The Past Week in Action 10 February 2014

ERIC ARMIT | February 10, 2014 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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.

February 5

Montreal, Canada: Light: Ghislain Maduma (16-0) W KO 3 John Carlo Aparicio (26-8). Welter: Antonin Decarie (29-2) W TKO 2 Cesar Chavez (21-6). Super Middle: Schiller Hyppolite (9-1) W TKO 3 Daniel Urbanski 21-15-3). Light: Roody Pierre-Paul (7-1,1ND) W TKO 4 Ibrahim Kamal (9-1,1ND).

Maduma vs. Aparicio

Maduma too much for useful Mexican. The fast combinations of the unbeaten Canadian found their target easily in the first two rounds. In the third a right to the body and a left hook put Aparicio down. He got up but was taken to the ropes and three clubbing rights put him down and he was counted out. The DRC-born Maduma retains his NABF title and makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO. He somehow managed to perform a running summersault in the ring to celebrate. He is rated WBC 3/IBF 6(4). Maduma lost to Arash Usmanee in the semi-finals of the Canadian amateur championships in 2005 and 2006 and in the final in 2007. He fought for Zaire at the 2007 World Championships. Aparicio, 27, the WBC Fecombox champion, had gone the distance with world rated Roberto Ortiz and Fernando Saucedo and was 7-2 in his last 9 fights going in.

Decarie vs. Chavez

Decarie continues to rebuild as he hits too hard for poor Mexican opponent. After being wild with his shots in the first round Decarie settled down and dominated the second. In the third he floored Chavez three times with body shots and hard rights to force the stoppage. The 31-year-old Canadian makes it two wins since losing on points to Luis Carlos Abregu in April last year. He was Canadian amateur champion in 2001, 2002 and 2004, but lost out in the Americas qualifiers for the Olympics. Chavez, 26, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights, all by KO/TKO. He was stopped inside round by Canadian Mike Zewski in 2012.

Hyppolite vs. Urbanski

Hyppolite halts the usually durable Urbanski in three. The Haitian-born Hyppolite floored Urbanski late in the first round and kept the pressure on. Body shots and uppercuts account for three more knockdowns in the third round and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old has six wins by KO/TKO. He lost to unbeaten Francy Ntetu in December 2012. This is his third inside the distance win since then. Pole Urbanski, 29, has lost 10 of his last 11 fights, but this is only the fourth time he has failed to last the distance.

Pierre-Paul vs. Kamal

Something of a local upset as Pierre-Paul stops former top amateur Kamal in three in an all-Canadian, all-southpaw match. It looked to be going as expected as southpaw Kamal outboxed Pierre-Paul over the first three rounds. A left from Pierre-Paul changed that in the fourth and put Kamal down. He got up but another barrage from Pierre-Paul saw the fight halted. Pierre-Paul had lost to Brandon Bennett (16-1) in November. He now has 5 wins by KO/TKO. Great things had been expected from Kamal who was Canadian amateur champion in 2007/2008/2009 and competed at the 2007/2009 and 2011 World Championships.“Firearm” Kamal, had disappointed when being halted by modest Sebastien Bento in September, but had rebounded with a win.

Haikou, China: Straw: Oswaldo Novoa (13-4-1) W TKO 5 Xiong Zhao Zhong (22-5-1). Welter: Sirimongkol (76-2) W TKO 6 Yang Xing Xin (6-3-2). Super Bantam: Qiu Xiao Jun (11-2) W PTS 10 Jason Cooper (8-1-1).

Zhong vs. Novoa

Mexican Novoa upset the WBC apple cart with a stoppage of China’s Zhong to win the WBC title. Novoa came out aggressively. He had height, reach and power over the little Chinese champion and dominated the first three rounds with Zhong trying to match him punch for punch but failing. In the fourth Zhong was already in trouble and having to hold to survive. In the fifth, with Novoa handing out more punishment and nothing coming back from Zhong the referee stopped the fight. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for 32-year-old Novoa. After a run of 4 losses in 5 fights he had won four in a row, but against poor opposition. The WBC had done what they could to protect their lone 31-year-old Chinese champion but even against modest Novoa he was outclassed. This was his third defence and his first loss by KO/TKO.

