The Past Week in Action 24 May 2016

ERIC ARMIT | May 24, 2016 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

The Past Week in Action 24 May 2016

May 20

Paris, France: Cruiser: Yunier Dorticos (21-0) W TKO 10 Youri Kayembre Kalenga (22-3). Cruiser: Arsen Goulamirian (17-0) W PTS 12 Andrey Knyazev (13-3).

Dorticos vs. Kalenga

Cuban Dorticos wins the vacant interim WBA title with stoppage of brave Kalenga in a fierce scrap. A candidate for Fight of the Year. The tactics were clear from the start. Kalenga was the shorter man and his arms are also short so he had to come forward and get inside. Dorticos was the quicker and smarter boxer so he had to look to counter Kalenga as he came in. That’s how the first round panned out with Kalenga marching forward throwing hooks mainly to the head. Dorticos was boxing on the back foot using a left jab/right cross combination to score. In the second Kalenga marched forward into a vicious right uppercut which had his legs shaking. Dorticos went after him landing three more uppercuts and a chopping right which put Kalenga down heavily. He got up and Dorticos went right hand happy trying to finish things. Kalenga had to absorb more heavy rights but by the bell was back in the fight and again marching forward. Having survived that near catastrophe Kalenga just stuck to his game plan of walking through anything Dorticos threw at him and chucking hooks of his own. He was getting though with those hooks but Dorticos was making him pay with right hooks and uppercuts. Kalenga was busier but the accuracy was coming from Dorticos. The action never slowed as Kalenga continued his relentless march. By the seventh Dorticos was looking tired and his work rate was dropping. He had opened a small cut under the left eye of Kalenga and a swelling over the right but Kalenga seemed to be turning the fight his way. Dorticos landed a right after the bell at the end of the eighth round which brought him a point deduction and had Kalenga’s furious seconds screaming in anger. The ninth saw a change in the fight. Now it was Kalenga who was fading with Dorticos taking over and teeing off on a tiring Kalenga at the end of the round. Somehow Kalenga summoned up the energy to make a fast start to the tenth but it was a last fling as Dorticos was now standing and trading landing his right uppercuts. An overhand right hurt Kalenga and then two more rights sent Kalenga into the ropes. Dorticos scored with more rights to the head but Kalenga managed to fight his way off the ropes but was on unsteady legs and two more heavy rights to the head saw the referee jump in and stop the fight. It had been a great contest mainly due to the all-out aggression of Kalenga who made Dorticos fight hard in every minute of every round. Cuban Dorticos, 30, the WBA No 2 showed a powerful jab and his right uppercuts were ferocious. Kalenga is the first fighter of note he has fought but on this showing he is a real force at cruiser. DRC-born French-based Kalenga, 28, a former interim champion, lived up to his “El Toro” nickname. There is nothing fancy about him. He is all about power and just for a couple of rounds it looked as though that might be enough but he had been walking onto huge counters from Dorticos all night and had no Plan B so he gets his first loss by KO/TKO but what a brave effort.

Goulamirian vs. Knyazev

Goulamirian retains his WBA Continental title with unanimous verdict over Russian Knyazev. The 28-year-old Armenian-born “Fire”, the French champion, is yet to face any name fighters but is making good progress against moderate level opposition. His minor WBA title gets him a No 5 rating with them but he is down at No 26 in the EU ratings. Knyazev, 30, was stopped in 8 rounds by Olek Usyk in April but had scored two level wins since then.

Ontario, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Daniel Roman (19-2-1) W KO 5 Christian Esquivel (28-10). Welter: Roberto Arriaza (12-0) W PTS 8 Cameron Kreal (6-10-2). Taras Shelestyuk (14-0) W RTS 3 Erik Daniel Martinez (11-4-1).

Roman vs. Esquivel

Roman was using his edge in reach and quicker hands to keep Esquivel on the back foot. The Mexican veteran was showing some good defensive touches but Roman’s constant pressure was shutting down any thoughts Esquivel had of controlling the fight. Esquivel was at his best when Roman stood and traded and Esquivel was able to get inside and score to the body but even then left hooks to the body and heavy straight rights from Roman usually had Esquivel backing up again. There was some good action in the fourth as Esquivel marched forward. He was scoring with some good shots but was rocked by a right to the head and looked in trouble as he walked into a couple more counters but he was banging back at the bell. They went to war at the start of the fifth with Esquivel forcing Roman to stand and trade and he was able to fire hooks to the body. A left hook from Roman suddenly staggered Esquivel. Roman followed him to a corner landing more lefts. Esquivel ducked low trying to stay up by grasping Roman’s leg but the referee separated them Roman then landed a left to the body and a right to the head and the referee stepped in to stop the fight over the understandable protestations from Esquivel. Impressive showing by the 26-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin” from California. It was to be a defence of Roman’s WBA-NABA title but Esquivel did not make the weight. Roman now has 11 wins in a row including victories over Giovanni Caro and Chris Martin. Mexican “Italiano” Esquivel, 29, a former WBC bantam title challenger, is fading fast and has now lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Arriaza vs. Kreal

Arriaza gets a win in his first fight in the USA as he takes unanimous decision over Kreal. The 26-year-old Nicaraguan was pushed hard but took the verdict on scores of 77-75 twice and 78-74. Only the second time “Dinamita” has had to go the distance for a win. Kreal is 3-5 in his last 8 fights but 4 of the losses have been to unbeaten fighters.

Shelestyuk vs. Martinez

Shelestyuk adds another title to his collection with win over an outgunned Martinez. Shelestyuk made a patient start working his openings and scoring with punches from both hands. He stepped up the pressure in the second with Martinez forced to just do what he could to survive. The third was one-sided as Shelestyuk battered poor Martinez all around the ring and Martinez retired at the end of the round. The tall Ukrainian win the vacant WBA International title to add to the WBA Inter-Continental and WBO NABO titles he holds and also gets his ninth win by KO/TKO. An outstanding amateur who won a gold medal at the World Championships and bronze at both the 2012 Olympics and European Championships he is rated No 11 by the WBO. “Facebook” Martinez from Tijuana was a late notice choice and has now lost his last 5 fights.

Indio, CA, USA: Welter: Eddie Gomez (19-1) W PTS 10 John Karl Sosa (13-2). Light: Fidel Maldonado Jr (21-3-1,1ND) DREW 10 Art Hovhannisyan (17-3-2). Super Middle: D’Mitrius Ballard (13-0,1ND) W TKO 3 Victor Fonseca (9-8-1).

Gomez vs. Sosa

Gomez gets hard won decision over Sosa. Despite a long layoff Gomez had a slight edge over the first half of the fight although it was close. Gomez made good use of his jab and combinations inside but Sosa was scoring well with his right hook. Both fighters slowed over the second half of the fight allowing Sosa to cut into Gomez’s lead. He needed a strong finish over the last two rounds to swing the fight his way but he just did not do enough. Scores 96-94 twice and 98-92 all for Gomez with the 98-92 not a reflection of how close the fight was. Gomez, 23, wins the vacant IBF North American title. His only loss came against Francisco Santana in June 2014 He scored two win after that but this was his first fight since April 2015. Puerto Rican Sosa was coming off a tough inside the distance loss in November to Alan Sanchez.

