The Past Week in Action 1 May 2023

The Past Week in Action 1 May 202

Highlights:

– William Zepeda wipes out Jaime Arboleda in two rounds at lightweight and Victor Morales scores second round kayo of Diego De La Hoya

-New Zealander Mea Mutu wins the IBO super bantamweight title and now has her eyes set on the other super bantam belts and Jerome Pampellone and Andrei Mikhailovich score inside the distance wins

-Jon Miguez and Jordy Weiss draw in fight for the vacant European welterweight title

-Segolene Lefebvre regains the WBO super bantam title as she outpoints Debora Dionicius but there is a surprise defeat for Nordine Oubaali on his return to action

-On a huge show in Spain, Jon Fernandez, Jonathan Alonso. Jose Navarro and Samuel Medina score wins

World Title/Major Shows

April 29

Arlington. TX, USA: Light: William Zepeda (28-0) W KO 2 Jaime Arboleda (19-3). Feather: Victor Morales (18-0-1) W KO 2 Diego De La Hoya (24-2). Welter: Fred Lawson (30-3) W PTS 10 Estevan Villalobos (16-2-1). Super Middle: David Steves (13-0) W PTS 8 Marco Periban (26-7-1).

Zepeda vs. Arboleda

Zepeda pulverises Arboleda with the Panamanian counted out in the second round. Zepeda was on the front foot immediately forcing Arboleda back with stiff right jabs with straight lefts following behind. Arboleda was moving and ducking firing lots of counters but with no power and not much accuracy to them. Zepeda was walking through the punches and landing powerful lefts with Arboleda trying to hold to smother the shots. Zepeda was banging home lefts again at the start of the second. Arboleda connected with some good counters but to no effect. Zepeda forced Arboledo to the ropes and landed a series of lefts to the body that saw Arboleda drop to one knee. He beat the count but when the action resumed he was trapped in a corner under fire and again went down on one knee. He was up at nine but driven to a corner and after Zepeda connected with some more sledgehammer lefts to the body Abelardo fell face down on the canvas and was counted out. All of the talk at lightweight currently revolves around Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, Vasyl Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson but with 24 wins by KO/TKO in his 28 fights Zepeda may have the power to gate crash the top table but it will take better opposition than Arboleda supplied to test him thoroughly. Arboleda had lost to Chris Colbert for the WBA interim title at super featherweight but was overwhelmed by Zepeda’s power.

Morales vs. De La Hoya

Morales blasts out De La Hoya in two rounds. Both had plenty of snap in their opening jabs. Morales was noticeably quicker. He had had a slight reach advantage and began to find the target with rights and had no trouble dancing away from De La Hoya’s attacks. In the second Morales shot out of his corner throwing punches. As they traded shots Morales connected with a short left hook, almost just a strong jab, that dropped De La Hoya on his rump. He knelt with his head down through the count and only just made it to his feet. When the action restarted Morles piled into De La Hoya showering him with punches. De La Hoya stood and banged back but a right and left to the head saw him dropping forward to the canvas. Again he only just beat the count but the referee waived the fight over with a disconsolate De La Hoya looking happy to be out of there showing no dissent. Huge win for the 25-year-old fighter from Washington State. He was an outstanding amateur and won a silver medal at the National Golden Gloves in 2016 but was too young to box at the Olympic Games so turned professional

Lawson vs. Villalobos

Ghanaian Lawson survives a near disastrous last round to outpoint Villalobos. Lawson boxed his way into a lead over the first half of the fight. Villalobos body attack slowed Lawson but the Mexican was hampered by a cut under his left eye. Going into the tenth Lawson just had to get through the round to win. That nearly proved a round too far. Lawson was rocked and on quivering legs and only just made it to the last bell. Lawson won on scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93. Lawson was inactive for sixteen months after being stopped in the tenth round by Charles Hatley in 2019 but has rebounded with two wins. Villobos had won his last five fights.

Stevens vs. Periban

Stevens was looking to end this early and made a strong start. Periban was credited with a flash knockdown in the third when Stevens touched the canvas with a glove after being knocked off balance by a left hook. Stevens continued to force the fight but Periban used his experience and made things hard for Stevens until tiring. Scores 78-73 twice and 77-74 for Stevens. The 22-year-old from Reading was a US and Pan-American Youth Champion but at 91kgs. He has dropped to super middleweight as a pro. Periban, 38, lost a majority decision against Sakio Bika for the vacant WBC super middle title in 2013 but has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Madrid, Spain: Super Light: Jon Fernandez (24-3) W RTD 4 Petr Petrov (42-8-2). Super Light: Jonathan Alonso (23-2) W PTS 10 Zoravor Petrosian (13-3). Super Middle: Jose Navarro (8-1) W TKO 9 Ronny Landaeta (20-5). Super Light: Samuel Molina (25-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Rikar Urrutia (6-2). Super Welter: Jorge Fortea (24-3-1) W PTS 8 Ismael Flores (10-1-1). Welter: Karen Chukhadzhian (22-2) W TKO 2 Michel Marcano (29-8-1)

