left uppercut which drove him to the ropes and floored again by a volley of punches and the fight was stopped. The 28-year-old southpaw a former PAL gold medallist and NGG silver medal winner has 15 wins by KO/TKO, the last 7 in a row have ended that way and he has scored wins over useful opposition in Vince Thompson, Glendy Hernandez and Alex Flores. He is an outsider worth watching in the heavyweight stakes and is already WBO No 14. He is trained by former Olympic gold medal winner Henry Tillman, the man who ruined Mike Tyson’s Olympic ambitions at the US Trials. Pedro, 38, “The Cajun Connection”, is 6’7” (201cm) but did not hang around long enough for the height advantage to be a factor. He has now lost 6 of his last 7 fights and this was his first contest since February 2012.

Grajeda vs. El Harrak
Grajeda gets split decision over El Harrak but looked to have done enough to deserve to collect all three votes. The 27-year-old Mexican “Slayer” got the better start and it was the fourth before El Harrak was able to get in close and work Grajeda’s body. Gradually El Harrak seemed to be taking over in the sixth and seventh but still had a gap to close. Grajeda took the last scoring well with right counters and had done enough to win. Scores 77-75 twice and a way out 78-74 for El Harrak. Grajeda was bouncing back from a loss to Pablo Munguia in February which broke a 7 bout winning streak. His only other loss was to world rated Jermell Charlo on points. London-born Moroccan El Harrak, 26, a High School graduate, had been halted by Lanard Lane back in 2009 but was 4-1-1 in his last 6 with the loss being a split decision against Jesus Soto Karass.

Shabranskyy vs. Vasquez
Now 5 wins in a row by KO/TKO for Ukrainian Shabranskyy. He staggered Vazquez with a left hook and then as Vasquez tried to fight his way out of the fog a left hook floored Vasquez heavily and the referee stopped the fight. All over in 23 seconds. The 27-year-old “Lion Heart” a former kick boxer, boxed in the World Series of Boxing. Vasquez, 35, gets his second loss by KO/TKO. He only lost on a majority decision against Elvir Muriqi in March last year.

May 21

Leeds, England: Super Feather: Stephen Smith (19-1) W TKO 8 Mauricio Munoz (28-5). Feather: Josh Warrington (18-0) W PTS 12 Martin Lindsay (21-3). Super Bantam: Gavin McDonnell (12-0-1) DREW 12 Josh Wale (16-6-2). Super Fly: Khalid Yafai (10-0) W KO 3 Yaqub Kareem (13-4-1). Light: Tommy Coyle (19-2) W PTS 8 Michael Ansah (9-4-2). Welter: Tyrone Nurse (29-1) W PTS 6 Danny Little (3-2). Super Bantam: Gamal Yafai (1-0) W TKO 1 Ricky Leach (0-1-1). Light: Martin Joseph Ward (9-0) W PTS 4 Rey Cajina (13-20-4).

Smith vs. Munoz
Smith picks up the vacant WBC Silver title with stoppage of Munoz. From the outset Smith was landing hard body shots and uppercuts. However, the experienced Argentinian showed he could not only survive but also fight back and Smith, whilst winning the rounds, was having to be at the top of his game as Munoz was growing in confidence. Finally in the seventh those body punches caught up with Munoz and after a crunching left to the ribs he began to wilt. Smith increased his work rate and in the eighth he got through with more body punches and at the end of the round Munoz retired. Seven wins in a row for Smith since losing his CBC & British feather titles to Lee Selby in 2011. The 28-year-old From Liverpool, a member of the famous fighting family, was WBO 9/WBC 10 going in but he is sure to get a big boost in the WBC ratings and there is already talk of a fight with Takashi Miura for the WBC title although Miura is due a mandatory defence. “Chucky” Munoz, 28, has had two world title shots losing to Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC super bantam title and Evgeny Gradovich last July for the IBF feather title. The loss to Nishioka is the only other time he has been beaten by KO/TKO.

Warrington vs. Lindsay
Warrington continues to grow into his CBC title as he turned what was supposed to be a tough test into a comprehensive victory. The young home town (I suppose it should be city) fighter was just too quick and busy for Lindsay. His hand speed and accurate counters stopped Lindsay from getting a foothold in the fight and the fifth was probably the only round where Lindsay did enough to take the points. From the sixth it was all-Warrington again and even though Warrington is not a hard puncher Lindsay had to show grit to stay to the final bell. Scores 119-110 from all three judges. The 23-year-old dental technician was making the second defence of his CBC title. He also wins the vacant British title. No world rating for Warrington yet, but he is No 6 with the EBU. Former British champion Lindsay, 32, kept his record of never losing by KO/TKO. His other losses have been over 12 rounds for the British feather title against John Simpson and for the British and CBC titles against current WBC No 3 Lee Selby.

McDonnell vs. Wale
McDonnell retains his British title as Wale comes so close again in a big fight. Wale seemed determined to leave nothing to chance in this one and came out setting a fast pace. McDonnell tried to match the challenger and many rounds were close with the advantage switching from one to the other. McDonnell seemed to have built a lead but Wale increased the pace again over the middle rounds and seemed to have McDonnell in trouble in the eighth. However over the championship rounds McDonnell kept his boxing together although this one really could have gone either way and Wale was probably a bit unlucky. Scores 115-114, 114-115 and 114-114. A tough test for McDonnell, the brother of former IBF bantam champion Jim, but the Doncaster 28-year-old dug deep and showed both skill and fighting spirit. “Outlaw” Wale had lost to Kid Galahad for the WBC International title and current IBF champion Stuart Hall for the vacant CBC title. So no title but he won’t come much closer that this and deserves another shot.