Xin vs. Sirimongkol

A bad night for China as the vastly more experienced Thai easily overcomes novice Xin. Despite giving away both height and reach to the 5’ 11 ½” (182cm) Xin Sirimongkol, 36, was walking down the challenger from the first and the Chinese fighter lacked the experience to deal with the pressure. “Siri” opened a cut over the left eye of Xin in the second and handed out a one-sided beating with Xin retiring at the end of the sixth round. “Siri” a former WBC bantam and super feather champion makes 47 wins by KO/TKO. This was his 32^nd win in a row since losing his WBC super feather title to Jesus Chavez in 2003. As far as I know this was his fourth defence of his WBC Asian Council Continental (WBC ACC) title. The current WBC ratings have him at No 30, but don’t show him holding any title. The 21-year-old Xin was coming off a points defeat in Thailand in November. His record is deceptive as six of his opponents had never won a fight.

Jun vs. Cooper

Jun got one win for China as he took a unanimous decision over Australian Cooper. He retains both his WBC Youth and WBC ACC tiles. He has lost twice to Japanese-based Filipino Jonathan Baat but has won his last 4 fights. He is No 24 with the WBC (Baat? WBC never heard of him it appears). Cooper, 22, is a former Australian super bantam champion and current rated No 1 by the ANBF. He had won his last 6 fights.

February 6

Hollywood, CA, USA: Welter: Chris van Heerden (20-1-1) W TKO 4 Cosme Rivera (35-18-3). Heavy: Charles Martin (14-0-1) W RTD 3 Maurenzo Smith (12-8-3). Cruiser: Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (7-0) W KO 7 Lamont Williams (5-4-1). Cruiser: Deon Elam (13-1) W KO 2 Mike Glenn (3-8-2).

van Heerden vs. Rivera

It took van Heerden a round to shake off some rust from over 10 months out but once “The Heat” got untracked he was in charge. He began to let his hands go in the second and was walking Rivera down in the third and fourth scoring with hard southpaw lefts. Rivera was on the back foot only able to get through with occasional counters and finding himself backed to the ropes. At the end of the fourth Rivera wanted to continue but the doctor and the referee decided otherwise. The 26-year-old former undefeated IBO and South African champion has 11 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was a split decision against Nikola Stevanovic and he has wins over Kaizer Mabuza, Sebastian Lujan and, in his last fight in March last year, Matthew Hatton. Mexican Rivera, 37, came in at very short notice. “Chino” has now lost four tough fights in a row. He lost to Zab Judah in a challenge for the IBF/WBA/WBC welter titles back in 2005.

Martin vs. Smith

Southpaw “Missouri” Martin much too good for Smith. At 6’5” tall and with an 82” reach he was just too big for Smith. He floored Smith with a straight left in the first but also got a warning for hitting Smith when he slipped back down to the canvas. Martin dominated the second and then floored Smith with a left in the third. At the end of the round the doctor advised the referee to stop the fight. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for the former National Police Athletic League (PAL) champion. He has power but does tend to throw wide punches so will have to tighten up against tougher opposition. He already has wins over Vince Thompson and Joey Dawejko. Texan “T-Diddy” Smith, 36 is 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights but the draw was in his last contest against Vinny Maddalone.

Shabranskyy vs. Williams

The Ukrainian “Lion Heart” makes it 6 wins by KO/TKO as he wears down and halts Williams. Shabranskyy floored Williams in the second round with a left. Williams survived and then looked set on just surviving. In the fifth Shabranskyy floored Williams again and the end looked near. Two rounds later under another Shabranskyy attack Williams went down on one knee and the referee had seen enough. As an amateur the 26-year-old Ukrainian, a former kick boxer, was runner-up in the Ukrainian Championships in 2008 and 2009 and beat Kenny Egan in the World Series Boxing. First loss by KO/TKO for Williams who is the only fighter to have taken Olympian Marcus Browne the distance so far.

Elam vs. Glenn

Elam returns to action with a quick win. He floored poor Glen at the end of the first round and then twice more in the second and the fight was halted. The 33-year-old, 6’4” (193cm) Elam was having his first fight since May 2010. He competed in The Contender 4 series when it was sited in Singapore but lost to Ehinomen Ehikhamenor. As an amateur he won through the 2004 Western Olympic Trials but failed at the Final Trials. He has 7 wins by KO/TKO. Glenn, 30, has just one win in his last 11 fights.

Panama City, Panama: Super Bantam: Ricuarte Torrero (11-1) W PTS 8 Alejandro Corrales (10-16-2). Light: Barnet Arguelles (10-1) W KO 5 Addir Sanchez (9-5-1). Super Feather: Juan Huertas (7-0) W TKO 2 Eric Castro (8-5-2).