Maldonado vs. Hovhannisyan

This one ends in a draw with Hovhannisyan looking unlucky not to get the decision. Southpaw Maldonado made a busy start with a rusty Hovhannisyan throwing less but scoring well with rights a punch which gave Maldonado trouble throughout the fight. There was quite a bit of rough stuff with both being warned but no deduction until late in the fight. As long as Maldonado could get close he was effective but as he tired Hovhannisyan was able to score on the outside. Maldonado need to turn the fight his way and he looked as though he had succeeded when he scored a knockdown in the eighth but he ruined that when the referee finally penalised Maldonado in the ninth for a low punch. Hovhannisyan won the ninth and the tenth but it was not enough to convince two of the judges. Scores 96-92 for Hovhannisyan 95-93 for Maldonado and 94-94 making it a split draw. Armenian “Lionheart”, Hovhannisyan, 34, was unbeaten in his first 17 fights before losing on points to Alejandro Perez in 2013. His other loss came in July 2014 against Jonathan Maicelo and he had been inactive since then. Maldonado, 24, was stopped in five rounds by Amir Imam in January last year but had won his last two fights.

Ballard vs. Fonseca

Ballard wins but not in a satisfactory way. Ballard was stalking Fonseca in the first but Fonseca scored with some sharp left hooks to the body. Ballard ended the round by landing a long right, a left hook to the body and another long right. Ballard continued to press in the second with Fonseca getting through with some rights. Ballard was doing all of the pressing but finding Fonseca elusive. Ballard came on strong at the end of the round. In the third Ballard was scoring with some hooks to the body and clearly getting on top but a short right went low. Fonseca went down and was then given recovery time. The referee deducted a point from Ballard but when Fonseca indicated he was not going to continue and his corner threw in the towel and Ballard was declared the winner. The 23-year-old from Temple Hills, a former NGG champion and 4-time National PAL winner, gets his ninth victory by KO/TKO. Mexican Fonseca has lost his last 5 fights.

Melbourne, Australia: Light: Will Tomlinson (25-2-1) W PTS 10 Hero Tito (21-11-2). Super Feather: Luke Jackson (12-0) W PTS 6 Master Suro (6-5-2).Bantam: Andrew Moloney (7-0) W TKO 2 Ricardo Ocampo (9-7). Super Bantam: Jason Moloney (7-0) W TKO 5 Matias Arriagada (7-2).

Tomlinson vs. Tito

Tomlinson returns with a win which is the important thing but he has to settle for a majority decision over tough but limited Indonesian. Scores 97-93 twice for Tomlinson and 95-95. “Wild Will” the 29-year-old former undefeated IBO super feather champion, wins the interim WBO Oceania title in his first fight for nine months. Indonesian Tito is now 3-7 in his last 10 fights but put in a good performance in Australia in June last year in only losing to Jack Asis on a split decision.

Jackson vs. Suro

Just a stay busy fight for Tasmanian Jackson as he wins every round against Indonesian Suro. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The undefeated 31-year-old “Action” is now looking for a fight with fellow-Australian Joel Brunker. Suro no real test.

Moloney vs. Ocampo

Usually Jason is the puncher of the two Moloney twins but this time it was Andrew who ended his fight early as he halted modest Argentinian Ocampo in two rounds. The 25-year-old Australian and WBO Oceania champion now has 4 wins by KO/TKO. Now six losses by KO/TKO for Ocampo.

Moloney vs. Arriagada

Jason took a little longer but halted Argentinian Arriagada in five rounds. The WBO Oceania champion has won all of his fights by KO/TKO taking less than 24 rounds to get there. First loss by KO/TKO for prelim fighter Arriagada.

Tandil, Argentina: Light: Luis Ernest Rueda (13-0) W PTS 10 Sergio Escobar (28-27-3). Super Light: Emiliano Dominguez (14-0) W PTS 10 Jonathan Eniz (13-5-1).

Rueda vs. Escobar

Rueda continues his comeback with close unanimous decision over seasoned pro Escobar in front of Escobar’s own fans. The way Rueda started it looked as though it might be a short fight. He outboxed Escobar over the first two rounds and then floored him in the third. That seemed to wake Escobar up and over the middle rounds he worked his way back into the fight with some strong attacks. He repaid Rueda for the earlier knockdown when Rueda went down in the ninth although it looked questionable. Rueda managed to win the last round to just deserve the unanimous verdict. Scores 96-92, 95-93 and 95-94. The 30-year-old southpaw, the FAB No 3 super feather, wins the interim WBC Latino lightweight title. This is his fourth win since returning to action in December last year after four years of inactivity. “Loco Lima” Escobar, 33, a former Argentinian super feather champion falls to 2-7 in his last 9 fights.

Dominguez vs. Eniz

Dominguez gets unanimous verdict as he outboxes southpaw Eniz. Dominguez was in charge for most of the fight with his aggression and better skills but had to endure the handicap of a cut over his right eyebrow after a clash of heads in the fifth. Any chance Eniz had disappeared in the ninth when he was deducted a point for various infractions. Scores 99 ½-93, 98-95 ½ and 97 ½-96 ½ all for Dominguez. The 27-year-old “Little Cobra” Dominguez is rated No 10 by the FAB. Eniz, 21, had won 5 of his last 6 fights going in to this one.

Sorel, Canada: Super Light: David Theroux (11-1) W TKO 6 Manuel Mares (15-8). Super Light: Evgeny Pavko (14-0-1) W TKO 1 Ayaz Hussain (10-1). Feather: Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1) W PTS 6 Cristian Arrazola (20-11-2).

Theroux vs. Mares

Theroux halts Mexican Mares in six. Theroux showed great improvement in his overall boxing skills and keeps getting better with each fight. He worked the body of Mares over the first five rounds and then ended the fight in the sixth. He shook Mares with a big right to the chin and then unloaded with both hands until the fight was stopped. The 22-year-old Quebecoise gets his fourth win since suffering an upset loss against experienced Ignacio Mendoza in April last year and makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. “El Cubano” Mares is 6-3 in his last 9 fights but those three losses have come in his last three fights.

Pavko vs. Hussain

Pavko’s record indicated he was a puncher but it was considered that the talented Hussain would be too smart for him. It took less than a minute for that idea to vanish. A perfectly delivered right floored Hussain just before the one minute mark. He made it to his feet but a series of punches from Pavko put him down again and his corner threw in the towel. All over in 75 seconds. Russian Pavko, 24, the Russian champion, goes to 9 wins by KO/TKO. He has won 6 of his last 7 fights inside the distance but as his opposition had been weak it was probably felt this was a fight Hussain should win. The 24-year-old Canadian, the brother of unbeaten Mian, had won his last five fights by KO/TKO but now has to rebuild.

Reynoso vs. Arrazola

Reynoso floors Mexican Arrazola twice but has to go the full six rounds for his win. The Montreal-based Argentinian had Arrazola on the floor in the second and fourth rounds but could not put the more experienced 19-year-old Mexican southpaw away. Scores 60-52, 59-53 and 58-54. The 25-year-old “220 Volts”, the South American champion, in now unbeaten in his last 15 fights. Arrazola was 11-1-1 in his last 13 fights with the loss being to Cristian Mijares.

