The Past Week In Action 10 May 2016

The Past Week In Action 10 May 2016
May 6

Las Vegas, NV: Welter: Alan Sanchez (18-3-1) W PTS 10 Pablo Cesar Cano (29-5-1,1ND). Light: Petr Petrov (37-4-2) W RTD 6 Marvin Quintero (28-7). Super Bantam: Horacio Garcia (30-1-1) DREW 10 Erik Ruiz (15-5-1).Feather: Joet Gonzalez (13-0) W PTS 8 Ricardo Proano (11-3).
Sanchez vs. Cano
Sanchez gets important win as he continues his good run with a split decision over Cano. The tall Californian boxed an intelligent fight in the early rounds using his edges in height and reach combined with some clever movement to keep Cano from asserting his aggressive fight plan. Cano kept coming forward but was frustrated by the skills of Sanchez. The pattern hardly changed from the first round with Sanchez on the back foot circling the ring with Cano pacing after him but usually only catching quick shots from Sanchez for his trouble. Sanchez was quicker to the punch scoring with quick one/two shots and getting away before Cano could counter. When Cano was able to catch up with Sanchez he was focusing on landing left hooks to the body and straight rights but rarely had Sanchez in position long enough to land more than one or two punches. Cano finished the third strongly but Sanchez took centre ring in the fourth and scored with a series of good head punches. Then he was back on his toes with Cano in pursuit and landing a nice left hook/straight right combination at the end of the round. Sanchez dominated the fifth scoring with a succession of stabbing jabs and right crosses and he outboxed Cano in the sixth. Cano had a better seventh scoring with left hooks and overhand rights as he continued his pursuit and he was able to force Sanchez to stand and trade more in the eighth and scored with a good left hook and overhand right late in the round. Cano came forward relentlessly in the ninth and tenth but Sanchez was on his toes again and slotting punches through Cano’s guard as he collected an important win. Scores 97-93 twice for Sanchez and 96-94 for Cano. The 25-year-old Sanchez is now 12-1 in his last 13 fights with his loss being on points against Luis Collazo in 2013 and this is his sixth win since then. He lifts the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. Cano, 26, a former WBA super light challenger and WBA interim champion scored useful wins over Jorge Silva and Silverio Ortiz last year and can rebound from this but will probably always come up short again world class opposition.
Petrov vs. Quintero
In an exciting brutal battle Petrov gets win over Quintero at the end of the sixth due the left eye of the Mexican being totally closed. This was a wide-open slugfest with both scoring with heavy punches in constant trading. The first round was close with Quintero getting through with a southpaw uppercut. In the second Petrov was scoring early with straight rights and left hooks with Quintero finishing the round strongly but already there was swelling over his left eye restricting his vision. The third followed the same pattern with Petrov again scoring with rights early and Quintero staging a strong finish. In the fifth he landed a left hook that set Petrov back on his heels but the Russian was again landing hard head shots with the swelling over Quintero’s right eye closing the eye completely. The fifth saw Quintero corner Petrov early and bang home hooks only for Petrov to take over and score with clubbing head punches. With no vision out of his left eye Quintero had been given one more round and threw everything into his early attacks in the sixthbut Petrov took over and was getting through with thudding shots as Quintero faded looking exhausted and arm weary. The fight was called off at the end of the round. “Zar” Petrov, 33, is finally getting the attention he deserves. After losing only two of his first 33 fights he was beaten by Marcos Maidana for the secondary WBA super light title in 2011 and outpointed by Dejan Zlaticanin in 2013. He showed his class in winning the ESPN Boxcino in 2014 but had only one fight in 2015 climbing off the floor to beat Gamaliel Diaz . He retains his WBA/NABA title and wins the vacant NABF title throwing his hat into the ring in the lightweight. Quintero, 29, lost a split decision to Miguel Vazquez for the IBF title in 2012 but was derailed by losses to Rustam Nugaev and in April last year to Jose A Gonzalez. He had scored two wins since then and was a very live opponent in this one.
Garcia vs. Ruiz
Garcia stumbles on what looked an easy task on paper as he looks a little fortunate to get a draw against Ruiz. It was a hotly contested fight with never much between them. Garcia was a bit more cautious than usual but seemed to have landed the cleaner shots and was probably slightly in front after six rounds. In the seventh Ruiz landed the best punch of the fight as he rocked Garcia with a right and had him in deep trouble. Garcia survived but Ruiz fed of that success and looked to have just down enough to get the decision. Scores 98-92 for Ruiz, 97-93 for Garcia and 95-95. “Violento” Garcia, 25, won his first 29 fights, 22 by KO/TKO, but lost a wide points verdict over ten rounds to Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan last May but this should not have been too tough a test for the Mexican. Oxnard-based Ruiz, also 25, was an unimpressive 2-4 in his last 6 fights but the opposition had been high class in Jesse Magdaleno, Manuel Avila, Daniel Roman and Alexis Santiago so the figures were misleading.
Gonzalez vs. Proano
Young prospect Gonzalez adds another win as he gets wide verdict over Mexican Proano. Gonzalez was in control of this one. He was trying to add to his kayo percentage after 5 inside the distance wins in his last six fights but after having his right eye almost closed after a clash of heads he then boxed his way to victory. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. Gonzalez, 22, won a silver and a gold at the US National Championships but just failed to get through the 2012 Olympic Trials. Proano is now 2-4 in his last 6 fights but made Gonzalez fight for his win.

Noisy-le-Grand, France: Super Middle: Mariano Hilario (14-5) TKO 9 Samy Anouche (19-3-1) . Middle: Ruben Diaz (22-1-2) W KO 7 Howard Cospolite (14-5-1). Welter: Mohamed Mimoune (16-2) W KO 4 Nabil Krissi (12-1). Light: Maidin El Garni (7-0) W PTS 10 Aboubeker Bechelaghem (11-8-1).
Hilario vs. Anouche
A good night for Spain as they collect two vacant EU titles with Hilario scoring a brutal stoppage of brave home fighter Anouche. This was their second meeting. Hilario won the same title with an eighth round stoppage of Anouche in 2014. As with the first fight this was a close for much of the fight. Anouche was hampered by a bad gash up on his head above the hair line suffered in the fourth round with the blood running down the centre of his face from then on. Anouche had built a good lead and seemed to be coming on strong but in the eighth as they fought inside he drew back his right to throw a punch but Hilario beat him to the punch with a crunching right which sent the Frenchman reeling back into the ropes which held him up. The referee gave him a standing count and Anouche lasted to the bell. He was trying to come forward in the ninth when a straight right sent him crashing to the canvas. He made it to his feet but his face was a mask of blood and after the eight count a wicked right hook to the body saw Anouche take a couple of steps back and go down on one knee. He was up at eight but then Hilario landed a couple of straight rights sending Anouche back into the ropes and the referee made a well-timed stoppage. The 29-year-old Dominican-born Canary Islander gets back on track after a spell of 3 losses in 4 fights going down against Hadillah Mohoumadi for the European title and losing to unbeaten Ahmed Elbiali and Ron Gavril in the USA. Former undefeated French champion Anouche was looking to revenge the only loss he had suffered in his last 21 fights and he fought hard but again the Spanish “Shark” came out the winner.
Diaz vs. Cospolite
Diaz makes it a Spanish double as he wins the vacant EU title with a kayo of Frenchman Cospolite. Both of these fighters like to go forward so it was a savage battle. Although each had some success in the early rounds Cospolite looked to be starting to take control with Diaz spending much of the sixth trapped on the ropes and showing signs of tiring. That became irrelevant in the seventh when a tremendous left hook from Diaz put Cospolite down and out. The 36-year-old “El Destructor”, a former Spanish middle and super middle champion, is now unbeaten in his last 22 fights in a run stretching back to 2003. Cospolite, 33, suffers his first loss by KO/TKO. He had weathered a 2-3 spell including a points loss to Larry Ekundayo and had won his last four fights but there was no way he was going to get up after that left from Diaz
Mimoune vs. Krissi
Mimoune was the only French fighter to register a win in the fights for vacant EU titles as he stopped Spaniard Krissi. “The Problem” showed good southpaw skills countering the aggressive Krissi as the Spaniard continually came forward in the first. Krissi had a little more success in the second as he kept up the pressure but Mimoune was proving an elusive target and firing home quick counters. Krissi continued to march forward in the third focusing on the body with Mimoune loading up on his own punches and throwing more combinations. They were trading in the fourth when a right to the head stiffened the legs of Krissi and another left sent him down heavily. He beat the count but when the action resumed another right to the head sent him reeling into the ropes and the fight was halted. Only the second win by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old French champion from Toulouse as he gets his fifth win in a row. Two of those wins are over Ceferino Rodriguez (18-0 at the time) and former conqueror Kamal Mohamed (18-2) so he is in good form. “Sultan” Krissi, 31, another Canary Islander, has yet to go past the sixth round in any fight.
El Garni vs. Bechelaghem
El Garni wins the vacant French title with unanimous decision over Bechelaghem. The fight was close until the last four rounds when El Garni began to dominate and only his lack of power made the fight go the distance. The scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93 make the fight seem closer than it was. The 28-year-old from Northern France will need more fights before he is ready to climb beyond domestic opposition. Second unsuccessful try at winning a national title for Bechelaghem who is 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

