The Past Week in Action 18 October 2016

ERIC ARMIT | October 18, 2016 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

The Past Week in Action 18 October 2016

October 13

Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Ryo Takenaka (15-3-1) W PTS 12 Randy Braga (19-2-1).

Takenaka retains the OPBF title with wide unanimous decision over Braga. The champion used a stinging left jab and right hooks to dominate the early rounds against the quicker Filipino southpaw who had some success with lefts to the body. After four rounds Takenaka was up 39-37 on two cards and 40-37 on the other. Takenaka was in charge through the middle rounds as he commanded the fight from mid-ring with his rights to the body and Braga was fighting an uphill battle and making no real progress with the local fighter increasing his lead on two cards to 78-74 and being 79-74 up on the third. From there it was all downhill for Braga and despite his best efforts the continuing body attacks from Takenaka were enough for all three judges to give him the last four rounds and a wide unanimous decision. Scores 118-110 twice and 119-110. The 31-year-old Takenaka was making the second defence of his OPBF title. His three losses have been to very good domestic opposition and he is No 13 with the WBC. The 28-year-old Braga, the Philippines champion and OPBF No 1 from the Elorde gym, lost a very narrow decision to Macbute Sinyabi in South Africa last year but had won his last four fights.

Panama City, Panama: Super Feather: Jaime Arboleda (9-0) W KO 5 Eder Espitia (10-2-4). Super Bantam: Franklin Manzanilla (14-3) W KO 2 Jorge Sanchez (15-2).

Arboleda vs. Espitia

Local fighter Arboleda continues to shine as he obliterates Colombian southpaw Espitia in five rounds. The 22-year-old “Little Jamie” had height, reach and power on his side and Espitia was under constant pressure. The Panamanian had rocked Espitia a couple of times before putting Espitia away in the fifth. As they stood toe-to-toe and exchanged punches Arboleda rocked Espitia with a right which sent the Colombian’s head into the path of a huge left which put him down and out. Arboleda, a former Panamanian and Central American amateur champion, wins the vacant WBA Fedelatin title and makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. He is currently No 11 with the WBA and is determined to win a world title for his family. His elder brother Jose had a 23-4-2 record. That included an unbeaten run of 21 fights before losing to Fernando Beltran in an IBF eliminator. He was hoping to get a title shot but died in a car crash in 2009 at the age of 27. Brother Jesus is currently in jail, so the family hopes all rest with Jaime. Espitia, 32, lost on points against current WBA No 1 feather Carlos Zambrano 2013 and was 4-0-3 in 7 fights since then.

Manzanilla vs. Sanchez

Sweet taste of revenge for Venezuelan Manzanilla as he knocks out “El Bufalo” Sanchez in two rounds. It was all Manzanilla from the start and he had Sanchez down in the first round. It did not help that Sanchez’s former trainer Rigo Garibaldi was in Manzanilla’s corner. Just 40 seconds into the second round a left hook floored Sanchez and he was counted out. When these two met in 2012 Manzanilla was floored before suffering a shoulder injury and losing on a fourth round stoppage. Manzanilla is a big puncher and this time it was Sanchez who was on the floor and for the ten count. The 28-year-old Manzanilla makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO. Sanchez lost to Gavin McDonnell over twelve rounds for the vacant WBC Silver title in February so this looks a good performance by Manzanilla

October 14

Launceston. Australia: Super Middle: Renold Quinlan (11-1) W TKO 2 Daniel Geale (31-5). Middle: Tommy Browne (32-6-1) W TKO 6 Steven Maxwell (11-8). Cruiser: Jai Opetaia (6-0) W TKO 2 Uria Afamasaga (1-1). Welter: Luke Woods (1-0) W TKO 4 Rex Regalado (1-7-3).

Quinlan vs. Geale

Huge shock as a combination from Quinlan derails Geale’s comeback in Geale’s hometown. As they measured each other in the first round Geale looked confident and landed a thumping left jab but with Quinlan countering quickly. A minute into the second Quinlan landed a left hook and a right which sent Geale crashing to the floor. He arose quickly but then staggered half way across the ring into the referee’s arms and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old Quinlan from Sydney wins the vacant IBO title and has now won 7 fights by KO/TKO. After losing a very close verdict to unbeaten Jake Carr for the Australian title in 2014 he had two low level wins in 2015 and this was his first fight this year. Quinlan, who has an indigenous Australian father and a Fijian mother, was not even in the IBO100 for this division now he is talking Gennady Golovkin etc. Former IBF and WBA middle champion Geale, 35, was having his first fight since suffering a crushing four round loss to Miguel Cotto for the WBC middle title in June last year but was not talking retirement. This fight was supposed to happen last year but was postponed when Geale’s mother lost her battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both fighters had pledged to donate their purse to Lymphoma Australia.

Browne vs. Maxwell

Browne extended his winning run to six as he steamrollered Maxwell to defeat. Browne lost a point in the first for low punches but was on top from there until the referee stepped in to save Maxwell in the sixth. The 33-year-old “Titan” started out as a super feather and lost in fights to In-Jin Chi for the WBC feather title and Chris John for the WBA crown. The Australian No 7 took five years out after losing to Lenny Zappavigna in 2008 but seems to carry the extra 30lbs well but at 5’11” (180cm) he was always big for a feather. Local fighter Maxwell found the rust of over four years out of the ring and the 6” height difference too much.

Opetaia vs. Afamasaga

Opetaia overwhelms novice Afamasaga. The tall young prospect forced a standing count in the first and ended it after just 37 seconds in round two. Big hopes for the 21-year-old 6’4 ½” (194cm) southpaw from Sydney. He has impressive credentials. He was a gold medallist at the World Junior Championships, took a bronze at the World Youth Championships, was Australian champion in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and at 17 at the 2012 Olympics he was the youngest boxer ever to represent Australian at the Games. No tests yet but worth watching. Afamasaga way out of his depth.

Woods vs. Regalado

Former top amateur Woods has his first pro fight. The Tasmanian brutalised Regalado with the referee twice giving the Filipino standing counts before stopping the fight late in the fourth as Woods knocked Regalado out through the ropes. As an amateur Woods lost just 13 of 71 fights and was Australian and Oceania champion. Australian-based Regalado, 36, not as bad as his record shows as he has been in three fights that ended on majority decision and two on split decisions and he did not get the verdict in any of them.

Studio City, CA, USA: Light Jose Felix Jr. (35-1-1) W TKO 3 Alan Herrera (33-9). Welter: Egidijus Kavaliauskas (15-0) W PTS 8 Cameron Kreal (8-12-2).

Felix vs. Herrera

Felix stays on track for a second world title shot as he halts fellow-Mexican Herrera. Felix boxed patiently in the first but showed his power as he set Herrera up with some stabbing jabs before landing a hard right. Herrera absorbed the shot and tried to advance behind his own jab in the second. Felix showed the better skills even on the back foot and took the round. In the third Herrera forced Felix back to the ropes but was then stunned by a flashing right that deposited him on his rump. Herrera climbed to his feet and took the eight count but a couple more savage rights saw him helpless and the referee stepped in to save him. The 24-year-old Felix let himself down badly in his fight with Bryan Vasquez for the interim WBA title in 2014 and although two judges only had Vasquez one point ahead it was a fight Felix should have won. He is No 3 with the WBO and will be hoping to get a shot at Terry Flanagan in 2017 Herrera also lost to Vasquez and was beaten by Australian Will Tomlinson in a fight for the IBO title in 2011. Some tough opposition has now seen him lose 5 of his last 6 fights.

