The Past Week In Action 25 August 2015

ERIC ARMIT | August 25, 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 25 August 2015

August 19

Melbourne, Australia: Cruiser: Danny Green (35-5) W PTS 10 Roberto F Bolonti (36-5,1ND). Welter: Jack Brubaker (9-1-1) WKO 4 Yang Xing Xin (10-4-2). Super Bantam: Jason Maloney (4-0) W TKO 5 Danilo Gabisay (6-5). Super Bantam: Andrew Maloney (4-0) W PTS 6 Ronerex Dalut (9-17-2).

Green vs. Bolonti

Green eases his way back with decision over Bolonti. In his first fight since November 2012 Green took a couple of round to shed the rust. Despite that rust he took those first two rounds with good use of his jab with Bolonti aiming to soak up the pressure and get lucky with a big right. The third saw Bolonti complaining about Green’s head as he had in the second round and at the bell the Argentinian was showing a cut over his left eye. In the fourth Green was landing good punches to head and body and following his corner’s instructions to work on the outside. Over the middle rounds the pattern remained one of Green working the jab and hard combinations hurting Bolonti with a body punches in the sixth and the seventh whilst the Argentinian was still trying to get inside and looking to land one big right. Green ended the eighth with a hard right that shook Bolonti but in the ninth Green threw away the game plan and found himself up against the ropes and trading shots with Bolonti who was probably having his best round in the fight. Green boxed his way through the last to finish ten good rounds of work. Scores 100-90 for Green from all three judges. Now the 42-year-old former undefeated IBO cruiser and interim WBC super middle champion says he wants one more warm-up and then a grudge match with Anthony Mundine to get revenge for a 2006 loss. Bolonti, 36, did his job well. He came in as a very late replacement for Tamas Kovacs. He has tended to lose the big fights having been beaten by Tony Bellew and Juergen Braehmer but keeps his record of never losing inside the distance.

Brubaker vs. Xin

Brubaker wins the vacant WBC Youth title with knockout of Xin. The Australian nearly ended this in the first when he floored the Chinese fighter twice with rights. He tried to get that third knockdown that would have ended the fight but Xin survived. Xin surprised in the second by coming out aggressively looking to trade but by the end of the round Brubaker was landing again with Xin’s face covered in blood. The fight was a bit more even in the third and despite Brubaker’s dominance in the fourth it looked as though Xin was going to get through the three minutes until late in the round a thudding right from Brubaker put Xin down and the fight was over. The only loss for the ANBF No 6 was on points against unbeaten Qamil Balla for the vacant Australian title in 2013. This is his fourth win since then and his fourth win by KO/TKO. Xin, 23, “The Chinese Warrior”, had won his last 4 fights and this is his third loss by KO/T
Maloney vs. Gabisay

Maloney climbs off the floor for win. The Australian had Filipino Gabisay under heavy pressure from right hands in the first. The second was following the same pattern when a right from Gabisay exploded and put Maloney down. The local fighter was back in the groove in the third and fourth with Gabisay showing guts to suck up the punishment. A hard right from Maloney in the fifth had Gabisay in deep water and the referee stopped the fight. The Croydon 24-year-old has won his four fights by KO/TKO and with this one he took his total of rounds to 10 as he had not gone beyond the third previously. Filipino Gabisay is 2-5 in his last 7 fights but all of the losses are to unbeaten fighters with his last fight being a defeat on a close decision over 12 rounds in Thailand.

Maloney vs. Dalut

Maloney wins every round but gets useful ring time against a Filipino who did not come to lie down. Maloney controlled the fight with his jab. As the rounds progressed he was getting through with hard punches bringing his right into play more but Dalut was banging back with rights of his own. They both traded hard in the last round with Maloney getting the unanimous decision. Scores 60-54 for Maloney from all three judges to make it a Maloney family double by the twins. The Victoria State champion looks a top prospect. He has impressive amateur credentials having been Australian champion and he competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games then won a gold medal at the 2014 Games as well as representing Australia at the 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Championships. Dalut is 1-8-1 in his last 10 fights but there a couple of 12 round fights in there.

Budapest, Hungary: Light Fly: Jozsef Ajtai (6-0) W PTS 10 Robert Kanalas (9-4).

Teenager Ajtai wins the vacant national title with points win over Kanalas. Ajtai was giving away height, reach and a big edge in experience against former top amateur Kanalas. The work rate and sheer aggression of little Ajtai won the fight for him. Kanalas was always competitive but Ajtai was throwing too much leather for Kanalas to be able to keep the smaller man out and although both had good spells in the fight Ajtai was a clear winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 97-92 all for Ajtai. There are very few genuine light flyweights in Europe for the 18-year-old 5’2” (157cm) “Peacemaker” so he is going to have to give away height and weight to find fights. Kanalas, 23, the former Hungarian flyweight champion, was coming off two inside the distance losses in Canada and the UK and as with Ajtai has to give away weight to get fights.

