The Past Week in Action 12 July 2021

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.

Highlights:

-Gilberto Ramirez destroys Sullivan in four rounds with body punches

-Joseph Diaz wins vacant WBC interim lightweight title with decision over Javier Fortuna

-Tim Tszyu marches on as he halts Steve Spark in three rounds and Filipino Joe Noynay stops unbeaten Liam Wilson.

Seneisa Estrada and Naoko Fujioka win inn Female title fights

-Unbeaten Kazak hopes Tursynbay Kulakhmet score inside the distance wins.

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

7 July

 

Sydney, Australia: Super Welter: Tim Tszyu (19-0) W TKO 3 Steve Spark (12-2). Super Feather: Joe Noynay (19-2-2) W TKO 5 Liam Wilson (9-1). Super Welter: Wade Ryan (19-9) W TKO 6 Troy O’Meley (11-2). Welter: Sam Ah See (14-0-1) W TKO 1 Czar Amonsot (35-6-3,1NC).

Tszyu vs. Spark

In a fight for the vacant Commonwealth title Tszyu blows away Australian welterweight champion Spark flooring him twice with body punches in the third round to force the finish. Spark came out throwing punches and taking the fight to Tszyu. Once Tszyu stated to use his longer reach he was able to force Spark back with jabs and land clubbing rights to the head. Tszyu was walking Spark down with Spark jumping in with short bursts of punches but Tszyu was landing hooks to the head and body and was the heavier puncher. Spark tried to take the fight to Tszyu in the second but a series of heavy hooks soon had him retreating and Tszyu drove him around the ropes connecting with hooks and uppercuts with a stumbling Spark in trouble. He fired back an occasional punch but his head was being snapped back by hooks and uppercuts as he took a one-sided beating and the fight could have been stopped. In the interval the contents of an ice bucket from Sparks’s corner was knocked over and ice cubes were scattered across the ring with the start of the third round being delayed by about a minute as the cubes were swept out of the ring. It was a genuine accident and not a ploy on behalf of Spark’s corner. Spark again tried to trade punches with Tszyu but was being heavily punished and a left hook to the body sent him down. Spark beat the count and tried to fight his way out of trouble but another body punch dropped him to his hands and knees and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Too easy for Tszyu as he wins the vacant Commonwealth title and retains the WBO Global belt. He announced that his preferred next opponent was Britain’s Liam Smith which would be a good fight for both men. Spark was a late substitute coming in at just one week’s notice. A much anticipated fight between Tszyu and Michael Zerafa fell through when Zerafa backed out of the contest citing concerns over COVID-19 restrictions between Zerafa’s State of Victoria and New South Wales where the fight was to be held. Spark showed courage but was way out of his depth.

Noynay vs. Wilson

World rated Filipino southpaw Noynay proves too good for Queenslander Wilson. Noynay put Wilson on the floor with a left in the first round but Wilson recovered and banged back to take the second. The third was close with Wilson getting through with good left hooks but a series of punches put Wilson down again in the fourth. He was still unsteady in the fifth and after a left to the head dropped him again the fight was stopped. Noynay, the WBO No 7, was too quick and punched too hard for Wilson. A huge blow for Wilson but at 25 he can rebound.

Ryan vs. O’Meley

Ryan makes a successful defence of the IBO International belt with stoppage of O’Meley. The first two rounds were close with Ryan just having the edge. Ryan began to take control in the third and a clash of heads opened a bad vertical gash over the right eye of O’Meley. The doctor inspected the cut at the start of the fourth round but let the fight continue. Ryan dominated the round then floored O’Meley with a left hook in the fifth. Despite bleeding heavily from the cut O’Meley fought hard in the sixth but the referee stopped the fight late in the round. Ryan had beaten O’Meley on a split decision for the Australian title in December.

