The Past Week in Action 13 October 2014

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

                        The Past Week in Action 13 October 2014

October 8

 

Biloxi, MS, USA: Middle: Jermain Taylor (33-4-1) W PTS 12 Sam Soliman (44-12,1ND). Light Heavy: Andre Dirrell (23-1) W TKO 4 Nick Brinson (16-3-2). Cruiser: BJ Flores (31-1-1) W KO 3 Kevin Engel (20-11,1ND). Welter: Erick Bone (16-1) W PTS 8 Peter Oluoch (13-8-2). Light Welter: Walter Castillo (25-2) W TKO 1 Shad Howard (14-19-3). Light Heavy: Phillip Jackson Benson (15-1) W TKO 7 Mike Gbenga (20-17). Light Heavy: Steve Lovett (10-0,1ND) ND 1 Ricardo Campillo (9-8-1,1ND). Feather: Gervonta Davis (9-0) W PTS 6 German Meraz (47-32-1,1ND). Light: Carlos Ivan Velasquez (18-1) W TKO 2 Juan Javier Sotelo (19-12-2). Super Bantam: Mario Barrios (6-0) W TKO 1 Abraham Rubio (3-5-1).

Taylor vs. Soliman

Taylor wins the IBF title but win tainted as Soliman suffers knee injury and fights under severe handicap over the second half of the fight. Soliman made a good start with Taylor unable to fathom the awkward style of the Australian. It was an untidy fight with too much clinching but Soliman was having the better of the close-quarter work and took the early rounds to build a lead by the end of the sixth. In the seventh as the fighters were exchanging punches a left hook from Taylor’s seemed to miss Soliman but he went down on his haunches with his right knee twisting under him. From then he was a one-legged fighter unable to set himself to get leverage for his punches and overbalancing when going backwards. In the eighth once again there was an exchange of punches and although Taylor’s flew wide in stepping back to avoid them Soliman again went down. The knockdown in the ninth again clearly indicated the handicap under which Soliman was fighting. As he came in Soliman missed with a right and as his knee gave way staggered back. Taylor followed Soliman and scored with a right cross as Soliman was already on his way to the canvas. The referee asked the doctor to examine Soliman’s injury at the end of the round but Soliman was determined to continue. The fourth knockdown came in the eleventh round as Soliman scored with a hard right cross but as Taylor threw a combination which sailed over Soliman’s head the Australians right leg gave way and he went down again. Taylor won on scores of 116-111, 116-109 and 115-109. Taylor, 36, regains a version of the middleweight title seven years after losing the WBC and WBO titles to Kelly Pavlik. Taylor was out of the ring for two years after suffering back-to-back losses to Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham in 2009, and had really done nothing since his return to deserve a title shot, but he took his opportunities. There were grave reservations over Taylor boxing again after he suffered a bleed on the brain in a fight in Las Vegas, but he had undergone and passed a number of medical reviews. Of more import may be the outcome of a forthcoming trial for shooting and wounding one of his cousins with an internet clip of a 911 call allegedly recording Taylor saying “I shot one of them. Better come and get him before I kill him”. Taylor is out on bail awaiting trial. Fighting-wise Taylor will be seen as a vulnerable champion. French/Cameroon Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam recently won an eliminator to make him mandatory challenger but Al Haymon will have a big say in who Taylor fights next with suggestions that Peter Quillin, who gave up his WBO version of title, looking to challenge Taylor. The 40-year-old (41 next month) Soliman said that he had also injured the knee in training but did not want to use that as excuse and congratulated Taylor. He gave a gutsy performance in continuing to fight under the handicap and it is a pity to see him lose the title in his first defence after striving for 14 years to reach that goal. In a long career he has only lost to top quality opposition. Now there is talk of retirement.

Dirrell vs. Brinson

“The Matrix” continues his comeback with stoppage of Brinson. Both fighters exchanged heavy punches over the first three rounds with southpaw Dirrell switch-hitting and getting the better of the action. Brinson had a good third round getting through with a hard right at the end of the round but Dirrell the bigger man ended it in the fourth. As Brinson attempted to come inside Dirrell nailed him with a solid left which sent Brinson stumbling. Dirrell followed up and landed some more hard punches causing the referee to step-in and halt the fight. After losing to Carl Froch on a split decision in 2009 Andre had just one fight each in years 2010 and 2011, was inactive in 2012, and had one fight in 2013. He returned to action in August and this is now 2 wins in 2 months. With brother Anthony now the WBC champion the 31-year-old Andre has some catching up to do. He was the more successful as an amateur twice being US champion and going to the 2004 Olympics where he lost in the semi-finals to Gennady Golovkin. He4 also made a faster start as a pro than Anthony, but now Anthony has sprinted past him. After a run of 9 wins and one draw Brinson lost on points to Dominic Wade in June, so now two losses in a row for the 27-year-old from Albany.

Flores vs. Engel

Flores getting back on track after three “lost years”. He was almost thrown off the tracks when an uppercut from Engel put him down in the first round. Flores regained his feet and his poise and took control in the second. He was on top in the third and produced a peach of a body punch to put Engel down and end the fight. The 35-year-old “Peligroso” makes it 20 wins by KO/TKO. He lost a wide decision to Danny Green for the IBO title in 2010 then had just two fights in 2011 and 2012 and then was inactive for 19 months before returning with a win in May and another in June. He is WBC No 9. “Hitman” Engels continues to slip. He is 2-8 in his last 10 fights with six of his losses in that streak being by KO/TKO.

Bone vs. Oluoch

Ecuadorian Bone handed out a serious beating to game Kenyan but Oluoch stayed in the fight just doing enough to last the distance though without winning a round. The 25-year-old Bone represented Ecuador at the 2009 World Championships. His only loss as a pro was a split decision against Alberto Mosquera in Panama. He has wins over Francisco Figueroa and Mahonri Montes so is worth watching. Florida-based Oluoch, 36 is limited but usually goes the distance with only two losses by KO/TKO.

Castillo vs. Howard

Nicaraguan hope Castillo has little to beat in his US debut but gets the job done, It was all over in 118 seconds as Castillo floored Howard with a body punch. Howard made it to his feet but was floored twice more and the referee halted the fight. The 25-year-old Castillo, a former Nicaraguan amateur champion, makes it18 wins by KO/TKO. Castillo lost his first pro fight but his only loss in his subsequent 26 fights was a split decision to former WBA super feather champion Vicente Mosquera in 2012 and he has won 9 on the bounce since then. Howard, 36, came in as a late sub and he is 1-8 in his last 9 fights with this being his second one round loss in a row.

