The Past Week In Action 10 November 2015

  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 boxing for the past week.

                                  The Past Week In Action 10 November 2015

November 4

 

Kazan, Russia: Heavy: Alex Povetkin (30-1) W TKO 12 Mariusz Wach (31-2). Cruiser: Denis Lebedev (28-2) W TKO 8 Lateef Kayode (21-1,1ND). Super Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (23-0) W TKO 6 Cesar Cuenca (48-1). Cruiser: Ola Afolabi (22-4-4) W KO 5 Rakhim Chakhkiev (24-2). Cruiser: Olanrewaju Durodola (22-2) W TKO 2 Dmitry Kudryashov (18-1). Welter: Viskhan Murzabekov (12-0) W KO 3 Solomon Bogere (13-3-2). Light Heavy: Dmitry Bivol (5-0) W TKO 4 Jackson Junior (19-5,1ND).

Povetkin vs. Wach

Povetkin gets late stoppage win after a left hook splits open a cut below the left eye of Wach in the last round. It was far from being an exciting fight. Wach’s only real weapons were his height and his long left jab. Povetkin was quicker and cleverer and was able to duck under the prodded jab and get inside to land left hooks to the body and overhand rights. Wach was warned about holding over the first two rounds as he tried to stifle Povetkin’s work inside. The pattern never really varied with Wach being a bit more adventurous in the fourth and fifth but Povetkin continually moving inside and getting off two or three quick punches. Because of the pattern of the fight there were very few prolonged exchanges. Povetkin picked up the pace in the seventh and Wach was looking more intent on survival than winning. There was a brief break in the action in the tenth when a left hook from Povetkin landed very low and Wach was given some recovery time. Povetkin was doing the scoring in the eleventh but not really hurting or shaking Wach and it looked as though the fight would go the distance. That changed when a left hook from Povetkin opened a gash under the left eye of Wach. The referee had the doctor tale a look and the fight was stopped as the cut was ruled to be too bad for Wach to continue. Povetkin, 36, retains his WBC Silver title and as expected will have to wait for his mandatory shot at Deontay Wilder as the WBC have given permission for Wilder to have a third voluntary defence. Povetkin was never going to look good against Wach but he got the job down. “The Viking” Wach although 6’7 ½” is no real preparation for a Wilder fight as his arsenal is limited and his jab lacks the power of Wilder’s but in fairness this is the first time the 35-year-old Pole has lost inside the distance.

Lebedev vs. Kayode

Lebedev retains WBA title with stoppage of Kayode. For the first six rounds this was pretty much a non-event. In the first both fighters were just probing with their respective jabs, Lebedev with his southpaw right and Kayode with his left. Lebedev was content to let Kayode come forward and what scoring there was, and there was not much, came from long left counters from Lebedev.  The pattern of limited action was the same in the second with Kayode hardly landing a punch and Lebedev getting home a couple of long lefts. Kayode tried to up the pace of the fight in the third but he was too slow and Lebedev was able to counter and get out before a frustrated Kayode could respond. Kayode’s frustration showed as he was signalling for Lebedev to stand and fight. The fourth saw Lebedev start to let his hands go more mixing in right jabs with his straight lefts and rocking Kayode back on his heels. Lebedev was too quick for Kayode again in the fifth. He was cleverly just using his right jab as a decoy with Kayode ducking to his right into the path of Lebedev’s straight lefts. The action picked up in the sixth with Lebedev trading more which gave Kayoed a better target but the Nigerian was swinging wildly and walking onto more straight lefts. Lebedev rocked Kayode with a left to the head at the start of the seventh and then in some close action seemed to land a right jab and a left cross. Kayode went down and was up at three complaining bitterly that he had been pushed down but the referee ruled it a knockdown. Kayode certainly did not look shaken and actually had a good spell at the end of the round. In the eighth a left hook on the inside sent Kayode to the floor. This time he was badly shaken and only just beat the count. An over eager Lebedev half punched/pushed Kayode down again with Kayode up immediately and protesting that he was pushed. It made no difference because when the action resumed Lebedev exploded heavy lefts driving Kayode to the ropes. One of the lefts saw Kayode’s head snapped back and he was shipping more punches and not fighting back when the fight was stopped. Second defence of the full WBA title for the 36-year-old Russian and win No 21 by KO/TKO. Kayode, 32, had no right to be fighting for the title. In September, fighting at heavyweight, he was stopped inside a round by Luis Ortiz only for the fight result to be changed to No Decision after Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance . In the 13 months since then Kayode had dropped down to cruiser with a low level win but was parachuted into the WBA ratings at No 3.

Cuenca vs. Troyanovsky

Troyanovsky retains his IBO title and wins the IBF title from Cuenca in an unsatisfactory ending and I guess a complaint from Cuenca’s management has already been lodged. Troyanovsky had height and reach over the champion but was unable to make much use of those edges. He kept coming forward but to say Cuenca is elusive is like saying hell is hot. The Argentinian is perpetual motion and quick. With his herky-jerky southpaw style and the combination of quick footwork and upper body movement (no wonder his nickname was originally Fred Astaire) Troyanovsky was chasing a shadow and never able to find a stationary target so was not letting his punches go. Troyanovsky kept the pressure on and managed to score with some long rights with Cuenca leaping in with quick but light punches of his own. Briefly in the third Cuenca came forward throwing punches and Troyanovsky was the one going backwards and countering. The fourth started out the same way but after Cuenca landed a quick flurry of punches Troyanovsky landed an overhand right, the best punch of the fight so far, he was able to trap Cuenca on the ropes briefly and score with some hard rights before Cuenca slipped away and urged Troyanovsky to bring it on. Again in the fifth Troyanovsky was able to force Cuenca to stand and trade and he shook the Argentinian with a sharp left hook. Cuenca was bleeding from a bruise under his right eye at the end of the round. Troyanovsky seemed to have closed the distance in the sixth getting in close trapping Cuenca on the ropes and scoring with rights. He landed a left hook and Cuenca was suddenly slower and not as confident. As Troyanovsky moved in Cuenca ducked under the Russian’s punches and then as Cuenca came up he lifted Troyanovsky off his feet and they both stumbled. Troyanovsky was able to land on his feet but Cuenca landed on the floor. There was no punch so no count. Cuenca slowly got up and went over to his corner. The impression was that the referee was asking Cuenca if he wanted to continue. Cuenca was shaking his head indicating he had a problem with his vision and looking down at his team then shaking his head at the referee. After 30 seconds of this confusion and with Cuenca showing no inclination to take steps forward as the referee was asking the referee waived the fight over. Cuenca’s team climbed into the ring pushing and remonstrating with the referee and also shouting at the ringside officials before childishly trying to force the referee to raise his hands to show that he had won the fight for Troyanovsky. It seemed to me that the referee gave Cuenca every chance to show he was ready to fight on but the Argentinian showed no inclination to do so and the referee took the right decision. Troyanovsky, 35, retains his IBO title and wins the IBF title but the controversial end soured his victory just when he seemed to be getting on top in the fight. Cuenca, 34, will feel an injustice has been done. There may have been a language problem between the Argentinian and the American referee but Dick Field has refereed close to 200 fights including 13 world title fights and I feel he got this one right.

Afolabi vs. Chakhkiev

Afolabi survives frantic start by champion Chakhkiev to win the IBO title. The Russian started in his usual wild fashion with thudding shots to the body with Afolabi taking centre ring and pushing out his jab but not being able to keep Chakhkiev out. A clash of heads in the second had Chakhkiev dabbing his forehead over his left eye and he suffered a small cut on his left eyelid. Afolabi then rocked the Russian with a left hook but Chakhkiev took over with a furious attack lunging in with huge looping punches and loading up on every shot. The effort seemed to tire Chakhkiev and he hardly threw a punch over the last minute of the round. Chakhkiev’s work rate dropped dramatically in the third and Afolabi was forcing the Russian back with a stiff jab. A clash of heads saw Afolabi turn away pawing at the area over his left eye and the referee stopped the action to have the doctor look at a cut over the Londoner’s  eye. When the action resumed Chakhkiev rumbled forward with a salvo of big swings and looked to have Afolabi in trouble before the bell. The fourth round was Afolabi’s. Again Chakhkiev’s work rate dropped to almost zero with Afolabi not throwing many punches but coming forward and doing what clean scoring there was. In the fifth Chakhkiev looked sold out and as he lunged in a short right from Afolabi sent the Russian sideward and down. The referee decided it was a push and did not apply a count. Chakhkiev stumbled forward throwing punches but Afolabi met him with a crunching left cross and a short right which saw Chakhkiev fall face first to the canvas. He managed to turn himself over but that was it and he was still prone when the referee completed the count. “Kryptonite” Afolabi has twice been WBO interim champion but in two fights for the full title he lost a disputed unanimous decision and a majority decision to Marco Huck when both verdicts could have gone his way. It looked as though his last chance might have gone after he lost a close decision to Victor Ramirez in April for the interim IBF title but now he is a full champion. Southpaw Chakhkiev, 32, was making the first defence of his IBO title but had punched himself out after three rounds and was exhausted by the finish which puts a big question over his conditioning.

