The Past Week in Action 14 September 2013

 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 sport.                      

October 10

 

Auckland, New Zealand: Heavy: Joseph Parker (7-0) W TKO 2 Afa Tatupu (9-5).  Light Heavy: Robert Berridge (21-1-1) W KO 3 Mariano Jose Riva (11-5).

Parker vs. Tatupu

Parker saves his 100% record after overcoming a bad cut. In the first round Parker was fighting Tatupu’s fight by mixing it and paid the price when heads clashed as Tatupu ducked inside a left from Parker. The cut was above his left eyebrow and stretched almost the complete length of the eyebrow. The cut was so bad that the doctor was going to stop the fight at the end of the round but trainer Kevin Barry manage to get the referee to give Parker one more round. Samoan Tatupu took Parker to the ropes and both fighters were throwing shots with no attempt at defence. Parker was able to land flush with hard right crosses and uppercuts and Tatupu just kept walking onto them. Parker drove Tatupu to a corner and a volley of hard shots put Tatupu down and the fight was immediately stopped. The 21-year-old local wins the NZNBF title. He has talent, power (6 wins by KO/TKO) and good looks and already has a two round win over Frans Botha. He also has good amateur credentials having won medals at the World Youth Championships and World Youth Olympics, been a quarter-finalist at the Commonwealth Games, a silver medalist at the Commonwealth Championships and competed at the World Championships. He showed inexperience in mixing it with Tatupu and got a roasting from Barry. He will need a rest for the cut to heal but could revive boxing in New Zealand. One to watch. Tatupu, 33, showed suicidal bravery in just trying to walk through Parker’s punches and he loses for the 4^th time by KO/TKO.

Berridge vs. Riva

“The Butcher” makes it six wins in a row by KO/TKO and 17 over all with a third round kayo of Argentinian veteran. The 28-year-old local southpaw’s only loss was a close decision against WBA No 12 Blake Caparello in May last year. Riva, 36, had won 6 of his last 7 with the loss being to Australian Zac Dunn in March.

 

Panama City, Panama: Super Fly: Manuel Vides (15-2) W TKO 5 Octavio Abrego (6-2).  Vides retains his interim WBC Latino title with fifth round stoppage of southpaw Abrego. The local hero had fellow countryman Abrego down in the first and fifth rounds. Now 5 wins in a row by KO/TKO for 22-year-old who the WBC somehow rate No 3. First loss inside the distance for prelim fighter Abrego.

 

Monterrey, Mexico: Fly: Juan Alejo (12-3) W KO 2 Erik Ramirez (28-13-1). Feather: Juan Carlos Olvera (15-10-1) W TKO 3 Juan M Valdez (11-12-2).

Alejo vs. Ramirez

Career best win for “Pinky” as he gets a spectacular one punch kayo of former world title challenger Ramirez. The local fighter lost his first three contests but now has 12 wins in a row, 7 by KO/TKO. Ramirez, 31, lost on points to Donnie Nietes for the WBO straw title and Juan Palacios for the interim title, both in 2009, but has now lost four in a row by KO/TKO.

Olvera vs. Valdez

Easy win for the “Predator” in front of his home fans. After taking the first two rounds Olvera floored and halted oldie Valdez in the third. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for Olvera, but he needed the victory after registering only one win in his last six fights. Valdez, 39, is 3-2-2 in his last 7 fights.

 

October 11

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Jessie Vargas (23-0) W PTS 10 Ray Narh (26-4). Super Bantam: Jessie Magdaleno (17-0) W TKO 3 Raul Hidalgo (19-10). Light Welter: Jose Zepeda (16-0) W TKO 3 Luis Arceo (28-12-4). Light: Jesus Gutierrez (10-0,1ND) W KO 1 Ivan Zavala (5-3-1). Light: Erick De Leon (5-0) W TKO 1 Aaron Acevedo (2-2-2).

