The Past Week in Action 3 March 2014

ERIC ARMIT | March 3, 2014 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

The Past Week in Action 3 March 2014

February 27

Clermont-Ferrand, France: Light Heavy: Hugo Kasperski (22-5-1) W TKO 4 Michael Recloux (23-13-2). Bantam: Anthony Settoul (19-2) W PTS 8 Faycal Messaoudene (5-20-1). Super Middle: Mehdi Bouadla (30-5) W PTS 6 Yoann Bloyer (16-25-2).

Kasperski vs. Recloux

With new coach, former WBA super bantam champion Salim Medjkoune in his corner, Kasperski overcomes brave resistance from Recloux to win the vacant IBF International title. The local fighter was pressing from the start and scoring hard to head and body with punches from both hands. Recloux had to absorb plenty of punishment but kept throwing enough back to stay in the fight. The pressure finally told in the fourth. With Recloux trapped on the ropes a series of head shots had him wilting and a right cross saw all of the resistance go out of the Belgian and the referee quickly stopped the fight. The 26-year-old Kasperski, unsuccessful in two French title fights, needed the win after going 2-2-1 in his last 5 fights. He has 17 wins by KO/TKO and is FFB No 2 at super middle. “El Gladiator” Recloux, 30, the Belgian super middle champion and former national light middle and middle champion, had won 6 of his last 7 fights and this is only the second time he has lost by KO/TKO.

Settoul vs. Messaoudene

Local fighter Settoul, 27, wins but given eight tough rounds by former victim Messaoudene before winning unanimous decision on scores of 79-74, 78-76 and 77-75 to make it 10 wins in a row. European Union champion Settoul had outpointed Messaoudene back in 2009. Next for Settoul will be a defence of his EU title against fellow-Frenchman and national champion Omar Lamiri. Messaoudene, 30, the official challenger for the French super bantam title is 2-11 in his last 13 fights with inside the distance losses to Scott Quigg and Willie Casey.

Bouadla vs. Bloyer

Experienced battler Bouadla makes it four points win in a row as he takes unanimous decision over southpaw Bloyer. Scores 60-55, 59-55 and 58-57. The 32-year-old Bouadla has won 8 of his last 9 fights with the loss being a stoppage defeat against Arthur Abraham for the WBO title in 2012. In his other losses is a points defeat against Gennady Golovkin over eight rounds and a stoppage by Mikkel Kessler for the WBO European title. The former French champion is currently FFB No 4 middle. Bloyer, 31, has now lost 7 of his last 8 fights and is FFB No 4 at super middle.

Brighton Beach, NY, USA: Cruiser: Stivens Bujaj (11-0) W TKO 1 Elvin Sanchez 6-3-1). Light Middle: Steve Martinez (14-1) W TKO 6 Rahmam Mustafa Yusubov (9-14).

Bujaj vs. Sanchez

Sanchez came out looking for a quick finish and found one, but not the one he wanted. After getting through with a hard right he then got careless and wandered onto a left from “SupermannB” Bujaj and was put down. He got up but ate some more shots and went down again and the fight was over. “Albanian-born “Steve” Bujaj, 23, has 8 wins by KO/TKO and wins the vacant New York State title. Second loss by KO/TKO for “Koko” Sanchez.

Martinez vs. Yusubov

Martinez returns to the ring with a win as he halts Yusubov early in the sixth. Martinez, the stronger boxer and the harder puncher, kept the pressure on Yusubov all the way. He had Yusubov badly rocked in the third and continued the battering in the fourth and fifth. Just when it looked as though it might go the distance Martinez floored Yusubov in the sixth and the fight was stopped. Promoter/boxer Dmitry Salita has high hopes for the 23-year-old 2008 NGG champion from the Bronx who was having his first fight in 16 months. He racked up win No 11 by KO/TKO. Texas-based but Uzbek-born Yusubov, 30, has lost 12 of his last 13 fights, 8 by KO/TKO.

February 28

Verona, NY, USA: Middle: J’Leon Love (17-0,1ND) W TKO 10 Vladine Biosse (15-3-2). Super Derek Edwards (26-3-1) W TKO 1 Badou Jack (16-1-1). Middle: Chris Pearson (11-0) W PTS 8 Lanardo Tyner (31-9-2). Super Middle: Luis Arias (9-0) W PTS 8 Dashon Johnson (15-14-3), Super Middle: Ronald Gavril (8-0) W TKO 3 Cameron Allen (5-15). Super Bantam: John Franklin (7-0) W PTS 8 Jesus Bayron (5-10).

Love vs. Biosse

This looked a reasonable match on paper, but on canvas it was one-sided. Right from the start the classy Love was able to penetrate the guard of southpaw Biosse and score heavily with both hands. Love had height, reach and speed and Biosse had neither the skills nor the strength to competed and wound up just gamely absorbing punishment. A barrage from Love in the third opened a cut over the right eye of Biosse. The doctor had a look at the cut at the end of the round but it was allowed to continue. Biosse tried to launch attacks and got through in short spells and even opened a cut in the corner of Love’s left eye although probably owed more to a clash of heads, but Love was always dominant. The sixth was a painful round for Biosse as Love tried hard to end the fight and battered Biosse around the ring with Biosse spitting out his mouth piece for respite and when it happened again he was deducted a point. Finally another volley of punches in the tenth saw the referee save Biosse from further punishment. Now 10 wins by KO/TKO for 26-year-old Love. He had a No Decision resulting for a positive test for a banned diuretic after his win over Gabriel Rosado in May but had bounced back with a kayo of Lujan Simon in December. Third loss by KO/TKO for 31-year-old Biosse who had been halted by Denis Grachev and Marcus Upshaw in previous fights.

Edwards vs. Jack

Badou Jack’s hopes of a final eliminator with James DeGale were smashed in just 32 seconds. The big Swede looked comfortable poking out his jab, but Edwards was throwing rights like it was his plan. It worked as Jack led with a soft jab and Edwards landed a crushing overhand right with smacked into Jack’s chin. He went down, was up at four and took the eight count, but it could have been stopped then as his legs were wobbling. Edwards did not let him off he closed with Jack and landed another right which seemed to catch Jack on the side of the head. He went down again and somehow got up but could not stand straight and staggered backwards until the ropes stopped him and the referee quickly waived the fight over. It looked like a case of complacency as Edwards had shown his intent with those early rights but Jack went ahead and just pushed out a tentative jab that was inviting a right hand counter. Edwards “The Black Lion”, 34, had won only one of his last five fights. After winning 25 fights on the small circuit boxing and only slipping through on split decisions against fighters with limited experience and negative records, Edwards had been exposed when trying to move up losing to Marcus Johnson and Adonis Stevenson and being halted by Matt Korobov. Prior to the fight the 30-year-old Jack was rated WBC 3/WBA 5/IBF 8(6) but now he has a lot of rebuilding to do.

