The Past Week in Action 29 March 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:
-Dillian Whyte gets revenge as he stops Alexander Povetkin four rounds
-Thabiso Mchunu retains the WBC Silver cruiserweight title with points victory over Evgeny Tischenko
-Zac Parker stops Vaughan Alexander in two rounds
-Ted Cheeseman wins the vacant British super welterweight title with late stoppage of James Metcalf
-Lennox Clarke wins the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles with inside the distance victory over Willy Hutchinson
-Prince Patel wins the vacant Commonwealth super flyweight title with stoppage of Julias Kisarawa

World Title/Major Shows

March 27

Gibraltar, Gibraltar: Heavy: Dillian Whyte (28-2) W TKO 4 Alexander Povetkin (36-3-1). Super Welter: Ted Cheeseman (17-2-1) W KO 11 James Metcalf (21-1). Welter: Michael McKinson (20-0) W PTS 10 Chris Kongo (12-0). Heavy: Nick Webb (17-2) W TKO 2 Erik Pfeifer (7-1). Super Feather: Youssef Khoumari (12-0-1) W TKO 5 Kane Baker (14-8). Heavy: Fabio Wardley (11-0) W KO 5 Eric Molina (27-6).
Whyte vs. Povetkin
Revenge is sweet for Whyte as he floors and stops Povetkin in four rounds to win the interim WBC title. In the first a right to the body had Povetkin staggering and stumbling along the ropes with Whyte trying to nail him with a big punch. Povetkin managed to get off the ropes but it was a bad start for the Russian. Povetkin was looking to connect with some big rights but was off target and Whyte stuck to getting the range with his jab. Povetkin was more positive in the second taking the fight to Whyte but Whyte landed a heavy right and by the end of the round there was already a bump under Povetkin’s left eye. Povetkin was throwing single big punches but a right counter from Whyte set Povetkin back on his heels and Whyte did some good work with his jab. Whyte came out with a clear sense of purpose in the fourth and landed two hard rights then had Povetkin reeling under a series of punches. Povetkin steadied himself and it looked as though the crisis had passed but Whyte knocked Povetkin into the ropes with a right and then another right sent Povetkin reeling and a left hook helped on the way to the floor. Povetkin struggled to his feet but was unsteady and as the referee signalled the end of the fight the towel came in from Povetkin’s corner. There is talk now of a fight with Deontay Wilder which would be interesting and makes sense for both fighters which they wait to find out what is happening with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Povetkin did not look sharp and this is being put down to his COVID-19 experience and it probably did play a part but don’t overlook the fact that Whyte had already floored Povetkin twice in the first before the thunderbolt struck and if Povetkin felt he needed more time to fully recover from the COVID-19 then he should not have gone into the ring,
Cheeseman vs. Metcalf
Former Champion Cheeseman wins the vacant British title with an eleventh round stoppage of Metcalf in great but gruelling contest. In the first Cheeseman was getting through with his jabs and right crosses with Metcalf scoring with hooks inside and they were both getting landing hefty punches. Metcalf attacked hard in the second going to the body and also landing a good left hook to the head but Cheeseman ended the round strongly scoring with rights to the head. It was trench warfare in the third with Cheeseman just landing the cleaner shots. In the fourth Metcalf was on top until late in the round when a huge right from Cheeseman sent him reeling across the ring. Cheeseman followed up and showered Metcalf with punches and it looked as though Metcalf must go down but he stayed on his feet to the bell. Cheeseman had suffered a cut by his right eye in a clash of heads and Metcalf had bruising under his left eye. Cheeseman boxed a bit more over the fifth and sixth which let Metcalf into the fight and Metcalf was strong over the seventh and eighth with Cheeseman mainly on the back foot and countering. Cheeseman took over in the ninth and tenth as Metcalf seemed to be tiring. In the eleventh Cheeseman landed punch after punch with Metcalf trying to fire back but there was no power left in his punches and Cheeseman connected with three rights that sent Metcalf down flat on his back. He struggled to his feet but was wobbly and the referee stopped the fight. Cheeseman came through a rocky spell in 2019 losing to Sergio Garcia and dropping his British title to Scott Fitzgerald but had scored a good win over Sam Eggington in August last year. Former undefeated Commonwealth champion Metcalf played a big part in making this a great scrap.
McKinson vs. Kongo
McKinson gets majority decision over Kongo in a fight which lacked any real highlights. In an untidy start Kongo’s gloves briefly touched the canvas as he overbalanced when their legs clashed as he was pulling away from McKinnon’s punches. Brief though it was it gave McKinson a 10-8 round and that proved critical in a close fight. Kongo used his longer reach to score with his jab but found McKinnon’s southpaw style awkward to deal with. McKinson did well when countering the incoming Kongo but neither was impressing. Kongo gradually worked his way in front but then took his foot of the pedal in the later rounds where he was doing more posing than punching and that allowed McKinson to get his nose back in front Scores 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 for McKinson so that slip in the first round cost Kongo a draw. McKinson continues a good recent run of victories over good level opposition and wins the WBO Global title. Former champion Kongo let this one slip away from him. It will only be a temporary set-back but it will cost him is No 13 spot in the WBO rankings
Webb vs. Pfeifer
Webb blows away unbeaten Pfeiffer in two rounds. Webb was scoring heavily in the first and then he dropped Pfeifer with a left in the second. Pfeifer beat the count but was put down twice more and the fight was stopped. Webb is getting back on track after losses to David Allen and Kamil Sokolowski sent his career off the rails. Russian-born German Pfeifer was European Union champion won a bronze medal at the World Championships and scored two wins over Tony Yoka in the WSB.
Khoumari vs. Baker
Londoner Khoumari makes it five inside the distance finishes as he stops Baker in the fifth. Khoumari was in charge from the start he was forcing Baker on to the back foot with strong jabs and then banging home left hooks to the body and straight rights, Baker fought back hard he was jabbing well but not really able to match the power or accuracy of Khoumari and on three occasions punches from Khoumari sent Baker’s mouthguard flying. Khoumari scored heavily in the fourth with lefts to the body and uppercuts. Baker was piling forward in the fifth but he was deducted a point when his mouthguard came out again and then Khoumari launched a fierce attack connecting with shots to head and body that had Baker reeling and the referee stopped the fight. Khoumari, who is managed by Dillian Whyte, showed impressive skills and quick accurate punches and will now be looking to take on some of the top domestic opposition. Baker had won 3 of his last 4 fights but the accuracy and power of Khoumari undid him.
Wardley vs. Molina
On a good night for British heavyweight Wardley knocks out Molina in the fifth. Wardley was showing some clever upper body movement boxing with his hands down early but not throwing enough punches. Despite that he had Molina in trouble with a right in the third. Molina was able to score with his jab but became over confident. He hurt Wardley with a right in the fifth but when he tried to move in to capitalise on that Wardley connected with a series of heavy counters that put Molina down on his back and he was counted out. Ten wins on the bounce by KO/TKO for 26-year-old English champion Wardley who is progressing quickly for a boxer with no amateur experience. Former WBC and IBF title challenger Molina at 38 is way past his best and was knocked out in three rounds by Filip Hrgovic in his last contest in December 2019.

