The Past Week in Action 28 November

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.

Highlights:

-Sergey Kovalev crushes Vyacheslav Shabranskyy to win the vacant WBO title

Yuriorkis Gamboa keeps his career hopes alive with controversial victory over Jason Sosa

-Sullivan Barrera clears the way for a shot at WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in incident packed victory over Felix Varela

– Wanheng retains WBC minimumweight title and move to 49 wins to tie with Rocky Marciano’s total

-Manuel Charr wins vacant secondary WBA heavyweight title with win over Alex Ustinov

-Julio Ceja is still in line for a shot at WBC champion Rey Vargas after hard fought victory over Breilor Teran

-Mark Magsayo gets past tough test against Shota Hayashi and should be ready to challenge Oscar Valdez after one or two more fights

-Technical draw ends interesting fight between unbeaten Russian heavyweight Sergey Kuzmin and oldie Amir Mansour-Former IBF super light champion Eduard Troyanovsky flattens unbeaten Carlos Portillo inside a round

November 24

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Super Fly: Cristofer Rosales (26-3) W TKO 8 Alex Taylor (16-20-2). Minimumweight: Byron Rojas (23-3-3) W PTS 6 Omar Ortiz (12-6-1,1ND). Super Fly: Keyvin Lara (23-2-1) W PTS 6 Herald Molina (18-19-3).

Rosales vs. Taylor

Rosario showcases his skills and then provides a late finish. Rosales was in cruise control for much of this one. He easily outboxed Taylor peppering him with jabs and landing sharp counters. It looked as though it might go the distance but Rosales changed pace in the eighth and bombarded Taylor with punches forcing the stoppage. The 23-year-old “Whip” has now beaten Taylor three rimes, twice inside the distance. He had unbeaten Andrew Selby down in the first round of their fight in May but Selby got up to win by a wide margin on the cards. Rosales rebounded well from that with a stoppage of unbeaten Mohammed Obbadi in October to win the vacant WBC International title. Taylor drops to 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

Rojas vs. Ortiz

Rojas wins a keep busy fight as he awaits a shot at his old WBA title. The little Nicaraguan showed his plusses and his minus. He has great skills and constantly landed lefts to the head and body of Ortiz. Rojas won every round but Ortiz was able to eat up the punishment and stay in the fight highlighting the former champion’s lack of a stopping punch. Rojas sprung a major surprise when beating Hekkie Budler in South Africa for the WBA title but lost it just three months later on a very tight decision to Knockout CP Freshmart. He is No 1 with the WBA so will get a chance to regain his title next year. Ortiz is now 0-3-1 in his last 4.

Lara vs. Molina

Lara is another looking for a return fight and he had no trouble staying on track in this one. After dominating the first he dropped Molina in the second and Molina took the count on his knees. Third win for Lara, 23, since losing on an eleventh round kayo against Kazuto Ioka for the WBA title in July last year. A loss that saw him drop out of the ratings. Poor Molina has now lost 11 of his last 12 fights.

 

Geneva, Switzerland :Super Feather: Patrick Kinigamazi (28-2) W TKO 5 Robert Laki (14-2-1). Super Light: Ando Hakobian (10-0) W PTS 10 Cedric Kassongo (7-5-2).

Kinigamazi vs. Laki

After a slow start Kinigamazi gets rolling and overpowers Laki. The visitor won the first round but that was as good as it got for the Hungarian. Kinigamazi took control of the action and showed unexpected power flooring Laki once in each of rounds two, three and four and the slaughter was stopped in the fifth. The 34-year-old Rwandan born Kinigamazi was making the first defence of his WBFederation title and makes it ten wins in a row. Nine of those have been points victories so he is showing new confidence and power as he grows into his title. Former Hungarian feather champion Laki, 25, had won his last two fights but has lost inside the distance in his two fights outside Hungary.

Hakobian vs. Kassongo

Swiss licensed Armenian Hakobian wins the vacant Swiss title with split decision over Kassongo. Hakobian has fought as high as 153lbs in the past so had to shed some weight to take on natural super light Kassongo. As in the Kinigamazi fight the eventual winner made a slow start. Kassongo edged into the lead flooring Hakobian in the third but Hakobian managed to claw his way into the fight and it was fairly even after five rounds. From there Hakobian upped his work rate and captured four of the last five rounds to take the decision. Scores 96-93 twice for Hakobian and 96-93 for Kassongo. Although this was Hakobian’s first ten round fight he paced the fight well and shows promise. Kassongo, 30, a Swiss citizen who was born in the DRC has lost his last three fights having already lost in a challenge for the Swiss welter title.

 

Barranquilla, Colombia: Fly: Robert Barrera (19-2) W PTS 10 Dionis Martinez (6-9-1).Bantam: Yeison Vargas (16-0) W PTS 8 Sander Diaz (5-2-1).

2

Barrera vs. Martinez

Barrera moves up to flyweight and gets unanimous decision over Venezuelan Martinez. Being the smaller fighter Barrera had to work inside. Martinez showed a sound defence and although he never really threatened the Colombian he made Barrera fight for his victory. Body punching from Barrera slowed Martinez as he eased his way to victory. Scores 97-92 twice and 98-92 for Barrera. The 25-year-old Barrera was having his first fight since losing in nine rounds to Ryoichi Taguchi for the WBA light fly title. Martinez had won his last two fights

Vargas vs. Diaz

Vargas pushed hard by Diaz but comes out in front on all three cards. Vargas made a fast start scoring with some sharp punches in the first a bloodying Diaz’s nose. Vargas used some good combination punching to continue his control. That changed in the fifth when a hard right from Diaz had Vargas in deep trouble and he only just survived to the bell. Diaz ate into the local fighters lead over the closing rounds but Vargas came out on top. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74 for Vargas. The former Colombian amateur champion had won 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO including a first round kayo of Dionis Mart6inez.  Venezuelan Diaz was 4-0-1 in his last 5 fights.

 

Montalban, Philippines: Super Feather: Rogelio Jun Doliguez (23-4-2) W KO 2 Landy Cris Leon (10-17-4). Doliguez gets win No 17 by KO/TKO as he puts away overmatched Leon. Doliguez was unbeaten in his first 20 fights but has gone 4-5 since then. He is the No 5 super feather in the Philippines. Four loses in a row for Landy and his eleventh loss by KO/TKO.

