The Past Week in Action 27 September 2021

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.

Highlights:

-Oleksandr Usyk wins the IBF/WBA/WBO and IBO titles with points win over Anthony Joshua

-Lawrence Okolie knocks out Dilan Prasovic in three rounds in WBO cruiser title defence

-Masamichi Yabuki wins the WBC light flyweight title with upset stoppage of unbeaten champion Kenshiro Teraji

-Callum Smith scores scary kayo over Lenin Castillo in the second round

-Arslanbek Makhmudov and Christian Mbilli score quick wins in Quebec

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

September 22

 

Kyoto, Japan: Light Fly: Masamichi Yabuki (13-3) W TKO 10 Kenshiro Teraji (18-1).

Unfancied Yabuki spoils the home coming party for WBC title holder Teraji as he stops him in the tenth. Assured start from Teraji in the first with plenty of movement and plenty of probing jabs but he was off target and short with his jab. Yabuki landed a couple of punches late to steal the round. Teraji was still throwing lots of jabs in the second and but again although he was throwing less it was Yabuki who was connecting and he was out jabbing Teraji in the third. Teraji could have worn just one glove as he hardly used his right at all. Yabuki had a good fourth knocking Teraji back on his heels with a right and connecting with good counters. After four rounds two judges had Yabuki up 40-36 and the other had it 38-38. The rounds had been close but Teraji’s jab was too often just an ineffectual prod. The fifth saw Yabuki score repeatedly with rights to the head knocking Teraji off balance. Teraji upped his pace in the sixth. He was moving in behind his jab and bringing his right into play and looked on the point of taking the fight over. Teraji kept up the fast pace in the seventh but was only throwing jabs and it was Yakubu who was connecting with the more impressive single shots. The eighth was a good round for Yabuki. Teraji was following him around the ring jabbing but time and again was caught with rights from Yabuki one of which sent Teraji staggering and after the eighth Yabuki was ahead 79-74, 78-74 and 77-75. In an exciting ninth Teraji came forward throwing punches but suddenly Yabuki fired a series of shots that had Teraji reeling and a punch opened a bad cut over the left eye of the champ. Yabuki then had Teraji under severe pressure. Teraji forgot his boxing and now went toe-to-toe slugging with Yabuki. He looked to have Yabuki rocking only for Yabuki to fire back with two huge rights that shook Teraji at the bell. Teraji went for broke at the start of the tenth forcing Yabuki to the ropes and letting fly with hooks and uppercuts from both hands. He landed a couple of sweeping hooks to the body and snapped Yabuki’s head back with a right. Yabuki shoved Teraji to the canvas but Teraji got up and was assaulting an exhausted looking Yabuki with body punches but also leaving himself open and Yabuki connected with some blazing head punches that had Teraji reeling across the ring to the ropes and Yabuki kept pounding on a Teraji who was ready to drop when the referee stopped the fight. Teraji had tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of August and this fight was put back seventeen days but Teraji did not have a negative result until 3 September so he could not have been in top condition for this fight.

September 25

London, England: Heavy: Oleksandr Usyk (19-0) W PTS 12 Anthony Joshua (24-2). Cruiser: Lawrence Okolie (17-0) W KO 3 Dilan Prasovic (15-1). Light Heavy: Callum Smith (28-1) W KO 2 Lenin Castillo (21-4-1). Welter: Florian Marku (9-0-1) W PTS 10 Maxim Prodan (19-1-1). Middle: Christopher Ousley (13-0, 1ND) W PTS 10 Khasan Baysangurov (21-2).

Usyk vs. Joshua

Usyk collects four title belts as he matches Joshua and then finishes the fight strongly sweeping the late round to emerge a clear and deserved winner.

Round 1

Usyk was quicker and more mobile. He landed first getting through with a straight left. Joshua connected with a right later but another left and a shot to the body were enough to give Usyk the round. He was constantly circling Joshua and changing direction with Joshua looking slow by comparison.

Score: 10-9 Usyk

Round 2

Joshua kept popping Usyk with jabs . Not all were landing but he was using the jab to keep Usyk at distance. Usyk could not get past the jab and Joshua took the round with his work with his jab.

Score: 10-9 Joshua                                  Tied 19-19

Round 3 

A much better round for Usyk. He was able to dart past Joshua’s jab and connected with a good combination to the head. Late in the round a big left from Usyk visibly shook Joshua and Usyk fired more punches trying to capitalise on that but Joshua recovered.

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 29-28   

Round 4

Usyk’s quick footwork and hand speed were allowing him to connect with right jabs over the top of Joshua’s left and he was also able to get through with his punches and get out before Joshua could counter.

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 39-37

Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 39-37 Usyk, Judge Howard Foster 38-38 TIED,  Judge Steve Weisfeld 39-37 Usyk.

Round 5

The pace speeded up in this round mainly because Joshua was more positive and Usyk had to move more. Joshua again kept popping Usyk with his jab and landed a couple of rights with Usyk connected with a left late.

