The Past Week in Action 3 June 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 3 June 2014

May 28

Kingston, Jamaica: Welter: Sakima Mullings (14-1) W TKO 5 Richard Holmes (5-3).
Mullings wins his way into the semi-finals of this Jamaican “Contender” tournament with stoppage of Holmes. In an all-Jamaican fight Mullings, the tournament favourite, had the edge in power and that made the difference. Holmes boxed well over the first four rounds but was overwhelmed in the fifth. Mullings drove Holmes to a corner and proceeded to land a series of unanswered head punches until the referee stopped the fight. Now 9 wins by KO/TKO for Mullings who has reversed his only defeat. “The Frog” Holmes had won 3 of his last 4 fights and this is his first loss by KO/TKO.

May 29

Buffalo, NY, USA: Fly: Jonathan Gonzalez (13-1-1,1ND) DRAW 8 Mike Ruiz Jr. (9-4-2). Cruiser: Milos Pantelic (9-0-1) W PTS 6 Mike Bissett (5-6).
Gonzalez vs. Ruiz
Gonzalez has to settle for a majority draw in his first fight since an overly ambitious crack at Giovani Segura. The little Bronx-born Puerto Rican southpaw was quicker shaking Ruiz in the first and outscoring him over the first three rounds. It was the fourth before Ruiz was able to get inside and force Gonzalez to trade. The fight was now with Ruiz as Gonzalez tired and as they fought hard down the finishing straight Gonzalez needed a late effort to even things up. Scores 76-76 twice and 77-75 for Gonzalez. Gonzalez was bouncing back from a kayo loss to Segura in August. As an amateur he was World Junior champion and won a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games. At 23 he has time to prove he has the talent to make it as a pro. Californian Ruiz, 25, also southpaw, had gone 8-0-1 in his first 9 fights but had lost 4 of his last 5 fights. He had former world champion Israel Vazquez in his corner
Pantelic vs. Bissett
Canadian Pantelic gets second win over Bissett but on a split verdict. Pantelic hustled and bustled Bissett over the first four rounds with the much taller fighter finding it difficult to make room to work. Bissett found some space in the fourth and won that round as he pounded Pantelic in the corners. Pantelic tired but did enough to maintain his lead over the last two rounds. Scores 58-56 twice for Pantelic and 58-56 for Bissett from the third judge. The 30-year-old Pantelic had won his last 5 fights by KO/TKO including coming off the floor to halt Bissett in February. “Concrete” Bissett 6’3” (191cm) has now .lost three in a row.

Houston, TX, USA: Light Heavy: Medzhid Bektemirov (14-0) W TKO 6 Shannon Miller (25-5-8). Russian Bektemirov makes 11 wins by KO/TKO. He almost finished it in the first when he floored Miller with a right to the head. From then Miller was holding, ducking and diving just to get through the rounds. However body shots from Bektemirov gradually wore him down and Miller was down four more times before the fight was stopped in the sixth. The hard-punching 26-year-old Russian, trained by Ronnie Shields, won the WBC USNBC title last year with a points victory over experienced Otis Griffin. After winning 7 of his first 9 fights inside a round he has been getting a bit more experience in recent fights. Miller, 38, no real test. He is 2-14 in his last 16 fights with 12 of those losses by KO/TKO.

May 30

Moscow, Russia: Heavy: Alex Povetkin (27-1) W KO 7 Manuel Charr (26-2). Cruiser: Rakhim Chakhkiev (19-1) W PTS 12 Santander Silgado (25-2). Welter: Aslanbek Kozaev (26-1-1) W PTS 10 Igor Faniyan (14-8-2). Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (18-0) W TKO 4 Anton Bekish (5-11).
Povetkin vs. Charr
Povetkin gets impressive win as he kayos Charr in seven. The first four rounds went 3-1 to Povetkin. The first was fairly even with Charr getting his jab working well but too often was hiding behind a high guard and not throwing enough punches with Povetkin barreling forward with left hooks and right uppercuts. Povetkin was dominating the fight again in the second as he twice had Charr rocked with rights and Charr threw a couple of punches around the referee when the round ended. Charr won his first round in the third as he was able to send home thudding jabs to offset the attacks of Povetkin. That was the last round Charr won. In the fifth Povetkin blasted home a four-punch combination with Charr stepping back and raising his arms feeling he needed to show he was not hurt, but they all got home solidly. In the sixth Povetkin was getting through with hooks and again the right uppercut and although Charr kept slotting home hard jabs the Russian was in control scoring with a left hook to the body, right to the side of the head and a right uppercut that was jolting Charr’s head back. At the end of the round yet another right uppercut landed and Povetkin followed up with a series of shots that sent Charr staggering back to the ropes. Just past the one minute mark in the seventh Povetkin landed a left uppercut and a right cross both of which landed flush on Charr’s jaw and as he tumbled backwards a left and a right crashed into his jaw and he landed on his back with his body hanging out through the bottom rope and the fight was stopped immediately. The 34-year-old Povetkin showed great power and clever tactics. Charr usually hides behind that high guard and then bursts out with a series of punches. However, every time he threw the first in the series Povetkin took two steps back and Charr was punching thin air and was open for counters. The win, Povetkin’s 19th by KOTKO was every bit as impressive as Bermane Stiverne’s over Chris Arreola. He wins the WBC International title and this win eclipses anything Deontay Wilder has ever attempted let alone achieved. He was not rated by the WBC because he was WBA No 2 but now they will have to recognize him. Beirut-born Charr, 29, lost to Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in 2012 but had bounced back with four wins over reasonably good opposition. He reportedly suffered a fractured jaw so will take time to consider his future.
Chakhkiev vs. Silgado
Chakhkiev retains his WBC Silver title with unanimous decision over Colombian Silgado. It was not an exciting fight with southpaw Chakhkiev deciding to box on the outside against a reluctant Silgado. He was quicker and more accurate but left enough gaps for Santiago to pick up a few rounds in the middle of the fight although the Colombian was often more dangerous with his head than his fists. Silgado was a very late substitute and tired badly over the closing rounds and although Chakhkiev was able to scores with some heavy shots he never looked like ending it early. Scores 118-110, 117-111 and 117-112. The 31-year-old WBC No 1, a former Olympic gold and World Championship silver medallist, was crushed in eight rounds by Krzys Wlodarczyk for the WBC title in June last year. New York-based Santander, 29, reportedly had a 7kgs weight advantage. He was kayoed in four rounds by Denis Lebedev for the WBA secondary title in 2012 but had beaten useful Steve Herelius in December
Kozaev vs. Faniyan
Kozaev eases back into the winning column with wide unanimous decision over Faniyan, Despite giving away height and reach The Russian “Warrior” won every round without breaking a sweat and took the verdict on scores of 100-90 from all three judges. First fight for 26-year-old Kozaev since losing his unbeaten tag against Ray Robinson in February. Armenian-born Ukrainian Faniyan loses his fourth fight in a row.
Troyanovsky vs. Bekish
“The Eagle” Troyanovsky makes it eight wins in a row by KO/TKO. The Russian did not rush things spending a couple of rounds studying what Bekish brought to the fight and taking time to shake off five months of rust. He opened up in the third flooring Bekish and another knockdown early in the fourth ended the fight as Bekish wanted no more. The WBA No 4 had won each his last 5 fights by KO/TKO in the second round. He has seem a mooted fight with Richard Abril for the WBA title fade into the distance. Now 7 losses in a row for Belarus fighter Bekish.

