The Past Week In Action 20 October 2015

Miss any of this week’s action in the sport? Get caught up with “The Past Week in Action” by Eric Armit; with a review of all major cards in the boxing for the past week.

The Past Week In Action 20 October 2015

October 14

 

Glendale, AZ, USA: Feather: Lee Selby (22-1) W PTS 12 Fernando Montiel (54-5-2). Welter: Aaron Martinez (20-4-1) W PTS 10 Devon Alexander (26-4). Super Light: Ivan Redkach (19-1) W KO 3 Eric Martinez (11-3-1). Cruiser: Lionell Thompson (16-3) W TKO 2 Thomas Hanshaw (6-7). Super Bantam: Alexis Santiago (20-3-1) W PTS 8 Gustavo Molina (20-9).

Selby vs. Montiel

Selby retains his IBF title with a wide unanimous verdict over Montiel and it may be an indication of his progress that he was disappointed with his performance against a future Hall of Fame fighter, Selby edged the first outscoring Montiel but already the Mexican veteran was getting home with some meaty left hooks. The second was close with Selby working the jab and although scoring not being as accurate as usual and Montiel aggressive in spurts. Selby had a good third. He shook Montiel with a right and seemed to have scored a knockdown when Montiel’s glove brushed the canvas after another accurate right but it was ruled a slip. The fourth also went to Selby as he was able to counter effectively as Montiel tried to increase his work rate. The challenger had success in the fifth with his quick rushes inside and bunches of left hooks. Things continued to go Montiel’s way in the six. He rocked Selby with an uppercut and dug in some more left hooks and after a clash of heads Selby was showing a cut over his right eye. The seventh and eighth could have been scored for either fighter but Montiel just had the edge again on the basis of his series of left hooks. Selby then took over the fight in the ninth and tenth scoring well with rights against a tiring Montiel and although he tumbled to the canvas after missing a wild punch in the tenth he was again getting home telling rights. Montiel tried to rally in the eleventh but this time it was left hooks from Selby that caught the eye. Montiel put everything into the early part of the last until a right from Selby stopped him in his tracks. Scores 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112 all for Selby. First defence of his IBF title for Welshman Selby. The result was booed by a heavily pro-Montiel crowd but Selby was a clear winner even if some of the scoring was a bit harsh on Montiel. The 27-year-old champion was disappointed with his own performance as he was looking to make a big impression on his first USA fight and may have been trying too hard. Montiel, 36, a three-division champion, is 17-4 in world title fights so has a wealth of experience and had won his last 8 fights mainly against a good level of opposition. It could mean retirement for Montiel although the lure of a title in a fourth division may still be strong.

Alexander vs. Martinez

This was supposed to be a way of getting Alexander a rebuilding win but Martinez had other ideas and took a well deserved unanimous decision. Alexander started like the favourite using his better boxing and strong southpaw jab to counter the forward marching Martinez. The second was also Alexander’s but only just. From the third Martinez was walking through Alexander’s leads, putting his head on Alexander’s shoulder and working inside. The fight had changed and instead of trying to keep Martinez out or work inside Alexander started holding and wrestling and was already looking dispirited as the fight degenerated into a brawl with the crowd booing the lack of action. Alexander should have expected this type of fight as Martinez fought the same fight as he did in losing a split decision to Robert Guerrero in June. With the fight constantly in close heads were banging together and Alexander was cut over his right eye in the seventh. The cut unsettled Alexander enough for him to complain about the blood running into his eye with his trainer threatening to pull him out of the fight if he continued to complain. Martinez shook Alexander with a left hook early in the eighth and a left hook as the round ended. Mexican Martinez continued to outwork the former champion in the ninth but with a big effort getting Alexander the tenth but it was not enough. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94 for Martinez. The 33-year-old Martinez had been halted in five rounds by Josesito Lopez and outpointed by Guerrero in his last two fights but this win puts him line for some good paydays. Former WBC and IBF super light and IBF welter champion Alexander, 28, was having his first fight since losing a wide unanimous verdict to Amir Khan in December. That inactivity had seen him drop out of all of the ratings and now it his him with back-to-back losses to overcome and not Martinez. Alexander thought he won this one so will box on.

Redkach vs. Martinez

Redkach gets back into the winning column with win over Martinez. The Ukrainian southpaw was in control of this one for the outset and it was obvious from the gap in class that it would not last long. Redkach ended it with a left in the third with Martinez counted out with just one second left in the round. The 29-year-old Redkach was stopped in four round in June by little Dejan Zlaticanin in what was virtually a WBC eliminator. He is still rated WBC No 4 so still some hope of a title shot somewhere in the future. Martinez, from Tijuana, was having his first fight for 13 months.

Thompson vs. Hanshaw

Thompson beats Hanshaw in one-sided poor match. Thompson handed out a beating to Hanshaw before flooring him late in the second round. Hanshaw saw out the round but then retired. The 30-year-old “Lonnie B” from Buffalo had looked to be making real progress in 2013 but lost a split decision to Radivoje Kalajdzic in April last year and this is his first fight since then. He was a 5-time NY GG Champion but although competing in all of the big national tournaments never got past the quarter final stage. Now 4 losses in a row for “The Hillbilly” Hanshaw.

Santiago vs. Molina

Phoenix fighter Santiago moves to 9 wins in a row with unanimous decision over Mexican Molina. The 25-year-old “Beaver” took the decision on scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. Santiago competed at the finals of the NGG’s twice without medalling. Mexican fly champion Molina had been 4-2 in his previous 6 fights.

 

October 15

 

Auckland, New Zealand: Heavy: Joseph Parker (16-0) W KO 3 Kali Meehan (42-6). Welter: Jeff Horn (12-0-1) W PTS 10 Alfredo Blanco (15-4). Heavy: Izuagbe Ugonoh (14-0) W TKO 1 Ibrahim Labaran (13-4): Super Welter: Gunnar Jackson (22-6-3) W PTS 6 Daniel Roy Maxwell (5-33-2). Heavy: Wallis Meehan (4-0) W TKO 2 Leamy Tato (1-4).

Parker vs. Meehan

Parker marches on as he wins bragging right in Auckland with knockout of veteran Meehan. Parker took the first round but was too anxious to land his big punches and not working his openings. Meehan landed a couple of shots but nothing of substance. At the end of the first trainer Kevin Barry reminded Parker of the game plan not to rush things and Parker settled down in the second making more use of his jab and going to the body as well. In the third a thumping right to the side of the head sent Meehan slumping down to the canvas on his side. He struggled to get to his feet but was counted out just as he made it. Now 14 wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old New Zealander including 10 in his last 11 fights. He is rated WBO 6/WBA 13 (12)/WBC 14. As an amateur he took silver at the World Youth Olympics and bronze at the World Youth Games but failed to medal at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Former WBO title challenger Meehan, 45, loses inside the distance for the fourth time. He had won a tournament last year and beat Shane Cameron in his last fight in November. This fight was for 5 different minor titles but I am not going to bother listing them.

Horn vs. Blanco

After a slow start Horn wins every round against Argentinian Blanco. The awkward Argentinian started brightly winning the first round. A right from Blanco in the second seemed to wake Horn up and he then started to push Blanco back and thump home quick combinations. Although he continued to have problems with Blanco’s style with his switching guards and his longer reach Horn was working well inside and used his quicker hands to score at a distance. The Australian was dominating the fight walking Blanco down with the Argentinian’s work rate and opportunities becoming less and less with Horn emerging the clear winner. Scores 99-91 from all three judges. The 27-year-old “Hornet”, a school teacher and 2012 Olympian, was coming off a good win over Viktor Plotnykov in August. He is WBO 7/IBF 12(10)/WBA 13(12). Blanco 25 lost to Australian Cameron Hammond in July last year. He had won 4 of 5 since then but against low level opposition.

Ugonoh vs. Labaran

Ugonoh gets easy win over reluctant Labaran. The big Polish-born Ugonoh stalked Labaran around the ropes and landed a long straight right that sent Labaran down. He was up quickly and Ugonoh just prowled after him manoeuvring Labaran into a corner and a right to the head saw Labaran down again. He was up at four but at the end of the eight count he made no attempt to walk forward when asked and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’5” (196cm) Ugonoh, who is of Nigerian parentage, is a former world kickboxing champion who helps out as Parker’s sparring partner. He has 11 wins by KO/TKO and lifts the interim WBA Oceania and interim WBO African titles. Hong Kong-based Ghanaian Labaran was having his first fight for two years.

Jackson vs. Maxwell

Jackson eases his way back with unanimous decision over limited fellow-countryman Maxwell. Jackson was able to find regular gaps for punches to head and body and was rarely troubled by the very limited Maxwell. First win for 29-year-old Jackson since losing his WBO Oriental title to Kerry Hope in June. Five losses in a row for 38-year-old Maxwell.

