The Past Week In Action 12 May 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 12 May 2015

May 6

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Takashi Uchiyama (23-0-1) W TKO 2 Jomthong Chuwatana (9-1). Light Fly: Ryoichi Taguchi (22-2-1) W TKO 8 Kwanthai (49-4-1).

Uchiyama vs. Jomthong

Uchiyama retains WBA title with one punch kayo of unbeaten Jomthong. Southpaw Jomthong made a good start getting through with stabbing right jabs as Uchiyama came forward. It looked as though it was going to be quiet first round with Jomthong in with a chance of edging it. That changed when Uchiyama whipped home a right that shook the Thai. The champion pounded away at his challenger in a corner and when Jomthong did escape he was forced to the ropes by a stunning straight right and vicious left hook to the ribs and again soaked up some punishment before fighting back hard at the end of the round but already there was already a nasty swelling by his right eye. In the second Jomthong decided to take the fight to Uchiyama and trade with the champion-big mistake! He walked into a stunning chopping right counter. Jomthong took a step back and then collapsed backwards to the canvas. He lay there spread-eagled and the referee quickly abandoned the count. It was about 5 minutes before Jomthong was able to get up. The 35-year-old Uchiyama lived-up to his “KO Dynamite” nickname as he retains the WBA title for the tenth time. He has 19 wins by KO/TKO and the draw was a technical one against Michael Farenas in a title defence. Southpaw Jomthong, 25, the OPBF champion had considerable Muay Thai experience and scored wins in “international style” bouts in China, South Korea and Japan so his record is deceptive. He showed some good hand speed but got nailed by a perfect punch.

Taguchi vs. Kwanthai

Taguchi retains his WBA secondary title with stoppage of strong but limited Thai Kwanthai. Taguchi had height, reach and speed over Kwanthai and was able to penetrate the Thai’s guard with jabs, hooks and uppercuts as Kwanthai march forward trying to work the body with short hooks. Late in the second Kwanthai threw a wild left leaving himself wide open and Taguchi put him down with a straight right. Kwanthai was shaken but not badly hurt. As the rounds progressed the excellent footwork, fast hands and punch selection of Taguchi had Kwanthai walking into a storm of punches. The challenger was becoming careless in his frustration and in the fifth a right put him down for the second time. He was up quickly and the bell went before Taguchi could capitalise on his success. Now the fight was one-sided with Taguchi giving a master class on counter punching with Kwanthai slowing and absorbing punches to head and body as he was almost a stationary target. In the seventh it was Taguchi coming forward as the Thai’s resistance crumbled and a right to the head put the Thai down for the third time. The fight could have been stopped then as Kwanthai was exhausted and hardly able to lift his arms. In the eighth a series of head punches sent Kwanthai to the ropes and he pitched forward to his knees. He got up and bravely looked like he wanted to fight on but thankfully the referee stopped the fight. The slim 28-year-old champion is a class boxer but Kwanthai was a perfect opponent for his style. Taguchi is 13-1-1 in his last 15 fights with the loss being to wonder kid Naoya Inoue in 2013. Kwanthai, 30, had guts but no class and could never get close enough to trouble Taguchi. He was knocked out in seven rounds for the WBA title by Kazuto Ioka in 2013.

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Bantam: Pungluang (49-3) W TKO 3 Nouldy Manakane (29-17-1).Feather: Chonlatarn (54-2) W TKO 4 Yakobus Heluka (8-11).

Pungluang vs. Manakane

Pungluang walked forward in the first just forcing Manakane back with a stiff left jab and seemed reluctant to use his right. He cut loose with hard hooks at the end of the round and finally shook Manakane with a hard right. Pungluang was still using the right only sparingly in the second but the left jab was dominating although when he did let a right go it staggered Manakane. The Indonesian tried to upset Pungluang’s march in the third but his shots were wild and Pungluang continued to walk him down behind the jab. Pungluang again shook Manakane with a right that sent him into the ropes. The Thai followed-up and a short right put Manakane down on his side by the ropes. The end was a bit confused as Manakane got up at nine, the referee wiped his gloves looked over at Pungluang, wiped Manakane’s gloves again and then waived his arms to stop the fight. Just a routine payday for the 27-year-old former WBO bantam champion and the second defence of his WBO Asia Pacific title. He is rated No 2 by the WBO and with Tomoki Kameda relinquishing the title he has to be in line for a shot at the vacant crown. Now seven losses by KO/TKO for Manakane.

Chonlatarn vs. Heluka

A quiet first round saw very little action with Chonlatarn stalking and Indonesian Heluka retreating. Heluka is a busy little pug of a fighter and in the second he was throwing plenty of little bunches of punches with no power but doing enough to frustrate Chonlatarn. After a quiet start to the third it went to a frantic end as Heluka drove forward and they stood and traded punches for a full minute. Heluka got through with more punches but two or three shots from Chonlatarn shook him. They swung wildly again in the fourth and a left hook from Chonlatarn landed well below the belt. Heluka went down indicating it was a low punch. He got up at 8 but the referee just stopped the fight. No breaks for visitors. Chonlatarn, 30, has lost in featherweight title fights to Chris John and Vasyl Lomachenko. He has 25 wins by KO/TKO. Both Pungluang and Chonlatarn are members of the respected Onesongchaigym team. “Suru Suru” Heluka, 29, was busy but lacked power and got a rough break with the low blow.

 

May 7

 

Los Angeles, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Manuel Avila (17-0) W PTS 10 Erik Ruiz (13-3). Super Bantam: Diego de La Hoya (10-0) W PTS 8 Ramiro Robles (12-3-1).

Avila vs. Ruiz

Avila boxes his way to victory over trier Ruiz. “Tino” Avila used a strong jab and fast combinations whereas Ruiz was only scoring with one punch at a time and being outfought. Avila showed fast hands and good movement and Ruiz tried hard but never really got into the fight. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. The 23-year-old Californian has inside the distance wins over David De La Mora and Sergio Frias and is making good progress. Ruiz, 24, had won 4 of his last 5 fight with the loss being to Jessie Magdaleno in January.

De La Hoya vs. Robles

De La Hoya was looking to end this one early but Robles survived a torrid start to bang back. De La Hoya was the superior technician but was also ready to stand and trade making for a good action fight. De La Hoya landed plenty and had Robles face swollen by the end but also had to ship some shots he should have avoided. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 20-year-old “Golden Kid” the cousin of Oscar continues to progress. As an amateur he was Mexican champion and competed at the World Youth Championships. Southpaw Robles, 22, had won 7 of his last 8 fights with the loss being to Joseph Diaz.

 

 

May 8

 

Newark, NJ, USA: Super Welter: Michel Soro (26-1-1) W TKO 4 Glen Tapia (23-2). Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (24-0) W PTS 10 Cleiton Conceicao (20-7-2). Super Light: Julian Rodriguez (10-0) W TKO 1 Peter Oluoch (14-9-2). Middle Esquiva Falcao (9-0) W TKO 3 Paul Harness (5-5-1). Super Light: Mike Reed (14-0) W TKO 2 Osenohan Vazquez (8-4-1).

