The Past Week in Action 23 March 2015

ERIC ARMIT | March 23, 2015 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

The Past Week in Action 23 March 2015

March 20

Indio, CA, USA: Welter: Alfonso Gomez (25-6-2) W PTS 10 Yoshihiro Kamegai (25-3-1). Feather: Ronnie Rios (24-1) W PTS 10 Sergio Frias (16-5-2). Light: Jamie Kavanagh ( 18-1-1) W TKO 5 Miguel Zamudio (32-7-1). Feather: Abraham Lopez (17-0-1) DREW 8 Juan Carlos Martinez (20-16-1). Super Middle: Jason Quigley (5-0) W TKO 2 Tolutomi Agunbiade (2-3).

Gomez vs. Kamegai

Gomez gets important win over tough Kamegai. It was an important fight for both contestants. Gomez had to prove he had put his injuries behind him and get active again and Kamegai was looking to build on an exciting if losing effort against Roberto Guerrero. It was the boxing skills of Gomez that triumphed here. Kamegai was looking to turn this into a slugging match but Gomez fooled him by boxing a clever, strategic fight. The first three rounds went to Gomez as he used a strong jab and quick combinations to counter the charging Kamegai. Gomez suffered a set-back in the fourth when he lost a point for a butt. Slowly Kamegai was closing the distance and forcing Gomez to trade inside more but even inside the Mexican was doing the better work and piling up the points. Gomez did enough take the fifth and sixth , but Kamegai was finally landing good punches particularly hooks to the body in the seventh. They continued to trade in the eighth with Gomez seeming to tire. The Mexican dug down and found another gear and even though still standing in the pocket and trading he did enough to ensure he came out a clear winner although the fights was tougher than it looked on the cards. Scores 98-91 for Gomez from all three judges. Mexican Gomez 34 was a competitor in the first “Contender” series and went on to challenge Miguel Cotto for the WBA welter title in 208 and Saul Alvarez for the WB super welter title in 2011. His only fight in 2012 saw him lose to Shawn Porter and was inactive in 2013. He returned to the ring in July 2014 with a win over Ed Paredes so this was only his second fight in almost three years. He showed that he is back and dangerous Kamegai had a great fight with Guerrero in June and beat Oscar Godoy in Las Vegas in December but this loss is a big set-back.

Rios vs. Frias

Rios could not afford another loss so he made no mistakes here and overcame a bad first round to win comfortably. In the first Rios looked to have been rocked by a left but shook it off to start to dominate from the second. He was sharper and more accurate and forcing Frias onto the back foot with a string of jabs and rights. He kept the pressure on and despite getting caught with some good shots in the seventh he was back in the grove in the eighth and coasted through the last round. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. First fight for the 25-year-old Californian since being floored and losing in five rounds against Robinson Castellanos in October. He had been really climbing before that defeat having beaten Rico Ramos, Leonilo Miranda and Andrew Cancio but the Castellanos loss sent him tumbling out of the ratings.

Kavanagh vs. Zamudio

Despite a long lay-off Kavanagh was quicker getting his punches off first and scoring with good rights to the body with Zamudio not using his reach advantages and ending the round with a lump under his left eye. Zamudio increased his aggression in the second round going to Kavanagh’s body with the Irish fighter under pressure but firing back. A clash of heads saw Kavanagh suffer a cut up on his hairline and another over his left eye. At the end of the round Kavanagh landed a good left hook to the body and Zamudio countered with a right to Kavanagh’s body and Kavanagh fell back to the canvas. He was up immediately as the bell went. In the third Zamudio was again taking the fight to Kavanagh but the Irishman was boxing well on the back foot and was more accurate. He was also slotting home jabs and rocked Zamudio with a thumping right. Zamudio’s defence was falling apart as he strove to turn the fight around in the fourth with body punches but Kavanagh was stopping him in his tracks with a stiff jab and thumping home hooks to the body The fifth was painful for Zamudio as Kavanagh could not miss the Mexican with his powerful jab and Zamudio was just walking onto some clubbing rights to the head. At the end of the round the doctor examined Zamudio in his corner and advised that the fight be stopped. The 24-year-old “Nuisance” makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO. He was unbeaten in 16 fights before losing to Daniel Ruiz in December 2013. The former World Junior Championships silver medal winner had two wins in 2014. He was impressive here but sometimes mixed it a little too much. Zamudio, 23, was 3-3 in his last 6 fights going in but the losses were to very good opposition in Saul Rodriguez, Sharif Bogere and Will Tomlinson.

Lopez vs. Martinez

Minor setback for Lopez as he is held to a draw by experienced Martinez. Sheer aggression helped Martinez take the lead over the first two rounds as he rumbled forward scoring with heavy rights. Lopez finally settled down from the third round and boxing at a distance used his superior skills to overcome the early lead of Martinez and edge ahead. Martinez would not be denied and he came on strong again over the late rounds to close the gap and get a well-earned draw. Scores 76-76 twice and 77-75 for Lopez. The slow start from Lopez was not surprising as this was his first fight since March 2012 and could also explain his slump over the closing rounds. Martinez, 33, had his best win when he outpointed Bernabe Concepcion in 2011 but he subsequently lost to Mikey Garcia, Edner Cherry (a majority decision) and in his last fight in August to Jose Pedraza

Quigley vs. Agunbiade

Can’t miss prospect Quigley blows away Agunbiade inside two rounds. Quigley took the first round to see what was in front of him and then ended it quickly in the second. The tigerish young Irishman drove Agunbiade along the ropes with a volley of punches to head and body and the referee jumped in to save the out-gunned Agunbiade. Five wins by KO/TKO for Quigley acquired in less than eight rounds in total. The 23-year-old from Ballybofey won gold medals at the European Youth, European Under-23 and European Senior Championships and took a silver medal at the World Championships. He can box and has real power. Texan Agunbiade has lost his last 3 fights so no kind of test.