Caucasia, Colombia: Super Light: Darleys Perez (33-2-1) W KO 2 Ubadel Soto (22-36-2,1ND).

This one was a disgrace. Perez was not trying too hard and Soto was not trying at all. After letting the fight last as long as he could Perez threw a punch in the second which seemed to brush past the head of Soto who went down in apparent pain and was counted out. First fight for Perez since losing his WBA title to Anthony Crolla in November. Fellow-Colombian Soto, who came in as a late substitute, had a not too bad looking run of 3-4 in his last 7 fights but the three guys he beat had combined records of 3-52-2. If you think that’s bad the guy he replaced was 0-17,1ND in his last 18 fights!

Rome, Italy: Super Bantam: Mario Alfano (8-0-1) W PTS 10 Emiliano Salvini (17-23-2). Alfano wins the vacant Italian title with unanimous decision over seasoned pro Salvini. Alfano made a slow start pacing himself carefully as he had never been in a fight scheduled for more than six rounds. The more experienced Salvini took advantage of that and used a fast accurate jab to win the early rounds. Alfano began to get rolling from the fourth being much quicker and scoring to head and body with his right the dominant punch in the fight. Salvini was clinching more to smother the better work of Alfano but by the end of the eighth Alfano had built a lead. Salvini fought hard over the last two rounds trying to pull the result his way and was particularly strong in the tenth but it was not enough. Scores 98-93 twice and 96-94 all for Alfano although it was the 96-94 that looked the best reflection of the fight. Good win for the 25-year-old from Rome, Salvini, 37, a former Italian bantam and super bantam champion, saved the show by coming in at only two days notice.

Gijon, Spain: Feather: Marc Vidal (6-1-4) W TKO 9 Jose Louis Gonzalez (7-3).

Catalonian Vidal comes into the home territory of Gonzalez and wins the vacant Spanish title. Vidal lived up to his “War” nickname with constant aggression but southpaw Gonzalez held his own until he was floored in the fifth. From then Vidal was on top as Gonzalez faded out of the fight. Vidal put Gonzalez down again in the eighth and although Gonzalez got up a sustained attack from Vidal in the ninth saw the fight stopped. The 27-year-old Vidal wins the title at his second attempt. Gonzalez, 37, showed some good skills early but was outpunched in the end.

Tucson, AZ, USA: Super Light: Emmanuel Robles (15-0-1) W TKO 4 Gerardo Cuevas (17-16-1). Feather: Keenan Carbajal (11-2-1) W KO 2 Lorenzo Trejo (35-32-1).

Robles vs. Cuevas

Robles easily wins first two rounds and then halts Cuevas in the fourth. The unbeaten southpaw increased the pressure in the third scoring a knockdown late in the round. Cuevas survived the round but had nothing left in the fourth and was on the ropes shipping punches when the referee stopped the fight. Fifth win by KO/TKO for the “Renegade” southpaw from San Diego a former US National PAL champion. “Pipino Jr.” is nothing like as good as his father and is 0-5-1 in his last 6 fights. I remember asking Andy Price to compare a British fighter who was active at that time with Cuevas who Andy had gone the full ten rounds with and Andy looked at me as if I was stupid and said “Pipino hits hard enough to knock down walls”.

Carbajal vs. Trejo

This one was farcical as Carbajal towered over the little Mexican veteran. After hurting Trejo with punches in the first Carbajal scored four knockdowns in the second to end it. Only three of those knockdowns counted as it was a low punch that caused the second knockdown. Trejo writhed in agony until he saw the referee was not buying it. He was given time to recover but two more knockdowns ended the fight. The farce came from the 24-year-old cousin of former world champion Michael being 5’10” (178cm) and Trejo 5’2” (157cm). Six wins in a row for Carbajal. Trejo, 38, has 21 years in the sport. None of his last 17 fights have gone the distance but unfortunately he has only emerged as the winner of 5 of them

May 21

Moscow, Russia: Cruiser: Denis Lebedev (29-2) W TKO 2 Victor Ramirez (22-3-1,1ND). Light Heavy: Umar Salamov (16-0) W PTS 12 Bob Ajisafe (16-3). Light Heavy: Dmitry Bivol (7-0) W PTS 12 Felix Valera (13-1). Cruiser: Dmitry Kudryashov (19-1) W TKO 4 Julio Cesar Dos Santos (30-6). Cruiser: Rakhim Chakhkiev (25-2) W PTS 8 Tamas Lodi (18-7-2). Light Heavy: Stan Kashtanov (35-2) W TKO 2 Tomasz Gargula (18-2-1).Super Middle: Dilmurod Satybaldiev (11-1) W PTS 12 Claudio Abalos (30-16-3)

Lebedev vs. Ramirez

Lebedev retains the WBA title and wins the IBF title in impressive style as he halts tough Argentinian Ramirez in two rounds. In the opener Lebedev was using his southpaw right jab with Ramirez trying to come in low to get inside. Ramirez landed a right to the chest of Lebedev which sent him backwards off balance but Lebedev produced the best punch of the round when he scored with a sharp left hook to the chin which shook the Argentinian. For the rest of the round Lebedev easily evaded the head down rushes from Ramirez. Early in the second Lebedev landed a right uppercut which snapped Ramirez’s head back and staggered him. Lebedev chased Ramirez firing left hooks as the Argentinian was backed into a corner . He tried to fight his way out of the corner but a left hook sent him back and down. The referee had a long look at Ramirez but let the fight continue. As Ramirez came forward Lebedev slammed home left after left with Ramirez bending almost double under the storm until he turned and started walking away. Lebedev came after him landing left hooks and uppercuts and the referee jumped forward and stopped the fight. The 36-year-old Russian makes it 22 wins by KO/TKO. His two losses were a controversial split decision to Marco Huck in Germany for the WBO title in 2010 and a stoppage by drugs cheat Guillermo Jones for the WBA title in 2013. He was coming off three successful title defences against Pawel Kolodziej, Youri Kayembre Kalenga and Lateef Kayode who between them had combined records of 75-1 so no easy touches. Ramirez, 32, “The Tyson of Abasto” , a former WBO champion, was coming off a controversial title saving drawn decision in a title defence against Ovill McKenzie in October. This is his first loss by KO/TKO.