Score:10-9 Joshua                                   Usyk 48-47

Round 6

The pace was very fast for heavyweights. Joshua was stabbing out his jab and putting Usyk under more pressure. Neither scored with any big punches but Usyk was being caught with the jab and was set back by a straight right and not managing to get on the front foot.

Score: 10-9 Joshua                                  TIED 57-57

Round 7

A good round for Usyk. He was getting through with his jab and straight rights. Joshua was throwing single punches whereas Usyk was starting to fire combinations and a left to the head sent Joshua staggering back across the ring.

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 67-66

Round 8

Joshua used his right a lot more in this round and found the target but was reaching with the punch which lost some of its force. Usyk sparked to life late in the round but then Joshua scored with two thumping body punches.

Score: 10-9 Joshua                                  TIED 76-76

Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 77-76 Usyk, Judge Howard Foster 77-75 Joshua,  Judge Steve Weisfeld 76-76 TIED.

Round 9

Usyk was just too fast for Joshua in this round. He was sliding his jab over the top of Joshua’s and coming in with straight lefts. Joshua just could not find the target and Usyk scored with a heavy left at the bell

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 86-85

Round 10

Usyk was confident enough to stand inside and slip Joshua’s lead and slot home fast rights and lefts. He was again putting his punches into small bursts with Joshua just firing one shot at a time looking static and slow there was swelling around his right eye.

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 96-94

Round 11

Joshua tried to raise his game but could not match the movement or hand speed of Usyk. The challenger was getting past Joshua’s jab and driving Joshua back with a series of punches and then moving out of range before Joshua could counter.

Score: 10-9 Usyk                                      Usyk 106-103

Round 12

A one-sided last round saw Usyk outthrow and outland Joshua and he finished the fight with a whole series of punches that had Joshua reeling against the ropes a well beaten fighter.

Score:10-9 Usyk                                       Usyk 116-112

Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 117-112 Usyk, Judge Howard Foster 115-113 Usyk,  Judge Steve Weisfeld 116-112 Usyk.

A brilliant display of box/fighting from Usyk. He was too quick

and too clever for a pedestrian Joshua who with his cautious, no risk approach  seemed to think he was fighting the Andy Ruiz from their second fight again instead of one of the most accomplished big men in the sport. Usyk has said he will give Joshua a return-in Ukraine! Whether that will be made or not should become evident soon. The position with the heavyweights is wide open right now. Obviously it would be good to think that Usyk vs. Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder would follow as it would unify the heavyweight titles but it’s early to say how any negotiations for that might go. The WBA ratings have Trevor Bryan as secondary title holder and Mahmoud Charr as “Champion in Recess” and Daniel Dubois as No 1. I wouldn’t watch Usyk against Bryan or Mahmoud if you paid me and it might be a bit early for Dubois who is yet to face a real test since his loss to Joe Joyce. The No 1 spot in both the IBF and WBO ratings is vacant  so Usyk has at this time no mandatory fights. Usyk was totally the wrong kind of opponent for Joshua and it was strange as there was a constrained way about how he fought as if he believed he could outbox Usyk. There was little “fire” in his performance. He will return but will have to change his whole game plan if he is to have a chance of beating Usyk in a return fight.

Okolie vs. Prasovic

Okolie destroys Prasovic in a totally predictable ending. Okolie was finding Prasovic with jabs in the first and then dropped him late in the second. A right which looked to land at the back of Prasovic’s head had him staggering and another right floored him. Prasovic made it to his feet and although Okolie landed a couple more head shots Prasovic survived the remaining seconds. In the third a body punch sent Prasovic down in agony and he was counted out. First defence of the WBO title for Okolie and he got the job done in probably the easiest defence he will have. Prasovic’s No 1 rating with the WBO was ridiculous and even his No 27 rating by Box Rec flatters him.

Smith vs. Castillo

If there was any question over whether Smith would be able to retain his power punching at light heavyweight this fight answered that question. Smith was on target in the first jabbing strongly and scoring with his trade mark left hooks to the body. Castillo showed a useful jab but Smith was curving rights around Castillo’s guard to the head. In the second as they traded punches a thunderous right from Smith sent Castillo down heavily on his back. His legs twitched uncontrollably and he was quickly given medical attention before leaving the ring on a stretcher and taken to hospital with the information later being that he had recovered and was not in danger. Smith will be looking to get at least another couple of fights at light heavy and then seek a title chance. First inside the distance loss for Castillo who had taken Dmitry Bivol the distance in a challenge for the secondary WBA title and also Marcus Browne.

Marku vs. Prodan

An Albanian vs. a Ukrainian does not seem very logical for a big show in London but that’s what we had here. Albanian Marku, who has fought almost exclusively in the UK, boxed cleverly over the early rounds with quick hands, plenty of movement and switch-hitting. Prodan came into the contention more over the second half of the fight rocking Marku who let his punch output drop as he tired. Despite that his early work earned him a deserved split decision on scores of 97-93 and 96-94 with the third card somehow reading 99-91 for Prodan ! Marku wins the IBF International title. Prodan was making the second defence of the IBF belt.

