The Past Week in Action 12 July 2016

Photo Credit: Alexandr Safonov/ Championat.com

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 boxing for the past week.

The Past Week in Action 12 July 2016
July 7

Montreal, Canada: Super Welter: Steven Butler (17-0-1) W TKO 3 Robson Assis (16-3). Butler blows away Brazilian inside three rounds with some arrogance thrown in. The young Canadian prospect had Assis down four times. The first came from a straight right with Butler mimicking a throat-cutting as the Brazilian went down. The second was from two right hooks to the body. This time Butler left the corner during the count to signal to Assis to get up. Two chopping rights caused the third knockdown and the Brazilian at least took his whacks and kept trying even though out classed. A straight right floored Assis for the fourth time with the referee just waiving the fight over without a count. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for the 20-year-old “BANG BANG” who is rated No 15(14) by the IBF. When he won the Canadian amateur title in October 2013 he was the youngest ever winner of the national title. Boxing is in the genes as his grandfather Marshall Butler gave John H Stracey his first pro loss back in 1972. I saw that fight from ringside-his grandfather!!-now I truly feel old. Assis, 38, has lost inside the distance in all three of his bouts outside of Brazil but the other two were also very tough in the shape of Jeff Horne and Canadian-based Colombian Samuel Vargas.

July 8

San Francisco, Argentina: Super Light: Diego Luque (19-3-1) W KO 1 Walter Gazan (14-5-1). Luque gets this one over quickly. The hometown fighter came out firing putting Gazan under pressure. It was all over after a wicked left uppercut to the chin put Gazan down and he could not beat the count. Luque wins the vacant interim WBC Latino title and gets his tenth win by KO/TKO. The 31-year-old FAB No 9 is 6-2 in his last 8 fights with the two losses being split verdicts. Fourth loss by KO/TKO for Gazan who had won 6 of his last 7 fights.

Santos, Brazil: Middle: Yamaguchi Falcao (11-0,1ND) W KO 2 Devis Caceres (19-7). Adeilson Dos Santos (17-2) W TKO 6 Walberto Ramos (24-6-2).
Falcao vs. Caceres
Star fighter Falcao move to eleven wins as he puts away Colombian Caceres in two rounds. It was an easy night for the former Olympian as he put Caceres down in the first and then finished it with another knockdown in the second. The 28-year-old southpaw was making the first defence of his WBC Latino title. He is the eldest of the Falcao brothers who piled up the medals as amateurs with Yamaguchi winning a bronze at the 2012 Olympics and silver at the PanAmerican Games and Esquiva getting a bronze at the World Championships and silver at the Olympics. Caceres, 26, is 2-4 in his last 6 fights so Falcao still to be tested as a pro.
Dos Santos vs. Ramos
Dos Santos beats Colombian veteran. The local fighter dismantled Ramos wearing him down and then putting the visitor down twice in the fifth round and three times in the sixth. The 24-year-old Dos Santos moves to 13 wins by KO/TKO. His losses have been to Brit Kid Galahad in2014 when he climbed off the floor twice on the way to losing a wide decision and a second round kayo by former Argentinian champion Fabian Orozco in March this year. Ramos, 34 is a former Colombian light fly champion so has gotten pretty podgy over the years.

Osorno, Chile: Super bantam: Robinson Lavinaza (11-2-1) W PTS 10 Jose Velasquez (8-6-2). “Ray” Robinson Lavinaza holds on to his Chilean title with split decision over Velasquez to even the score at 2-2 in four contests between these fighters. The judges had problems with this one. Velasquez was forcing the fight with Lavinaza moving and countering and the judges were divided on which style they preferred. Scores 99-91 and 97-93 for Lavinaza and 97-93 for Velasquez. Fighting in his home neighbourhood Lavinaza is now 7-0-1 in his last 8 fights. Velasquez, 26, the Chilean bantam champion, had won his last four fights and had beaten Lavinaza twice before losing to him in 2014.

Cartagena, Colombia: Super Feather: Deiner Berrio (18-0-1) W PTS 10 Jose Miguel Payares (13-11). Berrio wins the vacant Colombian title with unanimous decision over Payares. Berrio, who has varied in weight from super bantam to welter, has decided super feather is his best weight as he seeks a world rating. He won on scores of 98-94 twice and 97-93. Payares had won his last two fights.

