The Past Week in Action 3 May 2022

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:

-Katie Taylor outpoints Amanda Serrano in a dramatic and historic fight and retains the IBF, WBA, WBA and WBO Female lightweight titles

-Shakur Stevenson outclasses Oscar Valdez to unify the WBC and WBO super featherweight titles

– Liam Smith stops Jessie Vargas in a welterweight bout and Galal Yafai stops Miguel Cartagena in two rounds in WBC International flyweight title defence

-Franchon Crews Dezurn outpoints Elin Cederroos to unify the four super middleweight Female titles

-Yves Mendy wins the vacant European lightweight title with a points victory over Gianluca Ceglia

– Former WBO cruiserweight champion Krzys Glowacki returns with a win,

-Top Rank prospects Keyshawn Davis, Andres Cortes, Ray Muratalla, Trot Isley and Nico Ali Walsh all remain unbeaten after wins

– Uzbek super middleweight Azizbek Abdugofurov scores upset points victory over Fedor Chudinov.

– A show in Las Vegas sees the sons of Tommy Morrison, Hasim Rahman, Mike Hunter, Roberto Duran and Gerald McClellan in action

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

April 30

New York, NY, USA : Light: Katie Taylor (21-0) W PTS 10 Amanda Serrano (42-2-1). Super Welter: Liam Smith (31-3-1) W TKO 10 Jessie Vargas (29-4-2). Middle: Austin Williams (11-0) W TKO 1 Chordale Booker (17-1). Super Middle: Franchon Crews Dezurn (7-1)W Elin Cederroos (8-0). Fly: Galal Yafai (2-0)W RTD 2 Miguel Cartagena (17-7-1). Feather: Skye Nicolson (3-0) W PTS 6 Shanecqua Paisley Davis(3-2).

21

Taylor vs. Serrano

Taylor retains the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles with a split decision over Serrano in a fight that exceeded even the highest expectations with Taylor coming back from the brink of defeat to sweep the closing rounds for a famous victory.

Round 1

A fast start with southpaw Serrano coming forward and Taylor boxing on the back foot. Taylor was quicker with her punches scoring with some sharp left jabs using smart footwork to deal with Serrano’s pressure and countering well. Serrano connected with a good left but it was Taylor’s round

Score: 10-9 Taylor                    

Round 2

Serrano did a better job of cutting off the ring in this one and was able to pin Taylor to the ropes and force some furious exchanges . Taylor was showing some clever defensive work. She landed hard counters and more than held her own in the exchanges just doing enough to edge the round.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                     Taylor 20-18

Round 3

The pace was almost frenzied as Serrano ploughed forward in the third. She was farcing Taylor to stand and trade and they were both landing heavily. Taylor continued to show outstanding defensive skills and sharp countering but seemed at one point to be rocked by a left from Serrano.

Score: 10-9 Serrano                   Taylor 29-28

Round 4

Another exciting all-action round. Taylor chose to stand and trade more with both ignoring defence and letting their punches go and in a free-for-all approach. Taylor was that bit more accurate which gave her the edge. She had a small cut over her right eye.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                     Taylor 39-37

Round 5

What a round ! A big one for Serrano. She trapped Taylor in a corner and they just blazed away. Suddenly Serrano was the one landing the heavier shots and Taylor was unsteady on her legs. Serrano smashed home head punch after head punch with Taylor bowing her head under the storm and looking ready to go down. Instead she somehow stayed up and pumped out enough punches to convince the referee she was still in the fight but a huge round for Serrano and I felt it was worthy of a 10-8 without a knockdown. For the first time in the fight Taylor sat down when she returned to her corner.

Score: 10-8 Serrano                          TIED 47-47

Round 6

Serrano came out looking to end things and she had Taylor reeling under punches. Taylor firstly survived and then did more than survive. Serrano continued to pump out punches but Taylor forgot about boxing and stood and slugged her way back into the fight although it was clearly Serrano’s round

Score: 10-9 Serrano                   Serrano 57-56

Round 7

Taylor went back to her boxing. She was on the back foot spearing Serrano with jabs and getting through with right crosses, Serrano had put in huge effort in the fifth throwing over one hundred punches and now she was slower and her output dropped although she landed one of the best shots in the fight a left to Taylor’s body it was Taylor’s round.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                             TIED 66-66

Round 8

Serrano tried to chase Taylor down in the round but she was now not quick enough. Taylor was stepping forward a jab and a right and moving before Serrano could react. Serrano did manage to get Taylor to stand trade occasionally but the snap had gone out of Serrano’s punches and Taylor was more accurate.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                     Taylor 76-75

Round 9

Brilliant boxing from Taylor. She was choosing her moment to drat in with a flurry of punches and getting out before Serrano could counter. Serrano was landing some hard shots but Taylor was constantly moving picking Serrano off with jabs and finding the target with lead rights.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                     Taylor 86-84

Round 10

It was chuck em’ and don’t duck em ‘in the last. Both fighters just threw punch after punch with their arms too busy attacking to defend. Serrano was cut over her right eye in the frenzied trading and Taylor landed the cleaner shots and took the round.

