The Past Week in Action 19 November 2019

Highlights:-Arsen Goulamirian defends the WBA cruiser title with easy victory over Kane Watts
-Michele Soro halts fellow-Frenchman Cedric Vitu in WBA Gold title defence
-Andrew Moloney wins the vacant interim WBA super fly title with stoppage of Elton Dharry and twin brother Jason blows away Dixon Flores in two rounds
-Dominic Boesel wins interim WBA light heavyweight title and IBO title with late stoppage of Sven Fornling
-Lee McGregor retains his Commonwealth bantam title and wins the British title with hotly disputed victory over Ukashir Farooq
-Rocky Fielding returns to the ring with second round kayo of Abdallah Paziwapazi and Martin Murray and Terry Flanagan register victories
-Alex Dilmaghani and Francisco Fonesca end all even in candidate for Fight of the Year contest
-Junior Fa makes it 19 wins as he outpoints Devin Vargas
-Jai Opetaia impresses with stoppage of Mark Flanagan

WORLD TITLE SHOWS

November 15

Paris. France: Cruiser: Arsen Goulamirian (25-0) W KO 4 Kane Watts (21-4). Super Welter: Michel Soro (35-2-1) W TKO 5 Cedric Vitu (47-4). Super Middle: Louis Toutin (14-1) W KO 1Bruno Sandoval (20-4-1). Super Welter: Dylan Charrat (19-0-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Johan Perez (24-7-2). Super Welter: Ahmed El Mousaoui (31-3-1) W TKO 7 Dzmitry Miliusha (9-3-1).
Goulamirian vs. Watts
Goulamirian makes the first defence of his newly awarded WBA title with easy win over Australian Watts. Early in the first Goulamirian was content to stalk Watts who stabbed out jabs. A right to the head from Goulamirian seemed to propel Watts from the ropes and on to the floor but the referee waived to say it was not a knockdown and then indicated the punch had landed to the back of the Australian’s head. An attack from Goulamirian saw him connect with some head punches which had Watts floundering but the challenger steadied himself with some jabs. In the second Goulamirian took Watts to the ropes and rocked Watts with couple of hard hooks. Watts tumbled forward to the canvas but again it was not counted as a knockdown. Goulamirian continued to pound on Watts who fired back connecting with a sharp uppercut and a clubbing right with Goulamirian just shrugging off the punches. A ferocious attack in the third had Watts in deep trouble being jarred and jolted by head punches. He kept swinging wild punches and although rocked by a big right was still there at the bell. A sickening right to the body dropped Watts in the fourth. He struggled trying to get up but was counted out just as his corner threw in the towel. No real test for the 32-year-old, Armenian-born Frenchman. He was upgraded to super champion without even having to meet any the WBA requirements and he was far too good for a very ordinary Watts, The only name of note on Goulamirian’s record is Ryad Merhy-the only rated fighter he had met which makes a mockery of his super champion status. The cruisers are still embroiled in the WBSS tournament so Goulamirian will have to wait for any unification fight. The rating of 37-year-old Watts by the WBA shows what a farce their ratings have become. After being inactive in 2017 he scored wins over opponents with a 2-1-1 and a 7-1-1 record but because the fight with the 7-1-1 guy was for the WBA Oceania title he was jumped into their ratings-for beating a guy with a 7-1-1 record-that had lost his last fight against a guy with a 6-1-2 record !!! Box Rec has Watts at No 87 in the world ratings. This is the sort of mess the WBA and other sanctioning bodies are making of our sport.
Soro vs. Vitu
A much anticipated clash between two of France’s top fighters turns out as a one-sided victory for Soro. A fiercely focused Soro was crowding Vitu immediately looking to score with left hooks; Vitu showed his excellent skills but was not able to dent Soro’s resolve. Soro continued to press in the second closing Vitu down and digging to the body with right hooks. Vitu kept moving but was clearly hurt buy a left to the body and Soro followed that up with a series of hooks and straight rights. Vitu was countering but without the power to keep Soro out. He went on to the offensive just before the bell clattering Soro with a shower of punches but to no effect. Soro powered home lefts and rights at the start of the third. Vitu used good movement to frustrate some of Soro’s attacks but Soro kept hunting him down and firing clusters of hooks and uppercuts when he managed to pin Vitu to the ropes. Soro handed out a brutal beating to Vitu in the fourth. For extended periods he was knocking Vitu from side to side as he landed with lefts and rights Vitu escaped a couple of times but too often Vitu was standing in front of Soro letting Soro punch away without responding. After chasing Vitu down for the first minute of the fifth Soro connected with a bust of punches and Vitu dropped to the canvas on his rump. After the count Soro was driving Vitu around the ring until a left to the head had Vitu stumbling forward and almost going down and the referee had seen enough and made a good stoppage. The 32-year-old Ivory Coast-born Soro retains the WBA Gold title. He has lost in challenges for the WBO/IBO titles against Zaurbek Baysangurov way back in 2012 and to Brian Castano for the interim WBA title in 2017 and a third chance seems certain for 2020. It is retirement time for Vitu. He was stopped in twelve rounds by Castano for the secondary WBA title and this loss has killed any faint chance he had of another title shot.
Toutin vs. Sandoval
French poster boy Toutin demolishes Mexican Sandoval in the first round. Although Sandoval was taller with a longer reach Toutin quickly had him backing up with some strong jabs. He forced Sandoval to the ropes and connected with left hooks and rights to the head and Sandoval dropped to the canvas. He was up at eight but driven to a corner where Toutin unloaded a series of lefts and rights until Sandoval went down on his hands and knees. It looked as though he was up at nine but the referee went to ten and the fight was over. The 22-year-old Gypsy, a former European Under-17 European champion, had his defensive flaws exposed in a ninth round loss to Ukrainian Petro Ivanov in December but in the short time he was in the ring here he looked more compact and composed. He has 13 wins by KO/TKO and collects the vacant WBC Youth title. Sandoval at one time was 19-1-1 but was then knocked out in three rounds by Ryota Murata and was coming off an eighth round stoppage by novice Ramil Gadzhyiev in October.
Charrat vs. Perez
Very impressive win for EU champion Charrat. The young French fighter proved too strong and aggressive for the more experienced Venezuelan. Charrat pressed hard in the first and broke Perez down. In the second he forced Perez to the ropes and jolted Perez with a series of punches to head and body before connecting with a booming downward driven right sent Perez along the ropes and to the canvas and the fight was stopped. Some power show from a “non-puncher “ with this being just the fifth inside the distance win for the 24-year-old French hope. Only the second KO/TKO loss for the fading former interim WBA super light champion.
El Mousaoui vs. Miliusha
Former EU champion El Mousaoui floors southpaw Miliusha twice for a win in seven rounds. El Mousaoui put Miliusha on the canvas in the second with a heavy right and continued to boss the fight. In the seventh a left hook put Miliusha down again and the fight was halted. Seventh win on the spin for El Mousaoui. Belarusian Miliusha was having only his second fight in the last two years.