Beijing, China: Super Middle: Zulpikar Maimaitali (7-0-1) W TKO 4 Thomas Mashali (18-4-1,1ND). Super Middle: Ainiwaer Yilixiati (8-0) W PTS 8 Chaoqun Dong (5-2). Super Feather: Jin Xiang Pan (7-0) W TEC DEC 7 Yong Cai Liu (5-4-2).
Maimaitali vs. Mashali
Chinese boxer Maimaitali floors and halts Tanzanian Mashali to win the vacant WBO Oriental title. Southpaw Maimaitali just had the edge over a competitive Mashali in the first two rounds. In the third a left floored Mashali. He beat the count and survived to the bell. He came out firing in the fourth trying to turn the fight but was put down again and although he again beat the count the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. The 22-year-old Maimaitali is still a novice. His previous experience consisted of four and six round fights against other novices. You can be sure he will be carefully matched. Mashali, 26, falls to four losses by KO/TKO. He is till shown as UBO world champion and had been 8-1,1ND in his last 10 fights.
Yilixiati vs. Dong
The Chinese have been running a League of Fists tournament for novices trying to uncover new grass roots talent. This was the final in the super middle division and Yilixiati was a clear winner. He had knocked Dong out in an early round of the League and despite a cut over his left eye suffered in a clash of heads he handed out steady punishment and took the unanimous decision. Scores 79-73 from all three judges. The 23-year-old Yilixiati has six wins by KO/TKO including five victories in the first round which is how his first fight with Dong in October ended. He also wins the WBO Greater China title-is there a lesser China? Dong, 21, had recovered well from that first round loss and earned his place in the final with a run of four wins.
Pan vs. Liu
Pan wins the super feather division title in the League of Fists with technical decision over Liu. The disparity in heights gave both fighters problems with Pan 5’10 ¼” (179cm) and Liu 5’5” (165cm), and not surprising there were some head clashes with Liu suffering a cut on his left eyebrow in the first round. Pan tried to work on the outside using his physical advantages and built a lead but a determined Liu just kept coming and looked to be getting stronger as the fight progressed. Pan just did enough to edge the seventh to put himself in front and that was vital as at the end of the round the fight was stopped due to the worsening state of Liu’s cut. It went to the cards and Pan took the unanimous verdict on scores of 67-66 from all three judges. The 18-year-old from Shanghai had just edged Liu out on a split decision in October and hopefully will move on to some higher profile fights. Southpaw Liu, 25, had rebounded from that October loss with three wins and fought well enough here to also have a promising future.

Mexico City, Mexico: Light: Antonio Moran (20-1) W PTD 10 Juan Pablo Sanchez (30-13). Moran makes good use of his advantages in height and reach to fight his way to a point verdict over experience “Lizard” Sanchez. Moran is 5’11” (180cm) and Sanchez 5’7” (170cm) and Moran was stabbing out a stiff jab and catching Sanchez with left hooks and uppercuts but Sanchez used good movement and clever counter punching. Moran shook Sanchez in the fourth and the end of the round two judges had Moran in front 39-37 with the third having the fight all square. Mora rocked Sanchez in the fifth with right uppercuts but the veteran banged back with hard punches of his own. Sanchez began to have more success from the sixth and landed a couple of heavy punches in the seventh including a right that put Moran back on his heels but Sanchez was by now bleeding from his nose and was cut on his right eyelid. At the end of the eighth Moran was leading 78-74 and 77-74 on two cards with the third judge again having it equal at 76-76.They swopped hard punches the rest of the way with both landing hard shots but with Sanchez needing knockdowns or a knockout to win but just not having enough time or success to turn the fight his way. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 all for Moran. The 23-year-old Moran won his first 16 fights but then lost a poor fight to a guy with a 6-3 record but has now won his last four fights. Sanchez, 28, looked a bit shop-worn. He had won 8 of his last 9 fights but this was only his second fight in the last 21 months.

Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand: Fly: Komgrich (20-3) W PTS 12 Jayar Diama (7-8-5). This was a good boxing match between two quick little stylish fighters. What separated them was the pressure and quicker hand speed of Komgrich. The Thai also made better use of his jab with Filipino Diama relying on getting close and firing hooks to the body from both hands. Both were rocked by uppercuts but neither has real knockout power so there were plenty of fiery exchanges in a contest that was interesting rather than exciting. Diama had a good second round but other than that the accuracy and work rate of Komgrich saw him collecting round after round and he ended up with a wide unanimous decision. Scores 119-109 twice and 117-111 all for Komgrich who retains his IBF Asia title. He has 12 wins on the bounce since losing to Filipino Froilan Saludar. His alias is Eaktawan Mor Kungthep Thonburi, but he is Komgrich to me. Diama, 21, has lost three in a row, all on the road, and was having his first fight scheduled for more than eight rounds.

