The Past Week in Action 28 October 2014

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

                       The Past Week in Action 28 October 2014

October 22

 

Tokyo, Japan: Bantam: Shinsuke Yamanaka (22-0-2) W PTS 12 Suriyan (37-6-1). Light: Takahiro Ao (27-3-1) W PTS 10 Juan C Salgado (26-4-1,1ND).

Yamanaka vs. Suriyan

Yamanaka retains his WBC title with decision over Thai Suriyan. The challenger made the better start over the first three rounds crowding Yamanaka with his head first aggressive style. Yamanaka began to find the range for his southpaw left in the fourth to stop Suriyan building a lead but at the end of that fourth round Suriyan was 39-37 ahead on one card with the other two having it all square at 38-38 each. As the rounds progressed although Suriyan kept charging forward Yamanaka was now countering with greater accuracy and power and a combination in the seventh put Suriyan down heavily. That punch might have been enough to end the fight but we never found out. Stupidly Yamanaka failed to go to a neutral corner and the referee did not pick up the count until Yamanaka obeyed his instruction. The extra seconds gave Suriyan time to recover and make it back to his feet. Yamanaka put Suriyan down again in the eighth and the ninth and in the same round the Thai lost a point for wrestling Yamanaka to the floor. Despite the three knockdowns Yamanaka was unable to quench the fighting spirit of the challenger who fought hard to be there at the final bell. Scores 116-108, 115-109 and 114-110. The 32-year-old Japanese southpaw was making the seventh defence of his WBC title. Suriyan, 25, a former WBC super fly champion, lost his title to Yota Sato in March 2012 and had been a busy boy with 17 wins since then.

Ao vs. Salgado

Ao wins to keep alive his hopes for another world title fight. The 30-year-old southpaw, a former WBC super feather champion used his swarming aggression to build a lead and came close to putting Mexican Salgado away in the last round. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 97-94. Fourth win for Ao since losing his WBC to Gamaliel Diaz in a huge upset in 2012. He is rated WBC4/WBA 5/WBO 6 and IBF 7(6). Salgado, 29, a former WBA and IBF super feather champion has now lost his last three fights.

 

October 24

 

 

Moscow, Russia: Heavy: Alex Povetkin (28-1) W KO 10 Carlos Takam (30-2-1). Cruiser: Rakhim Chakhkiev (20-1) W KO 4 Giacobbe Fragomeni (32-5-2). Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (19-0) W TKO 5 Jose Alfaro (27-9-1). Middle: Arif Magomedov (13-0) W PTS 10 Mike Zerafa (15-1). Heavy: Manuel Charr (27-2) W RTD 5 Mike Grant (48-6). Light Heavy: Sergey Ekimov (12-0) W TKO 5 Miguel Velozo (17-3-2).

Povetkin vs. Takam

Povetkin wins the WBC Silver title with dramatic kayo of Takam. Both fighters started cautiously with Povetkin coming forward behind a high guard and walking Takam down with Takam leaping in with counters. Takam started the brighter in the second but as Povetkin let his punches go he was sharper and more accurate. Povetkin was making the centre of the ring his own with Takam circling around him. In the third the Russian was constantly trying to draw the jab and leap in with quick punches with Takam trying to lure Povetkin onto counters from his powerful right so there was a lot of posing and feinting as each sought to counter. The fourth saw Takam deciding to force Povetkin onto the back foot. He had some early success scoring with left hooks to the body but with Takam coming forward Povetkin was finding gaps and was scoring with good hooks and uppercuts up close. Under the open scoring Takam’s better start saw him up 39-37 on two cards with Povetkin 39-37 up on the third. In the fifth for the first time in the fight they stood toe-to-toe and traded. Povetkin was getting the better of these exchanges and scored with a series of hooks and uppercuts to win the round clearly. Povetkin also took the sixth as he was quicker and more accurate getting through with his jab and long rights and was bossing the fight on the inside. They clashed heads at the start of the seventh but luckily no one was cut. Takam then landed a right to the head which momentarily had Povetkin’s legs looking unsteady and the Cameroon fighter was the one coming forward and Povetkin being forced back. However once again Povetkin was sharper and more accurate and took the round. The eighth was the best rounds so far with Takam ploughing forward forcing Povetkin back and scoring well with hooks and a left uppercut that jolted Povetkin’s head. Povetkin was looking tired but he battled back at the end of the round. Scoring at that point saw all three judges having it even at 76-76. Takam was coming forward again at the start of the ninth but in the last 30 seconds of the round Povetkin twice shook Takam with rights to the chin. He followed that up with a series of head shots and another right to the head sent Takam sliding into a neutral corner with his upper torso between the ropes and outside the ring. He straightened quickly and the bell went as the eight count was completed. Takam came forward in the tenth only to get nailed with a hard right and a tremendous left hook which put him flat out spread-eagled on the canvas and the referee immediately waived the fight off. The 35-year-old Russian makes it 20 wins by KO/TKO. For me the WBC No 3 is second only to Wlad Klitschko of today’s heavyweights. In May he kayoed Manuel Charr in seven rounds for the WBC International title. The 33-year-old French-based Cameroon fighter had stopped Mike Grant, been unlucky to only get a draw with Mike Perez and beaten Tony Thompson. He was WBC No 5 going into the fight and was competitive for eight rounds in this one until Povetkin’s power did for him.

Chakhkiev vs. Fragomeni

Chakhkiev wins vacant EBU title with kayo of over the hill Fragomeni. In the first round Fragomeni was just plodding forward trying to get close to Chakhkiev who was content to retreat using a pit-pat jab and some light flurries to control the action. Fragomeni was ponderous and not letting his hands go at all. It was more of the same in the second with Fragomeni coming forward behind a high guard and Chakhkiev alternating between light prodding punches and quick combinations of harder punches but never sustaining his attacks. Fragomeni was just walking into punishment in the third with Chakhkiev teeing off with quick flurries and then either backing off or pushing Fragomeni back to give himself punching room for another series of shots to head and body. In the mid point of the round Chakhkiev landed a good left and then a bunch of quick light punches which saw Fragomeni tumble forward onto the canvas and then up to his haunches, He was up at eight and marched forward again with Chakhkiev not following up his advantage. One minute into the fourth round as Fragomeni again lumbered forward Chakhkiev landed a right to the side of Fragomeni’s head. He went down on his knees and showed no interest in getting up as the count was completed. Too easy for the German-based Russian southpaw. He wins the vacant EBU title and makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO and 4 wins since losing to Krzys Wlodarczyk for the WBC title in June 2013. He also holds the WBC Silver title and is that organisation’s No 1, so in line for another shot at the WBC title. Fragomeni is 45 and fought like it. He was slow and totally outclassed and should retire.

Troyanovsky vs. Alfaro

Troyanovsky has little trouble with Alfaro before finishing the fight in the fifth. Over the first two rounds Troyanovsky made use of his physical advantages to spear Alfaro with his jab and mix in a few right crosses and left hooks to the body with very little coming back from Alfaro. Troyanovsky was getting through with hard punches to head and body although he looked uncomfortable when Alfaro managed to pressure him onto the back foot. Troyanovsky was able to get though again and again with hard combinations in the third and near the end of the round he landed a right cross. In a delayed action Alfaro staggered back and then went down on  his knees badly hurt. He made it to his feet and with only ten seconds to go in the round survived, Troyanovsky hurt Alfaro with a body punch early in the fourth and then was able to pot shot Alfaro for the rest of the round. The Nicaraguan did manage to land a hard right cross but by the end of the round was staggering from a series of head punches from Troyanovsky. Alfaro tried to get inside in the fifth and as he walked in was nailed by a thunderous right cross which put him down on his back and he was out. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for “The Eagle” as he wins the vacant WBA International title. He had a huge reach advantage over Alfaro which he used well. He has power but at times looks amateurish leaning back with his chin in the air. He is WBA No 5 (but EBU 13) and was close to a fight with Richar Abril  but it did not happen and at 34 he will hoping to get a shot in 2015. Former secondary WBA champion Alfaro just kept walking into punches showing a very leaky defence. This is his sixth loss by KO/TKO and he is 4-5-1 in his last 10 fights.