Melbourne, Australia: Super Fly: Andrew Moloney (21-0) W TKO 9 Elton Dharry (24-6-1). Bantam: Jason Moloney (20-1) W KO 2 Dixon Flores (16-7-3, 2 ND).
Moloney vs. Dharry
Moloney wins the vacant interim WBA title with stoppage of Dharry who is unable to continue after eight rounds due his right eye being effectively shut. Moloney was coming forward in the first and scoring with some quick jabs and straight rights. He switched guard for a while but Dharry showed a useful jab of his own and also connected with rights to the body. Moloney continued to press in the second. He landed a good right cross but Dharry evened things up with a snappy overhand right late in the round. Moloney was quicker and busier over the third and fourth but Dharry remained dangerous with rights. The danger manifested itself in the fifth. As Moloney came forward Dharry nailed him with a right uppercut that unhinged Moloney’s legs. He staggered backwards and nearly went down. Dharry piled forward trying to apply a finisher and landed some more rights but Moloney danced and hugged and made it out of the round. Moloney had survived but of equal importance was a growing swelling under Dharry’s right eye. Dharry had the better of the exchanges in the sixth but was tending to use his right more and more as a guard to the swelling under his right eye and the doctor examined the injury before the start of the seventh, Dharry took the seventh. He was the one coming forward and he was connecting with rights to the head with Moloney not looking to stand and trade. Dharry got through another examination by the doctor but his vision through his right eye was restricted. An entertaining eighth saw Moloney busy targeting the swelling with jabs and landing a hard right cross and Dharry scoring with some good rights to the head. The bell went for the start of the ninth and both fighters left their corner but before a blow was struck the referee took Dharry over to the doctor who advised the fight be stopped. Having won the interim title Moloney is naturally keen to fight the real WBA champion Khalid Yafai. Dharry, 33, was No 5 with the WBA and was unbeaten in his last 21 fights. He gave Moloney a tough night and he was very much in the fight until the doctor’s decision but he needs to be more active with this just his fourth fight in almost three years.
Moloney vs. Flores
Moloney crushes Flores inside two rounds in a defence of the WBA Oceania title. Flores took the fight to Moloney from the start. He was throwing quick jabs and right hooks but was being caught by swift counters from Moloney. Flores threw some more hooks but Moloney stepped in with two jabs and a right that just seemed to brush the top of Flores head and Flores went down on one knee. He was up quickly and after the count piled forward trading punches with Moloney. Flores began the second round coming forward again and he connected with a couple of good left hooks to the body. Moloney was on the back foot jabbing strongly. He shook Flores with a right and then with Flores pinned to the ropes fired a burst of punches rounded off by a left hook dug into the body which saw Flores drop to the floor and roll around in agony and it was a couple of minutes before he was able to get up. Moloney lost a split verdict against Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF bantam title in what was also a WSSB quarter Final. He is rated highly by the sanctioning bodies at No 3 with the WBA, No 4 with the WBC, No 5 (4) with the IBF and No 5 with the WBO and he will be hoping to get another title chance now that the WSSB tournament is over. Flores, a loser inside a round against Khalid Yafai, was coming off a surprise victory over 18-1-2 Alex Espinoza.

November 16

Halle an der Saale, Germany: Light Heavy: Dominic Boesel (30-1) W TKO 11 Sven Fornling (15-2). Super Middle: Stefan Haertel (19-1) W RTD 5 David Zegarra (34-4). Heavy: Erik Pfeifer (7-0) W RTD 5 Adnan Redzovic (21-4).Heavy: Peter Kadiru (6-0) W RTD 4 Pedro Martinez (11-3): Super Welter: Mohammed Rabii (10-0) W PTS 8 Jesus Gurrola (27-15-3). Cruiser: Roman Fress (9-0) W TKO 1 David Vicena (12-27-2). Light Heavy: Tome Dzemski (14-0) W RTD 3 Zoltan Sera (32-21-1).
Boesel vs. Fornling
Boesel wins the vacant interim WBA title and the IBO title with late stoppage of Fornling. Boesel made a confident start probing with his jab and then pushing it through gaps in Fornling’s gloves. Fornling was not as positive and came up short with his punches. Fornling was more aggressive in the second stepping forward and throwing combinations but they were being blocked or avoided by Boesel who again found the target with his jab. Boesel scored with a couple of good counters and as Fornling walked in again a right to the side of the head sent Fornling sprawling to the canvas on his hands and knees. He was up immediately and the bell went the moment the eight count was completed. It was very much a battle of jabs in the third and Fornling was doing much better work. Fornling clearly took the fourth as he pressured Boesel for the whole three minutes and did what scoring there was but he also suffered a cut over his left eye in a clash of heads. Fornling continued to outscore Boesel in the fifth and six but Boesel came back to edge the seventh before Fornling, with a growing bruise under his left eye, rebounded to edge the eighth. Both fighters looked exhausted in the ninth. Boesel’s jab was still a potent weapon but the cleaner and more accurate work was coming from Fornling. The tenth was Boesel’s round. Fornling was walking onto some heavy counters and his face was dotted with bumps and bruises. He rallied at the end of the round but Boesel looked the stronger. In the eleventh a strong right stiffened Fornling’s legs and as they tangled Boesel pushed Fornling back and down. It was no knockdown but Boesel knew the right had hurt Fornling and he rushed him to the ropes and pounded away until the referee jumped in and stopped the fight in just as Fornling dropped to the floor. It was two for the price of one here as with this victory as Boesel won both the interim WBA title and took Fornling’s IBO belt. Sixth win for the 30-year-old German since a stoppage defeat against Karo Murat in 2017. He won’t land a fight with WBO champion Saul Alvarez and I can’t see him beating Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol but there are some attractive defences out there. Swede Fornling, 30, went to the hospital for tests as a precaution. When he lost to 6-4 Yevgenii Makhteienko in 2016 it was difficult to see where he could go but he rebounded to win the IBO title and to defend it in December with a win over Boesel’s conqueror Murat
Haertel vs. Zegarra
Haertel wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title with easy stoppage of Peruvian Zegarra. Haertel was able to spear Zegarra with jabs and follow through with straight right and toss in the occasional combination. Zegarra hardly took a step forward in the fight and rarely threw a punch. He backed to the ropes and then circled the ring with Haertel striding after him and scoring with bursts of punches. Zegarra was a little livelier at the start of the third but then reverted to his passive resistance as Haertel was able to slot home jabs and tee off on the Peruvian. The fourth was one-sided and it was target practice for Haertel in the fifth with Zegarra retiring at the end of the round. Other than getting his third inside the distance win there was little for Haertel to celebrate. He did his job and it is not his fault it was an easy job. It can’t have been easy to find 34 people for Zegarra to beat but after being 30-0 he is now 4-4 with all four wins back home against undemanding opposition.
Pfeifer vs. Redzovic
Pfeifer gets off the floor to win the vacant WBO European title in his seventh fight as Redzovic retires after five rounds. Pfeifer had the better jab and that put him in charge. He used the jab to keep Redzovic on the back foot in the first and rocked him with a right cross. Redzovic tried to match Pfeifer jab for jab in the second but Pfeifer was quicker and more accurate and sent Radovic stumbling with a right to the head and they traded hard punches late in the round. Pfeifer was on his way to winning the third when a right from Redzovic knocked his legs from under him and he tumbled to the canvas. He was up quickly but looked shaken and Redzovic stormed forward trying for an upset win. He shook Pfeifer a couple of times but Pfeifer was banging back before the bell. Pfeifer boxed cautiously at the start of the fourth but an uppercut sent Redovic’s mouthguard flying and he bossed the rest of the round with strong jab and long rights. The sixth saw Pfeifer battering Redzovic with a barrage of rights to the head. Redzovic fired back occasionally but by the end of the round was being rocked by those big rights and he retired before the start of the sixth. The 32-year-old Russian-born German has left it late to turn pro. He was twice a bronze medal winner at the World Championships and competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics but he faces an uphill climb to make it to the top with his late start. The four losses for the 42-year-old Bosnian Redzovic have all come against unbeaten fighters
Kadiru vs. Martinez
This one was fought a funereal pace. There also seemed to be an unwritten law banning the throwing of more than one punch at a time. Kadiru took a round to find his range and then just kept threading jabs through Martinez’s leaky guard. They finally began to throw more punches and traded shots in the third and fourth. Kadiru was the one doing most of the scoring with Martinez getting no leverage at all behind his pushed shots. Kadiru began to put his punches together in the fourth. His jab was still his dominant punch but he was also letting fly with overhand rights and left hooks to the body. There was nothing coming back from Martinez and it was no surprise when he retired at the end of the round. Second win by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old 6’4 ½” German hope. Martinez was awful but then the eleven guys he had beaten had only “amassed” three wins between them. Lies, damn lies and boxer’s records.
Rabii vs. Gurrola
Rabii outclasses a game and experienced Gurrola. The Moroccan was too quick and too clever for the Mexican. He controlled the fight well and regularly pierced Gurrola’s guard with punches from both hands. Gurrola pressed hard and did enough to take a round but he had to soak up serious punishment over the late rounds. Scores 79-73, 79-74 and 78-74 for Rabii. The Moroccan won a gold medal at the 2015 World Championships where he beat Josh Kelly and took silver in Rio. Former IBO title challenger Gurrola now fills the role of imported loser but usually stays the full route.
Fress vs. Vicena
Fress wasted no time here. He floored Czech Vicena with a hook early in the first and after Vicena made it to his feet Fress bombarded him with punches until the referee stopped the fight with just 87 seconds having elapsed. The 6’3” Kazak-born German gets win No 5 by KO/TKO. He is a former German Under-21 champion who represented Germany at the 2015 World Championships and is trained by former WBO super middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz. Vicena, 40, has thirteen inside the distance defeats
Dzemski vs. Sera
With his father Tom in his corner Dzemski pads his record with his eighth win by KO/TKO. Dzemski dropped Sera in the first and third rounds. Sera was also bleeding heavily and he did not come out for the fourth round. The 22-year-old Dzemski is being matched carefully and has plenty of time to learn from his father, one of Germany’s top trainers, before moving up. Three inside the distance losses on the spin for Sera.