Samut Prakan, Thailand: Welter: Teerachai (35-0) W KO 4 Vlad Baez (21-3-2).
Teerachai was much the stronger. He padded forward from the start rocking Baez back on his heels with strong jabs. Baez had early success with overhand rights but was never able to get on the front foot. Teerachai is not quick but has real power and had Baez hurt with rights to the head at the end of the second. Baez came forward throwing punches in the third and getting home with some sharp hooks but Teerachai again used his strong jab to control the end of the round. Baez initially had Teerachai on the back foot in the fourth but walked onto a couple of rights that made his legs wobble and another right to the side of the head put him down. Baez made an effort to rise but was too badly hurt and the referee just waived the fight over. The 24-year-old Thai was using his birth name of Tewa Kiram for this one. He has 26 wins by KO/TKO and if you include interim title fights this is the 28th defence of the PABA welter title for the WBA No 3, but I can’t see a fight with Danny Garcia, Kell Brook, Jesses Vargas or Keith Thurman being saleable. Dominican Baez was 17-0-2 in his first 19 fights against poor opposition but losses to Victor Cayo and Jason Pagara saw him take over two years out before turning up in Thailand in April with a win.

July 9

Monterrey, Mexico: Light: Jairo Lopez (20-6) W PTS 12 Sergio Puente (24-3). Super Feather: Miguel Roman (56-11) W TKO 3 Jerope Mercado (27-8-3).
Lopez vs. Puente
Lopez wins this war between two Nuevo Laredo State scrappers. With local bragging rights at stake Puente ignored any idea of boxing and went all out with his attacks. Lopez did not back up but he was that little bit more cool headed and chose his moments to trade and was more accurate with his punches. Puente just kept pressing but it was Lopez who was edging in front and building a lead. Puente needed a knockout and he tried hard over the last four rounds but he was taking chances and Lopez was finding plenty of gaps and ran out a clear winner. Scores 117-111, 117-112 and 116-113 all for Lopez. “Doberman”, a former WBC Youth champion moved into the world ratings with a 13-1 run in which he beat both Juan Carlos Salgado and Fermin De los Santos but then hit the buffers with three losses in a row. He bounced back with a win over former WBC title challenger Edgar Puerto in February and now has this useful win over Puente. He also wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title and will be hoping that can act as a springboard to get him back in the ratings. Puente, 29, had a great start winning his first 21 fights including a victory over Nery Saguilan but high level losses to Fernando Montiel and Miguel Berchelt derailed him although he had rebounded with two low level wins.
Roman vs. Mercado
Roman just too good for game Filipino. For much of the first round Roman was content to walk Mercado down behind a high guard. Mercado was able to score with counters particularly left hook to the body, but Roman just kept coming and when he did let his hands go he was the one with the power. A left hook put Mercado down in the second and although he was up immediately he also suffered a bad cut on his right eyebrow from a punch. The Filipino was willing to try to match Roman punch for punch in the third. He had Roman with his back to the ropes but the Mexican turned himself off the ropes and landed a left hook to the body and two crunching punches to the head. Mercado was sent staggering along the ropes and down in a corner. When he got up the referee had a long look at him and with Mercado still shaken and with blood running down the side of his face from the cut over his right eye the referee stopped the fight. Now 18 wins in a row with 15 of them inside the distance and 43 wins in total by KO/TKO for the 30-year-old “Mickey” the WBC No 2. Japanese-based Filipino Mercado gets his fifth loss by KO/TKO. A former challenger for both the OPBF and Japanese titles was having his first fight for 10 months and only his second in almost two years.