Ah See vs. Amonsot

Former Australian champion Ah See returned to action and stopped Filipino veteran Amonsot in the first round. As they traded punches an uppercut from Ah See shook Amonsot and another put him down. He made it to his feet but was shipping heavy punishment and the referee stopped the fight. First fight for Ah See for six years. Amonsot lost to Michael Katsidis for the WBI interim lightweight title in 2007 and then went undefeated in his next 16 fights but has now lost 3 of his last 4.

 

9 July

 

Los Angeles, CA, USA: Light Heavy: Gilberto Ramirez (42-0) W TKO 4 Sullivan Barrera (22-4). Light: Joseph Diaz (32-1-1) W PTS 12 Javier Fortuna (36-3-1,2ND). Light Fly: Seneisa Estrada (21-0) W PTS 10 Tenkai Tsunami (28-13-1). Light: William Zepeda (23-0) W RTD 6 Hector Tanajara (19-1). Fly: Naoko Fujioka (19-2-1) W PTS 10 Sulem Urbina Ochoa (12-2,1ND). Super Bantam: Azat Hovhannisyan (20-3) W PTS 10 Jose Santos Gonzalez (23-9-1). Feather: Bryan Chevalier (16-1-1) W PTS 10 James Wilkins (9-2). Super Feather: Lamont Roach (21-1-1) W TKO 2 Daniel Rosas (22-5-1). Heavy: Mihai Nistor (3-0) W TKO 2 Colby Madison (9-3-2). Light: Sparkinson Wilson Castillo (15-0) W TKO 2 Miguel Contreras (11-10)

Ramirez vs. Barrera

Ramirez crushes Barrera in four rounds with body punches. The first round saw very little action as both fighters were cautious trying to establish their jab and seeing what the other fighter had to offer. Ramirez was taking the fight to Barrera in the second getting through with jabs, connecting with a strong right hook and punching to the body. Ramirez continued to attack the body in the third and late in the round as Barrera came forward Ramirez fired a bunch of punches ending with a left hook to the body that saw Barrera lurch to one side stumble to the ropes and then go down on his hands and knees. He beat the count and although Ramirez landed another two body punches Barrera made it to the bell. After Ramirez connected with another left hook to the body in the fourth Barrera threw a couple of counters but then in a delayed effect walked away from Ramirez to the ropes and went down on one knee. He was up at six but Ramirez landed another left to the body and Barrera went down with the referee immediately stopping the fight. A very impressive display by Ramirez. He looked sharp and was putting his punches together well with the body shots the icing on the cake of a towering performance. His preferred choice for his next opponent is Dmitry Bivol the holder of the secondary WBA title. Cuban Barrera had been stopped in twelve rounds by Dmitry Bivol in a challenge for the WBA secondary title in 2018.His only other inside the distance loss.

Diaz vs. Fortuna

Local fighter Diaz wins the vacant interim WBC title as he outscores Fortuna. Southpaw Diaz was quicker into his stride and more accurate and outscored Fortuna over the first two rounds. Fortuna had a much better third round being the busier and the round was made even better for him when a clash of heads resulted in a cut over the left eye of Diaz which bled throughout the fight. Diaz looked on his way to pocketing the fourth round but he was deducted a point for a punch to the back of Fortuna’s head and Fortuna edged in front in the fight as he outscored Diaz in the fifth. Diaz stayed cool despite the cut and rallied to take a close sixth and the seventh with some sparkling combinations. He was throwing less than Fortuna but was finding the target more often and focusing on the body of the Dominican southpaw. They battled at close quarters in the eighth with Fortuna probably doing enough to take the round but from there Diaz took control. The body punches had weakened Fortuna and Diaz took the ninth and rocked Fortuna with a right in the tenth. Diaz was stronger and swept the last two rounds to put the decision beyond doubt. Scores 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 for Diaz. He had lost his IBF super featherweight title when he failed to make the weight for a defence against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in February a fight that ended in a draw. Diaz looked much stronger in this fight not having to battle with his weight. He came into the fight as a replacement for Ryan Garcia who withdrew to deal with his mental health problems. Diaz is looking to fight either Garcia or WBC real title holder Devin Haney. Fortuna, a former holder of the secondary WBA super featherweight title, had scored good wins over Sharif Bogere, Jesus Cuellar and Antonio Lozada but at 32 time is running out for him to win another title.