Meehan vs. Tato

Meaningless win for Kali’s son as he halts late selection Tato. After a slow start to the first round Meehan then handed out severe punishment at the end of the round and the fight could have been stopped then. In the second Meehan immediately trapped Tato on the ropes and unloaded heavy punches to the head, too many heavy punches, until the referee stopped the fight with Meehan making it clear to the referee that he thought he should have stopped the fight earlier. Three wins by KO/TKO for the 20-year-old Auckland-born fighter. He is 6’5” (195cm) like his dad and was just over 278lbs for this fight. His first love is rugby league but he was sacked mid-season by the Sydney Roosters for off field incidents. He has converted to Islam, adjusted his behaviour and is hoping to return to rugby soon. The 41-year-old Tato should never have been allowed in the ring with Meehan. He is 5’10” (178cm) was outweighed by at least 36lbs, had not fought for 17 months and came in at short notice.

 

October 16

 

Chicago, IL, USA: Light Heavy: Andrzej Fonfara (29-3,1ND) W PTS 12 Nathan Cleverly (29-3). Super Fly: Kohei Kono (31-8-1) W PTS 12 Koki Kameda (33-2). Super Welter: Patrick Szymanski (15-0) W PTS 10 Richard Gutierrez (28-17-1,2ND).

Fonfara vs. Cleverly

Fonfara gets close unanimous decision in bloody war of non-stop action. Both were trading from the off with Cleverly’s more accurate jabbing just giving him an edge and the Brit getting the better of the exchanges but neither fighter was paying much attention to defence. Fonfara had looked a bit sluggish over the first two rounds but he was starting to roll by taking the third and fourth as they continued to trade. Cleverly upped his work to edge the fifth and six at which point two judges had Cleverly in front 58-56 with the third having it 57-57. Fonfara had a big seventh importantly landing an uppercut which mashed Cleverly’s nose and it was later established it had been broken and he also opened a cut by Cleverly’s left ear. After that it was Fonfara’s fight although Cleverly never acknowledged that as they both continued to throw and land punch after punch setting a record for punches thrown in any light heavyweight bout registered by CompuBox. It was brutal and basic with neither fully using the skills they possessed and showing what can be achieved with heat and guts. Fonfara had the momentum but Cleverly had a good spell in the ninth. He had to pass a doctor’s inspection in the tenth as he consistently had blood splashed across his face from his injuries. Fonfara was the one landing the more eye catching shots and he pulled away over the championship rounds to win a well deserved decision. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-113 all for Fonfara.  The effect of that seventh round was evident on the score cards with one judge giving Fonfara all six rounds from the seventh and  onwards and the other two going 5-1 to Fonfara. The Chicago-based Pole retains his WBC International title. He is rated WBA 2/WBC 3/IBF 5(4)/WBO 5. Although he lost a wide unanimous decision to Adonis Stevenson for the WBC title in May 2014 his subsequent wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and now in the thrilling war over Cleverly mean that a return with Stevenson or a fight with Sergey Kovalev could be his in 2016. Former WBO champion Cleverly had moved up to cruiser but after losing to Tonty Bellew returned to light heavy. His injuries will take time to heal but the 28-year-old Welshman can point to that nose injury as a big factor in his defeat and being in a fight as entertaining as this will have raised his profile in the USA.

Kono vs. Kameda

Kono retains WBA title with unanimous decision over Kameda in the first world title fight between two Japanese fighters in the USA. Kameda seemed to take the first round boxing on the back foot and stabbing out a stiff right jab with Kono throwing a couple of combinations late in the round. In the second Kono was constantly throwing lead rights at southpaw Kameda and scoring with them. A left from Kameda was very low but after a moment’s hesitation Kono shrugged it off. Kono drove Kameda back with more rights only for Kameda to land three low punches. Kono was badly hurt and clinging to Kameda like a limpet forcing the referee to use both hands to get Kono to let go. Kameda was not warned at that point. After some more low shots from Kameda Kono sank to his knees. Kameda was waiving his arm in celebration of a knockdown only for the referee to order a time out so that Kono could recover. Immediately the fight restarted Kono’s first punch a straight right counter put Kameda down. Total confusion ensued as Kono was ordered to a neutral corner and Kameda got up and walked to the same neutral corner where they booth stood until the referee split them up with the bell going at that moment. At the start of the third Kameda again landed three left hooks low and the referee deducted a point. There was another break when the fighters bumped heads and when Kameda landed some more low left hooks he was deducted a second point. Both continued to trade heavy punches in some sustained action which was too often interrupted by some over officious refereeing. Both were guilty of various infractions as they fight for dominance and it got to a point in the seventh where the referee stopped the fight and warned them that he would disqualify them both if they continued to transgress. Kono was the one deducted a point in the ninth for continually pushing Kameda’s head down. As they tired both gave up boxing and began to brawl. Kono’s main weapon was his orthodox right thrown straight or as a hook with Kameda relying more on his jab and placing his punches but Kono was the busier with Kameda throwing slightly less but with more accuracy. The fight was poised going into the last three rounds but Koko simply outworked Kameda who seemed to tire. Scores 116-108, 115-109 and 113-111. Second defence in his second reign for 34-year-old Kono after un-enterprising split draw with Norberto Jimenez in his first defence in December. He was much more impressive here. Kameda 28 a former WBA light fly and WBC fly was said to be trying to become a fourth division champion but that was based on his winning the secondary WBA title at bantam. He was taking about perhaps retiring.

Szymanski vs. Gutierrez

Polish prospect Szymanski moves up to ten rounds and cruises past Colombian veteran. Szymanski controlled the action and pace of the fight. Gutierrez tried to work his way inside but generally Szymanski was able to create space and even when Gutierrez did get inside the young Pole more than matched him in a mature performance. Scores 98-92 twice and 100-90. The 22-year-old former top amateur is a bit lacking in power but is making good progress. Gutierrez, 37, is a long way down the slope at 2-12 and one ND in his last 15 fights.

 

New York, NY, USA: Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (26-0) W PTS 10 Donovan George (25-4-2,1ND). Welter: Brad Solomon (26-0) W PTS 10 Ray Serrano (21-3). Light: John Joe Nevin (5-0) W TKO 3 Jose Guzman (6-12-1).

Monaghan vs. George

Monaghan was always favourite to win this one and with game George breaking his right hand in the second round is was really a test of George’s guts than Monaghan’s ability. Monaghan had the edge in skill and speed and he suffered his own misfortune in the second when a clash of heads left the New York fighter with a cut over right eye. Gradually the hand injury became more of a factor as Monaghan was able to exchange with less caution and was winning the rounds. The doctor reviewed the hand injury at the start of the fifth but George insisted on continuing. Monaghan was scoring with both hands but could not find the punch to halt George who ignored the injury to fight hard in the eighth and ninth and threw the right hand continually in the last trying for  a knockout but in vain as Monaghan was a clear winner. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. Monaghan, 34, retains the WBC Continental Americas title and wins the vacant WBO NABO title. He did his job in this one but George’s injury robbed the win of any significance. Monaghan is still to be put into a challenging fight but is rated WBA 4/IBF 6(5)/WBC 7/WBO 8 and is likely to get a title shot in 2016. Winning it is something else. George, 30, has had numerous operations on his right hand and must wonder if it is still worthwhile boxing. After 21 wins in a row George is now 5-5-1, 1ND in his last 12 fights.

Solomon vs. Serrano

Solomon remains unbeaten but just can’t set the ring alight. Solomon is hugely talented but lacks power and that means that a determined fight such as Serrano is always going to be able to come forward and put the Lafayette fighter under pressure. Serrano was very much in the fight early and was probably unlucky not to be credited with a knockdown ion the second when a punch followed by a push put Solomon down. Serrano then faded out of the fight as Solomon took control and shut Serrano out over the second half. Scores 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93 all for Solomon. When Solomon turned pro in 2008 he moved over as a former NGG champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 with wins over Demetrius Andrade, Jessie Vargas and Danny Garcia but at 32 time is running out for him. Serrano hit a bad patch of back-to-back losses to Karim Mayfield and Emmanuel Taylor and then took almost two years out before returning in November last year since when he had scored three wins.

Nevin vs. Guzman

Nevin has to go through fights like this as he starts out as a pro. He is several classes above Guzman but got a few rounds under his belt before halting Guzman in the third. The 26-year-old member of the Irish Traveller’s community was a star of the Irish amateur boxing team won bronze medals at both the European and the European Union Championships, a silver at the World Championships and competed at both the 2008 and 2012  Olympics. He had to recover from having both legs broken in April last year in an attack relating to a dispute in his community and is a can’t miss prospect. Puerto Rican Guzman has lost 8 of his last 9 fights.

 

Villa Mercedes, Argentina: Fly: Jonathan Gonzalez (17-1-1) W PTS 10 Carlos Ruiz (21-7). Puerto Rican Gonzalez outboxes limited local but has to settle for a split decision that should have been unanimous. Gonzalez used his right jab to make things difficult for the Argentinian and eased his way through the first three rounds. The fourth was more level but after that the skilful boxing and countering from Gonzalez had Ruiz frustrated as he has being caught with quick accurate punches without being able to land anything significant of his own. Gonzalez was brilliant in the eight and a clash of heads saw Ruiz cut over his right eye in the ninth with Gonzalez taking no chances in the last. Scores 98-92 twice for Gonzalez and an amazing 96-94 for Ruiz. Bronx-born 24-year-old “Bomba” Gonzalez was stopped in four rounds in an overly ambitious fight with Giovani Segura in 2013 but has clawed his way back with four wins and a draw and is No 12 with the IBF. “Bad Boy” Ruiz, 29, the FAB No 2 had rebounded from 3 losses in a row with a low level win in August.