Durodola vs. Kudryashov

Durodola springs huge upset as he stops Kudryashov. The Nigerian came out for the first firing a barrage of hooks catching the Russian “Hammer” by surprise. Kudryashov let the storm subside and then staggered Durodola with a left hook that drove Durodola to the ropes. Kudryashov then unleashed a barrage of hooks to head and body driving Durodola around the ropes. Durodola was countering when he could and Kudryashov was wide open but again staggered Durodola with a left hook. At the bell Kudryashov was showing a swelling under his right eye. Kudryashov was again landing hard shots in the second but Durodola was blocking many and throwing bombs of his own. Kudryashov was trying to overwhelm Durodola with hooks but was walking onto hard overhand rights. Two rights sent Kudryashov into the ropes and Durodola landed some hard head punches. Initially Kudryashov got off the ropes but was on wobbly legs and Durodola drove him back to the ropes and was unloading with both hands and with nothing coming back the referee stopped the fight. The Kansas City-based 35-year-old “Gods Power” Durodola had blown his other big fight by being floored and losing a wide decision against Thabiso Mchunu in January last year. He had won four low level fights since then but was still somehow ranked No 4 by the WBC. Now he has won the WBC Silver title and with Kudryashov rated No 2 and No 3 Chakhkiev losing he is almost assured of a WBC title fight in 2016. Kudryashov, 30, had won all of his previous fights by KO/TKO with only four of those fights going past the fourth round. Here he fought a dumb fight just walking forward wide open and paid the price. He was rated WBC 2/WBA 3/WBO 5/IBF 8(6) but has blown those ratings and even the EBU No 6 ratings looks over generous.

Murzabekov vs. Bogere

One of only two poor matches on this otherwise excellent show saw Russian Murzabekov dispose of over-matched Ugandan Bogere in three rounds. “Little Tyson” was looking to end this early but Bogere showed some good technique and got through the first round and most of the second before a left hook put him down just before the bell. It was all over in the third as Murzabekov floored Bogere twice and then landed another left hook to put the Ugandan down and out. The little 25-year-old Russian wins the vacant IBO International title and gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. He is rated in the EBU EE-EU ratings at No 5 but is not in the EBU top 16 yet. Second loss by KO/TKO for Bogere but this was only his third fight in two years.

Bivol vs. Junior

Russian prospect Bivol makes light work of more experienced Brazilian Junior. Bivol made a confident start showing a ramrod jab and some quick combinations with Junior a static target and too slow to counter. In the second Bivol displayed a variety of jabs, hooks and uppercuts with Junior mostly hiding behind a high guard but occasionally throwing some quick counters. At the end of the round Bivol took Junior to the ropes and landed two straight rights and a left to the chin that sent Junior slumping to the canvas. The Brazilian was up at four and the bell went as the referee completed the eight count. The third was one-sided as Bivol flashed jabs, straight rights and left hooks through Junior’s guard although the Brazilian scored with his best two punches, a hook and an uppercut as the round ended. Bivol ended it in the fourth. As Junior moved in Bivol landed a short right which sent Junior down. He got up quickly but just shook his head during the count and the referee stopped the fight. The 24-year-old Kyrgyzstan-born Russian showed some good touches. He has good amateur pedigree having twice been World Cadet Champion and also a gold medallist at the European Cadet championships and a bronze medal winner at the European Juniors as well as twice being Russian champion. One to watch. Junior, 29, has a typical Brazilian record padded with home victories. This is his fourth loss to a Russian fighter with his other conquerors being Vasyl Lepikhin, Chakhkiev and Egor Mekhontsev. The ND was originally a four round stoppage loss to Umberto Savigne but the Cuban tested positive for a banned substance.

 

 

 

 

November 5

 

Tokyo, Japan: Fly: Takuya Kogawa (25-4) W PTS 10 Tetsuma Hayashi (25-4-2).

Kogawa holds onto Japanese title with unanimous decision over former victim Hayashi. The fight started badly for Kogawa as a right from Hayashi in the first round put the champion down. Kogawa was not badly hurt and boxed his way out of trouble. He then took over the fight sweeping the next four rounds to be in front 48-46 on all three cards at the end of the fifth round. The fight was more competitive over the last five rounds with Kogawa’s work rate dropping but he was still out boxing the challenger. Hayashi knew he needed a knockout and put up a big effort in the last but Kogawa has never been stopped and he was still there at the final bell a clear winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. The 30-year-old former WBC title challenger lost to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the WBC title in 2011and to Yodmongkol in March last year for the interim WBA title. He is in his second reign as JBC champion. He is rated No 12 by the WBC so another title shot is possible but unlikely. Hayashi, the JBC No 1 has now lost in three shots at the national title twice to Kogawa and also to Suguru Muranaka in April this year.

 

Washington, DC, USA: Welter: Jamie Herrera (13-3-1) W PTS 10 Javier Flores (12-1,1ND). Herrera wins the vacant WBC USNBC title with unanimous decision over Flores. There was plenty of action in this one as pressure from Herrera was forcing southpaw Flores to stand and trade. In most rounds it was a trial of strength as they stood right in front of each other and just flailed away with hooks and uppercuts to head and body from both hands. When he chose to fight on the outside Herrera was able to get home with his left jab and straight rights but he was just as happy in the pocket exchanging. Flores scored his share of thudding body punches but Herrera outworked the Puerto Rican on the inside and was a clear winner where both fighters came out with some credit. Herrera had a run of 5 wins culminating his biggest win so far a stoppage in August last year of former IBF title contender Mike Jones, a result that sent Jones into retirement. Next time out in December he was crushed in two rounds by Egidijus Kavaliauskas but in June he was unlucky in having to settle for a draw against unbeaten Canadian prospect Steve Butler. Flores, 29, had an extensive amateur grounding but had not really been tested as a pro.

 

November 6

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Middle: Antoine Douglas (19-0-1) W TKO 4 Les Sherrington (35-8). Welter: Taras Shelestyuk (13-0) W PTS 10 Aslanbek Kozaev (26-2-1). Welter: Keenan Smith (9-0) W PTS 8 Ben Whitaker (10-2).

Douglas vs. Sherrington

Douglas impresses as he destroyed a suddenly old looking Sherrington. In the first round Douglas was short with a right but then threaded home a left jab and sent a straight right through Sherrington’s guard. It put the Australian down but landed half on the chin and half on the shoulder reducing the effect and Sherrington was up immediately. Douglas continued to pressure but at one point Sherrington wrestled him to the floor and the Australian made it through the round. Sherrington was on the floor in the second as he looked to have walked into a counter short right as he tried to get inside but the referee ruled it a slip. The round did feature a genuine knockdown as Sherrington stumbled back to the ropes after being clipped with a left hook and Douglas followed up with a series of punches and Sherrington slid down to his knees. Again he was up quickly but seemed to have no punch resistance. In the third a short left hook from Douglas again saw Sherrington dumped on his rear but again he was up quickly and did not seem badly hurt. Later in the round a right from Douglas put the Aussie on the floor again. As with the knockdown in the first round the blow landed half on the shoulder and half on the chin and Sherrington rose and was able to continue. In the fourth Douglas forced Sherrington the ropes and banged home some body shots with Sherrington slumping to the floor and the referee waived the fight off. The 23-year-old from Virginia wins the vacant WBA and WBO International titles and gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO. He fought a majority draw with Michel Soro in July last year and some saw it as a disappointing result but since then Soro has halted both Glen Tapia (23-1) and Emanuele Blandamura (23-1) and in retrospect that has to seem Douglas’s beat performance so far. He team has been confident enough to put him in since with Thomas Lamanna (16-0) and Istvan Szili (18-0-2). He is rated WBA 9/WBO 11/IBF 14(13) and is ready to move up in class. Sherrington, 33, really seemed to go over too easily and found Douglas just too quick for him. Sherrington has five losses by KO/TKO but in fairness four of those losses came in his first 14 fights and over his next 28 fights one loss was due to a broken leg and the other was against Sam Solomon who won the WBA title in his next fight.

