The Past Week in Action 4 August

ERIC ARMIT | August 4, 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.

July 30

Broadbeach, Australia: Light Heavy: Damien Hooper (9-0) W KO 7 Joel Casey (15-14-3). Super Middle: Rohan Murdock (15-1) W KO 5 Gaston Vega (23-8).

Hooper vs. Casey

Hooper outboxes and then finishes experienced Casey in seven rounds. The 2012 Olympian had height and reach over southpaw Casey and was able to open up Casey’s defence with his jab and score with hard crosses and hooks. After dominating the first six rounds Hooper fired home a bazooka of a body punch in the seventh and Casey went down. He did well to get up but another body punch put him down. Once again he made it to his feet but when he was floored for a third time by a body punch the three knockdown rule was enforced and the fight was over. The 22-year-old “Super Hooper” wins the vacant WBC EPBC title and makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. Hooper was a World Youth champion and competed at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. He was at one time rated No 2 in the AIBA World ratings. He is yet another outstanding Australian prospect and is part of Ricky Hatton’s team. After being world rated at one time the 30-year-old Casey 30, the ANBF No 10 super middle, has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Murdock vs. Vega

Murdock beats Argentinian with a one punch finish after a tough fight. Vega came to fight and was willing to stand and trade with Murdock. After getting knocked down in the first Vega was getting the worst of it but still coming forward. In the fifth they were fighting at close quarters when Murdock fired a head-snapping right uppercut inside. It had a delayed action with Vega pumping his arms and then collapsing to the canvas. The 22-year-old Murdoch has 12 wins by KO/TKO and has won his last 13 fights, The ANBF No 4 represented Australia at both the World Cadet and World Youth Championships. Vega, 30, the FAB No 8 middleweight, is 5-5 in his last 10 fights including losses inside the distance to Patrick Nielson, Carlos Baldomir and Alex Theran

August 1

Wolverhampton, England: Welter: Leonard Bundu (31-0-2) W PTS 12 Frankie Gavin (19-1). Heavy: Lucas Browne (21-0) W PTS 12 Andriy Rudenko (24-1,1ND). Cruiser: Ricky Summers (6-0) W KO 4 Curtis Gargano (0-3-1). Cruiser: Simon Barclay (3-0) W PTS 4 Moses Matovu (5-44-3).

Bundu vs. Gavin

In all-southpaw fight Gavin gives it everything but come up short as a knockdown proves the difference in the scoring of a great battle. Bundu retains the EBU title and wins Gavin’s Commonwealth title. Things started well for Gavin as his superior hand speed and clever movement enabled him to land the cleaner punches and edge the early rounds. However, Bundu was pressurising and showing his experience in cutting down the ring and walking through Gavin’s punches to land hooks and uppercuts from both hands. Things took a dramatic change in the sixth when near the end of the round a combination from Bundu ending with a vicious left to the body put Gavin down in agony. He barely beat the count and “lost” his mouth piece so got a short respite and saw out the round. Over the next three rounds knowing he could hurt his man Bundu was forcing Gavin to the ropes going to the body, landing quick combinations and cutting down the punching room the taller Brit needed and inflicting a bad cut over the right eye of the Englishman. Gavin came back into the fight over the last three rounds clearly winning the last but it was not enough to overcome the 10-8 scoring in the sixth without which the worse Gavin would have earned was a majority draw. Scores 114-113 twice for Bundu and 115-112 for Gavin. The 39-year-old Bundu belied his age with aggression, speed and a high workrate throughout. This was his sixth defence of the EBU title and since he was born in Sierra Leone he also qualified as a challenger for Gavin’s Commonwealth tie and adds that to his collection. He is rated IBF 3/WBC 4 but would find it hard to get a slot on the dance cards of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao so the winner of the Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook fight looks his only world title avenue. Gavin 28 came so very close. This was a big-step up in opposition for the former world amateur champion who will probably take a couple of steps back and then come again.

Browne vs. Rudenko

CBC champion Browne wins battle of unbeaten heavies as he retains his WBC EPBC title and wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title with a unanimous decision. Despite being in his first fight almost 17 moths over the early rounds with both fighters landing hard punches the Ukrainian was quicker and had a higher work rate taking the first round.. Brown had the better of the next two only for Rudenko to fire back to edge ahead by taking the 4^th and 5^th Brown was handicapped by cuts around both eyes caused by head clashes with Rudenko getting a warning for misuse of his head. From the sixth Browne had the edge as he finally used his physical edge and strength and Rudenko tired and his work rate dropped. Browne landed hard punches over the late rounds but was unable to shake Rudenko who showed a good chin and staged a rally in the last round. Scores 117-112 from Ian John Lewis, 116-112 from Terry O’Connor and 115-113 from Daniel Van de Wiele. The 35-year-old Australian “Big Daddy” was rated IBF 7/WBC 8/WBA 13 with Ricky Hatton saying that their aim was a fight with WBA secondary title holder Ruslan Chagaev which is a realistic goal the 6’4” (193cm) Browne. Rudenko, 30, 6’0” (184cm) gave away quite a bit in height and reach but did well in the early rounds. His record is deceptive as he had never fought outside Ukraine and faced only very poor or moderate opposition and had never gone past eight rounds.

