The Past Week in Action 17 August 2015

ERIC ARMIT | August 17, 2015 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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 17 August 2015

August 13

Panama City, Panama: Super Feather: Juan Huertas (10-1) W TKO 2 Moises Castro (31-26-4). Light Fly: Leroy Estrada (14-2) W PTS 6 Jose Sanchez (5-4-2).

Huertas vs. Castro

“El General” Huertas continues to show promise as he halts the experienced Castro in two rounds. The taller Huertas, he is 6’0 ½” (184cm) had no trouble winning this one initially he tried boxing on the outside. When that did not work he went inside and to the body. He put Castro down on his hands and knees early in the second with a body punch and although Castro made it to his feet the fight was stopped. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old Panamanian who lost to Felix Verdejo at the 2012 Olympics. He is No 12 with the WBA. Now 5 losses in a row for Nicaraguan “Cobra” Castro

Estrada vs. Sanchez

World rated Estrada gets unanimous decision over fellow Panamanian Sanchez. Southpaw Estrada suffered a shock knockdown in the third round but dominated all of the other sessions. Scores 58-55 from all three judges. “Sensacional” Estrada, 21, has won 7 of his last 8 fights and is rated as a minimumweight at WBC 5/WBA 12/WBO 13. “Policia” Sanchez now has three losses in a row.

August 14

Newark, NJ, USA: Heavy: Antonio Tarver (31-6-1,1ND) DREW 12 Steve Cunningham (28-7-1). Cruiser: Krzys Glowacki (25-0) W KO 11 Marco Huck (38-3-1) W. Heavy: Artur Szpilka (20-1) W TKO 2 Yasmany Consegura (17-2). Super Bantam: Luis Rosa (21-0) W TEC DEC 6 Giovanni Caro (24-17-4). Super Welter: Jarrett Hurd (16-0) W TKO 7 Jeff Lentz (5-1). Middle: Maciej Sulecki (21-0) W TKO 1 Jose M Rodriguez (21-9). Heavy: Travis Kauffman (29-1) W TKO 1 Rich Carmack (13-7,1ND).Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (21-0) W PTS 8 Oscauris Frias (16-1).

Tarver vs. Cunningham

Tarver and Cunningham end up all even with a split draw after an interesting if not exciting technical fight. It was close all the way with Cunningham the busier but Tarver landing more of his power punches. Cunningham had the better of the first three rounds but in the fourth a left from Tarver staggered Cunningham and sent him into the ropes. Tarver fired a quick combination but Cunningham quickly recovered and went back to the attack. Tarver was fighting on the back foot and countering and with Cunningham usually the one coming forward Tarver was finding gaps for his punches. He had Cunningham hurt again in the fifth but was being outworked in many rounds and Cunningham looked to have built a lead by the end of the tenth. Tarver took the eleventh shaking Cunningham with a southpaw left but despite a swelling by his right eye making the right side of his face a mess Cunningham staged a big twelfth only to be rocked again at the end of the round by a final left from Tarver. Scores 115-113 for Cunningham, 115-113 for Tarver and 114-114. It was a close as the scores indicate with Cunningham having they edge in punches thrown and landed and Tarver scoring with more of his power punches. The draw does not really advance either fighter’s chance of a title shot. The 39-year-old Cunningham levels out at 1-1-1 that is one good win over Amir Mansour, one loss to Vyacheslav Glazkov and now this draw and his only rating is IBF 6(5) with the IBF. Tarver, 46, was coming off a seventh round kayo of Jonathan Banks in December and was only rated by the WBA at No 9(8).

Glowacki vs. Huck

The Cunningham vs. Tarver fight was unlucky to follow the exciting, dramatic fight between Glowacki and Huck and looked tame by comparison. Glowacki came off the floor to score a big upset and lift Huck’s WBO title. The Polish challenger was off the mark quickly in this one as he came forward behind a wide stance probing with his southpaw jab and ended the first round by shaking Huck with a right. Glowacki was even more dominant in the second forcing Huck back and doing the scoring and he also took the third with a frustrated Huck getting a severe warning for punching after the bell ending the round. Huck finally started to land some heavy punches in the fourth and won that round. After four rounds the scores were 39-37 for Glowacki on all three cards. Huck began taking control and he scored with hard right hands in the fifth before flooring Glowacki with an overhand left in the sixth. Glowacki was down on his back and badly hurt but he was up at eight and then took the fight to Huck and they banged away at each other for the rest of an exciting round. Incredibly Glowacki came out strong in the seventh and won the round on the back of left hook. Huck outscored Glowacki to take the eighth and the fight had turned around with Huck now in front 76-75 on all three cards. The pace dropped in the ninth with Huck just doing enough to shade the round. Both were a little more lively in the tenth with Huck scoring with a series of shots to take the round and be up on the cards at 96-93, 96-93 and 95-94. In the eleventh Huck was stabbing out long punches but was noticeably more tired and was holding his guard low. Huck stepped in and threw a couple of punches and Glowacki cracked home a thunderous left hook and a straight right over Huck’s non-existent guard which sent Huck crashing back into the ropes and down on his back. Huck made it to his feet but was really finished at that point. On completion of the eight count Glowacki stepped in and landed the same left hook straight right combination which sent Huck to the ropes. The Pole landed three more head shots and as Huck slumped down to the canvas again the referee stepped in and waived the fight off. The 29-year-old Pole was the mandatory challenger but Huck was a huge favourite and already talking about going up to heavyweight and was looking to impress in his American debut. It was Glowacki’s first fight outside of Poland and his 16^th win by KO/TKO. He had only faced medium opposition to this point which made it even more of a surprise. Serb-born German-based Huck, 30, was making the 14^th defence of his WBO title. His only loss in his last 21 fights had been against Alex Povetkin in 2012. Huck had burned his boats for this one, leaving his promoter, leaving his coach and now he finds himself with no title. He has competed in kickboxing in the past and had been talking to UFC but a return with Glowacki is what he wants most.