Kavaliauskas vs. Kreal

The unbeaten Lithuanian given a much tougher time than expected by Filipino Kreal. Over the first half of the fight Kavaliauskas did his usual thing attacking strongly and clobbering Kreal with rights. The fight changed when Kreal took the action inside where he was the busier fighter. His punches lacked power but they were scoring and putting Kavaliauskas on the back foot. He also showed some deft footwork on the outside and complicated the night further for the Lithuanian by opening a cut over his right eye in the seventh. Kavaliauskas had won enough of the early rounds to deserve the decision but it was his closest fight so far as on the other two times he has gone the distance he has won ever round. Scores 77-75 from all three judges for Kavaliauskas (thank god for cut and paste!). The 28-year-old Kavaliauskas has good wins over experienced Pablo Munguia and Prenice Brewer so a little wakeup call here. Las Vegas-based Kreal has lost 5 fights in a row but against opposition with combined records of 60-1-1and 4 of them have been very close decisions.

Palm Bay, FL, USA: Super Fly: Ricardo Rodriguez (15-3) W PTS 10 David Quijano (16-7-1). Rodriguez wins unanimous decision and retains his WBO Latino title in a fight where both fighters parked their defence in their corners. For three minutes of each round they just exchanged hooks and uppercuts with an occasional jab. Rodriguez had quicker hands and was more accurate with his punches but Quijano kept changing guards and then just walked through everything to fire home his own punches. With so much body punching going on both received early warnings for low blows and in the second Rodriguez shoved Quijano across the ring and he slid out under the bottom rope and ended up hanging off the ring apron. He just got up and went straight back into the toe-to-toe fun. In the fourth and fifth Quijano tried to stay outside and box but that was just giving Rodriguez control of the fight and by the sixth the war on again. Over the closing rounds Quijano showed plenty of guts as he kept coming forward and pumping out punches but he was taking a hammering from the double left hooks and right uppercuts from Rodriguez. He was staggered a couple of time but on each occasion walked back into the meat grinder as Rodriguez scored again and again with those vicious hooks and uppercuts and emerged a clear winner. Scores 98-92 twice and 98-91.”Meserito” Rodriguez 27 has lost only two of his last 15 fights and both of those losses were on points against WBO title challenger David Carmona. He has good wins over Jonathan Vidal, Daniel Lozano and Miguel Cartagena. He gets his second win over Quijano having won 98-92 on all three cards when they met in June. Puerto Rican Quijano gave 100% plus in this one and helped make it a great little scrap. He has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights but has never failed to last the distance taking Omar Narvaez the full twelve rounds for the WBO title in 2012 and losing on points to unbeaten fellow-countryman Emanuel Rodriguez and the then unbeaten McJoe Arroyo.

Philadelphia, PA, Super Light: Mike Reed (20-0) W TKO 6 Aaron Herrera (29-6-1). Super Feather: Tevin Farmer (23-4-1) W PTS 8 Orlando Rizo (19-8). Super Welter: Tyrone Brunson (23-6-2) DREW 8 Ismael Garcia (10-0-1,1ND).

Reed vs. Herrera

“Yes Indeed” Reed marches on. The unbeaten Maryland fighter let Herrera come forward and then used his strong right jab and lefts to the body to gradually weaken Herrera. The Mexican kept coming but Reed had too much speed to be trapped on the ropes and frustrated Herrera’s attempts to get a toe hold in the fight. The accumulative effect of the counters and particularly the body punches proved too much for the experienced and usually durable Mexican. A crunching hook to the body put Herrera down in the sixth and at the end of the round his corner threw in the towel. Reed, 23, a former NGG champion, makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. No big names but he continues to make impressive progress. Herrera, 27, won his first 24 fights but is now 5-6-1 in his last 12 and was coming off a first round loss against unbeaten Regis Prograis in March.

Farmer vs. Rizo

Farmer marches on to another victory but carelessly loses points for low blows. It was a more subdued performance than is normal for the exciting fighter from Philadelphia. He was winning the round clearly but southpaw Rizo proved a better fighter than his record indicated. Farmer used an effective body attack to slow the Nicaraguan but strayed low too often and lost a point for that infringement in the fourth round. In the fifth a right late in the round looked to have shaken Farmer but Rizo was unable to capitalise on it before the bell went. Farmer was back in control in the seventh and although also taking the eighth he again strayed low and was deducted a second point. Scores 78-72 twice and 77-73. The 26-year-old “American Idol” continues the remarkable turnaround in his fortunes as he goes from a 7-4-1 start to 16 wins in a row including victories over Daulis Prescott, Gamaliel Diaz and Ivan Redkach which have seen him rated WBC 6/IBF 14.Rizo, 31, was coming off his first inside the distance loss being stopped in four rounds by Toka Kahn Clary in May.

Brunson vs. Garcia

Brunson and Garcia end up even in a fight in which neither did enough to deserve the decision so it was almost a draw by default. With Brunson’s big number of inside the distance wins Garcia naturally started very cautiously. Unfortunately Brunson also used the same approach and the fight never even sparked let alone caught fire. Both landed some good punches but not nearly enough so it tuned into a drab affair. They came to life in the last round as they finally let some punches go and Garcia was cut over his left eye but it was too little to erase the memory of the dismal seven previous rounds. Scores 78-74 for Brunson, 78-74 for Garcia and 76-76. The 31-year-old “Young Gun” Brunson is a long way down the path from the fighter who with the help of some abysmal matching set a record of 19 first round wins on the bounce at the start of his career. He is now 2-6-1 in his last 9. Garcia will have felt he got the best of the draw result as he was going eight rounds for the first time and remains unbeaten.

Ghent, Belgium: Super Light: Steve Jamoye (20-3-1) W PTS 10 Jean Pierre Bauwens (39-3-1). Super Light: Ahmed El Hamwi (13-8-2) W PTS 10 Meriton Karaxha (10-3-1). Super Welter: Sasha Yengoyan (38-2-1) W PTS 8 Giuseppe Lauri (55-19).

Jamoye vs. Bauwens

Jamoye wins the BeNeLux title (for boxers from Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg) with unanimous verdict over fellow-Belgian Bauwens. Jamoye’s game plan was based on a quick start and he followed the plan storming forward with hooks and uppercuts. Bauwens lacked the power to match Jamoye so he has to be busier and more active but suffered a setback in the fifth when a clash of heads saw him cut over his left eye. After the fast early pace Jamoye began to tire and Bauwens came on strongly. He shook Jamoye with a left uppercut in the seventh and Jamoye did well to last to the bell. He recovered well in the eighth but was hurt again in the ninth and they both fought hard to the final bell. Scores 97-93, 97-94 and 96-95 all for Jamoye. The 25-year-old younger brother of former European champion and WBA and WBC title challenger Stephane was at the crossroads after back-to-back losses to Spaniards Sandor Martin and Nicolas Gonzalez but now he is back on track. For hometown fighter Bauwens, 28, a former EU champion, this is his first loss to a Belgium and the first time he has lost on a unanimous decision. He still has a big following and can come again.

