The Past Week in Action 21 April 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.

April 16

 

Osaka, Japan: Bantam: Shinsuke Yamanaka (23-0-2) W KO 7 Diego R Santillan (23-1).

Yamanaka regains the WBC title with kayo of overmatched Argentinian Santillan. The 32-year-old champion dominated from the outset. Santillan had no answer to the southpaw jabs and straight lefts from the champion and was giving away height (5’7 ½” 171cm x 5’ 3 ½” 161cm) which meant he had to keep walking into those punches to try to get into range. It was one-sided as Yamanaka was able to comfortably box on the outside. After four rounds the judges all had Yamanaka winning every round with scores of 40-36. He continued to break the challenger down turning up the pressure and busting open the game Argentinian’s nose. The champion finally floored Santillan in the sixth with a left followed by a series of punches from both hands. Santillan was up quickly but badly shaken. Yamanaka ended it in the seventh with some thunderbolt lefts which saw Santillan sitting out the full count. Eighth defence for the 32-year-old Japanese fighter and 17 wins by KO/TKO. A unification fight with Tomoki Kameda would be a good fight but boxing politics means that is not going to happen. Santillan’s record has been built on local opposition of very modest quality (and that’s being kind to them) and he was never going to be competitive at this level.

 

April 17

 

Uncasville, CT, USA: Middle: Tony Harrison (21-0) W TKO 3 Pablo Munguia (20-7). Super Feather: Danny Aquino (17-2) W PTS 8 Ryan Kielczewski (22-1). Super Feather: Tevin Farmer (19-4-1) W PTS 8 Angel Luna (10-1-1). Super Welter: Aloanhtez Fox (15-0-1) W TKO 2 Franklin Gonzalez (16-14). Light Heavy: Lennox Allen (19-0-1) W KO 7 Paul Gonsalves (7-7-1).

Harrison vs. Munguia

Height, reach, power, youth, skill, you name it and it was all on Harrison’s side here. The Mexican “Gravedigger” had to try to walk through the punches from Harrison to have any chance. He tried and had a good first round perhaps doing enough to share it but that was as good as it got for the well-travelled veteran. Harrison found his range in the second and floored Munguia with a left. Munguia made it to the bell and the doctor checked on him between rounds. Munguia seemed to have recovered but when Harrison landed some more shots in the third round the fight was stopped. Munguia was never going to win but the stoppage looked a bit premature. Now 18 wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year-old from Detroit. No big tests yet but wins over Grady Brewer, Bronco McKart, Ty Brunson and Antwone Smith all make for good experience. Thirty-six-year-old southpaw Munguia is no pushover. He is now 4-3 in his last 7 fights with the other losses to Antonin Decarie, which one judged had Decarie winning by one point and a split decision to Yudel Jhonson and in those four wins were victories over Luis Grajeda (17-1-1), Samuel Vargas (15-0-1) and Edgar Ortega(15-1). Only the fourth time he has lost by KO/TKO but he was giving away 6” in height and is really only a welterweight.

Aquino vs. Kielczewski

Credit Kielczewski’s team with risking him in a real competitive fight. The gamble did not pay off but he probably learned more from this one than his other 22 fights. Aquino got a deserved split decision for taking the fight to the more talented Kielczewski and wearing him down with his persistent aggression. Kielczewski was forced to fight on the back foot but countered effectively throughout and had the edge over the early rounds. As the fight progressed with neither fighter being a puncher that allowed more sustained action but eventually the relentless pressure began to tell and Kielczewski was being caught by body shots and left hooks as he tired and the fight got away from him over the closing rounds. Scores 78-74 twice for Aquino and 78-74 for Kielczewski. Mexican Aquino, 25, is based in Connecticut. He lost an early fight on a split decision to Cuban former amateur star Yoandris Salinas. He then won 10 in a row before losing to Norberto Jimenez in March 2013. He was then inactive for 18 months and this is his second fight since returning. “The Polish Prince” Kielczewski, 25, a former two-time New England GG champion and NG G silver medal winner, has the youth and talent to bounce back.

Farmer vs. Luna

Farmer continued his progress with a convincing unanimous decision over Dominican Luna. Farmer was able to counter Luna time and again as the Dominican had only one tactic which was to walk forward in a straight line into Farmer’s southpaw jab and straight lefts. Luna had a little success and by forcing the fight kept the action level high but paid the price in a solid beating. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 24-year-old “American Idol” suffered early career losses to Kamil Laszczyk and world rated Jose Pedraza but has won his last 11 fights including victories over unbeaten Emanuel Gonzalez and Viktor Chernous (15-1-1). Luna’s record is misleadingly impressive. The matching in the Dominican Republic is atrocious and it has not been much better in his recent bouts in the USA with only one of his ten victims having a positive record.

Fox vs. Gonzalez

No super welter should be allowed to be 6’5” (196cm) tall but perhaps Fox pays the price of those physical advantages by lacking power. He broke a streak of 6 points win with this stoppage of poor Gonzalez in two rounds. After dominating the first he battered Gonzalez against the ropes until the referee stopped the fight. Only the fifth win by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old “SlyAza”. He was coming off a good win over fellow-prospect Patrick Day and his draw was with still unbeaten Frank Galarza. Southpaw Gonzalez, 39, should do something else for a hobby. He is 3-11 in his last 14 fights with 8 of those losses by KO/TKO.

Allen vs. Gonsalves

New York-based Guyanan Allen makes one of his all too rare appearances and has to climb off the floor to win. Allen was comfortably in control but a punch/slip saw him take a count in the sixth. That was put right in the seventh when a southpaw left to the jaw put Gonsalves down for the full count. The 29-year-old Allen has talent and power but just 19 fights in ten years as a pro is a waste of those assets. Gonsalves, 33, has 7 losses by KO/TKO and is 0-4-1 in his last 5 fights.

 

Mashantucket, CT, USA: Cruiser: Murat Gassiev (21-0) W TKO 9 Felix Cora (25-7-2). Welter: Ray Robinson (20-2) W PTS 10 Sherzodbek Alimjanov (22-3). Welter: Dusty Hernandez Harrison (26-0) W PTS 8 Chris Gray (13-20-1).

