The past week in action, 27th October

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

The past week in action 27 October 2016
October 20

Montreal, Canada: Welter: Custio Clayton (10-0 W KO 8 Ramses Agaton (17-5-3). Super Middle: Dario Bredicean (10-0) W PTS 8 Baptiste Castegnaro (8-11). Super Bantam: Vislan Dalkhaev (8-0) W PTS 8 Rodrigo Campos (10-5).
Clayton gets another win as he gradually grinds down Mexican southpaw Agaton. Clayton made a slow start here with the quickness of Agaton making the Canadian work hard. Clayton won every round and the pressure was telling by the sixth. He ended it in style in the seventh stepping inside a weak jab from Agaton to fire a straight right to the chin. Agaton took a couple of steps back and then dropped on his knees with Clayton luckily missing with a right after the Mexican was down. Agaton was counted out and suffered his first loss by KO/TKO. Excellent learning fight for the 29-year-old Olympian and six-time Canadian champion who has 8 wins by KO/TKO. Agaton was 16-1-3 in his first 20 fights including wins over Luis Uribe 28-1-1, Alejandro Barrera 25-1and Ronald Montes 16-0 but is now 1-4 in his last 5. That’s not as bad as it sounds as including Clayton the total record going in of the fighters in those four losses was 73-0 and that included a majority decision loss to world rated Konstantin Ponomarev. Agaton came in overweight and had to forfeit 20% of his purse.
Bredicean vs. Castegnaro
Bredicean continues unbeaten with unanimous decision over Frenchman Castegnaro. Bredicean had height and reach over the Frenchman but the aggressive scrambling style of Castegnaro frustrated his attempts to fight on the outside and use those advantages. What clean scoring there was came from Bredicean and this lesson in frustration will for a useful part of his education. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. The 23-year-old 6’3 ½” (189cm) southpaw who turned pro in Germany is a protégé of Lucien Bute. Bredicean has a brother Bruno who is also unbeaten as a pro and they are trained by former WBO champion Otis Grant and his brother former Canadian champion Howard. Castegnaro is now 2-7 in his last 9 fights but has yet to lose inside the distance.
Dalkhaev vs. Campos
Dalkhaev makes it a full hand for the house fighters as he easily outpoints Mexican Campos. Dalkhaev won on scores of 80-72 twice and 78-74. The 28-year-old Montreal-based Russian is a former Russian champion who also won two bronze medals at the national championships. He also won a gold medal at the prestigious Feliks Stamm tournament where he beat British star Andrew Selby but had to settle for a silver medal at the Bocskai Cup where Selby got his revenge. Campos had won his last 4 fights but this was his first move up to eight rounds.

Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Hisashi Amagasa (31-6-2) W PTS 10 Carlo Demecillo (6-2). Amagasa gets back in the winning column with unanimous decision over Filipino novice Demecillo. The Japanese fighter made a good start scoring with left hooks to head and body but Demecillo fought back strongly and although he was the much smaller fighter he was able to do some useful work of his own. They both had good spells over the middle rounds but Amagasa’s experience told as he staged a strong finish with the Filipino fighting hard all the way but clearly beaten. Scores 99-93, 98-92 and 97-94 all for Amagasa. The 31-year-old former Japanese and OPBF champion had Guillermo Rigondeaux down twice in their WBA/WBO title fight before bowing out in the eleventh round. In his last fight he lost a wide decision to Josh Warrington for the WBC International title but Amagasa made Warrington fight hard all of the way. Demecillo, 20, a former good class amateur, holds the Philippines Boxing Federation title, a lesser title than the GAB one, and was boxing above his normal weight class but did well and at 20 will come again.

October 21

Edinburgh, Scotland: Super Light: Josh Taylor (7-0) W TKO 5 Dave Ryan (17-10). Fly: Andrew Selby (6-0) W TKO 5 Felix Moncada (9-6-1).Super Light: Jason Easton (8-0) W TKO 5 Rhys Saunders (3-4-1). Middle: Connor Law (9-0) W PTS 8 Jose Manuel Lopez Clavero (9-9-1). Heavy: Nick Webb W TKO 1 Jakov Gospic (17-16).
Taylor vs. Ryan
Taylor announces his arrival on the big stage in some style as he beats experienced Ryan inside five rounds to win the vacant Commonwealth title. The young Scottish southpaw hope had an impressive first round as he fired home quick punches from both hands moving around Ryan to change angles and changing guards. With Taylor having less than nine rounds of pro boxing behind him Ryan tried to press the fight hoping for a fast pace that would see Taylor tire over the late rounds. Ryan continued to press in the second and he scored with some chunky hooks but Taylor again showed an array of punches. He was getting through with left and right hooks to the body and scoring with straight rights to the head. In the third a vicious right to the body put Ryan down on his knees in pain. He made it to his feet and Taylor showed maturity as he boxed to open Ryan up. Ryan showed courage and experience as he moved inside and scored with short hooks in the fourth but Taylor was warming to the task and dominating the fight. Taylor maintained the pressure but Ryan was scoring with hooks when he was able to get inside but Taylor was again going to the body with brutal shots and a right to the body just before the bell almost cut Ryan in half and he was showing a small cut over his left eye caused by an earlier punch. Taylor opened the fifth with a glittering array of body punches landing hooks from both hands. Ryan continued to come forward but a right to the body again put him down on his knees. He was in considerable pain and did not look as though he was going to get up but pride forced him to his feet at the count of nine. Taylor took him to a corner and was again bombarding him with hooks but it was crunching right uppercut that brought the referee in to stop the fight. The 25-year-old “Tartan Terror” had an outstanding amateur career winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and on this performance the Commonwealth belt is the first of many that Barry McGuigan’s fighter will win. He is quick, has real punch power and has a good boxing brain. Easily the best Scottish prospect since Ricky Burns started out. Ryan, 33, gets only his second loss by KO/TKO with the other one coming in his last fight against John Wayne Hibbert in a fight where he was ahead on points but forced out by a back injury. After an unimpressive early career wins over Hibbert, Paul McCloskey, Tyrone Nurse, for the Commonwealth title and Hibbert again in a title defence had earned him a world rating so this was an ambitious first test for Taylor and he gave a five star performance.
Selby vs. Moncada
Selby turns in another scintillating display of skill to bamboozle and finally halt Nicaraguan Moncada. You felt sorry for Moncada as he had no idea of how to combat the speed of the young outstanding prospect. Selby buzzed around Moncada landing punches from all angles, constantly switching guards and sometimes having no guard at all. Selby does things you can’t teach and would never try to and it works. Moncada kept plodding forward but was walking into punishment without being able to nail down the elusive Welshman. You could almost see Moncada pleading “just let me hit him once please just once”. It did not happen and when a series of punches made the Nicaraguan’s legs do a little jig in the fifth the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old British flyweight champion, the brother of IBF champion Lee, is a massive talent but the real tests will come when he starts to face the relentless pressure that the world rated Mexicans, Thais, Filipinos etc. bring to the table. Moncada, really just a prelim level fighter, was having his first fight in Europe but will soon become a fixture on the European “travel to lose club”.
Easton vs. Saunders
Easton shows cool skills and power as he halts wild Welshman Saunders. Coming in at short notice Saunders was storming forward throwing punches from the outset. Easton showed neat skill working his jab and firing counters through the defence of Saunders. A body punch from Easton saw Saunders sag at the knees and go down only to immediately rise up and throw himself at Easton with the referee having to pull him off so that he could give him a count. Easton continued to show real class in the second with precise and painful shots to head and body of the ever forcing Saunders. Finally a left hook to the body put Saunders down again. He beat the count but was taking punishment on the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. The tall 25-year-old from Edinburgh wins the BBB of F Celtic title after an impressive display of precise and sharp punching. Saunders, 30, had won his last three fights. He may never become a champion but his fights will never be boring.
Law vs. Clavero
Law gets win in a good learning fight with Spaniard Clavero. In his first eight round fight southpaw Law was on the front foot all the way and dominated the action with his strong jab and some good body work. Clavero was a tricky, elusive target and he made Law work and think. Law had Clavero in trouble in the seventh and eighth but Clavero always managed to do enough to stay in the fight. Referee’s score 80-72. Law, 25, was up at eight rounds for the first time and he paced the fight well. Clavero, a former Spanish title challenger, did his job here and posed a few problems for Law without ever really threatening.
Webb vs. Gospic
Webb blows away the obese Croatian fighter. Webb signalled his intention by landing a left hook to the body and a right to the head just seconds into the round. Gospic was in full retreat from then. Webb battered Gospic around the ring trapping him on the ropes and working him over with heavy rights and left. There was a brief pause to adjust Gospic’s shorts which were slipping down his ample gut. Webb then went back to work taking Gospic to the ropes and landing hooks and uppercuts bringing blood spurting from Gospic’s nose and a head-jerking uppercut saw the referee stop the fight. Gospic was badly shaken and it was some time before he could leave the ring. The 29-year-old 6’5” (196cm) Webb only turned pro in March last year and now has 7 wins by KO/TKO. He has plenty to learn but showed real power. Gospic, 34, had being stopped in three rounds by Dereck Chisora in December so an achievement for Webb to blast him out inside a round but Gospic was carrying 274lbs(124kgs) on a 6’1” (185cm) frame and that is FAT!