 

Ituzaingo, Argentina: Super Light: Jonathan Chavez (15-1-1) W PTS 10 Claudio Esperante (6-6-2).

Ituzaingo fighter Chavez gets second points win over Esperante. Chavez controlled this fight and was able to score freely in most rounds with Esperante only being competitive in the sixth and seventh.  Chavez’s lack of any real punch allowed southpaw Esperante to last the full distance and he was scoring so freely that it led to Esperante losing a point for holding in the eighth and almost stopped him in the tenth. Scores 99-90, 99 ½-90 ½, and 99 ½-91 ½ for 27-year-old Chavez who had outpointed Esperante over six rounds in October last year. He has now won his last 9 fights, 8 of them on points. Only one win in his last 5 fights for Esperante.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Fly: David Carmona (20-2-5) W PTS 10 Ricardo Rodriguez (12-3). Carmona gets important second win over Rodriguez. It was Rodriguez who pocketed the early rounds before Carmona got rolling in the fifth. A right uppercut to the chin put Rodriguez down in the sixth and from then Carmona was the one collecting the rounds as they scrapped hard to the last bell. Scores 97-92 twice for Carmona and 96-93 for Rodriguez. Mexican Carmona, 24, the WBO No 2, had taken a unanimous decision over Rodriguez in July last year. He was halted in seven rounds by Omar Narvaez in a challenge for the WBO title in 2013 and drew with Warlito Parrenas for the vacant interim title in July. He is hoping for a straight shot at champion Naoya Inoue next year. Fellow-Mexican Rodriguez, 26, the WBO No 10 had scored good wins over Jonathan Vidal and Daniel Lozano but this loss cost him his WBO Latino title and any hope of taking Carmona’s title chance.

 

Edinburgh, Scotland: Super Feather: Anthony Cacace (13-0) W TKO 10 Ronnie Clark (13-3-2). Welter: Josh Taylor (2-0) W TKO 1 Adam Mate (17-6).

Cacace vs. Clark

In a lively first round both did more missing than hitting with the much taller Cacace prodding his jab and trying some long rights and southpaw Clark jabbing and throwing occasional lefts. That’s how the fight continued with Clark taking the fight to Cacace trying to get inside and Cacace dangerous with straight right crosses. Neither fighter was interested in working the body and they were both head hunting. Cacace was often using his left not as a jab but as a stiff arm to measure Clark for the rights and Clark was slipping inside and scoring with hooks. As the fight progressed Clark was having more and more trouble getting inside and Cacace was no longer just prodding the jab and throwing the right but letting his hands go in bursts. Clark scored with a couple of hard left hooks in the sixth and seemed to be timing his attacks better in the eighth and ninth constantly putting Cacace under pressur. It was the same in the tenth as Clark was throwing punches form both hands. Cacace was more controlled and as Clark left himself open Cacace shook Clark with a series of head punches. Clark seemed to have absorbed them but suddenly a three-punch combination saw Clark collapse back into the ropes and slip to his knees badly hurt and the referee made a well-timed stoppage. The 26-year-old from Belfast wins the BBBof C Celtic title. First loss inside the distance for Clark who was very much in the fight until that last round.

Taylor vs. Mate

Taylor gets rid of Hungarian quickly. The highly publicised new hope of Scottish boxing hurt Mate early and never let him recover. Taylor had Mate down twice before the fight was stopped after just 85 seconds. Managed by Barry McGuigan “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor, 24, a former Commonwealth Games gold medal winner who also competed at two European Championships, two World Championships and the 2012 Olympics was plagued with hand injuries as an amateur but if he can avoid any such troubles as a pro then he could emulate other Edinburgh boxers Ken Buchanan and Alex Arthur. Poor Mate was halted inside a round by Stephen Ormond for the WBO European title in 2013 but in lower level competition had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

East London, South Africa: Feather: Lusanda Komanisi (19-3) W KO 5 Roli Gasca (23-7-1). Light: Mzonke Fana (36-8) W PTS 12 Sipho Taliwe -5-1). Super Bantam: Toto Hlebe (17-5) W TKO 11 Siphosethu Mvula (7-2).

Komanisi vs. Gasca

“Schoolboy” Komanisi retains the IBO title with kayo of Filipino Gasca. When theses two met in December Komanisi only held on to his title with a split decision this time he settled matters with a kayo. The South African now has 17 wins by KO/TKO and after going 4-3 in his first 7 fights has won 15 in a row. Gasca is now 0-3 in fights in South Africa and this is his first loss by KO/TKO.

Fana vs. Taliwe

Veteran Fana wins some sort of version of the South African title with revenge victory over Taliwe. Fana used his superior skills to take this by unanimous decision over his much younger opponent. The 41-year-old former undefeated IBF super feather champion just goes on and on. This was billed as for the interim title with disputes and law suits threatened after a fighter above Fana in the BSA rating was passed over. There was some suggestion of the other fighter’s “punishment index” being too high for him to be allowed to take this fight with the supervisor of the previous fight denying there was anything about a punishment index in his fight report. Situation normal in South Africa. Former South African and WBC International super feather champion Taliwe had beaten Fana in a WBC International title defence in 2012. He was unlucky to lose a split decision to Daud Yordan for the IBO light title on a split decision in Indonesia in 2013 and then was inactive for a year.

Hlebe vs. Mvula

South African bantam champion Hlebe moves up and wins the interim WBA Pan African title at super bantam title with late stoppage of inexperienced Mvula. After consecutive losses to Thabo Sonjica and Thabo Sishwane in 2014 Hlebe has rebounded nicely with three wins this year. Mvula is still shown as the South African super fly champion so he was out of his division here.

 

 

 

 

October 17

New York, NY, USA: Middle: Gennady Golovkin (34-0) W TKO 8 David Lemieux (34-3). Fly: Roman Gonzalez (44-0) W TKO 9 Brian Viloria (36-5). Heavy: Luis Ortiz (23-0,1ND) W KO 3 Matias Vidondo (20-2-1). Middle: Tureano Johnson (19-1) W PTS 12 Eamonn O’Kane (14-2-1). Light: Maurice Hooker (19-0-2) W PTS 10Ghislain Maduma (17-1) .

Golovkin vs. Lemieux

Golovkin beats down a brave Lemieux to defeat to unify the WBA and IBF titles. Golovkin showed that despite his impressive knockout statistics it is a powerful left jab that sets the opponents up. He demonstrated this in the first snapping the Canadian’s head back time and again with a ramrod left that Lemieux could not find a way past. The jab was doing more than just stopping Lemieux in the second, it was forcing him back and letting Golovkin work his other punches and he had Lemieux on the ropes and hurt with a left to the body. Both fighters score with good rights in the third but Golovkin sharper and more accurate and there is no sign of Lemieux finding a way into the fight. The fourth sees Golovkin opening up in earnest crashing home rights to the head and forcing Lemieux to the ropes where he can work the Canadian over. In the fifth Lemieux starts out trying to trade with Golovkin and although he scores with a good combination the return fire from Golovkin is hellacious and a body punch puts Lemieux down and Golovkin commits the grievous sin of landing a punch just after Lemieux’s knees touch the floor. Golovkin apologises profusely to the referee and gets away with the misdemeanour. Lemieux does well to get up and the bell goes before Golovkin can capitalise on the knockdown. Lemieux actually gets into the fight in the sixth landing a hard body punch that makes Golovkin pause but by the end of the round the Kazakh fighter is again the one landing the heavy punches which are starting to make Lemieux’s face a mess. The referee has the doctor examine Lemieux in the seventh with the Canadian possibly having suffered a broken nose, but the fight continues with Golovkin again landing with heavy artillery. Early in the eighth a left hook to the body and a right from Golovkin sets Lemieux back on his heels and the referee stops the fight. The mark of a great fighter is whether he carries his punch into successively tougher fights and Golovkin has now won 21 fights in a row by KO/TKO with 16 of those fights being for some version off the world title. Everyone thinks they have a way to beat GGG until they get in the ring. He has not unified the WBC title as he is only their interim title a gesture they made so that they could hang onto the Kazakh’s coattails. Lemieux only ever had a punchers chance in this which against GGG is no chance but the Canadian fought hard and loudly protested the stoppage but it was the right decision as he was only going to take even more punishment. He is an exciting fighter and there are plenty of big fights out there for him-but not against GGG.