Summers vs. Gargano

Local hope Summers finishes Gargano with body punch. Summers used a fast, accurate jab to edge the first against last notice replacement Gargano and ended the second with a right uppercut the best punch of the fight to that point. Summers took the third with some good combinations and in the fourth put Gargano down on his knees with a right hook to the body and Gargano failed to beat the count. Now two wins by KO/TKO for the 27-year-old “Digger”. Three losses in a row for Gargano.

Barclay vs. Matovu

Former top amateur stays unbeaten. Barclay boxed his way to winning every round against the extrovert Ugandan. The 6’2” (188cm) 24-year-old steelworker from Corby has had to go the distance in each of his fights as he adjusts to the pro world. As an amateur he was twice English champion and twice a bronze medal winner. He is one to watch. The 37-year-old Matovu goes the distance as usual. He has only been stopped 4 times.

Shelton, WA, USA: Light Heavy: Gabriel Campillo (24-6-1,1ND) W TKO 5 Thomas Williams (17-1). Super Middle: Andre Dirrell (22-1) W TKO 5 Vladine Biosse (15-5-2). Welter: Wale Omotoso (24-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Eduardo Flores (19-14-3). Light Welter: Joaquin Chavez (8-13-3) W PTS 8 Luis Cruz (21-3). Welter: David Grayton (9-0) W TKO 2 Eddie Cordova (4-9-1). Cruiser: Jordan Shimmell (16-0) W DISQ 4 Epifanio Mendoza (37-18-1). Super Middle: Immanuwel Aleem (10-0) W TKO 6 Juan Carlos Rojas (6-7-1). Light Heavy: Philip Jackson-Benson (14-1) W TKO 4 Tom Hanshaw (6-4).

Campillo vs. Williams

Campillo dents the growing reputation of Williams with a victory due to a bad cut. Williams started well in this all-southpaw fight coming forward and scoring with body shots. However, Campillo is a known slow starter and he had warmed up by the third and was outworking Williams and forcing the American to fight on the back foot. The fourth was a crucial round. Firstly Campillo was cut over his right eye, but a right from Campillo opened a bad gash over the left eye of Williams. That cut affected Williams badly and he came apart. In the fifth he was just trying desperately not to get involved and Campillo was hunting down his reluctant opponent. At the end of the round Williams’ seconds asked the doctor to examine the cut and he instructed that the fight should be stopped. The 35-year-old former WBA and EBU champion Campillo, managed by Sergio Martinez, had looked to be out of the picture after going 2-3 in his last 5 fights with losses to Tavoris Cloud, Sergey Kovalev and Andrzej Fonfara but with a little bit of “adjustment” to their ratings the IBF have opened the door for him to fill the vacant No 2 spot in their ratings. “Top Dog” Williams just did not know how to handle being cut and it seemed to take all of the fight out of him. The 26-year-old had climbed to WBO 4/IBF 6(5)/WBC 10/WBA 14 with wins over Cornelius White, Otis Griffin and Enrique Ornelas. He is young enough to take away the lessons from this fight and come back stronger.

Dirrell vs. Biosse

Dirrell returns to action and outclasses Biosse. In his first fight since February 2013 Dirrell made a slow start in edging the first but from the second it was a one-sided fight. Dirrell was able to control the fight on the outside constantly switching guards and landing hard punches with both hands. A left hook shook Biosse at the end of the fourth and in the fifth Dirrell stood and traded and scored with some head-jolting uppercuts which saw Biosse wilting noticeable and he was trapped in a corner and not punching back when the referee stopped the fight. Since the 31-year-old “Matrix” lost a split decision to Carl Froch this was only his fourth fight in almost five years. Now he is looking to make up for lost time and calling out Andre Ward etc. Southpaw Biosse, 32, had taken British prospect Callum Smith the distance in July.