Gassiev vs. Cora

Gassiev takes step up in his US campaign with stoppage of a rusty Cora. The tall, strong young Russian built an early lead on the basis of a higher work rate, a strong body attack and a slow start by Cora who was having his first fight for 13 months.  Gassiev was able to keep Cora on the back foot and dictate the pace and tactics. The Russian had a big fifth round when he rocked Cora with left hooks which seemed to wake the Texan up. Cora was more competitive in the sixth and dominated the seventh with Gassiev seemingly tiring. The Russian took over again in the eighth and a series of lefts in the ninth had Cora in deep water and the referee stopped the fight. The 21-year-old, 6’3 ½” (192cm) Russian “Iron” was making the first defence of his IBF Inter-Continental title and moves to 15 wins by KO/TKO. However his opposition has been modest at best and even with his inactivity Cora was by far his biggest name opponent. Despite the low level of the opposition he is rated WBC 7/IBF 9(7)/WBO 11. Cora, 35, a former NABF champion has made a habit of losing the important fights. Consecutive losses to Enad Licina, Pawel Kolodziej and Lateef Kayode saw his activity drop off to a point where he had only one fight each in years 2012 and 2013 and his only fight in 2004 was in March.

Robinson vs. Alimjanov

Robinson just too slick for Uzbek. The 29-year-old southpaw used his jab to control the fight early and opened up more as the fight progressed with Alimjanov lacking the speed or skill to match the Philadelphian. Robinson scored a flash knockdown in the fourth but Alimjanov was not badly hurt and fired back with rights in the fifth to have his best round of the fight. Apart from that Robinson showcased his skills but also his lack of real power and boxed his way to an easy win. Scores 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91. He retains his NABO title. Back-to-back losses to Brad Solomon and Shawn Porter blunted his initial rush to the ratings but wins over Ray Narh (26-2) and Aslanbek Kozaev (25-0-1) have taken him to WBO No 6 and WBC No 8. Alimjanov, 32, was having only his second fight in the last three years and the only quality opposition he has met-Viktor Plotnykov and Dmitry Mikhaylenko both beat him.

Harrison vs. Gray

Harrison wins easily over late substitute Gray. The tall 20-year-old from Washington handed out a steady diet of punishment but Gray bore it gamely and did more than expected by lasting the full eight rounds without ever looking close to winning a round. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Harrison is ready for better opposition. Gray, 39, is 0-8-1 in his last 9 fights but usually goes the full route.

 

Detroit, MI, USA: Middle: Willie Fortune (18-2) W TKO 6 Gilbert Venegas (12-18-4,1ND). “Fortune 500” gets his second win as he rebuilds after being blown away by Ivan Khytrov in August. Venegas was yet another late substitute and he lasted six rounds before retiring in his corner. Local fighter Fortune, 33, won his first 15 fights before losing to Tureano Johnson in 2013. He managed a couple of wins but last year Khytrov blew him away in 30 seconds. Venegas, 38, is 0-10-1,1ND in his last 12 fights.

 

Hinckley, MN, USA: Super Welter: Dennis Hogan (21-0-1) W PTS 10 Tyrone Brunson (22-5-1). Light: Ismael Barroso (18-0-2) W KO 1 Ira Terry (26-14,1ND). Middle: Rob Brant (15-0) W KO 2 Dionisio Miranda (22-11-2). Heavy: Jarrell Miller (12-0-1) W TKO 1 Ray Ochieng (26-19-3). Heavy: Joey Abell (30-8,2ND) W TKO 3 Travis Fulton (22-39-1)

Hogan vs. Brunson

This fight did not turn out it might have been expected. Brunson won his first 19 fights by first round KO/TKO so was the reputed puncher. Instead it was Hogan barrelling forward and Brunson doing the boxing on the back foot. Brunson had the better of the early rounds as Hogan was made to look crude by the faster Brunson and was being caught by right hand counters. Hogan may have been impressing the judges with his aggression but it was the fifth round before he really started to make an impact. He was able to finally cut down the ring and force Brunson to the ropes. In the eighth a tremendous left hook made Hogan buckle at the knees but he put his head down and fought his way back into the fight. Brunson had a strong last round but Hogan had eaten into his lead in a big way over the closing rounds and the judges saw Hogan the winner on scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 with the last score looking the most accurate indication of the action. The victory gives 30-year-old “Hurricane” Hogan the vacant WBA NABA title. A former undefeated Australian champion Hogan is rated IBF 10/WBA 12. Brunson’s 19 first round wins were carefully engineered to avoid anyone who could fight. A combination of inactivity and tougher opposition has seen him lose 5 of his last 6 fights, 3 by KO/TKO including a 62 second stoppage loss to Tony Harrison in December.

Barroso vs. Terry

Visa problems saw Barroso miss out on a shot at the WBA interim title against Derry Mathews.  He took his disappointment out on poor Terry. Barroso drove Terry around with hard punches before landing a southpaw straight left which put Terry down and out late in the first round.. The 32-year-old Venezuelan southpaw gets his eighth first round win and 17 of his 18 wins have come by KO/TKO but there are no rated fighters in those statistics. To put  this result into context Terry is now 2-12,1ND in his last 15 fights with 10 of those 12 losses by KO/TKO.

Brant vs. Miranda

Former top amateur and local hero Brant destroys a worn Miranda in two. After a round of study Brant cut loose in the second shaking Miranda with a right and then battering Miranda with a variety of punches from both hands. Miranda went down and made no real attempt to get up. The 24-year-old from St Paul has 9 wins by KO/TKO. He looks ready for stiffer tests. He represented the USA at the World Junior Championships, was US Under-19 champion and took gold medals at both the US National Championships and the NGG’s. Colombian Miranda, 32, is known as Mr Nocaut but he4 has now lost 7 of his last 9 fights-by KO/TKO.

Miller vs. Ochieng

“ Big Baby” Miller destroys Kenyan Ochieng in 100 seconds. The 6’4” Miller let an early storm from Ochieng blow itself out and then floored Ochieng with a series of hard shots. Ochieng went down heavily into the ropes and the referee did not even bother to count. Brooklyn-based Miller, a former kickboxing and MMA exponent, has  10 wins by KO/TKO. The draw was with Joey Dawejko when two pint deductions for pushing cost him the victory. Ochieng, 38, has 14 losses by KO/TKO.

Abell vs. Fulton

Abell is back with a win but also with an injury. The 33-year-old “Minnesota Ice” was too aggressive for the aging loser Fulton and although he did not score a knockdown Abell was hammering away at Fulton when the referee stopped the fight early in the third. The 33-year-old southpaw was having his first fight since losing to Tyson Fury14 months ago. Abell has big plans but unfortunately it looked as though he badly injured his ankle in the first round so it depends how serious that is for his future. Fulton, 37 loses by KO/TKO for the 29^th time.

