The Past Week in Action 27 January 2014

ERIC ARMIT | January 27, 2014 | 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 sport.

The Past Week in Action 27 January 2014

January 21

Pathum Thani, Thailand: Bantam: Suriyan (32-5-1) W PTS 12 Fernando Ocon (12-6). Suriyan retains his WBC ABC title with unanimous decision over brave but outclassed Ocon. They shared the first two rounds as Suriyan, having his ninth fight in the past twelve months, took a little while to get into his stride. The Thai took over from early in the third and was soon getting through with hard shots that had Ocon wilting. The Filipino seemed to go into his shell and be looking to survive. Ocon rallied briefly in the eight but at the end of the round Suriyan was up 79-73 on two cards and 78-74 on the third. Pressure from Suriyan saw Ocon slide to the canvas late in the ninth and in the tenth and eleventh Suriyan was getting through with hard body punches in an attempt to close the fight. Ocon survived and fought back hard in the last but Suriyan had won a wide unanimous decision. Third defence of his ABC title for the 24-year-old former WBC super fly champion. Also his twelfth win in a row since losing his WBC title to Yota Sato in Japan on a very close decision. He is currently WBC No 2 bantam. Southpaw Ocon, 23, has never lost by KO/TKO but is 2-5 in his last 7 fights with some of those being tough matches on the road.

January 22

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Fly: Amnat Ruenroeng (12-0) W PTS 12 Rocky Fuentes (35-7-2). Bantam: Rusalee Samor (22-5-2) W PTS 8 Angky Angkotta (27-10-1).

Ruenroeng vs. Fuentes

Former top amateur Ruenroeng wins the vacant IBF title with a unanimous decision over tough Filipino Fuentes. Ruenroeng was the quicker and more skillful and outboxed Fuentes over the early rounds using excellent footwork and fast accurate counters against the aggressive but ineffectual attacks of the Filipino. Fuentes got into his stride in the second half of the fight but too late to turn things around. The Thai had to resort to holding and retreating at speed to nullify Fuentes attacks. Tactics which were not popular but were mostly effective as he was forced to defend over the closing rounds. Scores 116-112 twice and 117-111. The tile had been relinquished by Moruti Mthalane who declined to defend in Thailand for the small purse offered. The 34year-old Ruenroeng is unusual in that he has come through the amateur ranks rather than the Muay Thai route. He was an outstanding amateur winning a World Championships bronze medal, competing at the 2008 Olympics, winning three gold medals at the Kings Cup and a couple at the South East Asia Games. He scored wins over Kazuto Ioka, Zou Shiming, Juan Carlos Payano and Odilon Zaleta. Fuentes, 27, a real road warrior, was OPBF champion and had won his last 15 fights against some very useful opposition.

Samor vs. Angkotta

Samor continued his good recent form with a unanimous decision over Indonesian Angkotta. The Thai IBF Asian Champion took the fight to Angkotta over the first five rounds keeping the experienced Indonesian on the back foot and threading home good punches to head and body. In the sixth and seventh as he tired from his relentless pressure he decided to box more and that allowed Angkotta into the fight. Samor was still winning the rounds and he cut lose in the eighth in an attempt to get a stoppage but had to settle for the points victory. The 30-year-old winner is 11-2 in his last 13 fights. Angkotta, 32, has lost 5 of his last 6. Jorge Arce has been his nemesis as the Mexican beat him in fights for both the WBO super fly and bantam titles.

January 24

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Middle: Curtis Stevens (26-4) W TKO 1 Patrick Majewski (21-3).Cruiser: Thabiso Mchunu (15-1) W PTS 10 Olanrewaju Durodola (17-2). Light Middle: Wilky Campfort (16-1) W PTS 8 Decarlo Perez (11-3-1). Super Middle: Roberto J Acevedo (8-1) W KO 1 Ilshat Khusnulgatin (11-1).

Stevens vs. Majewski

This one was over with the first punch that landed. After just 12 seconds what looked like a probing jab from Stevens put Majewski down. When he got up the Atlantic City-based Pole was dancing on the spot and not looking hurt. However Stevens jumped right on him throwing shots from both hands and landing some hard left hooks. Majewski went down on one knee to escape the barrage. He was up quickly and again danced on the spot to show he was unhurt but he had shipped some hard hooks. Stevens threw another barrage that took Majewski into a corner and again the Pole slumped down onto one knee at which point the fight was stopped. First fight for the 28-year-old “Showtime” since his loss to Gennady Golovkin for the WBA/IBO titles in November and win No 19 by KO/TKO. Stevens had landed the Golovkin fight without even being rated by the WBA but might actually get a rating now. Majewski, 34, had been kayoed in six rounds by Jose Miguel Torres in 2011 which put a question mark over his chin. He had rebuilt with four wins but was coming off a wide unanimous points loss against Patrick Nielsen in September.

Mchunu vs. Durodola

An uninspiring fight sees Mchunu outbox Nigerian Durodola over the early rounds and then hold off a strong finish to get a unanimous decision. South African Mchunu took the first being just a bit quicker to the punch than Durodola. In the second a short left from Mchunu put Durodola down but the Nigerian was able to get up and see out the round. Despite Durodola having a big edge in height 5’9” to 6’2” Mchunu had the superior skill and higher work rate. Durodola tried switching guards, but that had no effect. Mchunu had Durodola staggered in the fifth and had built a big lead. Durodola came into the fight from the seventh as Mchunu tired but he was just not busy enough to win the rounds he needed. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93. “The Rock”, 25, wins the vacant NABF title. His upset win over Eddie Chambers in August had seen him leap into the ratings being WBC 4/WBO 8/ IBF 10(9)/WBA 15. He won a load of money in the Last Man Standing series in South Africa with three KO’s, 2 inside a round, but this was not his best night. Durodola, 33, the WBC Continental Americas champion, had won 8 in a row by KO/TKO, but the opposition had been poor. He was WBC 9/WBO 14 which flattered him. Now based in Kansas City, he competed for Nigeria at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Campfort vs. Perez

In a sizzling little fight that could have gone either way Campfort just edged out Perez. It was punch-for-punch all the way with Campfort just getting the split decision on scores of 78-74 and 77-75 with one judge going for Perez 77-75. Haitian Campfort, 29, a good class amateur, makes it 15 wins in a row, but the opposition would be delighted to be described as average. “3mendo” Perez, 22 had won his last 5 against slightly better opposition including once promising Shamone Alvarez.