Chandler, Australia: Jeff Horn (15-0-1) W TKO 9 Rico Mueller (20-2-1). Super Middle: Rohan Murdock (19-1) W PTS 10 Damian Bonelli (23-1).
Horn vs. Mueller
Horn moves a step closer to a title shot as he halts German Mueller. The Brisbane schoolteacher handed out a brutal beating. There had been some concern before the fight with Horn having to lose 4kg in a relatively short time but he punished Mueller with head punches in the first and then went to work on the body in the second. The breakdown continued with Mueller cut near his left eye by a punch in the sixth and already fading. Horn maintained the pressure and in the ninth an irresistible attack saw Mueller driven backwards down and out through the middle ropes. The referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Horn was making the fourth defence of his IBF Inter-Continental title and gets win No 10 by KO.TKO. He is No 4 with the IBF (3 as the No 1 position is vacant) and has scored wins over Viktor Plotnykov 32-2, Ahmed El Mousaoui 22-1-1 and Randall Bailey now he wants Errol Spence to clear the way for a shot at Kell Brook. Mueller’s opposition has been very low level despite his No 14 rating from the IBF. There was mention of a shoulder injury. Horn did not escape unharmed as he had some swelling by his right eye but he got the job done in style.
Murdock vs. Bonelli
Murdock returns from inactivity to outpoint game Argentinian Bonelli. Once he had shaken of any rust Murdock dominated the fight with Bonelli hanging in there and looking dangerous at times but never really threatening. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-89. The 24-year-old Australian was having his first fight for 14 months so will now be looking to get into the world ratings having been dropped for inactivity. Bonelli, 38, is not in the Argentinian ratings which could be due to the quality of his opposition with 7 never having won a fight, 7 never having had a fight and 6 having negative records but he did his job in giving Murdock ten rounds of work.

Ontario, CA, USA: Heavy: LaRon Mitchell (15-0) W PTS 10 Scott Alexander (12-2-2). Light: Juan Ruiz (17-0,1ND) W PTS 8 Wilberth Lopez (15-6).
Mitchell vs. Alexander
Mitchell wins vacant NABF Junior title but has to go the distance again. After a slow first round Alexander showed he was a danger as he shook Mitchell with a right uppercut. Mitchell shrugged that off and in the third Alexander was on the floor although it looked more a combination of a punch and a slip but with the punch it meant it was a genuine knockdown and counted as such. Alexander was not in real trouble and he scored with some punches of his own before the end of the round. Apart from a punch that shook Mitchell in the fifth over the second half of the fight he outworked Alexander on the inside and forced the younger man to fight on the back foot and off the ropes and took the decision. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-92 all for Mitchell. He stated that he had suffered a shoulder injury with the bout being in doubt but a cortisone injection helped and he went ahead with the fight. The 36-year-old school teacher was a silver medallist at the US Championships and beat both Donovan Dennis and Dominic Breazeale at the final US Olympic Trial but did not make it to the final team. Alexander, 27, was moving up from six rounds to ten and faded late.
Ruiz vs. Lopez
“El Nino” Ruiz keeps his unbeaten tag but only just. Tucson’s Lopez made good use of his height and reach to make Ruiz work all of the way before going down on a majority decision. Scores 78-74 twice for Ruiz and 76-76. The 30-year-old Mexican-based Venezuelan has fought in Venezuela, just once, and in Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Germany and now for the first time in the USA. And has beaten some useful opposition. Lopez, 21, was 5-5 in his first 10 fights but then turned things around and had a ten-bout winning run going in.

Calais, France: Super Welter: Joffrey Jacob (14-0-1) W PTS 10 Kamal Mohamed (19-4). Heavy: Raphael Tronche (8-0) W PTS 10 Gabriel Enguema (7-3).
Jacob vs. Mohamed
Jacob adds another title to the collection of the amazing Jacob family. This was a tough fight for the relatively inexperienced Jacob and a contrast in styles. Defending champion Mohamed forced the fight aggressively over the first two rounds with Jacob pressed hard as he is not a puncher so had to use his skill to stay out of trouble. A clash of heads in the second saw Jacob suffer a gash on his forehead which seemed to wake him up and he took charge of the fight in the third boxing on the outside and piling up the points with the champion getting a warning for dangerous use of the head as Jacob also took the fifth and sixth. Mohamed was not going down easily and he banged back hard in the seventh with left hooks with Jacob under pressure but countering well with right uppercuts but Mohamed closing the gap. Jacob fired home a series of punches to take the eighth and did enough in the ninth and tenth to emerge the winner. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Jacob. Questions had been asked after the young Calais fighter was held to a draw by Patrick Mokamba who was 2-14-2 going into the fight but he answered them here. The Jacob’s are probably the most successful fighting family in French history. Strangely the first fighter in the family Jacques did not win a title but he now trains his grandsons. Of his four sons Thierry won WBC, European and French titles, Herve won a European title, Bruno was French champion and grandson Romain has won European and French titles and now Joffrey has added another French title. Mohamed was making his first defence of his title and this was close enough for him to hope for another chance.
Tronche vs. Enguema
Tronche makes it a double for boxers from Calais as he wins the vacant WBC Mediterranean title with a close unanimous decision over substitute Enguema. Tronche was giving away height and reach to the 6’5 ½” (197cm) fighter from Madrid. He had to work hard all of the way and both fighters were having to pace themselves as neither fighter had gone past six rounds before. Tronche lasted the distance better and was a winner but it was a very close fight. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Tronche. He had been scheduled to face Cyril Leonet for the French title but Leonet could not box so Tronche, 26, has his first title but now he wants the French on as well. Enguema had won his two fights this year and his three losses have all come on his travels.