Magomedov vs. Zerafa

Magomedov wins the vacant WBO Youth and the Asian Pacific titles with shut-out of Australian prospect Zerafa. Magomedov is a stylish fighter with quick hands, good movement and a good technician. It was the speed that undid the young Australian. Magomedov was getting off first with his jab and scoring with quick combinations varying his attack well to head and body. Zerafa had a moment of success in the first round when he shook Magomedov with a right that made his legs dip but Magomedov fired straight back and shook Zerafa. The Australian suffered a cut over his right eye after a clash of heads in the fourth round but his corner kept it well in check. Magomedov’s speed was dominating the fight. Zerafa was not being outclassed, but he was being out boxed for round after round and never able to get on the front foot. There were plenty of exchanges in each round and the fight was fought at a fast pace with the speed of Magomedov the separating factor. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-91. The 22-year-old Russian already holds the WBA Fedelatin and Inter-Continental titles and has wins over Alex Theran and Patrick Mendy. Zerafa, the ANBF No 4, showed good skills but was just up against a better fighter on the night.

Charr vs. Grant

The first round saw Charr trying to get inside the huge reach of Grant. Charr was just walking in behind a high guard and luckily for him Grant’s jab is as much good as a chocolate fireguard. Grant was able to get body punches home around the guard of Charr but inside Charr was able to score with hooks and uppercuts with Grant often ducking into the punches and twice stumbling along the ropes to avoid the shots. Grant’s punches lacked the power to keep Char away and he was being bossed and bullied around the ring. When Charr opened up Grant would bend over to his right and receive either a rabbit punch or an uppercut-or both. In the third Grant was twice bent over on the ropes with Charr landing uppercuts whilst practically standing behind him. Grant was looking exhausted. He was caught with a left and started to stagger sideward with Charr following up punching and bundling Grant down and on to the ring apron. It was not ruled a knockdown but it took Grant a long time to get back up and the bell went before a frustrated Charr could follow-up. Again in the fourth Grant was doubled up trying to avoid punches and Charr was landing left uppercuts and even holding Grant’s head down and landing the uppercuts. Grant got a respite for that incident. Grant did a bit better at the start of the fifth as he now gave up on the jab and was just swinging body shots. However by the end of the round he was again getting hit with uppercuts as he bent over to get away from the head shots. The punishment continued in the fifth with an exhausted Grant yet again getting caught with uppercuts. Late in the round Charr scored with two long left crosses and Grant actually fired two bursts of punches to end the round-and his interest in the fight. He retired in his corner. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for the Lebanese-born 30-year-old “Diamond Boy”. He wins the vacant WBC International title. This his first fight since being kayoed by Alex Povetkin for the same title in May. There is nothing fancy about Charr. He rumbles forward behind a high guard like a relentless tank, He is heavy handed and strong but one-dimensional and therefore predictable. Grant, 42, is tall-and that’s all. He has no real power and for round after round when under pressure he always bent double and always to the right. By the fourth round Charr knew what was coming and was already moving to his right so that he could stand behind Grant throwing left uppercuts and still Grant did not change his tactics. He should retire.

Velozo vs. Ekimov

Ekimov halts Cuban in a fight of very contrasting styles. From the first Ekimov was walking down Velozo who adopted a hands down dancing approach. He was doing lots of flashy stuff but throwing very few punches. Ekimov got through with a hard right at the end of the round. In the first five seconds of the second round a right cross from Ekimov put Velozo down. He was up at three and after the mandatory eight he took the fight to Ekimov who looked much less effective going back. In the third a right sent Velozo back and down but it was ruled a slip and when Ekimov went down from a left that also was ruled a slip which typified a messy round which no one controlled. The fourth was another untidy round with a long right to the chin from Ekimov the only highlight. In the fifth a combination from Ekimov finished with a left that went low. Velozo stepped back and doubled over and the referee gave him a standing count. Velozo recovered but later in the round a body punch from Ekimov that looked legitimate had Velozo turning away in agony. Again he was given a standing count but there was some confusion over whether he would continue. Ekimov had advanced to the referee’s shoulder and the moment the referee let the fight continue Ekimov was able to reach around the ref and land a hard right. That maddened Velozo who showing more spirit than at any time in the fight drove Ekimov backwards and chased him around the ring until the bell. Velozo decided not to come out for the sixth round. The 28-year-old Russian makes it six wins by KO/TKO but this one had a very unsatisfactory end. Czech-based Cuban Velozo was more style than substance. His losses have all been to undefeated fighters and this is his first loss inside the distance.

 

Quilmes, Argentina: Light Heavy: Isidro Ranoni Prieto (21-0-3) W PTS 10 Ruben E Acosta (28-11-5). Prieto retains the WBO Latino title with unanimous decision over Acosta. The challenger made the better start working on the outside and with left hooks. Just when it seemed Acosta was going to build a big lead a right cross from Prieto put the Argentinian down and allowed Prieto to take over. He won the fifth and sixth and although Acosta fought back hard all the way the fight had swung Prieto’s way and stated like that. Scores 96-93 twice and 99-91 with the latter failing to take account of the good start and fighting finish from Acosta. Prieto, 28, an Argentinian-based Paraguayan is FAB No 1 and WBO 14. Acosta, 36, the FAB No 4 super middle and former national champion in that division lost to Robert Stieglitz for the WBO title in 2010 and is 5-6 in his last 11 fights.

 

Barranquilla, Colombia: Light: Darleys Perez (31-1) W KO 6 Jaider Parra (23-2-1). Feather: Jhonatan Romero (25-1) W TKO 4 Gustavo Sandoval (14-7-1). Straw: Alexis Diaz (16-0) W TKO 1 Luis De la Rosa (23-5-1). Light Fly: Robert Barrera (10-0) W TKO 5 Gilberto Pedroza (11-3-2). Super Bantam: Jose Sanmartin (15-1-1) W PTS 9 Franklin Manzanilla (10-3).

Perez vs. Parra

Perez retains the interim WBA title with stoppage of Venezuelan Parra. After two rounds where neither fighter dominated Perez took over from the third. He had height and reach over the Venezuelan and began to make use of those advantages keeping Parra on the outside and picking up points with straight rights. Perez pressed home his advantage in the fourth and fifth walking Parra down and scoring with hard punches from both hands with Parra not getting into the fight at all. Perez ended it in the sixth with a left hook to the body and Parra was unable to beat the count. First title defence for Perez, the WBA No 1, and win No 10 by KO/TKO. Perez lost on points against Yuriorkis Gamboa for this same title in June last year but at a second attempt beat Argenis Lopez for the interim crown in June this year. The 31-year-old Colombian was a quarter finalist at both the Olympics and the World Championships before turning pro. Parra, also 31, is the younger brother of former WBA fly champion Lorenzo Parra. He challenged for the WBA super feather title in May 2013 but was beaten in five rounds by Takashi Uchiyama and had rebounded with three wins.

Romero vs. Sandoval

Routine win for former IBF super bantam champion Romero. In his second fight since losing his title to Kiko Martinez he halts late sub Sandoval at the end of the fourth round. The 27-year-old Colombian took a year out after losing to Martinez but returned with a win in September. Fellow Colombian Sandoval has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Diaz vs De la Rosa

Venezuelan Diaz puts away former WBO title challenger inside the first round. Diaz finished the fight at the very end of the first round with a stunning left hook to the chin which put De La Rosa down and out. Second defence of his WBA Fedelatin title for the 27-year-old “Ergiuto”. He has 10 wins by KO/TKO including 7 in his last 8 fights and is rated WBA 5/WBO 10. He looks to be one to watch. Colombian De La Rosa loses inside the distance for the second time. He lost on points to Raul Garcia for the interim WBO title in 2010, his only loss in his first 23 fights, but is now 2-4 in his six fights with the other losses being to Merlito Sabillo, again for the interim WBO title, Moises Fuentes and  Zou Shiming. He is rated WBA No 15.