 

Lanus, Argentina: Super Fly: Diego L P Liriano (15-6-1) W PTS 10 Carlos R D Ruiz (20-6). Dominican Liriano wins the interim WBO Latino title with unanimous decision over “Bad Boy” Ruiz. Southpaw Liriano was in control all of the way on this one. He busted open Ruiz’s nose in the fourth and Diaz had breathing problems from that injury for the remaining rounds. Liriano used his southpaw jab to control the fight and Ruiz never managed to get into the fight enough to make it competitive despite the scoring. Liriano gained revenge for a loss to Ruiz in 2013. Ruiz had won that earlier fight clearly but this time Liriano made sure he won a title after three unsuccessful title fights at flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. Scores 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94 with the first score the more representative. Although he turned pro in Argentina the 29-year-old “Pantera” Liriano is not in the FAB ratings but was coming off a good win over Roberto Domingo Sosa (25-1) in November. Ruiz, also 29, the FAB No 4, has lost three tough fights in a row so needs to regroup.

 

Hurtsville, Australia: Super Feather: Billel Dib (17-1) W TKO 3 Bebong Manalo (10-3). Super Middle: Jake Carr (10-0) W PTS 6 Joe Rae (10-18-5).

Dib vs. Manalo

Dib retains the interim WBO Oriental title with stoppage of unrated (not in the GAB top 16) Filipino novice Manalo. The 25-year-old “Baby Face”, the younger brother of Billy, has 8 wins by KO/TKO. Third loss by KO/TKO of Manalo who had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

Carr vs. Rae

Australian champ Carr remains unbeaten as he wins every round against Irishman Rae. Only three wins by KO/TKO for the tall 24-year-old prospect. Rae, 31, is 1-6-4 in his last 11 fights.

 

Banja Luka, B & H: Super Welter: Predrag Kovacevic (16-1) W TKO 6 Jozsef Kormany (9-10). Light Heavy: Emil Markic (19-1) W KO 2 Balasz Horvath (12-12). Heavy: Goran Delic (26-1) W PTS 6 Peter Erdos (9-7).

Kovacevic vs. Kormany

Rubbish title fight sees the Serb “Gentleman” Kovacevic retain the German version of the WBU title with second round stoppage of Hungarian teenager Kormany. The tall 32-year-old Serb, who was B&H amateur champion in 2009 but represented Serbia at the 2011 European Championships, has 12 wins by KO/TKO. He has won his last 14 fights but none of his opposition would make it into the European top 50. Kormany, 18, a late choice as opponent gets his third loss in the last 28 days.

Markic vs. Horvath

This not much better as a match as Croatian-based local fighter Markic knocks out soft chinned Hungarian in two rounds. Eleven win on the bounce for 31-year-old Markic, 9 by KO/TKO and all of the quick wins coming inside four rounds but poor opposition with 9 of his victims never having won a fight. Now 11 losses by KO/TKO for 35-year-old Horvath.

Delic vs. Erdos

Hometown fighter Delic gets routine win as he takes every round against Erdos in a meeting of oldies. Second win for the 41-year-old southpaw since he suffered his only loss when an injury forced him out of his fight with Juan Carlos Gomez last July. Hungarian Erdos, 39, is 2-3-4 in his last 9 fights.

 

Sorel-Tracy, Canada: Super Middle: Schiller Hyppolite (15-1) W PTS 10 Ricardo Ramallo (17-7-1). Super Welter: Steven Butler (11-0) W TKO 1 Kris Santa (10-5-2). Super Welter: Mian Hussain (11-0) W TKO 1 Aki Selesmaa (8-2). Super Light: Ignacio Mendoza (40-10-2) W KO 7 David Theroux (6-1).

Hyppolite vs. Ramallo

“Batman” Hyppolite boxes his way to victory over Ramallo. The Haitian-born Canadian boxed patiently and carefully probably with Ramallo’s win over Steve Franjic in his mind. Hyppolite’s superior skills saw him totting-up the points. He was badly shaken by a punch from Ramallo in the ninth but recovered his composure and boxed his way to a points win. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Ten wins in a row for 28-year-old Hyppolite. Although the 32-year-old Argentinian is not rated by the FAB he had stopped Steve Franjic in 75 seconds in Ontario just 20 days earlier.

Butler vs. Santa

Red hot prospect “Bang Bang” Butler floors the Hungarian “Daredevil” Santa twice and the fight is halted with just one second left in the first round. Butler, 19, a former Canadian amateur champion, has 9 wins by KO/TKO. No tests yet but he has done all that has been asked from him. Former Hungarian title challenger Santa loses inside the distance for the second time.

Hussain vs. Selesmaa

“Super Mian” hits too hard for ancient Finn and floors and halts him in the first round. –The 24-year-old southpaw, a former Canadian amateur champion and Pan American Games bronze medal winner has six wins by KO/TKO. Selesmaa, 38, loses by KO/TKO for the first time.

Mendoza vs. Theroux

This looked a tough test for Theroux and so it proved. The experienced Mendoza had early success as he opened a cut over the left eye of Theroux and had him in deep trouble at the end of the fourth with only the bell saving the Canadian. Theroux banged back in the fifth and sixth but in the seventh a hard right from Mendoza had Theroux badly hurt and he floored and finished the younger man. Colombian-born, Spanish-based Mendoza, 31, has 24 wins by KO/TKO but was coming off a very poor result losing to a fighter with a 0-2 record but as a known puncher he was always likely to spring an upset. Hometown favourite Theroux, 21, was moving up to eight rounds for the first time and can rebound from this.

 

Le Cannet, France: Welter: Ahmed El Moussaoui (22-1-1) W PTS 12 Junior Witter (43-8-2). El Moussaoui retains the European Union title with split decision over Witter. The scores differed widely and it was not surprising as this was a very difficult fight to score. El Moussaoui had big edges in height, reach and age but he had never faced a fighter like Witter before. The Brit bemused and confused the Frenchman with his hands down guard, plentiful upper body movement, feinting, guard switching and leaping attacks. Both fighters wanted to counter the others lead and there were no sustained exchanges with Witter leaping in with a punch and then both clinching. The Frenchman was at his most effective when he was able to use his jab at distance but Witter’s constant feinting made El Moussaoui reluctant to punch for fear of a counter and it was usually Witter taking centre ring. El Moussaoui had a big sixth round when he scored with his best punch of the fight a chopping right but he failed to follow up. Later in the round there was a controversial knockdown. They got into a tangle and El Moussaoui landed a right on the side of Witter’s head. Witter was trying to hold but El Moussaoui drew back pulling Witter forward and wrestling him down on his knees. The referee initially waived with crossed arms to signal no knockdown but then when Witter got up the referee started to count but it was never a legitimate knockdown. The fight continued in the same pattern although Witter suffered another set-back in the ninth when he was deducted a point for continually holding and it was a justified deduction. The local fighter seemed just a bit fresher over the last two rounds but again there was insufficient clean work for either boxer to seem to dominate. Scores 118-109 and 116-110 to El Moussaoui and 115-111 to Witter. The first score must have been for the fight next week as it certainly bore no resemblance to what happened in this fight. You could make a case for either of the other two scores as El Moussaoui had the advantage of a dubious knockdown and Witter lost a point and El Moussaoui’s best work came at a distance which was cleaner and clearer but on the other hand Witter was the aggressor throughout and too often El Moussaoui just stood with his back to the ropes allowing Witter to punch away. No matter how the scores went this was not an entertain fight with too little action and too much clinching and wrestling. El Moussaoui, 25, is unbeaten in his last 13 fights and will now be looking for a shot at the European title. Former WBC champion Witter, 41, was having his first fight in exactly 11 months. He looked sharp and his style will give any fighter some problems but it is not fan friendly.