Pearson vs. Tyner

Southpaw Pearson given a tough-almost too tough-test by Tyner. Pearson had height and reach over Tyner and used those well in the first round. Tyner was rolling in the second round and hurt Pearson with a shot late in the round. Pearson was back to his boxing in the third and fourth and managed to keep Tyner off whilst scoring with his jab and good combinations. Tyner made it a much more even round in the fifth as Pearson was forced to stand and trade with both having their moments in the round. In the sixth Pearson again had his right jab working and looked to be in control. However, late in the round, Tyner shook Pearson with a right and fired a volley of shots which saw Pearson take a knee to get out of the storm. The bell went immediately after Pearson got up frustrating Tyner in his attempt to finish things but Pearson had also suffered a cut. Tyner tried to jump on Pearson at the start of the seventh but the big southpaw kept his boxing together and had his jab working again. The last round saw Tyner rock Pearson again but the young prospect saw out the round to win a split decision. Scores 78-73 twice for Pearson and 76-75 for Tyner. Pearson, 23, had won five of his fights on first round TKO/KO’s so was badly in need of some opposition with resolve. He got that in 38-year-old Tyner who lived up to his “Pain Server” nickname. After four losses in a row to top quality names, Tyner had turned things around with six wins including a victory over prospect Charles Hatley (17-0-1). This was just the fight Pearson needed as he can take away a lot of lessons from it.

Arias vs. Johnson

What “Cuba” Arias needed here was a confidence boosting win. Instead he got a scare and just escaped with a majority decision. Johnson forced Arias to fight his fight and as a result it was a war with both fighters having moments of dominance and constant action. There were no knockdowns or spectacular incidents but just eight hard fought close rounds with plenty of action. Arias probably just did the cleaner work but this one could have gone either way. Scores 77-75 twice for Arias and 76-76. Despite his amateur achievements, twice US Amateur champion, the 23-year-old has not yet impressed as a pro and needed a convincing win here-which he did not get. “Fly Boy” Johnson, 26, is 2-11 in his last 13 fights but the two wins are over Adam Trupish and Craig McEwan and he has only been beaten inside the distance twice so is durable and can be a dangerous opponent.

Gavril vs. Allen

Although coming in a late substitute Allen made a fight of it. He showed good speed and it look for three minutes as though Gavril might have a real fight on his hands. That changed in the second when Gavril had Allen in trouble from a body punch and then floored him with another body shot. Allen survived but in the third a hard combination of punches to the head put him down and although he climbed to his feet the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old Romanian, trained by Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, has won 6 of his last 7 fights by KO/TKO. Allen came in as a late choice. This was his ninth loss by KO/TKO and he has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Franklin vs. Bayron

“Fast Handz” Franklin, 30, lives up to his nickname as he speeds to a wide points victory over Puerto Rican Bayron. Franklin was just too quick in hand and feet for the pedestrian Bayron. The unbeaten former Army star had Bayron down in the third and fifth rounds but is not a big hitter and settled for a wide unanimous decision. Scores 80-70 twice and 79-71. As Sgt. Franklin he won silver medals at the World Military Championships, the PAL and NGG’s before winning gold at flyweight title at the US National Championships in 2011. Nine losses in a row for Bayron, seven of those to unbeaten fighters.

Bangkok, Thailand: Fly: Noknoi (48-4) W PTS 12 Rajah Renoel Pael (12-1-1). Bantam: Petch Sor Chitpattana (24-0) W KO 4 Carlo Bavetta (0-1).

Noknoi vs. Pael

Noknoi saves his WBC International and world rating with a controversial split decision over inexperienced. Filipino. This was a hard fought bout with the experience of Noknoi finally giving him the edge in the scoring although Pael finished the stronger and looked unlucky to lose. The Filipino did not help his cause with a few low punches which cost him a one point deduction in the fifth round. But for that deduction the fight would have been a draw. The two Thai judges scored the fight 116-112 and 114-113 to Noknoi whilst the Filipino judge gave it to Pael 114-113. Not an impressive performance by 27-year-old Noknoi rated WBC 4/WBA 5. The Thai was 1-4 in his first 5 pro fights so this was win No 47 in a row. Pael, 23, is rated No 3 by the GAB but that is deceptive as there are 6 Filipino’s who are illegible for rating in his division with at least 3 having better records.

Sor Chitpattana vs. Bavetta

A ridiculous match sees 20-year-old southpaw WBC Youth Silver champion halt Italian Bavetta in four rounds of a non-title fight. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO but no traceable record for Bavetta probably a failed kick boxer.

San Luis, Argentina: Cruiser: Alejandro E Valori (15-4) W DISQ 7 Marcos A Ahumada (14-2). Ahumada came out swinging from the first bell with Valori forced onto the back foot. Ahumada was aggressive but his work was sloppy with wide, inaccurate shots and Valori was able to block and counter. After two rounds of frenzied attacking Ahumada began to tire and Valori was successfully targetting the body and scoring with hard uppercuts. Ahumada started roughing things up with his head and holding and the referee deducted a point from him in the fifth. Valori was in command in the sixth and floored Ahumada with a right hook in the seventh. Ahumada went down claiming it was a low punch. Moaning and groaning and asserting that he could not continue. The referee was not convinced and after an examination of Ahumada in the dressing room (modesty gents there were ladies present) it was decided that he was play-acting and was rightly disqualified. With this victory “Mojarra” Valori, 31, retains his Argentinian title and goes 2-1 up the series with Ahumada with each having won inside the distance in previous encounters. Valori has lost only one of his last 12 fights. “Skinny” Ahumada, 27, the FAB No 3, had won five fights in a row by KO/TKO since losing to Valori last March.

Parma, Italy: Cruiser: Maurizio Lovaglio (16-9) W KO 1 Salvatore Erittu (24-2).

A rush of blood to the head lets Erittu down. The Sardinian came out firing walking Lovaglio back to the ropes and throwing wild punches-leaving himself wide open. One shattering left hook to the chin put Erittu down and out cold. All over in 36 seconds. Lovaglio “The Angel”, the EU No 14, retains his Italian title in his first defence and makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO. Erittu was also careless in his only other defeat when being crushed in two rounds by Giulian Ilie in September 2011. He temporarily retired after that loss but returned in June last year and had scores three wins. He was rated EU No 24. He may now reassess whether to fight on.

Managua, Nicaragua: Light Welter: Walter Castillo (24-2) W TKO 2 Eugenio Lopez (32-28-1). Bantam: Henry Maldonado (18-3,1ND) W TKO 5 Bayardo Ramos (8-1-1).

