The Past Week in Action 23 September 2014 September 16

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

                      The Past Week in Action 23 September 2014

September 16

 

Tokyo, Japan: Fly: Kazuto Ioka (15-1) W PTS 10 Pablo Carillo (15-3-1). Light Fly: Ryo Miyazaki (21-1-3) W KO 5 Ichal Tobida (10-13). Bantam: Malcolm Tunacao (35-3-3) W TEC DEC 5 Ryuta Otsuka (14-7-2).

Ioka vs. Carillo

Ioka has too much class for brave and willing Colombian. The former two-division champion was in charge early as he used his jab to keep the smaller Colombian out. Carillo was forced to rely on swinging rights as Ioka piled up the points. Ioka also started to attack the body but in the middle rounds Carillo had some success fighting inside. The talented former double champion turned up the heat over the last two rounds looking for a stoppage, but Carillo gamely stayed there punching with him to the bell. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 99-93. First fight for Ioka since losing to old amateur foe Amnat Ruenroeng for the IBF title in May and first non-title fight since 2010. He is WBA 5/IBF 9(8) and with TV support is sure to get another title shot in 2015. Carillo, 26, suffered two points losses in a row to Luis Concepcion in 2012 but then had a six-bout winning streak before this Tokyo fight.

Miyazaki vs. Tobida

Easy night for Miyazaki as he outpunches Indonesian for four rounds and then drops him early in the fifth. The Indonesian’s handlers quickly threw in the towel. Like Ioka Miyazaki was coming back from a loss but his was a shock kayo by Thai Fahlan in December. The 26-year-old former undefeated WBA straw and OPBF light fly champion makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO. The Fahlan loss cost him his world rating but he is looking for another title shot at light fly. Tobida, 30, is 4-9 in his last 13 fights and this was his sixth loss by KO/TKO.

Tunacao vs. Otsuka

Otsuka, the JBC No 6 super fly, made a fast start, but Tunacao scored with heavy counters and the Japanese-based Filipino southpaw was winning this one clearly. A clash of heads in the fifth saw Otsuka with cuts by his right eye and the bridge of his nose. The fight was stopped and went to the score cards with Tunacao the winner on scores of 49-46 twice and 50-46. Third win in a row for the 36-year-old “Eagle Eye”. He lost to Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC bantam title in April last year, his only loss in his last 15 fights. Otsuka, 28, a former JBC super fly challenger was in over his head.

 

 

September 19

 

Villa Maria, Argentina: Super Fly: Omar A Narvaez (43-1-2) W PTS 12 Felipe Orucuta (29-3). Middle: Jorge S Heiland (24-4-2) W TKO 5 Mateo D Veron (19-14-2,2ND).

Narvaez vs. Orucuta

Narvaez retains his title with majority decision over Orucuta but outcome less disputed than in their first match. The opening rounds saw the Mexican aiming to use his big advantages in height and reach and Narvaez working his way inside where he could score with short hooks and uppercuts. In their previous fight Narvaez never really found an answer to the jab of Orucuta but this time he boxer a much more intelligent fight able to block Orucuta’s jab or use good upper body movement to come under it and throw shots inside. The first four rounds were shared but Orucuta did his best work over the middle rounds as he upped the pace and was going to the body more often. He shook Narvaez with a right in the sixth and although Narvaez had a good seventh the challenger again dominated the eighth. Orucuta’s work rate dropped over the closing round. He had struggled to make the weight and that may have weakened him. Narvaez came on strong over the championship rounds and had a big eleventh and also took the twelfth to be a clear winner. Scores 116-112 twice and 114-114. No explaining the last score as even Orucuta’s team did not dispute the verdict. Eleventh defence of his WBO title for the 39-year-old little southpaw dynamo. When you add the 16 defence of his WBO flyweight title it makes 27 defences which equals the record of Julio Cesar Chavez although the great JCC made his over three weight divisions. Close again for the 28-year-old Orucuta. He had looked a clear winner in their title bout in May last year but paced this one badly and threw away the late rounds. At 5’7” (170cm) he should really move up to bantam or super bantam.

Heiland vs. Veron

Southpaw Heiland crushes Veron in fourth fight in their series. Veron outboxed Heiland over the first two rounds but the strong southpaw floored Veron with a stunning left in the third. That changed the fight and Heiland took the fourth before putting Veron down twice in the fifth first with a left to the chin and then a left to the body to force the stoppage. The 27-year-old “El Gaucho de Pigue” had scored a big win in November when he kayoed Billi F Godoy for the WBC International title which earned him a WBC No 6 rating. He has 12 wins by KO/TKO. Veron, 25, has now lost 5 in a row. Their three previous meeting saw a split draw, a majority verdict for Heiland and a majority win for Veron.

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light Welter: Mauro M Godoy (18-0) W PTS 10 Cesar D Inafel (18-4-1). Welter: Diego M Aguilera (9-2) W TKO 6 Cristian R Gramajo (17-1-1).

Godoy vs. Inafel

Prospect Godoy wins the vacant Argentinian title with comfortable unanimous verdict over Inafel. After edging in front over the first three rounds Godoy was able to start opening a wider gap as he combated the southpaw jab of Inafel with short hooks and accurate rights. Boxing on the outside Godoy clearly took the seventh and eighth rounds to build a winning lead. Over the last two rounds he mixed it more with Inafel and worked his way to a convincing victory. Scores 99 ½-93, 99-93 and 97-93. The tall 24-year-old “El Rayo”, the FAB No 4, was having only his third ten round bout and looks promising. Inafel, 28, was FAB No 3. He had won his last 8 fights including a victory over Martin A Coggi.

Aguilera vs. Gramajo

Aguilera bounces back from near defeat to register his second surprise win in a row over an unbeaten fighter. This was a battle of bangers with both fighter have scored all/most of their wins inside the distance. It looked as though Gramajo was going to extend his unbeaten streak when in the fifth he landed a series of heavy punches which had Aguilera in trouble. The referee stepped-in and gave Aguilera a standing count which helped him see out the round. Aguilera turned the table in the sixth hurting Gramajo with some hard shots and this time it was Gramajo being temporarily saved by a standing count. However Aguilera did not let his victim off the hook and floored Gramajo with a heavy right which put him down hard and the referee did not even bother to count. In July the 22-year-old unrated “Cobra” had halted previously unbeaten Hernan L Carrizo (14-0-1) in two rounds and all of his wins have come inside the distance but against poor opposition. Gramajo, the FAB No 7 and a former WBC Youth Silver champion had scored 13 wins by KO/TKO.

 

Denham Court, Australia: Super Bantam: TJ Doheny (8-0) W TKO 8 Roman Canto (8-5-2). Light Welter: Lenny Zappavigna (32-2) W KO 2 Thong Por (23-10-1).