Lemoore, CA. USA: Super Light: Jose Carlos Ramirez (18-0) W KO 4 Tomas Mendez (21-8). Super Feather: Andy Vences (16-0) W PTS 8 Moises Delgadillo (15-16-2).
9
Ramirez vs. Mendez
Olympian Ramirez continues to impress as he halts Mendez in four rounds. It looked like an early night when Ramirez put Mendez down with a left hook early in the opening round. He beat the count but then was bowled over by another hard series from Ramirez. He got up again and survived a further knockdown from a body punch to somehow see out the violent first three minutes. Ramirez continued to dominate in the second and third but Mendez stayed on his feet. With Ramirez continuing to pile on the punishment the referee stopped the fight in the fourth. The lanky 23-year-old Ramirez wins the WBC Continental Americas title. He is the WBC No 11 and continues to look an outstanding prospect. He was US champion three times and won the US Olympic Trials but did not medal in London and in the World Championships lost to Vasyl Lomachenko. He has the talent to follow London team mate Rau’shee Warren to a world title. Dominican Mendez has lost three of his last four fights and was coming off a points loss to Haitian Evens Pierre in April.
Vences vs. Delgadillo
Vences gets the unanimous decision but has a harder than expected time against Delgadillo. Vences seemed to be coasting for much of the fight doing enough to win rounds with ever getting into top gear. Vences had the skill to outbox the Mexican but his low work rate allowed Delgadillo to make it closer than it needed to be Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-76 all for 25- year-old Vences. “The Shark” had won 8 of his last 9 fights by KO/TKO so just had an off night. Four tough points losses in a row for Delgadillo

San Mateo, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Cesar Juarez (18-5) W KO 8 Albert Pagara (26-1). Welter: Jason Pagara (39-2) W TKO 3 Abraham Alvarez (21-10-1),
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Pagara vs. Juarez
No warming up time here as Juarez went after Pagara from the off with rushing attacks trying to take Pagara to the ropes. The Filipino was moving and countering avoiding the Juarez rushes and getting on the front foot. Just before the bell he caught the in-rushing Juarez with a short left hook which put him down. Juarez was up quickly and ready to continue but the bell went at the end of the eight count. Pagara was full of confidence in the second spearing Juarez with jabs and landing lightning quick combinations with Juarez just looking too slow and crude. It was back to raging Juarez in the third as he pressed throughout the round. He was able to bring Pagara to trade on occasion and landed some heavy rights but again Pagara was boxing skilfully and using his superior hand speed to land flashing combinations. With only three rounds completed Pagara was already four points in front. Although Pagara was again quick and slick over the early part of the fourth over the last 30 seconds Juarez had his best spell trapping Pagara on the ropes and getting home with hard punches to head and body to take the round. The fifth followed a similar pattern as Pagara used quick movement and counters to score but over the last minute was under pressure being forced to trade as Juarez again did enough to win the round. Pagara managed to stay off the ropes and landed some stiff jabs and right crosses to take the sixth even throwing in some showboating. Juarez was not going to be denied in the seventh he hunted Pagara down taking him to the ropes and keeping him there and landing some right to the head as Pagara dodged and dived trying to escape. When he did escape Juarez pursued him across the ring and was again getting through with crunching punches to the head and landed another series of head jarring shots at the bell. Pagara came out of his corner quickly for the eighth but his legs were shaky. Juarez just walked forward landing punches forcing Pagara to stagger back into his own corner and down sitting propped up against the ropes. He tried to rise but flopped forward onto all fours and as the count reached eight his forehead touched the canvas and the referee did not complete the count but ended the fight. A huge win for Juarez. The 24-year-old Mexican had scored good wins over Cesar Seda and Juan Carlos Sanchez but then lost a wide unanimous decision to Nonito Donaire for the vacant WBO super bantam title in December last year. He then lost a split verdict to unrated Giovanni Delgado in March which was probably the result that made him look a safe fight for Pagara. The Filipino was rated No 2 by the WBO behind Jesses Magdaleno so another fight with Donaire is not out of the question. The loss was worrying as the 22-year-old Pagara just simply folded under the pressure from Juarez. He had showcased his skills and looked good for five rounds but from the sixth his work rate dropped and he could not keep Juarez out. He is obviously young enough to rebuild quickly but his team will have to analyse why he crumbled under pressure after looking so good initially.
Pagara vs. Alvarez
Pagara makes sure it is not a bad news double for the Pagara brothers with third round stoppage of overmatched opponent Alvarez. The experienced Filipino was quicker and stronger than Alvarez and it never looked likely that the fight would go the distance. Pagara landed heavy shots over the first two rounds before flooring Alvarez with a big right in the third. Alvarez made it to his feet but was still very shaken and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old elder brother of Albert now has 23 wins by KO/TKO. He has lost only one of his last 28 fights and reversed that loss as part of an ongoing 12 bout winning streak. He is No 1 with the WBO at super light but a fight with Terrence Crawford would be a hard sell as he is not in Crawford’s class. Now 10 losses in a row for Alvarez who is 4-9 in his last 13 fights.