Acevedo vs. Khusnulgatin

Puerto Rican Acevedo took only 129 seconds to separate Russian Khusnulgatin from his unbeaten record. After hurting the Russian with a couple of hard shots a right from Acevedo floored the Russian heavily and the referee did not even bother to count. The Miami-born Acevedo was runner-up in the Puerto Rican national championships at both 75kg and 81kg. he was having his first fight since losing to unbeaten Paul Littleton in March last year. Khusnulgatin, 23, was moving up to eight rounds for the first time but that became immaterial.

Indio, CA, USA; Light Middle: Cornelius Bundrage (33-5,1ND) W PTS 12 Joey Hernandez (23-2-1). Light Welter: Antonio Orozco (19-0) W KO 2 Miguel A Huerta (27-12-1). Heavy: Gerald Washington (11-0) W TKO 5 Arron Lyons (12-15-1). Heavy: Dominic Breazeale (9-0) W TKO 3 Homero Fonesca (10-7-3). Feather: Julian Ramirez (10-0) W PTS 8 Derrick Wilson (10-6-2).

Bundrage vs. Hernandez

Bundrage wins to keep his faint hopes of a shot at regaining his IBF title alive. A messy start saw Bundrage win the first round but be warned twice to keep his punches up. His ring rust showed as Hernandez had him in trouble at the end of the second. Bundrage survived but was hurt again in the fourth. Bundrage finally got untracked and began to pick up rounds using his experience to outbox the younger southpaw. Things looked bad for Bundrage again in the sixth when a clash of heads left him with a cut in the centre of his forehead with the blood running down into his eyes. The doctor was called to examine the cut but let the fight continue. Despite a couple more head clashes Bundrage had the fight under control and by the end was a clear winner. Scores 118-110 from all three judges. “K-9” was having his first fight since losing his title to Ishe Smith in February last year. At 40, and without a crowd pleasing style, it is unlikely that the IBF 8(6) rated Bundrage can expect another title shot. A clear sign was that this 12 round fight was overshadowed by Orozco’s fight. Southpaw “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez, 29, the IBF No 15, had won his last 8 fights but really had done nothing of note since being kayoed in two rounds by Ed Paredes in 2010.

Orozco vs. Huerta

For one round it looked as though an upset might be on the cards as they traded toe-to-toe and Orozco carelessly left himself wide-open and was nailed by a hard left hook and was visibly shaken. Orozco survived and as Huerta came rushing forward in the second caught the veteran with a thunderous left hook of his own. Huerta finished face down on the canvas, but somehow made it to his feet. Orozco then unleashed a barrage of punches that saw the referee step in and halt the fight. The 26-year-old “Relentless” Mexican makes it 7 wins in a row by KO/TKO. He was coming off good wins over Jose Reynoso and Ivan Hernandez. Not yet rated he looks ready to move up but was rocked by that left hook in the first. Southpaw Huerta, 35, tried to live-up to his “El Anestesisata” nickname but this was only his second fight since returning after almost 5 years out of the ring.

Washington vs. Lyons

With big edges in height and reach Washington is just too big and hits too hard for Lyons. From the first round the 6’5” (196cm) Washington was able to score freely on the 6’1” (185cm) Lyons in a slow paced bout which saw very little coming back from Lyons. After Washington scored with a dozen rights in the fifth the fight was stopped. The 31-year-old, Washington “El Gallo Negro”, a former linebacker with USC, makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO but all weak victims with the exception of a points win over veteran Sherman Williams. Lyons, 32, has scored only one win in his last ten fights.

Breazeale vs. Fonesca

Breazeale had big edges in height and reach but Fonesca came out swinging in the first round. It was almost as though he had decided he would not stay around long so got in his licks whilst he could. From the second Breazeale was in charge and able to catch the obscenely overweight (298lbs) Fonesca with hard jabs and rights. Fonesca came out swinging wildly again in the third and gave Breazeale a few anxious moments before the big Olympian took over again and handed out more punishment. Fonesca retired before the start of the fourth round. The 6’6 ½” 28 year-old Olympian keeps his 100% record of wins inside the distance. He has totaled less then 21 rounds of fighting in his 9 fights. As an amateur he was trained by Henry Tillman whose win over Mike Tyson ruined Tyson’s dream of making it to the Olympics. Texan Fonesca, 26, came in as a substitute and this was only the second time he has failed to last the distance. He took Andy Ruiz to an eight round decision but was halted in seven rounds by Franklin Lawrence in 2012.

Ramirez vs. Wilson

Southpaw Ramirez remained unbeaten with a points win over game Wilson. Ramirez scored a knockdown with a left hook in the first round but Wilson survived and gave his usual awkward performance. Ramirez was winning the fight on the basis of his superior skills and work rate but Wilson is an experienced survivor who can bring off an upset on his night. Ramirez continued to dominate and scored another knockdown with a left in the seventh and outscored a tiring Wilson in the last. Scores 78-72 twice and 79-71. The 20-year-old “Little Canelo” Ramirez, a great nephew of Genaro Hernandez, was an outstanding amateur and with 5 first round wins in 10 fights he needs opposition such as Wilson to develop. Floridian Wilson, 25, has wins over then unbeaten Charles Huerta (KO 1), Ricky Lopez and Puerto Rican hope Braulio Santos.