Ousley vs. Baysangurov

Big win and something of an upset as Ousley just gets by former WBA title challenger Baysangurov on a majority decision. Scores 97-94 twice and 95-95 for Chicago’s Ousley. Bulgarian Baysangurov was stopped in eleven rounds by Rob Brant for the secondary WBA belt in February 2019 but had come back with four wins over modest opponents.

 

 

September 23

 

Quebec City, Canada: Heavy: Arslanbek Makhmudov (13-0) W RTD 1 Erkan Teper (21-4). Super Middle: Christian Mbilli (19-0) W TKO 3 Ronny Landaeta (18-4).

Makhmudov vs. Teper

Makhmudov crushes Teper who dips out after three knockdowns in the opening round. Teper found gaps for a straight right and a couple of jabs before Makhmudov connected with a series of hefty rights that put Teper down on his hands and knees. Teper beat the count but was put down twice more and retired at the end of the round. Now thirteen fights and thirteen wins by KO/TKO for the 6’5” 260lbs Russian and his fourth one round finish in a row. He certainly has power but is a bit crude. I was going to say he has very little head movement and whilst that is true with regard to that movement as a defence he constantly shakes head from side to side in what seems to be an involuntary twitch. In the World Series of Boxing he scored wins over Mihai Nistor, Jose Larduet and Guido Vianello. Teper, rated No 58 by Box Rec, and in his first fight since February 2020, looked all of his 39 years and proved no test for Makhmudov who has done all that has been asked of him but is yet to meet a threatening opponent.

Mbilli vs. Landaeta

Mbilli marches on with third round victory over Landaeta. Mbilli quickly put Landaeta under pressure in the first with stabbing jabs, hooks to the body inside and some fast rights to the head. Landaeta tried to trade with Mbilli but lacked the power to do so. Landaeta was down in the second but complained he had been punched on the back of the head. He made it to his feet but was shaken later by two uppercuts. In the third Mbilli connected with two rights to the head that had Landaeta reeling and he was pinned to the ropes under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Mbilli wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. The 26-year-old “Solide” Mbilli has won 18 of his fights by KO/TKO and is ready for rated opposition. To his credit despite the punishment Mbilli was dishing out Landaeta never stopped trying to trade with Mbilli and this is his first inside the distance defeat.

 

Dominican Republic: Feather: Fency Fortunato (12-1) W TKO 7 Cristian Avila (16-5-1) W. Super Welter: Ismael Villarreal (10-0) W KO 2 Thomas Mendez (24-13).

Fortunato vs. Avila

Fortunato snaps the winning run of Venezuelan Avila with a seventh round kayo. In an incident filled- bad tempered fight Fortunato boxed on the back foot for the first two rounds and then set to work. He almost decapitated Avila with an uppercut in the third, was warned for a low punch in the fourth and deducted a point in the fifth for another below the belt shot. They then taunted each other through the fifth before Fortunato floored Avila at the end of the sixth and again in the seventh and the fight was stopped. Tenth inside the distance victory for Fortunato as he rebounds from loss to Alberto Melian in March. Avila had won his last twelve bouts but his opposition had been dire with only eight wins between them.

Villarreal vs. Mendez

Bronx-born Villarreal, 24, gets his sixth KO/TKO victory as he knocks out Mendez in two rounds. Villarreal scored with a couple of heavy rights at the end of the first. He continued to hammer Mendez with punches in the second. Mendez had to hold twice to avoid going down but a blistering series of head and body punches saw him drop to the canvas and he was counted out. Second win in seven weeks for Villarreal but fourth consecutive stoppage loss for Dominican Mendez.

 

September 24

 

Broken Arrow, OK, USA: Bantam: Saul Sanchez (17-1) W TKO 1 Jarico O’Quinn (14-1-1). Middle: Timur Kerefov (12-0) W PTS 10 Devaun Lee (10-8-1). Feather: Luis Nunez (12-0) W PTS 10 Jayvon Garnett (10-1). Super Feather: Otar Eranosyan (10-0) W PTS 8 Alejandro Guerrero (12-2). Middle: Hugo Centeno Jr (28-3-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Kenneth Council (11-5-1).

Sanchez vs. O’Quinn

In something of an upset Sanchez destroys O’Quinn inside a round. A left hook put O’Quinn on the canvas just one minute into the fight. Quinn managed to get to his feet and tried to hold but was quickly down again from a right to the head. Quinn got up but was trapped on the ropes and twice almost slid to the canvas until the referee came in and pulled Sanchez off stopping the fight. Tenth inside the distance win for Californian Sanchez. Detroit’s O’Quinn was having his first fight since January 2020 but never got a chance to shake off any dust.

Kerefov vs. Lee

Russian Kerefov puts in ten rounds of work in outpointing Lee. Kerefov had a big edge in skills finding gaps for his jabs and changing angles to get through Lee’s defence. Although Lee was competitive the quicker, slicker Kerefov was never any serious pressure and boxed his way to winning every round. Scores 100-90 on the judge’s cards. Kerefov was a good level amateur but the claim of a 298-12 record is an example of a PR man feeding information and hoping no one will get off their bum and check despite that bit of PR licence he looks good and is worth watching. Sixth loss in a row for Lee.