Mexico City, Mexico: Welter: Mauricio Pintor (20-2-1) W TKO 6 Fernando Marin (13-1-3). Pintor gets his career and his life back on track after spending three years in prison only to eventually be proved innocent and released earlier this year. Pintor boxed cautiously over the opening rounds making use of his longer reach to thread through jabs and scoring well with rights to the head as he worked his way back into form. After four rounds he was in front on all four cards by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37. He built the pressure in the fifth and a cluster of head punches in the sixth had Marin badly shaken and the referee stopped the fight. Pintor lost a couple of hard fights to Ivan Cano and Ricardo Alvarez in 2012 but had worked his way back with a good win over Jose Emilio Perea when he was arrested and charged with extortion now after his release in January he is looking to pick up the threads of his career. He is the nephew of Hall of Fame great Lupe Pintor but the families are not close and Lupe is not involved in his career. The unbeaten 18-year-old Marin, the WBC Fecombox champion was expected to prove a tougher test but at least his title was not at stake.

Madrid, Spain: Super Feather: Eric Pambani (8-0-1) W PTS 10 Santiago Bustos (7-9-1). Pambani wins the vacant Spanish title as he boxes his way to victory over Bustos. Pambani won this one on the back foot. Bustos did not have the skill to match the local fighter so he went for pressure. He marched forward relentlessly and had some success but time and again Pambani was blocking the shots, using his longer reach to score and banging home counters. Bustos had a good third round as he did manage to cut off the ring and his sheer pressure was enough to take or at least share another couple of rounds but other than that Pambani was too quick and too clever and won the unanimous decision. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 97-94 all for the 27-year-old Pambani who is a member of the Sergio Martinez team. Bustos, 34. Has won only 7 fights but there are losses on his travels against Khalid Yafai, Anthony Cacace and Jason Sosa and in his last fight in October he only lost on a majority verdict to Ruddy Encarnacion.

Motherwell, Scotland: Super Light: Eddie Doyle (18-3) W PTS 10 Shaun McShane (4-4-1). Doyle retains the BBBof C Scottish Area title with points win over McShane. Doyle won the crown with a 96-95 margin in their fight in March but this time he was a much clearer winner. Referee’s score 98-95. Four wins in a row now for Doyle. McShane made Doyle work for the win but had no complaints about the decision.
October 22

Montreal, Canada: Middle: David Lemieux (36-3) W PTS 10 Cristian Flores (21-8-3). Super Light: Ricky Sismundo (31-9-3) W PTS 10 Ghislain Maduma (18-3). Super Welter: Steven Butler (18-0-1) W TKO 1 Janks Trotter (10-4-1,1ND). Super Welter: Silverio Ortiz (35-18) W TKO 3 Mian Hussain (16-1). Super Middle: D’Mitrius Ballard (15-0) W TKO 2 Gergo Horvath (9-2-1). Heavy: Simon Kean (6-0) W TKO 2 David Torres Garcia (10-4). Super Light: Jose Emilio Perea (24-7) W PTS 6 David Theroux (11-2).
Lemieux vs. Flores
The first round saw Lemieux chasing the tall Argentinian southpaw around the perimeter of the ring landing hooks from both hands. The second was different as Flores spent more time in ring centre. Lemieux forced him to retreat a couple of times but at the end of the round a straight left sent Lemieux staggering back a few steps to the ropes. The bell went before Flores could follow-up his advantage but he had done enough to win the round. The fourth followed a similar pattern. Lemieux worked on the body of Flores with vicious left hooks with some of his punches straying low but Flores was in ring centre more and scored with another good left that knocked Lemieux off balance and he had Lemieux under pressure on the ropes at the bell. It was a close round but I thought Flores edged it. After having trouble getting past the light, pesky right jab of Flores at the start of the Lemieux pressed hard and Flores was on the retreat in the fourth and fifth and having to absorb heavy hooks from both hands as Lemieux got back in control. Flores had a good spell in the middle of the sixth but spent most of the time on the ropes with Lemieux teeing off on him with meaty body punches and straight rights to the head. Flores is no Usain Bolt but he was speeding around the ring in the seventh with Lemieux in pursuit and the Canadian was again working the body as Flores was looking to survive. Lemieux took the eighth. Flores ran less and punched more but the relentless pressure from Lemieux was beating him down. The ninth saw Flores coming out fast throwing lefts and for periods it was Lemieux with his back to the ropes. Both had spells of ascendency and it looked an even round. Lemieux had more left in the tank in the tenth. Flores again scored with some straight lefts but Lemieux was throwing more and landing more. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 all for Lemieux. The 27-year-old former IBF champion gets his second win this year as he builds back to a challengers spot. He set a fast pace, showed his usual all-out aggression and a focused body attack but was caught with too many straight lefts for him to be totally satisfied with his night. The 33-year-old Argentinian champion gave Lemieux a good test and it is as well he is not a puncher-6 wins by KO/TKO-as he found too many opening for his southpaw lefts. He was 8-1-1 going into this one with the loss also being on points against unbeaten British fighter Tommy Langford and he showed here he can be an awkward opponent on his night.
Sismundo vs. Maduma
This looked an even fight on paper with Sismundo having shown good form this year but Maduma being the naturally bigger fighter. Things went wrong for the DRC-born Canadian from the outset as a long Sismundo right in the first round saw Maduma momentarily go down on one knee. He was shaken but was up immediately protesting the count but one knee had been on the canvas so it was legitimate knockdown. It took the local fighter a couple of rounds to get rolling but he worked his way back into the fight although his work rate was not impressive and Sismundo always looked dangerous. Maduma’s chance of victory suffered a fatal blow in the ninth. The Canadian walked onto a big right and was staggered. He backed up with Sismundo coming forward throwing punches until another right landed to the head of Maduma and he went down heavily. He made it to his feet and survived the round but he could not do anything to overcome the deficit of two 10-8 rounds and lost the unanimous decision. Scores 95-93 twice and 97-91 all for Sismundo. The little 29-year-old Filipino had shown his class when entering the lion’s den in Montreal in May to only come away with a draw against home fighter Dierry Jean. He started out as a super fly so is small for this division but he makes up for that with power and aggression. At one time Maduma, 31, was 16-0 but then he lost a biggie when he was stopped in seven rounds by Kevin Mitchell in an IBF eliminator in 2014. He took 13 months out but suffered another setback in October last year when he lost a split verdict to Maurice Hooker and he has said he has decided to retire
Butler vs. Trotter
Butler blitzes Trotter inside a round. Butler went after trotter from the bell. Trotter was willing to trade punches which was a big mistake. A left to the head sent Trotter to the ropes and Butler landed some more shots including a vicious right that snapped Trotter’s head back. Trotter got off the ropes and came forward pushing Butler into a corner. Butler then landed a brutal left/right left combination that saw Trotter turning half away and slumping into the ropes. Butler stepped back as the referee came in between them but as Trotter straightened up his legs were wobbling badly and the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old Canadian prospect looked awesome with his speed, accuracy and power just too much for veteran Trotter although the fleshy Trotter fought a dumb fight for the 2:41it lasted. Butler had disappointed in scraping a draw with Jaime Herrera 12-3 in June last year but as he grows and develops he will only get better and he showed real power here. Trotter, 32, a former Canadian champion, gets his third loss by KO/TKO.
Ortiz vs. Hussain
On a night that saw three home prospects beaten Hussain loses his unbeaten tag as he retired at the end of the third round worried about possible eye damage. This was always going to be a tough fight for the Canadian. Ortiz is a battle-hardened and much more experienced fighter who has mixed in some high class company. The Mexican turned on the pressure with southpaw Hussain boxing well and very much in the fight until he was floored by a fierce combination late in the third. The Canadian made it to his feet but in his corner he was complaining about a black dot that had appeared in his right eye. Fearing it might be a sign of a detached retina Hussain wisely decided to retire. The 33-year-old Ortiz had lost his last 4 fights but against tough opposition in Edgar Ortega, Pablo Cesar Cano, Frankie Gomez and Custio Clayton but prior to that he had been 14-1 in 15 fights against good level domestic opposition and can give anyone a tough fight on the night. Hussain will now have to await the examination of his injury before he makes any plans.
Ballard vs. Horvath
Easy night for Ballard. The former top amateur had no trouble in obliterating Horvath. After dominating the first round Ballard out Horvath down three times in 80 seconds of round two and the fight was stopped. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old from Maryland. Horvath now has two losses by KO/TKO in two visits to Canada as he had been stopped in two rounds by Erik Bazinyan in Montreal in March.
Kean vs. Garcia
Kean took just 8 seconds more than Ballard to get his win. He overwhelmed an obese Garcia scoring three knockdowns before the fight was stopped after 1.28 of round two. The 6’5” (196cm), 27-year-old Olympian has won all of his fights so far by KO/TKO but against abysmal opposition. There is no need to rush him but he gets nothing out of facing opposition this poor. Garcia has weighed as low as 216lbs (98kgs) but for this fight was 288lbs (130kgs) which says it all.
Perea vs. Theroux
Another prospect bites the dust. Again this was a very testing opponent for Theroux and although he put in 100% effort he never really recovered from being floored by a left hook in the second round. They gave the crowd plenty of entertainment as the stood and traded for round after round. Perez was cut over his left eye in the fifth but it was too late to make any difference to the outcome. Scores 58-55 and 58-56 for Perea and 57-57. The 33-year-old Perea had won his first 21 fights but was 2-7 in his last 9 but he had a wealth of experience behind him. For Theroux it is a big setback. The 22-year-old Canadian had scored five wins as he rebuilt after a kayo loss to veteran Ignacio Mendoza in April last year but now he is back to square one.