Detroit, MI, USA: Middle: Tony Harrison (18-0 W TKO 1 Bronco McKart (56-11-1).
Harrison destroys McKart in 92 brutal seconds. The young Detroiter nailed McKart with a right uppercut which effectively ended the fight. McKart went down heavily and was still dazed when he got up. Harrison jumped on him and put the veteran down with another right. McKart gamely made it to his feet but yet another right put him down and the referee promptly stopped the fight. The 23-year-old prospect now has 15 wins by KO/TKO, his last 7 fights ending that way. With Manny Steward as his original trainer and Henry Hank as his grandfather he has impressive antecedents and should go far. Former WBO light middle champion McKart, 43, had won 5 of his last 6 fights but was no match for the youth and power of Harrison. He has had a good career but should retire. Harrison was less than 2-year-old when McKart turned pro and not even six when McKart won the WBO title.

Junin, Argentina: Light: Marcelino N Lopez (29-0-1) W PTS 10 Sergio Escobar (26-21-3). “Nino” Lopez retains his Argentinian title in his first defence with majority decision over super feather champion Escobar. Lopez showed more aggression than usual shuffling off his more reasoned approach and taking the fight to Escobar. He built a lead but over the middle rounds Escobar’s constant pressure, body punching and higher work rate helped him claw his way back into the fight. They fought furiously over the closing rounds with Lopez again having the better of the action and a brave Escobar scrapping hard but showing the signs of battle with bloody coming from his nose and mouth and a swelling over his right eye. Scores 98.5-95.5, 97.5-95 for Lopez and 95-95. Lopez, 28, the WBC No 12, goes ahead 2-0-1 in their three fight series after an early career win and a draw in May last year against Escobar. “Loco Lima” Escobar, 31, was 6-1-1 in his last 8 fights.

Dresden, Germany: Heavy: Francesco Pianeta (30-1-1) W KO 1 Mickael Vieira (14-4-1). Heavy: Steffen Kretschmann (18-2,1ND) W TKO 3 Oezcan Cetinkaya (21-9-2). Heavy: Konstantin Airich (21-8-2) W PTS 10 Marcel Gottschalk (11-7-2).
Pianeta vs. Vieira
Pianeta gets unsatisfactory win over French No 1 Vieira. The real story is that Vieira threw a left that caught Pianeta on the shoulder and then collapsed to the canvas in agony apparently suffering a fractured elbow and was unable to continue. Southpaw Pianeta, 29, wins the vacant WBO European title in his first fight since losing to Wlad Klitschko last May. The unfortunate Vieira, also 29, had won 12 of his last 13 fights and was coming off a good win over Gregory Tony in March
Kretschmann vs. Cetinkaya
Big German Kretschmann batters Turk Cetinkaya to defeat inside three rounds. Kretschmann was coming forward and landing heavy combinations over the first two rounds with Cetinkaya badly shaken and only just surviving the second. Kretschmann continued the assault in the third and with Cetinkaya trapped defenseless in a corner the referee halted the fight. The 33-year-old 6’5” (196cm) German southpaw wins the vacant German International title and make it 16 wins by KO/TKO. Great things were expected when he turned pro in 2006 after winning the German amateur title three times, a silver medal at the World Military Championships and two bronze medals at the World Championships but two inside the distance losses to Denis Bakhtov saw him fall away with only four fights in almost 4 years. Cetinkaya, 36, has lost whenever he has tried to step-up and this was his first fight for 11 months.
Airich vs. Gottschalk
Airich wins German title eliminator with unanimous decision. Kazak-born Airich gets a much needed win against substitute Gottschalk who came in at short notice after intended opponent Mike Wallisch pulled out with an injury. The 35-year-old Airich had lost 4 of his last 5 fights going in. Gottschalk, 31, had moved up from cruiser and had won 9 of his last 10 fights.

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Super Middle: Derrick Webster (17-0) W PTS 6 Mike Gbenga (19-14). With the main event falling out Webster’s fight with Nigerian Gbenga became the top of the bill. At 6’4” (193cm), with an 80” reach and also a southpaw Webster was able to box his way to a clear points win. Webster relied on the jab and the tough but limited Gbenga really had no idea of how to overcome the physical advantages of the home fighter. Scores 59-55 twice and 58-56. “Take It To The bank” Webster, 31, claims a 38-2 amateur record but he needs to move up from six rounds soon if he is to get anywhere. Gbenga, 35, a double CBC title challenger, is 2-7 in his last 9 fights.

Belem, Brazil: Super Middle: Isaac Rodrigues (19-2) W TKO 4 Eduardo Tercero (8-4-1). Home town fighter Rodrigues makes it three wins by KO/TKO in a row and collects the vacant WBFed Latin title. It was an easy win over the former Mexican light middle champion. Rodrigues was just too bog and punched too hard. Tercero’s corner threw in the towel in the third with their man having been down, taking punishment and cut over his left eye. The 29-year-old Rodrigues has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Between 2007 and 2011 he had nine fights in the US winning the first seven including a victory over Brian Vera, but losses to Sam Miller and Jose Medina saw him take 2 years out of the ring until returning in April last year. Tercero is now 0-3-1 in his last 4 fights.