Barrera vs. Pedroza

Colombian Barrera wins the vacant WBA Fedelatin title with stoppage of Pedroza. The visitor took the first round but Barrera bounced back to take the second. The Colombian had the better of the third although he suffered a cut on his left eyebrow caused by a punch from the Panamanian. Barrera was on top in the fourth punishing Pedroza to head and body with the Panamanian visible wilting. He kept up the pressure in the fifth and finally the referee stepped in to save Pedroza from further punishment. Barrera, who represented Colombia at the World Youth Championships, is the younger brother of former IBF champion Miguel Barrera who retired in 2003 after surgery to remove a cerebral blood clot following his loss to Edgar Cardenas. Pedroza, 21, the WBC No 13, is 1-2-2 in his last five fights but the win was over useful Mercedes Concepcion in his last fight in July.

Sanmartin vs. Manzanilla

Sanmartin retains his WBA Fedebol title with split decision over Venezuelan Manzanilla. The Colombian “General” got the decision with two of the judges giving him then edge by  87-86 ½ and 86 ½-86 with the third judge seeing Manzanilla the winner by 86 ½-87. After losing his first pro fight Sanmartin in now 15-0-1 in his last 16. Manzanilla had won 5 of his last 6 going in.

 

Saint-Nazaire, France: Bantam: Nordine Oubaali (2-0) W KO 1 Norredine Dahou (3-16-1). Oubaali finds his punch in his second pro fight and kayos Dahou. The 28-year-old southpaw is a hot prospect for the lower divisions. His amateur qualifications include 5 French titles, a World Championship bronze medal and Olympic quarter final with two wins over Paddy Barnes and victories over Amnat Ruenroeng and Rau’Shee Warren. First loss by KO/TKO for the normally durable loser Dahou who now has 15 losses and one draw in his last 16 fights.

 

L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain: Feather: Ruddy Encarnacion (31-23-4) W PTS 12 Julio Giner (14-1-1). Middle: Ruben Diaz (18-1-2) W PTS 10 Guzman Castillo (10-5). Light Middle: Javier Garcia R. (15-2-1) W KO 2 Robison Omsarashvili (15-8-3). Feather: Sergio Blanco (20-1-1) W TKO 1 David Kvaratskhelia (3-13). Light Welter: Sandor Martin (20-1) W PTS 6 Miguel Aguilar (10-11).

Encarnacion vs. Giner

Veteran Encarnacion goes into the lion’s den and comes away with his EU title intact. Encarnacion made a great start slamming Giner with a right in the first round with the home town fighter so badly shaken that the referee applied the standing eight count. It was the fourth before Giner got into the fight and from then many rounds were close. He was gradually eating into Encarnacion’s lead and putting the champion under pressure, but Encarnacion used his vast experience to stay ahead despite being deducted a point in the tenth for holding. He was just edging the close rounds and clearly did enough to warrant the decision. Scores 114-112 twice and 116-110 with the first two a fair reflection of how close the fight was but the last harsh on Giner. The 35-year-old Dominican-born “El Lobo Negro” was making the first defence of his EU title and is on a unbeaten run of 9 fights. The two clashed in Barcelona in May and it ended in a draw so Encarnacion deserves praise for going back into Giner’s patch for the return with the unbeaten Catalonian, but that’s what he has done throughout his career which has seen him fight in 13 different countries and rarely getting the breaks. Giner, 31, was rated EBU No 6 and was the favourite for this one but just came up short.

Diaz vs. Castillo

Diaz regains the Spanish title as he easily outpoint Guzman for the vacant crown. “The Destroyer” came to do just that. After Castillo edged the first three rounds Diaz was the one pressing the action coming forward throwing and landing the punches and winning the rounds. Southpaw Guzman was in over his head and was rarely in the fight after that promising start. He was showing very little aggression and very little will to win. Diaz, 34, was inactive from May 2008 until February 2012 and is now unbeaten in his last 18 fights. Guzman 29 was having his first fight for 10 months and was in his first 10 round fight.

Garcia vs. Omsarashvili

Garcia returns to action with easy win over Georgian. Omsarashvili made whirlwind start and Garcia just waited and boxed carefully until the storm subsided. He then took over and ended things with a right to the body that put the Georgian down and out of the fight. This was the first fight in ten months for the 32-year-old Catalonian, a former WBC Mundo Hispano champion. He makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO and has only one loss in his last 17 fights. Five losses by KO/TKO for Omsarashvili.

Blanco vs. Kvaratskhelia

The audience wanted to see how inactivity had affected the “Professor” but the opposition was poor and it was over too quickly to judge. A series of punches saw the Georgian given a standing count and when the count was finished so was he. All over in less than a round. In an EU featherweight title challenge Blanco, 39, fought a technical draw with Alberto Servidei (25-0-1) and then lost on points against Oleg Yefimovych for the EBU title in July 2008. He was inactive until March 2010 and this was his first fight since then so more ring time would have been useful. Kvaratskhelia has lost 12 of his last 13 fights and this was his third loss in a row by KO/TKO.

Martin vs. Aguilar

Martin gets the expected win but Aguilar goes the distance in a dull fight. Martin won clearly but found the Nicaraguan an awkward customer at times. Martin was too open for counters for his team to be satisfied with this win. The 21-year-old southpaw now has five wins since losing his unbeaten tag against useful Frenchman Alex Lepelley in December. Aguilar,27, based in Barcelona, has lost 11 of his last 12 fights whilst visiting 7 different countries

 

Bangkok, Thailand: Bantam: Pungluang (47-3) W PTS 12 Fadhili Majiha (15-5-4).

Pungluang returns to the winning column but given a tough test by Tanzanian Majiha. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-113. First fight for the former WBO super bantam champion since losing to Tomoki Kameda for the WBO bantam title in April. He wins the interim WBO Asia Pacific title. The 21-year-old Majiha gave a very good performance and made the former champion fight harder than expected for his win.

 

Wolverhampton, England: Welter: Frankie Gavin (20-1) W TKO 2 Mate Hornyak (12-4-1). Light Welter: Luke Paddock (8-0) W PTS 10 Simas Volosinas (5-21).

Gavin vs. Hornyak

Gavin returns with a win. After studying the Hungarian for a round Gavin cut loose in the second. Late in the round a southpaw right hook to the body put Hornyak down. He only just made it to his feet but was taking further punishment when the referee stopped the fight. Not much of a warm-up for the 29-year-old British and CBC champion as he prepares for an important title defence against unbeaten Bradley Skeete next month. Hornyak, 19, loses inside the distance for the third time.

Paddock vs. Volosinas

Young local Paddock clearly outpoints British-based Lithuanian. He boxed carefully against Volosinas as despite his poor record the Lithuanian had knocked out unbeaten Paul Holt just one month before. The local “Cool Hand” had too much skill and speed but took no chances and boxed his way to a comfortable victory. Referee’s score 100-91. Paddock, 21, wins the vacant International Masters Silver title in his first ten round fight, but with only one win by KO/TKO shows a lack of punch power. Volosinas, 23, has lost 13 of his last 14 fights but he was a substitute for a substitute and did his job in this one.

 

San Diego, CA, USA: Cruiser: Dmytro Kucher (22-1) W RTD 4 Galen Brown (42-29-1). Light Welter: Emmanuel Robles (12-0-1) W PTS 6 Carlos Valenzuela (6-2).

Kucher vs. Brown

Kucher returns with a win. He dominates this one from the start scoring with heavy punches. He staggered Brown with a right in the first and landed more heavy shots in the second and third. A body punch put Brown on his knees in the fourth and he did not come out for the fifth. First fight for the 30-year-old Ukrainian since losing his biggest fight on a majority decision to Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC Silver title in July last year. He has 16 wins by KO/TKO. “Bad Boy” Brown, 33, has lost 7 of his last 8 fights.

