The Past Week in Action 28 October 2013

ERIC ARMIT | October 28, 2013 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

October 24

Dijon, France: Super Middle: Bilel Latreche (15-4-2) W PTS 10 Yoann Bloyer (16-21-2). Latreche wins vacant French title with comprehensive victory over substitute Bloyer. Latreche was always in control and had Bloyer cut and on the back foot for most of the fight. Scores 98-92, 99-93 and 97-94. The 27-year-old Latreche was to have fought Mehdi Bouadla but the favourite dropped a heavy weight on his toe so Bloyer came in. Latreche is 8-1-1 in his last 10 fights. Bloyer, 30, the FFB No 4 had been halted in two rounds by John Ryder in July.

October 25

Calais, France: Super Feather: Romain Jacob (20-0) W PTS 8 Edilson Rio (10-16). Jacob showcases his boxing skills against Brazilian opponent. Rio made a startling entry complete with “Scream” mask but had come to fight. He tried to stay with Jacob but from the second round he was being outclassed. Jacob increased the pace as the fight went on with Rio tiring but still making a fight of it. In the end a unanimous decision for 25-year-old Jacob who can now look forward to a big fight 31 January on his home turf against European champion and WBC No 1 Devis Boschiero. The 37-year-old Brazilian is 2-7 in his last 9 fights.

Cecina, Italy: Super Feather: Floriano Pagliara (16-5-2) W PTS 10 Angelo Ardito (6-5-1). Pagliari delights his home crowd as he retains the Italian title, but Ardito makes it a tough night for the champion. Ardito attacked hard over the first two rounds with his aggression causing problems for the local. Pagliara is quicker and more accurate and used his jab and superior skills to take control. Ardito bounced back in the sixth but Pagliara gats some space in the seventh and a frustrated Ardito loses a point for various indiscretions. The champion also takes the eighth as Ardito’s workrate drops, but the challenger stages a strong finish in the last two rounds which sees plenty of action from both fighters. Scores 98-92, 97-92 and 96-93. The 34-year-old New York-based “Flash” is 6-1-2 since losing to Diego Magdaleno in 2010. Second unsuccessful title shot for Ardito.

Valencia, Spain: Light Middle: Sergio Garcia (10) W RTD 8 Raul Ascencio (7-38-2). Light Middle: Emiliano Casal (18-2-1) W PTS 8 Ryan Peleguer (2-7-2).

Garcia vs. Ascencio

Garcia wears down ancient Ascencio and wins the WBC Mundo Hispano Intercontinental title. Fellow Spaniard Ascencio tried hard but finally retired at the end of the eighth round. “El Nino”, 21, was having his first main event and makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. He is managed by WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez. The 39-year-old Ascencio has 7 losses by KO/TKO.

Casal vs. Peleguer

Argentinian-born Casal makes it nine wins in a row as he outpoints competitive local Peleguer. Scores 80-72, 80-75 and 77-73. The 5’11 ½” (181cms) lightweight is the reigning Spanish champion. “Rocka” Peleguer keeps his record of not losing inside the distance.

Albany, New York: Middle: Nick Brinson (16-1-2) W PTS 8 Lester Gonzalez (12-8-4). Super Middle: Andy Mejias (14-0) W PTS 8 Jose Medina (18-14-1).

Brinson vs. Gonzalez

Brinson gets win over substitute Gonzalez but has a frustrating night. Brinson tried to chase down the elusive southpaw all night without too much success. Brinson was forcing but just could not pin Gonzalez down long enough to do any substantial damage. Naturally Gonzalez slowed over the late rounds as Brinson’s body punching started to have an effect but Brinson could not close things out. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Brinson, 26, was coming off a career best win over Jorge Melendez (26-2-1) in June but the survival tactics of Gonzalez gave him no chance to shine. He is 9-0-1 since losing to Lennox Allen in 2010. Cuban Gonzalez, 35, is 0-6-2 in his last 8 fights.

Mejias vs. Medina

A tough test to for unbeaten Mejias against the experienced, awkward Medina. Mejias showed good skills but was under constant pressure from the brawling Medina. He had speed and accuracy over Medina, but Medina was throwing punches from all angles and did enough to make it a close fight. Scores 77-75 twice and 79-73. Good experience for Mejias against an opponent who specializes in upsetting prospects. Only the second eight round fight for 28-year-old Mejias and he handled the assignment well. “Stinger” Medina, 30, a locally based Mexican, has upset wins over Chris Fitzpatrick and Isaac Rodriguez, drew with Joachim Alcine and went ten rounds with Brinson.