Windhoek, Namibia: Malcolm Klassen (29-6-2) W PTS 12 Paulus Moses (35-3). Julius Indongo (17-0) W PTS 12 Ibrahimu Class (12-2). Super Bantam: Immanuel Naidjala (20-2-1) W KO 3 John Masamba (1-4). Super Welter: Bethuel Ushona (33-3-1) W PTS 8 Boitshepo Mandawe (14-6). Fly: Jafet Utoni (9-1) W PTS 10 Sibusiso Twani (12-7-1). Light: Martin Haikali (17-6)) W PTS 10 Nkosinathi Ntsangase (9-7-1). Middle: Walter: Kuutondokwa (7-0) W TKO 4 Charles Masanjo (4-6). Cruiser: Vikapito Meroro (28-4) W TKO 1 Omour Mzungu (?? ).

Klassen vs. Moses

“Stone” Klassen hands former WBA secondary title holder Moses as real set back. This was a stirring toe-to-toe scrap between two fighters used to fighting at the highest level. Klassen had a great start as he had Moses in deep trouble in the first. The Namibian “Hitman” hit back in the third by flooring Klassen. The pace continued hot with Moses scoring with some heavy shots only for Klassen to find a left hook to put the Namibian down in the sixth. Klassen found another gear and stepped up the pace building a solid lead and despite a ferocious effort by Moses over the last two rounds Klassen was a clear winner. Scores 116-110, 115-110 and 113-112. The 33-year-old former IBF super feather champion wins the vacant WBO International title. He had dropped out of the ratings after a points loss to Will Tomlinson in 2013 but with Moses rated No 3 lightweight by the WBO he is back in the picture. At 36 Moses is getting close to the last chance saloon but there is no hint of retirement.

Indongo vs. Class

“Blue Machine” Indongo, 32, has to climb off the canvas to win this one. Tanzanian Class is not a noted puncher so it was a major shock when he floored Indongo in the first. Indongo was up quickly and after taking the eight count he took control with his southpaw jab to box on the outside. He out boxed Class most of the way although the Tanzanian remained dangerous until the last. Scores 116-111 from all three judges. Indongo wins the vacant WBO African title but has been very carefully protected to avoid any risky fights, but at 32 can he afford that slow a build? Class, 24, the UBO African champion had won his last 12 fights against undemanding opposition at home.

Naidjala vs. Masamba

“Prince” Naidjala failed to make the bantam limit for this one but he did not really need the help of any weight advantage against very moderate opposition. Naidjala had the poor Malawian down in the first round and finished the job in the third with a right uppercut to the body with Masamba unable to get up. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for Naidjala. He was unbeaten in his first 18 fights before losing on points to Tomoki Kameda for the WBO bantam title in 2013. He won a couple of domestic level fights but suffered a loss last December when he was outpointed by South African Gideon Buthelezi for the WBO African title. This was a too easy a return to winning ways. Masamba, 33, was having his first fight for almost three years making this a very bad bit of matching.

Ushona vs. Mandawe

The “unstoppable” Ushona nearly wasn’t. South African Mandawe was throwing big punches from the off and one had to land sometime. It did in the third an Ushona had to climb off the floor and get back into the fight. It was close on points to the half way mark and then Ushona pulled away using a higher work rate and quick combinations to take the deserved decision. Scores 77-74 twice and 78-74. The 33-year-old “Tyson” is rebuilding after a shock eighth round stoppage loss against Dario Pucheta in October. “Gangster” Mandawe, the South African No 9 has failed in three shots at winning a national title but in one of those attempts he took world rated Chris van Heerlen to a split decision.

Utoni vs. Twani

Utoni wins unanimous decision over South African southpaw Twani. It was a tough fight with Utoni flooring Twani with a body punch in the first. Twani complained that is was a low punch but it counted. In the third a body punch put Twani down again. This time it was low and Utoni was deducted a point. Both fighters had good spells but Utoni was forcing the pace and won the unanimous decision. Scores 97-91, 96-92 and 95-93.The 35-year-old Namibian “Lion” was a former top amateur. He was African Champion, won gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games competed at the 2008 Olympics and won a bronze medal at the World Military Championships. He has reversed his only pro loss but it is a great pity he left it so late to go pro. Twani, the South African No 5 minimum is a former national title challenger and last time out lost to Luyanda Nkwanka for the vacant WBFed title.

Haikali vs. Ntsangase

Haikali takes unanimous decision over lower level opponent Ntsangase. Haikali, a former Namibian and current WBO African champion won on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-92. He has now won 7 of his last 8 fights. South African Ntsangase has lost 5 of his last 6.

Kuutondokwa vs. Masanjo

New kayo merchant Kuutondokwa gets another quick win. The Namibian banger has won 6 of his 7 fights by KO/TKO and had won each of his last 4 fights inside the first round. It will need better opposition before he can really be assessed. Malawian Masanjo is 20-5 in his last 7 fights with all 7 fights ending by KO/TKO.

Meroro vs. Mzungu

Luckily this piece of rubbish matching did not last long as WBO No 4 cruiser Meroro stops unknown Tanzanian Mzungu in the first round. The first meaningful punch Meroro threw saw Mzungu go down. He got up but indicated he wanted no more and the fight was stopped. What a world rated fighter is doing fighting an unknown fighter with no traceable record only the promoter and the local Board know.