Birmingham, England: Welter: Sam Eggington (19-3) W TKO 8 Frankie Gavin (23-3). Light: Robbie Barrett (13-2-1) W PTS 10 Marcus Ffrench (13-3). Middle: Craig Cunningham (17-1) W TKO 8 Anthony Ogogo (11-1).Super Fly: Don Broadhurst (18-3-1) W PTS 10 Louis Norman (11-3-1). Super bantam: Sean Davis (11-0) W PTS 10 Paul Economides (20-6). Super Light: Andy Keats (12-4) W PTS 10 Jordan Cooke (9-1). Middle: Brian Rose (29-4-1) W PTS 8 Stiliyan Kostov (20-7). Super Bantam: Khalid Yafai W KO 3 Johnson Tellez (9-28-5).
Eggington vs. Gavin
Eggington had height and reach over Galvin but was not looking to fight on the outside. He was coming forward throwing long rights through the southpaw guard of Gavin and took the first round. Gavin did better in the second getting through with long lefts to the body to even things up. Early in the third a short right inside from Eggington put Gavin down. He was up quickly and although Eggington scored with some more rights Gavin forced the action late in the round scoring with good hooks to the body. Gavin took the fourth. He was coming in under Eggington’s jab and getting his punches off first. Gavin was again quicker in the fifth with Eggington not letting his punches go and he lacked accuracy. Things changed in the last 20 seconds as Eggington cornered Gavin and worked him over to head and body but received a warning for straying low. Eggington came storming out in the sixth. He took Gavin to the ropes and trapped him there and unleashed a barrage of punches. When Gavin did break away a left hook to the body had him staggering back to the ropes badly hurt and the referee gave him a standing count. After the count Gavin tried to fight back but Eggington again took him to the ropes and scored with a series of punches that had the referee watching closely to see how Gavin was reacting. Gavin hit back enough for the referee to decide he was OK but it was a bad round for Gavin. The seventh saw Gavin staying off the ropes for most of the round and scoring with short, sharp jabs and hooks. It was Gavin’s round but he was not able to stop Eggington marching forward. The eighth saw Eggington force Gavin to a corner and blast away with both hands and with the body punches having Gavin bending in half and eventually slumping to the canvas with the referee immediately stopping the fight. Huge win for the tall 23-year-old “Savage”. A run of 8 victories saw him collect the British and Commonwealth title but he lost both on a close decision against Bradley Skeete in March. This victory earns him the prestigious WBC International title and puts him back in line for some important fights. Gavin failed to make the weight and the way he fell apart in this one puts yet another question mark over his career. He has lost the important fights to Leonardo Bundu and to Kell Brook for the IBF title but it looks as through the promise he showed when winning the world amateur title will never be fulfilled. Perhaps the signs were there when he went to the 2008 Olympics and failed to make the weight and did not fight there. He is a talented fighter but sometimes you have to have more than that.
Barrett vs. Ffrench
Barrett wins vacant English title with wide unanimous victory over local fighter Ffrench. The game plan for this one was simple. Barrett had lots of height and reach over the 5’4” Ffrench and he put those to good use. Ffrench never really managed to get inside the southpaw jab of Barrett to launch any sustained attacks and Barrett boxed his way to a comfortable victory. Scores 100-91 twice and 98-92. Now 9 wins in a row for Barrett. Ffrench, 38, the Midlands Area champion had won his last 5 fights.
Cunningham vs. Ogogo
An even first round saw Ogogo showing quick hands and Cunningham looking useful with his southpaw right hook straight left combinations. In the second Cunningham began to get through with those right hook/straight right combinations and suddenly Ogogo looked shaky. He was wrestled to the floor so no count but then Cunningham landed that combination again and a badly shaken Ogogo stumbled forward and down. He protested it was a slip but he had been hurt by those punches. Ogogo tried to fire back but again heavy straight lefts from Cunningham were getting through. Over the next three rounds Ogogo steadied himself and used his faster hand speed and longer reach to get into the fight getting his punches off first and fighting on the front foot. Cunningham was out of range with his right jab and the fight seemed to be getting away from him. But again Cunningham was looking dangerous. The sixth was more even. Ogogo looked in control until he inexplicitly dropped his hand and let Cunningham have a couple of free shots which then saw Cunningham more active over the rest of the round. The seventh again saw Ogogo pressing but Cunningham was finding gaps in the Ogogo’s defence and banging home straight lefts. The eighth was following the same pattern when the referee stopped the action and took Ogogo to his corner to have a loose wrapping dealt with. At the time Ogogo’s second told the referee that Ogogo was suffering double vision and advised the referee they did not want to continue and the fight was over. Cunningham, 28, gets a career biggest win and collects the vacant WBC International title. His only defeat came against Tom Baker in the 2015 Prizefighter and he has now won six in a row. Olympian Ogogo, 27, just can’t get free of injuries which have restricted his activity to just 12 fights in over three years. Although Cunningham was coming on strong Ogogo was very much in the fight. He suffered damage in the first round that turned out to be two breaks in his eye socket so it was a sensible decision to pull him out but it is lucky breaks he needs not this kind.
Cunningham vac WBC International, local, spw tall, 4 wins id, only loss to Tom Doran Prizefighter now 6 wins row, Midlands Area champ, Ogogio down 2nd, blurred vision broken orbital bone
Broadhurst vs. Norman
A top quality match-up saw Broadhurst get a hotly disputed split decision over Norman. Norman settled first and pocketed most of the early rounds as Broadhurst made a stuttering start. Broadhurst settled down over the middle rounds and probably built a slight lead. The fight turned again over the late rounds as Norman surged and looked to have done enough to take the decision or at least a draw but there was so little in it that either fighter could have been given the verdict and it would still have been controversial. They had fought a draw for the English flyweight title in 2014 and they could probably fight each other every week and the fights would all be close. This time the decision went to Broadhurst and he wins the vacant English title. Scores 96-94, and 96-95 for Broadhurst and 96-94 for Norman. The 32-year-old Broadhurst, a former Commonwealth champion at this weight has lost twice to current IBF champion Lee Haskins so no disgrace there. After the draw with Norman in May 2014 he was inactive until returning to the ring with a win in June. “2Sweet” Norman, 22, had lost 2 of his last 3 fights but domestic fights don’t get much tougher than Charlie Edwards for the English fly title and Andrew Selby for the British title and he took both outstanding prospects the distance. He deserves a return with Broadhurst to see if he can make it third time lucky.
Davis vs. Economides
Economides has his second fight in a week and looks unlucky not to get a draw in a very close fight. Economides made the better start edging the early rounds and seemed to be well in control. From the half way mark Davis came to life and rapidly made inroads into that lead and they fought hard down the stretch with the judges deciding that the strong finish by Davis was enough to overcome the early work of Economides. Scores 96-94 for Davis from all three judges in a fight that could have gone either way. Davis was to have fought Gamal Yafai for the Commonwealth title but Yafai was injured and instead these tow fought for the vacant WBC International title and produced the sort of competitive contest that the WBC International title regularly produces. The 26-year-old Davis, the local fighter, has yet to win inside the distance but he makes up for that with skill and effort. Economides, 29, had won his last 7 fights and came in at short notice but had won a six round fight the week before.
Keats vs. Cooke
Keats gets much needed win as he outpoints Cooke. Keats handled the southpaw style of the taller Cooke well but the fight was close all the way. Keats had built a lead but that was endangered when he briefly touched down in the eighth which gave Cooke a 10-8 round. Cooke threw that away in the ninth when he landed a low punch and was deducted a point and Keats kept his lead over the last round. Referee’s score 96-93. Keats, 25, retains his BBB of C Midlands Area title as he rebuilds after back-to-back losses to Kevin Hooper and Ohara Davies. Cooke, 23, was moving up to ten rounds for the first time but he can learn from this loss.
Rose vs. Kostov
Rose eases himself back into action as he starts to rebuild after losing a majority decision to Matthew Macklin in April. Bulgarian Kostov has been in with quality opposition such as Adam Etches and Sasha Yengoyan and he was competitive over the first couple of rounds. Once Rose shook off the rust he was quicker, busier and more accurate and got in eight useful rounds of work. Referee’s score 80-72. The 31-year-old former WBO super welter title challenger was up at middleweight for this one. Third loss in a row for Kostov, all on points and all on the road.
Yafai vs. Tellez
A one-sided opening round saw Yafai chasing Tellez around the ring landing quick combinations to the head and left and right hooks to the body. A long right hurt Tellez. His attempts to counter were slow and inaccurate but he did manage to land a blatant butt which got him a severe warning. Tellez did a little better in the second advancing behind a high guard but again the flashing hand speed of Yafai was piercing his guard time and again with jabs and hooks to the body and a right right sent the Nicaraguan staggering back to the ropes. Yafai continued to hand out punishment in the third and late in the round a left hook landed on the belt line of Tellez. He went down clutching an important area lower than that and sat out the count. The plan is that the 27-year-old from Birmingham will challenge Luis Concepcion for the WBA title in Manchester on 10 December and that will be an explosive encounter. Nicaraguan Tellez in way over his head as he gets loss No 9 by KO/TKO.