Castillo vs. Lopez

Castillo outclasses poor Mexican opponent. Castillo found Lopez an easy target in the first and it was obvious this was going to be a short fight. In the second body punches put Lopez down twice and the fight was stopped. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old local who after losing his first fight has now lost only once, a split decision to Vicente Mosquera, in his last 25 outings. He has 8 in a row since the loss to Mosquera and is WBA No 6. Southpaw Lopez, 27, now has 19 losses by KO/TKO.

Maldonado vs. Ramos

Maldonado won this all-Nicaraguan fight with ease. Again it was body punching which did the trick with Maldonado putting Ramos down in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 before the fight was halted. The 26-year-ols “El Crespo” wins the vacant WBA Fedebol title.

San Diego, CA, USA: Cruiser: Yunier Dorticos (16-0) W TKO 1 Hamilton Ventura (13-1-1). Light Welter: Emmanuel Robles (10-0-1) W PTS 10 Yordenis Ugas (15-2).

Dorticos vs. Ventura

Cuban Dorticos massacres poor Brazilian. Dorticos was throwing bombs from the start and had Ventura down early only for the referee to rule it a slip. It made no difference as two more rights registered two more knockdowns and it was all over in 139 seconds. The 27-year-old Dorticos, who escaped Cuba in 2009, has won all of his fights inside the distance including 8 in the first round. He represented Cuba at both the World Junior Championships and two World Cups. Unlike most Brazilians Ventura had actually won some fights outside Brazil getting 4 wins and a draw including a victory over useful Andres Taylor, but he looked scared in this one.

Robles vs. Ugas

Something of an upset here-to me anyway. It was the busy, clever attacking style of southpaw Robles against the bigger man with the silkier skills in Cuban Ugas with Robles getting the split decision. The Cuban seemed to just be getting the better of the exchanges early, but Robles just kept pressing and working inside. He looked to be taking control in the fifth and after hurting Ugas with a left hook in the sixth unleashed a volley of shots that saw Ugas slump to the canvas. The Cuban was badly shaken but survived the round. Ugas seemed to get his jab working again in the seventh and was catching Robles with hard counters and perhaps just putting himself in front again. The eighth was about even but over the last two rounds Robles kept rolling and as Ugas tired he looked to win the last two rounds clearly. Scores 97-93 and 95-94 to Robles and 96-93 to Ugas. The 25-year-old local “Renegade” was jumping form six rounds up to ten and facing by far his toughest opponent but came through in style to win the interim WBC Latino title.. Ugas 27 was an outstanding amateur being right up there with Yuriorkis Gamboa and Guillermo Rigondeaux winning gold medals at the Pan American Championships, World Championships, Central American & Caribbean Championships and the Pan American Games, being Cuban champion in 2005/6/7 and 8, winning an Olympic bronze medal and beating Terrence Crawford and Rosniel Iglesias. Despite all of this he has stuttered as a pro and may just not make it.

Redwood City, CA, USA: Bruno Escalante (12-1-1) W KO 1 Lorenzo Trejo (33-29-1). Welter: Jonathan Chicas (13-1) W KO 4 Rogelio Castaneda (26-20-3,1ND).

Escalante vs. Trejo

Local hero Escalante just too quick-handed and powerful for Mexican veteran. Trejo never got untracked before Filipino-born Escalante nailed him with a solid left hook to the body and a right to the head which put Trejo down and out. The 25-year-old Escalante retains his IBA title and makes it 6 wins by KO/TKO and six wins in a row. Trejo, 36, is 3-11 in his last 14 fights including three first round losses in his last three fights. IBA must be real proud of this world title fight.

Chicas vs. Castaneda

“El Carismatico” pushes veteran Castaneda a bit further over the hill with fourth round kayo. The 25-year-old had the speed and the power and Castaneda was just eating punches. Chicas scored knockdowns with right hands in the second and third rounds and ended the job with a left hook in the fourth. Five wins in a row for the San Francisco prospect. Castaneda, 37, a pro since 1996, has lost his last five fights but some good names in those five.

Hammond, IN, USA: Middle: Willie Monroe Jr (16-1) W PTS 6 Donatas Bondoravas (18-5-1). Middle: Vitaliy Kopylenko (22-0) W TKO 2 Cerresso Fort (17-3-1). Middle: Ray Gatica W TKO 4 (14-2) W Sena Agbeko (15-1). Middle: Brandon Adams 13-0) W TKO Daniel Edouard (23-5-2). Welter: Simeon Hardy (10-0) W TKO 5 Chad Greenleaf (13-20-1).

Monroe vs. Bondoravas

ESPN’s “Boxcino 2014” tournament moves on to middleweights. Monroe, the nephew of the great Philly battler Willie “The Worm” Monroe, probably hard the hardest task of any in the quarterfinals as he faced the experienced and useful Lithuanian Bondoravas. The first round went to Bondoravas but after that the superior speed and southpaw skills of Monroe saw him dominate the fight. Scores 59-55 twice and 58-56. Monroe, 27, moves on to meet Vitali Kopylenko

Kopylenko vs. Fort

The power of the Ukrainian proved too much for Fort. After rocking Fort with jabs in the first Kopylenko floored Fort twice in the second and the fight was stopped. The 30-year-old Kopylenko, who splits his time between the Ukraine and Switzerland, has 13 wins by KO/TKO and looks the danger man. After being unbeaten in his first 17 fights Fort is now 1-3 in his last 4 fights.

Gatica vs. Agbeko

Ghanaian Agbeko was in this first for the first two rounds but then wilted quickly. Gatica had the African hurt in the third but could not finish the job. He managed that in the fourth staggering Agbeko with a combination and then just punching away until the referee waived the fight over. Texan Gatica, 29, was coming off a very creditable performance in losing a close decision to Fernando Guerrero in November. His other loss was in 2010 to Mark Jason Melligan in which he suffered a fracture to his left hand and was out of the ring for three years. He could be the dark horse of the tournament. The tall 22-year-old Agbeko had a tough first fight in the USA. He had won all of his fights by KO/TKO but as 8 of his opponents had never won a fight and 4 had negative records that meant little.

Adams vs. Edouard

Haitian Edouard had once been a world rated fighter but this was his first fight in 27 months and that inactivity caught up with him. The Haitian still had some good skills and used these to offset the attacks of the younger fighter but Adams was going to the body and by the third round had slowed the more experienced fighter. He dropped Edouard with a body punch in the fourth and although Edouard survived he retired at the end of the round. The 24-year-old “Cannon” Adams has 9 wins by KO/TKO the last 6 in a row. Edouard, 33, had retired in July 2010 after consecutive losses to Alfonso Mosquera and Pete Manfredo.

Hardy vs. Greenleaf

In a bout that was not part of the ESPN tournament Guyanian Hardy got a win in his first bout in the USA as he halted late fill-in Greenleaf in five rounds. It was the first fight for 26-year-old “Candyman” Hardy since outpointing former WBA title challenger Howard Eastman in October 2012. The 43-year-old Greenleaf has lost 6 of his last 7 fights and was having his first fight for almost three years. Not much of a test.