August 20

Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Satoshi Hosono (28-2-1) W PTS 10 Tatsuya Otsubo (8-7-1). Fly: Akira Yaegashi (22-5) W KO 3 Said M Said. Super Bantam: Ryo Matsumoto (15-0) W KO 5 Luis May (17-9-1).

Hosono vs. Otsubo

Hosono retains his Japanese title and keeps his hopes of another title fight alive with wide unanimous decision over Otsubo. The challenger made a good start scoring with a strong jab and straight rights in the first but from the second Hosono took charge and never relinquished his hold on the fight. Hosono was getting through with left hooks and with uppercuts and hooks with his right. After five rounds Hosono was ahead 49-46 on two cards and 50-46 on the other. Hosono came close to a stoppage as he hurt Otsubo with body punches in the seventh but Otsubo has never lost by KO/TKO and refused to fold and was still there at the final bell. Scores 99-91, 99-91 and 98-92 all for Hosono. The 31-year-old Japanese champion was making the third defence of his national title. In past title challenges he lost a majority verdict to Poonsawat in 2010 for the secondary WBA super bantam title and to Celestino Caballero in 2011 for the secondary WBA feather title. In a third shot his challenge to Chris John in 2013 for the real WBA feather title ended on a technical draw after John was cut in a clash of heads. He is rated WBA 4/IBF 6(4)/WBO 7 and WBC 11. Otsubo, 26 was rated No 11 by the JBC. He had won his last six fights but this was his first ten round fight.

Yaegashi vs. Said

Predictable end as former two-time world champion Yaegashi destroyed Indonesian novice Said in three rounds. Yaegashi softened up Said with stiff jabs and shots to head and body before ending it in the third with one right that put Said down and out after 70 seconds of the round. The 32-year-old former WBA minimumweight and WBC light fly champion was returning after back-to-back losses to Roman Gonzalez and Pedro Guevara. He is a big enough draw in Japan to be sure he can get another title match although currently his only rating is No 2 light fly with the WBO but after returning with a win he will be in the ratings with most of the sanctioning bodies. He is said to have his eyes on Donnie Nietes WBO light fly title. Said just fodder. I have seen his record given as 10-6-1, 10-4-1 and 2-3?

Matsumoto vs. May

Hot Japanese youngster Matsumoto looks a good bet to win a world title in 2016. He was outclassing the rated Mexican when the fight came to a disappointing end in the fifth round. Matsumoto was punishing May with his jab, straight rights and a series of body punches in all four rounds with the Mexican lacking the skill or power to be competitive. May was already fading when in the fifth round he stopped fighting and indicated an injury to his right wrist. The referee ignored May’s claims and as he was not fighting and proceeded to count May out. A win yes, but not my idea of a “knockout”. The 21-year-old former undefeated OPBF super fly champion has 13 wins by KO/TKO including five in a row with wins over useful Orient opposition in former champion Denkaosan and Rusalee Samor. He is rated IBF 8(6)/WBC 11/WBA 11 at light fly and No 10 bantam by the WBO. May, 31, was vastly overrated by the WBC at No 10. He lost an eight round fight in Japan in December and his two wins in 2015 were over opponents with 4-7-1 and 9-5-0 which is not world rating material in my book.

August 21

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light: Pablo M Barboza (24-6) W PTS 10 Ruben D Lopez (9-5-3). Barboza climbs off the floor to retain Argentinian title on a split decision in a disappointing fight. The Rosario southpaw had too much skill and experience for the challenger and took the first three rounds by landing the cleaner and more accurate punches. The fight was going to script but Barboza paid for some over confidence in the fourth when Lopez dropped him with a hefty left. Barboza recovered and was getting back on top when Lopez had him shaken again in the sixth. Barboza was thrown for a while but then had his southpaw jab working and Lopez tired over the late rounds as the champion boxed his way to a victory. Scores 98-92, 96 ½-95 ½ for Barboza and 96 ½-95 ½ for Lopez. “Bad Boy” Barboza, the 30-year-old brother of former world title challenger Sebastian Lujan, was making the second defence of the national title. Barboza had climbed off the floor to win the title with a points win over Marcelino Lopez (29-0-1) last year but had suffered consecutive losses to Chad Bennett and Horacio Centeno (18-1-1) this year. Lopez, also from Rosario, the FAB No 8 is really just a prelim fighter and this was the first time any of his fights had gone past the sixth round.