Trenton, NJ, USA: Super Feather: Mario Barrios (16-0) W PTS 12 Devis Boschiero (39-5-1). Super Light: Eddie Ramirez (14-0) W PTS 10 Jessie Roman (20-3). Welter: Zhankhozh Turarov (19-0) W PTS 8 Daniel Souza Santos (15-11).
Barrios vs. Boschiero
Barrios was looking to impress in his first twelve round fight and won a wide unanimous decision but the fight was so poor that the crowd was already booing before the first round was over. The difference in size was ridiculous. Barrios is very tall for a super feather at just over 6’0” (183cm) whilst Boschiero was very small at 5’5 ½” (165cm). It meant that Barrios could have jabbed the Italian’s head off but he did not use the jab as much as he should have. It also meant that Boschiero need to get inside to work but he showed little inclination to either get inside or work when he was there. The fight was one-sided with Barrios never really letting his hands go either missing or being short with his attacks and Boschiero just standing in front of Barrios blocking shots but rarely throwing punches. The pattern did not change and the crowd booed throughout the fight. The only real action came in the last. Boschiero was finally trying to get inside to attack the body and Barrios caught him with a left uppercut. The Italian staggered and then went down on one knee but was not badly hurt and after the eight count he actually shook Barrios with an overhand right and a left hook before the bell. Scores 120-107 from all three judges. The was an IBF eliminator but with Boschiero rated No 8 (6) and Barrios No 12 (10) it was not a final eliminator-I hope. The 21-year-old “Golden Boy” from San Antonio had never previously been in a fight scheduled for more than eight rounds but paced the contest well although showing his inexperience in this one. Boschiero’s No 8 rating was ridiculous. The former European champion and WBC title challenger at 34 is very much a spent force having been floored four time and stopped in seven rounds by Stephen Smith in September.
Ramirez vs. Roman
Ramirez gets wide decision over a very game Roman who came in at short notice. Ramirez dominated the fight scoring with a wide variety punches around a sharp jab. He outscored Roman in most rounds but was never able to subdue Roman who kept in the fight scoring with counters whenever Ramirez left him an opening. Ramirez was pressing hard forcing Roman to the ropes and working him over but Roman was scoring well with right hand counters and edged the occasional round but was slowly being broken down. By the ninth Roman’s left eye was swollen and he was taking heavy punishment with a stoppage looking possible. Roman did not crumble and fought hard to make it to the final bell. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. Ramirez, 24, a former Chicago Golden Gloves champion and NGG silver medallist has wins over experienced former IBF champion Cristobal Cruz and Ghanaian Osumanu Akaba. He was moving up to ten rounds for the first time. Californian Roman, 25, came in with only ten days notice and was having his first fight for almost eleven months so this was a good effort from him.
Turarov vs. Santos
Turarov floors and outpoints elderly Brazilian. The Florida-based Kazak fighter shook Santos in the second and won every round but despite a last round knockdown had to go the distance for his win. Scores 80-71 twice and 80-70 for the 25-yerar-old NABA world champion. He had only one fight in 2014 and one in 2015 but has had two this year. He needs to stay active. Santos, 40, has six losses by KO/TKO and is 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

La Verpillier, France: Feather: Oktay Takalak (16-0) W PTS 8 Baska Tuvdenlhagva (5-4-3).
Local prospect gets another win with unanimous verdict over tough Mongolian Tuvdenlhagva. Takalak showed good movement and quick hands as he controlled the action in most rounds confidently taking the fight to the Mongolian. Tuvdenlhagva stayed competitive having some success with body punches when he was able to take Takalak to the ropes but Takalak scored repeatedly with his jab and long rights often knocking Tuvdenlhagva back on his heels. By the end of the fight the Mongolian’s face was littered with bumps and bruises but he kept going to the end. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-74 all for Takalak. The 25-year-old WBC Francophone champion and former undefeated French champion showed good skills but is short on power. After being 0-3-1 at the start of his career the French-based Tuvdenlhagva was 5-0-2 in his last 7 fights.