Tijuana, Mexico: Bantam: Luis Nery (21-0) W KO 2 Richie Mepranum (31-6-1). Super Fly: Ulises Lara (17-14-2) W KO 4 Javier Mendoza (24-4-1). Super Welter: Jaime Munguia (18-0) W KO 1 Alfredo Chavez (12-8).
Nery vs. Mepranum
Nery was looking to get this over and establish his credentials as top challenger for the WBC title and he impressed as he destroyed Mepranum in under two rounds in this all-southpaw scrap. Nery took the fight to Mepranum who was forced onto the back foot with Nery coming forward. Mepranum stopped to throw some fast combinations but southpaw Nery mostly blocked them and kept throwing and landing punches of his own. Even when Mepranum did take Nery to the ropes a short left hook shook him and he vainly tried to grin to show he was not hurt. Nery continued to drive Mepranum back using right and left hooks and uppercuts with Mepranum finally being able to find some space to do some scoring of his own just before the bell. At the start of the second Nery used his right jab to force Mepranum to the ropes and then a series of blistering hooks sent Mepranum back and down. He only just made it to his feet at eight and Nery just walked over to him and landed a short left hook to the jaw that saw Mepranum go down on his hands and knees and the referee immediately ended the fight. The Tijuana southpaw now has 15 wins by KO/TKO including 6 in his last 7 fights. He is No 2 with the WBC so should get a title shot in 2017. Filipino southpaw Mepranum, 29, was 23-1 an one time but has lost in world title fights to Julio Cesar Miranda for the WBO fly title, Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA and WBO titles and in his last fight was beaten in eight rounds by Carlos Cuadras for the WBC super fly title. Five of his six losses have come against Mexicans.
Lara vs. Mendoza
Big upset as modest Lara climbs off the floor to halt former IBF champion Mendoza in four rounds. Mendoza controlled the fight over the first three rounds. He was quicker and more accurate with his punches using his right jab to set Lara up for quick combinations with Lara ignoring his own jab and trying to get inside and work with hooks. Mendoza stood and traded more in the second and two hard rights sent Lara backwards with a following jab putting the finishing touch to the sequence and putting Lara down. He looked badly shaken but had enough sense left to “lose” his mouthpiece and that break whilst it was replaced helped him last out the round. Mendoza pressed hard in the third and did enough to take the round but Lara was beginning to find the target with straight rights. Early in the fourth as they traded punches a right to the head and a left hook sent Mendoza crashing down on his back against the ropes. He was up at seven but looked shaky. Lara was throwing wild punches and missing but finally he tagged Mendoza with a right to the chin. Mendoza stumbled forward grabbing at the legs of Lara and they both tumbled to the canvas. The referee had to prise Mendoza’s arms from around Lara’s legs. Mendoza made it up but the referee took a look at him and waived the fight over. Lara had been floored five times when losing to Juan Carlos Reveco for the secondary WBA title in 2013 and this was his first fight for 11 months but now he is in line for some good pay days. Mendoza, 25, was having his first fight since losing his IBF title to Akira Yaegashi in December. He looked on his way to an inside the distance win here but then suddenly fell apart.
Munguia vs. Chavez
Munguia scores another inside the distance win. The local prospect put Chavez down and out after just 92 seconds to go to 15 wins by KO/TKO including 9 in his last 9 fights. It will have to wait until he faces better opposition before we find out how good the 19-year-old is. He can box as well as punch and won a number of medals in his 65 bout amateur campaign. Former Mexican title challenger Chavez never had a chance here.