Gonzalez vs. Viloria

Gonzalez just grinds down a brave Viloria and retains his WBC title. Viloria was willing to stand and trade with Gonzalez and scored with enough good straight shots and hooks to probably edge the first round and be competitive in the second after that it was a case of Gonzalez waging a war of attrition. The Nicaraguan just kept pressing and pressing getting in close and thudding home hooks and uppercuts. Viloria had no choice but to fight inside with Gonzalez but the power gap was evident. In the third a right dropped Viloria and although he got up he suffered more heavy punishment before the round ended. When he was working inside Viloria was probably doing well enough to give him the edge over almost any other flyweight but Gonzalez was unmoved and relentless banging away at the head and body with those short hooks and uppercuts which were slowly wearing the “Hawaiian Punch” down. Viloria was able to land some hard counters of his own and fire off jabs and hooks when he could make some space but he could not match the power or work rate of Gonzalez and began to tire and the punches from Gonzalez were starting to bust up Vilonia’s face. At the end of the eighth round the doctor had a look at the damage and swelling to the right side of Viloria’s face but let the fight continue. The ninth was a painful ending for Viloria as he was just being overwhelmed by the hooks and uppercuts from Gonzalez and being driven backwards around the ropes until the referee had seen enough and stepped in to save Viloria. Third defence of his WBC title for 28-year-old Gonzalez, who is 14-0 in title fights over three divisions, has 38 wins by KO/TKO and has won inside the distance in 15 of his last 16 fights. By the end of 2016 he could have erased both Rocky Marciano and Floyd Mayweather Jr from the record books as it is difficult to see anyone capable of beating him in the lower divisions. At 34 perhaps it is time for two division champion Viloria to retire. He did his best here but was up against the best little man in the world. He might fancy a second fight with WBA/WBO champion Juan Francisco Estrada who only beat him on a split decision in the title fight in 2013 but then there would still be Gonzalez to face.

Ortiz vs. Vidondo

Ortiz wins the interim WBA title with too easy stoppage of limited Argentinian Vidondo. The first round lacked any action as both just prodded with their respective jab with Ortiz trying the occasional long southpaw left. Ortiz was more focused in the second putting some snap into his jab and letting the left go. Vidondo was standing and trading but his punches lacked power and was leaving himself open to counters. Two straight lefts from Ortiz sent Vidondo staggering back  to the ropes and as he rebounded forward a short right from Ortiz put Vidondo down on his hands and knees. He was up at six but was wobbling and he was shaken again just at the bell. In the third Ortiz again sent Vidondo into the ropes and landed a right and a left to the temple of Vidondo who collapsed face down on the canvas and the referee did not bother to count. The 36-year-old Cuban “Real King Kong” now has 20 wins by KO/TKO. Vidondo, 39, was having his first fight in a year. It is a sign of how the WBA regards drug cheats in that Ortiz fought and won this same title only 13 months ago only to be stripped for a positive test and is here fighting for the title again. Disgraceful. It is also incredible that a fight for the interim title can be fought between someone rated as low as 8 (Ortiz) and someone inactive for a year and down at 15 (Vidondo) it makes a nonsense of the ratings.

Johnson vs. O’Kane

Johnson wins what is essentially an IBF eliminator with O’Kane. It was almost over inside the first three minutes as Johnson slammed home a left to the head and a right hook which put O’Kane down. The Irish fighter made it to the vertical only for Johnson to curve some hooks around O’Kane’s guard and put him down for a second time. Somehow O’Kane made it out of the round but Johnson was on top again in the second to already have a commanding lead. However, O’Kane showed some Irish fighting spirit as he steadied himself in the third and by working inside nullified the power of Johnson’s punches. Johnson came awake enough to take the fourth but O’Kane was getting into his stride and edged the fifth and sixth. Johnson’s power came into play again in the seventh as he rocked O’Kane but the Irishman again forced Johnson to fight his fight inside in the eighth. From there Johnson took over again switching guards and threading spiteful punches through O’Kane’s guard as he boxed his way to the wide unanimous verdict. Scores 119-107, 118-108 and 117-109 all for Johnson. The Bahamian 31-year-old was on the cusp of a title fight when he was well in front against Curtis Stevens until a controversial stoppage with less than a minute to go in the last round of their fight in April 2014. Since then Johnson has now won 5 in a row. He was rated IBF 4(2) and was also No 3 with both the WBC and WBA. However O’Kane, 33, was IBF 3(1) making him the top rated fighter by the IBF and Johnson’s win over another rated fighter means he can now be moved to No 1 and the mandatory challenger for new IBF champion Golovkin.

Hooker vs. Maduma

Hooker retains his WBO NABO title with split decision over Maduma. This was a close hard fight with a decision that was not popular with all. Hooker made a quick start shaking Maduma with left in the first and clearly taking the second. Maduma got into the fight by edging the third. Hooker had a big fourth as he floored the Canadian with a right to build a big lead. Things changed in the sixth with Maduma staggering Hooker and then trapping him on the ropes and battering away at him with shots to head and body. Hooker was in deep water and only survived by clinging to Maduma for dear life and then spitting out his gumshield for additional respite. He got away with that without being penalised and Hooker then tried to use his jab to keep Maduma out. The Canadian had much the better of the second half of the fight and it looked to be anyone’s fight going into the last but Hooker staged the stronger finish to take the decision. Scores 95-93 and 95-94 for Hooker and 95-93 for Maduma. Texan “Mighty Mo” Hooper, 26, was in his first real test and just about deserved the decision. DRC-born Maduma was rebuilding. He took a year out after losing to Kevin Mitchell in April 2014 and had won against low level opposition in June.

 

Fairfax, VA, USA: Welter: Lamont Peterson (34-3-1) W PTS 12 Felix Diaz (17-1). Welter: Terrel Williams (15-0) W DISQ 9 Prichard Colon (16-1). Super Light: Anthony Peterson (36-1) W KO 1 Mike Oliver (26-7-1). Super Middle: Lennox Allen (20-0-1) W TKO 2 Istvan Zeller (24-9).

Peterson vs. Diaz

Peterson gets majority decision over Diaz in a tight fight of contrasting styles. Southpaw Diaz was effective early with fast combination punching which earned him the first round but over the next four rounds Peterson was busier and more accurate and was outscoring the little Dominican. Diaz had a good spell in the middle rounds as he  allowed Peterson to come forward and countered again with those quick bursts of combination punching and was confident enough to do some showboating. Peterson stuck to his task and was still pressing the fight. Diaz scored with some hard counters in the seventh. Normally strong in the later rounds after a good ninth it looked as though Peterson would pull away over the last three rounds but instead it was the clever boxing and speed of Diaz that came to the fore and he easily took the last round to seemingly put the verdict very much in doubt-but not for the judges. Scores 117-111 and 116-112 for Peterson and 114-114. It was close enough not to argue over the result but certainly over the scoring which did not reflect the trouble that the better boxing of Diaz had given Peterson. The 31-year-old from Washington was stripped of his IBF title in April and was rebounding from a controversial majority decision loss to Danny Garcia in April. The IBF still have him rated at super light in the No 4(2) position with only Antonio Orozco above him. Diaz, 31, the DR’s only boxing gold medal winner, turned pro after the 2008 Olympics and has spent six years effectively getting nowhere. He fought well in this one and showed plenty of skill so hopefully will get more high profile fights.

Williams vs. Colon

Williams gets the win but with Colon fighting for his life in hospital that almost seems insignificant. The unbeaten Colon took the first two rounds being quicker to the punch. Williams clawed back the third with some good left hooks only for Colon to take the fourth with a late flourish. The fifth turned ugly with Colon rocked early and then landing a low punch which put Williams down in agony. The referee gave Williams time to recover and then deducted two points from Colon as he considered the punch to be deliberate. A fired up Williams finishes the round strongly. The bad feeling carried on into the sixth with the referee warning of a double disqualification if they continue the dirty stuff and Williams again finishing strongly staggering Colon with a left hook. Williams is chasing Colon down in the seventh with the young Puerto Rican short on confidence and being rocked by a right. Another right puts Colon down but as Colon rightly argues it landed on the back of his head. The referee deducted a point from Williams gave Colon some recovery time and Colon did some good work to the bell to edge the round.  The eighth was an even round with both having some success but the ninth is another big round for Williams. He shakes Colon with a left hook and then floors him with a combination. Another hard combination sends Colon down face first but he rolls over and gets up and is saved by the bell. Colon’s corner then started to remove their fighter’s gloves thinking that that was the tenth round. By the time they realise their mistake and get him gloved again they have taken too long and as their man is not ready to fight at the end of the one minute interval Colon is disqualified. Back in his dressing room Colon became unwell and was quickly transferred to a nearby hospital. He had suffered a subdural hematoma (brain bleed) and was operated on. As I write he is in an induced coma and in a critical condition.

Peterson vs. Oliver

Peterson gets predictable first round win over Oliver. Peterson needed only one hard right to put Oliver down and Oliver made no attempt to beat the count. Inactivity has led to Anthony taking a back seat to elder brother Lamont and this was only his sixth fight in the last five years. Oliver 35 was inactive for 13 months and since his return in August has now lost two fights inside the distance.

Allen vs. Zeller

Allen finally seems to be serious about his career as he gets his third win of the year. The Guyanan southpaw gave Zeller a broken nose with a right in the first and floored him in the second with the referee stopping the fight. The 30-yerar-old Allen has been a pro for 11 years. He had just one fight in 2012 one in 2013 and was inactive in 2014. Hungarian Zeller now has 8 losses by KO/TKO.