Flemington, Australia: Super Light: Mike Katsidis (31-7) W PTS 6 Rodynie Rafol (12-6-2). Katsidis returns with a low profile win. In his first fight since losing to John Coyle in October the former interim WBO champion made a slow start and gave Filipino Rafol a chance to establish a lead over the first two rounds. Katsidis finally got going and edged the next three rounds and did enough to take the decision. Scores 58-56 twice and 59-55 for Katsidis. He is now 3-5 in his last eight fights and at 34 it is difficult to see how he can get back to world title level. Filipino Rafol is not rated by the GAB and is 4-5 in his last 9 fights.

Douai, France: Light Heavy: Tomasz Adamek (22-10-2) W PTS 10 Mohamed Merah (12-3-3) . Super Light: Marco Siciliano (11-3) W PTS 10 Farid Chebabha (16-3-4) .

Adamek vs. Merah

A bad night for the clients of the Douai Boxing Club as local favourites lose in title matches. Czech “Jumbo” Adamek is a good European level fighter started well and finished strongly to earn the unanimous decision on scores of 98-92 twice and 96-94 and lifts Merah’s WBFed International title. A clear win but the two wide scores did not reflect the effort put in by Merah. The 34-year-old Adamek had a bad spell in 2012/2013 as he went 2-5-1 but in there was a draw with Dustin Dirks (27-1) and a narrow decision loss to unbeaten German prospect Enrico Koelling. He then took eleven months off before returning with a low level victory in November. Hometown fighter Merah,27, had given his career a boost with a run of 13wins and a draw but in December was halted in two rounds by Dominic Boesel. He is FFB No 3.

Siciliano vs. Chebabha

Italian Siciliano climbs off the floor to beat Chebabha on a split decision and relieves the local fighter of his WBFed International title. Chebabha not a noted puncher by any means floored Siciliano in the second round and built a lead. However Siciliano came on late and just did enough to get his nose in front . Scores 95-94 twice for Siciliano and 95-94 for Chebabha. The 34-year-old Siciliano a former Italian title challenger has won 4 of his last 5 fights and is No 7 in the unofficial Italian ratings. Chebabha was making the second defence of his title and coming in was on a run of 13 wins and 3 draws.

Mexico City, Mexico: Bantam: Alejandro Hernandez (29-11-2) W PTS 10 Martin Casillas 15-5). Hernandez gets routine win over Casillas. The “Little Clown” controlled the fight with a sharp jab which Casillas never really found a way past. Hernandez was quicker and fired off fast combinations with Casillas having to feed off slim openings, just enough to make him competitive but never to change the outcome. Hernandez was varying his work from head to body and Casillas had to soak up a lot of punishment but was still there at the final bell. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-93. The 28-year-old Hernandez wins the vacant WBC Latino title and will be to aiming to get back into the ratings and land another title shot. In the past he has lost to Omar Narvaez for the WBO fly title, drawn with Marvin Sonsona when the Filipino lost his WBO super fly title on the scales and after good wins over Marvin Mabait (19-1-2) and Daniel Rosas (17-1-1) lost a split decision to Tomoki Kameda for the WBO bantam title. Fourth time lucky ? Three losses in his last four fight for Casillas as a promising career ebbs away.

Bangkok, Thailand: Fly: Kongfah (20-0) W KO 3 Ricky Morales (4-1-1). Super Fly: Srisaket (33-4-1) W KO 3 Madit Sada (9-21-1).

Kongfah vs. Morales

No real match here as Kongfah just brushes aside Indonesian novice Morales. Although a southpaw Kongfah was throwing lead right for the first round with Morales doing so much ducking that he was warned four times. It was amusing but Morales was probably wearing some else’s protective cup and the fight was stopped twice so that he could adjust his “dress”. Morales clinched, ran, ducked and dived his way through the second. In the third the poor Indonesian was literally running around the ring trying to avoid Kongfah. Once again Morales held up his hand for a time out whilst he adjusted his protector. Finally Kongfah cornered him and land a series of body punches which put Morales down. He got up at eight but just shook his head and waived his surrender. Kongfah retains his WBC Youth title and makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO. I find it disgraceful that the WBC would allow their name to be associated with such an appalling mismatch

Srisaket vs. Sada

This one was a farce. Srisaket was about 10 levels above poor Sada. The Indonesian just went backwards around the perimeter of the ring throwing a few light jabs whilst Srisaket tried to cut off the ring. He failed to do it over the first two rounds as Sada almost bent himself in half dodging punches. Srisaket eventually hurt him with a right in the third and drove Sada into a corner. A left to the head and a right to the body put Sada down on his side and he stayed there for the full count. Disgraceful to see a former WBC champion and still No 2 in the ratings fight someone as inept as Sada. Seven losses in a row for Sada and his 9 wins all came against opposition who had never won a fight.

Glendale, AZ, USA: Bantam: Alexis Santiago (18-3-1) W TKO 3 Antonio Tostado Garcia (15-5). The Phoenix “Beaver” halts Garcia in three. Santiago took his time over the first two rounds against the former WBO title contender. Garcia did a lot of spoiling and very little fighting. Santiago has been building a reputation with some good wins and when he went to work in the third it spelled trouble for Garcia. Santiago began to throw hard shots to head and body and Garcia found himself forced to trade. He was dropped in the middle of the round but Santiago was not going to let him off the hook. He chased Garcia down and battered the resistance out of him forcing the referee to stop the fight. Santiago wins the vacant WBO NABO title and makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. He has won his last 7 fights including victories over Hanzel Martinez (20-1) and Alex Rangel (15-1-2). Mexican Garcia, 21, lost in four rounds to Omar Narvaez in a shot at the WBO super fly title in May and lost 2 of his next 3 fights by KO/TKO against good opposition.

