The Past Week in Action 3 June 2024

The Past Week in Action 3 June 202

Highlights:

In the 5 V 5 clash between Queensberry and Matchroom it ends up 5-0 to Queensberry as:

-Dmitrii Bivol retains the IBO and WBA light heavy titles with stoppage of Malik Zinad

-Nick Ball wins the WBA featherweight title with a split decision over champion Raymond Ford

-Zhilei Zhang stops Deontay Wilder in five rounds

-Daniel Dubois halts Filip Hrgovic in eight rounds

– Hamzah Sheeraz beats Austin Williams on an eleventh round stoppage

-Willy Hutchinson outpoints Craig Richards

-Michel Soro and Milan Prat score inside the distance wins in Lyon

-A Polish themed night in New York sees wins for Maciej Sulecki, Przemyslaw Runowski, Piotr Lacz and Georgian Avtandil Khurtsidze but a loss for 30-0 Kamil Laszczyk

Major Shows

JUNE 1

Riyad, Saudi Arabia: Light Heavy: Dmitrii Bivol(23-0) W TKO 6 Malik Zinad (22-1). Heavy: Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1) W TKO 5 Deontay Wilder (43-4-1). Heavy: Daniel Dubois (21-2) W TKO 5 Filip Hrgovic (17-1). Feather: Nicky Ball (20-0-1) W PTS 12 Ray Ford (15-1-1). Middle: Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0) W TKO 11 Austin Williams (16-0). Light Heavy: Willy Hutchinson (18-1) W PTS 12 Craig Richards (18-4-1).

Bivol vs. Zinad

Bivol retains the IBO and WBA titles as he floors Zinad in the first and stops him in the sixth

Round 1

Zinad had the longer reach and made a busy start probing with his jab with Bivol content to block the jab and look for an opening, Bivol began to come forward behind his jab but Zinad connected with a crisp right to the head. Bivol connected with a series of jabs and then stepped in and landed a combination finished off with a left hook that sent Zinad back and as he went down he put his gloves on the canvas to stop himself from going all the way down. He was up quickly and traded punches with Bivol.

Score: 10-8 Bivol

Round 2

Zinad was probing with his jab again. Bivol was blocking Zinad’s jab but was short with his own. Bivol managed to get past Zinad’s jab and land a right. At the end of the round Bivol had his jab on target and just did enough to take a close, low scoring round.

Score: 10-9 Bivol Bivol 20-17

Round 3

Zinad weas again probing with his jab but Bivol quickly forced him onto the back foot with jabs and a straight right. Bivol scored with a couple of quick combinations and upped the pressure on Zinad. His faster hand speed allowed him to get through with his jab and he easily avoided right hand counters from Zinad.

Score: 10-9 Bivol Bivol 30-26

Round 4

Zinad stuck with his jab but Bivol threaded a couple of rights through Zinad’s guard. Both were looking to draw the lead and counter but Bivol’s hand speed saw him doing the better work. Bivol landed a couple of rights and just before the bell Zinad landed a right then taunted Bivol and pushed his head in Bivol’s face, which was not the smart thing to do, and an angered Bivol responded by shoving his head in Zinad’s face. The referee had a word with both boxers over the stupidity at the end of the round. A close round but again one for Bivol.

Score: 10-9 Bivol Bivol 40-35

Round 5

Bivol put Zinad on the back foot again but they were both short with their jabs. Zinad was mixing rights in behind his jab and landed a couple. Bivol was having trouble getting past Zinad’s jab and was nailed with a hard right but just did enough scoring with hooks and nearly dislodging Zinad’s mouthguard with a jab to take another close, low scoring round.

Score: 10-9 Bivol Bivol 50-44

Round 6

Zinad was not backing up but sticking his jab in Bivol’s face trying to line Bivol up for another right cross. Instead, it was Bivol who landed a right to the head. Zinad continued to stand in front of Bivol instead of backing off looking to get through with his right. Once again Bivol’s speed saw him send two rights through Zinad’s defence that had Zinad stumbling back. Bivol jumped on him with two left hooks then bombarded Zinad with a succession of head shots forcing him along the ropes into a corner and Bivol was unloading with both hands on a static Zinad when the referee made a good stoppage. Zinad came in as a replacement for an injured Artur Beterbiev which robbed us of another unifying fight. That fight will be rescheduled for October unless the IBF/WBC or WBO decided to strip Beterbiev for not facing their No 1. Zinad showed good skills and should be rewarded with some good paydays for coming in to face Bivol at short notice.