Torrero vs. Corrales

“Dinamita” Torrero floors poor Corrales four times but has to settle for a points win. Torrero floored Corrales in the second round, twice in the third and again in the fourth. However, he suffered an injury to his right shoulder which restricted his movement and Corrales was able to go the distance. Scores 78-70 twice and 76-71. This was to be for the interim WBC Fecarbox title, but Torrero failed to make the weight by 2 ¼ lbs. The 23-year-old Panamanian has won his last 4 fights. Corrales, 26, also Panamanian, is 2-5-1 in his last 8 fights.

Arguelles vs. Sanchez

Arguelles continues to look a good, hard punching prospect. The 23-year-old dominated for four rounds and then put Sanchez down and out with a single stunning left in the fifth. Now 7 wins for Arguelles by KO/TKO and 5 wins since being caught cold and halted in 84 seconds by Ricardo Nunez (not the world rated one) in 2011. Arguelles won a gold medal at the 2010 Central American Championships and a silver medal at the 2010 Central American Games. “Viper” Sanchez, also Panamanian, is 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights.

Huertas vs. Castro

Olympian Huertas makes it six wins by KO/TKO as he halts fellow-Panamanian Castro in two rounds. After staggering Castro with a right Huertas kept punching until the referee stepped in to save Castro. The 21-year-old Huertas, Panamanian amateur champion in 2011, lost to Felix Verdejo at the 2012 Olympics. He wins the vacant Panamanian and WBA Fedecentro titles. Only one win in his last six fights for Castro.

February 7

Calgary, Canada: Welter: Steve Claggett (19-2-1) W KO 2 Gyula Vajda (15-5). Claggett was stalking the Hungarian from the start forcing him back with a strong left jab. Vajda was going backwards and the counters he threw were quick light shots. At the end of the first round a right from Claggett put Vajda down. He was up quickly and took the eight count with the bell sounding quickly after that. Claggett came out looking to finish it. He drove Vajda to the ropes and landed some quick shots. Vajda turned off the ropes and put Claggett with his back to the ropes. The Hungarian then threw a volley of light punches but was standing close with his chin open and a short right from Claggett put him down. The referee counted to two and then waived the fight off as Vajda was not getting up. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year-old hometown Canadian champion and four wins in a row since a loss to useful Frenchman Alex Lepelley in March. “Kid “Vajda, 24, the Hungarian champion moves to 5 losses by KO/TKO including a one round blow out by Olympic Brit Tom Stalker.

Binan City, Philippines: Fly: Ardin Diale (23-8-3) W TKO 2 Kaichon (25-12). Light Fly: Geboi Mansalayao (9-16-4) W PTS 10 Ryan Bito (22-14-3). Super Bantam: Eranio Semillano (9-5) W PTS 10 Rey Juntilla (17-4-2). Super Middle: Ben McCulloch (13-0) W TKO 3 Gavad Zohrehvand (13-1).

Diale vs. Kaichon

GAB champ Diale floors Thai in the first and halts him in the second to make it 10 wins by KO/TKO. The 25-year-old “Spoiler” lost to Julio Cesar Miranda for the WBO fly title in 2011and has also been in with Johnriel Casimero, Rodel Mayol and Juan Francisco Estrada. Kaichon, 32, was knocked out in six rounds by Hugo Cazares for the WBO light fly title in 2005. He has lost his last 3 fights by KO/TKO, all against Filipinos.

Mansalayao vs. Bito

Both of these fighters desperately needed a win but it was the least favoured Mansalayao who got the majority decision. Scores 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95. Mansalayao, 25, had lost 8 of his last 9 fights. Bito, 27, a former WBC International flyweight champion, who has been in with tough opposition such as Edgar Sosa Oleydong and Kwanthai, has now lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Semillano vs. Juntilla

Semillano made a successful move up to ten rounds with a split decision over the sliding Juntilla. The 26-year-old southpaw took the verdict on scores of 95-94 twice and 95-94 to Juntilla. Six wins in a row for Semillano as he turns around a 3-5 record. Juntilla going in the opposite direction as he makes it 3 losses and a draw in his last 4 fights after being 17-1-1 in his first 19 fights.

McCulloch vs. Zohrehvand

Australian No 1 McCulloch makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO as he floors Iranian Zohrehvand in both the first and second rounds. Another knockdown in the third saw the fight stopped. The Sydney 31-year-old will make the second defence of his PABA title against Serge Yannick in April. His PABA title gets McCulloch a ridiculous WBA No 11 rating. I did not know there was any pro boxing in Iran but since Zohrehvand has beaten 12 guys who had never won a fight, 10 of who were having their first fight, the standard is low.