March 21

Rostock, Germany: Light Heavy: Juergen Braehmer (46-2) W RTD 9 Robin Krasniqi (46-4). Cruiser: Agron Dzila (22-1) W PTS 12 Bernard Adie (12-3). Super Middle: Vincent Feigenbutz (19-1) W TKO 9 Balazs Kelemen (22-1). Super Light: Anthony Yigit (13-0-1) W PTS 10 Timo Schwarzkopf (14-1). Heavy: Denis Boystov (36-1) W TKO 2 Irineu Beato Costa Junior (16-4). Super Middle: Stefan Haertel (5-0) W PTS 6 Volodymyr Borovsky (21-58-2).

Braehmer vs. Krasniqi

Braehmer retains the WBO title but in a war with brave challenger Krasniqi. A quiet first round saw Krasniqi mainly probing with his left jab and firing a couple of shots to the body. Braehmer was dancing on his toes and trying to draw the lead so that he could counter. In the second Braehmer landed a couple of straight southpaw lefts but Krasniqi got through with a straight right that knocked Braehmer into a corner. Later in the round a straight left to the jaw saw Krasniqi’s legs shake and Braehmer took him to the ropes but could not find another opening then but when they moved back to centre ring Braehmer again scored with straight lefts to take the round. There was less action in the third with Braehmer setting traps and Krasniqi boxing patiently. Braehmer scored with a good left but Krasniqi got through with a right uppercut and with a right cross as the round ended but Braehmer had probably shaded the round. Krasniqi was more confident in the fourth scoring with his jab and long rights to the body and took the round. The pattern was the same for much of the fifth with Krasniqi coming forward and scoring with straight lefts and rights to the body. Just after he had landed a good straight right he walked into one of Braehmer’s traps and was nailed with a chopping left. Once again his legs wobbled and he went backwards into the ropes with Braehmer following him but Krasniqi managed to wrestle and scoot backwards until the bell. Braehmer was on top in the sixth. Krasniqi was still coming forward but the counter that had nailed him in the fifth round made him more hesitant and Braehmer was letting his hands and scored with straight rights and left hooks. The seventh was the best round of the fight as war broke out. Krasniqi came out throwing punches from both hands and they stood and traded for the first time. Krasniqi scored with some thumping head shots and Braehmer countered with fast sharp combinations and some vicious lefts to the body they were both taking and giving. Krasniqi came out aggressively in the eighth looking to make the older man fight hard in an attempt to drain his stamina. With 30 seconds left in the round Braehmer suddenly landed two straight lefts which had Krasniqi staggering back across the ring. The champion cut loose but Krasniqi survived. The ninth was as dramatic as it gets. First Braehmer staggered Krasniqi and then Krasniqi landed three consecutive right cross and Braehmer’s legs wobbled. He recovered landed a straight right/left combination and Krasniqi staggered across the ring and fell into the ropes. Since the ropes were holding him up the referee applied a count. When the action continued Braehmer clattered into Krasniqi landing hook after hook and driving the challenger along the ropes until the bell. That was the end as that final onslaught had opened a gash on the right side of Krasniqi’s upper lip that was too serious for the Kosovan to continue. This was a very tough fourth defence for the 36-year-old Braehmer, harder than expected. He has not lost a fight since 2008 but he can’t stand too many of these wars. German-based Kosovan Krasniqi, 27, performed much better than expected and even as a loser his standing was increased.

Dzila vs. Adie

Macedonian Dzila wins the vacant Global Boxing Union title with hard-fought unanimous decision over Adie. Kenyan oldie Adie made a good start taking the fight to Dzila over the first two rounds. The fight turned in the third when Dzila floored Adie. The Kenyan beat the count and over the middle rounds these two stood toe-to-toe in exchanges. Adie was scoring well with uppercuts but with Dzila having the superior firepower and wobbling Adie on occasion. It was still a close fight but in the tenth Dzila scored another knockdown and Adie went into survival mode for the closing rounds. Scores 117-109, 117-110 and 116-110. The 26-year-old Swiss-based “Godzilla” Dzila has won his last 12 fights, 11 by KO/TKO but you won’t find any of his opponent in the top 50 in the division. Adie, 41, is 1-3 in fights outside Kenya.

Feigenbutz vs. Kelemen

Feigenbutz makes it 18 wins in a row but takes nine rounds to catch up with Hungarian Kelemen. The young German has such an impressive run of wins by KO/TKO that he is beginning to ignore the basics. Kelemen had height and reach over Feigenbutz and used them well. The Hungarian’s jab was not strong but it had great nuisance value as it found the target regularly and Feigenbutz was having trouble landing his much harder shots. Feigenbutz was waiting too long to get his shots off and was running out of time. He resolved that in the ninth shaking Kelemen badly with a hard combination that had Kelemen reeling and in deep trouble and the referee stopped the fight. The 19-year-old German has 18 wins by KO/TKO including 12 in a row now. He retains his WBO Inter-Continental title. “Balu” Kelemen, 36, the Hungarian champion was facing his first real test and although he boxed well he lacked the power to hold Feigenbutz off .

Yigit vs. Schwarzkopf

Yigit continues to progress and takes unanimous verdict over Schwarzkopf. The young Swedish southpaw used some slick moves, accuracy, hand speed and a higher work rate to win this one. Schwarzkopf just could not match Yigit for skill and was loading up on his punches and throwing them one at a time without finding the opportunities to land the big one. Schwarzkopf did finally have some success in the ninth when he rocked Yigit but the Swede was back on top in the last. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-93. The 23-year-old Yigit, twice a quarter finalist at the European Championships and a competitor in the World Championships and 2012 Olympics, is being sensibly and competitively matched with wins over Kasper Bruun (19-0-1) and Kim Poulsen (26-1) which shows the confidence his team has in him. Kosovan-born Schwarzkopf , 23, the EBU-European External champion has wins over Ismael El Massoudi and former WBC champion Junior Witter but he could not make his extra strength tell against the speed and skill of Yigit.

