The Past Week in Action 25 July

Photo From Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

Highlights:
-Victories in title fights for Ryoichi Taguchi and Hiroto Kyoguchi with Kyoguchi’s win giving Japan 12 current champions.
-Mikhail Aloyan wins the WBC Silver title in only his second fight
-Charles Martin puts away Mike Marrone inside a round
-Isaac Dogboe remains on line for a world title fight with another win
-South African prospect Deejay Kriel wins WBC International title
-Viktor Polyakov outpoints former holder of the secondary WBA title Giovanni De Carolis

Alexandria, LA, USA: Feather: Chris Avalos (27-5) W RTD 5 Miguel Flores (21-2). Heavy: Charles Martin (25-1-1) W KO 1 Mike Marrone (21-8). Light Heavy: Ahmed Elbiali (16-0) W TKO 2 Chris Brooker (12-4). Cruiser: Edwin Rodriguez (30-2) W TKO 2 Melvin Russell (10-3-2).
Avalos vs. Flores
Avalos gets win but Flores looks unlucky. In an exciting scrap both were looking to dominate the exchanges providing plenty of action. Flores looked to be getting on top when he put Avalos down with a series of punches in the third. In the fourth Flores suffered a cut over his left eye. The referee ruled it was caused by a punch. Avalos came on strong in the fifth. They were still going toe-to-toe with Avalos forcing Flores back. The cut worsened and by the end of the round it was too bad for Flores to continue and his corner pulled him out. Californian “Hitman” Avalos was having his first fight for 15 months. He lost to Carl Frampton in a challenge for the IBF title in 2015 and his career looked in trouble when he suffered consecutive losses to Oscar Valdez and Filipino Mark Magsayo so a very necessary and welcome win. Flores was 48-46 in front on all three cards and claimed that the cut was caused in a clash of heads but the decision means that after 21 wins in a row Flores has now lost back-to-back fights. From the point of view of entertainment this was a great fight to grace a big effort to bring big time boxing back to Louisiana.
Martin vs. Marrone
Martin gets farcical win over a washed-up Marrone. The end was quick. Marrone lunged forward chucking a couple of wild swings. Martin side-stepped and landed a left hook to the body and Marrone went down face first and the fight was over. Second win this year for former IBF champion Martin who took a year out after losing his title to Anthony Joshua last year. The 31-year-old Martin is better than he showed in being crushed by Joshua and he can be a player in the division. This is the fourth inside the distance loss in a row for Marrone and the second first round blow-out in a row-the other two ended in the second round.
Elbiali vs. Brooker
Elbiali overpowers Brooking inside two rounds. Elbiali was stronger and ploughed forward banging home heavy shots to the body in the first. Brooker was trying to box his way out of trouble with quick movement and a bit of holding. Both fighters were warned for punches to the back of the head and late in the first the referee took a point off Brooker for yet another back of the head shot. In the second Brooker was pinned to the ropes with Elbiali unloading overhand rights. A left hook then put Brooker down and the fight was stopped. Egyptian-born Elbiali, 26, a Florida High-School graduate, was inactive from January 2016 until March this year due to a hand injury. He now has 13 win by KO/TKO. Three losses in his last four fights for Brooker.
Rodriguez vs. Russell
“La Bomba” returns with a win. In his first fight for 15 months Rodriguez had no trouble with “The Romantic Redneck” and stopped him in two rounds. Rodriguez lost on points against Andre Ward in 2013 and suffered a big setback when he lost in two rounds against Thomas Williams Jr in April 2016-his last fight. Russell, 38, really a four/six round fighter was out of his depth here.

July 18 New Cairo, Egypt: Andreas Valavanis (8-0) W RTD 3 Omari Ramadan (14-10-2). Local hero Valavanis wins the vacant WBFederation Inter-Continental title as Ramadan retires in the third round. I thought it would be interesting to see the level of boxing in Egypt and it was pretty dire. Valavanis had lots of height and reach over a tubby Ramadan. The Egyptian, an upright stylist, was going forward behind his jab. Ramadan chose not to block punches but bobbed and weaved and stepped back quickly. He then swung some of the wildest punches I have ever seen in a ring even the sphinx had to duck a couple of times. However one of those swings clipped Valavanis in the second round and he went down. He survived more wild swings and half way through the third round Ramadan suddenly just turned around and walked to his corner effectively retiring himself. The 25-year-old “King Cheetah” makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO all inside three rounds. Tanzanian Ramadan has six losses by KO/TKO.