Estrada vs. Tsunami

“Super Bad” Estrada is too quick and too busy for WBO Female title holder Tsunami. The Californian constantly switched guards and used good movement to slip away from Tsunami’ who kept plodding forward but without much success. Tsunami had a good seventh but then was hurt badly in the eighth and as she tired from the fast pace Estrada finished strongly. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for Estrada. She adds the WBO Female light fly title to the WBA Female minimum title she already holds. Tsunami was defending her title for the fourth time.

Zepeda vs. Tanajara

Zepeda breaks down Tanajara’s resistance and forces a sixth round retirement. Southpaw Zepeda put Tanajara under pressure from the start. He was jabbing strongly and firing stinging straight lefts with Tanajara not on target with his counters. Tanajara stood and traded more in the second but Zepeda was catching him with hard lefts and eventually Tanajara was forced on to the defensive. The third was an all-action round as they just stood and swapped punches for three minutes. Both were landing quality shots but by the end of the round Zepeda was still banging home hooks and uppercuts shutting down Tanajara’s offence. Tanajara tried to match Zepeda in the fourth but Zepeda was relentless and his punch output impressive as he bombarded Tanajara with punches to head and body. Zepeda continued to pile of the punches in the fifth with Tanajara being overwhelmed by the blizzard of leather from Zepeda and after a one-sided sixth Tanajara’s corner pulled their man out of the fight. Win No 21 by KO/TKO for 25-year-old Zepeda. His early opposition has not been strong but as he stopped 23-2-1 Roberto Ramirez in November so his last two victims have had combined records of 42-2-1. Tanajara, 24, was facing his first real test but found he could not match the power or work rate of Zepeda.

Fujioka vs. Ochoa

Fujioka defies Old Father Time as she retains her WBA Female title with a majority verdict over Mexican Ochoa. It might have been expected that the 45-year-old Fujioka would start fast and fade over the late rounds but the opposite occurred. It was Ochoa who did better over the early rounds being quicker and piercing Fujioka’s guard with left hooks and countering Fujioka when the champion came forward. From the fifth the harder punching from Fujioka put her in control and Ochoa’s work rate dropped. Fujioka had a big seventh round and then outfought Ochoa over the last three rounds to emerge a good winner. Scores 99-91 and 96-94 for Fujioka and 95-95. The 99-91 was too wide. Fujioka was making the third defence of the WBA title in her first fight for two years. She did not turn professional until she was 34 and has held titles in five weight categories and is 11-2-1 in title fights. Second loss in a row for Mexican Ochoa.

Hovhannisyan vs. Gonzalez

Just a keep busy fight for Hovhannisyan as he floors and decisions Gonzalez. Hovhannisyan was in control all the way. There was a down side as a swelling under his right eye hampered him from the third but it was no real problem. He floored Gonzalez with a burst of punches in the eighth but Gonzalez hung in there and made it to the final bell. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Armenian Hovhannisyan. He lost a wide points decision against Rey Vargas for the WBC super bantam title in 2018 but has kept active with six wins, five by KO/TKO and is No 2 with the WBA so another title shot is a possibility. Gonzalez’s last fight was in August 2019 and he is 1-7-1 in his last 9 outings.