Yafai vs. Kareem
First major titles for one of the brightest young stars on the British scene as Yafai crushes Kareem in three for the vacant CBC title. Yafai dominated the first two rounds and then a series of body punches put Kareem down in the third. The Ghana-based Nigerian never looked like getting up. Yafai, 24, makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. Of Yemeni-parentage Yafai was the first English boxer to win a gold medal at the under-17 World Championships. He was English amateur champion at 17, won a silver medal at the European Junior Championships, competed at the World Championships as an 18-year-old and competed at the 2008 Olympics where he lost to the vastly more experienced Cuban Andry Laffita. He has a great future. Former CBC champion Kareem had lost only 1 of his last 14 fights and that was to another English prospect Paul Butler in a CBC title defence.

Coyle vs. Ansah
Coyle given eight rounds of useful work by Ghanaian Ansah. Coyle had been hoping for a title fight but adjusted. Ansah was able to get through with enough shots to make it a fairly competitive fight. The Ghanaian lost a point in the sixth for hitting on the break and Coyle won 79-73 on the referee’s scorecard. The 24-year-old “Boom Boom” Coyle was due a slightly easier fight after pulling himself off the floor four times to beat Daniel Brizuela in a thriller in February. Ansah, 24, was having his first fight outside Ghana and looked raw but willing.

Nurse vs. Little
Nurse boxes his way to victory over inexperienced but game Little. The outsider came to fight but Nurse had the longer reach, was too slick and too strong for him. Constantly changing guard and scoring with counters Nurse won every round in a useful workout. Referee’s score 60-54. The 22-year-old English champion is hoping for a spot in a British title eliminator soon. This was leap too far for the four fight novice Little.

Yafai vs. Leach
Gamal made it a good night for the talented Yafai brothers as he jumped on Leach and handed out enough punishment for the referee to stop the fight after just 106 seconds. The 22-year-old like his brother was an outstanding amateur winning a gold medal at the European Union Cadet Championships, a silver medal at the World Cadet Championships and a bronze medal at the World Championships. Both brothers have the talent to reach the top.

Ward vs. Cajina
Ward, yet another burgeoning British talent remains unbeaten as Ward wins every round against experienced Nicaraguan Cajina. Referee’s score 60-54. Ward, 22, a European Junior gold medallist and ABA champion again has great potential. Cajina, 31, is 2-7-1 in his last 10 fights.

Eatons Hill, Australia: Super Feather: Kye McKenzie (10-0) W KO 6 Waylon Law (8-6). Middle: Dennis Hogan (18-0-1) W KO 6 David Galvin (6-11-3). Middle: Dwight Ritchie (9-0) W PTS 8 Dean Mikelj (10-1).

McKenzie vs. Law
McKenzie retains the Australian title in his first defence with kayo of Law. McKenzie was walking down Law from the first. Law used some good survival skills and scored with some sharp counters, but was never allowed to use his height and reach advantages and it was just a matter of time before McKenzie ended it. The champion made good use of his jab to keep Law on the back foot and set a pace that in the end was too hot for Law. A thunderous right in the sixth put Law on the canvas face first and it was over. The Sydney 22-year-old now has 8 wins by KO/TKO. State champion “Outlaw” Law, 21, had won his last three fights.

Hogan vs. Galvin
“Irish” Hogan extended his winning run with a stoppage of Galvin. It was a one-sided fight with Hogan winning early in the sixth. The 29-year-old “Hurricane”, the Australian champion now has the distinction of have the longest current unbeaten run of any active Irish fighter. The former All-Ireland amateur champion has 7 wins by KO/TKO. Galvin, 35, has lost 4 in a row but in fairness he came into this as a very late substitute.

Ritchie vs. Mikelj
Ritchie shed some rust with a points win over previously unbeaten Mikelj but had to settle for a majority decision. Ritchie seemed to be in command most of the way outboxing Mikelj and sealed the win by flooring Mikelj in the last. Scores 77-74 twice and 76-76. First fight for “The Fighting Cowboy” Ritchie since August last year.

May 22

Kyoto, Japan: Middle: Ryota Murata (4-0) W KO 6 Jesus Nerio (12-4). Super Bantam: Shohei Omori (12-0) W TKO 4 Christian Esquivel (27-5). Bantam: Malcolm Tunacao (34-3-3) W PTS 8 Joo-Hyun Jung (6-3-1).

Murata vs. Nerio
“Golden Boy” Murata continues to show improvement as he hands out a beating to modest Mexican. Fast combinations from Murata gave Nerio an awkward first round. The Mexican tried to take the fight to Murata in the second but the Japanese fighter hammered home counters to continue his domination. By the fifth it was one-sided with a furious assault by Murata almost ending things just before the bell. In the sixth Murata floored Nerio with a volley of punches. The Mexican got up but was then flattened by a right. The lanky 28-year-old gold medallist has won all 4 of his fights by KO/TKO. Apart from an Olympic gold he also won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2010 but lost to Shawn Estrada in the 2007 Championships. “Dandy” Nerio has lost 3 of his last 4 fights but went the distance with Marco Periban in 2012.