Score: 10-9 Taylor                             Taylor 96-93

Official Scores: 97-93 and 96-94 for Taylor and 96-94 for Serrano.

This one will go down in boxing history. A dramatic battle between two of the best female fighters in the world giving everything they had in a dramatic battle that somehow lived up to all the hype and hope surrounding it. There was some controversy over the decision but the deciding factor was Taylor’s strength and stamina. Two judges gave Taylor the last four rounds. One gave her three of the last four rounds and one scored the fifth round 10-8 for Serrano. A return would be huge and Serrano certainly deserves one.

Smith vs. Vargas

Smith continues to work his way back into the title scene with a stoppage of Vargas. It was Vargas who made the more impressive start. He was fast and accurate with his jabs and finding Smith with some choice uppercuts and overhand rights. That gave Vargas the first two rounds. Smith was cut over his right eye in the third a round in which both had some success as they interchanged punches with Vargas countering well but unable to keep Smith off. The fourth again saw Smith taking the fight to Vargas who was spending much of the round with his back against the ropes. Vargas bombarded Smith with a burst of punches that had Smith bowing his head under the storm and then firing back scoring with clubbing rights. The fifth was close but Smith was in control over the sixth and seventh taking the fight to Vargas and connecting with overhand rights and left hooks to the body. There were clear signs in the eighth that Vargas was slowing. He was spending more and more time pinned to the ropes as Smith was ripping punches through his guard and he was also cut above his left eye. Smith continued to hound and pound Vargas through the ninth and as he was pouring on the punches in the tenth the referee stopped to fight. The former WBO super welter title holder looked unfortunate to lose a close decision to unbeaten Magomed Kurbanov in May last year but had rebounded with a stoppage of Anthony Fowler in October and was No 4 with both the WBC and WBO going into this fight. Former WBO welter title holder Vargas was having his first fight for 14 months and looked very battle weary and tattered around the edges.

Williams vs. Booker

Williams blows away unbeaten Booker inside a round. The tall, flashy, Williams tore into Booker bombarding him with punches. Booker managed to land some counters but the onslaught from Williams drove him to the ropes and William’s unloaded with punch after punch with Booker almost slipping out of the ring through the ropes. He managed to right himself but more overhand rights from Williams again sent him sitting on the ropes and when he pulled himself upright the referee started a count but with Booker stumbling noticeably the fight was stopped. Williams, who has fought twice in London, impressed and is worth following as this is his ninth win by KO/TKO and his fifth first round win. He collects the vacant WBA Continental Americas title. Booker, also a southpaw, was caught cold by the ferocity of the attack from Williams.

Crews-Dezurn vs. Cederroos

In a towering performance Crews-Dezurn becomes the first female boxer to unify the four Female titles at super middle with a wide unanimous verdict over Swede Cederroos. The Swede was having her first fight since unifying the IBF and WBA versions in January 2020 and although having the advantage of a longer reach a sluggish start left him chasing the fight. Crews-Dezurn was finding the target with overhand rights and left hooks and Cederroos was bleeding from the nose by the third round. There were plenty of exchanges but Crews-Dezurn was winning them all. Cederroos had a good fourth and fought hard all the way to retain her titles but was outscored by the busier, quicker and more accurate Crews-Dezurn. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93. After losing every round against Clarissa Shields in her first pro fight Crews-Dezurn went on to win the WBC and WBO titles. She was beaten in a title defence by Alejandra Jimenez but the fight result was changed to No Decision when Jimenez tested positive for a banned substance. With a bit more activity Cederroos could be challenge for her old titles in the future.