Carson, CA, USA: Light Fly: Donnie Nietes (37-1-4) W PTS 12 Juan Alejo (21-4). Super Bantam: Albert Pagara (25-0) W KO 6 William Gonzalez (27-6). Super Light: Jason Pagara (37-2) W KO 2 Santos Benavides (25-8-2). Feather: Mark Magsayo (12-0)0) W KO 1 Yardley Suarez (13-1).

Nietes vs. Alejo

Nietes retains his WBO title with wide decision over Mexican Alejo in his first fight in the USA. The Filipino was a class or two above Alejo and used slick boxing to open Alejo’s defence and score with punches from both hands. He opened a cut under the Mexican’s eye with a punch in the second. The fourth saw Nietes slotting punch after punch through Alejo’s defence with right uppercuts catching the eye and Alejo’s attention and another punch saw Alejo cut under his right eye. A right from Alejo opened a slight cut over Nietes’ left eye in the sixth. Nietes had a big seventh as he unloaded rights and left hooks with Alejo’s knees buckling but the Mexican refused to fold despite the punishment. It was a one-sided fight as Nietes was able to pierce Alejo’s guard time and again. An overhand right from Alejo did momentarily shake Nietes but it was his only success and the only doubt left in the fight was whether Alejo could last the distance. Scores 119-109 twice and 120-108 for 33-year-old Nietes who was making the eighth defence of his WBO title. When his reign as WBO minimumweight is taken into account he is 14-0-1 in 15 title fights and he beat the man who put the draw there inside the distance in a return. He is unbeaten for over 11 years and the one fight he did lose was a split decision to an Indonesian in Indonesia. A remarkable record. “Pinky” Alejo had recovered well from losing his first three pro fights but there are no bog names in his record so this was a huge, too big, step up in class for him.

Pagara vs. Gonzalez

Pagara finds Gonzalez unfazed by the young Filipino’s reputation as a puncher and Pagara is forced to prove he can box as well as punch before halting Gonzalez in the sixth. Nicaraguan southpaw Gonzalez tried to overwhelm the younger man from the start marching forward throwing punches and forcing Pagara on to the back foot by the sheer ferocity of his attacks. Pagara slammed home counter after counter as Gonzalez advanced. In the second round Pagara floored Gonzalez with a hard combination but ruined the good work by landing the  last punch in the combination after Gonzalez was down. That punch cost Pagara a point deduction and gained Gonzalez a five minute recovery time. Pagara continued to let Gonzalez do the leading and the Nicaraguan had some success with hard rights. In the fifth Pagara chose to go toe-to-toe and although it allowed Gonzalez more opportunities it also led to Pagara sitting down on his punches and punishing Gonzalez with hard rights. In the sixth the punishment caught up with Gonzalez and a straight right from Pagara saw Gonzalez slump to the floor. He had nothing left and just sat out the count. For me the 21-year-old “Prince Albert”, the younger brother of Jason, has the skill, determination and punch to be a world champion if not in 2016 then in 2017 but he needs some stiffer tests first. This is his 18^th win by KO/TKO and he wins the WBC Youth Inter-Continental title (that really is scraping the bottom of the barrel to needlessly make this a title fight) and he is rated IBF 3(2)/WBC 6/WBO 6. Gonzalez, 34, lost a majority decision to Joseph Agbeko for the IBF bantam title in 2008 but then had some indifferent form until beating Cornelius Lock in May 2014 which was his last fight. This is his third loss by KO/TKO the others being to Ricardo Cordoba and Jhonny Gonzalez.

Pagara vs. Benavides

Jason makes it a winning family double as he stops experienced Benavides in two rounds. In the first Pagara was boxing cleverly and slotting home quick combinations as Benavides pressed forward with crude swings. In the second a combination to the head put Benavides down. He made it to his feet badly shaken. A body punch sent him down again and with just seven seconds remaining in the round another raid fire combination had Benavides down and the referee did not bother with the count. Now ten wins in a row for 27-year-old Pagara and 23 wins by KO/TKO. He has lost only one of his last 26 fights and reversed that with an inside the distance victory. He  has wins over Aaron Herrera (25-1), Vlad Baez (19-1-2) And Mario Meraz (21-3). He is rated No 4 by the WBO. Nicaraguan southpaw Benavides, 33, has now lost 5 in a row, 4 by KO/TKO but against world rated opposition.

Magsayo vs. Suarez

Hot Filipino prospect Magsayo blows away Mexican Suarez in two minutes. Magsayo drove Suarez to the ropes and unleashed a storm of punches with Suarez flopping down to the canvas under the bottom rope. He was up at 6 and when the fight restarted Magsayo just blasted away until Suarez dropped down in a corner propped up by the ropes and the referee waived the fight over. The 22-year-old “Magnifico” retains his IBF Youth title and has 10 wins by KO/TKO including 8 in his last 9 fights but Suarez was no test and had built his record against weak opposition.

 

Birmingham, England: Super Fly: Khalid Yafai (17-0) W PTS 12 Jason Cunningham (17-3). Welter: Sam Eggington (17-2) W PTS 12 Dale Evans (10-2-2). Super Welter: Matthew Macklin (34-6) W PTS 10 Jason Welborn (17-4). Super Bantam: Gamal Yafai (8-0) W PTS 10 Nasibu Ramadhani (18-8-1). Welter: Karl Wiggins (7-1) W TKO 2 Rob Hunt (22-4-2).

Yafai vs. Cunningham

Yafai just too quick and clever for Cunningham as he wins the vacant British title. The exquisite skills of Yafai never allowed southpaw Cunningham a foothold in the fight. Scoring with ease Yafai shook Cunningham with a left hooks in the fifth and scored a dubious knockdown in the sixth from a left that looked to land on the back of Cunningham’s head and with their legs also getting tangled. Cunningham got up complaining but the knockdown stood and was not really a factor due to the dominance of local fighter Yafai.  Yafai was comfortable enough to indulge in some showboating on his way to the verdict. Scores 120-107 twice and 119-108. The 26-year-olsd former undefeated CBC champion who competed at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships has the talent to go all the way. CBC champion Cunningham, 26 is s good fighter but Yafai a much better one.

Eggington vs. Evans

Eggington retains the CBC and British titles but has to climb off the floor against late substitute Davies to do it. After a feeling out first round the fight came to life in the second when an overhand right from Davies floored Eggington. The champion got up and fired back with punches of his own to the bell. Eggington took over the fight in the third landing accurately to head and body from distance but then allowed himself to be drawn inside by Davies in the fourth where he was less effective. The pace dropped in the fifth and sixth before Eggington again got on top scoring with hard rights and using his strength to put Davies on the back foot in the seventh and eighth. Both fighters suffered cuts in a clash of heads in the ninth and with his face bloodied Davies had to soak up some punishment in the tenth and eleventh as Eggington landed thumping head punches and uppercuts. Davies needed a knockout in the last and he landed a short series of punches that definitely rocked the champion but it came too late and Eggington ran out a clear winner. Scores 117-110 twice and 116-110. Second defence of his CBC title for 22-year-old Eggington and revenge for one of his two pro losses as Davies beat him a Prizefighter Tournament in 2013. His only other loss also came in a Prizefighter Tournament but he has now won 8 fights on the bounce including victories over former CBC champion Denton Vassell (20-1) and Shane Singleton (20-0). His big test could come in a re-scheduled fight against Frankie Gavin in December. Welshman Davies, 23, came in at short notice of just ten days when Gavin had to withdraw with a foot injury. He was coming off a win over Adil Anwar (21-4) and he gave Eggington a hard fight and can rebound from this loss.

Macklin vs. Welborn

Macklin finds things tough as he moves down to super welter and he fails to impress as Welborn pushes him hard all the way. Welborn forced Macklin to trade from the outset with both fighters scoring to the body and the fight produced plenty of excitement and some controversy. They battled away over the first four rounds with little between them. Welborn had been warned for a low left hook in the third and in the fifth during a sustained bout of pressure from Welborn and with Macklin on the ropes Welborn landed another low left hook. The referee stopped the action and after walking a couple of paces Macklin went down on one knee. The referee deducted a point from Welborn and gave Macklin time to recover. Welborn again had Macklin under pressure on the ropes and landed a left hook on the band of Macklin’s trunks. The referee stopped the action and again Macklin walked a few paces and went down on one knee. The referee ruled it was a low punch but did not deduct a point nor count it as a knockdown and again gave Macklin recovery time so Welborn lost the chance of a 10-8 round which would have been important with the fight so close and Macklin got another breather. Macklin was trying something new in attempting to let Welborn come forward and counter him and whilst he was scoring well to the body it was allowing Welborn to gain momentum. They fought hard to the final bell with most rounds being very close as they fought a fierce battle with a clash of heads in the tenth momentarily stunning Macklin but Macklin held on for victory. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Macklin who wins the vacant WBC International title. Third win for Macklin, 33, since suffering a shock kayo loss to Jorge Heiland in November. He had a struggle to get the decision in this one with many seeing Welborn as the winner so he still has work to do to convince people he can be a force at super welter. Welborn, 29, may have lost the decision but he also improved his status. His two other losses were against Frankie Gavin for the British welter title and new WBO champion Liam Smith for the British super middle title and he was coming off a good win over Ryan Aston.