Cape Town, South Africa: Bantam: Toto Hlebe (14-3) W PTS 12 Cebo Ngema (8-4-1).

Hlebe vs. Ngema

Hlebe retains the South African title as he boxes his way to victory over former victim Ngema. The challenger pressed the fight but Hlebe is an adroit counter puncher and boxed comfortably on the back foot scoring with good counters and straight rights to build a lead. Over the last five rounds Ngema started a charge to try to cut back the deficit but despite one judge seeing him a clear winner in the end again came up short on the other two cards. Scores117-113 and 116-112 for Hlebe and 117-114 for Ngema. The 29-year-old local was making his second defence. He had outpointed Ngema over six rounds in 2012. Ngema, the mandatory challenger, has won only one of his last five fights now.

Ontario, CA, USA: Bantam: Carlos Carlson (14-0) W PTS 8 Javier Gallo (21-9-1). Carlson had a 4” height advantage and the edge in reach so Gallo had to work inside. He managed that in the first round boring in and throwing fast clusters of punches. Carlson found the range in the second and began to score with jabs and counters as Gallo tried to shorten the distance. The styles made for a good fight with Gallo always the aggressor and forcing Carlson to work hard to keep him out. A classic little battle. Carlson did the cleaner work but Gallo managed to work the body and stay competitive. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. The 28-year-old “Memin” Carlson had won his last seven by KO/TKO so this was by far his biggest test to date and he wins the vacant WBC Latino title. Gallo, 30, is 3-5 in his last 8 fights but has been in with top opposition such as Rodel Mayol, Drian Francisco, Vic Darchinyan and Felipe Orucuta.

Motherwell, Scotland: Welter: Rhys Pagan (8-1) W TKO 1 Valentin Stoychev (6-16-2). Fly: Iain Butcher (10-1) W TKO 1 Valentin Marinov (5-8-1).

Pagan vs. Stoychev

Scot Pagan wins the vacant International Masters title as he disposes of Bulgarian Stoychev in just 67 seconds. A right to the body put Stoychev down and he could not get up. Only the second win by KO/TKO for the tall Pagan.

Butcher vs. Marinov

Butcher makes it a Scottish double also using a body punch. This time it was a vicious left uppercut that put Marinov down. The 21-year-old WBO European champion and WBO No 15 only has three wins by KO/TKO but each of his last two fights have finished in the first round. He lost a razor thin decision to unbeaten Kevin Satchell for the British and Commonwealth titles in July and deserves a return. Marinov has lost 8 of his last 9 fights.

March 1

Glasgow, Scotland: Light: Terrence Crawford (23-0) W PTS 12 Ricky Burns (36-3-1) W. Light John Murray (33-2) W TKO 2 John Simpson (25-11). Light: Scott Cardle (14-0) W TKO 8 Paul Appleby (19-6). Middle: David Brophy (10-0-1) W TKO 8 Jamie Ambler (10-54-2). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (5-0) W TKO 1 Hector Avila (22-16-1). Middle: Anthony Ogogo (5-0) W TKO 6 Greg O’Neill (3-2). Light: Martin Ward (8-0) W TKO 4 Craig Woodruff (5-3). Super Feather: Mike Roberts (14-0) W PTS 6 Roman Peker (5-8-2).

Crawford vs. Burns

Crawford wins WBO title with convincing points victory over Burns. Over the first four rounds there was not much between the fighters with both making a cautious start and each trying to establish their jab. Crawford was looking threatening with his right hand counters but Burns was scoring well with his jab and probably took three of those first four rounds. Crawford started to pull away during the middle rounds as he constantly shifted stance to catch Burns with hard lefts and the movement and countering of Crawford was making Burns more tentative with his jab. Crawford was piling up the points and with Burns cut above his right eye it was now Crawford very much in the ascendancy. Although Burns landed good rights in the seventh and ninth rounds Crawford was busier doing most of the scoring, edging rounds and looking the stronger fighter. Burns got home with another right in the eleventh but although Crawford was tiring he was getting through with his left and outscoring the champion. There was no doubt over who won with Crawford getting the well deserved decision on scores of 116-112 twice and 117-111. The 26-year-old looked classy and he will be a real force at lightweight quite capable of unifying the title if Miguel Vazquez, Omar Figueroa or Richard Abril are willing. Burns, 30, was not even considering retirement. He performed well in this fight, probably better than he did against Jose Gonzalez and Ray Beltran, but in Crawford he was fighting someone who was a class above both of those opponents. There are plenty of good fights out there for Burns, both international and domestic so he will fight on.

Murray vs. Simpson

Murray destroys Simpson with body punches. The former British champion and WBA title challenger used body punches, all delivered with the left, to floor the Scot three times in the second round and the fight was stopped. Consecutive losses to Kevin Mitchell and Brandon Rios in 2011 saw 29-year-old Murray take almost two years out and this is his second win since his return. This makes the lightweight division very interesting in Britain. Simpson, 30, a former Commonwealth and British featherweight champion was having his first fight since losing inside the distance to Tommy Coyle in November. He is just not strong enough at lightweight and it may be time for him to rethink his future.

Cardle vs. Appleby

Former top amateur Cardle gets a rare inside the distance win as he halts Appleby. There was blood early in this one with Appleby cut in the first round and Cardle in the second. Neither fighter allowed the cut to affect his tactics and the fight turned into an excellent little boxing match between two evenly matched battlers. Cardle had built a slight lead going into the last round. Appleby was tiring badly and a bunch of punches from Cardle put him down. The Scot made it to his feet but the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old Cardle has outstanding skills but this was only his third win by KO/TKO. Cardle was a quarterfinalist at both the World Cadets and full World Championships and won a bronze medal at the European Union Championships. Appleby, 26, a former British featherweight champion, is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights.

Brophy vs. Ambler

With Brophy not being a puncher and Ambler a practiced survivor this was always going the distance. The only sign of a possible stoppage was due to damage to the left eye of Ambler but the Welshman used his defensive skills to minimize the damage. Twenty-three-year-old Scot Brophy won every round but is still looking for his first inside the distance win. Referees score 80-72. Only six of Ambler’s losses have come by KO/TKO and it is 2008 since he was last beaten that way.

Joshua vs. Avila

Just looking at the two fighters told you this would not last three minutes. The tall sculptured Joshua towered over the rotund, bald Argentinian. Joshua was patiently sticking out his jab and Avila tried occasional head down rushes. Finally Joshua got serious and punched Avila to the ropes. He opened up with well directed hooks and uppercuts until Avila struggled off the ropes. As they moved together a downward chopping left from Joshua caught the side of Avila’s head and put him down. Avila got up with some difficulty clutching his ear but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. The 24-year-old 6’6” Olympic gold medallist makes it 4 wins by KO/TKO. He did what he had to do, which was not much, and he needs a better standard of opponent. “The Shark” Avila, 38, was more like a whale. He had lasted nine rounds with Dereck Chisora in April which made some sense of his choice, but he was never going to go that far with Joshua.