Szpilka vs. Consegura

Szpilka wins as Consegura retires with a knee injury. The Polish southpaw started the first round well scoring with a straight right and a left to the body. Consegura scored with a right but a left hook from Szpilka sent the Cuban tumbling into the ropes and he appeared to twist his knee but did not go down. They traded equally at the start of the second until late in the round when a right hook from Szpilka put Consegura down. The bell went before Szpilka could build on that but Consegura’s knee was examined by a doctor and the fight was stopped. “Pin” Szpilka lost on a tenth round stoppage against Bryant Jennings in January 2014 but beat Tomasz Adamek in his next fight and has now added three more wins. He is rated IBF 7(6)/WBC 7/WBO 10 so is well down the queue for a title shot. Consegura had been stopped in three rounds by Dominic Breazeale in June so it is two inside the distance losses in a row for him.

Rosa vs. Caro

Rosa gets technical decision in a fight he was on his way to winning. The young Puerto Rican was too quick and accurate for the worn Mexican veteran. He had Caro hurt in both the first and second rounds. Caro did a bit better in the third but Rosa was on top again in the fourth. He was also taking the fifth and sixth until a clash of heads saw Caro cut over his right eye. The cut was too severe for the Mexican to continue so the cards decided it. Scores 60-55, 59-55 and 58-56. The 24-year-old WBC No 15 already has wins over Jorge Diaz and Luis Orlando Del Valle. “El Ruso” Caro, 32, a former IBF title challenger, is on the slope with this being his sixth loss in a row.

Hurd vs. Lentz

Hurd halts Lentz with blitz in the seventh. Hurd was punching too hard for Lentz but was not accurate enough to get this over as early as he should have done. He was breaking Lentz down with punches from both hands and the punishment came to fruition as Hurd landed a couple of punches in the seventh which staggered Lentz and saw the referee stop the fight. Now 10 wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year-old “Swift” Hurd who was in his second fight scheduled for eight rounds. Lentz was in his first eight round fight.

Sulecki vs. Rodriguez

Pole Sulecki halts Rodriguez inside a round. Sulecki got the job done with left hooks under the right elbow of Rodriguez and although the Colombian made it to his feet the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old Sulecki goes to six wins by KO/TKO as he adds to impressive wins over Grzegorz Proksa and Darryl Cunningham. The 40-year-old Venezuelan-based Rodriguez was a late replacement and has lost 8 of his last 9 contests.

Kauffman vs. Carmack

Kauffman returns to action with a quick knockout of a very fat Carmack. Kauffman had no trouble reaching Carmack who was carrying too much weight to be mobile. A right from Kauffman ended the fight in 127 seconds. The 29-year-old 6’3” (191cm) “My Time” Kauffman was having his first fight since January 2014 and he was fed an easy win here. The former PAL gold medallist and US Championships silver medal winner has 21 wins by KO/TKO but this was farcical. “Silverback” Carmack’s weight was not given but he weighed 331lbs (150kg) in his last fight.

Laszczyk vs. Frias

North Bergen-based Pole Laszczyk easily handles Dominican Frias and wins unanimous decision. The Polish hope scored with a heavy right cross in the first to stamp his authority on the fight. In the second and third it was his sharp left jab interspersed with left hooks to the body that gave Frias trouble. The Dominican threw a couple of punch after the bell at the end of the third round and the referee deducted a point. A straight right floored Frias in the fourth but he got up and made it to the bell. It was all Laszczyk in the fifth as he was again using the left jab and left hooks to the body and for a change in the sixth it was a straight right that made Frias buckle at the knees. Laszczyk hurt Frias again in the both the seventh and eighth but just could not end the bout early. Scores 80-70 from all three judges. The 24-year-old WBO No 6 is yet to face a real test but he looks good. Frias yet another with an inflated Dominican record. He had won his last 4 fights against opponent with combined records of 4-104-6.

Flemington, Australia: Heavy: Lucas Browne (23-0) W KO 9 Julius Long (16-19). Light: Will Tomlinson (24-2-1) W PTS 10 Adones Aguelo (24-12-2). Light Heavy: Trent Broadhurst (16-1) W PTS 6 Affif Belghecham (21-9-1). Middle: Dwight Ritchie (12-0,4ND) W PTS 6 Mark Dalby (4-9). Cruiser: Jai Opetaia (2-0) W TKO 1 Rob Manual (0-4).