Shelestyuk vs. Kozaev

Shelestyuk overcomes a slow start to outpoint Kozaev. Over the first three rounds Shelestyuk struggled to keep Kozaev on the outside . The tall Ukrainian had big edges in height and reach but his jab was not snapping out and Kozaev was able to get inside and work the body. Shelestyuk was scoring with counters as Kozaev came forward but not stopping the Russian. From the third southpaw Shelestyuk started to put more power into his jab and move more giving him space for leverage. From that point he was able to boss the fight forcing Kozaev back and banging through now more damaging jabs and straight lefts. He opened a cut over Kozaev’s left eye and only a good chin kept Kozaev in the fight. The Russian tried to push forward to cut down the Ukrainian’s big lead but Shelestyuk’s reach advantage and slick movement gave Kozaev no chance to turn things around. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 29-year-old Shelestyuk wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental and WBO NABO titles. He has great amateur credentials in the shape of Ukrainian national titles in 2009/2010 and 2011 a gold medal at the World Championships and bronze medals at both the European Championships and the 2012 Olympics. This was his first ten round fight and his first real test and he came through in style after a stuttering start. After winning his first 23 fights Kozaev fought a creditable draw with David Avanesyan in 2013 but lost by a large margin against Ray Robinson in February 2012. This was his first fight for 18 months.

Smith vs. Whitaker

Smith gets unanimous decision but the scores do not do justice to Whitaker. The undefeated southpaw from Philadelphia made the better start and had youth and skill on his side but Whitaker fought hard to make every round close and seemed to get the better of the middle rounds. A clash of heads in the sixth saw Smith suffer a bad cut and that seemed to give Whitaker an edge but Smith banged back to floor Whitaker in the seventh which swung things his way. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73 which in no way mirrored what many saw as a very close fight. Smith, 25, a former World Cadet Championship’s competitor and former NGG champion was fighting over eight rounds for the first time. Texan Whitaker, 31, had gone eight rounds in winning each of his last three fights.

 

Trois-Rivieres, Canada: Super Middle: Schiller Hyppolite (17-1) W RTD 2 Victor Palacios (12-11-2). Super Light: Mike Gadbois (14-0-3) W PTS 8 David Campillo (10-3-1). Welter: Mian Hussain (13-0) W PTS 8 Juan A Garcia (12-2-2). Super Light: Ayaz Hussain (7-0) W KO 1 Sebastien Benito (11-12). Heavy: Simon Kean (1-0) W KO 1 Balazs Bodo (1-1).

Hyppolite vs. Palacios

Easy win for Hyppolite as Mexican veteran retires after two rounds. The Haitian-born Canadian edged the first round as he wanted to see what Palacios brought to the table. It was not much and in the second Hyppolite was chasing Palacios down following the retreating Mexican from corner to corner and slamming home hooks from both hands. Palacios was ducking and diving but getting caught time and again with hard head punches and at the end of the round decided he had taken enough punishment and retired. The 29-year-old “Batman” the WBC No 7, makes it 12 wins since losing on points against Francy Ntetu in 2012. Palacios, 36 drops to six losses by KO/TKO.

Gadbois vs. Campillo

Gadbois forced to fight hard to get the decision over Campillo .Gadbois was pressed all the way as Campillo lived up to his “Iron” nickname and just kept marching forward. The Canadian’s main weapon was his southpaw right hook and it was that punch that helped him create some space and edge the rounds but Campillo was never out of the fight. Scores 79-74, 78-74 and 77-75. The 28-year-old “L’Unique” was coming off a creditable ten round draw with fellow-Canadian Steve Wilcox for the WBC International Silver title but two majority draws in 2013 with low level opposition were poor results. Campillo, 28, had lost only one of his last eleven fights and provided a good test.

Hussain vs. Garcia

Hussain makes a good start but in the end has to settle for a wide unanimous verdict. “Superman” was on the verge of a knockout win in the second round but just could not finish his Mexican opponent. After that the talented Canadian was trying to get an inside the distance win and not working his opening which made the fight harder than it needed to be. Scores 79-71 twice and 80-70. The 25-year-old southpaw has been meeting some useful opponents and is making progress. The Canadian No 3 who is of Pakistani lineage was Canadian amateur champion and won a bronze medal at the PanAmerican Games losing to Oscar Molina in the semi-finals. Garcia was 9-0-1 in his last 10 fights.

Hussain vs. Benito

Ayaz made it a double for the Hussain family as he blew away Frenchman Benoit in 62 seconds. The 24-year-old “La Machine” a former Canadian amateur champion like his brother, has 5 wins by KO/TKO including a useful victory over Miguel Antoine (17-2-1). Second loss inside the distance in less than a month for Benito but the other was a retirement and he was not suspended.

Kean vs. Bodo

In front of his home fans Olympian Kean gets his pro career off to a quick start as he halts overmatched Hungarian in the first round. Kean had Bodo down three times before the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old 6’5” Canadian was close to having a leg amputated after an off-road vehicle accident in 2009 but confounded the doctors by recovering and going back to boxing. He was twice Canadian champion, competed at the 2012 Olympics where he beat Tony Yoka (now the World Amateur Champion) but lost to Ivan Dychko. He failed to medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto in July losing 2-1 to American Cam Awesome so has turned pro. Hungarian Bodo no sort of test.

 

Frankfurt, Germany: Cruiser: Mairis Briedis (18-0) W TKO 2 Laszlo Hubert (41-17-1). Super Welter: Gerome Quigley (11-0) W TKO 1 Vito Vendetta (11-2-1). Heavy: Evgenios Lazaridis (9-0) W PTS 10 Boris Estenfelder (6-1-1)

Briedis vs. Hubert

A walk in the park for Breidis as he lets Hubert last into the second round. The Riga fighter could have ended it in the first as he scored three knockdowns.  The first came with a combination inside the first minute the second from a light cuffing right to the head late in the round with Hubert very reluctantly getting up at nine and the third was a right uppercut inside but Briedis was pulling his punches at this stage. The shambles was worsened in that the round went 42 seconds over the three minutes. Briedis looked more purposeful in the second round but again Hubert was not set on taking too much punishment. A right from Breidis which landed just behind Hubert’s left ear brought the first knockdown and the second came from a right counter as Hubbert was actually coming forward and throwing some punches. The referee stopped the fight after the second knockdown but this was close to a farce. The 30-year-old from Latvia was back down to his real weight after a sensation kayo of world rated heavyweight Manuel Charr in August. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO and is rated WBC 8/WBO 10 at cruiser so a title chance seems a long way off. Hungarian southpaw Hubert, 40, has suffered 16 of his 17 losses by KO/TKO.

Quigley vs. Vendetta

Maryland’s Quigley wins the vacant IBA Inter-Continental title with first round stoppage of German. Vendetta came out swinging. He was rushing forward head down throwing wild hooks and Quigley was taken out of stride and forced to cover up. Vendetta kept swinging and then bundled Quigley to the canvas. The referee rightly ruled it a slip. Again the wild attacks of Vendetta had Quigley too busy defending himself and he was given a warning for holding. Finally Quigley cracked home a body shot and drove Vendetta back. A right to the head made Vendetta’s legs wobble and a left hook and a right cross sent Vendetta head first into the ropes and he tumbled down on his back. He tried to get up fell over again and managed to get to his feet at the second attempt but almost fell over and the referee stopped the fight. It is a bit difficult to label Quigley a prospect at 32 but when he finally managed to get off some punches he had speed and power. He has 10 wins by KO/TKO and this is his second fight in Germany and second win inside a round. Vendetta, 34, was born and lives in Frankfurt but is known as the “Italian Stallion” although he fought more like an enraged bull here. His record has been built against low level opposition with his last three victims having combined records of 11-106!

Lazaridis vs. Estenfelder

Lazaridis wins the vacant IBA Inter-Continental title with win over German Estenfelder. The  Greek had lots of trouble with the all-out aggressive crude approach of the much bigger and stronger Estenfelder who constantly marched forward behind a high guard. The German looked on the point of over whelming Lazaridis a couple of times. Lazaridis only took control from the eighth as Estenfelder slowed but the Greek did not seem to have done enough to get the unanimous decision. Lazaridis, 27 and 6’5” (198cm) tall fought his first 5 pro fights in 5 different countries but is now based in Germany. He failed to make it to the 2012 Olympics being eliminated at the European Qualifier. Frankfurt native Estenfelder, 28, had only six four round fights and one six round going into this fight.