Ekaterinburg, Russia: Cruiser: Thabiso Mchunu (23-5) W PTS 12 Evgeny Tischenko (8-1). Super Feather: Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (17-0) W PTS 10 Lunga Stimela (13-1). Super Feather: Ruslan Kamilkov (10-0-1) W TKO 6 Evgeny Chuprakov (23-4). Super Feather: Dmitrii Khasiev (11-2-2) W KO 5 Vladislav Krasnoshein (8-2-1).Light: Zaur Abdullaev (13-1) W PTS 10 Zhora Hamazaryan (10-3-2). Super Feather: Stanislav Kalitskiy (11-1) W KO 5 Pavel Malikov (16-4-1).
Mchunu vs. Tischenko
Mchunu’s experience in the pros gives him the edge over former amateur star Tischenko as Mchunu eases to victory. There was no fluidity to Tischenko’s work he was stiff legged and mechanical. Mchunu was never really troubled by the Russian’s longer reach and the 6 “ height difference being able to spring forward and get inside to work. Tischenko made very little use of his jab just pawing with it much of the time and not coming in behind it. Tischenko was effective when he brought his left into play firing it straight and with power and he won rounds where he was able to work at distance. He had problems getting any power when he was punching down at the smaller Mchunu and did not close the distance quickly enough so even with his long arms he was reaching with his punches and losing some of the power. With Tischenko not really using his jab Mchunu was able to dart inside and score to the body with Tischenko not interested in fighting in close. Mchunu had more variety in his work connecting with body shots and lefts to the head inside and he was far quicker than the big Russian who when Mchunu darted forward tended to retreat rather than try to counter. It was a one-paced fight without any highlights and Mchunu simply outworked Tischenko. Scores 117-111 twice and 119-109 with the last a bit harsh. Mchunu retains the WBNC Silver title and protects his WBC No 1 rating. He will be looking to get revenge against WBC champion Ilunga Makabu who knocked Mchunu out in eleven rounds in 2015. It could be that Tischenko would do better putting on some poundage and trying the new Bridgerweight but one of his problems is that eight fights against very modest opposition was not enough to prepare him for an experienced battler such as Makabu.
Yaqubov vs. Stimela
Yaqubov retains the WBC International title with victory over South African Stimela. The visitor tried to take the fight to Yaqubov but was met with fast, precise counters from the clever Tajik boxer. Stimela just kept coming trying to hustle Yaqubov out of his cool approach and drag him into a brawl. Yaqubov found plenty of gaps in Stimela’s defence but two early visits to the canvas by Stimela were both ruled as pushes. Yaqubov finally registered a knockdown with a left hook and after Stimela beat the count he put him down again with a right. Stimela recovered and although shaken a couple of times in the late rounds he fought hard all the way to the final bell. Scores 99-89, 99-90 and 99-91 for Yaqubov. The 25-year-old southpaw Yaqubov is a class boxer but a little short on power. He is No 5 with the WBC but this is a very tough division. Stimela showed plenty of aggression and determination on his first fight outside South Africa and gave Yaqubov a fair test.
Kamilkov vs. Chuprakov
Kamilkov gets important win as he stops former WBO super feather title challenger Chuprakov in defence of the WBO Inter-Continental title. It was Chuprakov who went on the offensive in the first but Kamilkov countered accurately and floored Chuprakov with a right in the second. Kamilkov then took the fight to Chuprakov but now it was Chuprakov scoring with counters as Kamilkov advanced with his hands down looking to fire hooks. Kamilkov was scoring regularly raking Chuprakov with hooks and uppercuts and Chuprakov began to cave in under the punishment until the referee stopped the fight in the sixth. Kamilkov had lots of success in an extensive amateur career including gold medals in four successive World Cup of Petroleum Countries tournaments. Since losing to Masayuki Ito for the vacant WBO title in 2018 it has been a rocky road for Chuprakov as he is now 3-3 in his last six fights.
Khasilev vs. Krasnoshein
Southpaw Khasilev scores brutal kayo of Krasnoshein. Both looked to dominate early and with neither wanting to give way it turned into an entertaining hard-punching scrap. It looked level for three rounds but then Khasilev took over in the fourth handing out serious punishment before putting together a series of punches in the fifth ending with a booming right uppercut that dropped Krasnoshein flat on his back and the fight was immortally stopped. Khasiev seems to have suddenly found some power as this is his third inside the distance in a row after only scoring two stoppage wins in his first eleven fights.
Abdullaev vs. Hamazaryan
Abdullaev takes unanimous decision after a thrilling scrap with Hamazaryan. Both boxers worked behind their jab with Abdullaev mainly boxing on the back foot and Hamazaryan strong and dangerous with his rights with each having good spells in the early rounds. Hamazaryan scored well to the body in the fifth and Abdullaev went on the offensive in the sixth raking Hamazaryan with long punches only for a right from Hamazaryan staggering him at the bell. In the seventh a right from Hamazaryan had Abdullaev wobbly and a left put him down. Hamazaryan tried hard to finish it but Abdullaev survived. He then dominated the fight over the last three rounds with Hamazaryan being deducted a point for losing his mouthguard in the eighth and Abdullaev flooring Hamazaryan with the last punch of the fight. With Hamazaryan making it to his feet the result was decided on the scorecards which read 96-91, 95-92 and 94-93 showing the importance of the one point deduction and the last punch knockdown.
Russian Abdullaev lost in four rounds against Devin Haney for the WBC interim title in September 2019 but rebounded well with a points win over Pavel Malikov in August last year. Armenian Hamazaryan put up great effort here but falls to 1-3-2 in his six most recent contests.
Kalitskiy vs. Malikov
Kalitskiy stops Malikov in five. After an even first round Malikov sent Kalitskiy to the floor with rights in both the second and third rounds. Kalitskiy recovered from those two knockdowns and landed some heavy punches in the fourth before detonating a wicked right uppercut to the chin of Malikov which put him down and he was counted out. The 23-year-old Ekaterinburg-based Kazak had been stopped in eight rounds by Khasilev in his last fight in August. Malikov’s career has come off the rails. He looked to be going well after beating Vage Sarukhanyan and IBF title challenger Isa Chanev but then suffered consecutive inside the distance losses against Zaur Abdullaev and Roman Andreev in 2020.

