The Past Week in Action 28 July 2015

 

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

                       The Past Week in Action 28 July 2015

July 23

 

Panama City, Panama: Super Feather: Jezreel Corrales (18-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Felix Sabez (17-2). Light: Ricardo Nunez (12-2) W TKO 2 Barnie Arguelles (11-5).

Corrales vs. Sabez

Southpaw Corrales wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe with stoppage of Dominican Sabez. The 24-year-old Panamanian floored Sabez in the first and after two more knockdowns in the second the fight was stopped. Corrales is unbeaten in his last 18 fights with 17 wins and one no decision. He is rated WBA 4 and WBC 8.

Nunez vs. Argüelles

Nunez gets revenge for previous loss to Arguelles. The 21-year-old Panamanian “Scientist” had been knocked out in two rounds by Arguelles in January snapping his 10 fight winning streak with all ten wins by KO/TKO, now he is back on track. Arguelles, also Panamanian, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

July 24

 

London, England: Light Heavy: Frank Buglioni (17-1-1) W TKO 5 Fernando Castaneda (23-10). Light Heavy: Billy Joe Saunders (22-0) W TKO 4 Yoann Bloyer (17-28-2). Super Feather: Mitchell Smith (13-0) W KO 1 Dennis Tubieron (19-5-2). Heavy: Dereck Chisora (21-5) W TKO 1 Bega Lobjanidze (13-4). Super Welter: Gary Corcoran (13-0) W PTS 10 Rick Godding (21-1-1). Cruiser: Ovill McKenzie (25-12) W TKO 2 Janne Forsman (19-2). Super Bantam: Lewis Pettitt (17-1) W TKO 7 Antonio Horvatic (7-19). Super Middle: Jamie Cox (19-0) W TKO 1 Blas Miguel Martinez (21-8-1).

Buglioni vs. Castaneda

With his WBA title shot postponed Buglioni had to settle for facing Mexican Fernando Castaneda for the WBA International title. That was ruined when Castaneda came in 7lbs over the weight. It must have difficult for Buglioni to motivate himself but he easily outboxed Castaneda setting things up with a stiff jab and hard rights. He had controlled every round before landing a left hook and then a right which put Castaneda down face first on the canvas. He tried to get up but was in no condition to fight on. The 26-year-old “Wise Guy” goes to 13 wins by KO/TKO and will get his title shot against Fedor Chudinov in September. No one should be too surprised at Castaneda failing to make the weight. His weight record is unbelievable. In August last year he weighed 146 ½ lbs in losing to Silverio Ortiz and in November he fought for the vacant WBC Fecombox title and weighed 196lbs! Perhaps he has a removable third leg.

Saunders vs. Bloyer

Saunders takes a keep busy fight as a warm-up for his title fight with Andy Lee on 19 September and halts Frenchman and fellow-southpaw Bloyer in four rounds. Saunders allowed himself the luxury of coming in at 173 ¼lbs and naturally looked a tad fleshy. Saunders had too much class for the very poor French southpaw and it was really a case of how long Saunders wanted to let the fight last. Boyer had some success with rights in the second but that was as good as it got for him. In the third Saunders knocked Boyer down with a left to the head. Boyer made it to the vertical only to be laid horizontal again by another left. He made it as far as the fourth round but a hard right put him down on his knees in the fourth and the fight was stopped. Just some ring time for the talented 25-year-old although since Lee is a southpaw that might have made it worthwhile. Bloyer, 32, now has 11 losses by KO/TKO and is 2-10 in his last 12 fights.

Smith vs. Tubieron

Smith continues to impress as he dismisses experienced Filipino Tubieron late in the first round in defence of his WBO Inter-Continental title. A vicious right to the body saw Tubieron on the floor writhing in agony with a suspected broken rib. The Filipino had gone twelve rounds in losing a wide decision to Josh Warrington in April which could mean something or nothing. However it was a real show of power from the unbeaten 22-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin”. The 25-year-old Tubieron “The Shark” moves down to three losses by KO/TKO. He is a former WBC International champion and has mixed in good company with all five losses coming on his travels.

Chisora vs. Lobjanidze

Chisora does quick job on Georgian. Chisora followed Lobjanidze around the ropes trying a couple of jabs and then threw an overhand right which crashed onto the Georgian’s chin and he went down on his side. The referee started the count but quickly stopped and waived the fight over with Lobjanidze needing a whiff of oxygen to help him recover. All over in 29 seconds. The 31-year-old Zimbabwe-born Londoner was having his first fight since being halted in 10 rounds by Tyson Fury in November. He is looking to get back into the picture with a European title fight against Erkan Teper a possibility. He is rated No 5 in the latest EBU ratings but of those above him Fury, Alex Povetkin and Anthony Joshua all have other fish to fry and Kubrat Pulev has no plans for a fight at this time. The 6’4” (193cm) Lobjanidze has a typical Georgian record. Wins at home but has lost inside the distance on four tough overseas assignments.

Corcoran vs. Godding

Corcoran wins British title eliminator with unanimous decision over Godding. This was much closer than the scores make it look. Corcoran had to overcome a cut over his left eye caused by a clash of heads in the second round and a shaky fifth to come out the winner. Corcoran was coming forward from the first bell and his aggression netted him the first two rounds with Godding finally finding some room and doing enough clean work to take the third. Corcoran was just moving forward relentlessly denying Godding space and working inside to head and body and he swept the next five rounds with Godding countering when he could with some nice shots but too few to help him in the points scoring. Godding scored with a good uppercut in the ninth but still could not dissuade Corcoran who won the tenth. Scores 99-91, 99-92 and 97-93. The 24-year-old “Hellraiser” was in his first ten round fight but showed limitless stamina so that was no problem but he is in a tough division. Godding, 30, had turned in a great performance back in 2012 when he fought a draw with former European champion and world title challenger Rafal Jackiewicz in Poland but then had only one fight in 2013 and was inactive throughout 2014. This year he had taken part in just one four round fight and one six round fight so hopefully will be more active and come back stronger.