Robles vs. Valenzuela

“Renegade” Robles extends his unbeaten run to 13 fights with unanimous decision over Valenzuela. Southpaw Robles is not a noted puncher but he shook Valenzuela in the first round and floored him in the second. He could not put the Mexican away but won every round. Scores 60-53 twice and 59-54. Robles needs to build on his big win over Cuban Yordenis Ugas in February but marked-time with this one. Second loss in a row for Valenzuela.

 

Ontario, CA, USA: Light Welter: Giovanni Santillan (15-0) W PTS 8 Luis Solis (15-5-4). Bantam: Isaac Zarate (9-1-1) W PTS 8 Fernando Samaniego (6-1-1).

Santillan vs. Solis

Southpaw Santillan remains unbeaten with points win over Solis. Santillan used his superior skills to keep the heavier punching Solis out. He was able to pierce the young Mexican’s guard with his jab and used hard rights to halt his attacks. Solis kept pressing and did well in the middle rounds but knew he needed a big punch to turn the fight his way but never found it. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. The 22-year-old “Gallo de Oro” retains his NABF Junior title in his first defence. Solis, also 22, was coming off losses to good opposition in Jose Roman (16-1-1) and experienced Miguel A Huerta.

 

.

Zarate vs. Samaniego

This was almost a carbon copy of the other fight with southpaw Zarate boxing his way to victory despite a big effort from the less-skilled Samaniego in the middle rounds and Samaniego never gave up trying to get inside to change the fight. Scores 79-73 from all three judges which seemed the right decision but a bit harsh on Samaniego. The 23-year-old Zarate wins the vacant NABF Junior title but with only one win by KO/TKO may struggle against better opposition. After winning his first 6 fights it is now a draw and a defeat in his last two for Samaniego.

 

Kissimmee, FL, USA: Bantam: Ricardo Rodriguez (10-2) W PTS 10 Edwin Rodriguez (7-1). Minor upset as Mexican Ricardo R. gets unanimous decision over Puerto Rican Edwin R. Ricardo was quicker out of the blocks and established an early lead. Edwin was never in the race after that as the Mexican continued to control the pace. It was the first time Edwin was in a fight scheduled for more than six rounds which may have caused his slow start as he tried to pace himself but he let Ricardo build a big lead and ended up a clear loser. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93. Ricardo wins the vacant WBC Fecarbox  title. He was coming off a loss on points over ten rounds against David Carmona where he ran the favoured fighter close. He had won 7 on the bounce before that and this win will get him plenty of work. Edwin, a former good class amateur, can come again. This was upped to ten rounds when the main event fell out.

 

Fort Washington, MD, USA: Tony Ferrante (13-6,1ND) W KO 2 Cruiser: Venroy July (16-2-3). Ferrante gets needed win to stop his slide. July edged the first but that was as good as it got for him. Ferrante came out firing in the second and a thunderous right put July down and out with no chance of beating the count. The 30-year-old Philadelphian had suffered 4 losses and been in a No Decision bout in his last five fights but resurrected himself here. Maryland-based Jamaican July was 3-0-1 in his last four but now has a second loss by KO/TKO on his record.

 

Somerset, NJ, USA: Middle: Antoine Douglas (15-0-1) W TKO 6 Jose Medina (18-16-1). Feather: Jorge Diaz (18-3-1) DREW 6 Jose Haro (8-1-1).

Douglas vs. Medina

“Action” Douglas walks down and wears down experienced Medina with the referee stopping the one-sided beating early in the sixth. The 22-year-old Douglas, a former US Olympic Trialist and NGG bronze medal winner, was coming off a tough draw against the useful French fighter Michele Soro (23-1) in July. “Stinger” Medina has lost 7 of his last 8 fights but the 31-year-old Mexican has shown in the past with wins over Isaac Rodriguez (17-1) and Chris Fernandez, a draw with Joachim Alcine and a majority decision loss to Bronco McKart that he can be a handful on his night.

Diaz vs. Haro

This clash of former amateur foes ended all even with the scores at 58-56 for Diaz and 58-56 for Haro with the third judge scoring it 57-57. “King” Diaz, 27, trying to get back on track after consecutive losses to Yenifel Vicente and Luis Rosa but does not get the win he needed. Haro, 27, was coming back from his first loss to Toka Kahn Clary in June. Diaz had beaten Haro in the NGG finals when they were both amateurs.

 

October 25

 

Monte Carlo, Monaco: Straw: Hekkie Budler (27-1) W PTS 12 Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-6-1). Bantam: Randy Caballero (22-0) W PTS 12 Stuart Hall (16-4-2). Middle: Martin Murray (29-1-1) W TEC DEC 7 Domenico Spada (39-6). Light Heavy: Eleider Alvarez (16-0) W TKO 7 Ryno Liebenberg (16-1). Middle: Sergey Khomitsky (29-11-3) DREW 8 Nick Blackwell (15-3-1).

Budler vs. Zhong

Budler holds on to his WBA and IBO titles after an early scare. In the first round Budler made good use of his height and reach advantages over the little Chinese fighter. The second saw drama as a cracking left hook from Zhong put Budler down for the first time in his career. When he got up he was distinctly shaky and looked in deep trouble. However he boxed his way with difficulty to the end of the round despite Zhong’s wild attempts to put him away. The South African paid Zhong back in the third flooring the challenger with a right but found the smaller man a hard target to nail down. Budler’s superior skills allowed him to start picking up rounds but Zhong proved an unorthodox and difficult opponent often dangerous with his wild swings. Both fighters picked up cuts and although things remained close the cleaner and more accurate punching was coming from the much quicker Budler. He had built a winning lead by the end of the ninth but Zhong had a good tenth and pressed Budler hard to the final bell. Scores 114-112 twice and 118-108 with the last score way out. Despite the knockdown the 26-year-old Budler showed again that he is probably the best strawweight around and looks capable of unifying the title if he gets the chance. The diminutive Zhong, 32, the former WBC champion is a strong, determined and unpredictable opponent and gave Budler a tough fight.

Hall vs. Caballero

Caballero deservedly gets unanimous decision over Hall to win the vacant IBF title but is made to fight hard all the way. Former champion Hall had height and reach over Caballero, but boxing is not his style. The Englishman wanted to stand toe–to-toe and trade with Caballero and that’s how it was for much of the fight. Hall got a surprise in the second when a stiff jab from Caballero put him down but he was not badly hurt and went straight back into the fray. Hall was giving as good as he was getting in these inside exchanges and his strength seemed to surprise Caballero. The fight turned in Caballero’s favour when he decided to live up to his “El Matador” nickname and box more and use his superior movement and hand speed instead of trading. Even then Hall was constantly bringing Caballero back inside and the work rate of both fighters was high. A couple of Caballero’s punches had strayed low and he was warned, but Hall was the worst culprit landing a very low punch in the fifth with Caballero being given time to recover. Caballero continued picking up the rounds with his quick two-handed combinations but as he had never been twelve rounds before Hall’s best chance was that the Californian would tire. Hall scored heavily in the tenth and eleventh but in each case Caballero fought back with combinations of his own to at least share the rounds and they both put everything into a hectic all-action last round. The scores of 116-111 twice and 118-110 made Caraballo deservedly the new champion but did not wholly reflect the battling performance from Hall or the intensity and closeness of many of the rounds. The 24-year-old Caballero is Californian-born but of Nicaraguan parentage and chose to have the Nicaraguan anthem sung (we were also treated to the worse rendition of the British national anthem I can remember-fingernails scraping down the blackboard comes to mind). Only 24 Caballero showed both power and strength in mixing it with Hall and also a good fighting brain in the way he amended his tactics when he realised just how strong Hall was on the inside. He also claimed to have injured his hand in the third round but that did not show during the fight. He looks to have a great future. Former champion Hall came in on the back of two disappointing performances, a technical draw with Martin Ward in a title defence and then losing his IBF title to fellow-Brit Paul Butler on a split decision in June.  He fought his heart out in this one but still has some good domestic/European fights if he wants them.