Nunez vs. Garnet

Nunez outpoints Garnett over ten slow paced rounds. Nunez will have been looking to impress in his first fight outside of his native Dominican Republic but it was hard work against a largely negative Garnett. Nunez had the better skills and a lot of height and reach over Garnett and there was never enough coming back from Garnett to raise the tempo of the fight and Nunez had to settle for a comfortable win. Scores 100-90 for the winner on all cards. Nunez’s record is not as padded as some Dominican’s so it will be interesting to see how he goes against a more energetic opponent.

Eranosyan vs. Guerrero

Georgian Eranosyan continues his busy schedule with wide unanimous decision over Texan Guerrero. The early rounds were competitive with Guerrero taking the fight to Eranosyan but the Georgian was that bit more accurate and had the edge. Over the second half of the fight Eranosyan dominated the action and fitted in some showboating but Guerrero stuck to his game plan and attacked to the end. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73 for Eranosyan who was scoring his ninth win in the last twelve months. Guerrero had won his first twelve fights but dropped a majority verdict against 19-2-1 Abraham Montoya in February.

Centeno vs. Council

Centeno returns to the ring for the first time fighting a split draw with Juan Macias Maciel in December 2016 and blows away an overmatched Council. Centeno towered over the 5’8” Council and wrapped this fight up in the second round dropping Council and then after the eight count continuing to bombard him with punches until the fight was halted. After going 24-0 Centeno lost big fights against Maciej Sulecki, Jermall Charlo  and Willie Monroe so he is facing a long haul back to the top. Fourth defeat by KO/TKO for Council.

 

Hurlingham, Argentina: Super Middle: Ramon Lovera (15-1-1) W DISQ 1 Rolando Mansilla (16-9-1). Feather: Sebastian Pedroza (13-0-1) W TKO 3 Jose Garcia (7-10).

Lovera vs. Mansilla

This fight was over in 54 seconds. A butt from Mansilla in the first round rendered Lovera unable to continue and Mansilla was disqualified. Lovera retains the Argentinian title in his first defence. First round endings seem to haunt Mansilla as he lost to Kevin Lele Sadjo in one round in Germany when he fractured his leg.

Pedraza vs. Garcia

In a battle of southpaws Pedraza retained the South American title with stoppage of Garcia. After winning the first two rounds Pedraza scored three knockdowns in the third to end the fight. Now eleven consecutive victories for 24-year-old Pedraza. Garcia had won 3 of his last 4 outings.

 

Charlottenberg, Germany: Super Welter: Jama Saidi (20-2) W PTS 12 Howard Cospolite (19-9-3). Super Welter: Haro Matevosyan (14-0,1ND) W RTD 8 Zino Meuli (14-1). Light Heavy: Armenak Hovhannisyan (13-1-1) W PTS Timo Laine (29-17)Super Feather: Beke Bas (14-0) W Marina Sakharov (5-12-2).

Saidi vs. Cospolite

Typically classic boxing light punching display from Saidi as he outpoints Frenchman Cospolite to win the vacant European Union title. Saidi’s footwork and hand speed were just too much for Cospolite. To win he had to put Saidi under pressures but too often he stood off and allowed Saidi to pick his spots. When Cospolite did come forward that same Saidi footwork and some sharp upper body work kept Saidi out of danger as he boxed his way to a comfortable victory. Scores 120-108 twice and 119-109. Saidi will be looking for a shot at the European title now. His losses have come on points against Vincent Feigenbutz and Jack Culcay.

Matevosyan vs. Meuli

Matevosyan grinds down and stops Meuli in eight. Southpaw Matevosyan  was giving away a little in height and reach  but he kept Meuli under pressure being quicker getting his punches off first scoring well with hooks to the body. Meuli hardly took a step forward being short with his jabs and not having the power to get Matevosyan’s respect. A series of punches dropped Meuli to one knee just before the bell to end the third Meuli arose but was cut over his left eye and had to survive a doctor’s examination. Matevosyan upped the pressure and in the eighth was raking Meuli with punches. There was confusion as Meuli twice bobbed at the knee as if about to go down but then stood up. The referee gave him a standing count then Meuli tried one last attack without success and retired at the end of the round. Armenian-born Matevosyan was defending the IBF Inter-Continental belt. Swiss Meuli was having only his second contest in the last three years and was never really in this fight.