Browne vs. Long

I can hear Browne muttering “all’s well that ends well” after this fight. The highly rated Australian had struggled to look convincing against the very tall late substitute Long (well named). The 7’1” (216cm) American was an awkward opponent who Browne found hard to score against. Things started to go badly wrong in the second when Browne broke his right thumb and could only use that hand sparingly. He was forcing the fight and since Long is not a puncher-or a mover- was doing most of the scoring. Long came in at very short notice for this fight and tried switching guards to confuse Browne but started to fade from the sixth. Browne almost ended it in the eighth when he floored Long with a series of punches but Long just made it to his feet and out of the round. Browne ended it in style in the ninth. He drove Long into the ropes with a left hook which jerked the American’s head back and as a result Long did not see the second short left hook which dumped him on the canvas with the referee not bothering to count. The 36-year-old Browne, a former kick boxer and MMA exponent, did not look good but the broken thumb and the change of opponent to someone as tall as Long both need to be taken into account. He is rated WBA 3(2)/WBC 6/IBF 13(12) and with only Ruslan Chagaev and Tyson Fury ahead of him in the WBA ratings he could be in with a chance of a fight against the winner of Wlad Klitschko vs. Fury. He has the power but is slow. Long, 38, has now lost 11 of his last 12 fights as his height is about all he has going for him.

Tomlinson vs. Aguelo

Tomlinson gets the majority decision over Aguelo but it seems everyone else except Will and the judges thought Filipino Aguelo won this one clearly. Aguelo walked in forcing Tomlinson to work hard in every round and looked to be outscoring the Australian. Certainly Tomlinson looked the worse for wear by the end after being forced to brawl when he should have boxed. Tomlinson looked a shadow of the boxer who had won the IBO title. He did manage to finish the fight strongly over the last two rounds but by then Aguelo looked to have the fight won and Tomlinson had a cut over his left eye and was bleeding from his nose and chin and had blurred vision. Scores 97-93, 97-94 and 95-95. Promoter Jeff Fenech even described it as robbery and the newspapers and social media were incensed all seeing the Filipino a clear winner but that won’t affect the record book entry. Losses to Jerry Belmontes and Francisco Vargas had convinced Tomlinson to move up to lightweight but this was a bad start in the new division. He has said he will take a holiday and consider his future but with this fight he won the interim PABA title and my guess is that he will box on. Aguelo, the GAB No 4 super feather and former interim Philippines champion, had won 3 of his last 4 fights with the loss being against Mexican star Adrian Estrella. On his other visit to Australia in 2011 he had taken then world rated Joel Brunker to a close decision loss so he was a good level opponent who came to win.

Broadhurst vs. Belghecham

Queenslander Broadhurst was too good for French southpaw Belghecham and won the unanimous verdict to go to 8 wins in a row. The 27-year-olod ANBF No 1 was Australian champion at Cadet, Junior and Senior level and competed at the World Junior Championships. His only loss was to New Zealander Robert Berridge in 2011. Belghecham, 41, has been in with Andy Lee and Darren Barker and had lost on points to world title challenger Blake Caparello in June.

Ritchie vs. Dalby

Australian champion Ritchie keeps busy with unanimous verdict over Dalby. The 23-year-old Ritchie’s no decisions were four wins he scored when under the permitted age to turn professional. Now 5 losses in a row for 36-year-old Dalby.

Opetaia vs. Manual

Hot prospect Opetaia demolishes poor Manual inside a round. The 20-year-old 6’4 ½” southpaw was having his second fight in less than two weeks. He competed at the 2012 Olympics as a 17-year-old and also won a gold medal at the World Youth Championships. Jeff Fenech described as potentially the best Australian fighter ever! No pressure then Jai. New Zealander Manual, 39, lost for the first time inside the distance.

East London, South Africa: Bantam: Mzuvukile Magwaca (16-1-1) W PTS 12 Jose Santos Gonzalez (22-3). Minimum: Siyabonga Siyo (9-0) W PTS 12 Lito Dante (9-5-3). Fly: Luzuko Siyo (14-3) W TKO 7 Mfundo Gwayana (18-8-3). Super Fly: Sithembiso Faye (9-0-1) DREW 10 Lindile Tshemese (6-2-1). Middle: Siphiwe Lusizi (1-0) W KO 1 Bongani Ngceshe (1-1)

Magwaca vs. Gonzalez

Magwaca wins the vacant WBA International title with unanimous decision over Mexican Gonzalez. Local prospect Magwaca used his longer reach to build an early lead but once Gonzalez started to find his way inside it was a much closer fight. The Mexican tried to throw Magwaca off his game plan with changes to southpaw but it was the inside pressure that was most effective for Gonzalez and he was dangerous with left hooks. Magwaca stuck to his boxing although most often on the back foot and both fighters tried hard to swing the fight their way with strong finishes but Magwaca’s early lead just allowed him to take the victory but it was a lot closer than the scores show. Scores 116-112 twice and 116-111. The 24-year-old “Old Bones” Magwaca makes it three wins since losing to unbeaten Makazole Tete in 2013. Gonzalez, also 24, had lost only one of his last 16 fights but the opposition has been fairly low level but he gave Magwaca a tough night here.

Siyo vs. Dante

Siyo also wins a vacant WBA International title with a win over Filipino Dante. The quick, slick Siyo outboxed Dante but the Filipino never stopped coming and made it a hard twelve rounds for the South African. A former top amateur Siyo used good movement and hand speed and as long as he was able to keep Dante out he was in charge. Dante had to force the fight and was a busy if wild forcer and Siyo did not have the punch to turn his counters into knockout punches but he did open a cut under the Filipino’s right eye and also survived a slip in the seventh which could have resulted in a leg injury. Siyo’s skills were enough to see him a deserving winner but again the scores of two of the judges did not reflect how hard Dante worked. Scores 119-111, 118-110 and 115-113 with the first two way out and the third whilst getting the right decision also a fair representation of Dante’s efforts. Siyo already holds the WBA Pan African title and is rated No 14 light fly by the WBA and is making good progress. He nearly pulled out of this fight having suffered a stomach problem a couple of days before the fight but was OK by fight time. Dante, 26, had put his career on a firmer footing with 5 wins in his last 6 fights and put up a good effort here.