26 March

London, England: Super Middle: Zach Parker (20-0) W TKO 2 Vaughan Alexander (15-5). Super Bantam: Brad Foster (14-0-2) W PTS 10 Alvaro Rodriguez (10-4-1). Welter: Danny Ball (10-0-1) W PTS 10 Sam Gilley (11-1). Super Light: Sam Maxwell (15-0) W PTS 8 Ben Fields (10-10-2). Heavy: David Adeleye (5-0) W KO 1 Dave Preston (9-1). Bantam: Dennis McCann (9-0) W PTS 8 Luis Moreno (9-2).
Parker vs. Alexander
Parker impresses as he dismantles Alexander in two rounds. In the first Parker was much too fast for Alexander. He was switching angles and switching guard almost from punch to punch. He connected with some rights to the head and hooked well to the body. Alexander managed to land a couple of times but nothing heavy and Parker ended the round with a series of punches. Parker finished the job in the second. He dropped Alexander for the first time with two left hooks and put him down again with a clubbing right to the head. Alexander got up but was pinned to the ropes with Parker unloading head punches until the referee stopped the fight. Parker,26, wins the WBO international title with his fourteenth quick victory. He is No 1 with the WBO and will have to see what shakes out after the Saul Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders fight in May but it seems certain he will fight for the WBO title later this year or in early 2022. Parker was impressive here although Alexander, 35, is a long way from world ratings level having returned to boxing in 2016 after serving an eleven year prison term.
Foster vs. Rodriguez
Foster cruises to comfortable victory as he takes every round against Spaniard Rodriguez. Foster had to make the fight as Rodriguez was on the defensive from the start. Foster did a good job of cutting off the ring and connected with jabs and left hooks. Rodriguez had some success in the fourth round as he combined some good defensive work with some useful counters but Foster was the one landing more. Rodriguez work rate dropped off and he was cut over his left eye and stunned by a punch in the eighth and jolted by a series of punches in the last. Scores 100-90 for Foster on all three cards. Foster collects the vacant IBF International title. He is the official challenger to Gamal Yafai for the European title and No 10(8) with the IBF. Spanish champion Rodriguez is 0-3 in fights in the UK.
Ball vs. Gilley
This was a close one with Ball outscoring Gilley early but having to fight hard later to get the decision. It was a tactical battle but an entertaining one. Gilley started well and then Ball had a strong fourth and opened a gap over the middle rounds seeming to have an edge in power. Gilley forced the fight hard late taking on Ball inside and looked to have closed the gap but Ball had more left in the last round and that made the difference. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-94 for Ball. The 24-year-old from the West Midlands retains the WBC International Silver title. Londoner Gilley will rebound from this.
Maxwell vs. Fields
Maxwell decisions substitute Fields. It proved a more difficult night than expected for Maxwell. Fields was strong and awkward with his lunging attacks and rough stuff inside. Maxwell was streets ahead in talent and that showed when he chose to box but too often allowed himself to be drawn into a brawl. Gradually he broke down Fields who tired badly late and was deducted a point for holding in the seventh as Maxwell showed some classy touches late in the fight. Referee’s score 79-73 for Maxwell. He was to have challenged Akeem Ennis Brown for the British title but Ennis Brown was injured and former Midlands Area champion Fields was a late replacement
McCann vs. Moreno
Brilliant boxing from young prospect McCann as he outclasses Mexican Moreno. McCann was just too clever, too fast and too accurate for the limited Moreno. He was getting through with a whole range of punches and countering the crude lunges of Moreno with crisp hooks. A right floored Moreno in the last but he made it to the final bell. The 20-year-old southpaw McCann, he turned pro at 18,looks a class act. Moreno came in on the back of five wins but against substandard foes.
Adeleye vs. Preston
Adeleye finishes substitute Preston inside two minutes. No way this was going to last long. Adeleye sent a couple rights whizzing past Preston’s chin before burying a wicked left hook to the ribs of Preston who was unable to get up. The 24-year-old Londoner has taken less than nine rounds for his five wins. A former Junior, Senior ABA and British Universities champion Adeleye is the proud owner of a degree in Business Management. Preston was having his first pro fight and was overwhelmed.