19 July

Tokyo, Japan: Super Bantam: Hidenori Otake (29-2-3) W TKO 10 Kinshiro Usui (27-6). Super Fly: Rene Dacquel (20-6-1) W PTS 12 Hayato Kimura (26-10). Super Bantam: Shingo wake (21-5-2) W TKO 5 Mikihito Seto (34-14-3).
Otake vs. Usui
Otake retains the OPBF title with late stoppage of Usui. The challenger made a good start with his sharper jabbing giving him the edge and after four round two judges had it 39-37 for Usui and the other saw them even at 38-38. Otake began to roll from the fifth going to the body with hard combinations and scoring with left hooks as he swept the middle rounds. After eight Otake had turned the tables and was 78-74 and 77-75 on two cards with the third reading 76-76. Otake continued his attacks on a tiring Usui and after Otake had a strong ninth an exhausted Usui went down in the tenth with the towel coming in from his corner. Otake, 36, was making the first defence of his OPBF title. He lost a wide unanimous decision to Scott Quigg for the secondary WBA title in 2014 and that is the only defeat in his last 25 fights. Usui, 37, a former Japanese bantam title challenger, was No 14 with the OPBF
Dacquel vs., Kimura
Dacquel makes successful second defence of his OPBF title with unanimous decision over Japanese challenger Kimura. The fight took a while to heat up and some good rights from the champion saw him edge into an early lead being 39-37 in front on two cards after four rounds with the other score standing at 38-38. Kimura started the fifth with a strong body attack but a right uppercut from Dacquel put him back on his heels. Kimura recovered and continued to go to the body and after eight rounds have evened thing up with two judges having 76-76 but with Dacquel maintaining his lead on the third at 77-75. Kimura kept the advantage in the ninth but then with both fighters tiring badly Dacquel found the strength to stage the better finish and he deservedly took the decision. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 all for Dacquel. The 26-year-old “Commander” won the OPBF title with an upset victory over Go Onaga (27-2-2) and has now won his last six fights. Kawasaki-born Kimura, Japanese-born but a former South Korean champion, had come up short in two challenges for the Japanese title and was down at No 13 with the OPBF.
Wake vs. Seto
Wake outclasses Seto in his first fight for a year. The former IBF title challenger had Seto under pressure from the start. Seto showed some tricky moves but Wake was too strong. Seto went down early and although it was ruled a slip the writing was already on the wall. Seto was reduced to hiding behind his guard and trying to survive but by the fifth his face was badly swollen and after a few more heavy hits from Wake Seto’s corner threw in the towel. The 30-year-old southpaw was having his first fight since being halted in eleven rounds by Jonathan Guzman in a fight for the vacant IBF super bantam title in July last year. He holds a stoppage win over current IBF champion Yukinori Oguni so is looking to work his way back into position for a title shot. Seto, 37, is 0-4-1 in his last five fights with all four losses by KO/TKO.

July 21

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Welter: Diego Luque (21-4-1) W PTS 10 Gabriel Ledesma (10-1). Luque wins the vacant IBF Latino title and snaps the unbeaten streak of Ledesma with narrow split decision. It was a case of the technically correct boxing of Ledesma against the cruder swarming style of Luque. Luque’s aggression gave him a good start only for the clever boxing of Ledesma to cancel out that early lead. Luque had most success when his lunging attacks took Ledesma to the ropes where he could pound the body. Ledesma kept his boxing together and scored well at a distance with his left jab/right cross. The constant pressure from Luque saw Ledesma tiring and his work became untidy. Seeing his record slipping away Ledesma had a good last round as he again built his attacks on his jab but he had not done enough to claw back Luque’s lead. Scores 96-94 twice for Luque and 97-93 for Ledesma. The 32-year-old Luque, the Argentinian No 7 super light, was having his first fight since losing on points to Brit Jack Catterall in December. Ledesma, 23, the Argentinian No 7 welter was in his first ten round fight and he can rebound from this.

Cassino, Italy: Heavy: Gianmarco Cardillo (7-0-1) TEC DRAW 2 Ivan Di Berardino (7-0-1). The Italian heavy title remains vacant after a clash of heads brought this one to an early end. Local fighter Cardillo, 28, had outboxed the cruder Di Berardino over the two completed rounds but a clash of heads had opened a cut on the right eyebrow of Di Berardino so the fight was ruled a technical draw and they will have to do it all over again.

Mexico City, Mexico: Light: Antonio Moran (22-2) W TKO 6 Lupe Rosales (34-13). Moreno given a tough time by veteran Rosales before ending the fight with a great right in the sixth. Moreno made a confident start. He used his longer reach to keep Rosales on the back foot and was able to slot home jabs and straight rights. Rosales came to life in the second bulling forward to get inside and cutting down the ring on Moreno. A left hook from Moreno shook Rosales and Moran drove Rosales back across the ring and put him down with a straight right. Rosales beat the count and Moreno jumped on him and landed a couple of neck-jarring shots with the bell saving Rosales. Moreno dominated the third but Rosales kept coming. In the fourth Rosales was mauling and brawling until a left to the body had him badly hurt and retreating. Moreno drove Rosales to the ropes landing a series of head punches but the experienced Rosales survived and again ploughed forward in the fifth. In the sixth Rosales was walking in scoring with hooks to the head with Moreno under pressure. A huge right hook changed that and had Rosales out on his feet and a couple more punches saw him fall into the ropes and slump down to the floor with the referee waiving the fight off. Moran, the WBO No 13 wins the vacant WBO Latino title and now has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Rosales, 35, drops to four losses by KO/TKO. He was 25-1 in his first 26 fights but life has been much tougher since then and his face shows the bumps and lumps of this tough profession.