Siyo vs. Gwayana

Siyo comes back from a slow start to halt Gwayana in a clash of former national champions who were both coming off a loss in their last fight. Southpaw Gwayana looked good in the early rounds but once Siyo warmed-up he began to take charge and wore Gwayana down. Siyo was dominating the fight and handing out continuous punishment until he put Gwayana down in the seventh at which point the referee halted the fight with the towel coming in from Gwayana corner at the same time. Siyo, the brother of Siyabonga, is a former South African light fly champion who had lost to Filipino Ray Tabugon for the IBO Inter-Continental title in December. Gwayana, 31, had two spells as South African light fly champion and has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Faye vs. Tshemese

Faye looks to have done enough to get the verdict but has to settle for a draw. Both fighters tried hard but the fight never really caught fire and there were few highlights. Faye seemed to do the cleaner work but did not convince the judges. Scores 97-94 Faye, 98-95 for Tshemese and 95-95. This was to have been for the vacant South African title but was reduced to ten rounds with no title on the line. Faye, the BSA No 1 remains unbeaten. Southpaw, Tshemese the BSA No 3, was having his first fight for 14 months and it was also his first ten round fight.

Lusizi vs. Ngceshe

Lusizi turns pro with quick win. The former top amateur took only 60 seconds to put poor Ngceshe down and out. Lusizi, a 26-year-old southpaw and fashion model was South African amateur champion in 2009,2010,2011 and 2012 and competed at the World Championships, the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2012 Olympics. He was one of South Africa’s big hopes for Rio so his defection to the pro ranks was controversial. One to watch.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Fly: Carlos R D Ruiz (21-6) W PTS 10 Hugo Verchelli (11-3). Ruiz survives a couple of very rocky rounds to outpoint Verchelli. Over the early rounds a lot of ring rust was showing in Verchelli’s case. He is usually a slow starter and this was his first fight for almost two years. That gave the first four rounds to Ruiz as he outboxed Verchelli and was looking comfortable. That changed in the fifth when Verchelli nailed Ruiz with a left hook and landed a couple of quick combinations. Ruiz was badly shaken and the referee gave him a standing count. Ruiz boxed his way through the sixth and seventh only for Verchelli to again land a left to the chin and two more head punches forcing the referee to give Ruiz a second standing count. Ruiz survived and then took the last two rounds to get the unanimous decision. Scores 95-92, 96 ½-94 and 95-94 ½ for Ruiz. A needed win for the FAB No 4 a former interim South American bantam champion who had lost three on the bounce to some good quality opposition. Southpaw Verchelli, 26, was having his first fight since being floored three times and stopped in four rounds by Hekkie Budler in a challenge for the IBO and interim WBA minimum titles in November 2013.

Davao City, Philippines: Welter: Adones Cabaquinto (21-0) W KO 3 RJ Ano-os (8-7-1). Bantam: Aston Palicte (19-1) W TKO 4 Fernando Ocon (13-10-1). Light: Jay-ar Inson (8-0) W Victor Mausul (9-3-2).

Cabaquinto vs. Ano-os

Mark-time fight for unbeaten Cabaquinto as he knocks out overmatched Ano-os. The 27-year-ol Filipino super light . He has 14 wins by KO/TKO.champion looks to have stalled instead of moving on wards and upwards with his only rating being at No 12 super light with the WBO. Ano-as has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Palicte vs. Ocon

Big puncher Palicte gets another inside the distance win. The first round saw Palicte slam home a head punch that put the experienced Ocon in survival mode. From then Ocon was running and holding but still taking punishment when his corner threw in the towel in the fourth round. The 24-year-old GAB No 1 super fly has 17 wins by KO/TKO including 8 in a row. Southpaw Ocon, 24, has won only one of his last seven fights but this is only the second time he has failed to go the distance.

Inson vs. Mausul

Southpaw prospect Inson crushes Mausul inside two rounds. Inson was scoring with heavy combinations in the first with Mausul pretending confidence by signalling Inson to bring it on. He did and put Mausul down heavily in the second and although Mausul managed to beat the count he was on shaky legs and the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old 5’10” (178cm) prospect from Manny Pacquiao’s team (this was a MP Promotions show) has 6 wins by KO/TKO and in theory was moving up to ten rounds. He wins the interim WBO Oriental title. Indonesian Mausul was having only his fifth fight in nine years.

Pergamino, Buenos Aires: Super Bantam: Julian E Aristule (27-6) W PTS 10 Lucas R Baez (27-14-4). Aristule retains the Argentinian and WBO Latino titles with unanimous decision over Baez. It was a comfortable fight for the southpaw champion as he outboxed Baez for 9 of the 10 rounds. It did not help Baez’s cause when he lost a point in the ninth for a butt. Knowing he needed a knockout to win he went for it in the last round and had Aristule in trouble with a hard right but ran out of time. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-92, Aristule, 31, has won his last three fights including a good victory over useful Fabian Orozco (25-3-2) in February. Baez, 29, the FAB No 4, had won his last 10 fights mainly against at best modest opposition.