Boystov vs. Junior

Boystov gets a win as Brazilian pulls out claiming a hand injury. There was little action in the first round with Boystov coming forward jabbing and landing long rights to the body and the much taller Junior backing around the ring and prodding out jabs which always fell short. There was more action in the second with Boystov working his jab well and scoring with left hooks to the body and Junior lunging forward swinging wild punches with both hands. Late in the round Boystov landed two left hooks to the head and suddenly Junior was staggering back into the ropes. Boystov got home three or four sweeping shots but then the bell went. In his corner Junior was indicating a problem with his right hand and so the fight was waived off. Three wins for 29-year-old Boystov since disastrous defeat by Alex Leapai in 2013 which cost him a world title shot. He has lost his place in the world ratings and is No 8 with the EBU. Junior, 34, has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. He is tall with a long reach but has no concept of how to use those advantages.

Haertel vs. Borovsky

Another points win for German poster boy Haertel. The talented former top amateur is streets ahead of Kazak-born Ukrainian southpaw Borovsky in talent and works his way to a win with plenty of jabs and straight rights. Scores 60-54 twice and 60-52. The 27-year-old Olympian has great skills but seems to lack power as he is yet to win inside the distance as a pro. Poor Borovsky makes it 21 losses in a row.

Milan, Italy: Super Light: Luca Giacon (27-1,1ND) W PTS 12 Steve Jamoye (16-1-1).

Giacon wins the interim WBC Silver title with unanimous decision over gritty Belgian Jamoye. It looked as though this might be a tough night for the “Black Mamba” when Jamoye found the target early with some hard rights which had Giacon in some trouble. However the Spanish-born Giancon was the bigger puncher of the two and the danger sign was there when Giacon fired back in the second and had Jamoye hurt by a left to the body. Giacon is not just a banger he also has a fluid style to go with the power and that combination allowed him to build a lead against Jamoye. The Belgian showed a tough chin but was also being caught with body punches. The seventh proved a big round for Giacon as he ripped a left into Jamoye’s body. Jamoye was clearly hurt almost bending in half to get away from another shot but Giacon would not be denied and he scored again with a left to the body and Jamoye went down. He got up and made it to the bell. He showed great heart by fighting hard over the last five rounds, not going down again and in fact getting through with some shots that again tested Giacon’s chin. Giacon was a clear winner but this was a huge step up in the level of opposition for Jamoye and he came away with a lot of credit for his fighting spirit. Scores 119-109, 118-109 and 116-111.Giancon’s only loss was a second round stoppage against Emiliano Marsili for the vacant EBU title in 2013. This is his sixth win since then. Belgian Jamoye, 23, the younger brother of former European champion and WBC title challenger Stephane, can come again but a lack of punch power could be his undoing at the top level.

Tallinn, Estonia: Middle: Artur Akavov (13-1) W TKO 9 David Makaradze (21-9-1). Heavy: Robert Helenius (20-0) W TKO 1 Andras Csomor (11-5-1). 6

Akavov vs. Makaradze

Akavov retains his WBO European title with win over game Georgian Makaradze. The Russian southpaw was in control of this one but lacked the power to seriously shake the challenger. It looked as though Akavov was going to have to settle for a points victory. Both were cut but the cut over the right eye of Makaradze was worse and too bad for him to continue and the fight was stopped. Third defence of his WBO Europe title for 27-year-old Akavov who has won his last 7 fights and is a silly No 12 with the WBO. Makaradze, 35, was inactive from October 2013 until returning with a low level win in January. This is his second loss inside the distance.

Helenius vs. Csomor

This was more farce than fight. The 6’6 ½” (200cm) Helenius towered over the 5’11 ½” (182cm) Hungarian. Csomor tried to leap inside and was caught with a left hook. He backed off and then tried again. This time after being hit by the left hook he staggered back to the ropes and a combination from Helenius put him down. He was up and was allowed to continue after the eight count. The first steps he took showed his legs were unsteady and Helenius drove him to corner and thumped home a couple of shots and the referee stopped the fight after 62 seconds. The 31-year-old “Nordic Nightmare” (it looked like the guy who did his hair for this fight was the nightmare) makes his return after two years out due to a career threatening shoulder injury. He was right at the top of the ratings after wins over Samuel Peter, Siarhei Liakhovich and Dereck Chisora but it would have been dangerous for him to continue without getting the shoulder fixed. He had to be eased back but this was a waste of ring time. Csomor did not belong in the same ring.

Colombelles, France: Welter: Maxime Beaussire (18-0-1) W PTS 8 Ludovic Duval (10-15-1). Beaussire gets wide unanimous decision over Duval. The young “Conqueror” simply outworked his older opponent just busy/busy. The light-punching Duval lacked the power to slow Beaussire down and although he never stopped trying he lost by a wide margin on all three cards. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. The 23-year-old Beaussire is mandatory challenger for the French title with Duval rated No 4. Duval 35 has won and lost in two fights with the French champion Denis Martin but unfortunately the win was in a non-title fight. Duval is FFB No 4. Every one of Duval’s 26 fights have gone the distance.

Tapachula, Mexico: Super Feather: Emanuel Lopez (18-4-1) W TKO 9 Carlos Padilla (15-2-1). Minimum: Carlos Buitrago (28-1-1) W PTS 10 Mario Rodriguez (19-9-4). Super Bantam: Eduardo Ramirez (13-0-2,1ND) W PTS 9 Roman Morales (19-0). Welter: Alejandro Barrera ( 26-2) W PTS 9 Juan Macias Montiel (15-2-1).