Quilmes, Argentina: Cruiser: Patricio Pitto (11-2-3) W KO 1 Marcos Aumada (15-4). Super Middle: Martin Rios (19-9-3) W PTS 10 Juan Juarez (17-2).
Pitto vs. Aumada
Pitto batters Aumada to defeat inside a round. Southpaw Aumada was much taller (his shorts were almost as long as Pitto was tall) and heavier and initially used his longer reach to score. He was forcing Pitto back and Pitto could not get close enough to score. He did take Aumada to the ropes but Aumada fired a couple of combinations and moved to ring centre. With ten seconds left in the round Pitto again managed to get Aumada with his back to the ropes where he unleashed combinations to head and body before big right to the head dumped Aumada prone on the canvas. He staggered to his feet but as the referee was applying the eight count he stumbled on shaky legs and the referee waived the count and stopped the fight. Aumada protested long and loud but it looked a justified decision. The 32-year-old “Grande”, Pitt, the Argentinian No 1, gets his eighth win by KO/TKO and collects the interim WBC Latino title. He is now 7-0-2 in his last 9 fights with the two draws being for the full version of this title. The two losses on his record were both majority decisions. Aumada, 29, the FAB No 5, had rust to shed as this was his first fight for 10 months and only his second in 23 months.
Rios vs. Juarez
Be prepared could be the perfect motto for Rios. The experienced fighter from La Pampa came in at only two days notice and just did enough to squeeze past Juarez to win the unanimous decision and the vacant WBC and IBF Latino titles. The former Argentinian champion won this one on scores of 96-94 from all three judges. Much needed win for Rios who was 3-5-1 in his 9 previous fights but in there was a loss to Jimmy “Kilrain” Kelly in Manchester and he had WBC No 1 Jorge Heiland on the floor before losing a close verdict in April. Juarez, 27, was never going to be able to maintain the pace he set at the start of his career. He won his initial twelve fights all inside the first round. His other loss was a kayo against Cesar Reynoso for the interim WBC Latino title in February.

Chengdu, China: Welter: Sonny Katiandagho (10-1) W TKO 3 Rafik Harutjunjian (9-1). Super Feather: Rogelio Casarez (12-5) W Romnakit Boontree (8-0).
Katiandagho vs. Harutjunjian
Filipino Katiandagho wins vacant WBC EPBC title as he climbs off the floor to halt Armenian-born Dutchman Harutjunjian in three rounds. An overhand right from Harutjunjian put the Filipino on the floor in the first. Katiandagho recovered quickly and in the second was focusing on Harutjunjian’ body and put the Dutchman down. Katiandagho continued his attacks in the third and more hurtful body punches saw Harutjunjian turning away with the referee stopping the fight. Katiandagho “Pinoy Hearns”, 23, the Philippines No 7 won the WBC Youth title in October 2014 but then did not fight again until returning with a win in Korea in April this year. He now has six wins by KO/TKO and has an eight bout winning streak. “Rafael” Harutjunjian, 28, was having his first pro fight outside Holland. He was WBFed champion but lost that due to not defending. As an amateur he was Dutch champion and represented Holland at the European Championships. Now he has a rebuilding job to do.
Casarez vs. Boontree
Casarez becomes a “world champion” as he decisions Thai Boontree to win the vacant IBU title. The 25-year-old from Arkansas was giving away plenty of height and reach but overcame those handicaps to get the majority decision. The 25-year-old turned a 3-4 run into three wins in a row but I can’t see Vasyl Lomachenko shaking in his shoes. Boontree, also 25, was going past the eighth round for the first time. Five of his eight victims had never won a fight so a very low level title match.

Rio Rancho, NM, USA: Super Light: Fidel Maldonado (22-3-1) W TKO 3 Geraldo Cuevas (17-18-1). Maldonado gets predictable early win but has to climb off the floor. After Maldonado dominated the first hurting and cutting Cuevas he was nailed by a straight left from Cuevas in the second which staggered him and sent him down. He got up but his legs were spaghetti and he only just survived a barrage from Cuevas over the last 20 seconds of the round. The one minute break saw a rejuvenated Maldonado come out firing and he landed a series of punches which put the Mexican down. Cuevas got up but Maldonado trapped him on the ropes and fired away until Cuevas slumped forward to his knees. The referee started the count but then abandoned it and waived the end of the fight. The 24-year-old local southpaw has lost only one of his last 12 fights but that was important one as he was halted in five rounds by Amir Imam in January last year. In his last fight in May he drew with Art Hovhannisyan a potential win he threw away by losing a point for a low punch as without that he would have had a majority decision. Cuevas is the son of former world champion Pipino but none of his father quality rubbed off on him as he is now 1-10-1 in his last 12 fights with 8 of those 10 losses by KO/TKO.