November 14

Los Angeles, CA, USA: Light: Carlos Morales (19-4-4) TEC DRAW 6 Mercito Gesta (32-3-3). Super Feather: Jonathan Oquendo (31-6) W PTS 10 Charles Huerta (21-7). Super Welter: Travell Mazion (16-0) W PTS 10 Diego Cruz (19-8-2).
Morales vs. Gesta
This one was adjudged a majority draw after a cut suffered in a clash of heads in the fourth round proved too serious for Morales to continue after the end of the sixth. Morales took the fight to southpaw Gesta early with a busier style and more movement. Gesta came forward more in the third and was getting past the longer reach of Morales and scoring inside with right hooks and straight lefts but Morales scored with a cracking right to the head and seemed to have built a slender lead. A clash of heads opened a cut over the left eye of Morales in the fourth and that energised Gesta who stepped up his pace. The position of the cut meant that blood was seeping into the left eye of Morales and hindering his vision. Gesta attacked in bursts in the fifth with Morales more composed and countering well but he was having trouble keeping Gesta out as they traded punches. Gesta attacked wildly in the sixth. Most of his punches were missing but with Morales focusing on defending the cut Gesta landed enough to win the round. After the bell it was obvious the cut over the left eye of Morales was too severe for the fight to continue and it was decide on the scorecards with one judge having it 58-56 for Morales and the other two seeing it 57-57. It had been entertaining until the stoppage. After defeats in tough assignments against Alberto Machado, Ryan Garcia and Rene Alvarado Morales had rebounded with two wins. Filipino Gesta, 32, was 26-0-1 until he lost to Miguel Vazquez for the WBC light title. He also lost to Jorge Linares for the WBA version of the title and was coming off a disappointing inside the distance defeat by Juan Antonio Rodriguez.
Oquendo vs. Huerta
Oquendo gets back to winning ways after blowing the chance of a world title shot with a defeat against Lamont Roach in May. Strength, determination and a higher work earned Oquendo the win. From the opening bell this was war on the inside. Oquendo bossed the action there banging home lefts and rights to the body. Huerta chose to stand and trade but slowly he began to lose the battle and Oquendo was on top for the second half of the fight. He was able to pin Huerta to the ropes in the later rounds and mix overhand rights along with his focused body attacks. Huerta could not change the flow of the fight and his work rate dropped under the consistent pressure from Oquendo as the Puerto Rican won every round. Scores 100-90 for 36-year-old Oquendo on the three cards. The Puerto Rican wins the vacant WBO Latino belt. He lost to Jesus Cuellar for the secondary WBA title in 2015 and is down at No 12 in the WBO ratings so will need to put together some impressive performances to get another title fight but time is against him. Huerta was out for two years before returning in February this year with a loss to Joseph Diaz.
Mazion vs. Cruz
Mazion showcases some flashy skills as he takes wide unanimous decision over Cruz. Since he was giving away lots of height and reach to Mazion Cruz came out punching and rocked Mazion with a right. Mazion paid Cruz back later in the round with a driven straight right that pierced Cruz’s guard and thudded into his face. From the second Mazion took control. Cruz had no answer to the fast, accurate jabs of Mazion and was having to swing wide punches trying to get around the jab but was leaving himself open and eating counters. Despite the best efforts of Cruz it was a one-sided contest. Mazion was quicker and stronger and unloaded some heavy stuff on Cruz in each round and Cruz did well to last the distance, Scores 99-90 twice and 98-91 for Mazion. The 24-year-old 6’2” Texan looked a class act and now needs to move up to better opposition so that we can measure his full potential. Cruz falls to 0-5-1 in his last six fights although the draw was a reasonable performance against experienced 35-1-1 Roberto Ortiz

Saint Petersburg, Russia: Super Light: Eduard Troyanovsky (28-2) W PTS 10 Josef Zahradnik (11-4). No real problems here for Troyanovsky in his first fight for 13 months but he looked laboured in his points win over Czech Zahradnik. Losses in title fights against Julius Indongo and Kiryl Relikh seem to have affected the former IBF champion and he did not look as sharp or as confident as when he put together a run of 25 wins. He outboxed the Czech but had to work hard and there was no trace of the power that had garnered him 24 wins by KO/TKO. At 39 and with the lacklustre showing here if he does get another title shot it will end badly for him. Zahradnik’s previous losses have all come against unbeaten fighters on the road.

