The Past Week In Action 13 April 2016

Foto Credito: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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 13 April 2016
April 8

San Francisco, Argentina: Cruiser: Jose Ulrich (13-0) W TKO 1 Claudio Porto (10-1-1) To say this one was over quick would be a massive understatement. Ulrich walked out and landed one right hook to the chin and in ten seconds it was over. Ulrich retains the interim WBC Latino title and gets his 5th win by KO/TKO.

Petionville, Haiti: Light: Evens Pierre (26-1) W PTS 11 Tomasz Mendez (21-7). Light: Francisco Contreras (29-5) W TKO 5 Jose Anibal Cruz (20-6). Super Feather: Juan Carlos Pena (26-2) W KO 2 Yael Made (6-3).
Pierre vs. Mendez
Pierre retains the WBA Fedelatin title for the second time. The Haitian boxer outfought the Dominican all of the way even finding time for some showboating to delight the home crowd. Scores 109-99 twice and 110-98 ½. The 32-year-old “Sun City Kid” has scored 13 wins in a row and reversed his only loss by KO. He is No 8 with the WBA and his manager Jacques Deschamps will be looking to copy the success he has had with Nicholas Walters and land Pierre a title fight later this year perhaps in Haiti which would be a huge boost for the country. Mendez had won 5 of his last 6 fights.
Contreras vs. Cruz
New Jersey-based Dominican Contreras makes it seven wins in a row with stoppage early in the fifth of fellow-Dominican Cruz. Now 22 wins by KO/TKO for the tall 32-year-old who has lost tough fights against Jorge Linares and Pablo Cesar Cano. Only one loss in his last 17 fights for Cruz before this one.
Pena vs. Made
Pena rebounds from crushing loss with kayo of Made. The Dominican Republic fighter won his first 23 fights but then went 2-2 in his next four losing his last one in September on a first round knockout so a lot of rebuilding to do. Third loss by KO/TKO for Made.

Livorno, Italy: Super Welter: Lenny Bottai (25-3) W PTS 10 Francesco Di Fiore (18-13-3). Bottai wins the vacant Italian title with unanimous decision over Di Fiore. This was a close one. It started slowly with Di Fiore just edging the early rounds only for Bottai to take the middle rounds to even the fight. Both fighters tired with Bottai just seeming that much fresher in the eighth and ninth but Di Fiore presses hard in the last with a confident Bottai not looking to engage. The feeling was it could go either way but the judges saw the local fighter Bottai a clear winner. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 all for Bottai with the last score looking the most accurate reflection of the fight. Bottai, 38, had lost his Italian title to Di Fiore on a majority decision way back in 2010 so had waited some time for his revenge. He is 10-1 in his last 11 fights with the loss being a third round kayo against Jermall Charlo in 2014. Di Fiore, also 38, has been less successful recently. He lost the national title, won it back and lost it again. He is 2-51 in his last 8 fights.

Moscow, Russia: Super Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (24-0) W TKO 7 Cesar Rene Cuenca (48-2,2ND). Heavy: Sergey Kuzmin (7-0) W TKO 2 Konstantin Airich (23-16-2). Cruiser: Maxim Maslov (18-1-1) W KO 5 Walter Cabral (23-16). Heavy: Vladimir Tereshkin (19-0-1) W KO 2 Yuberti Suarez Diaz (7-4).
Troyanovsky vs. Cuenca
Troyanovsky retains IBF and IBO titles as Cuenca quits in a confused situation at the end of the seventh round. The Russian needed patience as he tried to nail down Cuenca. The Argentinian is perpetual motion with a herky-jerky style. The pattern changed very little over the first three rounds and most of the fourth. Cuenca sped around the perimeter of the ring stopping now and then to throw a couple of light punches and off again. Troyanovsky was stalking Cuenca and landing what decent punches were landing but they were very few. The fourth looked to be going that way until Cuenca landed his best punch of the fight a southpaw straight left that pushed Troyanovsky back a pace but then the Russian leapt forward with a left uppercut that sent Cuenca back to the ropes and down. He got up and lasted to the bell. Troyanovsky just could not get Cuenca cornered in the fifth but he was having more success in the sixth Again Cuenca scored with a left only for Troyanovsky to land an uppercut which had Cuenca backing to the ropes and Troyanovsky following up bundled the Argentinian to the floor. He was up and on the completion of the count the referee took Cuenca to his corner to have the gumshield he had “lost” replaced this took more time than it should and the bell went when the pantomime was completed. Exactly the same scenario occurred in the seventh with Cuenca being bundled down. The referee indicated no count but again Cuenca had to have his gumshield replaced. Total confusion reigned as the referee and two members of Cuenca’s team were discussing something. Cuenca looked as though he had had enough but twice tried to leave the corner but was stopped by the referee’s arm and then the referee waived his arms and the fight was over as Cuenca had suffered a nose injury which was affecting his breathing. The 35-year-old “The Eagle” Troyanovsky makes it 21 wins by KO/TKO including 14 in a row. There had been some controversy over his win against Cuenca in November but none here. Cuenca, also 35, will be back but with just two wins by KO/TKO in his 48 victories he relies on his speed and that won’t last forever.
Kuzmin vs. Airich
Kuzmin halts experienced Airich. Kuzmin, much the larger man, had success early snapping Airich’s head back with his jab but Airich finished the round on the attack getting through with some body punches and left hooks to the head. Kuzmin started the second using his jab to set Airich up for a right cross. Airich leapt in with a couple of attacks and then Kuzmin jabbed and threw a short right to the chin that sent Airich down to the canvas. Airich was up immediately and walked to a corner then confusion took over. The referee leant in talking to Airich and even moved in and put his era next to Airich’s mouth and then waived his arms to say the fight was over and Kuzmin began to celebrate. However Airich looked stunned and remonstrated with the referee and the referee stepped back and the fight recommenced. Kuzmin drove Airich back with the jab and landed two heavy rights and the referee stopped the fight-for good this time. Very rare to see a referee waive his arms to end a fight and then change his mind. Kuzmin is a strong bodied heavy putting 250lbs on a 6’3” frame. He has a good jab but is not quick. This is his fourth win by KO/TKO and he collects the vacant WBC EPBC title. As an amateur the 28-year-old Russian was national champion in 2010 and 2011and runner-up in 2012. He won gold at the 2010 European Championships beating Robert Cammarelle on the way and silver in 2013 halting British super heavy Joe Joyce in one round. Kazakh-born Airich is looking very shop-worn. He is now 2-7 in his last 9 fights with 5 of those 7 losses by KO/TKO.
Maslov vs. Cabral
Maslov makes it 8 wins on the bounce. The Russian was much the bigger fighter and came out fast looking to blow Cabral away. The elderly Argentinian was being blasted by body punches on the ropes and fielding heavy rights to the head as he just looked to keep moving and survive. In the second round he was rocked two or three times before a chopping right put him down. Cabral got up and ran and held to the bell. Maslov dominated the third and fourth hunting Cabral down trapping him on the ropes and unloading hard shots. Once in each round he was too busy throwing punches to think about defence and each time Cabral landed a hard left hook to show he was still in the fight. An over-eager Maslov slipped to the floor early in the fifth after missing with a huge left. It was not a knockdown but his left hook to the chin of Cabral did provide a genuine knockdown. The Argentinian somehow made it half way up but then collapsed again and was counted out. The 31-year-old Maslov makes it 8 wins in a row but he has struggled at times even against modest opposition. Cabral, 45, now has 11 losses by KO/TKO.
Tereshkin vs. Diaz
This “fight” was pathetic. Tereshkin was literally a head taller than the short , fat Uruguayan who did not even have the most basic technique just doing bull rushes with his head down and arms wind-killing. Tereshkin finally managed to corner the Uruguayan late in the round and landed a couple of body punches with Diaz sinking to his knees. He got up but the bell went at the end of the eighth count so that sent the “fight” into the second round. We then had the ridiculous sight of Diaz actually inviting Tereshkin to bring it on. A series of southpaw left hooks to the body put Diaz down. He got up and after the eight count a right from Tereshkin clipped Diaz on the forehead and he went face down on the canvas with the fight being waived off. First fight since December 2013 for the 28-year-old 6’’6” (198cm) Russian southpaw, a former Russian amateur champion back in 2007. This ridiculous farce won’t have helped him in any way. Diaz, 43, left me with just one question-where did they find seven fighters he could beat?