Omori vs. Esquivel
Omori gets a come from behind win over more experienced “Italiano” Esquivel. The Mexican was exerting pressure on the Japanese southpaw from the second round and shook Omori with an overhand right in the third. Esquivel was continuing the pressure in the fourth when he was caught on the temple by a thunderous right and went down. He got up but was put down twice more and the fight was stopped. Still only appearing in eight rounders southpaw Omori looks a great prospect judging by the way he crushed Esquivel. Now 4 wins by KO/TKO in his last 5 fights for the 21-year-old. Esquivel, 27, a former WBC Silver champion, lost to Shinsuke Yamanaka for the vacant WBC bantam title in 2011. He had won 3 of his last 4 fights so a good win for Omori.

Tunacao vs. Jung
“Eagle Eye” Tunacao given a tough night by Korean Jung but gets a unanimous decision. The 36-year-old southpaw was not on top form and was put under pressure by the younger Korean and needed all of his experience and skill to box his way to victory. Scores 79-73, 79-74 and 78-75. Filipino, Tunacao, a pro since 1998 came up short in WBC title challenges against Pongsaklek at flyweight in 2001and Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC bantam title in April last year. Korean champion Jung has lost two in a row in Japan.

Pointe-Claire, Canada: Super Middle: Schiller Hyppolite (11-1) W KO 1 Rafael Sosa Pintos (46-10). Welter: Ionut Dan Ion (33-2) W TKO 5 Lukasz Janik (11-6-1). Light: Mike Gadbois (11-0-2) W PTS 8 Jacek Wylezol (9-2). Super Middle: Francy Ntetu (12-0) W PTS 6 Bartlomiej Grafka (9-10-1)

Hyppolite vs. Pintos
Haitian-born Hyppolite ended this early a series of body punches rounded off by a wicked left which put Pintos down and the Uruguayan was unable to beat the count. Hyppolite, 28, trained by former top heavyweight Jean-Francois Bergeron, wins the vacant WBC Fecarbox title. He has now won 6 in a row by KO/TKO. Former Uruguayan champion Pintos, 33, loses by KO/TKO for the third time.

Ion vs. Janik
Romanian “Jo Jo Dan” makes it four wins in a row. The tall 32-year-old southpaw was just trying to find one big punch to end things early. Once he increased his punch rate and was letting his hands go he quickly wore down the Pole. In the fifth he trapped Janik in a corner and battered away to head and body until the referee halted the fight. First fight for Ion since beating Kevin Brazier in November. His only losses have been two disputed decisions against Selcuk Aydin. Now as he is IBF No 2 and is looking to land a shot at Shawn Porter. Janik, 25, is 3-6 in his last 9 fights.

Gadbois vs Wylezol
This was a competitive fight over the first three minutes as Pole Wylezol forced the pace. After that opening round Gadbois was generally in command although some rounds were close. He had Wylezol on the defensive in most rounds scoring with his southpaw jab and lefts to the body but Wylezol fought hard enough to make it competitive. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. The 27-year-old Gadbois, a 4 time Quebec amateur champion, is struggling to make an impact as a pro with two draws last year against very modest opposition. Two losses in a row for Wylezol who was moving up to eight rounds for the first time.

Ntetu vs. Grafka
DRC-born Canadian Ntetu, 31, gets another win as he easily decisions a third Pole. Ntetu, the Canadian No 2 light heavy is fast and skillful but lacks punch power. Only one win in his last 6 fights for Grafka.

Greenlane, New Zealand: Middle: Gunnar Jackson (19-5-3) W TKO 5 Afakasi Faumui (9-4-2). Light Heavy: Adrian Taihia (12-1-2) W PTS 12 Togasilimai Letoa (14-15-1).

Jackson vs. Faumui
New Zealander Jackson regains the WBO Oriental title with a stoppage of Faumui. The 27-year-old Tauranga pipe layer was having his first fight since losing on points to Anthony Mundine when he came in as a late substitute to save a show in January. In winning the vacant title he improved on a draw with Faumui in 2012. Samoan Faumui is 1-3-1 in his last 5 fights.

Taihia vs. Letoa
New Zealand champion Taihia wins the interim PABA title with a unanimous decision over Samoan southpaw Letoa. He was to have fought world rated Robert Berridge but Berridge pulled out with an injury. The 31-year-old Taihia has 7 wins and a draw in his last 8 fights including a draw and win over Gunnar Jackson. Letoa, also 31, is limited but durable. He is 2-6 in his last 8 fights but has only lost 3 times by KO/TKO.

May 23

New Lambton, Australia: Light Welter: Chad Bennett (33-4-3) W TKO 6 Tony Fernandez (35-1). Heavy: Mark de Mori (26-1-2) W TKO 4 Adnan Buharalija (29-20-2).