Zhang vs. Wider

Zhang stops a badly faded Wilder in the fifth. Zhang was poking out his right jab in the opener with Wilder backing off along the ropes into a corner. Zhang fired a right but Wilder skipped away along the ropes. Neither fighter was committing to their jab and Zhang landed a long left. Zhang was walking Wilder down but not throwing punches and Wilder was too worried about counters to throw a punch. Zhang upped the pace in the second forcing Wilder to a corner and connecting with a bunch of punches. Wilder banged back but broke off the exchange. He was soon pinned against the ropes with Zhang firing hooks. Wilder was pawing his left as a range finder but not throwing punches. Wilder connected with a couple of rights in the third but Zhang landed a right that sent Wilder stumbling across the ring. Wilder threw a couple rights but then went into reverse just tentatively pushing out his jab. Wilder finally threw a combination at the start of the fourth but then went back to retreating and waving his jab. Zhang is slow but he did not need to be quick as Wilder was continually backing himself to the ropes and into corners. Wilder fired a couple of jabs then landed a right to the head at the start of the fifth then sprang forward throwing punches with Zhang retreating then holding. Again, Wilder backed himself into a corner then landed a right as he slipped out. Zhang followed and connected with right that sent Wilder stumbling across the ring and down on his back. He grabbed the ropes to drag himself to his feet but was unsteady and the referee waived the fight over. Huge win for Zhang as he rebounds from losing a majority decision against Joseph Parker in March. At 41 he might not yet have to give up dreams of a title shot as he is No 2 with the WBO and who knows what title stripping or title inventing might yet go on. Wider has deteriorated and should retire. He was never a great boxer but his punch helped him out of some holes. He has never been the same since the last two Fury fights. Here he was gun shy and unable to pull the trigger for a punch that might save him.

Dubois vs. Hrgovic

Dubois wears down a bloody and exhausted Hrgovic to win the vacant IBF interim (temporary-see observations) title

Round 1

An aggressive start from Dubois as he came forward behind his jabs throwing rights. Hrgovic was holding his left very low and chucking a whole series of overhand rights forcing Dubois back. They traded punches and Hrgovic was still throwing those rights but neither had landed anything hard yet. They both landed a right then Hrgovic landed a jab and a right. For a change Hrgovic landed a right to the body.

Score: 10-9 Hrgovic

Round 2

Dubois was looking to take the fight to Hrgovic with Hrgovic still throwing rights. Hrgovic let go a couple of combinations but missed. He strode forward landing left hooks to the body forcing Dubois back. They both landed as they traded punches and Dubois got through with a right to the head. They swopped punches at the end of the round with Dubois more accurate and Hrgovic was showing a cut over his right eye caused by a punch

Score: 10-9 Dubois TIED 19-19

Round 3

Dubois was coming forward throwing jabs and trying right hands. Hrgovic was off target with rights then they both jabbed and Dubois landed a right to the head. As they clashed Dubois was warned to be careful with his head. Hrgovic landed rights but Dubois took them well.

Score: 10-9 Dubois Dubois 29-28

Round 4

Dubois much quicker than Hrgovic and setting a fast pace. Hrgovic was making more use of his jab and was easily evading shots from Dubois. He landed a couple of rights to the head that sent Dubois back on his heels and put together a nice combination. He shook Dubois with a couple of rights but DuBois responded with a series of jabs.

Score: 10-9 Hrgovic TIED 38-38

Round 5

Hrgovic jabbed well and connected with a powerful right but Dubois took the punch well. Hrgovic was jabbing strongly and was dangerous with rights and with his trade mark shots to the back of the head with the referee stopped the action to give him a warning. Hrgovic was still bleeding from the cut over his right eye. Hrgovic shook Dubois with a right and Dubois was warned for a low punch but ended the round strongly. Not enough to overcome Hrgovic’s early work and Dubois looked to get away with an attempted head butt.

Score: 10-9 Hrgovic Hrgovic 48-47

Round 6

Dubois picked up from where he left things in the fifth taking the fight to Hrgovic and getting through with jabs. Hrgovic landed a right but Dubois landed two. Hrgovic was just throwing long, off target rights and Dubois was able to get through with rights as Hrgovic was tipping himself off balance. Hrgovic now also had a small cut over his left eye. He looked exhausted and arm weary as he trudged back to his corner at the bell.

Score: 10-9 Dubois TIED 57-57

Round 7

It was all Dubois now. He piled forward behind his jab. He was forcing Hrgovic to the ropes with Hrgovic just covering up and holding. Hrgovic’s jab had gone missing and Dubois had no problem dodging his ponderous rights. He forced Hrgovic to the ropes and banged home body punches with Hrgovic only looking to hold and his left arm was just hanging down by his side unused for defence or offence. Dubois landed a huge right but was then again warned for an attempted butt. He then landed two unanswered hooks before the bell.

Score: 10-9 Dubois Dubois 67-66

Round 8

Dubois could see Hrgovic was ready to be taken and he attacked hard hunting Hrgovic down. Hrgovic was trying to hold and has face was covered in blood. Dubois was driving him to the ropes and unloading with hooks. The referee stopped the action and took Hrgovic over to the ringside doctor who advised the fight be stopped. Hrgovic’s power made him a slight favourite here but Dubois took some hard shots and always came right back punching and forcing Hrgovic to fight at a faster pace than he could match. There is talk of a fight with Anthony Joshua later this year at Wembley Stadium. Hrgovic’s loss helped the IBF out of a hole. There was talk of them stripping Olek Usyk if he did not give Hrgovic a title shot but before the fight they notified the parties that they would recognise Hrgovic vs. Dubois for their interim (temporary title)but Hrgovic has lost his place in the queue.