Monterrey, Mexico: Super Bantam: Carlos Medellin (21-16-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Martin Lopez (6-16). Super Fly: Francisco Marquez (25-23) W PTS 10 Enrique Silva (2-1).

Medellin vs. Lopez

Local fighter Medellin gets the deserved decision but a very different view of the fight from one judge. Lopez made it interesting early as he pressed Medellin hard and was in the fight until a strong finish from the better boxer Medellin saw him pull away . Scores 99-91,96-94 and 96-95. A badly needed win for “The Butcher” who had lost 7 of his last 8 fights. Lopez had been enjoying a miniature revival following 11 losses in a row with three wins in a row.

Marquez vs. Silva

Old southpaw pro Marquez given a good fight by novice Silva. This fight swung one way and then another and it was close all the way. The experience of Marquez just proved decisive in the end and he deservedly took the majority verdict. The 38-year-old “Trompito” has won 4 of his last 5 now.

October 26

Georgetown, Cayman Islands: Light Middle: Charles Whittaker (40-14-2) W TKO 4 Juan Matias (8-10). Local veteran Whittaker returns to the winning column with stoppage of Dominican Matias. The tall Cayman Islander had a 14 bout winning streak broken when he lost an IBF eliminator to Gabriel Rosado in September last year and was halted in six rounds by Demetrius Hopkins for the USBA title in February . Nine losses in a row for Matias, 7 by KO/TKO.

San Jose, Costa Rica: Super Feather: Bryan Vazquez (32-1) W TEC DEC 5 Rene Gonzalez 31-5-1). Light Welter: Elvin Perez (25-10-4) W TKO 7 Nelson Lara (15-5-4). Light Ismael Barroso (14-0-2) W KO 4 Winston Campos (17-3-4).

Vazquez vs. Gonzalez

Gonzalez made a good start in the first getting through with some hard body punches. Vazquez stepped-up the pace in the second being quicker and more accurate with his attacks and combination punching building a lead over the third and fourth. In the fifth a clash of heads saw Gonzalez suffer a bad cut above his left eyebrow. The referee asked the doctor to examine the cut and the doctor ruled it was too bad for the fight to continue. Vazquez won the technical decision on scores of 49 ½ -47 ½, 49-46 ½ and 48-48. The 26-year-old local “El Tiquito” wins the vacant interim WBA title and since he was No 2 and Gonzalez somehow No 3 he should also fill the vacant mandatory challenger slot. He was stopped in eight rounds by Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title in December but will now get a return next year. Nicaraguan “Chirizo” Gonzalez, 30, is 4-5 in his last 9 fights including losses to Urbano Antillon, Humberto Gutierrez, Dante Jardon and Daniel Estrada

Perez vs. Lara

Costa Rican-based Nicaraguan Perez gets a much needed win as he halts fellow-Nicaraguan Lara in seven. The 30-year-old Perez had lost 4 of his last 5 fights but now moves to 17 wins by KO/TKO. Lara is on a bad run with 2 draws and 4 losses in his last 6 fights.

Barroso vs. Campos

Barroso gets off to a rocky start as a right hook from Campos floors him in the first. Despite injuring an ankle when being floored Barroso recovered over the next two rounds and in the fourth landed a left hook that put Nicaraguan Campos down and out. The 30-year-old Venezuelan southpaw, the WBA No 11, retains his WBA Fedelatin title and has 13 wins by KO/TKO. Fellow southpaw 21-year-old Campos had lost only one of his last 15 fights.

Oldenburg, Germany: Super Middle: Arthur Abraham (38-4) W PTS 12 Giovanni De Carolis (20-5). Middle: Marcos Nader (18-0-1) W RTD 6 Luis Crespo (9-6-1). Light Heavy: Anatoliy Dudchenko (19-2) W PTS 12 Robert Woge (12-1). Light Middle: Jack Culcay (15-1) W PTS 12 Guido Pitto (18-1). Super Middle: Tyron Zeuge (10-0) W PTS 8 Achilles Szabo (11-4). Light Heavy: Enrico Koelling (10-0) W KO 3 Gyorgy Marosi (19-13).

Abraham vs. De Carolis

Another disappointing performance from Abraham. The former IBF middle and WBO super middle champion tried to make the fight but Italian De Carolis was not looking for a fight. It took Abraham three rounds to get into his stride and although he got through with some good punches De Carolis made a hard target. He also scored well in the fifth and landed a crunching left hook in the sixth. On the rare occasions when De Carolis did throw punches Abraham just used his usual crossed arm defence to block them. Abraham never really stepped-up the pace and seemed to content to let the negative De Carolis last the distance. The Italian finally threw some punches in the last but lacked power or commitment. Scores 119-109 twice and 120-108. “King Arthur”, 33, retains his WBO Inter-Continental title but will have to improve if he is going to regain the WBO title against Robert Stieglitz. The 29-year-old Italian had won 8 in a row including a split decision over Roman Shkarupa but failed to make any use of his height or reach advantages and seemed happy to have gone the distance.