 

Los Angeles, CA, USA: Welter: Martin Honorio (33-9-1) W PTS 10 Miguel A Huerta (28-14-1). Super Bantam: Joet Gonzalez (12-0) W KO 3 Marcos Rios (12-0-1).

Honorio vs. Huerta

Honorio gets revenge for a previous loss as he outpoints Huerta in all-Mexican clash. They were both looking to trade from the outset but Honorio’s work rate and accuracy enabled him to build up a lead. Southpaw Huerta tried hard to close the gap and had some success but in the end Honorio was a clear winner. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. Honorio, 35, was having his first fight since taking a solid beating from Antonio Orozco in May 2014. Before that he climbed off the floor twice when losing a majority verdict to Juan Carlos Salgado for the IBF super feather title in April 2012 and dropped a decision against Algenis Mendez in an IBF eliminator in July 2012. When he and Huerta met in the early stages of both careers Huerta won the decision. Huerta, 35 took almost 5 years out after losing to Mike Alvarado in 2008 and had lost 3 of 4 tough fights since returning.

Gonzalez vs. Rios

Gonzalez marches on and looks a good prospect. Gonzalez was too quick for Rios and came close to ending it in the first when he put the Mexican down with a right to the jaw. Rios got and survived the round. Gonzalez was going to the body in the second and despite trying to fight back hard Rios was in over his head. Gonzalez ended it in the third. A left hook to the body dropped Rios and although he made it to his feet and tried to fight his way out of trouble another left hook put him down and this time he did not get up. The 22-year-old from Los Angeles has found his power. He won only one of his first six fights by KO/TKO but has now scored five wins by KO/TKO in his last six fights. He was a silver medal winner at the NGG’s but lost out at the US Trials for the 2012 Olympics. First fight outside of Tijuana for Rios who had only once been in a fight scheduled for more than four rounds and it showed.

 

Junin, Argentina: Super Welter: Juan M Bonanni (28-6-3) W PTS 10 Luis A Moreno (18-11-5). Bonanni pleases his hometown fans with win over Moreno but takes no chances. The FAB No 2 settled for using his jab and better skills to control the fight on the outside but whilst his one-paced defence minded approach won him the fight it also meant that some rounds were closer than they should have been. Bonanni won the unanimous decision but no judge gave him more than five rounds. Scores 98-96 ½, 98-97 and 96-94. Bonanni has now won 8 of his last 9 fights. He beat Moreno on points back in January last year. Moreno is now 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

 

Tapiales, Argentina: Super Bantam: Leandro D Esperante (14-5) W TKO 2 Ernesto Franzolini (5-5-1). Esperante again shows his punching power with stoppage of Franzolini. After taking the first round Esperante banged home a left hook to the body and followed that with an uppercut. Franzolini went down and although he just made it to his feet he was in no condition to continue. After a rocky start to his career the 26-year-old Esperante is 10-2 in his last 12 fights with the losses both being questionable. He lost a majority decision to Fabian O Orozco (23-3-2) for the Argentinian title in September last year and despite scoring a knockdown lost a split decision to former WBO bantam champion Paulus Ambunda for the vacant IBO title in Namibia in August. He has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Second loss inside the distance for prelim fighter Franzolini.

 

November 7

 

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Tim Bradley (33-1-1,1ND) W TKO 9 Brandon Rios (33-3-1). Feather: Vasyl Lomachenko (5-1) W KO 10 Romulo Koasicha (25-5). Middle: Ryota Murata (8-0) W PTS 10 Gunnar Jackson (22-7-3). Feather: Miguel Marriaga (21-1) W PTS 8 Guillermo Avila (15-5). Super Light: Mike Reed (17-0) W KO 7  Rondale Hubbert (10-4-1). Welter: Egidijus Kavaliauskas (10-0) W TKO 1 Jake Giuriceo (17-5-1).

Bradley vs. Rios

Bradley retains his WBO welter title with stoppage of Rios. To a large extent this ceased to be a contest when Rios failed to make the weight at the first attempt and then put on 28lbs by fight time. Bradley was too quick and accurate for the sluggish Rios from the first bell. Fighting for the first time under his new trainer Teddy Atlas Bradley did not really seem to have changed much but he did look sharper and showed some more movement than in the past. The fight was one-sided with Bradley able to score with a whole range of punches against Rios who just walked onto the punishment. Defence has never been a strong point for Rios but this time it seemed to be missing altogether. Rios had his best round in the second when he was able to work inside and had a good spell in the third  as he ploughed forward but Bradley was moving around Rios creating angles and countering quickly and accurately and Rios was going to struggle to win a round let alone the fight. Nevertheless Rios kept trying to get inside but was just not working hard when he did do so and his corner were pleading with him to let his hands go more. He could not get past or away from Bradley’s left jab and his punches were ending up where Bradley had been and not where he was Rios tried to up his pace in the eighth but Bradley was peppering him with jabs and then banging home quick combinations with Rios just not able to get close enough to do any scoring of his own. Rios started the ninth again coming forward and trying to get Bradley to stand and trade but Bradley was smothering any work Rios tries to do on the inside. Bradley hurt Rios with a left uppercut and then jerked his head back with two more. They started to maul and this time it was Rios holding on. You sensed that he had taken enough he was just going through the motions was gassed out and not punching back. Bradley landed  a left hook to the body that drove Rios along the ropes and then a right and a left to the body which had Rios on his way down with a shot from Bradley clipping him on the chin on the way. He made it to his feet but had nothing left. When the fight recommenced Bradley took Rios to a corner and although Rios looked to be blocking the punches he was finished and slumped to the floor with the referee stopping the fight. The 32-year-old “Desert Storm” needed an impressive win after his draw with Diego Chaves and a less than scintillating victory over Jessie Vargas. He looked back to his best. His mandatory challenger is Sadam Ali which might be a hard sell and Bradley would love another shot at Pacquiao. Rios announced his retirement after the fight. The 29-year-old never recaptured the form he had as a lightweight. He was a lucky winner when Diego Chaves fouled his way out of a fight he was winning and both he and Mike Alvarado looked shop-worn when Rios won their fight in January. It remains to be seen whether he will stay retired. although wins over

Lomachenko vs. Koasicha

As expected Lomachenko was a class or two above Koasicha and battered the Mexican to defeat in ten one-sided rounds. To some extent Lomachenko was content to put on a boxing class as he out boxed the one0dimensional Koasicha. The Ukrainian was equally happy going forward or fighting on the back foot and constantly switched angles so that Koasicha could never be quite sure where the next punch was coming from. He kept Koasicha on the back foot pressing the action slipping and blocking the punches from Koasicha and then slotting home right jabs and quick combinations. Koasicha kept trying to get on the front foot stabbing out his jab and stepping up but whenever he did Lomachenko would make an adjustment and right jabs  sharp uppercuts and crafty hooks would have Koasicha retreating again. It was obvious that Lomachenko was not looking to end this early but instead to showcase his talents and some of his punches were fast but not full power. There was nothing Koasicha could do to change the flow of the fight. He was too slow to try to counter punch and could not compete with the accuracy and variety of the Ukrainian’s attacks. You sensed that this fight would end when Lomachenko decided to end it. Koasicha’s work rate started to drop for the simple reason that every time he threw a punch he left a gap and Lomachenko was slamming home counters. From the seventh Koasicha was spending more and more time on the ropes as Lomachenko hunted him down increasing the pressure and even winding up his left before throwing the punch. Koasicha stayed in there taking the punishment and throwing enough punches of his own to justify the fight continuing but not for much longer. A left uppercut had Koasicha hurt in the ninth and the Mexican backed off with Lomachenko now looking for the finish. Koasicha actually did quite well at the start of the tenth sticking out his jab and landing with a series of hooks but after the one minute mark he was unable to get off the ropes as Lomachenko was letting go with both hands. Lomachenko landed a couple of long lefts to the body which visibly hurt Koasicha and had him bending at the waist and another long left to the body put him down. His face was a mass of bumps and bruises from Lomachenko’s punches and he rightly saw no point in continuing and was counted out. The 27-year-old Ukrainian southpaw was making the second defence of his WBO title and on this form it is difficult to see who can beat him at feather. Koasicha, 24, did his best. He showed guts to take punishment for ten rounds. He was also outclassed by current IBF champion Lee Selby for the WBC International title in May last year but went the full twelve rounds but there was no way he was going to take what Lomachenko was handing out for that long.