Fernandez vs. Petrov

Fernandez beats Petrov after four action filled rounds. After a hectic first round Fernandez dropped Petrov with a left hook in the second. Petrov was up quickly and went straight back into the fray as they swopped punches in the third with Fernandez flooring Petrov again this time with a right. Petrov was rocked by an uppercut in the fourth but banged back before taking more punishment and he did not come out for the fifth. Fernandez has registered 21 wins by KO/TKO with his losses coming against O’Shaquie Foster, Michel Rivera and in his last fight in December when he lost a very close decision to Samuel Molina which cost Fernandez his Spanish lightweight title. Russian Petrov, 40, announced his retirement after the fight. He lost to Terry Flanagan in a challenge for the WBO lightweight title in 2017.

Alonso vs. Petrosian

Alonso wins the vacant WBA Continental title with a narrow points victory over Ukrainian Petrosian. Flashy skills and showboating from Dominican-born Alonso are not enough to hide the fact that this was a very flat fight lacking highlights. Alonso’s quicker hands and good footwork earned him the early rounds with Petrosian coming into the fight more over the late rounds. Alonso looked a clearer winner than the two scores of 96-94 indicate with the third Judge’s 97-93 just about right. Alonso, 32, lost a razor-thin decision (115-113 on all three cards) to Alberto Puello for the WBA interim lightweight title in 2019. After being 12-0 Petrosian has lost 3 of his last 4

Navarro vs. Landaeta

Navarro stops Landaeta in the ninth round to win the Spanish title and get revenge for a stoppage loss in February. Navarro boxed more cautiously than he had in their first meeting establishing his jab and boxing at distance using his longer reach and 5” height advantage. He was in control and it was the fifth before Landaeta had any success. A competitive sixth round saw both fighter lose their gumshield and both looked tired in the seventh with Landaeta showing the marks of Navarro’s handiwork in the shape of swelling by his right eye and bleeding from the mouth. It was all over in the ninth with Navarro landing heavily and Landaeta reeling and almost turning away when the referee stopped the fight. All eight of Navarro’s wins have come by way of KO/TKO and the 23-year-old 6’3” from Cordoba will now be looking to get a shot at the European title. Venezuelan-born warrior Landaeta went 16-0 at the start of his career but stiffer opposition in the form of fighters such as Robin Krasniqi, Kevin Lee Sadjo and Christian Mbilli has established his ceiling and at 40 he has gone as far as he is going.

Molina vs. Urrtia

Molina makes a successful defence of the national title with a tight decision over Urrtia. The fight was close early as Urrtia attacking hard having a slight edge with Molina at times losing his focus and playing to the crowd. Molina took over from the sixth and with Urrtia showing signs of fading he took the seventh, eighth and ninth. Urrtia, helped by more showboating from Molina, had a strong last round but not enough to change the result as Molina won on scores of 97-93 twice and 96-95. Sixth win in a row for Molina including a victory over Jon Fernandez. Good showing by inexperienced Urrtia.

Fortea vs. Flores

Fortea and Flores put on an entertaining show. Fortea elected to work on the back foot over the first two rounds and Flores was able to pick up some points. Fortea then changed tactics to take a more positive approach and swept the remaining founds finishing in front on scores of 79-73, 79-74 and 78-74. Former Spanish champion Fortea gets his third consecutive win since losing on third round kayo against Anthony Fowler in 2021. Spanish-based Argentinian Flores just a six/eight round level fighter.

Chukhadzhian vs. Marcano

Ukrainian Chukhadzhian needs less than two rounds to beat overmatched Venezuelan Marcano. A body punch saw Marcano given a standing count in the first and when he dropped to one knee under a barrage of blows in the second his corner team threw in the towel. Chukhadzhian had put together a twenty-bout winning run before being outpointed by Jaron Ennis for the interim WBA welter title in January. Now seven defeats inside the distance for Marcano.

APRIL 27

North Shore, New Zealand: Super Bantam: Mea Motu (16-0) W PTS 10 Tania Walters (4-2). Light Heavy: Jerome Pampellone (16-0) W TKO 1 Mose Auimatagi (15-2-2). Middle: Andrei Mikhailovich (20) W TKO 5 Edisson Saltarin (16-1).