Nader vs. Crespo

Easy EU title defence for Austrian-based Spanish-born Nader. The skillful boxing of Nader was too much for the one-dimensional Spaniard. Nader was dominating the fight and in addition southpaw Crespo injured his left hand and was trying to box with just one hand. It was no surprise when his corner retired him at the end of the sixth round. First defence for Nader of the title he won by beating Spaniard Roberto Santos in April. Crespo, 32, former Spanish champion and a former kick boxer, is now 3-6-1 in his last 10 fights and a poor quality challenger.

Dudchenko vs. Woge

Woge was the favourite in this one and took an early lead as he worked his way inside the guard of the much taller Ukrainian. However he was tending to walk forward in a straight line making it easy for Dudchenko to score with his counter jabs and gradually the Ukrainian took over. He was doing more body punching than Woge and wearing the younger man down. Late in the seventh Dudchenko landed a hard combination and Woge hit the floor for the first time in his career. To make things worse it appeared that Woge also suffered a reoccurrence of an ear injury at the same time. Woge knew he was behind and tried hard to swing things his way over the late rounds but with no success. Scores 117-110, 117-111 and 115-112. The 35-year-old Californian-based “Dragon” was having only his second fight outside the USA and had won 15 in a row going in. He lifts Woge’s IBF Inter-Continental title and showed just how much of nonsense the IBF’s No 8 rating for Woge was. The 29-year-old German fought the wrong fight and paid the price, but he will be back.

Culcay vs. Pitto

Culcay gets revenge for a loss to Pitto in April but again he has a hard time with Pitto and only just squeezes by on a close decision. Culcay, 28, applied pressure from the start scoring with fast combinations and making the Argentinian fight on the back foot. From the fourth Pitto turned the fight around and it then developed into a close fought technical battle with both landing with good shots and providing plenty of entertainment. It seemed as though Pitto had evened the fight up over the middle rounds and it needed a strong finish from Culcay to just edge ahead. Scores 115-113 twice and 117-112. “The Golden Boy” has had two tough fights with Pitto and it may lead to a couple of easier fights to rebuild his confidence. Spanish-based Argentinian Pitto, 26, proved to be a surprise package and hopefully will get a lot more action as he could have won both fights.

Zeuge vs. Szabo

German Zeuge, 21, extends his winning run with wide unanimous decision over Hungarian southpaw Szabo. Zeuge looking for an early finish but Szabo in survival mode. Zeuge finally had Szabo down in the last but the Hungarian got up and stayed there until the bell.

Koelling vs. Marosi

Tall German 2012 Olympian makes it 3 wins in a row by KO/TKO as he puts Hungarian veteran Marosi down and out with a right in the third. The 23-year-old Koelling was a World Youth Championships silver medallist. Marosi, 36, has 7 losses by KO/TKO.

Tortolli, Italy: Fly: Andrea Sarritzu (34-6-5) DREW 12 Valery Yanchi (22-3-2).

Light Welter: Luca Giacon (22-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Mate Hornyak (9-2-1). Light Middle: Emanuele Della Rosa (33-1) W PTS 6 Semjons Moroseks (18-23-1).

Sarritzu vs. Yanchi

A good little fight between experienced veterans sees the result come out as a split draw leaving the European title still vacant. The styles made for a good fight with the 36-year-old Belarusian southpaw taking centre ring and trying to box at a distance with Italian Sarritzu wanting to work inside. When he was successful Yanchi was piling up points with his right jab and left hooks, but when Sarritzu got inside, as he did to good effect in the third and seventh rounds, he was scoring with hooks from both hands. In the eight and ninth Yanchi was in complete control he used quick footwork to avoid the rushes of Sarritzu and was scoring with hooks and uppercuts up and down and Sarritzu was looking like a loser. Yanchi must have felt he had the fight in the beg as he lets his pace drop over the last two rounds trying to conserve what he had, but Sarritzu finished strongly and impressed the judges enough to scrape a draw. Yanchi lived up to nickname of “Gentleman” by not protesting too loudly over the result but he obviously felt he had done enough to lift the title. Scores 117-112 for Sarritzu, 117-114 for Yanchi and 114-114. Poor Yanchi has no luck in European title fights. The Belarus boxer lost to Carmelo Ballone for the EBU bantam title and drew and lost against Silvio Olteanu for this same flyweight title. Sarritzu, 37, was taking part in his 10^th European flyweight title since 2005 and trying to become champion for the third time. He lost and drew with Omar Narvaez in shots at the WBO title and was crushed by Moruti Mthalane for the IBF title.