Soro vs. Tapia

Soro crushes Tapia in a surprise result that should not have been considered a surprise as Soro is a good class fighter. Tapia started in a positive fashion establishing his jab and scoring well to the body in the first round. Soro was cautious in that opening round but in the second he started to score with his own left jab and his was harder and carried more authority and the Frenchman also mixed in a couple of hard uppercuts. Tapia was now being caught time and again by the jab as he tried to move forward but he persisted and was still throwing punches but with Soro blocking most of them. Tapia already seemed disheartened and flagging by the third. In the fourth a right had Tapia staggering and he lunged forward trying to clinch. Soro cleverly moved back to give himself room and landed a hard combination that had Tapia sagging at the knees and a final left hook that forced the referee to stop the fight. The 27-year-old Ivory Coast-born Frenchman makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO and wins the WBO NABO and IBF USBA titles. His only defeat was a points loss to Zaurbek Baysangurov for the WBO title in 2012. He had shown his class in a draw with unbeaten Antoine Douglas in July last year. He was WBO No 10 coming in but will climb the ratings after this. Tapia’s troubles started when he failed to make the contract weight but Soro was a class above on this night. “Jersey Boy” Tapia had recovered remarkably well from a savage beating administered by James Kirkland in 2013. He had rebounded with wins over Donatas Bondorovas, Daniel Dawson and Abie Han and was rated WBO 2/IBF 6 so a huge setback.

Monaghan vs. Conceicao

Monaghan outpoints experienced Brazilian. Monaghan had to make the fight as Conceicao was on the defensive and on the back foot not looking to engage. Monaghan was able to score with a solid jab and body shots with Conceicao occasionally throwing counters. In the second round one of those counters opened a cut over the right eye of Monaghan. That success actually worked for Monaghan rather than for Conceicao. The Brazilian realised that as the cut was caused by a punch focusing his attacks on the injury might bring victory. That meant that he stood and traded more presenting Monaghan with a less elusive target. The New Yorker was outscoring Conceicao and having more success in cutting off the ring. Conceicao showed he was still in the fight when he rocked Monaghan with rights in the seventh but even with his right eye closed Monaghan was able to box his way to victory. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91. The 33-year-old Monaghan is rated WBA 3(2)/IBF 6/WBC 6/WBO 11 but with his best wins being over Matt Vanda and Elvir Muriqi it is a case of number of wins rather than quality. Conceicao had said he might retire if he did not win but he showed enough to justify fighting on. He lost to Jeff Lacy at the 2000 Olympics and has fought in a number of different countries. The only inside the distance loss in his last 17 fights is against now interim IBF cruiser champion Victor E Ramirez.

Rodriguez vs. Oluoch

“Hammer Hands” Rodriguez continues to impress as he blows away Kenyan Oluoch in 82 seconds. A left hook had Oluoch badly staggered and cornered and Rodriguez unleashed a couple more punches with the referee quickly intervened before Oluoch could get hurt. The New Jersey 20-year-old has 9 wins by KO/TKO including 8 in his last 8 fights. He has yet to be taken past the fourth round. He is a former NGG champion, US National Championship silver medal winner and was an alternate for the US Olympic team. Oluoch, 36, is 3-5 in his last 8 fights and has 8 losses by KO/TKO.

Falcao vs. Harness

Olympian Falcao wears down and halts limited Harness. The tall southpaw could not miss Harness with his right jabs and straight lefts and it was just a case of how much punishment Harness would be allowed to take. A punch put Harness down on one knee in the third but he lasted to the bell with the referee then indicating he has seen enough. The 25-year-old Brazilian makes it 6 wins by KO/TKO. This was his first scheduled eight rounder. He won a bronze medal at the World Championships and a silver medal at the London Olympics. His brother Yamaguchi won a silver medal at the Pan American Games and a bronze medal in London. Harness had taken prospect Mike Lee the distance in 2012 but this was his first fight since April 2014.

Reed vs. Vazquez

Reed much too good for Puerto Rican Vazquez. The first round was all Reed as he slammed home right jabs and straight lefts with very little coming back from Vasquez. The referee made it clear to Vazquez’s corner that he would stop the fight if continued to be so one-sided. The pattern was the same in the second and when a southpaw straight left had Vazquez shaky the referee halted the action. Twenty-two-year-old “Yes Indeed” Reed (not a class nickname) has 8 wins by KO/TKO. A former NGG champion he looks a very good prospect. Vazquez, 25, based in Jersey City, suffers his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

 

Rye Brook, NY, USA: Super Welter: Boyd Melson (15-1-1) W PTS 10 Mike Ruiz (17-9). Super Middle: Fancy Ntetu (15-0) W PTS 8 Milton Nunez (28-14-1). Super Light: Serhiy Fedchenko (33-3) W Renald Garrido (14-9-1).

Melson vs. Ruiz

Southpaw Melson shakes off rust to win wide unanimous decision over an equally rusty Ruiz. The former West Point graduate was having his first fight since February 2014 but was quickly into his stride. He was quicker and more accurate than a stationary Ruiz and easily took the first three rounds dominating the action with that stabbing jab. Ruiz had brief success in the fourth as he finally managed to get inside but Melson was back in control in the fifth and put Ruiz down with a right in the sixth. Ruiz could not change the pattern of the fight and Melson continued to pump the jab and fire the straight rights to the bell. Scores 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91. “Rainmaker” Melson, 33, donates a large percentage of his purses to “justadollarplease” to help in the fight against spinal cord injuries. He was Army, US Inter Services and World Military champion and is half Jewish-half Creole so an interesting character-and he beat Keith Thurman as an amateur. Long Island-based Puerto Rican Ruiz lost to Glen Tapia and in his last fight in November 2013 took world rated Charlie Ota to a majority decision.

Ntetu vs. Nunez

DCR-born Canadian Ntetu wins wide unanimous decision over Colombian but again looks to lack power. Ntetu was able to catch Nunez continually with rights and left hooks and the fight became one-sided over the closing rounds with Nunez just looking to survive. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. The 32-year-old Ntetu was Canadian amateur champion and competed for Canada at the 2007 World Championships. He is the only fighter to hold a win over Schiller Hyppolite (15-1) but is moving slowly and has only three wins by KO/TKO. Nunez, 27, lasted only 58 seconds in a fight with Gennady Golovkin for the interim WBA middle title and is 3-8 in his last 11 fights with 6 of those 8 losses by KO/TKO.

Fedchenko vs. Garrido

Not an impressive display by Fedchenko as he only squeezes past Frenchman Garrido on a majority verdict. It could be put down to a long spell of inactivity. The Ukrainian “Professor” boxed cleverly with poise as he always does but the busy, aggressive Garrido made up for in work rate what he lacked in class. Fedchenko is not a big puncher and Garrido was able to keep rumbling forward. Fedchenko probably deserved the verdict due to his cleaner and more accurate work but Garrido made him fight hard all the way. Scores 77-75 twice and 77-76. The 34-year-old Fedchenko lost to Juan Manuel Marquez for the interim WBO title in 2012 and was WBO No 2 until he lost a split decision to Felix Lora in December 2013. This is his first fight since then. “Le Lion” Garrido is a very ordinary 5-6-1 in his last 12 fights.

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Heavy: Amir Mansour (22-1) W PTS 10 Joey Dawejko (14-4-2). Middle: Decarlo Perez (14-3-1) W PTS 8 Jessie Nicklow (24-6-3).