 

Budakalasz, Hungary: Cruiser: Imre Szello (6-0) W PTS 8 Giulian Llie (20-9-2). Feather: Robert Laki (8-0-1) DREW 6 Sergio Romero (8-4-3). Light Heavy: Pablo Sosa (4-4-3) W KO 4 Richard Baranyi (10-1).

Szello vs. Llie

Former top amateur Szello continues his winning ways as he outclasses Ilie but just can’t put the veteran away. The Hungarian champion clearly takes every round but despite having Ilie hurt a few times he just lacked his usual spark. Scores 80-71 twice and 80-72. Szello, 31, blamed his lack of fire on a viral infection but promised to be sharper next month. Romanian Ilie, 37, was having only his second fight in 18 months.

Laki vs. Romero

Laki looks lucky to get split draw against Spaniard Romero. Coming in as a late substitute for Zsolt Bedak the young Hungarian started well and built a lead but Romero staged a strong finish and looked to have done enough to win. Scores 57-57 twice and 58-56 for Romero. First time past four rounds for 23-year-old Laki who had to make a switch to this fight when Bedak got an unexpected call to fight Leo Santa Cruz. “Sugar” Romero, 29, has failed in two shots at winning a Spanish title but only lost a very close decision to Pole Kamil Laszczyk (17-0) in October.

Sosa vs. Baranyi

Upset as unfancied Argentinian finds a surprise to end this one. The stocky Hungarian looked comfortable as he out boxed Sosa over the first two rounds. Baranyi tried hard to land his trademark right in the third, but was getting careless. He paid for that in the fourth when a punch from Sosa put him down heavily and he could not beat the count. He was taken to hospital for observation. Spanish-based Sosa, 27, was 1-4-2 in his last 7 fights. Baryani, 24, had won 8 by KO/TKO so this was a big upset for the locals.

 

Fiumicino, Italy: Super Bantam: Emiliano Salvini (17-20-2) W PTS 10 Michele Crudetti (8-1-1). Salvini retains the Italian title with close unanimous decision over previous champion Crudetti in a battle of two local fighters. Over the first six rounds Salvini was busier more accurate and gave Crudetti problems with his constant switching to southpaw. He had a big fourth round scoring with short hooks to blunt Crudetti’s attacks. Salvini was winning but he is not a power puncher and the aggressive Crudetti started a late charge taking the seventh and eighth. Salvini did enough to share then ninth and although taking punishment in the last held out to the bell. Scores 96-95 twice and 98-93. The 36-year-old Salvini was also a former Italian champion at bantam. He is now 3-6-1 in Italian title fights in three divisions. He had drawn with Crudetti in 2013 in a challenge for the Italian super bantam title when Crudetti was the title holder and this one was just as close.  Crudetti, 28, was inactive for 13 months after the Salvini fight and lost his title for not defending it.

 

Surat Thani, Thailand: Feather: Patomsith (12-3) W KO 4 Butar Butar (18-16-1).

Quiet start with Patomsith probing with his southpaw right jab and Butar Butar doing the same with his left. Both were out of distance with long shots but they traded a few punches at the bell. Butar Butar was trying to force the fight in the second but was not letting his hands go and Patomsith was able to score with quick counters. Patomsith anchored his feet in the third and refused to let Butar Butar back him up. He was also getting more confident scoring with straight lefts and showboating for the crowd. Patomsith came out to finish it in the fourth. He hurt Butar Butar with a body punch but it was low and he was warned. He drove Butar Butar into a corner and landed another body punch that was borderline and then two straight shots to the head that Butar Butar seemed to partially block. However the Indonesian went down in a heap rolled on to his back and stayed there for the full count. This was an IBF Asian title fight but Patomsith looked slow and limited and he lost two wide decisions in fights in Australia last year. Butar Butar has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. His nickname is Juli Mike Tyson but he went down more like Juli than Mike at the end of this one.

 

April 18

 

Carson, CA, USA: Light Heavy: Andrzej Fonfara (27-3,1ND) W TKO 9 Julio Cesar Chavez (48-2-1). Super Bantam: Moises Flores (23-0,1ND) W PTS 12 Oscar Escandon (24-2). Super Light: Amir Imam (17-0) W PTS 10 Walter Castillo (25-3). Super Welter: Omar Chavez (33-3-1) W PTS 8 Richard Gutierrez (28-16-1,1ND). Middle: Fernando Guerrero (27-3) W PTS 10 Abraham Han (23-3). Cruiser Jordan Shimmell (19-0) W TKO 5 Carlos Reyes (7-7-1). Welter: Fabian Maidana (6-0) W TKO 2 Cory Vom Baur (2-3).

Chavez vs. Fonfara

Fonfara proves too big and strong for Chavez and the Mexican retires at the end of the ninth round. This was never really a competitive fight. Fonfara realised early that Chavez did not have the same punching power at catch weight as he had in the lower division. Fonfara was able to land heavily on Chavez as the Mexican ignored his own jab and just tried to walk inside or stood in the pocket not working himself and allowing Fonfara to hit a stationary target. Fonfara was busier, more active and the harder puncher. Chavez had brief success in the second round getting through with some of his trademark body punches but apart from that it was the tall Pole in command. He was able to slam punches through the leaky/ non-existent Chavez defence and soon had the Mexican’s face red and swelling. Chavez was still trying to shorten the distance and work to the body inside but Fonfara was making him pay with stiff jabs and hooks. The Pole lost a point in the seventh for pushing Chavez off with his shoulder but he was slowly breaking the resistance of the former WBC champion. Suddenly in the ninth the fight seemed to go out of Chavez. Fonfara drove him back to the ropes and as they came off the ropes Chavez seemed to lose his focus and Fonfara put him down in the corner with a sharp left hook. Chavez got up but looked a beaten fighter and clutched desperately to the bell when he told his corner he was finished. Scores at the end were 88-81 twice and 89-80 for Fonfara showing how one-sided the fight was. Huge victory for the tall 27-year-old Pole who wins the vacant WBC International title. He lost clearly but put up a good performance against Adonis Stevenson in a challenge for the WBC title in May and feels he has now earned a return match. Chavez, 29, stated that he was just not strong enough to be competitive at the top level at a weight of 172lbs so that indicates he will go down to super middle, but this loss makes him “damaged goods” and any chance of a big money fight with Carl Froch disappeared with this loss. His name will still sell tickets so he will be back in some big fights after he rebuilds.