McKenzie vs. Forsman

McKenzie bludgeons Finn to defeat in two rounds to win the vacant WBA Continental title. The CBC and British champion floored Forsman in the first with a heavy right hook to the body. Forsman got up and struggled through to the bell. McKenzie finished it in the second as two thumping rights to the head put Forsman down for the second time. Forsman just made it to his feet but was wobbly and the referee rightly halted the fight. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for the 35-year-old from Jamaica following on from good wins over Tony Conquest, Jon-Lewis Dickinson and Matty Askin and he is now No 13 with the WBA. Forsman, 32, had won his last 7 fights and this is only his second loss by KO/TKO.

Pettitt vs. Horvatic

Pettitt gets stoppage win. Pettitt is streets ahead of Croatian Horvatic in skill, power and speed. From the first round Pettitt showcases his excellent jab and is already cruising. He takes Horvatic to the ropes in the second and gets through with good punches to head and body. The pattern does not changed much over the next four rounds as Pettitt is scoring at will and getting home with uppercuts, hooks and always the jab. The one-sided fight is ended in the seventh as Pettitt traps Horvatic on the ropes and hammers home some hard punches that see the Croatian drop to the canvas and the fight is halted. Too easy for 25-year-old Pettitt as he goes to 8 wins in a row. Horvatic had lost 9 of his last 10 fights going in.

Cox vs. Martinez

Cox is starting to motor again as he continues his comeback from a long lay-off. Cox came out firing and Martinez never had a chance to get into the fight. Cox simple overwhelmed him with punch after punch until after a left hook Martinez went down on one knee to try to get out of the storm. Martinez got up but was shipping more punishment when his corner threw in the towel. The 28-year-old from Swindon, a former undefeated CBC champion, was inactive in 2012, had one fight in 2013 and none in 2014. This is his second win since returning in February. He wins the vacant WBO Europe title which will probably see him leap into the WBO top 15 for beating a guy who came in 8 ¼ lbs over the contract weight. Cox is in a tough division but he has power and skill. Although he is Swiss Martinez is the current Spanish super middle champion.

 

Florencio Varela, Argentina: Light: Fernando D Saucedo (56-6-3) W PTS 10 Leandro Pinto (18-7-2). Saucedo outclasses Brazilian. This was too one-sided to be interesting. Hometown fighter Saucedo had won a unanimous decision over Pitto in February and this time won by an even larger margin. Saucedo controlled the fight with his jab and shook the Brazilian with a right in the second. The Argentinian rocked Pitto with a right cross in the fifth and hurt him with a body punch in the sixth but never looked like winning inside the distance and used the jab and cross throwing in some sharp uppercuts to shut Pitto out. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 33-year-old former WBA feather and IBF super feather champion wins the vacant interim WBC and WBO Latino titles. His title losses to Chris John and Rances Barthelemy are his only defeats in his last 42 fights. Pinto, 38, is 3-3 in his last six fights and had scored a useful win in Argentina in April.

 

Orange, Australia: Super Welter: Sam Ah-See (13-0-1) W PTS 8 Arnel Tinampay (22-19-10). Heavy: Solomon Haumona (22-2-2) W TKO 4 Felipo Fonoti Masoe (3-9)

Ah See vs. Tinampay

Hometown fighter Ah-See returns with a good performance as he decisions Filipino Tinampay. In his first fight for nine months he took a round to get back in the groove and had a shaky third but then he had his southpaw jab working, in fact overworking as he had carried an injured left hand in to the ring so could only use left sparingly and only went through with the fight because it was in his hometown. Tinampay was taking the fight to Ah-See and forcing the pace but due to good body punching by Ah-See by the fifth Tinampay was slowing and by the sixth his right eye was almost closed. Scores 80-72, 78-74 and 78-76. The only blemish on the record of the 24-year-old former top amateur is a technical draw and he subsequently beat the same opponent to win the Australian title which he subsequently lost due to inactivity. Tinampay, 31, has yet to lose inside the distance but Australia is not a happy place for him as he has suffered six losses down under.

Haumona vs. Masoe

Veteran Haumona has his first fight since October 2013 and overwhelms Masoe in four rounds. The New Zealand-born Haumona had Masoe down twice and on shaky pins when the fight was finally halted. The 39-year-old goes to 20 wins by KO/TKO. He was 20-1-2 in his first 23 fights and won the Australian and OPBF titles before being stopped in ten rounds by Kevin Johnson in April 2013. He had one more fight in October that year and this was his first fight since then. Masoe, also from New Zealand, has now lost 8 of his last 9 fights.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Feather: Romulo Koasicha (25-4) W TKO 7 Guillermo Avila (15-3). Koasicha wins the vacant Mexican title with stoppage of Avila. For the first three rounds this was a hard, close fight with both fighters standing and trading hooks and uppercuts. From the fourth Avila suddenly tired, could be the Mexico City altitude, but whatever it was it signalled a turning point in the fight. Koasicha put Avila down with a hard combination late in the fourth but Avila got up and lasted to the bell. Koasicha kept up the pressure in the sixth and ended it in the seventh. A left to the body put Avila down and after the mandatory eight count Koasicha was punishing Avila again when the referee stopped the fight. Koasicha, rated WBC 10/WBO 14 makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO. He gets his third win since being outclassed and losing a wide unanimous decision against Lee Selby in May last year. Avila, 23, suffers his second loss by KO/TKO. All his losses have been against very good opposition

 

East London, South Africa: Welter: Tsiko Mulovhedzi (10-7-3) W TKO 5 Ali Funeka (36-5-3). Super Fly: Lwandile Sityatha (20-3-1) W PTS 12 Gideon Buthelezi (14-5). Minimum: Daluxolo Mangcotywa (5-5) W TKO 8 Lonwabo Roboshi (8-3).