Vargas vs. Narh

Vargas wins tough again. Both were willing to trade with Vargas probable using the wrong tactics by fighting on the inside instead of using his height and reach, but picking up the points and hurting Ghanaian Narh time and again with left hooks to the body. When Vargas did box at a distance he was able to score cleanly. Narh was putting a lot into the early rounds pressurising Vargas. Vargas seemed to tire in the fifth but got through that spell. Narh forced the fight over the middle rounds with the fighters taking it in turns to fight inside or at a distance. Both fighters slowed in the eighth and in an exciting ninth Vargas was able to close down the tiring Narh’s attack and score himself on the inside. Vargas had the fight won as they went into the tenth and although a desperate Narh shook Vargas with a right he left himself open and was put down by a left hook at the end of the round. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-92. Seven points wins in a row for the 24-year-old Vargas, IBF 5/WBC 9/WBO 12. He has victories over Josesito Lopez, Steve Forbes, Aaron Martinez and Wale Omotoso. “Emperor” Narh, 35, lost to Mike Alvarado in June 2011 and was then inactive until May this year when he upset the odds with a win over the unbeaten and highly touted Ramon Cruz. That good work was undone by a stoppage loss to Ray Robinson in August. He showed enough here to ensure further work.

Magdaleno vs. Hidalgo

Magdaleno massacres useful Hidalgo. The unbeaten southpaw floored the Mexican with a hard combination late in the first. Hidalgo was in trouble again in the second being staggered with a left uppercut. It ended in the third as Magdaleno floored Hidalgo twice and the referee stopped the fight. Now trained by Joel Diaz, the 21-year-old may currently be flattered by his WBO 8/WBC 13 rating but he looks a champion in the making. This was his 7^th win by KO/TKO in his last 8 fights. Hidalgo, 24, had lost inside the distance to AJ Banal and Chris Martin, but gone the distance with Alberto Guevara and Ivan Morales.

Zepeda vs. Arceo

Zepeda has done most of his recent fighting down in Mexico which has kept him under the radar, but no more. He crushed the experienced Arceo inside three rounds. After taking a hard right early in the first Zepeda banged back to hurt and cut Arceo. In the second a southpaw left put Arceo down but the “Vampire” got up and took the fight to Zepeda. In the third left hands from Zepeda put Arceo down twice and the fight was stopped. Now 9 wins in a row by KO/TKO and 14 overall for 24-year-old “Chon” Zepeda including KO/TKO wins over Abraham Osuna (16-2-1), Rodolfo Quintanilla and former WBC and IBF lightweight title challenger Ric Dominguez who went the distance with Humberto Soto and Miguel Vazquez in those title fights. Zepeda is trained by Roberto Alcazar who trained Oscar De La Hoya.  Arceo, 34, was on a good run. He had won his last 5 with victories over Misael Castillo (21-1), Adalberto Borquez and Dominguez

Gutierrez vs. Zavala

Impressive punching power from “non-puncher” Gutierrez. He was walking down Zavala from the bell and getting through with heavy punches. Gutierrez shook poor Zavala with a left hook and then put him down with a thunderous right. It was several minutes before Zavala recovered. The local 24-year-old had only recorded two wins by KO/TKO in his previous 9 fights.  Now 4 losses in his last 5 fights for Mexican Zavala, all to unbeaten opponents.

De Leon vs. Acevedo

Just one wicked body shot from southpaw De Leon and Acevedo takes the count on his knees. The 21-year-old Mexican-born US Citizen is a three-time National Golden Gloves champion. He is based in Detroit and worked with the late Manny Steward. He had won his last three fights on points so needed to show he had power. Acevedo just a sacrificial lamb

 

Florencio Varela, Argentina: Middle: Claudio A Abalos (26-13-3) W PTS 12 Jorge D Caraballo (10-2-1). Abalos has to overcome bad cut but easily outpoints Caraballo to retain his South American title for the fourth time. Southpaw Abalos dominated the first three rounds occupying the centre of the ring and hurting Caraballo with left crosses. In the fourth a clash of heads saw Abalos suffer a bad cut on his right eyebrow. The doctor examined the cut but let the fight continue. Caraballo tried to get inside the reach of Abalos and had some success in the second half of the fight but Abalos built a good lead and was able to coast the closing rounds whilst protecting the cut. Scores 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111. The 33-year-old “El Chino”, FAB No 2, is 3-3 in his last six fights. FAB No 9 Caraballo, 24, was moving up from 4 and 6 round bouts and lacked the experience to trouble Abalos.