Escandon vs. Flores

Mexican Flores wins the interim WBA title with victory over champion Escandon. Flores had huge advantages in height and reach over the very small Colombian (5’9” 175cm x 5’ 1 ½” 156cm) and tried to keep the fight on the outside. He succeeded often enough to impress the judges but from the seventh Escandon was fighting with the handicap of a broken finger on his right hand and was not as effective after that. Scores 116-112 twice for “Chucky” Flores and 115-113 for Escandon. Signing with Al Haymon shot the 28-year-old Flores from a travelling fighter pushing his wares without a base (Carson is the eighth different town he has appeared in in his last eight fights) to a championship. He is so little known in México that his win received only the briefest of mention. Escandon, 30, was making the first defence of the title he won with a split decision over Tyson Cave in December. He lost a split decision to Nehomar Cermeno in a challenge for this title in 2013 so that is three split decisions in his last four fights.

Imam vs. Castillo

Whilst Terrence Crawford is making the biggest impression in the super light don’t lose sight of young Imam. The talented Albany-based fighter impresses every time he fights. He used his silky skills and power to dominate against a reasonable level opponent in Castillo. Castillo was handicapped early by a cut but he could not get into the fight. Imam was able to slot home hurtful jabs on the outside and slam home hurtful combinations in close. The Nicaraguan kept coming and never gave in, but it was a one-sided bout with Imam showcasing his repertoire of shots on the way to a wide unanimous verdict. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. The 24-year-old “Young Master” had won 14 of his last 15 by KO/TKO and this was the first time he had gone past the eighth round. He had an outstanding amateur campaign but lost out to Errol Spence for the US berth at the 2012 Olympics. Castillo, 26, lost his first pro fight but had lost only one of his next 26 and that was a split decision to Vicente Mosquera in Panama in 2012 and he had won his last 10 fights.

Chavez vs. Gutierrez

Chavez saves the night from being a total disaster for the family as he is just too young and strong for veteran Gutierrez. Chavez used a sustained body attack to wear down the Colombian. Gutierrez was competitive over the first four rounds and more than willing to stand and trade to the end but Chavez was the naturally bigger and stronger fighter and was scoring freely with hooks from both hands. In the end that told and Chavez was a clear winner. Scores 78-75 twice and 77-74. The 25-year-old Chavez was coming off a loss in November against Ramon Alvarez. Gutierrez, 36, is well down the hill and is 2-12 in his last 14 fights.

Guerrero vs. Han

With both fighters coming off a loss this was a “must win” for Guerrero and Han. It started badly for Guerrero when he found himself on the floor in the first round. He got up and fought back hard. Han was hampered by a cut over his left eye from the fifth but they both battled to the bell. Guerrero got the split verdict on scores of 96-93 and 95-4 to 96-93 for Han. Dominican-born southpaw Guerrero, 28, lost on a seventh round stoppage to Peter Quillin in 2013 for the WBO title and last May was knocked out in three rounds by David Lemieux. This was his first fight in eleven months and puts him back in the picture. Texan Han, 30, won his first 19 fights before being stopped by Glen Tapia in 2013. He rebounded well with a majority decision over Marcos Reyes (32-1) in October last year but lost a split decision to Sergio Mora in February.

Shimmell vs. Reyes

Shimmell batters Reyes to defeat in five rounds. The Detroit former top amateur boxed his way through the first round taking no chances against the wild swings of Reyes. In the second Shimmell smacked a punch onto Reyes nose which from then bled heavily and hampered the Arizona fighter’s breathing. Shimmell added to the damage in the fourth as he opened a cut under the right eye of Reyes. The doctor had a look at Reyes at the end of the round but let the fight continue. Shimmell continued to pound Reyes in the fifth and at the end of the round the doctor stopped the fight. The 26-year-old Shimmell has 16 wins by KO/TKO. Over the last five NGG tournaments to 2012 he won gold, two silvers and two bronzes, but lost out at the US Olympic Trials for London. Southpaw Reyes, 37, is 2-4 in his last 6 fights.

Maidana vs. Vom Baur

Young Maidana continues to cut a swathe through some pretty poor opposition. The Argentinian prospect floored Vom Baur in the first and sent him down and out early in the second. The 22-year-old former World Youth silver medallist, the brother of Marcos, has won his last 5 fights by KO/TKO, three in the first round and two in the second but strictly third rate opposition. Vom Baur out of his depth.

 

Verona, NY, USA: Super Light: Lucas Matthysse (37-3) W PTS 12 Ruslan Provodnikov (24-4). Super Welter: Eddie Gomez (18-1) W TKO 5 Jonathan Bautista (14-6). Super Welter: Patrick Teixeira (25-0) W KO 2 Patrick Allotey (30-2). Middle: Vitaliy Kopylenko (25-1) W PTS 8 Lekan Byfield (6-8-2).

Matthysse vs. Provodnikov

This was always going to be a war but Matthysse changed the plan slightly as he did more boxing than in previous fights and that gave him the edge over the Russian who had come to take part in a brawl. Matthysse used a stiff jab and some movement to take the first round and got a bonus in the second when a clash of heads opened a bad cut over the left eye of Provodnikov which was serious enough to make the Russian just a little more cautious, but only a little. Provodnikov was coming forward throughout and landing clubbing shots but Matthysse had a longer reach and was pumping out his jab and was landing more punches and building a lead. Both fighters traded heavy shots in the fourth and fifth and Matthysse had Provodnikov’s face a mask of blood by the end of the sixth. It looked possible that with the blood obscuring some of Provodnikov’s vision the fight might be halted but that is not Provodnikov’s way. He was by no means finished and in fact was just getting warmed-up. He continued to rumble forward taking the fight to Matthysse and shook the Argentinian with a right in the eighth. Matthysse was able to find the ever advancing Russian with spearing jabs but the tank still rumbled on and a left hook in the eleventh shook Matthysse as Provodnikov closed the gap to put the fight result in doubt to the end. Scores 115-113 twice for Matthysse and 114-114. Matthysse, 32, put up one of best performances in beating the rock-hard Russian and the very least he should get as a reward is a return with Danny Garcia for the WBC title. The win is even more impressive considering Matthysse injured his right hand in the sixth round. However he is looking towards the winner of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight and Garcia could look to take his less threatening WBC No 1 challenger Viktor Postol or move up to welter. Provodnikov just could not be in a boring fight. His heart and style will always force his opponent to give 100% plus or be steamrollered. He came close to winning this one but Matthysse proved just that bit smarter and busier and that made the difference.