Miami, FL, USA: Bantam: Melvin Lopez (25-1) W TKO 1 Samuel Gutierrez (16-31-6).Super Bantam: Jorge De Jesus Romero (20-0-1) W PTS 8 Yeison Vargas (17-6). Super Feather: Mark Bernaldez (22-4) W TKO 6 Hector Ambriz (12-13-2). Light: Josec Ruiz (22-4-3) W TKO 2 Rodolfo Puente (19-6-2). Super Feather: Otar Eranosyan (7-0) W TKO 2 Marco Mendoza (11-10-1).
Lopez vs. Gutierrez
Another power show from Nicaraguan Lopez as he scores three knockdowns on the way to a first round win over late replacement Gutierrez. Lopez opened with some hard, accurate right jabs then he sent Gutierrez back and down with a left. After the count Lopez pursued Gutierrez to a corner and a series of punches had Gutierrez going down on one knee. He was up at seven but then went down again as Lopez blitzed him with left hooks and the fight was stopped. An inside the distance loss against little Chilean Jose Velasquez in October 2019 was a setback but Lopez has rebounded with four wins by KO/TKO the last three all coming in the first round. Old pro Gutierrez is sliding rapidly being without a win in his last twelve fights.
Romero vs. Vargas
Romero comes through a frustrating eight rounds with a decision over Vargas. In the first Romero had Vargas retreating with strong jabs and straight rights. Vargas tried to dart inside but his punches were coming up short. Romero continued to press the action with Vargas showing some good defensive work and doing well in short bursts but Romero was always the one coming forward and he was connecting with some hefty rights. Romero continued to do most of the scoring but he was having trouble pinning Vargas down and Vargas had enough success with his quick attacks to steal a round and was never really in trouble. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-74 for Romero. The Cuban’s progress took a hit when he was held to a draw by a skidding Daniel Lozano in August last year. He has scored three wins since then. Colombian Vargas was knocked out in 63 seconds by Melvin Lopez in September and after compiling a 17-0 record back home he has now suffered six consecutive losses five by KO/TKO
Bernaldez vs. Ambriz
Filipino Bernaldez comes from behind to end the fight with a big right in the sixth. Bernaldez was conceding height and reach to Mexican Ambriz but the Mexican was looking to stand exchange punches rather than box and had a good first round. In the second Bernaldez began to score with hooks to the body and that quickly had Ambriz on the back foot and under pressure. Ambriz came back with a strong third and used his jab to blunt Bernaldez’s attacks and landed some powerful right crosses in the fourth. Ambriz was so confident he was showboating in the fifth changing guards and indulging in some fancy footwork but he also scored well and looked to have built a good lead. All of that counted for nothing in the sixth. Against a tired looking Ambriz Bernaldez connected with some hard body shots and then landed a booming right to the head that sent Ambriz crashing to the canvas. He only just beat the count and was unsteady and the fight was over. The 26-yeart-old “Machete” makes it sixteen wins by KO/TKO. His two losses have come against good opposition in Andy Vences and unbeaten Albert Bell. Ambriz looked a much better fighter than his current 0-10-1 form and he has gone the distance in that run against Denis Shafikov, Hector Tanajara and Robson Conceicao and drawn with Antonio Lozada.
Ruiz vs. Puente
Ruiz gets win over a reluctant Puente. Ruiz was attacking hard in the first with Puente just flapping punches and holding. In the second Puente was deducted a point for holding and then dropped by a low punch. The referee gave Puente some recovery time although it was obvious Puente did not want to get up. Finally he did and was put down by two left hooks and a right and the referee stopped the fight without a count. Honduran “Scorpion” Ruiz suffered back-to-back losses in 2020 so a welcome win for him here. Puente has lost in the second round in three of his last four fights.
Eranosyan V. Mendoza
Eranosyan stops Mendoza in two rounds. This was really a farce. Mendoza never moved more than one pace from the ropes and circled the ring hiding behind a high guard . It was target for practice for Eranosyan and Mendoza went down twice at the end of the first round. He went down again from a right to the head in the second and the towel came in from his corner. It’s an insult to Miami-based Georgian to put him with opponents such as this. He gets his fifth win by KO/TKO but a few minutes of sparring would have been of more use to him. Mexican Mendoza, 40, had lost his previous five fights inside the distance and lasted less than eleven minutes in those five fights.

Hurlingham, Argentina: Welter: Christian Andino (16-1) W PTS 10 Miguel Antin (19-7).
In a clash of former Argentinian title challengers Andino has no problems in dealing with the aggression of Antin. Andino was scoring regularly with his jab and used clever movement to frustrate Antin’s attacks. He hurt Antin with a right in the sixth but lacked the power to capitalise on that. He outboxed a tiring Antin over the closing rounds to wrap up a risk free decision. Scores 100-90 for Andino on the three cards. Andino, who fights out of the Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena gym, survived a lung operation in 2016 before turning pro. Fifth loss in his last six outings for Antin.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Super Fly: Geraldo Valdez (10-0) W PTS 10 Arturo Segundo (12-5). Light: Francis Frometa (13-0) W TKO 10 Jose Roa (10-2-1). Light: Richard Solano (24-2-2,1ND) W DISQ 2 Andres Tapia (16-9-4). Super Light: Jose Galvez (15-2) W RTD 2 Luis Castillo (23-7).
Valdez vs. Segundo
On a card that was billed as a war between Dominicans and Mexicans Valdez gets the win but looks very lucky to do so. Segundo put Valdez on the floor in the eighth and looked to have done enough to take the decision but two of the judges disagreed with some widely varying scores. The judges saw it 98-91 and 97-93 for Valdez and 95-94 for Segundo. Former top amateur Valdez retains the WBC Latino title. Segundo is just a modest level prelim fighter in Mexico so he performed much better than expected
Frometa vs. Roa
Frometa gets late stoppage against Mexican Roa. Frometa almost ended it the first flooring Roa heavily. Roa got through the crisis and from the third it was a close fight until a strong attack from Frometa early in the tenth brought the referee’s intervention. This was to be Frometa’s experience of going ten rounds but instead it counts as his eighth inside the distance victory. Roa’s current form was 11-0-1 before this loss.
Solano vs. Tapia
Solano gets a win as Mexican Tapia is thrown out for hitting on the break, Solano was better in the first round the fight was decided in the second. Tapia landed a punch after the referee had ordered break. When Tapia did the same thing again the referee disqualified him. Dominican Solano,32, is on a 19 fight unbeaten streak at 18-0,1ND going back to 2014. Tapia is 0-2-1 in his three most recent fights.
Galvez vs. Castillo
Galvez scores another win for the home side as he beats Castillo. After two punishing rounds Castillo retired on his stool before the start of the third. Eleven consecutive wins for Galvez and his eighth by KO/TKO. Seventh inside the distance defeat for Castillo

Blagnac, France: Super Feather: Anthony Riviere (10-3-1) W PTS 10 Khalil El Hadri (10-1).
Home town boxer Riviere gets an upset decision over previously unbeaten El Hadri to win the French title. Riviere set a fast pace from the start aiming to hustle the more skilful champion out of his stride. It took El Hadri a couple of rounds to settle and then we got plenty of action in a tight scrap. Riviere was just that little bit busier in the exchanges but not much between them and home advantage probably helped Riviere get the nod. Scores 96-94 twice and 98-92 for Riviere who has put an air of respectability on his record being 6-1-1 in his last 8 fights. Former French amateur champion and WSB competitor El Hadri was making the first defence of the National title.