Benson vs. Gbenga

Benson gets win but in controversial circumstances. The Brooklyn fighter was handling the awkward Nigerian with ease when what looked a low punch put Gbenga down in the seventh. Despite a break for him to recover Gbenga refused to continue so Benson was declared the winner by TKO. The 30-year-old Benson, a good class amateur, now has 12 wins in a row, with 11 of those 12 wins coming by way of KO?TKO.

Lovett vs. Campillo

Australian Lovett loses his 100% record after a shaky first round. This looked an easy fight for Lovett on paper but a hard combination from Campillo put him down in the first round. Unfortunately Lovett also suffered a bad cut over his left eye and the fight was ND. Lovett, 29, a former Australian amateur champion, had accumulate three wins by KO/TKO since moving his campaign to the USA this year. Mexican Campillo, 39, has a rocky record but had won his last two fights.

Davis vs. Meraz

Former top amateur Davis wins on all three cards against seasoned Mexican Meraz. It was a one-sided fight with Davis flooring Meraz in the third and fifth rounds but not being able to close the fight out. Score 60-52 from all three judges. The 19-year-old from Baltimore was twice PAL champion and 2012 NGG champion so has good credentials. Meraz, 28, goes home to Sonora when he needs a win and has been in with some class opposition in Juan Francisco Estrada, Jose Salgado, Tomoki Kameda, Gerry Penalosa and plenty more.

Velasquez vs, Sotelo

“Twin Dream” Velasquez moves to 12 wins by KO/TKO. The Puerto Rican was much taller and stronger and was able to bull Sotelo around the ring. Sotelo was on the back foot just occasional lunging inside where he was clinching rather than working. Velasquez was getting through with hard punches particularly to the body. He landed a combination in the second round ending with a left hook to the body. The shot looked low and the referee’s immediate reaction was to indicate to Velasquez to keep his punches up. By now Sotelo was writhing and rolling on the canvas in full Oscar performance flow. He rolled out under the ropes and then just edged back to make sure he had not gone too far. He sat up and then rolled onto his back a couple of times whilst the referee squatted beside him urging him to get up. Despite the best efforts of the referee Sotelo was still doing his dying swan act after about 5 minutes so Velasquez was declared the winner by TKO. The 30-year-old Velasquez, one of twins, both of whom are fighting as pros, won his first 15 fights before losing on a tenth round kayo against Ronny Rios in September last year. This is his third low level win since. As an amateur he twice won a gold medal at the prestigious Jose Che Aponte tournament and won gold and silver at Central American and Caribbean Championships with Yuriorkis Gamboa and Nehomar Cermeno in his list of victims. Sotelo, 39, has ten losses by KO/TKO.

Barrios vs. Rubio

Freakishly tall prospect Barrios puts away poor Rubio in an abysmal “contest” in just 53 seconds. Barrios floored Rubio twice with left hooks and then battered away until the referee stopped the massacre. The 19-year-old super bantam is 6’0” (183cm) tall and can punch. Two first round wins in a row now and 3 in his 6 fights. Managed by Al Haymon and promoted by Golden Boy he is a name for the future. Rubio falls to five first one round losses in a row.

 

Melbourne, Australia: Light Middle: Sam Ah See (12-0-1) W PTS 6 Amor Tino (14-19-4). Heavy: Hunter Sam (11-3-2) W PTS 6 Tafa Misipati (2-4). Light Middle: Heath Ellis (15-3-1) W PTS 6 Joel Dela Cruz (17-23-3).

See vs. Tino

Local favourite See gets the win but it was not a comfortable night. The former undefeated Australian champion had to climb off the floor and fight with a sore right hand to get the decision over Filipino Tino. Ah See was a clear winner but will have to be on the shelf for a short while until the knuckle injury fades. The 23-year-old southpaw is a former Australian amateur champion. Tino is 0-10-2 is his last 12 fights.

Sam vs. Misipati

Sam gets back in the winning column with a points win over New Zealander Misipati. The ANBF No 4 and former undefeated Australian champion lost a split decision to Kali Meehan in the Super 8 heavyweight tournament in June. Misipati is better known down south as a Muay Thai champion.

Ellis vs. Dela Cruz

Ellis returns s with a win. After over three years out of the ring Ellis return registered a unanimous decision over Filipino DeLa Cruz. The 26-year-old “The Heat” was having his first fight since losing a majority decision to Thai Patomsuk in July 2011. Before walking away Ellis had won VictoriaState titles at light welter, welter, light middle and middle. Dela Cruz is 0-11-1 in his last 12 fights.

 

October 10

 

Calais, France: Super Feather: Romain Jacob (22-0) W PTS 12 Devis Boschiero (34-2-1). Super Feather: Karim Chakim (27-9-1) DREW 6 Alex Bone (10-18-3). Middle: Joffrey Jacob (8-0) W PTS 6 Dominique Bernard (3-20-3).

Jacob vs. Boschiero

Jacob retains the European title on a unanimous decision in fierce battle with former champion Boschiero. The challenger started strongly getting inside to work but Jacob quickly had his jab in the groove and was picking up points with the speed and accuracy of his punches whilst refusing to be taken to the ropes and blunting the attacks of the Italian. After four rounds Jacob was ahead on two cards 39-37 and on the third 40-38 with the last card not really giving credit to Boschiero’s early work. The next three rounds saw Jacob managing to keep Boschiero out and scoring with that decisive jab of his and Boschiero even looked a bit tired at the end of the sixth. The challenger picked-up his pace in the seventh and the fight really heated up with plenty of furious exchanges and Boschiero having his best round of the fight so far but was cut on his forehead in a clash of heads. The eighth again saw Boschiero pressing hard and Jacob was the one looking a bit tired and this time he came out of a clash of heads with a cut, this on his right eyelid. At the end of that round Jacob had Boschiero wobbling and was even further ahead with two cards showing 78-74 and the third 79-75. With both men cut it was a bloody battle over the last four rounds. Boschiero was making a big effort and took the ninth but Jacob turned it on in the tenth and eleventh taking both of those rounds and already celebrating at the end of the eleventh the victory that was to come. Boschiero went all out in the last and took the round, but it was just too little too late. Scores1118-113, 16-113 and 115-113. Jacob had won the title from Boschiero on a split decision in February, but this time won clearly as acknowledged by Boschiero’s team. Jacob’s left jab was the winning punch but he showed increased maturity from their first meeting and paced the fight the better. The 26-year-old son of former WBC super bantam and European bantamweight champion Thierry Jacob will take the rest of 2014 off and return next year. His February win over once highly rated Boschiero earned him WBA3/IBF 4(3)/WBC 8/WBO 11 ratings so a world title fight in 2015 is the target. At 33 Boschiero will find it hard to climb back to the top. He came close to a world title when he lost a very controversial split decision to Takahiro Ao for the WBC super feather title in 2011 but he seemed to lack that vital spark in this fight.