Salamov vs. Ajisafe

Salamov wins the vacant IBO title in tough scrap with Brit Ajisafe. The Russian made a positive start out-jabbing southpaw Ajisafe and landing some long rights. In the second Ajisafe was more accurate with his jab and throwing long lefts but Salamov was finding the target with his own jab and banging over long rights to the head. Neither fighter changed their tactics and the Russian was building a clear lead as he also took the third fourth and fifth rounds by doing more of the same. The sixth saw a different Ajisafe, now he was coming forward and letting his hands go. He was scoring with long lefts and had Salamov on the retreat and looking uncomfortable. The fight seemed to have turned completely. In the seventh Ajisafe was finding a home for his right jab and his long lefts were getting through the guard of Salamov and one sent the Russian staggering back and Salamov seemed to have forgotten he had a left jab and was throwing wild punches. Salamov steady himself in the eight and did enough to share the round but no more than that. Ajisafe was in charge again in the ninth. His jab was working and his long lefts were getting through and a tired Salamov was shaken by a long left late in the round. Although he had given away the first five rounds Ajisafe had now won three of the last four and the Russian corner was worried. The tenth was an even clearer round for Ajisafe it was a case of him walking Salamov down and the change was illustrated by a four-punch combination that rattled Salamov. Ajisafe continued to score with his jabs and long lefts. Salamov needed to do something to get back in control in the eleventh but instead Ajisafe produced one his most dominant sessions driving Salamov back with his jab and banging home lefts and still looking fresh. Both were tired in the last and both missed more than they landed but for me Ajisafe just landed the few clean punches there were. Scores 115-113 twice and 117-117 all for Salamov. The last score was scandalous and the first two should have gone the other way. From the sixth to the last round it was hard to give a single round to Salamov, but with Ajisafe making such a slow start it wasn’t robbery just a poor decision. However the 21-year-old Russian gets the IBO title. Ajisafe, 31, the former undefeated CBC champion, suffers the heartbreak that can happen when you fight the guy in his own backyard. He seemed to take a while to get used to fighting a man both taller 6’4”” to 6’2” and with a longer reach but once he adjusted he bossed the fight.

Bivol vs. Valera

Bivol wins the interim WBA title in only his seventh fight. Bivol made a positive start taking the fight to the tricky/eccentric Dominican working well behind the jab and getting the better of the exchanges. Bivol was boxing cleverly in the second and third. He was ignoring the antics of Valera keeping the pressure on and scoring well with jabs and quick combinations as Valera began to swing wild punches. His eccentric movements led to him slipping to the canvas twice in the second and again in the third. Bivol had a big fourth as he scored with rights early. A clash of heads saw Valera take a step back and go down holding his head. The referee stopped the action and when they resumed Bivol was driving Valera around the ring scoring time and again with long rights with Valera constantly grabbing Bivol and being lucky not to lose a point. Just before the bell the referee asked the doctor to examine an area just above the left eye of Valera but there was no cut. Bivol kept up the pressure in the fifth and with Valera clowning in the sixth Bivol landed three rights that sent Valera to his knees. The Dominican got up and survived by running and holding. Bivol pressured and pressured to take the seventh. Early in the eighth Bivol drove Valera to the ropes with a right uppercut and a series of shots saw Valera drop to his knees again. When he got up and after the count he for once stood toe-to-toe with Bivol for the most exciting two minutes of the fight so far. Bivol seemed to have punched himself out and Valera took the ninth and the tenth was close and with both fighters tired the Russian did enough to edge the last two, Scores 119-107 twice and 116-111all for Bivol, but where the judge found four rounds to give to Valera is a mystery. Class performance from the Kyrgyzstan born Russian-based 25-year-old . He was a Russian National champion winning a gold medal at the 2013 World Combat Games and a bronze medal at the World Youth Games. Valera, 28, has more eccentricities than both of the Eubank’s combined and Stas Kashtanov could not figure him and lost split decision to Valera for the vacant Interim title in August. That win over Kashtanov was Valera’s first fight outside the Dominican Republic and only his 13^th fight so a good achievement.

Kudryashov vs. Dos Santos

Kudryashov returns with a win as he batters down Brazilian Dos Santos. As usual Kudryashov was stalking forward behind his jab and landing hooks to the body. Dos Santos tried a few left jab/straight right combinations but the punches were blocked and Kudryashov ended the round with some left hooks to head and body. Kudryashov continued to come forward in the second and a left hook to the body followed by right hook staggered Dos Santos. Kudryashov landed three more hooks which put Dos Santos down. He was up at five and after the eight count he survived a series of hooks and uppercuts to last to the bell. Kudryashov handed out a steady diet of punishment in the third scoring with right uppercuts. A left to the side of the head shook Dos Santos but the bell came before Kudryashov could capitalise on that. The fourth saw Kudryashov landing punch after punch until two right uppercuts put Dos Santos down. He got to his feet and was ready to continue but his second climbed into the ring and the fight was over. The 30-year-ol Russian “Hammer” showed all his strengths and weaknesses. He was strong and aggressive applying constant pressure but also slow with a porous defence as shown when he was blasted to defeat in two rounds by Olanrewaju Durodola for the WBC Silver title in November. Durodola gave a positive test at that fight but the WBC just brushed it aside and refused to accept it. Dos Santos, 38, gets his second loss by KO/TKO.

Chakhkiev vs. Lodi

Chakhkiev gets dull win as he returns for the first time since losing his IBO title to Ola Afolabi in November. Chakhkiev was padding after Lodi ion the first round with the Hungarian just circling to his left to stay away from the southpaw left of Chakhkiev. The Russian was already showing his frustration at the negative tactics of Lodi and backed into a corner inviting to Lodi to actually take a forward step. When he did Chakhkiev landed a hard left that put Lodi back in his shell. Chakhkiev cornered Lodi briefly at the end of the second and landed some hooks and a left in the third had Lodi unsteady. The Hungarian actually stood and traded on occasion in the fourth which allowed Chakhkiev the chance to score with some hooks. The problem for Chakhkiev was that he was making the basic mistake of placing his right foot inside the left foot of Lodi so when Lodi circled to his left Chakhkiev’s balance was in the wrong position for him to move to cut off the ring. Chakhkiev scored a good right to the chin in the fifth and landed some hooks at the end of the round when he had Lodi cornered but there was no fire in the fight. Lodi scored with a hard overhand rights in both the sixth and the seventh but Chakhkiev was scoring more in every round. He could not pin Lodi down long enough to do any real damage over the closing rounds. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 all for Chakhkiev The 30-year-old Russian “Machine”, a former WBC title challenger and former IBO champion gets the win but was one-paced and lacked ideas. Lodi, a former WBO European champion came to survive. He falls to 5-6-1 in his last 12 fights.

Kashtanov vs. Gargula

Kashtanov continues to rebuild with early stoppage of Pole Gargula. Kashtanov was working his jab over the first two minutes with Gargula trying some rights but was out of range. Kashtanov started to throw a few rights late in the round. Then Gargula found the target with a right to the head. Kashtanov was working the jab again in the second and he scored with a left hook to the body. Gargula backed off obviously hurt and Kashtanov landed two more hooks to the body. A couple of seconds later another left hook to the body saw Gargula go down on his knees in pain. He was up at eight but the referee waived the fight off. The Ukrainian-born Russian champion, was having his second fight since losing on a split decision to Felix Valera for the interim WBA title in August. His only other loss was back in 2011 to Karoly Balzsay for the vacant WBA title also on a split decision. Gargula, 41, was inactive from 2004 until June last year and is now 3-2 since returning.