Rome, Italy: Feather: Christopher Mondongo (9-2) W TEC DEC 7 Suat Laze (25-7-1,1ND).Cruiser: Francesco Versaci (21-3-1) TEC DRAW 1 Mattia Faraoni (6-1-1).
Mondongo vs. Laze
Rome fighter Mondongo wins the vacant Italian title with technical decision over Laze. It was war from the first bell as Laze sought to overwhelm Mondongo with the pair feverishly trading shots. Mondongo stayed cool under fire blocking many of Laze’s punches and scoring with accurate counters. Mondongo rocked Laze with a right in the fifth but Laze responded with a right that put Mondongo on the mat. Mondongo beat the count and fought back hard over the sixth and seventh. Laze was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the seventh and was unable to continue so it went to the judges who came up with scores of 67-65 and 66-65 for Mondongo and 66-66. After losing his first fight Mondongo is now 9-1 in his last 10. Laze , 41, Albanian-born but now an Italian citizen, won the Italian title in December 2019 at the age of 39 making him the oldest boxer to win the Italian featherweight title but then had to relinquish the title through injury.
Versaci vs. Faraoni
Disappointing end here as Versaci is hurt by a punch to the back of the head and is unable to continue so the fight ends as a technical draw leaving Versaci as champion so they will have to do it all over again.

Mexico City, Mexico: Fly: Christian Gonzalez (12-1) W PTS 10 Adrian Curiel (16-4).
Gonzalez wins the WBC Fecarbox title with majority decision over Curiel. Over the early rounds Gonzalez made use of his longer reach to work on the outside and Curiel struggled to get close enough to work effectively. After four rounds Gonzalez was in front 40-36, 40-37 and 39-37. Curiel upped the pressure from the fifth and clawed back a little of Gonzalez lead but Gonzalez defended well and his jabs had Curiel bleeding heavily from the nose. The scores at the end of eight rounds still had Gonzalez in control at 78-74, and 77-75 twice. Curiel staged a strong finish over the last two rounds but just came up short. Scores 96-94 twice for Gonzalez and 95-95. Gonzalez, 21, makes it six wins in a row. Curiel had won 4 of 5 going in.

Chapala, Mexico: Super Middle: Jose Uzcategui (29-4) W Josue Obando (20-28-2). Super Bantam: Edwin Palomares (14-3-1,1ND) W Cesar Ramirez (18-4).
Uzcategui vs. Obando
Former IBF super middle champion Uzcategui returns with a win. He handed out steady punishment over the first two rounds and an early finish looked likely. Obando did better over the third and fourth as he upped his pace a little but Uzcategui was in charge again after that. It was a case of breaking down a game Obando and in the eighth the referee stopped the fight just as Obando’s corner were preparing to throw in the towel. Venezuelan Uzcategui lost his IBF title on points against Caleb Plant in January 2019 and in December 2019 was floored and outpointed by Lionel Thompson and dropped out of the ratings so this is a first step back. Obando had scored a win over experienced Marco Reyes but Uzcategui was too strong.
Palomares vs. Ramirez
Palomares ends this one late with a savage kayo of Ramirez. Palomares had outlanded Ramirez and built a good lead. But Ramirez fought hard to stay in contention. He was running out of time and pressing hard but just before the final bell a right from Palomares detonated on the chin of Ramirez knocking him out cold with just two seconds remaining in the fight and the medical team rushed to treat him and he recovered. Palomares was coming off two good victories having stopped 25-2 Carlos Ornelas in June and Czech Martin Parlagi in December. First outing for Ramirez since being knocked out in ten rounds by John Riel Casimero for the WBI interim title in August 2019.

27 March

London, England: Super Middle: Lennox Clarke (20-1-1) W TKO 5 Willy Hutchinson (13-1). Feather: Louie Lynn (9-0) W PTS 10 Sebastian Perez (12-2-1). Heavy: Nathan Gorman (18-1) W TKO 2 Pavel Sour (13-4). Light: Mark Chamberlain (8-0) W KO 1 Jordan Ellison (11-32-2).
Clarke vs. Hutchinson
Clarke proves too strong for Hutchinson and scores a stoppage in the fifth. Hutchinson controlled the action early boxing at distance using his long reach to score with jabs and putting together some significant bunches of punches. Clarke kept walking in but was being made to pay a price being shaken by an uppercut in the second and having to absorb some long hooks and straight rights. A clash of heads saw Hutchinson cut over his left eye and Clarke began to find the target with head punches as he came forward. The fifth round saw Clarke force Hutchinson to the ropes and a thunderous right almost put Hutchinson put on his feet. Clarke managed to land two more head shots as Hutchinson went down. He got up but rightly the referee decided he was not in any condition to continue. Clarke wins both the vacant British and Commonwealth titles. His only loss came against world rated Lerrone Richards for the same two titles in November 2019. Scot Hutchinson, a former World Youth champion, is 22 and showed good skills and power and will rebound from this.
Lynn vs. Perez
Lynn wins his first title in his first ten round fight as he outworks Spaniard Perez. Lynn set a fast pace from the off and Perez just could not match him. Perez had some good spells but nowhere near enough to threaten Lynn’s dominance and the Surrey man was a clear winner. Scores 100-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Lynn. He had won seven of his eight victories inside the distance so this longer fight was useful experience for him. In his last fight in December 2019 Perez had lost a close decision to unbeaten Frenchman Elie Konki for the European Union title.
Gorman vs. Sour
Gorman scores five knockdowns in under four minutes to stop Sour. Gorman shook Sour with a right in the first and then put him down with a strong left jab. Sour got up but was down twice more before he connecting with a good right at the bell. Gorman put Sour twice with rights early in the second and the referee waived the fight over. Gorman, 24, is putting his house in order after a fifth round kayo loss against Daniel Dubois and this is win No 2 on his way back. Sour was stopped early in his career by Filip Hrgovic and more recently suffered back-to back losses against Jermaine Franklin and Hughie Fury
Chamberlain vs. Ellison
Chamberlin wipes out experience Ellis with a body shot. Chamberlain towered over Ellison and used his longer reach to land some southpaw lefts. He forced Ellison to the ropes and connected with a rib bending left which saw Ellison drop to his knees writhing in agony and he was counted out. All five of the former English amateur’s quick wins have come in the first round. Ellison is 0-11-1 in his recent activity with 9 of those losses against unbeaten fighters.