Giacon vs. Hornyak

Easy win for puncher Giacon as he moves up to light welter. The Spanish-born “Black Mamba” struck in the second round. A right hook to the chin had the Hungarian reeling and he was given a standing count. He tried to box on but was put down by some body punches and a left hook to the jaw. He made it to his feet and saw out the round but then retired. First fight for the 25-year-old Giacon since losing in two rounds to Emiliano Marsili for the vacant European light title in a fight that saw both fighters on the floor. Hungarian “Long Rifle “Hornyak, 18, loses inside the distance for the second time in a row.

Della Rosa vs. Moroseks

With nothing much to fear from the opposition Della Rosa was attacking without paying sufficient attention to defence. As a result he took some hard counters from the tall Latvian. Eventually the pressure told and Moroseks faded over the last two rounds but as usual lasted the distance. The 33-year-old “Scraper”, WBC No 4, has 11 wins since losing a split decision to Sebastian Zbik for the interim WBC title back in 2009 but again his lack of power showed. Moroseks, 27, has only lost 4 times by KO/TKO and is capable of an occasional upset as he showed when kayoing Luciano Abis (31-1-1) back in 2011.

Tijuana, Mexico: Bantam: Daniel Rosas (17-0-1) W PTS 10 Juan Alberto Rosas (38-8). Bantam: Luis Nery (9-0) W PTS 8 Osvaldo Castro (14-6-2).

D Rosas vs. JA Rosas

“Bad Boy” Daniel won the unanimous decision but the judges were far from unanimous on their view of the fight. Daniel swept the first three rounds with a concentrated body attack. Juan, a former IBF super fly champion, used his experience in the middle rounds going on the offensive as the best tactic to get into the fight, but Daniel just kept coming and attacking the body. Juan’s punches were having an effect and by the seventh Daniel was bleeding from the nose and cut with his left eye closing. Juan was also showing the signs of battle with his own right eye nearly closed. The eight and ninth were hard to score as both fighters had their moments and Daniel threw everything into the last and just edged it. Scores a ridiculous 100-90, 97-93 and 96-94 with the last two a better representation of a real war. The 24-year-old “Bad Boy” drew with Jose Cabrera for the interim WBO super fly title in 2011. He is No 4 bantam with the WBO and has wins over Fernando Vargas, Enrique Bernache and Roberto Castaneda. The 28-year-old Juan Alberto “El Topo” lost his IBF title to Cris Mijares in 2010. Coming in to this one he had won 6 of his last 7 fights with the defeat being on points against Juan Carlos Sanchez for his old IBF title.

Nery vs. Castro

With the Vazquez vs. Diaz title fight falling through Nery found himself in the limelight. The local southpaw prospect did not disappoint. He showed good skills on both the front foot and when going backwards and scored well with fast combinations and left hooks to the face of Castro. Castro tried to make it a close quarters fight and never stopped trying, but from the fourth was fighting with a closed right eye. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. “The Panther” looks a good prospect but Castro, who had won 8 and drawn one of his last 9 fights played his part in making it an entertaining fight

Toluca, Mexico: Super bantam: Rey Vargas (17-0) W PTS 10 Yuki Murai (21-18-5). Light Middle: Oscar Molina (7-0) W TKO 5 Ignacio Miranda (3-10). Light Fly: Luis Ceja (24-4-3) W TKO 2 Irving Diaz.

Vargas vs. Murai

Vargas wins the vacant WBC Youth title against game Japanese fighter Murai. This was a very one-sided contest as Vargas dictated the fight with his jab and handed out a steady beating. The Mexican floored Murai in the second but just could not find the punch to stop the brave Japanese battler and had to settle for a wide unanimous decision. The 22-year-old from Guadalajara, rated IBF 7 (6)/WBC 12, goes the distance for only the second time as a 14 bout streak of inside the distance wins come to an end. Miura, 34, a former national title challenger, is JBC No 8 bantam and has lost only once inside the distance.

Molina vs. Miranda

Molina has no trouble with last sub Miranda. A steady body attack wore Miranda down and had him on wobbly legs in the fifth. The referee gave Miranda a standing count but then decided to stop the fight. Six wins in a row by KO/TKO for the former World Youth champion and 2012 Olympian. He is the brother of Javier and Carlos. Miranda way out of his depth.

Ceja vs. Diaz

Ceja just hits too hard for survivor Diaz. After getting through with heavy punches in the first he has Diaz in deep trouble in the second when the referee stops the fight. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for “Gallo”. He needed the win. After an unbeaten run of 17 fights he had lost 3 of his last 4 going into this one.