Hovhannisyan vs. Laine

Hovhannisyan takes the twelve round decision over Laine in fight for the vacant WBA Continental title. Hovhannisyan was too strong for the taller and more mobile Laine and continually found the target with his jabs and thudding body punches. A left from Hovhannisyan saw Laine drop to one knee in the third and he was also cut over his left eye. Hovhannisyan was driving forward throughout the fight with Laine tiring from the fourth and resorting to only fighting in bursts. Hovhannisyan varied the pace of the fight and worked well to the body to slow Laine. Despite tiring Laine kept darting forward with an occasional fierce attacks to edge a couple of rounds and came though some sticky patches to make it to the final bell. Scores 119-109, 117-112 and 116-112 for Hovhannisyan . His only loss was on points against Serge Michel in 2018 and he is now9-0-1 since then. Laine has taken the role of road loser  against some very useful opposition.

Bas vs. Sakharov

Bas gets unanimous decision. Sakharov was taller with a longer reach but very little power. The 5’2” Bas just walked through Sakharov’s punches scoring with shots from both hands outworking and outscoring her although Sakharov refused to cave in and made Bas work hard. All three cards read 60-54 for Bas.

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Light: Jesus Angulo (15-0) W PTS 10 Diego Santiago (18-2). Middle: Francisco Veron (5-0) W PTS 8 Augustin Rodriguez (11-13-3)

Angulo vs. Santiago

In his first ten round fight teenager Angulo maintains his 100% start to his pro career with unanimous points win over his toughest opponent to date in Santiago.

Veron vs. Rodriguez

Argentinian hope Veron has his first pro fight outside of his native land and outpoints Mexican Rodriguez. The 22-year-old had taken less than seven rounds to score his four wins in Argentina so he doubled his pro ring time in this bout. He took a break from his pro career to compete in Tokyo but did not medal. Eighth loss on the trot for Rodriguez.

 

Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico: Middle: Carlos Molina (38-12-2) W PTS 10 Juan Raygosa (17-18-3).

Molina makes it nine+ wins in his last ten fights as he outpoints Raygosa. If you can fight in front of your own fans and are also the promoter your chances of winning are doubled but Molina was too good for Raygosa. He was coming off a loss to Sam Eggington in England in May in a fight that must have a chance of being voted the Fight of the Year in the UK. Three losses in a row for Raygosa.

 

Oborniki, Poland: Super Middle: Robert Parzeczewski (27-2) W TKO 5 Sahan Aybay (10-1).

Parzeczewski demolishes Aybay in five rounds. Parzeczewski floored Aybay with a left hook to the body in the third and then put him down three times in the fifth and the fight was stopped with one second remaining in the round. Parzeczewski wins the vacant Polish International title with his seventeenth win by KO/TKO. German southpaw Aybay had won his last seven fights inside the distance.

 

Hartford, CT, USA: Super Welter: Greg Vendetti (23-4-1) W PTS 10 Jimmy Williams (18-6-2,1ND). Middle: Chordale Booker (17-0) W PTS 8 Silverio Ortiz (37-28).

Vendetti vs. Williams

Vendetti’s experience against better opposition stands him in good stead as he takes a split verdict over Williams in another example of the madness that is the scoring of fights. Two judges had Vendetti winning 99-91 and 97-93 and the third had it for Williams 96-94. Three different sides of the ring three different fights it seems. First fight for Vendetti since losing on points against Erislandy Lara for the secondary WBA super welterweight title in August last year. He wins the WBC USNBC belt. Williams had decisioned Yuri Foreman in June.

Booker vs. Ortiz

Local southpaw Booker wins wide unanimous decision over Mexican veteran Ortiz on scores of 80-73 on the cards. Ortiz was twice deducted a point for infractions of the rules. A former US National champion Booker just failed to make it through the final US Olympic Trials for Rio. The 39-year-old Ortiz is 1-9 in his last 10 fights but shows no sign of putting the gloves away.

 

Miami, FL, USA: Cruiser: Siarhei Novikau (7-0,1ND) W TKO 2 Kevin Brown (2-16). Light: Romero Duno (24-2) W RTD 2 Jonathan Perez (38-28,1ND). Super Welter: Elias Espadas (22-4,1ND) W PTS 8 Marcus Willis (20-9-2).

Novikau vs. Falliga

In a farcical bout the 6’5” Belarusian Novikau was several classes above the crude swinging Brown and in the first connected with hard shots from both hands staggering Brown a few times and hurting him with hooks to the body. Brown was so inept it was pitiful and a series of punches saw him go down twice in the second round and finally the referee stopped the fight. Novikau, a former European Championships bronze medallist who lost to Joshua Buatsi in the European Qualifier for the 2016 Olympics, is much too good to be fighting the likes of Brown who has lost 13 of his fights by KO/TKO and should not have a licence.

Duno vs. Perez

Disappointing ending to this one. Duno outscored Perez over the first round and was connecting with power shots in the second. Perez complained of an injury to his left arm and did not come out for the third round. Just a single loss in his last 16 fights for Filipino Duno which was a one round stoppage against Ryan Garcia. Colombian Garcia has won only one of his last eleven fights,

Espadas vs. Willis

Espadas outpoints Willis. Espadas had the longer reach and more power. Willis scored with some sharp counters but Espadas was dangerous with long rights and he shook Willis up in the fourth and fifth with left hooks to the body and head. The paced slowed over the sixth and seventh and Espadas chose to dance his way through the last and took the decision. The 30-year-old Mexican is 13-1, 1ND in his last 15 fights with the loss coming against Yamaguchi Falcao. The recent form of Floridian Willis is four losses in his last six fights.