San Juan, Argentina: Super Feather: Ezequiel V Fernandez (24-1) W PTS 10 Carlos R Rodriguez (30-12). Super Feather: Mauricio Munoz (31-6) W KO 9 Paulo M Ojeda (6-2). Super Bantam: Fabian O Orozco (26-4-2) W PTS 10 Maximiliano E Mendez (11-18-1).

Fernandez vs. Rodriguez

“Pac Man” Fernandez overcomes slow start to decision Mendez and defend his Argentinian title. Mendez made the better start over the first two rounds but fell away after that. Fernandez used a stiff jab to take control of the fight and he outboxed Rodriguez for what was in the end a comfortable win. Scores 99-92, 98-92 and 97-93. Second successful defence for the 24-year-old local. His only loss was against Pablo Barboza in 2013 and he has scored 7 wins since then. Rodriguez, 35, the FAB No 3, has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Munoz vs. Ojeda

Munoz given harder than expected fight by Ojeda but wins in the end. Ojeda came in as a late replacement but fought hard against the harder punching and more experienced Munoz. Ojeda was a long way behind at the start of the ninth round but gambled on an all-out attack and had Munoz briefly in trouble but later in the round two left hooks to the body saw Ojeda on the canvas in agony and unable to beat the count. In title world title fights the 29-year-old local, the FAB No 2, had lost to Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC super bantam and Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF feather titles but in recent action had won the South American title and scored good wins over Bruno Godoy and Daniel Brizuela. Ojeda was 6-1 in his last 7 fights going into this one but had never been past six rounds before.

Orozco vs. Mendez

Orozco makes it a treble for boxers from San Juan as he easily decisions Mendez. Orozco controlled most rounds with Mendez only able to steal one or two rounds where Orozco took a breather with the former Argentinian champion just having too many skills for Mendez. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 which were generous to Mendez. Orozco, 29, the FAB No 5 is 6-1 in his last 7 fights.Mendez had won his last three fights.

St Albans, Australia: Super Welter: Anthony Buttigieg (9-0) W TKO 7 Fred Tukes (12-3-2). Heavy: Justin Whitehead (6-0) W KO 3 Clarence Tillman (11-23-2).

Buttigieg vs. Tukes

Buttigieg remains unbeaten with stoppage of Tukes. Buttigieg was just too young and too mobile for the much older Tukes. He was able to out-manoeuvre Tukes and slot home plenty of hard shots in every round. Tukes had a short period of success in the third round but after that Buttigieg gradually broke Tukes down with body punches and it was no surprise when the sponge came in from his corner in the seventh round and the referee stopped the fight. Third defence of his Victoria State title for the 26-year-old local ANBF No 5. He gets only his second win by KO/TKO. American-born southpaw Tukes, 42, a former undefeated Australian welter champion did not turn pro until he was 30, and has had a number of spells of inactivity until he moved to Australia in 2012.

Whitehead vs. Tillman

Former Australian champion returns to the ring with a win in his first fight for five years. The 6’5” (195cm) 44-year-old was a top amateur winning the Australian title and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games a silver at the Commonwealth Championships and two golds at the Oceania Games but did not turn pro until he was 37. It will be interesting to see what he has left at 44. No 15 losses in a row for 37-year-old New Zealand-based American Tillman

Calgary, Canada: Welter: Steve Claggett (22-3-1) W TKO 3 Stephane Benito (22-20-3).

Claggett much too good for fading French veteran Benito. “The Dragon” waited out a fast start by Benito and then began to slot home hurtful body punches. He was breaking Benito down methodically but with Benito trying to punch with him. Claggett landed a vicious body shot in the third which had Benito hurt and in trouble. The Frenchman refused to go down but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight over protests from Benito. Claggett, 26, the Canadian champion, was having his second fight since losing a very disputed decision to Konstantin Ponomarev in January and looked good. Benito, 36, the former French super light champion, is on the slide and this was his eighth loss in a row.