Accra, Ghana: Super Fly: Prince Patel (24-1-2) W TKO 9 Julias Kisarawa (32-8-1). Heavy: Ebenezer Tetteh (21-1) W RTD 6 Haruna Osumanu (11-3). Super Bantam: Isaac Sackey (25-1-1) W PTS 12 Gabriel Odoi Laryea (21-5-2).
Patel vs. Kisarawa
Patel halts Tanzanian Kisarawa in the ninth to win the vacant Commonwealth title. From the start Patel used his hand speed and good movement to outboxed the limited Kisarawa. The Tanzanian did a bit better as they traded punches in the second but it was obvious he lacked the power to trouble Patel. After fighting southpaw for two rounds Patel switched guard in the third and scored well with body punches. Kisarawa kept busy in the fourth but Patel hurt him with some solid rights. Patel upped his pace and put Kisarawa down in the fifth and applied more pressure after the eight count. Kisarawa went down on one knee in the sixth under a shower of punches but survived to the bell. Patel continued the pressure in the seventh and eighth and in the ninth as Kisarawa was stumbling with exhaustion and hardly able to lift his hands the referee stopped the fight. Patel was just too good for a very limited and sloppy Kisarawa as he gets his nineteenth inside the distance win. Patel covered all of the bases winning the vacant Commonwealth title but also the WBO Global, WBO African, WBA Inter-Continental and IBF Continental titles. Kisarawa lacked the skill or power to pose a threat but at least he did better than when facing Patel in 2018 when he was halted in five rounds.
Tetteh vs. Osumanu
Tetteh was giving away 40lbs in this fight but that just meant he was facing an obscenely overweight 40-year-old Osumanu. It took Tetteh a little while to get rolling but he eventually wore down Osumanu who retired at the end of the sixth round. Tetteh lifts the WBA Pan African title but some realism entered his heavily padded record when he was stopped inside a round by Daniel Dubois in September 2019. Both of Osumanu’s losses have been retirements.
Sackey vs. Laryea
No problems for Sackey as he retains his WBO African title winning every round. Scores 120-108 for Sackey from the three judges. Sackey,26, was 22-0-1before being knocked out by the very useful Wasiru Mohammed in 2018 and this is his third win as he re-establishes himself. Former Commonwealth title challenger Laryea put together a 16-0-2 run but then suffered losses when overmatched against Martin Ward and Albert Pagara.

Lanus, Argentina: Super Bantam: Alberto Melian (9-2) W PTS 10 Frency Fortunato (10-1). Welter: Alberto Palmetta (17-1) W KO 2 PTS 10 Jose Herrera (35-12).
Melian vs. Fortunato
Melian overcomes a disastrous first five rounds to outpoint Fortunato in a scarp featuring seven knockdowns. Dominican Fortunato had height and reach over Melian and Melian was taking chances to get inside. Just one minute into the second Fortunato floored Melian with a right uppercut. Melian was up quickly but badly shaken. Fortunato chased him around the ring throwing punches and Melina went down on one knee to get some recovery time. He managed to survive with a lot of holding. At the start of the third Fortunato sent Melian to the canvas with two hefty rights to the head. Melian survived again by holding some, moving some and by Fortunato losing his mouthguard. The fourth was a close round but just when Melian seemed to be working his way into the fight he was floored by a right in the fifth. He got up and shook Fortunato later in the round. So five rounds gone, four knockdowns giving Fortunato a 10-7 and two 10-8 rounds with the unofficial scoring having Fortunato 50-41 in front but Melian was still there and about to turn things around. He outpunched a tiring Fortunato in the sixth and seventh and Fortunato went down twice in the eighth partially from punches and partially from exhaustion but made it to the bell. Both were exhausted in the ninth but Melian outpunched Fortunato. In the tenth Fortunato had nothing left and again went down from a mixture of exhaustion and punches but too late for Melian to get the knockout. Scores 92-91 twice and 94-90 for Melian. An amazing comeback from disaster from Melian in a truly dramatic contest. Melian, an Olympian in 2012 and 2016 wins the WBA Inter-Continental title. Fortunato had won 6 of his last 7 fights by KO/TKO and came so close to winning here as well.
Palmetta vs. Herrera
Palmetta scores one punch kayo to retain the WBA International belt. Palmetta was scoring with some left hooks and straight rights in the first with Herrera’s defence looking leaky. Palmetta rocked Herrera a few times in the second before a left to the head dropped Herrera on his back and he just failed to beat the count. Southpaw Palmetta, 30, the WBA No 6, makes it ten inside the distance victories in a row. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games and gold at the Pan American Championships as well as competing at the 2016 Olympics and being a member of the Argentinian Condors in the WSB. Fourth loss in his last five contests for Herrera but against good quality fighters.

Toowoomba, Australia: Heavy: Joe Goodall (7-0-1) W TKO 2 Herman Purcell (17-9).
No big surprise here as Goodall blows away poor Purcell in the second round. With Goodall being 6’4 ½” and Purcell 5’ 9 ½” just landing a punch would be an achievement for Purcell. Goodall was a top level amateur and he had the ability and the power to end this. He floored Purcell twice in the second round. Purcell got up from the second knockdown prepared to tear into Goodall not realising his corner had thrown in the towel and a gutsy Purcell wanted to ignore it and fight on. Goodall wins the vacant Australasian title. In the amateurs he was Australian champion in 2014, 2015 and 2016 a silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the
World Championships. With those credentials a draw with a fighter with a 4-3 record in his last fight in August 2019 was a huge disappointment. However he has since undergone shoulder surgery and is still one to follow. Samoan Purcell had scored victors in each of his last four fights and was No 5 in the Australian ratings.

