The Past Week In Action 23 November 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 23 November 2016
November 16

Pentonville, Haiti: Light: Evans Pierre (27-1) W PTS 11 Juan Carlos Salgado (26-7-1,1ND). Super Welter: Wilky Campfort (22-3) W PTS 9 Jeffrey Rosales (8-4-2). Light Heavy: Azea Augustama (20-2) W KO 7 Wilmer Mejia (20-8-2). Welter: Juan Carlos Pena (27-1) W PTS 8 Elvin De la Rosa (14-4).
Pierre vs. Salgado
On a show staged to help the local population recover from yet another tragedy of nature Pierre did not let the fans down as he outclassed a game but sliding Salgado. Pierre had good advantages in height and reach and was able to box effectively on the outside. Salgado fought aggressively trying to get inside but from the fourth round he started shipping some heavy punishment. Pierre continued to get through with jabs, hooks and uppercuts and came close to finishing the fight when he floored Salgado in the tenth. Salgado survived but was a well eaten fighter by the end. Scores 109-98 twice and 108 ½-99 all for Pierre. The 32-year-old “Sun City Kid” was making the third defence of his WBA Fedelatin and the WBA No 6 has now scored 16 wins in a row and deserves a title shot. Mexican Salgado, 31, a former IBF super feather champion suffers his sixth loss in a row but there have been tough tasks in that run including Argenis Mendez for the IBF title, Miguel Roman Takahiro Ao and Dante Jardon.
Campfort vs. Rosales
Campfort makes it a double for Haiti as he outpoints Panamanian Rosales to win the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title. Scores 89-81, 88-82 and 86 ½ – 84 ½ all for Campfort as the lanky local rebounds from consecutive losses to unbeaten fighters Jermall Charlo and Patryk Szymanski. Rosales 24 is now 3-3 in his last 6 fights.
Augustama vs. Mejia
Augustama makes it a home treble as he shakes off some substantial rust and knocks out Dominican Mejia in the seventh round. The 33-year-old Haitian was having only his second fight in two years and his first for 17 months. He retains his WBA Fedelatin title in his second defence and gets win No 12 by KO/TKO. His only losses have been to strong opposition in Denis Grachev and Edwin Rodriguez. Southpaw Mejia, 34, had won 5 of his last 6 fights but now gets his fifth loss by KO/TKO.
Pena vs. De la Rosa
Not a Haitian win here but one where both boxers were from the Dominican Republic so all of the winners on the night were from Hispaniola. Pena pads out his record with points win over De la Rosa. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 77 ½-75 for Pena. He gets his fourth win in a row by KO/TKO since losing his unbeaten record against Jesus Rojas in 2014. Pena’s opposition has been very low quality and the same for De la Rosa where his 14 victims only had two wins between them.

November 18

London, England: Super Middle: George Groves (25-3) W PTS 12 Eduard Gutknecht (30-5-1). Middle: Ronny Mittag (29-2-1) W PTS 10 Conrad Cummings (10-1-1) . Fly: Andrew Selby (7-0) W TKO 7 Jake Bornea (11-2). Welter: Tamuka Mucha (16-0) W PTS 10 Paddy Gallagher (10-2). Welter: Johnny Garton (19-1-1) W PTS 6 Geiboord Omier (3-11-1). Heavy: Nick Webb (9-0) W RTD 2 Ivca Perkovic (22-33).
Groves vs. Gutknecht
Groves outboxes Gutknecht to retain the WBA International title but that success is overshadowed as Gutknecht collapses in the dressing room and is rushed to hospital and put in an induced coma. As for the fight at the first bell Gutknecht raced across the ring and almost connected with a straight right. Groves quickly settled to his boxing. Gutknecht was advancing behind a high guard with Groves scoring with stabbing jabs to head and body and a couple of rights. Groves began to take over the fight in the second. He was quicker than Gutknecht with the jab and constantly slotting it through Gutknecht’s guard. Although Gutknecht did score with his jab he was throwing one punch at a time whereas Groves was firing off hooks and uppercuts and Gutknecht was warned for throwing Groves to the floor. Gutknecht stepped up the pace in the third letting his hands go and scoring with a hard right cross but again Groves was getting through with his jab and sneaky overhand rights although Gutknecht probably edged the round. Gutknecht began the fourth by taking Groves to the ropes and firing punches with both hands. Groves rode out the storm and landed two rights. Suddenly Gutknecht was in trouble he went into full retreat with Groves in pursuit. Groves landed a couple more rights but Gutknecht was fighting back by the bell in what was a big round for Groves. In the fifth and sixth Groves boxed brilliantly on the back foot letting Gutknecht come forward and punishing him with busts of hooks, short rights and uppercuts and always there was the stabbing jab. Gutknecht had some success in the seventh when he was able to take Groves to the ropes but his head was repeatedly snapped back by the jab and Groves landed some clubbing rights in a close round. For a change Gutknecht started the eighth cautiously but all that did was to encourage Groves to come forward and he scored throughout the round with his punishing jab and rights to the head. In a one-sided ninth Groves slammed home a right cross and then drove Gutknecht around the ring shaking him badly with three rights and with another before the end of the round with Gutknecht’s right eye rapidly closing due to a cut on his eyelid and a swelling under it. Gutknecht tried to get on the front foot in the tenth but was again rocked by rights from Groves as the Brit dominated a round in which the pace dropped. In the eleventh Groves was walking down a bruised and battered Gutknecht scoring repeatedly with the left jab and right cross with Gutknecht very much just on the defensive but he managed to jog back to his corner at the bell. Gutknecht’s right eye was now completely closed. There were no fireworks in the last round. Gutknecht was only trying to stay out of trouble and Groves chose not to press too hard. Scores 119-109 twice and 119-110. Brilliant boxing by Groves as he works his way to another title shot. Gutknecht took the fight to Groves in most rounds but never really found a solution either to the jab or movement of Groves. Gutknecht reportedly needed resuscitating in the ambulance on the way to hospital after he stopped breathing and as I write has undergone an operation for swelling of the brain. Let’s all hope that he makes a successful recovery.
Mittag vs. Cummings
Mittag gets split decision over Cummings. Both fighters had good technical skills. Cummings was pressing the fight with Mittag scoring with a strong jab and quick combinations and Cummings also getting his jab going early and was the harder puncher. Mittag looked to have the quicker hands and was the busier fighter but he was constantly caught by right crosses from Cummings in a fast-paced fight where there was little to choose between them in any round. It was very much a boxing match with very little infighting and the exchanges in the form of quick, accurate punches from both fighters and they were both going for head punches with only spasmodic spells of body punches. Most of the action took place in the centre of the ring, there were very few clinches. Just constant quality boxing from two well matched fighters. Mittag’s right eye began to swell considerable over the closing rounds as both fighters upped their work rate and threw more combinations. Cummings had a good eighth and by the end of the round Mittag was dripping blood from both nostrils. Cummings also took the ninth although a right from Mittag stopped him in his tracks at the bell. Cummings was fresher and stronger in the last with Mittag going down but from a slip and just being outworked. Scores 96-94 twice for Mittag and 96-94 for Cummings with the judges probable feeling that the strong finish from Cummings was not enough to cancel out early work from Mittag but it could have been scored either way. Best win so far for 28-year-old Mittag who collects the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title . He had mainly built his record on the B level circuit in Germany. His only loss in his last 27 fights was against Nuhu Lawal on points and he has now won his last 6 fights. Northern Ireland’s Cunnings, 25, who fought for the Mexican Guerreros in the WSB, drew with Alfredo Meli for the vacant BBB of C Celtic title in November and looked very unlucky not to get something out of this fight.
Selby vs. Bornea
“Superstar” Selby puts on another brilliant display of skill to outclass and halt Filipino Bornea. Selby was too quick and too clever for the limited Bornea. The Welshman was firing punches from both hands and from multiple angles and is quick enough to get away with whatever unorthodox punch he chooses to use. He adopted his usual hands down style and his footwork and upper body movement meant that Borne rarely found the target with his punches. With Bornea on the ropes in the third Selby faked a left to the body and then curved a right around the guard of Bornea onto his chin. Selby then unleashed a series of rights and lefts with a shaken Bornea ducking and holding to survive. In the fifth Selby drove Bornea back with blazing hooks from both hands but the little Filipino saw out the storm only to be hit with a couple of hurtful body punches. In the seventh Selby twice bombarded Bornea with punches and with Bornea not fighting back the referee stopped the fight and Bornea made no protest. The 27-year-old new “Welsh Wizard” wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title and gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. He is already rated No 11 by the IBF and as Bornea was WBO No 15 (based on his winning the WBO Asian Pacific title and having nothing to do with the standard of his opposition as the man he beat was not even in the top 15 in the Philippines) he may get a rating there. British champion Selby has harder tests than this ahead of him but already he is talked about as a certain world champion. Bornea, 21, gets his first loss by KO/TKO.
Mucha vs. Gallagher
Mucha gets best career win to date and gets some useful high level exposure on this big show. Gallagher came out firing letting go hooks from both hands with Mucha looking to have been rocked a couple of times but he coolly stuck to his jab. Gallagher continued to come forward in the second banging home some uppercuts but Mucha was quick and finding the target with a sharp jab/straight right as both fighters were rocked in the round. The pattern was set with Gallagher marching forward throwing hooks from both hands and Mucha on the back foot but scoring repeatedly with his jab and sneaking home powerful straight rights. Mucha gradually began to edge in front. He was showing some excellent defensive skills, quick footwork and upper body movement and was faster and more accurate with his punches. He was finding plenty of gaps in Gallagher’s defence but the Northern Ireland fighter was also banging home hooks and uppercuts and marching forward trying to make his strength tell in an entertaining contest. The seventh was three minutes of war but now Mucha was pushing Gallagher to the ropes instead of the other way around and Gallagher was showing a cut above and to the side of his left eye. They both fought hard to the final bell. In the last Gallagher just kept ploughing forward throwing punch and with both fighters falling to their knees in tiredness during the round he probably did enough to take that one but not the decision. Scores 97-94 twice for Mucha and 95-95. The 23-year-old Zimbabwean-born Mucha, the BBB of C Southern Area champion showed fast hands and excellent skills. Most of his fights have been on the small halls circuit but he looks ready to move up. Gallagher made this close with his aggression and powerful hooks and uppercuts but just met a better fighter on the night.
Garton vs. Omier
Garton, “The Pexican” –he comes from the London Borough of Peckham- has built a big following due to his excellent wins at the iconic York Hall, Bethnal Green but had to settle for a six round keep bust fight here. He got a good work out against late replacement Omier winning by 59-55 on the referee’s card but also picked up a bad cut under his left eye. The 29-year-old Londoner’s only loss was against world rated Sam Eggington in Prizefighter tournament. He is English champion and is now 8-0-1 in his last 9 fights. Spanish-based Nicaraguan (are there any fighters still left in Nicaragua?) Omier has lost his last 10 fights but has gone the distance in 9 of them.
Webb vs. Perkovic
Webb gets rid of another opponent in quick time. The 6’5” (196cm) heavyweight scored with some meaty jabs and rights in the first round and then floored Croatian Perkovic heavily late in the second with a right. Perkovic survived the round but then retired citing a hand injury. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for the 29-year-old Webb who has taken less than 15 rounds for his wins. He did not start boxing until he was 21 and his way to top level amateur fights was blocked by three losses to Rio silver medal winner Joe Joyce. He is managed and trained by Scott Welsh who was British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion and scored a win over Joe Bugner but lost to Henry Akinwande for the WBO title. They are not rushing Webb but he badly needs some ring time. Perkovic, 42, is 2-12 in his last 14 fights.

