The Past Week In Action 2 August 2016

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 2 August 2016

July 27

 

Thailand: Bantam: Marlon Tapales (29-2) W KO 11 Pungluang (52-4). Fly: Kwanpichit (38-1-2) W TKO 5 Jack Amisa (21-422).

Tapales vs. Pungluang

Tapales gets off the floor with defeat just a punch away but then takes the fight over and forces the finish in the eleventh round to win the WBO title. A fast start saw Tapales just a bit quicker with his southpaw rights hooks and left hooks to the body with Pungluang throwing less but loading up on his punches. The main difference was in the hand speed of Tapales and his combination punches whereas Pungluang was that bit slower and only using a left jab/straight right pairing. Pungluang stepped up the pressure in the third and fourth landing hard right hooks to the body and putting Tapales on the back foot. Early in the fifth a short right to the body saw Tapales take a step back and then go down. He was badly hurt and struggled to his feet only just beating the count. Pungluang rumbled forward throwing more body punches and Tapales slumped to the canvas again sitting propped up against the ropes and looked finished. He only just beat the count and Pungluang threw punch after punch to the body trying to finish the fight with Tapales fighting almost bent double trying to shield his body. At one point he staggered forward and down but it was not counted as a knockdown and Tapales made it to the bell. Pungluang’s chance had gone as Tapales came out firing in the sixth taking the fight to the champion and throwing combinations to head and body. A left/right combination put Pungluang down and although he was up quickly when the action resumed Tapales landed a series of head punches that had Pungluang reeling. In the seventh Pungluang showed his own power of recovery and they swapped heavy shots with Tapales lucky not to lose a point for a very low punch but the Filipino looked fresher in the eighth. Tapales was on top all of the way through the ninth gesturing to Pungluang to stand and trade. Tapales kept the pressure up in a one-sided tenth with Pungluang rapidly tiring and Tapales took a look over his shoulder at the end of the round almost expecting Pungluang to retire. Early in the eleventh a big left sent Pungluang down and he rolled half way out under the ropes. He managed to roll back and get as far as sitting propped up with his back to the ropes but had no chance of getting up. The 24-year-old “Maranding Nightmare” has now lost only one of his last 22 fights and that was a majority decision against David Sanchez in Mexico. He was in such pain from the body shots in the fifth that it did not seem possible he could survive but he did. Now the Philippines have four world champions in Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes, Johnriel Casimero and Tapales. Pungluang, 26, was making the second defence of his title in his second reign as champion. He came so close to winning but just could not find the one more body punch he needed in the fifth and paid the price.

Kwanpichit vs. Amisa

Kwanpichit stops the night from being a total loss for the top class Onesongchai Gym as he overpowers Indonesian Amisa. After a slow opening round Kwanpichit went to work in the second and third with Amisa spending three minutes of each round with his back to the ropes as Kwanpichit battered him with triple and quadruple hooks to the body. Amisa did well to get through the fourth round but was soaking up body punches. Kwanpichit was unloading again in the fifth when the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Amisa was furious with the stoppage but was just taking a beating. The 34-year-old Kwanpichit was making the fourth defence of his WBO Orient title. His only loss is to Zou Shiming back in 2014. Poor Amisa has won only one of his last 27 fights.

 

July 28

 

Toronto, Canada: Light: Steve Wilcox (14-1-1) W PTS 8 Juan Orozco (12-4-2).

Wilcox extends his unbeaten run to seven fights with unanimous decision over game  but limited Mexican Orozco. Having big edges in height and reach Wilcox was able to work the jab on the outside and had the hand speed to score with short hooks and uppercuts when Orozco got past the jab. The Mexican kept coming as Wilcox is not a big puncher. Orozco had occasional success but the slim 26-year-old Canadian No 2 from Hamilton won every round and is 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights. Orozco had won his last three fights.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Masayuki Ito (19-1-1) W TKO 11 Ernie Sanchez (15-8-1). Ito retains the OPBF title with late stoppage of Filipino Sanchez. Ito had reach advantage and quicker hand speed and took the fight to Sanchez. He made good use of his jab and straight rights as he dominated the fight. After four rounds he was up 40-36 twice and 40-37on the third card. Ito began to add body punches over the middle rounds as Sanchez was limited to wild swinging attacks. He had some success but not much and by the end of the eighth  it was Ito’s fight as he was in front by 80-72, 80-73 and 79-73 which meant that Sanchez needed a knockout. That was not going to happen and Ito upped the pace over the ninth and tenth. In the eleventh a series of head punches from Ito saw the referee stop the fight. Sanchez could have continued but had no chance of winning. The 25-year-old WBO No 10 was making the second defence of his OPBF title and now has 9 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was a majority verdict against Rikki Naito in a challenge for the Japanese title in February 2015. This is his third win since then. Sanchez, 24, the OPBF No 15 is 1-5-1 in his last 7 fights but all of the other losses have been to top flight fighters in Andres Gutierrez, Rey Vargas, Sergey Lipinets and in December to Oscar Valdez.

 

January 29

 

Quebec City, Canada: Light Heavy: Adonis Stevenson (28-1) W KO 4 Thomas Williams (20-2).Light Heavy: Eleider Alvarez (20-0) W PTS 10 Robert Berridge (27-5-1). Super Welter: Custio Clayton (9-0) W PTS 6 Silverio Ortiz (34-18).Middle: Immanuwel Aleem (16-0-1) DREW 8 Demond Nicholson (17-1-1). Heavy: Oscar Rivas (20-0) W TKO 3 Jeremiah Karpency (12-1-1). Super Welter: Sebastien Bouchard (14-1) W RTD 4 Alejandro Herrera (14-4-2).

Stevenson vs. Williams

Stevenson knocks out Williams to retain his WBC title. Williams made a confident start in the first round of this all-southpaw contest scoring with a long left and some sharp hooks but with just over 30 seconds remaining in the round a left to the side of the head from Stevenson put Williams down. He got up at eight and took the fight to Stevenson but was rocked again before the bell. Stevenson scored with a heavy left early in the second but Williams was forcing the action and trading hooks with Stevenson. He missed badly with a series of punches but landed with two rights at the end of the round the second of which had Stevenson staggering and Williams ended the round with a gesture to the crowd to show his confidence. Williams was on the front foot again in the third. Stevenson was throwing less punches than Williams but was more accurate and he got home with some quality uppercuts. There was a clash of heads and at the end of the round Williams was showing a swelling under and a small cut over his left eye. Early in the fourth Stevenson landed a left hook which was way below the belt and Williams turned away and knelt in a corner. He was given a short recovery time and when the action resumed he took the fight to Stevenson but the champion was landing some crunching body punches. There was another clash of heads and Williams turned away and walked to a corner pawing at his forehead. There was no time out signalled and the referee waived Williams out of the corner and back into the fight. Stevenson was pouring on the pressure with more body punches then he took Williams to the ropes and after two right jabs he landed a short left inside which put Williams face down on the canvas. Williams managed to roll up and sat with his back propped up against the ropes as the referee counted to ten. The 38-year-old Haitian-born “Superman” was making the seventh defence of his WBC title. He now has 23 wins by KO/TKO but this was his first defence for ten months so he needs to be more active. His mandatory challenger is Eleider Alvarez and with Sergey Kovalev heading for a fight with Andre Ward the Alvarez fight seems to be the logical next step for Stevenson. “Top Dog” Williams, 28, the WBC No 8 was determined to take the fight to Stevenson and showed bravery/foolishness in trading punches with the harder puncher. He was wild with his punches at times and did not have the power to match Stevenson and paid the price. He had suffered a severe dent in his standing when he quit against Gabriel Campillo in 2014 but was coming off second round wins over both Umberto Savigne and Edwin Rodriguez so had earned his shot.