Chakim vs. Bone

This should have been a routine win for Chakim but he admitted that he had other things on his mind. Late replacement Bone came to fight and since Chakim’s style is to go forward punching they put on six good, all-action rounds. In the end a draw was a fair result but naturally disappointing for the 38-year-old Frenchman. Chakim, a former undefeated French and European Union champion, was 16-2 in his last 18 fights going in with the losses to former European champion Ermano Fegatilli and Jacob. He had been affected by the recent death of his brother and his first coach. Spanish-based Ecuadorian Bone had lost 5 of his last 6 fights but did enough to deserve the draw which will look good on his CV.

Jacob vs. Bernard

Younger brother Joffrey makes it a family double as he outpoints Bernard for the second time this year. Jacob took a round to get into the fight and was short with his punches. He was more aggressive in the second and floored Bernard with a straight right. He then boxed his way to victory. His collection of only one win by KO/TKO shows he has more technique than power, but has good skills and at 23 shows promise.

 

Indio, CA, USA: Light Welter: Antonio Orozco (21-0) W PTS 8 Steve Forbes (35-14). Feather: Robinson Castellanos (20-10) W TKO 5 Ronny Rios (23-1). Middle: Antonio Gutierrez (16-0-1) W PTS 6 Dashon Johnson (15-17-3). Super Bantam: Diego De La Hoya (7-0) W PTS 6 Luis Ruiz L Jr (5-3-1).

Orozco vs. Forbes

Orozco gets predictably win over sliding veteran Forbes but is pushed hard over the eight rounds. Orozco used his speed and youth to set a fast pace forcing the fight and finding Forbes willing to take him on. Orozco was the busier and picking up the points. He looked to have put Forbes down in the third but it was ruled a slip. Orozco continued to have the better of the exchanges getting through with energy sapping shots to the body  and forcing Forbes to the ropes but without ever really hurting Forbes who stayed in front of Orozco using his experience to divert some of Orozco’s punches and trying to work the body himself. Orozco staged a strong finish as Forbes tired and was a clear winner taking every round. Scores 80-72 from all three judges.  The 26-year-old Mexican lived up to his “relentless” nickname and adds Forbes to a list of victims which already includes Ivan Hernandez and Martin Honorio. The 37-year-old Forbes, a former IBF super feather champion, is just a trial-horse now and is 3-10 in his last 13 fights.

Rios vs. Castellanos

Castellanos rips away the unbeaten tag of Rios in an upset result. Both fighters were looking  to impose themselves on the fight from the outset and although the first round was even Castellanos was showing a cut over his left eye from a Rios punch. The first sign of a possible upset came in the second round when a right put Rios on the floor. He was badly shaken but lasted out the round. Rios did not seem to really recover from that knockdown and by the fourth he was in trouble again from right hands from Castellanos and only just survived the round. The Mexican went for broke at the bell for the fifth nailing Rios immediately with yet another right and then battering away until the referee stepped-in to save Rios. The 32-year-old “Robin Hood” Castellanos was a very risky pick for an opponent. He had been floored and stopped by Rene Alvarado in his last fight in February which cost him his WBC Silver title  and his No 2 slot in the WBC ratings but prior to that he had scored 11 wins, 7 by KO/TKO and beaten Celestino Caballero. The Alvarado loss had seen him slip down to No 5 with the WBC and his now calling out Jhonny Gonzalez is not such a bad choice. Rios had beaten good opposition in Roger Gonzalez, Rico Ramos, Leonilo Miranda and Andrew Cancio and was IBF 7(5)/WBA 8 but has blown both of those ratings and has to start all over again.

Gutierrez vs. Johnson

Gutierrez remains unbeaten with majority decision over Johnson that should have been unanimous. The unbeaten Mexican dropped the first round as Johnson used quick shots from both hands and a busier work rate to take the round. After that Gutierrez was able to crowd Johnson and score inside with body punches. He kept the pressure level up through the remaining rounds with Johnson staying in the fight with quick combinations but being outworked and tiring late on. Scores 59-55 twice and 57-57. First fight outside Baja California for Gutierrez who has still to progress past the six round level but should be ready after 17 fights. Johnson has lost 12 of his last 14 rounds but can’t be taken two lightly as the two wins were a kayo of unbeaten Canadian Adam Trupish and a win over Scotland’s Craig McEwan.

De La Hoya vs. Ruiz

De La Hoya displays his talent but Ruiz no real match for him. The cousin of Oscar, De La Hoya was able to score heavily in ever round and the fight could and perhaps should have been stopped. De La Hoya was streets ahead of Ruiz in skill and despite not managing to finish this one early he also has plenty of power. All three judges saw it 60-54 and the 20-year-old “Golden Kid” , a former Mexican amateur champion, will go on to bigger and better things. Ruiz did well to last the six rounds but was in way over his head.

 

San Francisco, Argentina: Light Middle: Marcelo E Coceres (16-0-1) W PTS 10 Adonisio F Reges (17-8). “El Terrible” Coceres retains his IBF Latino title with close unanimous decision over Brazilian Reges. Disappointing performance for Coceres, He deserved to win but should have made this a much easier job. The fight had little action with Coceres having to put up with a bloody nose from the second round courtesy of a stabbing jab from the smaller Brazilian. The Argentinian was coming forward for most of the fight trying to walk Reges down and he had a big fourth round in which he launched punch after punch driving Reges around the ring, but he never looked like stopping the nuggety visitor He was outscoring Reges but things changed in the eighth. Reges was the one coming forward with Coceres dancing rather than fighting and avoiding any exchanges. The pattern was the same in the ninth and tenth as Reges worked his way inside and forced Coceres to trade. The Argentinian took some heavy shots at the end of the ninth as he was wide open and swinging wildly. The tenth saw Coceres on his bicycle with Reges in pursuit. The Brazilian took the round but failed to find the punch he needed. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. . The win extended the unbeaten run of Coceres, the 23-year-old FAB No 3, but snapped a run of 5 wins by KO/TKO. Reges, 37, the WBA International champion had won 4 of his last 5 fights but started his drive too late in this one.