Ontario, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Daniel Roman (21-2-1) W PTS 8 Marlon Olea (12-1). Welter: Giovanni Santillan (20-0) W TKO 4 Miguel Angel Mendoza (23-10-2).
Roman vs. Olea
Roman gets decision over replacement foe Olea. Roman was taking the fight to Olea all the way. He was moving in behind a double left jab and scoring with straight rights and left hooks to the body. Olea tended to hide behind a high guard throwing quick but light counters. A clash of heads at the end of the second round saw Roman suffer a cut high on his forehead and that seemed to spur Olea into a more attacking mode in the fourth but late in the round it was Roman piling on the pressure despite blood from the cut trickling down and affecting his vision. Olea tried switching guard and was able to land with some quick counters. Roman continued to press the action behind his jab and Olea’s work rate dropped and Roman boxed his was to the decision. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Now 13 wins in a row for Ramon who is No 5 with the WBA and has wins over Chris Martin and Christian Esquivel. Colombian Olea showed good skills. He was supposedly a hard puncher with 11 wins by KO/TKO but those wins were over fighters who had combined records of 1-84!
Santillan vs. Mendoza
Santillan makes it twenty wins as he halts Mexican veteran Mendoza in four. Mendoza fought out of a deep crouch marching forward with wild swings leading with his head. Initially southpaw Santillan found him a difficult target as Mendoza tried to turn the fight into a brawl. Santillan was scoring with counter left hooks as Mendoza continued his head down rushes in the second. Santillan landed a very low right hook and even through it was his first offence the referee deducted a point. Mendoza was already slowing and Santillan shook him with a left/right combination at the end of the round. Santillan switched to orthodox at the start of the third and banged home some meaty hooks to the body and opened a cut over the left eye of Mendoza with a punch before changing back to southpaw and clouting Mendoza with head punches. The referee had the doctor examine the cut before the start of the fourth but the fight was allowed to continue. Santillan pounded Mendoza with head and body punches and after a right sent Mendoza staggering into the ropes the towel came in from the Mexican’s corner. The wild brawling style made it hard for Santillan to look good but he got the job done. The 24-year-old “Gallo de Oro” from San Diego now has 11 wins by KO/TKO but this is only his second fight this year and hopefully he will be more active in 2017.Mendoza is now 2-8 in his last 10 fights.