Omotoso vs. Flores

Ghanaian Omotoso returns with a win. In his first fight since losing his unbeaten record against Jesses Vargas in March last year Omotoso was forced to fight hard all the way before finally ending the bout in the last round. Omotoso, 29 had Vargas down in the second round from a body punch but lost out on a unanimous decision. Ecuadorian Flores put up a good effort but suffers his first loss by KO/TKO and is now 4-5 in his last 9 fights

Chavez vs. Cruz

Chavez springs a big upset with split decision over Cruz. Chavez got the best possible start when he showed unexpected power and put the favourite Cruz down in the very first round. Cruz was shaken for a couple of rounds but then fought his way back into contention. It was a hard fight to score but the judges saw it 79-72 and 78-73 to Chavez and 77-74 for Cruz. “Chico” Chavez, 26, had won only one of his last 6 fights prior to this so a big win for him. After 19 straight wins Puerto Rican Cruz, 28, had lost a majority verdict to Juan Carlos Burgos in 2011 and a close decision to Jose Felix in September 2012. He returned in April this year with a win over Carlos Velasquez but his rebuilding has been derailed for a while.

Grayton vs. Cordova

Former top amateur Grayton moves to eight wins by KO/TKO with second round kayo of overmatched Cordova. The 26-year-oold “Day-Day” was 2010 NGG champion beating Errol Spence in the final, a won a silver medal at the 2012 NGG’s. His dad, also David fought in the 1980’s against guys such as Darryl Tyson, Freddie Pendleton and Kelvin Seabrooks. Poor Cordova has lost 9 of his last 10 fights.

Shimmell vs. Mendoza

Shimmell, another former NGG champion, gets unsatisfactory win over experienced Mendoza. Shimmell was bossing the fight with Mendoza trying to change things with a whole range of nefarious tactics. The referee issued him warnings, deducted a point and finally threw him out. Shimmell, 25, keeps his 100% record and remains a good prospect but this one did not move him forward. Colombian Mendoza, 38, has brought his weight down from 215lbs to 170lbs and can be dangerous but he was only a danger to himself in this one.

Aleem vs. Rojas

Aleem given a good fight by Rojas but finds the punch to win. It looked like an early night for prospect Aleem when he staggered Rojas with a right in the first but Rojas had not lost inside the distance and he pressurised Aleem and fought back hard. Despite a point deduction from Rojas in the third for various infractions the fight was close at the end of the fifth. In the sixth a right from Aleem had Rojas badly hurt and put him on shaky legs with the referee stepping in and stopping the fight. The New York born 20-year-old has 6 wins by KO/TKO including 4 in his last 5 fights. Mexican Rojas is 3-5-1 in his last 9 fights.

Jackson-Benson vs. Hanshaw

In his first fight for 13 months J-B racks up another inside the distance win as he stops game Hanshaw. J-B was landing hard punches in each of the first three rounds and floored Hanshaw twice in the fourth to bring the referee’s intervention. The tall 29-year-old from Brooklyn has 13 wins by KO/TKO the last 9 on the bounce. First loss by KO/TKO for “Hillbilly” Hanshaw.

Bundu vs. Gavin

Browne vs. Rudenko

Summers vs. Gargano

Barclay vs. Matovu

Tampa, FL, USA: Fly: Daniel Lozano (12-1) W PTS 10 Antonio Garcia (13-3). Super Feather: Andrey Klimov (18-1) W RTD 8 Memo Avila (12-3). 6

Lozano vs. Garcia

Lozano outworks and then halts Garcia. In his first fight in ten months Lozano worked the body from the start, straying low a few times but wearing down Garcia. The pressure told in the eighth as Lozano cut loose and floored Garcia three times for the win. The 24-year-old “Scorpion” makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO and wins the interim WBO Latino title. He lost to Matt Villaneuva for the full title in his last fight in August 2013. Mexican Garcia, 20, scored a big win when he outpointed Jonathan Vidal in January last year and then was kayoed in four rounds by Omar Narvaez in a challenge for the WBO super fly title in May this year.

Klimov vs. Avila

Klimov too big and strong for Avila. The Russian, a big super feather, was able to walk through the punches of Avila who has been fighting at super bantam. After a slow start Klimov was slowly beating and busting Avila up. The traffic was all one way and Avila retired at the end of the eighth round. The 32-year-old Russian retains his WBO Inter-Continental title and makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO. He is WBO 6/IBF 12 with his only loss being a shut-out 100-90 from all three judges against Terrence Crawford in 2013. Mexican Avila, 22, is 1-3 in his last four fights with the other two losses being to Wilfredo Vazquez and Jonathan Oquendo.