Mitte, Germany: Fahed Hassan (7-2-1) W TKO 4 Adnan Oezcoban (8-12-2).Middle: Vincenzo Gualtieri (7-0) W KO 7 Renat Samedovi (20-17-1). Welter: Azad Azizov (30-4-2) W RTD 3 Pavel Herman (2-20-1),
Hassan vs. Oezcoban
Hassan wins but not impressively. Despite his poor record the Turk made the better start being busier and edging the first two rounds as Hassan hid behind a high guard not throwing enough punches. Hassan was going to the body and scoring with hooks and uppercuts in the third and looked to be turning the fight around only to be less active again in the fourth a round in which Oezcoban was constantly shaking his left arm obviously injured but was still doing the scoring until he could not go on and retired at the end of the round. Hassan, 32, a German-based Palestinian, wins the vacant GBU Intercontinental title. He has won his last four fights by KO/TKO but was lucky here. Oezcoban, also based in Germany is 2-7 in his last 9 fights but neither fighter would be more than a low level prelim fighter elsewhere.
Gualtieri vs. Samedovi
Gualtieri just too good for poor Georgian who took plenty of punishment. Gualtieri was walking Samedovi down over the first three rounds with the Georgian already looking tired. He was dropping his hands in the fourth and looked to be turning away after a couple of body punches but went down instead. He got up and survived. Gualtieri coasted over the fifth and sixth and now it was Samedovi coming forward and pressing the action with Gualtieri looking tired. Samedovi started the seventh well but a series of punches to head and body put him down. He beat the count but was floored again and even though he made it to his feet the referee stopped the fight. Gualtieri, German but of Italian lineage, wins the German International title. He has three wins by KO/TKO. Samedovi now has 13 losses by KO/TKO.
Azizov vs. Herman
Azizov was coming forward in the first round forcing Herman onto the back foot and a left hook to the body put Herman down. He got up and tried to stay out of trouble. He was put down by another left to the ribs but made it to the bell. He survived the second round initially by coming forward throwing punches and then by plenty of movement and staying off the ropes. Azizov was looking to end it in the third. Herman tried changing to southpaw but then slipped to the canvas twice. On the second occasion the referee called a time-out but Herman did not want to continue. The 33-year-old Azeri, a former undefeated GBC super light and welter champion was having his first fight for two years. He has 18 wins by KO/TKO. Czech Herman has a win over Fahed Hassam. He tried hard here but goes to 15 losses by KO/TKO.

Cadereyta, Mexico: Super Fly: Edgar Garcia (12-2) W DISQ 5 Valentin Leon (38-31-3,1ND). Garcia gets win as Leon refuses to continue after being cut in a clash of heads. Garcia was too young and quick for the veteran and despite the efforts of Leon to turn it into a dirty brawl he was on his way to victory. In the fifth a clash of heads saw Leon cut high on his head. The referee asked the doctor examine the cut and he cleared it for the fight to continue but Leon refused to go on and was disqualified. The local “Little Dragon” wins the vacant WBFed North American title and is 7-1 in his last 8 fights but his opposition has been modest at best. Leon, 37, has been a pro for 17 years and mixed with top opposition such as Roman Gonzalez, Brian Viloria, Ivan Calderon and plenty of other big names.