L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain: Super Feather: Juli Giner (13-0) W PTS 6 Kakhaber Avetisian (31-21-1). Fighting up at super feather Giner given a hard eight rounds by Georgian. A natural feather “The Rock” Giner looked the stronger but lacked some of his speed and the Georgian was always competitive. The 30-year-old Spanish feather champion is EBU No 16. Scores 60-54, 59-55 and 59-54. Georgian Avetisian, 24, is 6-3 in his last 9 with all of the wins coming in Georgia-naturally.

Bang Rajan, Thailand: Fly: Kwanpichit (25-0-2) W PTS 12 Jay-ar Estremos (10-6). Feather: Chonlatarn (49-1) W KO 3 Harry Utagalang (0-1).

Kwanpichit vs. Estremos

Kwanpichit retains his WBO Orient title and his No 5 rating with a very controversial majority decision over Filipino Estremos. The conditions at the venue played a part as the very high heat and humidity eventually took their toll on both fighters. Estremos went off at a fast pace and was throwing barrage after barrage of punches with Kwanpichit trying but failing to match him. Estremos built a lead but was also setting a pace the conditions made impractical. When he stated to flag Kwanpichit was able to start to gather rounds by forcing Estremos to fight on the back foot. The fight looked to be poised on a knife edge after ten rounds and the Filipino staged a strong finish to win the last two rounds. The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114. The 32-year-old Kwanpichit makes the 5^th defence of his WBO Orient title. The draws on his record were technical decisions. He is rated WBO 5/WBA 14. The 21-year-old Filipino “Smasher” almost smashed Kwanpichit’s world title hopes. The WBC ACC light flyweight champion had won his last 5 fights.

Chonlatarn vs. Utagalang

An awful mismatch saw former WBA feather title challenger Chonlatarn kayo complete novice Utagalang in three rounds. Somehow late substitute Utagalang survived the first two rounds but a vicious body punch from Chonlatarn put him down in the third and he could not get up. Now four wins for Chonlatarn since losing a wide points decision to Chris John in 2012 and win No 32 but no glory to be had here. Chonlatarn, 29, is WBO 2/IBF 9(7)/WBA 13.

Sheffield, England: Light Middle: Navid Mansoori (13-1-2) W TKO 5 Matt Mallin (9-2-1). Mansoori wins this return match as he punches too hard for Mallin. After a feel-out first Mansoori cut loose in the second getting through with head shots that had the referee looking hard at Mallin to make sure he was ok to continue. In the third with Mansoori showing good movement and countering Mallin’s attacks near the end of the round he landed a series of punches that put Mallin down. Mallin did not stop trying and got through with some good shots of his own but Mansoori would not be denied and again the fight might have been stopped. Finally in the fifth another volley of hard punches from Mansoori saw Mallin down and the fight was stopped. Second defence of his English title for 24-year-old Mansoori. His only loss was in the Prizefighter in 2012. These two met in October but Mallin suffered a cut in the first round and the bout was ruled a technical draw. First loss by KO/TKO for Mallin.

Chicago, IL, USA: Middle: Roberto Garcia (34-3,1ND) W PTS 10 Norberto Gonzalez (20-3). Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (16-0) W PTS 8 Daniel Diaz (20-6-1). Welter: Erickson Lubin (3-0) W TKO 1 Roberto Acevedo (13-13-3). Light Middle: Patryk Szymanski (10-0) W TKO 2 Dan Hicks (5-4). Cruiser: Junior Anthony Wright (9-0) W TKO 4 Galen Brown (41-26-1,4ND).

Garcia vs. Gonzalez

Garcia just edges out fellow-Mexican on a split decision. Garcia, coming in as a late substitute, started well buzzing Gonzalez with a left in the first round. Over the next four rounds Gonzalez was the busier confusing Garcia with some sharp movement and setting the pace. Garcia had the better of the middle rounds as he was able to take Gonzalez to the ropes more often and work inside. A tiring Garcia lost a point in the eighth for using his shoulder to push Gonzalez around. Garcia made the stronger finish and just deserved the decision. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Garcia and 95-94 for Gonzalez. The 33-year-old “La Amenaza” is on a great run. In his last 21 fights going back to 2004 he is 19-1 with one No Decision with the loss being to Antonio Margarito in 2010. This is his sixth win since then. “Demon” Gonzalez, 32, was a top amateur way back. His other losses are to Antwone Smith and Mark Jason Melligan and he was coming off a big win over Brazilian Michael Oliveira.