Murata vs. Jackson

Murata gets unanimous verdict over New Zealander Jackson. Murata had the edge in speed and skill and was able to outbox Jackson most of the way. The Japanese fighter targeted the body and seemed to be breaking Jackson down but Jackson banged back enough to be competitive and steal some rounds. However it was a comfortable win for Murata over a competent but limited opponent. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. The 29-year-old Olympic gold medallist Murata seemed to have temporarily stalled as this is his only his second fight in almost a year but he should be more active in 2016. As an amateur he twice walked away from boxing but he won’t be doing that in the pro ranks. He is rated IBF 5(4)/WBC 5/WBO 5/WBA 14. Jackson, 29, keeps his record of not losing inside the distance but he was outclassed by Kerry Hope in June so a safe fight for Murata.

Marriaga vs. Avila

Colombian Marriaga returns with a win as he takes every round against Mexican Avila. “The Scorpion” did a lot of stinging as Marriaga’s accurate punches had Avila’s face like a relief map of the Rockies but Avila stuck to his task. The Colombian was hampered by a hand injury but breezed to victory. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Marriaga, 29, climbed off the floor to go the distance with Nicolas Walters for the WBA secondary title in June when the Jamaican came in overweight and lost the title on the scales. Avila is 4-4 in his last 8 fights.

Reed vs. Hubbert

Reed gets another win as he halts late replacement Hubbard. The classy Maryland southpaw was in charge in every round as he took Hubbert apart. A right in the seventh floored Hubbert who struggled to beat the count. Reed cut loose with a barrage of punches and with nothing coming back from Hubbert the fight was stopped. The 22-year-old “Yes Indeed” Reed a former NGG champion has 10 wins by KO/TKO but no really threatening opposition so far. Hubbert was unbeaten in his first 11 fights but is 1-4 in his last 5.

Kavaliauskas vs. Giuriceo

Lithuanian Kavaliauskas needed just one overhand right to put Giuriceo down and out. The 27-year-old Kavaliauskas is a 2008 and 2012 Olympian and a World Championships bronze medallist. He has now won 9 contests in a row by KO/TKO and looks a top prospect. Ohioan “Bull” Giuriceo has lost 5 of his last 6 fights but went the distance with the now WBC champion Viktor Postol in April.

 

Monte Carlo, Monaco: Welter: David Avanesyan (21-1-1) W TKO 9 Charlie Navarro (25-8). Bantam: Zhanat Zhakiyanov (26-1) W PTS 12 Yonfrez Parejo (17-2-1). Cruiser: Youri Kayembre Kalenga (22-2) W KO 9 Roberto F Bolonti (36-5,1ND). Super Light: Ruslan Provodnikov (25-4) W TKO 4 Jesus P Alvarez Rodriguez (14-1). Super Bantam: Jun Qiu Xiao (19-2) W TKO 11 Amor Belahdj Ali (14-4-1,1ND).

Avanesyan vs. Navarro

Avanesyan wins the vacant WBA interim title with stoppage of Navarro. This was an excellent match up of two boxers with good technical skills and punching power. Both started cautiously trying to get their jab established and fire off quick punches trying to get in land and get out with the result that it was a good boxing match but there were few sustained exchanges. Avanesyan was switching effortlessly between orthodox and southpaw and looked to have the quicker hands but Navarro had a stiff jab and was letting go with vicious body punches. Avanesyan had a good fifth round as he shook Navarro with a hard combination and the Venezuelan was then deducted a point for a very low right hook. Avanesyan ended the round with another sharp combination. There was some good exchanges and some farce in the sixth. Navarro managed to pin Avanesyan on the ropes and worked the body in the first sustained exchange and Avanesyan was lucky not to injure himself when he slipped on water in Navarro’s corner. The referee ordered Navarro’s second to mop up the water. Avanesyan banged back and then farcically Navarro slipped twice more in the same corner. Avanesyan took charge in the seventh. He was still constantly switching guard and Navarro was having difficulty dealing with the tactic. Avanesyan was coming forward and he shook Navarro with two hard lefts from his southpaw stance and he landed a choice uppercut at the end of the round. In the eighth Navarro seemed to be drifting out of the fight he was letting Avanesyan dictate the action and the Russian was stalking the retreating Venezuelan and was well on top. In the ninth Navarro tried to come forward and had some success but then Avanesyan clipped him with a right. Navarro was shaken and as he tried to take the fight to the Russian Avanesyan banged home a right uppercut and a straight left which sent Navarro back to the ropes. A thumping left to the body and a right to the head saw Navarro slump down to a sitting position on the bottom rope and he sat there pawing at his left eye. The referee started the count and although Navarro got up he then walked away towards his corner still dabbing at his left eye and the fight was over. As the doctor examined Navarro there was blood leaking out of his left eye socket. The 27-year-old Russian lost to future IBF super feather title challenger Andre Klimov in only his second pro fight so is on an unbeaten run of 20 wins and a draw with Aslanbek Kozaev, His opposition has not been strong but he showed plenty of skill and power and his constant guard switches  will give others problems the way it did Navarro. The 36-year-old Venezuelan has only lost to very good opposition and registered a big win in June last year when he knocked out Alberto Mosquera (21-0-2). He is a quality fighter.

Zhakiyanov Perez

Zhakiyanov deservedly wins the interim WBA title with split decision over champion Perez that should have been unanimous. From the first bell to the last it was Ricky Hatton’s little Kazak who was making the fight. “ZZ” just kept tracking Perez around the ring with the Venezuelan never really taking the offensive. Perez had a reach advantage and was quick with both hands and feet but Zhakiyanov kept hunting him down and unleashing hooks to the body whenever he managed to catch the Venezuelan on the ropes. Both were smart in the way they applied their tactics. Zhakiyanov was relentless in his pursuit but too often when he did get Perez to stand and trade the Venezuelan was holding and he was warned for the offence a number of times over the last four rounds. They were both doing quality work Perez with an educated jab and hooks to the body and Zhakiyanov cleverly cutting off the ring and accurate and hurtful with his hooks. Zhakiyanov had a good ninth when he had Perez hurt and in confused retreat but Perez had returned to his skilful counter-punching by the tenth.  Zhakiyanov had been the aggressor throughout and deserved the decision on that basis alone but he also landed the harder punches and for me was a clear winner in a good quality little fight. Scores 116-113 and 115-113 for Zhakiyanov and 116-112 for Perez. The 31-year-old Zhakiyanov has won 21 fights in a row. By lasting the distance Perez stopped Zhakiyanov’s current streak of wins by KO/TKO at 12. With Perez refusing to get involved in any toe-to-toe exchanges it was hard for Zhakiyanov to show his full quality but there is no one he should fear in the bantam division. Perez, who was making his first title defence, showed silky skills but he just did not do enough to deserve to hold onto the title.

Kalenga vs. Bolonti

Kalenga show frightening power as he crushes brave Bolonti. From the start Kalenga was dominating the action with stiff jabs and vicious rights with Bolonti trying to bang back but being forced most of the time to cover up under Kalenga’s studied violence. The second saw Bolonti trapped on the ropes with Kalenga unloading but Bolonti fought back with some counters of his own. The third was a big round for the DRC fighter. A left clipped Bolonti on the side of the head and he fell backwards into the ropes and down. He was up immediately and did not seem badly hurt. Later in the round as they traded a right from Kalenga landed just behind the ear of Bolonti and sent him crashing down. Again he was up quickly but badly shaken. Through the fourth and fifth Kalenga was stalking Bolonti and loading up with every punch but the Argentinian kept in the fight firing back when he could. Kalenga continued to come forward with a tiring Bolonti trying to tie the DRC fighter up whenever he could and his desperation showed in the seventh and eighth as he was deducted a point in each round for careless use of the head. Kalenga was a bit wild with some of his punches when in the ninth both were swinging and missing with hooks but after missing badly with a right Kalenga leapt forward with a thunderous left to the head. Bolonti went down heavily with his head ending up supported on the bottom rope. The referee started to count but realised that Bolonti was finished and needed immediate attention so waived the fight over. The 27-year-old Kalenga, a former interim WBA champion makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO. Kalenga won the interim WBA title with a win over Mariusz Masternak and defended it was a spectacular last round victory over Denton Daley. Those wins earned him a fight with Denis Lebedev for the full WBA title in April where both fighters were on the floor but Kalenga lost a unanimous decision. He is strong and has tremendous punching power. His only current rating is No 9 with the WBA but he is a real danger to anyone in the division. Bolonti, 36 gets his first loss by KO/TKO. He has done most of his fighting at light heavy where he was beaten by Tony Bellew and also by Juergen Brahmer for the secondary WBA light heavy title. He had a home win in July where he weighed 174 ¾ lbs lost a wide decision to Danny Green in August where he was 186 ¾ lbs and for this he was a fleshy 197 2/3 lbs.