Motu vs. Walters

Motu* wins the vacant IBO female title with a unanimous decision over Canadian Walters. Motu’s strength and aggression saw her build a good lead. Walters came into the fight more over the second half rocking Motu with a left hook in the ninth but Motu weathered that storm and finished strongly to take the title on scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94. Motu a good winner but the scores looked too wide. Walters was Canadian amateur champion in 2018 and had won the Canadian and IBA titles in May 2022.

*See observations for Motu’s story

Pampellone vs. Auimatagi

London-born New Zealander Pampellone, a team-mate of Motu at the Peach Gym, scores an impressive victory as he stooped Auimatagi. Pampellone caught Auimatagi with a left hook that stunned him and then sent him down with a series of hard punches. Auimatagi managed to make it to his feet but he was unsteady and cut beside his right eye and the referee stopped the fight after just 74 seconds. Ninth win by KO/TKO for Pampellone who is No 8 with the IBF. Auimatagi, a close friend of Pampellone, had taken David light the full ten rounds in 2020.

Mikhailovich vs. Saltarin

Mikhailovich gets a wake-up call as he is floored by Venezuelan Saltarin. A left hook dropped Mikhailovich in the first round. He was badly shaken and Saltarin tried desperately to finish it but Mikhailovich survived. Mikhailovich had early problems with Saltarin’s clever movement out of his southpaw stance but settled down in the second round and although Saltarin was always dangerous Mikhailovich took control. In the fifth he hurt Saltarin with a left hook and floored him with a body punch. Saltarin beat the count but was floored again and the fight was stopped. Twelfth win by KO/TKO for Russian-born New Zealander Mikhailovich, another fighter from the Peach Gym, who was defending the WBO Global and IBF Pan Pacific belts. He is No 5(4) with the IBF and No 11 with the WBO but on this performance there are still some weaknesses to be worked on. Saltarin’s impressive looking statistics are not quite so impressive up close as his first eleven victims only had one win between them.

APRIL 28

Justiniano Posse, Argentina: Middle: Emiliano Pucheta (18-6) W RTD 8 Juan Taborda (18-1-1). Super Feather: Victoria Bustos (24-7-1) DREW 10 Estefania Alaniz (5-7-2).

Pucheta vs. Taborda

Pucheta springs an upset as he scores a win over local favourite Taborda. This was a savage battled with both rocked on numerous occasions. Taborda looked to be slightly ahead but from the fifth he had been suffering with his breathing. With the breathing problem worsening finally retired at the end of the eighth round He attributed his condition to a kind of asthma he suffers from. He blows his unbeaten tag and his WBO No 9 rating. Former national champion Pucheta is 4-1 in his last 5 fights.

Bustos vs. Alaniz

Disappointing result for Bustos as she has to settle for a draw against less fancied Alaniz in a fight for the vacant national title. Scores 96-94 Bustos, 96-94 Alaniz and 95-95. With her greater experience the former IBF lightweight champion was expected to win this one as Alaniz had also lost her last four fights.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Fly: Franklyn de Paula (7–0) W PTS 10 Gilberto Gonzalez (18-5-1). Super Welter: Angelo Cruz (10-0) W TKO 3 Angel Mateo (22-5). Super Bantam: Orlando Perez (13-0) W PTS 10 Leonard Sanchez (7-1). Super Light: Kenny de Leon (16-0-1) W TKO 1 Anderson Dener (6-3). Middle: Marcos Osorio-Betancourt (11-0-1) W KO 1 Elvein De la Rosa (14-8)

3

de Paula vs. Gonzalez

In a classy display young Dominican de Paula wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe belt as he comfortably decisions southpaw Gonzalez. De Paula was much too quick for Gonzalez. He was darting forward behind a sharp jab and banging home rights to heat and body. Initially Gonzalez worked on the back foot but was too slow to counter and when he changed tactics over the second half of the fight and came forward de Paula used smart footwork to dodge the shots. De Paul eased up over the closing rounds to get some ring time as his first six fights had all ended early. Second loss in a row for Venezuelan Gonzalez.

Cruz vs. Mateo

In an all-Dominican fight Cruz beats Arias inside the distance for the second time as Mateo retired during the third round due to an injury. Cruz used his longer reach to pick up the points in the first. Mateo launched a furious attack at the start of the second. Cruz settled and was boxing well when he was knocked off balance by a right and as his glove touched the canvas but the referee ruled it a slip. Cruz then found the target with uppercuts. Mateo came out firing in the third chasing Cruz around the ropes. They tangled with Mateo’s head ending up under Cruz’s arm. When the referee parted them Mateo walked back to his corner seemingly injured and retired. These two heading in different directions. Cruz gets hie ninth victory by KO/TKO and Mateo goes from 22-0 to losing his last five fights.