Lopez vs. Padilla

Lopez wins the interim WBA title. The tactics were on show early as Lopez was trying to force his way inside and drag Padilla into a brawl and the Colombian was using his left jab to try to keep Lopez out. The local fighter was just rolling forward willing to take a bundle of counters from Padilla to work the body. Whenever Padilla could get some space he was scoring well to the body and very much in the fight over the first four rounds. In the fifth the Colombian’s work started to decrease as Lopez maintained his unrelenting pressure. By the sixth it was obviously not a question of who was going to win but of how long it would take Lopez to finish things off. Early in the seventh a clubbing right from Lopez had Padilla in deep water and Lopez landed hard punch after punch until another right put Padilla down. He got up, took the eight count and survived to the bell-just. In the eighth a body punch put Padilla down again. He somehow managed to get up but a barrage of punches had him helpless and the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old local has 7 wins by KO/TKO but how he and Padilla landed this title shots is a mystery to me. Padilla, 25, lost to Aristide Perez on points in May but somehow qualified for this title shot by a nothing win in his one fight since then. This is his first loss inside the distance

Buitrago vs. Rodriguez

One of these days Buitrago is going to get some luck in a world title fight but in the meantime he showcased his skills here with a points win over Rodriguez. He was scoring with hooks and crosses and trying to silence the local crowd. He certainly did that in the fourth. Rodriguez could not match the Nicaraguan for skill so he just kept rolling forward trying to walk through the punches and cut down Buitragto’s space. The crowd was urging Rodriguez on until he was nailed in the fourth by a combination that put him down. Rodriguez has not failed to last the distance in any fight since losing in two rounds in his first pro fight in 2005 so he was shocked and hurt. He got up and Buitrago was unloading with shot after shot and put him down for a second time. Again Rodriguez got up and again he was taking a shellacking sufficient for Julio Cesar Chavez who was working with the TV team to be calling for the fight to be stopped. Guts and chin got Rodriguez through the round. He was back in the fight in the sixth and was outscoring Buitrago in the seventh and eighth. The Nicaraguan kept his composure, edged the ninth and resisted a big effort by Rodriguez in the tenth. Scores 96.5-93, 96-93, 95.5-93 for Buitrago. The Nica wins the vacant WBA NABA title which positions him for a shot at Hekkie Budler. The 23-year-old “Chocorroncito” fought a split draw in a challenge to Merlito Sabillo for the Filipino’s WBO minimum title in Quezon City in November 2013 and lost by 115-113 from the three judges in a fight in Thailand with Thai CP Freshmart for the interim WBA title in October 2014 and arguably he would have won both fights at a neutral venue. He was being tipped as a future world champion from the age of 13 and endorsed by Alexis Arguello for that future honour. Maybe next time. “Little Dragon” Rodriguez 26, won the IBF title with a shock kayo of unbeaten Nkosinathi Joyi (22-0) in South Africa in 2012 but lost it to Katsunari Takayama in 2013. He has continued to fight good quality opposition losing to Pedro Guevara and Ganigan Lopez and outpointing Odilion Zaleta.

Ramirez vs. Morales

Morales was the slight favourite in this battle of unbeaten southpaw fighters but Ramirez came away with the unanimous verdict. There were some good exchanges over the first two rounds and then it heated up from the third. Ramirez was forcing the action using fast combinations with Morales showing good movement and countering. They continued to trade in the fourth and fifth with Ramirez having a slight edge. It was Morales on top in the sixth being quicker to let his hands go but also picking up warnings for low blows and a rabbit punch, but no deductions. Ramirez was the one catching the eye with counters in the seventh but in the eighth Ramirez was looking tired and Morales did the attacking. Knowing it was close they fought ferociously in the ninth and that round was as close as the fight. Scores 87-84,87-85 and 87-86 with the last looking the more accurate. Ramirez wins the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. His opposition has been a lower standard than that of Morales so this is a significant win for him. Morales, 23, “The Pride of San Andro” had been slowing moving up to ten rounds class in action in California so will go back there to rebuild.

Barrera vs. Montiel

Barrera uses his greater experience to get a split verdict over Montiel. Over the first two rounds Barrera was picking up the points with a sharp, accurate jabs and Montes was not letting his hands go. In the third and fourth the tables were turned with Montiel working on the outside and Barrera having only partial success when he could work the body. It got worse for Barrera in the fourth, fifth and sixth as Montiel was scoring with left hooks to the body and straight rights. It changed again over the seventh and eighth as Barrera was now walking down a tiring Montiel taking him to the ropes and scoring with strength sapping body punches. They both had success in the last with Barrera just finishing the stronger. Scores 89-84.5 and 87.5-85 for Barrera and 87.5-84.5 for Montiel although the fight looked closer to the ring action than any of those scores. Barrera won his first 20 fights before losing to Armando Robles (20-1-1) in 2012. He managed a good win over Gabriel Martinez but suffered a bad loss to Ramses Agaton in May last year. In August he bounced back with a win over local rival Abner Lopez. Now he is WBA Fedecentro champion so back on the road. Montiel, 20, had won his last 7 by KO/TKO but these 9 competitive rounds will be much more valuable.

Tlalnepantla, Mexico: Super Light: Nery Saguilan (32-4-1) W PTS 10 Marcos Villasana Jr (15-6). Welter: Jose Lopez (24-3-1) W TKO 3 Ismael Urieta (4-2).