Matoury, French Guiana: Middle: Michel Mothmora (29-24) W PTS 12 John Anderson Carvalho (24-6-2). Mothmora wins the vacant WBFed title with unanimous verdict over Brazilian Carvalho. The Brazilian had a good first round rocking Mothmora with a left hook/ straight right but from then on Mothmora took over. He use his edge in reach, higher work rate and better skills to box on the outside and collect enough rounds for a comfortable win before he tired and Carvalho came on strong over the last two rounds. Scores 117-111 from all three judges for Mothmora. The 35-year-old from Martinique has improved his record recently now being 14-3 in his last 17 fights but has failed in four attempts to win the national title. Carvalho, 33, a former Brazilian super welter champion, has lost inside the distance to Gennady Golovkin and Martin Murray. “French” Guiana is on the north west coast of South America but is an integral part of France so is part of the EU and the launch site for the European Space Agency. Just though I would throw that in.

Kreuzberg, Germany: Light Heavy: Avni Yildirim (10-0) W KO 2 Jackson Junior (20-6,1ND). Light Heavy: Serdar Sahin (25-2) W TEC DEC 7 Konstantin Piternov (20-9).
Yildirim vs. Junior
Yildirim just walks all over Brazilian Junior to retain his WBC International Silver title. Yildirim just strode forward behind a high guard ignoring any fire coming from Junior. The Turk’s defence leaked badly with Junior able to land looping rights but Yildirim was chopping away at Junior’s body with short hooks. Junior was again able to score with rights at the start of the second but was moving less and trading more which was dumb. A left/right to the head drove Junior across the ring to the ropes and Yildirim punished him with hooks to head and body. Junior managed to escape but some more clubbing shots to head and body saw Junior slump forward down on one knee and he stayed there until counted out. The 24-year-old champion was making the fourth defence of his title and gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. He already has wins over reasonable level opposition in an aging Glen Johnson, Janne Forsman and Walter Sequeira and has five wins by KO/TKO but it was worrying how easily Junior scored with rights and against a harder puncher he will have to tighten his defence. His WBC International Silver title gets him a No 9 rating from the WBC but the EBU No 20 is a fairer reflection of the strength of his opposition. Junior is typical of so many Brazilian fighters who can get easy wins at home but is exposed on the road..
Sahin vs. Piternov
Sahin retains his WBC EPBC title with split technical decision over Piternov. Sahin was the better boxer and used his jab to edge the first round. Piternov was slower and fought in spurts loading up on his punches and a left hook at the end of the second made Sahin’s legs quiver. The third and fourth rounds were close with both having some success and at the end of the fourth all three judges had it 38-38. Sahin was pressurising in the fifth constantly working with his jab with Piternov’s work rate dropping. The Russian was spending too much time with his back to the ropes but he showed his danger as he surged forward scoring with head punches and driving Piternov across the ring. In the sixth a punch from Piternov landed very low and Sahin was given time out to recover and again Piternov came to life late in the round swinging wide punches some of which jarred the head of Sahin. In the seventh both landed hard punches until a clash of heads saw Sahin turn away in agony. The referee took him over to the doctor who diagnosed a fractured cheek bone and the fight was halted and went to the cards with Sahin winning by two scores of 67-66 for him and a 67-66 for Piternov. The 34-yearold German “Bomber” Sahin was making the first defence of the WBC EPBC title he won in February as he returned after 18 months of inactivity. Piternov, 32, “The Volga Cossack” , a former Russian super middle and light heavy champ, is slow and lacks skill but is strong and dangerous.

Yekaterinburg, Russia: Welter: Charles Manyuchi (18-2-1) W PTS 12 Dmitry Mikhaylenko (21-1). Super Feather: Evgeny Chuprakov (16-0) W TKO 5 Sebastian Tlatlik (10-1). Super Welter: Magomed Kurbanov (7-0) W TKO 9 Manuk Dilanyan (4-3-1). Super Middle: Andrey Sirotkin (9-0) W PTS 10 Murad Dalkhaev (5-8). Super Feather: Mikhail Alexeev (9-0) W PTS 8 Romero Duno (9-2)
Manyuchi vs. Mikhaylenko
Manyuchi again goes into the other man’s back yard and comes away with a win as he lifts the prestigious WBC Silver title. In a hard fought battle both fighters showed well early looking to dominate. Manyuchi was quicker and more accurate and established a small lead and when Mikhaylenko looked to starting to get into the fight Manyuchi put the Russian down in the tenth then staged a strong finish to emerge the clear winner. Scores 118-110, 116-114 and 115-113 all for Manyuchi. With no boxing in Zimbabwe the 26-year-old from Masvingo has had to base himself in Zambia and travel for fights. He went to Burkina Faso to beat Patrice Sou Toke (17-1) for the ABU title, Italy to defend his WBC International title against Gianluca Frezza (23-2-2) and now to Russian to beat the 21-0 Mikhaylenko. Manyuchi was No 9 with the WBC but will get quite a boost for beating Mikhaylenko. The 30-year-old Russian had beaten Sechew Powell, Ronald Cruz, Johan Perez and Karim Mayfield and was WBA No 5.
Chuprakov vs. Tlatlik
Chuprakov floors then stops inexperienced Tlatlik in five rounds to retain the WBO Europe title. The 26-year-old Russian, who carries the nickname of “Happy Gilmore!, was making the second defence of his title. He was just too strong for the inexperienced Tlatlik. He floored the German-based Pole in the second round with a right hook. Chuprakov maintained the pressure over the third and fourth and with Tlatlik taking a beating late in the fifth his brother Robert threw in the towel. No names of note on Chuprakov’s record but he has 9 wins by KO/TKO and is No 7 with the WBO and 14(12) with the IBF. Tlatlik, 33, brave but no real test. Of his 10 victims 3 never had a fight and the other 7 had combined records of 15-21.
Kurbanov vs. Dilanyan
“Black Lion” Kurbanov wins the WBC ABC Silver title with stoppage of novice Dilanyan. The 20-year-old Kurbanov, a former World and Russian Junior Champion, has 5 wins by KO/TKO. Dilanyan, 21, just a low level prelim fighter.
Sirotkin vs. Dalkhaev
Sirotkin also wins a vacant WBC ABC title. The Russian southpaw failed to impress as he had to go the full ten rounds to take the decision over fellow-Russian Dalkhaev. The 31-year-old Sirotkin has been carefully matched as none of his victims, including Dalkhaev, have had positive records with six of them only managing 3 wins between them. Dalkhaev now 2-7 in his last 9 fights.