August 15

Santos, Brazil: Middle: Acelino Freitas (40-2) W KO 3 Matteo D Veron (21-17-2,2ND).

Freitas vs. Veron

Freitas destroys Veron with four knockdowns. Freitas looking a lot plumper than in his prime went looking for Veron from the start and scored a knockdown in the first round with a straight right. Veron was up at six and made it to the end of the round. Freitas was hunting again in the second but Veron was using his edge in reach to stay out of trouble. In the third a long right cross put Veron down again. Veron was up at six and did not seem badly hurt. Freitas was hunting the Argentinian down throwing plenty of punches and floored Veron again although the last punch landed on the back of Veron’s head. This time he was hurt and as Freitas unleashed a series of punches Veron bent forward into the path of an uppercut that put him face down on the canvas out cold. First fight for the 39-year-old for three years and only the second in eight years for the former WBA/WBO super feather and WBO light champion. At 153 ¾ lbs he was a chubby 20lbs over his weight when he was in his prime but he still showed some speed and lots of power so he will stick with his return and try a few more fights with a challenge thrown out to Manny Pacquiao already. Veron, 26, now has 6 losses by KO/TKO and falls to 2-8 in his last 10 fights.

Montreal, Canada: Light Heavy: Eleider Alvarez (18-0) W PTS 12 Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-1-3). Light Heavy: Lucien Bute (32-2) W TKO 4 Andrea Di Luisa (17-3). Super Light: Yves Ulysse Jr. (9-0) W TKO 2 Ryan Wagner (5-3). Heavy: Bogdan Dinu (13-0) W TKO 2 Ed Perry (20-6-2).

Alvarez vs. Prieto

Alvarez gets unanimous decision over Prieto and wins the important WBC Siler title. In a fight between two South Americans it was the skills of Alvarez and his work rate that got him the verdict but not without some scares along the way. The first round set the pattern for what was to follow with Alvarez taking the early part of the round only for Prieto to score with a punch at the end that had Alvarez shaken. Alvarez outworked Prieto in the second but in the third the Paraguayan landed another big punch which had Alvarez holding on. The Colombian was back in control in the fourth outscoring Prieto and finding gaps for his hard counters. The most dramatic moment of the fight came in the sixth when a left from Prieto had Alvarez in deep trouble. Alvarez was trying to hold to give his head time to clear but Prieto kept the pressure on with Alvarez pushing Prieto to the canvas and getting a brief relief which helped him see out the round. From the seventh Prieto seemed to tire and although he was still dangerous Alvarez was firing home lefts to the chin and body shots and putting the fight beyond the Paraguayan. By the last round only a knockout would do for Prieto but Alvarez was never going to let that happen and he boxed his way to the bell without taking any chances. Scores 117-111 from all three judges. The 31-year-old Colombian “Storm” showed he has skill and power in equal measure as when beating Anatoliy Dudchenko and Ryno Liebenberg. It is tough at the top in the light heavy division with the titles shared between Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson but after winning the WBC Silver title Alvarez will be targeting that title. Argentinian-based Prieto, 31, had very impressive stats but this was his first fight outside South America so he was very much an unknown quantity. He gave Alvarez some scary moments and I feel sure that there will be more fights in the USA if he wants them.

Bute vs. Di Luisa

Bute takes a couple of rounds to shake of the rust and then stops Di Luisa. The first round saw both fighters make a cautious start with Di Luisa coming forward and probing with his jab and firing some combinations and Bute lunging forward with his southpaw jab with neither boxer really landing any punch of note. Bute stepped up the pace in the second scoring with long lefts to the body with Di Luisa still staying with the jab and quick but light combinations. Bute was looking to trade in the third with Di Luisa making the mistake of standing in front of Bute and exchanging but not having the power to win that battle and Bute scored with a straight right left cross combination the two best punches so far. Di Luisa started the fourth well penetrating Bute’s guard with quick punches from both hands. Bute suddenly fired back with a left to the head and Di Luisa took a couple of steps back and then collapsed onto his knees. The referee interrupted the count a six to tell Bute to go to a neutral corner and Di Luisa got up and the referee completed the eight count. Bute walked in and blasted home four or five head punches and the towel came in from Di Luisa’s corner. The 35-year-old Romanian/Canadian was having his first fight since losing to Jean Pascal in January 2014 and Di Luisa was reasonable level comeback fight but we will need a couple more fights under his belt to assess where he stands now. Di Luisa, 33, a former Italian and EU champion showed some nice skills but no real power.

Ulysse vs. Wagner

Ulysse marches on. The hot young prospect was on top from the start with his quicker hands and a big edge in skill. He was looking to end this early and he did in the second round with a right uppercut to the solar plexus which put Wagner down on his hands and knees in agony and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old from Montreal makes it 6 wins by KO/TKO. He represented Canada at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he beat Frederic Lawson but lost to Brit Bradley Saunders in the quarter finals and also fought at the 2011 World Championships. Wagner, loses inside the distance for the second time.

Dinu vs. Perry

Romanian Dinu hits too hard for Perry. The big Canadian-based Dinu floored Perry in the first and ended in the second with a big right which left Perry slumped up against the ropes with no chance of continuing the fight. The 28-year-old 6’5” (196cm) Dinu now has 9 wins by KO/TKO including 7 in his last 8 fights. The big Romanian was a World Cadet gold medallist and won bronze and silver at the World & European Junior championships respectively as well as competing at the 2005 World Championships. Perry, 28, loses inside the distance for the second time. He was knocked out by Lateef Kayode in December 2010 and was inactive until returning last year with a couple of wins.