Klongluang, Thailand: Light Fly: Pongsaklek Sithdabnij (8-3-1) W KO 1 Demsi Manufoe. Bantam: Srisaket (39-4-1) W TKO 6 Ichal Tobida (12-20. Super Fly: Kongfah (26-1) W TKO 5 Worasith (0-1).
Sithdabnij vs. Manufoe
Not surprisingly this one was all over in 16 seconds including the count. After a couple of second of sparring Sithdabnij walked in and landed a right to the body. At first Manufoe looked unhurt but then he took a pace forward and collapsed face down on the canvas and was counted out. Farce! Sithdabnij retains the WBC ABC Continental title and he is 8-0-1 in his last 9 fights. Indonesian Manufoe’s traceable record shows 4 losses by KO/TKO.
Srisaket vs.Tobida
This could have been over in the first but Srisaket was having some practice. He allowed the powder-puff punching Tobida to throw all of the punches whilst Srisaket just prodded his jab. As usual Srisaket got serious in the sixth hunting Tobida down. Twice he landed very borderline punches with Tobida turning away and scuttling across the ring complaining to the referee. A couple more similar body punches had Tobida scuttling again and the referee stopped the fight. Now 36 wins by KO/TKO for the former WBC champion. Tobida has 12 losses that way.
Kongfah vs. Worasith
Just some light sparring for southpaw Kongfah against novice Worasith. As long as Worasith did not get too enthusiastic Kongfah was happy to just box on the back foot letting Worasith throw punches and not putting any venom into his own. Worasith actually landed some good punches in the fourth which angered Kongfah. In the fifth he battered Worasith against the ropes before putting him down and out cold with a right uppercut. Now 17 wins by KO/TKO for Kongfah with his only loss being to Sithdabnij.

New Providence, Bahamas: Light: Meacher Major (22-6-1,2ND) W KO 2 Martin Anderson (1-8-1). Cruiser: Jermain Mackey (19-8) W KO 2 Lloyd Smith (0-9).
Meacher vs. Anderson
Boxing returns to the Bahamas but with some poor matching. Former world rated fighter Major, 34, had no trouble halting poor Jamaican Anderson. Buffalo-based Meacher was having his first fight since a No Decision bout in December 2014 where he suffered an injury that has kept him out of the ring until now. First fight since 2012 for Jamaican Anderson and sixth loss by KO/TKO.
Mackey vs. Smith
Similar story with Mackey who was also shedding some rust against a poor opponent. Meacher made a slow start with Smith having some success in the first round. In the second an uppercut and a straight right had Smith unable to continue. The 36-year-old former CBC super middle champion suffered a run of five losses in a row, the last in March 2014 so plenty of rust. Jamaican Smith was having his first fight since March 2013. Somehow despite losing all of his nine fights, eight of them by KO/TKO he is nicknamed “Punisher” I can only assume he is into masochism as he is the only one that gets punished.

April 9

Necochea, Argentina: Middle: Jorge Heiland (27-4-2) W PTS 10 Martin Rios (17-9-3). Welter: Fabian Maidana (9-0) W PTS 8 Andres Amarilla (6-5-3).
6A
Heiland vs. Rios
WBC No 1 Heiland wins but has a late shock. The world rated Argentinian had the better skills and was comfortable for seven rounds cruising to victory. In the eighth a right to the side head from Rios put Heiland down. He got up and boxed his way through the last two rounds but had a swelling on the left side of his face to remind him to focus at all times. Scores 97 ½-92 ½,96-93 and 95-94 all for Heiland. The 29-year-old southpaw has won six in a row including a big win when he halted Matthew Macklin in ten rounds in November 2014. He was then out for 10 months before returning with a win in September last year. Former Argentinian champion Rios falls to 4-8-1 in his last 13 fights.
Maidana vs. Amarilla
Maidana comes home for his first pro fight in Argentina but has to go the distance for victory. The younger brother of Marcos had trouble with the slippery canvas and was unable to pin Amarilla down. Amarilla was competitive over the third to sixth rounds but Maidana was the clear winner. Scores 79-73, 79 ½-73 ½ and 78-74. The 23-year-old decorated amateur is one of the best prospects from Argentina. Amarilla keeps his record clear of inside the distance losses.