Laszczyk vs. Diaz

Pole Laszczyk remains unbeaten with wide unanimous decision over Nicaraguan Diaz. Although giving away height and reach the Pole was quicker and busier. Right at the end of the first he stepped in and dropped Diaz with a left right combination. Diaz went down but bounced up immediately and after the eight count was completed he took the fight to Laszczyk and did not look hurt. Laszczyk was happy boxing on the front foot or the back foot and Diaz failed to use his jab to dominate. The Pole was able to get shots off and be away as Diaz was that bit slower. Diaz did get through with a good right in the fourth but by the end of the round was sporting a cut over his left eye. Diaz kept coming forward trying to catch Laszczyk on the ropes but the Pole was too elusive and won clearly. Scores 79-71, 79-72 and 78-73. The 23-year-old New Bergen-based Laszczyk has good wins over Andrei Isaeu and Krzys Cieslak and as Diaz was coming off an upset victory over Robert Marroquin this was also a useful scalp. He is quick, clever boxer but has had to go the distance in 5 of his last 6 fights so may be short on power. “The General” Diaz, 34, failed to use his physical advantages and instead was chasing the fight. He has plenty of experience with his only inside the distance loss coming against Koki Kameda for the secondary WBA bantam title and he has gone the distance with Hugo Cazares.

Lubin vs. Acevedo

Mike Tyson promoted prospect Lubin makes it three first round wins in a row. He opened up early and Acevedo resorted to holding and lost a point with the fight less than two minutes old. A body attack from Lubin had Acevedo wilting and at the bell Acevedo’s team retired their man. Those three minutes almost double Lubin’s ring time. The tall 21-year-old southpaw was 18 in October and was one of the USA’s big hopes for the Olympics in 2016. Puerto Rican southpaw Acevedo was having his first fight since October 2012

Szymanski vs. Hicks

Polish prospect Szymanski makes it three wins in a row by KO/TKO as he floors Hicks twice before the fight was halted in the second round. The fast-handed young Pole scored with good shots to head and body in the first and then floored Hicks with body punches in the second. Hicks made it to his feet but when he was put down again by body punches the fight was stopped. The tall 20-year-old WBO Youth champion, who turned pro on a show in Puerto Rico, has 5 wins by KO/TKO. He was Polish Youth Champion in 2009 and competed at the 2010 World Youth Championships. Hicks, 33, was having only his second fight in over 6 years.

Wright vs. Brown

Twenty-seven-year-old “Hurricane” Wright makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO as he halts experienced southpaw Brown early in the fourth round. Brown, 32, was on the defensive from the start fighting with his back to the ropes and just trying the occasional counter. Wright gradually broke him down. Brown lost a point in the fourth for holding as he tried to halt the punishment. A barrage of hard shots from Wright in the sixth ended Brown’s resistance and the referee stepped-in to save him. Nine wins by KO/TKO for 27-year-old Wright. Brown has 4 losses in a row, all to unbeaten fighters. This was his 15^th loss by KO/TKO.

Detroit, MI, USA: Light Middle: Tony Harrison (17-0) W TKO 2 Grady Brewer (30-18). Harrison blows away Brewer with five knockdowns. Brewer came out looking threatening and seemed to shake Harrison early. However, a series of rights from Harrison then sent Brewer tumbling to the canvas. He got up but was badly shaken and floored again at the end of the round. Harrison stunned Brewer with an uppercut early in the second and then a barrage of punches put Brewer down. He made it to his feet but was put down twice more and the fight was stopped. Now 14 wins by KO/TKO, the last 6 in a row, for the 23-year-old grandson of the great Henry Hank. The 43-year-old Brewer is 2-6 in his last 8 fights and this was loss No 9 by KO/TKO. The unpredictable danger man, who beat Anthony Thompson, Steve Forbes, Cornelius Bundrage, Albert Onolunose and Fernando Guerrero, may finally be predictable.

Dalaguete, Philippines: Light Fly: Virgilio Silvano (18-3-1) W PTS 10 Mark Anthony Florida (8-4). Southpaw Silvano works hard using superior skill and speed to earn a unanimous decision over once promising Florida for the vacant Philippines Boxing Federation title. The 23-year-old southpaw was returning to action for the first time after losing to Katsunari Takayama in a challenge for the IBF strawweight title in December. That defeat broke a string of 17 fights without a loss for Silvano. He is rated IBF 8(6). Florida, a good level amateur, had won his first 8 fights, 7 by KO/TKO.