May 31

London, England: Super Middle: Carl Froch (33-2) W KO 8 George Groves (19-2). Bantam: Jamie McDonnell (24-2-1) W TKO 10 Tabtimdaeng (52-3). Light: Kevin Mitchell (38-2) W TKO 11 Ghislain Maduma (16-1). Super Middle: James DeGale (19-1) W TKO 4 Brandon Gonzales (18-1-1). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (6-0 W KO 1 Matt Legg (7-2).
Froch vs. Groves
The thing you want from a return fight which followed a controversial first fight is a definitive result and Carl Froch delivered that and retained his full IBF title and WBA secondary title (Andre Ward is the Super champion) in great style. As in the first fight Groves made the better start. However, there was no first round drama this time as Froch was making sure he did not get nailed early the way he did in the first fight and both fighters were feeling their way into the action. Groves also had the better of the second round although Froch moved his work rate up a pace. The third and fourth rounds were close with Froch starting to force the fight but Groves also landing some hard shots. Froch had Groves briefly in a corner in the fifth and threw a series of punches, but Groves showed quick reflexes and was not in trouble. It was not a barn-burner as both fighters had too much respect for the power of the other man but both were creating and taking openings and the threat of sudden thunder was always in the air. Froch looked to have edged the sixth and Groves was showing a small cut under his left eye. Groves had a good seventh getting through with a hard left, but Froch was banging back every time Groves tried to establish any domination. That thunder rolled in the eighth although it was more like a lightning strike as after some frantic exchanges Froch suddenly spotted an opening and landed a huge right which put Groves down on his back and the referee waived the fight off immediately. “The Cobra” talked about his “legacy” in relation to this fight but he has already done enough to establish himself as one of the best and most successful British fighters of all time. A legacy augmented and enhanced. At 36 he shows no sign of wanting to walk away and there are still some excellent fights out there for him. Groves is a talent. He showed in these two fights with Froch that he is a world class fighter and at 26 he will come again and probably win a title in the next 2-3 years,
McDonnell vs. Tabtimdaeng
McDonnell becomes a double champion as he halts Thai Tabtimdaeng to win the vacant secondary WBA title (Anselmo Moreno is the Super champion). The Doncaster fighter just keeps getting better and Tabtimdaeng hardly won a round. Over the opening rounds Tabtimdaeng was forcing the fight trying to corner McDonnell and make him fight inside. McDonnell was fighting on the back foot and able to slot counters through the open guard of the Thai and pile up the points. In the third a clash of heads opened a cut over McDonnell’s left eye. By the end of the fourth round McDonnell was 40-36 ahead on two cards but surprisingly level in the third. Over the next few rounds the pattern continued of Tabtimdaeng trying to walk McDonnell down and paying for it in the shape of fast, sharp shots from the British boxer. McDonnell increasingly was setting himself and catching Tabtimdaeng with sharp punches. At the end of the eighth McDonnell was in front 80-72 on two cards and 78-74 on the third. Already Tabtimdaeng needed a kayo to win and that looked increasingly unlikely. The pace slowed in the ninth but in the tenth with the Thai barreling forward McDonnell landed a classic counter left hook which put Tabtimdaeng down. He managed to get up but was unsteady and the fight was stopped. Another class display from the former undefeated IBF champion who is looking for a unification match. With two of the other title holders being Japanese, WBA champion Moreno preparing to defend against Juan Carlos Payano on a Mike Tyson show, and IBF champion Stuart Hall defending this coming weekend against Paul Butler McDonnell may have to take a voluntary defence and look for a match with the Hall vs. Butler fight later in the year. Thai boxers do not always travel well as it is easy for them to make weight in the steamy heat of their own country, but a struggle in a much colder climate. The 31-year-old Tabtimdaeng had been carefully matched. He was beatable as his losses to Anthony Mathias and Roli Gasca showed, but he had won his last 18 fights so quantity counted rather than quality in his rating.
Mitchell vs. Maduma
Mitchell comes from behind to stop Canadian Maduma after losing his chance to make this an IBF title eliminator by coming over the decreed poundage on the second check weigh-in. This seemed to affect Mitchell more that Maduma who found the extra weight Mitchell had over him to be no burden. Maduma was much the busier throwing fast combinations and outscoring Mitchell who took a while to get into the fight and was just not throwing enough punches of his own. The third round was closer but in the fourth Mitchell found himself fighting with his back to the ropes too often for comfort. Maduma was still the busier and more accurate but in the sixth and seventh even though still being outworked Mitchell was slowly getting into the fight. He had a good eighth finally seeming to be getting his confidence and landing hard hooks, but Maduma was on the front foot again in the ninth with Mitchell coming back in the tenth. Mitchell needed something special to pull this one out, and that was what he delivered in the eleventh. He suddenly increased his work rate hurting Maduma with a series of punches before flooring the Canadian with a right. Maduma got up and tried to hold but Mitchell landed a left hook which floored Maduma again. He got up and was ready to continue but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight over the vigorous protest of the Canadian. There were only four seconds left in the round so Maduma could have survived and gone on to win, but the referee made his call and time remaining could not be a factor. It is difficult to know just what this win means for Mitchell. He made the weight at the first weigh-in but for the day of the fight weigh-in under IBF rules he was not allowed to be more than 10lbs over his first weight. His first weight was just under 9st 9lbs so 9st 9lbs + 10lbs meant he had to be under 10st 5lbs but came in at just under 10st 7lbs. For those unfamiliar with the British weight of stones it work out at 135lbs + 10 and he was almost 147lbs. So this was not an IBF eliminator. With positions 1 and 2 vacant and with Maduma rated 4 and Mitchell 5 the winner would have leapfrogged over No 3 Emiliano Marsilli into the No 1 spot. A loss would have pushed Mitchell way out of the picture but this dramatic win by the 29-year-old Essex fighter keeps him in the mix. The DCR-born Maduma will feel hard done by as he seemed capable of lasting those four seconds but he was a badly hurt fighter and the referee made the call as he saw it.
DeGale vs. Gonzales
Imperious performance by DeGale as he outboxes and then halts Gonzales. No one bothered about time to study their opponent in this one. DeGale came out fast establishing his southpaw jab early and scoring with straight lefts. Gonzalez was looking to get inside and work the body but was staggered by a left and was twice warned about being carless with his head. In the second Gonzales was forcing the fight harder trying to walk DeGale down but the Brit was scoring with counters and doing the cleaner work. A clash of heads opened a cut over the left eye of Gonzales. Gonzales was again trying to work DeGale to the ropes but DeGale was showing some classy skills eluding the best efforts of Gonzales and again scoring well with his left both as a straight punch and a hook. They were fighting inside in the fourth when DeGale suddenly landed a crunching right to the jaw of Gonzales and as the American tottered back a left to the chin sent him crashing to the canvas. He made it to his feet at five and staggered back to the ropes. After a good look at him the referee let the fight continue. DeGale was looking for the finish as Gonzales was still shaky. Gonzales managed to clinch a couple of times to try to buy time but was caught by a left to the chin and staggered into the ropes. That was when the fight should have been stopped. However Gonzales lurched forward under a combination from DeGale and was trying to punch back when the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. The timing was bad but the decision was right. This was an IBF eliminator for the No 1 spot so the 28-year-old former Olympic gold medal winner gets his 13th win by KO/TKO and becomes the mandatory challenger to Carl Froch. His only loss is a majority decision to George Groves in 2011 and this was his ninth win since then. Gonzales, 30, was IBF No 3 but since the first two positions were vacant was effectively the top rated boxer but was outclassed here.
Joshua vs. Legg
Joshua kayos a brave Legg in 83 seconds. Legg was giving away a lot of height and reach so came out swinging hoping to catch Joshua cold. It was head down wild stuff but a couple of those swings landed forcing Joshua to back up. The former Olympian than took control coming forward, banging out a couple of jabs before landing a left right combination. Legg was hurt and when he tried to get inside Joshua caught him with a cracking right uppercut that sent Legg down. He just about got up at nine but the fight was waived off anyway. All six of the 24-year-old Joshua’s fights have ended by KO/TKO, three in the first round and three in the second so nine fight and less than 11 minutes ring time. He will next face 47-year-old Matt Skelton who has not fought since March 2013 but will hopefully last a bit longer than two rounds. Legg, 38, was halted in three rounds by James Toney in the Prizefighter Tournament last year.