El Hamwi vs. Karaxha

French-born El Hamwi wins the vacant Belgian title and gets revenge for a 2015 loss with unanimous verdict over Karaxha. These two had clashed at the weigh-in and carried the hard feelings over into the first rounds as the fired away at each other in a hot start. Karaxha just edged that first round with some neat combinations. Over the next three rounds El Hamwi built a lead. Karaxha came on from the fifth but with El Hamwi showing a sound defence and more accuracy he was able to secure victory by forcing a count in the ninth and then withstanding Karaxha’s big effort in the tenth. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93 all for El Hamwi. He regains the title he lost early this year and improves on his 0-3-1 run he had going in. Albanian-born Karaxha had lost only one of his last 11 fights and the loss was on points against Bauwens in April.

Yengoyan vs. Lauri

“La Bestia del Este” Yengoyan wins in typical fashion as he fights with more passion than style. He won every round and had the Italian old-timer down in the second and fifth rounds but at times was made to look crude. The scores were widened by a point deduction against Lauri as Yengoyan won 80-69 on two cards and 80-70 on the third. The 31-year-old Ghent-based Armenian has lost only one of his last 18 fights but that was a biggie against for IBF champion Jan Zavcek for the WBFederation title in April last year. He has now won 7 fights on the bounce and is No 7 with the EBU. Lauri, 40, now fighting under a Hungarian licence, is 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

Wilhelmsburg, Germany: Cruiser: Noel Gevor (22-0) W PTS 12 Stephen Simmons (15-2). Light Heavy: Abel Gevor (12-0) W PTS 8 Alexander Hagen (9-1). Middle: Patrick Wojcicki (5-0) W TKO 1 Turgay Uzun (41-28-2).

Gevor vs. Simmons

Gevor wins but his world title hopes look shaky after a tough test against “Monster” Simmons which saw the German-based Armenian win a split decision. The Scot came to win and forced the fight early with Gevor fighting cautiously. The Armenian was boxing well and began to pick up rounds although there was never much between the two boxers. It stayed close over the middle rounds with Gevor scoring with well placed counters but with Simmons continuing to march forward being the busier fighter and scoring in close. It was over the last three rounds that Gevor finally opened a winning gap as the Scot tired but it was a very close thing. Scores 116-112 twice for Gevor and 116-113 for Simmons. Gevor, 26, retains the WBO International title and his inflated No 2 rating with the WBO and his IBF 5(4)/WBA 5 ratings which bear no relation to the standard of his opposition with Simmons being his first real test. The EBU have him at No 9 which is more realistic. He has talent but this fight showed he is far from ready to fight Olek Usyk, Denis Lebedev or Tony Bellew. Simmons, 32, had halted Lars Buchholz in three rounds on 1 October so he was looking to wind down after that but instead took this fight at ten days notice after Italian Mario Larghetti dropped out. More time to prepare would probably have seen him stage a much stronger finish with an upset a possibility

Gevor vs. Hagen

Little brother Abel makes it a family double as he outpoints Hagen. After shaking off some rust Gevor controlled the action with stinging southpaw jabs but Hagen was competitive. The Norwegian’s case was not helped by a deep cut over his right eye suffered in the third round but he plugged away. Gevor showed some good skills and was a clear winner. Scores 78-74 for Gevor from all three judges. The 23-year-ol German-based Armenian was having his first fight for a year. Hagen, 27, had won his last 5 fights and gave Gevor eight useful rounds of work.

Wojcicki vs. Uzun

Former top amateur annihilates oldie Uzun inside a round. Wojcicki made a blistering start driving Uzun around the ring. He backed Uzun into a corner and nailed him with some heavy shots that saw the referee stop the fight after 2 minutes 27 seconds of the round. The 25-year-old German has won his last three fights by KO/TKO. As an amateur he was German champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011and represented Germany at the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. Worth watching. Uzun, 42, a long way down the hill with just 4 wins in his last 16 fights.

Bucharest, Romania: Feather: Viorel Simion (21-1) W PTS 12 Andoni Gago (15-2-2). Heavy: Bogdan Dinu (16-0) W TKO 4 Davit Gorgiladze (10-2). Welter: Falvius Biea (11-0) W TKO Ferenc Hafner (26-12).

Simion vs. Gago

Simon retains the IBF Inter-Continental title with unanimous verdict over tough Spaniard Gago. Simion went all out for the early win he had promised and Gago had to soak up some early punishment. He showed a good chin and good conditioning and got into the fight once the early storm from Simion abated. The Romanian was still landing good punches but he had slowed after that fast start and the Spaniard edged enough rounds to keep the fight close. The last round saw plenty of drama with Gago suffering a bad cut over his right eye and Simion losing a point for constantly pushing Gago. Scores 118-109, 115-112 and 114-113 all for Simion with the middle score the most accurate taking account of the point deduction. The 34-year-old “Bambardierul” was making the first defence of his title. His only loss is a close decision against Lee Selby for the WBC International title in 2013 and he was coming off a very creditable win over former European champion and IBF title challenger Alex Miskirtchian in March. He is rated IBF 7(5). He and his brother Dortel were both outstanding amateurs with Viorel winning bronze medals at both the World and European Championships and competing at the Olympics. The 31-year-old “El Macho” Gago lived up to his name. He had won his last 9 fights and fought well here.

Dinu vs. Gorgiladze

Dinu too big and strong for Georgian and grinds him down to a fourth round stoppage. The 6-5” (196cm), 30-year-old Canadian-based Romanian makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO including 10 early finishes in his last 11 fights. He was a top level amateur who interestingly was a member of the “Masked Ones” a Romanian Special Forces task group and competed at the World Special Forces Championships which was not just about boxing skills. Gorgiladze really just there to play anvil to Dinu’s hammer and in March was dismissed in 41 seconds by Russian novice Apti Davtaev.

Biea vs. Hafner

Biea, another Canadian-based Romanian, stops Hungarian senior citizen Hafner (no round given) to get his 6^th win by KO/TKO. He was an outstanding Youth fighter with two gold medals and two silver medals at the World Cadet Championships and a gold medal at the European Youth championships. Hafner, 40, did not turn pro until he was 35 and now has 9 losses by KO/TKO.

Lanus, Argentina: Leonardo Fernandez (18-5-2) W TKO 4 Gabriel Ovejero (13-7). Fernandez overcomes modest Ovejero. The 36-year-old in his home neighbourhood took control of centre ring in the first scoring with quick left hooks and rights to the body. He shook Ovejero with a right and the referee stepped in and gave Ovejero a standing count. Fernandez kept up the pressure in the second and scored freely with the referee again giving Ovejero a standing count. In the fourth a left to thin chin put Ovejero down and the fight was stopped. “Leo”, a former Argentinian and South American title challenger gets his eighth win by KO/TKO. Poor Ovejero has now lost his last 5 fights.