Odessa, Ukraine: Heavy: Andriy Rudenko (28-2,1ND) W TEC DEC 7 Mike Mollo (21-6-1). Rudenko gets technical decision over Mollo in a slow fight and wins the vacant WBC International Silver title. It was fairly even for two rounds with the local fighter edging the first and Mollo doing enough to pocket the second. From the third Rudenko was able to get inside the jab of the taller Mollo who rapidly tired. In the seventh a clash of heads saw Mollo suffer a bad cut on his right eyelid and he was unable to continue. The score cards were collected and gave Rudenko the victory by 69-64 twice and 68-65.After going undefeated in his first 25 fights Rudenko, 32, had tried to step up but lost on points to Lucas Browne and Hughie Fury. He has taken a step back and is 4-0 against lesser opposition. Mollo, 36, had Artur Szpilka down in each of his two losing fights with the former WBC title challenger . He was out for 30 months before returning in some style with a first round kayo of unbeaten Pole Krzys Zimnoch in February.

Philadelphia, USA: Super Middle: Chris Brooker (9-1) W PTS 8 Antowyan Aikens (10-2-1). Super Welter: Kermit Cintron (36-5-2) W PTS 6 Eduardo Flores (23-21-3).
Brooker vs. Aikens
Brooker goes to six wins in a row with points victory over Aikens. With Aikens lacking punch power Brooker was able to barrel forward in the rounds with Aikens showing a sharp jab and some good counter-punching to keep the rounds close and to open a cut over the right eye of Brooker. In the third a right put Aikens down but he made it to his feet and used his good boxing skills to stay competitive to the final bell. Scores 80-71, 79-72 and 79-73 all for Brooker. He was the clear winner but the scores don’t reflect how hard Aikens made this for Brooker. Philadelphian Brooker has now won his last 6 fights. Aikens gets his second loss in a row having been knocked in five rounds by Lanell Bellows in February.
Cintron vs. Flores
Cintron returns to action with a win as he takes every round against Ecuadorian Flores. This one was not about who would win but whether Cintron could finish it early. He tried hard but Flores took everything and was still there at the end of six rounds. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. First fight for the 36-year-old former IBF welter champion since beating Ronald Cruz in March 2014. Flores is 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

Sydney, Australia: Super Welter: Rocky Jerkic (14-0) W KO 1 Chatri Charoensin (7-5). Jerkic continues to blast out the opposition down under as he blitzes poor Thai to defeat in just 91 seconds. Now 9 wins by KO/TKO in his last 10 fights for Jerkic. The 28-year-old is of mixed Croatian and Indigenous blood and learned his boxing in the very old fashioned way fighting for a $100 Australian a fight as part of a troupe at a travelling boxing tent show. He is the mandatory challenger to Brit Liam Williams for the CBC title. Now 5 losses in his last 6 fights for Chatri

Garin, Argentina: Light: German Benitez (16-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Leandro Pinto (19-9-2). Benitez holds on to his interim WBO Latino title with easy points win over Brazilian Pinto. The local fighter was able to score repeatedly with his jabs and rights to the head. Pinto showed good movement but was being out-punched. Over the second half of the fight Benitez went to the body more and a tiring Pinto lost a point in the eighth for careless use of the head but lasted the distance. Scores 98-91 twice and 100-89 all for Benitez. The 24-year-old Benitez is the WBO No 14 light and FAB No 7 super light. Pinto, 38, lost in two rounds against Brit Bradley Skeete in 2014 and is 3-4 in his last 7 fights with all of the losses on the road.