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Middle: Ezequiel O Maderna (21-2) W Jose A Clavero (44-11-1). “El Olympico” Maderna boxes his way to unanimous decision over tough and persistent Clavero. Maderna had height and reach over Clavero and used his jab and straight rights with a mix of body shots to collect the points. Clavero is crude but strong and he was willing to walk through Maderna’s punches to get inside. He was helped by a lack of snap in Maderna’s punches and had some success in the late round as Maderna’s work rate dropped but was never really a threat. Scores 98-92 ½, 98 -94 ½ and 97-93. After winning 19 in a row the 28-year-old 2008 Olympian is now 2-2 on his last four with losses to Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Oosthuizen. Clavero, 39, lost to Anthony Mundine for WBA super middle title in 2007. He was on a good run here with 7 wins in his last 8 fights. His son was also on this show and he got a win for the family.

 

Hem, France: Light: Daouda Sow (16-0) W TKO 2 Salaheddine Sarhani (14-20-1).

Olympic silver medallist Sow makes one of his too rare appearances and halts an outclassed Sarhani winning inside two rounds. After a cautious first round Sow unleashed a wicked left hook to the body and that was the end for Sarhani. The 31-year-old southpaw was fighting in his hometown and finally completing a promotion he had meant to stage a year ago. He had everything lined up for a boxing/dinner/stage show only for cracks to be found in some of the columns of the structure of the venue and it was canceled with Sow losing a lot of money over the venture. He vowed to take his disappointment out on Sarhani-and did. Four fights in over two years is wasting his abundant talents. Sarhani, a former French light welter title challenger, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Avezzano, Italy: Bantam: Giodi Scala (7-1) W PTS 10 Pio Antonio Nettuno (7-9).

Scala wins the vacant Italian bantam title with split decision over Nettuno. Right from the bell Nettuno makes his tactics clear as he pressures Scala forcing him to the ropes and not allowing Scala to use his superior boxing. Nettuno takes the first two rounds that way and although Scala shakes him with a right counter in the third Nettuno just keeps coming. It is late in the fifth before Scala finally manages to take control of the centre of the ring and start to claw back Nettuno’s lead. With his sharp boxing and constant switching to southpaw Scala sweeps the sixth, seventh and eighth. The ninth is close round which Scala may have just edged. The last is frantic as Nettuno is still steaming in with his arms pumping and Scala has to fight hard with the fight seemingly in the balance. Scores 97-93 twice for Scala and 96-94 for Nettuno who came a lot closer than those first two scores indicate. These two had clashed for the Italian super bantam title in December with Scala winning a more comfortable unanimous decision, only to lose the title in his first defence in June which led to this clash. The 24-year-old Scala wins his second national title. Poor Nettuno, 28, is 0-5 in Italian title fights.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Fly: David Carmona (18-2-4) W PTS 10 Martin Casillas (14-4). Welter: Marlon Aguas (8-0 W PTS 12 Jonathan Duran (13-8-1).

Carmona vs. Casillas

Carmona continues his good form with unanimous decision over Casillas in a good quality competitive fight. Carmona got a dream start flooring Casillas with an uppercut in the first but Casillas has a good chin and he was still there at the bell. Carmona built on that start to score repeatedly through the leaky guard of Casillas without ever looking likely to repeat his early success. Casillas tried hard but only got into the fight over the late rounds. Scores 99-90, 98-91 and 97-93. The 23-year-old Carmona has lost only one of his last 17 fights and that was an ambitious challenge against Omar Narvaez for the WBO title in December. He won the WBO Youth title in July and now adds the interim WBO Latino title to his trophy cabinet. Casillas had won 6 of his last 7 with his loss being to Nikolay Potapov in Russian in April.

Aguas vs. Duran

Ecuadorian Aguas climbs off the floor to get a split decision over Duran for the vacant WBC Cabofe title. Both shed some blood here with Duran looking the likely winner when he put Aguas down in the second round. However Aguas got up and outboxed Duran over the following rounds. There was never a lot between them but the cleaner scoring was coming from Aguas and he got the deserved decision. Scores 116-113 twice for Aguas and 116-114 for Duran. Aguas has a nice collection of trinkets having already collected the WBA Fedebol title and a version of the South American title. As an amateur he represented Ecuador at the World Junior Championships. Duran has lost 6 of his last 7 fights. A win and a title would have been nice but his bad breaks continue as his last two losses were a majority decision and a split decision respectively.

October 11

 

London, England: Feather: Lee Selby (20-1) W TKO 9 Joel Brunker (27-1). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (9-0) W TKO 2 Denis Bakhtov (38-10). Middle: John Ryder (19-1) W TKO 5 Theo Tetteh (16-672). Light: Tommy Martin (10-0) W TKO 7 Matty Tew (14-3). Light Welter: Joe Hughes (10-1) W TKO 10 Philip Bowes (9-1). Light Welter: Tyler Goodjohn (11-3) W PTS 10 Ricky Boylan (12-1). Light Welter: John Wayne Hibbert (14-2) W TKO 5 Leonardo E Gonzalez (22-6-1).

Selby vs. Brunker

Selby wins IBF final eliminator with stoppage of Aussie Brunker. In the first the visitor was looking to catch the quicker Selby on the ropes but Selby was moving slickly and letting go busts of punches with Brunker having little opportunity to let his own punches go. The Australian had a better second round throwing more and finding Selby more willing to trade in spells but on other occasions in the round using the full perimeter of the ring and getting through with quick busts of punches. In the third Selby was boxing beautifully showing excellent ring craft and using all the angles to thread punches through the defence of Brunker who was laving himself open in his attempts to trap Selby. The fourth saw Brunker chase and chase the elusive Selby and eat counter after counter for his trouble. Selby took the fifth easily as he stood in front of Brunker more and fired home fast shots from both hands with Brunker just too slow to respond. Brunker had a better sixth managing to close the gap get inside and get through with some body shots, but was rocked back on his heels by a head-snapping right uppercut from Selby and was showing a small cut over his right eye.. The seventh again saw Brunker having some success in trapping Selby on the ropes and Selby’s counters did not look so crisp. The eighth saw Selby setting himself and putting more power in his punches with fast combinations slicing through Brunker’s guard and with Brunker unable to tie Selby down enough to land any of his own. In the ninth Selby hurt Brunker with a body punch and then cut loose. He battered the game Australian along the ropes from corner to corner landing  punches to head and gut wrenching shots to the body. At first Brunker tried to fight back but the volume and weight of the punches finally had him slumping down on the ropes and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old “Barry Boy Assassin” has already won in the past the British, CBC, European and WBC International titles and, with this win over the IBF 3(1) Brunker, the little Welshman becomes mandatory challenger for Denis Gradovich’s title (you can’t  get the No 1 position with the IBF unless you beat another rated fighter so the first two place were vacant, but now Selby qualifies for the top spot). He already has wins over Viorel Simion, Rendall Munroe and Romulo Koasicha so has a good chance against Gradovich. Brunker gave everything in this one. He never stopped coming forward trying to pin Selby down and involve him in a brawl. He walked through everything until that ninth round blast unhinged his legs. This was the first fight in 14 months for Brunker and he showed enough to be still a force when more active.