 

Madrid, Spain: Feather: Jesus Sanchez (8-1) W PTS 10 Ivan Ruiz Morote (18-7-1). Fly: Angel Moreno (17-2-2) W TKO 1 Szilveszter Ajtai (11-7-1). Super Light: Nicolas Gonzalez (21-1,1ND) W TKO 3 Gabor Kovacs (7-5).

Sanchez vs. Morote

Sanchez wins the vacant Spanish title with split decision over more experienced Morote. Sanchez had the better of the exchanges when he could make use of his superior skill and speed and Morote was the boss inside. Rounds were close and Sanchez nearly threw it away by taking a no risk approach over the last two rounds. Scores 97-94 and 96-95 for Sanchez and 96-95 for Morote. The 28-year-old Sanchez had won his last six fights and was going past six rounds for the first time. Former Spanish champion Morote, 37, deserves a return.

Moreno vs. Ajtai

Former European Union and Spanish champion Moreno gets an easy night and halts Hungarian teenager Ajtai inside the opening round. Seven wins in a row for the 34-year-old from Madrid. He is No 5 in the EBU ratings in a short but high quality list. The 19-year-old Ajtai has lost 5 of his last 6 fights with all 5 losses by KO/TKO.

Gonzalez vs. Kovacs

Gonzalez returns to action with stoppage of Kovacs. Gonzalez was under pressure at the start of the first round but scored with a couple of uppercuts that had Kovacs shaky. Gonzalez went to the body in the second and Kovacs tired rapidly spitting out his mouthguard to get some respite. He did it again in the same round and in the third after Gonzalez scored with some head punches out the mouthguard came again and this time the referee stopped the fight.  The 29-year-old local won his first 18 fights before losing to Ruben Nieto for the European title in July last year. In January he lost on points to Jaider Parra but the Venezuelan tested positive for clembuterol and the decision was changed to No Decision. Four losses in a row for Hungarian Kovacs.

 

Punta del Este, Uruguay: Super Feather: Jose Matias Romero (17-0) W PTS 10 Alexis Reyes (15-3-1). Argentinian prospect Romero wins the interim WBC Latino title with victory over Mexican Reyes. Over the first half of the fight pressure from Reyes made it close but gradually the jab of Romero and good movement allowed him to take control. A right to the body put Reyes down in the eighth and Romero dominated the last two rounds. Scores 99-90, 98-91 and 98-92 all for Romero. The 21-year-old Romero was in his first ten round fight. He is No 2 in the Argentinian ratings. Three losses in a row for Reyes. Last time out he lost a majority decision to Yuriorkis Gamboa but three points deductions against Gamboa helped him.

 

Panama City, Panama: Welter: John Renteria (15-4-1) W PTS 8 Jeffrey Rosales (8-5-2). Super Feather: Pablo Vicente (9-0,1ND) W KO 3 Mauricio Martinez (13-15-2).

Renteria vs. Rosales

Renteria gets majority decision over fellow Panamanian Rosales. In a close fight it was the body punching from Rosales that just gave him the edge over the closing rounds. Scores 77-75 twice for Renteria and 76-76. The 25-year-old “Emperor” has won 4 of his last 5 with the loss being to hot Dominican prospect Carlos Adames. Third loss in a row for Rosales.

Vicente vs. Martinez

Cuban Vicente puts Colombian Martinez down and out in the third with a withering left hook to the body. The 24-year-old Cuban needs watching. As an amateur he was Cuban Youth champion, twice Cuban Senior champion and three times runner-up against some world class opposition. He has won his last four fights by KO/TKO. It would have been his last nine but in his fifth win in a row by KO/TKO he knocked his opponent out. However a review by the Panama Commission showed the finishing punch was low so it was changed to a No Decision and he started at one again.  Martinez has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

 

November 25

 

New York, NF, USA: Light Heavy: Sergey Kovalev (31-2-1) W TKO 2 Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-2). Super Feather: Yuriorkis Gamboa (28-2) W PTS 10Jason Sosa (20-3-4). Light Heavy: Sullivan Barrera (21-1) W PTS 10 Felix Varela (15-2). Super Welter: Bakhram Murtazaliev (11-0) W TKO 5 Carlos Galvan (16-6-1). Super Welter: Frank Galarza (18-2-2) W PTS 8 Jaime Herrera (15-5-1).

Kovalev vs. Shabranskyy

The “Krusher” is back. Kovalev pulverises Shabranskyy with three knockdowns to win the vacant WBO and IBA titles. The action started with an exchange of jabs with Shabranskyy trying to get on the front foot and force Kovalev back. Kovalev scored with an overhand right to the head then a stiff jab from Shabranskyy sent Kovalev stumbling back across the ring. The encouraged Shabranskyy to get more adventurous but as he tried to move inside Kovalev landed a right to the head that dropped Shabranskyy to one knee. He was up immediately. He did not look too shaken and after the eight count he again came forward behind his jab but was rocked by another right. Again Shabranskyy came forward and another right to the head that glanced off his shoulder and clipped him on the side of his head saw him staggered and stumbling and half bending over and Kovalev and landed a right and then a left hook to the head and Shabranskyy fell to the canvas on his knees. He made it to his feet but this time he looked wobbly and after the eight count was completed the bell went before Kovalev could do any more damage. Shabranskyy was examined by the doctor before the bell to start the second and the fight continued. Shabranskyy tried to get his jab working but Kovalev banged home a couple of rights that had the Ukrainian unsteady on his legs. Despite that Shabranskyy kept firing his jab and jerked Kovalev’s head back sharply a couple of times. Kovalev kept throwing rights and one got through and dropped the Ukrainian to his knees. He was up at four and after the eight count tried to box his way out of trouble but a right had his legs trembling and although he stayed on his feet he was wobbling badly and after Kovalev drove him to the ropes with a right the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. The 34-year-old Russian showed that the two loses to Andre Ward have not dented his confidence and now he says he is ready for Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev or Dmitri Bivol. It would nice to think  that the WBSS could put these four together in a tournament because the sanctioning bodies can’t/won’t. Shabranskyy almost showed too much confidence. He took the fight to Kovalev when he would have been better to box his way through the early rounds. His knockout by Sullivan Barrera in December showed his weaknesses and he had done nothing since then to deserve a title shot but somehow the nine fighters ahead of him in the WBO ratings where overlooked.