 

Dedham, MA, USA: Light: Rayjay Bermudez (14-0) W TKO 2 Philip Adyaka (7-16).

Bermudez gets his eleventh inside the distance victory as he stops Adyaka in the second round. Bermudez dominated the action in the first and then stunned Adyaka with a right in the second. After that Bermudez unloaded a bunch of punches until the referee came in to save Adyaka. Seventh consecutive inside the distance victory for the 23-year-old from Albany. Ugandan-born Adyaka has lost eight in a row.

 

Mexico City: Mexico: Fly: Cristian Gonzalez (14-1) W TKO 2 Kenny Cano (14-4).

Gonzalez scores second round win over Venezuelan Cano in a WBC Silver Fecarbox title fight. Gonzalez softened up Cano with body punches in the first and then landed a rib-bender in the second that sent Cano down in agony and he was counted out. Eighth win in a row for the 22-year-old Mexican. Local sources have his record as 16-1 with six inside the distance victories. Third consecutive inside the distance defeat for Cano.

 

Tolu, Mexico: Light Heavy: Arturo Leyva (10-0) W PTS 12 Deivis Casseres (26-13).

Leyva wins the vacant UBO title with close unanimous decision over Casseres. Scores 115-113 twice and 116-112 for Colombian-born Leyva, a former Colombian champion who is now based in Miami. Colombian Casseres makes his money as a travelling loser who goes back home when he needs a win.

 

Merida, Mexico: Super Bantam: David Picasso (18-0-1) W PTS 10 Alfredo Mejia (15-4-3). Feather: Rafael Espinoza (17-0) W KO 1 Aramis Solis (14-13). Fly: Miguel Herrera (22-3-5) W PTS 8 Maximino Flores (26-5-2,2ND).Super Bantam: Cristian Olivo (18-0-1) W PTS 8 Jonathan Aguilar (20-11).

Picasso vs. Mejia

Mexico City’s Picasso, 21, outclasses Mejia outworking and outscoring him all the way. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-89 for Picasso who extends his winning run to 14 fights. “Rambo King” Mejia suffered tough losses in 2019 against Alex Santiago and Miguel Marriaga.

Espinoza vs. Solis

Espinoza continues to show real power but this was quick even for him as he put Solis down and out after just twelve seconds. Fourteenth inside the distance win for Espinoza and ninth in his last ten fights. Aramis recent record is a disaster area with eight losses in a row by KO/TKO and a No Decision when he was unable to continue after just 22 seconds due to a punch to the back of the head.

Herrera vs. Flores

Important win for Yucatan’s Herrera as he outpoints Flores. Herrera outboxed Flores at distance with Flores getting the better of the exchanges inside. The speed and accuracy of Herrera gave him the edge and he took the unanimous verdict on scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75. Herrera is now on an eleven bout winning streak. Flores had drawn with Dewayne Beamon and beaten Carlo Penalosa in a 3-0-1 series before this fight.

Olivo vs. Aguilar

WBC Youth champion Olivo, 22, moved up in class to tackle more experienced Aguilar and came away with the unanimous decision with the judges scoring 80-72 twice and 80-71. Olivo registers his thirteenth win in a row and looks ready to move up to ten rounds. Angular is 4-4 in his last eight contests.

 

September 25

 

Maschwitz, Argentina: Super Bantam: Edith Matthysse (16-11-1) W Laura Griffa (18-5).

In her first fight since losing a split decision to Ewa Brodnicka for the WBO Female super feather belt in October 2019 Matthysse, 41, keeps up the family tradition as she takes a unanimous verdict over Griffa. Matthysse was able to box at distance and outscore Griffa over the first half of the fight. Griffa came into the fight more in the second half being able to get past Matthysse’s jab to work to the body. Her second half improvement did enough to make the fight close but Matthysse took a deserved decision. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Matthysse who retains the Argentinian title. A former holder of the WBA and WBC Female belts at bantamweight she is the sister of Lukas and Walter Matthysse. Griffa, a former South American and Argentinian title holder, had lost on points to Matthysse in 2017.

 

Concordia, Argentina: Light Fly: Leandro Blanc (5-0) W TEC DEC 11 Junior Zarate (14-4).  Feather: Marcela Acuna (50-7-2) W PTS 6 Natalie Alderete (3-4).

Blanc vs. Zarate

Home town fighter Blanc wins the battle for three belts as he takes a very disputed technical verdict over Zarate. Being smaller and giving away some reach Blanc pressed the action hard from the start but Zarate’s speed and accuracy saw him picking up the points. Blanc finally got into the fight over the middle rounds but a punch from Zarate in the seventh opened a cut over Blanc’s right eye. Blanc shook Zarate with a couple of rights in the ninth and Zarate was cut in a clash of heads in the tenth. Zarate just seemed to hold the lead going into the eleventh and last round when in a clash of heads Blanc suffered a bad cut over his left eye and the fight was stopped with the decision being decided on the scorecards with two judges giving it to Blanc 105-104 and the third to Blanc 107-102. Southpaw Blanc retains the South American title and wins the Argentinian and WBA Fedelatin title. Second loss in a row for Zarate. Both were top level amateurs with Zarate twice scoring wins over Blanc who competed at the 2016 Olympics and Zarate at the World Championships and the PanAmerican Games.