Joshua vs. Bakhtov

Impressive display of power and poise from Joshua. The 6’6” (198cm) Brit towered over the 5’11 ½” (181cm) Russian and went to work immediately driving Bakhtov back with his jab landing straight rights and driving Bakhtov along the ropes. Bakhtov tried a couple of punches but in doing so left himself open and one ramrod like jab from Joshua snapped his head back. In the last 30 seconds of the round Bakhtov came forward throwing punches only to be knocked back by a right counter from Joshua and then caught with a series of head punches. Bakhtov was already showing a small cut above his left eye from the punishment he took. It was almost too easy and at times Joshua was standing in range with his hands down which could be dangerous against better opposition. The small while that the second round lasted was painful. They traded punches by the ropes with Joshua nailing Bakhtov with a straight right and a thunderous right uppercut. Bakhtov staggered along the ropes with Joshua unloading on him all the way. The referee was obviously concerned over the punishment Bakhtov was taking and stepped between the fighters to take a look at Bakhtov. He let the fight continue but two more rights to the chin from Joshua were enough to convince the referee and he rightly stopped the fight. It is difficult not to get excited over a 24-year-old heavyweight with the poise and power Joshua has. The Olympic gold medallist has yet to be taken past the third round in his nine fights and in Bakhtov he beat an experienced and tough veteran  At this stage of his development (only 8 fights before this match)Joshua is being put in tougher tests than Deontay Wilder was facing after almost 30 fights. Michael Sprott will be next but not sure if Sprott is as much of a test as he used to be. He was knocked out in one round by Kali Meehan in his last fight in June. Joshua wins the vacant WBC International title and that brings its own problems in planning his career as he may now find himself up in the WBC top 15. “Darth Vader” Bakhtov, 34, was simply overwhelmed by the power and accuracy of Joshua’s punches .

Ryder vs. Tetteh

Ryder makes it four wins in a row since controversial loss to Billy Joe Saunders. “The Gorilla” was just too big and too strong for Ghanaian Tetteh. From the second round Ryder was in charge using his superior skills and strength to keep Tetteh, a natural light middle, under pressure. Tetteh resorted to holding to try and blunt Ryder’s attacks and flirted with disqualification after losing two points for his clutching. The referee had seen enough by the fifth and stopped the fight to save Tetteh from more punishment. The 26-year-old Islington southpaw has 11 wins by KO/TKO. He lost a very close decision to Saunders for the British and CBC titles in September last year and will be hoping to get a crack at the winner of Saunders vs. Chris Eubank Jr. Third loss in three visits to the UK for Tetteh but against very strong opposition in Lee Purdy, Gregorz Proksa and now Ryder.

Martin vs. Tew

Martin climbs off the floor to stop Tew in the seventh round of a good fight. Martin had the superior skills and boxed well scoring with fast accurate shots to get his nose in front after four rounds. In the fifth a very low right to the body from Tew put Martin down but he got up and saw out the round. The fight pattern reverted to that of the early rounds as Martin took control and had Tew hurt and bloody in the sixth with only the bell saving Tew. A sustained attack in the seventh from Martin with Tew trapped in a corner saw the fight stopped. The 20-year-old Martin wins the right to a shot at the English title but both he and fellow Cambridgeshire boxer Goodjohn, who won the English title on the show, have said the fight won’t happen until 2015. Martin gets his third win by KO/TKO. After winning his first 12 fights Tew then suffered consecutive losses in 2013 before bouncing back with two wins in his last two fights.

Hughes vs. Bowes

Hughes wins this one with a very late stoppage. A fight of two halves as tall southpaw Bowes used his height and reach to keep the aggressive Hughes out. That worked over the first half of the fight but then the pressure saw Bowes start to tire and Hughes kept applying that pressure until an exhausted Bowes was stopped late in the tenth and last round. Now six wins in  a row for 24-year-old Hughes who collects the BBB of C Southern Area title. He was to have fought John  Wayne Hibbert for this title earlier in the year but lost the opportunity due to a mystery virus. “Quicksilver Bowes, 30, represented Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games and was a quarter finalist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Goodjohn vs. Boylan

Goodjohn win s vacant English title with close majority decision over previously unbeaten Boylan. Goodjohn dominated the first round scoring with rights and uppercuts and then for the next five rounds showed good skills to outbox the aggressive Boylan. Things took a turn in the sixth when Goodjohn suffered a bad cut over his right eye that seemed to be caused by a punch. From that point Goodjohn was boxing to survive knowing that there was always the possibility of punches from Boylan making the cut even worse and the fight being stopped. Boylan was able to win the rounds and narrow the Goodjohn lead but just failed to close the gap. Scores 96-94 twice and 96-96. Goodjohn, 23, had lost to Tyrone Nurse for this same title in April. Boylan, the Southern Area champion will be looking for a return once Goodjohn’s cut heals.

Hibbert vs. Gonzalez

Hibbert wins the vacant WBC International title with stoppage of Argentinian Gonzalez. Hibbert was in charge all the way in this one. Gonzalez, the FAB No 8 lightweight, was game enough but Hibbert was able to penetrate his loose defence in every round. In the fifth with Gonzalez cut over his right eye Hibbert banged away until the referee stepped in to save Gonzalez. Hibbert, 29, has won 7 of his last 8 fights with the loss being to current CBC champion Dave Ryan, so that might be the route Hibbert takes. Third fight outside Argentina for 32-year-old Gonzalez and third loss although the most recent in October last year was to world rated Paulus Moses so no disgrace there.