Mulovhedzi vs. Funeka

Mulovhedzi springs a big upset and win the IBO title as he stops Funeka who must now be near the end of his career. After a competitive first round with both boxers trying to gain the edge Mulovhedzi then took control. Despite giving away height and reach to the more experienced champion Mulovhedzi was able to use a sharp, accurate jab to open Funeka’s guard and bang home hard rights. Funeka just fell apart as Mulovhedzi scored three knockdowns in the third round and came close to finishing the fight in the fourth as Funeka’s legs had gone. A right put Funeka down in the fifth and although he beat the count another right had him on wobbly legs and the referee stopped the fight. After a poor start to his career that saw him go 3-7-1 in his first10 fights Mulovhedzi is now 7-0-2 in his last 9 including winning the South African title and making four successful defences. He had scored a good win by halting Mzolisi Yoyo in April but this fight was on a different level. His main delight in winning the title was that his 103-year-old father was alive to see him become a world champion. Funeka, 37, had reached the top in 2008, 2009 and 2010 beating Zahir Raheem and then losing a majority decision to Nate Campbell for the vacant IBF/WBA/WBO light titles, fighting a majority draw and then losing a split decision with Joan Guzman both fights being for the vacant IBF light title. He tested positive for the banned diuretic after the second fight and was suspended for nine months. He never really returned to those high level fights winning and losing against Zolani Marali for the IBO light title and winning the South African light and then IBO welter. After a 20 year career he seems finished.

Sityatha vs. Buthelezi

Sityatha retains the IBO title with very controversial split decision over Buthelezi. Sityatha, the hometown fight, looked to have been outboxed by the quick and clever southpaw Buthelezi but the judges did not all agree. Two gave the win to Sityatha by 117-111 and 115-113 and the third and more accurate had Buthelezi winning 115-113. Second successful defence for 27-year-old Sityatha and he will rarely be luckier. Buthelezi, 29, has had only 19 fights but has crammed a lot in. He is a three division IBO champion having held the minimum, light fly and super fly titles and is the only fighter to have beaten Hekkie Budler which he did in winning the IBO light fly title in 2011. On the down side he was crushed in two rounds by Adrian Hernandez for the WBC light fly title and after winning a split decision over Edrin Dapudong for the vacant IBO super fly title he was flattened inside a round in a return match. Hopefully the IBO will order a return after this controversial outcome.

Mangcotywa vs. Roboshi

Mangcotywa wins the vacant South African title with stoppage of Roboshi, First fight for the East London fighter for 16 months and sixth win by KO/TKO. Roboshi had won his last four fights.

 

Tenerife, Spain: Light: King Daluz (11-2-2) W Felix Lora (18-16-5).

Daluz keeps on track for a shot at the Spanish title with unanimous decision over experienced Lora. Daluz had Lora down in the fifth and Lora also lost two points for various infractions making the scoring very one-sided. Scores 59-52 twice and 60-51. The 27-year-old lanky local fighter has moved down after losing in a shot at the light welter title against Ignacio Mendoza in June last year. Dominican-born Lora, 31, has now lost six in a row but can be a difficult proposition on his night.

 

Ontario, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Daniel Roman (16-2-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Noriega (28-10-1). Super Bantam: Isaac Zarate (12-1-1) W KO 4 Jesus Serrano (8-3-2).

Roman vs. Noriega

Roman wins wide unanimous decision but is forced to fight hard for the win. Noriega took the fight to Roman from the start and not being a big puncher Roman had trouble staying off the ropes and keeping Noriega out. Despite that it was Roman who was doing most of the scoring both outside and in and he constantly picked up the points with his counters and more than held his own on the infighting. Scores 100-90 twice and 98-92. A good learning fight for the 25-year-old Californian and he also wins the vacant WBA-NABA title. Now 7 wins in a row since his loss to Juan Reyes in 2013. He has useful scalps in Giovanni Caro and Chris Martin. Noriega, 30, had won his last three low level fights but has plenty of experience and tested Roman.

Zarate vs. Serrano

Zarate wins this all Mexican fight. Serrano was competitive early with Zarate disturbed by a cut suffered in a clash of heads in the first round and spending too much time with his back against the ropes in the second. Zarate gained control of the fight in the third by staying in ring centre and ended it in the fourth with a left to the body. Serrano made it to his feet but was still in some distress so the fight was stopped.  The 23-year-old Zarate is 7-0-1 in his last 8 fights with the draw being against useful Juan Reyes. Second loss by KO/TKO for Serrano who had won 7 of his last 8 fights going in.

 

New York, NY, USA: Feather: Yenifel Vicente (27-3-2,1ND) W TKO 3 Manuel de los Reyes Herrera (21-17-1). Second win in a row by KO/TKO for Vicente as he tries to rebuild after back-to-back losses in 2014. He nearly ruined the night for himself and any future sex life for Herrera when he slammed home a blatantly low punch in the first round. Herrera was in considerable agony and took a long time to recover which raised the prospect of a controversial ending. However Herrera finally was ready and able to continue and the round completed. Despite that first round incident Vicente did not change his tactics and continued to make the body his target, this time legally, and a weakened Herrera was floored late in the second. Vicente floored Herrera twice with a series of punches in the third round and although Herrera managed to get to his feet on each occasion he was on shaky legs and the fight was stopped. After being unbeaten in his first 28 fights the 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic then went 3-3 in his next six with a good win in there against Jorge Diaz (17-0) but losses to Chris Avalos, Juan Antonio Rodriguez and Eric Hunter. Colombian Herrera, 34, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

25 July

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light Heavy: Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1) W KO 3 Nadjib Mohammedi (37-4). Light Heavy: Jean Pascal (30-3-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Yunieski Gonzalez (16-1).Light Heavy: Sullivan Barrera (16-0) W TKO 8 Hakim Zoulikha (21-8). Super Feather: Joel Diaz (19-0) W TKO 4 Alejandro Rodriguez (24-18-1).