Perez vs. Sanchez

In another all-Dominican match Perez boxes his way to a unanimous verdict over Sanchez. Perez was giving away height and reach but had far superior skills. He boxed mainly on the back foot blocking or sipping Sanchez punches and getting home swift counters. When he did go forward his quicker hands allowed him to overcome the longer reach of Sanchez and he was a comfortable winner without ever looking likely to fashion an early finish. Impressive showing in his first ten round fight for the 32-year-old Perez who did not turn pro until he was 26. Sanchez just lacked the power to really threaten Perez.

De Leon vs. Dener

De Leon wipes out Brazilian Denner in the first round. Dener landed a good right early but he was then rocked by a left hook and another left hook dropped him on his back. He made it to the upright position but wobbled. He convinced the referee he was able to continue but a series of punches had him floundering and about to drop when the referee halted the action. Twelfth win inside the distance for 23-year-old De Leon. Second early loss in a row for Dener

Osorio vs. De la Rosa

After a little sparring Osorio dumped De la Rosa in a heap in a corner. De la Rosa clawed his way up using the ropes but was on shaky legs and the refer4ee stopped the fight. Third consecutive first round win for the Puerto Rican and his sixth in all. Five losses in a row for De la Rosa.

Laval, France: Welter: Jordy Weiss (30-0-1) DREW 12 Jon Miguez (17-1).

Huge disappointment for the local fans as home town fighter Weiss falls short in his attempt to win the vacant European title as this bout ends in a draw after twelve hotly contested rounds. As expected Miguez made an aggressive start putting Weiss under pressure against the ropes. Weiss defended well and found plenty of gaps for counters. Although suffering a cut over his right eye in a clash of heads in the second Miguez continued to be the aggressor constantly switching guards and with Weiss sporting a cut on the bridge of his nose Miguez looked to have edged into the lead by the half way mark. Weiss then moved more and used his classier skills to eat into Miguez’s lead as Miguez seemed to tire. Miguez rallied and looked to have edged back into the lead by the end of the tenth but Weiss battled back hard over the last two rounds to make it close enough to go either way with the draw being a fair result. Scores 117-112 Miguez, 116-112 Weiss and 114-114. It was reported that Weiss had injured his right hand in the fight. Weiss was hoping to become the first Laval boxer since Jean-Claude Bouttier to become European champion knowing a win might be his road to a world title fight. As both fighters seem agreeable to a return he might get another chance and Miguez would also see a return as his route to more big fights.

Trabzon, Turkey: Super Welter: Fatih Keles (17-1-1) W KO 8 Sabari J (9-2). Cruiser: Huseyin Cinkara (20-0) W PTS 10 Vaclav Pejsar (21-15).

Turk Keles wins the vacant WBC Asian title with savage victory over India’s Sabari J. Keles too powerful for the clever and quick but lightweight Sabari J. The visitor showed some good skills but was slowly beaten down by the strength and aggression of Keles. Sabari was being forced to trade more and as they exchanged punches in the eighth a booming left hook dropped him flat and out cold. Keles is a former European Championships gold medallist and competed at the 2012 Olympic Games. Sabari had won his last nine fights.

Cinkara vs. Pejsar

Cinkara outpoints Pejsar. Cinkara was busier from the start and Pejsar was cut early. After a fifth round in which both scored heavily tiredness seemed to affect them with Pejsar cut again and his work rate dropping badly. The pace was slow with lots of clinching and Pejar was cut yet again with Cinkara having just a little bit extra in the tank but with an exhausted Pejsar toughing it out to the bell. No scores available. Cinkara, 38, wins the vacant WBC Asian title. Pejsar is now 3-3in his last 6 bouts.

Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Super Light: Estelle Mossely: DREW 10 Magali Rodriguez (22-6-4). Super Feather: Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (20-1) W TKO 1 Javokhirbek Karimov (6-2-1)

Mossely vs. Rodriguez

Mossely climbs off the canvas to earn a majority draw against Rodriguez who was defending her WBC Silver belt. Mossely had difficulty handling the swarming attacks of the Mexican but her accurate counters helped her establish a lead over the first six rounds. In the seventh a left hook to the head saw Mossely briefly on the canvas. From there Mossely was forced to stand and trade more over the closing three rounds but she fought hard but just failed to hang on to her lead with Rodriguez doing enough to earn a draw. Scores 95-95 twice and 96-93 for Mossely. The French Olympic gold medal winner is the IBO lightweight champion but moved up to super light to position herself to challenge the winner of the fight between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron which takes place on 20 May.