Yafai vs. Ramadhani

A bit of a rocky ride for younger brother Gamal. He injured his left hand early in the fight and it threw him off his game for a while. However he still had enough skill with just one hand to stop southpaw Ramadhani getting into the fight and by the fifth round had completed his adjustment to not being able to use the jab and mainly having to use right leads and right hooks. Ramadhani tried hard but just could not pin down the elusive Yafai and lost a point for holding in the eighth and was well beaten. Referee’s score 99-91 for the Birmingham 24-year-old a former British amateur champion. He has suffered from hand injuries in the past so may be sidelined for a while. Tanzanian Ramadhani lost to Cunningham for the vacant CBC title in May and was also beaten on points by prospect Thomas Patrick Ward in September.

Wiggins vs. Hunt

Wiggins pulls off minor upset as he flattens Hunt in two to lift Hunt’s BBB of C Midlands Area title. Wiggins was aggressive from the start putting Hunt under pressure and trying to land with some big punches. He finally landed a big right late in the second round that put Hunt down and out cold with the referee immediately waiving the fight off and Hunt needing medical attention and help to get back to his corner. Wiggins, 35, had never been in a bout schedule for more than six round and had been halted inside a round by Daza Usher in March. He had also scored only one other inside the distance victory so this one really came out of the blue. After 5 wins in a row Hunt had been hoping for a shot at the British title but this, his fourth loss by KO/TKO, shattered that dream for now.

 

Karlsruhe, Germany: Super Middle: Vincent Feigenbutz (21-1) W PTS 12 Giovanni De Carolis (23-6). Middle: Nuhu Lawal (21-0) W PTS 12 Arman Torosyan (16-2-1). Heavy: Kubrat Pulev (21-1) W PTS 8 George Arias (56-14). Light: Richard Commey (23-0) W TKO 5 Ramaz Bebnadze (16-3). Light Heavy: Enrico Koelling (19-1) W PTS 8 Karel Horejsek (4-4-1).

Feigenbutz vs. De Carolis

Feigenbutz scrapes past De Carolis with unpopular decision which shows the flaws in the German fighter. In the first round De Carolis was all fire pressing Feigenbutz and getting through with rights. He drilled one straight right through the German’s guard which sent Feigenbutz tumbling backwards to the canvas. Feigenbutz was up immediately and indicating angrily that it was not a knockdown but it was. De Carolis continued to come forward landing more rights with Feigenbutz getting caught by the punches but dropping his hands and urging De Carolis to hit him again which the Italian did. It was a bad start for Feigenbutz and the momentum was with Carolis. He was able to force Feigenbutz back with a stiff jab and strong rights. Feigenbutz looked to have hurt De Carolis with a body punch at the end of the third but De Carolis had edged the round. In the fourth the Italian knocked out Feigenbutz’s gumshield with a punch and then landed a huge right which had Feigenbutz staggering back in to the ropes badly shaken. De Carolis kept punching away and landed some more rights but Feigenbutz fought his way to the bell. At that stage all four judges had De Carolis in front 39-36. Feigenbutz used his strength and hard rights to take the fifth and sixth rounds on all three cards but De Carolis took over again as Feigenbutz tired. De Carolis did better in the seventh which was a closer round. De Carolis had the better of the eighth and at that point was still ahead on two cards and level on the third.  The German fought back hard in the tenth as De Carolis was now dropping his hands and singing wildly. He was still catching Feigenbutz but the German began to claw back the deficit being busier and more accurate but. He did not seem to have done enough to overcome the Italian’s early lead but the judges saw it differently with two of them giving Feigenbutz the ninth, tenth and eleventh rounds and they voted 2-1 for Feigenbutz in the last. Scores 115-113 twice and 114-113 for Feigenbutz. Despite that strong finish he looked very lucky to hold on to his interim WBA title and to collect the GBU title. He had been carefully matched and rarely pushed in his other fights and this succession of easy wins had covered up flaws in his technique which De Carolis exploited. The challenger was able to hit Feigenbutz in every round with his stiff jab and long rights and Feigenbutz looked slow and had no plan B. Still only 20 he has time to tighten his defence and smooth out his other faults but was lucky to hold on to his title. The 31-year-old De Carolis was very much a live challenger. The 31-year-old Italian was 11-1- going in with the loss on points to Arthur Abraham for the WBO Inter-Continental title in 2013 and was coming off a good win over Mouhamed Ali Ndiaye (24-2-1) and as normal WBA shenanigans was slipped into the August ratings just in time for the title fight.

Lawal vs. Torosyan

Nigerian-born Lawal gets another upset wins as he decisions favoured Torosyan to collect the vacant GBU title. In a grudge match Lawal bossed the fight with Torosyan never really competitive as Lawal shut him down and floored the Armenian. Scores 119-109, 117-111 and 116-111. The 33-year-old Lawal, now a German citizen, is a former undefeated GBC champion and had outpointed Ronny Mittag (23-1-1) in July. He is hoping for some big fights but even this good win is unlikely to raise his profile a great deal. Berlin-based Torosyan, 32, had beaten Reda Zam Zam (27-2) and knocked out then unbeaten Danish prospect Torben Keller inside a round but admitted he was well beaten here.

Pulev vs. Arias

Pulev unimpressive in his return to action but wins wide unanimous decision over Brazilian veteran. It was a messy fight with the limited Arias having trouble getting inside the guard of the much taller Pulev losing a point for a head butt in the second and Pulev at times looking flustered when Arias did attack. The big Bulgarian was slow and his normally powerful right rarely found the target as he plodded his way to a boring victory. Scores 80-71 twice and 79-73. First fight for Pulev since being knocked out in five round by Wlad Klitschko in November in a fight in which only Klitschko’s IBF title was on the line. The 44-year-old Arias is really just a fat cruiser but with highly honed survival skills.

Commey vs. Bebnadze

Commey marches on. The dangerous Ghanaian makes it 21 wins by KO/TKO with stoppage of very modest Georgian. The unbeaten 28-year-old CBC champion is rated IBF 4(3)/WBC 11 but has largely remained under the radar as this is the sixth different country he has fought in his last seven contests. He sits right up there alongside Frederick Lawson as one of the most promising Ghanaian fighters. Bebnadze, 38, has a typical Georgian record-three fights outside Georgian and three losses by KO/TKO.

Koelling vs. Horejsek

Koelling wins clearly but still fails to impress. The WBO rated German outpointed Czech Horejsek on scores of 78-74 twice and 77-75 but made hard work of what should have been an easy assignment as he rebuilds after losing his unbeaten tag against Mirco Ricci in February. He is somehow still No 12 with the WBO. Horejsek is 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights.

 

Uncasville, CT, USA: Super Welter: Demetrius Andrade (22-0) W TKO 2 Dario Pucheta (20-3). Light: Henry Lundy (26-5-1) W TKO 5 Carlos W Velasquez (23-22-1).

Andrade vs. Pucheta

Andrade returns to action for the first time in 16 months and easy halts Pucheta in two rounds. No sign of rust as Andrade floored Pucheta twice in the first round. It was over early in the second as a right dropped Pucheta for the third time and the referee just waived the fight over. The 27-year-old Providence southpaw allowed himself to be stripped of his WBO title now he will have to win it all over again. He collects the vacant WBA and WBO International titles and makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO. He will almost certainly fight for a version of a title next year. Argentinian Pucheta 28 loses by KO/TKO for the first time. He was coming off an upset stoppage of WBO rated welter Bethuel Ushona in October last year, but he had no chance here. Apart from the big edges Andrade had in power and skill Pucheta was a little 5’6” (165cm) guy facing a 6’1” (185cm) guy so had nothing at all going for him.

Lundy vs. Velasquez

Lundy gets back on track with stoppage of Velasquez and collects the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. Lundy was slightly the more enterprising in a slow first round but he was firing heavy punches in the second. A left had Velasquez wobbling early in the round and Lundy closed it with another heavy left. Velasquez decided to attack in the second and risk some more of those Lundy lefts but after some early success a series of left hooks from Lundy had Velasquez over and although Velasquez made it to his feet Lundy still had time to land a hurtful right before the bell. Velasquez almost managed to get through the fourth unscathed but just before the bell yet another left hook had him down. Lundy launched an all-out attack in the fifth and with nothing coming back from Velasquez the fight was halted. The 31-year-old from Philadelphia has tended to come up painfully short in the big fights and was coming back after consecutive losses, a split decision against Thomas Dulorme and a majority technical decision against Mauricio Herrera. He is an exciting competitive fighter so could yet land a title shot if he gets the breaks Nicaraguan Velasquez is 3-8 in his last 11 fights so just the right level for Lundy to rebuild on.

 

Budapest, Hungary: Cruiser: Imre Szello (9-0) W TKO 5 Alejandro Valori (17-9). Heavy: Joszef Darmos (1-0-1) W TKO 1 George Ubah (1-4-2).