Brisbane, Australia: Super Light: Jacob Ng (15-0) W PTS 10 Blake Minto (13-2-2).
Entertainer “The Flamingo” Ng continues his 100% record with a wide unanimous verdict over Minto. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-93. Not sure if Ng wore his pink flamingo feathers to the ring but he is not all flash as the tall 26-year-old Gold Coast citizen can fight. A run of 7 wins and a draw had seen Minto climb to No 9 in the Australian rankings.

Roosdaal, Belgium: Welter: Meriton Karaxha (28-5-3) W PTS 10 Emanuele Cavallucci (12-3-1). Super Light: Mohamed El Marcouchi (27-2) W PTS 10 Brice Bula Galo (11-2-1).
Karaxha vs. Cavallucci
Karaxha comes away with a unanimous decision but has to work hard against a quick and clever Italian Cavallucci. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-95. The Albanian Karaxha lifted the vacant IBO International title and now has ten wins and two draws in his last twelve fights. Former Italian champion Cavallucci was 9-1 going in.
El Marcouchi vs. Galo
El Marcouchi also given a harder time than expected but also took the unanimous verdict on scores of 97-92, 97-93 and 96-93 and he wins the IBO Continental belt. The 33-year-old Miami-based El Marcouchi has lost only one of his last twenty-five fights and that was on a disqualification. Belgian-based DRC fighter Galo’s only previous loss was a disqualification against Karaxha and he was on a seven-bout winning streak.

Seine-Saint-Denis, France: Super Welter: Howard Cospolite (19-8-3) W TKO 1 Mahmoud Taha (9-7-3). Super Middle: Gustave Tamba (16-1) W PTS 10 Steven Crambert (8-7). Super Welter: Milan Prat (9-1) W TKO 2 Flavien Bogongo (6-10-4)
Cospolite vs. Taha
Cospolite retains the French title with stoppage of Taha. Cospolite blitzed Taha coming out firing punches. He drove Taha to a corner and had him reeling under heavy fire when the referee stepped in to save Taha. First defence
of the title for 38-year-old Cospolite. He is 0-2-1 in challenges for the European Union title but may yet get a fourth shot. Taha had won his last four fights but here he suffered his fifth inside the distance loss.
Tamba vs. Crambert
French champion Tamba returns to the ring after 14 months and makes a successful second title defence with his second win over Crambert. Tamba had a big edge in skills and easily outboxed Crambert with his better accuracy and higher work rate. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Tamba who extends his winning streak to 14. He had won every round against Crambert when defending his title against him in November 2019. Four losses in his last five fights for Crambert.
Prat vs. Bogongo
Highly rated prospect Prat batters an overmatched Bogongo to defeat in two rounds. The 21-year-old Prat’s loss came last month when he was disqualified after his opponent could not continue following a punch to the back of the head. French amateur champion Prat will be entering the qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics. This is only the second time Bogongo has been beaten inside the distance.

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Light: Omar Aguilar (20-0) W KO 1 Carlos Cardenas (26-19-1).
Aguilar vs. Cardenas
Aguilar again puts on a power show as he hunts down and destroys Cardenas in one round. Aguilar’s long reach gave Cardenas problems as he bobbed and weaved trying to find a way inside. He managed to dart in and land a right but Aguilar was finding the range and letting his rights go. With 25 seconds remaining in the round he landed a left hook that forced Cardenas to the ropes and then connected with a left and a right that dumped Cárdenas on the floor and he was counted out. The 21-year-old from, Ensenada has scored 19 inside the distance wins in his 20 fights with thirteen first round victories. Venezuelan “Prophet” Cardenas somehow did not see this coming. Last time out Cardenas lost a majority decision to 31-1-1 Pedro Campa.

Cebu, Philippines: Feather: Peter Apolinar (14-1) W PTS 10 Juanito Paredes (8-7-1). Light Fly: Mark Vicelles (13-0-1) W KO 4 Arnold Garde (10-11-3). Super Bantam: Arthur Villanueva (33-4-1) W PTS 6 Bryan Tamayo (6-2-2). Light Fly: Mark Anthony Barriga (10-1) W RTD 4 Junuel Lacar (8-7-3).
Apolinar vs. Paredes
Apolinar extends his winning run to nine with victory over Paredes. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for 25-year-old Apolinar. Despite his modest record Paredes had won 5 of his last 6 fights.
Vicelles vs. Garde
Cebu southpaw Vicelles remains unbeaten with fourth round win over Garde. Vicelles had built as comfortable lead before putting Garde down with a left uppercut .Now ten in a row for Vicelles with Garde going in the opposite direction with only one win in his eight most recent outings.
Villanueva vs. Tamayo
Former world title challenger Villanueva returns and gets in six rounds of activity. Tamayo was cut over his right in a clash of heads in the second but it was never really a factor as Villanueva eased his way to victory. Scores 59-53 on the three cards for Villanueva. “King Arthur”, 32, has lost in title shots against McJoe Arroyo, Zolani Tete, and Nordine Oubaali with his other loss being to Luis Nery. This is his first ring action since losing Oubaali in July 2019. Fellow southpaw Tamayo lacked the experience to trouble Villanueva.
Barriga vs. Lacar
Barriga had been out of action even longer than Villanueva so must have been disappointed when Lacar decided to retire after four rounds. The flashy southpaw upped the pace from round to round and a series of punches in the fourth had Lacar looking in trouble and it was no surprise when he retired at the end of the round. In his last fight former Olympian Barriga dropped a split decision against Carlos Licona for the vacant IBF minimumweight title in December 2018 and will be looking to work his into another title shot. Lacar is 1-6 in his last 7 fights now.