Alvarez vs. Berridge

Alvarez gets the win but fails to impress as he struggles to look good against a crude but strong Berridge. Alvarez was stalking but not letting his hands go. Berridge was constantly backing around the ring then lunging in with crude swings and  grabbing Alvarez before he could work inside. It was the end of the third round before Alvarez landed  a couple of uppercuts. His first punches of any consequence.

Alvarez did better in the fourth landing a right to the head and a left/right combination when Berridge overbalanced but that was it for the round. Again in the fifth Alvarez was stalking and stalking and scoring with single jabs but not cutting off the ring and Berridge was getting through with occasional southpaw swings although there was a growing swelling under his right eye.  Alvarez had a better sixth scoring with his jab and classy left hooks to counter the rushes of the New Zealander. A few rights to the body were enough to give Alvarez the seventh but he was not launching any sustained attacks. Alvarez let his hands go more in the eighth scoring with a good right/left hook combination and some stiff jabs as Berridge tired. Berridge scored with a couple of left hooks to the body at the start of the ninth but then Alvarez pressed hard landing jabs and left hooks and effectively countering Berridge’s rushes. There was no stirring action in the last round. Alvarez landed a nice right uppercut and got through with some left hooks but Berridge was never really troubled. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-90. It was an uninspired showing by 32-year-old Alvarez who is a much better fighter than he looked here. Wins over Ryno Liebenberg and Isaac Chilemba have seen him climb to No 1 with the WBC so let’s be kind and say he just had a bad night. “Butcher” Berridge, 31, came in as a late substitute after Chad Dawson was injured and despite giving away a lot in height and reach proved a tough awkward opponent on the night.

Clayton vs. Ortiz

Clayton wins every round in shortened bout with experienced Ortiz. This would have been more of a test for Clayton over the originally scheduled eight rounds where the extensive experience of Ortiz might have set a few more problems. As it is Clayton took the decision by 60-54 on all three cards and had a run of inside the distance wins snapped at 7. The 28-year-old from Nova Scotia is a top prospect. He was Canadian amateur champion in 2009, 2010 and 2012, competed at the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games and twice beat unbeaten English prospect Tommy Langford. “Chamaco “lll” Ortiz had a great run of just one loss in 15 fights but coming into this one had suffered back-to-back losses to Pablo Cesar Cano and Frankie Gomez.

Aleem vs. Nicholson

This contest between two former high class amateurs ended in a majority draw. In the early action Aleem’s superior speed allowed him to keep the heavier punching Nicholson out and build a lead. Nicholson focused on the body and kept pressing and gradually forced Aleem into standing and exchanging more which levelled things up. It was close but in the seventh a right to the chin from Aleem had Nicholson’s legs wobbling and although he tried to hold he went down in a delayed action response to the punch. Unfortunately for Aleem the referee ruled it a slip. They stood and belted away at each other in a furious last round that had the crowd on their feet. Scores 76-76 twice and 77-75 for Aleem so if the knockdown had been called he would have taken a unanimous decision. Aleem, 22, he turned pro at 18, has yet to meet any name fighters but was coming off a good win over Jonathan Cepeda (17-1). Nicholson, 23, had won his last 7 fights, 6 of them by KO/TKO. Both fighters fell short in attempts to get to the US Olympic Trials losing at the “Last Chance Qualifiers”

Rivas vs. Karpency

Rivas much too good for an overweight Karpency. Rivas worked his jab and tried a few rights in the first then had Karpency under pressure and constantly trapped on the ropes in the second. A body punch put Karpency down in the third and although he beat the count he was shipping punishment when the referee stopped the fight. The 29-year-old “Kaboom” makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO including 9 early finishes on the bounce taking a total of less than 19 rounds to complete. A Pan American silver medallist as a teenager Rivas beat Andy Ruiz and Kubrat Pulev as an amateur and is ready for a real test. Southpaw Karpency, 26, was having only his second fight in 20 months and was slow and overweight for this one.

Bouchard vs. Herrera

Bouchard makes it 6 wins in a row as he outclasses Mexican Herrera. It was a one-sided fight with Bouchard flooring Herrera early and handing out a bloody beating until the Mexican’s corner did the decent thing and retired their man at the end of the fourth round. The only loss for the 29-year-old Canadian No 4 was on points against then unbeaten Frank Galarza in 2014. Herrera was 9-0-2 in his last 11 fights but against very modest level opposition.

 

Cartagena, Colombia: Fly: Robert Barrera (15-1) W TKO 4 Yenrry Bermudez (5-15-2). Easy win for Barrera over very poor Bermudez. The local fighter dominated the first three rounds and a badly beaten Bermudez retired at the end of the third round. The 23-year-old Colombian has 9 wins by KO/TKO. His loss was on a split decision against still unbeaten WBA No 3 Carlos Canizales in October and this is his third win since then. He is the youngest of six children and all four of his brothers boxed. Eldest brother Miguel was IBF minimum champion but retired after suffering a worryingly brutal kayo which cost him his title. Venezuelan Bermudez now has 15 losses by KO/TKO.

 

East London, South Africa: Super Fly: Makazole Tete (16-1-1) W TKO 5 Ray Tabugon (18-5-1). Super Feather: Aphiwe Mboyiya (14-2-1) W PTS 12 Jerry Castroverde (9-3). Minimum: Siphamanda Baleni (9-1-1) W PTS 12 Daluxolo Mangcotywa (9-5-3).

Tete vs. Tabugon

Tete overcomes a rocky second round to stop Tabugon in five. After some feeling out in the first round the local fighter was shocked by a big right in the second. He was in deep trouble and resorted to holding to survive. He overdid the holding and was deducted a point. He was still feeling the effects of the punch in the third but was back on track in the fourth. He was too strong for the skinny Filipino and floored Tabugon with a right in the fifth. Tabugon beat the count but was being caught time and again by heavy punches and the referee stopped the fight just as Tabugon’s own second climbed into the ring. Tete “The Professor” is the brother of former undefeated IBF champion Zolani Tete. He wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title and goes to 11 wins by KO/TKO. He had looked a shot fighter in December when losing to Gideon Buthelezi so much so that his family took him to a sangoma (a traditional healer) to find a cure. On a more practical note Tete took on former IBF champion Vuyani Bungu as his trainer and this is his second win under Bungu. “Tornado” Tagubon,25, the GAB No 2 light flyweight (as Tabogon) had won 7 of his last 8 fights including a victory in South Africa in 2014 when he halted prospect Luzuko Siyo. His loss came in Mexico when he was halted in five round by former WBC title challenger Juan Hernandez.

Mboyiya vs. Castroverde

As with Tete Mboyiya had to climb off the floor and also lost a point for holding. Southpaw Mboyiya was floored in the first and had his hands full early with the Filipino teenager. He was rocked again in the fourth and clinched desperately to survive and lost a point for holding. From the midpoint he took over as Castroverde tired and the South African ran out a clear winner. Scores 116-109 twice and 116-110 as Mboyiya adds the IBF Inter-Continental title to the South African, IBO  All-African and WBO African titles. He is 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights including a very creditable draw with Oscar Chauke and a win over Jasper Seroka. Castroverde, 19, had won his last three fights including a cut stoppage of former IBO title challenger Lorenzo Villanueva who was 29-1 at the time.