Cherbourg, France: Super Welter: Maxime Beaussire (21-0-1) W PTS 10 Roberto Santos (23-9-3). Middle: Andrew Francillette (14-0-1) W RTD 2 Ionut Trandafir Ilie (16-28-1).
Beaussire vs. Santos
Beaussire gets important win over experienced, tough Spaniard Santos. The younger local made a fast start with Santos too busy defending himself to get into the fight in those early rounds. Beaussire was right there in front of Santos landing hooks to head and body and setting a fast pace. Beaussire eventually began to tire and Santos was able to start winning rounds and scored with heavy hooks in the seventh and eighth and opening an old cut on the left eyelid of Beaussire. The last two rounds were close with Beaussire exhausted but fighting hard. Scores 97-94, 96-95 for Beaussire and 95-95. The 24-year-old “Conqueror” , the French champion has now scored 20 wins in a row. Despite that he could not make into the EBU top 15 but as Santos was No 6 that should change. Santos, 34, “The Tiger of Benidorm” has twice ruled as EU champion and only lost on a majority decision to Cedric Vitu (42-2) in Paris in December.
Francillette vs. Ilie
Francillette makes it a double for France as he beats French-based Romanian Ilie. Francillette boxed cleverly in the first keeping Ilie at the end of his jab and landing some good left hooks to the body taking the round. In the second Francillette landed a right uppercut that both put Ilie down and opened a cut over his right eye. The doctor had a look but let the fight continue with Ilie retiring at the end of the round. Francillette, 28, is down at No 14 in the French ratings but making steady progress. Ilie, 31 is now is now 2-18 in his last 20 fights.

Potsdam, Germany: Super Welter: Jack Culcay (22-1) W RTD 9 Jean Carlos Prada (31-2-1). Light Heavy: Enrico Koelling (21-1) W PTS 12 Olek Cherviak (15-6-1).Super Middle: Tyron Zeuge (18-0) W PTS 10 Ruben Acosta (31-14-5).
Culcay vs. Prada
Culcay much too good for late substitute Prado as he either defends his interim WBA title or wins the secondary WBA title or not……. This is the WBA remember so stupidity comes as standard. As for the fight although the tall Venezuelan southpaw had height and reach over Culcay he lacked the skill or the punch to really be competitive. Culcay boxed beautifully having no trouble getting past the guard of Prada and with quicker hands was also able to box on the outside and thread punches home from there. Prada was coming forward for most of the fight but having very little success as Culcay used good defensive skills to block the punches Prada did throw. He was content to let Prada come forward throwing punches and just block them as the Venezuelan was getting no leverage. Culcay had Prado hurt at the end of the sixth as the class gap showed more and more. The seventh was one-sided as Culcay landed heavy punches at the start of the round and had Prada hurt with a left to the head right to the body combination in mid round. Prada looked exhausted and dejected at the bell. After being clinical for seven rounds Culcay showed more fire in the eighth as he tried to finish the fight but Prada showed some spirit, landed a few counters and a couple of low punches. To his credit Prada put in some hard work in the ninth coming forward throwing punches with both hands and getting through with some. However whenever Culcay landed a straight right Prado looked hurt and he was swinging with tired hands at the bell before retiring in his corner. Not a testing fight for Culcay but he boxed well and impressed. As for the WBA? Well Culcay is their interim champion-or is he. It was said by the TV covering the fight that it was actually for the secondary WBA title but there was no belt presented as it did not arrive in time. What they did not tell the viewers or fans was that the current holder of the secondary title Erislandy Lara is still secondary champion until after his 21 May fight with Vanes Martirosyan for the secondary title- that Culcay won on this show-are you still with me? If Lara beats Martirosyan then the WBA will make him Super champion so vacating the belt that Culcay has already won! If Martirosyan wins he does not become secondary champion because Culcay has already won that title and Culcay then has to defend the secondary title against Martirosyan within 180 days. Of what a tangled web we weave when everyone we seek to deceive. Prada, 31, an Olympian way back in 2004, came in as a substitute with the WBA slipping him into the ratings even though he had not fought since January 2015. All in all a normal WBA fight night.
Koelling vs. Cherviak
Koelling continues to rebuild without taking too many risks. The Germany boxed a cautious, clever fight against the useful Ukrainian to win the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title on a unanimous decision. Scores 119-109, 118-110 and 117-112 all for Koelling. Now 5 wins on the bounce on points since his loss to Mirco Ricci in February last year. The 2012 Olympian is No 9 with the IBF and 14 with both the WBA and WBO. Cherviak, 35, is now 4-3 in his last 7 fights but the losses have been to quality fighters in Nadjib Mohammedi, Robin Krasniqi and Erik Skoglund and he was two slots ahead of Koelling in the EBU ratings.
Zeuge vs. Acosta
Zeuge gets ten rounds of work as he eases to a wide unanimous decision over Argentinian. Acosta was competitive over the first three rounds but in the fourth a body punch almost put him down and from then on his work fell away as Zeuge was in control and won the wide unanimous decision. Scores 99-90 twice and 98-91. The 23-year-old is a former European Junior and German national champion and is being built slowly. He is IBF No 13(12)/WBA 13. Acosta, 37, a former Argentinian and South American champion and WBO title challenger does OK at domestic level but loses on the road and did his job here.