Acuna vs. Alderete

“The Tigress” hunts again as Acuna returned to action for the first time in over two years with a unanimous decision over novice Alderete. Acuna was in charge all the way winning on scores of 59-55, 59 ½ -57 and 59 ½ -56. Now 44 Acuna is a former WBA, WBC and WBO belt holder at super bantam and Argentinian champion at super bantam and feather with a 15-2-1 record in title fights. Four losses on the trot for Alderete.

 

Dancy, France: Super Welter: Milan Prat (12-1) W TKO 6 Mathias Lourenco (8-4-3).

French prospect Prat makes a successful first defence of his national title with sixth round stoppage of Lourenco and collects his ninth win by KO/TKO. First inside the distance loss for Lourenco.

 

Cergy-Pontoise, France: Light Heavy: Nadjib Mohammedi (43-8) W TKO 4 Artem Karasev (14-39-3).

Former light heavyweight title challenger Mohammedi continues to ease his way back to business as he halts Russian Karasev in four rounds for his second win in two months. Eighth defeat by KO/TKO for seasoned loser Karasev.

 

Hamburg, Germany: Light: Artem Harutyunyan (11-0) W KO 5 Samuel Molina (16-1,1ND). Welter: Freddy Kiwitt (19-3) W PTS 8 Johan Perez (26-9-2). Avni Yildirim (23-4) W PTS 8 Dominik Ameri (14-22).

Harutyunyan vs. Molina

Harutyunyan wins the vacant WBC International title with dramatic kayo of Molina. Harutyunyan built an early lead but Molina made him work hard. Things looked bad for the young Spaniard in the fifth as he was cut over his right eye and under pressure. Although not rated as a big puncher Molina landed a hard left hook counter that staggered Harutyunyan. Molina piled on the punches driving Harutyunyan around the ring . He landed with hooks to head and body but suddenly Harutyunyan uncorked a left hook to the chin that put Molina down heavily and he was counted out. Seventh inside the distance victory for Olympic bronze medallist Harutyunyan. The celebrations from his team after the knockout showed how much of a scare Molina’s left hook gave them. Molina, 22, showed plenty of promise. The No Decision is on his record as he was suspended after a positive test for a banned substance in December 2019. He had scored three wins since returning

Kiwitt vs. Perez

Liberian-born German Kiwitt makes it 7 wins in his last 8 fights with points victory over former interim WBA super light title holder Perez.

Yildirim vs. Ameri

In his second fight in a month Yildirim continues his middleweight campaign with a unanimous decision over Argentinian Ameri. No risk taking here as Ameri has won only one of his last seven outings.

 

Zinnowitz, Germany: Welter: Sebastian Formella (23-2) W TKO 2 Gabor Kovacs (7-15). Super Light: Volkan Gokcek (8-0) W KO 2 Szilveszter Ajtai (13-20-1)

Formella vs. Kovacs

Formella returns to the ring with a fourth round stoppage of very late stand-in Kovacs. First fight for Formella since losing to Connor Benn on points in November. He had been inactive due to suffering two herniated discs in his back. Hungarian Kovacs replaced fellow countryman Ferenc Hafner who had tested positive for COVD-19. Kovacs not so much in the groove as in a rut with fourteen losses in a row.

Gokcek vs. Ajtai

Turkish prospect Gokcek knocks out Hungarian Ajtai in the second round. A former Turkish champion and European Under-22 bronze medallist Gokcek gets his sixth early win. Poor Ajtai, who started out as a light flyweight, has lost his last nine fights by KO/TKO.

 

Madrid, Spain: Fly: Angel Moreno (21-4-3) DREW 12 Juan Hinostroza (10-9-2). Middle Sergio Martinez (54-3-2) W PTS 10 Brian Rose (32-7-1).

Moreno vs. Hinostroza

The vacant European title remains vacant as Moreno and Hinostroza battle to an exciting draw. “Golden Boy” Moreno made the better start driving forward with constant attacks targeting the body. Hinostroza weathered the storm and slowly fought his way into contention and his cause was helped by a flash knockdown in the sixth when Moreno’s gloves touched the canvas. They continued to trade punches fiercely with all of the rounds being close. Moreno was boxing with skill on the back foot wary of the Peruvian-born Hinostroza’s power and with the fight obviously close they both put in a huge effort over the closing rounds to try to swing the decision their way but it ended as a very creditable draw in another excellent EBU title match. Scores 115-113 Moreno, 114-113 Hinostroza and 114-114 which was a fair representative of the fight. Moreno has lost to Charlie Edwards for the WBC title and to Thomas Masson and Jay Harris in previous European title fights. Hinostroza had won the European title in March 2019 but did not defend it.