Ball vs. Ford

In the best fight of the night Ball scored narrow split decision over Fiord to win the WBA title.

Round 1

Ball was giving away 5” in height and Ford had a big edge in reach. Ball likes to be known as “mini Tyson” and was quickly throwing himself forward trying to cut off the ring. He was able to push southpaw Ford to the ropes and get through with a couple of body punches. Ford landed a couple of shots with his left but Ball quickly had him against the ropes scoring with hooks and drilled Fortd with a right to the body.

Score: 10-9 Ball

Round 2

Ball hustled Ford to the ropes and banged home hooks and uppercuts then did the same as they traded in the middle of the ring. Ford landed a pair of useful lefts. They traded punches with both on target but Ball landing more. Ball was firing bursts of punches and at the end of the round pinned Ford against the ropes and threw a series of hooks.

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 20-18

Round 3

Ford was boxing with skill dancing away from Ball’s lunges countering him on the way in and tying him up inside. Ball forced Ford back with a series of punches but Ford banged back with some quick hits to head and body. Ford was showing a cut under his right eye.

Score: 10-9 Ford Ball 29-28

Round 4

Ball scored with a couple of rights and Fiord replied with a left to the body. Ball chased Ford to the ropes and fired punches landing a hard left hook. He continued to let his hands go and again connected with a left hook. Fiord was jabbing well but twice Ball was able to rush him to the ropes and land jolting hooks. Ford was landing some accurate shots but being outworked.

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 39-37

Round 5

Ford was trying to stay in the centre of the ring and was firing quick jabs and straight lefts but Ball’s swarming attacks had him against the ropes and under fire from hooks, uppercuts and straight rights. Ford was too busy defending against the storm of punches from Balk to effectively counter. They traded punches at the end of the round with Ball again out landing Ford.

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 49-46

Round 6

The entertainment level was high as the traded shots at the start of the round. Ford was jabbing well at distance but Ball was darting forward firing pinches and even at distance was finding gaps in Ford’s defence. They traded punches with both scoring but then Ball forced Ford to the ropes and bombarded him with punches.

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 59-55

Round 7

Ford was standing off piercing Ball’s guard with jabs and straight lefts. Ball piled forward taking Ford to the ropes throwing punches. Ford landed a series of punches and Ball responded with hooks straight rights and uppercuts. Ford pierced Ball’s guard with jabs and lefts and then uppercuts and Ball was bleeding heavily from the nose. Ford took over then round forcing Ball back and banging home punches.

Score: 10-9 Ford Ball 68-65

Round 8

Ford was slotting jabs though Ball’s defence then following with straight left’s with a little of the fire missing from Ball. He launched an attack but Ford was targeting Ball’s nose with success with blood spilling from the nose. Ford was dancing away from Ball’s rushes and countering him on the way in. A frustrated Ball threw Ford to the floor.

Score: 10-9 Ford Ball 77-75

Round 9

Ball was starting to pay for the frantic pace he had set and must have been swallowing some blood. Ford was again piercing Ball’s guard with straight shots but Ball had found his fire again and was driving forward firing punches. It was a case of like for like as they both threw bursts of punches in sustained trading with Ford the more precise but Ball throwing more and landing more just doing enough to win a close round in a great scrap. Ford had a cut over his left eye and a swelling there

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 87-84

Round 10

Ford was landing jabs and lefts then darting away from Ball’s attempts to counter. Ball was walking Ford down but the gap between his rushing attacks was increasing and there was less snap in his punches. Ford was spearing Ball with punches then either sliding away from Ball’s punches or tying him up inside.

Score: 10-9 Ford Ball 96-94

Round 11

Ball attacked hard at the start of the round piling forward throwing punches. Ford kept snapping out his jab and rights. Ford was ducking under Ball’s punches and Ball was blocking Ford’s. Ball pinned Ford against the ropes and kept firing but Ford came off the ropes and landed fast accurate shots from both hands. Ball was bleeding from the nose again. His mouth was gaping open and he was wild with his punches as Ford picked him off.

Score: 10-9 Ford Ball 105-104

Round 12

Ford was firing jabs and stepping back to avoid Ball’s charges. When Ball did force Ford to the ropes a right to the head made Ball step back. Ball landed a nice combination and just kept throwing punches with Ford throwing less but with more accuracy. Ball threw himself on Ford just pumping out punches then Ford made some punching space and was landing straight punches on the wild Ball but for me Ball took the last round of a classic clash of styles.

Score: 10-9 Ball Ball 115-113

Official Scorers: Judge Pawel Kardyni 115-113 Ball, Judge Jean Robert Laine 115-113 Ball, Judge Kim Byung-Mu 115-113 Ford.