November 15

Liverpool, England: Super Middle: Rocky Fielding (28-2) W KO 2 Abdallah Paziwapazi (26-7-1,1ND). Super Middle: Martin Murray (39-5-1) W PTS 8 Sladan Janjanin (27-5). Light: Terry Flanagan (36-2) W PTS 8 Jayro Duran (14-7).
Fielding vs. Paziwapazi
Fielding blows away Tanzanian Paziwapazi inside two rounds. A real power show from Fielding but it was Paziwapazi who started the fireworks trapping Fielding against the ropes and firing punches with both hands in the first. Fielding made some room and rocked Paziwapazi with a hard combination. Paziwapazi again pushed Fielding to the ropes throwing punches but he was ignoring his defence and was rocked twice more by Fielding before the end of the round. In the second Paziwapazi again drove forward and landed usefully to head and body but Fielding was landing some vicious counters. Paziwapazi fired a straight right to the head of Fielding pushing Fielding back to the ropes. As Paziwapazi came forward Fielding connected with a four-punch combination to the head with the last, a wicked left putting Paziwapazi down. Paziwapazi lay flat on the canvas with his hands clasped behind his head as if just resting. He then climbed to his feet but the referee waived the fight over. First fight for local lad Fielding since his loss to Saul Alvarez in December. There are plenty of good fights out there for Fielding both domestic and international. Paziwapazi was 9-0-1 in his last 10 fights and coming off a win in China but he was overconfident of his power here and was too busy throwing punches to even adopt the most basic defence.
Murray vs. Janjanin
Solid if uninspiring performance from Murray as he wins all eight rounds against Janjanin. The problem for Murray was that Janjanin was in survival mode from the first bell. He rarely took a step forward and Murray was forced to track him around the perimeter of the ring. When Murray had Janjanin pinned to the ropes the Bosnian was ducking low behind a tight guard not leaving Murray much of a target. Murray was able to connect with hooks to the body from both hands but never really had Janjanin in trouble. Occasionally Janjanin showed some fire with a burst of punches but they were rare occasions as Murray put eight rounds of work in the bank. Referee’s score 80-72 for Murray. The 37-year-old former interim WBA middleweight champion has had four shots at winning a world title and in the fights with Felix Sturm, Sergio Martinez and Arthur Abraham could and perhaps should have been the winner but another title shot seems a long way away. Janjanin’s losses have all been against a good/reasonable level of opponent and all on the road. This is Janjanin’s first visit to the UK and after going the distance with Murray will probably be asked back again.
Flanagan vs. Duran
Flanagan was looking to put Honduran Duran to the sword in the first three minutes. He found the range with his right jab and then throughout the round dug in wicked body punches. Duran survived the storm but had shown nothing himself. A right to the head put Duran down in the second but it was more of a cuff than a punch and Flanagan was teeing off on him with punches at the end of the round. Duran shipped heavy punishment in every round without really managing to do any good work of his own. He was coming in behind a high guard but not taking that extra step so was standing in front of Flanagan within punching range and paying for it. A clash of heads opened a small cut over the left eye of Flanagan but it was no hindrance as Flanagan pounded on Duran to the final bell. Referees score 80-71 for Flanagan. Eight rounds of not very useful work for former WBO lightweight champion Flanagan and fourth win over very modest opposition since back-to-back losses to Maurice Hooker and Regis Prograis last year. Third decision defeat in a row for Duran

Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heavy: Junior Fa (19-0) W PTS 10 Devin Vargas (21-6). Heavy: Hemi Ahio (16-0) W TKO 2 Joshua Tufte (19-4). Welter: Ivan Golub (18-1) W KO 10 Janer Gonzalez (19-3-1). Super Middle: Mike Guy (12-4-1) W PTS 8 Denis Douglin (22-7).
Fa vs. Vargas
Fa floors Vargas twice and remains undefeated. Fa attacked strongly in the first. He used his 50lbs pull in weight to bull Vargas to the ropes and land clubbing rights. Vargas showed good defensive skills from the days when he was the best at his weight in the US amateur ranks. Fa continued to bull his way forward over the second, third and fourth but Vargas was not buckling and countering when he could. He often had Fa on the back foot and connected with some sharp uppercuts. To Fa’s frustration when he did land some heavy punches Vargas was urging him to keep punching. Vargas had built some momentum in the fifth forcing Fa to the ropes with Fa clinching as Vargas scored with rights. Vargas was still coming forward when a left to the body forced him to drop to one knee. He was up at nine and had spit out his mouthguard so had a bit more time to recover. He then drove Fa back around the ring with hooks and uppercuts to the bell. Fa landed heavily in the sixth and seventh. Vargas stayed competitive until the eighth when he suddenly turned away from the action and went down on a knee indicating Fa had landed low but the referee gave Vargas an eight count and there had been no sign of one of Fa’s punches landing below the belt. Fa outpunched Vargas over the ninth and tenth and was a clear winner. Scores 100-88, 99-89 and 97-91 for Fa. The 30-year-old New Zealander is still untested and Vargas showed many of his weaknesses here. Fa was slow his defence was anything but tight. He is big and strong but it remains to be seen how he will fare against better opposition. The 37-year-old Vargas competed for the USA at the 2004 Olympics and had early success as a pro but after losses to Kevin Johnson and Andrzej Wawrzyk he seemed to lose interest with just four fights in six years. He was flattened inside a round by Andy Ruiz in March 2018 but breathed some life back into his boxing with a fifth round stoppage of unbeaten Irish heavyweight Niall Kennedy in August this year.
Ahio vs. Tufte
This one goes way beyond being a farce as Ahio floors a vastly overweight Tufte three times before the “fight” is stopped. Ahio scored the first knockdown in the opening round with a straight right that was really only an arm punch with no leverage behind it. In the second round two rights to the side of the head sent Tufte staggering to the ropes and down. A short right hook put Tuft down for the third time and thankfully the fight was stopped. New Zealander Ahio, 29, will learn nothing from abysmal mismatches like this. The 6’1” Tuft weighed 269lbs which gives some idea of how obese he was.
Golub vs. Gonzalez
Golub wins with a late kayo. There was a contrast of styles here between the upright, technical southpaw Golub and the more fluid Gonzalez. Golub worked solidly behind his jab before moving in with straight rights and hooks. Gonzalez was attacking in spurts and often looking to lure Golub onto counter punches. It became a tactical match with neither fighter really taking control but Golub was busier and more accurate whereas Gonzalez was waiting and waiting for the perfect counter opportunity. In the interval between the eighth and ninth Gonzalez did not sit in his corner but instead took a stroll out and around the centre of the ring and his second leant over the ropes some way from the corner haranguing officials at the ringside instead of tending to his fighter-strange. Golub had built a good lead by outworking Gonzalez. It looked as though it was going to go to the judges to decide the outcome but in the tenth Golub rattled Gonzalez with a left. Gonzalez tried to walk away but Golub followed him and landed two lefts to the head which sent Gonzalez down backwards to the canvas. He tried to use the ropes to pull himself up but then fell back again and was. counted out. Golub now has 14 wins by KO/TKO and this was his second defence of the WBC USNBC title. His loss was a points defeat by Jamontay Clark in 2017 and this his fifth win since the Clark fight as he tries to climb back into the ratings. Gonzalez has gone from 19-0 to 19-3 and was coming off an inside the distance loss against Jamal James in February.
Guy vs. Douglin
Guy gets surprise win over Douglin on a split decision. Douglin had a huge edge in skill here but Guy had strength and determination. He was getting in close and roughing Douglin up on the inside and there was too much wrestling for the fight to be entertaining. Douglin wasting time with some showy antics but Guy just kept chugging forward. When Douglin stood back and boxed on the outside he was able to find gaps for his right jab but too often he was letting himself be dragged into a brawl. The fight was close and they both fought desperately in the last with both just tossing punches and both having periods on top. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Guy and 77-75 for Douglin. I thought Douglin did enough to at least merit a draw but it was too close to argue over. The 38year-old Guy gets his third win in succession. His record is deceptive as his four losses have all come against high quality opponents such as Tyrone Zeuge, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Junior Younan and Ali Akhmedov who were all unbeaten when Guy fought them. This loss is a big a blow to Douglin. He was 5-3 ahead of this fight with the losses against world champion George Groves, David Benavidez and Anthony Dirrell. He had come back with useful wins over unbeaten Vaughn Alexander and experienced Saul Roman.