Chevalier vs. Wilkins

Chevalier remains unbeaten as he edges out Wilkins in a good, competitive match. Nice boxing early from Chevalier as he used his longer reach to slot home jabs and right hooks to the body. He shook Wilkins with a combination in the second. Wilkins upped the pressure in the third and fourth taking the fight to the 5’11” Chevalier to make the rounds close but Chevalier just had the edge and also took the fifth. Wilkins got into the fight more looking to have made the sixth close and with Chevalier tiring took the seventh. Chevalier was deducted a point in the eighth for pushing Wilkins head down but then unloaded on Wilkins having him in deep trouble and by “winning” made it a 9-9 score for that round. Chevalier had more left and edged the ninth but was rocked by a left hook in the last. Scores 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94 for Chevalier. The 27-year-old Puerto Rican is in good form having beaten Luis Lebron, Yeison Vargas and Carlos Zambrano in his last three fights. He proposed to his girlfriend in the ring and she accepted. Wilkins had won his previous four fights.

Roach vs. Rosas

Roach stops an over-matched Rosas in two rounds. Roach was scoring with heavy punches in the first. The smaller Rosas had to try to come inside but he had to absorb some wicked body punches. He was sent stumbling by a left hook to the head and was under heavy fire at the bell. In the second a long right stunned Rosas and Roach drove Rosas to the ropes and as Rosas began to drop to the floor the referee stopped the fight. Roach, 25, lost to Jamal Herring in a challenge for the WBO super feather title in November 2019 but is a classy fighter and No 5 with the WBO so could fight for a title again in 2022. Fourth inside the distance loss for Rosas.

Nistor vs. Madison

Nistor has to get off the floor twice to win. Nistor looked much too strong for Madison in the first and had Madison against the ropes at the end of the round and connected with a body punch that saw Madison drop to one knee. He only just beat the count but as Nistor walked forward to finish it he was sent flying into the ropes by a left from Madison. He extricated himself but was wobbled and a right from Madison snapped his head back and dumped him on the floor in a corner propped up against the ring post cover. He made it to his feet and luckily the bell went. In the second Nistor had Madison trapped against the ropes and was throwing punches but a right counter from Madison again dumped him on the floor. Nistor made it to his feet and then floored Madison with a right. Madison beat the count but was in no condition to continue. Romanian Nistor scored big wins as an amateur with a stoppage of Anthony Joshua and points victories over Guido Vianello and Filip Hrgovic but on this showing will struggle as a pro. Madison had been knocked out in 44 seconds by Vianello in November 2019.

Castillo vs. Contreras

Castillo scores brutal win over Contreras. Southpaw Castillo used his long reach to outscore Contreras in the first. He was coming in behind his jab in the second and as Contreras leant back to avoid Castillo’s jab he put himself in the firing line for a thunderous left from Castillo that sent him toppling back to the canvas out cold and the fight was waived over. Twelfth win by KO/TKO for Dominican Castillo.

 

8 July

 

Luis Guillon, Argentine: Light: Geraldo Perez (9-1) W PTS 10 Reuquen Arce (13-4-2). Light: Yamila Abellaneda (12-4-1) W PTS 10 Estefan Alaniz (5-5-1). Super Flyweight: Deborah Lopez (19-0-1) W PTS 6 Lucia Ruiz (2-5).

Perez vs. Arce

In a fast-paced entertaining fight Perez overcame a slow start to take a tight majority decision over Arce to win the WBA Fedebol title. Arce outpunched Perez over the first three rounds. From the fourth Perez moved and countered better throwing more and landing more with Arce the heavier puncher but not as accurate. Perez had built a lead and he held off a late surge from Arce to take the decision. Scores 96-94 twice for Perez and 95-95. Fifth win in a row for Perez. Arce was making the third defence of the Fedebol title.

Aballaneda vs. Alaniz

Aballaneda easily outpointed the less experienced Alaniz. Aballaneda sent Alaniz down with a right in the second and forced the fight all the way. Alaniz scored with some sharp counters but took plenty of punishment and was never really in with a chance. Scores 98-92 twice for Aballaneda and an unbelievable 95-95 from the other judge which if you take into account a 10-8 second round for Aballaneda becomes ever more inexplicable. Third defence of the Argentinian title for “Princess” Aballaneda who had won a closer unanimous decision over Alaniz in December.