10

Mansour vs. Dawejko

Mansour gets important if unimpressive win over Dawejko. Much the older fighter Mansour showed better skills and better stamina than Dawejko. After an opening round when both started cautiously the action heated up in the second with Mansour shaking Dawejko with a southpaw left only for a clash of heads to leave him with a bad cut over his right eye. Dawejko switched to southpaw in the third but Mansour was doing the scoring with right hooks and straight lefts and this time it was Dawejko who suffered a cut as their heads clashed. The cut was over Dawejko’s forehead just above his nose. Dawejko landed his best punch of the fight early in the fourth with a left hook that saw Mansour sag at the knees but stay upright. The fifth was fairly even but then Dawejko seemed to shut down. He was slower and not letting his punches go and handing the initiative to Mansour. Dawejko was on the back foot and Mansour was able to pocket round after round. He hurt Dawejko with left hook in the seventh and bounced rights off his head in the eighth. Dawejko had nothing left in the tank to stage a finish and Mansour took the last hurting Dawejko with a right. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and a too close 96-64. The 42-year-old “Hardcore” Mansour needed the win to re-establish himself after his loss to Steve Cunningham in April last year. Time is running out for Mansour he lost 8 ½ years from his career when jailed for dealing cocaine and another 14 months for violating his parole. He paced this fight well but can’t have many more top flight nights left. Dawejko, 24, had been touted as a big prospect when he won gold at the World Cadet Championships but went 7-3-2 in his first 12 fights. He then found his form and won 7 in a row beating Derric Rossy but at just 5’10” (178cm) and 230lbs he is too small for a heavyweight and too heavy for a cruiser. Mansour wins the Pennsylvanian State title.

Perez vs. Nicklow

Perez waits for early storm to abate and then eases to win over Nicklow. In the opening round Nicklow got through with a series of rights which had Perez staggering and in trouble. From the second Perez decided to do some scoring of his own and landed good uppercuts and quick combinations. Nicklow got through with another right in the fourth but Perez was quicker and busier and had Nicklow rocking from a right late in the fifth. Perez had a big sixth finding Nicklow an easy target for his head and body shots and he continued to dominate in the seventh and eighth. Scores 79-73 from all three judges. Good win for the Atlantic City fighter who has won 7 of his last 8 fights with the loss being to Wilky Compfort in January last year. This is his third win since then. Nicklow, 28, had been matched tough with losses to Fernando Guerrero, Jermain Taylor and Ryota Murata.

 

Berazategui, Argentina: Super Fly: Dario L Pichardo L (16-6-1) W PTS 10 Guillermo O Soloppi (19-6,1ND).

Southpaw Pichardo outclasses Soloppi in a bloody battle to take decision. Soloppi suffered a bad cut on his left eyebrow in the third but things were evened up when Pichardo was cut on the left cheek and right eyebrow in the seventh. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90. The 29-year-old Dominican is 7-2-1 in his last 10 fights including a win over former IBF title challenger Roberto Domingo Sosa (25-1) in November. Soloppi, 29, is a spotty 6- 6 in his last 12 fights and is FAB No 10 at super bantam.

 

Perth, Australia: Feather: Nat May (11-1) W PTS 10 Lloyd Jardeliza (6-2-3).Super Middle: Rohan Murdock (17-1) W KO 2 Francisco R Benitez (11-1). Super Feather: Brandon Ogilvie (11-1) W TKO 3 Jacob McBride (4-2).

May vs. Jardeliza

Former top amateur May climbs off the floor twice to take decision over tough Filipino Jardeliza. May breezed through the first round scoring with quick combinations. Jardeliza needed a way to get into the fight and he tried to work the body but ended up by landing a couple of low blows in the second round with the second low punch leaving May on the floor in pain. That cost Jardeliza a point deduction. The fight did changed for a while and the Filipino used left hooks to score knockdowns in the third and fourth. May was mixing it too much and the fight changed again from the fifth to the ninth as the young Australian began to box on the outside and use his superior skills to build a lead.  Jardeliza tried desperately to find another left hook in the tenth but May was on his bike and back-peddling to safety. A scary night for the 19-year-old local who wins the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. The former Australian Under-17 and Youth champion held the same title at super feather but has moved down a division. Jardeliza, also 20, was having his first fight in Australia and his performance should be enough to get him more work there.

Murdock vs. Benitez

Australian prospect hits too hard for Argentinian Benitez. The heavy-handed Murdock almost ended it in the first when he landed a series of body punches and then a right to the head which floored Benitez. Murdock came out to finish it in quick time in the second and did so. Twenty seconds into the round a right again put Benitez down and he sat out the count. The 23-year-old Murdock retains his WBO Asia Pacific title and goes to 14 wins by KO/TKO with 8 of his last 9 fights ending that way. He is rated No 8 by the WBO. As an amateur he was Australia Cadet champion and reached the quarterfinals of the World Cadet Championships. He also competed at the 2010 World Youth Championships and won a gold medal at the Arafura Games**. Argentinian Benitez, 30, has held a version of the South American title but his record is heavily padded as only two of his 11 victims had ever won a fight.

Ogilvie vs. McBride

Ogilvie a local hope wins the vacant Western Australia State title with easy stoppage of McBride. Ogilvie was much the better boxer but it was his hand speed that was too much for McBride to live with. Ogilvie took the first constantly piercing McBride’s guard with jabs and hooks. In the second he had McBride in deep trouble and the referee applied a standing count. McBride did well to last out the round but another standing count in the third and a further barrage from Ogilvie saw the fight halted. The Perth 21-year-old has won his last six fights. McBride had won his last four fights.

**The Arafura Games were introduced in 1991 and were open to 30 Asia Pacific countries but they were discontinued in 2012.

 

Osorno, Chile: Super Bantam: Robinson Lavinanza (8-2-1) W TKO 9 Ramon Contreras (11-5).

“Ray” Robinson Lavinanza delights his local fans as he overcomes a rocky start to halt Contreras and win the vacant national title. Southpaw Lavinanza started well edging the first round but was rocked badly in the second and only just made it to the bell. He regrouped and gradually worked his way back into the fight and into the lead. In the ninth a volley of head shots put Contreras down. He got up but was shaky and bloodied and the referee stopped the fight. Lavinanza, 26, a fast food outlet worker has 4 wins by KO/TKO and has turned his record around with 4 wins and a daw in his last 5 fights. Contreras, 30, also a southpaw is going in the opposite direction in a stuttering career. He has lost his last three fights by KO/TKO. He had just one fight each in years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and none in 2014. Obviously he earns enough as a shell fish diver not to need to box.

 

Kunming, China: Bantam: Ernesto Saulong (18-1-1) W PTS 10 Alie Laurel (13-4) W. Fly: Macrea Gandionco (11-2-2) W TKO 3 Xiang Jing (8-4-2) W. Feather: Xian Wei Qian (8-4-1) W PTS 10 Junar Adante (5-1-1).

Saulong vs. Laurel

Saulong again beats fellow-countryman Laurel but finds it a bit easier this time. The 26-year-old “Chocolate” boxed his way to a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring it 96-92. The GAB No 1 wins the vacant WBC International title. He had climbed off the floor in the sixth round to win a split decision over Laurel in October 2013 but did a better job this time in another competitive fight. Saulong’s only loss was an upset third round kayo by journeyman Rey Megrino in May last year ( in fairness although Megrino’s record is 21-20-3 in his last 6 fights he has also beaten former world champion Pongsaklek). Southpaw Laurel  23, had won 8 of his last 9 fights with the Saulong split decision his only loss in that run.

Gandionco vs. Jing

This was not supposed to happen but Gandionco had obviously not read the script. The Filipino had already edged the first two rounds when he ended the bout in the third with a body punch. The 23-year-old Gandionco wins the WBO Asia Pacific crown from champion Jing and also takes the vacant WBC Eurasia Pacific Boxing Council title. He has 6 wins by KO/TKO but was 0-2-1 in his last 3 fights. First loss by KO/TKO for 25-year-old Jing.

Qian vs. Adante

Qian retains his WBC EPBC and WBC ABC titles with unanimous decision over Filipino Adante. The Chinese fighter had Adante down twice in the second round but Adante survived and fought hard to get back into the fight. Scores 99-90, 98-91 and 95-94. The local fighter has won 5 of his last 6 fights but lost on points to Jose Crespo (2-1-2) in Uncasville in October. First fight in eleven months for prelim fighter Adante.