Baleni vs. Mangcotywa

Baleni repeats previous win over Mangcotywa. After twelve entertaining rounds the judges all went for Baleni on scores of 117-111, 116-111 and 115-112. Baleni wins the South African title, retains his WBA Pan African title and wins the vacant IBO Inter-Continental title. With that many titles on the line the sanctioning fees probably cost more than the fighter’s purses. The 25-year-olf “Toytoy” Baleni, the South African No 3, had beaten Mangcotywa on points over six rounds in 2012. South African champion Mangcotywa was 6-1-2 in his last 9 fights going in with the loss that one to Baleni

 

Ontario, CA, USA: Light: Jose Roman (23-1-1) W KO 1 Carlos Cardenas (21-11-1). Roman pads his record with first round win over poor Cardenas. Roman came out fast catching Cardenas cold. He launched a series of punches finishing with a body punch that sent Cardenas down on one knee and he did not try to get up. The lanky 28-year-old from California makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO. He lost an upset decision to Nigerian Robert Osiobe in 2012 but has rebounded with 9 wins in a row. Venezuelan Cardenas has lost 7 of his last 8 fights including defeats against Mickey Bey, Robert Easter, Juan Diaz and Nery Saguilan.

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Super Light: Winston Campos (24-3-5) W TKO 1 Nelson Altamirano (10-6-2). Campos has no trouble in disposing of fellow Nicaraguan Altamirano to put to right a very debatable draw last time they met. Campos came out throwing punches from the first bell. He hammered away at Altamirano taking him to the ropes and landing punch after punch until the referee stopped the fight. All over in 80 seconds. The 24-year-old “Zurdo” (it means left handed) has 14 wins by KO/TKO. He is 7-0-1 in his last 8 fight with the draw being the controversial one in March against Altamirano. Fourth loss by KO/TKO for Altamirano who was 5-1-1 in his last 7 fights.

July 30

 

New York, NY, USA: Feather: Carl Frampton (23-0) W PTS 12 Leo Santa Cruz (32-1-1). Super Welter: Tony Harrison (24-1) W TKO 9 Sergey Rabchenko (27-2). Super Light Mikey Garcia (35-0) W TKO 5 Elio Rojas (24-3). Welter: Paul Malignaggi (36-7) W PTS 10 Gabriel Bracero (24-3). Light Tevin Farmer (22-4-1) W PTS 10 Ivan Redkach (19-2-1,1ND). Super Light: Min Wook Kim (16-1) W TKO 1 Louis Cruz (11-2). Middle: Conrad Cummings (10-0-1) W PTS 6 Dante Moore (9-2-2) ). Super Light: Josh Taylor (5-0) W RTD 2 Evincil Dixon (7-15-1).

Frampton vs. Santa Cruz

Frampton wins the WBA title in a stirring hard-fought battle between two world class fighters which elevates him to legend status in his homeland. After a minimum of study time they both went to work and the pace hardly slowed over the next twelve rounds. Honours were about even in the first with Frampton getting through with a good left hook to the face. He was picking and placing his punches well but Santa Cruz ended the round with a series of hooks. Frampton had a great second round. They went to war immediately trading punches. Frampton banged two straight rights through the guard of Santa Cruz and then a left hook to the chin that sent Santa Cruz staggering back into the ropes.  Frampton also did the better work in the third. Getting through with a good left hook to the head and his best punch so far a sharp right uppercut on the inside. Santa Cruz made a good start to the fourth pressing hard but Frampton was working on the back foot and banging home left hooks to the body as Santa Cruz marched in. By the end of the round as they stood and traded hard punches it was Santa Cruz who was backing up. The pace dropped a bit in the fifth but it was Frampton’s round as he was quicker with his punches and Santa Cruz was not letting his hands go. He looked like someone who knew he was losing a fight but did not know what to do to change things around. In the sixth it looked as though the fight might be turning Santa Cruz’s way. Frampton forgot his boxing and in a truly classic exchange they stood toe-to-toe and traded hard punch after hard punch. Both were landing bombs and both were taking incoming. Finally Frampton realised he was fighting the fight Santa Cruz wanted and although he went back to his boxing it was Santa Cruz’s round . Santa Cruz dominated the seventh. He was making better use of his jab, scored with some good left hooks to the body and a couple of combinations to the head. Frampton seemed to be tiring he was slower to the punch and his accuracy was off. Back to war in the eighth as they again went toe-to-toe but a rejuvenated Frampton was dominating the exchanges. Santa Cruz was getting home with some long shots but Frampton was driving home hooks and uppercuts and rocking the champions head time and again. The ninth was a copy of the eighth as Frampton simple outboxed Santa Cruz he chose his moments to stand and trade and then boxed on the back foot slotting home hard counters with Santa Cruz too slow to respond. Santa Cruz needed a big tenth round and he produced it but not the way it might have been expected. His main weapon was one he had been ignoring up until then. He was boxing behind a quick accurate jab which constantly pierced Frampton’s guard and following that with right crosses. Frampton was the one looking to stand and trade but Santa Cruz boxed his way to pocketing the round. They both forgot about boxing in the eleventh and it was a brutal battle of attrition as they ignored defence swapping power punches all the way with both being rocked but with Frampton probably just edging it. The last round was even better it was three minutes of continuous action with neither fighter willing to take a backward step. Santa Cruz had the better of the exchanges over the first minute but from there Frampton was the more accurate and won the round and the fight. It was a great fight between two great fighters. Scores 117-112 and 116-112 to Frampton and 114-114. Frampton wins the WBA title to become a two division champion. It rates as one of the greatest achievements by an Irish boxer or any boxer from the United Kingdom as he matched Santa Cruz in skill, power and heart and Santa Cruz is already a three division champion. There is talk of a fight with the IBF champion Lee Selby but also the suggestion that there might have been a return clause in the contract for this fight. That’s for the future but right now it is the vindication of Barry McGuigan’s faith in 29-year-old Frampton and Sean McGuigan’s training methods and tactics. It was noticeable that Santa Cruz has a “three-step” approach. When launching an attack he takes three big steps forward punching as he goes and is then in a position to work inside. Frampton simply took four steps back and left Santa Cruz swishing air. The Mexican is still only 27 and you can be sure he will be back and will be a champion again. He just met a better man on the night.

Harrison vs. Rabchenko

Harrison impresses and Rabchenko disappoints in this one. Harrison had big edges in height and reach and Rabchenko seemed to lack the drive to force his way inside. Harrison used his reach to control the bout stabbing home left jabs and also adding long hard rights as Rabchenko was too static and slow and never got out of first gear.  Harrison looked to have taken all of the first six rounds. Rabchenko showed some fire in the seventh but was rocked by punches in the eighth. Harrison ended it in the ninth. He floored Rabchenko with a right and although Rabchenko just managed to beat the count he had no complaints when the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old from Detroit makes it 20 wins by KO/TKO as he rebuilds after a shock loss to Willie Nelson in July last year. Harrison is the grandson of the Detroit great Henry Hank and the son of Ali Salaam who had a brief career as a pro in the 1980’s. The loss to Nelson cost Harrison his world rating but he will be back in the picture now.  Rabchenko30, a former undefeated European and WBC Silver champion,  lost a controversial split verdict to Anthony Mundine Jr in 2011but seemed to have lost something since then as he is a hugely talented fighter.