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Masao Nakamura (20-3) W PTS 10 Daiki Kaneko (21-4-3). Nakamura gets important win as he beats favoured Kaneko on a split decision in a bloody battle. Nakamura was quickest out of the starting gate getting through with hard shots. By the end of the second Kaneko was sporting a bloody nose and a cut on his left eyelid caused by a punch from Nakamura. As the fight developed it was a case of Nakamura the busier fighter taking the fight to Kaneko throwing and landing more with Kaneko the more accurate countering cleverly. It was Nakamura’s turn to be cut by his left eye in the fourth and he was staggered by an overhand right from Kaneko in the fifth. There was plenty trading in each round with Kaneko’s face bearing the marks of the battle. Nakamura had a big ninth round with Kaneko under fire and almost overwhelmed by the furious attacks from Nakamura. There was no thought of countering from Kaneko in the last he went for broke shaking Nakamura with a left hook but just lacking the punch to get the knockout he needed. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 to Nakamura and 96-95 to Kaneko. Former OPBF champion Nakamura does not usually do distance fights. With 19 wins and 2 losses by KO/TKO only one of his previous 22 fights had gone the distance. He had losses in consecutive fights last year against unbeaten Masayuki Ito and Filipino Rey Labao but had a win in April-by KO in two rounds naturally. The 27-year-old from Osaka was JBC No 10. Kaneko, also 27, a former Japanese super feather champion had lost on points against Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title in December 2013 and was coming off a very close points loss against Thai Jomthong Chuwatana in January so a big blow for him here.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Super Fly: Edgar Jimenez (20-11-2) W PTS 10 Ivan Morales (28-1). Super Light: Sharif Bogere (27-1,1ND) ND 2 Daniel Ruiz (33-8-2,1ND). Light Fly: Ricardo Perez (9-2) W TKO 9 Noe Medina (5-4).

Jimenez vs. Morales

Jimenez springs a big surprise as he gets majority decision over previously undefeated Morales. Jimenez was really just supposed to be another stepping-stone for the latest member of the Morales Clan but it did not work out that way. Jimenez was forcing the action over the first two rounds with Morales on the back foot but defending well. The third saw Jimenez totally in control with Morales not able to launch any sustained attacks of his own. Both had good spells in the fourth with Jimenez scoring well to the body early and Morales hitting back strongly at the bell. The fighters took a breather in a quieter fifth with Morales probably doing enough to win it. Jimenez was still coming forward in the sixth but Morales was getting home with good uppercuts to keep the fight tight. The seventh went to Jimenez who was forcing Morales to fight off the ropes for much of the round. Morales blasted back into the fight in the eighth having Jimenez on wobbly legs with a right uppercut and it was Jimenez on the ropes and shipping punishment as the round ended. Jimenez took the fight away from Morales over the last two rounds. They traded in the ninth with Jimenez almost overwhelming Morales who was trying unsuccessfully to swing the fight his way. Jimenez continued that advantage into the last round which he also won. Scores 97-93 twice for Jimenez and 95-95. “Power” Jimenez, 23, a former Mexican fly champion, had a spell of 5 losses in a row, but had steadied the ship by going 4-1-1 in his next six fights. The opposition had not been high quality but winning the WBC Fecarbox title had raised him to No 8 bantam in their ratings. As with many fighters Jimenez has taken a lot of short notice fights but on the plus side living in Mexico City has given him an edge of training at altitude. “Nino Maravilla” Morales, 23, the brother of Erik and Diego still has hope of joining his brothers in winning a world title but he has a rebuilding job to do now.

Bogere vs. Ruiz

Bogere robbed of what looked to be a valid win. The Ugandan “Lion” was punching too hard for Ruiz and had the Mexican down twice in the first round. In the second a right from Bogere landed behind the ear of Ruiz who stopped fighting went down on one knee and then got up and walked back to his corner with the referee deciding the punch had landed on the back of Ruiz’s head and instead of counting Ruiz out he decided to rule it was a no decision. Very strange. Bogere is rebuilding. He took a year out after losing to Richar Abril for the WBA secondary title in March 2013 and had scored four wins prior to this contest. Ruiz, former IBO title challenger, had three wins and a draw in his four fights previous to this including a kayo of Irish prospect Jamie Kavanagh.

Perez vs. Medina

Perez wins the WBC Silver light fly title with stoppage of Medina. Perez came out in a style in keeping with his “Baby Bull” nickname looking to end this early. He got careless and almost paid for it when a right from Medina put him on the floor in the second round. Perez was up quickly and got back into the fight but with a little more caution. That caution did not last long and by the fifth he was pounding on Medina who was spending most of the round trapped on the ropes and shipping shots to head and body. Perez kept up the pressure in the sixth and although the pace slackened in the seventh and eighth Medina was being broken apart. In the ninth a heavy right slammed into Medina’s chin and Medina spat out his mouthpiece just as the towel came in from his corner with it later being claimed that a hand injury caused the corner to pull Medina out. Eight win by KO/TKO for 24-year-old local Perez. He was WBC Silver champion at minimumweight but relinquished that and despite the poor quality of his opposition he is already WBC No 7 in his new division. First fight for 15 months for Medina and third loss by KO/TKO.

Corona, CA, USA: Bantam: Carlos Carlson (19-1) W PTS 8 Pedro Melo (13-10-2).