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Bantam: Saenganan (11-0) W PTS 12 Danilo Gabisay (6-4).

Saenganan wins his first title as he takes unanimous decision over Gabisay. This win gives him the WBC ABC title at bantam to add to the WBC ABC light fly title he already holds. Scores 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113. His age is given as 15 and it looks as though he turned pro at 13 ½. This is the second time he has gone the full twelve rounds but he is carefully protected with 7 of his opponents never having won a fight and three others having negative records. Filipino Gabisay is 2-3 in his last 5 fights with all losses to unbeaten fighters.

 

May 9

 

Houston, TX, USA: Super Welter: Saul Alvarez (45-1-1) W KO 3 James Kirkland (32-2). Bantam: Rodrigo Guerrero (23-5-1) W TKO 7 Arturo Badillo (21-7). Super Bantam: Joseph Diaz (16-0) W PTS 10 Giovanni Delgado (15-3). Super Welter: Joshua Clottey (39-4,1ND) W PTS 10 Jorge Silva (20-9-2). Super Light: Keandre Gibson (13-0-1) W PTS 8 Jorge Romero (24-9). Light Ryan Martin (13-0) W TKO 1 Ivan Zavala (7-10-2).

Alvarez vs. Kirkland

“Canelo” crushes Kirkland inside three rounds. Kirkland had said he came to fight and he did. He came flying out of the blocks and landed a tasty right which had Alvarez covering up on the ropes and then blazed away trying to batter down Alvarez’s guard. The Mexican was blocking most of the punches although some heavy shots did get through. However, Alvarez stayed calm waiting for the storm to subside and when it did he released a series of ferocious combinations before landing a heavy right that put Kirkland down. The Texan was badly shaken and Alvarez scored with more shots although Kirkland showed guts by banging back as the round ended.  It takes a lot out of a puncher when realises he can’t hurt his opponent but his opponent can certainly hurt him. That was the message from the first round and Alvarez emphasised it in the second as he methodical slammed home shots to head and body with Kirkland doing little but playing catcher as the confidence and resistance drained out of him. In the third a clever Alvarez feint drew Kirkland into overstretching in throwing a lead right and Alvarez nailed him inside with a short right uppercut and Kirkland tumbled forward onto his hands and knees. He got up at eight but Alvarez took him to the ropes where he landed a straight left to the body. Kirkland dropped his hands preparing to let a left cross go but Alvarez swung a thunderous right inside that Kirkland’s swing which crashed into the side of Kirkland chin and distorted all of Kirkland’s features. The Texan’s swing went over the top of Alvarez’s head and it was lucky for Kirkland as the momentum of the swing carried him around and he crashed to the canvas on his side. If he had gone straight down his head would have slammed onto the canvas. The fight was over with the referee not bothering with a count but immediately calling for medical assistance for Kirkland. It was a brutally perfect kayo. Still only 24 Alvarez now has 31 wins by KO/TKO and naturally talked a return with Floyd Mayweather but that is not going to happen. Apart from Mayweather the other champion in the super welter division are Cornelius Bundrage, Demetrius Andrade and WBA secondary champion Erislandy Lara. Alvarez would beat all three but a Miguel Cotto fight would be a much much bigger draw. Kirkland, 31,  was in no way prepared for this. He had left his trainer Ann Wolfe and had fought only twice in the last 3 ½ years. He can come back but a kayo like this can leave a deep mental scar and he would be wise to take yet another long break.

Guerrero vs. Badillo

Former IBF champion Guerrero makes it 4 wins in a row with a seventh round stoppage victory over once promising Arturo Badillo. The 27-year-old Mexico City southpaw failed to regain his title when he lost on points against Daiki Kameda in Japan in 2013 (some strange scoring in that one. It was unanimous for Kameda but one judge had it 117-109 and another 114-112). He has bounced back with wins over unbeaten fighters in Daniel Rosas and Takahiro Shigee and is WBC6/IBF 12(10). Badillo, a former challenger for the WBA secondary title has lost 5 of his last 6

Diaz vs. Delgado

Yet another bright hope from the ranks of the 2012 Olympians progresses as Diaz showcases his skills on the way to a comfortable decision over trier Delgado. “JoJo” Diaz has it all and showed it all. The talented young southpaw had speed, skill, accuracy and work rate on his side and was never troubled. Delgado tried hard and had some minor success when Diaz dropped the pace slightly in the middle rounds but he did not have the power to change the flow of the fight. Diaz was always in control setting Delgado up with right jabs and firing off rapid combinations. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 22-year-old Californian has wins over Luis Maldonado, Raul Hidalgo and Roberto Castaneda and is yet to be tested. He was US National champion in 2010 and 2011 and competed at the 2012 Olympics and the World Championships but lost to outstanding Cuban Lorenzo Alvarez in each of those competitions. Mexican Delgado was in his first ten round fight. He showed a fair chin but limited skills.

Clottey vs. Silva

“The Grand Master” puts in one of his rare appearances and in his first fight for 13 months easily outpoints Mexican Silva. The Ghanaian former IBF welter champion was just too strong and awkward for Silva and won on scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92. Now 37 through inactivity he has largely let the benefits from his win over Anthony Mundine slip away but despite 13 months of inactivity is still somehow rated WBC 8/WBA 3(2). Silva, 23, almost broke through with a draw against Yoshihiro Kamegai (21-0) and a win over Cesar Chavez (21-3), but it is now 6 losses in a row for him so that hope has gone,

Gibson vs. Romero

Lanky St Louis hope Gibson goes to 12 wins in a row with impressive points win over useful Romero. Despite scoring an early knockdown Gibson could not repeat the feat and a stubborn Romero stayed there to the final bell. Scores 80-71 from all three judges. The 25-year-old Gibson had wins over Jessie Vargas and Hylon Williams as an amateur. Mexican Romero has now lost his last 5 fights.

Martin vs. Zavala

“Blue Chip” Martin takes only 64 seconds to wipe out Zavala. One overhand right was all that was needed to put Zavala down and out. The 22-year-old Martin makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO including 5 in his last 6 fights. Poor Zavala is 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights with all 6 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Hidalgo, TX, USA: Super Light: Omar Figueroa (25-0-1) W PTS 12 Ricky Burns (37-5-1). Bantam: Jamie McDonnell (26-2-1) W PTS 12 Tomoki Kameda (31-1). Super Welter Austin Trout (29-2) W TKO 7 Luis Galarza (20-4). Super Middle Rogelio Medina (36-6) W KO 2 Samuel Miller (29-11). Light Heavy: Steve Lovett (12-0,1ND) W KO 5 Eric Watkins (12-9-2). Feather: Miguel Flores (15-0) W PTS 8 German Meraz (48-35-1,1ND). Super Feather: Carlos Ivan Velasquez (18-1) W Juan Ruiz (24-16).