Ogogo vs. O’Neill

Ogogo continues to win well but does not really seem to catch fire. The Olympic bronze medal winner was able to outbox the inexperienced O’Neill and showed good classic skills but these are fights he should be looking to win without having to go the distance. O’Neill tried hard but was out boxed in every round. Referee’s score 60-54. The 25-year-old Ogogo has talent so may just be taking time to adapt to the pros. First fight in a year for O’Neill who has been kayoed in his last fight.

Ward vs. Woodruff

Ward is yet another bright prospect who is making steady progress. He dominated the first three rounds before flooring and halting Woodruff in the fourth. The 22-year-old Essex-based Yorkshire man has won his last four by KO/TKO. As an amateur he won bronze medals at the World and European Cadets Championships and gold medals at the European Union Cadet and European Junior Championships. He was ABA champion in 2009/2010 and competed at both the World Junior and Senior Championships. One to watch. First loss inside the distance for Welsh Area champion Woodruff.

Roberts vs. Peker

Glaswegian Roberts, another bright hope, was given six good rounds by Frenchman Peker. Then 27-year-old (and one day) Scot built a lead over five rounds but tricky Peker finished strongly to pinch the last. Referee’s score 59-55. The 5’10” Roberts is a former Scottish amateur champion and had close to 100 amateur fights. Three losses in a row for Peker.

San Antonio, TX, USA: Feather: Orlando Salido (41-12-2,1ND) W PTS 12 Vasyl Lomachenko (1-1). Super Middle: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (48-1-1) W PTS 12 Brian Vera (23-8). Light: Julio Diaz (39-4) W PTS 10 Gerardo Robles (16-13). Feather: Oscar Valdez (9-0) W TKO 3 Samuel Sanchez (6-5-1). Light: Ivan Najera (13-0) W PTS 8 Angel Hernandez (8-2). Light Welter: Jose Zepeda (18-0) W TKO 2 Johnnie Edwards (15-7-1).

Salido vs. Lomachenko

Experience told in this one as Salido used his entire bag of tricks to beat the Ukrainian on a split decision. Salido made it a rough close quarters fight which suited him. He had lost his title on the scales when he failed to make the weight and by fight time was 147lbs , 11lbs heavier than Lomachenko. He was able to use that additional weight, some good body work, and some very questionable tactics to get the win. Lomachenko was not able to use his jab effectively as Salido was feinting, bobbing and weaving and smothering the Ukrainian whilst scoring with body shots of his own. It could be that Lomachenko fought at too steady a pace due to his lack of professional experience but by the time he woke up it was too late and Salido had built a winning lead. It did not help his cause that some poor refereeing let Salido get away with low punches from the first round to the last and various other infractions, tactics which Lomachenko would not have experienced as an amateur. Lomachenko did a lot of good work and showed his class and that he belongs at this level but he was allowing Salido to steal the fight from him. Lomachenko was strong over the closing rounds and what could have been was shown in the last round when a left from southpaw Lomachenko had Salido in serious trouble and Lomachenko was getting home with heavy shots only for the referee to needlessly interrupt the action which gave Salido some breathing space. The 33-year-old Mexican schooled Lomachenko in the black arts of pro boxing and took the split decision on scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115. It is ridiculous that Salido only paid a $15,000 fine for his indiscipline in not even getting near to making the weight. A small slap for cheating the TV, Promoter and fans of a true world title fight. Don’t the WBO have trail weights? Obviously not. Lomachenko will learn a lot from this he showed that even with only one pro fight behind him he is capable of winning a world title and you can be sure he will get another chance.

Chavez vs. Vera

Chavez was a fitter and better fighter in this return match and won a well deserved unanimous decision. The Mexican was able to use his height and strength to take the opening rounds but Vera’s pressure turned the fight into a scrap of the sort that Vera excels. Chavez was going strongly to the body, it’s in the genes, and Vera was head hunting and both were having plenty of success since neither is too enamored with defence. Both have great chins and absorbed hard head shots. Chavez was chipping away at Vera round after round, but the Texan just kept coming and taking whatever Chavez was throwing to get toe-to-toe. Vera was throwing more shots, but it was Chavez who was landing more. Chavez had the fight won before the last which is just as well as Vera dominated the twelfth round but came up short. Scores 117-110 twice and 114-113 as Chavez wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. Chavez, 28, settles arguments over his controversial victory over Vera in September and is now in line for a shot at Sakio Bika for the WBC title, if he wants it. Texan Vera just solidified his standing as a tough fighter who can give anyone trouble on his night.

Diaz vs. Robles

Diaz continues his comeback with one-sided points victory over Mexican Robles. Diaz was the pressing fighter throughout and with the exception of the odd counter from Robles it was “Baby Bull’s” fight. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90. Diaz, 30, took almost three years out after losses to Paul Malignaggi and Juan Manuel Marquez and has scored four wins since returning. Kansas City-based Robles, 30, showed a good chin and lots of guts and usually goes the distance. He has lost his last three but the other two losses were to Jose Felix Jr. and Emmanuel Tagoe.

Valdez vs. Sanchez

Mexican double Olympian Valdez, 23, just rolls over Sanchez. The hard-punching prospect forced the stoppage in the third round to maintain his 100% record of wins by KO/TKO.

Najera vs. Hernandez

After a couple of wild early rounds local fighter Najera settled down to work his way to a unanimous decision over Hernandez. Najera provided early fireworks when he floored Hernandez in the first but Hernandez bounced back to put Najera down in the second. Scores 77-73 twice and 78-72 for the promising 21-year-old as he has to go the distance for the fourth time in a row. Fellow-Texan Hernandez had won his last 7 fights.

Zepeda vs. Edwards

Zepeda does not do distance fights. The 24-year-old from California had Edwards in deep trouble in the second when the referee halted the fight. Zepeda has 16 wins by KO/TKO. The last 12 in a row. There is some useful opposition in that list of 12 including Cris Favela, Rodolfo Quintanilla, Ric Dominguez and Luis Arceo. Edwards, 34, was having his first fight since losing to Gabriel Bracero in December 2012. He was a multi-times US Inter-Services champion and US Amateur champion. He beat Diego Magdaleno in the 2004 US Olympic Trials but lost to Mickey Bey and Aaron Garcia.

Magdeburg, Germany; Super Middle: Arthur Abraham (39-4) W PTS 12 Robert Stieglitz (46-3). Cruiser: Dennis Ronert (20-0) W PTS 10 Shefat Isufi (12-1-2). Heavy: Michael Wallisch (12-0) W KO 2 Frank Schadwill (7-0).