Indio, CA, USA: Welter: Pablo Cesar Cano (30-5-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Mauricio Herrera (22-7). Welter: Keandre Gibson (16-0-1) W PTS 8 Mahonri Montes(32-6-1). Middle: Morgan Fitch (18-0-1) W PTS 6 Travis Scott (19-2,1ND).
Cano vs. Herrera
In a contest where both fighters were looking to bounce back after a loss Cano gets a split decision that should have been unanimous. Cano jumped out in front letting his hands go early and finding the target with his right. Herrera was trying to get control with a stiff jab but Cano was busier. In the fourth Cano landed a low left hook and was given a warning. A few seconds later Cano repeated the offence and with Herrera down on his knees in agony Cano was deducted a point. Herrera kicked on from there and looked to have edged the fifth and sixth before Cano rebounded to take the seventh with a swarming attack. The eighth was fairly even but Cano kept straying low and did it once too often and lost another point. Cano was fresher over the last two rounds and took the verdict. Scores 97-91 twice for Cano and 95-93 for Herrera. The 27-year-old former interim WBA super light champion needed the win after losing a split decision to Alan Sanchez in May but this puts him back in the mix. Herrera, 36, hit his peak with his effort in losing a majority decision to Danny Garcia for the WBA and WBC title in 2014 since then it has been good wins over Johan Perez and Henry Lundy and losses to Jose Benavidez and Frankie Gomez and time is running out for him.
Gibson vs. Montes
Gibson gets unanimous decision over more experienced Montes. A good, well-match contest saw the work rate and accuracy of Gibson’s win through. Montes did best when he could fight on the outside but Gibson landed well throughout the fight with his left hooks. He made the scores closer than they needed to be by losing a point in the second round for a low punch. Montes showed good defensive skills but Gibson was the harder puncher and bossed the exchanges on the way to victory. Scores 78-72, 78-73 and 77-74 all for 26-year-old Gibson. After an early career draw “The Truth” from St Louis extends his winning run to 15 fights. Montes, 26, was 25-0-1 in his first 26 fights but is currently 5-6 in his last eleven. He lost to Humberto Soto but took Ashley Theophane to a Split decision.
Fitch vs. Scott
Fitch gets majority verdict over Scott. There were few highlights with Fitch pressing the action most of the way and keeping Scott on the back foot. Fitch had the higher work rate. Scott countered well but not often enough. Scores 58-55, 58-56 for Fitch and 57-57. The 33-year-old “Big Chief” from Pittsburgh has never moved past eight round class on the West Virginia circuit and has probably gone as far as he is going. Scott, from Baton Rogue was having his first fight for eleven months so had some rust to shed.

Kissimmee, FL, USA: Super Middle; Matt Korobov (27-1) W PTS 8 Scott Sigmon (27-10-1). Feather: Chris Diaz (19-0) W PTS 8 Fernando Vargas (30-11-3). Super Light: Julian Rodriguez (15-0) W PTS 8 Jerry Belmontes (21-10).
Korobov vs. Sigmon
Korobov closes out a winning year with decision over Sigmon. Korobov was too quick and strong for Sigmon and won every round as he continues his rebuilding. His loss to Andy Lee for the WBO title in December 2014 was followed by 13 months out of the ring. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Korobov,33, is now No 9 with the WBO at super middle. Sigmon is 6-5-1 in his last 12 fights.
Diaz vs. Vargas
Diaz marches on. The Puerto Rican prospect and Vargas staged an entertaining war. Diaz was the harder and more accurate puncher but Vargas did not back down and kept walking through punishment to get in some licks of his own. It was a tough test for Diaz and he again showed his potential with a clear victory. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 all for Diaz who is already No 5 with the WBO. Mexican Vargas won a big one when he outpointed Wilfredo Vazquez Jr last year but was halted in 9 rounds by Jamie McDonnell for the secondary WBA title.
Rodriguez vs. Belmontes
Rodriguez gets a great start but Belmontes hangs on to the end. Rodriguez initially lived up to his “Hammer Hands” as he floored Belmontes in both the first and second rounds but Belmontes has only lost once inside the distance and he stayed the full eight rounds. Scores 80-70 twice and 78-72 all for Rodriguez. The 22-year-old former top amateur, he was NGG champion in 2013 and also won silver medals in the 2012 NNG’s and National PAL championships, will break through in 2017. Belmontes is on a switchback. He is 3-7 on his last 10 fights has win in there against 21-0-1 Will Tomlinson and 21-0 Valentyn Golovko and took Omar Figueroa to a split decision but there is a first round loss to Jason Sosa and a defeat in June by moderate opponent Richar Abril.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light: Demond Brock (13-3-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Rey Blanco (13-3). Super Welter: Norberto Gonzalez (23-8) W PTS 8 Daniel Cruz (11-02).
Brock vs. Blanco
Brock wins split decision over Blanco. The fight effectively consisted of three sections. Blanco had his best period early in the fight making use of his reach to pile up the points. Over the middle rounds Brock got rolling and his aggressive attacks gave him the edge as he opened a cut over the left eye of Blanco. With the cut and a swelling by his right eye Blanco was a disadvantage over the late rounds but he kept the fight a tight one only for Brock to do enough to convince two judges he had overtaken the better start from Blanco,. Scores 96-94 twice for “Body Shot” Brock and 97-93 for Blanco. Brock, 35, wins the WBA-NABA title, he already holds the WBC United States title. He went to prison for armed robbery when he was just 15 and served 15 years. He was able to box whilst in Prison and turned pro in 2012 losing his first fight. He is now 5-0-1,1ND in his last 7. Dominican champion Blanco, 29, was defending this title for the first time and had won his last 6 fights.
Gonzalez vs. Cruz
Another split decision here as experienced Gonzalez climbs off the canvas to win a split decision over Rosario. After narrowly taking the first round Rosario floored Gonzalez with a left hook in the second. Gonzalez got up and got back into the fight. Over the next few rounds he gradually ate into Rosario’s early lead and outworked Rosario who seemed more intent of repeating that big left hook success and did not throw enough punches to match the veteran. Scores 76-75 twice for Gonzalez and 77-74 for Rosario. Long a member of the Mexican amateur squad Gonzalez showed promise when he won his first 16 fights. He did go on to win the Mexican title and beat 20-1 Brazilian prospect Michael Oliveira but few other highlights as he has gone 7-8 in his last 15 fights. Puerto Rican Rosario had won his last three fights by KO/TKO and will feel he should have been given the win here.