 

Lons-le-Saunier, France: Super Feather: Yoann Portailler (16-3) W PTS 10 Sebastien Cornu (13-9-3). Portailler wins vacant French title with close disputed decision over Cornu. Portailler had the better start hurting Cornu with a left hook in the first and having him wobbling at the end of the second. Cornu does not cave in but fights back hard. He has the superior skills with Portailler the puncher. Cornu is in trouble again at the end of the fifth, but is cutting into the early lead of Portailler. With the home crowd urging him on Portailler has the better finish, but it is a close run thing. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. First ten round fight for 27-year-old Portlier and ninth win in a row. Southpaw Cornu thought he was robbed. “The Scorpion”, 29, had lost only one of his last 7 fights and that was to world rated Romain Jacob for this same title. The EU No 17 has lost to Liam Walsh and Steve Ormond on visits to Britain.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Bantam: Marvin Mabait (19-1-2) W KO 1 Johnny Garcia (18-5-1). Wow! This was a tough test on paper for 25-year-old Filipino southpaw Mabait but one right had Garcia out before he hit the floor and it is all over in 36 seconds (some query over that timing). A former Filipino national champion, Mabait had lost his title and his unbeaten record when being halted in three rounds by Marco Demecillo in April last year. He has now won three in a row by KO/TKO and by winning the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title should crash the ratings. Fourth loss by KO/TKO for “Labarinth” Garcia, 24, his only two losses in his previous 17 fights had been to WBC No 1 Carlos Cuadras and Omar Narvaez in a challenge for the WBO super fly title in October last year

 

Motherwell, Scotland: Flyweight: Ian Butcher (9-1) W TKO 1 Gabor Molnar (13-4). Light Welter: Mitch Prince (12-2-1) W PTS 6 Ivan Godor (14-35-4).

Butcher vs. Molnar

Butcher wins vacant WBO European title as he ends the fight early. Butcher started cautiously against a modest Hungarian, but one with 9 wins by KO/TKO. The Hungarian’s punch became irrelevant when just before the bell Butcher hammered home a right hook which put Molnar down heavily. He somehow got to his feet but half way through the count turned away and the referee stopped the fight. An impressive win but more importantly winning the WBO European title will probably get the young Motherwell prospect a good rating with the WBO and the chance of a title fight down the line. The 21-year-old Butcher was coming off a paper thin points loss against Kevin Satchell for the Commonwealth and British titles in July. Molnar, 20, is now 3-3 in his last six fights.

Prince vs. Godor

Easy but costly win for Prince. The South African born “Prince of Passion” had too much class for the durable Slovakian. Prince was scoring freely over the first two rounds but already Godor’s head was beginning to be dangerous. A clash of heads in the fourth saw the Scot cut over his left eye. He continued to dominate increasing his pace over the last two rounds but a clash of heads then saw him cut on his forehead. Godor was throwing enough punches to stay in the fight but had no power. Referee’s score 60-54. The 29-year-old Prince was having his first fight since losing a very close decision to Willie Limond in a Commonwealth title fight in June which I supervised. “Little Dragon” Godor gets plenty of fights and usually goes the distance. Since being stopped by Bradley Saunders in September last year he has had 17 fights, all of which have gone the distance.

 

Santa Ynez, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Roman Morales (17-0) W PTS 10 Roberto Castaneda (20-5-1). Super Feather: Gabriel Tolmajyan (14-3-2) Edwin Solis (5-2-1).

Morales vs. Castaneda

Morales extends his winning streak with wide decision over Mexican puncher Castaneda but gets a shock along the way. The 22-year-old Californian was the slicker boxer getting his shots off first and not letting Castaneda into the fight. Castaneda was thrown off by constant guard changes by Morales and always looked vulnerable. A barrage of punches put Castaneda down in the fifth and an inside the distance finish looked possible. It almost came in the seventh, but for Castaneda. A left hook from Castaneda late in the round put Morales down on his back. Morales was on shaky legs when he got up but survived the remainder of the round. Castaneda tried to repeat the trick over the last three rounds but Morales used his skill to keep the Mexican out and both cut and shook Castaneda in the last round. Scores 97-91 from all three judges. Morales had to climb off the floor to beat Jon Arrellano and the danger signs are there as his hands down approach leaves him open. “Azabache” Castaneda, 22, was unbeaten in his first 19 fights, but is 2-5 in his last 7, but then Felipe Orucuta, Chris Martin, Gary Russell and Daniel Rosas were all tough assignments.