Veracruz, Mexico: Feather: Tomas Rojas (47-14-1,1ND) W RTD 4 Prosper Ankrah (24-7). Super Feather: Eduardo Hernandez (18-0-3) W KO 3 Devis Perez (32-14-4). Fly: Juan Hernandez (31-2) W KO 1 Luis Carrillo (17-7-1).
Rojas vs. Ankrah
Rojas “The Worm” has to climb off the floor from a knockdown in the first to beat Ghanaian Allotey. That first round knockdown was brief and Rojas recovered quickly to take over the fight. Ankrah was willing to trade but getting the worst of the exchanges as Rojas constantly had him fighting with his back to the ropes. After a painful fourth round Ankrah retired with an elbow injury. The 35-year-old former WBC super fly champion retains his WBC Continental Americas title and makes it eight wins in a row. He is looking to get another world title shot. Ankrah, 36, a former Ghanaian champion and CBC title challenger now has 5 losses by KO/TKO.
Hernandez vs. Perez
Young “Ricky” Hernandez continues his run of inside the distance wins with kayo of Colombian Perez and also wins the vacant WBC Youth title. A big right in the third put Perez down and out. Still only 18, he turned pro at 14, Hernandez has now won his last 11 fights by KO/TKO including experienced Argentinian Julio David Roque Ler in his list of victims. Perez, 30, had won his last 7 fights but back in Colombia against low level opposition.
Hernandez vs. Carrillo
Despite giving away a huge amount in height and reach Hernandez blows away Colombian in first round. After landing a few shots to the body Hernandez then landed a right hook to the chin that flattened Carrillo who needed medical attention before recovering. The 29-year-old “Churritos”, the WBC No 3, makes it 22 wins by KO/TKO. He has won his last 13 fights and is hoping to get a shot at the WBC title held by Roman Gonzalez. His only loss in his last 25 fights was on points against Kazuo Ioka for the WBC minimum title in 2011.Carrillo, 26, a former challenger for the WBA and WBFed titles now has 7 losses by KO/TKO.

Torrelodones, Spain: Super Bantam: Cristian Rodriguez (7-1) W TKO 10 Alvaro Rodriguez (6-1). Both Rodriguez so to avoid confusion…Cristian R wins the vacant Spanish title with stoppage of Alvaro R. The local fighter Alvaro R gave his fans plenty to cheer about over the early round as he set a fast pace outboxing the aggressive Cristian R and flooring the Canary Islander with a body punch in the fourth. Unfortunately for the locals that was as good as it got. By the sixth Cristian R was landing heavy body punches and Alvaro R was starting to fade. Body punches saw Alvaro R forced to take a knee in the ninth and he had nothing left in the tenth being relentlessly pursued by Cristian R and going down twice before the fight was stopped. Now 5 wins in a row for the 25-year-old Christian R. Alvaro R, managed by Sergio Gabriel Martinez just ran out of gas.