Bennett vs. Fernandez
Bennett climbs off the canvas to beat Peruvian Fernandez. The Peruvian gave the home fighter a scare when he put him down with a punch to the head in the third, but Bennett recovered and scored two knockdowns of his own, the second one from a body punch in the sixth after which the referee stopped the fight. The 41-year-old “Hollywood” retains the WBO Asia Pacific and WBA Pan African titles. He now has 9 wins in a row 8 by KO/TKO. Fernandez, 37, was having his first fight outside Peru and having his first fight for 19 months.

de Mori vs. Buharalija
“The Dominator” de Mori beats former foe Buharalija. Both fighters were anxious to trade and both were going to the body. de Mori was the stronger and gradually began to get on top. In the fourth the Australian put his B&H opponent down twice with body punches and the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old Croatian-born Australian has 23 wins by KO/TKO and is unbeaten in his last 21 fights, but the opposition has been weak. He halted Buharalija in six rounds last May. de Mori now lives in Croatia and is promoted by Don King so he hopes that connection can get him a fight with Bermane Stiverne although only ranked No 19 with the WBC. The 33-year-old Buharalija who came in as a substitute is 5-12 in his last 17 fights with all 12 losses by KO/TKO.

Molinella, Italy: Light Middle: Marcelo Matano (12-0) W TKO 8 Domenico Salvemini (10-3). Matano retains his national title with stoppage of Salvemini. Matano showed increased maturity as he used hand and foot speed to stay out of trouble and collect the points. Salvemini was trying to get Matano to trade but the light-punching champion stayed on the outside and boxed his way into a commanding lead. In the eighth a punch opened a bad cut on the right cheek of Salvemini and it was too bad a cut for the fight to continue. Matano was ahead 69-64 twice and 70-64. First defence for the 27-year-old champion who had won his last 7 fights on points. Third unsuccessful shot at winning the Italian title for 30-year-old Salvemini.

Krasnodar, Russia: Light Heavy: Sergey Ekimov (11-0) W TKO 2 Mikhail Krinitsin (11-5-2). Cruiser: Dmitry Kudryashov (14-0) W KO 7 Ivica Bacurin (17-6-1).

Ekimov vs. Krinitsin
Ekimov brushes aside Kazak to win vacant WBC CISBB title. After edging the first round Ekimov floored Krinitsin with a series of shots. Krinitsin made it to his feet but was floored by a right and the fight was over. First ten round fight for “Aryan” and fifth win by KO/TKO. Krinitsin is 2-5-1 in his last 8 fights.

Kudryashov vs. Bacurin
Kudryashov’s power too much for Croat Bacurin. The scene was set in the first round with Kudryashov stalking Bacurin who used every inch of the perimeter of the ring to evade the Russian’s attacks. More of the same in the second but Kudryashov landed a long left hook late in the round that put Bacurin down. From the third the fight became messy with Bacurin lunging in head down throwing a few light punches and then holding on to Kudryashov until the referee prised them apart. Kudryashov was getting through with right uppercuts but the smothering tactics of Bacurin were frustrating him. Bacurin actually stood and launched some punches in the fifth. Finally in the sixth referee took a point off Bacurin for holding, but the Croatian continued to clinch and spoil. In the seventh Kudryashov found some space and a straight right put Bacurin down on his knees. He got up and tried to survive but a series of punches put him down again. He made it to his feet only to be nailed by a right uppercut inside and went down on his knees and just shook his head until the ten count was completed. “The Russian Hammer” makes it 14 straight by KO/TKO. The 28-year-old retains his WBC CISBB title. He also holds the UBO and GBU titles and has wins over Shawn Cox and experienced Lubos Suda. He is heavy handed but not quick. Bacurin fought a negative fight but last time out he only lost to Juan Carlos Gomez on a split decision.

Verona, NY, USA: Middle: Willie Monroe Jr. (18-1) W PTS 10 Brandon Adams (14-1). Light: Petr Petrov (35-4-2) W TKO 8 Fernando Carcamo (17-6).

Monroe vs. Adams
Monroe wins the middleweight section of the Boxcino tournament with a comprehensive victory over Adams who never found the answer to the smooth southpaw skills of Monroe. Adams had to get inside but Monroe was making him pay with straight lefts and when Adams took Monroe to the ropes it was often Monroe who came off best in the exchanges. Monroe was bossing the fight with his right jab and straight lefts and it was the eighth before Adams could really feel he had won a round and then only after changing tactics and letting Monroe take him to the ropes and scoring with his own counters. That was good as it got for Adams and Monroe took the wide unanimous decision on scores of 99-91 from all three judges. The score was a little hard on Adams who made a lot of the rounds close, but Monroe was the clear winner. The 27-year-old “Mongoose”, the great nephew to Willie “The Worm” Monroe, had won through to the final with victories over tough opposition in Donatas Bondarenko and Vitaliy Kopylenko and wins the vacant NABA and WBO NABO titles. Californian Adams, 24, had beaten Daniel Edouard and Ray Gatica and raised his profile to a new level.