Campillo vs. Williams

Dirrell vs. Biosse

Omotoso vs. Flores

Chavez vs. Cruz

Grayton vs. Cordova

Shimmell vs. Mendoza

Aleem vs. Rojas

Jackson-Benson vs. Hanshaw

Tapiales, Argentina: Super Feather: Roman R Reinoso (13-1-1) W TKO 9 Leonardo Fernandez (16-5-2). Reinoso retains his WBC Mundo Hispano title as Fernandez fails to answer the bell for the ninth round. Fernandez had a good first round scoring well with body punches but the power of Reinoso was evident in the second as he floored the challenger with a left to the chin. When the action resumed Fernandez lunged forward and fell down over the bottom rope. He then indicated a back problem and got useful recovery time as the doctor came into the ring to examine him and indicated he was okay to continue. From then it was downhill. Fernandez tried to match shots with Reinoso and was often the aggressor but was tiring. Reinoso was landing heavy head shots and hooks to the body. He dominated the eighth and an exhausted Fernandez lost a point in the for lunging in with his head down and it was no surprise when he retired before the start of the ninth. The 23-year-old “220 Volts” Reinoso, the FAB No 7 lightweight, is now unbeaten in his last 10 fights and has 7 wins by KO/TKO. Fernandez, 34, the FAB No 7 super feather, had won 4 of his last 5 fights. This was his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

Cordoba, Argentina: Super Feather: Israel Perez (27-2-1) W TKO 8 Carlos Rodriguez (29-10). Super Middle: Julius Jackson (18-0) W TKO 2 Crispulo Andino ((17-7-1).

Perez vs. Rodriguez

Perez beats Rodriguez who does not come out for the eighth round. In his first fight for almost 13 months Perez took a few rounds to warm-up. Once he did he used a relentless body attach to wear down and exhaust Rodriguez. Perez had Rodriguez down in the seventh but could not make it permanent and Rodriguez lasted to the bell but retired between rounds. The 35-year-old former Olympian, and the first Argentinian to win a World Youth title, lifts the vacant WBA Fedebol title. He has 16 wins by KO/TKO and is FAB No 2. He was 2-2 in a campaign in the USA in 2003 but has run up 18 wins and a draw in his last 19 fights. Rodriguez, the FAB No 3, had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

Jackson vs. Andino

Andino no match for the power of unbeaten Jackson. The first round saw Jackson almost blow Andino away as he scored a knockdown and forced a standing count. In the second body punches prepared the way for a right to the chin which put Andino down again and ended the fight. “The Chief” Jackson, the 26-year-old son of Julian Jackson, retains his WBA Fedebol title and makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO with his last 8 fights ending that way. Southpaw Andino, 25, is 3-5 in his last 8 fights.

August 2

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Light Heavy: Sergey Kovalev (25-0-1) W TKO 2 Blake Caparello (19-1-1). Light Heavy: Isaac Chilemba (23-2-2) W TKO 7 Corey Cummings (17-7-1). Light Middle: Dmitry Mikhaylenko (17-0) W PTS 8 Sechew Powell (26-6). Heavy: Joey Dawejko (11-3-2) W TKO 1 David Williams (7-9-2).

Kovalev vs. Caparello

In the third defence of his WBO title Kovalev crushes Caparello after climbing off the floor from a flash knockdown in the first. That was the only action of note in the first round as a left from Caparello caught an off balance Kovalev who momentarily touched down with a glove on the canvas. The champion was not hurt and was throwing heavy rights by the end of the round. In the second a straight right to the body put Caparello down. He was up at the count of eight but Kovalev took him to a corner and landed another right that saw Caparello dip down on one knee. He bravely got up again but a series of hard right again drove the Aussie to the ropes and as he went down the referee stopped the fight. The 31-year-old Russian “!Krusher” just had too much power for the light punching Caparello. He now has 23 wins by KO/TKO and has ended his last nine fights inside the distance. The former double World Military champion is now set to fight IBF/WBA champion Bernard Hopkins in a unification match on November 8. Southpaw Caparello, 27, the WBO No 10, showed guts in getting up after that devastating first body punch but he could never hope to match the power of Kovalev.

Chilemba vs. Cummings

Chilemba gets a win as he wears down Cummings and halts him in seven. Chilemba had height and reach over Cummings but Cummings did well over the early rounds getting inside and working the body. Once Chilemba had his jab working and managed to open some punching space he was in total control. The head shots were breaking and bruising Cummings’ face and apart from a right in the fifth that hurt Chilemba it was one-way traffic. By the seventh Cummings was beaten and bloodied and his face was swelling rapidly. Cummings was taking punishment in the seventh when the referee stopped the fight just as Cummings corner were ready to throw in the towel. The 27-year-old “Golden Boy” from Malawi drew then lost to Tony Bellew in fights for the WBC Silver title in 2013 but rebounded well with a win over Denis Grachev in March. This was his tenth win by KO/TKO but a pedestrian performance for Chilemba who is WBC2/IBF 7(6)/WBO 12. “Black Ice” Cummings, 34, suffers his first loss by KO/TKO. He is 1-5-1 in his last 7 fights.