Shelton, WA, USA: Light Heavy: Thomas Williams Jr. (16-0) W TKO 1 Cornelius White (21-3). Feather: Rico Ramos (23-3) W PTS 10 Jon Arrellano (14-3-2). Super Middle: Eddie Hunter (10-9-2) W TKO 6 Ronald Hearns (26-5). Heavy: Malik Scott (36-1-1) W TKO 2 Grover Young (7-12-1). 8

Williams vs. White

This looked a good match-up on paper and it was wild but quick. White was using his reach advantage to push Williams back but was reaching way out with both his lefts and his rights. After just 25 seconds Williams stepped inside a White jab and threw a right at White’s chin. White had his right glove up protecting the chin. The punch landed on the glove and shoulder of White but was enough to send White down on his backside. He got up immediately and did not seem hurt. He began to come forward, pushing Johnson back with his jab and throwing long rights. Williams was a bit wild looking to land that right again. Just after the 2.00 mark he walked forward and threw 5 or six swing but as he was winding up for another punch he left his chin hanging out there and White nailed him with a left hook flush on the jaw. Williams went down heavily then used the ropes to pull himself up at five. He was definitely hurt. When they restarted White was coming forward throwing punches with both hands with Williams looking shaky. However now White walked onto a straight left to the chin and his legs wobbled badly. Williams was throwing punches as White staggered on unsteady legs and a right that seemed to cuff White on the top of the head put him down. He only just dragged himself up at seven, staggering back to the ropes on legs of rubber. It could have been stopped then but the referee let it continue. Williams threw almost 20 punches driving White back into a corner and with White starting to crumple and not throwing any punches the fight was stopped after just 2:29 of the round. Williams, a 26-year-old southpaw, makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO and wins the vacant WBO/NABO title. He was rated No 12 by the IBF but winning this WBO title should see him come in and make a higher appearance in their list. He had a good 2013 beating Otis Griffin and Yusaf Mack. He is the son of Thomas “Top Dawg” Williams a heavyweight from the 1990’s who beat Iran Barkley and fought Obed Sullivan, Danell Nicholson, John Ruiz, Brian Nielsen, Lance Whittaker and others. “Da Beast” White, 32, had wins over Yordanis Despaigne, Dmitry Sukhotsky and Griffin which lifted him to No 5(4) with the IBF, but he lost in three rounds to Sergey Kovalev in an IBF eliminator in his last fight in June. This bout was a replacement for Javier Molina vs. Kendall Holt that fell out when Molina was injured.

Ramos vs. Arrellano

Ramos gets wide unanimous decision over Arrellano but makes it hard for himself as he should have finished the fight before the half way point. The former WBA bantam champion dominated the first three rounds and in the forth beat Arrellano in a hooking contest. Both were set to throw the hook put Ramos got home first and put Arrellano down. He got up only to floored heavily again later in the round by another left hook. Arrellano survived and seemed to be getting into the fight in the fifth until another left hook put him down late in the round. Ramos then seemed to go off the boil and to his credit Arrellano banged back strongly in the sixth and seemed to hurt Ramos in the seventh and eighth. The ninth looked even and Ramos collected the tenth as he eased his way to victory. Scores 98-89 twice and 98-88. The 26-year-old “Suavecito” had gone downhill with back-to-back losses to Ronny Rios and Oscar Gonzalez, but started a revival with a win over unbeaten Carlos Ivan Velasquez in September. Arrellano had come through a bad spell of his own losing to Roman Morales and Jesse Magdaleno in 2012, but had steadied the ship with a draw against useful Juan Reyes and a win over Charles Huerta. He has been knocked over before, but has yet to lose inside the distance.

Hearns vs. Hunter

It looks like the end of the road for 35-year-old Hearns as he is stopped by modest Hunter. That makes it four losses in a row by KO/TKO for the son of legend Tommy. The losses to Felix Sturm and Erislandy Lara could be explained away, but Derrick Findley and Hunter are opponents he should have had no trouble with. Hunter, 27, was 4-5 in his last 9 fights and was halted in two rounds by Jesse Hart in July.

Scott vs. Young

Scott gets a rare inside the distance win as he halts the overmatched Young in two rounds. First fight for the 33-year-old Scott since his controversial stoppage loss to Derek Chisora in July. That win looks to have landed him a fight with Deontay Wilder which could be interesting if Scott gets motivated. Southpaw Young, 25, has lost 7 of his last 8 fights.

Pinamar, Argentina: Light Heavy: Roberto F Bolonti (35-2) W KO 6 Jose A Clavero (42-11-1). Not a lot of skill on show as Clavero kept lunging forward in a crouch getting through with some swings and missing wildly with others. Bolonti was mostly on the back foot trying to counter Clavero’s rushes. It was more of the same in the second with Clavero’s swarming tactics forcing Bolonti on the back foot. For a period in the round they just stood and traded punch after punch with neither employing any kind of defence. The third again saw Clavero coming forward and he caught Bolonti with some swings but he is an arm puncher and his shots lacked power. Bolonti was leaving his chin up in the air and was nailed flush with a wild swing in the fourth. That seemed to wake him up and for the rest of the round he was bulling Clavero back for the first time and scoring with clubbing shots. In the fifth a clash of heads saw Bolonti badly shaken and given recovery time. When they resumed Bolonti was under pressure for the rest of the round with Clavero bulling him around the ring and little coming back from Bolonti. That all changed in the sixth. Bolonti, the naturally bigger man was forcing Clavero back and staying in close thumping away to the body and head. Clavero just could not get on the front foot and suddenly a left hook from Bolonti landed flush on the chin of Clavero who went down and out. Eighth defence of his WBC Latino title for 35-year-old WBO No 8 “Hemlock” and win No 24 by KO/TKO. The Argentinian champion, Bolonti’s world title pretentions were exposed in a wide unanimous loss to Tony Bellew in November 2012. He had kayoed Clavero in eight rounds in 2012. Clavero had won 6 of his 7 fights since then. He lost to Anthony Mundine for the WBA super middle title in 2007.

Fuenlabrada, Spain: Light Welter: Ruben Nieto (14-0) W PTS 12 Samuele Esposito (17-2). Feather: Sergio Romero (6-3-2) DREW 10 Antonio Rodriguez (5-8-5).