Murray vs. Spada

Murray wins ugly fight and lands shot at Gennady Golovkin. Murray came to box and Spada came to maul, brawl and wrestle. Murray was probing with his jab in the first and Spada was swinging wide punches without really landing anything. It was very much the same in the second with Murray also letting his right go now and doing what clean work there was whilst Spada rushed in head down trying to take Murray to the ropes and land hooks from both hands, but mostly failing to do so. In the third Spada’s bull like rushes eventually lead to an inevitable clash of heads in which the Italian suffered a cut over his right eye. That’s where the stupid WBC rule came into play where an “accidental” clash of heads sees the man who is not cut deducted a point. The referee asked the doctor to have a look at Spada’s cut but the fight continued. Murray was forcing the fight with Spada only launching his leaping attacks without really connecting. Spada is tough and strong but he has no jab-or at least never uses one-so Murray was the one picking up the points. The referee again had the doctor look at Spada’s cut at the end of the sixth but again the Italian was given clearance to fight on. As long as Murray stayed off the ropes he was picking up the points and even when he had Murray on the ropes Spada was too close to get any leverage on his punches and for me when the doctor finally said Spada’s cut was too bad for him to continue Murray had won every round with only the point deduction ruining a perfect score. When it went to the cards the judges did not quiet see it that way but had Murray the unanimous decision on scores of 68-63, 69-67, and 67-66. Murray retains the WBC Silver title and more importantly for the St Helen’s fighter gets a fight with Golovkin in Monte Carlo on February 12. Golovkin was at ringside and from the speed with which the Golovkin fight was announced it had already been agreed that Murray would get the fight if he won. It will be the 32-year-old Brit’s third title shot. He had no luck in the other two being robbed against Felix Sturm when the German retained his WBA title with a split draw and also when he floored Sergio Martinez in a challenge for the WBC title only to lose a disputed decision. Murray will start the outsider, but he did that in both the Sturm and Martinez fights. Spada, 34, a former WBC Silver champion was kayoed by Marco A Rubio for the interim WBC title in April. His crude strength is his best weapon but has not proved enough in the big fights.

Alvarez vs. Liebenberg

The Alvarez fight was a high risk choice of opponent for Liebenberg and one that did not come off. The Colombian had the more fluid style and was quick-handed with Liebenberg more upright and relying on a strong jab. The first round was fairly even but late in the second round Alvarez started to land with sharp uppercuts inside to take that round. He also looked sharper in the third opening a cut by the side of the South African’s nose but Liebenberg was constantly coming forward and did some good work to the body. Liebenberg opened the fourth going to the body again but when Alvarez kept off the ropes he was winning the battle of the jabs with fast accurate counters as Liebenberg came forward and he jerked the South Africa’s head back with a peach of an uppercut. A clash of heads had Liebenberg going backwards and Alvarez finished the round strongly with a flurry of fast combinations. Liebenberg started the fifth well coming in behind his jab and scoring well to head and body but again Alvarez was getting home some hard counters with the uppercut again prominent and Liebenberg was cut over his left eye from what looked to be a clash of heads. No action was taken over that and early in the sixth Liebenberg was warned for coming in with his head down. Later in the round a clash of heads saw the Colombian cut by his right eye. The referee had the doctor examine the cut and then deducted a point from Liebenberg due to the silly WBC rule and it was ironic as he was holding Liebenberg’s arm and indication the point deduction blood was running down Liebenberg face from the cut over his right eye. Liebenberg was warned again over his headwork in the round and as he was moving forward a tremendous right uppercut nailed him on the chin and in a delayed action he staggered forward and then collapsed onto his knees. He was up at six but was clearly hurt and his face was bruised and smeared with blood from his cuts. The South African chose to stay on the ropes and cover up whilst Alvarez unloaded and he survived the round. He bravely tried to take the fight to Alvarez in the seventh but hard counters from the Colombian worsened Liebenberg’s facial damage and after a doctor’s inspection the fight was stopped. The 30-year-old Canadian-based Colombian makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO and wins the WBC Silver title. He has good movement, fast hands and real power and will be ready to challenge for a world title in 2015. Liebenberg just faced a better fighter on the night. The South African has a strong jab and good technique and he can come again once the wounds heal.

Khomitsky vs. Blackwell

Blackwell looks to have done just enough to deserve the decision but it was very close and the judges came up with a majority draw. The veteran Khomitsky edged the first two rounds on the basis of his higher work rate with Blackwell scoring with the harder punches but not letting his punches flow enough. The third was an even round and Blackwell started to dominate with his jab in the fourth and was also landing good body punches but Khomitsky was not backing down and there were good exchanges in the round. Blackwell seemed to have done enough to deserve the decision shaking Khomitsky a couple of occasions late on in the fight. Scores 57-57 twice and 58-56 to Blackwell. An excellent learning fight for the 23-year-old Brit as he tries to get a seat at the table of a British division with plenty of talent. Khomitsky proved again that he is a test for any young boxer. He had gone eight rounds with Murray with one judge seeing it close at 77-75 and had stopped previously unbeaten Frank Buglioni in April but was coming off a stoppage loss against former WBO champion Robert Stieglitz in July.

 

Budva, Montenegro: Light: Dejan Zlaticanin (20-0) W PTS 10 Alex Bone (10-18). Super Middle: Nikola Sjekloca (28-2) W PTS 8 Jorge R Olivera (25-10).

Zlaticanin vs. Bone

Zlaticanin gets comfortable points victory in his first fight since upsetting Ricky Burns in June. The diminutive Montenegrin southpaw had Bone on the floor in the fourth and eighth rounds but could not keep him there and had to settle for a points win. Scores 100-91 twice and 99-91. The 30-year-old is rated WBC 7 and WBO 9. Ecuadorian Bone has just one win in his last 8 fights but was coming off a useful draw against Frenchman Karim Chakim two weeks earlier.

Sjekloca vs. Olivera

Fighting in his hometown Sjekloca wins every round against Uruguayan Olivera. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Only two losses for the 36-year-old Sjekloca but they were the important ones against Sakio Bika in a WBC title eliminator and Arthur Abraham for the WBO title. Olivera now 3-7 in his last 10 fights.

 

Liverpool, England: Fly: Kevin Satchell (13-0) W PTS 12 Valery Yanchy (23-4-2). Light Middle: Liam Smith (18-0-1) W TKO 3 Zoltan Sera (16-3). Super Fly: Paul Butler (17-0) W PTS 10 Ismael Garnica (13-5-1,1ND). Light: Derry Mathews (36-9-2 W PTS 12 Adam Dingsdale (11-2-1). Light Welter: Jack Catterall (10-0) W TKO 8 Tom Stalker (9-1). Light Middle: Liam Williams (11-0-1) W KO 2 Stephan Horvath (12-5). Super Bantam: James Dickens (18-1) W TKO 2 George Gachechiladze (15-15-1). Middle: Chris Eubank Jr (18-0) W TKO 2 Omar Siala (23-18-3).

Satchell vs. Yanchy

Satchell wins the European title with majority decision over champion Yanchy. The local fighter took the first two rounds on the basis of his higher work rate and quick combinations but despite suffering a cut by his left eye in a clash of heads Yanchy came back to edge the third and it was already obvious that this was going to be a long, close fight. At the end of four rounds Satchell was ahead 39-37 on two cards with the third somehow having it 40-36 for Yanchy. Yanchy had the best of the fifth but Satchell came on strong in the sixth and seventh rounds with despite southpaw Yanchy catching the challenger with a hard shot in the eighth. At that point was still in front on two cards by 78-74 and 77-75 and had pulled up equal on the third. The ninth tenth and eleventh went to Satchell but Yanchy made a big effort in the eleventh without quite doing enough to win it. Despite his handicap of 11 years Yanchy finished strongly to make the last round but overall Satchell’s victory could not be disputed. Scores 117-112, 116-112 and 114-114. Satchell adds the European title to a collection that already includes both the British and CBC titles and with Yanchy having been the IBF No 12 (11) he will be hoping to now figure in the world ratings with more big fights next year. Yanchy fought hard to try to retain his title but the skills and speed of an opponent 11 years younger just proved too much.