Guamuchil, Mexico: Super Fly: Carlos Cuadras (33-0-1) W TKO 5 Dixon Flores (11-3-2). Light Fly: Juan Hernandez (28-3) W PTS 8 Ramon Garcia (20-6-1).

Cuadras vs. Flores

Fighting in the city of his birth Cuadras retains the WBC title with stoppage of game but out-gunned Flores. The challenger showed a lot of enterprise in the first round with a quick jab and some 3-4 punch combinations. Cuadras looked slower but more powerful. Both landed good rights and Flores fired some quick combinations at the end of the round. Cuadras was letting his punches go at the start of the second wakling Flores down and scoring with left hooks to the body and long rights to the head. Late in the round Flores fired back and had Cuadras backing up and ducking and diving to avoid the combinations of Floes but Cuadras was back in control at the end of the round. Cuadras upped the pace in the third pursuing Flores relentlessly and scoring with long rights and double and triple left hooks to the body. Flores kept trying to bang back but by the end of the round was clinching for the first time in the fight. Cuadras was throwing heavy stuff in the fourth. Once again the left hook/right cross combination was getting home and a left hook/left uppercut/left hook had Flores going back. Now the Nicaraguan was doing more running and holding and less punching as Cuadras increased the pressure. At the start of the fifth Cuadras took Flores to the ropes and unloaded two left/right thudding combinations followed by a left hook that sent Flores back to the ropes and down with Cuadras throwing a couple of more shots as Flores was on his way to the canvas. Flores gamely made it to his feet at nine and the referee let the fight continue. Cuadras was wild with his punches trying to end it but for a couple of seconds Flores was up on his toes and throwing punches. Cuadras cut that short by forcing Flores to the ropes and landing left and right hooks that put Flores down for the second time. The Nicaraguan dragged himself to his feet but as the referee completed the eight count he then waived the fight off. Fourth successful defence of his WBC title for Cuadras and 26^th win by KO/TKO. Flores, 21, showed good skills and plenty of guts and performed much better than a might be expected from a prelim fighter who had not fought at the super fly limit since 2013 and who the WBC manipulated their ratings to make acceptable. He just lacked anything in his arsenal to keep Cuadras out.

Hernandez vs. Garcia

Hernandez gets revenge over Garcia with unanimous decision. Southpaw Garcia made the better start and clearly took the first. After that Hernandez was the one in control. Hernandez had the superior skills and was quicker than former champion Garcia. Their styles did not mix well and there were plenty of heads banging together as the rounds progressed. The only moment of danger for Hernandez came in the sixth when the referee had the doctor examine a lump on Juanito’s right cheek but he survived the examination. A frustrated Garcia ended whatever chance he had of winning when he threw Hernandez to the floor in the seventh and had a point deducted allowing Hernandez to take the verdict comfortably. Hernandez, 28, lost a unanimous decision to Kazuto Ioka for the WBC minimum title in 2011 and was knocked out in eight rounds by Garcia in July 2013. He has rebounded well from that with six victories including a points win over Saul Juarez. The 32-year-old Garcia, a former WBO light fly champion, has been treading a hard road as he lost his title to Donnie Nietes, was knocked out by Roman Gonzalez in a fight for the WBA light fly title and was coming off successive losses to Javier Mendoza for the IBF title and to Filipino Jonathan Taconing.

Bayamon, Puerto Rico : Super Feather: Jason Sosa (17-1-3) W TKO 1 Jerry Belmontes (19-8). Feather: Chris Diaz (12-0) W TKO 1 Alcides Santiago (5-2).

Sosa vs. Belmontes

Huge win for Sosa as he flattens Belmontes inside a round. The Puerto Rican hope slammed home a thunderous left hook followed by a right which put Belmontes face down on the canvas and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old Camden-born banger is unbeaten in his last 15 fights and makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO including 12 in a row. Belmontes, 26, lost a split decision to Omar Figueroa for the WBC light title in April last year. He also took Abner Cotto to a split decision in August and went the distance with Miguel Vazquez and Dierry Jean earlier this year. This is his first loss by KO/TKO making Sosa’s achievement look even better.

Diaz vs. Santiago

Diaz ends this all-Puerto Rican contest one 13 seconds quicker than Sosa. Santiago was taking the fight to Diaz who was looking to catch Santiago with counters. Santiago continued to lunge forward and Diaz caught him on the inside with a short right. Santiago’s legs wobbled and Diaz pounced with a couple of follow-up punches as Santiago went down heavily. He had trouble getting up trying and tumbling over the first time. He made it at the second attempt but was still badly shaken and was bleeding heavily from the nose. Diaz slammed home some head shots with Santiago trying to punch his way out of trouble but getting nailed and he slid along the ropes to a corner and as Diaz landed more head punches the referee jumped in to end the fight. The 20-year-old Diaz was moving up to 8 rounds for the first time which became irrelevant with that right hand. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for Diaz. Santiago had won his last three fights and this is his first loss by KO/TKO.

Krasnodar, Russia: Heavy: Vyacheslav Glazkov (21-0-1) W KO 4 Kertson Manswell (24-12). Super Light: Aik Shakhnazaryan (16-2) W TKO 4 Hamza Sempewo (12-5).