Macao S.A.R. China: Feather: Nonito Donaire (32-2) W TEC DEC 4 Simpiwe Vetyeka (26-3). Feather: Nicholas Walters (24-0) W KO 5 Vic Darchinyan (39-7-1). Feather: Evgeny Gradovich (19-0) W PTS 12 Alex Miskirtchian (24-3-1). Super bantam: Chris Avalos (24-2) W TKO 8 Yasutaka Ishimoto (24-7). Super Fly: Rex Tso (13-0) W PTS 10 Ratchasak (22-3-1). Light: Ik Yang (15-0,1ND) W TKO 1 Geisler AP (5-2). Super Middle; Esquiva Falcao (3-0) W PTS 6 Eun-Chang Lee (7-4).
Donaire vs. Vetyeka
The “Filipino Flash” lifts the WBA featherweight title with technical decision over South African Vetyeka. Donaire got the better of the action in the first round. They both got through with rights but Donaire finished the round stronger, but he also went down from a clash of heads at the bell which caused a cut on his left eyebrow. The second round was close with Vetyeka proving a tough opponent, dangerous with his head, and probably edging the round. Donaire took the third as he backed Vetyeka with lefts and rights with one right causing Vetyeka to hold onto the ropes to steady himself. In the fourth Vetyeka landed a good uppercut but as he tried to follow up on that success Donaire put him down with a right and a left hook. Vetyeka made it to his feet and a little later the action was halted for a doctor’s review of Donaire’s cut. The fight continued with Donaire trying to capitalise on that knockdown and landing a good left hook but Vetyeka was still there at the bell. The doctor had another look at the Filipino’s cut and advised that it was too bad for Donaire to continue. It was decided on the score cards with Donaire in front 49-46 on all three. The 31-year-old Filipino is now a four division champion having won titles at flyweight, bantam, super bantam and feather. Vetyeka, 33, was making the first defence of the title he won with an upset stoppage of long time ruler Chris John. His other losses have come in a challenge to Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC bantam title in 2007 and a shock loss to fellow South African Klaus Mboyane in 2012.
Walters vs. Darchinyan
The most impressive display of the night came from Jamaican Walters as he flattened Darchinyan and retained his version of the WBA title for the second time. The younger, quicker and bigger man he dominated Darchinyan from the start flooring the Armenian-born veteran with an uppercut in the second but keeping his cool and continuing to break down the “Raging Bull” bit by bit. Darchinyan’s pride drove him on in the third and fourth but Walters was in command of the fight and biding his time. In the fifth a series of punches to head and body put Darchinyan down. He got up but was hit with more shots until a devastating left hook put him down flat on his back and the fight was stopped immediately. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old “Axe Man” . He wants Donaire next but if that does not happen a unification fight with Gradovich looks a logical next step. Darchinyan, 38, a former IBF flyweight champion, undefeated IBF/WBA/WBC super fly champion and IBO bantam champion was in his 17th world title fight and only Donaire had previously beaten him inside the distance. A great little warrior nearing the end of a great career.
Gradovich vs. Miskirtchian
Gradovich continues to grow into the title as he outboxes former undefeated European champion Miskirtchian to retain his IBF title. Gradovich is a quick, clever boxer with excellent skills and a good chin, but is not a big puncher. This was very much a technical battle over the first five rounds with Gradovich just that little bit quicker to the punch than the Georgian-born challenger. “El Ruso Mexicano” seemed to be in control and on his way to a comfortable win when Miskirtchian gave him a rude awakening with a knockdown in the sixth. Gradovich recovered but Miskirtchian gained in confidence and Gradovich found himself in a tough fight. His superior skills were still allowing him to collect the points but now he was having to work hard to do so as Miskirtchian was in his face and forcing Gradovich to pull out all of the stops. His skills saw him safely through and he retained his title for the third time on scores of 117-110 twice and 118-110. The 27-year-old Russian was an outsider when he lifted the title against Billy Dib but as he showed in stopping Dib in a return he is improving with every fight. Belgian-based Miskirtchian, 28, had won his last 11 fights and was IBF No 1. He will probably regroup and try to regain his European title now in the hands of Lee Selby, the WBC No 3.
Avalos vs. Ishimoto
Avalos punches too hard for game Ishimoto and wins in eight. “The Hitman” did just that and the Japanese fighter just could not match him for power. The stage was set in the first round when a right from Avalos floored Ishimot. However, Ishimoto had never lost inside the distance and did not fold. He scrapped hard to get back into the fight but was making the mistake of trading with Avalos. From the fourth Avalos was scoring regularly with heavy punches and wearing Ishimoto down. The end came early in the eighth round as Avalos floored Ishimoto again and the Japanese fighter’s corner threw in the towel. Avalos has 18 wins by KO/TKO and is a real title threat even to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux. His two losses to Chris Martin and Jhonatan Romero were both split decisions. He has rebounded from the 2011 loss to Romero with wins over Yenifel Vicente (23-0-2), Jose Luis Araiza, Drian Francisco (24-1-1) and Rolly Lunas. He is WBO 1/WBA 5/IBF 4(3). Ishimoto, 32, had won 12 of his last 13 fights going in and that run included a victory over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.
Tso vs. Ratchasak
On paper this looked a tough test for Tso and it almost proved to be too tough. The Hong Kong southpaw showcased his skills over the first two rounds and looked to be too smart for the aggressive Thai. However, in the third Ratchasak landed a left hook that put Tso on the floor for the first time in his career. The young Chinese boxer beat the count but later in the round was trading shots with Ratchasak when a right put him down for a second time. He was one knockdown away from losing his 100% record but saw out the round. From then on he boxed more cautiously and used his skills more. Over the closing rounds Tso landed enough punches to put most opponents away but Ratchasak had a concrete chin and it went the full ten rounds. Scores 97-91 twice and 96-92. The 26-year-old Tso retains his WBO Asia Pacific title. He had a scare at the weigh-in when he came in over the agreed poundage believing the fight was at a catch weight of 117lbs but he managed to make the 115lbs at a second attempt. He also had to adjust to two changes of opponent. Tso is rated WBO 9/WBC 11/IBF 14 and his hope of a title fight by the end of the year looks over ambitious. Ratchasak, 23, came in at two weeks notice and proved dangerous but his record is misleading as 6 of his last 10 opponents had never won a fight.
Yang vs. Geisler
Yang got this one over in a hurry. The Chinese fighter floored Indonesian Geisler twice with rights and it was all over in 2:24 of the round. The 29-year-old Korean-based boxer has 10 wins by KO/TKO. He had a couple of wins in the USA last year and is IBF 13 although how he gets that rating is a complete mystery.
Falcao vs. Lee
Brazilian Olympian Falcao outpoints Korean Lee. Scores 59-54, 59-55 and 58-55. Lee was deducted a point in the sixth for constantly pushing Falcao’s head down. The 24-year-old southpaw won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and bronze at the world championships twice beating British prospect Anthony Ogogo. His brother Yamaguchi won a bronze medal in London and their father is a former wrestler so a fighting family.