Tolmajyan vs. Solis

Tolmajyan looks unlucky not to get the decision in a close contest. The Armenian “Ghost” used his southpaw skills to counter the aggressive Solis catching the Mexican “Shark” as he came barreling in. Tolmajyan built a good lead over the first five rounds with Solis closing the distance from the sixth and evening things up with his work inside. It looked about even after seven with Tolmajyan taking the last round but not by enough to convince the judges, Scores 76-76 twice and 77-75 for Tolmajyan. The 27-year-old Armenian had scored impressive wins over prospects Daulis Prescott and Jorge Maysonet Jr but lost on points against unbeaten Puerto Rican Jose Pedraza in August. Solis, 25, did well as he was stepping up from 4 and 6 rounds for the first time and was coming off a good win over Raul Lopez.

 

Santa Fe, Argentina: Light Welter: Leandro M Pinto (15-3-2) W TKO 10 Juan A Rios (14-1). Brazilian gets career best win as he halts unbeaten local Rios to collect the vacant interim WBC Latino title. Pinto was able to hurt Rios throughout the fight and after scoring two knockdowns he floored Rios again in the tenth and the fight was stopped. After the fight Rios was rushed to the hospital for an operation to relieve a blood clot on his brain but I have no update on his condition. The 36-year-old Brazilian, not a noted puncher, is an in and out performer. Rios, 23, was stepping up from the prelim ranks not having gone past six rounds before.

 

Ancona, Italy: Light: Michel Focosi (18-2-2) W PTS 6 Olek Samara (0-4-1). Focosi wins every round against game Ukrainian. Over the first four rounds Samara made Focosi work hard and did not look like folding. Over the last two Samara faded badly but although the Ukrainian was badly marked and bleeding Focosi did not force the fight and cruised to a points win. The 30-year-old local is supposedly going to fight for a version of the WBC Silver title and this was just a warm-up. The former Italian title challenger at both light welter and light needed the win after going 0-1-2 in his last three fights, and being 3-2-2 after 15 straight wins. Samara has gone the distance in all of his fights.

 

Livorno, Italy: Light Middle: Domenico Salvemini (10-2) W PTS 8 Giuseppe Rauseo (1-7-2). A win for home town fighter Salvemini but not an easy win. Southpaw Rauseo gave the local fighter plenty of problems. From the fourth Salvemini was on top and from then he boxed his way to a win. Second win for Salvemini since loss to Orlando Fiordigiglio for the vacant Italian title in March. Rauseo, 33, usually goes the distance and did so here.

 

October 12

 

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Tim Bradley (31-0,1ND) W PTS 12 Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1). Feather: Orlando Salido (40-12-2,1ND) W TKO 7 Orlando Cruz (20-3-1). Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (19-0) W TKO 3 Tony Smith (14-2). Feather: Vasyl Lomachenko (1-0) W KO 4 Jose Ramirez (25-4). Welter: Brad Solomon (21-0) W PTS 8 Kenny Abril (14-7-1,1ND). Welter: Mikael Zewski (21-0) W TKO 5 Alberto Herrera (9-10-1). Feather: Jun Doliguez (17-0-2) W TKO 6 Giovanni Caro (24-14-4). Light Heavy: Trevor McCumby (13-0) W PTS 6 Eric Watkins (10-5-1).

Bradley vs. Marquez

Another Tim Bradley win and more controversy, although this time unjustified. Once again Bradley showed that he can come up with the tactics and do what he has to do to beat a more talented fighter as he retains his WBO title with a split decision over Marquez. Bradley’s work does not electrify, but in this fight he was just quicker and busier than his 40-year-old challenger. He avoided many of Marquez’s counters with good lateral movement and when he hurt Marquez he followed-up instead of playing safe. Marquez was trying to walk down Bradley for much of the fight and whenever he could trap Bradley on the ropes he was throwing plenty of leather. Many rounds were close but Bradley stuck to his game plan and did not make the mistakes he made against Ruslan Provodnikov when he fought the other man’s fight. Bradley won the fight with his jab and although the heavier shots came from Marquez which was enough to make it a close fight there were just too few to swing the fight the way of the great little Mexican. Scores 116-112, 115-113 and 113-115.The 30-year-old Desert Storm was making the second defence of his WBO title. He has now beaten Miguel Vazquez, Lamont Peterson, Devon Alexander, Manny Pacquiao, Provodnikov and now Marquez. He belongs in the Hall of Fame but I fear he will still not be welcomed to the stellar ranks in the way the Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather did due a lack of explosive power and charisma. Sometimes just winning is not enough. Marquez felt he was robbed, but he wasn’t. He was outfought and came up short, losing his chance to be a 5-division champion after having won world titles in four divisions. His legacy is ensured and it remains to be seen whether he has fought his last.