Gamboa vs. Sosa

Gamboa keeps his career alive with controversial win over Sosa. Gamboa took the first round getting his punches off quicker and moving or tying Sosa up. In the second again Gamboa was firing quick combinations whilst Sosa was walking Gamboa down but was not throwing enough Just before the bell Sosa seemed to stagger Gamboa with two rights to the head. Gamboa made a quick start to the third but tripped over Sosa’s lags and went down but rightly it was not counted. Gamboa took the round as he was again too quick for Sosa and was scoring with both hands landing a smart left hook and leaving Sosa swishing the air with some wild swings. Sosa was showing a bruising under his left eye. Sosa picked up the pace in the fourth and fifth but in both rounds Gamboa again outboxed Sosa. Fighting on the back foot he was slotting home jabs and moving before Sosa could counter and Sosa was too often missing badly.  At mid way point the official scorecards had it 50-45 twice and 48-47 all for Gamboa. The sixth was closer with Sosa’s pressure starting get him within range more often and Gamboa was not staying on the outside as much. Sosa had a big seventh. He landed a left and then a right and as Gamboa ducked under the next punch both gloves touched the canvas. Making it an official if not convincing knockdown. Gamboa was not badly hurt but when the action restarted Sosa was the one landing scoring punches and it was a 10-8 round for him.  The eighth was a close round. Sosa kept marching forward trying to land a big punch and Gamboa although still elusive let his work rate drop. Sosa stormed into Gamboa in the ninth rolling forward working away with Gamboa holding more than hitting.  In the last Gamboa was the more controlled and accurate with his punches and would have taken the round on all three cards but he was holding too much and the referee deducted a point. Scores 96-92 and 95-93 for Gamboa and 94-94. There were loud screams of robbery but for me it was a close fight with Gamboa dominating the first half and Sosa clawing back that lead in the second. Gamboa took this fight at three week’s notice when Robinson Castellanos dropped out with an injured back and the 35-year-old Cuban understandably tired late. He keeps his career alive but he has achieved all he is going to achieve. Sosa came in over the contract weight and had to pay an unreported sum to Gamboa. In the ridiculous way the sanctioning bodies work for losing to Vasyl Lomachenko for the WBO title Sosa has been banished from the ratings with his only recognition being No 12 with the WBC. Although he lost here he will still be very much in the picture and with his Puerto Rican lineage would make a good challenger for WBA champion Alberto Machado

Barrera vs. Varela

Barrera gets a win that puts him in line for the already talked about shot at WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. This fight was full of incidents and in between those Barrera dominated the action. Varela is a difficult fighter to face. He constantly switches guard fights out of a crouch waves his arms around and constantly feints punches to confuse his opponent. Sullivan landed a solid right early the first but then Varela dropped Barrera with a sharp left hook. Barrera beat the count and as Valera tried to capitalise on the success Barrera drove him back with a couple of rights and seconds before the bell floored Varela with a hard right followed by a glancing  left hook. The bell went during the eight count to end a fiery first round. The second saw Barrera getting past Valera’s jab and scoring with some hard shots. As they traded punches Varela landed a low left hook and the referee gave him a warning and Barrera some recovery time. Valera then went into showboating mode waving and wind milling his arms. Barrera paid no attention but strode forward and landed four head punches that had Valera forgetting his antics and being caught by a couple more good punches before the bell. A clash of heads had opened a cut on the left eyelid of Barrera. The third round was only a few seconds old when Valera landed yet another low punch and this time the referee deducted a point and when the action restarted Barrera was again the one landing the punches. Barrera took the fourth despite being bothered by blood dripping from the cut. He was working hard behind hid jab with Valera throwing lots and landing little but one right widened the cut. Valera had a better fifth working more and spending less time showboating. In the sixth another low punch cost Valera a second point deduction and Barrera continued to boss the action with strong jabs and some solid punching. Yet again in the eighth Valera went very low with a punch and suffered his third deduction which should really have been a disqualification. Barrera again worked solidly and took the round with Valera landing low again but this time just getting a warning. In the ninth in a reversal it was Barrera losing a point for a low punch Valera was more competitive in the round but again wasted time with stupid antics whilst Barrera worked solidly. Valera started and finished the tenth strongly but over the middle period he was outscored by Barrera. Scores 98-88, 97-89 and 97-90 all for Barrera. The 35-year-old Cuban suffered his only loss when being outpointed by Andre Ward in March last year but had put himself back in the picture with wins over Vyacheslav Shabranskyy and Joe Smith. He is WBO No 1 so the Bivol fight looks certain once the cut heals. Valera is a former interim WBA champion having lost his title to Bivol in May last year. He has skills but needs to cut out the antics and get serious but I doubt if that’s possible.

Murtazaliev vs. Galvan

Murtazaliev continues his run of inside the distance victories as he stops Galvan. The 24-year-old Russian floored Galvan twice in the fifth with body punches to extend his run of wins by KO/TKO to seven. Colombian Galvan has lost split decisions to then unbeaten Javonta Starks and Immanuwel Aleem and had won his last four fights.

Galarza vs. Herrera

The popular Galarza returns to action with a win. This was a tough fight which was closer than the scores indicate. Galarza had the edge and made the score look wider than the fight justified by winning the close rounds. Galarza scored with some good body punches in the first but strayed low in the second with Herrera given time to recover but no deduction. Galarza took the third and fourth and the fifth was good news/bad news for Herrera. Early in the round he shook Galarza with a couple of lefts but just before the bell a punch from Galarza opened a cut over Herrera’s left eye. The sixth was close but Galarza took the seventh hurting Herrera early in the round with a right and also did enough to take the last. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 all for Galarza. The 32-year-old from Brooklyn was 17-0-2 in his first 19 fights but then in 2015 lost in six rounds against Jarrett Hurd and in September last year dropped a majority decision against Ishe Smith. This is his first fight since then but hopefully he will be more active now. Herrera, 28, has a couple of good results on his record having stopped 26-1Mike Jones in a fight which sent Jones into retirement and a draw with the then unbeaten Canadian hot prospect Steven Butler. He was 3-1 going into this one with the loss being a close decision against Taras Shelestyuk in November last year.