Ekaterinburg, Russia: Welter: Dmitry Mikhaylenko (22-1) W TKO 7 Breidis Prescott (30-9). Super Feather: Evgeny Chuprakov (17-0) W PTS 10 Jeremiah Nakathila (11-1). Super Welter: Magomed Kurbanov (9-0) W PTS 10 Dennis Laurente (50-8-5). Super Feather: Mikhail Alexeev (9-0) W RTD 8 Mirzhan Zhaksylykov (10-2). Light: Pavel Malikov (9-0) W RTD 8 Carlo Magali (20-9-3).
Mikhaylenko vs. Prescott
Mikhaylenko wins the interim WBC Silver title as Prescott turns his back on the fight in the seventh round. Mikhaylenko was rumbling forward trying to get inside and punch to the body. Prescott strayed low with a couple of punches but suddenly Prescott stabbed out a left jab. The punch did not look hard but Mikhaylenko went backwards off balance and briefly touched down on the canvas and staggered back into the ropes and would have gone down if the ropes had not been there. After the eight count he seemed to have recovered and was again marching forward throwing hooks but was getting treatment for a swelling over his right eye at the end of the round. Mikhaylenko was relentless in the second and third just walking in sometimes throwing wild wide hooks and sometimes straight rights. He was also working in close pumping out punches with Prescott sticking to the jab and trying left hooks but not able to stop Mikhaylenko coming forward and getting a warning for a low punch in the third. The sheer volume of punches was overwhelming Prescott. He tried to stand his ground more in the fifth and was catching Mikhaylenko with counters but they had no effect. It was a question as to whether Mikhaylenko could maintain the pace and whether Prescott could stand the pace. Prescott abandoned the jab in the sixth and just threw hooks and uppercuts. He had a good spell in the middle of the round landing numerous hooks and uppercuts with Mikhaylenko having to step back and regroup but then he was marching again and Prescott was looking tired. Finally in the seventh the pressure told. Prescott had found Mikhaylenko an easy target for counters but the Russian continued to walk through them. A series of punches drove Prescott across the ring falling out through the middle ropes on to the ring apron on his back. He rolled under the ropes and back into the ring and was up at seven but as the referee counted eight Prescott just walked away shaking his head and stood looking out into the crowd and the referee indicated the fight was over. The 30-year-old Mikhaylenko “The Mechanic” gets his tenth win by KO/TKO. His style is one of attrition he just keeps marching forward and punching and trades on his work rate and a strong chin and it worked here. It did not work in his last fight in May where Charles Manyuchi took a unanimous decision over him. Prescott is in danger of falling into the imported to lose category and is now 3-4 in his last 7 fights.
Chuprakov vs. Nakathila
Chuprakov wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title in a poor, ugly fight. With the Namibian Nakathila being much the taller fighter Chuprakov was obliged to come forward and try to get inside to work. Nakathila was countering with his jab and good left hooks to the body but was way off target with his rights and already had three warnings for holding before the end of the first round. Nakathila was warned three times in the second round for holding and the fight was untidy with Chuprakov rarely getting a chance to work inside due to the clinching by Nakathila. Weak refereeing was spoiling the fight-that and the Namibian’s holding and ducking low. The referee gave Nakathila two more warnings for holding in the sixth indicating it was the last he would give but he cautioned Nakathila twice in the seventh. Chuprakov kept boring in and scored with the occasional hooks and Nakathila kept swinging wide lefts hooks and wild rights as the Russian moved in but there was so little clean scoring it was a hard fight to judge. The contests continued in that ugly un-entertaining way with more wrestling than fighting until the final bell with the referee handing out warnings in every round and taking no action. If he had been stronger from the start it might have been a reasonable fight. Scores 118-110, 116-112 both for Chuprakov and 114-114. Chuprakov, 26, wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title but will want to forget this one. Nakathila showed some skills and probably landed more clean punches but his tactics mean he is unlikely to be asked back.
Kurbanov vs. Laurente
Kurbanov too young and too strong for Filipino veteran Laurente. The young Russian “Black Lion” dominated the fight before flooring Laurente in the ninth round. Laurente has never lost by KO/TKO and he used his wealth of experience to survive to the final bell. Scores 100-89 twice and 99-90 all for Kurbanov. The 21-year-old Russian was making the second defence of his WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver title and wins the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council title. As an amateur he was World Junior champion and Russian Under 22 champion. The 39-year-old Laurente, a former Philippines and OPBF champion deserved a world title shot but never landed one. He has now lost 3 in a row and must be near the end of the line.
Alexeev vs. Zhaksylykov
Alexeev survives a disastrous start to halt Zhaksylykov. Alexeev had to climb off the floor twice in the first round before breaking Zhaksylykov down then flooring him in the eighth and Zhaksylykov retired at the end of the round. The 21-year-old Alexeev lifts Zhaksylykov’s WBC Asian Boxing Council title and gets his fourth win by KO/TKO. First loss by KO/TKO for Zhaksylykov.
Malikov vs. Magali
Malikov has no trouble hanging on to his WBC Asian Boxing Council Silver title against Filipino Magali. The Russian champion won all of the eight rounds and Magali retired at the end of the eighth round. Three wins by KO/TKO for 30-year-old Malikov who entered the pro ranks late due to some time in prison. Magali, the OPBF Silver title holder at featherweight had been stopped in nine rounds by Emmanuel Tagoe in July so two inside the distance losses in a row now.

Quilmes, Argentina: Super Welter: Diego Chaves (25-2-1) W TKO 1 Luis Zarate (21-4). Chaves obliterates Zarate inside a minute. Both missed with their first punches but then Chaves landed a left to the head of Zarate and forced him to the ropes and with less than 20 seconds gone Chaves unloaded with hooks from both hands until the referee jumped in and gave Zarate a standing count. Chaves then took Zarate to the ropes again and a couple of combinations had Zarate’s head bouncing around and the referee stopped the fight. The 30-year-old former interim WBA champion had a series of important fights in 2013/2014 dropping his WBA title to Keith Thurman, losing on a disqualification against Brandon Rios when in front on two cards and drawing with Tim Bradley in December 2014. He returned to action for the first time with a win in July this year and is rated No 11 with the IBF. Zarate the Argentinian No 3 middle had won his last 4 fights

Catamarca, Argentina: Welter: Cesar Barrionuevo (31-3-2,1ND) W TKO 5 Elias Vallejos (20-6-1). Barrionuevo retains the national title with stoppage of No 4 rated Vallejos. Over the first two rounds Vallejos used a sharp jab to hold off the attacks of Barrionuevo and opened a gash on the left cheekbone of the champion. Barrionuevo’s took over from the third flooring Vallejos for the first time in the fight and when he put Vallejos down twice in the fifth the fight was stopped. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for the 27-year-old southpaw from Salta and only one loss in his last 29 fights. He was making the first defence of his title and is No 11 with the WBC. Third loss by KO/TKO for Vallejos who had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

Latina, Italy: Heavy: Pietro Aurino (39-3) W TKO 1 Elidon Gaba (1-12).
Aurino eases back with first round disposal of Gaba. A three punch combination rounded-off by a left uppercut put Gaba down and out. The 40-year-iold Italian southpaw was having his first fight for nine years. He had won the Italian, European and WBC International titles but lost big fights inside the distance to Johnny Nelson for the WBO title, Juan Carlos Gomez for the WBC title and Marco Huck for the European title. In 2007 he was convicted for armed robbery and has spent nine years in jail only being released in July. Eleven losses in a row for Albanian Gaba.

Lugo, Spain: Middle: Alberto Pineiro (9-0-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Perez Salido (19-7-1). “Pineapple” Pineiro” wins the vacant Spanish title with victory over southpaw Salido. A mixed start to the fight for Pineiro as a butt from Salido opened a cut on his right eyebrow but his opponent was also deducted a point for the infraction. Pineiro forced the fight and took the first three rounds only for Salido to bounce back and take the fourth and fifth. Pineiro stepped up the pace from the six, had a good seventh and stayed strong to the end to take the unanimous decision. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 to Pineiro. The 27-year-old, fighting in his home town had fought a draw for the Spanish super middle title in March but got his due reward here. Salido felt he had won this one but his bad run in title fights continues as he now 0-3 in fights for the national title challenges at welter, super welter and now middle.

Carouge, Switzerland: Light: Patrick Kinigamazi (25-2) W PTS 10 Clark Telamanou (6-3-1). Kinigamazi wins the vacant WBC African Boxing Union title with majority decision over Spanish-based Congolese fighter Telamanou. This one was close all of the way. The two boxers had similar styles with both favouring hooks and uppercuts and both scoring freely. The measure of the tightness of the fight was that after four rounds all three judges had it 38-38. Kinigamazi pressed the fight which gave him a slight edge but there was never much between with the local fighter just that bit stronger at the end but the decision could have gone to either fighter. Scores 96-94 twice for Kinigamazi and 95-95.Now 7 wins in a row for the Rwandan-born 30-year-old Kinigamazi. He moved to Switzerland in 1998 and initially tried kick boxing winning four European titles and two world titles but he may have left it too late to reach those heights as a pro. Telamanou, 23, was moving up to ten rounds for the first time but put up a good fight for one so inexperienced

Morgantown, WV, USA: Light Heavy: Tommy Karpency (27-6-1) W TKO 1 Mickey Scarborough (6-11). A very poor bit of matching ends predictably in the first round. Karpency floored Scarborough with a southpaw right hook and although Scarborough beat the count Karpency blasted away until the referee halted the fight just past the two minute mark. First fight for Karpency since being stopped in six round by Olek Gvozdyk in July. Now 8 losses in a row for Scarborough all 8 by KO/TKO

Aguascalientes, Mexico: Super Light: Jose Miguel Borrego (10-0) W TKO 2 Oscar Gutierrez (17-3). Described as the best prospect to come out of Aguascalientes for years teenager Borrego win the vacant WBC Youth title with two round stoppage of more experienced Gutierrez. The 18-year-old local has 9 wins by KO/TKO including 8 in a row now. He was a four-time national Junior champion and competed at the World Junior Championships so one to watch. Now three losses by KO/TKO for Gutierrez.