San Juan, Puerto Rico: Super Feather: Jonathan Oquendo (27-5) W RTD 5 Orlando Rizo (19-11). Super Feather: Robson Conceicao (4-0) W KO 1 Bernardo Gomez (18-8). Bantam: Jeyvier Cintron (2-0) W TKO 2 Guillermo Dejeas (8-13-1).
Oquendo vs. Rizo
Oquendo returns to action and gets a win but the rust shows. Oquendo took the first round showing his superior strength and bullying Nicaraguan southpaw Rizo. In the second Rizo looked to have shaken Oquendo with a straight right but Oquendo recovered and did enough to take the round. In the third a left from Rizo penetrated the Puerto Rican’s defence and Oquendo had to hold on for a few moments and a clash of heads opened a cut over his right eye. Oquendo took charge again in the fourth sometimes switching guards and he floored Rizo heavily with a right in the fifth. Rizo fought back hard but after the bell his corner pulled their man out of the fight. The 33-year-old Oquendo lost big fights against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr and Abner Mares but in September 2015 won a biggie of his own as he took a majority verdict over Jhonny Gonzalez. The sine quickly rubbed off as he lost on points in December to Jesus Cuellar for the secondary WBA title and this is his first fight since then. In fairness apart from any rust he had also been preparing to fight the unbeaten Costa Rican Francisco Fonseca, an orthodox stylist and ended up fighting a southpaw substitute. Rizo has now lost his last 5 fights, 4 of them by KO/TKO.
Conceicao vs. Gomez
Brazilian Conceicao wastes no time in disposing off Gomez. He came out firing and quickly drove Gomez back. He took him to the ropes and ended the fight with a series of punches topped off by a right with Gomez down and out. All over in 52 seconds with Gomez taking several minutes to recover. The 28-year-old Rio gold medallist has won his three fights this year all inside two rounds but sometimes he seems to me to be in too much of a hurry. Eighth loss by KO/TKO for Mexican Gomez.
Cintron vs. Dejeas
Dejeas came in over the weight for this one but it made no difference as hot prospect Cintron had too much talent and power. In the first he chose to box allowing Dejeas to come forward and then firing through flashing combinations. He went for the finish in the second and a left hook ended the fight. The 22-year-old southpaw is considered the best of the current bunch of Puerto Rican prospects. He won the Puerto Rican championship at 17 and fought his way through the American qualifiers to get to the London Olympics where he reached the quarter-finals. The AIBA then disqualified anyone under 19 competing at senior tournaments. He had plenty of pro offers but stayed amateur and won a silver medal at the World Youth Championships in 2014. He fought his way through to the 2016 Olympics but lost 2-1 in the first series to the eventual gold medal winner. One to watch. Chilean 38-year-old no real tests as he was 1-6 in his last 7 fights.

Castellbisbal, Spain: Feather: Marc Vidal (10-1-4) W PTS 12 Sergio Blanco (23-4-1). On paper this was one of the weakest European title fights for some time but it produced an excellent contest and in the end Vidal won the vacant title with split decision over oldie but goodie Blanco. Despite giving away 12 years to his younger fellow-Spaniard Blanco had the better of the early rounds and looked on his way to victory. A clash of heads opened a cut which took something out of Blanco and allowed Vidal to claw back most of that lead. Despite that effort from Vidal after 11 rounds Blanco was in front on two cards and close to becoming European champion. That dream ended when Vidal scored a last round knockdown for a 10-8 which spun the scoring to the new champion Vidal. Scores 116-111 and 114-113 for Vidal and 114-113 for Blanco. Vidal had been given this chance after winning the EU title with a victory over Sergio Prada in January and is now 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights. The 41-year-old Blanco was making his third attempt to win the European title. He had done nothing to deserve the third chance but came so near to upsetting the odds.

Ontario, CA, USA: Feather: Isaac Zarate (13-3-2) W PTS 8 Carlos Carlson (22-3). Super Bantam: Chris Ayala (11-1) W PTS 8 Pedro Melo (17-16-2).
Zarate vs. Carlson
Good win for Zarate as he floors and outpoints the favourite Carlson. This one was a war with defence parked and both landing heavy punches throughout the eight rounds. Zarate edged the first and then moved in to a more comfortable lead by flooring Carlson late in the second. They continued to knock lumps off each other until Zarate raked Carlson with punch after punch in the fifth and from there had the better of the exchanges with the referee coming close to stepping in on a couple of occasions but Carlson was never in enough trouble to justify that although Zarate again had a big round in the last. Scores 78-73 for Zarate from all three judges. The 25-year-old Mexican southpaw was due a win after suffering through a majority draw and two split decision losses in his last three fights. Carlson, a 27-year-old from Tijuana, built a 22 bout unbeaten streak on the way to a shot at the WBC bantam title against Shinsuke Yamanaka in March but was stopped in seven rounds. He was at No 7 in the WBC ratings making it a big win for Zarate.
Ayala vs. Melo
Ayala wins an all-Tijuana contest with points victory over Melo. This was another toe-to-toe battle but Ayala had the harder punch and more accuracy. Melo did a little bit better over the second half of the fight but Ayala was always in control. The referee took a point from Ayala in the seventh for a low punch but Ayala ran out a winner on a wide unanimous decision. Scores 79-72 for Ayala from all three judges. Four wins in a row for 22-year-old Ayala. Melo, 29, is 2-7 in his last 9 fights but back in 2015 when Carlson was in his purple patch Melo only lost by one point on all three cards against him.

Anaheim, CA, USA: Light: Ismail Muwendo (19-0) W PTS 8 Efrain Esquivias (17-7-1). “Sharp Shooter” Muwendo adds another win to his total with decision over a sliding Esquivias. The Minneapolis-based Ugandan won every round and floored Esquivias in the fourth and seventh but could not keep the experienced Californian on the floor. Scores 80-70 for Muwendo from all three judges. The 28-year-old Muwendo, who represented Uganda at the 2007 World Championships, had only one fight in 2015 and one in 2016 but let’s hope he will be more active from here on. Esquivias, 34, is now 1-7-1 in his last 9 fights.

July 22

Avellaneda, Argentina: Welter: Jonathan Gaston (18-1-1) W TKO 9 Carlos Chumbita (17-7). Gaston continues his run of good form and lifts the vacant South American title as he stops Chumbita. This one was all Gaston. He punched too hard for Chumbita and had won every round before the end. A furious attack in the ninth saw Gaston force a standing count. When the action resumed a right cross and a left hook to the chin of a rocky Chumbita saw the referee stop the fight. The 29-year-old Gaston moves to 12 wins on the bounce and gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. He is the Argentinian No 2 at super light. Chumbita was getting his second shot at the South American title and gets his third loss by KO/TKO in his last five fights.