Carlson keeps his winning run going and collects the vacant WBC Latino title but is pushed very close by fellow-Tijuana fighter Melo and has to come off the floor for victory. After an even first round Melo landed a series of punches with Carlos sinking to the canvas. Unfortunately he continued to punch when Carlson was down so instead of getting a 10-8 round he received a warning from the referee. To his credit Carlson then took over the fight out-throwing and out-landing Melo and seemingly working his way to victory over the middle rounds. Melo got into the fight again in the sixth and sprang another surprise in the seventh with a right that had Carlson wobbling and did enough to take the eighth. Scores 76-75 for Carlson from all three judges. The 25-year Carlson lost his first pro fight so is now unbeaten in 19 on the bounce and is No 11 with the WBC. Melo, 26, did not look to be a difficult opponent. He had won his last two fights but prior to that had gone 2-4-1 in 7 fights.

August 22

Grozny, Russia: Heavy: Mairis Briedis (17-0) W KO 5 Manuel Charr (28-4).

Briedis moves up to heavyweight and gets a huge win over former title challenger Charr

Briedis was giving away height and over 30lbs in weight but fought a smart fight. He spent the first round on the back foot moving around the slower Charr threading punches through Charr’s high guard to head and body and staying off the ropes and out of corners with Charr just plodding after the Latvian and waiting too long to let his punches go. Charr tried to pressurise Briedis more in the second but the Latvian kept on the move and increased his punch output. Charr was catching a lot of the punches on his high guard but most were getting through although Briedis was not setting himself to get full leverage. Charr did not have a Plan B and Briedis kept punching and moving, staying out of corners and on the back foot slotting home punches to head and body and some sharp right uppercuts inside. When Charr did get close he was wrestling instead of punching so Briedis was having an east night. In the fourth Charr tried standing back and luring Briedis in but the Latvian did not fall for the ploy. Charr did land a good right and threw a flurry of punches at the end of the round but again Briedis was moving and punching and he scored with a nice left uppercut. Charr was pressing more in the fifth and scored with a good right. Briedis was looking a bit arm weary. The Latvian scored with a lovely right uppercut but Charr forced him along the ropes to a corner and as Charr moved in Briedis thumped home a right uppercut to the head and a left hook as Charr tumbled face first down through the bottom rope where he hung suspended with his legs inside the ring and his head almost off the ring apron-out cold. The referee did not bother to count and even Briedis looked a little surprised at what he had done. The 30-year-old Latvian weighed his heaviest so far and whether he is big enough to run with the big boys is doubtful but he showed a good brain and a hard punch so who knows. He has 14 wins by KO/TKO including 6 in his last 7 fights but this was a big step-up in quality of opponent for him. Charr made no use whatsoever of his physical advantages and his frustration made his careless and he got nailed. The 30-year-old Lebanese-born fight has no thoughts of retiring. He had lost only on a majority decision to Johann Duhaupas in April and easily beaten Alex Leapai in May so was not on the down slope.

Juarez, Mexico: Super Light: Nery Saguilan (34-4-1) W PTS 12 DeMarcus Corley (42-24-1). Light: Miguel Roman (52-11) W KO 3 Leonardo Doronio (14-11-3). Light: Adrian Estrella (23-1) W KO 3 Alex Monterrosa (23-12-3).

Saguilan vs. Corley

Saguilan gets very close and controversial unanimous verdict over veteran Corley. The former WBO light welter champion outboxed Saguilan from the start using his edges in height and reach, his southpaw jab and extensive experience to control the fight. Tempers flared at the end of the third with the referee having to step in to prevent the fight continuing after the bell and Corley was lucky to get away without a point deduction after a backhand punch in the sixth. The erratic Mexican spent too much time showboating. He was much quicker and scored with fast combinations when he focused but despite being much younger and on a winning run he was unable to wear down or break down Corley. Many rounds were close and the expectation was that Corley would fade over the late rounds but he stayed competitive and had done enough to win. The judges saw it differently scoring it 115-113 twice and 115-114 for Saguilan with the crowd booing the decision. The 27-year-old “Panther” Saguilan retains his WBC Fecarbox title and makes it 8 wins in a row. He is No 7 light with the WBC but no big wins in there. Corley, 41, is not brought in to win and usually fights in the other guys backyard so is not going to get any breaks. He is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights.

Roman vs. Doronio

Routine win for Roman over modest Filipino. A series of punches from Roman saw the referee giving Doronio a standing count in the first. Despite the bad start Doronio had the crowd holding its breath in the second when an overhand right forced Roman to take a knee. The hometown fighter was up quickly, took the eight count and then launched furious attacks that put Doronio twice. Roman ended it in the third with a series of punches to head and body that put Doronio down and the Filipino did not beat the count. The 29-year-old “Mickey” has 39 wins by KO/TKO and has 14 wins in a row including victories over Juan Carlos Salgado, Daniel Ponce De Leon and Edgar Puente. He is WBC No 5 and will be hoping to get a world title fight at his correct poundage after losing on a fifth round kayo when challenging Antonio DeMarco for the WBC light title in 2012. Two losses and a draw in his last three fights but all away from home on his travels

Estrella vs. Monterrosa

Estrella eases back with stoppage of Colombian. After pressuring Monterrosa for three rounds a left hook put the Colombian down and out. The 23-year-old “Diamond” has 21 wins by KO/TKO but still needs to work on the defensive weakness that led to his second round stoppage loss to Eden Sonsona in May. Now 5 losses in 5 fights in Mexico for Monterrosa.