Petrov vs. Carcamo
Petrov wins the lightweight half of the Boxcino as he first outboxes and then stops Carcamo. Petrov was just too slick, fast-handed and experienced for the Mexican who could not cope with the constant movement and punch angles Petrov provided. In the first round the little Spanish-based Russian switched effortlessly from defence to attack and found an early target for his left hooks. In the second Petrov was getting his punches off first and Carcamo was unable to get close enough to do anything about. Petrov ended the round with two left hooks the second of which landed flush on Carcamo’s jaw as the bell went. Carcamo tried to let his hands go more in the third but Petrov was giving him a boxing lesson and getting through with lovely little sharp shots from both hands bobbing and weaving in front of Carcamo and coming up with hooks and uppercuts. Petrov stood and traded more in the fourth and shook Carcamo with vicious uppercuts and hooks inside. Carcamo was going to the body in the fifth but Petrov was throwing fast combinations of 5, 6, 7 hooks and uppercuts at a time. Petrov chose to stand toe-to-toe with Carcamo in the sixth and as the round closed he drove Carcamo back and had him staggering with beautiful hooks, uppercuts and even the old “Kid Gavilan” bolo punch. Near the end of the seventh a devastating right from Petrov stunned Carcamo. The Russian landed straight rights and lefts hooks and Carcamo was reeling across the ring when the bell went. There were discussions in the corner involving Carcamo’s seconds, the referee and the doctor. Despite telling the referee the fight was over his corner changed their mind and decided to give him one more round and a reluctant Carcamo was sent out for the eighth. A few seconds into the round Petrov landed a left/right combination that sent Carcamo into the ropes and the fight was stopped. A brilliant exhibition from the 31-year-old little “Zar” of how to beat with speed and movement a guy who has height, reach and power over you. Petrov has been beaten on the road by future WBC super feather champion Vitali Tajbert, Marcos Maidana for the secondary WBA light welter title and unbeaten Dejan Zlaticanin for the WBC International title. Mexican Carcamo had halted Samuel Kotey Neequaye and decisioned tournament favourite Miguel Gonzalez on the way to the final but looked sluggish and it could be that being 5’11” (180cm) he struggled to make 135lbs.

May 24

Montreal, Canada: Light Heavy: Adonis Stevenson (24-1) W PTS 12 Andrzej Fonfara (25-3,1ND). Middle: David Lemieux (32-2) W KO 3 Fernando Guerrero (26-3). Light Middle: Jermell Charlo (24-0) W PTS 12 Charlie Ota (24-2-1). Light Heavy: Eleider Alvarez (15-0) W PTS 10 Alex Johnson (15-2). Welter: Kevin Bizier (22-1) W TKO 2 Carlos Herrera (24-7). Light Middle: Julian Williams (16-0-1,1ND) W KO 8 Mike Medina (26-5-2).

Stevenson vs. Fonfara
“Superman” Stevenson retains the WBC title with unanimous decision over Fonfara so is taken the distance after ten wins in a row by KO/TKO. It looked as though Stevenson was going to end this one early also. In the first round he floored Fonfara with a straight left. Fonfara got up and fought to the bell. Fonfara was using his jab well in the second and scored with a couple of hard shots, but Stevenson was the busier and took the round. More of the same in the third with Fonfara coming forward at the start of the round behind his jab but Stevenson landing with hard punches from both hands and opening a cut by Fonfara’s right eye. Fonfara began the fourth using his jab to get on the front foot but as the round progressed he was throwing just single shots and it was Stevenson’s jab and combinations that were winning the points. The fifth was a big round for Stevenson as he floored Fonfara with a left to the body and after the Pole made it to his feet he had Fonfara under pressure for the rest of the round. A body punch from Stevenson in the sixth hurt Fonfara and although he fought back again it was Stevenson who was dominating the exchanges. The seventh was more even and Fonfara had his best round so far in the eighth as he continued to press the champion. The challenger built on that in a big way in the ninth as a right put Stevenson on the floor. Fonfara was suddenly on top and shook Stevenson with an uppercut. By the end of the round Stevenson looked to be tiring and was bleeding from the nose. The champion bounced back in the tenth scoring with good body punches and edging the round. Stevenson continued to work the body in the eleventh with Fonfara willing to trade but not landing enough. Fonfara put in a big finish in the last round letting his hands go and they staged some furious exchanges with each throwing bombs and a tiring Stevenson forced at times to hold to stem the tide but a clear winner at the bell. Scores 115-110 twice and 116-109. The 36-year-old Haitian-born Canadian had his hardest test for some time but showed he can box as well as punch and went twelve rounds for the first time in his career. Fonfara, 26, showed he belongs at this level as he lost for the first time since back in 2008.

Lemieux vs. Guerrero
The thunderous punching Lemieux just hits too hard for Guerrero and makes a tough test look easy. In the first round a left hook put southpaw Guerrero down but the referee wrongly ruled it a slip. That only delayed things as another left hook put Guerrero down near the end of the round and also opened a bad cut over his right eye. The second round was just as painful for Guerrero as he took a battering throughout the round, the cut worsened and he was again floored late in the round. There was no respite in the third. Another hard shot from Lemieux saw Guerrero go down on one knee. He got up and survived a doctor’s inspection of the cut but a right sent him tumbling back to the canvas and the referee halted the massacre. Lemieux wins the vacant NABF title and makes it 30 wins by KO/TKO. The 25-year-old Canadian suffered successive losses to Marco A Rubio and Joachim Alcine in 2011 but has now won 7 in a row 6 by KO/TKO. He is IBF 7(6)/WBO 12/WBC 13 but should move up after this explosive performance. Dominican Guerrero, 27, won his first 21 fight before suffering a shock stoppage defeat against journeyman Grady Brewer in 2011. Despite not scoring any wins of consequence after that he was allowed to challenge Peter Quillin for the WBO title in April last year and was stopped in seven rounds.