Toowoomba, Australia: Welter: Ryan Cesaire (15-5-1) W PTS 10 Jamie Hilt (6-2-1). Middle: Tim Tszyu (6-0) W TKO 2 Chris Khan (1-2-1).
Cesaire vs. Hilt
Cesaire makes third successful defence of his Australian title with unanimous decision over Hilt. Despite his lack of experience Hilt had no reservations about taking the fight to Cesaire and playing his part in an entertaining fight. Cesaire has a strong amateur background so the gap in experience was wider than their respective pro records showed and he was stronger and more accurate than Hilt. Many rounds were close with Cesaire just doing enough to win the close ones and take the decision. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-92 all for Cesaire. The 33-year-old Cameroon-born boxer started out 3-3 in his pro career but once he settled down did much better and was 8-0-1 in his next nine before losing to world rated fighters Lenny Zappavigna and Jeff Horn. Hometown fighter Hilt, 37, had never gone past eight rounds and only once gone past five so put up a very creditable show.
Tszyu vs. Khan
No real test for young Tszyu here as he halts novice Khan in two rounds. Fifth win on the bounce by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old son of the former world champion.

Accra, Ghana: Super Bantam: Isaac Dogboe (17-0) W RTD 2 Javier Chacon (25-4-1). Cruiser: Olan Durodola (26-4) W TKO 2 Karama Nyilawila (24-17-3).
Dogboe again shows his potential as he gets a win with Chacon retiring with an injury to his right wrist. Dogboe made a confident start in the first moving in behind his jab and scoring with left hooks and quick rights. Chacon was content to be on the back foot hiding behind a high guard but he was not throwing punches. The most Chacon was doing early was pushing out an occasional jab whereas Dogboe was getting under the high guard with thudding hooks to the body. When Chacon did let go some hooks counters from Dogboe sent him on the back foot again. Dogboe handed out serious punishment in the second with an obviously hurt Chacon urging the young Ghanaian to bring it on and Chacon himself landed a good right cross at the bell. Chacon was more aggressive in the fourth putting Dogboe on the back foot. Dogboe was able to catch Chacon with counters. The local fighter switched guards a number of times and Chacon was showing a cut over his left eye. The fourth saw them trading punches with Dogboe landing more but with Chacon having a couple of purple patches and walking through Dogboe’s punches. Chacon was walking Dogboe down in the fifth, Dogboe was scoring with flashing combinations to head and body but Chacon kept coming dropping both hands and inviting Dogboe to do his best. Dogboe complied and was doing all of the scoring but seemed to lack the power to keep Chacon out. Dogboe handed out plenty of punishment in the sixth landing shots from both hands but it was noticeable that Chacon was not using his right much. At the bell the Argentinian went back to his corner and heated words were used as he told his seconds he had injured his right hand and was not continuing and eventually his surrender was accepted. It was a pity that it ended that way as Chacon was posing some problems for Dogboe. The young Ghanaian improves with each fight but we will have to see him against some better fighters to judge his full potential but it is accepted that he is the best prospect in Ghana right now an opinion shared by Azumah Nelson. The 22-year-old Olympian was making the first defence of his WBO International title and gets his eleventh win by KO/TKO. This was billed as a WBO eliminator. Although Dogboe is their No 4 Chacon was not in the top 15 so it is difficult to see it as any form of eliminator. Chacon, 36, lost to Anselmo Moreno for the WBA bantam title and to Jamie McDonnell for the secondary WBA title but had won his last five fights against some reasonable level domestic opposition and was rated No 3 in Argentina.
Durodola vs. Nyilawila
Durodola crushes poor Nyilawila in two rounds. Durodola tried hard to end it in the first but Nyilawila survived. In the second Durodola nailed Nyilawila with heavy punches that sent him down and out and Nyilawila needed medical attention before being allowed up. The 36-year-old Kansas City-based Nigerian was having his first fight since being stopped in five rounds in June by Dmitry Kudryashov. Everything about this mismatch was poor. Durodola was 6’2” (188cm) and weighed 196lbs, Tanzanian Nyilawila is 5’8” (173cm) and weighed 186lbs-and when he started out in the pro ranks he was a middleweight. Ninth loss by KO/TKO for Nyilawila.