 

Cancun, Mexico: Light Middle: Cornelius Bundrage (34-5,1ND) W PTS 12 Carlos Molina (22-6-2). Super Feather: Rene Alvarado (21-3) W PTS 12 Juan Pablo Sanchez (29-11,1ND). Welter: Silverio Ortiz (33-14) W KO 2 Felipe De la Paz Teniente (15-3-1). Super Bantam: Jorge Lara (26-0-1) W TKO 4 Jovanny Soto (38-17-1). 21

Bundrage vs. Molina

Bundrage regains the IBF title at the age of 41 with a wide points win over champion Molina. The first round saw Molina staggered early and then put down by a right. He got up and saw out the round. Molina came out aggressively in the second but Bundrage continued his dominance again having Molina wobbling and it was only in the third and fourth that Molina got into the fight and even then Bundrage was still getting through with a sharp jab and rights. Molina pressed the fight over the fifth, sixth and seventh with Bundrage catching the Mexican with plenty of counters and stealing the rounds. In the eighth Bundrage again shook Molina only to lose a point for a rabbit punch later in the round. The tenth saw Bundrage rock Molina with an uppercut and then score the second knockdown of the fight with a right. Molina got up and fought back hard landing some scoring shots of his own before the end of the round. Both fighters tired over the last two rounds which were close. Scores 117-106, 117-109 and 117-110. “K9” Bundrage had lost the title to Ishe Smith in February 2013 but got back into contention with a win in January over Joey Hernandez (23-1-1) and was Molina’s mandatory challenger. After winning the IBF title from Smith in September last year Moreno had been through a nightmare period of his own making. He was to have defended the title against Jermall Charlo in March but instead landed in jail four days before the fight on an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a sex offender. That led eventually to him being deported for entering the USA illegally and that’s why this fight ended up in Cancun. By the time all of that was sorted out he had not made a defence for 13 months. With more activity he can challenge again.

Sanchez vs. Alvarado

“Twin” Alvarado wins the WBC International Silver title. The Nicaraguan outboxed the reigning champion Sanchez. The better technical boxer Alvarado made sure of victory by sweeping the late rounds and looked to have won by a larger margin than the judges came up with. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-113. The 25-year-old Alvarado, the twin brother of world light flyweight title challenger Felix,  had leapt up the ratings after winning the WBC Silver title by stopping Robinson Castellanos in February but dropped the title and his high rating in losing to Rocky Juarez in May. Mexican “The Lizard” Sanchez was on a career best run of 7 wins going into this fight.

Ortiz vs. de la Paz Teniente

Veteran Ortiz continued his good run with kayo of Teniente. One powerful right to the chin in the second round ended this one. The 31-year-old “Chamaco III” has won 13 of his last 14 fights losing only to Humberto Soto in the sequence and winning his last seven. Teniente had lost only one of his last 12 fights and that was to British prospect Adam Etches.

Lara vs. Soto

Southpaw Lara extends his unbeaten run with   stoppage of experienced Soto. The 23-year-old from Guadalajara, the WBO7/IBF 12 has 18 wins by KO/TKO. “Bambino” Soto, 30, is 6-6 in his last 12 with all of the losses being to a high quality set of opponents.

 

Merida, Mexico: Welter: Jorge Paez Jr (37-5-2,1ND) TEC DRAW 6 Aaron Herrera (27-3-1). Super Feather: Miguel Berchelt (24-1) W TKO 3 Antonio Escalante (29-7). Light Middle: Ivan Montero (16-0) W PTS 8 Julio C Avalos (14-4). Super Feather: Eduardo Torres (17-0) W PTS 8 Marcos Cardenas (14-5-1).

Paez vs Herrera

This one was just at a critical stage when an accidental rabbit punch ended the fight. Both fighters needed a win and went after one. Over the opening rounds it was a tactical boxing match with the local fighter “La Joya” Herrera using his jab to frustrate the efforts of Paez to turn it into a brawl. Those tactics worked for the first four rounds but by the fifth Paez was relentlessly walking forward, getting in close and digging in hooks to the body and snapping Herrera’s head back with uppercuts. Herrera was willing to trade and finished the fifth with a flourish scoring with a series of quick jabs and hooks. It was noticeable that to lessen the target for Paez Herrera was continually turning so that his left should was pointing towards Paez. Paez continued to walk forward and force Herrera to stand and trade with Paez again working the body. Herrera was also scoring with hooks but was continually being forced back. Paez got home with three left hooks to the body and two rights to the head. Herrera had half turned with his left shoulder towards Paez and was leaning forward so a third right curled round and caught him high on the back of his head. The referee parted them and was warning Paez for that shot but what neither realised was that Herrera was suddenly in some discomfort and he went and squatted in a corner obviously in distress. A doctor came into the ring to examine Herrera and decided that the fight should be stopped. Since the punch was unintentional it did not go to the scorecards but was declared a technical draw. Paez, 26, was definitely getting on top  and Herrera was tiring so Paez would probably have gone on to win. A run of ten wins including victories over Omar Chavez, Charlie Navarro and Ivan Hernandez was ended in March with a loss to Vivian Harris so Paez was looking to get back on track with a win over useful Herrera. The local favourite Herrera had won his first 24 fights before hitting a bad patch with losses to Fernando Garcia, Jason Pagara and Selcuk Aydin. He had rebounded with two wins this year and Paez would have been a big scalp for him but not to be.

Berchelt vs. Escalante

Berchelt destroys Escalante in three rounds. The local hero played a waiting game boxing cautiously in the first to see what Escalante brought to the table. In the second a vicious left hook to the body had Escalante badly hurt. The “Scorpion” ended it in the third exploding with hooks and combinations to put Escalante down twice and force the stoppage. The 22-year-old makes it three wins in a row by KO/TKO as he does a reconstruction job on his reputation and his confidence after being blown away in 99 seconds by Colombian Luis E Flores in March. Berchelt is still title material. El Paso-based Mexican Escalante, 29,  was once riding high in the ratings with wins over Feider Viloria (20-1-1), Mike Oliver (21-1), Gary Stark (22-2) ,Cornelius Lock and Miguel Roman but is now 5-5 in his last 10 fights and out of the picture.

Montero vs. Avalos

Montero keeps his 100% record but has to climb off the canvas to do it. A shot from Avalos deposited Montero on the floor in the first. It took Montero a round to recover but then his clever boxing and accurate punching saw him catching up and then establishing a lead which took him to victory despite both fighters slipping often on a wet canvas. Scores 77-73 twice and 76-74. “El terrible” made heavy work of this one and may not yet be ready to move up to ten round fights. “Viking” Avalos came to fight being 9-2 in his last 11 fight going in, but Montero had the edge. It also didn’t help that in the second such incident in recent action the referee penalised a fighter for the slowness of his seconds with Avalos getting a standing count when his seconds were too slow in getting out of the ring. He’s lucky, in the other incident the fighter was disqualified.