 

Oberhausen, Germany: Heavy: Manuel Charr (31-4) W PTS 12 Alex Ustinov (34-2). Super Light: Sam Maxwell (5-0) W TKO 3 Oskar Fiko (29-24-1). Light Heavy: Ryan Hatton (2-0) W KO 1 Attila Orsos (14-23-1).

Charr vs. Ustinov

Charr wins the WBA secondary title with points victory over Ustinov. Ustinov took the first round using his height and weight to bully Charr to the ropes and throwing punches to the body of Charr who retreated behind a high guard and hardly threw a punch. Charr changed his tactics in the second walking in behind his guard. He still did not land anything of consequence but he was making Ustinov work hoping to tire the Russian in the later stages. Charr had the better of the third and fourth finally managing to get close enough to land some punches. He had Ustinov on the back foot and it was obvious that Ustinov was too slow and had no idea of how to counter punch. Ustinov did a bit better in the fifth but already Charr was dropping his hands inviting Ustinov to throw a punch so that he could counter. Charr took the sixth as he able to score with his jabs and overhand rights with Ustinov too slow and predictable. Charr had a big seventh. He sent Ustinov staggering with a left hook then trapped him on the ropes and got through with a series of head punches. Ustinov was floundering but he survived only to be under pressure again at the end of the round. The eighth was even better for Charr. He was scoring easily on a tired Ustinov and just before the bell floored the Russian with a left hook that also opened a cut under Ustinov’s right eye. The bell went during the count and the referee had to waive away Ustinov’s seconds until he completed the eight count. Charr dominated the ninth with Ustinov hardly able to keep his hands up or find the energy to throw a punch. Charr gifted the tenth to Ustinov as he just moved around without throwing a punch and when he did start to throw them Ustinov was able to tie him up. The few punches Ustinov did land were enough to give him the round. It was a similar situation in the eleventh with Charr shadowing Ustinov but throwing very little whilst Ustinov picked up points with his jab. I expected a big finish from Charr but instead Ustinov outboxed and outlanded him. Charr’s tactics in the last made wonder whether the old German shenanigans was going on with the home corner knowing the scores and not needing to take any chances. Charr wins on scores of 116-111, 115-111 and 115-112 and is the secondary WBA champion. The 33-year-old Lebanese-born Charr has to be admired for the way he has rebounded from being wounded in a shooting and having a double hip replacement to win the title. Congratulations for that and now the WBA say he must defend against Fres Oquendo who had not had a fight since July 2014! Charr looks no better a fighter than when he was being knocked out by Alex Povetkin and Mairis Breidis and any thought of a fight with Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder would be ridiculous. Ustinov’s weaknesses were well known and magnified here. He is too slow, has almost no footwork and flaps with his punches. He did show a good jab and fought hard but made a poor title challenger.

Maxwell vs. Fiko

Former elite class amateur Maxwell gets another quick win. Maxwell looked on his way to his second first round win in a row when he floored Fiko heavily with a right in the first. Fiko “lost” his mouthguard which gave him a bit of addition recovery time and he survived. He took punishment in the second and in the third a Maxwell body punch had Fiko in pain and the referee stopped the fight. Fourth win by TKO for the 29-year-old Maxwell a former Commonwealth Games bronze medal winner. He was twice the English Elite Champion and fought at the WSB for British Lionhearts. Hungarian-based Romanian Fiko has 11 losses by KO/TKO.

Hatton vs. Orsos

Prospect Hatton enjoys his first appearance on a big stage and finished Orsos with a devastating body punch.  The 21-year-old from Tamworth (no relation to Ricky) is one of those saved by boxing youngsters. He was twice expelled from school and on the second occasion he was enrolled in a “alternative education programme’ at Tamworth Boxing club and never looked back winning six junior national titles. One to follow. Hungarian Orsos  no real threat despite his experience. This is loss No 20 by KO/TKO for him.

 

Nakhon Ratchasimna, Thailand: Minimumweight: Wanheng (49-0) W PTS 12 Tatsuya Fukuhara (19-6-6). Bantam: Petch Sor Chitpattana (44-0) W TKO 3 Samson Elnino (16-17-3).

Wanheng vs. Fukuhara

Wanheng makes a successful eighth defence of his WBC title with wide unanimous decision over Japanese challenger Fukuhara. Wanheng was giving away height and reach to the southpaw challenger and was walking forward punching to the body from the start. Fukuhara had a good jab and scored at distance with his left but did not have the power to keep Wanheng out. The pace was fast and both fighters showed some good offensive and defensive skills but Wanheng was picking his punches better throwing less but landing more. After eight rounds Wanheng was in front on all three cards 80-73, 79-73 and 78-74. Fukuhara stepped up the pace over the last four rounds. He was on the front foot more with Wanheng picking him off with sharp counters and tying Fukuhara up inside.  Somehow they both had the strength left to battle like little furies over the last three minutes with Wanheng a clear winner. Scores 118-110, 117-113 and 116-112 all for Wanheng. The 32-year-old Thai, real name Chayaphon Moonsri, moves to 49 wins equalling Rocky Marciano and just one away from Floyd Mayweather Jr.  Many will not accept that he is anywhere near that standard as most of his victims have been relatively unknown to casual fans but if Conor McGregor counts towards May weather’s 50 then who can point the finger at Wanheng’s opposition and 49 consecutive wins is a great achievement in any context. Fukuhara, a former interim WBO champion, had lost a very close decision to Ryuya Yamanaka in August for the full WBO title and fought his heart out here.

Sor Chitpattana vs. Elnino

Unbeaten Sor Chitpattana gets an easy win in a bad mismatch; the 24-year-old southpaw put Elnino down once in each of the three rounds before the fight was stopped. Now 29 wins by KO/TKO for southpaw Sor Chitpattana who could reach 50 wins next year but of course he is not yet a world champion. Poor Elnino has lost his last six fights by KO/TKO.

 

Chetumal, Mexico: Super Bantam; : Julio Ceja (32-2) W PTS 12 Breilor Teran (20-15-1). Light: Francisco Rojo (21-3) W TKO 4 John Carlo Aparicio (31-11).