February 8

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Feather: Jonathan Barros (37-4-1) W KO 1 Cid Edison Bispo Ribeiro. (13-4).Too easy as Barros blows away inept Brazilian. Barros towered over the Brazilian and was walking him down all the way. Ribeiro just went backwards around the perimeter of the ring occasionally launching crude swings. Barros cornered him and ended a flurry with a left to the body which sent Ribeiro down in a crouch. He got up at seven and spit out his mouthpiece getting him some brief respite. Barros continued the chase and with Ribeiro on the ropes threw another flurry of not particularly hard punches. Ribeiro again crouched on the canvas. He got up at seven but the referee just continued the count to ten with no reaction from Ribeiro. All over in 157 seconds. The 30-year-old “Yoni” will hardly have an easier night as Ribeiro failed to land a single punch. The former secondary WBA champion makes it 21 wins by KO/TKO. After back-to-back losses to Juan Carlos Salgado and Mikey Garcia in 2012 he has rebounded with three wins inside the distance but against modest or poor opposition. Predictable outcome as the 38-year-old Ribeiro’s four losses have all come in either the first or second round.

Tahiti, French Polynesia: Super Middle: Bilel Latreche (16-4-1) W PTS 10 Cedric Bellais (15-6-2). Latreche retains French title with majority decision over local southpaw Bellais. Latreche almost finished it the first when he shook Bellais twice. However Bellais recovered and with the stifling heat tiring both boxers Latreche then had to use all of his skill and intelligence mixed with hard counters to offset the aggression of the Polynesian and Oceania champion. At the end two judges saw Latreche a clear winner but the third went for a draw. Only one loss in his last 11 fights for the French champion who travelled 18,000 miles to make his title defence. Bellais, a 25-year-old from Papeete, had won 4 of his lat 5 fights but failed in this his second shot at winning the French title

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Feather: Carlos Diaz R (13-0) W KO 6 Miguel Beltran Jr. (28-3,1ND). Super Bantam: Raul Hirales (21-2-1) W TKO 8 Fernando Vargas (26-8-3). Light Welter: Rafael Guzman (13-0,1ND) ND 3 Raul Hinojosa (11-3-1,1ND).

Diaz vs. Beltran

Huge upset as local newcomer Diaz comes from behind to kayo former IBF and WBO title challenger Beltran. The young local made a good start working his jab and showing some fast movement in the first round. From the second Beltran took charge using his superior experience, hurting Diaz to head and body and forcing him to fight with his back to the ropes. Before the sixth the corner of Diaz told their man that boxing was not working and he came out firing. He took Beltran to the ropes and exploded a barrage of punches which put Beltran down flat on his back where he stayed for the full count. The unheralded 19-year-old “Chuko” has 7 wins by KO/TKO. This was his first ten round fight. “Barreterito” Beltran, 24, suffers only his second loss by KO/TKO. He had fought a No Decision with Juan Carlos Salgado for the IBF super feather title in 2011 and lost a split decision to Roman Martinez for the vacant WBO title in September 2012. After that he took 13 months out but had returned with a win in November.

Hirales vs. Vargas

Hirales gave Vargas a boxing lesson and a beating over the first three rounds as he got through with combinations of three and four punches to head and body. Vargas looked to be on the way to the canvas at times but stayed upright. He managed to score with some good uppercuts and staged some strong counter attacks but the pace, power and accuracy of Hirales were proving too much. The face of Vargas began to mark up badly and he was shipping heavy punishment in the eighth when his seconds asked the referee to stop the fight which he did. The 30-year-old “Rayito” now has 10 wins by KO/TKO. The draw on his record was in a six round fight against Vargas in 2010. Hirales suffered consecutive losses in 2012 to Carl Frampton and Adrian Young but has scored 5 wins since then. This was his first fight since his win over Francisco Leal who died three days after the fight. Coincidentally Hirales also has a win over Oscar Gonzalez who tragically died last week after losing to Jesus Galicia. Local fighter Vargas, 25, is a useful level opposition having lost split decisions to former IBF super fly champion Juan Alberto Rosas and WBO No 2 Daniel Rosas.