Salido vs. Cruz

The strength and power of Salido too much for Cruz as the Mexican regains the WBO title. From the first Cruz looked a nervous fighter and Salido gave him a taste of things to come with some hard body shots in the second, a couple of which strayed low. Cruz is slick southpaw, but lacks power and he had nothing to stop the stalking Salido. The Puerto Rican made more of a fight of it in the fourth and fifth, but Salido was grinding him down. The end came in the seventh. A right to the head followed by a left uppercut put Cruz down and the fight was stopped. “Siri” Salido, 32, makes it 28 wins by KO/TKO and regains the title he lost to Mikey Garcia in January. Cruz, also 32, has failed to last the distance in any of his three defeats. He took a year out after his first two losses then came back in October 2011 with a good win over unbeaten Michael Franco but had done nothing to deserve the No 1 ranking and was in over his head.

Monaghan vs. Smith

Monaghan retains WBC Continental Americas title with easy stoppage of overmatched Smith. With Monaghan working patiently with his jab an opening flurry from Smith probably gave him the first round but after that it was one-way traffic. Monaghan was able to score with jabs and hard rights as it became target practice with little coming back from Smith. In the third Monaghan was handing out a beating.  He took Smith to the ropes and was unloading with heavy punches from both hands when the referee stopped the fight. Twelve wins by KO/TKO for the 32-year-old Long Island fighter. (Caputo) Smith, 28, the PennState champ, had lost in two rounds to Kevin Engel in August last year and was no real test for Monaghan.

Lomachenko vs. Ramirez

Ramirez in a ten round fight looked a tough first fight for Lomachenko but the Ukrainian is an exceptional talent and made it look easy. A body punch put Ramirez down in the first. The Mexican refused to fold and was happy to take the fight to Lomachenko and exchange shots. Lomachenko had the power and was wearing Ramirez down when a vicious punch to the body had Ramirez down and writhing in agony and the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old southpaw wins the WBO International title and a WBO world rating with the aim being a world title fight in his second pro fight against super bantam champion Memo Rigondeaux next year. “Negro” Ramirez, also 25, had never lost inside the distance before and was WBO No 12 after winning a split decision over Rey Bautista in April. Salido has indicated his willingness to accommodate Lomachenko.

Solomon vs. Abril

Solomon used his height and reach to control this one. Abril tried to get inside, but Solomon was too clever and skillful. From the third Solomon upped his work rate and was happy to let Abril inside and outscore him there as well. Abril kept trying but lacked the skill or power to trouble the classy Solomon although he chased him down over the last two rounds and may have edged one of them. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. Once rated WBA No 1 the 30-year-old Solomon is trying to catch up after periods of inactivity due to contract problems. He has talent to spare, but may need to find a big punch to get him noticed again. Southpaw Abril, 29, has only failed to go the distance once. He is 3-4 in his last 7 fights but the other losses were to Yordenis Ugas, Ray Serrano and Alex Perez, so a tough run.

Zewski vs. Herrera

Canadian prospect Zewski breaks down game Herrera. From the opener Zewski had a stiff jab and fast combinations doing damage to the face of Herrera. With each round Zewski was getting through time and again and Herrera was having to just soak up a beating. In the fifth another hard punch broke open the nose of Herrera and he retired at the end of the round. Zewski, 24, had a streak of 10 wins in a row by KO/TKO broken in June when Damian Frias lasted the distance. Now he has 16 wins inside the distance and may be about to start another long run. Californian Herrera, 32, had won only 2 of his last 13 fights but was coming off a victory over unbeaten Levan Ghvamichava which gave this fight some form of credibility.

Doliguez vs. Caro

Filipino southpaw Doliguez may have felt he had something to prove after drawing with useful Mexican Ruben Tamayo in July. If so he certainly did it. The 22-year-old “Hercules” had Caro badly shaken with a left in the first and continued to rock Caro with hard lefts in each round. As usual Caro was ready to stand and trade, but he was being outworked and worked over. Doliguez used that powerful left to put Caro down in the sixth and after another left repeated the trick the referee stepped in to save Caro. The WBO No 8 has 13 wins by KO/TKO apart from the Tamayo result the other draw was of the technical variety. “El Ruso” Caro, 29, has 7 losses by KO/TKO and is 2-6 in his last 8 fights but has been in with Oscar Gonzalez, Fernando Montiel and Hugo Ruiz in 3 of his last 4 fights and lost a split decision to Takalani Ndlovu for the IBF super bantam title in 2011.