Harare, Zimbabwe: Charles Manyuchi (20-2-1) W KO 1 Jose Augustin Feria (21-4-1) Manyuchi destroys poor Colombian in first round of a non-title fight. Straight from the bell Manyuchi went on the attack. He made no pretence of defence but forced Feria around the ring from corner to corner with Feria too busy defending himself to punch back. For as long as the fight lasted Manyuchi never raised either arm for defence but let his hands dangle to his thighs and threw looping shots from both hands from that hands-down stance. He also found time to do a lot of showboating before landing a wicked right uppercut that saw Feria go down on his knees and then stretch out face first on the canvas for the full count. The 26-year-old Zambian-based WBC Silver champion was having his first fight in his home country since 2012. The WBC No 2 is unbeaten in his last 18 fights and has won 8 of his last 10 fights by KO/TKO. Feria, 33, out of his depth from the bell and gets his fourth loss by KO/TKO including a first round blowout by Eduard Troyanovsky. His record is heavily padded with easy wins with 12 of his opponents never having won a fight.

October 15

Liverpool, England: Cruiser: Tony Bellew (28-2-1) W TKO 3 BJ Flores (32-3-1). Light: Luke Campbell (15-1) W KO 4 Derry Mathews (38-11-2). Bantam: Ryan Burnett (15-0) W PTS 12 Ryan Farrag (16-3). Light Sean Dodd (12-2-1) W PTS 10 Francesco Patera (16-2). Super Light: Tom Farrell (10-0) W PTS 10 Farid Hakimi (9-2). Cruiser: Mairis Breidis (21-0) W TKO 3 Simon Vallily (9-1). Super Middle: Rocky Fielding (23-1) W TKO 2 Ivan Zeller (33-13).

Bellew vs. Flores

Bellew retains his WBC title as he floors Flores four times. Flores made the better start. He was coming forward behind a stiff jab and landed a couple of long rights with Bellew not yet letting his punches go. Flores scored with a long right at the start of the second but Bellew was looking to up the pace. Bellew landed a very low left hook. Flores backed off looking over at the referee and clutching his crown jewels but with no reaction from the referee Bellew jumped forward throwing punches. Flores continued to complain to the referee but a right and a left to the head saw Flores go face down on the floor. He was up at seven and after the eight count both fighters were throwing wild punches until a right uppercut from Bellew had Flores backing away. Bellew let go a barrage of punches two of which cuffed Flores on the back of his head as he ducked and he went down on his knees. He used the ropes to get back to his feet and after the eight count Bellew banged home a series of head punches with Flores going down for the third time As the referee was counting one of Bellew’s seconds climbed into the ring but when he realised the count was continuing he quickly ducked out again. The referee had his back to Bellew’s corner otherwise he would have been obliged to take some action. He counted to eight and had Flores walk a couple of paces and the round was over. Flores came out swinging wildly in the third. Bellew backed off letting Flores come forward and the challenger continued to take the fight to Bellew but both were missing with bombs. As they stood and traded a left hook from Bellew unhinged the legs of the challenger and Flores dropped to his knees. He started to rise at nine but was counted out. Disgraceful scenes then saw David Haye, who had deliberately provoked Bellew before the fight by forecasting a win for Flores, come to the ring side and exchanged words with Bellew with Bellew then climbing out of the ring and down to the ringside where he had to be restrained from attacking Haye by the security men. Haye retreated smiling having got the reaction he wanted to build the publicity towards a fight with Bellew next year. Both fighters should be punished for an incident that could have had serious repercussions and this time Haye did not even have to wear a T-Shirt with a severed head. Bellew, 33, was making the first defence of his WBC title and now has 18 wins by KO/TKO. He would probably had too much power for Flores anyway but that low punch in the second changed the fight. Flores. 37, suffers his first inside the distance loss. He was lucky to get the title shot as he had lost on points to Beibut Shumenov for the interim WBA title last year and with only one six round fight since then he needed the WBC to suddenly promote him from No 26 to No 14 so the fight could go ahead.

Campbell vs. Mathews

Campbell retains his Commonwealth and WBC Silver titles as he halts veteran Mathews with vicious body punches. Both fighters were cagey in the first round. Southpaw Campbell had height, reach and youth on his side so Mathews had to come forward to take the fight inside but Campbell took no chances and the first round never really produced much action. The pace picked up in the second with Mathews trying to punch his way inside and Campbell slotting home jabs and straight lefts. Mathews showed his experience by placing his left foot outside the right foot of Campbell opening Campbell up for his right hands and deliberately or otherwise also stepping occasionally on the extended right foot of Campbell. Mathews forced the fight trying to cut down the ring on Campbell. Mathews continued to march forward in the third scoring with a good right and some body punches but Campbell was starting to find a home for his left counters. At the end of the round Campbell missed with a left but as Mathews came forward he ran into the left shoulder and then the head of Campbell and went down. He protested the count but it happened fast and did look as though it was caused by a punch. Mathews was rumbling forward in the fourth until a low punch from Campbell caused a short break in the action. Mathews got a rest and Campbell a warning. Mathews continued to come forward until a short left hook to the body from Campbell dropped him on his knees. He was in a lot of pain but got up and after the eight count both fighters threw defence out of the window and just flailed away at each other until another left hook to the body put Mathews down and this time he was counted out. It was quite a few minutes before he recovered. Campbell makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO. This follows an inside the distance victory over former IBF super feather champion Argenis Mendez as Campbell rebuilds after an upset loss to Yvan Mendy in December. The 2012 Olympic gold medallist has both skill and power and is already No 6 with the WBC. Local fighter Mathews, a former British and Commonwealth champion, was having his first fight since losing on points to Terry Flanagan for the WBO title in March and is never in a bad fight.