Doheny vs. Canto

Irish southpaw “The Power” Doheny moves to eight wins with a stoppage of Filipino “Hitman” Canto. The 27-year-old PABA champion and WBA No 15 a two-time runner-up in the Irish amateur championships claims he turned down a chance to challenge Scott Quigg. A wise decision as it is much too early in his career. Canto, 24, is 0-5-2 in his last 7 fights.

Zappavigna vs. Thong Por

Poor match sees Zappa continue his winning run with kayo of returning Thai veteran. The former IBO light champion and IBF challenger makes it six wins since crushing loss to Ammeth Diaz in 2011. He is IBF No 5(4). Thirty-three-year old southpaw Thong Por was having only his second fight after two years out. He returned with an inside the distance loss to Cesar Amonsot in June.

 

Barranquilla, Colombia: Feather: Jhonatan Romero (24-1) W TKO 3 Julio Gomez (3-25). Welter: Francisco Monterrosa M. (34-10-1) W TKO 1 Julio Cardozo (0-9).

Romero vs. Gomez

Disgraceful match sees Romero halt Gomez in three rounds. First fight for the former IBF super bantam champion since losing his title to Kiko Martinez in August last year. Gomez has lost 25 fights in a row, 23 by KO/TKO.

Monterrosa vs. Cardozo

This match no better as Monterrosa halts Cardozo late in the first round. Now 28 wins by KO/TKO for Monterrosa who lost on points to Humberto Soto for the WBC light title in 2010. Cardoza without a win. He was having his first fight in 14 months and this was his sixth first round loss. How can the local Commission justify these “matches” if something went tragically wrong?

 

Bogota, Colombia: Super Middle: Alex Brand (23-1) W TKO 7 Rey Recio (6-2).

Brand makes it six wins since his split decision loss to Badou Jack in 2012. The 37-year-old hometown fighter has 19 wins by KO/TKO. Colombian-based Cuban Recio,23 had been floored three times and outpointed by veteran Epifanio Mendoza three weeks previously.

 

Radom, Poland: Light Heavy: Dariusz Sek (21-1-1) W PTS 10 Mohamed Belkacem (21-8-1). Light Welter: Michal Syrowatka (10-0) W PTS 8 Lukasz Janik (12-7-1). Super Middle: Norbert Dabrowski (16-2) W PTS 6 Bartlomiej Grafka (10-11-1).

 

Sek vs. Belkacem

Sek wins unanimous decision in a low key fight against Swiss-based Algerian Belkacem. Sek was able to outbox Belkacem over the first five rounds but both fighters boxed cautiously with Sek finding Belkacem an elusive target and also having to guard against the occasional right from the Algerian. The pace picked up over the second half of the bout with Pole Sek opening up more and forcing Belkacem to fight on the back foot and going to the body more but again  he found it difficult to consistently force openings in the Algerian’s high guard. Scores 99-92, 98-92 and 98-93. Second win for the 28-year-old Sek. He took a year out after losing his unbeaten tag against Robert Woge in June last year. Now 4 losses in his last 5 fights for Belkacem but the other three were against world rated Nadjib Mohammedi, a majority decision against Vyacheslav Uzelkov and a points loss to Igor Mikhalkin for the vacant European title.

Syrowatka vs. Janik

Syrowatka eases to points win over fellow Pole Janik. Syrowatka had a big edge in skill and he was able to outbox Janik from the off. He controlled the bout keeping it open where he could use those skills and exploit the many gaps in the defence of Janik. Syrowatka slowed the pace from the fifth after suffering a minor injury to his right hand and Janik caused a small scare in the sixth when he nailed Syrowatka with a right near the bell. Syrowatka boxed his way through the seventh and had Janik badly shaken in the last but could not find the punch to finish the job. Scores 80-72. 80-73 and 79-73. The 26-year-old Syrowatka is a former Polish Under-20 champion and represented Poland at the European and World Championships. Janik, 25, is 4-7 in his last 11 fights

Dabrowski vs. Grafka

Pole Dabrowski continues his rebuilding. He won every round against fellow-countryman Grafka. Dabrowski got off to a quick start hurting Grafka with some good punches in the first. The pace slowed a little in the second with Grafka getting into the fight but over the closing four rounds, although Grafka kept it competitive, Dabrowski edged them all. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. After 13 wins on the bounce Dabrowski then went 2-2 in his next 4 so a welcome win. Like Syrowatka, the 26-year-old Dabrowski was also a Polish Under-20 champion, and he was a quarter-finalist at the European Union Junior Championships. Grafka, also 26, is 2-5-1 in his last 8 fights.

Cieslak vs. Abdoul

As with almost every fight Abdoul has had Cieslak found it impossible to hurt or shake the Belgian. The Pole did all of the attacking forcing Abdoul to the ropes again and again but not being able to get home with enough shots to seriously trouble Abdoul. On the other hand Abdoul did even less to trouble Cieslak and was content to go the six rounds and finish on his feet. Scores 60-54 twice and 60-55. Cieslak was twice runner-up in the Polish championships and has good skills. In 87 fights Krzys Wlodarczyk remains the only man to have beaten the 37-year-old Belgian by KO/TKO and that was way back in 2002.

 

Sara Buri, Thailand: Super Fly: Srisaket (28-4-1) W TEC DEC 8 Zoren Pama (6-11-3). Srisaket given some tough rounds by unheralded Filipino. Over the first three rounds the Thai southpaw fought his traditional toe-to-toe war. However, Pama refused to be overwhelmed and fought back hard making for a fast pace slugging match. At the start Srisaket had probably thought he was in for another quick win. When that did not materialize he changed tactics and began to box on the outside .He showed surprising skills for a guy who usually relies on slam-bang tactics and had built a big lead when a cash of heads in the seventh saw Srisaket cut. The cut did not seem too bad but it looked as though Srisaket had had enough of the aggressive Pama and he convinced the doctor to stop the fight making the Thai the winner by a unanimous technical decision. Srisaket, 27, wins the vacant WBC ABC title in his first fight since losing his WBC title to Carlos Cuadras in May. Pama, 22, is 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

 

Dudley, England: Light Heavy: Ricky Summers (7-0) W TKO 8 Kiril Psonko (13-32-2). Light Middle: Ryan Aston (13-1-2) W TKO 4 Mariusz Biskupski (20-35-2).

Summers vs. Psonko

West Midlands hope Summers remains unbeaten with stoppage of Lithuanian. Summers had the physical advantages and used them well. He had Psonko hurt in the first round and it looked very much like a short fight. The picture changed in the second when Summers injured his hand and Psonko went into survival mode. Despite the injury Summers was walking Psonko down and the Lithuanian started to look ragged in the seventh. Summers ended it in the eighth first knocking Psonko down with a right. He made it to his feet but was put down again by another right. He managed to get up but was in no condition to continue. Summers wins the vacant International Masters title and makes it three wins by KO/TKO. He dedicated his win to his mother who died of leukemia last year. He now faces a lay-off whilst his hand heals. Psonko is 1-12 in 13 visits to Britain.