Provodnikov vs. Rodriguez

Provodnikov takes his time but when he gets serious he quickly gets rid of Mexican novice. Hardly a punch was thrown in anger in the first round as Provodnikov stalked Rodriguez around the ring. The Mexican never came of the ropes and really only pushed out his jab being more intent on movement than scoring points. Provodnikov managed to land a couple of long rights but that was it. Rodriguez tried a few punches early in the second with Provodnikov still stalking but keeping his powder dry. He made Rodriguez stand and trade briefly and got through with a couple of long hooks but at the end of the round he had closed the distance and got through with a left uppercut and hard long right. Provodnikov upped his work rate in the third against scoring with left hooks to the body and right to the head and forcing Rodriguez to trade. The Mexican landed a quite classy straight left right cross late in the round but Provodnikov hardly noticed them and copied those two shots but with much more effect.  Provodnikov trapped Rodriguez  on the ropes early in the fourth and staggered him with a right cross. The Mexican stumbled back along the ropes and then cut losses with bludgeoning shots from both hands with Rodriguez slumping to his knees. Rodriguez was up at six and when the action recommenced Provodnikov took him to the ropes and with the Russian slamming home shots and Rodriguez sliding down the ropes the fight was stopped. Too easy for the 31-year-old former WBO champion Russian but no one can grudge an easy night now and then. Rodriguez showed some nice touches but there was a huge gap in class like sending someone out to fight a rhino with a pea  shooter.

Jun vs. Ali

Jun retains the WBC Silver title with late stoppage of too brave Ali. Southpaw Ali came out firing punches trying to blow away his Chinese opponent in the first round but he was careless and a straight right from Jun put him down. In the second Ali was on top working on the inside forcing Jun to brawl and getting the better of the inside exchanges. However as in the first round he again stood in the pocket and Jun flashed out a series of hooks and uppercuts putting Ali down again. He looked more disgusted with himself than hurt and he was up quickly and they exchanged hard shots to the bell. In the fifth Jun unleashed a furious two handed attack slamming home uppercuts and hooks that had Ali’s head bouncing but the Frenchman just kept coming. Jun seemed to have punched himself out with that burst and Ali was able to get back into the groove coming forward and banging away to the body in the sixth and seventh. Jun had a good eighth at one time trapping Ali in a corner and unloading with heavy punches from both hands. In the ninth Jun suddenly started to dance around the ring just jabbing with the frustrated Ali actually appealing to the referee to tell Jun to stand and fight. A frustrated Ali left himself wide open in the tenth and was driven backwards across the ring by a stream of straight lefts and right. A final right put him down but was coming forward again by the bell.  In the eleventh they were trading hard shots when a savage left hook from Jun stiffened Ali’s legs and the Chinese boxer drove Ali to the ropes and the referee stepped in to give Ali a standing count. When the action recommenced a left to the chin and straight right sent Ali down again and the fight was stopped. This was a savage battle between two low profile fighters but both deserve to be better known. Jun has done most of his fighting in China and although he did not have a sound defence the speed and power in his combinations was impressive. Ali showed, stamina, bravery and stupidity beyond the call of duty. He walked forward for three minutes of every round never stopped punching but never bothered with defence and paid for it in the end. A great little fight.

 

Liverpool, England: Super Middle: Callum Smith (18-0) W TKO 1 Rocky Fielding (21-1). Light: Ricky Burns (39-5-1) W KO 11 Josh King (20-4). Light: Scott Cardle (19-0) W TKO 12 Sean Dodd (10-2). Middle: Tom Doran (16-0) W KO 3 Rod Smith (7-1).

Smith vs. Fielding

Both started out probing with their jab. Smith was short with two jabs but then landed a long right cross which staggered Fielding. He tried to duck out of trouble but a couple of hooks sent him stumbling back and down. Fielding was up at seven and tried to trade to get himself out of trouble. Instead a series of punches from Smith drove Fielding to the ropes Fielding shipped some punishment but made a couple of partially successful attempts to get back to centre ring but each time was met with hard hooks which drove him back. Fielding tried again to come forward but was clipped with right to the head which put him down. He got up but Smith jumped on him taking him to the ropes and landing long right hooks which put Fielding down again. When trying to rise he was pawing at the ropes to help himself get upright. He made it but was still very shaky and the fight was stopped. Smith’s beat and most impressive win to date. Both were known punchers but Smith got his in first and then showed cool, cruel finishing power. The 25-year-old retains his WBC Silver title and wins the vacant British title becoming the fourth member of the Smith family to win a British title. He is No 1 with the WBC so will get a shot at the title and will try to join brother Liam as a world champion although brother Stephen is hoping to beat him to it by winning a world title at super feather. Fielding, 28, had scored wins over Luke Blackledge, Noe Gonzalez Alcoba and Brian Vera and was rated IBF 5(4)/WBC 10/WBA 10 and can rebound from this and get back into contention.

Burns vs. King

Burns keeps his career alive with stoppage of Australian King. This was not a pretty fight but for Burns it was the result that mattered. The Scot found the crouching style of King a problem and the Australian was not short on tactics which sit just outside the rules. Burns was doing the cleaner scoring and winning the rounds but it was hard for the former double WBO champion to get any rhythm into his work. Over the first four rounds King is warned for low blows, careless use of the head and finally has a point deducted after he twice hits on the break. There was too much clinching and wrestling and Burns was guilty of forgetting his boxing and fighting inside when he did not need to. King was having some success with body punches but from the sixth the Australian seemed to tire and Burns began to box on the outside and use more body punching. So far the Scot had won every round without really dominating but in the ninth he was moving around the tiring Australian and getting through to head and body. Burns finds plenty of gaps in King’s defence in the tenth as he is slotting home jabs and body punches but he spoils his good work by being careless with his head and the referee deducts a point from the Scot. Burns opened King up with the jab in the eleventh and then a right to the head and a body punch land and King goes down on his knees and is counted out. The 32-year-old Scot wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title but he will have better nights and more entertaining fights hopefully. King 30, the WBO No 10 had won 17 of his last 18 fights with the loss being due to suffering a broken leg when he was knocked down in the first round against Jack Asis in 2011 but he had won 8 in a row since then. Burns was just that much higher quality than King had faced before.

Cardle vs. Dodd

Cardle makes a successful first defence of his British title in stirring scrap with unfancied Dodd which looked to be too close to call until the last round stoppage. Cardle was the better boxer and edged the first two rounds although it was evident that Dodd was going to give him a hard fight. As early as the second round Cardle was already showing a couple of small cuts by each eye. Cardle had an even better third as he was moving around Dodd and slotting home good jabs and wobbles Dodd with a left at the end of the round. The fourth saw Cardle cut over the left eye and Dodd has his best round so far as he gets to work inside. Dodd also looks to have taken the fifth as Cardle is now cut on the forehead and Dodd finishes the round strongly getting through with a good right late in the round. The referee had the doctor look at the cuts on Cardle’s face before the start of the sixth but the fight continues with Dodd now forcing Cardle to fight his fight and is coming out on top of the close quarters work and again getting through with rights. Somehow Cardle is cut again this time at the back of his head from a Dodd punch. Dodd takes the seventh to edge into the lead and as he is also cut there is a mess of blood about. The challenger also does enough to take the eighth and the fight seems to be slipping away from Cardle. He needs to rally and he does that in the ninth having his best round so far as he score with shots to head and body and goes back to his boxing. The tenth saw Cardle make a great start as Dodd seems to be tiring only for Dodd to get on top over the closing seconds to make it a hard round to score. The eleventh was almost a repeat with Cardle starting well but Dodd on top at the finish. It is anybody’s fight going into the last with Dodd probably just in front until Cardle nails Dodd with a big left and when a right send Dodd staggering back the referee stops the fight with just over one minute left. A controversial ending to a great little scrap. Cardle, 26, will rarely have a closer call but he did well to overcome the various cuts and find a punch to save his title.  Dodd, 31, will feel he was unlucky and want a return which hopefully Cardle will give him when their cuts heal. Dodd’s other loss was to Andy Townend at super feather and he earned this title shot with a victory over Gary Buckland in September.