Hidalgo Del Parral, Mexico: Super Feather: Jhonny Gonzalez (64-10) W KO 2 Jessie Cris Rosales (21-1-1).Middle: Misael Rodriguez (2-0) W KO 2 Jose David Mosquera (16-10-1). Super Light: Lindolfo Delgado (2-0) W TKO 1 Gerson Escobar (2-3).
Gonzalez vs. Rosales
Gonzalez still has the power and crushes Filipino in two rounds. A cautious opening from both boxers as they traded jabs and late in the round tried a few straight rights and left hooks but nothing of substance was landed. Rosales was letting go with some rights at the start of the second but Gonzalez took control with a series of stabbing jabs. Gonzalez landed a thumping left hook to the body of Rosales and then one to the right side of his chin and Rosales then took a half step back and went sliding back and down on his rump. He was up at seven and indicated he was okay. Gonzalez did not rush things. He let Rosales come forward throwing some punches and then just before the bell buried a left hook to the ribs that put Rosales down with his screwed up in agony and the Filipino was counted out. The punch looked to have landed where that earlier thumping hook had and it was minutes before Rosales recovered enough to get to his feet. Now 54 wins by KO/TKO for the 35-year-ols former WBO bantam and WBC feather champion. He retains the WBC Latino title and is No 5 with the WBC so another shot at a title is not out of the question and he is already calling out Miguel Berchelt. Rosales, 23, the Philippines No 1 feather had won his last 14 fights but the opposition had been moderate at best and he looked too lightweight to mount a challenge to Gonzalez.
Rodriguez vs. Mosquera
Olympic bronze medallist Rodriguez puts Colombian Mosquera down and out in the second with a hard combination. The 23-year-old “Chino” won a bronze medal in Rio becoming the first Mexican boxer to medal at the Olympics since Cristian Bejerano in Sydney in 2000. He had won a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games and a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Due to a dispute over funding Rodriguez and other Mexican boxers actually went out collecting money on the streets and in buses to finance their Olympic training. Mosquera has now lost his last 7 fights.
Delgado vs. Escobar
Delgado did not medal in Rio but like Rodriguez is worth watching. He knocked out novice Escobar inside a round to make it two inside the distance wins in two fights. Unlike many Mexican boxers Delgado had substantial financial support and when he showed early promise his parents sent him to a boxing school in Cuba. He also had plenty of support in his preparations for Rio but he helped Rodriguez and the other members of the boxing team collecting money in the streets. He won silver medals at the Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games losing in the final each time to Cuban Lazaro Alvarez. He also competed at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships and had a reported 139-15 record as an amateur before signing with Richard Schaefer’s Ringstar.

Moscow, Russia: Super Fly: Mikhail Aloyan (2-0) W PTS 12 Marvin Solano (19-1). Light Heavy: Egor Mekhontsev (13-0-1) W PTS 8 Gusmyr Perdomo (24-8). Super Middle: Fedor Chudinov (15-2) W TKO 2 Jonathan Barbadillo (17-4-1). Super Middle: Magomed Madiev (9-0) W KO 1 Jeyson Minda (13-1-1). Super Middle: Stan Kashtanov (36-2) W PTS 10 Siarhei Khamitski (31-14-3).
Aloyan vs. Solano
Aloyan catapults himself into the world ratings with win over Solano in a fight for the vacant WBC Silver title. Although much the smaller boxer Aloyan made a sprightly start ducking under Solano’s jab and scoring with some southpaw straight lefts. Solano used some quick footwork to frustrate Aloyan in the second and although there were not many punches landed Solano probably just edged it. Both fighters were too cagey in the third and very few punches were landed .Solano had a good fourth with Aloyan having trouble getting past the Nicaraguan’s jab and I thought Solano also took the fifth as he was quicker and more accurate with his punches. Solano’s confidence was high and he chose to stand and trade more in the sixth which was what Aloyan needed and the Russian was able to score with some good lefts to take the round. For me Solano took the seventh. He had Aloyan on the back foot and was outscoring the Russian and just before the bell landed a huge right the best punch of the fight so far. Solano stormed forward throwing punches in the eighth. There was a time out after a low punch from Aloyan and Solano was coming forward again when he walked onto a left from Aloyan that put him down on his back. He looked hurt but beat the count and the bell went. Some of the fire went out of Solano and Aloyan clearly took the ninth and tenth although Solano rocked him again with a big right. Solano forced the fight in the eleventh but Aloyan boxed cleverly walking Solano onto counters and took the round. I expect a big finish from Solano but it did not come and Aloyan boxed and countered his way to the bell. Scores 119-108,118-110 and 117-111 all for Aloyan so he wins the vacant WBC Silver title after only two fights and in theory that puts him in line for a shot at the WBC title. With Srisaket already giving Roman Gonzalez a return and Carlos Cuadras and Juan Francisco Estrada fighting a final eliminator with Japan’s Naoya Inoue waiting in the wings he will have to wait a while for that title shot. I had Solano ahead after seven and then gave Aloyan a 10-8 for the eighth and scored the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth for Aloyan. As with Vasyl Lomachenko his impressive amateur achievements make an early title shot achievable for the 28-year-old Armenian-born Russian. He is a three-time Russian champion, won two gold medals and a silver medal at the World Championships, a gold medal at the World Cup, a gold medal at the European Championships and a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics. He also won silver in 2016 in Rio but had to return the medal because of a positive test. As an amateur he scored wins over Rau’shee Warren, Amnat Ruenroeng, Khalid Yafai, Andrew Selby, Nordine Oubaali and many more top fighters. His looks and style are reminiscent of Vic Darchinyan also a southpaw and also born in Armenia. Solano showed good speed and good skills but despite his impressive statistics had never gone past eight rounds before and faded badly at the end. Aloyan was No 37 in the WBC ratings and Solano was not in the top 40 so a strange fight for such a high profile title. The show deserved a big fight as it was held in the open air in Red Square to celebrate Boxing Day (as in the sport-not the Christmas celebration) in Russia.
Mekhontsev vs. Perdomo
Mekhontsev fails to impress as he only gets by Perdomo on a debateable majority decision. Despite both fighters being southpaws there styles produced a good contest. Mekhontsev forced the fight much of the way but Perdomo scored with some good counters. Mekhontsev was just that bit busier and more accurate but worryingly Perdomo was able score with some cracking punches through the porous defence of the Russian with Mekhontsev forced to hold on desperately a couple of times. A draw would have been a fair result but away from home wins can be hard to find. The 32-year-old Mekhontsev does not look likely to make it to the top as a pro. In the amateurs he won gold medals at the Olympics and the World Championships and twice at the European Championships. He signed with Top Rank but was unimpressive in drawing in August last year against Alex Johnson and his career seems to have stalled. Venezuelan Perdomo, 39, lost to Mikkel Kessler for the WBC super middle title in 2009 but has had periods of low activity. However he was coming off a good win over Azea Augustama (20-2) in March.
Chudinov vs. Barbadillo
This was an awful excuse for a fight. Barbadillo had only the very barest of techniques. Chudinov was slamming home jabs and right to the body with Barbadillo circling around the ring to his left so moving onto Chudinov’s rights and he never once tried to move to his right. Chudinov was able to walk after Barbadillo landing hooks and uppercuts with Barbadillo just prodding out some half hearted jabs and he did not even know how to clinch. He took his lumps but it was obviously not going to last long. Barbadillo threw some swings at the start of the second but again was moving into rights to the head and uppercuts. A left hook sent him into the ropes and he bounced off and went down on his knees. He was up at six but when the action resumed with Barbadillo still moving to his left Chudinov landed a series of overhand rights until the referee stopped the massacre. Too easy to be of any benefit to 29-year-old Chudinov. The Russian was having his first fight since losing his WBA title to George Groves in May. Somehow Argentinian Barbadillo had won his last 17 fights but the opposition would be flattered to be described as poor with eight of his victims never having won a fight and significantly, despite his 17 wins, he was not in the Argentinian ratings.
Madiev vs. Minda
Madiev shows his power as he flattens poor Minda with a left hook. The 22-year-old Russian gets his fourth win by KO/TKO. In Youth competition he was Russian champion and won silver medals at the European and World Youth Championships. He was also a very successful kickboxer.Minda,24, was having his first fight outside of Ecuador. His record flatters him as five of his victims had never previously had a fight and another two had never won a fight.
Kashtanov vs. Khamitski
Kashtanov sheds some rust but struggles to get a majority decision over experienced oldie Khamitski. Only the second fight for Kashtanov in 19 months. He lost to Karoly Balzsay for the secondary WBA super middle title in 2011 and to Felix Varela for the interim WBA light heavy title in 2015. Born in Donetsk Kashtanov’s fighting in Moscow was a statement of his taking Russian citizenship. Khamitski, 42, is a former WBO European champion. A title he won by stopping Frank Buglioni in 2014 but he lost to Martin Murray and John Ryder in other visits to the UK. The Minsk-based Ukrainian lost to Alfonso Blanco for the interim WBA middle title in 2015. This was his first fight for 10 months.