Garcia vs. Rojas

Garcia makes a very slow start but his power proves too much for Rojas. Over the first two rounds it was a case of Rojas on the back foot stabbing out jabs and landing with long rights with Garcia walking the Dominican down but throwing very few punches. By the end of the second round you did not need a computer system to count the punches landed you could do it on your fingers. Rojas was quick and slick but his punches lacked power. Garcia was loading up on his punches but they were few and far between. Garcia started to let his hands go more in the third and closed the distance and a chopping right put Rojas down. He was up quickly and tried to take the fight to Garcia but a right cross put Rojas face down on the floor. He rolled over and got up and managed to make it to the bell without any more scares. Garcia was looking to finish it in the fourth but Rojas showed some good footwork prodded and pushed out some punches  and ducked and dived. Garcia trapped him on the ropes at the end of the round but was unable to land anything heavy. In the fifth Garcia was on the hunt and drove Rojas into a corner with a couple of rights. Rojas actually dived out of the corner and threw himself down to the canvas to escape Garcia’s attack. He made it to his feet but did not look too enthusiastic about continuing. Garcia threw a series of punches with a left uppercut putting Rojas down again. The Dominican beat on the canvas with his fists as if angry with himself for being knocked down. This time when he got up the referee asked him if he wanted to carry on and Rojas just seemed to say he had had enough. Garcia, 28, lost his WBO feather title when he failed to make the weight for a defence against Juan Manuel Lopez and then vacated his WBO super feather title deciding to stay out of the ring whilst settling a contract dispute. As a result this was his first fight for 2 ½ years. He was 138lbs for this fight and is looking to get down to lightweight and challenge Terry Flanagan. He is definitely a big threat to any fighter at 135lbs. Rojas, 33 , a former WBC feather champion has been plagued by injuries and had only one fight each in years 2008, 2009, 2010,2011 and 2012 . He lost his WBC title to Jhonny Gonzalez in April 2012 and this was his first fight in almost two years, he still has some useful skills but his best days are gone.

Malignaggi vs. Bracero

Malignaggi wins Brooklyn turf war as he outpoints Bracero. Although not as fast as in his prime Malignaggi was just too quick for Bracero. He was able to get through with his jab and then move in and score with quick combinations and then used good footwork and smart upper body movement to frustrate Bracero’ s attempts to land any punch of substance. When Bracero did manage to close with Malignaggi the former champion held and smothered Bracero’s work before returning to circling the static Bracero and firing through fast jabs. Malignaggi stood and traded more in the third and actually forced Bracero back a few times before returning to his jab and move strategy. Bracero was making things easy for Malignaggi by marching forward in a straight line with very little upper body movement By the eighth Malignaggi was slowing a little and Bracero was able to have some success. Malignaggi did not have the punch to dissuade Bracero so was under pressure more as Bracero continued to march forward. Bracero was still pressing in the last round with a tired Malignaggi holding more but there was no way Bracero was going to make up the deficit. Scores 98-92 twice and a too close 96-94 all for Malignaggi. The 35-year-old “Magic Man”  has now won three fights in a row and still has many of the skills that took him to the top but against a younger, quicker opponent it might be a different story. At 35 Bracero will probably never now get a title shot. He has been near it a couple of times but losses to DeMarcus Corley and Felix Diaz cost him his chance. He had rebounded from the loss to Diaz with a 41 second kayo of Danny O’Connor in October last year but here he has suffered another important set back.

Framer vs. Redkach

Farmer marches on as he outclasses Ukrainian Redkach. In the all-southpaw contests the speed and slick movement of Framer were just too much for Redkach to deal with. Redkach tried to pressurise Farmer throughout but he was too slow to really pose a threat. Framer showed excellent foot work and defensive work. His punch selection was precise and he was able to slot punches through Redkach’s guard from a wide variety of angles and avoid or smother the Ukrainian’s rushed attacks. Framer los a point for a low punch in the eighth but an increasingly frustrated Redkach lost a point on the ninth for  a butt. Redkach made a big effort in the last but Farmer was able to coast his way to a comfortable win. Scores 98-90 twice and 98-89 all for Farmer. The 25-year-old “American Idol” from Philadelphia was an unimpressive 7-4-1 in his first 12 fights but a couple of those losses were in tough fights against still unbeaten Pole Kamil Laszczyk (now 22-0) and the now IBF super Feather champion Jose Pedraza. Since the loss to Pedraza in 2012 he has compiled a 15-bout winning streak including victories over Emanuel Gonzalez , Daulis Prescott and Gamaliel Diaz for the vacant NABF title. He was rated IBF 14(12)/WBC13/WBO16 going into this one but must get a boost from this win. Redkach, 30, won his first 19 fights but was halted in four rounds by Dejan Zlaticanin in June last year and was coming off a split draw with Luis Cruz in April.

Kim vs. Cruz

US-born Korean Kim makes it 16 wins in a row. He floored Cruz three times with rights in the opening rounds and the fight was over. The 29-year-old former OPBF champion lost his first pro fight but it has been wins all the way since with 10 victories inside the distance in his last 12 fights. Last time out Cruz went the full eight rounds in losing to Pole Michal Chudecki but he was blown away here.

Cummings vs. Moore

Cummings makes things tougher than needed as he wins over Moore. Cummings was busier from the start and did his best work to the body but Moore was able to land some heavy rights over the opening two rounds. Cummings boxed more in the third and had a big fourth as he battered away at Moore and looked close to a stoppage. Moore staged a good recovery in the fifth but any chance he had disappeared in the last round. He had already spit out his mouthguard a few times and when he did it again the referee deducted a point. Scores 58-54 twice and 59-53 all for 25-year-old Cummings. Moore was having his first fight for 2 ½ years.

Taylor vs. Dixon

Hot Scottish prospect Taylor registers another quick win. He dominated the first round and floored poor Dixon with a left in the second with Dixon retiring at the end of the round. The 25-year-old “Tartan Terror” was a gold medallist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, competed at the 2012 Olympics and in an Olympic Test beat Anthony Yigit, Jeff Horn and Jamal Herring in the space of one week. He now has three first round wins and three second round wins. Dixon is 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

 

Leeds, England; Light: Luke Campbell (14-1) W PTS 12 Argenis Mendez (23-5-1,1ND). Feather: Josh Warrington (24-0) W TKO 9 Patrick Hyland (31-3). Super Light: Tyrone Nurse (34-2-1) W PTS 12 Tommy Coyle (22-4).Super Bantam: Gamal Yafai (10-0) W PTS 12 Josh Wale (20-9-2). Heavy: Dillian Whyte (18-1) W PTS 10 David Allen (9-1-1). Bantam: Ryan Burnett (14-0) W PTS 10 Cesar Ramirez (12-3). Welter: Sam Eggington (18-3) W TKO 1 Daza Usher(9-7). Welter: Frankie Gavin (23-2) W TKO 6 Ivo Gogosevic (12-17-2). Super Middle: Vincent Feigenbutz (23-2) W TKO 2 Wilmer Gonzalez (19-11-1).

Campbell vs. Mendez

Campbell captures the vacant WBC Silver title as he climbs off the floor and then gets wide unanimous decision over a disappointing Mendez. Campbell edged a cautious first round as he kept Mendez on the back foot and scored with some long southpaw lefts. Neither was really committing themselves in the second until Mendez landed two rights the second of which put Campbell down. He was up quickly and not seriously shaken and Mendez was unable to repeat his success. The third round was close but in the fourth Campbell was throwing more and landing more with Mendez just looking to draw Campbell onto another right. Campbell stepped up the pace in the fifth scoring with lefts to the head with Mendez waiting too long to get his punches off. The sixth was one-sided with Campbell constantly forcing the fight and scoring with lefts and Mendez hardly moving off the ropes and hardly throwing a punch. Mendez tried to claim ring centre in the seventh but Campbell soon had him backing up from his right jab and staggered Mendez with a left to the head. The eighth was closer as Mendez landed three right counters but other than that it was again Campbell doing the effective work. Campbell was on the hunt again in the ninth. He shook Mendez with a couple of long lefts and pocketed another round. Someone needed to tell Mendez he could not win a fight unless he landed punches and could not land punches unless he threw them. Campbell also took the tenth round with no sign of Mendez trying to save the fight. Mendez finally came alive in the eleventh actually backing Campbell up for a while but a confident Campbell was also scoring with his left. There was no big finish. For most of the twelfth round they just prodded jab with Mendez hardly making an aggressive move and Campbell finished the fight the stronger. Scores 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 all for Campbell.  Apart from the knockdown in the second and close third and last rounds I gave the other nine rounds to Campbell. The 24-year-old Olympic gold medallist boxed with great skill and determination and the WBC Silver title should see him get a considerable promotion from his current No 10 rating. He has come back strongly from his loss to Yvon Mendy but it is a bit concerning that he was down again in this fight. For a former IBF super feather champion Dominican Mendez, 30, showed only some clever defensive work but other than that he hardly landed a jab in the whole fight and his punch count was abysmal. He scored good wins in 2015 against Daniel Evangelista and former IBF light champion Miguel Vazquez but was stopped in five rounds by Robert Easter in April.