Aston vs. Biskupski

Southpaw Aston extends his unbeaten run to eight fights with stoppage of Polish “Pit Bull” Biskupski. The sound of the bell had hardly faded in the first before a right to the body put Biskupski down. He was given a count but protested it was a slip. There was no question over the right that put Biskupski down in the fourth. Biskupski climbed off the floor but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Now 6 wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old “Tank” Aston. One win in his last 15 fights for 38-year-old Biskupski and loss No 16 by KO/TKO.

 

Denver, Co, USA: Light Welter: Robert Frankel (33-15-1) W PTS 8 Robert Rodriguez (7-4,1ND). Local veteran Frankel given a tough night by novice Rodriguez but gets unanimous decision. “Red Hot” used his big edge in experience to off set the southpaw style of Rodriguez. When the fight was in mid ring Frankel’s skill picked up the points with Rodriguez doing better when he was able to take Frankel to the ropes and score with good combinations. Many rounds were close but Frankel had that edge in skill and a superior defence and took the verdict. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 75-74 with the last looking the best reflection of a close fight. The 34-year-old Frankel had lost three tough fights in a row to Paul Spadafora, Anton Novikov and Jose Zepeda (18-0). Rodriguez was having his first fight since February 2013 when he was knocked out by Mickey Bey only for the result to be changed to No Decision after Bey tested positive for suspiciously high testosterone levels.

 

Huntington, NY, USA: Welter: Cletus Seldin (14-0-0,1ND) W KO 2 Ramesis Gil (8-9-5). Heavy: Constantin Bejenaru (6-0,1ND) W PTS 6 Tyyab Beale (9-6-1). Light: Hugo Marengo (7-8-4) W PTS 8 Alan Gotay (8-1).

Seldin vs. Gil

Seldon blasts out Gil. After a feeling out first round Seldin took Gil to the ropes and landed a crushing right which sent Gil to the canvas and he was counted out. “The Hebrew Hammer”  Seldin, 28, now has 11 wins by KO/TKO. After a career best win over Carney Bowman (16-0) in 2012 Dominican Gil, 31, has lost his last five. This was his fifth loss by KO/TKO

Bejenaru vs. Beale

Bejenaru wins wide unanimous decision over Beale. Bejenaru had enough southpaw skill and experience to overcome the huge edge that Beale had physically 5’10” (178cm) to 6’4” (193cm) and scored a last round knockdown to win on scores of 60-54 from all three judges. The 30-year-old Moldovan-born Romanian lacks real power and is very small by today’s heavyweight standards. As an amateur he was Romanian amateur champion , competed for Romania at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 World championships and twice won silver medals at the European Union Championships. Three losses in a row for 38-year-old Beale.

Marengo vs. Gotay

Underdog Marengo refused to be a bit more padding in Gotay’s unbeaten record. It was a close fight with the contrast in styles between the aggressive Gotay and the more skilled Marengo.  Both had their moments but the swing factor in the scoring of the fight was a knockdown registered by Marengo in the fourth round. Gotay was not badly shaken but just did not manage to close the gap that knockdown created. Scores 78-73, 77-75 and 76-75. Puerto Rican Marengo, 31, had lost 8 of his last 9 fight. First eight round fight for local hope Gotay who has some rebuilding to do.

 

Chester, PA, USA: Heavy: Joey Dawejko (12-3-2) W KO 1 Yohan Banks (7-9-3).

Dawejko finally finding some form as a pro with his fourth win in a row. The Philadelphian blitzed Banks putting him down inside the first minute with a left hook. Banks made it to his feet but more lefts accounted for two more knockdowns with Dawejko finishing the job in just 94 seconds. The 24-year-old former World Junior champion took a split decision over Derric Rossy in January which looks a very good result in view of Rossy’s majority decision loss to Vyacheslav Glazkov last month. As with Bejenaru at 5’10” (178cm) he is small for a heavyweight but it is good

to see him on a winning run as so much was expected from him when he first turned pro.

 

September 20

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Feather: Orlando Salido (42-12-2,1ND) W TKO 11 Terdsak (53-5-1). Light Fly: Javier Mendoza (22-2-1) W PTS 12 Ramon Garcia H. (20-5-1). Super Bantam: Alejandro Gonzalez (24-1-2) W PTS 8 Alem Robles (6-5-2).

Salido vs. Terdsak

Salido wins vacant interim WBO title with stoppage of Thai Terdsak. It was the Thai who looked the likiest winner over the first two rounds. Early in the first a southpaw left from Terdsak put Salido down. Later in the round in his usual fashion Salido was hitting low and a very low right put Terdsak down. The referee wrongly gave the Thai a count instead of deducting a point for such a blatant foul. Terdsak recovered and staggered Salido with a right/left combination which sent the Mexican into the ropes and almost down at the end of a dramatic start. Terdsak also scored the harder shots in the second although Salido was getting through with hooks to the body from both hands. At the end of the round two rights from Terdsak put Salido down heavily. He was badly hurt and struggled to his feet at eight just as the bell sounded. The third round went Terdsak’s way early but by the end of the round Salido was banging home clubbing hooks and uppercuts and Terdsak was going back and under pressure. Salido continued the barrage of hooks in the fourth and Terdsak stood and traded punch for punch but Salido was getting on top and a long right sent Terdsak down against the ropes. The Thai was up at seven but the bell went before Salido could follow-up his advantage. Salido started the fifth strongly slamming home a left uppercut and right cross and forcing Terdsak back to the ropes. Salido was throwing lefts and rights but leaving himself open and a short left hook put Salido down. He was up quickly but Terdsak was then able to come forward and dominate the rest of the round. Again Salido came out firing in the sixth and this was a war of attrition with both trying to force the other onto the back foot. The sixth was fought head to head with Salido the stronger and scoring with vicious uppercuts and Terdsak using single shots. Salido broke through with a series of heavy head punches and had Terdsak trapped in a corner when the referee stepped in. Salido started celebrating thinking the fight had been stopped Instead the referee had for some reason thought he heard the bell but was wrong so both fighters were sent to neutral corners and then told to fight on at which point the bell did go. The seventh saw Terdsak tiring and his workrate dropped as Salido worked him over with both hands. A volley of punches sent Terdsak into the ropes and he slipped to the canvas under a rain of punches. He was up quickly and fought back with some choice uppercuts inside but Salido was thumping away with both hands and Terdsak looked to be wilting. The eighth was one-sided as Salido bludgeoned Terdsak time and again with hard head shots sending him staggering back to the ropes with one long right and then battering the head of the Thai until the bell. The ninth was quieter as Terdsak chose to box on the retreat with his hands waist high and avoid any exchanges just pot-shotting Salido as the Mexican walked him down. In the tenth Terdsak decided to go toe-to-toe again and scored with some good left uppercuts, but it was again Salido, still looking strong, who was scoring with clubbing shots to head and body and breaking the Thai’s resistance. Another very low shot from Salido also did Terdsak no good. The tenth was brief as Salido slammed home a combination of head shots and Terdsak was sent crashing to the canvas on his back with the referee immediately stopping the fight. An epic battle with both fighters enhancing their reputation. The 33-year-old Salido, a former IBF/WBO feather champion, showed guts, determination and power now he waits to see what former conqueror Mikey Garcia decides to do with the title. Terdsak fought better than he did in losing to Juan Manuel Marquez, for the interim WBO feather title in 2006, to Steve Luevano for the WBO title in 2008 and to Takahiro Ao for the WBC super feather in 2012, but he took such a brutal beating from the eighth to the eleventh rounds that at 33 he may never be the same fighter again.