Ball is a champion less than three months after looking to have been very unlucky to only draw with WBC champion Rey Vargas in a challenge for the WBC belt. His relentless aggression, high work rate and sheer determination won him the title. Ford, 25, was making the first defence of the title and with the scores so close thought he was the winner. He has the skill to work his way to another title fight and to win a title.

Sheeraz vs. Williams

Sheeraz dismantles Williams in a clash of unbeaten prospects. After a close opening round Williams wobbled Sheeraz in the second. Sheeraz recovered and landed a good right. Sheeraz had height and reach over Williams and once he started to make full use of those edges he took control of the fight. He scored heavily with rights on the southpaw Williams in the third and after Williams had landed a big left in the fourth Sheeraz fired back to shake Williams. The fifth saw Williams trying to get past Sheeraz’s jab to work inside but Sheeraz now had the range and was punishing Williams with jabs and right crosses. Sheeraz dominated the sixth. He was scoring repeatedly with his jab and Williams was showing growing damage by his right eye. Sheeraz continued to get through with powerful jabs in the seventh. He was controlling the fight both inside and at distance adding to the damage around Williams’s right eye and there was also blood dripping from the mouth of Williams. With Sheeraz’s advantages in height and reach Williams has no choice but to keep marching forward and he paid the price for that as he was rocked by a right in the ninth. Williams had some success with a left early in the tenth but a right from Sheeraz sent him down to his hands and knees late in the round and only the bell saved Williams. The save lasted less than a minute as in the eleventh Sheeraz shook Williams with an uppercut and then battered Williams across the ring until the referee came in to save Williams. Victories over Dmytro Mytrofanov and Liam Williams have seen Sheeraz rise to No 1 with the WBO and No 2 with the WBC. Zhanibek Alimkhanuly and Carlos Adames are good fighters but Sheeraz would stand a chance against either. Adames defends the WBC title against Terrell Gausha on June 15 and Alimkhanuly puts his IBF and WBO titles on the line against Andrei Mikhailovich next month and the winners should be looking to put their title(s) on the line later in the year so possibilities there for Sheeraz.

Hutchinson vs. Richards

In the opening bout of the Matchroom vs. Queensberry night Scot Willy Hutchinson took a unanimous verdict over Craig Richards. The first round saw Hutchinson just have a slight edge as he landed a couple of nice shots. Hutchinson settled into his game plan in the second and third switching guards and getting through with jabs and some hard rights. Richards was struggling to get into the fight with a confident Hutchinson controlling the action and scoring regularly with overhand rights. He shook Richards with a right in the fourth and landed heavily in the fifth. Richards showed a bit more life in a close sixth and then did enough to earn a share of the seventh. Hutchinson had never gone past seven rounds before and Richards began to find the range with his jab in the eighth although Hutchinson connected with a right late in the round. Richards was beginning to motor in the ninth as Hutchinson’s work rate dropped and he looked to be tiring. War broke out in the tenth as Richards dragged Hutchinson into a ferocious exchange of punches during which they both landed savage shots with Hutchinson looking in serious trouble under Richards onslaught . Knowing he was probably behind Richards was loading up on every punch as he attacked desperately in the eleventh but Hutchinson was still there at the bell and then boxed his way through the twelfth. Hutchinson won on scores of 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112 to lift the vacant WBC Silver belt and gave Queensberry a good start to the evening. Hutchinson suffered his only defeat when he was stopped in five rounds by Lennox Clarke in 2021 in a fight for the vacant British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles. He then moved up to light heavyweight and won and defended once the WBC International title. Richards had given both Dmitrii Bivol and Joshua Buatsi a tough night. In a challenge for the WBA title in 2021 two of the scores for Bivol read 115-113 and 115-114 and against Buatsi in May 2022 two of the scores for Buatsi read 115-113. Richards was inactive in 2023 but had registered a low level win in February.

MAY 31

Lyon, France: Super Welter: Michel Soro (36-4-2) W KO 2 Oziel Santoyo (16-4-1). Middle: Milan Prat (24-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Victor Pinango (12-4). Light: Elhem Mekhaled (17-2) W PTS 8 Eva Cantos (9-16-1). Middle: Ahmed El Mousaoui (35-6-1) W KO 1 Michel Marcano (34-12-1).

Soro vs. Santoyo

Soro finishes Santoya in the second round. Soro was having his first fight since losing a split decision to Magomed Kurbanov in Russia in May last year. Despite that he looked sharp in the first scoring well to head and body. In the second a rib-bending left hook to the body sent Santoyo to the floor writhing in agony and he was counted out. Soro, 36, needs to be more active if he is to get back in the ratings. He was inactive in 2020, lost on a stoppage against Israil Madrimov in his lone fight in 2021, fought a technical draw with Madrimov in 2022 and the Kurbanov fight was his only one in 2023 so four fights in five years. Mexican Santoyo had beaten Omar Chavez and former IBF title holder Carlos Molina but was coming off a defeat.

Prat vs. Pinango

Prat halts Pinango in two rounds in a poor bit of matching. After a slow start Prat exploded late in the first round with a right. Pinango beat the count and only just survived to the bell but did not come out for the second. Prat suffered a stoppage loss against unbeaten Slawa Spomer in October and this is his fourth win as he rebuilds. Pinango, 39, had been knocked out in one round by Amilcar Vidal in October so this result was predictable.