Figueroa vs. Burns

Figueroa gets unanimous decision over Burns. For Burns to win this would have had to be a boxing match where skill was the deciding factor. That never happened as the Texan, who failed to make the contract weight, was bigger, stronger and heavier and made Burns stand and trade in tot-to-toe action. The brawl suited Figueroa but it made for a messy fight with too much clinching and not enough clean action. Burns scored well in some of the early action and was throwing more punches but he lacked the power to trouble Figueroa who was effective inside with uppercuts which kept jerking the Scot’s head back. When he did manage to work on the outside Burns made good use of his jab but those occasions were rare. The Scot’s higher work rate was making the rounds close but he suffered a set-back in the eighth when the referee deducted a point for holding and whilst Burns was guilty Figueroa was equally so. As both fighters tired there was more holding and the eleventh was a big round for Figueroa as he had Burns hurt and the Scot lost a second point for holding. Both banged away in the last with Figueroa getting the decision on scores of 116-110 twice and 117-109 although the fight was much closer than those scores indicated and the Compubox records showed that Burns actually outlanded Figueroa by a close 289-270. Former undefeated WBC light champion Figueroa, 25, gets an important win as he moves up but not making the weight is unforgiveable and hopefully it cost him a hefty fine. He showed he was strong at the new poundage and there are some good pay days to be had at 140lbs. Burns, 32, suffered a seriously dented reputation in being floored and losing to Dejan Zlaticanin but he showed here that he is still a world class level fighter and that is good as his financial status means he needs to keep earning.

McDonnell vs. Kameda

McDonnell retains his WBA secondary title in an outstanding performance against a world class fighter. Kameda had relinquished his version of this title as the WBO refused to recognise the fight as a unification match so he had a big incentive to win. To be honest I thought this would end in a win for Kameda but I was glad to be wrong. The Japanese fighter made a good start to the fight being quicker to the punch landing well to head and body and outfighting the Brit over the first three rounds. McDonnell was showing signs of warming to the task in the third but an overhand right from Kameda put McDonnell down to cement an early lead. From the fourth McDonnell began to find his distance and get his jab working and use the edges he had in height and reach. He had leeway to make up and that jab and some uppercuts together with some typical Yorkshire grit saw him clawing back the points. Kameda was the harder puncher but McDonnell was making his skill set show and the rounds were close. Kameda had a good ninth and again looked to have edged in front but McDonnell used that jab, more accurate punching and fast combinations to again pull level and then open a little gap as he had a good eleventh round. The last was close but McDonnell had just done enough to retain his title in undoubtedly his best win as a pro. Scores 114-113 from all three judges. It is good to see the 29-year-old former undefeated IBF bantam champion getting some exposure on a big stage. Wins over future IBF champion Stuart Hall, unbeaten Mexican Jorge Ceja (24-0) and Thai Tabtimdaeng (52-2) showed he was high quality but this win over previously unbeaten Tomoki Kameda is even more significant and hopefully can open more doors for the Doncaster fighter. “El Mexicanito” Kameda, one of three brothers who have all won versions of a world title, is only 25 and has the ability and backing to be a champion again within a couple of years.

Trout vs. Galarza

Southpaw Trout halts a game late substitute Galarza in seven. The former holder of the WBA secondary title just punches too hard for the tall Puerto Rica. As early as the second round Trout had Galarza in deep trouble with a left uppercut with Galarza having to hold on desperately to make it to the bell. Trout continued to dominate and floored Galarza in the fifth with Galarza just making it to his feet at the nine count. He was rocked again in the sixth by a big right and the referee stopped the fight at the start of the seventh. The 29-year-old from New Mexico looked to have earned a seat at the top table when he beat Miguel Cotto in 2012  to retain his WBA title but it all went wrong in 2013 as he lost to Saul Alvarez in a unification match and then lost to Erislandy Lara for the interim WBA title. He did some useful rebuilding in 2014 with wins over Daniel Dawson and Luis Grajeda and a win over Anthony Mundine on this show would have been a big plus. However Mundine pulled out with an ear injury. Trout is rated WBO 3/IBF 4/WBC 6/WBA 7(6) so even without the Mundine fight he is very much in the mix. Galarza, 33, had lost only one of his last 12 fights and that loss was to Kell Brook. He had won his last 3 fights but had been inactive since September 2013 so between being a late sub and having plenty of rust to shake he did well to last as long as he did.

Medina vs. Miller

Medina again shows his power as he knocks out Miller in two rounds. The two-fisted aggression of Medina just overwhelmed Miller as the Mexican moves to 30 wins by KO/TKO. The 26-year-old “Porky” has rebounded from a 2-4 streak with 4 wins by KO/TKO including a pulverising kayo of J’Leon Love and is rated IBF 6/WBA 10/WBC 15. His 6 losses have all been to quality opposition and he is vulnerable but exciting. Colombian Miller, 35, is 4-5 in his last 9 fights. They have all ended inside the distance but the losses have been to Marco Periban, Andrzej Fonfara, Egor Mekhontsev, Jesse Hart and Medina.

Lovett vs. Watkins

Australian “Tough Love” Lovett makes it 5 wins in six fights in the USA with fifth round kayo of Watkins (the sixth fight was a no decision due to Lovett getting cut).The 30-year-old former double Australian amateur champion is being trained by Ronnie Shields and getting his big chance through sponsorship by a group of businessmen back in Canberra and is living up to his side of the agreement with those five wins all coming early. Four losses by KO/TKO for Watkins.

Flores vs. Meraz

Mexican hope Flores goes the distance for the third time in a row and is given some good work by busy journeyman Meraz. The 22-year-old Houston-based Flores won on scores of 79-72 twice and 80-71 in his first eight round fight. Meraz, 28, is 2-6 in his last 8 fights but has only lost 6 times by KO/TKO in his 85 fights.

Velasquez vs. Ruiz

“Twin Dream” Velasquez gets unanimous decision over veteran loser Ruiz. Velasquez had Ruiz on the floor but could not keep him there and had to settle for winning every round. Scores 60-53 from all three judges. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican gets his nickname from being one of fighting twins along with brother Juan Carlos. His only loss was a tenth round knockout defeat against Rico Ramos in 2013 and this is low level win No 4 since then. Carlos was an outstanding amateur competing at the 2004 Olympics and beating Yuriorkis Gamboa, Daniel Brizuela and Nehomar Cermeno so it is disappointing to find him still fighting six round fights eight years after turning pro. Ruiz has now lost 12 of his last 13 fights.

 

Frankfurt, Germany: Super Middle: Fedor Chudinov (13-0) W PTS 12 Felix Sturm (39-5-3,1ND). Super Welter: Jack Culcay (20-1) W PTS 12 Maurice Weber (21-2-1). Heavy: Adnan Redzovic (16-1) W TKO 3 Bekim Pagga (5-8).Light Heavy: Konni Konrad (22-1-1) W TKO 5 Vasyl Kondor (18-14-1).

Chudinov vs. Sturm

Russian Chudinov proves too young and strong for veteran Sturm but disgracefully has to settle for a split verdict. There was very little sizing-up with both boxers getting their jabs working in the first round and throwing and landing hard rights. Sturm was coming forward in the second and landed some wicked left hooks to the body but Chudinov was throwing many more if lighter punches and finding gaps in the older man’s guard. Sturm began to let his hands go more in the third and fourth scoring with a scorching overhand right at the end of the fourth. Sturm continued to try to walk Chudinov down in the fifth but the Russian was throwing lots of short straight punches which whilst lacking power were scoring points and stifling Sturm’s own attacks. The German came on strong over the second half of the sixth round getting home some thudding body shots but Chudinov was unmoved and banging home some body punches of his own. The pattern for the rest of the fight was one where Chudinov kept working on the back foot. Sturm was marching forward behind a high guard allowing Chudinov to land punch after punch and when the German did let his punches go they were single efforts. In the ninth Sturm was caught with a series of left jab/ right cross combinations. I counted over 30 punches from Chudinov to only three returns from Sturm and  at the bell a right from Chudinov landed partly on Sturm’s right shoulder and the side of his head and Sturm went stumbling back across the ring into the ropes with his right glove brushing the canvas but the bell went before Chudinov could follow-up. The tenth now saw Chudinov coming forward for the first time and he drove a tiring Sturm backwards clubbing him with shots to head and body and it looked as though a stoppage was a distinct possibility. Four vicious head shots crashed home and with Chudinov maybe one good hit from victory the Russian’s mouthpiece came out.  Chudinov knew how close he was to victory and tried to scoop up the mouthpiece-not easy with gloves on-but the referee stopped the action. The mouthpiece was broken (the referee had thrown a small section out of the ring earlier in the round) and it was a full 15 seconds before the action recommenced. Chudinov leapt to the attack but the crisis was over for Sturm and he fought back hard to the bell. Sturm somehow found the strength to put in a big effort in the eleventh and although still eating punches landed some hefty thumps of his own. In the last Chudinov was on the back foot, hands down as he cantered to victory.  Scores 118-110, 116-112 for Chudinov and an unbelievable 116-112 for Sturm. Chudinov was the interim WBA champion and with the WBA disgracefully stripping Carl Froch of their secondary title he is now the WBA secondary champion. The 27-year-old Russian is strong with a good chin but slow. He has power but his punch power relies on the cumulative effect as he gets no real leverage in them so is not a one-shot kayo artist. He also lacks head movement. Sturm was just a shadow of a great fighter. He kept walking into punch after punch and was too slow when he did launch his punches. He is not talking retirement but should be.