Her other aim is to compete at the European championships and use victory there to qualify for the 3024 Olympic Games

Mossely French IBO light champion. The smaller and lighter Rodrigez, a former WBA title challenger at bantam was making the first defence of the WBC Silver title and was 8-1-1 going in.

Yaqubov vs. Karimov

Tajik southpaw Yaqubov finishes Uzbek Karimov in the first round. A body punch sent Karimov down and he was unable to beat the count. This is Yaqubov’s second victory as he rebuilds after losing on points against O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC Silver belt in March last year. Two first round defeats in his last two fights for Karimov.

Valladolid, Spain: Super Feather: Salvador Jimenez (12-0) W PTS 12 Alex Rat 16-6-2).

Home town fighter Jimenez wins the vacant European Union belt with a unanimous points victory over Romanian Rat. Jimenez lived up tom his nickname of “Cyclone” to blow Rat away with fierce attacks. Rat boxed on the trying outside defending well looking to frustrate Jimenez in to impatience and finding gaps as Jimenez walked in. The pace he was setting caught up with Jimenez over the last three rounds as Rat was standing and trading punches aiming to swing the fight his way. It was not enough but the scoring was controversial with Jimenez rightly the winner but not by the margin on two of the cards which read 120-108 and 118-112 with the third judge scoring it 115-113 and at and his team storming out of the ring. It was win/win for Jimenez as he proposed to his partner, the mother of his three children and she accepted. Rat lost to Archie Sharp in June but had recovered with two wins.

APRIL 29

Los Polvorines, Argentina: Super Bantam: Gabriela Bouvier (17-13-1) W PTS 10 Carolina Duer (20-7-3). Light: Fly: Lionela Yudica (19-1-3,1ND) W PTS 10 Tamara Demarco (11-6)

Bouvier vs. Duer

Uruguayan Bouvier wins a split decision over Argentinian Duer. Bouvier took the decision on scores of 97-93 and 96-94 with the third judge going for Duer at 96-94. Bouvier, a former IBF flyweight title holder, wins the vacant WBC Silver female title Duer, 44, had held both the WBO super fly and bantam belts.

Yudica vs. Demarco

In another title fight that ended in a split decision Yudica edged past Demarco in an all-Argentinian scrap on scores of 97-93 and 96-94 and 93-97, for Demarco. Yudica wins the vacant WBC female Silver title. Yudica had lost her IBF flyweight title to Arely Mucino in October. Demarco is a former owner of the WBO flyweight title.

Cordoba, Argentina: Super Bantam: Nazarena Romero (13-0) W TKO 3 Julieta Cardozo (12-8). Middle: Gerardo Vergara (18-0) W TKO 8 Carlos Ronner (6-4). Light Heavy: Gabriel Diaz (13-5) W TKO 9 Kevin Brizuela (6-0).

Romero vs. Cardozo

Romero gets her third inside the distance win on the bounce as she stops Cardozo in the third round. She had stopped Cardoza in two rounds in December and it was quickly obvious this one was also going to end early. Romero scored heavily in the first two rounds and floored Cardozo in the third with the towel coming in from Cardozo’s corner. Romero, a former South American and interim WBA title holder, was defending the WBA Fedelatin belt. Fifth defeat in a row for Cardozo.

Vergara vs. Ronner

Vergara wins again as he stops Ronner in eight rounds in defence of the national title. After a couple of close rounds Vergara took charge. By the fifth Ronner was cut and bruised and he was given a standing count at the end of the seventh round. Ronner survived to the bell but was taking more punishment in the eighth when the referee stopped the fight. Vergara was defending the title for the first time

Diaz vs. Brizuela

Diaz springs a surprise as he floors and stops previously unbeaten neighbourhood boxer Brizuela. Diaz found plenty of gaps in the leaky defence of Brizuela and floored him with a right in the fourth. Brizuela came through that crisis but by the ninth had swelling on his right cheekbone and around his left eye. As he barrelled forward in the ninth he was caught by a fierce left and went down heavily and the fight was stopped with Brizuela requiring medical attention before recovering. Diaz had lost 3 of his last 4 fights but with this victory picks up the WBA Fedelatin belt. Huge blow for promising Brizuela.

Pickering, Canada: Super Welter: Brandon Cook (25-2) W PTS 10 Gino Godoy (29-3).