Mekhaled vs. Cantos

Mekhaled boxes her way to victory over Cantos. Mekhaled won convincingly but without really impressing. She was much the better boxer and apart from a couple of close rounds she had the fight well in hand and won on scores of 79-73 twice and 80-782. Mekhaled is a former French, European and temporary (interim) WBC title holder but lost to Alycia Baumgardner for all five featherweight belts in 2023. Spaniard Cantos has now lost her last three fights.

El Mousaoui vs. Marcano

El Mousaoui crushes overmatched Marcano in the first round. The Venezuelan tried to take the fight to the much taller El Mousaoui but had no power. When El Mousaoui opened up it was all over. He shook Marcano with right to the head then landed an uppercut sending Marcano down and out. El Mousaoui had put together an eleven-bout winning streak but then lost in tough fights against Davis Papot, Roarke Knapp and Bakary Samake so a much needed win. Tenth inside the distance loss for Marcano who was outclassed.

New York, NY, USA: Middle: Maciej Sulecki (32-2) W PTS 10 Rowdy Montgomery (11-6-1). Super Feather: Yohan Vasquez (26-5) W TKO 2. Kamil Laszczyk (30-1). Welter: Przemyslaw Runowski (22-2) W RTD 3 Ben Lamptey (14-13-4). Heavy: Piotr Lacz (10-0) W PTS 8 Joe Jones (14-11-1). Super Middle: Avtandil Khurtsidze (34-2-2) W TKO 1 Victor Exner (11-16-2).

Sulecki vs. Montgomery

Sulecki has to get off then floor to outpoint Montgomery. The Pole boxed well behind his jab scoring with following rights but was never comfortable under the sometimes wild shots from Montgomery. Sulecki was badly shaken by a right hook in the fourth and floored by a body punch in the sixth only just beating the count. Sulecki then steadied himself and boxed his way to victory on scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94. His two losses have come on points against Daniel Jacobs in 2018 and Demitrius Andrade in a challenge for the WBO middle title in 2019 but he was inactive in 2022 and this was his first fight for 11 months and at 35 time is not on his side. Montgomery, 38, did not look a threat as Steven Nelson was the only quality opponent he had met and he had been beaten by 8.8 and 10 points on the cards.

Vasquez vs. Laszczyk

Laszczyk loses his unbeaten tag as he is blown away in two rounds by Vasquez. No sign pf the drama to come as they both showed caution at the start of the first. Just before the bell Vasquez landed a heavy combination which sent Laszczyk down. He made it to his feet and the bell went at the end of the eighth count. A left hook from Vasquez put Laszczyk down early in the second. Again, Laszczyk beat the count but was put down by a right hook and the referee stopped the fight without a count. Dominican Vasquez came in on the back of three losses against unbeaten opponents so was due a win. Laszczyk had a couple of useful wins but Had not really been tested and had spent thirteen years getting nowhere .

Runowski vs. Lamptey

After a couple of bumps in the road Runowski gets his second win in a row as he beats Ghanaian Lamptey. Runowski dominated the three completed rounds and Lamptey did not come out for the fourth. Runowski was 17-1 before being floored three times on the way to losing a decision against Josh Kelly. A points less to Michael McKinson followed and there was also a draw with Vlad Gela. Lamptey is 0-4 in fights in the USA.

Lacz vs. Jones

Lacz is known as the “Polish Tyson” and he came forward bobbing and weaving behind a high guard throwing hooks and uppercuts and putting Jones under relentless pressure. Jones spent the whole fight on the back foot unable to keep Lacz out and did a lot of holding for which he was twice deducted a point but he made it to the end. Scores 79-70 twice and 80-69. Lacz was in his first eight round fight and at 5’11 ½” is small for a heavyweight. Jones is 1-6-1 in his last 8 contests.

Khurtsidze vs. Exner

Khurtsidze cuts down Exner in one round. Khurtsidze

was too powerful for the fragile Exner and was working inside with bludgeoning body shots. A right to the ribs dropped Exner but he managed to get up. He had spit out his mouthguard so the referee suspended the count to get it put back in but Exner’s corner pulled their man out of the fight. Khurtsidze, 44, was having his first fight since beating Tommy Langford in 2017 and was to have then challenged Billy Joe Saunders for the WBO middleweight title(see observations). Argentinian Exner was 5” taller than Khurtsidze but that just gave Khurtsidze plenty of body to target

Bundall, Australia: Light: Alexander Devyatov (16-0) W PTS 10 Karthik Kumar (13-2). Super Middle: Rohan Murdock (28-3) W TKO 2 Emmanuel Danso (35-9).

Devyatov vs. Kumar

Russian-born Australian Devyatov wins the vacant WBA Oceania title as he take a wide unanimous decision over Indian Kumar. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. Devyatov had scored twelve in a row by KO/TKO before this fight. Kumar had been stopped in two rounds by Sam Noakes in a fight for the vacant Commonwealth and WBC International titles in April last year.