Ceja vs. Teran

Former WBC champion Ceja retains the WBC Silver title but has to fight hard against Venezuelan Teran. Ceja was looking to end this one early and in the first was landing overhand rights and hunting Teran around the ring. Teran was showing some clever movement and throwing some sharp counters. Just before the bell a right dropped Teran heavily. He made it to his feet at seven and stayed out of trouble to the bell but also had a cut on his left eyelid. Despite that impressive start things then got a lot tougher for Ceja. He pressed in every round but Teran boxed cleverly and countered accurately giving Ceja a nose injury that bled hard. Ceja had trouble with the fast accurate jab of Teran. His aggression gave him the edge but he had to work hard in every round and Teran’s punches brought a swelling under the right eye of Ceja. Teran’s skill was making it close and they both fought hard over the last two rounds with Ceja just doing enough to deserve the decision. Scores a too wide 118-109, 115-112 and 114-113. All for Ceja, The 25-year-old “Chicken” is No 1 with the WBC so should get a shot at Rey Vargas next year in what will be a difficult fight to call. Teran, 32, was 2-7-1 in his first 10 fights but persevered and challenged for the interim WBA title. He has also lost on points to Juan Carlos Reveco and Omar Narvaez and performed much better than expected here.

Rojo vs. Aparicio

Rojo returns to the winning column with stoppage of Aparicio. Rojo was a class or two above Aparicio and handed out steady punishment. Aparicio has gone the distance with Gamaliel Diaz and Roberto Ortiz and showed a good chin but he was taking a beating and his corner threw in the towel in the fourth to save their man. Rojo had put together an impressive run of eight wins including victories over Eduardo Escobedo and Dante Jordan but in September lost a split decision to unbeaten Ryan Martin (one judge had Rojo winning 98-91). At 26 he can rebuild. Aparicio lost four very tough fights but had rebounded with four wins over a lower level of opposition.

 

Tagbilaran City, Philippines: Feather: Mark Magsayo (18-0) W PTS 12 Shota Hayashi (30-7-1). Super Bantam: Albert Pagara (29-1) W KO 2 Mohammed Kambuluta (16-4). Super Bantam: Jeo Santisima (15-2) W KO 1 Kichang Kim (8-5-1).

Magsayo vs. Hayashi

Magsayo remains unbeaten with points victory over experienced Hayashi in a twelve round war. The Filipino was working his jab well and landing solid left hooks to the body with Hayashi more mechanical in his approach with good technical skills. Magsayo made a good start rocking Hayashi with a left to the head in the first. Hayashi came forward more in the second putting Magsayo on the back foot and scoring with short hooks. Hayashi’s high guard was allowing Magsayo to bang home hooks to the body. Magsayo was outscoring Hayashi in the third and fourth. The Japanese visitor scored with a good right to the head in the third but Magsayo landed an even better one in the fourth. Hayashi stepped up his work rate in the fifth, sixth and seventh as they continued to trade quality punches with Hayashi’s face starting to show swellings from the hard exchanges and a couple of rights to the body from Magsayo halted Hayashi in his tracks. Magsayo opened the eighth with a series of left hooks to the body but Hayashi took them and fired back forcing Magsayo to retreat and he was looking the stronger at this stage. Magsayo scored with some more body punches and sharp uppercuts but Hayashi ended the round with a flurry of head punches with both boxers showing signs of tiredness. The ninth was looking close until Magsayo opened up at the end of the round with a whole series of eight or nine body punches that had Hayashi backing away. Hayashi was coming forward throughout the tenth but Magsayo boxed cleverly and kept firing fast combination of hooks to the body and Hayashi was hunting the Filipino in vain as Magsayo used clever upper body movement to avoid Hayashi’s punches. The eleventh was a great round as they stood toe-to-toe and traded punches for the whole three minutes. Magsayo looked exhausted but he was quicker and more accurate and took the round. Somehow they found the strength to do the same through the last round and although Hayashi threw more punches Magsayo was on target more often to edge the round. Scores 116-112 for Magsayo from all three judges. The 22-year-old “Magnifico” was making the third defence of his WBO International title and this was probably his toughest test to date. Hayashi never stopped coming and on a couple of occasions it looked as if the pressure might overwhelm Magsayo but he is maturing as a fighter and was stronger down the home stretch. He is No 2 with the WBO but not yet ready for Oscar Valdez and needs one or two more high level fights to get to where he needs to be. The unrated former Japanese champion Hayashi, 30 came to win. He was 15-1-1 in his last 17 fights and victory here would have propelled him into a title fight. He had said he would retire if he lost but he still has plenty left as he showed here.

Pagara vs. Kambuluta

Pagara hunts down Tanzanian Kambuluta and halts him in the second round. Pagara had trouble nailing down the elusive Kambuluta in the first round but ended it in the second. He floored Kambuluta early in the round and then landed a right cross that propelled Kambuluta into the ropes and down on his knees where he sat out the count. The 23-year-old “Prince Albert” was one fight away from a world title shot until he was knocked out by Cesar Juarez in July last year. This his third win since then but his only rating right now is at No 15 with the IBF so he has work to do. Fourth loss by KO/TKO by young Tanzanian Kambuluta.

Santisima vs. Kichang

Prospect Santisima demolishes Indonesian Kim in less than a minute. Just 36 seconds into the fight a body punch dropped Kim and he was counted out. The 21-year-old Santisima turned pro at 17 and was 2-2 in his first 4 fights. He has now won 13 in a row 12 by KO/TKO and is No 1 in the Philippines ratings. Local sources credit him with 15 wins, 14 by KO/TKO. Kim has 5 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Bell Ville, Argentina: Feather: Alan Luques Castillo (22-7) W DISQ 8 Gaston Bustamante (11-3-2). Cruiser: Mariano Gudino (11-0) W TEC DEC 9 Daniel Sanabria (20-6).

Castillo vs. Bustamante

Castillo retains his South American title as Bustamante, who had no right fighting for the title, is thrown out in the eighth round for the last in a series of low punches. Castillo outboxed Bustamante scoring well with sharp jabs and hooks from both hands easily finding gaps in Bustamante’s guard. Bustamante piled forward trying to get inside where Castillo’s superior skill could be nullified but he was walking into precise sharp counters. In the fifth Bustamante suffered his first deduction as the referee took a point away for low punches. Castillo shook Bustamante in the sixth and in the seventh the referee took another point from Bustamante after more low punches. In the eighth Bustamante again came forward and Castillo shook him with combinations sending Bustamante reeling into the ropes. The referee gave Bustamante a standing count and when the action resumed Bustamante walked forward and landed a left hook way low and was disqualified. Castillo, 26, was making the first defence of his South American title. The Argentinian No 4 is 4-1 in his last 5 fights with the loss being on points against Diego De La Hoya in July. Bustamante was having his first fight since March 2014 so there is no way he should have been in a title fight.