Mikhaylenko vs Powell

Russian Mikhaylenko ruins the comeback plans of Powell with a unanimous decision. Mikhaylenko forced the fight putting out a higher work rate and getting home with accurate shots. Powell was in the fight over the first three rounds but then faded and spent more and more time on the ropes as Mikhaylenko increased the pressure looking for an inside the distance win, but he is not a big puncher so it eluded him. Powell used his experience and southpaw skills to survive but showed the effects of over two years on the sidelines. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. The 28-year-old Russian, “The Mechanic”, was having his first fight outside Russia so made an impressive debut. Former IBF light middleweight title challenger”Iron Horse” Powell, 35, had retired in 2012 after three losses in a row. He now has to decide whether to continue in the ring or walk away again.

Dawejko vs Williams

Dawejko destroys Williams in fight for local bragging rights. Dawejko was firing off shots from both hands from the start and Williams was caught cold. After three knockdowns the referee stopped the fight. The 24-year-old “Polish Thunder” Dawejko, a former World Youth champion has won 4 of his last 5 fights including a good victory over Derric Rossy in January, but at 5’10” (178cm) he is small for heavyweight by today’s standards and at around 230-240lbs may not be able to make cruiser where he would be more suited. Only one win in his last nine fights for Williams.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light Welter: Jessie Vargas (25-0) W PTS 12 Anton Novikov (29-1,1ND). Welter: Brandon Rios (32-2-1) W DISQ 9 Diego Chaves (23-2). Super Bantam: Jessie Magdaleno (19-0) W TKO 7 Carlos Rodriguez (18-15-4). Light Welter: Juan Carlos Ramirez (11-0) W PTS 8 Alfredo Romero (7-3). Super Feather: Erick De Leon (8-0) W TKO 5 Pedro Toledo (2-1-2,1ND). Super Feather: Saul Rodriguez (14-0-1) W TKO 2 Orlando Vazquez (13-5-1).

Vargas vs. Novikov

Vargas retains his secondary WBA title in a fight which was close in the ring but wide on the cards. Both fighters were willing to trade from the outset with many rounds close and neither fighter really dominating. Vargas took the first couple of rounds with clever boxing and a higher work rate but tired in the later rounds. The Russian was hurt in the fifth but battled back to take the sixth and seventh only for Vargas to step-up his delivery and edge the eighth and ninth. Over the tenth and eleventh Novikov was out-landing the champion particularly in body punches and he finished the fight strongly making it a close fight. The judges saw a different fight from most spectators and scored it 118-111 twice and 117-111. Vargas probably just did enough to deserve to retain but the scoring was too one-sided and murmurings over Vargas being the home town fighter were natural. The punch stats showed Vargas landing with 191 of 783 punches and Novikov throwing more and landing more at 223 of 812 so the Russian had reason to feel slighted. Still only 25 Vargas has time to develop and improve further but his lack of power is evident as his last 9 fights have all gone the distance. Novikov, the 26-year-old Russian “Pick Hammer” also lacks power and before this had never faced a rated fighter with the WBA suddenly parachuting him into their July ratings at No 7 after not listing him in their June top 15. Nevertheless he is a quality fighter and perhaps now will mix in rated company to try to get a return.

Rios vs. Chaves

Rios gets an unsatisfactory win as Chaves is disqualified in the ninth round when in sight of a career best result. There was so much controversy over the tactics of both fighters and the reaction of the referee that it tended to obscure that fact that this was a tough scrap between two fighters who were willing and eager to go toe-to-toe in some ferocious action. Chaves was edging rounds by being just as ready to mix it when he had to but using his boxing brain a bit more than Rios and getting the better of the exchanges by boxing with his superior skills. The first two rounds saw both fighters fighting on the inside in what looked set to be ten terrific rounds. Things started to go bad in the third when the referee deducted a point from Chaves for holding which looked harsh so early in the fight. The fourth was all-action again with Chaves getting the better of the action. In the fifth it was Rios who lost a point for pushing Chaves down. Again harsh as Rios had not had any previous warning for the offence. The sixth saw the referee giving Chaves another warning, this time with the threat of disqualification if he persisted. By now both fighters were cutting up rough and in the eighth Chaves was warned for dragging his glove down the face of Rios coming out of a clinch and was lucky not to be thrown out for that little trick. Despite being 2-1 down on points deducted at the end of the eighth Chaves was up 75-74 on two cards with the third reading 75-74 for Rios. The referee gave the Argentinean’s corner a warning about their man’s tactics which only served to anger them as they saw Rios as equally guilty. On a number of occasions Rios had been barreling in with his head down and Chaves had been putting on a headlock and according to Rios thumbing him in the eye, which was true in the eighth. Chaves was bossing the ninth but at one stage both fighters tumbled to the canvas which may have made the referee decided that the next one to sin would be thrown out. Once again Rios came in with his head down and as the referee broke them he decided that Chaves had again deliberately rubbed his glove across Rios’s eye and promptly disqualified Chaves. The Argentinian had looked to have the ninth round won which would have put him two points ahead on two cards going into the last round. Both fighters flirted with disqualification and in the end it was the timing and nature of Chaves’s action which saw him disqualified. A return with no referee looks a good idea but Chaves would be right to say he deserves another shot at Rios. Rios badly needed the win after two high profile losses but he was struggling in this one. Chaves was having his second fight since his tenth round kayo loss to Keith Thurman for the interim WBA title last July.