Martinez vs. Rose

Martinez continues his comeback with win over Rose but has a scare on the way. Martinez boxed sensibly on the back foot in the first and seemed confident-too confident. In the second a huge right from Rose suddenly had Martinez in desperate trouble and he had to use all of experience and a lot of holding to come through the crisis. In the third a clash of heads saw Rose cut on his left eyebrow which was a drawback through the whole fight. Martinez boxed more cautiously after that second round scare and in his first fight for nine months it was clear he was rusty as his distance judgement was out at times. As he settled into the fight Martinez was picking up rounds being busier and finding his range and he paced the fight well finishing the stronger to take the decision. Scores 97-94 twice and 96-94 with the second score perhaps the most accurate. Now 46 Martinez is determined to fight his way back to a title shot. Rose gave Martinez a wake-up call and felt he had done enough to win but when you are fighting in the other guys territory and he is the promoter you need to that bit more for victory.

 

Kempton Park, South Africa: Super Welter: Shervantaigh Koopman (8-0) W KO 7 Simon Dlada (6-2). Super Middle: Cowin Ray (7-0) W TKO 9 Frank Rodrigues (7-4).

Koopman vs. Dlada

Koopman wins the South African title with dominant display against title holder Dlada. Koopmans controlled the action all the way with Dlada unable to find a way to make any impression in the fight. Koopman ended it in the seventh as he floored Dlada heavily with two rights and Dlada was counted out. Sixth KO/TKO victory for Koopman. Dlada had been knocked out inside a round by Roarke Knapp in a non-title fight in December.

Ray vs. Rodrigues

Ray wins the vacant South African title with stoppage of Rodrigues. Ray was just too quick and too clever for Rodrigues. He dropped him in the third and handed out steady punishment. He was pounding on Rodrigues in the ninth when the towel came flying in to save Rodrigues further punishment. It was Ray’s first fight scheduled for more than six rounds and he managed the leap with comfort and gets his fifth inside the distance win. Former national light heavyweight title challenger Rodrigues was outclassed.

 

Pico Rivera, CA, USA: Super Fly: Adelaida Ruiz (10-0-1 ) W TKO 9 Nancy Franco de Alba (19-15-2).

21A

Californian Ruiz picks up the WBC Silver Female title with late stoppage of de Alba. Fifth victory by KO/TKO for Ruiz who saw her challenge for the WBC interim title against Sonia Osorio in March end on a technical draw in the second round. Mexican de  Alba suffers loss No 3 by KO/TKO.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua causes a seismic shift in the heavyweight scene

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Usyk and Joshua

Fighter of the week: Oleksandr Usyk

Punch of the week: The left hook from Artem Harutyunyan that knocked out Samuel Molina was perfection in timing and accuracy.

Upset of the week:  Masamichi Yabuki stopping unbeaten WBC light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji was a shock result

Prospect watch: French super welterweight Milan Pratt is one of their big hopes for the nurture

 

Observations

-The WBA may be dealing with their ridiculous interim titles but they need to do something about their ratings. Looking at the heavyweight picture after Usyk’s win you have to ask how Daniel Dubois can be their No 1 and Joe Joyce who beat him in November is not even in their top 15!!

-The WBO are in the same boat. How they came to put Dilan Prasovic at No 1 is something only they know-or perhaps even they were surprised to find him there as they don’t seem to pay much attention to their own ratings. Prasovic climbed from No 12 to No 3 for beating Juan Basualdo (11-3-1), Rad Rashid (17-6) and Jackson Dos Santos (22-13). A promoters dream a No 1 who has never faced anybody remotely near the ratings in fact the only fighter in the WBO top 15 Prasovic has beaten is Edin Puhalo who “earned” his top 10 rating by beating 44-year-old Kai Kurzawa who had lost 2 of his previous 3 fights. Rubbish in rubbish stays in and some fans and streaming company pay good money for a farce of a title fight.

-It seems we get more strange scoring every week. This week Florian Marku took a split decision over Maxim Prodan with one judge scoring it 96-94 for Marku and another 99-91 for Prodan and in a mirror case one judge had Greg Vendetti beating Jimmy Williams 99-91 and another judge scoring 96-94 for Williams.

-It may not get voted the Round of the Year but the ninth round of the fight between Kenshiro Teraji and Masamichi Yabuki was three minutes of total war-it might lose out to the tenth round which had both fighters in deep trouble a couple of times before Masamichi ended it. It lets fans in Japan see what they have been missing due to the pandemic.

It was good to see young Chordale Booker winning at the weekend. He is one of the young men who owe a lot to boxing. He was given probation after being charged with gun and drugs offences and has stayed out of trouble ever since. His mother wanted to understand what attracted Chordale to boxing so she took the logical step of getting Chordale to train her up and then went and had one amateur fight so he can’t say my mother does not understand me. Well done Mum.