21

Kovalev vs. Mohammedi

Kovalev retains his IBF/WBA/WBO titles with stoppage of Mohammedi. A cautious opening saw both fighters probing with their jabs. Kovalev looked much bigger physically and Mohammedi was just sticking to his jab. Kovalev tried some overhand rights as the round ended but there had not been much action. Mohammedi came out aggressively in the second with a flurry of punches but Kovalev then came forward himself but missed with two rights and slipped over avoiding a couple of counters from Mohammedi. When the action resumed Mohammedi got through with a right but was then tagged by a right to the head and staggered back a couple of paces. Kovalev steamed forward following Mohammedi to the ropes and landing two more rights to the head with Mohammedi slumping down to his hands and knees. He arose at eight and Kovalev banged home some more rights and a left hook and then bundled Mohammedi to the floor with the referee rightly not counting it as a knockdown. Kovalev rushed in but they tangled and again Kovalev bundled Mohammedi to the canvas. The referee warned Kovalev for pushing before signalling for the fight to continue. Kovalev marched after Mohammedi landing three more rights but the Frenchman stepped inside and held until the bell. Mohammedi was forcing Kovalev back at the start of the third and Kovalev was only looking to land the right and not working openings so was missing with his heavy shots. With about 40 seconds left in the round Kovalev opened Mohammedi up with a right cross and then landed a crushing straight left to the head. Mohammedi tumbled to the canvas on his back. He was up at seven but rubbing at his left eye and would later say that he got thumb from Kovalev in the eye. He continued to rub the eye and ignored the count looking as though he did not intend to continueand the referee waived the fight off. The 32-year-old Russian was making the sixth defence of his WBO title and second defence of his IBF/WBA titles. He goes to 25 wins by KO/TKO including 11 in his last 12 fights with only Bernard Hopkins lastingf the full twelve rounds in that run. All sorts of speculation as to who will be next with Artur Bererbiev and Jean Pascal in the mix but not evidently Adonis Stevenson or WBA secondary champion Juergen Braehmer and any talk of a fight with WBO No 1 Dominic Boesel should be binned as he has typically never fought a “name” fighter.

Pascal vs. Gonzalez

Pascal looks lucky to escape from this one with a win on his record. Gonzalez started confidently putting Pascal under pressure to clearly take the first round. In the second Pascal decided to stand and trade and they exchanged hard shots with the round close but Pascal just doing enough to even things up. Gonzalez was working the body with good effect and looked to be doing the more effective work in the third with Pascal throwing plenty but not as accurate. Pascal improved his game in the fourth out landing Gonzalez with hard counters and the fifth could have gone either way as could the sixth. The seventh swung one way and then the other as Pascal started out aggressively but Gonzalez finished the round strongly to edge ahead. The eighth and ninth were Gonzalez’s rounds as he outworked Pascal and looked to have done enough to win the fight. Pascal tried to launch a big effort in the last but Gonzalez matched him punch for punch to maintain his winning position. The judges saw it differently as they all scored the fight 96-94 for Pascal. It wasn’t robbery as many rounds had been close but it was the wrong decision. The stats showed Gonzalez to be by far the busier and he also landed more but not by a big margin. The score cards showed that the judges only all agreed on four rounds giving the first to Gonzalez and the fourth, sixth and seventh to Pascal so plenty of controversy but the results says Pascal won and that’s what the records will say. It keeps Pascal’s hopes of a title fight alive. The 32-year-old Haitian-born former WBC/IBO light heavy champion is No 5 with the WBC, No 7 with the WBO, No 9 with the IBF and No 9 (8) with the WBA but it will be money that decides if and when he gets the title shot. Cuban Gonzalez, 30, had no “names” on his record and only the WBC had him rated and that down at No 13. In this crazy sport losing will probably now get him rated by some of the other bodies.

Barrera vs. Zoulikha

Barrera halts Frenchman Zoulikha in eighth but Zoulikha makes it a hard fight. Barrera opened the first round with a body attack with Zoulikha not intimidated and firing back with rights to Barrera’s chin. Both were trading hard punches in the second when a left hook landed and Zoulikha went down but although it was counted it looked dubious. Barrera hurt Zoulikha for real before the end of the round but a right from Zoulikha in the third had Barrera taking a more cautious approach. In the fifth a clash of heads saw Barrera cut over the left eye and Zoulikha having success with his rights whenever he could take Barrera to the ropes. Barrera handed out heavy punishment in the seventh and continued that into the eighth and a left hook put Zoulikha down for the second time in the fight. He got up but was taking heavy licks when the referee stopped the fight. The tall 33-year-old Cuban makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. His only win over a “name” was a January stoppage of a washed-up Jeff Lacy but he is No 10 with both the WBA and WBO and No 9 with the IBF. As an amateur he scored wins over both Chad Dawson and Beibut Shumenov and was World Junior champion. Former French champion Zoulikha has lost his last four fights.

Diaz vs. Rodriguez

Diaz moves to 19 wins with stoppage of Rodriguez. After a quiet opening round Diaz went to work in the second flooring Rodriguez twice both times with left hooks. Rodriguez survived the third round but early in the fourth Diaz landed a right that sent Rodriguez down again and the fight was halted. The 23-year-old Californian has 14 wins by KO/TKO. No major tests but he has a win over useful Canadian Tyler Asselstine. Mexican Rodriguez was a late choice for opponent. He is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights and this was his ninth loss by KO/TKO.