Murdock vs. Danso

Murdock returns to the winning column with third round stoppage of Ghanaian Danso. Murdock was having his first fight since losing to Christian Mbilli in January. Australia is not a happy place for Danso as he was stopped in the first round by Paulo Aokuso in March.

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Bantam: David Cuellar (27-0) W PTS 10 Jose Velasquez (11-1). Super Middle: Omar Chavez (41-8-1) W KO 2 Michi Munoz (28-19-1). Light: Miguel Esparza (16-0) W TKO 3 John Asprilla (8-3).

Cuellar vs. Velasquez

Cuellar keeps his 100% record with a convincing points win over experienced Chilean Velasquez. Cuellar dominated all the way but found the little Chilean a difficult target at times. He landed plenty of heavy shots but Velasquez has never lost inside the distance. The three judges all scored the fight 99-91 to Cuellar. The 22-year-old “El General” is No 2 with the WBO and No 5 with the WBC. Velasquez lost on points to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in a challenge for the IBF and WBA super bantam titles in 2021.

Chavez vs. Munoz

When your Dad is one of the promoters you should not find yourself up against a beast and Munoz was really a lamb to the slaughter. A right uppercut from Chavez in the second put Munoz down and out. After three losses in a row Chavez has now scored three inside the distance victories in a row, Munoz, 43, has lost his last 9 fights 8 of them by KO/TKO.

Esparza vs. Asprilla

Unbeaten “Fantastico” Esparza scored three knockdowns on the way to third round win over Colombian Asprilla. The 23-year-old from Juarez has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Asprilla had won his last 8 fights but against questionable opposition,

Culiacan, Mexico: Bantam: Alexis Molina (12-0-1) W PTS 10 Juan Ramirez (16-8). Welter: Juan Aldana (18-0) W KO 5 Ramon Barajas (14-37).

Molina vs. Ramirez

Molina remains unbeaten with unanimous verdict over Ramirez. Not a heavy puncher local hope Molina had to settle for boxing his way to a unanimous decision as he gets back on track after a draw in his last fight. No scores available. Ramirez drops to 2-6 in his last 8 bouts.

Aldana vs. Barajas

Aldana, 21, makes it a double for Culiacan as he scores a fifth round kayo over Barajas. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for Aldana and eleven losses in a row for Barajas.

Orlando, FL, USA: Super Light: Kevin Hayler Brown (5-0) W PTS 10 Idalberto Umara (12-3). Heavy: Gurgen Hovhannisyan (6-0) W RTD 2 Luis Pascual (19-11).

Brown vs. Umara

Brown comes off the floor to take a split decision over fellow-Cuban Umara. Brown took the fight to Umara and moved into an early lead but then nearly came a cropper in the fourth when he was dropped heavily by a left hook. Brown got up and made it to the bell. He took a round to settle back into his rhythm but boxed his way to the win without further scares winning 97-92 and 96-93 with the third judge seeing Umara the winner 97-92. Brown was making the second defence of the WBA Continental belt. He was a member of the Cuban team that competed at the Pan American Championships and slipped away during a stopover in Panama. Umara, 23, had won 11 of his last 12 fights.

Hovhannisyan vs. Pascual

A farcical fight saw Armenian giant Hovhannisyan stop overmatched Mexican Pascual. Hovhannisyan was six inches taller than the obese Pascual and put him down in the second round with Pascual retiring at the end of the round. The 26-year-old 6’7” Hovhannisyan has won all six of his fights by KO/TKO taking less than 18 rounds. Pascual has been constantly overmatched but usually goes the distance.

Houston, TX, USA: Super Welter: Andreas Katzourakis (13-0) W PTS 10 Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (20-3). Super Welter: Robert Terry (12-0-1) W PTS 10 Estevan Villalobos (16-3-1).

Katzourakis vs. Abdukakhorov

Katzourakis wins a majority verdict over Abdukakhorov after ten entertaining rounds. Abdukakhorov made the better start outworking Katzourakis in the first. They both scored well in the second with Katzourakis rocking Abdukakhorov badly with a right only for Abdukakhorov to land heavy shots at the end of the round. Abdukakhorov continued his high work rate in the third and looked to have taken the first three rounds by outworking Katzourakis. The fourth saw Katzourakis finish the strongly to edge the round and he was coming forward scoring with hooks forcing Abdukakhorov on to the back foot over the fifth and sixth. Abdukakhorov responded by upping his work rate again over the seventh and eighth and getting the better of the exchanges. The fight swung back to Katzourakis over the last two rounds making it a close one to call but I thought Abdukakhorov had just done enough. Scores 98-92 and 96-94 for Katzourakis and 95-95. The 98-92 looked way out. The Los Angeles-based Greek will advance to the semi-final of a tournament being staged at this Red Owl Boxing Arena where he will face Robert Terry. Abdukakhorov has lost against Cody Crawley and Ve Shawn Owens but looked worth at least a draw in this one.