Smith vs. Sera

Smith hits too hard for Hungarian but picks up a nasty cut. Smith dominated the first and was doing the same in the second when a clash of heads opened a bad cut over his right eye. The local fighter did not let that deflect him and floored Sera with a body punch in the third. Sera made it to his feet but was being punished by hard shots from Smith when the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old “Beefy” wins the vacant WBA Continental title and makes it 13 wins in a row. Sera, 29, won’t want to see Liverpool again anytime soon as he was halted by Joe Selkirk in the Mersey city last year.

Butler vs. Garnica

Another classy boxing display from Butler as he easy brushes aside the young Mexican. Butler produced his full armoury totally dominating the Mexican with his fast, accurate jabs and scoring well to the body. Garnica tried hard but was never in the fight being outboxed and outscored in every round. Butler was consistently scoring with his left hooks and staggered Garnica in the fourth. He was also switch-hitting and when Garnica did go on the attack Butler showed brilliant defensive moves to frustrate Garnica’s efforts. Over the late rounds it looked as though Garnica might crumble under the incessant rain of punches but he held out to hear the final bell. Referee’s score 100-91 for Butler. The “Baby Faced Assassin” , a former undefeated IBF bantam champion, had hoped to be fighting Zolani Tete for the IBF super fly title but an injury to Tete scuppered that and it was Garnica instead. The talented 23-year-old is rated WBC 8/IBF 11(10) and is hoping to get that title fight early next year. Garnica, 23, did his job but was way out of his class here.

Mathews vs. Dingsdale

Mathews outclasses Dingsdale who shows courage in surviving a disastrous second round. Mathews was quicker and more accurate in the first round and landed a warning right late in the opener. He gave Dingsdale more than just a warning in the second as he floored Dingsdale with a left hook. Dingsdale got up but was badly shaken and put down again by a series of punches. The fight could have been stopped but he made it to the bell. The anticipated quick finish did not happen as the younger fighter showed resolve and good movement and stayed in the fight. Dingsdale had a good spell in the middle rounds although Matthews was still wining the rounds but finding Dingsdale a difficult target as the youngster was boxing defensively on the back foot. Mathews finished strongly shaking Dingsdale with a hard shot but not again finding the punches he had produced in the second round. Scores 120-106, 119-107 and 118-108. Mathews, 31, a former CBC and now British champion wins the vacant WBA Continental title. He scored a dramatic win over Tommy Coyle in 2013 and keeps resurrecting his career bouncing back from losses to emerge stronger. He is hoping to land a world title shot before hanging up his gloves. Southern Area champion Dingsdale, 26, showed guts and some defensive skill to stay in the fight after that second round horror.

Catterall vs. Stalker

A minor upset sees Catterall wins this all-southpaw clash of unbeaten fighters. With his extensive and successful time as an amateur Stalker was the favourite. It did not work out that way.  Catterall showed a strong right jab in the first round and when he threw in a hard left to follow Stalker found himself on the floor. It was the same in the second with a left stopping Stalker in his tracks and a series of punches putting him down and he only just beat the count.  From the third Stalker managed to steady the ship and get into the fight, but Catterall’s jab was proving a problem for Britain’s former amateur team captain who was just not busy enough. Catterall seemed to be cruising to victory when a punch from Stalker opened a bad cut in the seventh to give Stalker a glimpse of hope. It proved short-lived. In the eighth a hard right from Catterall had Stalker tumbling back into the ropes on unsteady legs and the referee had seen enough and despite protests from Stalker the fight was stopped at the same moment as Stalker’s second threw in the towel. BBB of C Central Area champion Catterall, 21, wins the vacant WBO European title and probably a world ranking from that body. His win over Stalker marks him as a prospect worth watching. Stalker, 30, had struggled to impress as a pro and has a big job of rebuilding to do.

Williams vs. Horvath

Williams crushes Czech inside two rounds. The Welsh prospect was banging out his jab and landing to the body in the first and ended it in the second. A right hand sent Horvath staggering and eventually down and he failed to beat the count. Now six wins for the tall 22-year-old former British Youth champion. He was coming off a good win over fellow prospect Ronnie Heffron and is Now EU No 19. Horvath has been beaten inside the distance by Frank Buglioni and Chris Eubank Jr. in previous fights in Britain.

Dickens vs. Gachechiladze

Dickens wastes no time in brushing aside poor Georgian. The former English champion floored Gachechiladze in the first round and was giving the visitor a pasting in the second when the referee took pity on Gachechiladze and stopped the fight. The 23-year-old “Jazza” took six months out after losing inside the distance to Kid Galahad last year but is back on track with two wins since his return. Gachechiladze, 27, is 2-5 in his last 7 fights.

Eubank vs. Siala

A poor excuse for a match sees Eubank Jr continue his busy run of wins by KO/TKO. We had the usual mixture of almost comical arrogant posing and devastating punching from Eubank. When he did finally decided to stop posing and get serious a volley of punches culminating with a crushing uppercut saw the fight stopped. The 25-year-son of the former WBO super middle champion makes it ten wins in a row by KO/TKO as he prepares for his big test against world rated Billy Joe Saunders. Now 12 losses by KO/TKO for German Siala.

 

Hull, England: Light: Tommy Coyle (20-2) W TKO 2 Mike Katsidis (30-7). Light: Luke Campbell (9-0) W TKO 5 Daniel E Brizuela (26-4-2). Super Bantam: Gavin McDonnell (12-0-2) W PTS 12 Vusi Malinga (21-6-1).

Coyle vs. Katsidis

Katsidis made his usual all guns firing start coming forward throwing hooks from both hands and forcing Coyle on the defensive. The Australian kept up the pressure with Coyle not panicking, keeping a tight guard and scoring with counters as Katsidis was leaving himself open as he pursued Coyle around the ring. The danger signs were there for Katsidis with Coyle landing good uppercuts and trying his luck with right crosses at the ever advancing Aussie. A clash of heads left Katsidis with a cut on his left eyebrow at the end of the round. Katsidis was still hunting Coyle in the second but the Hull man was using his jab well and scoring with counters through the leaky defence of Katsidis. The Australian was relentless never giving Coyle a moment’s breathing space. He was chasing Coyle back into the ropes and unloading with both hands to the body when thundering a left cross from Coyle suddenly had Katsidis staggering backwards on unsteady legs and down to the canvas on his back. Katsidis was up at six but was swaying backwards and forwards and the referee rightly decided he was in no fit state to continue. Huge win for the 25-year-old local fighter who is never in a dull fight. In February he won a frantic war with Daniel Brizuela which saw both fighters down four times. He was making the second defence of his IBF International title but this win was more important than the title. There is talk of a clash next year with fellow Hull favourite Luke Campbell but if Coyle wants them with his exciting style there are plenty other big fights out there for him. Katsidis, 34, is probably at the end of the road. Even before the knockdown one or two of Coyle’s counters seemed to have him hurt. He sowed the seeds of his own defeat in this one by totally ignoring any pretence of defence looking to overwhelm Coyle with his aggression and paid the price.