Magdaleno vs. Rodriguez

Magdaleno returns to action with stoppage of durable Rodriguez. The young Las Vegas star was sharp from the outset and put Rodriguez down in the second. He kept up the pressure and scored a knockdown in the fifth and another in the sixth with Rodriguez also having a point deducted in the round for being a naughty boy. He handed out more punishment in the seventh and the referee finally halted the fight with 15 seconds left in the round. First fight in six months for Magdaleno, the longest break so far in his career with a bout of tonsillitis delaying his return. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO. His level of opposition does not deserve him getting a WBO3 /IBF 5 (6) rating but if you rate on potential then it does not flatter the 22-year-old southpaw. Mexican Rodriguez, 30, is 2-5 in his last 7 fights but two of those losses were also to unbeaten fighters in Joseph Diaz and Julian Rodriguez.

Ramirez vs. Romero

Ramirez outclasses Romero but has to go the distance for the win. Ramirez used a selection of left hooks and brutal body shots to dominate the fight which was one-sided with Ramirez taking every round and Romero doing well to last the distance but taking a beating in the process. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-71. The 21-year-old Californian, a three-time US National amateur champion, continues to impress and should soon be ready for ten round fights on his way to a world title challenge. Romero keeps his proud record of never losing inside the distance.

De Leon vs. Toledo

De Leon makes it 3 wins by KO/TKO in his last 4 fights. The former NGG star and Toledo gave great entertainment as they stood and traded with both landing hard shots and De Leon getting a good chin check. In the end De Leon had the edge in power and dropped Toledo in the fourth. They were treading again in the fifth with Toledo wilting and after a number of low blows he was deducted a point. De Leon was getting through with punch after punch and finally Toledo’s corner threw the towel in with 14 seconds left in the round. The 22-year-old southpaw, Mexican-born but a US citizen, was NGG champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and is gradually adjusting to the pro ranks. Cuban Toledo, 27, has two losses and a draw in his last three fights but gave De Leon some useful work.

Rodriguez vs. Vazquez

If your nickname is “Kid Dinamita” then you had better have some power. Rodriguez showed he does as he halts Vazquez in two rounds. Rodriguez took the first round and then floored Vazquez twice in the second for his sixth win in a row by KO/TKO. The 21-year-old is trained by Robert Garcia and has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Puerto Rican Vazquez, 32, is 3-3 in his last 6 fights all of which have ended inside the distance.

Tokyo, Japan: Bantam: Ryo Akaho (24-1-2) W PTS 10 Masaki Serie (25-7). Super Feather: Daiki Kaneko (21-3-3) W TKO 4 Cirilo Espino (19-14-3).

Akaho vs. Serie

Akaho wins clear unanimous decision over Serie in a poor fight. The styles did not mix well and the fight was a messy brawl with plenty of foul tactics from each fighter and very little class on show. Akaho wins on scores of 97-93 twice and 97-94. Fifth win for Akaho since losing wide unanimous decision to Yota Sato for the WBC super fly title in 2012. he is WBO 8/IBF 11(10)/WBA 15 but this fight will have done his standing no good. Former unbeaten JBC super bantam champion Serie is 1-2 in his last 3 fights and is JBC No 7 in that division.

Kaneko vs. Espino

Hard puncher Kaneko halts Filipino Espino in four rounds. Keneko put Espino down with a right in the third and after another right crashed against one of Espino’s eyes in the fourth the Filipino was finished and the referee stopped the fight to save him from further punishment. The 26-year-old former JBC super feather champ lost on points to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBC title in December and this was his second win since then. He has 14 wins by KO/TKO. “Slugger” Espino, 31, a former GAB champion loses by KO/TKO for only the second time.