Gomez vs. Bautista

Bronx fighter Eddie Gomez continued his rebuilding process as he forced Dominican Bautista to retire at the end of the fifth round. Gomez showed good movement and accurate punching and was on his way to a win before the retirement. A former US Junior champion Gomez lost on points to useful Francisco Santana in June and this was his second win since then. Bautista has lost 6 of his last 7 now.

Teixeira vs. Allotey

Someday soon Brazilian Teixeira is going to get a break through win but this was not it. Allotey was standing and trading with Teixeira in the first which was flirting with danger. The flirting ended in the second when a body punch put the Ghanaian down and he could not beat the count. The 24-year-old Teixeira has 21 wins by KO/TKO. It has not all been home set ups with victories in Mexico and the USA but it is time for him to face some stiffer opposition. Allotey’s figures look good but typical of what passes for matching in Ghana 14 of his victims had never won a fight and most of the rest were novices. His 30 bout winning streak was broken in March last year by a loss to Charles Manyuchi and this is his first fight since then.

Kopylenko vs. Byfield

Ukrainian Kopylenko has no trouble with Byfield. Kopylenko had Byfield on the floor twice but could not finish him. He put this down to a shoulder injury suffered in the first round. Scores 79-70 from all three judges. Kopylenko’s only loss was on points to Willie Monroe Jr in the ESPN Boxcino Tournament last April. Three losses in a row for Byfield.

 

Arlington, TX, USA: Super Light: Terrence Crawford (26-0) W TKO 6 Thomas Dulorme (22-2).  Crawford gives another imperious performance as he brushes aside Dulorme to win the vacant WBO title. Crawford allowed Dulorme to make the running as part of his game plan. The cunning plot was to only fight and punch at half pace and half power and lure Dulorme to a false sense of security. It worked. The Puerto Rican jumped into a lead taking the fight to Crawford and using a good jab to keep Crawford on the back foot.  Crawford was letting Dulorme dominate whilst uncovering and noting the flaws in Dulorme’s defence for when he decided to get to work. Dulorme looked to have won four of the first five rounds and must have felt confident things were going to go his way. In the sixth Crawford sprung the trap and blasted Dulorme out of the fight. Suddenly Crawford accelerated his work and began to load up on his punches and Dulorme was doomed. Crawford stopped Dulorme in his tracks with a jab and then unleashed a right that sent Dulorme staggering backwards across the ring to the ropes. Crawford battered Dulorme along the ropes before landing a chopping right forcing Dulorme to take a knee. When he got up Crawford landed a series of punches from both hands putting Dulorme down again. The Puerto Rican made it to his feet a second time but folded to the floor under another storm of punches and the referee stopped the fight. The 27-year-old from Omaha gets his second world title and win No 18 by KO/TKO. The other super light champions Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson and Jessie Vargas have hardly set the world alight recently and Crawford would start as favourite against any one of them. The most dangerous fighter in the division Lucas Matthysse does not hold a title. That would be a fight to savour although after his win over Ruslan Provodnikov Matthysse is looking towards the winner of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Still only 25, Dulorme lost a lot of his glitter when he suffered an upset stoppage against Luis Carlos Abreau in 2012. He had been built back carefully and wins over Karim Mayfield and Henry Lundy looked good on paper but were both close and he was no match for Crawford.

 

Liverpool, England: Light: Derry Mathews (38-9-2) W PTS 12 Tony Luis (19-3). Super Welter: Liam Smith (20-0-1) W TKO 7 David E Romero (11-6). Super Welter: Joe Selkirk (13-0) W TKO 6 Yuri Pompilio (7-10-2). Fly: Iain Butcher (12-2) W PTS 6 Brett Fidoe (4-15-2).

Mathews vs. Luis

Mathews wins the vacant WBA interim title with close unanimous decision over Canadian Luis. Both fighters were lined up for other opponents but when Mathews original opponent had visa problems Luis, who was in training for another fight took the bout at short notice. There was never really much between the fighters in an exciting if somewhat rough fight. The first round was close and if anyone edged the opener it was probably Mathews. The Brit took the second and the third landing heavy rights. The fourth was a messy round with too much holding and Luis was warned for use of the elbow but was also showing some smart boxing.  Luis took the sixth shaking the Liverpool fighter with a hard left look late in the round. Both were warned for infringing the rules in a close seventh and in the eighth Mathews was deducted a point for a low blow and Luis for dangerous use of the head. In the action part of the round Mathews landed the best punch a thudding right. Luis must have known the fight was getting away from him and he put in a big effort in the ninth and early in the tenth only for Mathews to bang back at the end of the round to edge it. Luis had Mathews on the back foot in the eleventh with the local fighter under pressure and countering well. Both fighters were tired and fought hard in the last a round which could have been scored either way. Scores 114-112 twice and 115-112 all for 31-year-old Mathews who wins the vacant WBA interim title. It was an exciting, hard, close fight with Mathews deserving the decision. To a large extent any thoughts Mathews had of ever winning a version of the world title seemed a pipe dream when in 2008/09 he lost three fights in a row by KO/TKO and again in 2010 when he was knocked out in two rounds by Gary Buckland and yet again in 2012 when he was halted by Emiliano Marsili and Gavin Rees. He rebuilt well with a draw against Anthony Crolla and wins over Tommy Coyle and Curtis Woodhouse. A wide unanimous points loss to Stephen Ormond was a bump in the road but finally good fortune knocked when he won the “meaningless” WBA Continental title by beating in-experienced Adam Dingsdale and jumped into the WBA top 10. With Richard Abril failing to defend his WBA title against Mathews the Cuban was made “Champion in Recess” and Mathews was given this chance and took it. Canadian Luis, 27, had been derailed by losses to Jose Hernandez and Ivan Redkach but rebounded with a good win over previously unbeaten Karl Dargan in January.

Smith vs. Romero

Smith does destructive job on unrated and unfancied Argentinian. “Beefy” is much too good for opposition like this. After a first round where Romero tried to take the fight to Smith the local fighter took over. Uppercuts and crunching combinations hurt Romero in the second and a counter left to the body put Romero down in the third. Smith was making the body his target in the fourth and came close to ending it in the fifth when he floored the courageous Argentinian twice the first time with a left uppercut and the second with a fast combination. That should have been the end but Romero’s corner sent him out for the sixth and Smith registered the fourth knockdown with a body punch. Romero insisted in coming out for the seventh but was an open target and getting a beating when the referee stopped the fight. Smith, 26, a member of the famous Liverpool boxing family has 10 wins by KO/TKO. He wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title. Romero, 22, way out of his class and is now 6-6 in his last 12 fights.