Campbell vs. Brizuela

Watch out the world here comes Hull’s Luke Campbell. Brizuela represented a big step in opposition for the Olympic gold medalist but he brushed the tough Argentinian aside. From the off Campbell used his height and reach to slam jabs through Brizuela’s defence and had Brizuela rocked in the first round. It was all Campbell again in the second but the tough, experienced visitor used his experience to get inside when he could and had a better third round finally getting home with some punches himself. Campbell was breaking Brizuela down and he nearly put Brizuela down in the fourth with the end obviously not far away. In the fifth he floored Brizuela with a southpaw left. The Argentinian made it to his feet but was greeted by a volley of hard, accurate punches and the referee stopped the fight. Campbell wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title and makes it 7 wins by KO/TKO. As an amateur he not only won an Olympic Gold but was also a gold medal winner at the European Championships and a silver medallist at the World Championships. Campbell is a champion in the making. Argentinian Brizuela has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights. He lost a close decision to Daud Cino Yordan for the vacant IBO light title and in February lost on a twelfth round stoppage in a total war with Tommy Coyle mentioned above. Brizuela also competed at the Olympics. He was there in 2004, beating Mickey Bey on his way through the qualifiers, but lost to future WBC champion Vitali Tajbert at the Games.

McDonnell vs. Malinga

McDonnell gets his biggest scalp as he beats former world title contender Malinga. It was the South Afdrican who made the more confident start taking the first round against a tentative McDonnell. The Birt got into his stride over the second and third. He was not landing anything heavy but was scoring with his jab hitting and getting away before Malinga could counter. Malinga came back into it in the fourth as McDonnell’s work momentarily became a bit ragged and Malinga got through with some good punches and drew blood from McDonnell’s nose in the fifth. McDonnell was back to his classy boxing and again was able in the sixth to get through before Malinga could counter. The seventh was a bit closer but again the quicker hands of McDonnell allowed him to edge the round. The eighth was a big round for McDonnell a right hook caught Malinga flush on the jaw and the veteran turned away and then dropped to the floor. He made it to his feet and survived desperate attempts from McDonnell to finish the fight. Malinga boxed his way through the ninth and edged it as McDonnell needed to recuperate from the energy he had expended in trying for the kayo. The tenth saw McDonnell back on top but he faded a bit over the last two rounds as a tiring Malinga tried to swing the fight his way. Scores 116-111 twice and 115-112. McDonnell had relinquished his British title to chase a world rating and it worked here as Malinga was rated No 9(8) bantam by the IBF. McDonnell picked up the vacant WBO International title so a rating by them should also follow. The 28-year-old is the twin brother of the secondary WBA bantam champion Jaime, a former IBF bantam champion, so he is hoping to make it a championship family double. Southpaw Malinga, 34, a former South African and WBC International champion has had three world title shots losing to Hozumi Hasegawa, Leo Santa Cruz and Stuart Hall but this was only his second fight in 19 months which must have affected his sharpness.

 

Villa Gobernador Galvez, Argentina: Super Feather: Jonathan V. Barros (38-4-1) W PTS 10 Sergio J Escobar (26-24-3). Barros easily outpoints Escobar to win interim WBC Latino title. Barros was not on top form but did not have to be. He was able to control the fight and score regularly with his jab and body punches. Escobar never threatened at any time in the fight but deserves some credit for soaking up the punishment. Despite his dominance Barros never looked like ending it early so it became a dull one-sided fight. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 30-year-old former secondary WBA feather champion had the wheels come off his career plans when he lost 3 out of 4 fights in 2011/2012 losing his WBA title to Celestino Caballero, losing to Juan Carlos Salgado in a challenge for the IBF super feather title and being stopped by Mikey Garcia. He is FAB No 1 feather and IBF No 11(9). “Loco Lima” Escobar, 31, the current Argentinian super feather champion, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights. Weight-wise it has been one at super feather, three at lightweight and one at light welter and all for some title or other.

 

Toronto, Canada: Heavy: Dillon Carman (7-2) W KO 7 Eric Martel Bahoeli (10-5). Cruiser: Didier Bence (11-1) W PTS 8 Sylvera Louis (5-4). Light Middle: Jake Trotter (9-1-1,1ND) W TKO 1 Walid Smichet (21-8-3).

Carman vs. Bahoeli

Neither of these guys will ever give Wlad Klitschko a sleepless night but they fought their hearts out in a stirring fight for the vacant Canadian title. The war started at the first bell and after some exciting exchanges the unfancied Carman took the round with a volley of punches in the last seconds. Bahoeli more than leveled things up in the second as he sent Carman to the canvas with a hard right. There was controversy in the third. Firstly Carman did his bit to level things up as he floored Bahoeli with a series of hard punches which had Bahoeli sliding down the ropers to the canvas. At the end of the round a right-left combination put Bahoeli down again. It looked as though the referee had counted Bahoeli out before the bell had sounded but it was ruled that he had been up before the bell. Both fighters were tattered and torn by this time with Carman having swellings below both eyes and Bahoeli bleeding from the mouth. The fifth was a wild round. Carman started it by flooring Bahoeli with a right only for Bahoeli to get up and put Carman down, and then Carman got up and put Bahoeli down again. The paced dropped a little in the sixth and in the seventh a left-right combination put Bahoeli down and this time he could not get up. Big win for “Big Country” Carman, 28, he has now won 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO and did well to last the pace as this was his first fight for 10 months and no previous fight of his had gone past the fifth round. None of Bahoeli’s last 8 fights have gone the distance. Unfortunately he has been the loser in 5 of those fights and was coming off a fifth round kayo loss to Lucas Browne for the vacant CBC title.

Louis vs. Bence

Louis wins the vacant Canadian cruiser title with majority decision over Bence. The fight was the direct opposite of the heavyweight fight with too little action and too much clinching. It looked very close with two score cards mirroring that at 75-75 and a 77-75 for Louis but the third came out at 79-73 for Louis which did not do justice to Bence. Both fighters were moving down from heavyweight. Louis, 32, had beaten both Carman and Bahoeli at heavyweight but in his last fight in November Carman had gained his revenge with a first round stoppage. Bence, 27, was considered a good prospect when he turned pro. He was Canadian amateur champion in 2008, 2009 and 2010, won a Pan American Games bronze medal and competed at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He won his first 9 fights but was stopped in November by Bahoeli and moved down to cruiserweight.

Trotter vs. Smichet

Trotter blows away the more experienced Smichet to win the vacant Canadian middleweight title. Smichet never had a chance. Just seconds into the fight a right from Trotter put Smichet down. He made it to his feet only to be nailed with another right with the referee stepping in and giving Smichet a standing count. After an uppercut put Smichet down again the fight was stopped after just 58 seconds. Calgary’s Trotter was halted in 72 seconds by Adam Trupish in January 2012 and did not return to the ring until scoring a win in July this year. The 30-year-old has won all of his victories by KO/TKO so the danger signs were there for Smichet. The Tunisian-born Smichet, 35, is a former Canadian super middleweight champion. He took four years out after being crushed in two rounds by David Lemieux in 2010 and this was his second fight since his return.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Light: Luis Gonzalez (18-6-1) W KO 3 Sergio Torres (23-7-1,1ND). Gonzalez wins with scary knockout in the third. A right to the jaw put Torres down heavily and he was badly hurt. He made it to his feet and the fight should have been stopped then. However the referee let it continue and immediately a left hook to the chin from Gonzalez sent Torres crashing down with his head hitting the bottom rope. The fight was immediately waived off. Torres was treated by the doctor in the ring and then taken to hospital for observation with a possible broken jaw. Gonzalez lifts the interim WBC Fecarbox title from Torres and makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO. Torres now has four losses by KO/TKO.

 

Gomez Palacio, Mexico: Bantam: Rodrigo Guerrero (22-5-1) W KO 6 Jonathan Baat (27-6-3). Guerrero retains his WBC International title with kayo of Baat. Both southpaws were ready to trade from the start with the Filipino taking an early lead. He was up on one card and level on the other two after four rounds. Guerrero stepped-up his attacks and in the sixth a pulverizing left uppercut caught Baat coming in and sent the Filipino down heavily with the referee stopping g the fight without a count. First defence of his title for the former IBF super fly champion Guerrero and win No 15 by KO/TKO. He lost to Daiki Kameda for the vacant IBF title in September last year but rebounded well with inside the distance wins over unbeaten fighters Daniel Rosas and Takahiro Shigee. Baat, 34, had won 7 of his last 8 fights mainly whilst campaigning in Japan.