Lopez vs. Ruiz

WBO female flyweight champion Lopez gets in some ring time as she outpoints Ruiz. Lopez was conceding height and reach but her better were too much for Ruiz. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55. Now 17 consecutive wins for Lopez.

 

 

9 July

 

Roosdaal, Belgium: Welter: Meriton Karaxha (29-5-3) W TKO 6 Gyorgy Mizsei (27-29-1).

Albanian Karaxha extends his unbeaten run as he stops Hungarian Mizsei in five rounds. Despite his poor record Mizsei gave Karaxha a good fight before the stoppage. Karaxha is now 12-0-2 in his last 14 fights. Mizsei falls to 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

 

Miami, FL, USA: Cruiser: Serik Musadilov (10-0) W PTS 8 Lamont Capers (10-15-5,1ND). Super Feather: Mark Bernaldez (23-4) W TKO 7 Juan Kantun (21-12-3). Joahnys Argilagos (7-0) W PTS 8 Juan Meza (4-2). Light: Josec Ruiz (23-4-3) W RTD 1 Ramon Esperanza (22-19-1).

Musadilov vs. Capers

Musadilov comes through with a unanimous decision but has to work hard to outpoint Capers. Southpaw Musadilov was giving away height and reach but his greater strength saw him through although he faded late. This is the first time the 5’9” Kazak has had to go past the third round for victory. Capers is now 1-4-1, 1ND in his last 7 fights.

Bernaldez vs. Kantun

Filipino Mark “Machete” Bernaldez moves to 17 wins by KO/TKO as he stops Kantun in the seventh round. It looked like a very early night when a short right from Bernaldez-the first punch in the fight-put Kantun down on his rump. Kantun did get up and fought on taking plenty of punishment and when a left and a right had Kantun stumbling in the seventh the fight was over. Eight losses in a row for Kantun, seven of them inside the distance.

Argilagos vs. Meza

Cuban Argilagos is struggling to make an impression in the pros. He had too much skill for Chilean novice Meza and won every round but a tough Meza fought hard all the way. Twice a gold medal winner at the World Championships the 24-year-old Argilagos will hopefully adjust soon.

Ruiz vs. Esperanza

Ruiz dismantles Esperanza. After being put down twice by body punches in the opening round Esperanza did not come out for the second. Honduran Ruiz had a 13 bout unbeaten streak snapped with two losses in 2020 but has bounced back with two wins in 2021. Seven consecutive defeats for Paraguayan Esperanza.

 

10 July

 

London, England: Light Heavy: Lyndon Arthur (19-0) W TKO 9 Davide Faraci (15-1). Super Middle: Zach Parker (21-0) W KO 1 Sherzod Khusanov (22-3-1). Super Feather: Archie Sharp (20-0) W PTS 10 Diego Andrade (13-5-2). Bantam: Dennis McCann (10-0) W TKO 2 John Chuwa (20-5).

Arthur vs. Faraci

Arthur struggles to subdue Faraci but produces a savage finish. Faraci just took the first round as Arthur made a slow start. Arthur sent Faraci stumbling back with a left hook in the second. Faraci put his glove on the canvas to avoid going down but the referee did not count it as a knockdown and Arthur staggered Faraci again later in the round. Arthur was on the front foot in the third scoring with a couple of heavy rights to the body and forcing Faraci to hold. In the fourth a body punch had Faraci hurt and Arthur finished the round by landing heavy hooks to the head. A series of head punches had Faraci in trouble at the end of the fifth with the bell coming to his rescue. Faraci recovered and looked to have won a slow-paced sixth. Two right crosses from Arthur were the only punches of note in the seventh and Faraci outworked a tiring Arthur in the eighth. In the ninth Arthur landed a heavy right cross over a lazy jab from Faraci that sent Farce down. He made it to his feel but a fierce left uppercut and a right to the head put Faraci down again. He beat the count but when two more rights to the head staggered him the referee stopped the fight. Arthur retains the WBO Inter-Continental title but laboured until the explosive finish in the ninth. Faraci was competitive all the way but did not have the power to match Arthur.