Chincha, Peru: Light Middle: David Zegarra (26-0) W RTD 8 Basilio Silva (16-10). Feather: Carlos Zambrano (22-0) W TKO 5 Juan Carlos Rodriguez (7-9-2).

Zegarra vs. Silva

Local fighter Zegarra just too strong for modest Dominican, but a very bizarre finish. Zegarra just kept battering away at the body of Silva until he started to wilt. Body shots hurt Silva and he lost his mouth piece. The boxers stepped back and both dropped their hands. With the referee behind him and not having indicated to box on Zegarra thumped home an illegal right hook to the unprotected jaw of Silva. The referee ignored this and took Silva back to his corner to get his mouth piece inserted. An exhausted Silva was then driven into the ropes. He went over backwards and bizarrely his legs became caught between the twisted top and second ropes and he literally hung upside down suspended in the ropes. It was difficult to tell whether the referee stopped the fight or the bell had gone but once Silva was back the right way up he went to his corner and took off his gloves. The 29-year-old from Lima has 18 wins by KO/TKO and is rated WBC 7/WBA 9. He reportedly retained his South American title but is the Dominican Republic in South America? Silva’s record is deceptive as the matching is poor in the Dominican Republic and the eight losses by KO/TKO are a better illustration of his level.

Zambrano vs. Rodriguez

New Jersey-based Zambrano, 29, halts late sub Rodriguez in five. He is WBA9/WBC 9 but his opposition has been poor. Some sources have the opponent as Santos Marimon but local papers had it as the Argentinian Rodriguez.

Cebu City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Genesis Servania (23-0) W TKO 2 Rafael Concepcion (18-7-1). Super Fly: Arthur Villaneuva (24-0) W KO 1 Edgar Martinez (16-8).

Servania vs. Concepcion

Servania flattens Panamanian in impressive style. Concepcion was trying to land his right early but Servania banged back hard with a left and right that had Concepcion holding on. He was warned for holding early in the second and then Servania landed a crushing uppercut and Concepcion was out cold flat on his back and needed several minutes to recover. “Azucal”, 22 is not a noted puncher as this was only his ninth inside the distance win, but this was a perfect punch. The WBO No 6 is ready for the best. Concepcion, 31, a former interim WBA super fly champion, a title which he won by kayoing Filipino A J Banal (so a taste of revenge for the ALA team here) loses inside the distance for the fourth time. He had been stopped in nine rounds by Jorge Arce, kayoed in three rounds by Fernando Montiel for the WBA/WBC bantam title and lost to Nonito Donaire but had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Villaneuva vs. Martinez

“King Arthur” puts away Mexican in just 89 seconds. A left hook put Martinez down and although he beat the count a right sent him down again and the fight was immediately halted. The 24-year-old WBO 3/IBF 5(3)/WBA 10 has 14 wins by KO/TKO and lifts the vacant WBO International title. He has victories over Pramusak, Marco Demecillo and Arturo Badilla. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Martinez who had won his last six fights.

Makati City, Philippines: Light Fly: John Riel Casimero (19-2) W TKO 11 Felipe Salguero (18-5-1). Light Welter: Adones Cabalquinto (15-0) W PTS 12 RJ Ano-os (8-5-1). Super Feather: Michael Farenas (36-4-4,1ND) W TKO 2 Kosol Sor Vorapin (17-17-1). Fly: Froilan Saludar (18-0-1) W PTS 10 Tawanrung (5-3). Super Fly: Mark Anthony Geraldo (29-4-3) W TKO 2 Inthanon (19-6).

Casimero vs. Salguero

Casimero retains his IBF title with stoppage of Mexican Salguero. Casimero was having his first fight in seven months and was 1 ½ lbs over the weight at his first attempt. He eventually made the weight and paced himself over the early rounds. Casimero really went to work in the fifth landing with left hooks and straight rights and Salguero slipped to the canvas twice, giving him some respite from the pressure. In the sixth Casimero opened a cut over Salguero’s eye but the Mexican fought back hard in the seventh shaking Casimero with a hard right. In the eighth Casimero used a left uppercut to put the Mexican down. A right uppercut put Salguero down in the ninth and he shipped some hard left hooks before the end of the round. Salguero made it through the tenth but when he was floored again in the eleventh the fight was stopped. Third defence for Casimero, 23, who was made up to full champion after Ulises Solis was stripped off the title. After back-to-back losses to Ramon Garcia and Moruti Mthalane Casimero has won five in a row including defences against unbeaten Pedro Guevara and Luis Rios. Salguero had also rebounded from back-to-back losses against Donnie Nietes for the IBF light fly title and Rios in an eliminator with a couple of wins.