Abraham vs. Stieglitz

Abraham goes 2-1 up in their series and regains the WBO title with a hotly disputed split decision. These two could fight each other 100 times and the outcome would still be controversial. It depends on whether you go for aggression or skill and in this case skill won out. Stieglitz, the defending champion came out swinging from the start. He took the fight to Abraham and set a ferocious pace. Abraham was on the back foot, but that was where he was doing his best work. The action was fierce, Stieglitz made it so with his aggression and Abraham had to use all of his skills to stay in the fight. He did that with fast, accurate counters so it was the busier aggression of Stieglitz against the cleaner more studied work of Abraham. There was plenty of rough stuff and both lost a point for infractions and how you scored rounds depended on your preference in styles. Abraham made the better finish as Stieglitz tired from the pace he had set. In the twelfth a right cross from Abraham saw Stieglitz slump to his knees with Abraham landing a cuffing left just as Stieglitz touched down. The champion made it to his feet and was there at the final bell. In the end two of the judges saw Abraham the clear winner on scores of 115-110 and 114-111and the third favoured Stieglitz 113-112. Armenian-born “King Arthur”, 34, rules again. After losing the title to Stieglitz in March last year, he had been unimpressive in beating Wilberforce Shihepo and Giovanni de Carolis but was back on form here. Russian Stieglitz considered he was robbed and wants a fourth match but I feel that Abraham may want to take at least one voluntary defence before that happens.

Ronert vs. Isufi

“The Rhine Bomber” retains his IBF Youth title in hard fight with Serbian-born Albanian Isufi. Ronert was the aggressor from the start but in Isufi he found himself facing a tough opponent. The Albanian kept the fight close over the first five rounds and may have even built a small lead. Ronert was rolling from the sixth and did enough to overtake his challenger and shook Isufi with a hard right/left combination in the last to put the issue beyond doubt. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. This was the first real test for the 21-year-old German and it shows he is still learning. Isufi, 24, was stepping up from six round bouts against poor opposition and that told against him over the closing rounds.

Wallisch vs. Schadwill

Wallisch imposed himself on this fight immediately putting Schadwill down with a right in the first 20 seconds. Schadwill managed to get through the round but in the second another thunderous right put him down and out. The 28-year-old 6’5” (196cm) Wallisch retains the German (BDB) title and makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. He has wins over Yakup Saglam (27-0) and useful Lars Bucholz and is currently rated EU No 14. Schadwill 6’3” (190cm) was having his first fight since July 2012.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Straw: Hekkie Budler (25-1) W KO 1 Karlius Diaz (21-5). Light Heavy: Johnny Muller (16-3-2) W PTS 12 Wilberforce Shihepo (21-8). Light Heavy: Ryno Liebenberg (15-0) W TKO 1 Joey Vegas (16-7-1).

Budler vs. Diaz

The “Hexecutioner” makes a successful fifth defence of his IBO title and retains his interim WBA title with a crushing one punch finish. Budler was pressing from the start and the first time he saw a clear opening he landed a stunning overhand right that put the Colombian down and the fight was over. Not a renowned puncher Budler seems to be sitting down on his punches more and Rodney Berman’s aim is to get him into another unification match to add another title. The 25-year-old with the Technicolor hair looks the best of the small men right now. Diaz, 26, had lost to Alberto Rossel for the WBA interim title in 2012 and won 5 of his last 6 fights. He was rated No 6 by the WBA.

Muller vs. Shihepo

Muller gets a very close decision over Namibian Shihepo in a fight which could have gone either way. Whilst it was not high on technique it was a tough battle of attrition testing both fighters to the limits. Muller had to overcome cuts over both eyes and Shihepo was almost certainly suffering from the effort of losing 6kg between Tuesday and fight day. Muller had to try to keep the fight at a distance to protect the cuts and Shihepo was always looking to get inside to work the body. There was quite a bit of untidy wrestling with Shihepo crucially being deducted a point in the sixth round for holding and hitting as the fight turned into a brawl, but an entertaining one as neither fighter had the punch to seriously deter the attacks of the other. Scores 116-113, 116-114 and 114-113. Muller wins the vacant WBC International Silver title. The South African champion has won 5 of his last 6 fights with two of his three career losses being to Ryno Liebenberg. Shihepo is really a super middle so his weight problem was surprising. His career high so far was giving Arthur Abraham all the trouble he could handle when losing to “King Arthur” for the WBO Inter-Continental title in August. Both fighters may now take part in another of Rodney Berman’s Last Man Standing Tournaments later in the year.

Liebenberg vs. Vegas

Liebenberg was impressive in putting away former WBC International champion Vegas in one round. The South African waited for a storming start from Vegas to blow itself out and then floored the Ugandan. Vegas got up and took the eight count but a left hook to the chin floored Vegas again and the fight was stopped. Liebenberg makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO and he just seems to get better with every fight. This was his 6^th win by KO/TKO in his last 7 fights. He wins the vacant WBC International title and will obviously climb from his WBC 14 ranking. Vegas, 32, the former WBC International champion, had been stripped off the title in November when there were plans for him to fight for another bodies title. He had turned his career around with five wins by KO/TKO to get him a No 5 rating with the WBC. Now he may have to go back to taking what fights he can get in the other guys backyard.

Bristol, England: Super Middle: James DeGale (18-1) W TKO 11 Gevorg Khatchikian (20-1). Bantam: Lee Haskins (29-3) W TKO 2 Luke Wilton (15-4-1).

DeGale vs. Khatchikian

DeGale has too much skill and power for limited Khatchikian but makes the night harder that it needed to be in retaining his WBC Silver title. Southpaw DeGale has great movement and fast hands and made the Armenian-born Dutchman look pedestrian at times. DeGale made a good start getting through with a hard left in the first. Not so good in the second as the European champion suffered a cut just above his left eye and lost his way for a while. The Brit was back in control in the third and fourth and scored well in the next two rounds to build a substantial lead. The seventh was Dutchman’s best round as he had DeGale hurt with a right uppercut and had the champion looking ragged. That was as good as it was going to get for Khatchikian as he was caught with heavy punches in the eighth and ninth. DeGale wasted time and energy in the tenth being too casual and over confident taunting and letting Khatchikian score with punches that he made no attempt to block. DeGale got serious again in the eleventh and closed in style. Two lefts sent Khatchikian reeling back into the ropes and he went down under a barrage of shots. He gamely got up but was drive to the ropes and a wicked right to the body put Khatchikian down again and the fight was over. The 28-year-old former Olympic gold medallist was making the third defence of his WBC Silver title and gets his eighth win since a majority decision to George Groves back in 2011. He was supposed to fight Badou Jack in a WBC eliminator but that was trashed by Derek Edwards on Friday night. DeGale’s team will be trying to get a direct shot at WBC champion Sakio Bika but as I pointed out before not only is Julio Cesar Chavez the WBC No 1 but he is also a favoured son there and a bigger money match for Bika. I wish DeGale’s team every success, but fear the worst. The 25-year-old Khatchikian found the class gap to big but showed a gritty courage.