McCumby vs. Watkins

McCumby again outpoints Watkins but has to come off the floor to do so. When McCumby floored Watkins briefly in the first it looked as though he might make it 8 first round wins. However Watkins not only survived but returned the compliment in the second by putting McCumby down. The action continued at a messy but furious pace with McCumby flooring Watkins again in the fourth and having him close to a kayo at the end of the fifth. Watkins stayed there and heard the final bell. Scores 59-53 twice and 58-53. The 21-year-old Robert Garcia trained McCumby was US Under-19 champion in 2009 and 2010. He had decisioned Watkins in December. Watkins had 3 wins and a draw in his last 4 fights and went the distance with Monaghan in March last year.

 

San Martin, Argentina: Fly: Juan C Reveco (32-1) W TEC DEC 8 Ricardo Nunez (26-4). Reveco retains WBA secondary title with clear technical verdict over Panamanian. The biggest scare Reveco got was when he failed to make the weight at the first attempt. He made it at his second try and from then on it was plain sailing. The 30-year-old “Coton” had it all over Nunez, speed, skill, accuracy and punch selection. He was able to find Nunez constantly with his left jab and slot right hands down the pipe and also threw in left hooks to the body and right crosses. Nunez tried to shift Reveco out of his comfort zone with his aggression but took punishment every time he came inside. It was turning into an exhibition when a clash of heads in the eighth opened a bad cut on the champion’s right eyelid. The referee deducted a point from Nunez but the cut was too severe for Reveco to continue. It went to the scorecards and all three judges gave it Reveco by 80-71. Third defence of the secondary title for 30-year-old Reveco (the real WBA champion is Juan Fcs. Estrada). His only lost was to Brahim Asloum in 2007 which cost him his WBA light fly title. “Mathematician” Nunez, 25, lost in eight rounds to Moruti Mthalane for the IBF title in September and was rated No 11 by the WBA.

 

Winnipeg, Canada: Light Heavy: Junior Moar (10-3) W PTS 10 Mike Walchuk (9-11). Light Heavy: Andrew Gardiner (10-0) W KO 3 Dan Regi (19-9).

Moar vs. Walchuk

Moar wins vacant Canadian title with repeat win over Walchuk. It was a tough exciting fight that had the crowd on their feet and “Real Deal” Moar celebrated his return home with a unanimous decision. It was 34-year-old Moar’s first fight since beating Walchuk on points for the same title in March 2011, and his first fight in his home town in his career, a town where he was a less than perfect citizen with a record for firearms incidents. Now 8 losses in a row for 34-year-old Walchuk who has had two shots at the Canadian middles title and now two at light heavy.

Gardiner vs. Regi

Gardiner, another Winnipeg-born fighter having his first fight there just overwhelmed Regi. The 25-year-old Gardiner just steamrollers the opposition and Regi just could not handle the pressure. Regi used a high guard to protect his chin but in doing so allowed Gardiner to feed on the body. A body punch put Regi down early in the third and another one left him on his knees and he did not get up. The Ottawa-based Gardiner has 6 wins by KO/TKO all of which have come in his last 7 fights. Hungarian Regi was 8-2 in his last 10 fights but every time he steps up he gets crushed.

 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Bantam: Julio Ceja (25-1) W TKO 10 Juan Jose Montes (23-4-2). A stirring battle between two hard-punching fighters saw Ceja win the vacant WBC Silver title and put himself in line for another world title shot. It was a hard fought match with Ceja building a lead at the end of the eighth. A clash of heads in the ninth saw Montes badly cut and Ceja lose a point. Montes continued despite the cut but in the tenth but was heavily floored and the referee stopped the fight. In his first fight since losing to Jamie McDonnell for the vacant IBF title in May the 20-year-old “Little Chicken” makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO. “Goofy” Montes, 24, a former WBC super fly title challenger,

now has two draws and a loss in his last three fights.