New Plymouth, New Zealand: Light Heavy: Rob Powdrill (6-1) W PTS 10 Sam Rapira (11-2). Australian Powdrill built a lead over the early rounds and did enough to hold on over the late rounds to get the split decision. Powdrill’s punch power gave the local fighter trouble over the early rounds as Powdrill forced the fight and heavy rights often drove Rapira back forced him to focus on defence. As the fight progressed Rapira was scoring with more counters and he was closing the points gap but he lacked the punch to hurt the Australian and the decision looked right. Scores 98-92 and 97-94 for Powdrill and 97-94 for Rapira. The 31-year-old West Australian wins the vacant IBO Inter-Continental title. He was inactive from February 2009 through to July 2014 but since returning he scored a huge upset when kayoing Australian hot prospect Damien Hooper in 21 seconds and also reversed his only loss by outpointing David Letizia. Former New Zealand champion Rapira, also 31, had won 7 of his first 8 fights by KO/TKO and had won his last three fights.

Matagalpa, Nicaragua: Minimum: Byron Rojas (16-2-3,1ND) W PTS 10 Byron Castellon (7-3-2). Fly: Cristofer Rosales (14-2) W KO 2 Herald Molina (17-12-3). 12

Rojas vs. Castellon

Rojas wins clearly but fails to impress. The young local fighter always had control of this fight and won more easily than the scores suggest but lacked his trademark fire and was not as aggressive as usual but then he did have some rust to shed. He failed to produce the knockout he had forecast but took the unanimous decision. Scores 98-92, 97-92 and 97-93. He retains the national title and is 10-0 1 ND in his last 11 fights. The 25-year-old “Gallito” is rated IBF 4(2)/WBC 3/WBO 7 so a title fight in 2016 is a possibility. Castellon, 22, is 5-2-1 in his last 8 fights.

Rosales vs. Molina

Rosales goes over some old ground but gets the job done quicker second time around. The young Nica had taken ten rounds to stop Molina last time but this time he handed out enough of a beating to have the referee stop the fight in the second round. Rosales, 20, had beaten Molina in January to win the national title. His only loss in his last 13 fights was on points against British prospect Khali Yafai in March. Four losses in a row for 33-year-old Molina including a second round kayo against the same Yafai.

David, Panama: Feather: Bryan De Gracia (16-0-1) W TKO 8 Samuel Moreno (9-4-1). Super Fly: Jonathan Arias (17-10) W KO 5 Israel Hidrogo (10-7-1).

De Gracia vs. Moreno

Local favourite De Gracia continues his winning streak and defends the national title with stoppage of Moreno. The David fighter again showed his power as he had Moreno on the back foot and under pressure all the way. After taking heavy punishment in the middle rounds it looked as though Moreno might last the distance but a left hook to the body in the seventh left him in agony and the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old De Gracia drew in his first pro fight so has now won 16 in a row, 13 by KO/TKO. He also wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title and is rated No 13 by the WBA. Moreno, also 21, was coming off a good performance where he floored former world title challenger Manuel Vides before losing a split decision.

Arias vs. Hidrogo

Arias makes it 6-2 in fights in Panama as he gets upset kayo victory over Hidrogo to win the WBA Fedebol title. Arias had vowed to retire if he lost so he will presumably happily fight on. He has won 4 of his last 5 fights in the Isthmus including a kayo of former world title challenger Ricardo Nunez. He now has 15 wins by KO/TKO in his 17 victories so the 32-year-old fighter from the Dominican Republic was a known danger. Hidrogo, 22, a former Panamanian champion, had lost his last two fights but on a split decision and a majority decision respectively against world rated fighter Gilberto Pedroza and Luis A Rios.

Miedzyzdroje, Poland: Middle: Kamil Szeremeta (11-0) W PTS 10 Arthur Hermann (16-2). Cruiser: Michal Cieslak (9-0) W KO 1 Jarno Rosberg (18-2-1,1ND). Super Welter: Artem Karpets (21-0) W PTS 6 Lukasz Janik (14-13-1). Super Middle: Tomasz Gargula (17-0-1) W PTS 6 Sebastian Skrzypczynski (11-11-2).