Krefeld, Germany: Middle: Sam Soliman (44-11,1ND) W PTS 12 Felix Sturm (39-4-2,1ND) W. Light Heavy: Konni Konrad (20-1-1) DREW 12 Mehdi Amar (27-4-2). Light Middle: Maurice Weber (20-1-1) W TKO 6 Giorgi Ungiadze (25-20). Light Middle: Mike Keta (16-3) W KO 1 David Tlashadze (12-12-2). Middle: Goekalp Oezekler (16-1-1) W PTS 6 Attila Kiss (11-70-3).
Soliman vs. Stern
Soliman beats Sturm again and hopefully will get to keep the IBF title. The Australian veteran was a clear winner as Sturm was again unable to come up with a game plan to deal with the awkward style of the challenger. Many of the early rounds were close but Soliman was the busier fighter and was gathering the points. He was warned for a few infractions but he was throwing more punches and landing more punches than a hesitant Sturm who was more accurate but simply not working hard enough. Soliman had a big fifth round getting through with some power shots. Sturm made a big effort in the ninth to disrupt the flow of the fight, but it was gong Soliman’s way and nothing would change that. Sturm tried to keep up the momentum over the last three rounds but Soliman showed excellent conditioning and continued to be the busier to the end. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-111. The 40-year-old “King” has had an amazing career. When losing to Glen Kelly, Jerry Elliott, Ray Joval and twice to Anthony Mundine it seemed he would always fall short of the top. However, after the second loss to Mundine in 2008 he took almost 15 months out and since returning he had won 8 fights and beat Sturm in an IBF final eliminator, only for the win to be snatched away in a controversial positive A test which Soliman has always said was incorrect. Now he is the King and wants Gennady Golovkin for a unifier. Sturm, 35, seemed to nearing the end when he struggled to outpoint Matthew Macklin and drew with Martin Murray in WBA title fights and then lost his title to Daniel Geale. He lost to Soliman although the result was later ruled a No Decision due to the positive test, but then rebounded with a stoppage of Darren Barker to win the IBF title. He has been in 21 world title fights going back to 2003 so also a great career. He may now retire.
Konrad vs. Amar
Montenegrin Konrad holds on to his WBA International title with a home draw against Frenchman Amar. It was a close fight but Amar looked to have done enough to win and would probably get the decision in France. Scores 115-113 for Konrad, 116-113 for Amar and 114-114. “Koko” Konrad, 28, lost to Denis Inkin in 2006 and then had only two fights in the next seven years. The opposition has not been high level but the WBA International title gets him an inflated 11 rating more realistic is his No 11 rating in the EBU –Non EU countries ratings as he is not considered good enough for the EBU top 19. Amar, 31, is a former French super middle champion. He is 8-1-2 in his last eleven fights and the FFB No 2.
Weber vs. Ungiadze
Weber makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO with routine win over Georgian. The 31-year-old Weber, a former laboratory assistant, like Konrad took a spell out after his lone loss. He was beaten in an upset by Frenchman Frederic Serre in 2008 and did not fight again until 2011. He has been in continuous action since then with 8 wins, 5 by KO/TKO but again the opposition had been modest at best. Ungiadze, 29, is 3-6 in his last 9 fights and has spread those six losses through five different countries. Learn how not to box and see the world.
Keta vs. Tlashadze
Albanian Keta is fed an easy morsel and puts away Georgian Tlashadze in 139 seconds. Keta has won 6 of his last 7 but the loss was a one round kayo against Andreas Rimmer (7-10-2) so obviously needs careful matching. Tlashadze had lost only one of his last seven fights, but had fought outside Georgia only once in his last seven fights which tells the tale.

Iztacalco, Mexico: Super Fly: Carlos Cuadras (30-0) W TEC DEC 8 Srisaket (27-4-1). Light Fly: Pedro Guevara (22-1-1) W PTS 8 Armando Torres (19-12).
Cuadras vs. Srisaket
Mexican Cuadras wins the WBC title with technical decision over Thai Srisaket. From the outset Cuadras was on his toes using the ring to avoid the attacks of the champion scoring with quick, light flurries and being away before Srisaket could get home with his punches. The Thai was trying to throw bombs with every shot and as a result was still looking for opening when Cuadras had scored and moved. In the second Srisaket was getting frustrated and lunging in with Cuadras boxing quite beautifully popping home 4 or 5 punch combinations and then sliding away from Srisaket’s slower shots. The Thai did land one heavy right in the second but Cuadras was just too quick for him to build on it. It was more of the same in the third. Srisaket was trying to close the Mexican down but as he lunged forward Cuadras would land quick flurries and be gone. Srisaket had more success in the fourth landing some heavy rights and Cuadras was obliged to stand and trade. A clash of heads opened a cut over the left eye of Cuadras. As the bell to start the fifth sounded the review of the fourth round showed that the cut came from a clash of heads and the referee showed that Srisaket was being penalised one point due to the cut suffered by Cuadras. For the whole of the fifth round Srisaket was in pursuit with Cuadras still circling the ring but not throwing as many punches and looking to be slowing from the frantic pace. Cuadras was down off his toes in the sixth with Srisaket relentless in hunting him down. Both had a measure of success, Srisaket with single lefts and Cuadras with fast combinations. In the seventh Srisaket was exclusively going to the body and getting through. Cuadras was moving more and puinching less and at times he was running backwards to avoid having to stand and trade. When he did stand again he was scoring quick eye-catching shots. Just a few seconds into the eighth a clash of heads saw blood streaming from the cut over Cuadras left eye and the fight was halted. The scores came out at 78-73, 77-74 and 77-75 with the last looking the closest to what happened in the ring. The 25-year-old Mexican an, Olympian and a Pan American Games gold medallist (he had no luck with British fighters losing to both Joe Murray and Luke Campbell as an amateur), boxed beautifully over the early rounds and with the point deduction put the fight beyond Srisaket but the Thai southpaw was slowing Cuadras with his body attacks so who could say how the remaining rounds would have panned out. Srisaket was making his second defence and had won 15 of his last 16 fights by KO/TKO and deserves a return.
Guevara vs. Torres
Guevara keeps on track for a title fight, but only just. He has to work hard for twelve rounds to beat veteran Torres and retain his WBC Silver title in his second defence. Guevara scraped through with a split decision. The tall 24-year-old WBC No 1 lost a split decision to John Riel Casimero for the IBF title in 2012. Torres, 33, the nephew of former WBC fly champion German Torres, has lost three in a row and this was his first fight in 15 months so should not have been a problem for Guevara.