 

Hollywood, CA, USA: Fly: Brian Viloria (36-4) W TKO 1 Omar Soto (23-12-2). Feather: Guy Robb (16-1) W PTS 8 Edwin Solis (6-4-3). Super Light: Abner Lopez (23-4) W PTS 6 Daniel Calzada (11-15-2). Light: William Silva (22-0) W KO 5 Adam Mate (15-5).

Viloria vs. Soto

Viloria returns in top form as he blows away old foe Soto inside a round. The “Hawaiian Punch” took only 122 seconds to deposit Soto on the floor three times to force the stoppage. Back in 2010 Viloria had only just edged out Mexican Soto on a split decision but this job was finished much quicker. The 34-year-old former IBF/WBC light fly and WBA/WBO fly champion is now hoping to land a fight with Roman Gonzalez-be careful what you wish for. Fourth fight for Viloria since losing his WBA/WBO fly titles to Juan Francisco Estrada in 2013. He is No 1 with the WBO, No 2 with the WBC and No 3(2) with the IBF so either a return with Estrada or a shot at Gonzalez is a real possibility. Soto, 35, has had three world title shots and lost them all by KO/TKO. This was his first fight since September 2013 but Viloria gave him no time to shed any rust.

Robb vs. Solis

Robb survives a couple of cuts to get unanimous decision over Solis. The first cut on his right eyebrow came in the second round and was caused by a punch. At that point Solis was very much in the fight. From the third Robb took over and slowly began grinding Solis down. Robb was cut again in a clash of heads in the sixth but just continued unloading on Solis until the end of the eighth. Scores 79-73 from all three judges. Robb, 26, who recently signed with Top Rank, has won nine on the bounce since being stopped in 2012 by still unbeaten Joel Diaz in a fight which saw them both on the floor. Mexican Solis, 27, lost on points to Toka Kahn Clary in March but before that he had gone 3-0-3 against good level opposition.

Lopez vs. Calzada

Tijuana’s Lopez makes it 2-0 in fights north of the border as he outpoints Calzada. The tall 25-year-old dominated the fight and opened a cut over the right eye of Calzada with a punch in the last round and took the decision on scores of 59-55 twice and 60-54. He has won 11 of his last 12 fights losing only to Alejandro Barrera (25-2) in August last year and has scored four wins since then including a victory over Aik Shakhnazaryan (15-0) in January. Calzada, 24, has now lost 6 of his last 7.

Silva vs. Mate

Too many Brazilian fighters have record that flatter their ability but at first sight that does not apply to lanky William Dos Santos Silva. In his first fight under the Top Rank banner the Brazilian first outboxed and then halted Mate. The end came in the sixth round when a right to the body floored Hungarian Mate who was unable to rise within the allotted ten seconds. The 28-year-old 6’1” (185cm) “Baby Face” Silva has been a pro since 2006 and has 13 wins by KO/TKO. He actually had a couple of fights in Miami back in 2009. Before turning pro he represented Brazil at the 2003 Pan American and World Cadets, won a gold medal at the South American Juniors and a silver at the PanAmerican Juniors and also fought at the prestigious Jose Che Aponte and Batalla De Carabobo amateur tournaments. One to watch. Hungarian “Bad Boy” Mate, 24, was stopped inside a round by Stephen Ormond in 2013 but had won his last three fights.

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Cruiser: Beibut Shumenov (28-0-1) W PTS 12 BJ Flores (31-2-1)

Feather: Claudio Marrero (19-1) W KO 3 Rico Ramos (24-5). Cruiser: Isiah Thomas (15-0) W PTS 10 Jordan Shimmell (19-1). Heavy: Mike Hunter (9-0) W TKO 1 Mike Bissett (9-8).

Shumenov vs. Flores

Shumenov collects the interim WBA title with unanimous decision over Flores. Shumenov started out looking to trade with Flores but then showed boxing smarts by utilising skills he had not previously hinted at to outbox the aggressive Flores. It was a good fight but not an exciting one. Although it was close Shumenov was the busier letting his hands go whilst Flores was unable to cut off the constantly moving Shumenov and seemed to be looking to land single punches. He had expected a more aggressive approach from the Kazak but was being outworked by the quicker Shumenov who was using good lateral movement to nullify the attacks of Flores.. Shumenov built a lead early only for Flores to pocket a couple of the middle rounds before Shumenov took over again and built a winning lead. A right from Flores sent Shumenov into the ropes in the last but it was too late in the round for Flores to be able to capitalise on that punch and Shumenov was still there at the bell a clear winner. Scores 116-112 from all three judges. The 31-year-old Shumenov, a former WBA and IBA light heavy champion who lost his title to Bernard Hopkins in 2014, becomes the first Kazak fighter to win titles in two divisions but this is only an interim title. Flores, 36, had lost on points to Danny Green for the IBO title in 2010 but with no fights in 2013 he has totalled just eight fights in almost five years. He felt he won this one but was in the minority and it will be a struggle to get another title shot.

Marrero vs. Ramos

Marrero strengthens his case for a title fight as he blasts out Ramos in two rounds. After a first round without much action early in the second Marrero landed a thunderous southpaw left that flattened Ramos with the referee immediately waiving the fight over. The 26-year-old Dominican southpaw now has 14 wins by KO/TKO. He lost a close unanimous decision to Jesus M A Cuellar for the interim WBA title in August 2013 and has stayed active without the opposition being anything special and he is currently No 6 with the WBA. This is a huge blow to former WBA super bantam champion Ramos. He looked great when knocking out Akifumi Shimoda for the WBA super bantam title in 2011but the lost the title the following year when a body punch from Guillermo Rigondeaux ended his short reign. Since then he has now gone 4-4 in 8 fights and lost the important ones. He is only 28 but faces an uncertain future after this crushing loss.