London, England: Heavy: Anthony Joshua (15-0) W KO 2 Charles Martin (23-1-1). Feather: Lee Selby (23-1) W PTS 12 Eric Hunter (21-4). Bantam: Jamie McDonnell (28-2-1) W TKO 9 Fernando Vargas (29-10-3). Middle: Matthew Macklin (35-6) W PTS 12 Brian Rose (28-4-1). Super Middle: George Groves (23-3) W KO 4 David Brophy (16-1-1). Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (22-0) W PTS 6 Ignac Kassai (20-50-2). Light: Ohara Davies (11-0) W TKO 4 Andy Keats (11-4). Super Light: Conor Benn (1-0) W TKO 1 Ivailo Boyanov (2-4-1)
Joshua vs. Martin
Joshua rips the IBF title out of the hands of Martin with display of real power. Both were cautious early with hardly a punch being thrown in anger in the first 90 seconds. When the punches did start it was long rights from Joshua that were getting through with a couple of them landing solidly on a tentative looking Martin. The champion decided he had to be more positive in the second but that worked against him. As he walked in a short straight right from Joshua put him down. He was shaken enough to take a full nine seconds before making it to his feet. Less than ten seconds after the referee indicate they should box on another straight right put Martin down again. This time he was counted out in the act of rising and although he protested the fight was over. Joshua’s power was awesome and you could not help but feel that any time he hit Martin with that right Martin was going down so the fight could not have lasted much longer. Martin must have felt that his speed was the key to winning this one but as Joshua was able to land so easily with those rights in the first round it showed that Plan A was no plan. The 26-year-old from Watford has won a version of the world heavyweight title after just 16 fights and less than 34 rounds and I can’t think of any fighter in the modern era that has done it quicker. There are great fights out there for him but the usual sanctioning body stupidity may intervene. The first two spots in the IBF ratings were “vacant” and the No 3 was Erkan Teper who is under suspension by the EBU until 2017 so could not fight in Britain so I guess it will be the winner of the May 21 IBF eliminator between Carlos Takam and Joshua Parker with Parker being the more attractive match commercially. Until then hopefully Joshua will be allowed a voluntary defence but then the IBF will want him to meet the winner of the eliminator. Martin, 29, goes back to the start and rebuilds.
Selby vs. Hunter
Selby retains the IBF title with victory over Hunter. Selby took the first round as he scored with some quick combinations. Hunter was throwing one punch at a time and was not quick enough to connect. Hunter had a much better second round landing some good counters. H e showed a lack of professionalism when he was warned for a low punch and turned to look to his corner almost appealing for them to stop the referee warning him. What was worse is that he had turned his head from the fight and Selby leapt in and landed a heavy right. After that Hunter showed some clever boxing, landed a good right and as they traded punches he landed a left hook high on the head and Selby went down on his back. He was up immediately and ready to continue after the eight count. Moments later Hunter clipped Selby with a right to the head which shook the champion but Selby was firing back by the bell. A fiery third saw both throwing bombs but Selby ended the round by landing three heavy rights. Selby also took the fourth again finding his way over the low left of Hunter to land hard rights. Hunter landed a low punch and was warned again and walked away complaining to his corner but he landed another low one at the bell. In the fifth Hunter was lying on the ropes trying to lure Selby in and counter but Selby was letting his hands go more and again finding Hunter’s head with the right. At the end of the round Hunter landed another low blow. Both had some success in the sixth as Hunter spent more time in ring centre. Hunter marched forward throughout the seventh which suited Selby who was comfortable on the back foot banging punches through Hunter’s guard and he landed a number of straight rights. Hunter landed a good left/right combination late in the round but again did his sulking act when he was warned for low punches. Finally in the eighth after another low blow the referee deducted a point from Hunter which spoiled that aggressive start he had made which would have been enough to give him the round. Selby also got a warning. Selby had the better of a close ninth but Hunter again went low. When the referee gave him a final warning he showed complete disdain so the referee took him to his corner and made sure that the corner understood it even if Hunter did not. Hunter had a better tenth letting his punches go as Selby’s work rate dropped and the eleventh was close although Selby was not pressing his attacks and Hunter was showing some nice movement and quick hands. Hunter tried to find a big punch in the last and took the round but it was not enough as Selby was a clear winner. Scores 116-110 twice and 115-111 all for Selby. The 29-year-old Welsh “Lightning” was making the second defence of his IBF title. He again gave a sparkling display of skill and showed he could get off the floor, for the first time as a pro, and win. Plenty of big fights for him in the shape of Carl Frampton, Leo Santa Cruz etc. Hunter was his highest ranked challenger so let’s hope he has a free choice for his next opponent. Hunter showed speed and good skills but was outboxed. He tended to fight out of a crouch with his left held very low so that whenever he went forward with a punch there was always the chance of him landing low. That is not why he lost here but he has to learn discipline and focus as his histrionics every time he was warned just took his own focus away.
McDonnell vs. Vargas
McDonnell halts Vargas to retain his title. As usual the tall McDonnell worked his jab in the first round slotting home stiff jabs with Vargas constantly moving trying to find a way past the McDonnell left but having no success. McDonnell had his jab working overtime in the second and third and it was constantly in the face of Vargas. The challenger scored with some hooks to the body inside but McDonnell was banging home straight rights and hooks to the body himself particularly in the third and they looked more powerful. From the fourth the fight was one-sided as McDonnell was now hunting down Vargas keeping him on the back foot landing stiff jabs and hooks from both hands. In the fifth McDonnell was stepping up the pace with quick hard combinations. He was staying in the pocket more giving Vargas the chance to land some hooks but was always in control. Vargas tried to get on the front foot in the sixth and seventh but some head-jarring jabs and sweeping hooks to the body again had McDonnell as the hunter giving a master class in box-fighting and by the end of the seventh Vargas was just looking to stay out of trouble and not looking to trade. He needed to get inside to win but now his tactics looked more geared to survival. The pursuit continued in the eighth with McDonnell pinning Vargas against the ropes for the last 30 seconds of the round stabbing home left hooks to the body. The ninth was painful as McDonnell landed punch after punch with Vargas visibly fading. After some thudding left hooks to the body Vargas waived his hands to say he was finished and went down on his knees. Before starting the count the referee looked at the corner of Vargas and his seconds were already climbing on the ring apron on surrender. The 30-year-old from Doncaster was making the fourth defence of his secondary WBA title and oozed class. He has not lost a fight since beating beaten by the current IBF bantam champion Lee Haskins by one point (77-76) in 2008 and on this performance has nothing to fear from any of other title holders in the division. In fairness to the outclassed Vargas he came in at very short notice, only made the weight at the second attempt and was having his first fight for ten months after having scored a career best win by outpointing former WBO champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr in June .
Macklin vs. Rose
Macklin had said this was a win or bust fight for him and he came away with a majority decision to keep his career alive. It was a messy fight early as Rose was trying to get on the front foot with his jab the weapon of choice and Macklin looking to get close and score inside to the body. As the fight progressed more and more it was the body work from Macklin that was helping him edge in front although Rose had been landing well with the jab doing his best work on the outside. Their different approaches made it a hard fight to score with neither really able to open a wide gap in the points. Macklin scored well with combinations in the fifth and opened a cut over the right eye of Rose in the sixth. Rose found some space and worked well in the seventh and eighth. Macklin scored with a heavy right cross early in the ninth but Rose finished the round strongly. Macklin lost a point in the tenth. He had previously landed a very low right which had brought him a stern warning and caused a short break in the action. With just seconds to go in the round Macklin landed another very low right and this time the referee deducted a point. It looked a round Rose had seemed to be winning so could have been a swing point in the fight. However, Macklin went all out to claw that point back with a strong eleventh round and he was the one on top in the last round chasing Rose down and with tiring Rose harshly deducted a point for holding Macklin emerged the winner. Scores 115-111 twice for Macklin and 113-113. The 33-year-old “Mack The Knife” has come up short in brave challenges at middleweight losing to Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez and Gennady Golovkin. A brutal upset loss to Jorge Heiland in November 2014 had many advising retirement. Instead he had reinvented himself as a super welter winning the vacant WBC International title and then kept his career alive by going back up to middleweight with this win and is rated at IBF 8(7)/WBC 10 but still down at super welter. The downside for Macklin is that this was to have been for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title and the IBF set limits for the additional weight put on after the day before weight-in and Macklin came in over that second limit so the title remains vacant. After Rose, 31, lost to Demetrius Andrade in 2014 for the WBO super welter title he then suffered a controversial first round stoppage loss against Carson Jones in 2015. He put that right with a revenge points win but this is a setback. He has the skills to compete at high level so he will have a think and then go from there.
Groves vs. Brophy
Groves just too strong and too clever for Scot Brophy. The Scot started confidently in the first but Groves had his jab working and was controlling the fight. Brophy managed to get close and do some work but a clubbing right to the top of the head staggered Brophy into the ropes. Groves was unloading on Brophy but the Scot covered well and got off the ropes and was throwing punches at the bell. In the second Brophy was walking inside behind a high guard and Groves was boxing on the back foot again scoring with jabs and the round was more even than the first. Groves was loading up on his punches more in the third and a chopping right to the head seemed to shake Brophy. Groves tried to follow-up and landed some more good shots but Brophy was firing back. The Scot was showing a cut under his right eye at the end of the round. In the fourth as Brophy moved in Groves was short with a left jab but threw a right to the body that saw Brophy take a step back then go down in agony and he was counted out. Now 18 wins by KO/TKO for “St George” as he lifts the vacant WBA International title. Groves has come up short in three world title attempts but is looking in good form and is No 2 with the WBC behind Callum Smith so he could fight for that title before the end of the year. This was a giant leap in the quality of opposition for 25-year-old Brophy and he will come again with a bit more experience.
Laszczyk vs. Kassai
World rated Pole Laszczyk marks time with win over Hungarian southpaw Kassai. It must have been difficult for Laszczyk to motivate himself being so far down such a big show. Laszczyk had no problem in slotting punches through the high guard of Kassai and tries to get an inside the distance finish over the last two rounds but had to settle for the decision. The 25-year-old New Jersey-based WBO No 5 needs to show some power as he has scored only two inside the distance wins in his last 12 fights. Kassai, 36, has 20 losses by KO/TKO and is 2-11 in his last 13 fights.
Davies vs. Keates
“Two Tanks” Davies wins the vacant English title with stoppage of Keats. The Hackney fighter had looked on his way to edging the first round when he punctuated the three minutes with an uppercut that put Keats down. Keats got up and was still in the fight at the bell. In the second Keats was having trouble getting past the jab of the taller man and by the end of the round his nose was dripping blood. Davies piled it on in the third and it did not help Keats that he was cut in the forehead in a clash of heads and it looked as though the fight would finish then. However, Keats kept battling on until a left hook to the body in the fourth floored him and he was counted out. Impressive display from the talented 24-year-old Davies who has won 9 of his last 10 fights by KO/TKO. Midlands Area champion Keats gave it a go here but Davies had too much skill and too much power.
Benn vs. Boyanov
Benn blows away Bulgarian Boyanov in his first pro fight. Benn, the son of former two division world champion Nigel, just rolled over Boyanov. The Bulgarian tried to punch with Benn but was brushed aside as Benn overwhelmed him with a storm of punches forcing the referee to stop the fight just past the two minute mark. It will take a lot more fights and a lot tougher opposition before a real judgement can be made on how far the new “Destroyer” can go but this was an exciting taste of things to come from the 19-year-old.