Bella Vista, Argentina: Welter: Ramon de la Cruz Sena (18-11-2) W TKO 6 Oscar Pereyra (27-5). “El Correntino” Sena wins the vacant WBC Mundo Hispano title with stoppage of Pereyra. After a slow start Sena took over being bigger and stronger than natural light welter Pereyra and having superior punch power. He built a lead over the first five rounds and wore down Pereyra. In the sixth Sena landed a combination to the chin followed by a left to the body and the referee stopped the action to give Pereyra a standing count. Sena went back to the attack and was landing with punches from both hands. With Pereyra not even able to lift his guard to block them the referee halted the fight. The 28-year-old from Corrientes-hence the nickname-moves to 11 wins by KO/TKO. He is FAB No 3 and 4-4 in his last 8 fights. Pereyra the FAB No 8 light welter has slipped badly and after being 24-1 in his first 25 fights is now 3-4 in his last 7.

Bankstown, Australia: Super Feather: Billel Dib (14-1) W PTS 12 Brent Elliott (11-5-3). Light Middle: Ahmed Dib (14-0) W PTS 8 Mike Dan (3-10-1).
Dib vs. Elliott
The youngest of the three Dib brothers Billel wins the interim WBO Oriental title with unanimous decision over Elliott. The current Australian champion Dib never let Elliott get a foothold in the fight and took the decision on scores of 118-110 twice and 119-109. The 25-year-old “Baby Face has won his last 5 fights including reversing his loss to Dylan Sendeckyi. State champion “Ginger Ninja” Elliott, had won 6 of his last 7 fights.
Dib vs. Dan
Middle brother Ahmed retains his New South Wales State title with unanimous decision over Filipino Dan (real last name Rubio). The 26-year-old ANBF No 6 takes it on scores of 80-72, 78-75 and 77-75. The Australian-based Dan has now lost his last 7 fights.

Brussels, Belgium: Heavy: Herve Hubeaux (17-1) W PTS 10 Tibor Balogh (14-5-2).
Hubeaux held on to his WBC Youth title with a unanimous verdict over Hungarian Balogh. Hubeaux, the local fighter, had the edge in skill and boxed his way to victory despite tiring in the late rounds. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Hubeaux is in his second reign as WBC Youth champion. The 22-year-old lost his title to Frenchman Toni Visic on a majority decision in 2012 but regained the title by beating Visic, again on a majority decision in February last year. This is his sixth win since then. He does not make the EBU ratings but is No 13 in the EU ratings. Balogh, 27, is 2-4 in his last 6 fights.

Bielefeld, Germany: Light Middle: Besar Nimani (17-0) W KO 1 Mike Miranda (41-5). Nimani wins the vacant IBF International title with one round blowout of experienced Brazilian. Nieman shook Miranda early taking him to a corner and flooring him with a right to the head. The Brazilian got up but a shot to the head and one to the body put Miranda face down on the canvas and he had only managed to get as far as rolling onto his back and grabbing the bottom rope when the referee completed the count. The Kosovo-born 28-year-old has 14 wins by KO/TKO. Miranda, 41, was knocked out in one round by Zaurbek Baysangurov for the interim WBO light middle title in 2011 but had won seven in a row since then.

Tlalpan, Mexico: Light: Gamaliel Diaz (38-11-2) W PTS 12 Eduardo Canales (2-7). Light: Fermin De los Santos (26-14-2) W KO 2 Javier Morales (0-10-0).
Diaz vs. Canales
A rusty Diaz moves up to lightweight and wins the vacant WBC Silver Latino title with unanimous decision over Canales. In his first fight for ten months Diaz struggled to get his timing and accuracy right and Canales was able to give him some trouble in the early rounds but Diaz was 40-36 in front on all cards after the fourth. Diaz floored Canales in the fifth and after getting up Canales spit out his mouthpiece to get some respite. Despite the knockdown Canales refused to fade away and actually seemed to edge the sixth and seventh rounds. The pace slowed over the late rounds with Diaz putting out a big effort in the eleventh and twelfth but not being able to get Canales out of there. Scores 120-107 twice and 118-109. “Platano” Diaz, 33, is back in the super feather mix. Canales came in as a late substitute and has lost 7 of his last 8 fights.
De los Santos vs. Morales
De Los Santos continues to work his way back up with kayo of substitute Morales in a disgraceful excuse for a match. A right to the body in the second put Morales down and he could not get up again. Second win for the 30-year-old Mexican since losing a crunch match against Ghislain Maduma in September.

Merida, Mexico: Middle: Jose Pinzon (25-6) W TKO 7 Michel Rosales (32-8). Super Feather: Miguel Berchelt (22-1) W KO 3 Armando Mariscal (15-10-2). Fly: Junior Granados (12-1-1) DREW 8 Ariel Guzman (9-3-3).
Pinzon vs. Rosales
Local fighter Pinzon almost puts Rosales away in the first but then has to fight another six rounds for victory. A series of body punches from Pinzon in the first sent Rosales down in agony. He only just beat the count and the bell went to save him. The body assault continued in the second and it looked as though Rosales would not last until the third. However he not only lasted but actually got himself into the fight and began to eat into Pinzon’s lead. The power of Pinzon decided it in the seventh. He shook Rosales with a series of head shots and floored him with a left hook. Rosales got up but his legs were wobbling and the referee stopped the fight. “Barretas” Pinzon makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO but every time he tries to move up he gets beaten inside the distance. He has been stopped by Pawel Wolak, Rogelio Medina and Saul Roman and was coming off a six round stoppage loss to Patrick Nielsen in November. Rosales lived up to his “El Bravo” nickname but was coming off tough inside the distance losses to Daniel Sandoval, Marco Rubio and unbeaten Jose Uzcategui.
Berchelt vs. Mariscal
“The Scorpion” makes it two for the locals as he returns with a win. Berchelt took the first two rounds and then put Mariscal down for the full count with a combination to the chin in the third. The 22-year-old was having his fight since a shock first round loss to Colombian Luis Eduardo Flores in March. That loss saw him slip from No 6 with the WBC to No 17. Mariscal 28, was 5-2 going in with the losses to Oscar Cortes (20-0) and a split decision against Sergio Villanueva (23-2-2) so was a useful test.
Granados vs. Guzman
Coming off his first defeat Granados was lucky to get a draw in this one. No knockdowns but Guzman boxed well timing his shots in countering the aggressive Merida fighter and looked a clear winner but the judges decreed it a draw which Guzman’s corner bitterly disputed.