Doran vs. Smith

“Dazzlin” Doran continues to make progress but the win loses some of its dazzle as Doran comes in well over the contract weight. The fight was close over the first two rounds with both landing heavy punches. In the third Doran landed a devastating left hook to the body which put Smith down and he was unable to beat the count. The 28-year-old Welshman winner of the Prizefighter tournament in February says he know wants a shot at the British title. He put his weight problem down an injury which hindered his training. Smith, 24, was competitive over the first two rounds but is trying to form again after a spell of just one fight in 17 months.

 

Miami, FL, USA: Welter: Kevin Bizier (25-2) W RTD 10  Frederic Lawson (24-1). Super Light: Walter Castillo (26-3-1) DREW 12 Keita Obara (15-1-1). Welter: Breidis Prescott (29-7) W PTS 8 Claudine Lacerda (17-12-1). Feather: Yaundale Evans (18-1) W TKO 1 Miguel Del Valle (10-23 ).

Bizier vs. Lawson

Bizier puts himself in line for a shot at Kell Brook with stoppage of Lawson. Both fighters started out with range finders and Bizier’s was working well enough for him to hurt Lawson at the end of the first with a left hook. The Canadian was taking the fight to the unbeaten Ghanaian working the body whilst Lawson was trying to get enough power in his jab to keep Bizier at distance and give himself some room to work. The tactics seemed to be working for Lawson in the fourth but in the fifth a right to the head put Lawson down. He got up but was nailed by another righty which sent him into the ropes but the Ghanaian survived. Lawson was still sticking to his jab in the sixth and seventh but was taking no chances and not trading. Bizier was still coming forward targeting the body and he was outscoring Lawson but also standing in the pocket giving the Ghanaian chances to counter. The constant pressure and the body work from Bizier saw Lawson tiring and the Canadian was well on top by the end of the tenth. During the interval Lawson’s corner summoned the doctor who felt that the Ghanaian might have a fractured jaw and the fight was over. The 31-year-old Canadian makes it 17 wins by KO/TKO. Bizier was No 5 with the IBF and Lawson No 6. With positions 1 and 2 empty No 3 Sadam Ali the mandatory WBO challenger to Tim Bradley and No 4 Diego Chaves set to fight Brook once the champion’s injury heals Bizier is well placed for a title shot in 2016 but his two split decision losses to Ionut Dan Ion, who Brook destroyed inside four rounds mean that Bizier will have to find something extra to stand a chance. Lawson,26,  had useful wins over Ray Narh and Breidis Prescott but his 20 wins inside the distance mean little as the matching in Ghana is sometimes terrible and 12 of his 20 wins came against fighters who had either never had a fight or never won a fight. Despite this he is a good quality fighter and can rebound from this loss.

Castillo vs. Obara

Obara puts in a good performance in his first fight in the USA and looks unlucky not to take the decision. The Japanese fight showed some nice touches and good movement over the first half of the bout but Nicaraguan Castillo was scoring with some good counters and the early rounds were close but with Obara looking to have edged four of the first 5. Obara’s punches were having the bigger effect with Castillo bleeding from his lip and from a cut over his right eye in the fifth. From there Obara took control moving well around the Nicaraguan and  outboxing him. Castillo had good spells in the ninth but Obara’s quicker punches were finding gaps as Castillo tried to press the fight and in the eleventh the referee stopped the fight whilst the doctor examined the cut over the right of Castillo which was affecting the Nicaragua’s vision. The fight continued with Castillo looking tired and Obara still fresh and still getting home his punches. There was another halt in the eleventh for the doctor to examine a cut on Castillo’s left ear but the fight continued to the last bell with Obara looking to have done enough to take the verdict he had outworked and outscored Castillo. One judge gave it to the Japanese fighter 115-113 but the other two each scored it 114-114. This was an IBF eliminator so the results did not work for anyone. Obara, 28, the OPBF champion, lost his first fight on a stoppage but then won 15 in a row, 14 by KO/TKO. He is No 6(4) with the IBF. Castillo, 27, is now 10-1-1 in his last 11 fights. The loss was to Amir Imam in April but he had rebounded well with a stoppage of Ammeth Diaz in July.

Prescott vs. Lacerda

Prescott gets a needed win as he decisions Brazilian Lacerda. Prescott was always leading in this one and looked on his way to an inside the distance win when he put Lacerda down in the third but could not finish and had to go the distance. Scores 80-72, 79-72 and 78-73. The 32-year-old Colombian levels his recent score to 4-4 in his last 8 fights. “Volcano” Lacerda, 35, is 1-6-1 in his last 8 outings.

Evans vs. Del Valle

Evans continues to ease his way back into action with a quick stoppage of loser Del Valle. No knockdowns but Evans trapped Del Valle in a corner and unleashed a  series of hard punches with the referee saving Del Valle. The 26-year-old “Money Man” from Cleveland dropped out of the scene after a one round blow out by Javier Fortuna in April 2012 and only returned to action four months ago with a win.del Valle, 39, is 2-17 in his last 19 fights.

 

Dublin, Ireland: Super Middle: Jamie Cox (20-0) W KO 1 Ferenc Albert (20-8). Welter: Peter McDonagh (25-28-1) W PTS 10 Dean Byrne (17-6-2). Cruiser: Ian Tims (11-3) W PTS 8 Michael Sweeney (12-4-1).Super Fly: Jamie Conlan (15-0) W TKO 4 Adrian Dimas Garzon (10-19). Middle: Vijender Singh (2-0) W TKO 1 Dean Gillen (2-1). Super Light: Jamie Kavanagh (20-1-1) W TKO 7 Oskar Fiko (14-13).

Cox vs. Albert

Cox continues his comeback with easy stoppage of overmatched Romanian in the first defence of his WBO European title. Southpaw Cox put Albert down with a thunderous right hook. Albert was badly shaken and another right hook put him down and out after just 68 seconds. The 29-year-old Welsh former CBC champion makes it three first round wins since returning to action after 3 ½ years out due to hand injuries. He needs tougher opposition than this to measure his future in this division but he strengthens an already strong British division. Hungarian-based Albert had won his last 10 fights against low level opposition and this is now his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

McDonagh vs. Byrne

McDonagh continues his recent good run with a close points victory over Byrne. Over the early rounds McDonagh showed good movement and controlled much of the action with a stiff jab. Byrne had more success in the middle rounds as he managed to draw McDonagh into trading inside but when McDonagh went back to the jab he was boss. Byrne got back into contention as they exchanged shots in an outstanding eighth but in the ninth a frustrated Byrne lost a point for  a couple of fouls. McDonagh stayed out of trouble in the tenth knowing he was in front with Byrne getting the round but not the stoppage he needed. Referee’s score 97-95. McDonagh, 37, the London-based “Connemara Kid” wins the vacant Irish title. With some generous matching he has gone from a run of six losses in a row to 7-0-1 in his last 8 fights. Byrne, also London-based is a former Australian super light champion but is going in the opposite direction career-wise being 2-6-2 in his last 10 fight.

Tims vs. Sweeney

Tims climbs off the floor and gets second win over Sweeney in this domestic clash. This was a tough brawl with both fighters trying to use their strength to dominate. It was untidy at times with too much holding. Sweeney had the better skills and tried to use the left jab right cross approach but too often missed with the right and Tims was working just that bit harder inside. In the fourth a clash of heads seemed to momentarily have Tims hurt and Sweeney finally connected with his right which put Tims on the floor. He was up at five and when the action recommenced had to ship a couple more rights before the bell. Over the closing rounds Tims proved the stronger he had a good sixth with Sweeney continually under pressure and  despite a big effort from Sweeney Tims brawled his way to a paper-thin but deserved victory. Referee’s score 76-75. The 37-year-old from Dublin had outpointed Sweeney when they met in 2011 but then lost 3 of his next four fights. He took a year off after he was stretcher from the ring after injuring his leg when he was knocked down in the first round of his fight with Paul Drago, Sweeney, 32, drops to two losses in a row after being stopped by Stephen Simmons in May.

Conlan vs. Garzon

Conlan blows away Argentinian loser. The Belfast “Mexican” had Garzon under pressure in the first with Garzon already only looking to survive. Hard rights and left hooks had Garzon hurt in the second and the Argentinian soaked up more heavy shots in the third. Conlan ended it in the fourth as he put Garzon down with a body shot. Garzon did well to get up but he was trapped on the ropes and not fighting back when the fight was stopped. The 29-year-old WBO No 6 makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO. Good period for the family as his brother Michael became the first Irish male boxer to win a gold medal at the World Championships in Qatar last month. Garzon 39 has now lost 9 of his last ten fights so a lamb to the slaughter.