Satybaldiev vs. Abalos

Satybaldiev makes a successful second defence of his WBA Continental title with wide unanimous verdict over Argentinian Abalos. Satybaldiev edged the first three rounds which were slow with not much action. Southpaw Abalos came into the fight over the next three rounds as he worked inside and although the rounds were close he looked to have just taken them. Satybaldiev raised his game over the seventh and eighth although the fight was still not catching fire. Satybaldiev was letting his hands go more in the ninth finally landing some heavy punches and he battered and floored Abalos in the tenth. Abalos fought back hard in a close eleventh but was floored again in the last as Satybaldiev emerged the clear winner. Scores 120-106 twice and 118-110 all for Satybaldiev. The 21-year-old “Little Mike” a Russian-based boxer from Kyrgyzstan has a good win over former WBO and WBC title challenger Dmitry Sukhotsky. South American champion Abalos, 35, has lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Welter: Jermall Charlo (24-0) W PTS 12 Austin Trout (30-3). Super Welter: Erislandy Lara (23-2-2) W PTS 12 Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1). Super Welter: Jermell Charlo (28-0) W KO 8 John Jackson (20-3). Cruiser: Beibut Shumenov (17-2) W TKO 10 Junior Wright (15-2-1). Cruiser: BJ Flores (32-2-1) W PTS 6 Roberto Santos (12-4).

Charlo vs. Trout

Charlo retains his IBF title with close unanimous verdict over Trout. The fight was pretty uninspiring so the main headlines centred around twin brother Jermell winning the vacant WBC title to make it the first time twins have held world titles at the same time and- only in this sanctioning body madness- both in the same division. Charlo made good use of the traditional right hand solution to fighting a southpaw and it was his best punch in the fight. After a couple of close rounds Charlo having seemed to just edge the first had his game plan going forcing the fight, using his left jab both as a scoring punch and a range finder for the rights and he landed a couple of hard shots late in the third round. Trout came into the fight more in the fourth getting his own southpaw jab working but he was being outworked by Charlo in that round and the fifth. In the sixth a clash of heads saw a swelling by Trout’s right eye and Charlo targeted the damage with lefts to worsen it. By then it looked to have been 5-1 to Charlo in rounds. Despite the injury from the seventh Trout began to eat into Charlo’s lead . He was beginning to block or slip Charlo’s punches and get home with some quick counters with Charlo loading up on his punches but throwing less.. Trout was busier and throwing more punches but he lacked the power or accuracy of Charlo’s work. Charlo upped his work rate in the eighth but Trout outboxed him in the ninth only to suffered a cut over his already swollen right eye. In the tenth. Trout used his jab and good footwork to keep Charlo from working inside enough and edged the round. In the eleventh Trout scored with a good straight left/straight right to Charlo’s head but Charlo came back with some quick punches and probably did enough to edge the round. Neither went for broke in the last. Trout was on his toes jabbing and throwing quick one-twos with Charlo letting some hard punches go but finding Trout a hard target but still doing enough to get a share of the round. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-113 all for Charlo. The 26-year-old Texan was making the second defence of his IBF title and had only once before gone past the eighth round. That plus some clever work from Trout might explain why the challenger came into the fight so much over the second half of the contest. Trout, 30, must have thought he was on his way to fame and riches when he easily beat Miguel Cotto in a WBA title defence in 2012 but back-to-back losses to Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara in 2013 pushed him of the gravy train. He had scored four wins over a good level of opposition and boxed well here but let the fight get away from him over the early rounds and never caught up.

Lara vs. Martirosyan

Lara retains the IBO and secondary WBA titles with unanimous decision over Martirosyan. When they first met back in 2012 in an WBC eliminator it ended in a technical draw in nine rounds due to a bad cut received by Martirosyan in a clash of heads. That was a dull disappointing fight. Not a great deal was expected from this and it barely lived up to those low expectations. Although both have talent their respective styles are not a good mix and there was little in the way of entertainment. It was also a bad tempered fight with low blow, had butts and other infractions. Lara outboxed Martirosyan over the first round but as early as the second a clash of heads had Lara cut over his left eye. The Cuban southpaw looked to be trying to entertain by standing and exchanges more than he had in their first fight which also gave Martirosyan the opportunity to score more and chase less. Lara was quicker with his hands and more accurate scoring throughout the fight with straight southpaw lefts with Martirosyan using a body attack to try to slow the Cuban. Lara showed his usual talent when fighting defensively blocking or avoiding many of Martirosyan’s punches but the Armenian-born American had a slightly higher punch output over the early rounds as Lara tended to fight only for parts of each round. Lara increased his work rate over the late rounds to build a small lead. It was a case of insult and injury for Martirosyan in the eleventh. Lara’s was confident enough to do some showboating and as if that was not enough Martirosyan was deducted a point in the efor a low punch although the replay showed it was on the belt line and not low. Many rounds were close with the head-snapping rights of Lara showing more than the solid body work from Martirosyan and the Cuban ran out the winner. Scores 116-111 twice and 115-112 all for Lara. This was the third defence of his title for Lara and he desperately wants a return with Saul Alvarez to get revenge for the split decision which remain the only loss on his record. It’s not going to happen. Alvarez has bigger fights on the horizon and the Cuban’s style will always give him problems. Martirosyan, 30, seems destined to go through his career losing the big fights having been beaten by Demetrius Andrade for the vacant WBO title in 2013 and losing a close unanimous decision to new WBC champion Jermell Charlo in March last year.

Charlo vs. Jackson

Charlo makes history as he wins the vacant WBC title and joins his twin brother Jermall as a champion. It did not look as though that historic occasion would happen as after Charlo took the first round Jackson then outboxed him over the next six. The son of former champion Julian Jackson boxed a clever fight constantly moving with Charlo just not being able to cut the ring off. Jackson piled up the points with his jab and fast combinations whilst Charlo followed him around the ring throwing punches but not landing anything of substance. To add to Charlo’s problems Jackson shifted effortlessly from orthodox to southpaw. It was frustrating for Charlo as every time he got set to throw a punch Jackson would stab out his jab or feint to throw a punch of his own and be off out of range before leaping in with a couple of quick but light punches. Charlo just kept walking forward in every round but was almost always a step behind . When Jackson did stand and trade he never stayed in the pocket for any period of time. Just enough to score with two or three punches and be away before Charlo could counter. The only times that Charlo had any success was when he could briefly pin Jackson on the ropes and score with some hooks but Jackson did not stay there long either sliding away along the ropes or turning Charlo onto the ropes and skipping off to the centre of the ring. By the sixth Charlo was increasing the pace of the chase and Jackson was having to work harder to stay out of trouble but he scored with a good three-punch combination in the round. Jackson stood and traded jabs at the start of the seventh but Charlo landed a hard overhand right and Jackson engaged reverse again. At the end of the seventh all three judges had it 69-64 for Jackson. The end came suddenly in the eighth as Charlo landed a huge overhand right that crashed into the eye socket of Jackson. The punch had Jackson’s leg shaking in a little dance and as he lurched into a corner Charlo followed landing a couple of lefts but the right was a finisher and a collapsing Jackson fell half way out through the ropes with the referee immediately waiving the fight over. Charlo pulled this one out by sheer persistence. He pressured for every minute of every round just looking for one chance and when it came he grasped it. For Jackson it was a repeat of the fight with Andy Lee in June 2014 when he looked close to stopping Lee only to be blasted out by one big punch. He is 27 and can come again.