Nieto vs. Esposito

Spaniard Nieto retains EU title with unanimous decision over Italian Esposito. The challenger had the power and Nieto fought an intelligent fight using his jab and good footwork to avoid getting involved in exchanges where the Italian’s superior firepower would win out. Esposito was very much in the fight early. After Nieto took the first with his neat boxing Esposito got through with a hard right in the second to stress how dangerous he could be. Nieto then took over again and used his left jab to control the fight with Esposito dangerous in spurts. The Italian came on strong from the sixth to the eighth but then Nieto staged a strong finish to take the decision. Scores 117-113, 116-113 and 116-114. It was a good, hard fought title fight with the local just deserving his victory. The 31-year-old Nieto was making the first defence of the title he won with an upset majority victory over Jean-Pierre Bauwens in Belgium. Twenty-eight-year-old Esposito, known as “The Wall”, is a former undefeated Italian champion and after losing on an injury in his third fight had run up 15 wins.

Romero vs. Rodriguez

A great fight has the perfect ending as all three officials tabbed the same score. This was non-stop action with “Chiky” Rodriguez pressing in every round and Santos using superior skills to off-set the aggression of Rodriguez. The action did not let up for a minute as these two fought like tigers. The judges could not separate them and all three officials scored it 95-95. The Spanish title remains vacant, but the spectators were the winners here. Local fighter Romero, 28, might have been a shade lucky but no one was complaining. Rodriguez, also 28, had won only one of his last 8 fights and had lost in a shot at the Spanish title to experienced Ruddy Encarnacion in March, but did himself proud here.

Hinckley. MN, USA: Heavy: Aaron Green (14-0) W TKO 2 Richard Carmack (12-4,1ND). Green wins a battle of behemoths/ gorillas as he halts Carmack in two rounds. After winning the first round Green was unloading on the obese Carmack when the fight was stopped. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for 31-year-old “Gorilla”. “Silverback” Carmack, 25, was unbeaten in his first 13 fights but has now lost his last four. The real hero here was the ring for supporting the 278lbs Green and the 337lbs Carmack.

January 25

Washington, DC, USA: Light Welter: Lamont Peterson (32-2-1) W PTS 12 Dierry Jean (25-1). Light Middle: Jermell Charlo (23-0) W PTS 10 Gabriel Rosado (21-8,1ND). Super Middle: Dominic Wade (14-0) W PTS 6 Dashon Johnson (15-14-3). Bantam: Rau’Shee Warren (10-0) W PTS 8 German Meraz (46-28-1). Light: Robert Easter (9-0) W PTS 8 Daniel Attah (28-18-1). Light Welter: Jamel Herring (7-0) W PTS 6 Antonio Sanchez (5-2-2,1ND). Super Middle: D’Mitrius Ballard (4-0) W TKO 3 Marlon Farr (3-4). Light: Raynell Williams (3-0) W TKO 1 Billy Stimmel (1-3).

Peterson vs. Jean

Petersen retains his IBF title with unanimous decision over Canadian Jean. The challenger made the better start. After a cautious first round with neither boxer committing himself he scored repeatedly with hard shots in the second testing how much, if any, damage the three round stoppage loss to Lucas Matthysse had affected Peterson. The answer was not much as he took the shots and came back to win the third round with some power punches of his own, but Jean did enough to win that round and the fourth on the judges cards. Then Peterson, the bigger boxer physically, took over, He began to concentrate on Jean’s body and hurt the Canadian to sweep up rounds five and six and seemed to edge the seventh and eighth. Jean bounced back to take the ninth but as both fighters showed the pace the more experienced Peterson put up the stronger finish to win the fight. Scores 118-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Second defence of his IBF title for 29-year-old Peterson as he put a positive test (for a banned substance) and a negative loss (on the floor three times against Matthysse) behind him. Jean was his mandatory challenger but it is difficult to see any attractive defences based on those rated by the IBF so he is hoping for a unification match with Danny Garcia. This was by far the biggest fight in Jean’s career so far and the Haitian-born 31-year-old did not disgrace himself with only his lack of experience at the top level counting against him. He can come again.

Charlo vs. Rosado

“Iron Man” Charlo continues his good run with a wide unanimous decision over Rosado and looks certain to fight for a world title in 2015. The young Texan was able to handle Rosado’s attacks and score with fast accurate counters. Any chance Rosado had ended in the third when he was cut over the left eye in a clash of heads and that reduced his effectiveness even more. Charlo showed real class and eased his way to the decision. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93. Charlo, 23, the WBC 3/IBF 5 (3)/WBO No 5 adds to wins over Harry Joe Yorgey and Demetrius Hopkins. His twin brother Jermall is world rated in the same division being IBF 14(12)/ WBC 15. “King” Rosado, 28, a natural light middle, had lost at middleweight to Gennady Golovkin for the WBA/.IBO titles, J’Leon Love on points (which was changed to a ND when Love tested positive for a banned substance) and on a cut against Peter Quillin for the WBO title.

Wade vs. Johnson

Favourite Wade got an early shock as he was floored by a right from the unpredictable Johnson just 15 seconds into the first round. After that Wade gradually took control and worked his way to a unanimous points victory. Scores 59-55, 58-55 and 57-56. The bout was shortened from eight rounds to six. The 23-year-old Largo “Blade” had won 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO but got a wake-up call from Johnson. Wade, who was trained by Adrian Davis in the amateurs, won a silver medal at the World Cadet Championships but lost out at the US Trials for a spot on the 2008 Olympic team. “Fly Boy” Johnson, 25, is 2-9 in his last eleven fights but has only lost twice by KO/TKO and has a kayo win over Adam Trupish and beat Craig McEwan on points in his last fight.

Warren vs. Meraz

Southpaw Warren showed his full array of skills as he had too much speed, movement and skills for experienced Meraz. The former three-time Olympian was already well on his way to victory when he floored Meraz in the last. Scores 80-71 twice and 80-72. The 26-year-old from Ohio represented the USA at the 2004 (where he was the youngest member of the whole US team) the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He picked up a bronze medals and a gold medal at the World Championships, was US Amateur Champion in 2005/06/07 and 2010 and NGG Champion in 2010. Mexican Meraz, 27, had won 5 of his last 6 fights and faced 8 world champions.