Burnett vs. Farrag

Burnett retains the British title after epic battle with Farrag. War broke out early in this one. Farrag made his usual aggressive start and scored with some long rights but Burnett fired back with rights of his own and some cracking left hooks to edge the first round, but he was already showing some bruising around the left eye from those Farrag rights. Farrag continued to come forward in the second. Burnett was holding his left at thigh level and bring his jabs up sharply and scoring with fast combinations. He was getting his punches off first and pocketed the second round of what was already a cracking contest. Farrag had a better third as he managed to corner Burnett briefly and land some thumping hooks and he took the round clearly. If there was one difference between the boxers it was that Burnett used a lot more head and upper body movement which was making Farrag miss or hold back looking for a target. Burnett came out firing in the fourth landing a left hook and a right that sent Farrag stumbling into the ropes and then proceeded to outscore Farrag for the rest of the round whilst sometimes switching to southpaw. Burnett changed tactics in the fifth. Now he was barrelling forward taking the fight to Farrag and scoring with hooks and uppercuts inside. He was keeping Farrag on the back foot, denying him punching room and dominated the round. Farrag came back in the sixth getting on the front foot early and cornering Burnett a couple of times but Burnett again took the fight inside over the last minute to make it a close round with both fighters showing swelling under their left eye. Burnett took the seventh clearly. On a couple of occasions he kept Farrag against the ropes for long spells scoring inside the uppercuts, short hooks and body punches from both hands. Farrag started both the eighth and the ninth on the front foot but again Burnett took over. He was forcing Farrag to the ropes and his arms were pumping away as he unleashed vicious left hooks to the body and short clubbing rights to the head. Farrag took it and fired back when he could but both rounds belonged to Burnett. Farrag was able to come forward in the tenth as Burnett seemed content to coast. It allowed Farrag to score with long sweeping lefts and rights and he had probably done enough in that phase to give him the edge although Burnett opened up over the final 45 seconds shaking Farrag with a couple of rights. After a cagey start Burnett took over again in the eleventh. As they each parked his head on the other man’s shoulder Burnett was forcing Farrag back and working the body with vicious combinations. Farrag needed a stoppage to win in the twelfth but there was no chance of that. Burnett closed down the space again working Farrag over on the inside whipping home hooks and uppercuts. Farrag took it and banged back with some great punches of his own but the round and the decision went to Burnett. Scores 118-110, 118-111 and 117-111 all for Burnett. This had been a battle of attrition with both fighters getting home punches in volume and of quality. The pace and intensity never flagged for which both fighters deserve credit and it has to be a candidate for “Fight of the Year”. Burnett is just 24 so the Belfast fighter will go on to get even better and a world title shot in late 2017 has to be a possibility. It is good to see him get these rewards. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the Youth Olympics and a silver at the World Youth Championships and was No 1 in the AIBA Youth ratings. A back injury ruled him out for a year and curtailed his chance of medals at Senior level and when he decided to turn pro a scan showed an aneurism and he was told it was too dangerous to box and he would never fight again. His team contested the findings and after a year and a half he was finally given clearance. He is a great talent. Former European champion Farrag, 28, will probably never again put in so much effort into a fight without getting a win and he will get back in the ring and fight his way back into contention.

Dodd vs. Patera

Dodd struggles against accomplished Belgian but just does enough to retain his WBC International title on a split decision. Peralta led early. He took the fight to Dodd and was scoring with good lefts. He was quicker and busier and wobbled Dodd with a punch in the second. It was the third before “Masher” began to get into the fight and even then it was an uphill struggle. Dodd did his best work when he cut down the ring and worked in close to smother the better skills of Patera. It was anybody’s fight going into the last two rounds and that’s where Dodd’s strength gave him the edge but it was a close fight which could have gone either way as the points tallies showed. Scores 96-94 twice for Dodd and 96-95 for Patera. The popular 32-year-old Dodd did not turn pro until he was 27 and only came into prominence last year when he beat Gary Buckland and was in front on two cards against unbeaten British champion Scott Cardle. He has had a good 2016 drawing with Cardle in a return and beating Pasquale Di Silvio for the vacant WBC International title but this one was too close for comfort. Although he lost Patera came out of this fight with a heightened profile. His only other defeat was on points against world rated Yvan Mendy in May

Farrell vs. Hakimi

Farrell wins the vacant WBA International title with another “could have gone either way” decision. Once again the England vs. Belgium contests was a hard fought close contest with the local fighter getting a very narrow majority verdict. Scores 96-94 twice for Farrell and 95-95. Farrell,26, was upped to a title fight when David Price had to pull out so he wins his first belt but was pushed hard all of the way. Algerian-born Belgian Hakimi had already shown he was a useful fighter in losing a close decision to Steve Jamoye with two of the judges only giving the fight to Jamoye by one point. Both Patera and Hakimi have shown that there are better fighters in Europe rather than the stock of losers from the Baltic States, Hungary and Georgia.

Breidis vs. Vallily

As the WBC No 1 Breidis was looking to impress and showcase his skills as challenger to Tony Bellew. Vallily saw this as a chance to break into the top echelon so both started quickly and there were some heated exchanges as the first round closed. Vallily had the longer reach but Breidis was quicker to the punch. The fight was untidy in the second with both getting warning and Breidis wrestling Vallily to the floor. A left/right combination from Breidis seemed to stun Vallily and then a left uppercut and a right cross had Vallily’s legs wobbling as he backed to the ropes. Although he fired back another right sent him into the ropes just as the bell went. He went back to his corner still looking shaky. Vallily tried to get his jab working at the start of the third but a left hook to the body forced him to take a knee. After the eight count he tried to fight his way out of trouble but Breidis was slamming home shots to head and body from both hands. Vallily had nothing left and after a series of thudding head punches the referee stopped the fight. The 31-year-old Latvian now has 18 wins by KO/TKO including inside the distance wins over heavyweight Manuel Charr and rated Olanrewaju Durodola. He will be giving away a little in height and reach against Bellew but has quick hands and real power so it could be an explosive fight. Vallily, also 31, was jumping from 6 rounds to 10 rounds and taking a giant leap in the quality of opposition. He was a high class amateur winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and winning both the ABA and British championships and competing at the World Championships. He showed good skills but was out-powered here.

Fielding vs. Zeller

Fielding gets quick win. The local banger floored Hungarian Zeller once in the first and again in the second to force the stoppage and register his second win of the year. The 29-year-old for WBC International champion getting his 13^th win by KO/TKO and his confidence back after loss inside a round to Callum Smith in November. First fight in the UK for Zeller who now has ten losses by KO/TKO.

Frederickshavn, Denmark: Feather: Dennis Ceylan (18-0-1) W PTS 12 Ryan Walsh (21-2-1). Light: Joe Murray (19-2) W KO 6 Rashid Kassem (11-1). Middle: Abdul Khattab (15-1) W PTS 6 Bartlomiej Grafka (18-23-3,1ND).

Ceylan vs. Walsh

Ceylan wins the vacant European title with split decision over Walsh in a high quality contests. The British fighter made a good start to the fight scoring with a cracking right uppercut and a right to the side of the head sending the Dane stumbling and he put his gloves on the canvas to steady himself so the referee gave him an eight count. Ceylan steady the ship and scored with quick combinations to take the second and deserve a share of the third. A moment of controversy in the fourth as Ceylan drove forward he was caught by a beautiful right uppercut from Walsh which sent Ceylan down but for some reason the referee failed to count so Walsh lost the benefit of what should have been a 10-8 round. Ceylan kept moving, used his longer reach and scored with quick combinations to take the fifth and the sixth was close with Walsh switching guards and Ceylan adjusting well. The Dane clearly took the seventh and although the eighth was close the more accurate punching came from Ceylan. The Dane also looked to have taken the ninth but again it was close and with some clever boxing and a higher work rate he edged the tenth. Walsh pressed hard in the eleventh but with Walsh pressing hard Ceylan banged home some straight right hand counters as Walsh surged forward. Ceylan had built a good lead and Walsh probably needed a stoppage in the last for victory. He did land a heavy right late in the round that had Ceylan scampering around the ropes but the British fighter just could not find the punch he needed to cancel out Ceylan’s lead. Scores 115-112 twice for Ceylan and 117-112 for Walsh. The 27-year-old Ceylan, who represented Denmark at the 2012 Olympics, did well to recover after that shaky start and he showed excellent skills in his first real test but he is a bit light in power so will need those skills as he progresses. Walsh, 30, had lost to current IBF champion Lee Selby for British and Commonwealth titles in 2013 but recovered with a win over Samir Mouneimne for the British title and scored victories over unbeaten Darren Traynor and James Tennyson. He will have been sure that he won this one so will be looking to rebound and has the skill and power to do so.