Shumenov vs. White

Shumenov overcomes a scare to retains his newly awarded secondary WBA title with stoppage of Wright. A change of tactics worked well for Shumenov in this one but he also needed some good old fashioned guts. Shumenov took the fight to Wright and used his superior strength to win on the inside. He was boxing less and pressurising more obviously confident against a very modest challenger. Perhaps it was getting a little too easy as with Shumenov comfortably in control in the fifth Wright threw a left which floored Shumenov. He was badly shaken and looked ready to be taken but battled his way to the bell. The Kazak boxer steadied the ship over the sixth and seventh and then put Wright down twice in the eighth. This time it was Wright who had to show guts to see out the round but he had faded out of the fight and was tiring rapidly. Shumenov kept up the pressure in the ninth and put Wright down again in the tenth and the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old Shumenov, a former WBA light heavy champion, lost for and then won that title in fights with Gabriel Campillo and went on to make six defences losing the title to Bernard Hopkins in 2014. He collected the interim WBA title with a points win over BJ Flores in July last year and was upgraded to secondary champion days before this fight with the WBA in typical fashion declaring that the Dorticos vs. Kalenga was not for the secondary title as previously advertised but for the interim title. Why bother just tell the promoter where to send the money. Shumenov and Denis Lebedev are now under instructions to meet within 120 days with the WBA aiming to have only one champion. Wright, 29, lost on an eighth round kayo to Rakhim Chakhkiev for the Ibo title in May last year. In August he won a six round fight against Harvey Jolly (14-22-1) and without fighting he suddenly appeared at No 14 in the WBA ratings issued on 19 January. But hey! this is the WBA you expect them to do things like this.

Flores vs. Santos

Flores returns as a heavyweight but does not really impress even as he wins every round against Mexican Santos. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The two losses that Flores has suffered have both been in challenges for a cruiserweight title. The first one was to Danny Green for the IBO title in 2010 and the second against Beibut Shumenov for the interim WBA title in July last year. The 37-year-old was a career heaviest at 224 ½ lbs here so going to give it a try at heavy. Four losses in a row for Santos.

London, England: Heavy: David Haye (28-2) W TKO 2 Arnold Gjergiaj (29-1). Middle: Lee Markham (16-3-1) W PTS 10 Joe Mullender (9-2). Heavy: Shannon Briggs (60-6-1,1ND) W KO 1 Emilio Zarate (20-17-3). Light: Floyd Moore (14-6-1) W PTS 6 Yordan Vasilev (18-43-2).

Haye vs. Gjergiaj

The “Hayemaker” massacres tall Kosovon with four knockdowns but it is difficult to know whether the fight said more about how dangerous Haye is to all of the other heavyweights or how over-rated Gjergiaj was. Hopefully the first but certainly some of the second. After some feeling out Haye sent a right through the high guard of Gjergiaj’s which put him on the floor badly shaken and the fight was virtually over right then. He made it to his feet and Haye took his time using his jab to try to open up Gjergiaj who was in survival mode just covering up. Every time a Haye right landed Gjergiaj looked shaky and at the end of the round with Gjergiaj on the ropes Haye landed a straight right which saw Gjergiaj slide down the ropes to his knees. The bell had sounded so the round was over so the referee did not count and Gjergiaj was able to get on his feet and walk to his corner. At the start of the second round a flicked left jab from Haye put Gjergiaj down for a third time. He again got up but Haye hunted him down took him to the ropes and landed a series of cuffing and clubbing punches as Gjergiaj slumped sideward’s to the floor. Gjergiaj made it to his feet but after the eight count Gjergiaj showed no inclination to continue and the fight was stopped. Win No 25 by KO/TKO for the 35-year-old Haye. He looked sharp and is still a big puncher but he must have been hoping to get more than the under four minutes ring time he has had in his two fights since returning. Now hopefully he will put an end to the Shannon Briggs circus. Swiss-based Gjergiaj, 31, was a huge disappointment and he seemed overawed by the atmosphere and froze-or maybe Haye iced him?

Markham vs. Mullender

This domestic match between two fighters from Essex figured to be the best fight of the night and it was. Mullender was taking the fight to Markham who was meeting him as the stood in front of each other and exchanged hooks and uppercuts over the first two rounds. In the third Mullender continued to force the fight but Markham was making him pay a price with hooks to the body and head punches. The pressure started to pay off for Mullender over the middle rounds to make it close but Markham banged back and they were both shipping punishment over the closing rounds with Markham doing enough to deserve the decision although most rounds were close enough to go either way. Scores 98-93, 97-93 and 97-94 all for Markham who wins the vacant English title. Markham,28, moved down from super middle where he had drawn with Frank Buglioni and lost a very close decision to Luke Blackwell for the CBC title. Now he will be looking for some high level domestic fights. Mullender was in good form having won his last four fights and played a big part in making this such a entertaining fight in an otherwise awful evening for the fans.

Briggs vs. Zarate

Briggs gets another inside the distance win over inept last substitute Zarate. Briggs came out throwing punches and a left hook to the body put Zarate down just 35 seconds into the fight. Zarate got up and Briggs steadied himself for a short while trying some jabs but another left hook had Zarate hurt and scared. He tried to throw some punches but he could not handle the strength of Briggs and another left hook to the body had him turning away, going down and then lying on his back for the count. This mismatch did not tell us anything we did not already know about Briggs. He is strong, has a big punch, leaves himself wide open and has yet to take even the smallest risk since returning to the ring. As for Zarate he came in at only four days notice, he was knocked out in two rounds by Hughie Fury in November, he has lost 9 times by KO/TKO and the FAB only rate six heavyweights and he is not one of them so a meaningless win for Briggs-again.

Moore vs. Vasilev

Moore gets revenge win over Vasilev. When they first fought back in 2013 Vasilev halted Moore in nine rounds and for a while in the third it looked as though it might happen again as Vasilev put Moore down but Moore has gained confidence with his winning of the Southern Area title and he did enough to earn the referee’s decision on a score of 58-56. Four wins in a row for the 25-year-old “Pacman”. Bulgarian Vasilev falls to 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

Manukau City, New Zealand: Heavy: Joseph Parker (19-0) W PTS 12 Carlos Takam (33-3-1). Super Middle: Jordan Tai (8-1) W KO 1 Joe Blackbourn (10-1-1). Cruiser: Nikolas Charalampous (12-0) W PTS 6 Joseph Kwadjo (23-10,1ND).