July 10

Sunderland, England: Super Feather: Martin Ward (24-3-1) W PTS 6 Rey Cajina (14-35-5). Welter: Lewis Ritson (10-0) W TKO 2 Nat Hardy (1-4). Super Light: Glenn Foot (18-1) W PTS 6 Lee Connelly (4-20-1). Super bantam: Thomas Patrick Ward (18-0) W PTS 6 Elvis Guillen (9-23-4).
Ward vs. Cajina
Ward eases to win over experienced loser Cajina. The talented local southpaw outboxed the Nicaraguan without ever looking able to end it early. He did have Cajina down in the fifth but that was from a low blow and a cut he suffered in the last round meant he did not get away unscathed. Referee’s score 60-54. Ward, 28, fought a technical draw with Stuart Hall for the IBF bantam title in 2014 and lost a split decision against James Dickens for the British super bantam title in November last year but he has the talent to still be a force. Cajina, 33, is 0-12 in fights in Britain.
Ritson vs. Hardy
Former top amateur Ritson moved to ten wins with a second round stoppage of Hardy. The tall 22-year-old “Sandman” makes it three wins by KO/TKO and again is one of the brightest talents in the North East of England.
Foot vs. Connelly
Former British and CBC title challenger Foot moves down a division and looks sharp. He handed out plenty of punishment but a gutsy Connelly climbed off the floor in the third to take Foot all the way. Referee’s score 60-53. Third win for 28-year-old Foot since losing a technical decision to Sam Eggington for those British and CBC titles.. Connelly is 1-13 in his last 14 fights.
Ward vs. Guillen
Tommy made it a family double as he repeated elder brother Martin’s feat by winning every round against another Nicaraguan in Guillen. Referee’s score 60-54. Just a keep bust fight for the promising 22-year-old who is worth watching but only one win by KO/TKO indicates a lack of power. Guillen, 32, has 12 losses in a row 5 of them in Britain.
July 11
Ekaterinburg, Russia: Light Heavy: Sergey Kovalev (30-0-1) W PTS 12 Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2). Kovalev retains his IBF, WBA and WBO titles with unanimous decision over Chilemba. There were hardly any punches thrown or landed in the first round as Kovalev shadowed a retreating Chilemba without letting his hands go. Both landed a jab and in the last ten seconds of the round Kovalev finally managed to score with a couple of cuffing shots. The second was a mirror of the first. Kovalev scored with a couple of jarring jabs but missed with bigger punches and Chilemba was mainly on the retreat just throwing an occasional counter but not looking to engage. Kovalev stepped up the pace in the third throwing rights from the bell and looking to force Chilemba to trade. Chilemba showed some good defensive work. He was getting caught by Kovalev’s jab but dodging the right and scored with a hard right to the chin of his own. His best punch to that point. The fourth was mainly a battle of the jabs and despite blood starting to drip from his nose it was one that Chilemba edged as he was just that bit quicker with Kovalev still trying to bring his right into play. Kovalev started the fifth quickly but Chilemba was standing and trading more and having some success although it was a messy round with not a great deal of clean work from either boxer. Kovalev had a better sixth. He was picking and placing his punches better and getting home with some good rights. Chilemba landed a good left hook but was being forced onto the defensive. For most of the seventh Chilemba was on the back foot but frustrating Kovalev’s best efforts to nail him with a hard punch. That changed with 20 seconds to go when a jarring left jab sent Chilemba into the ropes and a heavy right to the head saw him stumble and then slump sideways to the canvas. He was up at eight and although clearly shaken was able to continue to hold and spoil to the bell. Kovalev tried to capitalise on that knockdown in the eighth but for most of the round Chilemba boxed well and was holding his own until Kovalev landed a long left hook. Suddenly Chilemba lurched to the ropes on shaky legs and Kovalev went after him firing shots with both hands. He landed a hard uppercut and another long left but could not find a punch to finish it. The pace dropped in the ninth. Kovalev was trying to walk Chilemba down. The challenger was using good movement and a quick jab to stay out of trouble but picked up a small cut over his left eye. The tenth saw Kovalev scoring with some head punches and Chilemba doing good work with his jab. Kovalev overbalanced during an exchange on the ropes and almost tumbled to the canvas but it was a slip and he probably did just enough to edge the round. Kovalev had a good eleventh as he nailed Chilemba with a right and a left hook and at the end of the round a tired Chilemba ended up in a neutral corner and stood there resting his hands on the ropes and looking out into the crowd for a few second before making his way to his own corner. Kovalev was strongest in the last. After they got tangled and tumbled to the floor he launches a series of hard head punches at an exhausted Chilemba and although he was on wobbly legs Chilemba made it to the final bell. Scores 118-109, 117-110 and 116-111 all for Kovalev. It was not one of his most impressive fights as he found Chilemba a difficult opponent to nail down and he often failed to press when he had Chilemba in a corner or on the ropes but he was a clear winner. The 33-year-old Russian was making the eighth defence of his WBO title and his fourth defence of his IBF and WBA titles. Chilemba, 29, the only fighter of note to emerge from Malawi, was lucky to get the title shot having lost a majority decision to Eleider Alvarez in November. He showed good skills particularly displaying a strong jab that constantly found its way through the champion’s guard. He will give any rated fighter a difficult night.
Kovalev vs. Chilemba