Lublin, Poland: Heavy: Marcin Rekowski (15-1) W TKO 7 Albert Sosnowski (48-7-2). Welter: Lukasz Maciec (21-2-1) W PTS 10 Lanardo Tyner (31-10-2). Light: Michal Chudecki (9-0-1) W PTS 6 Maurycy Gojko (22-44-3).
Rekowski vs. Sosnowski
Rekowski wins battle for Polish bragging rights with stoppage of experienced Sosnowski. Both were cautious in the first probing with jabs but not really getting committed. It was the same for most of the second round but over the last minute both fighters started to trade looking to establish domination. The third and fourth were also close rounds but a left hook from Sosnowski in the fifth saw Rekowski staggered but he recovered by the end of the round. The sixth was an even round but Sosnowski started the seventh well getting home with another big punch. This time Rekowski came back and slammed a right counter through Sosnowski’s defence. The former European champion went down badly hurt. He got to his feet but when he was put down by a right uppercut the referee stopped the fight. A big win for Rekowski who was comfortably ahead on all three cards at the end of the sixth. Rekowski wins the vacant Polish title. Twelve wins by KO/TKO for Rekowski and his third win since losing a split decision to Oliver McCall in February, a loss he reversed in April. He actually came in as a substitute after Andrzej Wawrzyk was injured in a motor cycle accident. Although only having 16 fights he is actually older at 36 than the 57 fight Sosnowski and did not turn pro until he was 34. As an amateur he was Polish champion and represented Poland at the 2010 and 2011 European championships. He was not in the EBU ratings (they list 17 heavyweights) but with Sosnowski at 16 he should crack the ratings now. “The Dragon” Sosnowski, 35 a former undefeated European champion, lost in ten rounds to Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in 2010. He has fallen away drastically since then being kayoed by Alex Dimitrenko and losing in the 2012 and 2013 Prizefighter tournaments. He is considering his future.
Maciec vs. Tyner
Local fighter Maciec comes for behind to edge out Tyner on a majority decision. The visitor made the better start forcing Maciec to fight on the back foot and with his back to the ropes. The relentless pressure from Tyner looked to be breaking down the Pole. Over the second half of the fight Maciec used his foot speed more to stay in the centre of the ring and increased his work rate finally putting together some combinations. Tyner tried to goad Maciec into trading in the sixth just dropping his guard and giving Maciec some free shots, but Maciec refused to be shifted from his tactics and staged a strong finish to take the decision on scores of 98-92 (way out), 97-94 and 95-95. Maciec wins the vacant Polish International title. The 25-year-old home town fighter has lost just 1 of his last 13 fights and that was against experienced veteran Gianluca Branco for the European Union title in February last year. This is his fourth win since then and by far his toughest test. He is EBU No 20. The 38-year-old Tyner, “The Pain Server” had a run of 4 losses to Wale Omotoso, Kevin Bizier, Jessie Vargas and Dierry Jean fighters who at the time he fought them had combined records of 73-0, but he had rebounded winning 6 of his previous 7 fights before facing Maciec.
Chudecki vs. Gojko
Former top amateur Chudecki is just too quick for fellow-Pole Gojko and outboxes him in every round to take the unanimous decision on scores of 60-54 from all three judges. Chudecki, 27, a former Polish amateur champion represented Poland at both European and World Championship level. Now six distance fights in a row so a question over his power. Gojko a late substitute was stopped in three rounds by Spain’s Sandor Martin only 15 days previously so questionable as to whether he should have been fighting.

Teguise, Canary Islands, Spain: Super Middle: Mariano Hilario (11-2) W PTS 12 Roberto Cocco (15-11-1).
Hilario retains the European Union title with unanimous decision over Italian Cocco. Both fighters started cautiously and the fight rarely caught fire with many of the early rounds close but after four rounds the judges had Hilario in front on two cards and even on the third. “The Shark” tried to force himself into the lead in the middle rounds but Rocco fought back hard and cleverly. Too often the Italian was dangerous with his head but despite warnings he never suffered a point deduction and that that headwork unsettled Hilario. After eight rounds it was poised on the edge with two judges having Hilario in front 77-75 and the third Cocco ahead 77-76. With an anxious crowd urging him on Hilario swept the last four rounds and wrapped things up by flooring Cocco in the last. It wasn’t a heavy knockdown but it counted as 10-8 round. Scores 115-114, 116-111 and 117-110. First defence for the 27-year-old Dominican-born Hilario who won the title with an impressive kayo of Frenchman Sammy Anouche in February. Cocco, 37, the Italian champion and EBU No 23, had won 5 of his last 6 fight

Uncasville, CT, USA: Light: Henry Lundy (25-3-1) W KO 2 Pipino Cuevas Jr. (17-12). “Hank” Lundy keeps busy with two round win over Mexican Cuevas. He found the sliding Mexican an easy target in the first. Late in the second he floored Cuevas with a left to the head. When he got up he was still stunned and in no condition to continue. Wins over David Diaz and Dannie Williams had put 30-year-old Lundy high in the ratings but consecutive losses to Ray Beltran and Viktor Postol batted him back, but not for long. He beat Olusegun Ajose in July and Angelo Santana in February this year to put himself back into the picture and he is WBC No 9. This makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO. Poor Cuevas, the son of the former welter champion, is now 3-8 in his last 11 fights with all eight losses by KO/TKO.

Washington, DC, USA: Light Welter: Cosme Rivera (37-18-3,1ND) W KO 9 Ty Barnett (22-4-1). Mexican veteran Rivera comes from behind to kayo local Barnett. Over the early rounds Barnett was in charge of the fight showing good movement and banging home jabs and body shots against the slower Rivera. The Mexican had his first real success in the fifth with a right that shook Barnett and brought blood from his mouth. Barnett recovered and took the sixth getting home with some hard body punches. Although Barnett also edged the seventh Rivera again signaled the danger with a hard right. The Mexican seemed to be taking charge and bossed the eighth before landing a stunning right in the ninth that put Barnett down for the count. Somehow a man from the audience was able to climb into the ring and attack Rivera but that was quickly dealt with. Now 37, back in the early 2000’s a much younger Rivera earned a title shot with a run of victories including wins over Golden Johnson, James Hare (28-0-1) and Hercules Kyvelos (22-1) but lost in three rounds to Zab Judah for the IBF/WBA/WBC titles. His recent form had been 4 losses in his last 5 fights, but the losses were all against world rated opposition. Barnett, 31, was on a reconstruct project after taking 10 months out following a stoppage loss against Mercito Gesta in 2012.