Mendoza vs. Garcia

Local fighter Mendoza made a successful jump in class to win the vacant IBF title. The all-southpaw battle heavily featured body punches, some above the belt and some below. Mendoza was the aggressor with the smarter Garcia countering on the back foot. Garcia was the first to impress as he shook Mendoza with a left late in the third. Mendoza edged the fourth but was also warned for a low blow and suffered a cut on his forehead in a clash of heads. It was Garcia being warned in the fifth but Mendoza started taking control and a legitimate body punch floored Garcia. The sixth and seventh saw plenty of heated exchanges but Garcia lost a point in the eighth for a low punch and was hurt later in the round by a body punch. Garcia did a bit better in an even ninth but fell further behind when another body punch put him down. Mendoza had to absorb some heavy body punches in the eleventh but he fought back to make it another close round. Both threw everything into the last round with Mendoza again dominating with a sustained body assault. Scores 115-110 twice and 116-109 which all looked wide, but Mendoza was the clear winner. Mendoza’s elevation to the top of the IBF ratings was questionable but he took his chance when it came. Garcia did not have the best preparation. He lives in La Paz and his trip to Tijuana was complicated due to the hurricane which devastated his home area. The 32-year-old former WBO light fly champion had won four in a row after back-to-back losses to Donnie Nietes and Roman Gonzalez in light fly title fights.

Gonzalez vs. Robles

“Little Cobra” Gonzalez given eight tough rounds by lightly rated Robles. It was a close battle with both fighters on the canvas in the third. Gonzalez just about deserved the decision although one judge had a way-out 79-72 card. The others had it 77-74 and 76-75. These two fought a draw in Robles’ pro debut in 2011. The 21-year-old Gonzalez, he turned pro just after his 17^th birthday, makes it two wins since losing a wide technical decision to Juan Alberto Rosas in April. Robles has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

 

Guamuchil, Mexico: Super Fly: Carlos Cuadras (30-0-1) TEC DRAW 4 Jose Salgado (34-2-2). Light Fly: Pedro Guevara (23-1-1) W TKO 6 Alejandro Morales (14-5).

Cuadras vs. Salgado

Unfortunately this fight was over just as it was warming up. Champion Cuadras, the hometown fighter, started well and had brought blood to the challenger’s nose with a hard right. Salgado was trying to even the score in the fourth when a clash of heads saw Salgado suffer a bad cut on his eyelid and the fight was stopped. Since the fourth round was not completed it was a technical draw. Cuadras was making the first defence of the WBC title he won with a victory over Srisaket in May. Salgado lost a split decision to Liborio Solis for the interim WBA title in 2011 but had climbed to WBC No 3 after a run of seven wins and a draw.

Guevara vs. Morales

Former IBF title challenger Guevara kept busty with a stoppage win over Morales. Guevara was too quick, too skillful and hit too hard. He ended it in the sixth with a barrage of shots which had Morales draped helplessly on the ropes when the referee stopped the contest. The 25-year-old WBC No 1 has 15 wins by KO/TKO. He lost a split decision to John Riel Casimero for the IBF light fly title in 2012 but has rebounded well winning 5 fights including a victory over former IBF and WBO strawweight champion Raul Garcia. After 12 wins in a row Morales is 2-5 in his last seven but all of the losses to top notch opposition.

London, England: Super Middle: George Groves (20-2) W PTS 12 Chris Rebrasse (22-3-3). Super Fly: Khalid Yafai (12-0) W KO 2 Herald Molina (17-9-3). Light: Luke Campbell (8-0) W TKO 7 Krzys Szot (18-16-1). Light: Martin J Ward (10-0-1) W TKO 8 Kakhaber Avetisian (35-25-1). Super Bantam: Gamal Yafai (4-0) W PTS 6 Sofiane Bellahcene (3-7-3). Light Heavy: Oscar Ahlin (10-0) W TKO 6 Olegs Fedotovs (18-16).

Groves vs. Rebrasse

Groves wins the European and vacant WBC International titles and gets in twelve good rounds of work against useful Rebrasse. Groves won the battle of the jabs early and when Rebrasse chose to initiate exchanges it was Groves who was coming out best. As the fight progressed Groves was scoring well with that jab and mixing in fast hooks and uppercuts. Rebrasse was limited to some sharp counters but he was absorbing Grove’s punches and staying in the action. His resilience was a big factor in his upset win over world rated Mouhammed Ali Ndiaye, but unlike Ndiaye, who faded badly, Groves just kept on getting through with left hooks and shook the Frenchman in the tenth with a series of hard rights. Rebrasse had done enough to steal the odd round and absorbed everything Groves threw at him but he lacked the power to impose himself on the fight and lost his title on a wide unanimous decision. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-111. The 26-year-old Saint George returns to the winning column after his two dramatic losses to Carl Froch. Rebrasse was No 3 with the WBC and Groves No 4 so naturally Groves was calling out WBC champion Anthony Dirrell. Rebrasse, 28, had lost only one of his last 24 fights going in and apart from his WBC rating was No 3 (2) with the IBF so a real test.

Yafai vs. Molina

Hot prospect Yafai again underlined his talent as he destroyed experienced Molina in two rounds. Yafai had Molina down with a body punch in the first and down twice more in the second the last a looping left that put the Nicaraguan down for the count. The talented 25-year-old wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title and makes it 9 fights by KO/TKO. As an amateur he won silver then gold at the World Cadet Championships a silver medal at the European Juniors and was ABA champion. Molina 32 was a respectable 10-2-2 in his last 14 fights including a win over former double IBF title challenger Nerys Espinoza.