Guzman vs. Hinojosa

Disappointing end to the winning run of “Furioso” Guzman as a clash of heads sees the fight end on a No Decision. It was boxer/puncher with southpaw Hinojosa boxing well at distance and Guzman throwing bombs which had Hinojosa hurt at times. In the third a clash of heads opened a cut across the full length of the left eyelid of Hinojosa and the fight was stopped. Ensenada’s Guzman, 18, unable to add to his nine wins by KO/TKO. Hinojosa came in as a late substitute and looked capable of making Guzman work hard for a win.

Huixquilucan, Mexico: Light Fly: Adrian Hernandez (29-2-1) W TKO 3 Janiel Rivera (10-2-2). Bantam: Julio Ceja (26-1) W TKO 4 Jesus Acosta (14-3-2). Light Fly: Saul Juarez (19-3) W PTS 8 Luis Ceja (24-5-3).

Hernandez vs. Rivera

“El Confesor” Hernandez retains his WBC title with early stoppage of overmatched Rivera. After a round of study Hernandez was momentary hurt when a counter caused some damage by his right eye, but a hard left/right combination shook Rivera. He managed to maneuver off the ropes but was on shaky legs at the end of the round. An overhand right in the third sent Rivera back to the ropes and he was taking heavy punishment whilst slumped into the ropes and the fight was stopped. Now 18 wins by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old Mexican. This was his fourth defence during his second reign as champion and he is 15-1 in his last 16 fights. Puerto Rican Rivera, 22, should not have been in with the champion. His No 6 rating-at strawweight- by the WBC was farcical. In his last two fights he had lost over eight rounds to Miguel Del Valle (9-19 and the loser of his previous 13 fights) and outpointed Joel Collazo (3-1) over six rounds. A disgrace.

Ceja vs. Acosta

“Little Chicken” Ceja takes Acosta apart with a body attack. The relentless body attack had Acosta on the defensive as he tried to deal with punches from all angles. The fight ended in the fourth when a body punch from Ceja put Acosta down in agony and the referee stopped the fight. The 21-year-old now has 24 wins by KO/TKO as he retains his WBC Silver title. He lost a major decision to Jamie McDonnell for the vacant IBF title in May but is now in line to meet the winner of the Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cris Mijares fight for the WBC super bantam title next month. Acosta, 21, lost to Arturo Santos in December which ended an unbeaten streak of 10 fights.

Juarez vs. Ceja

This was the most competitive match on the card. Juarez got the unanimous decision on the basis of his work with his left jab as Ceja, the harder hitter, did the pressing and Juarez owning the centre of the ring and countering. The decision went unanimously to Juarez. “Baby”, 23, has lost only 2 of his last 16 fights and one of those was to former WBC strawweight title challenger Juan Hernandez. Ceja, the elder brother of Julio, also 23, is in a bad patch. After being 22-1-3 he is now 2-4 in his last 6 fights

San Luis Potosi, Mexico: Feather: Romulo Koasicha (20-3) W Marcos Cardenas (14-2-1). Welter: Pablo Munguia (18-4) W PTS 10 Luis Grajeda (17-1-1).

Koasicha vs. Cardenas

Hometown fighter Koasicha retains his WBC USNBC title with a wide unanimous verdict over Cardenas. After a watchful first round Koasicha floored Cardenas with a right to the chin. Cardenas was up and took the eight count and saw out the round. Koasicha continued to control the action in the third and fourth and was up 40-35 on all three cards at the end of the fourth. It was a close-quarters battle over the next four rounds with both standing and trading and the body punches from Koasicha giving him the edge and Cardenas being warned twice for holding as he tried to blunt the attacks. It was all Koasicha all the last four rounds with Cardenas just doing what he could to survive. Koasicha wins on scores of 118-109 twice and 119-108. He is No 15 with the WBC. Cardenas, 23, is 2-3 in his last 5 fights but the other losses were against quality opposition in world rated Genesis Servania and Rey Vargas.

Munguia vs. Grajeda

“The Gravedigger” overcomes a huge height disparity to bludgeon his way to a points win over prospect Grajeda. The former Mexican welterweight champion was giving away almost 10” in height but worked inside and gave Grajeda no room. He just deserved the split decision. Munguia has lost just 2 of his last 17 fights, both losses to Armando Robles, firstly for the Mexican light welter title and the second on a nose injury for the welter crown. He looks a bit roly-poly, but is as tough as nails. “Slayer” Grajeda, 27, the WBC Fecombox champion, had won 7 in a row since losing to Jermell Charlo in 2010.

Managua, Nicaragua: Straw: Byron Rojas (11-2-3,1ND) W PTS 10 Eduardo Martinez (9-2-1). Feather: Lester Medrano (12-2-1) W TKO 6 Lenin Tellez (7-14).