November 19

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light Heavy: Andre Ward (31-0) W PTS 12 Sergey Kovalev (30-1-1). Light Heavy: Olek Gvozdyk (12-0) W RTD 8 Isaac Chilemba (24-5-2). Super Light: Maurice Hooker (21-0-3) DREW 10 Darleys Perez (33-3-1). Middle: Curtis Stevens (29-5) W PTS 10 James De la Rosa (23-5).
22
Ward vs. Kovalev
Kovalev made the better start he was coming forward in the first and scored with a double jab and a straight right and later another jab had Ward stumbling backwards and he again landed a hard jab at the end of a round he clearly won. Kovalev was forcing Ward onto the back foot and doing all of the scoring. Late in the round Kovalev scored with a stiff jab and as Ward threw a counter right Kovalev beat him to the punch with a short overhand right that knocked Ward down sideways on to one knee. Ward was up immediately and smiled through the count but it had been a hard shot and a genuine knockdown, the first Ward had suffered since Daniel Boone floored him in their 2005 fight. There were only 24 seconds left in the round and Ward managed to duck and dive his way to the bell. Kovalev tried to capitalise on that success in the third and managed to land a couple of rights but Ward boxed carefully taking no chances and probably letting the round go to Kovalev. In the fourth there was less action. Kovalev continued to be the one forcing the fight and getting through with jabs whereas Ward was showing good defensive movement but not throwing enough punches. At that point all of the judges had Kovalev in front on scores of 40-35 twice and 39-36. Ward got into gear a bit more in the fifth still mainly on the back foot but finally getting the better of the war of jabs and scoring with some good left hooks. Neither fighter wanted to fight inside so there was too much holding and wrestling with Ward almost lifting Kovalev off his feet in the sixth and there was very little landed of any consequence by either fighter with Kovalev probably pocketing the round with a flurry of punches just before the bell. Ward needed to something to turn the fight his way and he started to do that in the seventh. He was snapping out his jab to head and body and scoring with quick rights with Kovalev off target and too slow with his own punches. It was the same picture in the eighth with Ward sliding under Kovalev’s lead and scoring with left hooks and Kovalev was now mostly on the back foot and not looking the confident fighter who had marched forward in the early round. After eight rounds the scores were very different to two rounds earlier at 77-74 and 76-75 for Kovalev and 79-77 for Ward. I still had Kovalev three points ahead at that stage with four rounds to go. For me Ward took the ninth clearly. He was quicker and more accurate with his jab and straight rights and Kovalev was too often swishing fresh air as ward ducked under Kovalev’s punches and fired home counters. Kovalev needed a good round and he got it in the tenth. He was again coming forward and Ward hardly threw a punch in the first two minutes of the round whereas Kovalev worked for the whole three minutes so I still had him three points in front with two rounds to go. Ward edged a close eleventh on the basis of some excellent jabbing but for me Kovalev outlanded Ward in the last to win the fight. Official scores were 114-113 for Ward from all three judges. I thought Kovalev won but there were many close rounds from the seventh which could have gone to either boxer but no matter how you scored them this was going to be a close and controversial decision and could understand how other could score it differently and it was not robbery. Ward wins the IBF/WBA and WBO titles and remains undefeated and Kovalev deserves a return. Other than WBC champion Adonis Stevenson there are no other fights of this magnitude out there for Ward. Artur Beterbiev is a possibility but WBA No 1 Dmitry Bivol and WBO Domenic Boesel are not in Ward’s class as fighters and not in Kovalev’s as draw cards. What Kovalev does next will depend on whether a return in on the cards.
Chilemba vs. Gvozdyk
The first round was a cautious one with Gvozdyk staying on the front foot and just getting through with more jabs and both landing hooks just before the bell. Gvozdyk was quicker with his punches in the second again working well with the jab and with Chilemba throwing less but landing a couple of hooks to the body. Chilemba managed to get on the front foot in the third and scored well with his jab and hooks but Gvozdyk finished the round strongly. Some furious action in the fourth saw Gvozdyk take Chilemba to the ropes for an extended period and unload a series of punches until Chilemba managed to fight his way out but it was a good round for Gvozdyk. Chilemba bounced back in the fifth landing a long right to the head of Gvozdyk and ducking under the Ukrainian’s jab and scoring with hooks and landed the best punch of the round in the form of a teeth-rattling uppercut. Gvozdyk was in control in the sixth landing thudding jabs and long raking rights and left hooks with Chilemba seemingly fading out of the fight. It was the same in the seventh as Chilemba was too often letting himself be backed to the ropes where Gvozdyk was able pepper him with punches and it was a dejected Chilemba who went back to his corner at the end of the round. Chilemba gave it one big last try in the eighth. He landed a number of clubbing rights but by the end of the round was again under pressure against the ropes and he retired in his corner no longer able to continue due to an injury to his right arm which he suffered in the third round but which he had covered well. Big win for the Oxnard-based Ukrainian as he retains the NABF title. He has had only a short pro career so far but had over 200 fights as an amateur winning the Ukrainian national Championship three time in a row was World University Champion and won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics. He has an impressive second round kayo win over Nadjib Mohammedi and climbed off the floor to halt Tommy Karpency in his last fight in July. He is rated WBC 4/WBO 8/IBF 10 and will climb after this win. Malawian Chilemba has had three tough losses in a row to Eleider Alvarez, Sergey Kovalev and now Gvozdyk and needs to take a rest and start again when his injury heals.
Hooker vs. Perez
Ward vs. Kovalev was not the only fight on this card where the decision was controversial. The heavily favoured Hooker was more than lucky to escape with a draw against Perez the former holder of the secondary WBA title at lightweight. Hooker had big advantages in height and reach and seemed to handle Perez well enough in the first round. Perez really got rolling in the second. Fighting out of a crouch Perez was getting under Hooker’s jab and scoring with rights to the head and hooks to the body. Hooker had no answer to those tactics and was constantly on the back foot and too often fighting with the ropes at his back. After four rounds the judges had Perez in front 39-37 on two cards and the third read 38-38. Perez continued to outwork a sluggish Hooker who only really showed flashes of his talent and although he had good rounds in the seventh and eighth he did not have the power to keep Perez out and looked to have been clearly outscored but the judges had the fight evenly balanced at 77-75 for Perez, a very strange 78-74 for Hooker and 76-76. Perez continued to force the fight over the last two rounds again forcing Hooker on to the back foot and getting though with looping head punches and by the bell Perez looked to have collected an important victory but not in the eyes of the judges. Scores 97-93 for Perez, a way out 97-93 for Hooker and 95-95 making it a draw which was generous to Hooker. Colombian Perez, 33, was having his second fight since losing his secondary WBA title on a kayo against Anthony Crolla in November and it will interesting to see how he fares in the heavier division. “Might Mo” Hooker retained his WBO NABO title and preserved his IBF 6(4)/WBO 6 rating but he had a bad night here and is lucky to still be unbeaten.
Stevens vs. De la Rosa
Stevens floors and pounds De la Rosa early but a hand injury gives De la Rosa a chance to claw his way into the fight. After getting to De la Rosa early in the first and wobbling him with left hook Stevens put the Texan down with another left hook. Stevens threw plenty of leather but De la Rosa survived to the bell. Stevens also dominated in the second and third as he started a selling under De la Rosa’s left eye and also opened a cut under the eye with a punch in the second and was pounding De la Rosa with hard hooks in both rounds putting in a huge effort in the third to try to blow De la Rosa away. Things changed from the fourth. Stevens had injured his left and that gave De la Rosa some breathing space and he was then able to box on the outside. Stevens was still able to score enough to be edging the rounds but De la Rosa was never again in any danger in the fight. Stevens continued to score to the body but mostly in single shots as he found it hard to throw combinations. De la Rosa was just not working hard enough to cut the deficit but he got some help when Stevens was finally deducted a point for low punch. That turned out not to be significant as Stevens already had a substantial lead and he kept pressing to the final bell. Scores96-82 twice and 98-90 all for Stevens. The 31-year-old “Cerebral Assassin” who retired after eight rounds against Gennady Golovkin in a challenge for the middleweight title retains his WBC Continental Americas title and gets his second win since losing on a wide unanimous decision against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam in an IBF eliminator in October 2014. He was then inactive until beating the 26-0 Brazilian Patrick Teixeira in May this year. He is rated IBF 7/WBC 8/WBC 13/WBO 13 and has his eyes on some of the other top contenders such as David Lemieux. Mexican-born De la Rosa, 29, won his first 20 fights and broke through in September 2014 when flooring and outpointing Alfredo Angulo but in December that year was knocked out in five rounds by Hugo Centeno and was then inactive until losing a wide points verdict against unbeaten Irish star Jason Quigley.