Warrington vs. Hyland

Warrington keeps his WBC International title as he outboxes tough Hyland and then shows real power in his finishing. Hyland was trying to walk Warrington down in the first round he looked bigger and stronger and scored with some long rights to the body but the round was Warrington’s as he slotted home quick jabs and then got though with some  rapid 4/5 punch combinations. In the second Hyland continued to stalk Warrington but the speed and clever movement of Warrington saw Hyland holding back due to the absence of a target and in the meantime Warrington scored with a hard right cross and more combinations. Although not power shots were scoring. It was more of the same in the third and fourth. Warrington was boxing skilfully on the back foot and every time Hyland committed himself to a punch Warrington was leaping in banging home punches from both hands and Hyland was just too slow to react. Hyland was getting a boxing lesson in the fifth as Warrington outboxed and outpunched the Dubliner adding left hooks to the body to the jabs and combinations and he had Hyland trapped on the ropes under fire at the end of the round. Again these were not power punches but Warrington was in command. Hyland kept marching forward looking for a big pinch to turn the fight but in the sixth Warrington was confident enough to stand and trade and Hyland was taking plenty of head punches. They both had some success as they traded punches at the start of the seventh but by the end of the round Warrington was again getting through with fast combinations and landing heavy rights to the head. Warrington started the eight with another series of head punches. Hyland signalled him to bring it on and he did landing two chopping rights which sent Hyland down on one knee. He got up and the bell went just after the eight count was completed. Warrington finished it in the ninth. A series of jabs saw an exhausted Hyland go down on one knee. He bravely got up but a bombardment of head punches from Warrington saw Hyland go down again and the referee stopped the fight. Warrington, 25, fought the perfect fight showing great hand speed and clever movement before putting the outboxed Hyland out of his misery. Hyland, 32, failed to make the weight so could not have won the title. He put in a lot of effort here and absorbed a lot of punishment but just could not match Warrington for Skill. “The “Punisher” from Dublin lost a decision to Javier Fortuna for the interim WBA title in 2012 but was halted in four rounds by Gary Russell in a challenge for the WBC title in April.

Nurse vs. Coyle

After a long apprenticeship Nurse is finally emerging as a quality fighter who provides plenty of entertainment to go with his skill This was another example of that as he retained his British title with a close unanimous decision over Coyle. The challenger also likes a good tear-up so this was always going to be a good fight for the spectators. Coyle took the fight to Nurse from the first bell. Nurse is tall for the weight and has good skills but the aggression of Coyle was making it hard for him to fight his own fight. Coyle was constantly pressing trying to pin Nurse on the ropes to deny him punching room. Nurse was able to score well as Coyle came in but was also willing to stand and trade. Although Nurse is not a big puncher gradually his more accurate work saw him open a gap but he was put down in the seventh with some debate over whether it was a slip or a punch  but the important thing is that it was counted as a knockdown and a10-8 round for Coyle .Coyle tried to build on that with more driving attacks but Nurse more than matched him and they battled away over the closing rounds of an exciting contest with Nurse just having done enough to deserve to retain his title. Scores 115-113 twice and 116-112 all for Nurse. The 26-year-old from Huddersfield was making the second defence of his British title. He has already been a pro for eight years and has good domestic wins over Chris Jenkins and Willie Limond but it remains to be seen whether he can take that next step up to international level. “Boom Boom” Coyle, 26, climbed into the ratings with wins over Daniel Brizuela, Mike Katsidis and Martin Gethin but was stopped in eight rounds in August last year by Luke Campbell. He was out of the ring for nine months before returning with a win in May.

Yafai vs. Wale

Yafai retains the Commonwealth title with wide unanimous decision as Wale gives him his toughest test so far. Yafai just edged the first round but it was a bad round for Wale as a clash of heads opened a deep cut over his right eye. Yafai was much  quicker and dominated the exchanges with Wale more often on the back foot handing the initiative to Yafai who obliged with a focused body attack. Yafai was much busier throwing plenty of combinations but Wale showed a solid defence and was hoping to get to Yafai over the last third of the fight if the champion tired. That happened to a degree but not enough to let Wale take over and although he was getting in some good punches in the exchanges he had nothing to keep Yafai from dominating. The speed and variety of Yafai’s work  particular to the body  was making the difference and although his work rate dropped over the last two rounds he was a clear winner as he went twelve rounds for the first time. Scores 117-112 twice and 118-111 all for Yafai. The 24-year-old “Beast” from Birmingham, the brother of world rated Khalid, was making the first defence of his Commonwealth title.  As an amateur he was British amateur champion at 17, won a silver medal at the World Youth Championships and a bronze medal at the European Championships. He has been held back by injuries but is yet another British fighter on his way to the top. “Outlaw” Wale, 28, was having his second shot at a Commonwealth title. He has lost big fights to Kid Galahad, Stuart Hall, Gavin McDonnell and James Dickens but also drew with McDonnell and gave Yafai twelve testing rounds.

Whyte vs. Allen

Easy win for Whyte as he outboxes a slow Allen. Whyte was able to score with jabs hooks and uppercuts as Allen just walked forward in a straight line and seemed content to take punches to try to get inside but did nothing when he got there. He tried to show how untroubled he was by Whyte’s punches by dropping his hands and even putting both hands behind his back but Whyte continued to score with ease. Allen had some success with his left jab and scored with some meaty left hooks to the body but too often was standing in the pocket but not throwing punches whilst Whyte picked him off with jabs and hooks. Both fighters tired over the closing rounds and could hardly raise their hands in the tenth. Although the pace had not been fast the constant pressure from Allen had meant that both fighters had to fight hard  but with Allen at times just trying to walk through Whyte’s punches it made Whyte task easy and he was the clear winner. Scores 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91 all for Whyte. It was disappointing that despite often having an open target the 28-year-old “Body Snatcher” from Brixton  was unable to add to his 14 wins by KO/TKO. Some credit has to go to “White Rhino” Allen for staying on his feet but he never looked like threatening Whyte.

Burnett vs. Ramirez

Burnett retains his WBC International title with points win over better than expected Mexican Ramirez. After a slow first round Burnett switched to southpaw in the second and was taking the fight to Ramirez and taking control. Ramirez was competitive and making Burnett work hard in the third but the Belfast man was doing the cleaner work and scored with a hard right. Burnett was confident enough to adopt a hands down approach and landed a good right and a left hook to also take the fourth. Ramirez came back into the fight in the fifth showing a strong jab and although Burnett also had some success Ramirez probably did enough to take the round. With them both landing with good punches in the sixth that one was close. Still at southpaw Burnett was landing some good combinations before switching back to orthodox. Burnett had a dominant eighth and Ramirez was down late in the round from a body punch. From there Ramirez was looking to survive and Burnett handed out some fierce punishment in the ninth and tenth with Ramirez almost going down a couple of times but lasting to the final bell. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-90 all for Burnett. The 24-year-old Burnett was making the first defence of his title. He has good wins over Jason Booth and Anthony Settoul. The talented Burnett was a gold medallist at the Youth Olympics and had just 4 loses against 94 wins but his move to the pro ranks was delayed firstly by a back injury and then by aneurism. He is an outstanding talent. Ramirez had won his last four fights but lacked of experience at this level. This was his first ten round fight but he put up strong resistance.