Saguilan vs. Villasana

I wonder how good Saguilan would be if he decided to become serious. His whole act is a crowd pleaser from his “Pantera” mask to his herky-jerky fighting style. He would be a handful for more experienced fighters than young Villasana so the son of the former WBC champion did well to keep his focus. Saguilan was fighting in spurts over the first two rounds but then got serious for a while after Villasana buzzed him with hard left. Saguilan then went to work using plenty of movement to create punching angles and scoring with hard punches to head and body from both hands. Luckily for Villasana Saguilan is a volume puncher rather than a knockout artist and he was never really in any danger and managed to pick up a couple of rounds using his advantages in height and reach. He was also fighting at a big disadvantage on weights as Saguilan was so far over the weight for their WBC USNBC light title fight that he made no attempt to get off the excess poundage and Villasana was under a big handicap. Scores 97-93 from all three judges The 27-year-old “Panther” is rated No 10 super feather by the WBC but that needs to be looked at if he can’t even make lightweight. Despite his talent Saguilan has made a habit of losing the important fights. Villasana is 4-5 in his last 9 fights and I fear that the name is the only thing he has inherited from dad.

Lopez vs. Urieta

Lopez ends this terrible match in three rounds. Urieta did well to get through the first two rounds but that was all he could manage. In the third “Piston” hammered home a left hook to the jaw which had Urieta staggering and after a few more head shots the referee halted the mismatch. The 24-year-old former WBFed champion has lost two big ones on points against Viktor Postol and Humberto Soto but is on a good run with 7 wins in a row. This is his 15^th win by KO/TKO. Urieta, 20 had won his last 4 fights but just 4 and 6 round fights.

Takapuna, New Zealand: Middle: Gunnar Jackson (20-5-3) W Nathan Carroll (10-3-1).

Jackson retains the WBO Oriental title with majority verdict over Australian Carroll. Scores 97-95, 96-95 and 96-96. Second defence of his title for 28-year-old Jackson and he has now won 6 of his last 7 fights with the only loss being on points against Anthony Mundine when he came in as a late substitute. “King” Carroll, 32, was having his first fight since losing on points to Dennis Hogan in November 2013 so did well to run the home fighter so close.

Managua, Nicaragua: Feather: Rene Alvarado (22-4) W TKO 3 Rafael Castillo (11-20-3,1ND2-5 1ND ). Fly: Guillermo Ortiz (13-7-3,1ND) W PTS 8 Juan Palacios (29-4-1,1ND).

Alvarado vs. Castillo

No knockdowns but Golden Boy fighter Alvarado has little trouble in dismissing Castillo. Alvarado waited out an early storm from Castillo and then hit back with body punches and left hooks. Castillo was hurt and only just got through the first round. Alvarado kept up the pressure in the second and in the third with Castillo soaking up punishment the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old “Twin” (his twin brother Felix is also a world class level pro) a former WBC Silver champion had lost a big fight to Rocky Juarez in 2014 and started 2015 badly by dropping a decision to Eric Hunter in January. He is hoping Golden Boy can get him big fights in 2015. Now 6 losses by KO/TKO for fellow-Nica Castillo. The show was promoted by Bufalo Boxing the company of the former WBA minimum and light fly champion Rosendo Alvarez.

Ortiz vs. Palacios

This loss could spell the end for former interim WBA and WBC minimumweight champion Palacios. To begin with Ortiz boxed cautiously showing too much respect to the former champion but when he realised how far down Palacios has slipped that combined with Palacios being in his first fight for almost three years soon had Ortiz taking command. Palacios found some of his old form over the late rounds but Ortiz had already done enough to capture the decision by then. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. A huge win for 21-year-old Nica Ortiz who had been 3-4-1 in his last eight fights going into this one and has never really been more than a 4-6-8 round fighter. This is a scalp that will get him more work. Palacios, 34, lost his WBA interim title on the scales in 2011 and although he came back with a win in 2012 he has shown a lack of discipline being grossly over the contract weight forcing the cancelation of a couple of proposed comeback fights.

Brodnica, Poland: Super Light: Michal Syrowatka (12-0) W PTS 10 Felix Lora (18-14-5). Light Heavy: Dariusz Sek (22-2-1) W PTS 8 Yevgeni Makhteienko (4-3). Super Middle: Norbert Dabrowski (17-2) W PTS 8 Robert Talarek (10-10-2). Light Heavy: Michal Starbala (12-0) W PTS 6 Bart Grafka (11-16-1).

Syrowatka vs. Lora

Syrowatka gets by his first big test as he decisions the unpredictable Lora. It was the visitor who edged the first two rounds but in the third Syrowatka changed the whole complexion of the fight by putting the Dominican-born Lora down. It looked as though Syrowatka was going to get an early win but Lora used his considerable survival skills to make it to the bell. Syrowatka was trying to repeat that success but when he saw that Lora had fully recovered he went back to his boxing patiently working his openings which was letting Lora back into the fight. However, any chance Lora had of springing an upset disappeared in the eighth when Syrowatka worked an opening and landed a right putting Lora on the canvas for the second time. Again Lora got up and survived the round and the next two but Syrowatka was a clear and impressive winner. Scores 98-89, 97-91 and 96-92. Syrowatka, 27, wins the vacant Polish International title and is making good progress. Spanish-based Lora has lost his last 4 fights but against opponents with combined records of 46-1-1. On his good nights he has scored upset wins on the road over Krzys Cieslak (18-2),Serhiy Fedchenko (33-2) and Massimiliano Ballisai (15-0).

Sek vs. Makhteienko

Sek wins as he tries to put loss to Robin Krasniqi behind him. The former double Polish amateur champion won every round. He took on board the lessons from the Krasniqi fight showing a tighter defence and going to the body more. Over the last three rounds Makhteienko absorbed a steady beating as Sek looked to punctuate the performance with a kayo but the Pole has had to go the distance in 8 of his last 9 fights and it was the same here. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Sek, the EBU No 5 has only suffered defeats at the hands of Robert Woge and Krasniqi, both where he was conceding home advantage and he will be looking for some big matches to get back in the mix.