Glazkov vs. Manswell

Glazkov wins in messy fight with veteran loser Manswell. Glazkov took the first round scoring with overhand rights over the low guard of Manswell with Manswell trying to take Glazkov to the ropes but not doing much when he got him there. The second was a long round as in one exchange Glazkov seemed to catch Kertson on the chin with his elbow. Manswell went down clutching his chin but the referee did not count. Instead he sent Glazkov to a corner and signalled for Manswell to get up. The Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) fighter took a while to get up. The referee then took him back to his corner and told the T7T fighter’s corner why he had halted the fight gave Manswell even more time to recover, warned Glazkov and then let the fight continue. For the remaining minute it got ugly with both landing punches to the back of the head and Manswell getting warned for a low punch. Glazkov was going to the body more in the third with Manswell just trying to land one big punch and tumbling to the canvas after missing with a big swipe. Glazkov put Manswell down with two punches to the back of the head but the knockdown was counted anyway. In the fourth Glazkov threw a right which Manswell blocked and a left hook that was half blocked and Manswell went down on his knees and made no more than a token attempt to get up and was counted out. The 30-year-ols Ukrainian“ Czar” gets win No 13 by KO/TKO. The draw on his record was with Malik Scott in 2013 since then he has climbed the ratings with 7 wins including victories over Tomasz Adamek and Steve Cunningham although a majority decision win over Derric Rossy last August is also in that list of wins and he did not impress then. Manswell, 38, at 267 ¾ lbs (121kgs) was just too slow to be a threat and he is now 1-9 in his last 10 fights.

Shakhnazaryan vs. Sempewo

Shakhnazaryan has no problems in overwhelming Sempewo. Shakhnazaryan was taking the fight to Sempewo who had height and reach over the Armenian-born Russian and showed some neat boxing on the retreat but no power and was throwing one punch at a time.. Both fighters traded more in the second round with Shakhnazaryan switching guards and landing beefy hooks to the body of Sempewo. In the third Shakhnazaryan was coming forward relentlessly. Sempewo scored with a couple of nice uppercuts but with no leverage. Late in the round a left hook to the body put the Ugandan down. Shakhnazaryan was already jumping on the ropes celebrating but Sempewo got up and the bell went before Shakhnazaryan could get any more punches home. In the fourth Shakhnazaryan forced Sempewo back into a corner but before he could land a punch Sempewo turned away and lifted his arm in surrender and the fight was stopped. The 22-year-old “Humanoid” is rebuilding after back-to-back losses to Abner Lopez and to Eduard Troyanovsky for the vacant IBO title. Ugandan Sempewo showed some neat touches but was out muscled by Shakhnazaryan and suffers his first loss by KO/TKO.

Adejo, Spain: Super Feather: Sandro Dominguez (7-1) W TKO 6 Antonio Rodriguez (5-10-6). Local fighter Dominguez wins the vacant Spanish title. Dominguez edged the first two rounds and then put Rodriguez down in the third. Rodriguez tried to get back in the fight but was hampered by a nose injury and his corner pulled him out at the end of the sixth round. Now 5 wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year-old Dominguez who was in his first ten round fight. Rodriguez, 21, is now 0-5-3 in his last 8 fights including 3 losses and 2 draws in 5 Spanish title fights.

Fort McDowell, AZ, USA: Middle: Louis Rose (13-2-1) W TKO 8 Andrew Hernandez (9-2-1,1ND). Rose retains his NABF Junior title with a late stoppage of Hernandez. This was made the main event after the Giovanni Segura vs. Juan Palacios fight fell through. It was a chance to shine for both fighters but neither really grasped the chance. The fight lacked any real highlights with Rose having opened a cut over the right eye of Hernandez in the fourth seemingly on his way to an uninspired points victory when he produced a right in the last round that put Hernandez down. Hernandez made it to his feet but a barrage of punches from Rose then saw the referee stop the fight. Now 5 wins by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old and his second win by KO/TKO since being blasted out inside a round by Ievgen Khytrov in November. Local fighter Hernandez loses inside the distance for the second time having been knocked out in the first round by Jerry Odom in March, which saw Odom putting right a disqualification loss to Hernandez in January

Miami, FL,USA: Light Heavy: Avni Yildrim (6-0) W PTS 10 Glen Johnson (54-21-2). Welter: Dusty Hernandez Harrison (27-0) W TKO 5 Carlos W Velasquez (23-21-1,1ND). Super Bantam: Neslan Machado (10-0) W TKO 2 Christian Esquivel (27-7). Middle: Luis Arias (13-0) W KO 1 Yoryi Estrella (11-11-2). Middle: Zach Kelley (5-11) W TKO 3 Alptug Oener (8-1)

Yildrim vs. Johnson

The youth of Yildrim gave him the edge in this one but only just. The young Turk was trying to set a fast pace and tire Johnson. The old Road Warrior has been there before and although often having to fight with his back to the ropes he was conserving energy and counter punching cleverly. Many rounds were close and hard to score but Johnson was never out of the fight. Yildrim tried hard to find a way to end the fight inside the distance in the ninth and tenth but Johnson was never really in trouble and had paced the fight well. Scores 96-94 twice and a way out 99-91. A big win for the relatively inexperienced Turk as he almost doubled his pro experience in this one fight (he had fought less than 11 rounds in his previous 5 fights). At 46 Johnson showed that he is still a force even though this is his third loss in a row.