Campbell vs. Szot

Olympic gold medalist Campbell halts the veteran Pole Szot in seven rounds. Campbell was boxing his way to a wide points with when early in the penultimate round he suddenly produced a thumping counter to the chin that made Szot go down on one knee. The Pole got up but was badly shaken and as Campbell poured on the punishment the referee halted the action. Six wins by KO/TKO for the tall 26-year-old southpaw as he prepares for a huge test next month as he will jump up to 12 round against Argentinian Daniel E Brizuela for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title. The 36-year-old Szot was a late choice and has won only one of his last 13 fights but he took Brunet Zamora to a majority decision and only Felix Lora and Mikael Zewski have previously beaten him by KO/TKO.

Ward vs. Avetisian

The talent just keeps on coming. Ward bounces back from disappointment of technical draw in his last fight and halts experienced young Georgian. The cut he suffered in his last fight in May has kept Ward inactive but he can now continue to build. This is the fifth win by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old former European Junior and ABA champion who fought at the 2011 World Championships and was a quarter-finalist at the European Championships. Avetisian, just 24 and already with over 60 fights, was having his tenth fight of the year. He is now 5-5 in his lat 10 fights including a career high win over former WBO title challenger Andreas Evensen in April.

Yafai vs. Bellahcene

Younger brother Gamal makes it a family double. “The Beast” won every round but a hand injury during the contest and the durability of Frenchman Bellahcene meant he had to go the full distance. The referee scored it 60-54 for the 23-year-old who like his elder brother was a brilliant Junior winning gold medals at the British and European Union Cadets and a silver medal at the European Cadet Championships. Only one win in his last 9 fights for Bellahcene but he kept his record of not losing inside the distance.

Ahlin vs. Fedotovs

Swedish “Golden Boy” Ahlin makes it nine wins by KO/TKO with late stoppage of “Latvian Viking” Fedotovs. The 24-year-old Ahlin was having his first fight for eleven months. Fedotovs, 30, is 3-8 in his last eleven fights and was stopped in two rounds by Chris Eubank Jr. in 2012.

 

London, England: Welter: Bradley Skeete (18-0) W TKO 2 Leandro M Pinto (16-5-2). Super Middle: Frank Buglioni (14-1) W TKO 6 Alexey Ribchev (18-11-1). Super Middle: Tom Baker (10-0) W PTS 6 Nat King (14-25).

Skeete vs. Pinto

Another impressive performance from Skeete as he seems to be adding power to his abundant skills. He almost finished this one in the first as he floored the Brazilian late in the first round with a right. Pinto tried to fight his way out of trouble in the second and was nailed by a left hook which ended the fight. The lanky 26-year-old had only four wins by KO/TKO in his first 15 fights but now has three on the bounce. His WBA Inter-Continental title was not on the line as Pinto turned up too late for the official weigh-in. Unlike most Brazilians the 37-year-old Pinto has scored wins on the road in Argentina and Uruguay.

Buglioni vs. Ribchev

“Wise Guy” Buglioni continues his reconstruction job with stoppage of Bulgarian Ribchev. In the end it was a very bad cut that ruled out Ribchev in the sixth round, but the fight had been going Buglioni’s way from the outset. With the addition of former WBO champion Steve Collins and Steve’s brother Packie to his team Buglioni is showing improvement and trying to cure the faults that led to him being stopped by Sergey Khomitsky in April. It will take a while for the changes to work through but at 25 Buglioni has time. The 31-year-old Ribchev showed toughness and a good chin but was never a real threat.

Baker vs. King

Promising Baker gets six rounds of action from experienced King. Baker was the more skilful and quicker but as usual King was in their making it tough and rough for the accomplished youngster. Baker tried to end it inside the distance with a big effort in the last but King is an accomplished survivor. The Referee scored it 60-54 for Baker. The 22-year-old paced the fight well but with only two wins by KO/TKO he needs to work on his power. He can’t be knocked for failing to stop King as the 33-year-old Welshman has only failed to last the distance three times.

 

Sheffield, England: Super Bantam: Kid Galahad (18-0) W PTS 12 Adeilson Dos Santos (14-1). Middle: Adam Etches (17-0) W TKO 3 Samir Santos Barbosa (35-11-3). Light: Atif Shafiq (13-0) W TKO 1 Mike Stupart (3-19-2). Feather: Yusuf Safa (2-0) W TKO 3 Giorgi Kulumbegasvili (4-2).

Galahad vs. Dos Santos

Galahad adds the IBF Youth title to his collection with easy points win over inexperienced and limited Brazilian. Once again Galahad showcased his outstanding skills. He is fast with quick hands, great reflexes and a good boxing brain. Despite his unbeaten record Dos Santos was too slow of foot and hand to seriously test the Qatar-born maestro. Having said that it was disappointing Galahad did not press the fight harder and with his total dominance he should have been able to force an early win. It looked likely when a picture perfect right cross put Dos Santos down at the end of the first round, but the knockdown came right before the bell. Both fighters constantly switched guards but it looked more natural to Galahad than it did to Dos Santos. The Brazilian was trundling forward trying to catch Galahad but just kept eating punches which Galahad threaded through his porous defence. It became repetitious and very one-sided. In the tenth Galahad caught Dos Santos with a marvelously executed straight right which put the Brazilian down for a second time, but he got up and was still there at the final bell. Scores 120-105 (nearest to my score), 119-107 and a truly incredible 117-109. Where that referee found three winning round for Dos Santos only he knows. After the fight the 24-year-old European and CBC champion was continuing to call out Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg but on this showing he is at least a year away from being ready for either of those. I could not imagine Dos Santos last more than three rounds with Frampton or Quigg. The Brazilian, 22, showed a fair chin but is hardly above eight round level.

Etches vs. Barbosa

Etches show real punch power as he halts Barbosa. The local hope had his jab working early against the smaller Brazilian and by the end of the round was mixing in good body punches. Barbosa was a bit slow but looked dangerous with his swinging rights. Etches was on top again in the second forcing Barbosa back with hard jabs and straight rights. Again Barbosa was mostly swinging wildly but with 25 wins by KO/TKO Etches had to show some respect. In the third Etches shook Barbosa with a left hook and then landed a powerful right which caught Barbosa just behind his ear and put him down. As with many punches that land there it seemed to completely mess up Barbosa’s balance and although he got up the fight was rightly halted. The 23-year-old Etches wins the vacant IBF International title and makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO in his last 12 fights and 14 in total. Barbosa, 34, had gone the twelve round distance with Sebastian Zbik and Daniel Geale and had won his last 5 fights.

Shafiq vs. Stupart

Right now England has an embarrassment of burgeoning talent. Another on show was Rotherham’s “Unique” Shafiq. He displayed speed and power against Scot Stupart. He was firing quick hard shots with Stupart being hunted down and a flurry of quick punches saw the referee stop the fight over the complaints of Stupart. The 20-year-old Shafiq really impressed. Now eleven losses by KO/TKO for Stupart.