Sloan, IA, USA: Light Heavy: Joseph George (10-0) W PTS 10 Marcos Escudero (10-1). Welter: Alberto Palmetta (13-1) W TKO 10 Erik Vega Ortiz (16-1). Middle: Amilcar Vidal (10-0) W TKO 1 Zach Prieto (9-1).
George vs. Escudero
Geroge gets a much disputed split decision over Escudero. George boxed well but Escudero was busier and seemed to outscore George early to build a lead. George was stronger as it went into the late rounds and seemed to have made it close. A strong last round should have been enough for Escudero take the decision but it was not to be. Scores 97-93 and 97-94 for George and 96-94 for Escudero. Houston’s George was in his first main event. Escudero, the Argentinian No 2, had won his last seven fights inside the distance.
Palmetta vs. Ortiz
Palmetta looks on his way to a points victory before he explodes on Ortiz in the last for a stoppage. Southpaw Palmetta went in front early. Ortiz had a much longer reach but the skills Palmetta had acquired over many years as a top level amateur helped him nullify that. Ortiz did better over the middle rounds but was behind on the cards going into the last. Palmetta connected with some straight lefts in the tenth and then he staggered Ortiz with a left and unleashed a torrent of punches and just kept pumping the punches out until the referee jumped in to rescue Ortiz. Seventh win on the bounce and ninth win by TKO for Palmetta a bronze medallist at the Pan American Games who fought for Argentina at the World Championships and the 2016 Olympics. Ortiz was up at ten rounds for the first time and his lack of experience showed.
Vidal vs. Prieto
Imperious display from Vidal in his first fight in the USA. Prieto tried to hustle the taller Vidal out of his stride early in the first but Vidal stayed composed and then scored impressively with a double left hook to head and body. Prieto continued to be busy but Vidal stepped in with an overhand right and an explosive left hook that put Prieto down on his back. Prieto arose but still looked unsteady and Vidal battered him with heavy punches until he went down again and the fight was stopped. The tall 23-year-old Uruguayan showed fluid power in his ninth inside the distance victory. It will be interesting to see how he develops under the guidance of Sampson Lewkowicz. Prieto outclassed.

Ugento, Italy: Light: Giuseppe Carafa (12-3-2) W PTS 10 Nicola Cipolletta (14-9-2). Home town fighter Carafa wins the vacant WBC Mediterranean title with unanimous decision over fellow-Italian Cipolletta. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. Carafa moved up to lightweight after a draw and a loss in Italian title fights. Cipolletta, a former Italian featherweight champion, falls to six losses in his last seven fights.

Mamburao, Philippines: Minimumweight: Joel Lino (11-3-1) W TKO 6 ArAr Andales (10-2). Something of an upset as Lino stops former WBA title challenger Andales. After five hard rounds a spectacular attack from Lino ends it in the sixth. With Andales in trouble Lino showered him with light punches. None were that hard but the sheer quantity overwhelmed Andales until the referee stopped the fight. The 24-year-old Lino had lost his last three fights but produced it when it mattered as this win gives him the Philippines title. Andales, 20, had lost a technical decision against Knockout CP Freshmart for the WBA minimum title in Thailand in August.

November 16

London, England: Super Feather: Alex Dilmaghani (19-1-1,1ND) DREW 12 Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2). Super Feather: John Joe Nevin (14-0) W PTS 10 Freddy Fonseca (27-5-1,1ND).
Dilmaghani vs. Fonseca
Dilmaghani and Fonseca share the honours with a majority draw after twelve stirring rounds of non-stop action. These two got down to work immediately. It was quality stuff as they traded punches with first one and then the other driving forward letting fly with fast, crisp and accurate shots. In the first Dilmaghani had slightly the better of the exchanges as he banged home southpaw rights hooks to the body but Fonesca was trying to match him punch for punch and Fonseca seemed to outland Dilmaghani in the second. Both fighters were connecting heavily to the body and with Dilmaghani edging the third and Fonesca banging back to take the fourth the scene was set for a classic battle. There were no wild punches here. Both were throwing quality hooks, uppercuts and strong jabs and putting together flashing combinations. Fonseca just had the edge in the fifth and Dilmaghani the sixth but every round was close. Excellent body punching from Dilmaghani probably gave him the seventh only for some fierce attacking from Fonesca getting him back into the fight in the eighth. If the CompuBox system had been in use it would have overheated from the sheer volume of punches thrown. A clash of heads early in the ninth saw Fonseca drop to the canvas pawing at his head. The referee stopped the action until Fonseca recovered but Dilmaghani had actually come off worse as he had a cut over his left eye towards the centre of his forehead so the blood was running down the left side of his nose. That fired up Fonseca and he attacked hard to take the round. In the tenth twice punches from Fonseca loosened Dilmaghani’s mouthguard but he responded by driving rights and lefts through Fonseca’s guard. The pace had been frantic but neither showed signs of tiredness over the final two rounds which Fonseca looked to have edged as he made the stronger finish. Scores 114-114 twice and 115-114 for Fonseca but boxing was the winner here with an exhilarating battle and a candidate for Fight of the Year. The IBO title remains vacant and it would be great to think these two could compete for it again when they are both recovered. Dilmaghani extends his unbeaten run to 16 fights. Fonseca has lost in IBF title challenges against Gervonta Davis and Tevin Farmer and a third shot is not out of the question.
Nevin vs. Fonseca
Brilliant performance from Nevin as he floors Fonseca on the way to a unanimous points victory. Nevin had the quicker hands and in the first was finding the target with his jabs and counters against the Nicaraguan southpaw. In the second a driven straight right put Fonseca down. He was up at five and did not seem too shaken and easily saw out the round. Nevin continued to showcase his skills over the middle rounds. His jab was too fast for Fonseca and his defensive skills often left Fonesca swishing air. The visitor came into the fight more over the late rounds as Nevin’s work rate dropped but the Irishman was a good winner. Scores 97-92 twice and 99-90 for Nevin. The 30-year-old Nevin was one of the best amateurs every to represent Ireland beating Oscar Valdez and Cuban Lorenzo Alvarez at the 2012 Olympics before losing to Luke Campbell in the final. He also won bronze medals twice in the World Championships and a gold at the European Championships. Winning the vacant WBA International title here will see him jump into the world ratings. Fonseca, the elder brother of Francisco, is now 1-3 in fights this year including a loss to 28-1 Joseph Diaz for the WBA Gold title.