Charlo vs. Ota
Charlo has too much speed and skill for Ota and boxes his way to a comprehensive victory. Charlo was just too quick for Ota and with his advantages in height and reach was able to box on the outside peppering Ota with jabs and slotting home power shots to the head. The only knockdown of the fight was in the third when a right from Ota caught Charlo on the chest and he went down but was not hurt. Ota needed to force Charlo to trade or catch him on the ropes, but he lacked the hand or foot speed and spent most of the time just following Charlo around and getting plastered with counters. Charlo lost a point in the ninth for a low blow but he was so far in front it made no difference. Charlo staged a big attack in the tenth but when Ota survived the Texan boxed his way through the last two rounds for victory. Scores 118-109 twice and 115-111. The way the action panned out it meant the fight lacked excitement but for 24-year-old “Iron Man” Charlo it safeguards his rating, WBO 5/IBF 5(4)/WBC 5, and puts another name alongside Harry Joe Yorgey, Demetrius Hopkins and Gabriel Rosado on his CV. For New York-born, Japanese-based Ota, 32, a former undefeated OPBF & JBC champion, this was his first loss in 19 fights stretching way back to 2007.

Alvarez vs. Johnson
Alvarez wins but struggles to entertain against as awkward southpaw Johnson. Both were content to make it a boxing match so there were few moments of drama. Alvarez was edging the rounds with his better boxing and getting through with good rights in most rounds. He did put Johnson down with a right in the fifth but Johnson was able to get up and fight on. He had Johnson hurt with another right in the ninth but in the end had to settle for going the distance. It was not one of the Colombian’s best nights but he ground out a win against a difficult opponent. Scores 97-92 from all three judges. The 30-year-old “Storm” is WBO No 2 and WBA No 3 but there is only one fighter rated above him in the WBA list and that is Nadjib Mohammedi who fights Anatoliy Dudchenko in an IBF eliminator in June he could find himself at No 2 with the WBA and since the WBA No 1 spot vacant could be looking at a title shots later this year. Johnson, 32, has a win over Farah Ennis (17-0 at the time) but lost to unbeaten Cuban Luis Garcia in December 2011. He then took 18 months out and had scored three wins since returning.

Bizier vs. Herrera
Bizier returns to the winning column with a two round victory over experienced Argentinian. The Canadian was rebounding from a split decision loss to Ionut Dan Ion in November which took away his unbeaten tag. He moves to 15 wins by KO/TKO and will rebuild again. “”The Gypsy” Herrera, 33, now has three losses in a row by KO/TKO. He looked a prospect when he won his first 17 fights but is 7-7 since then.

Williams vs. Medina
Williams remains unbeaten with stoppage of Medina. Williams used his superior skills to outbox a rusty Medina early and slowly broke the Californian down. Medina kept trying but only had limited success with Williams having the dominant weapon in his jab. Williams had Medina hurt in the second and sixth rounds but could not close the fight out then. Medina was pressing in the eighth when nailed by a right and sent to the canvas. He manage to make it to his feet but was finished and the fight was stopped. Williams, 24, has ten wins by KO/TKO and victories over Joachim Alcine, Orlando Lara and Freddy Hernandez. Former NABF champion Medina, 27, was having his first fight since breaking his right ankle in losing inside a round to Willie Nelson in March last year.

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Fly: David Sanchez (25-2-2) W PTS 12 Breilor Teran (13-10-1). Fly: Edgar Sosa (50-8) W TKO 4 Omar Salado (24-8-2,1ND). Light Welter: Abner Lopez (19-3) W TKO 7 Rodolfo Quintanilla (14-4-3). Feather: Rogelio Jun Doliguez (19-1-2) W PTS 8 Gabriel Pina (11-12-5). Super Bantam: Edivaldo Ortega (18-0-1) W PTS 8 Enrique Bernache (20-7).

Sanchez vs. Teran
Sanchez wins the interim WBA title with unanimous decision over Teran. The Mexican “Tornado” had problems early with the clever defensive work of the Venezuelan but kept targeting the body and slowed Teran down. Teran was countering when he could and clinching when he couldn’t. Sanchez had Teran at bay in the fourth and fifth with Teran struggling to survive, but he was also picking up rounds later as he took the fight to Sanchez and worked inside. Sanchez put the fight beyond the Venezuelan by flooring him in the eleventh with a left and right and although Teran was not badly shaken the momentum was with Sanchez in the final round. Scores 116-111 from all three judges. Sanchez earned his position in the title fight with wins over Marlon Tapales, Juan Kantun, Jean Piero Perez and Marco Demecillo. Teran, 29, had turned his record from 5-9-1 to 13-9-1 with a run of eight wins including a stoppage of former interim WBA light fly champion Cesar Canchilla.

Sosa vs. Salado
Sosa gets win by halting experienced Salado on a cut. The former WBC light fly champion was too tricky for Salado and had won the first three rounds with his better boxing. He also opened a bad cut on the left eyelid of Salado with a right and worsened the cut with some direct hits. At the end of the fourth round the cut was ruled too bad for Salado to continue. First fight for the popular Sosa since losing on points to Akira Yaegashi for the WBC fly title in December. Local boxer Salado, 34, drew with Ulises Solis for the IBF light fly title in 2006 and lost to Luis Concepcion for the interim WBA fly title and to Roman Gonzalez for the WBA .light fly title. He is 3-7-1,1ND in his last 12 fight.