Terry vs. Villalobos

Terry wins wide unanimous decision over Villalobos. Terry was boxing on the back foot avoiding the crude attacks of Villalobos. He had what skill there was and Villalobos was slow allowing Terry to work with his jab and straight rights without getting dragged inside. Villalobos had some minor success over the sixth and seventh rounds as they traded more but Terry was doing most if the scoring and finished the stronger to win on scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92. Terry a clear winner but his cautious style makes a mockery of his “Tiger” nickname. This was the first fight for Villobos since losing to Frederick Lawson in April last year.

Ta Qali, Malta: Super Middle: Steve Martin (19-6-2) W PTS 10 Scott Dixon (40-13-4).

Not much available on this one except that Martin won the decision over 47-year-old Dixon for the vacant Maltese title. Martin is a former WBFoundation welterweight champion so was fighting three division over his usual weight. Former Commonwealth champion Dixon having only his second fight in eight years.

JUNE 1

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light Fly: Junior Zarate (23-4) W PTS 10 Gabriel Mendoza (32-8-2). Cruiser: Agustin Marini (9-0) W TKO 4 Mariano Gudino (18-9). Minimum: Sol Baumstarh (11-6-1) W PTS 10 Arlenn Sánchez (5-6-4)

Zarate vs. Mendoza

Zarate retains the WBC Latino belt with one-sided victory over Mendoza. Zarate was in charge from the start. He softened up Mendoza with body punches over the first half of the fight then switched to head punches looking for a knockout. Zarate is not a heavy puncher and had to go the full distance. Mendoza was not helped by having shoes that kept slipping on the canvas and he changed footwear for the last five rounds. It made no difference as Zarate won 100-90 on all three cards. Tenth win in a row for Zarate. Former IBF and WBO minimumweight title challenger Mendoza, 45, was coming of a couple of modest wins.

Marini vs. Gudino

Southpaw Marini comes off the floor to stop Gudino in the fourth round. Marini had trouble handling the aggression of the smaller Gudino and was floored by a right to the head in the second. Gudino was attacking Marini with body punches in the fourth when Marini surged forward and landed a fearsome left hook that sent Gudino crashing to the canvas on his back and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Gudino took a long time to recover. Marini wins the vacant Argentinian and WBA Fedelatin titles with his eighth victory by KO/TKO. Fifth inside the distance loss for Gudino who was stopped in two rounds by Jordan Thompson in 2020.

Baumstarh vs. Sánchez

Baumstarh adds the WBC Latino title to the South American one she already holds with a unanimous decision over Sanchez. Baumstarh controlled the early rounds with her jabs and long rights but Sanchez continued to try to hustle the home fighter out of her stride. Over the second half of the fight Sanchez applied plenty of pressure forcing Baumstarh to stand and trade more but Baumstarh held her own and was a good winner. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 as Baumstarh gets her ninth win in a row. Mexican Sanchez just lacked the skill to win this one.

Maria Eszersdorf, Austria: Light Heavy: Constantino Nanga (12-0) W PTS 10 Bernardin Jakaj (16-1).

Mild upset as Nanga outpoints Jakaj. The Angolan-born Swede was able to use his height and long reach to control the fight and had Jakaj rocked on numerous occasions. He looked a clearer winner than the scores of 96-94 twice indicate and the third score of 98-93 was a better reflection of the action.

Vienna, Austria: Heavy: Alexander Nedbei (19-1) W RTD 4 Kenan Penjic (11-7).

Nedbei makes it 15 consecutive wins as he gets an injury victory over Penjic. Bosnian Penjic was unable to come out for the fourth round due to an injury to his right shoulder. Swiss-based German Nedbei , 37, has won all of those last 15 fights inside the distance but against modest opposition. Penjic came in on the back of ten victories but his opposition has been even more modest.

Niagara Falls, Canada: Light: Lucas Bahdi (17-0) W TKO 4 Jose Rodriguez (26-16-1). Super Light: Steven Wilcox(25-4-1) W TKO 7 Jose Castro (19-12-2).

Bahdi vs. Rodriguez

“Prince” Bahdi stops Rodriguez in seven. Bahdi had controlled the fight before putting Rodriguez down with a right to the head. Fourteenth win by KO/TKO for Bahdi. Sixth inside the distance defeat for Rodriguez

Wilcox vs. Castro

Wilcox handed out a steady beating to Castro until the fight was stopped in the seventh. Wilcox is 7-1 in his last 8 fights with the loss being a domestic scrap against Mathieu Germain. Mexican Castro is without a win in his last eight fights.

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Yamato Hata (15-2) W TKO 3 Kosuke Saka (23-8). Feather: Kenji Fujita (7-0) W PTS 12 Rodex Piala (10-1).