Brentwood, England: Super Light: Johnny Coyle (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Innocent Anyanwu (25-23-3). Super Welter: John Wayne Hibbert (18-5) W PTS 8 Arvydas Trizno (25-66-3). Light: David Oliver Joyce (2-0) W TKO 3 Lesther Cantillano (3-6). Welter: Tyler Goodjohn (13-5) W PTS 8 Adam Barker (4-1). Heavy: David Allen (12-3-1) W TKO 3 Tom Dallas (17-10).
Coyle vs. Anyanwu
Coyle remain unbeaten as he outpoints Anyanwu. The local southpaw never dropped a round and won by 80-73 on the referee’s scorecard. The only question mark is over Coyle’s power with just two wins by KO/TKO. After a promising start to his career the 38-year-old Dutch-based Anyanwu has won only 4 of his last 27 fights.
Hibbert vs. Trizno
Another win a for a local fighter as former Commonwealth and WBC International champion Hibbert starts a rebuilding process after back-to-back losses to Andrea Scarpa and Martin Gethin. Referee’s score 60-55. If the Essex 32-year-old can avoid cuts there are some good domestic fights out there for him. Lithuanian Trizno usually goes the distance and gets the occasional win.
Joyce vs. Cantillano
Joyce is setting a busy schedule as this is his second fight and he gets second win in five weeks with a third round stoppage of Nicaraguan Cantillano. The 30-year-old former Irish amateur champion and three-time European Union gold medallist left it late to turn pro so has no time to lose. First loss by KO/TKO for Cantillano.
Goodjohn vs. Barker
Goodjohn overcomes the handicap of a cut over his left eye to edge out Barker in a close fight. Referee’s score 78-76. The Ely fighter is back to basics after losses in three hard title fights against Tyrone Nurse and Johnny Garton for the English title and John Wayne Hibbert for the WBC International title. A step up in distance and quality of opponent for Barker and he performed well.
Allen vs. Dallas
Allen hits too hard for a sliding Dallas. In the first round Allen was just walking forward with his hands down easily slipping the tentative jabs from Dallas. He was doing the scoring but not really following through with his attacks. Allen increased the pace and the pressure in the second. Dallas was just circling the perimeter of the ring and pushing out his punches without much leverage. After a number of inside the distance losses he looked gun-shy. In the third Allen forced Dallas to a corner and put him down heavily with a huge right and the fight was stopped immediately. Now 9 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old from Yorkshire. He has already suffered tough losses against Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz and last time out lost a split verdict against Lenroy Thomas for the vacant Commonwealth title. Much too hard a schedule and he really needs to get a few more fights under his belt and then come again. Dallas is now 2-10 in his last 12 fights with nine of the losses by KO/TKO.