Eggington vs. Usher

Eggington takes just 96 seconds to get back to winning ways. He landed some hard punches early and drove Usher to the ropes. Usher tried to fight back but Eggington unleashed a shower of punches and as Usher turned away after two hard rights to the head the referee stopped the fight. The 22-year-old “Savage” lived up to his nickname here as he has his first fight since losing his British and Commonwealth titles to Bradley Skeete in March. He has good victories over Denton Vassell, Shayne Singleton and Glenn Foot and is No 4 with the EBU so very much still in the picture. Three losses in a row for Usher.

Gavin vs. Gogosevic

Gavin returns to the ring with a win. He faced a foe in Gogosevic who was crude and awkward. The Croatian fighter was really just charging head down swinging his arms. Gavin was credited with a knockdown for a counter punch in the first round but Gogosevic claimed it was a slip. Gogosevic alternated between crude rushes and some eccentric footwork but Gavin slowly ground him down and got the stoppage in the sixth round. First fight for the former British and Commonwealth champion since his six round loss to Kell Brook for the IBF title in May last year. Gogosevic is 1-7-1 in his last 9 fights and 0-5 in fights in Britain.

Feigenbutz vs. Gonzalez

Feigenbutz keeps busy with stoppage of Gonzalez. The young German made use of a stiff jab to take the first round and then landed some fierce uppercuts to put Gonzalez down and the referee waived the fight over. The 20-year-old former holder of the secondary WBA title goes to 21 wins by KO/TKO. This is his second quick win over very modest opposition since losing his title to Italian Giovanni De Carolis on a eleventh round stoppage in January. Spanish-based Nicaraguan Gonzalez is 3-6-1 in his last 10 fights.

 

Le Cannet, France: Super Welter: Michel Soro (28-1-1) W TKO 3 Hector Saldivia (45-4). Super Middle: Mickael Diallo (14-0-2) W TKO 1 Roberto Cocco (17-15-1). Super Middle: Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam (34-2) W TKO 7 Tomasz Gargula (18-3-1). Super Welter: Viguen Gulnazarian (11-0-2) W PTS 6 Frank Haroche Horta (39-16-5).

Soro vs. Saldivia

Soro crushes Argentinian Saldivia in three rounds. Both were cautious in the first round with neither really commtting themselves. Saldivia was giving away height and reach and tried to trap Soro on the ropes but did not manage to land cleanly. In the second Saldivia again took Soro to the ropes but the French fighter turned Saldivia and put him on the ropes and landed with a couple of rights to the head. Once again Saldivia forced Soro to the ropes and as Soro moved off the ropes he landed a right which caught Saldivia near the back of his head. As he ducked his head under the punch he put it in line for a vicious left uppercut and went down. He made it to his feet and tried to take the fight to Soro but two chopping right put Saldivia down again. He got up and when the action resumed after the eight count he managed to duck and hold his way to the bell. Saldivia again took Soro to the ropes in the third but as he shaped to throw a right uppercut he left himself wide open a right from Soro put him down on his back and he was counted out in the act of rising. Soro, 28, wins the vacant WBA International title and now has 18 wins by KO/TKO. The Ivory Coast-born fighter is 10-0-1 in eleven fights since losing to Zaurbek Baysangurov in 2012 for the WBO and IBO titles. Included in that eleven bout unbeaten run are wins over Glen Tapia and Emanuele Blandamura and a draw with then unbeaten Antoine Douglas but this is his first fight for eleven months. He can be a real force in this division. “El Tigre” Saldivia 32, the Argentinian champion, took two years out after losing in three rounds to Kell Brook in October 2012 and had won four bouts since returning.

Diallo vs. Cocco

Diallo continues to show impressive power. The Blagnac-based banger floored experienced veteran Cocco early with a left hook. Cocco made it to his feet but was against the ropes and shipping heavy punches when the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old “La Bombadier Catalan” has now won his last 11 fights by KO/TKO and is building a big following with his spectacular punching. Cocco, 39, a former Italian champion, has been a world champion at Kick boxing, Thai style and K1winning 92 out of 126 fights, but must be near the end.

N’Jikam vs. Gargula

N’Jikam takes a break from his preparations for Rio to outpoint Polish oldie Gargula. N’Jikam showcased his skills being too quick both in hand speed and movement as Gargula paced after him but rarely had any success. N’Jikam consistently fired home quick jabs staggering Gargula with one in the second round, and followed up with flashing combinations and was away before Gargula could respond. Gargula did land an occasional right but when he missed N’Jikam made him pay with cracking rights. A right to the head made Gargula dip his legs and touch the canvas with his glove but did not look too hurt and continued after the count. He had to suffer more head punches in the fourth but he fought back spiritedly. Two lefts to the chin rocked the pole in the fifth and a one-sided sixth saw N’Jikam just teeing off on the tired Pole. In the seventh a right to the chin had Gargula backing away to the ropes and N’Jikam followed up and with Gargula trapped on the ropes he landed a series of head punches that saw the referee stop the fight. Gargula protested strongly but it was a good stoppage. The  32-year-old Cameroon-born former interim WBA and WBO champion will now go to Rio to compete at the Olympics. Gargula, 41, was unbeaten in his first 16 fights between 2000 and 2004 but was then inactive for over 11 years and is 3-3 since returning

Gulnazarian vs. Haroche Horta

Gulnazarian extends his winning run to 10 fights with split decision over the experienced southpaw F2H. It was close but Gulnazarian looked to just deserve the verdict. Scores 58-55 twice for Gulnazarian and 57-56 for Horta. The 33-year-old Armenian, previously based in Belgium, has yet to win inside the distance. Haroche Horta,36, is a formerly French champion at welter and super welter took Andy Lee to a majority verdict back in 2014. A real warrior.

 

Alsterdorf, Germany: Super Welter: Uensal Arik (23-2) W TKO 3 Milos Janjanin (7-2).  Arik halts late replacement Janjanin but make it harder than it needed to be. Janjanin worked the body early but the heavily-bearded Arik was blocking most of the punches and his own body punches and right crosses were sharper and more accurate. In the second Arik was letting Janjanin come forward and get inside and making the fight tougher than it needed to be. Finally he drove Janjanin back with 6 or 7 consecutive left hooks to the body and ended the round with three right uppercuts. Arik was fired-up in the third and put Janjanin down with a pair of rights to the body. Janjanin was up at seven reluctantly and when the action resumed he went down again under a barrage from Arik and although he got up he could not continue. German Arik, 35, wins the vacant WBU and GBU titles and makes it 21 wins by KO/TKO. He is 23-1 in his last 24 fights whilst collecting a range of minor titles against mainly poor opposition. The loss in that run was against the 4-6 Slavisa Simeunovic which puts his “impressive” statistics into perspective. Janjanin from B&H certainly tried hard and gave Arik some uncomfortable moments but wilted under the body punches.

 

Anzio, Italy: Super Middle: Valerio Ranaldi (11-1) W PTS 10 Alessandro Sinacore (12-2). This battle of two locals saw Rinaldi retain the Italian title with a deserved majority decision over challenger Sinacore. Rinaldi made a fast start and that proved critical. He was outpunching Sinacore over the first three dominating the action with Sinacore often trapped on the ropes. Things changed in the fourth as Sinacore was scoring well with his southpaw right jab and a clash of heads opened a cut on the left eyebrow of Rinaldi. The fifth saw Rinaldi’s work rate drop but he fired back and looked to have edged the sixth. Sinacore had his jab working again in the seventh and eighth to make the fight close. The ninth showed both fighters tiring from their efforts making the last critical. Rinaldi finished the round strongly just doing enough to keep his title. Scores a too wide 97-94 and 96-95 for Rinaldi and 95-95. Second defence of his national title for Rinaldi and seven wins in a row. Sinacore, 31, was Italian amateur champion in the 81kg(178lbs) category but moved down to super middle as a pro. He had a creditable majority decision loss to Lolenga Mock in December and had recorded a win in April.