Hata vs. Saka

Hata wins the OPBF title as he downs champion Saka in the third round. With 20 wins by KO/TKO Saka was looking to blow away less experienced Hata. Saka was coming forward putting Hata under pressure landing hooks. Hata stayed cool using good footwork to slip Saka’s attacks and countering with southpaw right hooks. Saka kept marching forward ignoring the fact that Hata had won 13 of his 15 victories by KO/TKO. In the third as Saka barrelled forward Hata landed a right hook that put Saka down. Saka made it to his feet but after more punches from Hata the referee stopped the fight. Hata, 27, has lost only one of his last 13 fights. Sixth defeat by KO/TKO for Sata who was defending the OPBF title for the first time.

Fujita vs. Piala

Fujita overcomes the handicap of a broken left wrist to outpoint Filipino challenger Piala and retain the WBO Asia Pacific title. Fujita was credited with a knockdown in the second round when a punch knocked Piala off balance and his gloves touch the canvas, Fujita built on that using his superior skills and quicker hands to build a lead. The wrist injury happened in the seventh and from there Fujita was a one-armed fighter. Piala was able to sweep the last four rounds to make it close but Fujita fought bravely to go the distance despite the injury. Southpaw Fujita won on scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 114-113. He had a successful time as an amateur competing at the world championships but turned pro at 27 after failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Piala lacked the experience to really take advantage of Fujita’s injury.

Neuchatel, Switzerland: Heavy: Nelson Hysa (17-0) W KO3 Jeison Troncoso (12-1).

Albanian Hysa, 39, win the vacant IBO International belt as he kayos Colombian Troncoso in the third. Hysa has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Troncoso’s record hides more than it reveals as eight of his victims had never won a fight.

Fight of the week: (Significance): More than one. Bivol’s win means we will have a Bivol vs. Beterbiev unifier later in the year, Debois win over Hrgovic looks likely to lead to Dubois vs Anthony Joshua and Willy Hutchinson has been rewarded with an invitation from the WBO to fight with Joshua Buatsi for their interim title.

Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Ball vs. Ford was the fight of the night in Riyadh and everywhere else

Fighter of the week: Nick Ball a world title holder at the second attempt with honourable mention to Daniel Dubois for taking whatever Hrgovic threw at him then broking Hrgovic’s body and his spirit

Punch of the week: The left hook from Argentinian Augustin Marini that flattened Mariano Gudino gets my vote but Michel Soro’s left hook to the body that finishes Oziel Santoyo was wicked.

Upset of the week: Dominican Yohan Vasquez had lost his last three fights so his second round stoppage win over 30-0 Kamil Laszczyk was unexpected

Prospect watch: Mexican super bantamweight David Cuellar 27-0 could be fighting for a title next year

Observations

Rosette: To all involved in Riyadh. Money made the show possible but both Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn put some of their top talent on show and at risk. Good night for Frank Warren as Queensberry picked up a $3 million prize. No truth to the rumour that Eddie Hearn is thinking of changing the company name to “Not Such Good Matchroom”

Red Card: To Deontay Wilder who was pitiful. He turned in a non-combatant performance making his fight with Zhang the worst on the show.

-The term interim title is a misnomer. The proper name for it is temporary title as in the English language use of the word interim describes a temporary situation whilst the holder of a position (champion) is not able to carry out his duties(defend his title) but even that is made twisted-speak by the sanctioning bodies because in most cases the temporary title continues to be fought for even after the champion is fit and has defended the real title again. From now on in a protest against bastardisation ( I feel like I might just be a guy in a glass house who threw a stone) of the English language I will always add the name temporary alongside the word interim in the same way that I refuse to use the word No Contest to describe a fight where No Decision is the outcome.

-ANYMORE WINDMILLS AROUND ?WHERE’S MY HORSE AND LANCE?

-I was surprised to see Georgian Avtandil Khurtsidze fighting in New York at the weekend. Back in April 2017 Khurtsidze beat Tommy Langford to win the WBO interim (temporary) title and was scheduled to fight Billy Joe Saunders on 8 July 2017 in London for the real title. That fell apart when Khurtsidze was arrested in June in New York as part of a federal government roundup of 33 people accused of involvement in a New York-based Georgian crime syndicate allegedly involved in racketeering, robbery and murder-for-hire, among other illicit activity. Khurtsidze was found guilty and sentenced to ten years and was also stabbed in the face whilst in a detention centre. He had now been released after serving five years of his ten year sentence. Before beating Langford, he had scored wins over 29-2 Melvin Betancourt and 19-0-1 Antoine Douglas so had earned the title shot but at 44 he may never get a title shot but if so only has himself to blame.

– I sometimes find myself asking “how in heaven did anyone think this match could be anything but a farce?). In Orlando on Friday night Gurgen Hovhannisyan was matched with Mexican Luis Pascual. Hovhannisyan is 6’7” tall. Pascual is 6’1 ½” ” tall but Hovhannisyan weighed 274lbs and Pascual was 293 3/4″lbs. In a fight in 2014 Pascual weighed 174 lbs. That means Pascual was carrying 119lbs additional weight and as he had not grown a couple more legs or had a Naoya Inoue implant he was simply obscenely obese and someone paid a matchmaker to make that fight.