Parker vs. Takam

Big win for Parker as he puts himself at the head of the queue for a shot at IBF champion Anthony Joshua. Parker had height and reach over the smaller Takam and was using his jab right away to try to establish command. Takam showed quick hand getting through with a left to the head and Parker was letting his right go in an even round. In the second Parker was trying to set Takam up for a left jab right cross but then tumbled to the floor when he missed with the same combination later. The local fighter was letting his right go and did enough to take the round. Parker totally outboxed Takam in the third. The fighter from the Cameroon just could not get passed Parker’s jab and was being caught with hard rights without being able to counter. Takam was coming forward in the fourth getting inside and landing to the head. Parker fired off some good combinations and they both dug to the body but Takam landed a right cross to Parker’s jaw and had him trapped on the ropes with Parker pushing Takam over and onto the floor to get out of the corner. The round showed that Parker is not comfortable when going back and holding his left at thigh level is asking for trouble. The fifth was a big round for Takam. He walked through some punches from Parker early in the round and then for the remainder of the round he was harrying Parker around the ropes landing with some good head punches with Parker looking uncomfortable under the pressure. In the sixth Parker was scoring well with counters as Takam moved in but as the round progressed Takam just walked through Parker’s punches and took the New Zealander to the ropes and scored with short hooks. Parker’s arms were dropping and he was no longer on the front foot or using his jab. He returned to the jab in the seventh and Takam’s work rate dropped. Takam did not really press until late in the round and did not do enough to take it. The eighth was brutal. Takam was marching forward again and Parker was backing up under fire. Suddenly Parker started throwing lefts and rights. He threw a fusillade of over 20 almost all of which got through and for a split second Takam’s legs seem to stiffen but he fired back and a left to the head had Parker hurt and backing up. Takam landed a vicious right uppercut right to the head and was hunting Parker down to the bell. Parker started the ninth trying to stay of the ropes and use his jab but the pattern was the same with Takam walking through Parker’s punches taking Parker to the ropes and firing hooks and uppercuts. Parker was throwing bludgeoning counters but too few and ineffective and at the end of the ninth I had Takam one point in front. Parker boxed brilliantly in the tenth. He was back on his toes, staying in ring centre and doubling and tripling his jab. Takam did land one hard right cross but Parker won this round clearly. Parker again boxed cleverly in the eleventh. He kept moving, kept jabbing and was content to land two or three punches and then move not standing and trading as he had done over the middle rounds. The last saw both fighters exhausted and both landing bombs when they could find the strength throw a punch. It had been a great fight and it was a great last round which I had even making Parker the winner by just one point. Judges scores 116-112 twice and 115-113 all for Parker. The 24-year-old New Zealander had his chin tested, his heart tested and his stamina tested and came through with a win. There were plenty of positives but it was worrying that Takam walked through everything that Parker threw at him in view of the way that Alex Povetkin scored a crushing kayo of Takam in 2014 and the way Parker holds his left so low could let him down against a bigger puncher. Next up he takes on fellow New Zealander Solomon Haumona on 21 July but the 40-year-old Haumona should not pose too much of a challenge as Kevin Johnson knocked him out in 2013.Takam,35, gave it everything here but the difference in height and reach meant he always had to walk through punches to work but he came within one round of winning this and is a good test for any heavyweight

Tai vs. Blackbourn

Tai retains his NZPBA title as he blows away unbeaten Blackbourn in the first round. Tai had Blackbourn down twice and though the fight was over. As he was leaping up on to the ropes to celebrate and nearly falling out of the ring Blackbourn somehow made it to his feet. He was very groggy and perhaps the fight should have been stopped then but Tai finished it with a worrying final knockdown. “Terror” Tai, 34,had lost his own unbeaten record when he was halted in four rounds by Australian David Toussaint last month. He has 7 wins by KO/TKO but faces a tough test in July when he puts his national title on the line against the more experienced Gunnar Jackson. “Smokin Joe” Blackbourn had won 10 of his fight by KO/TKO so only one of his 11 fights have gone the distance.

Charalampous vs. Kwadjo

Young Aucklander Charalampous gets off the floor to get a split verdict over experienced Kwadjo. After outboxing Kwadjo over the first round Charalampous was shaken by a shot from Kwadjo in the second and then floored by a body punch. He survived and although Kwadjo took the third round Charalampous had a good fourth despite a warning for a butt and made the fight close but Kwadjo looked unlucky not to get at least a draw. Scores 57-56 twice for Charalampous and 57-56 for Kwadjo. Good effort from the 23-year-old “Greek” who came in at just two days notice. Kwadjo, a Ghanaian based in Fiji, is now 2-6,1ND in his last 9 fights.

Melbourne. Australia: Cruiser: Brad Pitt (19-1) W PTS 10 Jorge Olivera (27-12). Cruiser: Kane Watts (18-2) W KO 1 Javier Lardapide (7-2-1)

Pitt vs. Olivera

Pitt returns to the ring with a win. In his first fight in 18 months “Hollywood” wins every round against the Uruguayan “Black Pearl” Olivera to collect the vacant WBA Oceania title. Big things were expected from the 29-year-old from Melbourne, a former Australian amateur champion and 2008 Olympian, but after 15 wins on the bounce he was knocked out in four rounds by David Aloua in April 2014. He returned to action in November that year to win the Super 8 tournament with three good wins but then disappeared again until now. Olivera is now 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

Watts vs. Lardapide

“Sugar” Watts wipes out Lardapide inside a round. The 33-year-old local relinquished his Australian title a couple of weeks before this fight. He has 11 wins by KO/TKO including 6 in his last 7 fights. Argentinian Lardapide ,38, loses inside the distance for the first time.

Charleroi, Belgium: Cruiser: Ryad Merhy (19-0) W TKO 6 Williams Ocando (16-4). Heavy: Herve Hubeaux (24-1) W KO 1 Vjekoslav Bajic (9-12).

Merhy vs. Ocando

Merhy continues to look a real threat in this division as he outclasses Ocando on the way to a stoppage victory. The Belgium-based fighter from the Ivory Coast went to work quickly stabbing home fast jabs and body punches before shaking Ocando with a right hook at the end of the first round. Merhy boxed patiently early in the second and then landed some heavy punches at the end of the round before dominating the third and fourth with body punches. He nearly ended the fight in the fifth shaking Ocando with an uppercut. In the sixth a right uppercut had Ocando holding on. After the referee parted them Ocando tried to get inside to hold again but a left hook and a right cross to the head saw the referee stop the fight with Ocando protesting strongly but well beaten. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for 23-year-old Merhy who adds the WBA Inter-Continental title to the WBC International Silver title he won in December. So far the opposition has not been strong so we will find out more when he takes on tougher tests. Former Venezuelan champion Ocando now has three losses by KO/TKO. He had won his last 3 fights but none of those opponents had won a fight and in fact 13 of his opponents had never registered a victory so an inflated record.

Hubeaux vs. Bajic

Hubeaux made it a local double as he knocked out Bajic. The 24-year-old from Namur ended it in 2:14 to get win No 11 by KO/TKO. He has won his last 11 fights and reversed the only loss on his career. Croatian Bajic was having his first fight for a year and now has 8 losses by KO/TKO.

Nadi, Fiji: Light: Leki Maka (9-0) W RTD 2 Farzan Ali (28-6-2).

Big disappointment for the locals as long time hero Ali retires in his corner. Tongan-born Maka pounded away at Ali’s body for two rounds and Ali did not come out for the third. New Zealand-based Maka ,30, the NZBF champion, gets his second win by KO/TKO. “The Razor” Ali, 36, had been 12-1-2 going in but now has his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

Germany: Heavy: Senad Gashi (12-0) W TKO 1 Marino Goles (21-6).

Gashi wins the vacant GBU world title with first round destruction of Croatian Goles. Southpaw Gashi went to work immediately forcing Goles back to the ropes and then landing a wicked right hook to the body. Goles went down in considerable pain and the fight was over. The doctor said that Goles may have suffered a broken rib on his left side. The 26-year-old German-based boxer from Kosovo, already the WBC Baltic and German International champion, gets his eighth first round win and has only once had to get past the second round but the opposition has been modest at best. Goles, 36, won his first 16 fights but is 5-6 in his last 11 including three first round losses.