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Fly: Luis Nery (20-0) W RTD 4 David Sanchez (29-4-2). Light Fly: Moises Calleros (25-6-1) W PTS 8 Mario Rodriguez (19-12-4). Super Welter: Jaime Munguia (16-0) W TKO 2 Oscar Mora (5-2).

Nery vs. Sanchez

Nery continues unbeaten with victory over experienced Sanchez. There was an early clash of heads which fortunately did not produce any damage. Bearded southpaw Nery was willing to let Sanchez come forward early in the first but then landed a long left which shook Sanchez but Nery missed with a couple of follow up punches. The second round went to Nery as he fired a series of hooks from both hands and had Sanchez backing up. Sanchez landed some counters but the Nery left hooks were vicious and Sanchez was against the ropes and taking punishment by the end of the round. In the third a left from Nery had Sanchez staggering back to the ropes it looked as though he was going down and Nery started walking away but Sanchez regained his balance so no knockdown. Sanchez was scoring with some good punches but again it was the body punching from Nery that was the highlight. of the round. Nery had Sanchez down in the fourth. He launched a furious attack initially banging to the head but then a series of body punches had Sanchez bent in half before yet another left hook saw him drop to the floor in agony. He made it to his feet but had nothing left and his corner retired their man at the end of the round. Impressive performance by the 21-year-old Tijuana “Panther” as he retains his WBC Continental Americas title and  gets win No 14 by KO/TKO. He has victories over Jether Oliva, John Mark Apolinario and Martin Casillas. He is rated WBA 8/WBC 10/WBO 10/IBF 15(13) and looks a real threat. A 19 bout winning streak including wins over new WBO bantam champion Marlon Tapales, Marco Demecillo and Juan Alberto Rosas saw “Tornado” Sanchez earn a fight with Luis Concepcion for the interim WBA super fly title last September but he lost on a tenth round retirement.

Calleros vs. Rodriguez

Calleros gets good win over former IBF minimum champion Rodriguez. The first round saw them going toe-to-toe which was the pattern for most of the fight with Rodriguez just doing enough to edge the round. From there the youth and speed of Calleros was the deciding factor. Rodriguez, looking a bit fleshy, tried to use his strength to bull Calleros around but Calleros was busier, quicker and more accurate. From the sixth Rodriguez started to tire. Calleros did not have the punch power to take advantage of that but ran out a clear winner. “Taz”, the NABF champion has won his last four fights. “Little Dragon” Rodriguez, lost on points to Donnie Nietes for the WBO minimum title in 2010 but sprang a big surprise when he knocked out the then 22-0 Nkosinathi Joyi in 2012 to take the IBF title. He lost the title to Katsunari Takayama in his first defence in 2013 and is now 4-5 in his last 9 fights.

Munguia vs. Mora

Local prospect Munguia gets quick win. Munguia ended this one in the second with a combination to the body and then the head of Mora who made it to his feet but could not continue. Munguia now has 13 wins by KO/TKO including six in a row. First loss inside the distance for Mora.

 

Hermosillo, Mexico: Super Middle: Alan Campa (16-2,1ND) W TKO 6 Roberto Valdez (10-6-1). Super Feather: Jesus Quijada (11-3-1) W KO 1 Leonilo Miranda (36-9-1).

Campa vs. Valdez

Campa continues his good run with stoppage of Valdez. It was a tough, close fight until Campa began to dominate in the fifth and forced the stoppage late in the sixth. The 24-year-old “Threat” is 7-1 in his last 8 fights with the loss coming against Sergiy Derevyanchenko in April last year. This is his fourth win since then. “Hercules” Valdez needs a new nickname. He is 2-6-1 in his last 9 fights.

Quijada vs. Miranda

“Chinaman” Quijada destroys Miranda inside a round. Miranda is a big puncher but has poor defence and not a very solid chin. They began trading immediately and a left hook to the chin put Miranda down. He got up and took the eight count but a left hook to the body put him down again and he was unable to get up. All over in 113 seconds. Quijada is credited with a 16-3-1 record with 13 win by KO/TKO by local sources. Miranda, 33, won his first 30 fights, 28 by KO/TKO but against better opposition he is 4-7-1 in his last 12 and was also stopped inside a round by Malcolm Klassen in April.

 

Lagos, Nigeria: Middle: Abolaji Rasheed (8-2-1) W PTS 12 Sunny Iyere (13-5,1ND). Feather: Wadi Usman (11-2) W PTS 8 David Ekpenyong (1-1). Super Light: Olaide Fijabi (6-0) W KO 1 Joseph Adeniji (0-2).

Rasheed vs. Iyere

Rasheed wins the national title with unanimous decision over long time title holder “King Hammer” Iyere. The “Afonja Warrior” who has moved up from super welter has won his last three fights. The 36-year-old Iyere had held the title since 2001 and this was his first fight since November 2011. He had no complaints about the verdict.

Usman vs. Ekpenyong

“Skoro” Usman, the Nigerian champion, took a unanimous verdict over novice Ekpenyong and also collected a nice cash prize as the best boxer on the show.

Fijabi vs.Adeniji

Fijabi much too good for novice Adeniji and puts him away in the first round. Fijabi, the national and West African Boxing Union champion, has won his last four fights by KO/TKO.

 

Estosadok, Russia: Super Middle: Apti Ustarkhanov (14-2-2) W PTS 10 Varazdat Chernikov (12-5). Super Welter: Ramzan Baysarov (7-0) W PTS 10 Pavel Momontov (11-3-2). Heavy: Evgeny Romanov (1-0) W KO 3 Viktar Chvarkov (1-1)

Ustarkhanov vs. Chernikov

Ustarkhanov wins the vacant WBO European title with unanimous decision of Chernikov. Scores 100-89 twice and 99-90 al for Ustarkhanov. The 26-year-old Russian “Tiger” has lost only one of his last 13 fights and that was a split decision against WBC light heavy title challenger Dmitry Sukhotsky in November. He has won his three fights this year. Former UBO world champion Chernikov has lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Baysarov vs. Momontov

Baysarov also gets a win and a title as he outpoints Momontov for the vacant WBC EPBC title on scores of 98-92, 98-93 and 96-94. The 26-year-old from Grozny was jumping from six rounds to ten for the first time but was a clear winner. Fellow-Russian Momontov, 33, had built a good run of 11-0-2 in 13 fights but was coming off a points loss to unbeaten Spaniard Sergio Garcia in June for the vacant WBC International title.

Romanov vs. Chvarkov

Romanov dominated this one before knocking Chvarkov out with a left hook in the third. Why bother to report on a four round bout between two novices in the pro ranks? Well Romanov was a very good class amateur. He was European Junior champion in 2003 and World Junior champion in 2004 but life was tough in the 91kg ranks in Russia and he did not win the national title until 2009. He did beat Rakhim Chakhkiev but the real interesting achievement is that in 2008 in a Russia vs. USA match he beat Deontay Wilder inside the distance. Romanov was ahead on points in the third round when he staggered Wilder with a right forcing a standing count and then banged home two rights to the head that sent Wilder crashing to the canvas. Wilder made it to his feet but the fight was stopped. At 31 Romanov has probably left it too late to turn pro but who knows?.

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Benalmadena, Spain: Super Welter: Antonio Benitez (10-0) W TKO 7 Fran Gonzalez (8-22-2). Super Feather: Mikael Mkrtchyan (16-1) W TKO 4 Nelson Suarez (6-4-2).