Salem, NH, Heavy: Alexis Santos (16-1) W KO 7 Daniel Martz (14-4-1). Feather: Luis Orlando Del Valle (21-2.1ND) W TKO 2 Josh Crespo (6-3-3).
Santos vs. Martz
Santos gets revenge for 2014 loss to Martz. Santos put that loss down to injury and he certainly made up for it here against the giant from West Virginia. Against the 6’7 ½” (202cm) Martz Santos (6’0” 183cm) found the way past Martz jab and successfully worked inside slowing Martz with body punches. Martz rallied briefly in the third but in the sixth a body punch from Santos had Martz badly shaken. Santos kept up the pressure and put Martz down with a right in the seventh with Martz showing no real inclination to get up. Santos, 26, the New England champion, wins the vacant IBO International title and makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO. When they fought in 2014 Santos damaged his ankle when being floored in the first round and retired at the end of the third. This is his third win by KO/TKO since then. Martz,25, was stopped inside a round by Joseph Parker in December.
Del Valle vs. Crespo
Del Valle continues to rebuild with stoppage of Crespo. The first round was fairly even with Del Valle starting strongly and Crespo coming on late. Crespo made a good start to the second but a left hook from Del Valle took his legs from under him. He almost made it to his feet but then fell over. He made it all the way up at the second attempt beating the count. The referee signalled for the fight to continue but Crespo’s corner threw in the towel. Puerto Rican “Orlandito” , 29, won his first 16 fights before losing on points to Vic Darchinyan in 2012. A loss to Luis Rosa in May 2014 was a further set back. He was then out of action for ten months before returning with two wins in 2015. Crespo, the New England super bantam champion, was 6-1-2 in his last 9 fights going in and this is his first loss by KO/TKO.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2) W PTS 12 Tim Bradley (33-2-1,1ND). Super Middle: Gilberto Ramirez (34-0) W PTS 12 Arthur Abraham (44-5). Feather: Oscar Valdez (19-0) W TKO 4 Evgeny Gradovich(21-2-1). Super Light: Jose Carlos Ramirez (17-0) W PTS 10 Manuel Perez (25-12-1). Light Heavy: Olek Gvozdyk (10-0) W KO 2 Nadjib Mohammedi (37-5). Welter: Konstantin Ponomarev (30-0) W PTS 10 Brad Solomon (26-1). Welter: Egidijus Kavaliauskas (13-0) W PTS 8 Deniz Ilbay (15-0).Super Middle: Leon Bauer (8-0) W PTS 6 Ilshat Khusnulgatin (12-2).
Pacquiao vs. Bradley
Pacquiao gets a clear unanimous decision to put a full stop after his three-bout series with Bradley and a full stop to his career-maybe. Both fighters made a cautious start. After two fights they know each other well but both wanted to see if there were any changes they needed to adjust to. Pacquiao testing his shoulder injury and Bradley with a new trainer. Pacquiao probably edged the first two rounds but not by much. Pacquiao had a good third scoring with a right but the action was still scarce. Things heated up in the fourth and from there it was the fight the fans had hoped for. Pacquiao was getting in quickly landing with his southpaw jab and straight rights with Bradley countering well but being outscored. Bradley came into the fight more in the fifth firing home some good shots and although Pacquiao countered late in the round it went to Bradley. “Desert Storm did some good work rocking Pacquiao with an uppercut in a close sixth. Pacquiao was quicker and more accurate in the seventh and a fast combination caught a slightly off balance Bradley and his gloves touched the canvas to register as a knockdown. Bradley needed to try to get back the points he lost in that one and did so with a hard left hook and some good body punches in the eighth. Bradley also had a good spell at the start of the ninth but was faced with a mountain to climb as after landing a couple of good left hooks Pacquiao got through with another one which deposited Bradley on the floor where he did a rolling back somersault before getting to his feet. Again Bradley tried to win the lost point back with a strong tenth but Pacquiao was sharp and accurate with his lefts and it was the Filipino southpaw who seemed fresher as they both fought hard over the last two rounds. It had been a better fight than their first two and this time speed and accuracy won this one clearly for the Filippino despite a brave effort from Bradley. Scores 116-110 for Pacquiao from all three judges. At 37 Pacquiao has said that this was his last fight and said it as if he meant it. However he had looked sharp and is still a match for any welterweight and unfortunately some thoughts are again turning to Pacquiao vs. Mayweather II if they both decide to have one more fight. Bradley, 32, put up his usual 100% effort but Pacquiao was just too quick, busy and accurate for him. He is still a name so he has plenty of fights left in him. Rewards? Reportedly Pacquiao was paid $20 million and Bradley $4 million.
Ramirez vs. Abraham
Ramirez wins the WBO title with commanding one-sided win over Abraham. The first round set the pattern for the whole fight. Ramirez had height, reach faster hands and smart movement leaving Abraham to plod forward behind his high guard. The Mexican slotted home his southpaw jab, landed straight lefts and curled lefts around the high guard of Abraham who landed just three punches in the round. Ramirez was even more dominant in the second. He was scoring continually with right hooks to the body and constantly frustrating any attempt by Abraham to land a punch by constant lateral movement. Late in the round Ramirez caught Abraham with a right to the head that saw Abraham stagger to the ropes clearly hurt but he grabbed Ramirez and the bell went. Ramirez had perfected his tactics and stuck to them. He was boxing on the outside slotting jabs and hooks through the high guard of Abraham and then getting out before Abraham tried to counter. He was also staying off the ropes or getting off them quickly when he was forced there. It is on the ropes where Abraham does his best work but he had very little success. In ring centre whenever Abraham started to launch an attack Ramirez took a long step back forcing Abraham to lunge and open himself to counters. Abraham did have some success but it was rare and never sustained. A strong finish has been Abraham’s saviour in the past but Ramirez took that off him by staying off the ropes and firing quick burst of punches to head and body and getting away before Abraham could do anything and it was Abraham who was tired and dispirited in the end. The scores tell the story at 120-108 for the three judges indicating Ramirez won every round. At 6’2 ½” (189cm) the 24-year-old Mexican has the reach, speed, skills and power to be a match for any super middle as puts his name very much in the hat in a division crowded with talent. Abraham, 36, was in his 25th world title fight and it showed. He had been riding his luck in some of his more recent fights with split decision wins over Robert Stieglitz and Martin Murray and two controversial wins over Paul Smith. He lost here because his perennial Plan A of walking his opponent down behind a high guard was useless against the quicker Ramirez and he has never had a Plan B. With his titles at middle and super middle he has had a great career but has lost the big fights in a global sense against Carl Froch and Andre Ward.
Valdez vs. Gradovich