Harrison vs. Velasquez

Just a keep busy fight for Harrison and he floors and halts Nicaraguan Velasquez. Harrison always had the fight under control and the only real question was how quickly he would win. He came near to ending it when he put Velasquez down with a right in the third then handed out punishment in the fourth and fifth with Velasquez retiring at the end of the round. The lanky Washington fighter has 13 wins by KO/TKO but is yet to be given a real test. Velasquez, 35, now has 5 losses by KO/TKO.

Machado vs. Esquivel

Cuban hope Machado gets impressive quick win over experienced Mexican. The teenager was just too quick with his combinations punching for a worn Esquivel. A knockdown in the first and another in second round was enough for Esquivel who retired at the end of the second round.. The 19-year-old “Pitbull” has 8 wins by KO/TKO. This was to have been one of the supporting bouts but when the joint main event fell apart Machado took his chance to get some high level exposure. He had won seven of his fights inside the first round so had less than 17 rounds on his record before agreeing to take on Esquivel and looks a good prospect. . Esquivel, 28, had a run of 13 wins that landed him a fight with Shinsuke Yamanaka for the vacant WBC title in 2011. He lost that and is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights including 4 losses in a row.

Arias vs. Estrella

Too easy for Arias as he kayos Estrella inside a round. The 25-year-old former amateur star now has 6 wins by KO/TKO. As an amateur he was US national champion in 2009 and 2010, won a silver medal at the NGG’s and a World Juniors bronze and beat guys such as Dominic Wade, Shawn Porter, Marcus Browne, Demetrius Ballard and Jesse Hart. That’s all in the past now so we will have to wait for better opposition than this to test him. Dominican Estrella, 35, is 1-9-1 in his last 11 fights.

Kelley vs. Oener

This was not supposed to end like this. Kelley was there simply because someone had to be in the other corner when Oener made his US debut and Kelley had all the credentials for an inside the distance loser to make Oener shine. The script was follow for two rounds as Oener took the first and was well on top in the second. It all went wrong in the third as Kelley suddenly came alive and put Oener down twice before the fight was stopped. The 29-year-old Kelley was 2-8 in his last 10 fights going in so looked very safe but that’s boxing. Twenty-five-year-old Turkish southpaw Oener will regroup and bounce back.

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Heavy: Chazz Witherspoon (34-3) W TKO 3 Nick Guivas (11-3-2). Heavy: Zhang Zhilei (5-0) W TKO 6 Dennis Benson (2-7-1).

Witherspoon vs. Guivas

Witherspoon keeps his hopes alive with routine win over Guivas. Witherspoon had oodles of height and reach over late sub Guivas and dominated the first with his jab/ right cross standard approach. In the second he again set Guivas up with the jab and then put Guivas down with a right. Guivas was up but unsteady. Witherspoon did not rush the job but again used the jab to set Guivas up and then banged home a right uppercut that had Guivas ready to go only for the bell to save him. In the third Guivas was shipping more heavy rights and the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Fourth win by KO/TKO for Witherspoon since returning to action after taking two years out of the ring following his crushing loss to Seth Mitchell in 2012. He was the promoter of this show. Guivas had won his last 4 fights but against very low level opponents.

Zhilei vs. Benson

Chinese heavy Zhilei overcomes his first cut as a pro to halt Benson. Southpaw Zhilei had the edge in height and almost 30lbs in weight but Benson had not come to fall over and was willing to trade with Zhilei. In the third Zhilei looked as though he had scored a knockdown but it was ruled a slip but Benson ended the round with a nose injury leaking blood. It was Zhilei who shed blood next and this was much more serious as it was over the Chinese fighter’s left eye. Zhilei boxer cautiously over the fourth and fifth due to the cut but in the last round he put Benson down with a heavy left. Benson made it to his feet only for another right to put him down and the fight was stopped. Third win by KO/TKO for the 32-year-old 6’6” (198cm) Zhilei. As an amateur he won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics but lost to Anthony Joshua in 2012 Games. He also won a bronze medal at the World Championships and scored wins over Vyacheslav Glazkov and Joseph Parker. First loss inside the distance for Benson.

Tacoma, WA, USA: Super Middle: Mike Gavronski (19-1-1) W PTS 10 Laatekwei Hammond (21-10). Gavronski makes it five wins in a row as he decisions experienced Hammond. Both traded jabs in the first with Gavronski throwing enough other shots to take the round on his work rate. Gavronski was throwing the right in after his jabs in the second and scoring well to the body with Hammond finishing the round strongly but not doing enough to steal it. In the third an overhand right from Gavronski put Hammond on the floor. The Ghanaian beat the count and then stayed out of trouble for the remainder of the round. Both showed good skills over the middle rounds with the fifth seeing some exciting trading but Gavronski having the edge in skill and work rate. As he was losing the battle of the jabs Hammond tried to take the fight inside but Gavronski just shortened his punches and was winning the battle inside as well. Hammond tired over the closing round and was holding more. He paid for that with a point deduction as Gavronski boxed his way to a wide unanimous decision. Scores 100-88 from all three judges. Gavronski’s only loss so far was to world rated Tureano Johnson and he has built sensibly since then. Hammond, 35, a former CBC title challenger and Ghanaian champion has lost four in a row since basing himself in the USA.