Torres vs. Cardenas

“Lalo” Torres  used an aggressive and effective body attack to beat a game Cardenas. Torres came near to ending it a few times but Cardenas hung in there even stealing a round here and there but losing by a wide margin. Scores 80-71,78-72 and 78-73. The local 27-year-old is another on the cusp of moving up to ten rounds. After being undefeated in his first 13 fights Cardenas is now 2-5 in his last 7.

 

Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Zac Dunn (15-0) W TKO 3 Istvan Zeller (9-4).

Dunn retains his WBC EPBC title with stoppage of outclassed Zeller. In the first round Zeller who is a Hungarian policeman got on the bike in a big way. Aware of Dunn’s power and strength he was using the whole ring trying to avoid trading punches. It was
obvious that when Dunn trapped Zeller it would be over quickly Dunn came close to landing with big head shots in the opening two rounds but Zeller was sliding away from them. Danny Kay, Dunn’s trainer told Dunn to concentrate more on the body and slow
the retreating Hungarian down. Crippling body shots in round 2 and 3 dropped
Zeller twice and the referee decided enough was enough. Even though Zeller
fought a defensive fight he was brave and showed good skills but was seriously
outpowered. The 23-year-old Dunn, the ABF No 1 makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO including 7 inside the distance wins in his last 8 fights. He is fulfilling the promise showed in getting a bronze medal in the World Cadet Championships and competing at the World Junior Championships. He is guided by former IBF champion Barry Michael who is looking to get Dunn a WBO title shot in 2015. All of Zeller’s losses have come by KO/TKO and he was out of his depth here.

 

Manzano, Italy: Light Middle: Orlando Fiordigiglio (19-0) W TKO 4 Stefano Castellucci (23-4). Light Welter: Brunet Zamora (26-2-2) W PTS 6 Cris Pastarini (3-4).

Fiordigiglio vs. Castellucci

Fiordigiglio remains EU champion with stoppage of challenger Castellucci in all-Italian contest. Fiordigiglio was looking to keep the fight open and keep Castellucci outside so that longer reach and better skills could prevail. The champion is quicker and more accurate and in the third catches Castellucci early with a hard combination. Castellucci is hurt but fights back only to be nailed with a right uppercut that sees him on unsteady pins. Fiordigiglio continues the attack in the fourth and sends Castellucci staggering with a series of punches. The referee steps-in has a look at Castellucci and stops the fight. Second defence of his EU title for the tall 30-year-old former undefeated Italian champion who is rated EBU No 1 and a real title threat. He only has ten wins by KO/TKO but this is his fourth inside the distance win in a row so it seems that the power increases as the quality of the opposition gets tougher. Castellucci,32, the EBU No 8 and former undefeated Italian champion, won his first 18 fights, but more recently had lost to Leonardo Bundu on a technical decision for the EBU welter title and to Ceferino Rodriguez for the vacant EU welter title.

Brunet vs. Pastarini

Former EU light champion Zamora eases back into the winning column with decision over Pastarini. The 39-year-old Cuban-born Zamora drew with Alberto Mosquera in 2011 for the interim WBA light welter title but lost to Denis Shafikov for the EBU title. He picked-up the EU title and made one defence and then in April this year suffered a huge upset when he lost his title to Hungarian trial-horse Gyorgy Mizsei. First step on the road back completed in this fight. Pastarini no test and has lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

 

Neuquen, Argentina: Heavy: Matias A Vidondo (20-1-1) W TKO 2 Marcelo F Dominguez (47-8-1). In a “El Matador” against “El Toro”  match Vidondo retains the national title in a much anticipated fight which had an early and disappointing ending. Vidondo was by far the taller boxer and had the longer reach. After a slow first two minutes Dominguez marched inside and scored with a left hook to the body and a shot to the chin. Dominguez was coming forward again in the second, but Vidondo found the target with a left hook to the body and a right and as Dominguez moved backwards a left to the side of the face opened a bad cut over the right eye of Dominguez. The injury bled profusely and after an examination by the doctor it was rightly decided despite Dominguez’s protests that the cut was too severe for the fight to continue and it was stopped. Second defence for 37-year-old Vidondo and he has now won his last 10 fights, 8 of them by KO/TKO, in a total of 18 wins overall  by KO/TKO. Dominguez, 44, a former WBC cruiser and Argentinian heavy champ and current FAB No 1 had never previously lost to a fellow-Argentinian and will be looking for another title shot.

 

Middelkerke, Belgium: Heavy: Herve Hubeaux (18-1) W PTS 6 Peter Erdos (8-5-3).

Belgian hope Hubeaux gets six rounds of work from Hungarian Erdos and wins unanimous decision. Scores 59-55 twice and 60-54. The 6’4” (193cm) 22-year-old has won his last seven fights including reversing his only loss. He is WBC Youth champion and EU No 15. Erdos, 38, no threat but usually goes the distance.

 

Barranquilla, Colombia: Feather: Josec Ruiz (10-2) W TKO 8 Jelier Pacheco (10-14-2). Super Feather: Jose L Prieto (15-4) W PTS 10 Luis E Flores (19-2). Middle: Alex Theran (17-1) W TKO 6 Jhonatan Ricar (9-7). Super Bantam: Luis Melendez (40-9-1,1ND) W KO 3 Omny Padilla (4-6).

Ruiz vs. Pacheco

Honduran “Scorpion” Ruiz wins the vacant WBC Fecarbox title with stoppage of Pacheco. Ruiz took control of this one from the third and after getting through with heavy punches in each round he finally floored Pacheco with a right cross in the seventh. When the Colombian was put down again in the eighth the fight was stopped. A needed win by Ruiz who was 2-2 in his last 4 fights. Poor Pacheco has won only one of his last 16 fights so it is farcical that he should be fighting for a title.

Prieto vs. Flores

Big upset as Prieto wins this all-Colombian contest over world rated Prieto. Prieto built an early lead and after being floored in the fifth round Flores was never able to claw that back. Scores 96-93 twice and 95-94 all for Prieto. The 29-year-old winner was 2-3 in his last five fights so was not expected to win this one. Flores, 27, had crushed Mexican Miguel Berchelt (21-0) in March and was rated WBO 10/WBC 11.