Chetumal, Mexico: Super Feather: Sergio Thompson (30-3) W PTS 10 Adones Aguelo (21-10-2). Bantam: Luis May (15-7-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Noriega (25-9-1). Welter: Silverio Ortiz (32-14) W PTS 10 Fernando Castaneda (21-9). Light Welter: Ivan Alvarez (16-5) W TKO 4 Pablo Polanco (5-7).

Thompson gets unanimous verdict over tough Filipino as “Ti Yamagata” finishes strongly. Thompson made a good start getting through with a couple of hard hooks and a combination to the head in the first round. The Mexican also took the second using his jab to keep the aggressive Filipino out and putting in some crunching body punches. It was ominous that Aguelo was not a bit dismayed and in the third he was the one scoring with the body punches and he kept up the pressure in the fourth. The fifth and sixth saw Thompson forced to fight on the back foot as Aguelo was taking him to the ropes and denying him punching room. Thompson was scoring with enough counters to edge the rounds but Aguelo seemed to just get stronger. Thompson clearly took the seventh getting home with jabs and hooks but he began to tire. Aguelo was in charge in the eighth and by the end of the round Thompson was leaking blood from his nose. Aguelo again had Thompson on the back foot and on the ropes in the ninth but Thompson put in a big effort in the last which was enough to see him get the decision. Scores 96-93 twice and 97-92 with the last no reflection of how hard a fight this had been for Thompson. The 30-year-old local hero makes it three wins over tough opposition since losing a close decision to Takashi Miura for the WBC super feather title in August last year. That loss to Miura is his only defeat in his last 16 fights and he is WBC No 2. Aguelo, 26, a former GAB champion, lost a very close decision to Nery Saguilan in Veracruz in January but had bounced back with a stoppage win in Japan and gave Thompson a torrid night.

May vs. Noriega

May gets wide unanimous decision over Noriega, but the fight was closer than the scores indicated. In the first round a left hook to the body from May put Noriega down. That seemed to galvanise Noriega and for the next two rounds May was on the back foot in the face of fierce pressure from Noriega. May took over again from the fourth and was on top in the fifth. In the sixth a right from Noriega had May in trouble but he recovered. May was handing out heavy punishment over the second half of the fight but Noriega showed a good chin and withstood a big last round effort from May to last the distance. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91. May retains his NABF title for the second time. He has been in some tough matches losing on points to Jose Salgado, Juan Francisco Estrada and Cesar Seda and now has 4 wins and a technical draw in his last 5 fights. He is WBC No 11. Noriega, 29, is 4-3-1 in his last 8 fights. He has lost only once by KO/TKO and that was back in 2007.

Ortiz vs. Castaneda

“Chamaco III” continues his good run with a wide decision over useful Castaneda. This was cagey scrap between two experienced pros and they probable showed a little too much respect for each other making a tactical match which never really caught fire. Ortiz clearly had the better skills and was able to outbox Castaneda in nearly every round on his was to the decision. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 31-year-old Yucatec lost to Humberto Soto in 2013 for the vacant WBC International Silver light welter title and the vacant WBFed welter title, his only loss in his last 13 fights in a run that has seen him beat Fernando Angulo, Mahonri Montes (25-0-1), Armando Robles (23-1-2), Jorge Silva (20-4-2) and Ivan Pereyra (19-2), so a man in top form. “Huracan” Castaneda, 25, lost to Johan Perez for the interim WBC title in 2011

Alvarez vs. Polanco

Southpaw Alvarez gets the win as Polanco is cut badly on the left eyebrow in the fourth and at the end of the round the doctor rules the cut too severe for Polanco to continue. Now three wins in a row for Alvarez, 26, following points victories over Jorge Silva and Jorge Romero. Polanco had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Benalmadena, Spain: Feather: Andoni Gago (8-1-2) W PTS 10 Antonio Rodriguez (5-8-6) . Gago wins the vacant Spanish title with decision over perennial challenger Rodriguez. Gago won this with his better boxing. Rodriguez was trying to make it a close-quarters fight but Gago used his jab and straight rights to pile up the points Rodriguez gave it everything, perhaps a little too much as after a number of warnings he was finally docked a point for unlawful head work, but he made Gago fight hard and although short of classical boxing it was a well contested fight. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93. “El Macho” Gago, 29, needs more experience before moving up to EU or EBU level. Rodriguez, 29, had lost in a challenge for the Spanish super feather title in 2013 and in each of his last two fights had drawn with Sergio Romero for the vacant Spanish feather title. Four shots and no coconut for the gentleman.

Chester, England: Light: Chris Goodwin (19-2-1) W PTS 12 Mikheil Avetisian (25-16-4). Super Bantam: Paul Economides (14-5) W David Kanalas (15-12).