Parker vs. Khusanov

An early night for Parker as he stops a fleshy looking Khusanov. Parker was jabbing well to head and body with Khusanov hiding behind a high guard. Parker switched to orthodox and connected with a solid left hook to the body and Khusanov dropped to the canvas and was counted out. Fifteenth inside the distance finish for Parker. He is No 1 with the WBO so their mandatory challenger for Saul Alvarez. Uzbek Khusanov, 41, looked all of his 41 years-and more. He was inactive in 2019 and had just one fight in 2020 and was coming off a loss.

Sharp vs. Andrade

Sharp takes unanimous decision but at the cost of two cuts. Sharp boxed brilliantly over the early rounds with slick movement. Constantly switching guards he jabbed and countered with accuracy with Andrade marching forward throwing punches with mote enthusiasm than accuracy trying to drag Sharpe into a brawl. In the seventh a sweeping punch from Andrade opened a cut on the left eye lid of Sharpe and that saw Andrade attack hard and win the round. Things worsened for Sharpe in the eighth when a clash of heads opened a vertical gash over his right eye with the blood running down the side of his nose and Andrade looked to have taken the ninth. Sharpe steadied himself and outboxed Andrade over the last. Scores 97-93 twice and 99-93 for Sharpe who wins the vacant WBO Global title. Andrade won a split decision over 29-1-2 Jorge Lara in December but only edged past 5-0 jailer on a split decision last month.

McCann vs. Chuwa

McCann stops Chuwa in two rounds. Southpaw McCann was looking to end this early and had the fragile-looking Chuwa on the retreat and floundering under pressure in the first. In the second a left cross sent Chuwa staggering back to the ropes and McCann drove him along the ropes snapping his head around with heavy shots and the referee stopped the contest. Sixth victory by KO/TKO for the 20-year-old Traveller. Chuwa had won his last three fights.

 

Almaty, Kazakhstan: Super Welter: Tursynbay Kulakhmet (4-0) W TKO 10 Aleksei Evchenko (19-15-2). Super Feather: Sultan Zaurbek (11-0) W PTS 10 Ronnie Clark (21-5-2). Welter: Talgat Shayken (5-0) W TKO 7Alexander Sharonov (12-6-2). Light: Isa Chaniev (15-3) W KO 3 Nurtas Azhbenov (11-1).Heavy: Ivan Dychko (10-0) W KO 1 Denis Bakhtov (39-19).

Kulakhmet vs. Evchenko

Local southpaw Kulakhmet floors Evchenko early but the durable Evchenko manages to stay around to give Kulakhmet some valuable ring time. Kulakhmet won every round and handed out plenty of punishment before flooring Evchenko in the tenth and then forcing the stoppage with a minute left in the fight. Kulakhmet, who won the WBC International title in his second pro fight, is being fast-tracked towards a world title fight. Only the second time Russian Evchenko has been stopped.

Zaurbek vs. Clark

In a clash of southpaws Zaurbek shows his class as he outboxes a gutsy Clark and wins a wide points decision on all three cards. Zaurbek was outscoring Clark at distance with his quicker and more accurate punching and was landing heavy counters when Clark tried to get inside. By the third blood was leaking from Clarks mouth and by the seventh his left eye was almost closed. Clark survived a doctor’s examination and a torrid last round to go the distance. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Zaurbek. The 25-year-old Zaurbek wins the vacant WBO European title. Clark was having his first fight since scoring a good win over Zelfa Barrett in February 2018.

Shayken vs. Sharonov

Shayken shows why he is considered a prospect as he dominates Russian Sharonov and stops him in the seventh round. His harder punching was too much for Sharonov whose corner threw in the towel in the seventh round. The 20-year-old Shayken is a former World Youth silver medallist. First stoppage loss suffered by Sharonov.