Easter vs. Attah

Easter goes the distance for the first time as former world title challenger Attah uses all of his experience to last the distance. The heavy-handed Easter had the Nigerian down in the third and eighth rounds but just could not put Attah away. Scores 80-70 from all three judges. Useful experience for Easter as his first eight opponents had lasted less that 13 rounds between them. The 22-year-old, 5’11” (180cm) was 1^st reserve for the US team for the London Olympics. Southpaw Attah, 35, who lost on points to Acelino Freitas for the WBA/WBO super feather title in 2002, is 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

Herring vs. Sanchez

London Olympian Herring has a struggle to get by Puerto Rican Sanchez on a split decision in an exciting scrap with all three judges seeing the fight very differently. Scores 60-54, 58-56 and 56-58. The 60-54 was way out of line. Herring, 28, a former Marine who served in Iraq, won a World Military Championships silver medal. Sanchez 27 was coming off a two round No Decision bout with Ivan Redkach in September.

Ballard vs. Farr

Ballard gets a win but not a satisfactory one. The former amateur stand-out was winning the fight when Farr was forced to retire early in the third round due to an arm injury. The 20-year-old Ballard was US Under-19 champion. He won bronze medals at the 2011 and 2012 NGG’s but lost out to Jesse Hart at the US Olympic trials. Farr, 37, has lost 3 of his last 4.

Williams vs. Stimmel

Yet another former top amateur got a quick win as Williams halts poor Stimmel with a thunderous right in just 67 seconds. The 24-year-old from Cleveland gets his second one round win. He competed at the 2008 Olympics, losing in the second series to eventual silver medalist Khedafi Djelkhir, who he had beaten at the World Championships. He came up short in the US Trials for the 2012 Olympics losing in the last box-off to Jose Ramirez. This really was a rubbish match as Stimmel lost inside a round for the third time in a row.

New York, NY, USA: Super Feather: Mikey Garcia (34-0) W PTS 12 Juan Carlos Burgos (30-2-2). Heavy: Bryant Jennings (18-0) W TKO 10 Artur Szpilka (16-1). Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (20-0) W TKO 1 Matt Vanda (45-16). Light: Felix Verdejo (10-0) W KO 1 Lauro Alcantar (8-1). Super Middle: Jesse Hart (12-0) W PTS 6 Derrick Findley (20-12-1,1ND).

Garcia vs. Burgos

Garcia retains his WBO title but fails to put on a crowd-pleasing show. Mexican Burgos made good use of his height and reach over the first two rounds staggering and almost flooring Garcia with a left hook at the end of the second. Then Garcia took over and it was one-way traffic from then. He was controlling the pace of the fight and constantly getting through with his jab and fast, accurate shots. He shook Burgos with a right in the third and the challenger was having trouble letting his hands go. Garcia was winning the rounds but never really catching fire. He never looked like stopping Burgos and it was a rather pedestrian showing against an opponent who just faded out of the fight. Garcia’s stock will have fallen a little after this showing. The 26-year-old from Oxnard was making the first defence of the WBO title he won with an eighth round kayo of Roman Martinez in November. Going in he had won 10 of his last 11 fights by KO/TKO with the exception being a technical decision over Omar Salido to win the WBO feather title. I guess he was due an “ordinary” night. “Miniburgos”, also 26, was coming off successive draws against Roman Martinez, for this same title,and Yakubu Amidu. This was his third title shot having lost on points to Hozumi Hasegawa for the vacant WBC feather title in 2010.

Jennings vs. Szpilka

Big win for Jennings in battle of unbeatens. Pole Szpilka started well in the first using plenty of movement and reach advantage to score with his southpaw jabs. Jennings was throwing less punches but obviously had the greater power and rebounded to edge the second and third as Szpilka started to box on the retreat. Szpilka had a good fourth but again Jennings battled back to take the fifth and establish a slight lead. The sixth was the turning point. In action on the ropes a short left hook caught Szpilka in the solar plexus and he went down on one knee in agony. Szpilka got up and fought on willingly trading, but with a deficit to make up. Going into the last rounds it was Jennings fight. He was ahead 88-82 on all three cards. Szpilka had show in two fights with Mike Mollo that he had a bad habit of dropping his hands and trying to use body movement to slip punches. With his back to the ropes he dropped his hands and as he tried to throw his right was nailed flush on the jaw with a left hook he never saw coming. This left him slumped down with his right arm drooped over the middle rope. He got up but Jennings was on him throwing punches. Szpilka bent low trying to avoid the shots and as he stumbled into a corner the referee stopped the fight. The 29-year-old “By-By” gets an important win at a time when things seem to be set for a big change in the heavyweight division. Wins over Siarhei Liakhovich, Steve Collins, Bowie Tupou, Andrey Fedosov and Szpilka are hardly the fights to create a legend but in the current heavyweight ranks are enough to make Jennings an important player. He goes to 10 wins by KO/TKO. He was rated WBA 4(3)/WBA 4/IBF 11(10/WBO 10. As an amateur he won a silver medal at the 2009 NGG’s. ”The Pin” Szpilka, 24, was WBC 14/WBA 15(14). The danger signs were there when he had to climb off the floor in each of two fights against Mike Mollo and the bad habit of dropping his hands let him down again.

Monaghan vs. Vanda

“Irish” Sean Monaghan started well in his one and showed enough to look like he would eventually win although the tough chinned Vanda might take him all the way. Instead the fight came to a disappointing close with just 10 seconds to go in the first round when Vanda was forced to retire with a torn bicep. The 32-year-old New Yorker the IBF 6/WBA 10/WBC 12 retains his WBC Con Am title. He goes to 13 wins inside the distance, but is yet to face a real test. The unfortunate Vanda, 35, is now 3-7 in his last 10 fights.