Safa vs. Kulumbegasvili

Safa took two rounds longer than Shafiq but was every bit as effective. He stalked the Georgian and after a chase in the third slammed home enough punches to force the stoppage. The 20-year-old Afghan-born prospect has won both of his fight by KO/TKO and is another worth watching. Second fight in a week in Sheffield for Georgian Kulumbegasvili. Both losses.

 

Helsinki, Finland: Light: Richar Abril (19-3-1) W PTS 12 Edis Tatli (23-1). Welter: Juho Tolppola (24-6-1) W PTS 8 Emanuele De Prophetis (16-5). Cruiser: Juho Haapoja (24-5-1,1ND) W TKO 1 Attila Palko (17-15).

Abril vs. Tatli

Abril finally defends his title and gets a majority decision over local fighter Tatli. Abril was having the first fight since winning the title in March last year. The champion took a little while to shake the rust but then had his jab working and was the busier fighter. Tatli’s work rate was slower and he had no real answer to the jab. Neither fighter is a puncher and the fight had few highlights. Abril was also the more accurate and worked the body more. Tatli had his best round in the sixth and seventh rounds making Abril’s knees dip in the seventh with a left. Abril repaid the challenger in the ninth by knocking out the Kosovo-born Tatli’s mouthpiece. At the end Abril was a clear winner on two cards by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 and even the locals found the 114-114 score from Carla Caiz weird. The 32-year-old Cuban needs to get back in the ring soon as this was only his second fight in 29 months. He is not a big name which is why he ended up defending in Tatli’s backyard and he needs a name opponent to make any money. Tatli, 27, was somehow rated No 6 by the WBA and in Abril he faced the weakest of the current lightweight champions so could struggle if he goes for one of the other versions of the title.

Tolppola vs. De Prophetis

Tolppola continued his comeback with a comfortable win over Italian De Prophetis. The Finn boxed a clever patient fight and although he had De Prophetis hurt on occasion had to settle for the points victory. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Tolppola, 32, lost twice in challenges for the European title and once for the European Union title, all at light welterweight. He retired in 2009 but returned with a win in May. Thirty-eight-year-old De Prophetis, a former Italian light welterweight champion, had also recently returned with a win after being out for almost four years.

Haapoja vs. Palko

Just a record padder for Haapoja as he stops Hungarian Palko. Haapoja had Palko down three times in the 2:35 the fight lasted. Four wins in a row and 15 by KO/TKO for Haapoja. The 33-year-old Finn has been matched tough over the past two years with a loss to Mateusz Masternak for the vacant EBU title and to Silvio Branco and Rakhim Chakhkiev for the WBC Silver title. Now 10 losses by KO/TKO for poor Palko and he has lost 11 of his last 12 fights.

 

Phoenix, AZ, USA: Welter: Konstantin Ponomarev (25-0) W PTS 10 Cosme Rivera (37-19-3). Light Heavy: Trevor McCumby (17-0) W KO 1 Martin Verdin (20-19-2). Welter: Egidijus Kavaliauskas (8-0) W KO 1 Eduardo Flores (19-15-3). Light Heavy: Olek Gvozdyk (3-0) W KO 5 Lamont Williams (5-6-1).

Ponomarev vs. Rivera

Ponomarev too young and too fast for Rivera. Boxing on the back foot and constantly switching guards Ponomarev took the first three rounds with fast, accurate shots. Rivera tried to corner or slow down the younger man and although he managed to land some hard shots he was just outpaced. A low shot from Ponomarev saw Rivera given recovery time but the relief was temporary. Showing a good range of head and body punches the Russian eased his way through the rounds. By the tenth Rivera knew he needed a kayo and tried his best to nail Ponomarev but the Russian “Talant” was able to cruise to victory. Scores 100-90 twice and 98-92. The 21-year-old Russian is being built slowly, sensibly and carefully and is ready to move up. Mexican Rivera, 38, lost to Zab Judah back in 2005 for the IBF/WBA/WBC welter titles and is still a test for young hopes as he showed in kayoing Ty Barnett in May.

McCumby vs. Verdin

Yet another first round win for McCumby. The local hope floored Verdin early and although Verdin beat the count he was shipping more punishment when the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old from Glendale makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO with 9 of those wins coming inside the first round. Seventh loss by KO/TKO for Verdin.

Kavaliauskas vs Flores

Oxnard-based Lithuanian Kavaliauskas exploded out of the blocks and put Flores down three times to force his seventh win in a row by KO/TKO. The 26-year-old Kavaliauskas was a World Championships bronze medal winner and competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Ecuadorian Flores, 28, suffers only his third loss by KO/TKO but with one of the others coming in his last fight in August when he was halted in the eighth and last round by Wale Omotoso.

Gvozdyk vs. Williams

Ukrainian Gvozdyk floors Williams in the second but takes another three rounds to finish the job. He does it in style by flattening Williams with a right in the fifth. The tall 27-year-old failed to medal at the World Championships in 2009 and 2001 and also at the European Championships in 2010 but finally got a medal in London finishing with an Olympic bronze. Five losses in a row for Williams.

 

Mashantucket, CT, USA: Cruiser: Thabiso Mchunu (17-1) W PTS 10 Garrett Wilson (13-8-1). Light: Karl Dargan (17-0) W TKO 5 Angino Perez (17-5). Light Heavy: Sullivan Barrera (13-0) W TKO 6 Eric Watkins (10-8-1).

Mchunu vs. Wilson

Mchunu outboxes Wilson for unanimous decision victory. The world rated South African came to box and not get involved with a brawl and he pretty well stuck to the game plan over the ten rounds. He used his jab to work on the inside fired home quick combinations and smothered Wilson’s attacks whenever Wilson got inside. Wilson was leaving himself open willing to take risks to get past Mchunu’s jab and the South African was able to score continually with hooks and uppercuts. Mchunu had Wilson hurt in the second and up to the end of the eighth was in control. Over the last two rounds Mchunu seemed to tire. Wilson got through with good body punches in the ninth which had

Mchunu holding to smother Wilson’s work. It was the same for most of the tenth with Mchunu eventually losing a point for holding but firing back to rock Wilson with a left late in the round. Scores 99-90, 98-91 and a very different 96-93. The 26-year-old nicknamed “The Rock” retains his NABF title in his first defence. His run of seven wins including a victory over Eddie Chambers has seen him rise to WBC No 2. Wilson “The Ultimate Warrior” has lost three in a row after back-to-back losses in 2013 to Alex Alekseev in an IBF eliminator and Vyacheslav Glazkov. He never stopped coming forward in this one but had no plan B.