Cook given a shock as he has to survive a fourth round knockdown to get a split decision over Argentinian Godoy. There was a degree of risk in this fight as Godoy was unbeaten in his last 22 fights and had scored 18 wins by KO/TKO and them visitor looked unlucky not to get the nod here. Two judges gave it to Cook 95-94 whilst the third had it 96-93 for Godoy. Fifth win for Cook since losing to Jaime Munguia for the WBO superb welter title in 2018. At 36 Cook cannot afford a set-back at this stage of his career. Godoy, 35, who is part of a huge boxing family and was having his first fight outside Argentina, was inactive from 2016 to 2020 and had won seven of his nine fights since returning six by KO/TKO.

Willemstad, Curacao: Keiber Gonzalez (19-0) W TKO 5 Jesus Aviles (9-8)

Venezuelan Gonzalez batters Aviles to defeat in five rounds. Gonzalez looked on his way to victory in the fifth but Aviles was still showing some stiff resistance when he just turned away and walked to his corner in surrender. Seventeen wins by KO/TKO for Gonzalez but against some questionable opposition with 16 of his victims having only 11 wins between them. Six losses in a row for Peruvian Aviles

Douai, France: Super Bantam: Segolene Lefebvre (17-0) W PTS 10 Debora Dionicius (35-5). Super Bantam: Ricardo Martinez (10-9,1ND) W PTS 8 Nordine Oubaali (17-1).

Lefebvre vs. Dionicius

Fighting in front of her home support Lefebvre regains the WBO title with a unanimous verdict over champion Dionicius. Dionicius looked to have edged the first round but Lefebvre then used her reach advantage and better skills to outbox Dionicius. After five rounds Lefebvre was 48-47 in front on two cards and 50-045 on the third. She increased her advantage over the sixth, seventh and eighth but the Argentinian was a tough competitor and despite bleeding from her nose and mouth and a cut over her right eye she staged a late rally that made Lefebvre fight hard for the win. All three judges carded it 97-93 for Lefebvre. She had won the vacant WBO title in 2021 and made a defence in May 2022 but was side-lined with a hand injury. The WBO stripped her of the title but decreed whoever won the title would have to defend against Lefebvre. Argentinian Dionicius, a former iIBF super fly title holder, had won her last three fight.

Martinez vs. Oubaali

On his return to action former WBC bantam champion Oubaali suffers a shock defeat against Nicaraguan Martinez. Oubaali was floored twice by the Nicaraguan and lost on scores of 78-73 and 76-75 for Martinez and 76-75 for Ouballi. This was the 36-year-old Oubaali’s first fight since losing his WBC title against Nonito Donaire in May2021. Spanish-based Martinez is not rated as a puncher so a poor result for Oubaali.

Huickelhoven-Ratheim, Germany: Cruiser: Pascal Wolters (10-0) W Kabiru Towolawi (18-5). Heavy: Viktor Mihailovic (7-0) W Toni Thes (21-15-1). Cruiser: Sotirios Georgikeas (22-1) W Gusmyr Perdomo (28-16).

Wolters vs. Towolawi

Towolawi tears up the script as he stops home town fighter Wolters in the eleventh round of their fight and relieves Wolters of his WBU title. At 42 Nigerian Towolawi was nine years older than Wolters but outlasted the German flooring Wolters in the tenth and again inn the eleventh to force the stoppage. With three inside the distance losses in his five defeats Towolawi did not look dangerous but he walks away with the World Boxing Union title belt. Wolters was making his third defence.

Mihailovic vs. Thes

Montenegrin Mihailovic wins the vacant WBU heavyweight title with a second round kayo of German Thes. All eight of Mihailovic’s wins have come by KO/TKO and taken up less than seventeen rounds. German Thes, 37, falls to eleven losses inside the distance which gives you a picture of the status of the WBU titles.

Georgikeas vs. Perdomo

In a disgraceful mis-match German Georgikeas stops shop-worn Perdomo in the first round. Georgikeas was having his first fight for almost two years but did not get much ring time here. Georgikeas, 42, has now won his last fifteen fights by KO/TKO and has eleven first round wins in his total of 20 quick route wins. The lone fight he lost was back in 2015 against to a fighter with a 0-1 record! Venezuelan Perdomo, 45, needs to be saved from himself. This is his fifth loss in a row by KO/TKO, three of them coming in the first round. He had weighed as low as 166lbs but was 197lbs for this rubbish.

Aguascalientes, Mexico: Feather: Brandon Benitez (20-2) W TKO 7 Federico Pedraza (14-3-1).