Hannover, Germany: Cruiser: Marco Huck (40-3-1) W PTS 12 Dymtro Kucher (24-2-1). Successful first defence of his INO title for Huck. Huck took the first round by diving inside, holding with his left and landing rights to the side of Kucher’s head with Kucher hardly throwing a punch. With Huck continuing to dive inside and either hold or land rights and Kucher not working hard enough it was a messy untidy fight. Kucher did better in the third as he created some space and scored with his jab and long rights and Huck was unable to do his hold and hit act. Huck took the fourth with what few punches were landed but he was finally given a warning for punches to the back of the head but not for holding which he did continually. At the end of the fourth Huck was up on all three cards 39-37 on two and 40-36 on the third. The fifth was a non-event with a straight right through Kucher’s defence the only punch of note and Huck continued to land punches on the back of Kucher’s head without being warned. Kucher used his jab and straight right to get the better start in the sixth but Huck began pumping out punches only a few of which landed and was warned again for punches to the back of the neck. Kucher also did the pressing in the seventh but was throwing too few punches and letting Huck steal the round. Huck was cut over the right eye in a clash of heads early in the eighth but then shook Kucher with a wild right. He had the Ukrainian hurt but did his hopes no good when he then wrestled Kucher to the floor giving Kucher some recovery time. Huck scored with a couple of left hooks to end a round he had dominated. Huck now had a commanding lead being 79-73 up on two cards and 78-74 on the third. Kucher pressed throughout the ninth and tenth and did some useful work but Huck was fighting effectively in spurts even though often missing the target. Huck continued to let Kucher come forward and fire bursts of counters from both hands and took the last two rounds. Scores 117-111 twice and a too wide 119-109 as Huck retains the IBO title he won with a tenth round victory over Ola Afolabi in February. Huck’s tactics make for messy fights and the 32-year-old Serbian born fighter gets away with too much holding and hitting on the back of the neck but is a hard man to beat. With 18 wins by KO/TKO and coming off a one round stoppage of Enzo Maccarinelli Kucher can punch but Huck’s tactics negated that power and Kucher let himself down badly here.

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia: Feather: Luke Jackson (13-0) W PTS 10 Silvester Lopez (27-11-2). Jackson wins the vacant WBO Oriental title with unanimous decision over Filipino Lopez. Fighting in his home city Jackson remains undefeated but the greater experience of Lopez made it a tough night. Scores 98-93, 97-93 and 96-94 all for “Action” Jackson. The 31-year-old former captain of the Australian amateur team at the 2012 Olympics and Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner had collected this same title in March so not sure why it was vacant again. He will be hoping this win gets him a rating. Lopez, 29, lost to Yota Sato for the WBC super fly title in 2012 and has travelled around the globe.

Melbourne, Australia: Cruiser: Kane Watts (19-3) W KO 4 Yuberti Suarez Diaz (8-6). Super Middle: Jayde Mitchell (11-1) W RTD 5 Arnoldo Poblete (10-9-1).
Watts vs. Diaz
“Sugar” Watts gets back in the winning column with kayo of elderly Uruguayan for the interim WBO Oriental title in a poor match-up. The 34-year-old Watts is a former Australian champion who built a nine-bout winning streak before losing on points to Danny Green in August. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for the 43-year-old Diaz who was knocked out in 103 seconds by Olanrewaju Durodola in August. That gives a fair measure of the quality of fighter the WBO is happy having fight for their titles.
Mitchell vs. Poblete
Mitchell adds to his collection of minor titles as he beats Chilean champion Poblete.
The Chilean retired at the end of the fifth round and Mitchell wins the vacant interim WBO Oceania title. The 30-year-old Australian No 5 also holds the interim PABA and the more significant OPBF titles. Now 5 losses by KO/TKO for Poblete.

Mississauga, Canada: Light: Tony Luis (22-3) W PTS 8 Chris Uruzquieta (14-3-1,ND). Heavy: Simon Kean (7-0) W KO 1 Danny Calhoun (6-2).
Luis vs. Uruzquieta
Luis gets eight rounds of competitive work against Mexican. Luis stayed in control but Uruzquieta showed why he has done so well in Canadian visits as he pushed the more experienced local fighter all of the way. Both focused on body punches and there was plenty of back and forth action but Luis just had the edge. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 all for Luis. Third win for the 28-year-old “Lightning” since losing a close decision to Derry Mathews for the interim WBA title in April last year. Uruzquieta was 8-0-1 going into this one including victories over Canadian hopefuls Steve Wilcox and Roody Pierre-Paul on their own turf.
Kean vs. Calhoun
Luckily this rubbish was over quickly. Calhoun managed to go the 2mins 40 secs the fight lasted without taking a single step forward or throwing a single punch. Kean just prowled after Calhoun sticking out his jab and trying a few rights before a vicious left to the body and a thunderous left hook to the chin put Calhoun down. He raised himself as far as kneeling on the floor and then just watched the referee count him out. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 27-year-old from Trois-Rivieres and a waste of everyone’s time except Calhoun who got paid for the abysmal non-effort.