Kassem vs. Murray

Murray gives hopes for prospect Kassem a reality check as he floors and finally flattens the young Dane. It took a big effort for the overly confident Kassem to get through the first round. Kassem made a fast start with some quick, light punches. Things changed drastically when a straight right put Kassem down. He made it to his feet but absorbed enough further punishment for a stoppage to be close. Kassem showed guts to stay in the fight after that early shock but Murray was in control and by the end of the fifth had built a good lead. Kassem came out dancing flashily in the sixth but forgot about defence and was nailed by a huge right that put him down flat on his back. He tried to rise but was nowhere near making it and was counted out. The 29-year-old “Genius” from Manchester has only lost to Liam Walsh firstly on a majority decision and a stoppage. He had won three low level fights this year but this win was impressive. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the World Championships beating Carlos Cuadras on a wide decision. The 25-year-old Kassem, a former Danish and Nordic champion was facing his first real test and it will be interesting to see how he deals with such a brutal loss.

Khattab vs. Grafka

Khattab gets unanimous verdict over Grafka but has to fight hard for victory. Grafka came to win and took the fight to the Dane. Khattab had superior skills and used them to hold off Grafka’s attacks and get through with counter shots. Khattab scored big in the fourth and floored Grafka. The visitor stayed in the fight but was floored by a right in the fifth. He survived and a tiring Khattab had to hold off a strong finish from Grafka. Scores 60-53, 59-54 and 58-55. The Palestinian-born Khattab gets his fourth win since an upset stoppage loss to Frenchman Howard Cospolite in May last year. Grafka has good wins on the road over Dustin Dirks and Pawel Glazewski but this year was beaten in England by Paul Smith and Tom Baker.

Wilhelmsburg, Germany: Heavy: Christian Hammer (20-4) W PTS 12 Erkan Teper (16-1). Heavy: Adrian Granat (14-0) W TKO 6 Franz Rill (13-2). Heavy: Timur Musafarov (8-2) W TKO 6 Christian Lewandowski (9-2). Cruiser: Nikola Milacic (14-1) W KO 1 Claudio Porto (8-3-1).

Hammer vs. Teper

Hammer wins the vacant WBO European title with split decision over Teper. Both were using the high guard traditional in German rings. Over the first two rounds Teper, weighing a career highest 265 ½ lbs (120kgs), was coming forward plodding after the retreating Hammer and scoring with body punches. Hammer was on the back foot and scoring with quick combinations and curving rights around Teper’s high guard. Hammer was the more mobile of the two and was slotting home jabs, straight rights and uppercuts as Teper advanced with Teper relying on long, crude swings. Hammer stood his ground more in the third which saw Teper finally finding the target with rights but at the end of the round Hammer seemed to hurt Teper with a right and landed some more head punches at the bell. Hammer was on the back foot again in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds allowing Teper to get home some clubbing rights to the head and hurtful body punches. Hammer did better in the eighth, ninth and tenth. Both fighters were tired and the pace was pedestrian and although still on the back foot Hammer was able to score with hooks and uppercuts on the advancing Teper. The eleventh saw the exhausted fighters spend more time leaning on each other than punching but what clean work there was came from Hammer. Despite their exhaustion they both slugged away in the last which Hammer again took with his more accurate punching and he was a clear winner. Scores 117-112 and 116-112 for Hammer and 116-113 for Teper from the German judge. The first score was the correct one for me. German-based Romanian Hammer, 29, regains the title he held back in 2012/13. He has lost only one of his last 14 fights and that was an eighth round retirement against Tyson Fury in February last year. He is not quick but has power and a good chin. Hammer’s win avoids the WBO being in the disgraceful position of having two-time drug cheat Teper as their champion. Teper had scored wins over Newfel Ouatah, Johann Duhaupas and David Price but tested positive for banned substances after the Ouatah and Price fights.

Granat vs. Rill

Granat continues unbeaten but fails to impress. The big Swede, 6’7 ½” (202cm) had height and reach over Rill but what beat Rill was the impression he had trained at the Oktoberfest. The German stiffened Granat’s legs with a right in the first but was too slow to capitalise on that. As the fight progressed Rill got slower and slower. Granat was very mechanical just stabbing lefts to take Rill to the ropes and then launching long rights. Rill fought only in spurts but when he did come forward he found gaps in Granat’s defence. By the fifth Rill was totally exhausted. In the sixth Granat forced the German to the ropes and fired a barrage of head punches with Rill finally tumbling side wards to the canvas with the referee immediately waiving the fight off. The 25-year-old Granat wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title. He is very much a work in progress with a lot to do to compete at a higher level. He has only the most basic technique, is slow, moves in straight lines, cannot fight on the back foot and just holds when inside. On the plus side is his size and a degree of power. He has13 wins by KO/TKO and has only twice needed to go past the third round for a win and has never gone past the sixth. Rill, 28, went twelve rounds with Robert Helenius in December and was coming off a good win over Salvatore Erittu in June but looked to lack conditioning.

Musafarov vs. Lewandowski

Musafarov shakes off rust to kayo favourite Lewandowski. The Uzbek fighter was giving away a lot of height to the 6’7” (201cm) Lewandowski and almost 40lbs in weight so was committed to coming forward. Lewandowski looked to win the first round with some stiff counters. It was the same in the second and third with the advancing Musafarov being tagged with left hooks and long rights and when he did get past the jabs and counters Lewandowski was tying him up inside. Musafarov had more success in the fourth and fifth although getting tagged with rights again he was able to land some left hooks of his own with Lewandowski’s work rate dropping and his work becoming ragged under the pressure. Lewandowski tried to get onto his toes in the sixth but landed up on his face. A short left hook from Musafarov had Lewandowski going back to the ropes on shaky legs and a couple of rights sent him face down on the canvas. He made a couple attempts to rise but fell down again and was counted out. Musafarov, 30, a former Global Boxing Union cruiser champion, had lost a split decision to Teper in 2013 and this was only his second fight in two years so a good performance as he gets his 7^th wins by KO/TKO. Second inside the distance loss in a row for 23-year-old German Lewandowski. He was knocked out in seven rounds by Agit Kabayel for the vacant European Union title in June. He had been fed a diet of easy wins and notably these two losses have come in the only fights of his which have gone past four rounds. They will try to rebuild him but it looks a lost cause.

Milacic vs. Porto

This bit of rubbish did not last long. Brazilian Porto turned pro weighing 154lbs and was 194 for this one. The podgy Brazilian circled the ring to his left which put him in the path of an overhand right from Milacic after just 23 seconds which put him down on his side. He was up quickly but seemed confused when the referee asked him to walk forward after the eight count. The fight continued and Milacic drove Porto along the ropes before landing two long rights which put Porto down and he was counted after just 53 seconds. Farcical. The 23-year-old 6’5” (195cm) German now has 9 wins by KO/TKO including 6 first round finishes. His only loss was on a disqualification and he has now won 12 on the bounce but the only thing he got out of this was a chance to practice his ring walk. The 44-year-olf Porto gets his third first round loss in a row and needs to be saved from himself and from whoever was responsible for this match.