Kempton Park, South Africa: Cruiser: Kevin Lerena (16-1) W PTS 10 Micki Nielsen (22-1). Minimum: Hekkie Budler (30-2) W PTS 12 Siyabonga Siyo (10-2). Welter: Chris van Heerden (25-2-1) W PTS 12 Sacky Shikukutu (22-4-1). Minimumweight: DeeJay Kriel (10-1-1) W TKO 5 Nyelisani Thagambega (8-6).
Lerena vs. Nielsen
It wasn’t pretty as a fight but it was important as a win for Lerena as he took the majority decision over world rated Dane. The contest between these two southpaws saw too much clinching and their styles were too similar to produce any sparks. There were few extended exchanges with Nielsen in particular tending to throw a punch and then follow it inside where he held instead of working but Lerena did his share of the holding also. Although most of the early rounds were close with neither fighter landing much of note Nielsen did better and probably built a slender lead. He looked to have shaken Lerena with a punch in the seventh. However Lerena banged back with an even better punch later in the round to stagger Nielsen but the Dane clinched his way out of trouble. Lerena then had Nielsen badly hurt in the eighth and that set up a strong finish for the South African. He had paced the fight better and outworked Nielsen and those elements saw him deservedly land the decision. Scores 97-93 and 96-95 for Lerena and 95-95. It was a win/win/win situation for the 24-year-old Lerena. He won the decision, won the substantial prize money for the Super 4 Tournament and with Nielsen ridiculously rated IBF 4(3)/WBO 5 he also gets a world rating from those two organisations. His only loss was to Johnny Mueller on points in 2014 and in their return fight he halted Mueller in ten rounds to win the South African title. He is a much more entertaining fighter than he showed here and at 24 will only get better. Nielsen was a big disappointment but perhaps he was only as good as Lerena let him be on the night. His only win of note had been a points victory over Italian Mirko Larghetti in March and he had just edged out Muller on points in the semi-final of the Super 4. Now he will go home and the build up will start all over again and at 23 he too will perform better than this in the future.
Budler vs. Siyo
Budler returns in style as he wins the vacant WBA Pan African title with unanimous decision over useful compatriot Siyo. Back at the weight where he had most of his early fights Budler made a strong start being the bigger and faster man. He had his right on target throughout the fight and was able to slot home punches as he continually pressed Siyo. A former holder of this title at minimum weight Siyo was not overawed and he battled hard scoring with some good body punches but lacked the power to hold Budler off and was constantly on the back foot. Budler had thing well in hand and he cruised over the closing rounds which allowed Siyo some success but Budler was always in control as he fitted in some valuable ring time with Siyo beaten but unbowed. Scores 116-112 twice and 118-110 all for Budler. The 28-year-old “Hexecutioner” was having his first fight since losing his WBA and IBO minimumweight titles to Nicaraguan Byron Rojas in a big upset in March. Budler looked strong at the higher poundage and will be looking to challenge for a version of the world title next year. Siyo, a former WBC International champion and IBO title challenger will probably return to the minimum division and look for some good domestic fights.
van Heerden vs. Shikukutu
van Heerden marked his return to South Africa with a comfortable win over useful Namibian Shikukutu in yet another all-southpaw fight and wins the vacant WBA Pan African title. van Heerden had the better skills and stood the pace and the heat better than Shikukutu. The Namibian was competitive over the early rounds rocking van Heerden in the third and finding gaps in the South African’s defence but that did not last. Shikukutu faded badly from the middle rounds onwards and the much stronger van Heerden had the dominant punch in his right jab and with that and his superior conditioning he emerged a clear winner. Scores 117-111 twice and 118-110.. First fight back in South Africa for the 29-year-old “Heat” since he beat Matthew Hatton in an IBO title defence in March 2013. He shifted his base to the USA in 2014 and had four reasonable level wins but was stopped in eight rounds by Errol Spence in September last year. He scored a majority verdict over Canadian Steve Claggett in Las Vegas in April and will be looking to fight his way back into the ratings. “Snake” Shikukutu was 9-1 in his last 10 fights with the loss being on points to Frankie Gavin for the Commonwealth title in March last year. He had won his last four fights collecting the IBO African and interim WBO African titles along the way but was well beaten here.
Kriel vs. Thagambega
Young prospect Kriel goes over old ground as he stops Thagambega for the second time. There had been some controversy when the promising 21-year-old halted Thagambega in seven rounds in July but Kriel displayed improved skills and power in this one. Having lost his first pro fight Kriel is now 10-0-1 in his last 11with 6 wins by KO/TKO and he has reversed that only loss. Three losses in a row for Thagambega.