Chaniev vs. Azhbenov

Back-to-back losses in 2019 have made it a rocky road for Chaniev and unbeaten Azhbenov was given a good chance of winning this one. It looked a reasonable forecast when Azhbenov floored Chaniev at the end of the first round. Chaniev survived and early in the third knocked out Azhbenov with a crunching right to the chin. Chaniev was stopped in two rounds by Richard Commey in a fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title in February 2019.

Dychko vs. Bakhtov

A dreadful excuse for a fight saw Dychko floor Bakhtov with a right to the head after just one minute. Bakhtov landed on the canvas on his back with his legs shaking and jerking and the referee immediately waived the farce off. Dychko lost to Anthony Joshua in the semi-final in the 2012 Olympics and won silver medals three times at the world championships. Bakhtov has lost his last five fights by KO/TKO.

 

Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Victor Nagbe (4-0) W PTS 10 Sam Soliman (46-16-1,2ND).

Nagbe takes unanimous verdict over Soliman to win the vacant Australasian title. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Nagbe. The 27-year-old Liberian-born southpaw Nagbe is a former sparring partner of Soliman and former Muay Thai star. He moved to Australia with his family when he was 10. He was getting into trouble so much that his mother kicked him out of the house and with the help of a benefactor he wound up on a Muay Thai course in Thailand. At 47 former IBF middleweight champion Soliman shows no signs yet of hanging up his gloves.

 

Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic: Tomasz Bezvoda (10-15) W PTS 10 Middle: Victor Agateljan (9-2). Light Heavy: Jozef Jurko (7-2) W KO 5 Stanislav Eschner (14-16-1). Light Heavy: Ondrej Budera (15-21-1) W Michal Ryba (6-4).

Bezvoda vs. Agateljan

Unexpected result as veteran Bezvoda gets revenge against Agateljan to win the Czech title. When these two met in September for the vacant Czech title Agateljan won clearly on a unanimous decision. Bezvoda had trained hard for the return and turned the fight his way with a strong showing over the last two rounds to take the split decision. Scores 97-93 and 97-94 for Bezvoda and 96-95 for Agateljan although a draw would have been a fairer result. Bezvoda had won only one of his last eight fights. Armenian-born Agateljan’s loss was against Tej Pratap Singh strangely enough for the Australian title in Agateljan’s only fight in Australia.

Jurko vs. Eschner

Minor upset as the more experienced Eschner was the favourite but Slovak Jurko came out on top, He floored Eschner in the second and stopped him in the fifth. First fight for two years for Jurko who wins the UBO International title. Tenth inside the distance loss for Czech Eschner

Budera vs. Ryba

Third time lucky as Budera’s greater experience won this one as he secured close unanimous decision over Ryba to win the national title at the third attempt. Scores 98-93, 97-95 and 96-95 for Budera. Ryba had won 3 of his last 4 fights.

 

Bielefeld, Germany: Cruiser: Leon Harth (20-4) W TKO 5 Rad Rashid (20-9). Middle: Sven Elbir (18-1) W RTD 4 Jose Torres (32-10). Middle: Buijar Tahiri (8-0) W TKO 3 Branislav Malinovic (11-6-2). Welter: Rico Mueller (28-3-1) W TKO 3 Kakha Avetisiani (42-58-1).

Harth vs. Rashid

Harth outboxes and then drops Rashid twice to win the vacant WBO European title and get a world rating from the WBO. The Armenian-born Harth losses when he steps up having been defeated by Marat Gassiev and Krzys Wlodarczyk. Rashid, 41, losses inside the distance for the fourth time.

Elbir vs. Torres

Elbir gets stoppage win over Torres. Elbir was working well to head and body with Torres really looking to survive. After a punishing fourth round Torres retired citing a shoulder injury. Elnir’s only defeat was a close points loss to IBF No 3(1) Patrick Wojcicki. Colombian Torres, 42, has been beaten by KO/TKO in 4 of his last 5 fights.