Thomas vs. Shimmell

Thomas comes out on top in clash of unbeaten former top amateurs from Michigan and collects the vacant USBA title. Southpaw Thomas chose to fight on the outside and use his skills to avoid the more powerful Shimmell. The fight was much closer than the scores show but there was too much holding and wrestling with both fighters on the floor from those activities rather than from a punch. By boxing on the outside Thomas was forcing Shimmell to overreach with his punches and was able to counter but neither fighter had a high work rate. Although the statistics showed Shimmell had thrown and landed more punches he admitted to having an off night but was upset that the scores made it look as though he was never in the fight. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. The 6’4” (193cm), 26-year-old Thomas who beat Shimmell as an amateur, was trained by Manny Steward and considered a hot prospect when he won a gold medal at the 2005 World Cadet Championships in Liverpool in 2005 but did not really kick on from there although he took a bronze medal at the 2007 NGG’s where he lost to Deontay Wilder. After nearly seven years as a pro he has not been active enough or fought at a high enough level for someone with his talent. Shimmell, 6’3” (191cm) also 26, and a former NGG champion and World Championships contestant had been a lot more active but not really tested but he had a bad night and will come again

Hunter vs. Bissett

Hunter gets another win as he halts Bissett in 71 seconds. Hunter shook Bissett early and then drove him to a corner and was banging home shots to head and body. Bissett was not punching back and the referee stopped the fight. Now 6 wins by KO/TKO for the 27-year-old former NGG and US National champion who went out at the 2012 Olympics only on count back after finishing 10-10 with Artur Beterbiev. Bissett is 4-5 in his last 9 fights but had won his last two.

 

Derby, England: Middle: Nick Blackwell (18-3-1) W TKO 6 Damon Jones (13-1, 1 ND). Heavy: Hughie Fury (16-0) W PTS 10 George Arias (56-13). Welter: Lenny Daws (30-3-2) W PTS 8 Mikheil Avakyan (30-21-4).

Blackwell vs. Jones

Pressure finally pays off for Blackwell as he retains his British title with stoppage of Jones. For five rounds this was a fight southpaw Jones was winning. He boxed smartly on the retreat slotting home jabs and banging in hooks to the body from both hands. Blackwell was trying to walk the challenger down but smart lateral movement and well placed punches frustrated Blackwell’s efforts to trap Jones. Blackwell was banging home left hooks to the body when he occasionally managed to trap Jones on the ropes but was just not letting his punches go. Blackwell had some success half way through the fifth but Jones ended the round with a series of counters and at that stage I had him winning every round. Blackwell tried to up his pace in the sixth and although Jones was still getting through with right jabs and straight lefts he seemed to be slowing. Just when it looked as though Jones had pocketed another round Blackwell took him to the ropes and as they traded a thunderbolt right from Blackwell crashed into the jaw of Jones who went down heavily. The bell had gone a split second after Blackwell landed the punch and although Jones made it to his feet the referee stopped the fight and Jones did not dispute the referee’s call. First defence of his British title for 24-year-old Blackwell and his eighth win by KO/TKO. His losses have been to Martin Murray, Billy Joe Saunders and a close decision against Max Bursak so class opposition. He now has five wins and a draw in his last six fights with the draw against dangerous Sergey Khomitsky and he has a win over John Ruder (20-1) which netted him the title. Jones boxed with speed and skill for five rounds and 2:59 seconds of the sixth and the punch he took would have put most fighters down. He had the edge in skill but just did not have the power to keep Blackwell out.

Fury vs. Arias

A 6’6” (198cm) 20-year-old against a 5’ 11 ½” (181cm) 41-year-old fighter tells you all you need to know about this fight. Aging Brazilian Arias just kept plodding forward behind a high guard trying to catch the younger man but never coming near to succeeding. Fury was able to land jabs, hooks and uppercuts and slide away before Arias could launch any counters. Fury was moving too much to really sit down on his punches and at times just flapped either a long left or a long right and some quick follow-up punches which lacked real power. The pattern did not change for all ten rounds with Fury predictably winning them all but we learned very little we did not already know and this was just glorified sparring for Fury. Referee’s score 100-90. At 20 Fury is still very green but he will not have taken much of value out of this poor match. Arias was slow and ponderous and he lost on points to Johnny Nelson for the WBO cruiser title in 2001that puts him into context.

Daws vs. Avakyan

Daws keeps busy with win over Georgian. Daws easily outboxed Avakyan and won every round but had a frustrating night as Avakyan was just focused on survival and as a result lost two points for holding. Referee’s scores 80-70. The 36-year-old Daws, twice a former undefeated European Union champion, has been kept waiting two years for a promised return fight with Michele Di Rocco who took a very controversial decision over Daws in June 2013 for the vacant European title. He is the mandatory challenger but there is no date set for the bout. Avakyan was an acceptable test having only lost on a split decision against Chris Goodwin for the vacant WBFed title in 2014 and going 5-4 in his 9 fights prior to this one with the four losses coming in four different countries.

 

Mar del Plata, Argentina: Light Heavy: Roberto F Bolonti (36-3) W TKO 2 Williams Ocando (13-3). Bolonti demolishes overmatched Venezuelan in two rounds. Bolonti took control of the centre of the ring and of the fight in the opening round and punished Ocando with uppercuts and left hooks to the body. In the second Bolonti landed a series of lefts and right uppercuts and eventually a left hook to the body and a right to the head had Ocando out on his feet. The referee applied a standing count and then asked Ocampo to step sideward’s to him and it was obvious that Ocampo was too groggy to comply and the fight was stopped. The 36-year-old “La Bestia” now has 25 wins by KO/TKO. He lost to Juergen Braehmer for the secondary WBA title in June last year and then his fight with Jean Pascal in December ended in a controversial no decision. This is his first fight since then. Ocampo, 26, suffers his second loss in a row by KO/TKO.