Glasgow, Scotland: Bantam: Lee McGregor (8-0) W PTS12 Ukashir Farooq (13-1).Super Welter: Kieran Smith (16-0) W PTS 10 Vincenzo Bevilacqua (16-1).
McGregor vs. Farooq
Another thrilling domestic fight as McGregor retains the Commonwealth title and wins the British title with a split decision over fellow-Scot Farooq which was not popular with the crowd. The rangier McGregor just about did enough to take a close first round as he worked well with his jab. In the second Farooq was coming in low and the taller McGregor was unable to find the target with his jab or with rights and Farooq turned up the heat with three fast hooks that rattled McGregor’s head. Farooq’s defensive bobbing and weaving was brilliant. McGregor probably edged the third as he worked at range and then either used his strength to push Farooq off or clinched to stop Farooq working inside and Farooq had a small cut under his right eye. Farooq rebounded by edging the fourth, fifth and sixth as he was getting past McGregor’s jab and scoring inside with short hooks. His bobbing and weaving left McGregor swishing air but he was also now cut over the right eye. Farooq was on a roll and he simply outworked McGregor inside pumping out hooks. McGregor took the eighth as he jabbed and moved and avoided getting dragged into close-quarters stuff. The pace was frenetic and emotions were running high but there had been too much holding for it to be a classic. Farooq was storming into McGregor in the ninth denying McGregor any room to box but he was also cut over his left eye in the round. With just seconds to go when they were in a clinch McGregor walked Farooq backwards to the ropes and Farooq went out through the middle ropes with McGregor almost joining him . Farooq was helped back in to the ring and McGregor was given a warning. Farooq continued to attack in the tenth and McGregor was clinch more and more to stifle Farooq’s work, He went too far and the referee deducted a pout from McGregor. The left McGregor with a mountain to climb. He put everything onto then last six minutes and may have edged both rounds but for me that was not enough but the official scores did not all agree on that. Two of the judges had McGregor the winner 115-112 and 114-113 and the third saw it for Farooq 114-113. McGregor retains the Commonwealth title and takes Farooq’s British title. The 22-year-old McGregor goes onwards and upwards from here and will not be keen to give Farooq a return. Farooq takes a step back but he will come again and will win titles in 2020.
Smith vs. Bevilacqua
In a clash of unbeaten fighters Smith retains the WBC International Silver title with a clear points victory over Italian Bevilacqua. The tall Scot shook off a cut over his left eye suffered in the first round the built a commanding lead before being cut again in the last. He took the decision on scores of 98-92 twice and 99-91. Southpaw Bevilacqua, a former Italian champion never figured out how to counter the longer reach of the 6’2” Scot.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Super Light: Pablo Cano (33-7-1,1ND) W KO 2 Roberto Ortiz (35-5-2). Light: Ricardo Sandoval (17-1) W TKO 5 Gilbert Gonzalez (15-3-1). Light Flyweight: Hasanboy Dusmatov (1-0) W KO 2 Jesus Cervantes (9-8).
Cano vs. Ortiz
Cano comes off the floor to kayo Ortiz in a dramatic slug fest. No feel out time here as Cano and Ortiz came out slinging hooks with little regard for defence. It was total war and Cano seemed to be getting the best of the exchanges and Ortiz was forced onto the back foot. That changed when he caught the incoming Cano with an explosive right to the head that saw Cano drop to his hands and knees. Somehow Cano beat the count but he wobbled badly as he walked to a corner gazing out into the crowd. He turned around and after a quick glance the referee allowed the fight to continue. Ortiz rocked Cano a couple of times with rights but Cano shook of the punishment and then fired back and it was Ortiz whose legs wobbled at the end of a dramatic first round. There was a short break early in the second with Ortiz given some respite after a punch to the back of the head from Cano. When the action restarted Cano marched forward firing hooks and uppercuts Ortiz tried to punch with him but was simply overwhelmed and dropped face down on the canvas under a shower of punches. Ortiz got as far as being on one knee but then he stayed there until the count was completed. Cano was defending his WBC International Silver belt but as Ortiz came in 3lbs over the limit Ortiz could not win the title. Back-to-back losses to Fidel Maldonado and Marcelino Lopez in 2017 seemed to signal Cano was on the slide but that all changed in January when he floored Jorge Linares three times for a one round stoppage victory. Ortiz was unbeaten in his first 32 fights but has now lost his last 4.
Sandoval vs. Gonzalez
In a clash of young fighters Sandoval overpowers Gonzalez for a fifth round stoppage. Sandoval showed his intent in the first two rounds as he rocked Gonzalez with a left hook and knocked him back with a right cross. Gonzalez had a better third he was busier and moved and countered well as Sandoval continued to force the action. It was a similar picture in the fourth as Sandoval surged forward and Gonzalez found gaps to counter. Sandoval’s pressure finally paid off in the fifth. He pressed Gonzalez to the ropes and connected with a left to the body and a right to the head. Gonzalez went down on his hands and knees and deliberately spit out his mouthguard. After the count Sandoval continued to hunt down Gonzalez until he connected with two vicious rights that sent Gonzalez into the ropes and Sandoval landed two more punches as Gonzalez headed for the canvas. The 20-year-old Sandoval, he turned pro at 17, has eleven wins by KO/TKO. Venezuelan Gonzalez, also 20, is now 0-2 in fights in Mexico.
Dusmatov vs. Cervantes
Another interesting name for the lighter division’s as Rio gold medal winner Dusmatov turns pro. A huge gap in ability here. Dusmatov was slipping right jabs home and then changing angles and connecting with left s. The movement and hand speed were too much for the young Mexican and it was just light sparring for the talented Uzbek. Dusmatov ended it late in the second with a left to the body that sent Cervantes down. He spat out his mouthguard and was counted out. Dusmatov, 26, looks high quality and has power. Cervantes never in with a chance.

Sydney, Australia: Cruiser: Jai Opetaia (19-0) W TKO 8 Mark Flanagan (24-8). Welter: Darragh Foley (18-4-1) W PTS 8 James Bacon (23-4).
Opetaia vs. Flanagan
Opetaia faces his biggest test so far and passes it in style with inside the distance win over seasoned operator Flanagan, Opetaia was much quicker than Flanagan and was spearing him with jabs in the first and then easily avoiding Flanagan’s attacks. Opetaia dominated the second string together multi-punch combinations to head and body and then slotting southpaw jabs through Flanagan’s guard. Flanagan had some success inside but not much. Flanagan did a little better in third until he was nailed by a straight left which saw him freeze and then drop forwards on his hands and knees to the canvas. He got up immediately but was shaky then took the fight to Opetaia to the bell. Opetaia was down from a low punch in the fourth and also lost his mouthguard and Flanagan was more aggressive and had a good round. Opetaia worked well with his jab and straight lefts to take the fifth and sixth with Flanagan making him work hard to take the points. Flanagan was coming forward in the seventh and Opetaia was allowing himself to get dragged into a brawl until late in the round he unleashed a left that dropped Flanagan. He beat the count and the bell went before another punch could be thrown. Opetaia finally started to put together combinations again and although Flanagan tried to punch back he was taking a lot of punishment in the eighth and retired at the end of the round. The 24-year-old 6’2” from Sydney has now won 14 of his last 15 fights by KO/TKO. He is not yet in the top ten with the sanctioning bodies but with displays like this he very soon will be. He was making the first defence of the WBA Oceania belt. Flanagan has had a tough time recently losing to Denis Lebedev for the WBA title and then suffering consecutive losses against Arsen Goulamirian and unbeaten David Light.
Foley vs. Bacon
Foley overcomes early shock to outpoint useful Filipino Bacon. Foley was floored in the first round but recovered and clawed his way back into the fight to take the unanimous decision. Scores 77-74 twice and 78-75. Ireland’s Foley has a rebuilding job after losses in the UK to Akeem Ennis-Brown and Tyrone McKenna. Former Philippines champion Bacon had won his last four outings and provided Foley with a stern test.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light Fly: Augustin Gauto (14-0) W KO 2 Kenny Cano (14-2). This was supposed to be a big test for WBO N0 6 Gauto but he powered his way to a quick victory. Cano looked busy as he buzzed around in the first but was soon on the back foot. Gauto tracked him and connected with a couple of sharp left hooks to the body and a right to the head. In the second Gauto was content to shadow Cano who was firing bursts of light punches. Gauto had Cano shaken by a left to the body and a straight right to the head. As Cano backed to the ropes a pile driver of a right to the head stiffened his legs and then he went down heavily ending spread eagled on the floor out cold. The 21-year-old Gauto retains the WBO International title with his eighth win by KO/TKO. He showed some nice boxing and real power. Venezuelan Cano’s record looks reasonable but ten of his victims had never won a fight.