Davenport, IA, USA: Cruiser: Jordan Shimmell (15-0) W TKO 1 Jonathan Corn (47-28-3). Prospect Shimmell makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO as he overwhelms oldie Corn inside a round. Shimmell got through with a series of hard punches to head and body driving Corn to the ropes. Another series of shots put Corn down and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO in his last 8 fights for the 25-year-old former NGG champion who had sharpened up as a sparring partner to Adonis Stevenson for his fight with Andrzej Fonfara. Poor Corn lost in two rounds to Andrej Krajnc for the WBO middle title in 2000 but is now 0-13-1 in his last 14 fights.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Feather: Javier Fortuna (25-0-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-5). Super Bantam: Luis Rosa (17-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Luis Orlando Del Valle (18-2,1ND). Middle: Sergio Mora (26-3-2) W TKO 5 Sam Rogers (14-2).
Fortuna vs. Rodriguez
After struggling to make weight at feather Fortuna looked more comfortable at super feather and scored a wide unanimous decision over useful Mexican Rodriguez in this all-southpaw fight. Fortuna built a lead from the start as he forced Rodriguez back and the Mexican was having to rely on counter to collect the points. Fortuna had Rodriguez hurt with a left in the second and put him down with a series of punches in the third. In the fourth a punch opened a bad cut over the right eye of Fortuna and that nagged at him the rest of the fight bleeding heavily at times. Fortuna was soon having trouble with both eyes swelling. Rodriguez looked to have forced Fortuna to take a knee in the eighth but the referee did not take up a count. With limited sight out of both eyes Fortuna was under pressure in the last but made it to the bell. Scores 98-91 from all three judges. The 24-year-old Dominican was interim WBA feather champion beating Patrick Hyland for the title, but failed to make the weight for a defence against Miguel Zamudio and was stripped. He is now No 2 with the WBA at super feather. Rodriguez, 26, was on a good run with only one loss, to Billy Dib, in his last 11 fights.
Del Valle vs. Rosa
Rosa remains unbeaten after win over fellow-Puerto Rican Del Valle but in a messy, dirty fight. Both were using rough tactics and there was too much holding. Rosa lost a point in the third for low blows. Eventually the fight opened out and there was more action. Rosa was getting the better of the exchanges although Del Valle had a big fifth flooring Rosa with a left. Rosa was not in serious trouble and battled back again collecting the points with his busier, more accurate work and could even afford another point deduction, this one in the seventh for hitting on the break. Scores 98-91, 97-91 and 97-92. Two good wins in a row for 23-year-old Sosa having beaten Jorge Diaz (17-2) in January. “Orlandito” del Valle, 23, lost to Vic Darchinyan in 2012 and now this loss will derail his recovery.
Mora vs. Rogers
Mora much too experienced for Virgin Islander Rogers and halts him in five in the battle of the snakes. The former WBC light middle champion bossed the fight before flooring Rogers twice to end it. “The Latin Snake” makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO. He took a ten month break after losing for the second time to Brian Vera and returned last year with wins over world rated Gregorz Proksa and over Milton Nunez. Rogers, 31, “The Rock City Cobra” was coming off a first career loss to Carlos Jerez in Argentina and was moving up from light middle to middle.

Odessa, Ukraine: Light Middle: Olek Spyrko (17-0) W TKO 1 Gyula Vajda (16-6). Cruiser: Olek Usyk (40-0) W KO 4 Cesar David Crenz (21-9).
Spyrko vs. Vajda
The boyish Spyrko is a tall, slim puncher but has very quick hands and real power. Vajda was willing to trade and fired off some flurries of his own as Spyrko walked him down. The end came when Spyrko crashed home a short right to the jaw and Vajda never looked like beating the count. Nine wins for the 25-year-old. This was his first fight in 15 months and he has talent if he can stay active. Hungarian Vajda is too brave and all of his losses have come by KO/TKO.
Usyk vs. Crenz
Just a sparring session for the Olympic gold medallist and not a very good one at that. Southpaw Usyk still has a very amateur style and spent a lot of time bobbing and weaving to avoid punches that weren’t coming. The Argentinian was slow and ponderous and hardly threw a punch unless you count a prodding jab and wild swings. At the end of the first he actually dropped his hand s and stood still and let Usyk take pot shots. The Ukrainian almost finished it late in the third when a series of punches put Crenz down. The farce was shown when the Argentinian got up at nine and instead of attacking Usyk actually danced around not throwing a punch until just before the bell. It was over in the fourth when Usyk landed a long left to the body and Crenz decided he had dome enough and stayed down. Usyk has raw talent but has not been tested at all with his four fights ending by KO/TKO. Crenz, 34, has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Toyohashi, Japan: Super Feather: Daiki Kaneko (20-3-3) W TKO 4 Shogo Ishikawa (10-7). Kaneko gets quick win as he outclasses Ishikawa. The world rated Kaneko handed out punishment in each of the first three rounds and the referee stopped it in the fourth with Ishikawa on the point of crumbling. First fight for Kaneko since losing on points to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title in December. He is WBC 8/WBO 8. Now 5 losses in his last 6 fights for Ishikawa.

Abbreviations
ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC
ABF=Asian Boxing Federation. I assume this is an affiliate of the IBF
ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC
ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title
ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles
BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control
BBB of C Southern/Central/Midlands/Scottish Area etc. British Area titles
BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies
B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina
BSA=Boxing South Africa responsible for administering boxing in South Africa
CBC=Commonwealth Boxing Council a sanctioning body for titles competed for by citizens of Commonwealth countries
CISBB-WBC title covering the rump of the USSR and the Slovenian Boxing Board
DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo
EBU=European Boxing Union
FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation
FFB=French Boxing Federation
GAB=Philippines Games & Amusement Board responsible for administering boxing in the Philippines
GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body
IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body
IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body
IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body
JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission
NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate
NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate
NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate
NGG=US National Golden Gloves
NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body
OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation
PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate
PBF=Philippines Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body in the Philippines
UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body
UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body
USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate
USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate
WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body
WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body
WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body
WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body
WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body
IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating for a fighter where there is a vacant position ahead of them in the rankings which affects his rating I will put his numerical rating i.e. No 6 and in brackets and his rating based on the number of fighters ahead of him so IBF 6 (5) shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one or more of
the higher rating positions being vacant.