Mazatlan, Mexico: Fly: Pedro Guevara (29-2-1) W PTS 12 Jerry Tomogdan (21-8-3). Light: Jairo Lopez (21-6) W TKO 2 Edgar Puerta (24-9-1).

Guevara vs. Tomogdan

Guevara eases to victory over Filipino. Guevara was using his jab to control the fight in the first round against the Filipino southpaw but it was lucky that neither was badly hurt. Their heads clashed with Guevara going back pawing at his nose which it emerged later was broken and Tomogdan going down on one knee and rubbing his forehead. Their heads banged together again later in the round and Guevara scored a couple of quick left hooks and a right to take the round. Tomogdan was warned about his head in the second round as Guevara settled down to outbox the Filipino. Guevara was troubled by the nose injury and instead of standing and trading he chose to stay on the outside. He kept pressuring Tomogdan but rarely sustained his attacks. Over the middle rounds Guevara was landing more straight rights with Tomogdan not being able to get a toe-hold in the fight at all. Tomogdan was getting through with some counters but Guevara also began to find the target with left uppercuts and Tomogdan began to clinch more often trying to smother Guevara’s work and he went into survival mode over the later rounds. It was a cool, classy display from Guevara perhaps lacking some fire but a job well done. Scores 120-108 twice and 120-110 all for Guevara. The only losses for the 27-year-old Guevara, a former WBC light fly champion, have been split decisions against John Riel Casimero in 2012 in a challenge for the IBF title and on points to Yu Kimura in Japan in November last year. That defeat cost him the WBC title he had won when springing a big upset by knocking out Akira Yaegashi for the vacant WBC title in December 2014. He was to have challenged Ganigan Lopez for the WBC light fly title on this show but Lopez had to pull out due to a calf injury but that fight will happen soon and will a tougher prospect for Guevara. Filipino minimumweight champion Tomogdan,22, lost on a ninth round kayo when challenging Wanheng for the WBC but had won his last two fights going into this one.

Lopez vs. Puerta

“Doberman” Lopez chews up Puerta for the second time. Lopez was hunting down Puerta from the opening bell and as usual with two Mexican scrappers Puerta was willing to enter into some torrid exchanges. They continued to exchange hard punches until a combination from Lopez floored Puerta. He arose but the referee was not happy with his condition and the fight was stopped. After big wins over Juan Carlos Salgado and Fermin De Los Santos Lopez had been derailed by three losses in a row in 2015 and early this year. He has banged back with inside the distance wins over Puerta in nine rounds in April and on points over Sergio Puente in July. Former WBC title challenger and ex-WBC Silver champion Puerta has lost 5 of his last 6 but all to top class opposition including Takashi Miura for the WBC title, Miguel Roman and 22-2 Juan Jose Martinez.

Madrid, Spain: Super Light: Ruben Nieto (18-1-1) DREW 12 Ernesto Espana (19-0-1). Super Light: Nicolas Gonzalez (20-1) W KO 2 Nelson Altamirano (10-9-2).

Nieto vs. Espana

Nieto given a scare as he is held to a draw by little known Venezuelan Espana and so the IBF Inter-Continental title remains vacant. Espana proved an awkward opponent with an unorthodox style and constant changes of guard making it difficult for Nieto to settle. The Venezuelan was giving away height and reach and pressed the fight hard and had the better of the first three rounds. Nieto did better over the middle rounds but Espana made adjustments and they looked to be all square after eight rounds. The ninth was a big round for Espana as he rocked Nieto with a straight left but the Spaniard fought back to take the tenth only for Espana to be stronger over the last two rounds to have dome enough to edge the decision, but the judges could not separate them. Scores 114-114 from all three judges. After the fight Nieto felt unwell so went to a hospital as a precaution. He was then sent to a specialised unit and was discharged there after undergoing a number of tests. Nieto, 33, had relinquished the European title to chase a world title shot but he is currently unrated. His only loss is on points against Michele Di Riocco for the European title when he climbed off the floor twice only to lose by one point on each of the three cards. He won the European title with a hotly disputed disqualification win over Lenny Daws and defended it in July as he again came off the floor to halt unbeaten fellow-Spaniard Nicolas Gonzalez. Venezuelan sources say national champion Espana, 35, is no relation to the former WBA light champion of the same name. His record is not as impressive as it looks with none of his first twelve victims having won a fight and only one of his 19 wins being over a fighter with a positive record. However he showed he was a difficult opponent to overcome and was perhaps unlucky not to get the decision. Nieto dedicated the fight to Saul Tejeda who is still in a coma after being knockout out in the ninth round of a Spanish title fight on 7 October.

Gonzalez vs. Altamirano

Gonzalez gets his second win since being stopped by Nieto in July. The hard puncher from Madrid floored substitute Altamirano in the first round with the fight being stopped in the second with Altamirano turning his back in surrender after a standing count. Gonzalez, 28, wins the vacant IBF Mediterranean title and gets his 15^th win by KO/TKO. Nicaraguan Altamirano had been floored and lost every round against Paul Hyland Jr. just one week earlier.

Campeche, Mexico: (32-8-1). Bantam: Tomoki Kameda (32-2) W KO 1 Edgar Martinez (18-14-1).

Kameda blows away substitute Martinez inside a round. Martinez was buzzing early scampering around the ring but the danger sign was there in an overhand right from Kamedawhich brushed Martinez’s chin. A few seconds later a right did find the target and Martinez was badly shaken. He recovered but Kameda scored twice more with rights. The end actually came from a left that curved around Martinez’s guard and landed behind his right ear. He went down flat on his back and the referee immediately waived the fight over. Too easy for the 25-year-old member of the famous Japanese fighting clan as he rebounds from back-to-back losses to Jamie McDonnell last year. Martinez came in as a very short notice replacement and is now 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights.

Fredericton, Canada: Super Welter: Brandon Brewer (20-0-1) W TKO 3 Anderson Clayton (44-11-2). Heavy: Dillon Carman (11-2) W KO 1 Orlando Farias (31-15).

Brewer vs. Clayton

Brewer wins the vacant WBU Inter-Continental title as he blows away experienced Brazilian inside three rounds. Brewer was the stronger fighter and had Anderson on the defensive. The local fighter ended it in the third as he floored Clayton with a right to the head. Anderson got off the floor but was put down again and the fight was stopped. The 31-year-old “L-Jack”, the Canadian No 2, has ten wins by KO/TKO. Anderson, 37, a former WBFederation champion, has scored a couple of wins on the road but also been matched tough against opponents such as Sasha Yengoyan and Michel Soro.

Carman vs. Farias

“Big Country” brutalises ancient Argentinian and puts him down and out in just 38 seconds. The 30-year-old Canadian champion is 9-1 in his last 10 fights, reversed the loss in there, and has won the 9 by KO/TKO. The 42-year-old Farias has now lost 11 by KO/TKO.