Gudino vs. Sanabria

Home town fighter Gudino wins the vacant WBC Latino title with technical decision over more experienced Sanabria.  Gudino took control from the start as a very rusty Sanabria was slower and his timing was off. Gudino dominated the action and put Sanabria down with a hard left hook to the chin in the sixth. Sanabria beat the count but Gudino continued to be in charge over the seventh and eighth but a clash of heads in the ninth saw Gudino suffer a cut on his left eyebrow. The cut was too bad for the fight to continue so they called for the cards and all three read 90-80 for Gudino. The 29-year-old “Angel” wins his first pro title. He is No 5 in the Argentinian ratings so could go for the national title next year. Sanabria, 35, a former undefeated national champion, had been sidelined by an injury to his left hand and this was his first fight since September 2015.

 

Neuquen, Argentina: Super Light: Mauro Godoy (30-2) W KO 3 Jose Feria (22-6-1). Middle: Billi Godoy (36-4) W PTS 10 Devis Caceres (24-7).

Godoy vs. Feria

Godoy gets quick win in as both of the Godoy brothers are victorious. Godoy just punched too hard for Colombian Feria who was under constant pressure but tried hard to be competitive. He made it through the first two rounds but late in the third a body punch put Feria down and he was counted out. The 28-year-old “King”, the former Argentinian champion, had a ten bout winning run ended last month when he dropped a split decision to Damian Yapur which cost him his Argentinian title. He still holds the South American title. Feria was a credible opponent but goes to 2-4 in his last 6 fights and gets his sixth loss by KO/TKO

Godoy vs. Caceres

Fighting in his home town for the first time in seven years Billi had a much tougher time than brother Mauro. Caceres had height and reach and made good use of his jab to score. Godoy did most of the pressing but found Caceres a difficult, clever opponent and the Colombian’s jab had Godoy’ face marking up. Godoy was a clear winner but he was never really able to hurt Caceres or totally dominate at any time in the match but deserved to get unanimous decision. Godoy, 31, a former Argentinian and WBC International champion, won his first 26 fights  but then hit a 3-3 patch. He is now 6-1 in his last 7 fights with the loss being a tenth round stoppage by John Ryder in London in 2015. Caceres “The Cat” had won his last five fights but against sub standard opposition.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Welter: Alessandro Riguccini (20-0) W TKO 2 Edgar Puerta (25-10-1). Mexican-based Italian Riguccini gets yet another inside the distance win. Riguccini ended this one in the second. He drove Puerta into a neutral corner and then rounded off a series of punches with a left hook to the body to end the fight. The 29-year-old from Florence now has 16 wins by KO/TKO and this is his ninth win by KO/TKO on the bounce.  Puerta, 35, a former WBC Silver champion and WBC title challenger has been slipping recently and was 2-5 going into this one but is the best name on Riguccini record to date.

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Bantam: Alex Espinoza (15-0-2) W PTS 12 Aron Juarez (10-5-3.1ND). Fly: Cristian Narvaez (15-6-4,1ND) W PTS 9 Jordan Escobar (11-4-2,1ND). Feather: Robin Zamora (10-4,1ND) W PTS 9 Jose Perez (18-2).

Espinoza vs. Juarez

Espinoza remains unbeaten but finds Juarez an awkward opponent and has to settle for a split decision. Espinoza built an early lead outboxing Juarez and he looked to be on his way to a comfortable victory. Juarez increased his work rate over the second half of the fight and in the end Espinoza was hard pressed to hold on to that advantage he had built. Scores 105-104 and 106-104 ½ to Espinoza and 107 ½-105 ½ for Juarez. Espinoza retains his WBA Fedelatin title. He had drawn with Juarez in July and is to fight the unbeaten Russian Mikhail Aloyan for the WBC Silver title next month. He will have to do better than this if he is to have a chance against the former Olympic silver medallist. Juarez was knocked out inside a round by Khalid Yafai in 2015 but was 4-1-1 going into this one.

Narvaez vs. Escobar

Narvaez picks up his first title as he outpoints Escobar to win the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. Narvaez had turned his record around with six wins in a row before drawing with experienced Eliecer Quezada for the vacant WBC Latino title in September. This is his third win over Escobar who had won his last three fights.

Zamora vs. Perez

Zamora springs mild upset as he outpoints prospect Perez. The first two rounds were close but then Zamora took charge. He was quicker and more accurate and he got the better of some furious trading in the third and floored Perez with a straight right in the fifth. Zamora has tended to fade in the second half of his fights but he stayed strong here and withstood a late effort from Perez to get the unanimous verdict. Scores 87-84, 86-83 ½ and 86-84 all for Zamora who wins the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. The 19-year-old Zamora, he turned pro at 17, had lost a split decision to Alex Espinoza and given Gavin McDonnell a hard fight but was not expected to win here. Perez, 22,  had scored 15 wins by KO/TKO and that was expected to be a telling factor but he is a natural bantam and also had trouble with the clever boxing of Zamora.

Tagum City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Glenn Porras (31-6) W KO 1 Noldi Manakane (32-22-2). Early night for “The Rock” as he puts away Indonesian Manakane in the first round. Porras was digging in body punches from the start. Manakane tried to punch with him but late in the third a wicked hook to the body put Manakane down and he was unable to get up. The 32-year-old Porras wins the vacant WBC ABC title. He had a 15 bout winning streak ended when Jose Nieves knocked him out in two rounds in 2012. He was then out for four years and is 3-3 since returning. Manakane falls to 3-7-1 in his last 11 fights and now has 11 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania: Super Feather: Ibrahim Class (21-4) W PTS 12 Koos Sibiya (21-10-4). Local fighter Class wins the vacant Global Boxing Council (GBC) title with wide unanimous verdict over South African Sibiya. Class dominated every round bloodying Sibiya’s nose in the eighth and never really being troubled. Scores 119-109 twice and 120-108 for Class. The 27-year-old from Dar-Es-Salaam may just be the best Tanzanian boxer around right now. He had Julius Indongo on the floor before losing on points in 2015 and in 2016 travelled to Panama to decision then unbeaten 30-0 Zapir Rasulov. He lost a close decision to Rasulov in November 2016 and in July went to Germany and won the vacant GBC light title so is a double champion. Sibiya, 36, the South African No 1 is the ABU champion and had won his last four fights.