Theran vs. Ricar

“El Principe” bounces back from his first pro loss with repeat win over Ricar. After a patient start from the third he began to punish Ricar with shots to head and body. The fight was one-sided and Ricar did not come out for the sixth round. He had stopped Ricar in five rounds in 2012. The 23-year Theran, a top amateur, took a risky fight in Moscow in April against unbeaten Arif Magomedov and was floored twice and retired at the end of the third round. The rebuilding has started.  Ricar does not do distance fights he has 7 wins by KO/TKO and now 7 Losses by KO/TKO.

Melendez vs. Padilla

Just a work-out for Melendez as he halts Padilla in three rounds. The 34-year-old southpaw lost to Fernando Montiel for the WBO super fly title in 2007. He suffered back-to-back losses to Julio Ceja and Joseph Agbeko in 2012 and 2013 respectively but has returned with six wins including a victory over Raul Hirales for the WBO NABO title in August. Fellow-Colombian Padilla has lost 5 in a row by KO/TKO.

 

Saint-Malo, France: Welter: Damien Martin (20-8-4) W PTS 10 Nordine Arik (13-3-2). Martin retains the national title with split decision over FFB No 8 rated Arik. Many rounds were close in this one. Martin was the  busier scoring well with hooks from both hands and although not as busy Arik was scoring with the harder and more accurate shots. The seventh saw intense action as they stood and traded for the whole three minutes. Martin turned things his way with dominant display in the ninth round and deservedly held on to his title. Scores 96-94 twice for Martin and 96-94 for Arik. First defence for the 28-year-old hometown fighter who is now a much improved 10-1-2 in his last 13 fights. Dubai-based Arik had won his last 8 fights but had never gone past six rounds before.

 

Saarbruecken, Germany: Super Middle: Bernard Donfack (20-11-3) W Christian Pawlak (20-5-1). Donfack retains his WBFed title with close unanimous decision over Pawlak. The champion forced the fight and Pawlak had too much rust to shake off although he pushed Donfack all the way. Cameroon-born Donfack, 34, has won 6 of his last 7 fights but against mediocre opposition. Pawlak, 35, was having his first fight in almost 19 months but somehow still qualifies to fight for a “world” title. Set the bar low enough and anyone can get over it.

 

Davao City, Philippines: Light Fly: Rey Loreto (19-13) W KO 7 Heri Amol (34-20-4). Super Fly: Edrin Dapudong (30-6) W TKO 5 Wisanlek (11-6). Light Fly: Denver Cuello (34-5-6) W TKO 7 Jaipetch (3-2). Super Feather: Lorenzo Villaneuva (27-1,1ND) W TKO 9 Gadwin Tubigon (10-11-2). Feather: Rolando Magbanua (24-2) W TKO 1 Joel Escol (8-16-3).

Loreto vs. Amol

IBO champion Loreto gets in some work in preparation for his return fight with Nkosinathi Joyi in December. Indonesian Amol was no match for the tigerish little Filipino but held out until the fifth round. He was floored then by a hard combination from Loreto and went into full survival mode. Southpaw Loreto caught up with him again in the seventh and put him down for a second time with Amol indicating he was finished with fighting for the night. Loreto strung together his best two performances of his career in beating Thai Pornsawan in August last year and  knocking out Joyi in South Africa in February to lift Joyi’s IBO title. The “Hitman” has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Amol “ The Magic Baby” (don’t ask me why) is 1-8 in his last 9 fights.

Dapudong vs. Wisanlek

Dapudong bounces back from a loss in July with a convincing win over modest Thai opposition. Dapudong started as though he had a hot date later and battered away at Wisanlek for three rounds. He took a breather in the fourth and then went back to business in the fifth battering away at Wisanlek until the referee stopped the fight. The 28-year-old “Sting” a former WBC Silver flyweight and IBO super flyweight champion dropped his IBO title on a split decision in South Africa against Lwandile Sityatha in July. He makes it 18 wins by KO/TKO. Wisanlek has a strange record of losing his first five fights and then winning his next 11 before this fight. It makes me suspicious when I see a turnaround like that as it would not be the first time that a Thai fighter decided to give up and a different fighter took his name and continued his career for him. It actually happened way back with a Thai who took over another fighters name and record and went on to win a world title.

Cuello vs Jaipetch

“The Excitement” returns with a win. Cuello handed out a steady beating to the Thai novice in an abysmal bit of matching. Cuello’s punches  had the Thai badly marked and with a swelling closing his right eye Jaipetch failed to come out for the seventh round. First fight for 27-year-old Cuello since losing on a majority decision to Xiong Zhao Zhong for the WBC title in a fight he would have won if there had been a level playing field. Hopefully 2015 will be his year to be a champion. Nothing you can say about a four fight novice against a world class boxer such as Cuello particularly as he had lost on a third round kayo in the Philippines just 3 months earlier.

Villaneuva vs. Tubigon

Now five wins in a row for former IBO title challenger Villaneuva. The southpaw “Thunderball” continues his rebuild after being kayoed in two rounds by Daud Cino Yordan for the IBO title in May 2012. After a good scrap the fight was ended early in the ninth on doctor’s orders due to Tubigon suffering a nose injury, probably broken. Now 24 wins by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old. Power was never Villanueva’s problem it was a leaky defence. Sixth loss by KO/TKO for Tubigon.

Magbanua vs. Escol

The 29-year-old “Smooth Operator” takes only 115 seconds to stop Escol but the round lasted much longer than that. Escol was first put down by a low punch and given a five minute recovery period. When they resumed body punches from Magbanua and a hard right ended the fight. After winning his first 17 fights Magbanua went 2-2 in his next four with disappointing losses to guys he should have beaten. He has come back with 5 wins but opposition modest at best. One win in his last 13 fights for Escol and his eighth loss by KO/TKO.

 

Bristol, England: Middle: Danny Butler (24-5) W TKO 3 Jason Ball (8-18-1).

Butler keeps alive his hopes of a second British title fight with win over Ball. Butler had edged the first two rounds before a series of rights in the third saw the referee stop the fight. The 26-year-old local fighter lost for the CBC and the vacant British titles against Darren Barker in 2009 but feels much better prepared for another title shot. This was the third defence of his English title and his fifth win in a row by KO/TKO. “Daddy Cool” Ball, 30, rarely wins but this is only the third time he has been beaten by KO/TKO.

 

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

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

ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC

ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

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

BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

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

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

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

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

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

GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

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

UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

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

the higher rating positions being vacant.