Norwich, England: Super Feather: Craig Poxton (13-4) W PTS 8 Ibrar Riyaz (5-125-4). Super Light: Nathan Dale (21-1) W PTS 6 Nathan Hardy (5-15-2).
Poxton vs. Riyaz
Poxton overcomes disappointment of his Southern Area title defence being cancelled and gets victory over late substitute Riyaz. Poxton suffered a flash knockdown in the second round but was never really troubled although Riyaz was competitive all the way. Referee’s score 78-74 for Poxton. The 28-year-old from Lowestoft (brrrrr I did my Offshore Survival course there almost did not survive it) had some good news as after his good win over unbeaten Boy Jones in February it is possible he will fight for the WBO European title in September. The little 32-year-old Riyaz is a popular substitute as he is always available and incredibly only three of his 125 losses have been by KO/TKO. He has saved many a show.
Dale vs. Hardy
Local hero Dale gets back to winning ways. The 26-yerar-old from Norwich lost for the first time as a pro when he was outpointed by Phil Bowes in November. He eased his way back here as Hardy gave him six good rounds of work. Referee’s score 60-56. Hardy is 2-8-1 in his last 11 fights but has only been stopped once.

July 23

Milan, Italy: Welter: Dario Morello (9-0) W PTS 10 Tobia Giuseppe Loriga (29-8-2). Morello wins the Italian title with unanimous decision over champion Loriga. Morello was in charge early with the speed, accuracy and quantity of his punches making it look as though he was on his way to an inside the distance win. Loriga finally managed to get a toe hold in the fight fifth but Morello banged back in the sixth. The expected stoppage did not happen because Morello did not press hard enough. He was boxing on the outside not attacking the body enough and not pressing hard enough. The inevitable outcome was that the experienced Loriga came into the fight more over the last three rounds. He had a good ninth but Morello finished the stronger to take the title. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 all for the new champion. The 24-year-old “Spartan” from Bergamo was an outstanding amateur winning Italian titles at every level from schoolboy to elite and competed at both the World and European Youth Championships. The 40-year-old Loriga, a former Italian super welter champion, was making the first defence of his national title but there is no talk of retirement.

Tokyo, Japan, Minimum: Hiroto Kyoguchi (8-0) W PTS 12 Jose Argumedo (20-4-1). Light Fly: Ryoichi Taguchi (26-2-2) W TKO 9 Robert Barrera (18-2). Super Fly: Ryuichi Funai (28-7) W TEC DEC 7 Takayuki Okumoto (18-8-3). Bantam: Kohei Kono (33-10-1) W TKO 5 Rambo Sithsaithong (8-5).
Kyoguchi vs. Argumedo
Kyoguchi sets a new Japanese record as he wins a world title just 15 months after turning pro. Argumedo was switching guards and scoring with left and right hooks. Kyoguchi countered strongly and quickly showed his power. He was able to get through with hooks from both hands and some snappy uppercuts. Argumedo continued to throw lots of punches but Kyoguchi showed some smart blocking and was the more accurate going constantly to the body. Over the middle rounds Argumedo was under pressure all the way and the body shots were having their effect as the Mexican looked to be fading. Argumedo revived briefly in the ninth only for a left hook to stagger him and the follow-up attack saw Argumedo go down. Both tired over the last three rounds with Argumedo fighting hard to hold on to his crown and an exhausted Kyoguchi slipping down three times in the twelfth but he was a clear winner. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-112 all for Kyoguchi. The 23-year-old former OPBF champion is yet another from the Japanese production line and Japanese fighters now hold 12 versions of world titles which is the strongest position the country has ever been in. Kyoguchi, 23, initially learned karate from the age of three but switched to boxing at 12 under the tutelage of former two-time WBC bantam champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi who also won the title in his eighth fight. Kyoguchi is from the Watanabe Gym as is Taguchi so a good night for that gym. Argumedo, 28, was making the fourth defence of his IBF title. This the first time he has lost on a unanimous decision as he lost a majority decision to future champion and his other two losses were both split decision.
Taguchi vs. Barrera
Taguchi retains the secondary WBA title with stoppage of Barrera. The challenger came out fast in the opening round switching guards and throwing plenty of punches. Taguchi settled down and by the end of the round was working to the body of Barrera. Taguchi continued with the body battering in the second. Barrera banged back early in the third but again Taguchi took over and in the fourth a series of left hooks had Barrera in trouble. Taguchi eased up in the fifth but then dominated the sixth with Barrera fighting with his back against the ropes as Taguchi fired lefts to the body. A one-sided seventh saw Barrera under strong pressure again taking shots to the body and he showed guts to survive. Taguchi continued to hand out punishment in the eighth and Barrera was warned for holding. The end came in the ninth with Barrera crumbling under more two-fisted attacks from Taguchi and the referee hated the fight. Sixth defence of the WBA title for 30-year-old Taguchi and a much better performance than his split draw in his defence against Carlos Canizales in December. He has lost only one of his last 19 fights and that was to Naoya Inoue for the Japanese title in 2013. He never had an amateur fighter but learned so quickly he won the annual Japanese novice competition. Colombian Barrera, 24, just lacked the power to match the champion. His other loss was to Canizales on a split decision in Canizales home town and he had won his last 6 fights, 5 by KO/TKO.
Funai vs. Okumoto
Funai retains Japanese title as he takes technical decision over southpaw challenger Okumoto. After a slow start to the fight Funai had the better of the exchanges over the first two rounds scoring with straight rights and hooks. Okumoto took the third and a clash of heads opened a cut over the right eye of Funai but the champion looked to have just edged the fourth. In the fifth another clash of heads saw Funai cut over his left eye. After five rounds Funai was in front 48-47 on two cards and 49-46 on the third. The sixth was a close round but Funai again used the straight right/ left hook combinations to take the seventh. Funai’s had been passed fit to fight on by the doctor a few times but by now was bleeding heavily and he was unable to continue so the result was decided on the scorecards with Funai 68-65 up on two and 67-66 on the third. The 31-year-old from Tokyo was making the first defence of his national title and has now won 11 of his last 12 fights. He is No 15 with the WBA. The 25-year-old Okumoto, the Japanese No 1, was 8-1-1 in his previous 10 fights.
Kono vs. Rambo
Kono returns to action with stoppage of overmatched Thai Rambo. Kono was attacking hard from the outset and Rambo was willing to stand and trade. Kono’s body punching quickly weakened the Thai and he was down in the fourth from a shot to the liver. Rambo survived but after another knockdown in the fifth the fight was stopped. Kono, 36, who had two spells as WBA super fly champion, had seemed to be on his way out after consecutive losses last year to Luis Concepcion and Naoya Inoue but after seventh months out he returned here with a win. In his next fight he will take on Hong Kong’s unbeaten southpaw Rex Tso the WBO No 1 and a win there would get Kono into the mandatory position. Poor match this as Rambo was having his first fight for almost four years.