Jachranka, Poland: Middle: Fiodor Czerkaszyn (17-0) W PTS 10 Javier Maciel (33-11).Super Middle: Mateusz Tryc (11-0) W PTS 8 Jorge Garbey (6-0-1). Light Heavy: Marek Matyja (19-2-2) W PTS 8 Bartlomiej Grafk (22-39-4
Czerkaszyn vs. Maciel
Czerkaszyn boxes his way to victory over Argentinian Maciel. Czerkaszyn was comfortable working at distance and easily dealing with Maciel’s attacks. Maciel upped his pace pressing harder but counter rights from Czerkaszyn took the fire out of him and he was in trouble after a left hook to the body in the seventh. Czerkaszyn cruised through the last three rounds on his way to victory. Scores 100-90 twice and 98-92 for Czerkaszyn. The 25-year-old Ukrainian-born Pole has wins over experienced opposituion in Kassim Ouma, Wes Capper and Patrick Mendy and revealed after the fight that he had a broken rib in training. Maciel, a WBO middleweight title challenger back in 2011 has lost five in a row.
Tryc vs. Garbey
Tryc too strong for Cuban Garbey. Tryc took the fight to Garbey working with hooks inside. He was credited with a knockdown but it was really a slip and Garbey rocked Tryc with a right in the fourth. Tryc took over again and floored Garbey with a right in the sixth with the bell saving Garbey and the Cuban withstood a fierce attack from Tryc in the eighth. Scores 79-70 from all three judges for former Elite Level amateur Tryc. Spanish-based Garbey was in his first eight round fight.
Matyja vs. Grafka
Matyja gets his third win over Grafka but has to fight hard for it. Matyja got though with some good left hooks to the body and straight rights but his pace dropped in the fourth. He took control again in the fifth but even through Grafka seemed to be tiring he bounced back to take the sixth and was busier over the seventh with Matyja just doing enough to edge the last. Scores 76-74 and 77-75 for Matyja and 77-77. Only one loss in his last eleven outings for Matyja but 0-7-1 in his last 8 for Grafka.

Pamplona, Spain: Super Welter: Jose Suero (7-0-1) W KO 3David Soria (9-1).
A bit of an upset as Suero knocks out champion Soria to win the Spanish title. Suero had Soria on the back foot and often pinned against the ropes in the first two rounds but Soria connected with some good counters to the body. In the third Soria took Suero to the ropes and they both threw rights. Both landed but the power was with one from Suero that floored Soria for the count. The Spanish-based Dominican gets his third win by KO/TKO. Local fighter Soria was making the initial defence of the title and was a big favourite.

Bangkok, Thailand: Fly: Tanes Ongjunta (8-1) W PTS 10 Kompayak (61-12). Super Light: Sangarthit (11-0) W TKO 8 Chonlatarn (61-7).
Ongjunta vs. Kompayak
Time catches up with Kompayak as inexperienced hope Ongjunta scores wide points decision over the former WBC light fly champion. The 5’0 ½” Kompayak just could not handle the height (5’5”) and reach advantages or the speed of his younger opponent. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Ongjunta who has kept busy with four wins in the last five months. This victory nets him the WBA Asia belt. Kompayak, 38, has lost 5 of 6 against modest opposition.
Chonlatarn vs. Sangarthit
Sangarthit gets big win as he stops Chonlatarn in eight. The teenager set too fast a pace for the aging Chonlatarn and scored knockdowns in the seventh and eighth with the fight being stopped after the second knockdown. Sangarthit (Phoobadin Yoohanngoh –I’ll stick with Sangarthit) retains the WBA Asia title. He is just 17 having turned pro at 14. Chonlatarn, 36, lost in title fights against Chris John and Vasyl Lomachenko and also to Miguel Berchelt for the interim WBO super feather title but this is his third inside the distance loss in a row.

March 28

Brussels, Belgium: Light Heavy: Malik Zinad (17-0) W KO 9 Timour Nikarkhoev (22-4). Oscar Ahlin (21-2) W PTS 10 Alpay Yaman (12-2).
Zinad vs. Nikarkhoev
Zinad pulls this one out of the fire with late kayo of Nikarkhoev. It had been a bad tempered match with Nikarkhoev just looking to have built a lead when a crunching right from Zinad put him down on his back. Nikarkhoev got up but stumbled into the ropes and the referee waived the fight over. Libyan-based Maltese Zinad wins the vacant IBO International belt with his fifteenth inside the distance victory. Belgian-based Russian Nikarkhoev was 9-1 in his last 10 fights with the defeat coming on points over twelve rounds against Igor Mikhalkin for the IBO title in July 2019.
Ahlin vs. Yaman
Swedish “Golden Boy” Ahlen floored Yaman in the second and third rounds but Yaman stuck around to the last bell. Scores 99-90 twice and 97-91 for Ahlin. After nine years as a pro he does not seem to have progressed very far due to the poor quality of his opposition. German Yaman no sort of test for Ahlin.

Fight of the week (Significance): Dillian Whyte’s revenge win over Alexander Povetkin could lead to a fight with Deontay Wilder which should be explosive
Fight of the week (Entertainment): A hard choice. Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf was a classic. Anthony Riviere’s French title victory over Khalil El Hadri saw ten hard fought rounds and Zaur Abdullaev vs. Zhora Hamazaryan had quality and last punch drama but I have to go for Alberto Melian vs. Frency Fortunato with seven knockdowns and Melian coming off the floor four times in the first five rounds to emerge the winner.
Fighter of the week: Dillian Whyte for his win over Alexander Povetkin in a must win fight
Punch of the week: Again a number of candidates as Mark Bernaldez flattened Hector Ambriz with a thunderous right and Dmitri Khasiev almost decapitating Vlad Krasnoshein with an uppercut but I go for the right from Edwin Palomares that knocked Cesar Ramirez out cold.
Upset of the week: None really
Prospect watch: British heavyweight David Adeleye 5-0 5 wins by KO/TKO shows considerable power

Observations
Nicknames again Colombian Rodolfo Puente is fooling no one with his “Tsunami” nickname-he is just 5’0” tall and that hardly qualifies as a puddle.
Albanian Meriton Karaxha is stretching the envelope of truth with his “Mister TNT” as he has only nine inside the distance wins in his 36 bouts. That’s just 25% so perhaps he needs to lower his horizon and go for something like “Mr Dull Thud”
They certainly start them young in Thailand with unbeaten prospect Sangarthit turning prom at 14, fighting ten round fights at 16 and beating three-time world title challenger Chonlatarn at 17.
A bit of light comedy in the Melian vs. Fortunato fight. The referee warned Melian for a low punch at the same moment as Fortunato complained about a butt. Gives a whole new meaning to the old one-two.
Troubling to see another set of young Irish boxers fighting in Europe with their results not being recorded. That means that any inside the distance losses for the Irish fighters or their opponents will not appear on either record.