Verdejo vs. Alcantar

Puerto Rican hot shot Verdejo destroys poor Alcantar in 21 seconds. He shook the Mexican with two rights and then flattened him with left that Alcantar never saw. It left him spread-eagled on the canvas out cold. The referee did not bother to count but quickly called for the doctor and medics and Alcantar was eventually able to leave the ring under his own steam. The 20-year-old, a Pan American Youth gold medal winner lost to Vasyl Lomachenko at the London Olympics. He has six wins by KO/TKO and is one to watch. Mexican Alcantar was unbeaten going in but this was his first fight outside Mexico and the combined records of the 8 men he beat were 8-68.

Hart vs. Findley

Hart wins easily but gets six rounds of useful work against experienced Findley. With advantages in height and reach hart was able to set up Findley with the jab and score with hard hooks and uppercuts. Findley just could not find a way inside and lost every round but maintained his reputation for durability and survival skills. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The 24-year-old 6’2” (188cm) Hart had won six in a row by KO/TKO, four in the first round, so this was a good workout for the US team alternate/reserve for the 2012 Olympics. “Superman” Findley, 29, just 5’6” (168cm) was just too small to trouble Hart. However he is a fair test having halted Ronald Hearns and gone the distance with J’Leon Love, Curtis Stevens and Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez. A blot on his report was his testing positive for a banned substance in his last fight in September.

Stuttgart, Germany: Cruiser: Marco Huck (37-2-1) W TKO 6 Firat Arslan (33-7-2). Middle: Emanuele Blandamura (22-0) W PTS 12 Marcos Nader (18-1-1) W. Heavy: David Price (16-2) W TKO 1 Istvan Ruszinski (12-11). Light Heavy: Enrico Koelling (12-0) W TKO 3 Paata Aduashvili (8-3-2). Super Middle: Tyrone Zeuge (12-0) W PTS 10 George Beroshvili (10-1-2). Cruiser: Noel Gevor (10-0) W KO 7 Loris Emilian1 (10-1).

Huck vs. Arslan

Huck retains his WBO title with stoppage of Arslan. The challenger made the better start walking straight in behind a high guard to score with hooks to the head and body of a hesitant Huck who just pushed out probing jabs. Arslan was bulling inside to work the body of the hesitant champion but his punches lacked power. It was the third round before Huck really got his act together and began to let his hands go with hard flurries to the head and body of Arslan. However it was still Arslan coming forward and forcing Huck to the ropes where he could let fly with hard hooks. They swopped heavy shots in the fourth with Huck spending less time on the ropes and letting his punches go more. He was getting through with swing around the side of Arslan’s high guard and impressive uppercuts. Arslan was still pressing but was taking punishment moving in. He continued his forward march in the fifth scoring well with hooks at the start of the round only for Huck to finish the round strongly with hard combinations. Early in the sixth, with his back to the ropes, Huck scored with a left/right combination to the chin of Arslan and suddenly the challenger was staggered. Huck then cut loose with both hands and Arslan slumped to the canvas. He got up at five. For a short while it looked as though Huck had punched himself out and Arslan was able to come forward and put Huck on the back foot. That changed when a thudding right sent Arslan staggering back and down. He was up quickly but Huck took him to a corner and just threw clubbing right after right until the referee stopped the fight. The Serbian-born, 29-year-old “Kapt’n puts behind him his controversial decision over Arslan in November 2012 and shows improvement over his form when he only edged out Ola Afolabi on a majority decision in June. That makes it 12 defences of his WBO title for Huck, one behind the record of Brit Johnny Nelson. Southpaw Arslan, 43, a former WBA champion, had rebounded from his loss to Huck with a win over Varol Vekiloglu, but at his age may not get another chance and is considering retirement.

Blandamura vs. Nader

What a wonderful advert for European boxing as these two fought their hearts out with Blandamura winning the European title on a split decision that should have been unanimous. The Italian was comfortable fighting on the front foot or in reverse and it was his higher work rate that made the difference. Neither fighter is a hard puncher and that allowed them to stand and trade shot after shot for the whole twelve rounds. Blandamura was throwing combinations and getting through to head and body and Nader throwing less shots and head hunting. Both fighters were caught time and again with full blooded punches but just thrust themselves back into the action. The referee was redundant as there was hardly a clinch until they tired in the last round. Blandamura for me had already built a winning lead but he sealed it with a furious attack at the end of the eleventh that saw Nader looking exhausted at the bell. The referee checked with Nader’s corner that he was ok. The twelfth saw both swinging away but Blandamura just kept throwing punch after punch to take the round. Scores 117-111, 115-113 and 113-115. The 34-year-old “Sioux” was fighting for his first major title, never having contested the Italian title, and his No 10 rating by the EBU showed that his 21 previous wins had come against modest opposition. Spanish-born Nader, 23, was making the second defence of the title he won from Roberto Santos in April. Pity there had to be a loser but we got the right winner.

Price vs. Ruszinski

As a fight this real was a rubbish non-event but at least Price got a win. Ruszinski, a substitute for a substitute, at least tried. He walked forward with his gloves high trying to get home with some hooks and swings inside. Price just kept measuring him with his jab. As Ruszinski was standing in front of him Price landed two right crosses to the head of the Hungarian who went down. He managed to get to his feet just as the referee’s count reached ten and protested he was ok. Southpaw Price, 30, was having his first fight under his new promoter and his first since back-to-back losses to Tony Thompson. This was no contest, but he did his job. Hungarian Ruszinski, a very short notice substitute ,and at 5’11” (180cm) to the 6’8” (203cm) of Price, and obviously giving away a big amount of undeclared weight, had no chance and loses by KO/TKO for the fifth time.

Koelling vs. Aduashvili

Koelling, an outstanding amateur, makes it four wins by KO/TKO as he halts Georgian Aduashvili. The 23-year-old German was moving up to ten rounds and wins the vacant WBO Youth title. A World Youth silver and European Junior bronze medallist he boxed at the 2012 Olympics but failed to medal. Aduashvili, 18, has had 3 fights outside Georgia and 3 losses. Georgians don’t travel well-or to be more accurate are overmatched.