Valdez gets his biggest win so far as outboxes and beats up former IBF champion Gradovich. From the first bell Gradovich was coming forward trying to get in close and land with hooks. Valdez was on the back foot for the first two rounds showing good defensive skills and banging home counters through the defence of Gradovich. In the third although Gradovich was having some success whilst still on the back foot Valdez was putting more venom in his counters and Gradovich’s face was marking up. Gradovich tried to up the pace in the fourth but Valdez just could not seem to miss the advancing Russian with his jabs, uppercuts and left hooks. Cuts were appearing around both eyes of Gradovich and as he lunged forward a short right crashed into his face and a short left hook to the body sent him down. He looked exhausted and a gash had opened on his nose. The referee counted to five but then just waived the fight off. Gradovich looked disappointed but did not protest too strongly. The 25-year-old from Nogales, a former double Olympian and World Youth gold medallist, wins the vacant WBO NABO title and he showcased some excellent skills and real power with a world title fight in 2017 looking a certainty. Rocky times for the 29-year-old former IBF champion Gradovich. After winning his first 19 fights and the IBF title he is now 2-2-1 in his last 5 but he is still a world level fighter.
Ramirez vs., Perez
Ramirez gets very useful test against Perez. Both were looking to control the fight early with Ramirez getting his jab into play with Perez going to the body. As the rounds progressed Ramirez began to build a lead with his busier work rate and was also mixing in plenty of body punches of his own. Despite this Perez kept in the fight. A clash of heads in the third saw Perez suffer a couple of cuts on the forehead. Unfortunate but to score to the body he had to stay inside and Ramirez made him pay with shots that brought blood from the nose and mouth of Perez. Ramirez kept getting through with his jab but Perez was having some success inside and making the unbeaten fighter work hard for his victory but that jab and the sheer work rate from Ramirez were too much for him and Ramirez marches on. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 all for Ramirez, but Perez gave him ten hard rounds to add to his experience. The 23-year-old Ramirez, a three-time US national amateur champion and 2012 Olympian, had won 8 of his last 10 fights by KO/TKO going in and this was his first ten round fight so valuable experience. Denver’s Perez, 31, has only lost inside the distance twice to Brandon Rios and Victor Ortiz and had won his last three fights.
Gvozdyk vs. Mohammedi
Gvozdyk ends this one early with stunning kayo of Mohammedi. Both were testing their jabs in the first. Gvozdyk was making good use of his edges in height and reach and out jabbing the Frenchman. He made Mohammedi’s knees dip with a right to the head and scored with more rights to close the round. Mohammedi stepped up his pace in the second and marched forward only to be tagged by a thunderous short right which sent back and down heavily and the referee did not even bother to count. Huge win for the 28-year-old Oxnard-based Ukrainian who collects the vacant NABF title. The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist has now won 7 of his last 8 by KO/TKO. Mohammedi, 31, lost a close points decision to Nathan Cleverly for the interim WBO title in 2010 but then won 13 in a row before losing to Sergey Kovalev in three rounds in July for the IBF/WBA/WBO titles. He was No 10 with the IBF going in.
Ponomarev vs. Solomon
Ponomarev gets split decision victory in a fight of contrasting styles. The tall, slim Russian was using a long straight jab, lots of quick light punches and plenty of pressure. Solomon was on the back foot quick and clever sneaking home counters showing silky skills. Ponomarev was setting a fast pace and to some extent the fight would depend on who tired first. Solomon had probably built a lead but by the sixth he was beginning to look tired and standing and trading more with Ponomarev digging to the body and landing rights to the head. The Russian shook Solomon with a left hook to the head in the seventh and then handed out punishment with Solomon hardly able to raise his hands and a stoppage looked possible but Solomon survived. Ponomarev pressed hard in the eighth and ninth with Solomon wilting under the relentless pressure and looking sluggish with no snap in his punches anymore as he was just swinging tired shots. He rallied at little at the end of the ninth but he was still being outworked by a wide margin. Solomon had saved something for the last and for the first half of the round he was scoring with hooks from both hands. He then got a useful breather as the action was halted after Ponomarev landed a low punch. Solomon then landed a nice combination but the Ponomarev got throught with a right that snapped Solomon’s head back and the Russian poured on the pressure landing a number of clubbing rights that had the referee watching to see if Solomon needed saving but he made it to the bell. Scores 98-92 and 96-94 for Ponomarev and 96-94 for Solomon although I found that score for Solomon very strange. The tall 23-year-old Russian retains the WBC NABF title. He has wins over Canadians Steve Claggett and Mike Zewski and is rated IBF 3/WBC 5/WBO 8/WBA 15. Solomon, 32, has under achieved. He was a brilliant amateur but just when he reached the top as a pro he faded out of the picture and his style just did not attract. He has good wins over Demetrius Hopkins, Freddy Hernandez and Ray Serrano but had scored only two inside the distance wins in his last 12 fights which is part of his problem.
Kavaliauskas vs. Ilbay
Lithuanian Kavaliauskas wins this contest between unbeaten fighters with wide unanimous decision over Ilbay. Kavaliauskas won every round but for a change had to go the distance for his victory. Ilbay showed some nice moves and quick hands but the power was with Kavaliauskas who whilst not quick on his feet has a commanding jab and hits hard with both hands. Ilbay tried to use the Abraham high guard approach but Kavaliauskas was curving punches around the guard. Despite the punishment Ilbay was constantly trying to come forward and landed some good punches of his own but Kavaliauskas was doing most of the scoring in each round. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 27-year-old Kavaliauskas won a four round bout on points in his first pro fight but going into this one had scored 11 wins on the bounce by KO/TKO with only two victims lasting beyond the third round. The two-time Olympian and World Championship bronze medallist has real power. The 21-year-old German Ilbay had won a motley collection of minor titles for the GBC, IBO, WBO and IBF and gone ten rounds three times so had an edge in experience but not in anything else.
Bauer vs. Khusnulgatin
German teenager Bauer becomes the youngest fighter to win a fight in a Nevada ring. He won the verdict with his superior skill and also showed he was comfortable trading. There were some gaps in his defences and Khusnulgatin managed to bloody the German’s nose in the second round but Bauer boxed his way to a comfortable victory. Scores 59-55 twice and 60-54. Just 17 he needs to be carefully matched if he is to reach his full potential. Oxnard-based Russian Khusnulgatin was stopped inside a round by Roberto Acevedo in January 2014 and was then out of the ring until returning with a win in November.