Haskins vs. Wilton

Powerful display by southpaw Haskins as he halts game but out-gunned Wilton. The first round saw Wilton trying to take the fight to Haskins and get inside. He paid for that as the British champion peppered him with fast hooks and uppercuts from both hands. The speed and footwork of Haskins were a joy to watch as he moved around to create angles and slammed home shots with both hands. Wilton tried hard at the start of the second but again Haskins had too much movement and was getting through with a variety of punches and Wilton was forced to go down to escape the storm. He got up but later in the round a left uppercut and a right cross put Wilton down heavily. Wilton was up but staggering and the fight was stopped. “Playboy” Haskins, 30, had trained to fight Cobbina Johnson, who reportedly failed a brain scan, and was just too big for flyweight Wilton. Haskins is rightly bitter that he has easily beaten Stuart Hall and Martin Ward who contest the IBF bantam title later this month and was demanding a shot at the winner. In fairness to Wilton he is really a flyweight fighting at bantam to get some fights and came in at a couple of days notice. He had won 12 of his previous 13 fights.

Pasay City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Genesis Servania (24-0) W TKO 12 Alex Munoz (36-6). Super Fly: Arthur Villaneuva (25-0) W PTS 10 Fernando Aguilar (9-7). Feather: Albert Pagara (19-0) W KO 1 Isack Junior (22-5-2).

Servania vs. Munoz

Impressive win by young Filipino as he overcomes a bad cut over his left eye to halt the former WBA super fly champion in the last round. After landing some hard shots in the first round Servania floored Munoz with a right in the second. Munoz made it to his feet and was saved by the bell. The Venezuelan was rocked again in the fourth and it began to look as though the fight would soon be over. However, Munoz staged a recovery in the middle rounds. A punch from Munoz opened a small cut over the left eye of Servania in the sixth and a clash of heads in the eighth made the cut much worse. Servania took control again in the ninth hurting Munoz with a left to the body which forced the Venezuelan to go down on one knee. Servania’s cut was bleeding profusely, but Munoz was rapidly tiring. The Filipino finished things in the twelfth with a crunching right to the chin. Munoz got up but was in no condition to continue and the fight was halted. The 22-year-old “Azucal” retains his WBO Inter-Continental title and makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO. He is rated No 3 by the WBO and may be the best young fighter in the Philippines right now. He will have to have a rest to let the cut heal as he suffered a cut in the same place in his last fight, but then there is talk of either Fernando Montiel or Vic Darchinyan as his next opponent. Munoz, 35, “El Explosivo” a former double WBA super fly champion earned his nickname with a run of 23 wins by KO/TKO at the start of his career. Munoz up until now had only lost to world champions with his last fight being an inside the distance loss to Leo Santa Cruz in May.

Villaneuva vs. Aguilar

Villanueva finds himself in a war with Mexican Aguilar. The Mexican only came in as a late substitute and had unimpressive statistics. However, he gave the highly rated Villaneuva all the trouble he could handle. Villanueva was picking up points with his better boxing but was too often dragged into wild exchanges. Aguilar suffered a bad cut under his left eye and lost a point in the ninth for a low blow but made Villaneuva look ordinary as the talented Filipino had an off day and ended the fight with swellings around both eyes. Scores 96-91, 95-92 and 94-93. “King Arthur” 25 is rated WBO 3/IBF 4(3)/ WBA 9/WBC 15 but will have to do better than this if he is to force his way into a title fight. Aguilar, 24, is a deceptive 2-5 in his last 7 fights.

Pagara vs. Junior

If Villanueva struggled Pagara starred. The hard punching 20-year-old got through with a left hook and then a ripping right to the body and Indonesian southpaw Junior went down and could not get up. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for “Prince Albert” the younger brother of Jason Pagara and another outstanding ALA prospect. Junior, 25, had been kayoed in three rounds by Servania in May but had rebounded with three wins.

Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Jake Carr (7-0) W PTS 6 Lyndon Edney (3-6). A disappointment for Carr as his original fight fell though and he found himself facing a late substitute. Edney did well to last the distance as Carr won on scores of 60-53 from all three judges. After wins over Serge Yannick and Zac Awad the 23-year-old Australian champion is ready to move up. Five losses in a row for Edney but he was a very late sub when Ghanaian Mohammed Akrong did a disappearing act.

Montcy-Notre-Dame, France: Light Middle: Joaid Chiguer (5-0) W KO 2 Goran Milenkovic (6-3). Light Heavy: Hakim Chioui (28-3-1) W PTS 6 Mile Nikolic (11-24-1).

Chiguer vs. Milenkovic

Former amateur star Chiguer makes it four wins by KO/TKO with the kayo of Serb Milenkovic. He had Milenkovic down at the end of the first round with the bell sounding during the standing count. He wasted little time in the second driving Milenkovic back before sinking in a left hook to the body that saw Milenkovic getting up at 9 ¾ + . The 28-year-old, a former French amateur champion, who beat Anthony Ogogo, competed at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships. This was his first fight for 14 months and only his second fight in almost two years. He has talent so hopefully will now be more active. “Rocky” Milenkovic now has four losses in a row and was out of his league here.

Chioui vs. Nikolic

Chioui gets a workout against Serbian. The 27-year-old Chioui was coming forward throughout this one with Nikolic looking to survive. Chioui did manage to put Nikolic down but the Serb showed some good survival skills in losing every round but finishing on his feet. Chioui has lost his big fights to Jonathan Profichet twice and Nadjib Mohammedi but the 27-year-old is FFB No 3 so another shot at the national title is there for him. Nikolic has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Lyon, France: Light Heavy: Hakim Zoulikha (21-4) W PTS 10 Kevin Thomas Cojean (12-5-1). Local fighter Zoulikha wins the vacant French title with close unanimous decision over Cojean. This was a hard fought battle all the way. Zoulikha pressed the action early and was more accurate and busier but Cojean showed some excellent counter punching. The middle rounds were very even with Zoulikha building a slight lead only for Cojean to bang back to take the seventh and make it anyone’s fight. The stronger finish saw Zoulikha take the ninth and tenth to just deserve the decision. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. The 27-year-old Zoulikha said his form was affected by some sickness prior to the fight day . He has lost only 2 of his last 19 fights and those losses were to good European level opposition in Robin Krasniqi and Robert Woge. Cojean, 24, enhanced his reputation in this one. He had won 3 of his last 4 and was FFB No 5

Tokyo, Japan: Middle: Akio Shibata (22-8-1) W PTS 12 Daisuke Nakagawa (22-4-2). Shibata beats Nakagawa again as he wins close unanimous victory to retain the OPBF title and win Nakagawa’s JBC title. Over the early and mid rounds the better boxing and superior speed of Shibata allowed him to keep the fight at a distance and edge ahead. At the end of the eighth round Shibata was ahead 78-74 on two cards and 77-76 on the third. Nakagawa knew that meant he needed a strong finish. He launched furious attacks and had Shibata in deep trouble in the ninth. The champion survived and with Nakagawa lacking the punch power to turn things around Shibata did enough in the closing two rounds to ensure the decision went his way. Scores 117-111, 116-113 and 115-113. The 32-year-old Shibata, a former undefeated JBC light middle champion, lost in two rounds to Olympian Ryota Murata in Murata’s pro debut in August but his OPBF title was not on the line in that fight. Nakagawa had lost only one of his last 16 fights going in and that was to Shibata for the JBC light middle title in 2012. He announced his retirement after this fight.