Manzano, Italy: Fly: Mohammed Obbadi (11-0) W PTS 12 Silvio Olteanu (16-11-1). Obbadi wins the vacant European Union title with wide unanimous decision over veteran Olteanu. Obbadi went out in front quickly scoring with fast combinations from both hands with Olteanu not being able to match the Moroccan-born youngster. After four rounds Obbadi had already built a good lead being in front 40-36 on two cards and 39-37 on the other. Although Olteanu fought hard he did not really get into the fight until the sixth when he rocked Obbadi badly with a powerful right which had Obbadi holding on to survive. Obbadi recovered and took the seventh which was a close round but the quick movement allowed Obbadi to get in and out quickly although he was standing trading too often as far as his corner was concerned. After eight rounds Obbadi was still well ahead although the judges were staring to differ in their view as the scores were 80-72, 78-74 and 77-75. After clearly taking the ninth round over the last three rounds Olteanu was looking for the big punch he needed and ignoring his boxing but he kept fighting to the end and showed great stamina for a 38-year-old boxer. Obbadi I was obeying his corners instructions and keeping on the outside where his speed gave him the edge. Scores 118-109 and 116-112 for Obbadi and 114-114 with both the first and third scores not reflecting the fight and the 116-112 more accurate. The 23-year-old Obbadi was going past the sixth round for the first time and paced the fight well. He joins the growing list of very good active European flyweights. Former European champion Olteanu came so close to the big prize when he only lost on a split decision to Daiki Kameda for the WBA flyweight title in 2010. He has been a great little fighter but is now 2-5 in his last 7 fights against some high quality much younger fighters.

Blantyre, Malawi: Middle: Brian Mwando (7-7) W TEC DEC 10 Chikondi Makawa (2-6). Mwando win the national title in controversial circumstances. Zimbabwean-born Mwando was well on his way to a points victory after nine rounds but in the tenth a fierce attack from Makawa saw Mwando spit out his mouthguard. The referee ordered the boxers to neutral corners whilst the gumshield was replaced. Makawa was angered by what he saw as delaying tactics and rushed to the attack before the referee ordered them to restart the fight. Mwando went down saying he could not continue after a punch from Makawa and after some deliberation it went to the scorecards with all of the judges having Mwando ahead 96-94 twice and 98-95.

Paranaque City: Light Fly: Jonathan Taconing (23-3-1) W TKO 9 Salatiel Amit (9-2-2). Taconing wins the vacant WBC International title with stoppage of game but under-powered Amit. Using his strong southpaw jab and some wicked body punches Taconing dominated the action all the way. Amit just could not get into the fight. He was bleeding from a cut over his right and after eight rounds was behind 79-73 on all three cards. In the ninth Taconing connected with a series of punches that sent Amit across the ring and out through the ropes and the referee halted the contest. First fight for 29-year-old Taconing since losing on points against Ganigan Lopez in a challenge for the WBC title in July. He is still No 7 with the WBC so is hoping for a return. Amit, 24, the Philippines No 4, gets his first loss by KO/TKO.

Manchester, England: Cruiser: Matty Askin (21-3-1) W PTS 12 Tommy McCarthy (9-1). Light: Anthony Cacace (1500-0) W PTS 6 Leonel Hernandez (10-16-2). Middle: Jack Arnfield (21-2) W PTS 6 Dan Blackwell (7-61(,
Askin vs. McCarthy
English champion Askin puts McCarthy on the floor twice and wins British title final eliminator. Both fighters started cautiously, too cautiously with the referee calling for more action in a pacifistic first round. Askin showed slick skills to take the second with McCarthy edging another slow third round. The fight took a dramatic route in the fourth as Askin twice put McCarthy on the floor and clobbered the Northern Ireland fighter with more heavy punches with McCarthy just doing enough to be still on his feet at the bell. Askin tried to end the fight in the fifth and was pressing hard until a big left hook had him in trouble and holding to the bell. Askin’s better boxing saw him take the sixth and seventh to build a big lead but McCarthy fought back and looked to have taken the eighth and ninth in which he again rocked Askin with a left hook. Askin went back to his boxing in the tenth and eleventh which were two close rounds and despite a huge effort from McCarthy in the last he just could not pin Askin down long enough to land the knockout punch he needed and Askin was a deserved winner. Scores 116-112 twice and 117-112. The 27-year-old Blackpool “Assassin” lost a majority to Ovill McKenzie for the British and Commonwealth titles in March 2015 in a quite awful fight. When he fought Lawrence Bennett for the English title in October both fighters fell out of the ring in the first round and Askin injured his back and had to be stretchered from the ring. In March he halted unbeaten Simon Barclay in two rounds and is now in position to fight Craig Kennedy for the vacant British title. London-born McCarthy, 26, an outstanding amateur, had scored good wins over Courtney Fry and Jon Lewis Dickinson and will be back for sure.
Cacace vs. Hernandez
Cacace gets six rounds of much needed work against a member of the Nicaragua loser’s club. The tall Belfast southpaw never really had to get out of second gear as with only one round of fighting under his belt it was important to get in some ring time. Referee’s score 60-54 to Cacace. He has yet to build on the dramatic tenth round kayo of Ronnie Clark last year but hopefully will now be more active. Now 9 losses in his last 10 fights for Hernandez.
Arnfield vs. Blackwell
Arnfield gets partial revenge over the Blackwell family as he outpoints Dan. Arnfield was happy to get in the work. As usual Blackwell stuck to his task and did well enough in the fourth round to win a share of it and again showed his amazing resilience. Referee’s score 60-55 for Arnfield. The 27-year-old Blackpool fighter lost to brother Nick Blackwell for the British title in November but rebounded in real style with a points win over 23-2 John Ryder in September. Now 60 losses for Blackwell but he has only lost once on a TKO and that was to world rated Liam Williams in 2013.

Doncaster, England: Light: Lee Appleyard (9-2) W TKO 1 Ignac Kassi (21-53-2). Super Feather: Andy Townend (17-4) W TKO 2 Chris Conwell (9-2). Bantam: Josh Wale (22-9-2) W PTS 6 Rey Cajina (14-38-5).
Appleyard vs. Kassi
Appleyard gets rid of poor import quickly. Kassi came in as a late replacement. The Hungarian’s nickname is “The Test” but he wasn’t. Appleyard dropped Kassi with a straight right early in the round. Kassi beat the count but Appleyard took him to a corner and unloaded with punches from both hands and Kassi slumped to the floor with the referee immediately stopping the fight after just 110 seconds. Too easy for the tall 23-year-old from Rotherham who gets his fourth win by KO/TKO. Now 23 losses by KO/TKO for Kassi.
Townend vs. Conwell
“KO Kid” Townend lives up to his name as he halts Conwell in two rounds. After taking the first round Townend staggered Conwell with a right to the head and then put him down with a left. Conwell made it to his feet but Townend took him to the ropes and landed a wicked left hook to the body that saw Conwell halt for a moment and then go down on his knees in agony. He got up and tried to take the fight to Townend but another left hook to the body put him down again and the fight was stopped. Townend, 27, rebounds from a stoppage loss to Martin Joseph Ward for the British title in September and retains his English title. Conwell, the BBB of C Central Area champion, had stopped Lee Appleyard in six rounds in September.
Wale vs. Cajina
Wale stays busy with easy six round victory over travelling anvil Cajina. Wale handed out a hammering but Cajina has a good chin-no defence but a good chin-and he took his lumps whilst losing every round. Wale held world rated Gavin McDonnell to a draw but lost big fights to James Dickens and Gamal Yafai. He fights for the vacant English title in March next year. Nicaraguan Cajina is 1-20-2 in his last 23 fights.