Szeremeta vs. Hermann

Szeremeta continues to improve his skills as he convincingly outpoints Hermann. The Pole was working his jab well in the first and shook Hermann with a left hook near the end of the round. He was scoring well in the second with left hooks under the right elbow of Hermann but it was not all one-way as Hermann stung Szeremeta with a straight left and a right to the chin in the third. Szeremeta scored well with body punches again in the fourth and fifth and had Hermann badly shaken by rights at the end of the sixth. Szeremeta looked on his way to a stoppage but he is not a power puncher and Hermann showed a good chin and landed some heavy punches of his own and the fight was more even over the closing rounds. Scores 99-91, 99-93 and 97-93 all for Szeremeta. The 25-year-old EBU No 10, a former Polish amateur champion, was having his second ten round fight and paced the contest well. London-based Kazak Hermann had won his last 5 fights but just met a better boxer on the night.

Cieslak vs. Rosberg

This looked a tough test for Cieslak on paper but it lasted just 106 seconds. The local fighter came out pressing Rosberg and took him to the ropes. Once there a left hook to the body put Rosberg down. He was in considerable pain and after he got up Cieslak unleashed a series of punches with the final right to the head putting Rosberg down and out. The 6’3” (190cm) Pole, 26, wins the vacant Polish Youth International title and gets win No 5 by KO/TKO. Finn Rosberg, 34, was knocked out in two rounds by Deontay Wilder’s challenger Johann Duhaupas in 2013 but had then gone 4-0-1in his last 5 fights.

Karpets vs. Janik

Karpets has no trouble with moderate Janik. The Polish-based Ukrainian won every round as he works his way back to full ring fitness. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. Karpets was inactive from August 2013 until returning with an unconvincing split decision win over Mariusz Biskupski in April this year. Janik is 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

Gargula vs. Skrzypczynski

Gargula continues unbeaten in fierce battle with Skrzypczynski. They went to war from the bell as Skrzypczynski slammed home a right which sent Gargula tumbling into the ropes only for Gargula to shake Skrzypczynski with a right and Skrzypczynski finish the round with another big right. Skrzypczynski continued to attack in the second until a left hook sent him down and after he got up it was Gargula in control. The pace dropped in the third with Gargula on the back foot and countering well but the fourth featured plenty of exchanges with Gargula showing a swelling by his right eye. Gargula had the better of the fifth and they just slugged away in the sixth which again Gargula edged. Scores 60-53, 59-54 and 58-55 for Gargula. The 40-year-old Gargula retired in 2004 and only returned to the ring in June this year after 10 years and two months out. He remains unbeaten but his horizons must be limited. Three losses in a row for Skrzypczynski

Fajardo, Puerto Rico: Bantam: Emmanuel Rodriguez (13-0) W TKO 7 Alex Rangel (16-5-2). Rodriguez continues to impress as he stops Mexican Rangel in seven. Rangel decided his best chance lay in taking the fight to the Puerto Rican prospect and fighting on the inside. The problem was that Rodriguez was banging home hurtful jabs, straight rights and left hooks to the body all night. Rangel faded out of the fight and a volley of hard punches from Rodriguez in the seventh put Rangel down with the referee having seen enough and stopping the fight. The 23-year-old “Manny” wins the vacant WBO Fedelatin title and has 9 victories by KO/TKO. His last four fights have all been scheduled for ten rounds but this is the first of those fights to go past the third round. He is a former World Youth Olympic Games gold medal winner and is the spokesman for a foundation that helps children who have suffered severe burns having himself recovered from suffering second degree burns over 66% of his body in an accident. Rangel has lost 4 of his last 5 fights but took former world title challenger Cesar Seda the full ten rounds in his last visit to Puerto Rico in June last year.

Fallon, NV, USA: Light: Saul Rodriguez (18-0-1) W PTS 8 Ramsey Luna (12-4).

Rodriguez remains unbeaten in a good fight with Luna. Both were letting their punches go in the first with Luna more than willing to mix it. Rodriguez scored well at the start of the second with over hand rights and left hooks to the body. In the third it looked as though Rodriguez was going to add to his score one of his quick wins as he drove Luna to the ropes and lashed out with rights and left hooks with Luna looking in deep trouble. Luna survived and was fighting back at the bell. The fourth saw Luna still fighting back strongly forcing Rodriguez to retreat and scoring with a couple of choice uppercuts. Rodriguez hurt Luna with a long right in the fifth but Luna had Rodriguez against the ropes and was working inside as the round ended. The sixth saw both have good spells with Luna perhaps just having the edge. Rodriguez was back on top in the seventh landing long rights and his trademark left hooks to the body. Rodriguez also took the last forcing Luna back and hammering home rights but with Luna getting off some good counters. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. The 22-year-old “Kid Dinamita” has 13 wins by KO/TKO. After a run of 8 inside the distance wins on the bounce he has now gone the full ten rounds in consecutive fights so some useful ring time. Texan Luna, 23, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights but Rodriguez is the third undefeated fighter he has faced in those 4 losses alongside Toka Kahn Clary and Ryan Kielczewski and he gave Rodriguez a good fight.