Portsmouth, England; Welter: Michael McKinson (13-0) W TKO 6 Colin Lynes (39-12). Super Light: Paul Kamanga (21-1) W PTS 10 Chris Sebire (26-10-1).

McKinson vs. Lynes

McKinson gets his biggest win so far as he floors and halts Lynes. The local southpaw had youth and speed on his side and Lynes just never managed to seriously threaten McKinson’s dominance. The fight was untidy at times with both lunging in close but then holding and wrestling instead of punching. McKinson was taking the fight to Lynes who was looking to draw the jab and then counter. There were a couple of furious exchanges in the second and McKinnon landed a cracking right uppercut in the third. Lynes was wild with some of his punches in the fourth and McKinson nailed him with a hard left hook. Lynes did better in the fifth but was tiring. McKinson was on top in the sixth finding gaps for his long lefts. As Lynes lunged inside McKinson landed a solid right to the body and pushed Lynes who dropped to one knee. The punch did not look that hard but Lynes had nothing left and the referee counted to eight and then waived the fight off as Lynes was rising. The 23-year-old “The Problem” McKinson, born in Portsmouth but based in Belfast, wins the vacant WBC International Silver title to add to the WBC Youth title he already holds. Lynes,39, has had a great career winning both the British super light and welter titles  and also the European super light title but it is time to put the gloves away.

Kamanga vs. Sebire

Kamanga wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with a unanimous decision over Frenchman Sebire. Sebire tried to pressure Kamanga but the Congolese boxer was too slick for him Kamanga was slipping Sebire’s punches and slotting home counters to head and body and continually changing guard and changing the angle of his attack. Kananga’s punch output was too much for Sebire and the Frenchman found it hard to sustain any attacks of his own. Sebire kept pressing behind a high guard but was being comprehensively outboxed. He did rock Kamanga with a left hook in the fifth and had more success in the sixth and seventh but over the closing rounds although his work rate dropped Kamanga was doing most of the scoring. Scores 99-91, 98-94 and 97-93 for Kamanga. Now based in Lithuania the 24-year-old Kamanga won his first 19 fights in South Africa picking up useful victories over Kaizer Mabuza, Jason Bedeman and Roman Belaev. His winning streak was broken when he lost on points to Aslanbek Kozaev in Russia in September but this victory over Sebire is his second this year. He is very talented but has average power. Former French champion Sebire,32, has suffered losses in the UK to quality opposition in Chris Jenkins and Bradley Skeete but had won his last three fights.

 

London, England: Cruiser: Wadi Camacho (19-7) W PTS 10 Jose Lopes (8-2).

Camacho retains the BBB of C Southern Area title with close win over Lopes. Camacho seems to specialise in gruelling fights and this was no different. He forced the fight early cutting down the space for Lopes by taking him to the ropes and working inside. A clash of heads opened a cut over Camacho’s left eye in the fourth but it was not a factor. What was a factor was the way that Lopes fired back over the second half of the fight as he cut into Camacho’s early lead and made it a close one in the end. Referee’s score 96-95 for Camacho. The 32-year-old southpaw was making the second defence of his title. Angolan-born Lopes fought a good fight here but it was just not enough.

 

Bilston, England: Light Heavy: Ricky Summers (14-1) W PTS 8 Gonzalo Romero (6-6). Middle: Jason Welborn (22-6) W PTS 6 Christian Gomez (6-29-4).

Summers vs. Romero

Back to the small halls for Summers after a shot at the big time. The local fighter had boosted his profile with a good close fight against Frank Buglioni for the British title but it was back to the bread and butter here. He won every round against the import flooring Romero in the second and going on to take the decision at 80-72 from the referee. He took the Buglioni fight at short notice so will be hoping that fine performance will get him some more big fights. Spanish middleweight title challenger Romero out of his depth in this one.

Welborn vs. Gomez

Welborn keeps busy with victory over Gomez. Welborn was always in charge and Gomez was not helped by a cut over his left eye in the third but he did enough to share a round. Referee’s score 60-55 for Welborn. He has lost important fights to Liam Smith for the British title and Matthew Macklin for the WBC International title but in March lifted the WBC International Silver title with a victory over unbeaten Marcus Morrison. Plymouth-based Gomez has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

Doncaster, England: Light: Maxi Hughes (18-3-2) W TKO 4 Cassius Connor (17-10-2). Light: Andy Townend (20-4) W TKO 5 Peter Cope (15-5). Light: Lee Appleyard (12-3) W PTS 6 Zoltan Szabo (18-9). Super Welter: Curtis Woodhouse (24-7) W PTS 6 Lewis van Poetsch (7-56-1).

Hughes vs. Connor

Hughes tries out a move up to lightweight and gets stoppage win. Southpaw Hughes floored Connor in the second and the fourth round and Connor’s corner threw in the towel half way through the fourth to save him from more punishment. Hughes has suffered two defeats in title fights at super feather both against unbeaten Martin Joseph Ward and now has to decide whether to move up to lightweight where fought early in his career or go back to super feather. Connor had won his last six fights so was a very live opponent.

Townend vs. Cope

Townend lives up to his “KO Kid” nickname as he halts tough Cope. Townend had Cope over in the first but it was more a case of Cope being bundled over than a knockdown and the round was close. Southpaw Cope used some good boxing in the second but a right put him down in the third. Townend tried to get it over in the fourth but again Cope boxed well. In the fifth a right to the head put Cope down.  Cope beat the count but was put down twice more and although he made it to his feet the referee stopped the fight. Townend has lost only one of his last 14 fights and that was a stoppage by Martin Joseph Ward in September last year. This is his fourth win since then and he has 14 wins by KO/TKO. He halted Jon Kays in two rounds in May in a fight that was for the vacant Commonwealth super feather title but failed to make the weight so could not win the title. Cope had won 4 of his last 5 fights with the loss being a close decision against unbeaten Paul Hyland in March.