Dargan vs. Perez

It has taken a while but Dargan is finally getting some action and beginning to show signs of the ability that made him a top level amateur. In the first Dargan was controlling the fight with his educated jab and coping well with the big edges Perez had in height and reach. The second saw Perez get into the fight and he hurt Dargan with a left. It got even better for Perez in the third when he got through with a right followed by a left hook and Dargan went down. He got up and did not seem badly hurt, but it was a wake-up call. Dargan put more venom into his punches in the fourth and floored Perez twice in the fifth. The first came from a peach of a right uppercut and the second an overhand right which put Perez down face first on the canvas and the referee stopped the fight without bothering to count. The 29-year-old Philadelphian has 9 wins by KO/TKO as he adds the NABF Junior title to his collection. The former Pan American and US National champion had only 11 fights in his first 5 years as a pro but now seems to be serious about his career. Perez, 31, has now lost 4 by KO/TKO. He has reasonable statistics but loses whenever he tries to move up.

Barrera vs. Watkins

Barrera gets another win as game Watkins finally falls in the sixth. The unbeaten Cuban won every round as he slowly broke game Watkins down before slamming him to the canvas with a right in the sixth. No count required. The 32-year-old WBA No 13 has 8 wins by KO/TKO. In the amateurs Barrera won the gold medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships beating Chad Dawson in the semi-finals and also had a win over Beibut Shumenov. Four losses in a row for Watkins who tried hard but was outclassed.

 

Washington, DC, USA: Light Welter: DeMarcus Corley (45-22-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Attah (28-19-1). Light Heavy: Alex Johnson (16-2,1ND) W TKO 1 Henry Buchanan (21-4).

Corley vs. Attah

Corley trundles on. The former WBO light welter champion handed out a beating to Nigerian veteran Attah on the way to a win by a huge margin. The margin was wide because Corley had Attah on the floor in the fourth round and twice each in rounds five and eight. Scores 100-85, 100-86 and 99-86 some of the largest margins I’ve seen in a ten round fight. Southpaw “Chop Chop” is now 3-3 in his last six fights and at 40 shows no signs of retiring anytime soon. “The Prophet” Attah is only 35 but the former WBA/WBO super feather challenger is 2-11 in his last 13 and should seriously consider retirement. This bout was raised to main event status after fights featuring Hector Camacho and Jeff Lacy did not take place. Camacho was reported to be injured so his his fight was always doubtful, but Lacy was there and ready to fight. However the rumour was that there was money to pay the rest of the card but not to pay Lacy. The former IBF champion climbed in the ring in fighting gear to show that he was not the reason for his fight being cancelled.

Johnson vs. Buchanan

Buchanan was the pre-fight favourite but Johnson threw away the script big time. A crunching southpaw left from Johnson saw Buchanan go down heavily. He managed to drag himself up but was in no state to continue. Alexander “The Great” makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. His losses have been to good opposition in Luis Garcia and in his last fight in May on points against world rated Eleider Alvarez. Now 32, Johnson was a good amateur getting a bronze medal at the NGG’s and competing in the US Eastern Olympic Trials. “Sugar Poo” Buchanan, 36, had gone the distance in losing to Jean-Paul Mendy, Andre Ward and Shawn Hawk and was 4-1 in his last 5 fights `making the one round blow-out even more remarkable.

 

Holzminden, Germany: Heavy: Mark de Mori (27-1-2) W DIS 3 Marino Goles (16-2). de Mori extends his unbeaten run with win over Goles who managed to foul his way out of the fight. Now based in his birth land of Croatia de Mori was outboxing Goles who was trying to drag his fellow Croat into a brawl. In the second round a series of low punches butts and other infractions saw the referee deduct two points from Goles. It was more of the same in the third and after two more point deductions the referee finally disqualified Goles. de Mori retains his German version of the WBU title and is unbeaten in his last 22 fights. The 32-year-old, formerly based in Australia, is No 12 with the WBA. Goles, 34, lived down to his “Croatian Beast” nickname. He is a former WBFound cruiser champion.

 

Szentes, Hungary: Light Middle: Attila Kovacs (34-4) W PTS 10 Dieudonne Belinga (12-5-1). Cruiser: Imre Szello (2-0) W PTS 10 Gyula Bozai (12-7-2). Super Bantam: Zsolt Bedak (22-1) W PTS 6 George Gachechiladze (15-13-1).

Kovacs vs. Belinga

Kovacs wins the vacant WBO European title with a hotly disputed majority decision over Frenchman Belinga. “The Viper” boxed well to earn a lead over the first five rounds but then age started to catch up with him and Belinga dominated the second half of the fight but just came up short. Scores 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95. The 40-year-old Hungarian champion has won his last 9 fights but the opposition has been mediocre at best. Belinga, the FFB No 1, is now 5-2-1 in his last 8 fights with the other loss being to Jack Culcay.

Szello vs. Bozai

Former top amateur Szello wins the interim Hungarian title from champion Bozai in his second pro fight. Szello is Hungarian for breeze and that’s what it was for Szello. He outboxed and outpunched Bozai in every round and had him on the verge of a knockout in the third. Bozai survived that. He was also down in the tenth and was still there at the bell, but Szello had won every round. Scores 100-89 twice and 100-87. Szello, 31, is a former World Junior silver medalist, a European Junior bronze medal winner and a quarter-finalist at both the World Championships and the Olympics. Bozai, 40, was unbeaten in his last 5 fights.

Bedak vs. Gachechiladze

Bedak continues his comeback with points win over previous victim Gachechiladze. “Mr. Left Hook” won every round but declared himself unhappy with his own performance. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. Seven wins in a row for Bedak. He was stopped in ten rounds by Wilfredo Vazquez for the WBO title in 2010 and was then inactive for almost three years. He is now WBO No 4 for winning the European title by beating Gachechiladze in March. The Georgian is best described as a busy loser. He was taken to hospital after the fight but later released.

 

Maliano, Spain: Welter: Aitor Nieto (15-2) W KO 5 Daniel Rasilla (29-8-2).Welter: Kerman Lejarraga (8-0) W TKO 3 Miguel Aguilar (10-10).

Nieto vs. Rasilla

Nieto retains his national title with kayo of Rasilla. After an even first round Nieto took over. The champion took the second round and dropped Rasilla twice in the third. Rasilla rallied in the fourth as Nieto looked to be coasting but even then Nieto’s punches started a big swelling by the left eye of Rasilla. In the fifth with his vision limited Rasilla tried to stage a recovery, but Nieto turned on the power and a series of punches forced Rasilla to take a knee and he was counted out. “El Diamante” Nieto, 30, had outpointed Rasilla in his first defence in April. He has won six on the bounce and is official challenger for the European Union title. Hometown fighter Rasilla, 34, a former Spanish lightweight and light welterweight champion  lost to Andy Murray and drew with Ville Piispanen for the EU light and light welter titles, lost to Ceferino Rodriguez for the EU welter title and to Paul McCloskey for the EBU light welter title but is a popular fighter.