August 23

Yalta, Crimea: Light Heavy: Felix Varela (13-0) W PTS 12 Stas Kashtanov (33-2). Middle: Dmitry Chudinov (15-1-2) W PTS 8 Geard Ajetovic (26-13-1). Super Light: Ramal Amanov (9-0) W DISQ 3 Ranses Payano (19-2).

Varela vs. Kashtanov

Varela win the vacant interim WBA title with split decision over Kashtanov. This was a spectacle to behold. Varela has a style even more eccentric than Chris Eubank Senior and poor Kashtanov had no chance of adjusting to such a weird puzzle that faced him. In the first Varela was boxing with his hands on his hips throwing quick light punches from both hands and his constant change of guards, ducking, bobbing weaving stalking and walking around the ring then changing direction and trotting in the other direction just froze Kashtanov who could not find a target to aim at. It was the same in the second but more so with the bizarre antics of Varela seeing him throwing punches from weird angles ducking almost to the canvas and at times creeping sideward’s around the ring which again bamboozled Kashtanov who was trying to stick to an orthodox approach. It was the fourth round before Kashtanov finally managed to get into the fight by letting his hands go more and closing down some of Varela’s space. Kashtanov also had a good fifth as Varela was boxing in a more orthodox style and Kashtanov was able to get home with a good right and a left hook. The sixth and seventh were both close rounds and in the eighth for the first time in the fight Varela stood toe to-toe with Kashtanov and just had the edge due to his much quicker hands. Kashtanov had a better ninth but his frustration with the antics of Varela had him throwing the Dominican to the floor and later in the round pushing him down but again Varela was the one scoring with quick light punches. Varela resorted to his antics over the closing rounds with Kashtanov in constant pursuit but never able to nail down the elusive Varela who was at his most eccentric but also getting through with those quick combination and making sure he was somewhere else when Kashtanov countered. I thought that the “style” of Varela might count against him but he got the decision. Scores 116-112 and 115-113 for Varela and 117-111 for Kashtanov. First fight outside the Dominican Republic for the 27-year-old Varela who was his country’s super middle champion. As an amateur he fought in a range from 75kgs to 81kgs competing at the Pan American Games and World Championships. Kashtanov, 31, had lost a split decision to Karoly Balzsay for the vacant WBA secondary super middle title in 2011 and was inactive from August 2013 until April this year, and in June won the Russian light heavy title when his opponent Konstantin Piternov was forced to retire with a shoulder injury. Somehow that light heavyweight win entitled him to fight for the interim WBA super middle title.

Chudinov vs. Ajetovic

Chudinov eases back after losing his WBA interim title to Chris Eubank Jr with a win over a very passive Ajetovic. Chudinov was forcing the fight with Ajetovic taking a passive role goiung backwards until he was leaning with his back against the ropes hiding behind a high guard and letting Chudinov just punch away. Chudinov was not doing much harm but Ajetovic was throwing only occasional counters. It was the same at the start of the second until Ajetovic unleashed a right that definitely staggered Chudinov. For a few seconds Ajetovic threw punches from both hands and then inexplicably just went back to his old tactics and spent most of the round on the ropes. Apart from a sharp right uppercut from Chudinov in the fourth and a brief spell of hands down defence in “Varela” style from Ajetovic in the sixth the fight had no highlights. It was repetitive round after round of Chudinov coming forward trying to find a way past the high guard of Ajetovic and the Serb throwing occasional flurries and then going back into his shell which was a pity as he looked capable of hurting Chudinov if he had tried harder. No scores given but Chudinov got the unanimous verdict and it had to be 80-72 as Ajetovic never threw enough punches to come close to winning any round. For the 28-year-old “Russian Wolf” it was virtually eight rounds of sparring as he works his way back. For Ajetovic it was a payday and his fourth loss in his last five fights.

Amanov vs. Payano

Amanov wins vacant WBA International title as Dominican Payano is disqualified. Payano looked to be in control using his edges in height and reach to outbox and pressurise southpaw Amanov. He was doing fine until he lost control and landed a low punch in the third. The referee deducted a point but Payano repeated the offence almost immediately and was disqualified. The 30-year-old Azeri-born Amanov gets a lucky win and probable a world rating from the WBA. “The Pharaoh” Payano, 21, is the Dominican welter champion and he can only blame himself for losing this one.