Culcay vs. Weber

“Golden Boy” gets his title as he outpoints old amateur for Weber to win the vacant WBA interim title. This one was set up for Culcay to win and he did. He was too young, too fast and too clever for the limited Weber. Culcay dominated most of the rounds and staged a strong finish having Weber under pressure late, but he just could not close out the fight and had to settle for a points win. Scores 118-110, 116-111 and 115-112. The Ecuadorian-born German was considered a cert to win a world title after an amateur career that included a World Amateur gold medal in 2009 (in 2007 he lost to Demetrius Andrade in the quarterfinal), a European Championships silver medal and competing at the 2008 Olympics. As a pro he had a hiccup when losing to Guido Nicolas Pitto but reversed that loss and won 5 in a row prior to this. Weber, 33, had beaten Culcay as an amateur but his WBA No 6 rating was ridiculous and the EBU had him a more realistic No 20.

Redzovic vs. Pagga

B & H oldie Redzovic gets win over late substitute Pagga. The end came when Pagga decided to retire at the end of three one-sided rounds. The 38-year-old Redzovic has 5 wins by KO/TKO and in his only real test was kayoed in nine rounds by unbeaten Arnold Gjergiaj in October. Kosovan Pagga, 44, has lost 4 of his last 5 fights and this was his fifth loss by KO/TKO.

Konrad vs. Kondor

Montenegrin Konrad was also fed a substitute opponent and duly gained his eleventh win by KO/TKO when the fight was stopped in the fifth round. Konrad lost on points to Denis Inkin back in 2006 and was then inactive for four year. This is sixth win since returning for the 29-year-old Konrad but you will search in vain for any results to justify his IBF 8/WBA 12 (11)/ WBO 14 ratings. Ukrainian Kondor has now lost 8 in a row, 6 of those by KO/TKO.

 

London, England: Welter: Bradley Skeete (20-1) W TKO 6 Brunet Zamora (26-4-2). Super Middle: Frank Buglioni (16-1-1) DRAW 10 Lee Markham (14-2-1). Super Feather: Mitchell Smith (12-0) W TKO 5 Cris Palma (20-10-1). Super Welter Ahmet Patterson (15-0) W TKO 4 John Brennan (4-4-1).

Skeete vs. Zamora

Good performance from Skeete as he makes full use of his physical advantages and youth to beat down experienced Cuban-born Zamora and retain the WBO European title for the first time. From the outset the much taller English fighter was slotting home fast, accurate punches with Zamora trying unsuccessfully to close the distance. Skeete stayed cool and worked to his strengths refusing to let Zamora draw him into a brawl and gradually breaking down the former WBA interim title challenger. Zamora was already fading when Skeete put him on the floor with a right in the fifth and although Zamora got up and used his vast experience to last to the bell the fight was really over. Skeete ended in the sixth as he battered away at Zamora until the Italian’s corner and the referee had booth seen enough and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old Londoner makes it nine wins by KO/TKO. This is his second win since losing on points to Frankie Gavin in November and by taking the WBO Europe route he now finds himself at No 7 with the WBO. Zamora, 40, loses inside the distance for the first time. After being undefeated in his first 24 fights he is now 4-4 in his last 8. At his peak he fought a draw with Alberto Mosquera for the interim WBA super light title but is on the down slope.

Buglioni vs. Markham

Buglioni retains WBO European title with a split draw in a desperate and hugely entertaining battle with former amateur foe Markham. Buglioni built a slight lead but Markham was marching forward relentlessly. Buglioni knew he could win this one on the outside and he stuck to that plan early but Markham had other ideas and he soon had Buglioni in the trenches. Once there it was Markham who was doing the scoring and by the sixth it looked as though “Wise Guy” Buglioni was tiring. Markham also had a good seventh but Buglioni showed good boxing nous by going back to using his height and reach to score on the outside in the eighth. They continued to battle over the last two rounds with Markham showing no signs of tiring despite the tremendous effort he had put in and Buglioni sucking up from a dry well to match him. Scores 96-94 Buglioni, 96-94 Markham and 95-95. A great fight and the right result. The 26-year-old Buglioni makes a second defence of his WBO European title and protects his WBO 6 rating. Now four wins since his crushing loss to Sergey Khomitsky in April last year. “Banjo” Markham, 27, had turned his record around with 11 wins in a row before losing to Jahmaine Smyle for the English title in March and was not in the EBU top 23 European Union fighters so was not expected to be a threat but he could have won this one and crashed the WBO top 10 himself.

Smith vs. Palma

Smith finally gets the job done against Chilean spoiler Palma but with some controversy at the end. The exciting young Londoner was looking to have an early night but what Palma lacked in skill he compensated for with holding spoiling and plenty of rough stuff inside. Smith was superior in every department so a degree of frustration crept in as the Chilean was only interested in surviving any way he could. Smith had the Chilean down from a disputed knockdown in the third and began to find the target regularly in the fourth and put Palma down on one knee with a body punch in the fifth. Smith ruined the finish by landing another punch when the Chilean was down. He was given a stern warning but Palma stayed down so the fight was over. The 22-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin” adds the WBO Inter-Continental title to the WBO European one he already has and makes it 6 wins by KO/TKO. He is rated No 15 by the WBO. Chilean feather champion Palma has 3 wins at home and 5 losses on the road in his last 8 fights with the losses being to good opposition such as Fernando Saucedo, Paulus Ambunda and now Smith.

Patterson vs. Brennan

“ Punch Picker” Patterson certainly picked a good one to end this fight. Patterson was moving up from welter and took a little time to adjust. He was a class above Brennan and was able to score with both hands with very little coming back from Brennan. Patterson slotted into the grove in the third and showed good class skills before ending the fight in the fourth with a wicked left hook to the body that put Brennan down in agony. The 27-year-old Turkish-born Londoner now has 5 wins by KO/TKO and continues to make good progress. Second loss by KO/TKO for Brennan who has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Birmingham, England: Welter: Sam Eggington (15-2) W TKO 7 Joseph Lamptey (18-6-1). Super Middle: Callum Smith (16-0) W TKO 1 Olegs Fedotovs (19-22). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (12-0) W KO 2 Raphael Zumbano (29-7-1). Light: Luke Campbell (11-0) W TKO 3 Aboubeker Bechelaghem (9-7-1).Super Fly: Khalid Yafai (15-0) W TKO 1 Isaac Quaye (27-11-1). Super Fly: Gamal Yafai (6-0) W PTS 8 Arnoldo Solano (14-8). Middle: Matthew Macklin (32-6) W KO 2 Sandor Micsko (25-9-2).