 

Narrabri, Australia: Welter: Cameron Hammond (13-0) W TKO 5 Sedat Tasci (8-2-4). Light: David Browne (22-1-1) W TKO 5 Tom Ford (7-5-2). Super Welter: Tommy Browne (29-6-1) W PTS 6 Pramool (1-17-1).

Hammond vs. Tasci

Hammond crushes Tasci in five. The WBA No 13 had his jab working early and Tasci had no answer, well no legal answer. Hammond took the first three rounds and then Tasci’s frustration showed as he was warned twice for rabbit punches. In the fifth Hammond used a couple of jabs to set Tasci up and then drilled home a right cross to the chin that put Tasci down. The Turkish-born fighter made it to his feet but a volley of hard accurate punches from Hammond were enough to see the referee stop the fight. Third win in a row by KO/TKO for 25-year-old Olympian Hammond and third defence of his WBO Oceania title. He competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he lost to Callum Smith and the 2012 Olympics losing to Canadian Custio Clayton, both were close fights. Tasci, 30, represented Turkey with great success winning silver and gold at the World Cadet Championships and competing at the 2004 Olympics

Browne vs. Ford

Browne extends his winning run to seven with stoppage of Thai Ford. The 28-year-old Browne’s only loss was a technical decision against Billy Dib in March 2012. . He had one more fight in October 2009 and was then inactive until December 2013 but has been fighting regularly since then and winning. Ford, real name Weerachit Kitee, is 1-4-2 in his fights in Australia.

Browne vs. Pramool

Tommy, 32, the elder brother of David, lost on points to In-Jin Chi for the WBC feather title in January 2005 and for the WBA title to Chris John in August of the same year. He continued active until being stopped by Lenny Zappavigna in 2008 and was then inactive for five years. On returning he has had one fight in 2013 and one in 2014 so let’s hope he will be more active. All of Pramool’s fights have been in Australia

 

Halifax, Canada: Super Bantam: Tyson Cave (27-3) W TKO 5 Antonio Olguin (9-5-1). Super Welter: Brandon Brewer (15-0-1) W PTS 8 Salomon Rodriguez (8-5-2).

Cave vs. Olguin

Cave climbs off the floor to halt Olguin. Cave did not let the knockdown or two very low punches in the second round blow him off course and he slowly eroded Olguin’s resistance flooring him in the fourth and then having him hurt and defenceless in the fifth when the fight was stopped. The 33-year-old local southpaw, the WBA No 7, makes it 10 wins by KO/TKO. He lost a very close decision to Oscar Escandon for the WBA secondary title in December and is hoping to get a shot at the title later in the year. Mexican Olguin has lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Brewer vs. Rodriguez

Brewer easily outpoints poor Rodriguez but does not seem to be making any progress. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-73. At 31 he is short on time. He is No 2 in the NCC ratings but is yet to be matched with an opponent of any note. Mexican Rodriguez is 1-4-1 in his last 6 fights.

 

Braamkamp, Germany: Super Middle: Rafael Bejaran (18-2) W PTS 8 Zura Mekereshvili (10-3). Super Middle: Juergen Doberstein (18-2-1) W TKO 3 George Aduashvili (19-15-1).

Bejaran vs. Mekereshvili

Bejaran gets unanimous decision in a real battle. Bejaran had the skills but Mekereshvili just marched forward behind a high guard and often managed to force Bejaran to just stand and trade. The exchanges were crude but exciting. Both fighters threw haymakers and mostly missed but kept swinging. What boxing there was came from Bejaran who had a stiff jab and kept switching guard and piling up the points but he could not stop Mekereshvili coming forward and was constantly being dragged into a brawl. The 33-year-old Bejaran, a Dominican Republic fighter based in Hamburg, is a former WBO Europe champion and was having his second fight after a break of two years. Georgian Mekereshvili, 21, has a good chin and had won his last three fights.

Doberstein vs. Aduashvili

Doberstein given an easy fight to get him back in the winning column. It was obvious from the start that Doberstein was in for an early night. He moved around the static Georgian slotting home fast jabs and right crosses with Aduashvili too slow to respond. The Georgian threw a wild punch and ended up on the floor and also tried dropping his hands to lure Doberstein in and received a right cross for his trouble. The second saw Doberstein driving Aduashvili back with his jab and firing long rights to the body with Aduashvili just trying inaccurate and slow counters and already looking exhausted. The third was target practice for Doberstein who scored with rights and lefts to the head sending Aduashvili down on one knee. Doberstein continued to hand out punishment and Aduashvili’s second climbed onto the rig apron with the towel but the referee signalled him away just as Doberstein landed two more head punches that put Aduashvili down and then  the referee allowed the towel. Doberstein, 26, Kazak-born, German based gets only his fifth win by KO/TKO. He had a 13 bout unbeaten run ended in February when he lost to Cagri Ermis. Now 12 losses by KO/TKO for Aduashvili

 

Los Mochis, Mexico: Super Bantam: Cesar Juarez (17-3) W PTS 12 Juan Carlos Sanchez (20-4-1). Fly: Moises Fuentes (22-2-1) W KO 6 Oswaldo Novoa (14-6-2).