Bolton, England: Super Middle: Jamie Cox (21-0) W PTS 10 Martin Rios (20-10-3). Super Bantam: Paul Butler (22-1) W PTS 10 Alexis Ruiz (11-4-1). Super feather: Zelfa Barrett (13-0) W TKO 1 Elvis Guillen (9-28-4).Super Middle: Luke Blackledge (22-2-2) W PTS 6 Elvis Dube (7-53-2).
Cox vs. Rios
Cox returns to the ring with a win but not one that brought him much credit as there was more fouling than fighting at times with both fighters losing points and both lucky not to have been disqualified. Cox came out trying to blow the Argentinian away and landed a couple of good punches but was also dangerous with his head and also lost a point for a rabbit punch. At the end of the first round the referee warned both fighters to clean up their act. That set the scene although when there was some action of the legal kind Cox showed his dominance in a much cleaner second round and floored Rios with a series of punches in the third. The Argentinian spit out his mouthpiece when down which earned him his first deduction. For a few rounds after that there was plenty of action with Cox suffering a cut over his left eye in the fifth due to a clash of heads but dominating the exchanges. As the fight moved into the late rounds the fouls became more frequent with Rios losing two more points and Cox one for flagrant fouls. The referee showed considerable patience in not disqualifying either fighter. Cox was the clear winner and Rios showed he could take a punch and butt with the best. Referee’s score 98-96. The 30-year-old Swindon southpaw, a former undefeated Commonwealth and WBO European champion, had only one fight in a 20 month period between June 2013 and February 2015 and this was his first fight in 11 months. He has talent but now needs to be much more active. Former Argentinian middle champion Rios, 24, had a 2-6-1 spell but had rebounded with three wins in a row and was No 1 in the Argentinian ratings.
Butler vs. Ruiz
Butler fights up at bantam as he seeks another world title shot. He had too much of everything for Mexican novice Ruiz. Butler really is a class act with great hand speed and quick movement. He never let Ruiz get into the fight scoring with precise shots from both hands to head and body. The Mexican tried to be competitive but he lacked the power or skill to match Butler at any point in the fight although the referee found a round to give him. Butler was having his first fight under new trainer Joe Gallagher and the 27-year-old “baby Faced Assassin will be looking to land a title fight in 2017at bantam. He held the IBF bantam title briefly when beating Stuart Hall in 2014 but relinquished the title to go back down to super fly where he lost to Zolani Tete for the IBF title. Ruiz had won his last three fights but over opponents with combined records of 7-22. Considering his lack of experience he did well to last the distance here.
Barrett vs. Guillen
“Brown Flash” Barrett gets this one over in quick time. The usually elusive Guillen could not escape the body punches from Barrett and was down and unable to beat the count after just 70 seconds. The 23-year-old from Manchester has now won 6 of his last 7 fights by KO/TKO. Poor Spanish-based Nicaraguan Guillen has lost his last 17 fights and is 0-10 in fights in the UK.
Blackledge vs. Dube
Just a keep busy fight for Commonwealth champion Blackledge. At least it was after he had picked himself after an embarrassing first round knockdown. From there Blackleg took over and won comfortably in the end. Referee’s score 58-55. Now 8 wins in a row for Blackledge as he looks for another big fight after two defences of his Commonwealth title in a row. Dube, 38, was in danger for a moment as that knockdown could have spoiled his chances of plenty more game, useful loser outings.

Deauville, France: Super Welter: Maxime Beaussire (22-0-1) W TKO 5 Artem Karpets (21-4). Welter: Souleymane M’Baye (42-5-1) W PTS 8 Krzys Szot (20-19-2). Cruiser: Arsen Goulamirian (18-0) W TKO 2 Giulian Ilie (21-12-2).
Beaussire vs. Karpets
The “Conqueror” conquers as Beaussire gets another win with Karpets forced to retire with an injury. With Karpets having big edges in height and reach and showing some good movement Beaussire had difficulty finding the target and the visitor took the first round. In the second a hard right uppercut from Karpets got home but the Ukrainian is not a puncher and Beaussire was able to get through with some of his own shots with Karpets switching guards to try to confuse the Frenchman. In the third Beaussire was getting his punches off first and taking control although an unintentional elbow from Karpets opened a cut by Beaussire’s left eye. The fourth saw Beaussire scoring with strong hooks and Karpets was already starting to slow and was unable to keep Beaussire on the outside. A tiring Karpets was under pressure in the fifth when he slipped to the canvas and twisted his leg and was unable to continue. The 25-year-old former undefeated French champion from Saint-Lo looked on his way to a win but it was an unfortunate ending. He had struggled in his last fight to get a majority decision over former EU champion Roberto Santos so needed a win-any win. He is No 6 with the EBU. Polish-based Karpets, 32, was 21-0 but has now lost four on the bounce but they have all been against highly rated European opposition.
M’Baye vs. Szot
M’Baye gets an easy win over Polish travelling loser Szot in only his second fight in three years. This was little more than a bit of paid sparring and he had too much of everything for Szot. He was sliding home lefts and rights throughout the fight with only his lack of power allowing the Pole to last the distance. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 41-year-old Frenchman, a former holder of the WBA secondary title, was inactive in 2014 and 2015 but returned with a split decision win over Alex Lepelley in March. Szot, once an elite class amateur, is now just a pay day fighter with only 3 wins in his last 19 fights.
Goulamirian vs. Ilie
Too easy for Goulamirian as Ilie falls over in two rounds. After a short spell of caution Goulamirian dropped Ilie with a hook with Ilie complaining it landed on the back of his head but the referee applied a count. Ilie survive but in the second he was looking for a nice spot on the canvas to land on. Goulamirian landed a right and a couple of other follow-up shots and Ilie went down on his knees looking pleadingly at his corner and they obligingly threw in the towel. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for the 29-year-old “Fire”. The Armenian born banger is the current French champion but the quality of his opposition has been poor so he does not make it into the EBU top 19. They take the quality of opposition into account when rating a fighter. If other sanctioning bodies did that promoters would be tearing their hair out. Italian-based Romanian Ilie, 39, is 1-6 in his last 7 fights including 5 losses by KO/TKO.

Amiens, France: Super Light: Christopher Sebire (25-9-1) W PTS 12 Martin Coggi (33-7-3,1ND). Sebire wins the vacant WBFederation title with decision over Argentinian southpaw Coggi. Sebire took an early lead with Coggi just not busy enough. Sebire was setting a fast pace scoring with left hooks and working the body and he had built a big lead by the half way mark. Coggi started to get into the fight from the end of the sixth round and he took the eighth shaking Sebire with a good right and did enough to also pocket the ninth. Sebire swung the fight back his way in the tenth outboxing the Argentinian southpaw. They were both tired in the eleventh with some head clashes spoiling the action but Sebire did enough to at least make the last round even and was a clear winner. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 all for the new champion Sebire with the middle score looking the best reflection of the action. The 31-year-old from Rouen, a former French champion, needed a boost as he gone 4-6-1 in his last 11 fights now he has a title and can select his opposition-not likely to be British as he has lost four times against British fighters. Coggi, 33, a former South American champion, was 8-1,1ND in his last 10 fights but just did not work hard enough here. He is the son of the great former three-time WBA champion Juan Martin Coggi who fought in Amiens back in 1989, but he won his fight there.

Avellino, Italy: Feather: Carmine Tommasone (16-0) W RTD 4 Jesus Rios (35-9-1,1ND). Tommasone wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title as Rios retires at the end of the fourth round claiming an injury to his right hand. The local boxer had the better technique and was firing home counters as Rios ducked and weaved his way inside and tried to press the fight. Tommasone stepped up the pace in the third easily blocking the Mexican’s shots and finally landing some heavy punches. In the fourth a right hook put Rios down. He only just beat the count but was under attack the rest of the round and retired in his corner. First professional fight for Tommasone for 13 months. I say that because he fought his way through the AIBA Olympic Qualifier in Venezuela to get to Rio but lost to Cuban Lazaro Alvarez in the preliminary rounds. The 32-year-old “Mr Wolf” is a former Italian, WBA Inter-Continental and European Union champion but never defended any of those titles. His last pro fight was in September last year when he beat Jon Slowey for the vacant EU title. Rios, 32, was 4-0-1ND going in with the No Decision coming when he was cut in the second round in a fight against England’s Ben Jones for the WBO Inter-Continental title in April.