Zeuge vs. Beroshvili

German hope Zeuge goes ten rounds for the first time for an easy but frustrating win. He floored the limited Georgian in the second round and Beroshvili then went into his shell and did not come out again until a brief flurry in the ninth only for Zeuge to take control later in the round and also take the last. Scores 100-89 from all three judges. The 21-year-old Berliner wins the vacant WBO Youth title. After wining 5 of his first 6 fights by KO/TKO he has now won 5 of the last 6 on points so seems to have lost his punch, or perhaps the opposition is getting tougher. A European Junior gold medal winner he lost to Australian Damien Hooper at the 2010 World Championships. Beroshvili, 22, had won 9 in a row but all against local opposition in Georgia.

Gevor vs. Emiliano

Twenty-three-year-old Armenian-born Gevor (real name Norair Mikaelyan) makes it six wins by KO/TKO. The 6’2 ½” (189cm) Gevor looks a useful prospect. Emiliano, 31, was inactive from June 2005 until June 2012 and had won three bouts since his return.

Tolfa, Italy: Light: Emiliano Marsili (28-0-1) W PTS 12 Pasquale Di Silvio (17-6-1). Light: Carel Sandon (17-1) W PTS 6 Jevgenijs Fjodorovs (9-44-6). Super Middle: Andrea Di Luisa (15-2) W PTS 6 Ruslans Pojonisevs (15-30-1). Light: Manuel Lancia (10-0-1) W PTS 6 Zoltan Horvath (1-24).

Marsili vs. Di Silvio

A good, competitive European title match sees Marsili get the unanimous decision over fellow-Italian Di Silvio. Marsili got a great start flooring the challenger with a southpaw left in the first. Di Silvio made it to his feet but was shaken. Marsili continued to score with his right leads and took the next two rounds. From the fourth Di Silvio was forcing Marsili to fight with his back to ropes. Marsili was hampered by a cut caused by Di Silvio’s head. The challenger had the edge in the fifth and sixth and began to eat into the lead that Marsili had built. Another clash of heads saw Marsili shaken in the seventh and he aws cut on the nose after another clash in the eighth. Marsili had built a lead and, as former Italian champion Di Silvio tired in his first twelve round fight, Marsili making good use of his right jab swept the closing rounds to put the issue beyond doubt. The scores of 116-112 twice and 115-112 are a testament to how well Di Silvio recovered from the knockdown. Marsili, 37, was making the first defence of the European title he won by coming off the floor to stop the previously unbeaten puncher Luca Giacon (21-0, 19 wins by KO/TKO) in March last year. He is also a former undefeated IBO champion having won that title with a stoppage of Derry Matthews back in 2012. Di Silvio, 34, had lost a wide points decision to Marsili for the Italian title in 2010 and on his recent form did not have any right fighting for the title, but he gave Marsili a tough night.

Sandon vs. Fjodorovs

Sandon takes no chances and boxes his way to a unanimous verdict over late stand-in Fjodorovs. Sandon sticks to his jab only throwing the right occasionally with the Latvian being dangerous with sudden attacks. The Latvian scores with a hard right in the third which raises the tempo for a while, but then Sandon goes back to his boxing to ease his way to victory. The 30-year-old DCR-born Sandon is the nephew of former WBA champion Sumbu Kalambay who was in his corner. Sandon almost managed to kill himself in a suicide attempt in 2011 and spent a long time in rehab. He is in line for a shot at the Italian title in April. Only one win in his last 14 fights for 32-year-old Fjodorovs a perennial late substitute.

Di Luisa vs. Pojonisevs

Di Luisa works off more rust after having been inactive for year and having only his second fight since his return. A slow start then Di Luisa warms up and lands a series of hard punches in the second. Pojonisevs stays in the fight and Di Luisa sharpens his boxing over the last four rounds for a comfortable decision. Di Luisa a double Italian amateur champion, who lost to Darren Barker in the European Championships, is a former undefeated Italian champion. After inside the distance losses to Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye and Chris Rebrasse in EU title fights he was inactive for 12 months. Pojonisevs is 2-14 in his last 16 fights.

Lancia vs. Horvath

Italian champion Lancia outpoints Hungarian substitute Horvath. The Hungarian has a wild style so Lancia has to box carefully to avoid it turning into a brawl. He boxes through the first four rounds and then lands hard rights over the last two. Lancia is not a heavy puncher and Horvath is a durable survivor and goes the distance. Lancia wins on points. The 26-year-old local, the EBU No 16, beat Dui Silvio for the Italian title in July-but Di Silvio gets the title shot! Horvath, 38, has a very even record-12 losses, one win then another 12 losses. Curiously the one he won was against an unbeaten Italian in Italy. The only time he has failed to last the distance was in his first pro fight.

Monterrey, Mexico: Super Feather: Adrian Estrella (16-0) W TKO 5 Yuta Matsuda (9-10-2). Light Welter: Jairo Lopez (13-2) W TKO 6 Jesus Rojas (8-1-1).

Estrella vs. Matsuda

Estrella just punches too hard for his Japanese opponent and maintains his 100% record of wins by KO/TKO. From the first Estrella was throwing hard shots from both hands and Matsuda was forced to fight on the back foot and defend as best he could. A right from Estrella had Matsuda badly hurt in the second and the Japanese fighter was in survival mode again in the third. In the fourth a right to the chin put Matsuda. He was on shaky legs but lasted to the bell. Estrella finished it in the fifth. He chased down Matsuda then unleashed a volley of hooks which put Matsuda down. He got up but was in no condition to continue and the fight was stopped. Supposedly “Diamond” Estrella was defending his WBC Fecarbox title for the fourth time-a Caribbean title defended against a fighter from Japan!!! Southpaw Matsuda, 35, was no real test. He was not rated in the top 15 in his division in Japan, had lost his previous two fights, and this was his seventh loss by KO/TKO. Estrella needs tougher opposition.