May 7

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Middle: Saul Alvarez (47-1-1) W KO 6 Amir Khan (31-4). Welter: Frankie Gomez (21-0) W PTS 10 Mauricio Herrera ( 22-6). Middle: David Lemieux (35-3) W TKO 4 Glen Tapia (23-3). Middle: Curtis Stevens (28-5) TKO 2 Patrick Teixeira (26-1). Welter: Rashidi Ellis (15-0) W PTS 8 Marco Lopez (25-9). Super Bantam: Diego De La Hoya (15-0) W TKO 7 Rocco Santomauro (13-1). Middle: Jason Quigley (11-0) W PTS 10 James De la Rosa (23-4). Light: Lamont Roach (11-0) W PTS 8 Jose Porras (9-5).
Alvarez vs. Khan
The script had already been written for this one but there were some who thought Khan’s speed could provide a surprise outcome. In the end it was the power of Alvarez that finished the fight in spectacular and scary fashion. Over the early rounds the fight went in accordance with Khan’s script. He used foot speed to stay out of range and hand speed to score with quick flurries of punches getting in and out before Alvarez could land anything heavy. Gradually from the third Alvarez was letting his punches go more and although Khan was still quick he was slowly being forced to trade a bit more in each round. Alvarez did not land any big punches he was loading up more and Khan was not as accurate. At the end of the fourth the official scores were 39-37 for Khan (how I saw it|), 38-38 and 39-37 for Alvarez. In the fifth Khan seemed to get more confident and was standing with Alvarez and exchanging shots more but Alvarez was scoring with harder single punches. With five rounds gone I felt that Khan had landed more punches despite what the statistics said Alvarez and so far Khan had avoided the Mexican’s best punches. He was like the a guy who had jumped off a sixth storey building and shouted I’m OK so far as he passed the fifth. The crunch for Khan came like a bolt out of the blue in the sixth. As he stood and traded with Alvarez he let his left arm trail downwards after throwing a jab. Alvarez came over the top with a devastating right which landed on Khan’s chin and he was out the moment the punch landed. He went down heavily on his back with his head bouncing off the canvas and he was down for some time receiving medical attention. “Canelo” , 25, retains the WBC title and moves to 32 wins by KO/TKO. Alvarez was calling out Gennady Golovkin after the fight and that would be the biggest fight out there rivalling Mayweather vs. Pacquiao as a draw. Khan,s decision to seek this fight was controversial as the bout was made at the catchweight of 155lbs and the 29-year-old Brit had never weighed more than 147lbs in a fight and that was a factor as he did not have the punch to seriously discourage the naturally heavier Mexican.The WBC announced that the loss would not affect Khan’s No 1 spot in their welter ratings holding out the chance of a return with Danny Garcia but even now a fight with fellow-Brit Kell Brook would be a big draw but Khan’s bargaining power took a hit when that right from Alvarez landed.
Gomez vs. Herrera
Gomez edges closer to a world title shot which has always seemed to be his destiny as he outclasses Herrera and hands out a one-sided beating to the experienced former title challenger. Herrera was coming forward for most of the fight and walking into a storm of hooks and uppercuts. Gomez was on his toes and showing plenty of movement but when he stopped he was firing off 4/5/6 punch combinations mainly to the head of Herrera. The fourth and fifth really broke the fight for Herrera. He sustained a steady beating and by the sixth he was cut under the left eye and bruised under the right. He continued to chase Gomez down but when he caught up with Gomez a storm of punches would break over Herrera. In the eighth in desperation Herrera was standing against the ropes just urging Gomez to bring it on. He even stretched both arms out along the ropes leaving himself wide open but Gomez did not need any free shots he was landing plenty already. Herrera had probably his best spell late in the eighth as he found some extra energy and thumped home a succession of body shots but again he was taking more than he was giving. Gomez still looked fresh over the ninth and tenth and although Herrera kept ploughing forward he just could not get away from the lightning combinations from Gomez. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Gomez, 24, looked the goods when he won the US National title, a gold medal at the World Cadet Championships and a silver at the World Championships at the age of 17. He had a 120-9 amateur record but his pro career has stuttered along with just two fights each in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and just one last year so let’s hope he is on a faster track now. Herrera, 35, hit his highpoints in 2014 when he challenged Danny Garcia for the WBA/WBC super light titles with Garcia considered to be lucky to escape with a majority verdict and then won the interim WBA title but the year ended badly when he lost his title to Jesse Benavides in December. He bounced back into the picture in his last fight winning a technical decision over Hank Lundy so outclassing him was a good performance for Gomez.
Lemieux vs. Tapia
Lemieux returns with a win as he outpunches Tapia. Lemieux was coming forward from the first bell. Tapia had height and reach on his side but Lemieux had faster hands and was soon landing jarring jabs putting Tapia on the back foot and then getting inside and scoring with left hooks and rights to the head. In the second Tapia tried to stay ring centre and get his jab working. Some heavy punches from Lemieux had him retreating again and as Lemieux banged home more hooks and uppercuts Tapia was looking very uncomfortable. Lemieux came out firing in the third scoring with jarring jabs and as he piled on the pressure he was catching Tapia with every punch he threw. Tapia had a good spell for about 15 seconds where he landed with his jab and long rights and then came on strong at the end of the round. In the fourth Lemieux was back in charge forcing Tapia back with jabs and hooks. As Lemieux stepped back from a clinch he landed a thunderous left which had Tapia heading for the canvas and a right clipped him on the way down. He was up and was ready to continue when the eight count was finished but to his horror and amazement his corner-Freddy Roach-was signalling surrender and the fight was over. Tapia could have continued but the beating would only get worse so it was a right decision. First fight for the 27-year-old former IBF champion since losing his title to Gennady Golovkin in October. He still has his power and hand speed and will be a tough match for any middleweight-except Golovkin. “Jersey Boy” Tapia gets his third loss by KO/TKO having taken a dreadful beating against James Kirkland in 2013 and being stopped in four rounds by Frenchman Michel Soro last May. He has skills but has gone as far as he is going.
Stevens vs. Teixeira
If you heard a loud band it was Brazilian Teixeira’s bubble being burst. Careful matching had kept the tall Brazilian southpaw unbeaten but he was always going to be found out when he finally did step up. Teixeira towered over Stevens but from the outset Stevens was pressing coming in under the jab of Teixeira and scoring with hooks from both hands. Teixeira was on the back foot and his jab lacked the power or accuracy to keep Stevens out and it was a jab from Stevens that rocked Teixeira back on his heels in the round. In the second Teixeira decided to stand and trade which was pretty stupid and he paid for it. The Brazilian started a left on its way just a split second before Stevens unleashed a right. Teixeira landed first but that did not stop the missile from Stevens which then landed on the Brazilian’s jaw and put him down. Teixeira made it to his feet but staggered back into the ropes and he raised no protest when the referee stopped the fight. Stevens, 31, could not afford to lose this one. He retired after eight rounds when challenging Gennady Golovkin for the WBA and IBO title in 2013 but rebounded with wins in early 2014 over Patrick Majewski (46 seconds of the first round) and a very much contested late stoppage of Tureano Johnson. That landed him a fight with Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in an IBF eliminator in October 2014 but he lost a wide unanimous decision and virtually retired and this fight was his first for 19 months. Teixeira, 25, is young enough to rebound but he has too many flaws to be a real threat.
Ellis vs. Lopez
Ellis lands another victory for the Ellis clan. Ellis was coming forward putting pressure on the experienced Mexican who showed some good defensive moves but was unable to get into the fight due to the high work rate set by Ellis. Eventually Lopez was worn down and just looking to survive and despite some great head/body combinations by Ellis in the last Lopez stayed the full eight rounds. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 23-year-old from Lynn MA was having his first fight for 14 months but was sharp from the start. He is a former National PAL champion. His brother Ronald is a former NGG champion and sister Rashida is a top female boxer so don’t mess with the Ellis family. Lopez gets a poor birthday present as he turned 29 on Friday. He has lost in tough matching to Kevin Mitchell, Takahiro Ao, Felix Verdejo and Jose Roman but was coming off a first round kayo win last month for the interim WBC Fecombox title.
De La Hoya vs. Santomauro
It is beginning to look as though De La Hoya could be the real deal. The unbeaten youngster was too much for a brave Santomauro. De La Hoya put Santomauro down with a right in the second. They both threw rights at the same time but De La Hoya’s got there first. Santomauro was up immediately but his legs were wobbling as he walked to the ropes to take the standing count so he did well to last out the round. De La Hoya continued to score with heavy punches in the following rounds with the only hiccup being a point deduction for a low blow in the seventh. Despite a brave effort from Santomauro that proved to also be the last round of the fight as by then Santomauro was a well beaten fighter but the finish was a bit strange. As De La Hoya jogged forward and casually as passing Santomauro he landed a sharp right uppercut and kept going to who knows where. He actually had his back to Santomauro and the referee as the referee waived the fight off. He probably saw Santomauro’s corner staring to climb onto the ring apron to throw in the towel. The 21-year-old cousin of Oscar was making the first defence of his WBC Youth title and now has 9 wins by KO/TKO. Victories over good level opposition such as Jesus Ruiz and Arturo Badillo confirm his promise but there is a long way to go before we find out if he is indeed the real deal. Santomauro had Shane Mosley in his corner and put up as good fight but his horizons are limited.
Quigley vs. De la Rosa
Impressive showing as Quigley steps up to ten rounds against experienced De la Rosa. The Irishman was equally comfortable on the front foot or the back. His jab was the dominant feature. De la Rosa came forward throughout the fight looking to get inside or trap Quigley on the ropes. Quigley took the first and in the second after being caught with two stiff jabs and a straight right De la Rosa changed to southpaw but it made no difference. He switched guards a couple of time in the third but he was still being caught both by the jab and right crosses. In the fourth Quigley landed a lovely left uppercut and straight right as he continued to box on the back foot and counter and he caught the even advancing De la Rosa with a choice left hook near the end of the round. The fifth saw De la Rosa make a fast start but he paid for it. Throughout the round he had his head snapped back by stiff jabs, was caught with rights to the head and another classy left hook. The pace dropped in the sixth and seventh with De la Rosa continuing to pressurise and Quigley countering and both had some good moments in the rounds as despite the lower pace there were plenty of hard punches flying. The eighth was De la Rosa’s as he worked hard throught the round forcing all the way and scoring with a lovely left uppercut/right cross as Quigley looked to be feeling the pace. In the ninth Quigley had dropped his hands to waist level and his punches were slower and lacked the snap of earlier times and it was a close round. Quigley went backwards for the whole of the tenth but was landing counters as a frustrated De la Rosa was unable to catch him and land anything of consequence. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. A very impressive performance as Quigley had not had to go beyond the fourth round for any of his previous wins. The 24-year-old Irishman won gold medals at the European Youth, European Under-23 and Senior Championships and a silver at the World Championships. He is an outstanding prospect. He tired late in this one but experience will see him adjust to ten round fights. Texas-based Mexican De la Rosa never stopped coming forward and shook off some heavy punches as he gave Quigley the perfect introduction to the longer distance. He has a good win over Alfredo Angulo but was in his first fight since a kayo loss to Hugo Centeno in December 2014.
Roach vs. Porras
Former outstanding amateur Roach moves to 11 wins as he outboxes overmatched Mexican. Roach had too much class for Porras and outboxed him comfortably although Porras was competitive in a couple of rounds he never did enough to win one. Roach was deducted a point in the sixth for a punch that strayed low as he eased to the unanimous decision. Scores 79-72 from all three judges. The 20-year-old National PAL, NGG and US National champion is studying mechanical engineering at University at the same time as building a career in boxing. Four losses in a row for Porras.