Cabalquinto vs. Ano-os

Filipino southpaw champion Cabalquinto, 25, makes a successful second defence of his national title with unanimous decision over No 1 contender Ano-os. “The Undertaker” had to pull out all of the stops to subdue his aggressive challenger who lost a point in the fifth for a low blow without which one judge would have had it a draw. Scores 117-110 twice and 114-113.

Farenas vs. Kosol

After taking the first round 29-year-old Farenas brings down the curtain in the second. A hard combination put Kosol down. The Thai made it to his feet but a left uppercut put him down flat on his back and he needed a couple of minutes to recover. “Hammer Fist” Farenas has 28 wins by KO/TKO. Last year his challenge to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title in July ended as a technical draw and he lost on points to Yuriorkis Gamboa for the interim WBA title in August. Now five losses in a row by KO/TKO for Kosol.

Saludar vs. Tawarang

Easy win for Saludar but the durable Thai resisted all efforts to put him away. He absorbed punishment in each round and when Saludar’s work rate dropped even managed to edge a couple of rounds. Scores 100-89, 98-91 and 98-92. The 24-year-old “Sniper” is ready to move up to stiffer opposition.

Geraldo vs. Inthanon

Southpaw Geraldo floors Thai twice for quick finish. A right from Thai Inthanon shook Geraldo early but the 22-year-old Filipino banged back to score a flash knockdown. In the second round a powerful straight left put Inthanon down and the fight was stopped. “The General” retains his WBO Asian Pacific Youth title and makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO. Inthanon had won his last 9 fights.

Trowbridge, England: Middle: Nick Blackwell (14-3) W PTS 8 Max Maxwell (16-29-3). Comfortable win for Blackwell as he uses his strong jab to control the bout against veteran Maxwell and wins every round. Referee’s score 80-72. Local Blackwell, 22, gets back on the winning column after great effort against Max Bursak for the EBU title last month. “Mad Max “goes the distance as usual.

Sheffield, England: Welter: Kell Brooks (31-0) W TKO 4 Vyacheslav Senchenko (34-2). Light Middle: Brian Rose (25-1-1) W PTS 12 Javier Fcs. Maciel (27-3).Super Middle: Callum Smith (9-0) W KO 5 Ruben Acosta (27-9-5). Middle: Adam Etches (13-0) W TKO 1 Alex Mendes (10-1). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (2-0) W TKO 2 Paul Butlin (14-20). Bantam: Khalid Yafai (9-0) W PTS 6 Santiago Bustos (6-3-1).

Brook vs. Senchenko

Big win for Brook. Both fighters started cautiously with Brooks looking to walk down the taller Ukrainian. In the second Senchenko scored with a couple of left hooks and Brook got home with a hard right. In the third a right brought blood from the nose of Senchenko and another put the former WBA champion down. Senchenko was up quickly but hurt and Brook poured on the punishment scoring with rights and had Senchenko in trouble again before the round ended. There was a brief scare in the fourth when a right from Senchenko had Brook wobbling. However after a series of sharp jabs a crushing a right put Senchenko face down. He staggered to his feet but was in no condition to fight on and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old “Special One”, 27, wins an IBF eliminator but with Senchenko only rated No 8 by the IBF and Brook already the No 1 contender it cements rather than establishes his status. Brook has 21 wins by KO/TKO and apart from that wobble in the fourth it was a perfect performance. Senchenko, 37, had lost his WBA title on a ninth round stoppage due to cuts against Paul Malignaggi in April last year, the only other time he has failed to last the distance. He had ended Ricky Hatton’s comeback with a ninth round kayo in November.

Rose vs. Maciel

This was a battle of styles with the clever cleaner boxing of Rose against the ever aggressive but not always accurate Maciel with Rose getting the split decision. As long as Rose could keep Maciel on the outside he was able to pick up points with his jab. Maciel would start each round fast, having early success putting Rose on the back foot with Englishman countering with lighter shots. A punch from Maciel cut Rose badly on the bridge of the nose in the fourth and the Argentinian was always dangerous with uppercuts. Again it was the higher work rate of Maciel against the cleaner and more accurate work of Rose. Maciel would let his work rate drop in a round only to pick up the pace again in the next round. Rose took advantage of this to take the eighth and ninth rounds but Maciel blasted back in the tenth and eleventh. Both put everything into the last round which finished about even. Scores 117-113, 116-113 and 113-115. The first score seemed very unkind to the Argentinian with many feeling that the visitor had done enough to win but others that Rose just deserved to win it on his cleaner if less eye catching work. The English “Lion” was No 4 with the WBO and Maciel was No 5 so Rose will be looking for first shot at the winner of next months Vanes Martirosyan vs. Demetrius Andrade vacant title fight. “La Bestia” Maciel, 29, had lost bon points to Dmitry Pirog for the WBO middle title in 2011 and had run up 9 wins since then, 8 by KO/TKO.