Lejarraga vs. Aguilar

Basque prospect Lejarraga too hard hitting and aggressive for Aguilar. Lejarraga was scoring with heavy shots, particularly the left which found the mark on the Nicaraguan’s face regularly. Aguilar was holding to survive in the second but still shipping those lefts. In the third a left hook put Aguilar down and the referee stopped the fight without counting. Six wins by KO/TKO for Lejarraga. Spanish-based Aguilar has lost 10 of his last 11 fights

 

Bolton, England: Welter: Shayne Singleton (18-0) W TKO 3 Steve Jevons (8-1).

Singleton wins the vacant British Masters Silver title with stoppage of previously unbeaten Jevons. “The Pain” got into his stride quickly and won the first round. In the second he floored the taller Jevons with a left and only the bell saved Jevons. In the third Singleton was unloading heavy shots when the referee halted the fight. Fifth win by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old who is EU No 22 and WBC International Silver champion. Southpaw Jevons, 26, was in his first fight scheduled for more than six rounds.

 

Orlando, FL, USA: Cruiser: Francisco Palacios (21-2) W Epifanio Mendoza (39-18-1). Heavy: Mike Marrone (20-4) W Robert Dunton (10-11-1). Super Middle: James McGirt (23-3-1) W Rahman Mustafa Yusubov (10-16). Light Middle: Idel Torrente (1-0) W TBA ( ).

Palacios vs. Mendoza

Palacios returns with a win as he comprehensively outboxes Colombian. Palacios showed no real signs of rust in his first fight since losing to Krzys Wlodarczyk for the WBC title in September 2012. Scores 80-71 from all three judges. The Bronx-born 37-year-old Puerto Rican “Wizard” will be hoping to get another title shot next year. Mendoza, 38, lost to Chad Dawson for the WBC light heavy title in 2007. He had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Marrone vs. Dunton

Marrone gets back in the ring and registers a much needed win with a unanimous decision over Dunton. After winning his first 18 fights Marrone was considered something of a prospect. However he lost his way and went 2-4 in his next six including a stoppage loss to Guillermo Jones for the WBA cruiser title. A ridiculous match as Marrone had only once weighed inside the cruiser limit and that was back in 2006. At 28 perhaps it is not too late for Marrone. Dunton has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

McGirt vs. Yusubov

McGirt makes it two wins on his comeback. The 31-year-old southpaw returned to action in May with a win which was his first fight since November 2010. He has 13 wins by KO/TKO. Texas-based Uzbek Yusubov has lost 7 of his last 8 fights.

 

New York, NY, USA: Light Middle: Frank Galarza (15-0-2) W DISQ 4 Jon Batista (14-4). Galarza on the way to a win but Batista speeds the process with a succession of fouls. It was a fairly even fight over the first two rounds but Galarza floored Batista in the third with a left to the body. Batista got up but then proceeded to work his way towards disqualification. He lost a point in the fourth for hitting Galarza on the back of the head and when he repeated the offence in the same round was thrown out. The 29-year-old “Notorious” Galarza makes it six wins in a row. Dominican Batista, 29, has lost 4 of his last 5 fights but went the distance with Kermit Cintron last year.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Light: Fermin De Los Santos (28-14-2) W PTS 12 Jesus Gurrola (20-7-3). Gurrola failed to make the weight so this went on as a non-title fight. Both fighters were looking to trade with Gurrola more than holding his own. De los Santos had Gurrola down from a right in the second but due to good work from Gurrola De los Santos was only one point in front 38-37 in the scoring at the end of the fourth round. They continued the fiery exchanges over the next four rounds with the action never letting up. It was still close after eight with two judges seeing it 76-75 for De los Santos and the third favouring Gurrola 76-75. The ninth and tenth went to Gurrola but De los Santos took the eleventh and critically Gurrola also lost a point for a low blow. The last round was a wild one with Gurrola only just escaping another deduction when he landed a low punch. De los Santos was given vital time to recover and although Gurrola did enough to win the round he could not level the scores which were 115-112, 114-112 and 114-113 for De los Santos. Only one loss in his last 20 fights for De los Santos, that was on points to Ghislain Maduma in September. “Pantera” Gurrola has now lost 3 of his last 4 but the other two losses were to Silverio Ortiz and Antonio DeMarco and sandwiched between them he scored a good win over Armando Robles (23-2-2).

 

September 21

 

Mdantsane, South Africa: Light Welter: Ali Funeka (35-4-3) W TKO 8 Boitshepo Mandawe (14-5). Feather: Oscar Chauke (31-8-3) W KO 5 Lwandisa Zinto (9-6-1). Super Fly: Thembelani Maphuma (20-7-3) W PTS 10 Athenkosi Dumezweni (4-1).

Funeka vs. Mandawe

Three-time world lightweight title challenger Funeka had no trouble in retaining his South African title with a stoppage of less experienced Mandawe. The challenger handled himself well over the first three rounds but a cut suffered in the second and the experience and physical advantages enjoyed by the 6’1” (185cm) Funeka were too much for him. Mandawe showed gameness as he just kept walking into punishment and the fight was so one-sided it should have been stopped earlier but Mandawe did not help his cause by beckoning Funeka in and throwing the odd flurry just when the referee might be thinking off stopping the fight. Long after he should have done so the referee saved Mandawe from further punishment by halting the fight early in the eighth round. Now 29 wins by KO/TKO for the 36-year-old “Rush Hour”. In a switchback ride of a career. Mandawe, 31, the BSA No 2 was making his fourth attempt to win the national title with his other shots all being at welterweight. This was the first promotion by Mzimasi Mnguni as he recovers from a massive stroke.

Chauke vs. Zinto

Chauke resurrects his career with kayo of Zinto for the vacant South African title. The younger fighter had a punchers reputation but tried to box with Chauke. The veteran was able to out jab and confuse Zinto and dominate the fight. The end came with a series of hard punches from Chauke which put Zinto down and out. The 34-year-old former “Golden Boy” Chauke, a former WBFed and South African super bantam champion, had been in with fighters such as Jeff Mathebula and Takalani Ndlovu and knew too much for Zinto who had reportedly won his last 5 fights by KO/TK (BoxRec show only three).

Maphuma vs. Dumezweni

In a fight between the BSA’s Nos 3 and No 5 the higher rated Maphuma, a former South African champion,  came out on top on a split decision to win the Eastern Cape title. This was Maphuma’s first fight for eleven months. He is now 5-1-1 in his last seven fights.

 

 

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

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

ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC

ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

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

BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

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

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

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

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

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

GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

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

UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

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

the higher rating positions being vacant.