Benitez vs. Gonzalez

Benitez wins the vacant Spanish title as he is a class above his co-challenger. Gonzalez pressed the fight from the start but Benitez had a longer reach, quicker fists and better technique. He was able to avoid the crude punches thrown by Gonzalez and land hard counters. As the fight progressed Benitez was scoring with volleys of hooks inside and then getting away with Gonzalez swishing empty space. Gonzalez kept coming and had some success when he could pin Benitez to the ropes but that happened rarely. Benitez has no real punch power which is why Gonzalez lasted so long but in the seventh a combination put Gonzalez down. He beat the count but was floored again and before completing the count the referee just stopped the fight. “El Chato” a 32-year-old from Marbella did not turn pro until he was 29. This is the first time he has gone past six rounds. “El Gladiator” Gonzalez, 34, had a 0-9-1 run but had won his last three fights.

Mkrtchyan vs. Suarez

Spanish-based Armenian Mkrtchyan has trouble with Venezuelan Suarez for three rounds. He finally caught up with Suarez in the fourth and sent him down and almost off the ring apron with the fight being stopped. Mkrtchyan is back in the winning column after losing his unbeaten record on points against Oktay Takalak for the vacant WBC Francophone title in February. First loss inside the distance for Suarez.

 

Rotherham, England: Middle Sam Sheedy (17-1) W PTS 10 Andrew Robinson (18-2). Sheedy gets an important win in a desperately close fight with Robinson. The Sheffield southpaw used clever counter punching to build an early lead. Over the second half of the fight Robinson began to roll and Sheedy was hard pressed and by the end it looked too close to call. However that is what the judges have to do and two gave the decision to Sheedy. Scores 96-95 twice for Sheedy and 96-95 for Robinson. The 28-yerar-old Sheedy will be hoping this win will lead to a fight for the British or Commonwealth titles. Robinson’s only loss came on points against Frank Buglioni in 2014 and he had scored five wins since then and this one was close enough to deserve a repeat.

 

Indio, CA, USA: Welter: Antonio Orozco (25-0) W PTS 10 Abner Lopez (23-6). Feather: Joseph Diaz (21-0) W TKO 2 Victor Proa (28-2-2).

Orozco vs. Lopez

Orozco gets through a tough test as he takes unanimous decision over Lopez. Orozco was the first into his stride getting home good punches to head and body. Lopez began to roll from the third constantly taking the fight to Orozco who found himself trapped on the ropes more often than he was comfortable with. Over the middle rounds although Lopez continued to press Orozco was using good movement and sharp counters to just do enough to take the rounds. Orozco was cut over his left eye early in the fight and hampered over the closing rounds by a swelling under his left eye and a cut over his right eye but he held off a strong finish from Lopez to take the decision. Scores 99-91twice,which seemed too wide, and 97-93 all for Orozco. The 28-year-old from San Diego already has good wins over Martin Honorio, Emmanuel Taylor, Humberto Soto and Miguel Acosta and is rated WBC 1/IBF 5(3)/WBO 6/WBA 10 with the WBC rating making him mandatory challenger for Terrence Crawford but he is nowhere near ready for Crawford. Mexican Lopez is a tough opponent for anyone on his night. He has lost to good level domestic fighters such as Alejandro Barrera (25-2) and Daniel Echevarria (18-1) but scored a win over unbeaten Aik Shakhnazaryan last year.

Diaz vs. Proa

Diaz retains his WBC NABY title as he brushes aside Mexican Proa. Despite his impressive looking statistics Proa was very short on recent action and Diaz had no trouble finding openings for some hard punches in the first. He saw an opportunity early in the second and seized it. A wicked left hook floored Proa heavily. He made it to the vertical but had no defence against the follow-up attack from Diaz and the fight was stopped. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for 23-year-old southpaw “JoJo” who already has wins over Rene Alvarado and Jayson Velez. He is No 2 with the WBC so well in with a chance of a title shot. .As an amateur he competed at both the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics and although losing to Cuban Lazaro Alvarez in both tournaments he edged out Oscar Valdez on his way to the World Championships quarter-finals. Proa, 31, was 27-1-2 in fights up to February 2010 but was then inactive for six years before returning with a low level first round victory in February this year so he had only one fight in over six years before facing Diaz.

 

Plymouth, MA, USA: Super Welter: Mark DeLuca (15-0) W PTS 8 Gabor Gorbics (19-3). DeLuca gets his second win after recovering from a spate of injuries. The local fighter took the fight to Hungarian Gorbics from start to finish. Gorbics scored with some good counters but was unable to stop DeLuca’s forward march. DeLuca turned up the heat in the seventh and eighth but Gorbics showed some good defensive work and went the distance. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 all for DeLuca. The 28-year-old “Bazooka” managed only one fight in 19 months due to hand and shoulder injuries but he came back in May this year with a good win over Salim Larbi so is making up for lost time. Gorbics, 28, was unbeaten in his last 15 fights,

 

 

Cebu City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Jack Tepora (18-0) W TKO 1 Bryan Capangpangan (10-3-1). Bantam: Kenny Demecillo (11-3-2) W PTS 10 Rambo Lagos (8-2-2).

Tepora vs. Capangpangan

Tepora retains his WBO Asia Pacific Youth title and gets another quick win as he puts Capangpangan down four times with the fight being stopped with 26 seconds left in the first round. Southpaw “Golden Boy”Tepora, 23, has 13 wins by KO/TKO including 8 in his last 9 fights. He is rated WBO 12 but is yet to face a real test. Capangpangan, 20, the Philippines No 4, was 9-0-1 going in but now gets his first loss inside the distance

Demecillo vs. Lagos

Demecillo has a tougher time and just scrapes past Lagos on a split verdict. Scores 96-94 twice for Demecillo and 96-94 for Lagos. Demecillo, 24, the Philippines No 6 was defending his WBFed Asia Pacific title and is 5-1-1 in his last 7 fights. Lagos, the Philippines No 11lost a tough one last time out when he lost a very close decision in Thailand  to Petch Sor Chitpattana who is 37-0 and No 4 with the WBC. Two judges gave the win to Sor Chitpattana by 96-94 so the 96-94 scores seems to be unlucky for Lagos

 

July 31

 

Riga. Latvia; Light Heavy: Sergei Ekimov (17-0) W RTD 8 Mustafa Chadlioui (8-2-1). Light Heavy: Dmitry Chudinov (18-1-2) W PTS 8 Andrejs Pokumeiko (9-12). Ruslan Fayfer (16-0) W KO 2 Zoltan Csala (9-8).

Ekimov vs. Chadlioui

Ekimov wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with win over Chadlioui. Ekimov was in charge of the fight from the start until Chadlioui retired at the end of the eighth round claiming a sprained ankle. The 30-year-old Russian “Classic” is ready for better opposition. Chadlioui, 32, a Spanish-based Moroccan who is Spanish champion had scored a good win in April last year when he halted Brit Travis Dickinson inside a round but he was on his way to defeat here.

Chudinov vs. Pokumeiko

“Night Wolf” moves up to light heavy with win over perennial loser Pokumeiko. Chudinov put Pokumeiko down with a right in the first but it looked more like a slip and the local fighter lasted the full distance. Scores 79-70, 79-73 and 78-73 all for Chudinov. Since losing his interim WBA middle title to Chris Eubank Jr last year the 29-year-old Chudinov has moved to super middle and now up to light heavy. Pokumeiko rarely wins but usually goes the distance.

Fayfer vs. Csala

Fayfer makes it a hat-trick of wins for Russian visitors as he blows away Hungarian oldie Csala. Fayfer floored Csala in the first round and after four more knockdowns in the second the fight was stopped. The 25-year-old Fayfer has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Csala, 38, is 1-7 in his last 8 fights with all 7 losses by KO/TKO.