Manchester, England: Light: Anthony Crolla (31-4-2) W KO 7 Ismael Barroso (19-1-2). Welter: Shane Singleton (23-1) W TKO 8 Adil Anwar (22-6). Super Middle: Paul Smith (36-6) W TKO 3 Bronislav Kubin (18-19-2). Middle: Marcus Morrison (11-0) W KO 2 Jefferson Luiz De Souza (16-12-2). Light Heavy: Hosea Burton (16-0) W TKO 2 Michal Ludwiczak (13-4). Light Heavy: Martin Murray (33-3-1) W TKO 2 Cedric Spera (12-5). Light: Tommy Coyle (22-3) W PTS 6 Rey Mora (7-13-1).Light Heavy: Callum Johnson (14-0) W TKO 1 Richard Horton (10-7).
Crolla vs. Barroso
Crolla retains his WBA title with dramatic kayo of dangerous Barroso. Sensibly against a hard puncher such as Barroso Crolla started cautiously. He took ring centre but was not throwing many punches and some straight lefts and hooks saw Barroso edge the round. Barroso was fired up at the start of the second storming forward throwing hooks from both hands. Crolla weathered the storm and took centre ring again. However he was still being cautious and rarely throwing a punch as Barroso firing a series of hooks with Crolla just covering up. Finally the champion let some punches fly but Barroso was threading hard southpaw straight lefts through and it was a largely one-sided round. Barroso attacked throughout the third and fourth Crolla was blocking most of the punches on his high guard and was scoring with the harder single punches with Barroso going for quantity but getting through with some hooks to the body and head and Corolla ended the round with a cut over his right eye. Crolla finally started to roll in the fifth. He marched forward continually. Barroso landed some nice shots to the body but Crolla was letting his hands go and scoring with clubbing shots as Barroso looked to be tiring and his confidence was draining away as Crolla kept him under pressure for the whole three minutes. Crolla nearly ended it in the sixth. He landed some heavy rights to the head forcing an exhausted Barroso around the ring. Barroso slumped to the canvas and although it was not a knockdown it was an already beaten challenger who climbed to his feet. Crolla trapped him on the ropes and only the bell saved Barroso. The challenger had a final fling at the start of the seventh but Crolla banged home hard punches to head and body and as Barroso came forward a right to the body stopped him in his tracks and he then went down on his hands and knees and was still there when the count was complete. This was a case of brilliant tactics executed brilliantly. Barroso had never gone past six rounds in a fight and it showed in the frantic pace he set off at. Crolla stayed tight over the early rounds not throwing a lot of punches but being in Barroso’s face for every minute of every round until the Venezuelan southpaw fell apart with exhaustion in the sixth and was despatched in the seventh. With his remarkable recover from injury and his fighting style the 29-year-old Crolla is a folk hero in Manchester and with that following and the backing of Matchroom/SKY he has the financial pull to ensure he does not have to travel for big purses. Unification fights with WBC champion Jorge Linares and local rival WBO champion Terry Flanagan would be huge fights. To some extent Barroso, 33, was found out. His 18 wins by KO/TKO looked impressive but apart from a faded Kevin Mitchell there were no “names” there and the early wins caught up with him as he showed a total lack of any sense of pacing a fight. He was dangerous but his naivety was exploited by some brilliant tactics.
Singleton vs. Anwar
Singleton wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with stoppage of Anwar. Singleton got off to a great start as he rocked Anwar early in the first and then put him down with a left hook/straight right. Anwar was badly shaken but made it to his feet and to the bell. Anwar then got into his stride and although the rounds were close despite the handicap of a cut below his left eye suffered in the sixth he eliminated the points gap by the end of the seventh. In the eighth Singleton nailed Anwar with a right which put him down heavily. Anwar was able to get up but was in a bad way and Singleton forced Anwar to the ropes with a pair of left hooks and a hard right and as he was unloading more punches the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old from nearby Colne makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss came in another fight for this title when he was stopped in five rounds by Sam Eggington in March last year and this win puts him back in the picture. Anwar, 28, “The Platinum Kid” , a former English champion and British title challenger at super light was 19-1 in his first 20 fights but has fallen away to 3-5 in his last 8.
Smith vs. Kubin
Comfortable win for Smith as he shakes off some ring rust. The former WBO title challenger easily took the first round over late choice Kubin. He went to work in the second flooring Kubin twice and after he put him down again early in the third the fight was stopped. First fight for 33-year-old Smith since losing in nine rounds against Andre Ward in June. A big return match with George Groves is the fight in waiting. Czech Kubin, 37, is 1-5-1 in his last 7 fights.
Morrison vs. De Souza
Having originally been scheduled to appear in an eight round fight on the show Morrison seizes his chance and lands the WBC International Silver title. He blew away the poor Brazilian in under two rounds. A right/left to the body combination put De Souza down in the first and although he got up and made it to the bell he was finished. Morrison came out fast and another right/ left to the body put De Souza down and the fight was stopped. The 23-year-old local has 8 wins by KO/TKO and had won his lat four fights inside a round. No big names but one to watch. De Souza typical of travelling Brazilians. The figures look good but 8 of his opponents had never won a fight and 3 had never had a fight.
Burton vs. Ludwiczak
Burton much too good for imported Pole. The British champion had big advantages in height and reach and dominated the fight before putting the Pole down in the third with a left hook. Ludwiczak made it out of the round but the respite was temporary and a left to the body put him down in the fourth and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old 6’4” (193cm) “Hammer” makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. He was ABA champion in the amateurs and is a cousin of Tyson Fury. Ludwiczak gets his first loss inside the distance.
Murray vs. Spera
Murray eases back with win over late choice Spera. Murray was hunting and harrying Spera from the start. He was scoring with left hooks to the body and although Spera occasionally halted his backward track to exchange punches he lacked power. Murray was given a warning for straying low with his left hooks and when he did it again Spera was given some recovery time and Murray was given a tough lecture. He continued to chase down Spera who tried switching to southpaw but all that got him was a strong left/right combination to the head from Murray. In the second Murray was again on the hunt and when Spera stopped to trade a left hook to the body put him down. He was up and after the eight count got a little more recovery time as he had lost his gumshield. When the action resumed a left/right combination put him down. He got up but had no complaint when the fight was stopped. First fight for Murray since his split decision loss to Arthur Abraham for the WBO super middle title in November. The 33-year-old from Merseyside was 171 ¼ lbs for this one and will be sure to feature in some of the big fights around at super middle. Belgian Spera, 27, in way over his head as he gets his fourth loss by KO/TKO.
Coyle vs. Mora
Coyle returns to the ring with a win. He edged the first round getting his jab working early. He was also the better man in the second but he suffered a one point deduction for hitting after the break had been called. Coyle scored with some heavy rights in the third but then the fire went out and he just boxed his way through the last three rounds to get in some ring time. Referee’s score 59-55 for Coyle. This is Coyle’s first fight since losing to Luke Campbell for the vacant WBC International title in August last year. Surgery on an elbow injury delayed his return but now he is back he is another factor in a crowded British lightweight division. Spanish-based Nicaraguan Mora has now lost 13 fights on the bounce but he did his job here by giving Coyle some much needed ring time.
Johnson vs. Horton
Johnson blasts out Horton with three knockdowns in just 78 seconds of the first round. The 30-year-old “The One” makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO but 14 fights in just over 5 years is not enough activity for such a talented boxer. It was an emotional fight for Johnson as it was his first time in the ring since the death of his father early in the year. Although born in England Johnson actually boxed for Scotland as an amateur qualifying through his Scottish-born Grandmother and winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Championships and a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games for Scotland. Horton, 34, has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Hamburg, Germany: Heavy: Kubrat Pulev (23-1) W PTS 12 Dereck Chisora (25-5). Cruiser; Noel Gevor (21-0) W PTS 10 Cristian Medina(12-2-3). Super Light: Anthony Yigit (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Phil Sutcliffe Jr (9-1). Super Middle: Ismail Oezen (17-2) W TKO 3 Ramazi Gogichashvili (22-11-2). Super Middle: Vincent Feigenbutz (22-2) W TKO 3 Crispulo Andino (19-10-1). Cruiser: Artur Mann (7-0) W PTS 8 Valery Brudov (43-9). Super Middle: Stefan Haertel (10-0) W PTS 8 Ruslan Schelev (12-6).
Pulev vs. Chisora
Chisora comes up short in this important fight as he loses split decision to Pulev. It must have seemed like déjà vu all over again as he met an Eastern European boxer who had height and reach over him and whose main tactics were to land a left jab, then a right cross and lean on Chisora and smother his work whenever he got inside. Pulev used that jab but also used a straight left to edge a quiet first round. Chisora had some success with left jabs to the body in the second but he was being caught repeatedly by Pulev’s jab. Chisora was finally able to work inside in the third to offset the Pulev jab but the big Bulgarian takes the fourth as he briefly works Chisora over and keeps the jab in Chisora’s face throughout the fifth. Both had their moments in the sixth but the best punch was a big right that stung Pulev and the Bulgarian was showing a cut under the eye. Chisora was complaining to the referee over some of Pulev’s work as the Bulgarian dominated both the seventh and eighth rounds with his jab. Chisora made a big effort to turn the fight his way in the ninth banging home lefts and rights in his best round so far. Pulev was back in charge in the tenth and time was running out for Chisora. The British fighters put in a big effort in the eleventh and twelfth but Pulev continued to boss the action with his jab and straight punches and was a clear winner despite the split decision. Scores 118-110 and 116-112 for Pulev and 115-113 for Chisora. This was for the vacant European title and Pulev, 35, therefore wins the title he had relinquished previously. He was No 5 with the IBF and Chisora No 6. The No’s 1 and 2 slots are vacant as no one in the ratings has beaten another rated fighter so can’t be rated No 1 or 2. However Carlos Takam the No 3 fights No 4 Joseph Parker in an IBF eliminator on 21 May so in theory the winner of that fight should be confirmed as No 1 and be the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua. After losing in five rounds to Wlad Klitschko in November 2014 Pulev was inactive for eleven months but ended 2015 with two low level victories. He will be a tough proposition for any heavyweight. Chisora is back at square one. He has lost big fights to Klitschko, David Haye and Tyson Fury but had reinvented himself with five low level wins. The 32-year-old “Del Boy” may have had his last seat at the big table.
Gevor vs. Medina
Just a keep busy fight for Gevor as he makes second defence of his WBO International title. The Armenian-born German was in charge for most of the fight controlling the action with his jab with Medina proving a limited opponent but resisting all of Gevor’s attempts to end the fight early and Medina fought well enough in spurts to take a couple of rounds. Scores 98-92 from all three judges. Despite having no victories over even remotely rated opponents the 25-year-old Gevor is the WBO No 2. Medina lost his first pro fight so was unbeaten in 16 fights going into this one although the opposition a long way from being challenging.
Yigit vs. Sutcliffe
Yigit escapes with a majority decision after a hard scrap with Sutcliffe. The young Swedish prospect showcased his speed and skills over the first three rounds. He was quicker to the punch and busier with Sutcliffe not letting his hands go enough and looking to land one big shot. Yigit was not looking to trade but to slot home quick combinations and move on. He changed those tactics in the fourth looking to exchange punches and paid for that mistake. Sutcliffe banged home some hard punches and now Yigit was trapped on the ropes under a storm on leather. His composure disappeared as he went head down swinging as Sutcliffe battered away with head shots. Yigit escaped and rallied at the end of the round but it has been a scare for the Swede. The sixth was another big round for the Dubliner as he was cutting off the ring well and banging away to the body with Yigit looking tired and again he was swinging wildly when under pressure as Sutcliffe dominated the round. Yigit was back to his best at the start of the seventh firing quick combinations through Sutcliffe’s guard but by the end of the round Yigit was trapped on the ropes with Sutcliffe scoring with hard body shots. After the success Yigit had in the early rounds Sutcliffe probably needed to win the last round to have a chance of getting the decision and although he staged a strong finish to the round landing a string of sweeping hooks to the body Yigit had been scoring with quick combinations for most of the first two minutes and had just done enough to take the verdict. Scores 77-75 twice for Yigit and 75-75. The 24-year-old Swedish southpaw displayed his skills but this tough test also showed he had work to do. Sutcliffe came so close and the difference was that Yigit was always busy busy with the Dubliner too often looking for the big punch and being outworked.
Oezen vs. Gogichashvili
Oezen brushes aside poor Georgian to win the German International title. It was an easy win for Oezen as he floored Gogichashvili in the first round and another three times in the third to end the one-sided fight. The 35-year-old German’s two losses have been against very low level opponents. He has now won 7 in a row but six opponents before Gogichashvili had combined records of 34-99 so being very charitably matched. Now 7 losses by KO/TKO for Gogichashvili who has never won a fight outside Georgia.
Feigenbutz vs. Andino
Feigenbutz overcomes a rocky spell to stop Argentinian Andino in the third. It looked an easy night for the young German floored Andino with a right to the chest late in the first but when Andino got up he threw a southpaw straight left through the German’s guard which rattled Feigenbutz. Andino tried to capitalise on the punch in the second but Feigenbutz was landing hard rights. As Feigenbutz followed Andino into a corner the Argentinian landed a right and a left which had Feigenbutz backing across the ring with Andino in pursuit and landing punches to the head of the stumbling German. He continued to land punches with Feigenbutz on the ropes but the Argentinian held onto the rope to keep Feigenbutz trapped and the referee stopped to give Andino a warning. That brief respite was enough and by the end of the round Feigenbutz was landing some hurtful left hooks. It was one-way traffic in the third. A clubbing right to the side of the head put Andino down. He was up and took the eight count but a series of punches put him down again. He made it to his feet but a right to the head put him down on his knees and his second climbed through the ropes with a towel as the referee waived the fight over. First fight for 20-year-old Feigenbutz since losing his WBA super middle title to Giovanni De Carolis in January. He can punch and has 20 wins by KO/TKO but his defence leaks and that will let him down against better opposition. Andino, 27, falls to six losses by KO/TKO and is 5-8 in his last 13 fights.
Mann vs. Brudov
Mann remains a winner as he gets wide unanimous decision over experienced Brudov. Mann made a quick start and landed some early shots as he aimed to maintain his 100% record of wins by KO/TKO. However when Brudov did not crumble Mann started to tire and over the late rounds Brudov staged a recovery and Mann struggled but won clearly. Scores 78-74 from all three judges. The 25-year-old Kazak-born German “Thunderman” was going the distance and past the fifth round in a fight for the first time. Brudov, 39, is looking a bit shop worn and has lost 5 of his last 6 fights but against tough opposition such as Tony Bellew, Rakhim Chakhkiev, Noel Gevor and Krzys Wlodarczyk
Haertel vs. Schelev
Typical Haertel fight as he showcases excellent skills and the lack of a punch. The former top amateur boxed comfortably on the back foot scoring with sharp accurate counters from both hands. Schelev kept coming forward but Haertel is an excellent defensive boxer and Schelev was never really a threat as Haertel won every round. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 28-year-old Haertel was an outstanding amateur winning the German title four times, getting a bronze medal at the European Union Championships and was a quarter-finalist at both the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics but after ten fights against modest opposition is still looking for his first inside the distance win. Ukrainian Schelev came in as a late substitute and is 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