Selkirk vs. Pompilio

Pyrrhic victory for Selkirk as he wins inside the distance but suffers yet another hand injury. Selkirk was showing signs of an injury to his right hand from early in the fight but was good enough to stop Pompilio with just his left. Selkirk had the Portuguese fight down in the third and was battering Pompilio on the ropes in the sixth when the referee halted the fight. Wining the WBO European title in December 2013 got Selkirk a world rating but hand injury then saw him under the knife and this was his first fight since the European title win. Now he faces another lay off as it was confirmed that the right hand was broken again. A huge setback for the 29-year-old former ABA champion. Pompilio, 31, had gone the distance with Adam Etches and Liam Williams in previous visits to the UK so this was an impressive result for a one-handed Selkirk.

Butcher vs. Fidoe

Butcher was to have fought Luke Wilton in a big fight for both men but when that fell through Butcher instead faced the willing but limited Fidoe. Butcher got the unanimous decision but Fidoe again showed his resilience and highly honed survival instincts to last the full six rounds. The 22-year-old Scot is looking for a return with Kevin Satchell having lost a close decision to Satchell for the CBC and British’s titles in 2013. Fidoe came in at very short notice and did his job.

 

Legionowo, Poland: Light Heavy: W Maciej Miszkin (17-3) W PTS 10 Pawel Glazewski (23-4). Welter: Kamil Szeremeta (10-0) W PTS 10 Rafal Jackiewicz (46-13-2). Light Heavy: Yevgeni Makhteienko (5-3) W TKO 2 Andrzej Soldra (11-2-1). Super Welter: Artem Karpets (20-0) W PTS 6 Mariusz Biskupski (21-37-2).

Miszkin vs. Glazewski

Miszkin outboxes and out powers former secondary WBA title challenger Glazewski to get revenge for a majority decision loss last year. After a couple of even rounds it was all Miszkin. He scored with overhand rights in the third and shook Glazewski with another right in the fourth. In the fifth a right hook buckled Glazewski at the knees and the sixth saw Miszkin going to the body and scoring well there also. The seventh was a big round for Miszkin as he had Glazewski in trouble on the ropes from a right and only the bell saved Glazewski. The eighth was a quieter round but Miszkin was dominant in the ninth and tenth and although Glazewski tried to bang back he was rocked by a left/right combination in the last. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93. Big win for Miszkin who had looked to be on the slide after a run of three losses against Vincent Feigenbutz, Glazewski and Aliak Sushchyts. He had won a low level six rounder in January but a loss here would probably been the end for him. He wins the vacant WBC Baltic title and is now talking about moving down to super middle/middle. It could be the end for Glazewski. The 55 seconds kayo loss to Juergen Braehmer in December may have taken all of the fight out of him and at 32 he is short of time to regroup.

Szeremeta vs. Jackiewicz

There was a lot of needle between the two fighters with the experienced Jackiewicz trying to get Szeremeta mad enough to forget his boxing skills. It worked in building the attraction but not in the ring. Szeremeta was quicker and his game plan was to box on the outside and not get dragged into a brawl. He stuck to that plan and although Jackiewicz had a strong spell in the middle rounds generally he was a step behind his younger opponent and Szeremeta was able to box tidily and not take any risks on the way to the unanimous decision. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92. Impressive, mature performance from 25-year-old Szeremeta who was moving up to ten rounds for the first time. He was Polish Junior and Senior champion and competed at both the European and World Championships. Former European champion and IBF title challenger “Braveheart” Jackiewicz is 38 but shows no sign of contemplating retirement.

Makhteienko vs. Soldra

Despite his poor record Makhteienko had impressed the Poles with his all-out aggressive style even when losing every round to Dariusz Sek last month. Soldra knew what to expect but when Makhteienko came out firing punches from the bell the young Pole was almost overwhelmed. Makhteienko was swinging wildly and landing enough to have Soldra badly hurt by the bell. The Ukrainian continued the assault in the second and early in the round landed a solid right cross that put Soldra down. The Pole went down awkwardly and suffered a bad injury, a suspected broken fibula, leaving the referee with no choice but stop the fight. There is nothing pretty about the Czech domiciled Makhteienko but he is dangerous. Soldra, 29 will be out of action for some time. He had been blown away inside a round by German blaster Vincent Feigenbutz but was coming off a career best win having outpointed Dawid Kostecki (39-1) in November.

Karpets vs. Biskupski

Donetsk-based Ukrainian Karpets fails to impress in his first fight outside the Ukraine. He showed good movement and a useful body attack but was never really able to dominate the 39-year-old Polish journeyman and had to settle for a split decision. Scores 59-55 and 58-56 for Karpets and 58-56 for Biskupski. This was the first fight for 20 months for the 31-year-old Karpets but he will need to sharpen up against better opposition. Biskupski has won only one of his last 12 fights. That came when he forget the script and beat local fighter Francesco Cotroni in Quebec.

 

Kiev, Ukraine: Cruiser: Olek Usyk (7-0) W TKO 8 Andrey Knyazev (11-2). Super Middle: Max Bursak (30-3-1) W TKO 1 Chris Herrman (19-6-1).

Usyk vs. Knyazev

A typical Usyk performance as the tall Olympian slowly breaks the resistance of limited Knyazev. Southpaw Usyk spent the first two rounds on the back foot speeding around the ring with the smaller Knyazev in pursuit. Knyazev just kept walking into counters as Usyk prodded with his jab and slotted home long lefts and uppercuts. Luckily Usyk is an arm puncher with no real leverage in his shots but the cumulative effect had Knyazev’s face red, and his nose flowing blood. He was able to keep walking forward because 75% of Usyk’s punches were pit-a-pat stabs. By the fifth Usyk was throwing combinations at an almost stationary Knyazev who was flat-footed and arm weary and still walking onto punch after punch. Usyk ended it in the eighth as he landed a barrage of punches on Knyazev who just did not have the strength left to throw anything in return. Usyk gets his seventh win by KO/TKO and retains the WBO Inter-Continental. The 28-year-old 6’3” (190cm) southpaw has a back foot retreating/ countering style that will give anyone problems but on the downside he not a power puncher, has no head movement and seems to think a boxer’s waist starts at his neck as he rarely throws a body punch. As an amateur he won gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships and twice beat Artur Beterbyiev (both times 17-13) but right now Beterbyiev is streets ahead of Usyk in adapting to the requirements of the professional sport. Russian champion Knyazev was as limited as he was brave. He was too slow and lacked any semblance of defence but despite the beating he had taken he protested the merciful stoppage.