Appleyard vs. Szabo

Appleyard gets win but finds it difficult to nail down the awkward Szabo. Appleyard was frustrated by the tactics of the Hungarian and was too often overreaching and being countered. He stuck to the job and worked hard and just deserved the close decision. Referee’s score 58-57 for English champion Appleyard. He lost a decision to Sean Dean for the Commonwealth title in April but had come back with a stoppage of unbeaten Steve Brogan. Szabo again showed how difficult he can be but is now 2-5 in fights in the UK.

Woodhouse vs. van Poetsch

Former British champion Woodhouse gets the second win since his return to the ring. van Poetsch is a good survivor and gave Woodhouse six useful rounds of work although losing every round. Referee’s score 60-54 for Woodhouse. Woodhouse has retired twice. The first time was a shock as he did it immediately after winning the British title. He rescinded that and then lost to Willie Limond for the his British and Limond’s Commonwealth title and retired again. He was out for over four years before returning with a win in September and faces former Commonwealth champion John Wayne Hibbert in February. van Poetsch has had 13 fights in the past 5 months and has two more scheduled for next month.

 

Uncasville, CT, USA: Cruiser: Constantin Bejenaru (13-0) W PTS 10 Thabiso Mchunu (18-4). Super Light: Danny O’Connor (29-3) W TKO 3 Daniel Gonzalez (14-1-1).

Bejenaru vs. Mchunu

Bejenaru gets an important win as he decisions Mchunu. The New York-based Moldovan won clearly but it was too much of a tactical battle to raise much excitement. Both fighters are southpaw and neither was comfortable against a fellow southpaw. Bejenaru was busier and more accurate and sealed his win when he floored Mchunu in the seventh. Mchunu recovered but never really threaten after that as Bejenaru eased to the decision. Scores 97-92 twice and 98-91 for Bejenaru. He was defending both the WBC International and WBC Continental Americas titles. Now 33 whilst fighting for Romania Bejenaru was national champion five times, won silver and bronze medals at the European Union Championships, competed at three World Championships and won gold at the World Combat Games so his 13 pro fights are just the tip of the iceberg where his experience is concerned. As a pro he has good wins over Alex Zubov and Stivens Bujaj and is No 15 with the WBC. Mchunu, 29, was highly rated after wins over Olan Durodola and Eddie Chambers but has lost big fights to Ilunga Makabu and to Olek Usyk for the WBO title. He had rebounded with a win in June over Johnny Muller for the ABU and South African titles.

O’Connor vs. Gonzalez

O’Connor and Gonzalez stage a short war with the power of ‘O’Connor’s artillery the deciding factor. Both were willing to enter into give-and-take exchanges from the start. O’Connor had the better of those exchanges in the first but Gonzalez raked O’Connor with punches in the second and opened a cut over the left eye of O’Connor.  In the third Gonzalez came out intending to keep up the pressure but before he could do that a left from O’Connor found Gonzalez’s chin and he went down heavily. He made it to his feet but was in no fit state to continue and the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old O’Connor wins the vacant WBC International Silver title. Third win for O’Connor since suffering a hideous 41 second kayo loss against Gabriel Bracero in October 2015. He was then out for 10 months but had struggled since his return just scarping wins over much less experienced opposition so he needed a win like this. Gonzalez certainly gave it a try in his first ten round fight but O’Connor just found the perfect punch.

 

November 27

 

Moscow, Russia: Heavy: Sergey Kuzmin (11-0-1) TEC DRAW 3 Amir Mansour (23-2-2). Super Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (27-1) W KO 1 Carlos Portillo (21-1).

Kuzmin vs. Mansour

Disappointing end to a fight that looked as if it might answer a few questions about unbeaten Kuzmin. Mansouri boxed cleverly in the first. He was using the full ring perimeter with Kuzmin too slow to cut him off and with Mansouri shooting out southpaw jabs and long lefts. Kuzmin did better in the second trapping Mansour in a corner and unloading four heavy punches. Once Mansouri got out of there he was on the move again with Kuzmin not quick enough to cut off the ring and with Mansour again getting through with some quick jabs and lefts to the body. Kuzmin landed a couple of rights at the start of the third. Their heads banged together but no one was cut. Later in the round as they both went to throw a punch Kuzmin’s forehead crashed against Mansouri just above his right eye. Both stepped back. Kuzmin had a big gash on his forehead with the blood running down into his right eye. Mansouri was also cut and after the doctor looked at Mansouri’s cut it was ruled he could not continue so the fight was stopped and declared a technical draw. It is a pity as it was just getting started. It would have been interesting to see whether Mansouri could have boxed his way through the twelve rounds or whether Kuzmin’s power would have been too much for the 45-year-old “Hardcore”. Russian Kuzmin, 30, was a European Championships gold medallist and beat both Robert Cammarelle and Joe Joyce in the amateurs knocking Joyce out in the fight round. This was Mansouri’s first fight since beating Travis Kauffman in March and only his second in 23 months but he looked sharp. The WBC International title remains vacant.

Troyanovsky vs. Portillo

Troyanovsky blows away Portillo in quick time. Troyanovsky towered over the Paraguayan and was forcing him back with his jab and already on target with his right cross. Protillo’s only choice was to lunge forward trying to get past the jab. Troyanovsky caught him with the jab the first couple of times Portillo lunged forward but the next time he cracked a counter right to Portillo’s chin. Portillo went face first to the floor and never looked like getting up as the ten was counted. The 37-year-old former IBF champion moves to 24 wins by KO/TKO with his second win this year having stopped useful Michele Di Riocco in July. He is trying to put that one punch 40 seconds knockout he suffered against Julius Indongo in December behind him. Most of Portillo’s opposition has been of inferior standard but his third round kayo of Czar Amonsot last month was an outstanding result and perhaps flattered him.

 

Fight of the week:  Mark Magsayo vs. Shots Hayashi with honourable mention to Wanheng vs. Tatsuya Fukuhara

Fighter of the week: Sergey Kovalev as he shows “The Krusher” is back

Punch of the week: .The right from Eduard Troyanovsky that put unbeaten Carlos Portillo face down on the canvas.

 Upset of the week: None it went the way of the favourites this week

One to watch:  No one stood out but Panamanian-based Cuban Pablo Vicente has an outside chance of making his mark