Tokyo, Japan: Light: Takashi Miura (30-3-2) W KO 1 Jimmy Borbon (5-1-2). Fly: Toshiyuki Igarashi (22-2-1) W PTS 10 Joel Taduran (7-3-1).
Miura vs. Borbon
A terrible mismatch sees former WBC super feather champion Miura flatten Filipino novice Borbon inside a round. After tracking the inexperienced Filipino Miura struck with one southpaw left dumping poor Borbon down on his side and he was counted out. First fight for Miura since losing his WBC title to Francisco Vargas in a war in November. This fight did nothing for him as he got less than three minutes of ring time. He is No 1 with the WBC so a return with Vargas is on the cards. Borbon just a mediocre prelim bout novice who came in as a short notice sub. If anything had gone wrong it would have been an impossible match to defend.
Igarashi vs. Taduran
Former WBC fly champion Igarashi had been boxing at super fly but he begins his campaign to move down to flyweight with a comfortable win over Filipino. Igarashi was faster and stronger for Taduran and had his southpaw jab working well from the start. Taduran had a good third round scoring with a hard right but over the second half of the fight he tired and Igarashi cruised to victory. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92 all for Igarashi. Since losing his title to Akira Yaegashi in April 2013 he has now scored 5 wins and had a technical draw. He is No 7 flyweight with the WBC. Taduran just another prelim fighter thrown in over his head.