Benitez too strong for Argentinian Pedraza and floors and stops him in seventh rounds. Benitez had Pedraza under pressure in the first and floored him in the second. Pedraza recovered but was worn down by the relentless attacks of Benitez. In the seventh Benitez drove Pedraza around the ring with a succession of punches and with Pedraza befuddled and reeling the referee stopped the fight. Mexican Benitez gets his seventh win in a row, including a victory over China’s Can Xu a former holder of the secondary WBA featherweight title, and lifts the WBO NABO belt. Three losses in his last four fights for Pedraza.

Benitez 25yo Mexican 7 wins id won last 5 including Can Xu

Mexicali, Mexico: Super Bantam: Israel Jose Ramirez (19-1) W TKO 4 Fidel Castro (5-4). Super Light: David Moreno (15-0-1) W PTS 10 Angel Martinez (15-3-2).

Ramirez wins in the fourth round when Castro collapses obviously seriously injured and is taken from the ring on a stretcher. Ramirez used his better skills to take the first round against an aggressive Castro and jabbed and countered well enough to collect the second with Castro tyring to turn the fight inro a brawl. Castro had some success in the third forcing Ramirez to the ropes but Ramirez was still scoring with straight lefts. In the fourth Ramirez began to find the target with punches from both hands, Castro was driven back but then rumbled forward again. Ramirez threw a right that clipped Castro high on the back of his head. The blow did not look hard but Castro suddenly pitched forward to his hands and knees then slumped spread out face down on the canvas unmoving. The referee seemed uncertain and for seconds and Castro received no attention. Neither Castro’s corner nor a doctor appeared with the referee just standing beside Castro looking confused neither counting or declaring Ramirez the winner or signalling for medical help. It was almost a long twenty seconds before anyone else entered the ring. Once medical help did arrive it was obviously a very serious matter with a still unconscious Castro being given oxygen and eventually taken from the ring on a stretcher. Unfortunately, the stretcher tipped as it was being manipulated off the ring apron and as Castro was not strapped in and properly secured he fell off the edge of the stretcher and almost landed on the floor. No news at the moment of Castro’s condition but the signs were very worrying.

Moreno vs. Martinez

Moreno comes from behind to win a unanimous decision over Martinez. Great start for Martinez as he dropped Moreno with a series of rights to the head at the end of the first round. Southpaw Moreno settled and outworked Martinez in the second. Both were throwing bombs in the third with Martinez just having the edge and he rocked Moreno with a right in the fourth and landed the better punches in the fifth Moreno then had a good spell taking the sixth and staggering Martinez in the seventh and punishing him the eighth. Both were tired fighters and the pace and exchanges were brutal with Moreno getting the better of exchanges and clawing back the early lead the knockdown had given Martinez to be a clear winner on scores of 97-92, 97-93 and 95-94.

St Petersburg, FL, USA: Middle: Connor Coyle (19-0) W PTS 10 Cristian Rios (23-18-3). Light: William Silva (30-4) W TKO 1 Diego Luque (21-12-2).

Coyle vs. Rios

Irish hope Coyle eases his way past late substitute Rios in a NABF title defence. Coyle boxed conservatively establishing control early and then wearing down the aged Argentinian. The 39-year-old Rios posed no problems for Coyle who continually banged rights through the guard of Rios and worked to the body with Rios tyring but lasting the distance. All three card read 100-90 for Coyle as he waits for bigger fights. Rios falls to 0-8-1 in his last 9 fights.

Silva vs. Luque

An all-South American clash ended early as Brazilian Silva stopped Argentinian Luque in the first round. Only the second fight in sixteen months for Silva and his eighteenth victory by KO/TKO. Luque is also 0-8-1 in his last 9 fights just like fellow-countryman Rios.

Juarez, Mexico: Super Feather: Miguel Roman (65-14,1ND) ND 2 Jorge Mata (16-1-2,1ND). Bantam: Diana Fernandez 28-4-1) W TEC Dec 5 Guadalupe Martinez

A clash od heads sees this much anticipate clash of experience vs. youth end as a No Decision. Mata had a good first round shaking Roman with a left hook and dominating the round. Mata was bossing the action in the second when as they both leant forward to throw a punch their heads banged together and Roman was cut on his left eye lid. The action stopped and the doctor ruled the injury too serious for Roman to continue. Now 37 and having completed twenty year as a pro in March it seems unlikely Roman will stay around d long enough to join the 100 fight club. Mata, sixteen years young, was hoping for a notably win after losing his unbeaten tag when being stopped by 32-1 Eduardo Hernandez in September. A shocking incident saw a spectator climb in the ring and attack Mata.