Naucalpan, Mexico: Light Middle: Ramon Alvarez (18-4-2) W KO 5 Esau Herrera (18-7-1). Welter: Fernando Angulo (27-9) W TKO 9 Pablo Cesar Cano (27-4-1). Feather: Mario Macias (26-12,1ND) W TKO 8 Braulio Santos (11-2). 18

Alvarez vs. Herrera

Alvarez recovers from being badly shaken in the first to knock Herrera out cold in the fifth. After that rocky first Alvarez attack the body of Herrera and scored with vicious shots. Herrera was not wilting and fired back with shots of his own. Alvarez had Herrera hurt with a couple of heavy rights and the fight exploded in the fourth with both just blazing away. In the fifth a punch from Alvarez split open the nose of Herrera and then a right to the jaw laid Herrera out cold. The 27-year-old “Innocent” the brother of Saul, Rigoberto and Ricardo, makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. He has lost only one of his last 13 fights and has won 4 in a row by KO/TKO. Herrera, 29, loses by KO/TKO for the fifth time. He lost in five rounds to Jamie Moore in 2008 and retired in June 2012. He returned last November with a good win over unbeaten Bruno Sandoval (15-0) and this was his first fight since then.

Angulo vs. Cano

Cano was boxing well in this one and building a lead with a sustained body attack against the experienced Ecuadorian. Things changed dramatically in the sixth when punches opened cuts over both eyes of the Mexican. The sight of blood galvanised Angulo who started to score with hard shots to the damaged face of Cano. In the ninth a right from Angulo suddenly had one of the cuts spurting blood. The fight was stopped to clarify whether the damage was caused by a punch or a clash of heads. The replay showed it was a punch so Angulo was declared the winner. Angulo, 33, lost to Juan Diaz for the WBA light title in 2006. He had a run of seven bouts which saw him at 2-5 but he picked up a good win down in Argentina and now with this win can look to some more on the road paydays. Cano, 24, was unlucky in this one. He lost to Erik Morales for the vacant WBC light welter title in 2011 and had back-to-back losses to Paul Malignaggi for the WBA welter title and Shane Mosley for the vacant WBC International title. He had started his rebuilding with a win over Ashley Theophane in September but this is a big set back.

Macias vs. Santos

A Mild upset sees Mexican journeyman Macias halt Puerto Rican hope Santos. “Huracan” Macias started the storm early and had Santos down in both of the first two rounds. Santos did well to survive but was hurt again in the eighth and the referee stopped the fight. The 28-year-old Macias was kayoed in four rounds by Koki Kameda for the WBA bantam title in 2011 and was 2-5 in his last 7 fights going in to this one. Santos, 24, has slipped as this was his second loss in his last three fights.

Madrid, Spain: Bantam: Angel Moreno (3-0-2) W PTS 10 Ivan Ruiz (11-3-1). Moreno wins the vacant Spanish title with a very close split decision over favourite Ruiz. Moreno swept the first three rounds working inside the reach of the taller Ruiz. Ruiz had his southpaw right jab working from the fourth and was also getting home with hard lefts. Moreno again scored well inside with quick combinations but Ruiz was getting through enough with his jab to make the rounds and the fight very close. Despite his lack of experience with only 14 rounds of boxing behind him Moreno just edged the last two rounds to take the decision. Scores 97-93 and 96-95 Moreno and 97-93 Ruiz. Moreno, 30, is managed by Sergio Martinez. “El Silencio” Ruiz, 33, had won 9 of his last 10 fights

Opelousas, LA, USA: Light Mason Menard (28-1) W TKO 6 Rynell Griffin (7-20-2). Menard gets a repeat win over late substitute Griffin when original opponent Hector Velasquez falls out. Menard pressured Griffin in every round but Griffin earned some respect with some hard counters over the first three rounds. However for most of the time Griffin was occupied in trying to handle the busier, body punching local. A hook from Menard put Griffin down in the fifth and he seemed to have an injured jaw. With Menard landing heavy punches in the sixth Griffin’s corner chucked in the towel. The 25-year-old “Rock Hard Mighty” moves to 21 wins by KO/TKO and his last seven fights have ended that way. He is unbeaten in his last 26 fights but is ready for better opposition. He had outpointed Griffin over eight rounds in 2012. Only one win in his last 20 fights for Griffin.

Outapi, Namibia: Light: Paulus Moses (33-2) W PTS 12 Cristian Coria (21-2-1). Light: Martin Haikali (15-5) W TKO 1 Tekesha Kabwe. Light Welter: Julius Indongo (14-0) W TKO 1 Joel Mwewa.

Moses vs. Coria

Despite a sluggish start Moses was a clear winner and retained his WBO International title. Coria started well and had Moses on the back foot over the first four rounds as he attacked with hard shots to the head and body. However from the fifth Moses was getting home with hard hooks and uppercuts from both hands. Coria was hurt in the sixth, seventh and tenth rounds and over the closing rounds was holding and just trying to survive. Scores 120-108, 119-108 and 117-110 with Coria losing two points for careless use of the head. The “Hitman” a former WBA secondary title holder, was making the third defence of his WBO International title and gets his fifth win since losing to Ricky Burns for the WBO title in 2012. He is currently No 3 with the WBO so a challenger for Terrence Crawford? “El Zorro” Coria, 31, is rated No 2 by the FAB.

Haikali vs. Kabwe

A taste of some body punches from Haikali proved too much for poor Kabwe and the fight was halted in the first round. Haikali retains his WBO African title and has lost only one of his last 14 fights. The DCR fighter Kabwe was an unknown. Rubbish match.

Indongo vs. Mwewa

Another piece of rubbish saw Indongo retain his WBO African title as he overwhelmed poor Mwewa with the referee stopping the fights after 2:17 of the first round. First defence of his title for Indongo and win No 7 by KO/TKO. Mwewa another unknown from the DCR. I wonder if the WBO are ware that by endorsing these terrible matches for their titles that they would also be held responsible if someone got badly hurt.

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 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

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation

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

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation

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.