Perth, Australia: Feather: Nathaniel May (14-1) W TKO 3 Maxsaisai (16-8). Super Welter: Sam Hogan (11-0) W PTS 6 Friday Nwaiwu (3-7-1). Light: Brandon Ogilvie (15-1) W KO 1 Nattanapon (5-3).
May vs. Maxsaisai
“Cheeky” May wins vacant IBF Australasian title with third round stoppage of Thai veteran Maxsaisai. The 20-year-old local methodically broke down Maxsaisai and the fight was halted with just 12 seconds left in the third. Local fighter May now has 7 wins by KO/TKO and 9 wins in a row. He is No 15 with the WBO which seems a bit high at this stage. Maxsaisai, 37, gets his fourth loss by KO/TKO.
Hogan vs. Nwaiwu
Hogan returns with a win as he takes unanimous decision after six rounds over Nigerian Nwaiwu. First fight in 10 months for the unbeaten 26-year-old southpaw. Nwaiwu has 5 losses and a draw in his last six fights.
Ogilvie vs. Nattanapon
Ogilvie wasted no time in the one as he scored a brutal first round stoppage of poor Thai opponent. “Brilliant” Ogilvie was supposed to be in a warm-up for a tough match against Yoshitaka Kato in Tokyo in June but the young West Australian prospect hardly raised a sweat here. He has 8 wins by KO/TKO and has won his last 10 fights but has yet to really justify his No 9 rating with the WBA. Third loss by KO/TKO for Thai novice Nattanapon.

Paita, New Caledonia: Super Middle: Nicolas Dion (16-3) W TKO 2 Yoann Bloyer (18-32-2). Dion retains his French title with stoppage of an eccentric Bloyer. The challenger was coming forward throwing punches from the start with Dion using a tight guard to block the shots and then fire back with his own. Soon Dion had Bloyer trapped with his back to the ropes and taking punishment with the bell saving Bloyer. In the second Bloyer started clowning, grimacing trying to spoil Dion’s focus. It worked for a while. Dion received an ear-bashing from his coach in the interval. In the third a series of uppercuts but Bloyer down. When he got up he dropped his guard inviting Dion to do his worst-and he did. He landed another series of head shots which sent Bloyer down twice more and the referee stopped the fight. Dion’s first shot at the French title ended in a points defeat in November 2014 by Samy Anouche but he has now run up 5 wins and looks a much better boxer. Bloyer was making his second challenge for the national title and as he is now 2-12 in his last 14 fights. He probably won’t get another chance.

Tarnow, Poland: Light Heavy: Dariusz Sek (26-2-1) W PTS 8 Yevgeni Makhteienko (6-4). Sek finds this a tougher than expected task as he gets narrow unanimous decision over Makhteienko. The Polish southpaw used his superior hand speed and accuracy to build a lead against the aggressive Makhteienko but the Ukrainian remained dangerous and kept coming. Despite his greater experience Sek tired over the closing rounds and Makhteienko almost pulled off a surprise. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74 all for Sek. The 29-year-old Pole’s losses have come against Robert Woge and in March last year against Robin Krasniqi. He has won five on the bounce since then and is No 7 with the EBU. Czech-based Makhteienko had won his last two fights.

London, England: Welter: Johnny Garton (17-1-1) W TKO 4 Ryan Fields (8-3-1).
Garton overcomes a slow start to halt Fields. It was Fields on top over the first two rounds. He edged the first on the back of some sharp jabs and as the pace quickened in the second with both standing and trading Fields finished the round with some hard rights. The pace was even hotter in the third as both landed good punches with Fields again doing just enough to pinch it but suffering a cut over his left eye from a Garton punch. It was an all-out war again in the fourth until a huge left hook from Garton put Fields down and out with no count needed. The 29-year-old “Pexican” Garton (he comes from Peckham, but not Mexico) wins the vacant English title and gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. His only loss was on a cut eye against Sam Eggington in a Prizefighter Tournament in 2014 and he ironed out the draw on his record by halting Martin Walsh in a return. Midlands Area champion Fields certainly played his part in the exciting scrap but caught a punch that would have put most welterweights out cold. He was 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights.

Edinburgh, Scotland: Fly: Iain Butcher (14-2) W PTS 10 Thomas Essomba (7-2). Welter: John Thain (15-2) W PTS 6 William Warburton (18-96-8).
Butcher vs. Essomba
Commonwealth champion Essomba saved the show here but paid the price in a points loss to a much heavier Butcher. Essomba was fighting from the first round with the handicap of a cut suffered in a clash of heads and found the talented Scot just too tough to handle under that and the weight difference. Butcher was a clear winner with the referee scoring the fight 97-94 in his favour. Butcher, 24, a former undefeated WBO Europe champion was supposed to challenge for Essomba’s CBC title but he advised the promoter early in the week he could not make the weight. To help the show Essomba’s management took the fight as a non-title contest at 115lbs but Butcher only managed to come down to 114lbs so it was agreed the fight would go ahead on that basis. I know this because I was supposed to supervise the CBC title fight. Butcher will be a force at the higher weight but it is a pity he missed this big chance. Essomba comes from Cameroon but is based in North East England and will only fight at flyweight in future. His record shows a loss in his first pro fight in France in 2009 but he contends this was an amateur fight and indeed he competed at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics for Cameroon.
Thain vs. Warburton
Local prospect Thain wins every round against the “have gloves will travel at a moment’s notice” Warburton. Referee’s score 60-54. The former Scottish amateur champion gets his fourth win in a row as he is rebuilding after being derailed by back-to-back losses to Ronnie Heffron and Kris Carslaw in 2014. Fight No 122 for 29-year-old Warburton who was actually an improving 1-2-1in his last 4 fights.