Szello vs. Valori

Szello gets tough test from Valori before the Argentinian’s corner throws in the towel. In the first round Valori showed he came to fight walking in throwing punches but Szell did most of the scoring with his jab/straight right combinations. Both had success in the second with Szello again slotting home jabs and rights and Valori landing a couple of clubbing shots to the head. but he generally had trouble find a way past the local fighters jab. In the third Valori forced Szello to brawl instead of standing off and using his skill. A low punch from Szello saw the referee give the Argentinian time to recover and then it was back to brawling. It was more close action in the fourth until Szell landed a left which put Valori on the floor. He was up at five and after the eight count walked straight back at Szell scoring with a swinging left and a right. Now Szello was stepping back and countering and he shook Valori with a right late in the round. In the fifth Valori was constantly walking into counters as he marched forward and just before the bell Szello landed a thumping left uppercut and a following right as the Argentinian slumped to his knees. As the referee was still counting the towel came in from Valori’s corner. The 32-year-old former amateur star Szello makes it 5 wins by KO/TKO. Former Argentinian champion Valori showed plenty of aggression and made Szello fight hard. He is 2-4 in his last 6 fights having lost to Nat Cleverly, Noel Gevor and Micki Nielsen in those 6 fights.

Darmos vs. Ubah

Darmos dominated the 91kg scene in Hungary as an amateur from 2004 to 2011 and landed a couple of bronze medals at the European championships. However he could only get a draw with Ubah in his first pro fight. He registered his first win here by halting Ubah. Darmos drove Ubah into a corner with a long right and then banged home a series of head punches until the referee stopped the fight. At 30 Darmos has left it late to turn pro. Ubah protested the stoppage but he was in deep water at the time.

 

Wieliczka, Poland: Heavy: Krzys Zimnoch (18-0-1) W KO 1 Gbenga Oluokun (19-13). Light Heavy: Bart Grafka (15-18-1) W PTS 8 Pawel Glazewski (23-5). Light Heavy: Marek Matyja (10-0) W PTS 8 Michal Ludwiczak (12-2).

Zimnoch vs. Oluokun

Zimnoch makes short work of used-up Nigerian. Zimnoch came out fast and put Oluokun down with a right with the Nigerian up at nine and only just surviving the round. In the second Zimnoch landed a left/right combination and a short right to the head that put Oluokun down and out. First fight for two years for the 32-year-old Pole and win No 12 by KO/TKO. Oluokun is 3-13 in his last 16 fights with six losses by KO/TKO.

Grafka vs. Glazewski

Grafka gets revenge with an upset win over fellow-Pole Glazewski. Glazewski wanted to keep this an open fight where he could use his jab but Grafka used all-out pressure to force the better boxer to trade. A punch from Grafka opened a cut on Glazewski’s right eyelid but he then lost a point in the same round for a butt. Glazewski took the sixth but Grafka outfought him over the last two rounds to get the split verdict. Scores 78-73 and 76-75 for Grafka and 78-75 for Glazewski. Grafka, 27, was 4-8 in his previous 12 fights but did have a victory over German hope Dustin Dirks (27-1-1) in July. Glazewski, 33, had won every one of the ten rounds when they fought in 2013 but he was knocked out in one round by Juergen Brahmer in a fight for the WBA secondary title in December and been clearly outpointed by Maciej Miszkin in April.

Matyja vs. Ludwiczak

Matyja remains a winner with unanimous decision over Ludwiczak. Matyja made a good start to the first round only for a punch from Ludwiczak to open a cut on his eyebrow. For a couple of rounds Matyja  lost his cool over the cut but once he settled he was scoring with good left hooks and shook Ludwiczak with a right cross in the fifth. The sixth was even but Matyja took the seventh and a body punch in the last had Ludwiczak hanging on desperately to the finish. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73. Good win for the 25-year-old former Polish Junior champion and EU No 17. Ludwiczak, also a former Polish Junior champion has lost 2 of his last 3 fights now.

 

Mafikeng, South Africa: Super Feather: Jasper Seroka (26-4) W TKO 10 David Rajuili (6-3-1).  Seroka retains the South African title with stoppage of game but limited challenger Rajuili. It was a one-sided fight with only Rajuili’s courage keeping him in the fight. The referee was considering stopping the fight in the eighth but Rajuili was not ready to surrender and insisted in fighting on. He stood up to the punishment in the ninth but the fight was finally stopped just before the bell in the tenth. Second defence of his title for Seroka and fifth win in a row in domestic fights. The 23-year-old Rajuili was No 4 in the BSA rankings and had won his last 5 fights but had never gone past four rounds before and was having his first fight for ten months.

 

Torrelavega, Spain: Super Welter: Sergio Garcia (19-0) W TKO 6 Alan Casillas (5-9).

Hometown fighter Garcia has no trouble with inexperienced Mexican. The Sergio Martinez managed Garcia floored Casillas in the first and only the ropes prevented him going down for a second time. Garcia continued to wear the Mexican down spearing him with left jabs and banging home rights to the body until the referee stopped the fight in the sixth. Now eleven wins by KO/TKO for the lanky 23-year-old from Torrelavega. Four losses in a row for Casillas.

 

London, England: Cruiser: Matty Askin (18-3-1) TEC DRAW 1 Lawrence Burnett (7-1-1). Super Middle: Leon McKenzie (7-0-1) W RTD 6 John McCallum (7-1). Middle: Joe Mullender (9-1) W RTD 6 Ben Davies (7-3-1). Light: Floyd Moore (12-6-1) W TKO 4 Danny Carter (6-2). Super Welter: Kris Agyei-Dua (8-3-2) W TKO 3 Freddie Turner (11-0).

Askin vs. Burnett

Askin retains his English title after bizarre ending that sees both fighters fall out of the ring in the first round. Both landed a punch early Askin a strong right and southpaw Burnett a counter left. As Askin moved in Burnett swatted him on the side of the head with a right and Askin slipped down on one knee. The referee did not count it as a knockdown. After a couple of more exchanges Burnett pushed forward into Askin with his head under Akins right arm. They both stumbled back to and through the two top ropes landing outside the ring with Burnett on top. Aston got the worse of it being underneath and he was taken to the local hospital where it was reported he had suffered severe bruising to his ribs and back. Askin’s camp are lodging a protest saying that Bennett should be disqualified for deliberately barging Askin out of the ring. A disappointing ending for both fighters.

McKenzie vs. McCallum

The first round was close with both southpaw McKenzie and McCallum trying to establish their respective jabs. McKenzie started the second round well but McCallum finished it strongly to take the round. McKenzie had the better of the third and fourth rounds forcing McCallum back with his right jab dominating from ring centre and scoring with straight rights. It was all McKenzie in the sixth as he sent McCallum staggering backwards three times from straight lefts and although McCallum rallied at the end of the round a cut he had suffered over his left eye was too severe for him to continue and he did not answer the bell for the seventh round. McKenzie, 37, a former professional footballer with Crystal Palace, Norwich, Coventry City and Peterborough wins this British title eliminator. He did not turn pro until he was 35 and is still very raw but strong. Scot McCallum was having his first ten round fight and his first fight in 17 months which must have affected his sharpness.

Mullender vs. Davies

“Smokin Joe” Mullender wins English title eliminator with stoppage of Barnsley’s Davies to rack-up his fourth win in a row. Second loss by KO/TKO for Davies who had won his last two fights.

Moore vs. Carter

Moore wins the BBB of C Southern Area title for the second round with stoppage of gutsy Carter. The Fareham fighter used a sustained body attack to break down southpaw Carter and perhaps even break his ribs. Carter was competitive but lacked the power to hold Moore off and paid for it. In the fourth a storm of body punches put Carter down in a corner. He did well to get up but never got out of the corner as another volley of body punches from Moore saw him drop down again and the referee waived the fight off without a count. Remarkable win for Moore who broke his collar bone in a cycling accident and was only able to resume sparring four weeks before the fight. Second win for the 25-year-old “Pacman” after a disappointing run of three losses. Carter took a year out after losing to Andy Keats but had returned with a win in March.

Agyei-Dua vs. Turner

As with the main event this one too had an unfortunate ending. Turner started well flooring Agyei-Dua with a body punch in the first. Agyei-Dua got up and gave Turner some of his own medicine with a knockdown in the third. Turner twisted his knee when going down and was unable to continue.  After a draw and two losses Agyei-Dua finally wins the Southern Area title at the fourth attempt. He had lost to Turner in a title challenge in July last year and this was his first fight since then. That win over Agyei-Dua was also Turner‘s last fight and he will feel unlucky to lose his unbeaten record and his title this way.

 

Belfast, Northern Ireland: Light: Paul Hyland Jr (8-0) W PTS 8 Bence Molnar (13-6). Feather: James Tennyson (14-1) W KO 2 George Gachechiladze (18-21-1).