Tahiri vs. Malinovic

Tahiri overcomes shock first round knockdown to stop Malinovic. A left floored Tahiri in the opener but he recovered and then punished Malinovic over the second before flattening him with a left hook in the third. Tahiri was moving up to ten rounds for the first time but only needed the three rounds to register his seventh win by KO/TKO. Bosnia Malinovic was unbeaten in his last seven fights.

Mueller vs. Avetisiani

Mueller sends Avetisian down four times before the fight is halted in the third round. Mueller lost a majority decision against Argentinian Jeremias Ponce, a recent winner over Lewis Ritson, in 2019. He was originally adjudged the loser against Rafal Jackiewicz in August 2020 but his team protested the decision and after five new judges watched the video of the fight and scored Mueller the winner the decision was changed to a win for Mueller. Georgian Avetisian has won only one of his last ten fights. He has crammed 101 fights into 15 years as a pro

 

East London, South Africa: Minimum: Bangile Nyangani (11-1-1) W PTS 12 Siyakholwa Kuse (3-1-1). Light: Lusanda Komanisi (24-6) W KO 1 Sinethemba Bam (12-1).

Nyangani vs. Kuse

Nyangani wins the South African title with a majority decision over champion Kuse. First fight for Nyangani since November 2019 with his extra experience just giving him the advantage. Kuse was making the first defence of the title he won in December 2019.

Komanisi vs. Bam

Former IBO featherweight champion Komanisi punches too hard for a rusty Bam and puts him down and out in the first round for win No 21 by KO/TKO. First fight for Bam for over three years.

 

Glattbrug, Switzerland: Heavy: Labinot Xhoxhaj (15-0) W KO 8 Ferenc Urban (7-4).

Kosovo-born Swiss Xhoxhaj gets his twelfth inside the distance victory with eighth round kayo of Hungarian Urban. Fourth consecutive defeat for Urban.

Fight of the week (Significance): Gilberto Ramirez’s win over Sullivan Barrera puts him line for a title shot

Fight of the week (Entertainment); A few examples but no all out wars this week.

Fighter of the week: Gilberto Ramirez for his crushing win over Barrera

Punch of the week: Some good ones here in the left from Sparkinson Wilson Castillo which pole-axed Miguel Contreras and an uppercut from Lyndon Arthur which almost beheaded Davide Faraci but I just give it to the crunching right to the chin by Isa Chaniev that flattened unbeaten Nurtas Azhbenov

Upset of the week: None as most fights went the way forecast.

Prospect watch: None I have not already spotted but a couple to keep my eyes on.

 

Observations

It was good to see crowds back at the shows. It meant Gilberto Ramirez could jump up on the ring post and raised his arms in triumph in front of a cheering horde instead of a dozen officials just about to leave for a pee.

Strange scoring makes news in big fights but if the fight is not the headliner it hardly rates a tsk.tsk. In the Argentinian Female title fight between Yamila Abellaneda and Estefan Alaniz two judges had it 98-92 for Abellaneda and the third scored it a draw and in the WBO Female title fight  between Naoko Fujioka and Sulem Ochoa one judge scored it 99-91 for Fujioka and one scored it 95-95. It happens every week but only becomes a concern when it is a high profile fight.

The Ramirez vs. Barrera show in Los Angeles consisted of twelve fights adding up to 110 rounds-luckily they did not all go the distance or you could have had a few wives suing for desertion.

Sometimes our sport disgusts me. On the show in Kazakhstan some matchmaker and presumably some local administrator though that the fight between Ivan Dychko and Dennis Bakhtov was acceptable. You had the 6’9” 30-year-old Dychko against the 5’ 11 ½” 41-year-old Bakhtov with Dychko having won his nine fights by KO/TKO and Bakhtov losing his last eight fights five of them by KO/TKO with the most recent one in September 2020 seeing Bakhtov knocked out in 40 seconds by a 2-0 novice. I felt sick when Bakhtov was floored by Dychko in sixty seconds and lay on the canvas with his body shaking and his legs twitching in the air. A duty of care-forget it.