Smith vs. Acosta

Smith must have felt he was working overtime after six first round victories in a row. However Acosta had only lost inside the distance twice before to Anthony Mundine and in a WBO title challenge against Robert Stieglitz. Smith controlled the fight with a strong jab pressurising Acosta and looking for an opening to end the fight early. Acosta absorbed a lot of punishment but proved elusive. It was the sixth round before Smith found the punch to end the contest. A left hook to the body put Acosta down. The Argentinian got to his feet but after a few more choice shots from Smith another body punch put Acosta down again for the finish. The 23-year-old 6’3” (191cm) Smith wins the vacant WBC International title and makes it 7 wins in a row by KO/TKO. Acosta, 35, gave Smith more work in one night than 5 of the last 6 of Smith’s opponents, so he did his job.

Etches vs. Mendes

A farcical match sees Brazilian retire at the end of the first round. The was to have been Etches defending his IBF Youth middle title but Mendes failed a test weight so they just remade it for the vacant Youth super middle title. Irrespective of the weight Mendes was pitiful. The first right from Etches took the fight out of him. At one stage with Mendes hardly fighting back it seemed as though the referee had stopped the fight but it restated and Etches landed a few more punches. The Brazilian’s corner retired Mendes at the end of the round. The Sheffield “Bomber” could only deal with what was in front of him. He has 10 wins by KO/TKO but will rarely have an easier night. Mendes record padded with pathetic opposition.

Joshua vs. Butlin

Joshua getting through with hard punches from the first and it was obvious this was not going to go long. In the second a left hook and a right cross put Butlin down. He arose but was showing a bad cut over his left eye and after a couple more heavy hits from Joshua the fight was stopped. The 24-year-old Olympic gold medal winner is just too powerful for the run of the mill trial horses but at the same time he needs to get in some pro rounds. Butlin, 37, is 2-13 in his last 15 fights so Joshua was never going to learn much from this one.

Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Cruiser: Jordan Shimmell (12-0) W PTS 10 Galen Brown (41-23-1). Light Welter: Johnny Garcia (18-1) W KO 3 Blake Franklin (11-7-2). Middle: Purnell Gates (26-2) W PTS 10 Angel Hernandez (15-12-1).

Shimmell vs. Brown

Local hope Shimmell gives good workmanlike performance in outpointing journeyman Brown and wins vacant USBO title on unanimous decision. The 25-year-old Shimmell, who was cut by his left eye by a clash of heads in the fourth, took medals at four consecutive NGG’s including a gold in 2009. He looks a good prospect but needs to build his hand speed as he looked ponderous at times. Southpaw Brown, 32, just an opponent but at least he gave Shimmell ten rounds of work.

Garcia vs. Franklin

Garcia also wins a vacant USBO title as he uses a solid body attack to wear down Franklin before kayoing him in the third. The 31-year-old’s only loss was to Angelo Santana in November and this was his fifth win since then. He has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Franklin.

Gates vs. Hernandez

A controversial decision sees Gates make it three vacant USBO titles for locals. Despite having big advantages in height and reach Gates had trouble with the speed of Hernandez. In the third Hernandez rocked Gates and forced him to take a knee until his head cleared. Gates was always coming forward but Hernandez was getting his punches off first and then getting out of reach. Gates gets the split decision but it was not popular. The 40-year-old Gates has lost only one of his last 25 fights when he was stopped in two rounds by David Lemieux, but the opposition has been weak. No luck for Hernandez who is now 1-9-1 in his last 11 fights.

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Light Heavy: Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2,2ND) W PTS 12 Karo

Murat (25-2-1). Middle: Peter Quillin (30-0) W TKO 10 Gabriel Rosado (21-6,1ND). Heavy: Deontay Wilder (30-0) W KO 4 Nicola Firtha (21-11-1). Super Middle: Dominic Wade (13-0) W TKO 1 Roberto Ventura (12-8). Feather: Braulio Santos (11-1) W TKO 1 David Clark (6-3).