Lopez vs. Rojas

“Doberman” Lopez shows his usual all-out aggression and previously unbeaten Rojas is never allowed into the fight. Lopez had Rojas, really only a lightweight at best, in serious trouble in the fifth and the Chihuahua fighter’s corner pulled their man out. Now 8 wins in a row for Lopez, 7 by KO/TKO with only Marcos Villasana Jr managing to go the distance. Rojas was a late call and was fighting outside his division.

Boquete, Panama: Feather: Jezreel Corrales (14-1,1ND) W DIS 10 Eusebio Osejo (23-14-2,1ND). Light Fly: Carlos Melo (22-17-2) W PTS 8 Dirceu Cabarca (15-9). Feather: Jorge Sanchez (11-0) W PTS 8 Javier Coronado (7-14-2).

Corrales vs. Osejo

Southpaw Corrales retains his WBC Fecarbox title as Osejo is thrown out for low blows. Both were guilty of various infringements in a bad tempered bout. Corrales looked on the way to a win after flooring Osejo in the eighth. The 22-year-old local “El Invisible” lost his second pro fight but has 13 wins and a No Decision in his last 14. The No Decision was in his last fight in August when he beat experienced Jonathan Perez but tested positive for marijuana. Nicaraguan Osejo, also a southpaw, last February he had Jhonny Gonzalez on the floor and badly hurt enough to spit out his mouthpiece to get some respite but lost the twelve round decision.

Melo vs. Cabarca

Veteran “Shanghai” Melo just gets past Cabarca on a split decision. Scores 78-75, 78-76 and 75-79. The 31-year-old needed a win after a run of 6 losses and a draw in his last 7 fights. In his better days he challenged for both the interim WBA straw title-losing to Katsunari Takayama in 2006-and the WBC light fly title-losing to Edgar Sosa in 2009. Southpaw Cabarca, 28, a former Panamanian super fly champion lost to Adrian Hernandez for the WBC light fly title in January last year.

Sanchez vs. Coronado

Prospect “Bufalo” Sanchez has to go the distance but gets a unanimous decision over Coronado. Scores 79-73, 79-74 and 78-75. Sanchez has 7 wins by KO/TKO and had won 4 of his last 5 that way. Fellow-Panamanian Coronado is 3-5 in his last 8.

Bethlehem, PA, USA: Heavy: Travis Kauffman (28-1) W PTS 10 Vince Thompson (13-2). Fly: Miguel Cartagena (11-0) W TKO 6 Felix Rivas (15-16-2,1ND). Super Feather: Frank Santos DeAlba (11-1-2) W PTS 8 Chazz McDowell (6-4-1).

Kauffman vs. Thompson

Kauffman extends his winning run to 9 as Thompson shows no inclination to fight. Kauffman was the aggressor, but from early Thompson was holding and refusing to trade. By the half way mark the crowd was already booing the negative approach of southpaw Thompson. He showed a little life and some skills in the seventh and eighth. Kauffman never looked like ending it early, unfortunately, but was able to box his way to victory, when not being held by Thompson. Scores 100-90 twice and 98-92. The 28-year-old Kauffman is somehow rated No 9 by the WBA without ever having faced any opposition of note. This was his first scheduled ten round bout since being kayoed by Tony Grano in four rounds in 2009 which shows how ridiculous his rating is and to compound it this fight was for the vacant WBA Fedelatin title! He lost twice to David Price as an amateur. The 30-year-old Thompson was coming off a loss to 2012 NGG champion Charles Martin and is unlikely to be invited back.

Cartagena vs. Rivas

Former top amateur “No Fear” Cartagena made it eleven wins as Rivas retired with a hand injury. After both fighters unloaded with heavy punches in the first Cartagena took control with his faster hands and more potent punching. He had the Mexican bleeding from the mouth and was outboxing him. Cartagena lost a point in the fourth for landing a punch after Rivas had turned away but that made no difference to the result. Rivas was willing to come forward and trade but was taking a beating. At the end of the sixth his corner reported he had possibly fractured his hand and the fight was over. Cartagena, 21, the US and NGG champion in 2009 ,who represented the USA at the 2009 World Championships, was moving up to the eight round distance for the first time. He is a fighter to watch and an unusual animal-an American flyweight. Rivas, 29, has lost 3 of his last 4 fights but only lost on a split decision against Ivan Calderon in 2011 so was a good test for the credential’s of the Philadelphia prospect.

DeAlba vs. McDowell

Puerto Rican-born local hope DeAlba showed excellent skills and a fierce body attack in taking every round against a brave but outclassed McDowell. Southpaw DeAlba was able to get through with hard, accurate punches in every round, particularly with hooks to the body. McDowell stood up to the punishment but did not have the power to halt the one-way traffic. DeAlba tried hard to end it in the last but had to settle for a points win. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. After a rocky start which saw him go 2-1-2 in his first five fights, DeAlba has won his last nine. McDowell is 1-3-1 in his last five fights, but has yet to lose inside the distance.

Accra, Ghana: Light: Rafael Mensah (21-0 W TKO 4 Seruna Moebe. “Sweet Pea” retains his WBA Pan African title with stoppage of Togolese boxer. Mensah won the first two rounds, floored Moebe in the third and forced the stoppage with just one second left in the fourth. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for the promising young Ghanaian, the WBA No 7, who represented Ghana at the 2010 World Youth Championships.

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Heavy: Joe Dawejko (9-3-2) W PTS 8 Derric Rossy (28-8).

Dawejko gets his career back on track with split decision over veteran Rossy. Despite giving away a big amount in height, reach and experience the Philadelphian “Polish Thunder” did enough to take the verdict. Scores 78-74 twice and 75-77. The 23-year-old 5’10” (178cm) Dawejko, had gone 1-3-1 in his last 5 fights. Big things were expected from him after he won the 2008 US East Olympic at 16 and collect a gold medal at the World Youth Championships in 2008, but so far he has not delivered. The 6’3” (191cm) Rossy, 33, has win over Ray Mercer and Carl Davis Drummond but lost to Audley Harrison in the 2013 Prizefighter and was beaten by Fres Oquendo in June.