Bursak vs. Herrman

Former undefeated European champion Bursak had little trouble in halting German Hermann. The Ukrainian had Hermann down three times before the fight was halted late in the first round. Losses last year to Jarrod Fletcher and Martin Murray were huge blows to Bursak’s hope of a world title shot. In June he faces unbeaten Aussie hope Zac Dunn and a loss there would be a disaster for his future. Second loss in a row for Hermann.

 

Bristol, England: Super Welter: Danny Butler (25-5) W PTS 10 Giorgi Ungiadze (30-24).Super Light: Joe Hughes (11-1) W TKO 8 Jaba Shalutashvili (16-14-1).

Butler vs. Ungiadze

Local fighter Butler took off some weight and moved down to super welter and it worked for him. Butler was always a step ahead of Georgian Ungiadze and won a wide unanimous decision although as expected Ungiadze made Butler work hard for the win. Scores 100-90. 100-92 and 98-92. Butler wins the vacant IBO International title. A rocky spell saw him lose 4 out of 5 fights including a stoppage by Darren Barker when he came in as a very late substitute to challenge the future IBF champion for the CBC and British titles. The popular 27-year-old has won his last six fights and is hoping for a shot at Liam Smith. Ungiadze, 30 loses on the road but usually goes the full route.

Hughes vs. Shalutashvili

Hughes made it a double for the West Country as he halted Georgian Shalutashvili in eight rounds for the vacant IBO International title. Hughes started slowly but by the end of the first round he was already hurting Shalutashvili with body punches. It got more painful for the visitor with each passing round. Shalutashvili was leaking blood from his nose in the second and was cut under his left eye in the fifth. Hughes continued to land crunching hooks and in the eighth the referee halted the uneven action. Hughes, 24, the BBB of C Southern Area champion has won his last 7 fights. Shalutashvili, 26 moves to 5 losses by KO/TKO.

 

Aberdeen, Scotland: Super Feather: Derry Traynor (10-0) W TKO 6 David Savage (15-3-1). Welter: Matthew McAllister (10-0) W PTS 10 Craig Kelly (7-8-1).

17

Traynor vs. Savage

Important win for Traynor as it puts him in line for a tilt at the British title. The Aberdonian becomes the first fighter to beat Savage inside the distance with this victory in a British title eliminator between two Scots. The 28-year-old “Trayn Wreck” now has 5 wins by KO/TKO. Savage, also 28, had lost a majority decision to Samir Mouneimne in an eliminator in December 2012 and was inactive until returning with a win in October last year.

McAllister vs. Kelly

McAllister keeps the family name in the spotlight in Aberdeen as he wins BBB of C Scottish Area title with points victory over Kelly. Referee’s score 97-93. The 26-year-old is following in the footsteps of his brother Lee who was CBC champion at two weights. In a career interrupted by hand injuries he was 28-2 in his last 30 fights with the losses being to John Murray and Denis Shafikov. Matty has excellent skills but seems to lack the power of Lee with only two wins by KO/TKO. Former champion Kelly was 3-2 in his previous 5 outings.

 

Mercedes, Argentina: Light Heavy: Walter G Sequeira (13-1) W TKO 4 Mauricio Caceda (11-10).

Sequeira retains the inter WBC Latino title with stoppage of Caceda. Sequeira took the first. There was little action but he was taking the measure of Caceda and trying out some hooks. Sequeira cut loose in the second handing some severe punishment with the referee giving Caceda a standing count. Although there was no knockdown in the third it was again one-sided and could have been scored 10-8. Sequeira ended in the fourth. A hook to the chin sent Caceda flying out through the ropes and he needed medical assistance before getting back into the ring. The 27-year-old Sequeira, the FAB No 1 cruiser, lost his first pro fight but now has 13 wins in a row, 9 by KO/TKO. Caceda, 30, is FAB No 4(3) at light heavy but is 2-8 in his last 10 fights.

 

April 19

 

Barcelona, Spain: Super Light: Sandor Martin (22-1) W PTS 12 Samuele Esposito (19-3). Super Welter; Isaac Real (11-1-1) W PTS 6 Santos Medrano (10-40-3).

Martin vs. Esposito

Spanish prospect Martin wins the vacant European Union title with wide unanimous decision over Italian Esposito. The young Spaniard was streets ahead of Esposito in skill and speed and over the first three rounds completely out boxed the visitor. He was just too quick as he moved in and out landing and not being there when Esposito looked to counter. Things changed in the fourth. Southpaw Martin injured his left hand and was forced to change his tactics. From then on Martin boxed on the outside piling up points with his right jab using the left only sparingly. His tactics were hit then hold and he was allowed to get away with this with Esposito the one deducted a point for hitting on the break. It ruined the fight as a spectacle but Martin got the win that pleased his Barcelona fans. Esposito had the chance to win this title but lacked the skill to overcome a one handed fighter. Martin won on scores of 119-108, 119-110 and 119-111.The 21-year-old former undefeated Spanish champion did well to win under his handicap. He lost to good French fighter Alex Lepelley on points in 2013 and this was his seventh win since then. Italian Esposito, 29 lost to Ruben Nieto for this same title in January 2014 but had rebounded with a good domestic level win over Chris Sebire and one over former world rated Brunet Zamora.

Real vs. Medrano

Comfortable victor for Real. After two close rounds Real put Medrano down twice in the third. He tried to finish the fight early but southpaw Medrano stood up to the punishment. In the fifth Real decided to settle for getting a couple more rounds work and Medrano had his best round in the last. Unanimous decision for real. This was the first fight for the 33-year-old Spaniard since losing a close decision to Jack Culcay for the European title in August. Spanish-based Nicaraguan Medrano, 31, has lost 14 in a row

 

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

ABF=Asian Boxing Federation. I assume this is an affiliate of the IBF

ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC

ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

BBB of C Southern/Central/Midlands/Scottish Area etc. British Area titles

BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

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

CBC=Commonwealth Boxing Council a sanctioning body for titles competed for by citizens of Commonwealth countries

CISBB-WBC title covering the rump of the USSR and the Slovenian Boxing Board

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

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

GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body

IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NCC=National Championships of Canada

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

PBF=Philippines Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body in the Philippines

UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating for a fighter where there is a vacant position ahead of them in the rankings which affects his rating I will put his numerical rating i.e. No 6 and in brackets and his rating based on the number of fighters ahead of him so IBF 6 (5) shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one or more of

the higher rating positions being vacant.