 

Fresno CA, USA: Light Welter: Jose C Ramirez (12-0) W KO 1 David Rodela (17-10-3). Heavy: Andy Ruiz (23-0) W TKO 1 Kenny Lemos (12-9-2).

Ramirez vs. Rodela

Ramirez gets another first round win. The ex- Olympian ended this clash of former top amateurs with just one right hook 50 seconds after the first bell. He wins the vacant NABF Junior title and makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO seven of them in the first round. Apart from competing at the 2012 Olympics the 22-year-old Ramirez was US National champion in both 2010 and 2011. Rodela, 32, was also a former US National champion and US Under-19 champion but failed to qualify at the US Trials for both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. After losing only one of his first 17 pro fights he lost his way and is now 2-7 in his last nine fights

Ruiz vs. Lemos

Ruiz took a little longer but the end result was the same. In a poor match the Mexican hope floored an obese Lemos with a body punch (quite an achievement as Lemus’s shorts were pulled up almost to his armpit). After Lemos got up he tried to fight back actually landing a good uppercut but was then trapped on the ropes and allowed to take too many hard head punches before the referee stopped the fight after 138 seconds. The 22-year-old “Destroyer” has 17 wins by KO/TKO. His last 8 fights have all ended that way and he already has good wins over Joe Hanks (21-0), Tor Hamer (21-2) and Manuel Quezada but this is only his second fight in 11 months so he needs to be more active. Lemos, 37, was having his first fight for 16 months so no sort of test at all.

 

Carlton, MN, USA: Cruiser: Al Sands (15-1) W PTS 10 Andres Taylor (21-7-2). Middle Cerresso Fort (18-3-1) W TKO 3 Jerry Marts (12-18). Light: Ismail Muwendo (16-0) W TKO 3 Lowell Brownfield (11-12-1).

Sands vs. Taylor

Sand’s makes it 13 wins in a row with unanimous decision over Taylor. Sands was generally in charge with the only hiccup a flash knockdown scored by Taylor in the fourth. Scores 97-92 from all three judges. Only the second time that the 27-year-old  “The Haitian Temptation”  has had to go the distance for a win. Taylor, 35, started out with only one loss in his first 23 fights but right now has lost 6 of his lat 7.

Fort vs. Marts

Fort just too good for Iowa’s Marts. He got the win when the referee stopped the fight in the third. Fort needed a win losing 3 of his last 4 fights after being unbeaten in his first 17. The losses have been tough matches against John Jackson, Caleb Truax and to Vitaliy Kopylenko in the ESPN Boxcino Tournament. Marts, 37, is 4-6 in his last 10 fights.

Muwendo vs. Brownfield

Ugandan “Sharp Shooter” Muwendo makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO as he stops Brownfield in three. After dominating the first two rounds Muwendo floored Brownfield in the third and after Brownfield got up Muwendo landed some more heavy punches forcing the referee to stop the fight. The 26-year-old from Kampala represented Uganda at the 2007 World Championships but failed to make it through the African qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics. Eight losses in a row for Brownfield.

 

Durban, South Africa: Fly: Moruti Mthalane (31-2) W PTS 12 Odilon Zaleta (15-5). Middle: Chris Buthelezi (23-12-3) W PTS 12 Walter Dlamini (12-1). Cruiser: Deon Coetzee (11-5) W TKO 9 Bevan Beckman (1-2-3).

Mthalane vs. Zaleta

The experienced South African retained his IBO title with unanimous decision over Mexican Zaleta. Scores 117-111 twice and 116-112. First defence of the title for former undefeated IBF champion. Second fight this year for the 32-year-old “Baby Face” after 21 months of inactivity and only one loss in his last 18 fights and that was against Nonito Donaire back in 2008. Zaleta has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights and was kayoed in nine rounds in April by Akira Yaegashi in a challenge for the WBC title

Buthelezi vs. Dlamini

Buthelezi wins the vacant WBFound title and retains his South African title with split decision over No 1 challenger Dlamini. Only one loss in his last 14 fights for Buthelezi and fourth defence of his South African title. Good show by Dlamini who was going past the sixth round for the first time.

Coetzee vs. Beckman

Coetzee wins the vacant South African title with stoppage of novice Beckman. The new champion was rated No 1 by BSA. He has 7 wins by KO/TKO and he too was going past six rounds for the first time. First fight for 11 months for BSA No 7 Beckman and with only 4 four round fights and one six round fight to his name. South Africa does have good cruiserweights such as Thabiso Mchunu, Danie Venter, Kevin Lerena and Daniel Bruwer but they are not interested in the national title right now.

 

Cathcart, South Africa: Bantam: Mfusi Maxhayi (9-5-1) W PTS 12 Unathi Gqokoma (19-7-2). Feather: Takalani Ndlovu (34-10) W KO 4 Lwandile Gugushe (8-6).

Maxhayi vs. Gqokoma

Maxhayi wins controversial majority decision over Gqokoma to retain his WBFed Intercontinental title. Some saw this as a clear win for Maxhayi in accordance with the scores and some felt that Gqokoma was a clear winner. Gqokoma took and early lead but was floored in the fourth by what looked like a rabbit punch. It let Maxhayi into the fight and he went all out trying to capitalise on that knockdown with Gqokoma soon showing a swelling by his right eye from the attentions of the champion. Both fighters switched stances during the fight with Gqokoma seeming the busier and more accurate puncher but two judges saw Maxhayi a clear winner on score of 116-111, 115-112. The third had it 114-114 which looked a much better reflection of the fight. The decision was not popular with the crowd.

Ndlovu vs. Gugushe

Ndlovu returns to action with a win. The former IBF and IBO super bantam champion was much too good for novice Gugushe. After taking the first three rounds Ndlovu dropped Gugushe with a solid left hook. Gugushe made it to his feet but the follow-up attack ended the fight. The 36-year-old “Panther” wins the vacant WBA Pan African and WBFed titles and has 19 wins by KO/TKO. This is his first fight since September last year when he walked away after 4 tough losses in a row. Gugushe, a former South African super bantam challenger had won 6 of his last 7 fights but was not ready to step up this far.

There were to be other big fights on this show featuring Mzonke Fana, a South African title fight and an appearance for Tshifhiwa Munyai but they were all scrapped due to “budget restraints i.e. there was no money to pay the boxers.

 

Matagalpa, Nicaragua: Straw: Byron Rojas (15-2-3,1ND) W TKO 5 Julio Mendoza (7-3).

The local hero Rojas halts Mendoza on an injury. After four rounds Rojas had built a small lead and Mendoza had suffered a bad cut on his left eyebrow. At the bell for the fifth Mendoza did not leave his corner as the cut was affecting his vision. The 24-year-old Rojas, the WBC No 8, has 8 wins and a No Decision in his last 9 fights. He had beaten Mendoza in the amateurs. “Giant” Mendoza had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

David, Panama: Light Fly: Walter Tello (21-8) W PTS 10 Edwin Diaz (16-20).

Tello gets unanimous decision over Diaz who throws away any chance he had through various fouls. The fight was a close one with Diaz looking to reverse a previous loss. His chance faded as he lost a point in the third, sixth and tenth rounds for various infractions. Scores 96-91, 96-92, 97-94. Tello, 28, has failed in shots at the interim WBO straw, WBA light fly and twice for the interim WBA light fly title. He had stopped Diaz in seven rounds back in 2008. Diaz, 33, had also lost out on a challenge for the interim WBA straw title. Tello won the battle of the nicknames as “The Golden Mouse” somehow beat “The Panther”, some mouse!