Hopkins vs. Murat

Hopkins made a slow start in this one allowing Murat to build a slight lead. From the fourth Hopkins was in charge as he was too clever and too experienced for his limited challenger. Hopkins was trading more but took time off in the fifth to plant two kisses on Murat in whilst clinches. Hopkins seemed to be going for the kayo in the eighth but Murat rebounded to land with hard shots in the ninth and tenth, but Hopkins seemed the fresher and he closed the stronger taking the eleventh and trying again for the knockout in the last with Murat being warned by the referee for two intended butts as the fight ended. Scores 119-108 twice and 117-110 as Hopkins retains the IBF title. There were periods of entertainment but not many as Hopkins was generally in control and Murat lacked the skill or punch to change things around. The 48-year-old Hopkins seemed to be indicating he could get down to 160lbs for a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr but if Joe Calzaghe was too much for Hopkins in 2008 I don’t see what he has that would trouble “Money”. Iraqi-born Murat had really done nothing of great import since being halted in ten rounds by Nathan Cleverly in 2010 and was no real danger to Hopkins.

Quillin vs. Rosado

Quillin retains WBO title but Rosado makes him fight hard all of the way. Quillin took the first with his strong jab and fast combinations. It gets better for Quillin in the second as he floors Rosado with a left hook, but only a flash knockdown as Rosado’s glove briefly touches the canvas. Quillin’s jab good lateral movement and faster fists see him take the third and most of the fourth until Rosado staggers Quillin. Rosado continued to dominate in the fifth forcing Quillin to fight off the ropes and Quillin’s work rate dropped. Rosado probably edged the seventh with his aggression and scored well with right hooks in the eighth. Both fighters have good periods in the ninth but a punch from Quillin opens a bad cut on the left eyelid of Rosado. The corner do what they can but it is a bad cut and in the tenth a Quillin punch starts the bleeding again and the referee calls the doctor who decides the cut is too bad for the fight to continue. Second successful defence for “Kid Chocolate” but the 30-year-old champion had a tough time containing Rosado. Philadelphian Rosado, 27, was having his second title shot having been crushed in seven rounds in January by Gennady Golovkin for the WBA/IBO titles. In his last fight in May against J’Leon Love Rosado lost a split decision only for the result to be changed to No Decision when Love tested positive for a banned diuretic.

Wilder vs. Firtha

Wilder makes it 30 wins in a row by KO/TKO. The willing but limited Firtha came out swinging trying to score an upset and seemed to shake Wilder a couple of times, but the 6’7” (201cm) “Bronze Bomber” stayed calm and floored Firtha twice, once with a jab and once with a right to the head. Neither knockdown was a heavy one so Firtha stayed in the fight, but had lost his early fire. After shipping heavy y punches in the second and third rounds a big right put Firtha down in the fourth with the referee immediately stopping the fight. The 28-year-old Wilder is still knocking them over and doing what is asked of him, but he is not being asked to do much as the 34-year-old Firtha is no puncher and yet another second stringer. He went the distance with Alex Povetkin and Johnathon Banks but was knocked over in five rounds by Tyson Fury.

Wade vs. Ventura

Too easy for 23-year-old Wade. He floors Mexican Ventura three times with the referee stopping the fight after the third knockdown. Ten wins by KO/TKO for Wade. Six in the first round. Ventura had won 7 of his last 8 fights but this was his sixth loss by KO/TKO.

Santos vs. Clark

Two heavy hooks from Puerto Rican prospect Santos put Clark down. He made it to his feet but was in no condition to continue and the referee stopped the fight. Ten wins by KO/TKO for Santos as he rebounds from an upset loss to Derrick Wilson in June. First loss inside the distance for Clark who had won his last 4 fights.

Rostov-on Don, Russia: Cruiser: Dmitry Kudryashov (11-0) W TKO 2 Shawn Cox (17-4). “The Sledge Hammer” lives up to his name as he floors Cox in the first and then puts him down and out in the second. The 28-year-old Russian keeps his 100% record of wins inside the distance and lifts the vacant Global Union title. Third early KO loss in his last four fights for the 38-year-old Barbadian Cox.

Cidra, Puerto Rico: Light: Jose Pedraza (15-0) W KO 3 Alejandro Rodriguez (19-13). The “Sniper” finally finds the target. After two rounds of trying to put Rodriguez away Pedraza finally ends it in the third as a vicious left hook to the body. Now 10 wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year-old former amateur star. Now 5 losses in his last 6 fights for Mexican Rodriguez .

Abbreviations

ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC

ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles

BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control

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

B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina

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

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

DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo

EBU=European Boxing Union

FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation

FFB=French Boxing Federation

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

IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body

IBO=International Boxing Organisation

JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission

NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate

NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate

NGG=US National Golden Gloves

NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body

OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation

PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate

UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body

USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate

USBO=United States Boxing Organisation

WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body

WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body

WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body

WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body

WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body

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