Hyland vs. Molnar

Hyland wins wide decision over Molnar but the Hungarian was always willing to trade and made it a good test for Hyland. After Hyland shaded the first round both fighters racked up the action in the next two with Hyland just out scoring Molnar but with both landing heavy punches. The action slowed a little in the fourth with the cleaner work of Hyland giving him those rounds. He also took the fifth but Molnar signalled he was still in the fight with a series of good uppercuts which shook Hyland briefly as the round ended. Hyland used his better skills to make room and outbox Molnar in the sixth and they fought hard over the closing rounds with Hyland having the edge but Molnar forcing the Belfast man to fight hard to the final bell. Referee’s score 80-73 for Hyland. Good eight rounds of work for the 25-year-old Hyland but a lack of a big punch makes these fights harder than they should be. Molnar, 20, keeps his record of never losing by KO/TKO.

Tennyson vs. Gachechiladze

Tennyson’s power too much for little Georgian. The first round was mainly one of feeling out with Tennyson trying to figure out how to deal with the spoiling tactics of the 5’3” (160cm) Gachechiladze. Once he figured that out the fight was over. A right put Gachechiladze down early in the second and a left to the body had the Georgian writhing in agony on the mat as he was counted out. Now eleven wins by KO/TKO for 22-year-old Tennyson. Since suffering a “just one of those things” stoppage loss to a fighter with a 2-64-5 record in 2013 Tennyson has scored 6 wins including a victory over Kris Hughes for the BBB of C Celtic title. Gachechiladze is 3-10 in his last 13 fights.

–

Rotherham, England: Fly: Thomas Essomba (6-1) W TKO 11 Waleed Din (7-1). Super Middle: Liam Cameron (19-4) W TKO 4 George Beroshvili (21-7-2).

Essomba vs. Din

Essomba wins the vacant CBC title with late stoppage of Din. The Cameroon fighter was just too strong for Din and to some extent bullied his way to victory. He had Din on the back foot for much of the fight. He put the clever boxing Din down in the fourth and  never really allowed the Sheffield fighter to use his skill. He was pushing Din around in the clinches and sometimes wrestling him over with Din not able to establish any rhythm. The pressure also saw Din spitting out his gumshield a couple of times as he tired and two knockdowns in the eleventh round saw Din’s corner throw in the towel. The 27-year-old Essomba has a curious background. After competing in the World Military Championships, the Commonwealth Games the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Championships BoxRec has him losing his first pro fight against Frenchman Yoan Boyeaux at the end of 2009. However he then represent Cameroons at both the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics in London where after losing to Paddy Barnes he absconded from the team finally settling in the North East of England where he “resumed” his pro career in July last year. Din was going past six rounds for the first time but just found Essomba too strong.

Cameron vs. Beroshvili

Cameron returned to the winning column with stoppage of yet another Georgian. The Sheffield fighter used a stiff jab to control the action and mixed in a good array of hard hooks to the body. The action was one-sided and the hooks to the body took their toll and  a discouraged Beroshvili went down in the fourth with the fight being halted. . First fight for Cameron since losing a close verdict to Luke Blackledge for the vacant CBC title in April and his seventh win by KO/TKO. Beroshvili, 23, had won 5 of his last 6 fights and was knocked out in two rounds by Martin Murray in June.

 

Phoenix, AZ, USA: Super Bantam: Jessie Magdaleno (22-1) W TKO 1 Vergel Nebran (14-10-1). Light Heavy: Trevor McCumby (21-0) W PTS 8 Dustin Craig Echard (11-,1ND).

Magdaleno vs. Nebran

No way was Magdaleno going to let it be two losses for the family in the month. He just blew Nebran away flooring the Filipino with a left to the body. Nebran made it to his feet but another body punch put him down and he was counted out. The 23-year-old southpaw, a former NGG and US National champion, has 16 wins by KO/TKO exactly half of them being first round endings. He is rated WBA 3/IBF (4)/WBC 11 and should get a chance late in 2016 to try to bring home a title after elder brother Diego failed to do so for the second time being stopped in two rounds by Terry Flanagan on 10 October. Nebran is 3-6 in his last 9 fights but has been in tough matches with Tomas Rojas, Rey Vargas and Cris Mijares in a fight in which he had Mijares on the floor.

McCumby vs. Echard

McCumby moves to 21 wins but has to come off the floor. The big puncher from Arizona has been used to seeing his opponent on the floor but this time it was McCumby who ended up there in the third round. He dusted himself off and although not being able to replay the favour and put Echard down he did box his way to a comfortable victory. Scores 79-73 for all three judges. First time the 23-year-old former US Under-19 champion has gone past the sixth round for a win. Echard, 29, had been stopped in two rounds by unbeaten Ahmed Elbiali in February.

 

Quincy, MA, USA: Cruiser: Chris Traietti (19-3) W TKO 3 Gary Tapusoa (7-5-1).

Traietti has to overcome an early shock to halt hard-punching Tapusoa. Early in the first a right from Tapusoa put Traietti on the floor. The local fighter was badly shaken when he got up but Tapusoa was wild with his follow-up punches and as Traietti’s head cleared he was able to bang back at the bell. Traietti made a fresh start in the second doing what he had planned to do in the first using his jab to set Tapusoa up and then banging home straight rights. That worked with a right putting Tapusoa down late in the round. It was all over in the third as Traietti scored three knockdowns and the fight was stopped.  The 30-year-old Quincy fighter wins the WBC USNBC title and makes it 9 wins in a row by KO/TKO since losing inside the distance to Edwin Rodriguez in 2011. Tapusoa does not do distance fights as he has 6 wins inside the distance and now 5 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Carlton, MN, USA: Light Heavy: Cornelius White (22-4) W Marcus Oliveira (26-1-1).

White vs. Oliveira

White just gets past Oliveira with a majority decision in a fight between two fighters trying to rebuild. Scores 97-92 twice and 95-95. Second win for the tall Texan White, 33, after a run of losses to Sergey Kovalev, Thomas Williams and Marcus Browne. Oliveira, 36, lost on points to Juergen Braehmer for the WBA secondary title in December 2013 and was then inactive until returning with a routine win in August this year.

 

Vera Cruz, Mexico: Feather: Tomas Rojas (46-14-1,1ND) W TKO 9 Edward Mansito (13-3-2). Super Middle: Marco Periban (23-3-1) W KO 2 Joshua Okine (28-5-1).

Rojas vs. Mansito

Rojas rides out an early storm to stop Filipino. Mansito spent most of the fight trying to pin down the clever and elusive Mexican southpaw without much luck. He used up plenty of energy in the chase and as he tired Rojas began to slam home counter after counter. Mansito kept throwing punches but was taking too much incoming fire and the referee stopped the fight in the ninth. The 35-year-old former WBC super fly champion wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title up at feather. He has won 10 of his last 11 fights with the loss being against Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC bantam title in 2012. Mansito, the GAB No 11 feather, had a ten bout winning streak broken when he lost to world rated Mexican Rey Vargas in May.

Periban vs. Okine

Periban takes out overmatched Ghanaian in second. Former CBC welter champion Okine was fighting way above his normal division and normal quality of opposition as well as having his first fight since May 2013. He was never in with a chance and a right from Periban put him down and out in the second which probably saved him from a more prolonged beating. Periban, 31, lost a majority verdict to Sakio Bika for the vacant WBC title in 2013 and drew with current WBC champion Badou Jack in the same year. Things went downhill from there with losses against J’Leon Love and James DeGale but he has won three fights this year so hopes to get a title shot against Jack in 2016. Fights had dried up for 35-year-old Okine in Ghana but this was a bad start to an attempt to get more fights.

 

Auvillers-les-Forges, France: Light Heavy: Mehdi Amar (32-4-2) W PTS 12 Serhiy Demchenko (15-8-1). Cruiser: Arsen Goulamirian (12-0) W PTS 8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (20-22)

Amar vs. Demchenko

Amar retains his EU title with unanimous decision over Rome-based Ukrainian Demchenko. The champion made the better start showing more movement and accuracy than Demchenko who was pressing the fight and trying to keep it in close. At the end of four rounds Amar was ahead comfortably on two cards at 40-36 and 39-37 but the third judge was more impressed by the aggression of the challenger and had them even. Demchenko tried hard over the next four rounds to swing things his way as he stepped up his attacks but Amar was outboxing him and by the end of the eighth was in front on all three cards 78-74, 77-75 and 76-74. With only two points separating them it was close but Amar had a good ninth to taking it on all three cards leaving Demchenko with a tough task. The Ukrainian clawed his way back into the fight by being the busier fighter over the tenth and eleventh but Amar shut him out with a dominating last round. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113.Good testing first defence for the 33-year-old from Marseilles as he prepares for a defence against fellow-Frenchman Hakim Zoulikha on November 21. Amar is now 9-0-2 in his last 11 fights. Demchenko was lucky to land the title shot after a run of 4 losses in 5 fights but a win and a draw against useful Finnish fighter Juho Haapoja had seen him creep into the EU ratings at No 22.

Goulamirian vs. Rusiewicz

French-based Armenian “Feroz” Goulamirian continues to make steady progress as he takes the unanimous decision over Pole. Goulamirian took the verdict on scores of 80-73, 78-74 and 77-75. He deserved the win; his fifth of the year but the rugged Rusiewicz gave his usual gritty showing and has only lost twice by KO/TKO.