Eggington vs. Lamptey

Eggington win vacant CBC title with stoppage of Ghanaian Lamptey. The Stourbridge fighter made a slow start as the tough Ghanaian proved a difficult opponent. Eggington was using his physical advantages well working his jab but Lamptey proved to be a clever survivor and did not looked troubled in the early action. It was only when Eggington started to up the pace that Lamptey began to flag. Eggington was picking his punches well and showing real power.  Lamptey’s face was marking and he was beginning to tire. A punch from Eggington had the Ghanaian staggering in the seventh and Eggington  took him to the ropes and blazed away until there was nothing coming back from Lamptey when the referee stopped the fight over the protests of the Ghanaian. The 21-year-old “Savage” goes to 9 wins by KO/TKO. His two losses both came in Prizefighter tournaments and he has won his last 6 fights including inside the distance victories over former CBC champion Denton Vassell (20-1) and Shane Singleton (20-0). He is rated No 11 by the EBU. Lamptey, 32, was having his second shot at the CBC title having lost to fellow Ghanaian Obodai Sai in 2011.

Smith vs. Fedotovs

Yet another first round win for Smith. The Liverpool boxer floored the Latvian with an overhand right in the first minute of the fight. Fedotovs was badly shaken but got up. Smith landed a left hook and a straight right and with Fedotovs helpless a volley of hooks saw the referee halt the fight. The 6’3” (191cm) is a deadly finisher and 8 of his 12 wins by KO/TKO have come in the first round. He is rated WBC 4/IBF10 and is too good for this level of opposition. “The Viking” Fedotovs 30, has lost 7 of his last 8 fights .

Joshua vs. Zumbano

This was never a question of whether Joshua would win but of how quickly and even against this modest opposition again he was impressive. He spent the first round stalking the retreating Brazilian scoring with hard rights and hooks to the body. Zumbano was throwing an occasional jab with no real intent and a left jab/right cross combination sent him staggering backwards with Joshua then digging in some hooks to the body in a one-sided opening round. Joshua started the second round jarring Zumbano with clubbing rights and ended the fight with a single thunderous right that put Zumbano down on his back. The Brazilian rolled around and just made it to his feet as the referee waived the fight off and the towel came in from the Brazilian’s corner. The 25-year-old 6’6” 198cm Olympic gold medallist makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO in 12 fights with all of his wins inside three rounds. Let’s hope Kirk Johnson can give him some ring time. The 6’4” 193cm Zumbano had gone the full twelve rounds against Shannon Briggs but was beaten inside the distance by rated fighters Eric Molina and Chris Martin although they took 8 rounds and 10 rounds respectively to achieve what Joshua achieved in just 4min 21 secs.

Campbell vs. Bechelaghem

In his own way Campbell is every bit as much of a prospect as Joshua even if not so explosive. The tall, classy Hull fighter made a cautious start against Bechelaghem stabbing out his southpaw jab and trying a few straight lefts one of which shook the smaller Frenchman. Bechelaghem came out firing in the second forcing Campbell back and throwing punches from both hands. Campbell showed his defensive skills and was digging in some hurtful counters to the body. Bechelaghem kept swarming forward forcing Campbell to cover up but the Brit was again slotting home hurtful body punches. The rumbustious Bechelaghem took the fight to Campbell again in the third but when they were up against the ropes Campbell drilled home a right to the body and a lightning quick right to the head that unhinged the legs of Bechelaghem who stumbled into a corner where Campbell slammed home a series of punches until the referee stopped the fight. The 27-year-old Olympic and European gold medallist has 9 wins by KO/TKO and has a great combination of skill and power and for me may just be the best of an outstanding collection of British prospects. Bechelaghem, 27, came to fight and looked a better fighter than his record showed. He had lost a close decision to EBU No 9 Yves Mendy for the French title in October.

Yafai vs. Quaye

“Kal” Yafai destroys Ghanaian in first round. Fighting in his home city Yafai put Quaye down and out after just 82 seconds for his tenth win by KO/TKO. The 25-year-old former undefeated CBC champion is yet another name on the list of outstanding British prospect with excellent amateur pedigree. Yafai, who is from Yemeni parentage, was at 17 the first British fighter to win a gold medal at the World Cadet Championships. He was ABA champion at 17, a European silver medallist and competed at the 2008 Olympics. He is rated IBF 9(8)/WBA 14. Quaye, a two-time CBC title challenger loses inside the distance for only the second time. .

Yafai vs. Solano

Yafai is the only one of the British top names to have to go the distance for his win. “The Beast” had Solano on the floor but could not keep him there but won every round with the referee scoring the fight 80-71. The younger brother of Kal the 23-year-old Gamal was also an ABA champion at 17 and won a bronze medal at the European Championships whilst boxing for the Birmingham Police Amateur Boxing Club. Nicaraguan Solano is 2-6 in his last 8 fights but has already faced world rated Zsolt Bedak and Jeremy Parodi this year so a stiff schedule.

Macklin vs. Micsko

“Mack The Knife” returns with a win. Last time Macklin was in a ring he looked a finished fighter as he slumped to painful defeat against unsung Jorge Heiland. It would not have been a surprise if he had announced his retirement but hope springs eternal and he is in the title picture again. Macklin hurt the Hungarian southpaw with a body punch in the first which pointed the path to victory. Half way through the second round a right uppercut to the body floored Micsko and the Hungarian was finished. Macklin has had two title shots and now there is already talk of a fight with Daniel Jacobs for the WBA secondary title. Micsko has had bad experiences every time he tries to move up with Chris Eubank beating him in two rounds and Michel Soro in one.

 

San Francisco, Argentina: Feather: Claudio F Echegaray (12-0-1) W TKO 3 Jonatan M Sanudo (11-10). Undefeated local Echegaray retains the WBA Fedebol title with stoppage of Sanudo. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old “Serpent”  and his first scheduled  ten round fight-his Fedebol title winning effort was only scheduled for nine rounds-he is rated No 3 by the FAB. “Maravilla” Sanudo is no marvel as he is 3-6 in his last 9 fights and has 8 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Sarmiento, Argentina: Super Bantam: Alan I L Castillo (15-3) W PTS 10 Diego H A Sananco (19-19-5). Castillo gets back to winning form as he floors and outpoints Sananco. He had Sananco on the floor in the third but had to settle for a wide, unanimous points victory. Scores 98-91 ½, 98 ½-91 and 98-92. The 23-year-old neighbourhood fighter has won 6 of his last 7 but had lost last time out in February. Sananco, 35 is 2-8-1 in his last 11 fights.

 

Vratsa, Bulgaria: Super Light: Kiryl Relikh (19-0) W TKO 2 Lazaro Santos de Jesus (14-7). Bantam: Zhanat Zhakiyanov (25-1) W KO 6 Hector R Guzman (14-1). Super Welter: Sergey Rabchenko (26-1) W TKO 4 Walter O G Calvo (11-7).

Relikh vs. de Jesus

The Belarus “Mad Bee” Relikh floors Brazilian twice on way to win. The promising young Relikh put de Jesus down with a hard right hook/left jab in the first and the Brazilian southpaw struggled to survive the round. In the second a left floored de Jesus and his corner man climbed into the ring to get the fight stopped. Relikh gets win No 17 by KO/TKO and wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title. So far he is untested but is EBU No 3 so well placed for a title challenge. Third loss by KO/TKO for the 35-year-old Brazilian.