 

Pangsanjan, Philippines: Bantam: Ernesto Saulong (13-0) W PTS 10 Alie Laurel (10-3). You don’t get decisions much closer than this. Theses two GAB rated fighters fought all the way to the line with “Chocolate” Saulong just squeezing by on a split decision. Scores 95-94 twice to Saulong and 95-94 to Laurel. The 24-year-old Saulong is GAB No 8 bantam and southpaw Laurel, 21, who had won his last 5 fights, No 10 super bantam.

 

Madrid, Spain: Super Feather: Ruddy Encarnacion (28-23-3) W PTS 8 Leonus M Francoise (8-9-1). The “Black Wolf” wins a wide unanimous decision lover Frenchman. After just edging the first two rounds the Dominica-born Encarnacion took over scoring well with body punches with Francoise countering with uppercuts. It was a bit untidy at times but Encarnacion had the Frenchman hurt in the fifth, again got through with good body punches in the sixth and shook Francoise with hooks and uppercuts in the seventh. Francoise went looking for a kayo in the last, but Encarnacion took no chances and boxed his way to victory. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. The 34-year-old Spanish champion has won 7 of his last 8 fights. Not so good for Francoise who has 5 losses and a draw in his last 6.

 

Pittsburg, PA, USA: Heavy: Jason Bergman (21-10-2) W KO 1 John Smith (13-1-1). Light: Rod Salka (18-2) W PTS 10 Ryan Belasco (18-6-3).

Bergman vs. Smith

What looked an even match on paper was all over in less than two minutes. Southpaw Bergman floored Smith with a left and after Smith made it back to his feet Bergman landed a series of punches which put Smith down heavily. It was a few minutes before Smith was able to get up. The 29-year-old Bergman makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO. He wins the vacant NABA USA title. Bergman has wins over old pros Robert Hawkins and Julius Long and lost on a split decision to experienced Maurice Harris in May. Smith, 31, had blown his 100% record with a draw with Dan Martz for the OhioState title in March.

Salka vs. Belasco

Local hope Salka wins unanimous decision over Belasco to retain NABF title and win the vacant IBO International title. The WBA No 15 won but some weird scoring as the judges see it 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94. Thirty-year-old “Lightning Rod” has won 7 of his last 8 fights only losing to Dorin Spivey in October. Belasco had also won 7 of his last 8 going in.

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Light Welter: Vivian Harris (31-9-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Danny O’Connor (23-2). Super Feather: Anthony Cacace (8-0) W PTS 4 Osnel Charles (9-7-1). Light Heavy: Ray Ginley (5-0) W TKO 3 Marlin Washington (0-2). Light Welter: Tyrone McKenna (2-0) W PTS 4 Korey Sloane (2-7-2).

Harris vs. O’Connor

Upset win for veteran Harris but a controversial verdict with weird scoring. O’Connor pressed the action and was busier, but Harris scored with the harder and cleaner shots. Quality or quantity. The judges were widely split on this one as Harris took the split decision on scores of 99-91, 96-94 (probably the most accurate) and 90-100. Big win for the 35-year-old New York-based Guyanan and former WBA light welter champ. He had registered 1 win 6 losses and a technical draw in his last 8 fights. The 28-year-old southpaw O’Connor was testing the water at welter and was a bit unlucky in this one. He had won nine low risk fights in a row since losing to Gabe Bracero in 2011.

Cacace vs. Charles

Former top amateur Cacace was one of a trio of Belfast winners as he won every round against modest Charles. Scores 40-36 from all three judges. The 24-year-old “Anto” was Irish Junior champion in 2007, Ulster champion in 2008 and 2009 and runner-up in the 2008 Irish Championships. He looks a good prospect. Haitian-born Charles has 5 losses and a draw in his last 6 fights but has not lost inside the distance in his last 15 fights.

Ginley vs. Washington

Twenty-year-old Ginley was getting through with heavy punches from the first and when he floored poor Washington with a right in the third the referee stopped the fight. The young Belfast prospect, making his first start in the USA, has 3 wins by KO/TKO. Don’t give up the day job Marlin.

McKenna vs. Sloane

Tall southpaw McKenna, also from Belfast, has no trouble with more experienced Sloane and breezes to a points win taking every round. Scores 40-36 from all three judges. The 23-year-old 6’1” (185cm) was a good amateur winning the Ulster Championships and the Irish Under-19’s where he beat Paul Hyland, and competed at the World Junior Championships. Sloane has not been beaten inside the distance.

 

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

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

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

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

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

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation

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

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

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

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

 

IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating fore 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) his shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one of the higher rating positions being vacant.