Dabrowski vs. Talarek

Dabrowski just edges out Talarek by majority decision in this fight between former amateur team mates. After a quiet start Talarek came forward putting pressure on Dabrowski who had shown discomfort with those tactics in previous fights. Fortunately for Dabrowski Talarek was looking to land one big punch and not letting his hands go. This gave Dabrowski the chance to counter with some strong right hooks. Talarek had Dabrowski hurt with a right uppercut in the sixth but Dabrowski banged back to have the better of the last two rounds. Scores 79-73, 77-76 and 76-76. The 26-year-old Dabrowski won his first 13 fights but then his a bad spell losing 2 of 3. He has steadied the ship and this is his third win in a row. Talarek, 31, is 4-6 in his last 10 fights but 7 of them have been on the road and to his credit he has won 3 of those away from home fight.

Starbala vs. Grafka

Starbala remains unbeaten with a wide unanimous decision over fellow-Pole Grafka. Starbala was by far the better technical boxer and was impressive with his left hooks. However Grafka just kept coming constantly putting Starbala under pressure with the favourite forced to resort to clinching to smother Grafka’s attacks. Starbala was scoring with accurate counters but by the end was looking tired from the relentless attacks of Grafka. Scores 59-56 twice and 59-55 but this was tougher for Starbala than the scores show. Starbala is a talented fighter who as an amateur beat Brit Anthony Ogogo, was Polish national champion twice and competed at the World and European Championships but at 32 time is not on his side as he is only fighting six round bouts. Grafka is 2-8 in his last 10 fights but usually goes the distance.

London, England: Super Welter: Mike Lomax (22-7-1) W TKO 7 Chas Symonds (18-9). Super Light: Ryan Taylor (10-3-1) W TKO 4 Danny Gunn (3-1). Cruiser: Tony Conquest (14-2) W PTS 6 Tomislav Rudan (2-3-1).

Lomax vs. Symonds

Lomax bows out with a win. The 36-year-old Londoner had to fight hard to overcome experienced Symonds. An even first round saw Lomax working his southpaw jab and Symonds countering with left hooks. Symonds edged the second as he was able to take Lomax to the ropes and do some good scoring inside. The third was an untidy round but Lomax punctuated it with a classic left hook to pocket the points. Over the next three rounds the fight turned into a brawl as Symonds, who was cut in the fourth, forced the more skilled Lomax to stand and trade. Symonds was scoring to the body in the seventh until a thunderbolt left from Lomax landed and put him out cold. Lomax wins the vacant British Master’s title and makes it two wins over Symonds. After the fight he announced his retirement. The winner of the Prizefighter Tournament in 2008 he lost to Kell Brook for the British welter title and in November last year was stopped inside a round by Liam Williams for the CBC super welter title. Symonds, 32, is a value for money fighter who is capable of giving anyone a tough test.

Taylor vs. Gunn

“Crash Bang” Taylor gets back on the winning trail with stoppage of Gunn. Taylor was having his second fight at his new weight and under his new promoter. Both fighter and promoter would be pleased that Taylor looked sharp. The taller Gunn boxed well behind an accurate jab but Taylor was catching him with counter rights. The fight was warming up nicely in the fourth when a big right from Taylor sent Gunn tumbling into the ropes badly shaken and the referee stopped the fight. Taylor, 26 had been struggling to make weight at lightweight and took a year out before returning in December with a win. Gunn , 22, was moving up from four rounds to eight and Taylor was a also a leap in the standard of his opposition. .

Conquest vs. Rudan

Conquest sheds some rust with points victory over Croatian novice. Conquest took a little while to get into the groove but when he did he was in total control. He had Rudan down twice from body punches and boxed his way comfortably to a wide points victory. Referee’s score 60-52. The 30-year-old “Conqueror” scored a good win when he beat Australian Daniel Ammann for the vacant CBC title in February last year. He lost the title in his first defence when the dangerous Ovill McKenzie kayoed him in April. This was Conquest’s first fight since then. Novice Rudan did better than might have been expected and had drawn and won his last two fights.

Barnsley, England: Light Kevin Hooper (17-3) W TKO 6 Ben Wager (11-7-1).

Hooper had a great first round as slammed home three hard rights in the first minute of the fight with one of them starting a swelling under Wager’s left eye. Hooper also took the second but hometown fighter Ware battled back to win the third and fourth to square things up. Hooper began to score repeatedly with rights in the fifth and was getting on top. That initial injury to Wager’s left eye had worsened considerably and the fight was stopped. The 30-year-old Hooper has lost only to very good opposition in Gary Sykes and Jon Kays in fights for the English title and unbeaten Liam Walsh. He hopes this win will get him another shot at the English title. Ware had won 4 of his last 5 fights including an eliminator for the English title.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Feather Josec Ruiz (11-2) W TKO 7 Johnson Tellez (4-22-5).

“Scorpion” Ruiz retains the WBC title as Tellez fails to come out for the eighth round. From the outset the local fighter was bombarding Tellez with vicious body shots and clumping rights to the head. Tellez was mainly hiding behind a high guard and just emerging to throw some wild swings. Tellez did well to hold up until the sixth round but in that round he was dumped on the canvas. He was badly battered but made it the bell. In the seventh Ruiz was again ripping in body punches and right uppercuts to the chin. Tellez was staggered at the end of the round. When the referee called them out for the eighth round Tellez stayed in his corner. The 20-year-old Ruiz had been taken to a split decision by Tellez in July but there was no doubt this time. He has 6 wins by KO/TKO but his two losses were to Rafael Castillo who Rene Alvarado destroyed in three rounds (see above) The opposition has been poor with 5 of his ;last 6 opponents having negative records. Nicaraguan Tellez, 22, is 1-7-3 in his last 11 fights.