May 8

Tokyo, Japan: light Fly: Akira Yaegashi (24-5) W PTS 12 Martin Tecuapetia (13-7-3). Super Fly: Naoya Inoue (10-0) W PTS 12 David Carmona (20-3-5). Super Bantam: Victor Lopez (9-5-1) W TKO 5 Ryo Matsumoto (17-1).
Yaegashi vs. Tecuapetia
Yaegashi retains his WBC title with split decision over Mexican Tecuapetia. This was supposed to be an easy defence for Yaegashi as Tecuapetia was by no means a strong or deserving challenger based on his record. However Yaegashi lacked a lot of his customary hand and foot speed and made a slow start. He was trying to get in land a punch and get out but with Tecuapetia able to get to him with his jab and long rights to establish a lead. Yaegashi changed his tactics over the middle rounds standing and trading going to the body and taking the fight to Tecuapetia. That saw him claw his way back into the fight but at the end of the eighth it was precariously poised with two judges having Yaegashi in front 77-76 and 77-75 and the third seeing it all even. The last four rounds swung one way and then the other. Yaegashi seemed to do enough to take the ninth but Tecuapetia banged back and seemed to have the advantage in the tenth only for a badly bruised and battered Yaegashi to edge the eleventh but with Tecuapetia landing heavy counters. Both fought hard in the last with Yaegashi again just having the edge and retaining his title. Scores 116-113 and 115-113 for Yaegashi and 115-113 for Tecuapetia. After the fight Yaegashi revealed that he had injured his left should three weeks before the fight and was unable to spar or hit the heavy bag over those weeks. The 33-year-old Yaegashi retains his IBF title. Tecuapetia, 26, was 4-3-2 in his last 9 fights against low level opposition so performed well above expectations.
Inoue vs. Carmona
As expected the talented Inoue has it easy against challenger Carmona as he retains his WBO title with wide unanimous decision against the overmatched Mexican. Inoue almost ended it with a stunning rights in the first round. Carmona soaked up the punishment but there was more to come. The Japanese “Monster” was bombarding Carmona with combinations and left hooks over the next three rounds and made a big effort to put Carmona away in the fifth battering the challenger around the ring but again Carmona showed guts to soak it up and try vainly to fire back. Inoue temporarily allowed Carmona into the fight in the eighth and ninth rounds and spent the tenth showcasing his skills rather than trying to finish the fight. Carmona again had to absorb a range of body and head punches in the eleventh and Inoue almost finished it in the twelfth. A storm of punches forced Carmona to his knees and after he got up he was being heavily punished but made it to the bell. Inoue was making the second defence of his WBO super fly title. Carmona, 25, lost in 7 rounds to Omar Narvaez for this same title in 2013 and drew with Warlito Parrenas for the interim title in July.
Lopez vs. Matsumoto
Lopez scores one for the visitors as he upsets the odds with stoppage of unbeaten Matsumoto. The Japanese prospect made his usual fast start but from the second he was being caught time and again by counters from Lopez. The third and fourth saw Matsumoto fading fast and Lopez scoring heavily and the referee stopped the fight in the fifth to save Matsumoto. Huge surprise as Lopez is really just a 4 and 6 round prelim fighter with only two wins by KO/TKO before this. The WBO somehow had Matsumoto rated No 2!! It will be interesting to see where they now rate Lopez. Matsumoto, 22, might have taken this one too lightly as he had won his last 7 fights by KO/TKO and Lopez looked like just a record padder.

Sanda, Japan: Minimum: Riku Kano (10-1-1) W PTS 12 Merlito Sabillo (25-3-1).
Local southpaw teenager Kano wins the interim OPBF title with split decision over Filipino Sabillo. The shorter local fighter (5’ 2 ½” 159cm) took the fight to Sabillo from the start and his all-out aggression saw him open a cut on the left eyelid of Sabillo and build a good lead after four rounds with the scores at 40-36 twice and 39-37. Knowing he had fallen behind the Filipino put in a big effort over the next four rounds but the Japanese fighter was still in front on two cards at 78-74 and 77-75 with Sabillo having edged in front 77-75 on the third. It could be expected that the more experienced Sabillo would be stronger over the closing rounds but Kano fought hard to hold on to the advantage he had on those two cards and used a sustained body attack to hold off Sabillo and take the decision. Scores 117-111 twice for Kano and 115-113 for Sabillo. Huge win for 18-year-old Kano as Sabillo was No 1 with the WBO and in line for a shot at the vacant title so now Kano will almost certainly take his place. Sabillo, 32, is a former WBO champion and this was a huge setback for him.

Lakeland, FL, USA: Super Welter: Kanat Islam (21-0) W TKO 6 Juan De Angel (18-4-1). Super Feather: Dennis Galarza (13-1) W PTS 8 Yardley Suarez (15-4). Middle: Alantez Fox (19-0-1) W RTD 4 Milton Nunez (32-16-1). Super Welter: Miguel Cruz (13-0) W PTS 8 Samuel Figueroa (10-1).
Islam vs. De Angel
Chinese-born Kazak Islam gets another inside the distance win as he stops an unfortunate De Angel. Despite giving away a lot in height and reach Islam was getting the better of the constant exchanges against a very competitive De Angel going into the sixth. At the start of the round Islam put De Angel down and De Angel seemed to have injured his ankle as he fell. He got up but was put down again and the fight was halted. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO in his last 9 fights for the 31-year-old and 18 in total. Two of his other fights ended on disqualification so he has only had to go the distance once for a win. He was a top class amateur but you won’t find his achievements under Kanat Islam. As Hinati Silamu he was Chinese champion and won bronze medals for China at the Asian Games, the World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. Colombian De Angel gets his first loss by KO/TKO. He had won his last 9 fights but against low level opposition.
Galarza vs. Suarez
Galarza gets unanimous decision over Mexican Suarez. The Brooklyn fighter built an early lead using his reach advantage to fight on the outside and spear Suarez with quick counters. Suarez got rolling in the second half of the fight and forced the pace to make it a close fight. Scores 78-74 twice for Galarza and 77-75 for Suarez. Galarza moves to 7 wins in a row. Three of Suarez’s losses have been to unbeaten fighters.
Fox vs. Nunez
Fox marches on. The lanky “SlyAza” gradually wore down and halted the Colombian. Fox was giving away weight after having agreed to fight Nunez even though Nunez came 7lbs heavier than the contract specified. It took a couple of rounds for Fox to get on top but after he floored Nunez in the fourth that was enough and Nunez retired at the end of the round. The 6’5” (196cm) Fox, 24, a former US Under-19 champion, has won eleven on the bounce since a draw with Frank Galarza back in 2012. Nunez, 28, lasted less than a round against Gennady Golovkin for the interim WBA title in 2010
Cruz vs. Figueroa
Cruz keeps his unbeaten record and Figueroa loses his in this hard-fought very close contest. Cruz had the height and reach and southpaw Figueroa had the determination to get inside to work. It was fiercely contested with each having good spells and it really could have gone either way but Cruz just edged it. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Cruz and 77-75 for Figueroa. Cruz, 25, had won his last 9 fights by KO/TKO so a good test for him here. Figueroa, also 25, had a good win on his record over highly-touted former amateur Javonta Starks.