Kempton Park, South Africa: Minimum: DeeJay Kriel (11-1-1) W Dexter Alimento (12-1). Feather: Lerato Dlamini (9-1) W PTS 8 Thembani Hobyani (7-9-2).
Kriel vs. Alimento
Big win for prospect Kriel as he lifts the prestigious WBC International title with unanimous decision over Filipino southpaw Alimento. The visitor scored well early with body punches and built a lead. Kriel paced the fight better and blunted the attacks of the aggressive Alimento over the middle rounds boxing coolly, punching sharply and continually finding gaps in the Filipino’s defence. Alimento was pressing hard but after a big eighth round Kriel was in control and had reversed the position and built a lead of his own. The young South African continued to outscore Alimento over the ninth, tenth and eleventh and then held off a strong finish by Alimento to emerge the clear winner. Scores 116-112 twice and 117-111 all for Kriel. This was the first time he has gone past eight rounds but he paced the fight well in a mature performance. The 22-year-old local fighter had only three amateur fights and lost those. He dropped out of school to focus on boxing but made a bumpy start losing his first fight but reversed that loss two months later and is now 12-0-1 in his last 13. Deejay is his real first name and reflects his mother love of music. Alimento, 21, is a former undefeated WBC Youth champion and his only other loss was against a then undefeated Japanese prospect in Tokyo.
Dlamini vs. Hobyani
Dlamini makes it 9 wins on the bounce as he takes wide unanimous decision over Hobyani. The fight provided eight rounds of useful work for the promising Dlamini. Despite a modest record Hobyani took the fight to Dlamini and was happy to trade punches. He even shook Dlamini briefly in the third but apart from that Dlamini was in control and handed out some serious punishment in the last round and ran out a clear winner. Scores 79-73 twice and 79-72 all for the South African No 2 who holds the IBF Youth title and is a former South African amateur champion. Along with stable mate Kriel he made it a good night for the Hot Box gym. Hobyani has only lost inside the distance one and was coming off a ten round victory.

July 24

Rome, Italy: Super Middle: Viktor Polyakov (13-1-1) W PTS 12 Giovanni De Carolis (24-7-1). Polyakov wins the vacant WBA International title with comfortable victory over local boxer De Carolis. The visitor never really let the Italian get any sort of a hold on this fight. Polyakov took the fight to De Carolis who was trying to box on the outside. Instead over the first three rounds Polyakov was getting close and landing vicious hooks to the body. De Carolis finally had some success in the fourth and fifth but in each round Polyakov finished strongly again. In the sixth a body punch at the start of the round had De Carolis badly hurt and he had to clinch continually through the round to survive. Polyakov continued to boss the action in the seventh and De Carolis was showing a swelling under his left eye. The local fans tried to lift De Carolis in the eighth but it was Polyakov who raised the pace. De Carolis put everything into the ninth trying to swing the fight his way but in the tenth and eleventh a confident Polyakov was dropping his hands with De Carolis unable to take advantage of the offering. De Carolis fought hard in the last but Polyakov was already assured of victory. Scores 118-110, 118-112 and 117-111 all for Polyakov. The 35-year-old Russian-born Polyakov represented Ukraine at the 2004 Olympics before turning pro in the USA. His low total of fights is due to twice being inactive for three year periods. He only returned to action early this year from the second of those breaks and made a stuttering start losing to Spas Genov and drawing with Toni Kraft. However he was coming off a good performance in April when he beat Pole Dariusz Sek (26-2-2) in Poland. De Carolis, 32, had a good spell early last year when he stopped highly rated German prospect Vincent Feigenbutz (21-1) to win the secondary WBA title and then retained it with a draw against unbeaten Tyrone Zeuge before losing the title to Zeuge in November. He was No 14 with the WBA with hopes of another title shot so this is a big set-back for him.

Fight of the week: Mikhail Aloyan’s win over Marvin Solano a much closer fighter than the scores showed
Fighter of the week: Hiroto Kyoguchi for winning a world title after only eight fights and fifteen months as a pro
Punch of the week: The left hook from Jhonny Gonzalez that had poor Jessie Cris Rosales writhing in agony with honourable mentions to Robson Conceicao for the punch that ended his fight with Bernardo Gomez and the big right from Dave Allen which toppled Tom Dallas
Upset of the week: Viktor Polyakov’s easy win over favoured Giovanni De Carolis
One to watch: Isaac Dogboe continues to impress with honourable mentions to DeeJay Kriel and Jeyvier Cintron