Zhakiyanov vs. Guzman

Zhakiyanov climbs off the floor from a flash knockdown to kayo Argentinian. It looked as though it was going to be an early night when Zhakiyanov put Guzman down heavily with a left hook in the first round. Guzman did well to get up and see out the round then caused a flutter in the second when he floored Zhakiyanov with a right. The Kazak fighter was more surprised than hurt and from that point battered away at Guzman. The Argentinian stood the punishment until the sixth when a thunderous left hook followed by two rights left him stretched out on the canvas. The 31-year-old former undefeated European champion wins the vacant WBA International title. He has 12 wins in a row by KO/TKO and 18 in total including stoppages of useful opposition in Timur Shailezov and Karim Guerfi. First loss for Guzman who did well to last to the sixth but his record does not stand too much scrutiny with 13 of his victims never having won a fight and the other having a 1-2 record.

Rabchenko vs. Calvo

The former undefeated European champion eases his way back with stoppage of Argentinian. The classy Belarus fighter worked Calvo over for a while as he got some rounds under his belt. He was able to score as and when he liked and the action was one-sided. A couple of heavy shots in the fourth saw Calvo’s corner sensibly throw in the towel.  First fight for Rabchenko since losing his unbeaten record on a hotly disputed decision against Anthony Mundine in November. He has the talent to get back to the top and is still No 5 with the WBC. The 37 year-old Calvo has had a switchback career being 2-6 in his first 8 fights and then winning his next 9, but he was way out of his class here.

 

Mississauga, Canada: Cruiser: Denton Daley (13-1) W PTS 10 Walter D Cabral (21-12).

Daley gets back to winning ways but has to go all the way against Argentinian veteran. Daley was in command all the way but despite putting Cabral down twice in the second round and four times in all he could not keep him there and had to settle for the unanimous decision. Scores 80-68 twice and 80-69. The 33-year-old Canadian was having his first fight since losing on a twelfth round stoppage against Youri Kayembre Kalenga for the interim WBA title in November. He is No 8 with the WBA but has a pile to do before being in line for another title shot. The 44-year-old Cabral showed unexpected resilience having previously lost 7 times by KO/TKO

 

Hildesheim, Germany: Heavy: Mark de Mori (28-1-2) W KO 2 Radenko Kovac (2-6). Super Welter: Uensal Arik (21-2) W TKO 1 Adnan Zilic (10-10). Cruiser: Sefer Seferi (19-0) W KO 1 Sasa Dajic (0-6).

de Mori vs. Kovac

de Mori gets easy win over late substitute Kovac, The Croatian-born Australian was to have defended his German version of the WBU title against Goran Delic (26-1) but Don King interfered saying that a fight for de Mori with Deontay Wilder was a possibility so insisted on an easier match and over eight round. It was immaterial how long this one was scheduled for. de Mori scored with heavy shots against the pudgy B&H fighter in the first and cut up and finished him with a vicious left to the body in the second. “The Dominator” makes it 25 wins by KO/TKO. He is unbeaten in his last 23 fights and is rated WBA 8(7)/WBC 15 but you will struggle to find any of his victims in the world top 50 and please not a title fight with Wilder. Kovac 31 has lost inside the distance in all 5 of his defeats with 4 of the losses to novices.

Arik vs. Zilic

Arik retains his interim WBU title (German version) in another farcical match. Arik was supposed to be defending against Valentyn Kuts (22-4) but instead faced Zilic-another late substitute. Arik landed a few range finders and then floored Zilic with a hard combination. That was enough to have the B & H boxer’s corner man throwing in the towel. The German-born Turk has 21 wins by KO/TKO. He is quite a character with his charity work and political activism but his opposition has all been low level. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Zilic.

Seferi vs. Dajic

This was the worst match up on a show of miserable matches. A couple of head punches from Seferi put Dajic down and out and the B&H fight was taken to hospital for observation. The 36-year-ol Seferi, Macedonian-born Swiss-based, has 17 wins by KO/TKO with each of the last three ending inside the first round. Only one of his victims has had a positive record and that was 8-4. Poor Dajic has lost all six fights by KO/TKO and has yet to last out six minutes in any fight. The ingredients for tragedy.

 

Kobe, Japan: Super Bantam: Hozumi Hasegawa (34-5) W PTS 10 Horacio Garcia (29-1). Former WBC bantam and feather champion Hasegawa resumed his career with a wide points victory over dangerous but limited “ Violent” Garcia. The experienced home fighter showcased his vast array of skills as he out boxer the young Mexican banger. Garcia kept pressing but Hasegawa used superior skills and movement to avoid Garcia’s big bombs and piled up the points with southpaw right hooks and straight lefts. Whether due to carelessness or frustration Garcia lost a point in the fourth round for continually stepping on Hasegawa’s foot. Garcia managed to close the distance occasionally in the middle rounds and as Hasegawa tired but basically he was given a boxing lesson. Scores 100-91, 98-93 and 97-93. First fight for Hasegawa since losing to Kiko Martinez for the IBF super bantam title in April last year. Many assumed that the 34-year-old would retire after that loss but this win over the WBC 9/IBF 13 (11) rated Garcia puts him in with a chance of another shot at winning a title in a third division. Garcia, 24, despite his ratings found this step too steep in quality of opposition. He can come again but needs better opposition to build his skills in future.

 

Marrakech, Morocco: Super Middle: Rachid Jkitou (23-0) W TKO 8 Jorge Silva (14-4).

Jkitou wins the vacant WBC Mediterranean title with stoppage of Silva. In his first fight for 14 months it took the former undefeated French champion a while to shake the rust but then he was just too good for his Portuguese opponent. The 29-year-old Parisian has 16 wins id but has been largely inactive with zero fights in 2012, 1 in 2013 and one in 2014. A pity as he could still be a force in French and European boxing Silva, 31, a former holder of this title had won his last 7 fights.

 

Fresno, CA, USA: Welter: Jose Carlos Ramirez (14-0) W KO 5 Robert Frankel (33-16-1). The USA also has former Olympians cutting a swathe through the pro ranks with Ramirez a leading light. The lanky 22-year-old put down a marker by having Frankel hurt and stumbling from a left hook in the first and just kept cranking up the pressure from there. Frankel is a tough, experienced battler and was not about to fold. Ramirez split his attacks between head and body but Frankel is known to have a solid jaw. Ramirez changed to a sustained body attack that weakened the older man until a left hook in the fifth floored Frankel in pain and he could not beat the count. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for Ramirez as he retains his NABF Junior title. He has ended 7 of his last 8 fights by KO/TKO. As an amateur he was US Junior champion and three times US National champion but like the rest of his team mates did not medal in London. Frankel, 34, had lost 3 of his last 4 fights but to tough opposition in Paul Spadafora, Anton Novikov and Jose Zepeda. All three were unbeaten when facing Frankel and had combined records of 91-0-1!

 

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

ABF=Asian Boxing Federation. I assume this is an affiliate of the IBF

ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC

ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

BBB of C Southern/Central/Midlands/Scottish Area etc. British Area titles

BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

BSA=Boxing South Africa responsible for administering boxing in South Africa

CBC=Commonwealth Boxing Council a sanctioning body for titles competed for by citizens of Commonwealth countries

CISBB-WBC title covering the rump of the USSR and the Slovenian Boxing Board

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

GAB=Philippines Games & Amusement Board responsible for administering boxing in the Philippines

GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NCC=National Championships of Canada

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

PBF=Philippines Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body in the Philippines

UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating for a fighter where there is a vacant position ahead of them in the rankings which affects his rating I will put his numerical rating i.e. No 6 and in brackets and his rating based on the number of fighters ahead of him so IBF 6 (5) shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one or more of

the higher rating positions being vacant.