Lopez vs. Quintanilla
Puncher Lopez was throwing bombs early and Quintanilla was forced to fight on the back foot and score with counters. In the third a three punch combination put Quintanilla down but he got up and fought back hard with each man having periods of domination. In the fifth with the fighters trading hard shots a right hook from Lopez staggered Quintanilla and opened a cut on his left eyelid. It was a deep cut and Quintanilla’s corner did not let their man come out for the start of the sixth. The local 23-year-old has 16 wins by KO/TKO. He has won his last 7 fights, 6 by KO/TKO with good wins over Humberto Gutierrez and Ric Dominguez. Quintanilla is 3-3-3 in his last 9 fights.

Doliguez vs. Pina
Doliguez gets revenge over Pina but only just. In April the unfancied Mexican sprang a surprise by outpointing the unbeaten Filipino. It was a close, disputed decision and a big blow to the profile of the young Filipino. He got his revenge with a unanimous decision but needed a strong finish to do so. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74. The 23-year-old southpaw had been WBO No 8 before that loss but was then dropped from the top 15 so is hoping to get his spot back. Pina is 2-7-1 in his last 10 fights.

Ortega vs. Bernache
Toughest test so far for local southpaw Ortega. He chose not to use his longer reach but to fight inside with Bernache. In the first round Ortega staggered Bernache and also opened a cut on the bridge of the more experienced fighter nose. Ortega was busier and more accurate with Bernache a lighter puncher constantly changing guard to try to upset the game plan of the unbeaten prospect. Heads banged together often and in the fifth Ortega lost a point for a butt however by the end Bernache was cut over his right eye and his face was swollen from the hooks and uppercuts of Ortega. Scores 79-71, 77-74 and 76-75. After an early career draw “Indio” has won 15 in a row. Bernache was coming off a close decision loss to former WBC super fly champion Tomas Rojas in September.

Acapulco, Mexico: Feather: Jhonny Gonzalez (56-8) W TEC DEC 10 Clive Atwell (12-0-1). Light Welter: Nery Saguilan (29-4-1) W PTS 10 Jairo Lopez (14-3). Light Welter: Diego Cruz (9-0) W PTS 10 Marcos Villasana Jr. (12-4).
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Gonzalez vs. Atwell
Gonzales retains WBC title with a technical decision over Atwell. A disappointing fight as the inexperienced Atwell decided to go into survival mode from the second round and a rusty Gonzalez had difficulty pinning him down and scoring. Atwell was throwing enough counters to stay in the fight and edge a couple of rounds but it was mostly Gonzalez attacking and Atwell defending. The champion had good rounds in the fourth and ninth landing with some heavy punches but Atwell took the punishment and stayed in the fight. Atwell lost a point in the seventh for a butt and Gonzalez complained of a butt in the ninth. In the tenth a clash of heads saw a bad cut opened on the left eyebrow of Gonzalez. The referee deducted a point from Atwell over the incident and when the doctor examined the cut he said it was too bad for the fight to continue and it went to the score cards. Scores 99-89, 98-90 and 96-92 all for Gonzalez. First defence of his title for 32-year-old Gonzalez since his title winning one round demolition of Abner Mares in August. Next up is said to be Jorge Arce in September. Guyanan Atwell, 25, had won 7 of his last 8 fights by KO/TKO but the opposition had been very modest.

Saguilan vs. Lopez
Saguilan outboxes the “Doberman” to take a popular split decision. This one was close over the first five rounds with Saguilan showing excellent skills but Lopez pressing the action and living up to his nickname with fierce attacks. Saguilan evened things up by taking the sixth and seventh scoring well with jabs, hooks and right uppercuts. The eighth was an even round with both landing hard shots, but Saguilan swept the last two rounds to just deserve the win. Scores 95-94 twice for Saguilan and 96-94 for Lopez. A good result for the “Panther” who has won 5 of his last 6 fights. After winning his first 22 contests he suffered losses in tough fights against good opposition but has rebounded well. Lopez had won 9 in a row including two wins over Marcos Villasana Jr.

Cruz vs. Villasana
Home advantage did not help Villasana as he lost a split decision to Mexico City’s Cruz. The visitor went in front early and was well ahead after five rounds from the sixth Villasana was in control hurting Cruz with uppercuts and right crosses and looked to have done enough to take the verdict but the judges gave the split decision to Cruz. The “Demoledor” won the 2012 Cintron de Oro tournament and had won 7 of his previous 8 fights by KO/TKO. Now 3 losses in his last 4 fights for Villasana the son of the former WBC featherweight champion Marco Villasana who I recall seeing fight at the famous Arena Coliseo in Mexico City in 1980 accompanied the late Mickey Duff and Harold Lederman.