Cegled, Hungary: Middle: Szabolcs Pintye (13-0-1) W PTS 10 Szabolcs Szabo (11-3-2). Cruiser: Imre Szello (13-0) W KO 4 Hamza Wandera (19-10-3,1ND). Light Heavy: Richard Baranyi (16-1) W KO 2 Beka Aduashvili (17-5).

Pintye vs. Szabo

Pintye wins the vacant Hungarian title with close unanimous decision over young Szabo. Scores 96-94 from all three judges. The 35-year-old Pintye makes it seven wins in a row after returning in 2013 from two years of inactivity. Szabo, 21, had lost a couple of fights in the other guy’s backyard but registered a good result in a draw with unbeaten German Jan Meiser in January.

Szello vs. Wandera

Szello was the real draw as usual. He easily halts Kenyan-born Wandera but ends up on his knees. Szello was streets ahead of Wandera over the first three rounds. In the fourth with Wandera against the ropes a straight right snapped Wandera’s head back. He rolled forward to get off the ropes but was nailed with another right that sent him staggering back a couple of steps. When he came forward he was already unsteady and a right clipped him on the top of the head and he went face down on the canvas and the fight was over. After the bout Szello invited his girlfriend into the ring and went down on one knee to propose and was accepted so two wins in the night for Szello. “Imo”, 32, was fighting in the town where he was born for only the second time as a pro, he has 8 wins by KO/TKO. Ugandan-based southpaw Wandera goes to 7 losses by KO/TKO.

Baranyi vs. Aduashvili

Baranyi gets knockout victory in the second round. After stalking Aduashvili over the first round Baranyi ended it early in the second. Baranyi forced Aduashvili back to the ropes with a jab and then threw a right to the body. Aduashvili blocked that one but Baranyi banged home another that landed just under the protective left elbow of Aduashvili who went down in agony and was unable to get up. Former good class amateur Baranyi, 25, has 12 wins by KO/TKO. Aduashvili, 19, is 5-5 in his last 10 fights with 5 wins at home and 5 losses on his travels.

Dudley, England: Middle: Craig Cummings (15-1) WTKO 6 Ryan Aston (18-4-2).

Cummings keeps his Midlands Area title with stoppage of Aston in all-southpaw contest. Both were sparring for openings in the first but Cummings had the better of the second shaking Aston with a right and getting the local fighter to stand and trade. The third again saw Cummings in charge early but Aston was settling after that shot in the second and ended the round well. A clash of heads in the fourth saw Cummings emerge with cut on his right eyebrow but he kept taking the fight to Aston. In the fifth Aston showed his skills as he boxed cleverly countering the aggressive Cummings who was trying to get Aston to stand and trade. In the sixth he got his wish and they exchanged shots until a left hook from Cummings slammed home and then a series had Aston falling face first to the canvas and the fight was called off immediately. Cummings, 28, was making the first defence of his Midlands title. His only loss was to Tom Doran in the Prizefighter Tournament last year and this is his fourth win since then. Aston, 25, was moving up from super welter and coming off a loss to Ahmet Patterson in January.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Middle: Andrew Hernandez (11-5-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Arif Magomedov (17-1). Super Welter: John Vera (14-0) W TKO 6 Joey Ruelas (10-2-1).

Hernandez vs. Magomedov

This was supposed to be just a keep busy fight for WBC No 2 Magomedov (a ridiculous rating anyway) but Hernandez must have had the script upside down as he turned Magomedov over. The first rounds was close as Magomedov was looking to boss the fight but Hernandez did some good work of his own. Hernandez took control of the fight from the second round and was in control from there. He kept Magomedov out with his jab and fired off some quick, accurate counters rocking Magomedov in the third but with Magomedov scoring enough to keep the rounds close. The faces of both fighters showed bumps and bruises with Hernandez’s jab the dominant punch. Magomedov had a bit more success in the middle rounds but Hernandez had a great seventh round staggering Magomedov and looking close to registering a stoppage but Magomedov showed guts and determination to keep throwing punches even under pressure. Any chance Magomedov of winning had long since disappeared but Hernandez punctuated his dominance with a last round knockdown. Scores 100-89 twice and 98-91 all for Hernandez who wins the vacant WBC USNBC title. He had been fighting at super middle in March and had put some weight on since then. He came into this with only a couple of weeks notice so had to work hard to get the weight off. It looked a doable task for Magomedov as Hernandez was 3-7 in his last 7 fights losing to Jerry Odom on a first round stoppage, being stopped in eight rounds by Louis Rose and being outpointed by relative novices Kyrone Davis and Ahmed Elbiali. Russian Magomedov,23, had good wins over Michael Zerafa and Derrick Webster which might have been enough to get him into the WBC top 30 but No 2!! They were not the only ones with egg on their face as Magomedov was also rated WBO 3/WBA 5. He fought hard here but the scores tell the story.

Vera vs. Ruelas

Vera wins the vacant WBA-NABA title with stoppage of Ruelas. Southpaw Vera had a slight edge early as these two put on a good scrap with plenty of trading. Vera finally began to make his mark from the fourth as he was getting through with hard punches from both hands with Ruelas still competitive but not having the power to match Vera. In the sixth Vera launched a sustained attack and although Ruelas soaked up the punishment there was nothing coming back from him and the fight was stopped. The tall 27-year-old Texan now has 6 wins by KO/TKO in his last 7 fights. Ruelas tried hard but he was outgunned.

Laredo, TX, USA: Light: Ray Beltran (30-7-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Ivan Najera (16-3). Welter: Alex Saucedo (22-0) W PTS 8 Claudinel Lacerda (17-15-1).

Beltran vs. Najera

Beltran gets back into action one year after being given a suspension for a positive test for a banned substance. Najera tried to take some advantage from any rust Beltran had to shed. It worked in the early part of the first but late in the round a left from Beltran had Najera in deep trouble. From there things went rapidly downhill for Najera. He tried to go punch-for-punch with Beltran in the second but was quickly broken down and taking more than he was giving. A left had Najera in trouble on the ropes and Beltran pounded away until the referee stopped the fight. The 34-year-old Phoenix-based Mexican came up short in three WBO lightweight title fights. He looked unlucky to only get a draw against Ricky Burns in 2013 but was outclassed by Terrence Crawford in 2014. His third title shot with Japanese fighter Takahiro Ao for the vacant title was a mess. He failed to make the weight and although stopping Ao in two rounds tested positive for a banned substance and was handed a derisory one year suspension. Third loss in a row for Texan Najera but the other two losses were against Felix Verdejo and Saul Rodriguez in fights that he was expected to lose.

Saucedo vs. Lacerda

Young Mexican Saucedo gets his third decision win in a row. He was hoping to increase his KO/TKO percentage but although he put Brazilian Lacerda down in the fourth round he had to go the full eight rounds for his win. Scores 79-72 twice and 80-71.The 21-year-old Oklahoma City-based fighter has been sensibly matched against a range of experienced but modest opposition. Lacerda, 36, is 1-8-1 in his last 10 fights.