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Feather: Eduardo Hernandez W KO 2 Victor Terrazas (38-4-1). Where do they get them from? Yet another Mexican teenage sensation on the horizon in the shape of Hernandez as he blows away former WBC super bantam champion Terrazas inside six minutes. After an equal first round Hernandez let his fists go and late in the second he landed a wicked body punch. Terrazas started to retreat badly hurt by the punch and Hernandez landed two more hooks to the head to help him on his way. Terrazas went down on his hands and knees and watched the referee count out the ten seconds unable or unwilling to move. Big scalp for the 18-year-old “Rocky” who has 15 wins by KO/TKO including 14 in a row. He turned pro at 14 which would not be allowed in many countries. Terrazas had scored wins over Nehomar Cermeno, Fernando Montiel and Cris Mijares before losing his WBC title to Leo Santa Cruz in August 2013. He was then inactive before returning with a win in July this year but is difficult to know where the 33-year-old “Viking” goes from here.

Wieliczka, Poland: Heavy: Krzys Zimnoch (16-1) W PTS 8 Marcin Rekowski (17-4). Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (23-0) W PTS 6 Piotr Gudel (5-2-1). Light Heavy: Norbert Dabrowski (18-5-1) W PTS 8 Marek Matyja (11-1). Middle: Mykola Vovk (12-1) W PTS 8 Krzys Kopytek (12-1).
Zimnoch vs. Rekowski
Zimnoch gets win but has to settle for a split decision. Zimnoch used his good jab and some movement to stave off the early attacks of Rekowski and seemed to edge the first two rounds. The fight heated up from the third with Zimnoch standing and trading. The fourth and fifth saw some good action and the rounds were close. Rekowski had a good sixth as he worked Zimnoch into a corner and shook him badly with a right hook. Zimnoch rebounded in the seventh and it was Rekowski who was in trouble as Zimnoch banged home a left hook and then unleashing a deluge of punches with Rekowski being saved by the bell. The effort seemed to tire Zimnoch and Rekowski did enough to take the final round. Scores 78-74 and 78-75 for Zimnoch and 78-74 for Rekowski. The tall 32-year-old Zimnoch is now looking to get a return with Mike Mollo who stopped him inside a round in February. Now two losses in a row for 38-year-old Rekowski who was stopped in seven rounds by fellow-Pole Andrzej Wawrzyk in April, he has wins over Oliver McCall and Albert Sosnowski.
Laszczyk vs. Gudel
World rated Laszczyk keeps busy with points win over novice Gudel in an all-Poland fight. Gudel made Laszczyk work for his win but he could not match the speed and skill of the classy Laszczyk. Early in the fight Gudel had to swallow a hard right hook to the jaw and a left hook to the body which cooled his fire somewhat but did not stop him at least trying to take the fight to Laszczyk but he was never able to threaten. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55 for Laszczyk. The 25-year-old North Bergen-based Pole is hugely flattered by his No 2 rating from the WBO as he is yet to face anyone remotely near top class and with 7 of his last 8 fights ending on points that lack of power gives him very little chance of dethroning Oscar Valdez. This was too much of a step up for prelim fighter Gudel.
Dabrowski vs. Matyja
Dabrowski gets revenge for a previous defeat as he takes split decision in another close domestic scrap. Although Dabrowski scored the best punch of the first round in the shape of a southpaw left hook that halted the advance of Matyja he fought mainly on the back foot over the early rounds letting Matyja force the pace. Dabrowski was picking up points with his counters but Matyja took the sixth round with a right cross and it was a close fight. The seventh was a brawl as both tired but also knew the decision could go either way. Matyja needed a big eighth but the almost exhausted Dabrowski swung the round way with a left hook just before the bell to take the round and the fight. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Dabrowski and 77-76 for Matyja. Dabrowski had lost a split decision to Matyja in 2014 so he evened the score and these two could fight each other a dozen times and the outcome would always be close. Matyja loses his unbeaten tag but this was his first fight for eleven months so with a bit more activity he could perhaps have been sharp enough to take this one.
Vovk vs. Kopytek
Vovk was the only non-Pole in the main events on the show and even he is Polish-based. The fight was fairly even over the early rounds but the Vovk took over completely for the fourth. His aggression had Kopytek constantly trapped on the ropes and he was scoring with right and left hooks. He clearly swept the last three rounds but there was some concern of local favouritism when it was announced it was a majority verdict but the right decision was reached. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Vovk and 76-76. Five wins in a row for the 25-year-old Ukrainian. Kopytek had registered a couple of good level wins but lost clearly here.

Villa Canas, Argentina: Super Light: Emiliano Rodriguez (17-0) W PTS 10 Leandro Pinto (19-10-2). Dominguez progresses as he take unanimous decision over time worn Brazilian. The Argentinian was on the offensive for most of the fight focusing on the body with the wily Pinto using his experience to blunt some of the attacks and also slipping counters through the defence of Rodriguez when he got careless. Pressure saw Pinto in trouble in the sixth and he was given a standing count although Pinto complained it was a low punch that shook him. Dominguez tried hard but just could not find the punch to stop the Brazilian and in the end it was a comfortable but not impressive performance from the “Little Cobra”. Scores 100-94, 100-94 ½, 99-95 ½ all for 27-year-old Rodriguez the Argentinian No 5 super light. Pinto, 39, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Rosario, Santa Fe: Fly: Lucas Fernandez (11-1) W TKO 9 Carlos Farias (13-11-3). Fernandez used a body attack to win this one. Farias was controlling the pace of the fight over the first three rounds. From the fourth the young neighbourhood fighter just walked through Farias landing heavy punches to the body with both hands. From the fifth the fight became one-sided with Fernandez shaking Farias with hard punches on a few occasions. Farias stayed in the fight with the help of lots of spoiling tactics but in the ninth a southpaw left to the chin put Farias down. He beat the count but was floored a second time and the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old Fernandez wins the vacant interim WBC Latino title and gets his second win over Farias. He is No 1 in the Argentinian ratings but the title is vacant. He is the only one rated in the division so there is no one for him to beat for the title. Second loss by KO/TKO for Farias.

Saskatoon, Canada: Middle: Paul Bzdel (6-8-1) W PTS 10 Francesco Cotroni (11-8-1). Local fighter Bzdel gives boxing in Saskatoon a boost as he wins the vacant interim Canadian title with unanimous decision over Cotroni. Both had to survive cuts caused by head clashes. Both fighters wanted to come forward so it was a tough contest with the superior strength of Bzdel telling in the end. This is only the second show in Saskatoon for 16 years. In the first one in February the 30-year-old Bzdel, the Canadian No 6, lost to Shakeel Phinn for the Canadian super middle title but he was stronger in this one as he moved back down to his usual weight division. Cotroni, 32, has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights and this time it was him moving up from super welter to middle for the title chance. The promoters are looking at another show in February to continue the resurgence of boxing in Saskatoon.