Juarez vs. Sanchez

Juarez comes from behind to beat Sanchez. Despite suffering a one point deduction in the first round when Juarez was cut in a clash of heads Sanchez built a substantial lead over the first eight rounds. His southpaw skills allowed him to punish the less talented Juarez who found himself well behind and cut. However to compensates for his lack of technique Juarez attacked relentlessly in every round and Sanchez slowed and tired. The ninth saw Sanchez struggling to keep Juarez out and in the tenth he was exhausted and on shaky legs and floored at the end of the round by a overhand right with the bell saving him. Juarez continued to batter away at Sanchez who was shaken and needed all of his experience and courage to last out the round. Juarez tried desperately to put Sanchez away in the twelfth and after a series of punches Sanchez went tumbling out of the ring, off the apron and onto the floor. He was entitled to a 20 count under those circumstances and made it back into the ring at the count of 18 and survived the rest of the round. Scores 114-111 twice and 114-112. A stirring contest and a big win for Juarez with Sanchez rated No 2 by the WBO. Juarez was coming off a close points victory over former WBC title challenger Cesar Seda in March and he was rated No 6 by the WBO. Sanchez, 24, a former IBF super fly champion who lost his title for failing to make the weight in his first defence had been knocked out in ten rounds by Zolani Tete in an IBF eliminator in November 2013. He was then inactive before returning with a win over Colombian Luis Melendez in March this year.

Fuentes vs. Novoa

Fuentes halts Novoa in clash of former world champions. Flores got a great start flooring Novoa in the first round. However Novoa was far from finished and he went on the attack with Flores having problems countering Novoa’s attacks. The fight was anybody’s going into the sixth but it looked bad for Flores when he was deducted a point for a low punch. Undeterred Flores went to the body again and a hook put Novoa down and he was unable to beat the count. “Moi” a former WBO minimumweight champion drew with Donnie Nietes for the WBO light fly title. He then won the interim title before being knocked out by Nietes for the full title in May last year. This is his third win since then and he is now No 2 flyweight with the WBO.  Novoa, 33, is a former WBC minimumweight champion but he could only manage a draw with Mario Andrade (6-5-4) in February.

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Super Light: David Bency (6-5-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Junior Ramirez (12-1). Fly: Marvin Solano (13-0) W PTS 8 Carlos Rueda (23-9-2,2ND).

Bency vs. Ramirez

The plans went awry here as Bency outfought unbeaten Ramirez to revenge an earlier loss. There was very little action in the first two rounds but in the third a right from Bency put Ramirez down. When he got up Ramirez was there for the taking on very unsteady pins but Bency was too cautious and lost his chance. Southpaw Ramirez slowly fought his way into contention but Bency was the aggressor throwing bunches of punches and although Ramirez did enough to make it close he just failed to close the gap opened by that knockdown. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Bency and 95-94 for Ramirez. Bency, 26, wins the interim WBC Latino title. He had rebounded from a run of 0-4-1,1ND including a points loss to Ramirez, and had a run of three wins going in but was a big outsider. Ramirez, 20, the WBC Youth champion will want a quick return to erase this loss as he was well below form.

Solano vs. Rueda

Solano continues his winning run but has a tough night against more experienced Rueda. Solano had to survive a few rough rounds when the bigger, hard punching Rueda had him badly wobbled but he did survive and scored repeatedly with sharp counters in every round to earn the unanimous decision. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74. Best win so far for the 24-year-old Solano. As an amateur he was Nicaraguan champion and won a silver and bronze medal at the Central American Games and represented Nicaragua at the Pan America Games. Rueda 31 lost to Cris Mijares for the IBF super fly title in 2011.

 

Liverpool, England: Super Light: David Barnes (29-3-2) W PTS 10 Andy Colquhoun (13-1). Super Feather: Gary Sykes (28-4) W PTS Ibrar Riyaz (4-84-3).

Barnes vs. Colquhoun

Barnes earns another shot at a British title with razor-thin decision over Colquhoun. Referee’s score 95-94. The 34-year-old Manchester southpaw, a former British champion, lost to Frankie Gavin in 2013 for the British and CBC super light titles and was inactive for 18 months before returning with a win last March. “Chico” Colquhoun, 24, was in his first ten round fight and Barnes constituted a big step up in the level of his opposition but he showed he belongs at this level and his time will come.

Sykes vs. Riyaz

Sykes returns for the first time since losing to Liam Walsh for the British and CBC titles and as usual Riyaz did his job of giving Sykes six round of ring time. Former British super feather champion Sykes won 60-54 on the referee’s card and will be looking to climb back into contention and get revenge for his loss to Walsh in November. As usual Riyaz was a short-notice sub and went the distance. In fact out of his 84 losses he has only lost three times by KO/TKO.

 

July 26/27

 

Lagos, Nigeria: Super Welter: Sule Olagbade WPTS 12 Rasheed Abolaji. Light Welter: Olaide Fijabi W PTS 8 Kazzem Ariyo. Light: Prince Nurudeen Fatai W PTS 8 Chibuzor T.Boy. Super Middle: Sunday Ajuwa W PTS 8 Olufemi Ajayi.

Olagbade retains his national title with a split decision over Abolaji. Fijabi takes unanimous decision over Ariyo. Fatai wins split decision over T.Boy and Ajuwa gets split decision over Ajayi. The fights were held on the evening of 26 July and over into the early hours of 27 July. Three split decisions which shows good competitive matching. Former WBA light heavy title challenger Joe Lasisi was one of the judges.

 

July 27

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Light: Akihiro Kondo (22-6-1) W TKO 4 Patomsuk (30-3-1).

Kondo outclasses a slow ponderous Patomsuk and halts him in four. The Japanese fighter was just too quick for the Thai veteran. Kondo was moving around the crude and almost static Patomsuk and scoring with stiff jabs and sharp rights. He rocked the Thai badly late in the first and unleashed a furious attack with the referee looking close to stopping the fight but the bell came to save Patomsuk. The Thai was badly cut on his left eyebrow and took heavy punishment in the second and third round being made to look slow and crude. Late in the fourth Kendo again shook Patomsuk badly and handed out heavy punishment as the Thai was trapped on the ropes. Patomsuk escaped but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. Former Japanese light champion Kondo gets a needed win and he is now 3-3 in his last six fights. Patomsuk, 32, looked a lot older tonight. He had been stopped in six rounds in March by Ik Yang in what was laughingly labelled an IBF eliminator.