Reconquista, Argentina: Super Bantam: Breilor Teran (16-14-1) W TKO 9 Leandro Esperante (15-6). Venezuelan Teran wins the interim WBC Latino title with stoppage of champion Esperante. The visitor was giving away height and reach but had no trouble getting past the jab of the Argentinian. Esperante was competitive until he was floored by a right in the fourth round. From then Teran increased the pressure outscoring Esperante with hard combinations. Esperante was in trouble at the end of the eighth and in the ninth was under fire on the ropes and the referee stopped the action to apply a standing count. It proved a very short reprieve for Esperante as Teran rained in another barrage and the referee halted the fight. Teran, 31 now has 9 wins by KO/TKO. He looked a safe opponent as he had won only 2 of his last 7 fights but he had been in some tough matches against David Sanchez, Go Onaga and former WBO champion Omar Narvaez. Esperante, 27, the Argentinian No 1,had impressed in only losing on a split decision against Paulus Ambunda for the vacant IBO title in August last year but was well beaten here.

Bunbury, Australia: Light: Brandon Ogilvie (17-1-1) W KO 6 Pharanpetch (18-2).

Local fighter Ogilvie gets back in the winning column and retains his WBA Oceania title with stoppage of Thai Pharanpetch. Second title defence for the 22-year-old Ogilvie who is 11-0-1 in his last 12 fights with the draw being against former OPBF and Japanese champion Yoshiaki Kato in Tokyo in June. He is No 11 with the WBA. Pharanpetch is useful but his record is padded with 10 victories over fighters who had never previously had a fight and two who had never won a fight.

Thieu, Belgium: Super Middle: Timur Nikarkhoev (11-1) W TKO 5 Evariste Kabongo (5-9-3) Russian Nikarkhoev wins the vacant Belgium title with stoppage of Kabongo. Nikarkhoev has 9 wins by KO/TKO and his only loss is against world rated Avni Yildirim. After almost six years out DRC-born Kabongo is now 1-2 since his return.

Dijon, France: Super Middle: Billel Latreche (20-5-1) W PTS 12 Farouk Daku (20-11-1). Latreche wins the vacant IBF East/West Europe title with wide unanimous decision over Ugandan-born, Dutch-based southpaw Daku. Easy win for Latreche as he wins every round. Scores 120-108 from all three judges. The former undefeated French champion has won 7 of his last 8 fights but the loss in there was a crushing second round kayo by Roman Shkarupa in March last year. Daku is 2-5 in his last 7 fights but usually goes the distance.

Issy-les Moulineaux, France: Super Middle: Nadjib Mohammedi (38-5) W PTS 12 Roman Shkarupa (27-6-2). Cruiser: Ryad Merhy (20-0) W TKO 6 Giorgi Tevdorashvili (26-20-4,1ND). Bantam: Karim Guerfi (25-3,1ND) W PTS 8 Alex Cazares (13-7).

Mohammedi vs. Shkarupa

Mohammedi begins his rebuilding with unanimous decision over Shkarupa. Mohammedi was landing hard head punches in every round with Shkarupa’s face gradually showing more and more damage with bad swelling affecting his vision. Despite that the Ukrainian fought hard and managed to steal a couple of rounds but Mohammedi was a clear winner. Scores 118-110 twice and 119-110. Mohammedi wins the vacant WBC Francophone title and gets back on track after losses to Sergey Kovalev for the IBF, WBA and WBO titles and to unbeaten Olek Gvozdyk. He has moved down to super middle looking for another title shot. “Lion Heart” Shkarupa was 22-1-2 in his first 25 fights but is 5-5 in his last 10. The show was co-promoted by former WBA champion Jean- Marc Mormeck.

Merhy vs. Tevdorashvili

Merhy gets another win inside the distance as he stops travelling loser Tevdorashvili. The Belgium-based Ivory Coast boxer clobbered the Georgian with some heavy punches in the first and it looked as though it was going to be another early win for Merhy. However Tevdorashvili showed plenty of survival skills and managed to delay the end until the sixth when the referee stepped in to save Tevdorashvili from further harm. The 23-year-old Merhy, the WBA No 11, has impressive power with 17 wins by KO/TKO including 9 wins inside the distance in his last 8 fights but there are no serious tests on his record so judgement delayed and the EBU No 13 ratings seems a more accurate measure currently. Tevdorashvili falls to 9 losses by KO/TKO.

Guerfi vs. Cazares

European champion Guerfi gets a win in a keep busy fight but gets plenty of opposition from Mexican Cazares. Guerfi struggled to find his rhythm early in the fight but gradually took control and won a unanimous verdict on scores of 79-74, 78-75 and 77-75. First fight for the 29-year-old former interim WBA title challenger since his impressive three round destruction of Ryan Farrag for the European title in June. He is rated WBC 10/IBF 11(10). The less experienced Cazares had won his last three fights and performed well enough to perhaps earn some more European outings.

Guadalajara, Mexico: Feather: Miguel A Gonzalez (23-8-1) W PTS 10 Alberto Ruiz (7-7,3ND). Gonzalez gets win but struggles. Despite his modest record Ruiz constantly landed heavy combinations and Gonzalez struggled to match him. Being the local fighter Gonzalez got the decision but even the home fans booed the verdict. “The Frog” needed the victory after losses to Eduardo Torres 18-0 and Paul Fleming 21-0 and with Ruiz being 0-5,2ND in his last 7 fights it should have been a routine outing for Gonzalez.

London, England: Super Welter: Erick Ochieng (17-5-1) W Asinia Byfield (10-1).

Minor upset as Byfield just edges out more experienced Ochieng to win the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title. Referees score 96-94. Byfield suffered his only defeat when he lost by just one point on the referee’s card against Arthur Hermann for this same title in April so has bounced back well. Kenyan-born Ochieng went 14-1 before losing on points to Liam Smith for the British title in 2013 but has fallen away since then.

Melrose, MA, USA: Super Bantam: TJ Doheny (16-0) W TKO 2 Ernesto Guerrero (22-20). Farcically easy win for Doheny. From the start Doheny was tracking a nervous looking Guerrero around the ring. The Irishman was just using his southpaw jab as a range finder and the first serious left he threw seemed to glance off the head of Guerrero but he went down. After getting up Guerrero tried to hold to survive but was put down by a straight left that again did not seem to be that forceful and then the bell went as Guerrero got up. Doheny continued to close down Guerrero in the second. He missed with a couple of punches but Guerrero went down anyway but the referee refused to apply a count and told him to get up. Doheny finished the fight in style. He scored with some scorching shots from both hands and Guerrero went down and got up slowly just beating the count but the referee took a look at him and stopped the fight. Too easy for the 29-year-old WBA No 8 who gets his eleventh win by KO/TKO. Now 13 losses by KO/TKO for the reluctant Guerrero.

Managua, Nicaragua: Light Fly: Carlos Buitrago (30-2-1) W PTS 8 Noe Medina (11-7). Buitrago gets another win as he outpoints gutsy Mexican Medina. Buitrago started the first three rounds like an express train almost overwhelming Medina. However from the fourth his pace dropped and Medina was able to stay in the fight even rocking Buitrago in the sixth. Buitrago tried hard to end it over the last two rounds but Medina was still there at the end. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 24-year-old “Chocorroncito” indicated he had hurt his hand in the third. His two losses and a draw have all come in title fights with all three in the other guy’s backyard. He is hoping to get another shot early next year. Three losses in a row for Medina.