Singh vs. Gillen

Indian star Singh makes it two first round wins. He was streets ahead of novice Gillen. The first time he put Gillen down the refereed ruled it a slip but two more knockdowns from hard rights and yet another right put Guillen down and out at the end of the round.  The 30-year-old is India’s most successful amateur to date winning medals at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics. The hope is he will turn out to be India’s version of Zou Shiming. Guillen had only two four round fights behind him and was no match for Singh.

Kavanagh vs. Fiko

Kavanagh gets late stoppage over Romanian but makes it harder than it needed to be. Kavanagh had a big edge in skill but Fiko was a rough unorthodox opponent. Kavanagh was at his best when he boxed rocking Fiko at the end of the second round. Fiko’s crude efforts to survive saw him warned for a head butt in the second and deducted a point in the third for holding as Kavanagh got into his stride. Kavanagh allowed Fiko to drag him into a brawl in the fifth and paid the price in the form of a gash over the Dubliner’s right eye. Kavanagh went back to his boxing and Fiko continued his roughhouse tactics and lost another point in the seventh again for holding. A series of punches then put the tiring Romanian down . He made it to his feet but was finished and the referee stopped the fight. Fifth win for the Los Angeles-based Kavanagh since losing to more experienced Daniel Ruiz in December 2013. Hungarian-based Fiko, 22 gets his seventh loss by KO/TKO.

 

Milan, Italy: Welter: Antonio Moscatiello (20-2-1) W PTS 6 Sasa Janjic (5-8).

This six round fight was elevated to the top of the bill when Italian Giuseppe Brischetto simply failed to show up for his EBU title fight against Hadillah Mohoumadi. The local fighter had an easy time against Janjic. The Italian champion had Janjic over a few times but the Serb kept getting up and went the full six rounds.  Moscatiello’s losses have been to good quality opposition in Leonard Bundu  (25-0-2) for the EBU title and Gianluca Frezza (18-2-2) for the Italian title. He is EBU No 13 and he is 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights. Janjic has lost his last 3 fights.

 

Hidalgo, Mexico: Light: Nery Saguilan (35-4-1) W TKO 7 Carlos Cardenas (21-10-1). Light: Miguel Roman (53-11) W TKO 3 Sam Amoako (21-5). Super Feather: Edgar Monarrez (22-3-1) W PTS 10 Jesus Silveira (5-2-1).

Saguilan vs. Cardenas

Saguilan gives his usual colourful performance on his way to retaining his WBC USNBC title with stoppage of Venezuelan Cardenas. The local idol was a bit more focused than usual as he felt he had to make amends for a poor performance in only just edging out veteran DeMarcus Corley in August. Saguilan was always in control and had built a good lead by the end of the fourth. He scored with some good shots in the fifth and came close to ending it with some ferocious attacks in the sixth which had Cardenas badly shaken. The Venezuelan “Prophet” showed good defensive skills to make it to the bell. In the seventh Saguilan poured on the punishment and had Cardenas in deep water when the referee stopped the fight. The 27-year-old Mexican “Panther” has won eight on the bounce and is rated No 6 by the WBC. Cardenas, 31, has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights all against very tough opposition and this was his first fight since losing on points against Juan Diaz in June last year.

Roman vs. Amoako

“Mickey” rolls on and makes it 15 wins in a row, 12 by KO/TKO after stoppage of Ghanaian Amoako. Roman was in a different class from the tough but limited African and he landed plenty of  body punches over the first two rounds with Amoako showing courage but little more. In the third a body punch put Amoako down and he could not beat the count. The 29-year-old with his 64 fights is in the tradition of Mexican boxers such as Gaspar Ortega who fought anyone anywhere . His current good run includes win over Juan Carlos Salgado, Daniel Ponce De Leon and Edgar Puente which could give him the chance to bury the memory of a fifth round kayo loss to Antonio DeMarco for the WBC light title in 2012. Former CBC title challenger Amoako was having his first fight for nearly eleven months and this is his second loss by KO/TKO.

Monarrez vs. Silveira

Monarrez gets unanimous decision win but was given a good test by novice Silveira before receiving the verdict. The local fighter is 7-1-1 in his last nine fights with the loss being on points against WBO title challenger Romulo Koasicha in May when a point deduction for a butt cost him a draw. Silveira was going past six rounds for the first time.

 

Tacoma, WA, USA:  Middle: Dashon Johnson (18-10-3) W TKO 9 Mike Gavronski (20-2-1). It is not always a good idea to go over old ground as Gavronski found out when he gave Johnson a return having outpointed Johnson in January. Gavronski was coming forward from the off stalking Johnson and scoring with strong jabs with Johnson content to counter. A clash of heads saw Gavronski suffer a cut to right side of his head. The scenario was repeated in the second with both rounds being close. In the third Johnson was letting his hands go more and scoring with counters on the advancing Gavronski. The fourth saw Gavronski using his jab to edge the action only for Johnson to take the fifth being quicker to the punch and loading up in his shots more. The fight continued to see-saw in the sixth with Gavronski having good spells inside and Johnson scoring with heavier shots from the outside. Johnson finished the round strongly and seemed to be getting on top. Gavronski battled back in the seventh hurting Johnson with a left but by the end of the round Johnson was landing solid punches and things were looking bad for Gavronski. Johnson was in charge in the eighth and floored Gavronski with a heavy combination. Gavronski made it to his feet and lasted to the bell but did not come out for the ninth. Johnson, 27, wins the vacant WBA NABA title. He makes a good living as a travelling loser but on his night is a real handful. He had a 2-15 run but the two wins were over unbeaten Canadian hope Adam Trupish and Scottish hope Craig McEwan and he had Dominic Wade on the floor before losing to him. Johnson had also won his last two fights. If he goes on like this the fights will dry up. No one likes a loser who wins. Local hero Gavronski, 29, can come again.

 

Saint-Malo, France: Light Heavy: Kevin Thomas Cojean (16-7-1) W PTS 10 Hakim Chioui (30-4-1). Welter: Damien Martin (24-8-4) W PTS 8 Tobia Giuseppe Loriga (28-6-2).

Cojean vs. Chioui

Cojean wins the vacant French title with close unanimous decision over Chioui. These guys got down to business immediately. The rounds were close with both having good spells but Cojean doing enough to be in the lead at the half way mark. Chioui was much the bigger puncher of the two but Cojean did a good job of blocking most of Chioui’s shots but Chioui was pressing hard to close the points gap. Both fighters tired due to the heat indoors with Cojean just doing enough to hold on to his lead to the bell. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for local fighter Cojean. He wins the French title at the second attempt. He is an in-and-out performer and had lost on points to Schiller Hyppolite in Canada in his last fight in June. Former undefeated French champion Chioui,28, was 23-1-1 at one time with 13 wins in a row by KO/TKO but has lost a bit of edge since then and was knocked out in nine rounds by Igor Mikhalkin for the EBU title in March.

Martin vs. Loriga

Hometown fighter Martin gets victory in yet another close contest. The Frenchman outboxed the visitor comfortably over the first four rounds but Loriga kept pressing. A lot of his shots were being blocked by Martin but his sheer aggression earned him a niche in the fight and he staged a strong finish to claw back most, but not all, of the lead Martin established early. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-75, The 29-year-old French champion, the EU No 16, is 12-1 in his last 13 fights and he reversed the loss. Italian Loriga, 38, is 1-3 in his last 4 but gave Martin a tough night.

 

Ludwigsburg, Germany: Cruiser: Firat Arslan (36-8-2) W KO 2 Paata Adushvili (17-10-2). Arslan beats poor Georgian and holds back Father Time to win the vacant WBC EPBC title. The experienced German southpaw boxed cautiously in the first just getting in three minutes of ring time and then cut loose in the second. Arslan scored three knockdowns from a mixture of head and body punches to end the fight. The 45-year-old German southpaw a former WBA secondary champion lost a split decision to Yoan Pablo Hernandez for the IBF title in August last year and this is second win since returning from 10 months of inactivity. He has fallen out of the ratings but I guess the WBC will reinstate him to allow a challenge against their champion Grigory Drozd with the selling point being that Arslan is the only fighter to have beaten Drozd which he did on a fifth round stoppage in 2006. Adushvili, 20, a typical Georgian record of wins at home and losses away. This is his fifth loss by KO/TKO.