Mashantucket, CT, USA: Middle: Courtney Pennington (9-4-1) W KO 7 Boyd Melson (15-2-1) W. Heavy: Alexis Santos (17-1) W PTS 8 Jesse Barboza (11-3-1).
Pennington vs. Melson
Due to his wonderful charity work I always find myself hoping Melson wins but it was not to be. In his first fight in 18 months and his retirement fight Melson never really got started. Pennington was sharper over the first two rounds and then floored Melson with a right in the third. Melson had some good spells but was in trouble again in the fifth. He got through the sixth but in the seventh a body punch from Pennington put him down and he could not beat the count. Pennington was 1-4-1 in his last 6 fights but Melson was not in top shape. A former Military man Melson initially donated his purses to aid stem cell research and this time his purse went to “Big Vision” foundation which seeks to help those suffering from an addiction to heroin. A genuine caring individual.
Santos vs. Barboza
Two fighters don’t have to be great for the fight to be great. These two fighters from the same neighbourhood put on a non-stop war which Santos rightly won on a unanimous verdict. Benitez had a slight edge in reach but was not about to use it. They went toe-to-toe in round after round. Santos was mainly head hunting with overhand and straight rights and left hooks with Benitez trying to go to the body. Santos got the best of most of the exchanges but had to absorb some big shots from Benitez. Santos looked to be the bigger puncher but Benitez took whatever came his way and kept banging back with the crowd on their feet most of the time. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73 for 27-year-old Santos who retains his New England title. He has reversed the lone loss on his record. Barboza had a 8-0-1 run before being stopped by unbeaten Adam Kownacki in June and he played his part in a great fight here. The main bout between Ryosuke Iwasa and Luis Rosa fell out when Rosa failed to make the weight but this fight more than compensated for that.

Tacoma, WA, USA: Super Middle: Mike Gavronski (22-2-1) W PTS 10 Thomas Awimbono (25-5-1). Local hero Gavronski boxes his way to victory over limited Ghanaian Awimbono. Gavronski made good use of a sharp jab to take the first round with Awimbono throwing very few punches. The Ghanaian opened up in the second landing a few rights but again Gavronski was picking up points with his jab. In the third Gavronski was adding more right of his own to the jab as Awimbono went onto the back foot. The Ghanaian had a good fourth as he pressed the fight hard and managed to get through with some rights but by the end of the round he was already showing signs of tiring. The fifth saw the pace drop and both fighters holding too much with referee bringing them together and telling them to cut out the holding. Gavronski took the fight over completely from the sixth. He was still slotting home his jab but was mixing in more combinations as Awimbono tired noticeably. Gavronski was able to keep the fight on the outside and with Awimbono only fighting in burst Gavronski boxed his way to the decision. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 all for Gavronski. The 30-year-old “Imagine Me” gets his second win since losing on an eighth round retirement against Dashon Johnson in November. He had looked good in outpointing unbeaten Australian hope in September and a win for Gavronski is good for boxing in the Pacific North West as he is a big draw there. Awimbono, 35, was unbeaten in his last 18 fights and much was made of his 21 wins by KO/TKO but as with many Ghanaian boxers the figures are deceptive as 14 of his victims had never won a fight and three others had of 8-32-1.

Quellon, Chile: Bantam: Jose Velasquez (10-6-2) W TKO 7 Ricardo Vera (8-8-1).
Local fighter Velasquez retains his national bantamweight title with stoppage of Vera early in the seventh round. The 26-year-old Velasquez was making the first defence of his title in his second spell as champion. He has 4 wins by KO/TKO. Poor Vera, a former Chilean flyweight champion was 8-0-1 but has now lost his last 8 fights

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic: Cruiser: Lubos Suda (35-11-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Venci (4-2). Suda wins unanimous decision over aging novice Venci to take the vacant Czech title. Scores 98-92, 97-92 and 98-94.The 40-year-old Suda said this was his last fight after almost 14 years as a pro, He was looked on as a prospect when he went 18-0-1 in his first twenty fights and has mixed with top names such as Ola Afolabi, Firat Arslan, Dymtro Kucher and Mairis Briedis Venci, 38, has yet to lose inside the distance.

Sosua, Dominican republic: Super Light: Joel Diaz Jr (23-0) W TKO 2 Mario Beltre (15-2). Fly: Gregorio Lebron (16-4) W PTS 8 Jesus Vargas (14-7-1). Super Feather: Yohan Vasquez (18-1) W KO 2 Richard Carrillo (24-7). Welter Argenis Lopez (21-1) W PTS 8 Rafael May (6-12).
Diaz vs. Beltre
Diaz keeps busy with early finish. The unbeaten Californian floored local boxer Beltre in the first round and forced the stoppage early in the second. Now 19 wins by KO/TKO for Diaz including 7 in his last 7 fights. Former Dominican champion Beltre suffers his second inside the distance defeat.
Lebron vs. Vargas
National flyweight champion Lebron gets unanimous verdict over Venezuelan Vargas. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. The 34-year-old Dominican lost twice in challenges for the interim WBA title in Thailand but both were majority verdicts and he looked a good winner in the first. Four losses in a row for Vargas

Vasquez vs. Carrillo
Vasquez wins the first round and then puts oldie Carrillo down and out half way through the second . The 22year-old “The Fire” has won his last 13 fights. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO but the opposition has been poor. Carrillo, 44, turned pro in 1994 but was inactive for ten yers before returning to the ring in July this year.
Lopez vs. May
Tall local fighter Lopez returns to the ring for the first time in 19 months and wins every round against lower level opponent May. Scores 80-72 for Lopez from all three judges. Lopez lost to Darleys Perez for the interim WBA title in June 2014 and this is only his second fight since then. Four losses in a row for Venezuelan May.

November 20

East London, South Africa: Minimum: Simphiwe Khonco (16-5) W Nkosinathi Joyi (26-4,1ND). Super Middle: Len Dyer (7-3-1) W TKO 8 Giovanni Bushby (7-5-3). Aphiwe Masengwana (4-1) W PTS 10 Lwandiso Zinto (12-9-1).
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Khonco vs. Joyi
Fighting in his home city Khonco retains his IBO title with unanimous verdict over Joyi. Khonco was the quicker of the two fighters and made good use of that to score with long rights against southpaw Joyi. Although Joyi had slight advantages in height and reach he had more success when he took the fight inside looking to attack the body and slow his younger opponent. There was plenty of action all the way but Khonco’s quickness gave him the edge and by the twelfth round Joyi had a swelling around his right eye but the former IBF minimumweight champion kept pressing to the final bell and the score were not a true reflection of a hard-fought contests which Khonco won clearly but not by those margins. Scores 119-111, 118-112 and 116-112. Huge victory for “Chain Reaction” Khonco who was making the first defence of his IBO title. After an indifferent 6-4 start to his career he is now 11-1 in his last fights with the loss being a creditable performance in losing to Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO titles in September last year. Joyi, 33, was unbeaten in his first 23 fights but is now 4-5 in his last nine and in danger of slipping into the category of a useful name to have on your record.
Dyer vs. Bushby
Dyer wins the vacant WBC ABU title with stoppage of Busby. WBA Pan African champion Busby was very much in the fight over the first three rounds but in the Dyer floored him twice with body punches. Busby did well to survive a torrid fifth and seemed to have steadied the ship but Dyer broke through again in the eighth after two more knockdowns score by Dyer. Now 6 wins by KO/TKO for the South African champion. Local fighter Busby suffers his first loss by KO/TKO.
Masengwana vs. Zinto
Masengwana wins the Eastern Cape featherweight title with unanimous decision over more experienced Zinto. After a couple of evenly contested rounds the speed and better technique of Masengwana saw him build a lead. His cause was helped when Zinto lost a point in the fifth for persistent holding but a there was some worry for Masengwana when he suffered a cut over his right eye in the ninth however he finished in style by flooring Zinto in the last. Scores 97-91 twice and 97-92 all for Masengwana who had not gone past four rounds before. Former South Africa title challenger Zinto was making the first defence of his title