Rojas vs. Martinez

Local “Gallito” Rojas boxed his way to a wide points victory over Mexican Martinez. The Nica had better skills and controlled the fight despite a swelling on his right cheek caused by a punch from Martinez but he built an early lead and solidified over the closing rounds as Martinez tired. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. Five wins and No Decision in his last 6 fights for 23-year-old Nicaraguan champion Rojas including reversing one of his losses. Martinez, 21, had turned his career around after a bad start and had won his last nine fights picking up the NABF and WBC Youth Silver titles.

Medrano vs. Tellez

Medrano tends to plod forward unhurriedly measuring with the left and looking to get home with his right cross. This followed the same pattern until the right, the perfect punch to use against southpaw Tellez, landed in the sixth and it was over. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old Nicaraguan champion including the last five in a row. Tellez, 31, does not take a punch well and this was loss No 11 by KO/TKO.

Davao City, Davao, Philippines: Bantam: Marlon Tapales (24-2) W PTS 10 Galih Susanto (6-4). Tapales dominates and floors Indonesian in the ninth but can’t close the fight out and settles for a wide unanimous decision on this M(anny) P(acquiao) promotion. The 21-year-old Filipino southpaw has lost only one of his last 17 fights and that was a dubious majority decision to Mexican David Sanchez for the interim WBC Silver title in Mexico. He holds the WBO Asia Pacific title which gets him a No 10 rating. Susanto has yet to lose by KO/TKO and went 12 rounds with former WBA champion Denkoasan in January last year.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Light Middle: Sherzod Husanov (19-0-1) W PTS 12 Carlos A Jerez (38-17-3). Light Middle: Ravshan Hudaynazarov (17-0) W TKO 4 Mustafa Katende (9-1). Light Welter: Alk Shahnazaryan (10-0) W TKO 2 George Owano (11-10-1). Welter: Uktamjon Rakhmonov (2-0) W PTS 6 James Onyango (16-9-1).

Husanov vs. Jerez

Local hero Husanov boxes his way to victory over experienced survivor Jerez and wins the IBF International title. Husanov edged the early rounds but stepped-up the pace in the second half of the fight. Jerez was forced to take some heavy shots and was floored in the eighth. The Argentinian did get through with some useful punches of his own but Husanov won the unanimous decision by a big margin. The tall 34-year-old local is a former undefeated WBC International champion. As an amateur he won bronze and silver medals in successive World Amateur Championships losing both times to Cuban Lorenzo Aragon. He fought at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics losing to double Olympic champion Oleg Saitov in the quarterfinals in 2004. Jerez, 34, has lasted the distance with Saul Alvarez, Lucas Matthysse, Anthony Mundine and Max Bursak and only lost 3 times by KO/TKO.

Hudaynazarov vs. Katende

Hudaynazarov returns to the ring with a win. The relentless body attack of Hudaynazarov is finally too much for Ugandan Katende and the fight is stopped in the fourth round. The 27-year-old Uzbek, a former World Military champion, is based in Nevada and part of the KZ Events Group of Beibut Shumenov. This was his first fight since beating Euri Gonzalez (20-1-1) in Las Vegas in June 2012. Katende, a good class amateur was having his first fight outside Uganda.

Shahnazaryan vs. Owano

The Kenyan was out of his depth and Russian “Ike” took him apart in the second with two knockdowns before the fight was stopped. The 20-year-old “The Humanoid” now has 3 wins by KO/TKO. Former Kenyan welter champion Owano loses for the third time in his last four fights.

Rakhmonov vs. Onyango

2012 Olympian Rakhmonov makes it two wins as he decisions Kenyan Onyango. The 23-year-old Uzbek, who lost to Cuban Rosniel Iglesias in London, has had to go the distance both times so is still learning the pro ways. All nine of Onyango’s losses have come outside Kenya.

February 9

Brussels, Belgium: Super Feather: Hovannes Zhamkochyan (28-6-1) W TKO 1 David Kis (10-11-2). Belgian-based Armenian Zhamkochyan makes it two first round wins in a row as he halts Hungarian Kis in just 31 seconds. The 32-year-old Panther has 17 wins by KO/TKO but does not have the best chin himself as he has five losses by KO/TKO including a one round loss to Dardan Zenunaj in March last year. Now 5 losses in his last 6 fights for 18-year-old Kis and three of those fights have ended in first round losses.