Dewsbury, England: Super Feather: Gary Sykes (27-3) W TKO 10 Jon Kays (18-4-1).
Sykes wins the vacant British title with stoppage of previous victim Keys. Sykes had to overcome some early setbacks before finally winning. The first round was close but Sykes suffered a cut on his right eyebrow in a clash of heads. Things looked worse in the when he was floored early in the second. The referee applied a count although it looked as though it could have been just a stumble by Sykes. Kays started the third well rocking Sykes, but for the first time Sykes seemed to have settled down and found a rhythm. Sykes was busier and picking up the points but Kays was able to get through with counters one of which sent Sykes gum shield flying in the sixth. Sykes continued to build the pressure and despite a big effort by Kays in the ninth the local fighter was in front. The end came suddenly in the tenth as Sykes rocked Kays with a volley of hard punches and the referee stopped the fight. Two of Sykes losses have been in Prizefighter Tournaments to Gary Buckland and Terry Flanagan with Buckland also beating him on points to relieve him of his British title. Since the loss to Flanagan in 2012 the 30-year-old Sykes had complied 4 wins beating useful opposition in unbeaten Kevin Hooper, Kays-for the English title, and Femi Fehintola. Kays, 30, lost to Liam Walsh in a challenge for the CBC title in 2011 and to Sykes in 2013.

La Plata, Argentina: Light Middle: Luciano Cuello (34-3) W PTS 12 Martin Fidel Rios (11-1-2,1ND). “The Prince” wins the fight retains his South American and WBC Latino titles but the crowd sees a different fight. Cuello looked very lucky to get the decision against a young challenger who just lacked the experience to pace the fight. Rios came out fast and kept the pressure on the more experienced Cuello over the first half of the fight. Cuello seemed lethargic and was too often allowing the challenger to pressurise him and found himself fighting with his back to the ropes in many rounds. Over the second half of the fight as Rios tired from the fast pace Cuello was able to take over but did not seem to have done enough to win. The judges saw a totally different fight giving Cuello the decision on scores of 119-108, 116-111 and 115-112. That’s boxing! Cuello’s only losses have been a close decision defeat against Julio Cesar Chavez, a stoppage loss to Saul Alvarez and a close decision against Willie Nelson in June last year for the NABF title. The 31-year-old Cuello is FAB No 1. “El Terrible” Rios, 22, had never gone beyond round nine before and fought much better than he did in his disgraceful double disqualification against Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao in January.

Ybicui, Argentina: Super Bantam: Luis E Cusolito (19-1) W TKO 1 Nelson D Monte (16-10-4). Cusolito Lives up to his reputation as a puncher by destroying Monte inside a round. Monte came storming out at the bell and caught Cusolito with a hard right which drove Cusolito back across the ring. “The Squirrel” fired back landing a hard combination rounded off by a right to the ribs which put Monte down. After Monte made it to the vertical Cusolito trapped him on the ropes and landed to head and body with both hands and the referee quickly stepped in to save Monte. The 26-year-old local has 17 wins by KO/TKO and his fifth win in a row since being halted in five rounds by fellow-prospect Max L Marquez in 2012. Since he also has a win on a technical decision only one of his 20 fights have gone the distance. He is FAB No 1. Monte, 37, is 3-6-1 in his last 10 fights.

Townsville, Australia: Cruiser: Mark Flanagan (16-4) W PTS 10 Daniel Ammann (29-7-1). Local fighter “Bam Bam” Flanagan wins the vacant Australian title on a split decision in epic battle with former champion Ammann. Many rounds were close and hard to score. Flanagan got the better start getting through with a couple of rights in a quite first but southpaw Ammann evened things up with some good body work in the second. Flanagan looked to have edged the third and fourth again scoring with good rights on the clever, experienced Amann. The fifth and sixth again saw Ammann on top due to his body punching and he just collected the seventh as well with Flanagan fighting with his back to ropes under pressure from Ammann. In the eighth a low punch from Ammann sees a break in the furious action and when they resume Flanagan scores well to head and body to even the scores. It was all on the last two rounds and Flanagan took them both with his right the dominating punch as they fought hard to the final bell. Scores 97-93 and 97-95 for Flanagan and 96-95 for Ammann. The 23-year-old Flanagan makes it 5 wins since moving up to cruiser after losing his WBO Orient light heavy title to Dan MacKinnon in February last year. He looked much stronger at the weight. So many rounds were close that Ammann, 31, could feel unlucky. This was his first fight since losing to Tony Conquest for the vacant CBC title in February. He was looking to establish his third reign as Australian champion and this was close enough for these two to do it again.

Campbon, France: Welter: Damien Martin (19-8-4) W PTS 10 Sebastien Allais (16-8-5). Martin spoils the party as he gets a split decision over home town fighter Allais for the vacant French title. Both are experienced fighters but also domestic level with no pretentions to top European or world impact. Scores 96-95 twice for Martin and 98-94 for Allais. The 27-year-old Martin is on a good run with just one loss in his last 12 fights but is not in the EBU top 18. For Allais, 32, this was to be the glorious finale to his career as he had drawn and lost in two previous attempts to win the national title and had announced this would be his last fight.

Libreville, Gabon: Cruiser: Taylor Mabika (12-2) W TKO 7 Ekeng Henshaw (2-1).
Local hero Mabika retains ABU title with win over Nigerian champion Henshaw. Mabika took a round to see what Henshaw had to offer and then took control. He was punching too hard for the Nigerian and after Mabika handed out heavy punishment to the head and body of Henshaw in the sixth the Nigerian’s corner retired their man at the end of the round. First defence of his ABU title for 35-year-old Mabika who is based in France. The first Gabonese ABU champion, he claims 112 amateur fights with just nine losses, was eight times national champion, and represented Gabon at the 2004 Olympics.