Washington, PA, USA: Light Heavy: Tommy Karpency (26-5-1) W TKO 1 Paul Gonsalves (9-8-1). Karpency gets this one over quickly as he floored Gonsalves with a southpaw right, the first punch he threw in the fight. Gonsalves got up but was put down four more times before the fight was stopped after just 69 seconds. The 30-year-old “Kryptonite” wins the vacant WBA NABA title and has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Back in 2012 Tommy lost to Nathan Cleverly for the WBO title and Andrzej Fonfara for the IBO title. He got a big win in 2014 by outpointing Chad Dawson but was stopped in three rounds last September by Adonis Stevenson in a challenge for the WBC title. Two of his brother also fought on this show but went 0-1-1 in their two fights. Gonsalves is 2-5-1 in his last 8 fights.

Accra, Ghana: Feather: Ray Commey (14-3) W TKO 3 Ray Ansah (8-13). Super Light: Ben Lamptey (10-0-1) W TKO 3 Joe Cudjoe (1-12). Welter: Isaac Aryee (22-8) W TKO 3 Ezekiel Afellah (0-8). Super Feather: Patrick Ayi (12-0) W TKO 3 Emmanuel Allotey (5-21). Super Bantam: Isaac Sackey (12-0-1) W TKO 1 Galley Cudjoe (4-10,1ND). Middle: Richard Djarbeng (21-3-1) W TKO 2 Emmanuel Odoi (3-18).
Commey vs. Ansah
I will say this once only as it applies to all of these fights-every one is a very poor match, none of these went past the third round, which makes it impossible to assess the capability of the winners. There are good fighters in Ghana but they very rarely fight each other. Commey, 28, returns with a win after losing on points to Jun Qiu Xiao in China for the WBA International title. Ansah has lost his last six fights and has 10 losses by KO/TKO.
Lamptey vs. Cudjoe
Ghanaian champion Lamptey halts poor Cudjoe in non-title fight. Lamptey has reasonable level performances in a draw with Justin Savi and a win over unbeaten fellow-countryman Michael Dodo. Now 9 losses by KO/TKO for Cudjoe.
Aryee vs. Afellah
In another non-title fight lanky Aryee moves to 21 wins by KO/TKO. He took Konstantin Ponomarev the distance , lost to local fighter Anges Adjaho in Benin for the vacant IBU world title but was halted inn three rounds by Brit Jimmy Kilrain Kelly in June last year. Seven losses in a row for Afellah.
Ayi vs. Allotey
Ayi makes it two wins over Allotey, both inside the distance. The West African Boxing Union champion has eight wins by KO/TKO. No 17 losses by KO/TKO for Allotey.
Sackey vs. Cudjoe
Sackey makes it 11 wins inside the distance and six in his last six fights. His draw was with Benin’s former WBC International Silver champion Fatiou Fassinou and he is the Ghanaian No 3. Now 7 losses in a row, 6 by KO/TKO for poor Cudjoe.
Djarbeng vs. Odoi
Djarbeng goes to 17 wins by KO/TKO. He now has two wins since being crushed in three rounds by world rated Australian Jeff Horn in June last year. Odoi is yet another over-matched fighter. He has 16 losses by KO/TKO and is 1-10 in his last 11 fights.

April 11

Jinghong, China: Heavy: Jun Long Zhang (21-0) W TKO 2 George Arias (56-16).
Zhang continues to win inside the distance as he floors experienced Brazilian Arias three times to collect the vacant WBA Oceania title. The 34-year-old “Dragon King” carries around 270lbs (122kgs) on a 6’3 ½” (192cm) frame and has short arms but no arguing with his punch as he has won all of his fights by KO/TKO and has yet to be taken past the fifth round. Arias, 41, had lost his last three fights but all on points against a high level of opposition in Hughie Fury, Kubrat Pulev and Carlos Takam.

April 12

Tokyo, Japan: Super Middle: Shintaro Matsumoto (13-4) W TEC DEC 9 Yuzo Kiyota (29-5-1). Matsumoto wins the OPBF title at the third time and gets revenge for his losses to Kiyota in his two previous OPBF challenges. This time Matsumoto got away to a god start scoring with straight rights and after four rounds he was in front 39-37. Kiyota then turned up the pressure with body attacks and scored with rights of his own only for Matsumoto to use some sharp left hooks to have the edge on two cards at the end of the eighth at 78-74 and 77-75 for Matsumoto and 76-76. In the ninth a clash of heads saw Matsumoto suffer a cut which was too bad for the fight to continue and he was crowned as the new champion with the score cards at 88-84, 87-85 and 86-84. So the 31-year-old Matsumoto lifts the title and gets revenge for inside the distance losses to Kiyota in 2011 and 2012. Kiyota, 32, the IBF No 12(11) lost to Robert Stieglitz for the WBO title in 2013. This loss ends his third reign as OPBF champion in his twelfth OPBF title fight and he hinted at retirement.