Brampton, Canada: Super Welter: Brandon Cook (21-2) W TKO 1 Jose Zuniga (16-6-1). Super Middle: Ryan Young (14-4) W TKO 2 Genaro Ortiz (10-7-2). Middle Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti (7-0) W TKO 1 Hector Santana (26-10). Light: Josh O’Reilly (16-0) W TKO 6 Cecilio Santos (36-35-6).
Cook vs. Zuniga
In his first fight for fourteen months “Bad Boy” Cook might have been looking to get some ring time but when in the first round he saw the opportunity to take out Zuniga it was too good to let go. After some cautious sparring he staggered Zuniga badly with a right to the head and then jumped on the Mexican and handed out some fierce punishment until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. First fight for the 33-year-old Canadian since being stopped in three rounds by Jaime Munguia in a WBO title challenge in September last year. Second loss in Canada in consecutive fights for Zuniga who was also halted in two rounds by Josh Kelly in 2017.
Young vs. Ortiz
In a night of easy wins for the home fighters Canadian champion Young halts Ortiz in two rounds. That victory levels Young’s recent record at 4-4 against mainly domestic opponents. This is win No 11 by KO/TKO for Young. Ortiz had won two low level contests prior to this but in his last visit to Canada he was knocked out in 91 seconds by Albert Onolunose.
Bhatti vs. Santana
Indian boxer Bhatti halts Santana inside a round. Santana made a confident start firing jabs but that confidence evaporated when Bhatti nailed him with a right to the head. Santana backed off and Bhatti landed a couple of heavy hooks to the body which had Santana retreating to the ropes. The Argentinian fought his way off the ropes as they traded heavy punches until a clubbing right to the head floored Santana and the towel came in from the Argentinian’s corner. Bhatti, a former silver medallist in the Indian Championships wins the vacant IBA Inter-Continental title. First fight for Santana since being knocked out in two rounds by Brandon Cook in December 2017.
O’Reilly vs. Santos
O’Reilly stops oldie-and fatty-Santos in the sixth round. Santos drew with Dmitry Kirilov in a challenge for the IBF super fly title in 2008. Over the eleven years since then has become a travelling loser relying on some defensive skills to get through the fights. He did that here until a body shot in the sixth sent him down on his knees and although he survived that the fight was stopped later in the round. Sixth win by KO/TKO for O’Reilly who scored a good domestic victory in January by decisioning Cam O’Connell. Santos, 41, is now 0-8 in visits to Canada

Levallois-Perret, France: Super Middle: Kevin Lele Sadjo (14-0) W TKO 1 Rolando Mansilla (15-7-1). Cruiser: Herve Lofidi (13-3) W PTS 12 Vasil Ducar (8-2-1). Middle: El Moutaouakil (12-1) W KO 2 Johanny Bola (5-4-3). Cruiser: Siril Makiadi (13-2) DREW 10 Dylan Bregeon (10-0). Super Middle: Gustave Tamba (14-1). W PTS 10 Steven Crambert (8-6).
Sadjo vs. Mansilla
Sadjo gets early win over unfortunate Mansilla to continue his ownership of the WBA Inter-Continental title. In the opening round Mansilla banged some punches to Sadjo’s body. With less than 25 seconds gone in the round Sadjo then connected with a left and right to the body and a right to the head and Mansilla went down. He was up at three but noticeably limping badly. Despite this the referee let the fight continue. With his limited mobility Mansilla could get no leverage in his punches and he slid down the ropes to the floor under a series of punches from Sadjo. He made it to his feet gingerly but the referee again ignored Mansilla’s injury and waived for the fight to continue. As Sadjo walked forward and threw a punch which missed Mansilla turned away and held on the ropes to stay upright and finally the referee stopped the contest. The 29year-old “The Phenomenon” has won all 14 of his fights by KO/TKO. Fourth inside the distance loss for Argentinian Mansilla.
Lofidi vs. Ducar
Lofidi takes unanimous verdict over Czech Ducar. Lofidi attacked hard from the outset but Ducar proved durable and occasionally dangerous, The 6’5” Frenchman was trying too hard for an inside the distance win and leaving himself open. He nearly paid the price for that when he was rocked by hooks and uppercuts in the fourth and from a sustained attack in the fifth. His corner instructed him to dial back the pressure and box. That let Ducar into the fight more and Lofidi forgot the advice over the closing rounds and stood and traded with Ducar in an exciting finish. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 for Lofidi who retains the WBC Francophone title that he won with a split decision over Taylor Mabika in June but it was not an impressive performance. The 6’2” Ducar lost on points to Kevin Lerena in a challenge for the IBO title in South Africa in June
El Moutaouakil vs. Bola
When these two clashed last year El Moutaouakil just scraped through on a split decision. This time El Moutaouakil made sure the judges were not needed. After taking the first he connected with a huge right that put Bola down heavily. Surprisingly Bola actually made it back to the vertical but was very unsteady and the fight was over. El Moutaouakil was moving up to ten rounds for the first time and has won his last three fights. Bola suffers his first defeat inside the distance,
Makiadi vs. Bregeon
The French have introduced some very strict rules on how often their champions must defend their title and they are strict enough for some champions to vacate rather than get tied to such a strenuous schedule. That’s why Makiadi and Bregeon found themselves contesting the vacant cruiser title. It was a close fight all the way with the 6’4” Makiadi having edges in height and reach but Bregeon seemed to have done enough to lift the title as in a strong finish he had Makiadi close to a stoppage in the last round. Despite that two judges had them level at 95-95 with the third seeing Bregeon the winner at 96-94. Bregeon will be aiming to lift the title in their return match. Makiadi, a former champion had lost the title in 2018 on a 90 second kayo by Herve Lofidi but had won his last four fights.
Tamba vs. Crambert
Tamba retrains the national title with a wide points win over challenger Crambert. Tamba was a heavy favourite and played the part. He looked on his way to an inside the distance win when he sent Crambert to the canvas with a body punch in the third but a gutsy Crambert got up and was still fighting hard at the end of the tenth. All three judges saw 100-89 for the 28-year-old champion who was defending the title for the first time. Crambert is a better fighter than his indifferent record shows. He has been thrown into some tough assignments including losses to Louis Toutin, former top amateur Michel Tavares and unbeaten Zach Parker.

Cologne, Germany: Super Welter: Ibrahim Guemues (18-0) W TKO 6 Gennady Martirosyan (26-5). Heavy: Hussein Muhamed (14-0) W PTS 10 Yakup Saglam (42-6,1ND). Welter: Ilhami Aydemir (17-1) W PTS 8 Viktor Plotnykov (33-7,1ND).
Martirosyan vs. Guemues
Guemues stop[s a tricky Martirosyan. An interesting opener saw Guemues moving forward behind a probing jab and Martirosyan shooting our jabs and using plenty of movement to unsettle Guemues. Guemues continued to take the fight to Martirosyan but constant changes of guard and direction befuddled him and Martirosyan built a substantial lead. The end came suddenly in the sixth. Guemues forced Martirosyan to the ropes with jabs and then hammered a left hook to the body that saw Martirosyan drop to one knee in pain. Martirosyan made it to his feet but then Guemues drove Martirosyan along the ropes and across the ring connecting with hooks to the body and with Martirosyan pinned on the ropes the towel came in from Martirosyan’s corner. German Guemues wins the vacant IBF Mediterranean title and has 17 victories by KO/TKO but against such inferior opposition that there is no real guide to his ability. Armenian-born Martirosyan had plenty of tricks but crumbled dramatically when under pressure.
Muhamed vs. Saglam
Muhamed outpoints more experienced Saglam in a fight that turned nasty. Basically Muhamed did the boxing. He was jabbing and countering the advancing Saglam who was just trying to get inside but was wild with his punches. The second round last more than six minutes. Muhamed led with his head which smacked into Saglam’s forehead and Saglam dropped to the canvas rolling around looking for a disqualification. The arguments over that went on for four minutes. Eventually the fight resumed and an enraged Saglam tried to butt Muhamed which typified the rest of the contest. By the end of the fourth Muhamed’s left eye was closed and it looked like a thumb had caused it. Muhamed continued to score on the advancing Saglam and Saglam connected with uppercuts inside. Late in the last there was a clash of heads and again Saglam went down looking for a disqualification win and when that did not happen the two rolled their way in bad tempered clashes to the end. The locally-based Muhamed took the unanimous verdict for his first points win. He had score twelve wins by KO/TKO and one on a disqualification but against some dreadful opponents. Saglam, 42, loses whenever he moves up being halted by Joseph Parker and Marco Huck.
Aydemir vs. Plotnykov
Aydemir takes unanimous decision over Plotnykov. Aydemir was faced with the challenge of getting past the jab of the 5’11” Plotnykov and managed that with better hand speed and quick darting attacks. Plotnykov worked hard with his jab in every round and was also able to score with some long rights to the body on the outside. Aydemir was drawing the lead and then coming inside with bursts of punches with Plotnykov lacking the punch to keep Aydemir out. It was an interesting rather than exciting fight with Aydemir rightly taking the verdict but with Plotnykov making him work hard in every round. .Cologne-based Aydemir, the GBU world champion, gets his eighth consecutive win. Ukrainian Plotnykov, 42, a former European title challenger, was inactive in 2018 and this is his second loss since returning.