Fernandez vs. Martinez

Local fighter Fernandez wins technical decision against Martinez. Fernandez had the better of the exchanges and was in front on the three cards after the fourth round. In the fifth as heads banged together Martinez suffered a bad cut on her right eye lid and was unable to continue. It went to the scored cards with two judges having Fernandez in front 39-36 and the other 38-37. Fernandez has been unsuccessful in three title fight but is hoping her run of five wins might land her another shot. Former WBC super fly titlist Martinez suffers her third loss in a row.

APRIL 30

Hamburg, Germany: Light Heavy: Leon Bunn (19-1) W RTD 1 Slavisa Simeunovic (40-64). Super Welter: Sebastian Formella (24-3) W KO 7 Florian Wildenhof (31-9-1)

Bunn vs. Simeunovic

Stepping into the ring for the first time since losing his unbeaten tag against Padraig McCrory in October Bunn had it too easy against Bosnian Simeunovic. In the first Bunn floored Simeunovic twice and also gave him a very bloody, possibly broken, nose and Simeunovic did not come out for the second round. The McCrory loss showed that extreme caution is required for matching Bunn. With his 51 losses by KO/TKO Simeunovic was never going to hang around long.

Formella vs. Wildenhof

Formella was also returning after a loss to a UK-based fighter having been outpointed by Chris Kongo in June last year. Formella got a bit more ring time than Bunn stopping Wildenhof inn the seventh round. Wildenhof persisted in walking into counters from Formella giving Formella plenty of target practice. To his credit Wildenhof soaked up the punishment but by the seventh had little left and a series of punches dropped him to his knees and he was counted out. Formella’s other two losses have come against Shawn Porter and Conor Benn. First fight since October 2021 for Wildenhof.

Accra, Ghana: Feather: John Laryea (11-0-1) W TKO 4 Solomon Martey (13-2-1). Super Welter: Jacob Tetteh Laryea (9-0) W? Emmanuel Quaye (7-7). Super Bantam: Daniel Gorsh (7-0) W? Michael Tagoe (3-5-1).

22

Laryea vs. Martey

Promising Laryea celebrates his birthday with a fourth round stoppage of Martey and regains the WBO Africa belt. Laryea had won the title in 2021 but never defended it so it fell vacant. Sixth inside the distance win in a row for the 22-year-old Laryea. Martey had been beaten on points by 14-0 Hasibullah Ahmadi in Dubai in October.

Laryea vs. Quaye

Laryea, no relation to John, beat Quaye in a fight for the West African title but no more information available.

Gorsh vs. Tagoe

Gorsh beats Tagoe to retain the Ghanaian title. No other details available

Fight of the week (Significance): With his win over Jaime Arboleda William Zepeda adds another ingredient to the lightweight super stew

Fight of the week: David Moreno vs. Angel Martinez in Mexicali was a great scrap

Fighter of the week: Zepeda for his crushing win over Arboleda

Punch of the week: The left hook from Fatih Keles that laid Sabari J out cold was scary

Upset of the week: Nicaraguan Ricardo Martinez (9-9) was just meant to be a nice easy return to the ring for Nordine Oubaali but instead he floored and decisioned the former WBC bantam champion.

Prospect watch: Dominican flyweight Franklyn de Paula 7-0 impressed in outpointing more experience Gilberto Gonzalez

Observations

Rosette: To the promoters of the show in Madrid. On a slow weekend it was one of the biggest shows staged in Spain for some time

Red Card

Boxing can always do with a story of the way it can change lives for the better. The words at the weekend from New Zealander Mea Motu after winning the IBO Female super bantamweight title say it all. Mea, the mother of five children aged between three and nearly 16, and having suffered through an abusive marriage said:

“It (boxing)means everything. I wanted to give up on life. I had the worst mental health ever back then and boxing saved me; Peach Boxing saved my life and brought me back. Thank you,”

-Amateur boxing is in chaos at this time with the IOC and the IBA at loggerheads which has led to the formation of an alternative body to the IBA. Take the case of Estelle Mosely a gold medal winner in Tokyo. Her fight at the weekend in Tajikistan was administered by the IBA as part of the activities surrounding the World Amateur Boxing Championships being held in Tajikistan. Mosely is an ambassador for the IBA but if she stays with the IBA she may have no route to the 2024 Olympics. It is a mess and it is the athletes are who will suffer.

– I am an admirer of Miguel “Mickey” Roman. The 37 year-old from Juarez has had 80 fights and is in the -fight anyone anywhere club- reminding me of guys like Gaspar Ortega (look him up), Mickey has been a pro for 20 years turning pro in March 2003 at the age of 17 having his first world title shot in 2011 and what will probably be his last in 2018 but he will be in there pitching to the end.