Goodman vs. Avetisian

Goodwin wins vacant WBFed title but has to settle for a split decision. The 25-year-old local lost his pro debut so it is just one loss in his last 21fights but this was tougher than it should have been against Georgian journeyman Avetisian who was halted in two rounds by Kevin Mitchell in May and less than two weeks ago lost a six round decision to Juli Giner in Spain. Scores 117-113 twice and 115-116. Goodwin, 25, has yet to score a win by KO/TKO as he gets back in the grove after being inactive in 2013

Economides vs. Kanalas

Welshman Economides wins the vacant WBFed International title with second round stoppage of Hungarian. Economides, 27, had Kanalas down in the first and ended it in the second. He has 2 wins by KO/TKO both over Kanalas who lasted just two rounds in their fight in April. Now 11 losses by KO/TKO for 21-year-old Kanalas who came in as a late sub. Seems like all you have to do to qualify for a WBFed title fight is turn up.

Pleasanton, CA, USA: Bantam: Drian Francisco (25-2-1) W KO 3 Manuel de los Reyes Herrera (21-14-1). Light Welter: Levan Ghvamichava (11-1-1) W Chris Singleton (12-0).

Francisco vs. Herrera

Easy win for Francisco over late notice replacement Herrera. The Filipino took the first two rounds to shake off almost 13 months of rust before ending the fight in the third with a vicious left hook to the body. Herrera was in agony and made no attempt to beat the count. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for the 31-year-old Filipino as he rebuilds after loss against Chris Avalos in July last year. His only other loss was on points against Thai Tepparith in 2011 for the interim WBA super fly title. Colombian southpaw Herrera, 33, is 2-5 in his last 7 fights and this was his tenth loss by KO/TKO.

Ghvamichava vs. Singleton

Florida-based Georgian “Wolf” Ghvamichava makes it nine wins by KO/TKO as he floors Singleton twice for stoppage in the second round. A top amateur the 29-year-old was a sliver medal winner at the European Cadet Championships and competed at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 World Championships but the loss and the draw on his record were against very modest opposition. Singleton from Baton Rouge had only fought one guy with a positive record so his stats were deceptive.

Talisay City, Philippines: Super Feather: Ardie Boyose (11-0-1) W TKO 2 Richard Betos (20-8-1). Teenager Boyose makes it 7 quick wins on the bounce with stoppage of experienced Betos. Left hooks from Boyose put Betos down twice in the first round and when another left hook accounted for a knockdown in the second round the fight was halted. The 19-year-old wins the vacant Asian Boxing Federation title. Three of his last 7 fights have ended in the first round and the other 4 in the second. One to watch. Betos, 27, a former interim WBC ABC title holder has lost 4 of his last 5 fights but all to good class opposition including former WBA champion Akifumi Shimoda.

Carlton, MN, USA: Light Middle: Corey Rodriguez (12-3-3) W PTS 8 Brandon Quarles (13-3-1). Ismail Muwendo (15-0) W PTS 8 Robbie Cannon (14-10-2)

Rodriguez vs. Quarles

After a couple of even rounds the sharper boxing of Rodriguez gave him control and although Quarles was trying hard in every round Rodriguez boxed his way to victory. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. Both fighters were to have faced other opponents on the card but when both of their opponents had to drop out this match was made and provided good entertainment. Now 6 wins and a draw in his last 7 fights for the 35-year-old local. His three losses have all been to unbeaten fighters. Quarles, 27, had won 4 of his last 5 fights and has yet to lose inside the distance.

Muwendo vs. Cannon

Muwendo, 25, gets back in action with eight good rounds against substitute Cannon. After taking three rounds to shake the rust of 13 months of inactivity the Ugandan took control and eased his way to the unanimous decision. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. Muwendo had won 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO before his period of inactivity so this was a useful eight rounds for him. He represented Uganda in both the African Championships and the 2007 World Championships. Cannon is 2-7-1 in his last 10 fights but has been in with Mason Menard and Omar Figueroa.

August 4

Tokyo, Japan: Bantam: Kentaro Masuda (20-6) W TKO 3 Konosuke Tomiyama (24-7-1). Masuda retains JBC title with stoppage of experienced Tomiyama. Masuda was looking for an early finish throwing hard punches to head and body with Tomiyama trying to keep him on the outside, and failing. Masuda handed out a beating to the challenger in the first two rounds and then floored Tomiyama three times in the third to provide the finish. First defence for Masuda, 31, who has 11 wins by KO/TKO and has won his last six fights. Tomiyama, also 31, is a former undefeated OPBF champion and lost to Nobuo Nashiro for the WBA super fly title in 2009. More recently he had given top rated Genesis Servania a tough fight last July flooring the Filipino star twice before losing on a technical decision.