Kingston, Jamaica: Super Feather: Carlos Dixon (10-1) W TKO 6 Edinso Torres Jr (12-5). Heavy: Vladimir Tereshkin (22-0-1) W RTD 4 Francisco Silvens (23-1). Super Light: Yurik Mamedov (12-1) W RTD 4 Eduardo Cordovez (13-2-1).
Dixon vs. Torres
Despite a four hour delay due to rain that meant this opening fight did not happen until almost midnight Dixon looked sharp as he dominated from the start before halting Torres in the sixth. Dixon’s power put him in the driving seat from the first bell and he bombarded Torres with punches with Torres spitting out his mouthguard to get a break when under pressure. He lost a point for that in the fourth and two heavy rights put him down in the fifth. Torres was forced to stand and trade as Dixon threw everything at the Venezuelan and overpowered him with two knockdowns to force the stoppage. Louisville’s Dixon, 22, wins the vacant WBC Youth Silver title with win No 8 inside the distance. Torres Jr, 21, has now lost three times by KO/TKO. Torres Snr was an IBO champion who had 80 pro fights with the last being a loss to Kevin Mitchell in London in 2008. Torres Jr is not going to reach that level.
Tereshkin vs. Silvens
Tereshkin gets another win but the physical difference made this a ridiculous spectacle. The 6’6” Russian southpaw towered over the 5’11” Dominican but the tubby Silvens weighed the same as Tereshkin which gives an indication of the spare fat he was carrying. Tereshkin is not very mobile but he was able to score with his jab and straight rights. Silvens kept marching into the punches and throwing wild, but dangerous, swipes, Tereshkin was leaving his chin hanging out and was badly shaken in the second before coming back to rock Silvens. Tereshkin used his physical advantages to punish the charging Silvens in the third and fourth with an exhausted Silvens not coming out for the fifth. The 31-year-old Russian did not impress. He is slow does not have a great defence and has largely been inactive having only two fights between December 2013 and July this year. Silvens record reflects the standard of matching in the Dominican Republic. Seventeen of the fighters he has beaten had never won a fight and the other six had managed 26 wins with twelve of those claimed by one opponent.
Mamedov vs. Cordovez
Mamedov makes it a double for Russia as he wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title (Russia relocated to the Caribbean-no problem for the WBA). As with Tereshkin Mamedov had physical edges here at 5’9” to the 5’4 ½ “for Cordovez. The Venezuelan was a very live opponent in the first and much of the second as he traded punches with Mamedov. The turning point came late in the second when Mamedov sunk a rib-bending left hook to Cordovez’s body. The Venezuelan did well to get up and survive. In the third Mamedov connected with some heavy rights putting Cordovez down twice and Cordovez did not come out for the fourth round. The 28-year-old Brooklyn-based Mamedov lost on points to 3-8-3 Marcus Bedford in 2017 and this is his fourth win since then against low standard opponents. As with Silvens Cordovez has also benefitted from some abysmal matching with twelve of his 13 victims never having won a fight.

Oslo, Norway: Cruiser: Kai Robin Havnaa (16-0) W PTS 10 Mariano Gudino (13-4). Being the son of Magne Havnaa makes Kai Robin a good ticket seller but this fight showed why he is not being rushed. He outboxed the Argentinian but only just. He was most effective when he was able to use his longer reach to score at distance or as a lever to open up the Argentinian’s guard. Too often Gudino was getting past Havnaa’s guard and scoring with hooks inside but he was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the fifth. Gudino’s confidence grew over the second half of the fight and it looked as though he might have clawed back Havnaa’s early lead but two of the judges disagreed. Scores 97-94 and 96-94 for Havnaa and 96-95 for Gudino. They will have to continue to be careful in the opposition they put in front of Havnaa but as he is 30 they can’t wait too long before taking riskier fights. Gudino has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights including a seventh round stoppage against Lawrence Okolie in July.

Orlando, FL, USA: Super Fly: Marvin Solano (23-4) W PTS 10 Dewayne Beamon (16-3-2). Nicaraguan Solano gets an unexpected win as he decisions Beamon. In his first fight in the USA Solano took the unanimous decision but it was a close thing. Scores 96-94 twice for Solano and a very different 100-90 also for Solano. The Nicaraguan was 3-3 in his last six fights consisting of three easy domestic jobs and losses on the road against Mikhail Aloyan, Jeyvier Cintron and Pedro Guevara. He wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. Beamon was halted in nine rounds by Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBC title in August.

Conroe, Texas: Alfonso Lopez (32-3) W PTS 10 Denis Grachev (19-10-1). Lopez grinds out decision win over Grachev for the vacant NASBF title. Grachev worked well over the first two rounds. He was coming forward behind his jab with hooks and outworking Lopez. From the third Lopez began to win the jab war. He was quicker and more accurate and on the front foot. He outboxed Grachev over the fourth and fifth but Grachev put in a big effort in the sixth driving forward and roughing Lopez up on the inside. Both fighters were cut over their right eye and Lopez seemed to have problems with the blood hampering his vision at times. Both had good spells in the seventh with Grachev still coming forward and Lopez countering. In the eighth it was Lopez coming forward and he was connecting with strong overhand rights. There were too many clinches in the ninth as both tired but Grachev looked to have done the better work. Lopez dug deep in the last and outpunched Grachev. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Texan Lopez. He won but the scores are harsh on the performance Grachev put up. Lopez gets his tenth win on the bounce since moving up to light heavy. No names on his record but at 37 he will have to move up soon. Grachev, also 37, has come a long way from the days when he beat 17-0 Ismayl Sillah and outpointed the 33-0 Zsolt Erdei. He is the only fighter to beat the former WBO cruiser champion before he retired. This is his third loss in a row –all tough jobs but he needs a win.

Fight of the week (Significance): Nothing screams out but the wins for Arsen Goulamirian, Dominic Boesel and Michel Soro could lead to some big fights next year.
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Alex Dilmaghani vs. Francisco Fonseca was special. Honourable mention to Pablo Cano vs. Roberto Ortiz-less than two rounds but a savage few minutes and to Lee McGregor vs. Ukashir Farooq
Fighter of the week: Michel Soro for his crushing victory over Cedric Vitu
Punch of the week: The straight left from Jai Opetaia was impressive and although he lost the right from Ortiz that put Cano down in the first was a hammer blow and I have to add the spectacular left hook from Amilcar Vidal that effectively ended his fight with Zach Prieto
Upset of the week: No biggies
Prospect watch: Super Welter Travell Mazion 16-0 is worth following Travell Mazion super welter 16-0