Yafai vs. Cartagena

Yafai overwhelms Cartagena. Yafai stated at a furious pace forcing Cartagena around the ring scoring with straight rights and left hooks. Cartagena landed couple of counters but was too busy defending himself to launch and form of attack. The speed and variety of Yafai’s punches bewildered Cartagena. Yafai continued the punishment in the second with Cartagena twice slipping to the canvas but not being given a count. Yafai was ripping punches home and Cartagena took a solid beating with his head being jarred numerous times before his corner retired him at the end of the round. Successful first defence of the WBC International belt by the Tokyo gold medallist. Cartagena, a former National Golden Gloves and US champion   was considered a good prospect as he won his first twelve fights but current form of 5-7-1 tells its own story.

Nicolson vs. Davis

Australia’s female Commonwealth Gold Medal winner Nicolson floors and outpoints Davis. Southpaw Nicolson dropped Davis in the sixth and won on scores of 60-53 on all three cards. The 26-year-old Queenslander was a bronze medallist at the World Championships and won 107 of her 140 amateur fights but lost to Britain’s Karriss Artingstall in the Tokyo Olympics.

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Shakur Stevenson (18-0) W PTS 12 Super Feather: Oscar Valdez (30-1). Super Feather: Andres Cortes (17-0) W KO 6 Alexis del Bosque (18-6-1). Light: Ray Muratalla (14-0) W KO 3 Jeremy Hill (16-3). Light: Keyshawn Davis (5-0) W TKO 6 Esteban Sanchez (18-2). Middle :Troy Isley (5-0)W KO 2 Anthony Hannah (3-3). Middle: Nico Ali Walsh (5-0) W TKO 1 Alejandro Ibarra (7-2).

Stevenson vs. Valdez

Stevenson produces a boxing master class as he outboxes and outscores WBC title holder Valdez to unify the WBO and WBC titles.

Round 1

Stevenson kept his right jab in Valdez face and then followed in with lefts to the body. Valdez was coming in behind a high guard bobbing looking to get under Stevenson’s jab. Stevenson was too quick and Valdez was throwing himself off balance trying to close on Stevenson but not getting there fast enough.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson

Round 2

Valdez did a little bit better in the second managing to get within punching distance. Stevenson continued to probe and score with his jab and was firing quick burst of punches through Valdez guard and doing most of the scoring

Score 10-9 Stevenson         Stevenson 20-18

Round 3

Valdez altered his tactics at the start of this round. He was waiting and letting Stevenson come to him and he had some success with counters as Stevenson tried to adjust. Later in the round Valdez connected with a number of lefts and took the round even though Stevenson landed a cluster of shots late.

Score: 10-9 Valdez             Stevenson 29-28

Round 4

Stevenson was back in control. Again he kept his right jab in Valdez face and then followed behind it with straight lefts to head and body. Valdez managed to trap Stevenson in a corner briefly and landed some body punches but other than that Stevenson was picking his spots and getting through with bundles of punches.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 39-37

Round 5

A close round. Valdez attacked hard managing to get past the jab a couple of times and score to the body and also landed a hard left to the head. Stevenson was warned a few times for just sticking out a stiff right arm and keeping it there instead of actually using it as a jab. Stevenson put some good work late in the round but Valdez just had the edge.

Score: 10-9 Valdez             Stevenson 48-47

Round 6

Valdez’s corner actually forgot to put his mouthguard in! Valdez lunged forward but Stevenson side-stepped and landed a left to the head and Valdez bounced  into the ropes and out again. As he came out Stevenson threw a left which landed on Valdez shoulder and Valdez went into the ropes again  this time on a lower rope and his right glove rested on the canvas. The referee applied a count despite protests from Valdez. Stevenson commanded the rest of the round connecting persistently with straight lefts.

Score: 10-8 Stevenson        Stevenson 58-55

Round 7

Stevenson boxed his way through this one. He was finding gaps for his jabs and slotting home straight lefts in twos and threes. Vargas was too often stuck on the end of Stevenson’s right with the referee twice warning Stevenson for stiff-arming Valdez. Stevenson was more on the front foot driving Valdez back with jabs and lefts.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 68-64

Round 8

A close round as Valdez had some early success with his lunging attacks firing salvos of hooks inside. Stevenson continued to pick Valdez off with jabs and single lefts then firing home short, accurate bursts of punches before finishing the round with more hard, single lefts.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 78-73

Round 9

Valdez just could not get past Stevenson’s jab. He was stuck out there being caught with jab after jab usually followed by a series of straight lefts. When he did lunge forward he was walking on to hooks and uppercuts and relying on wild swipes which Stevenson easily evaded.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 88-82

Round 10

A better round for Valdez. He was able to get inside as Stevenson’s output dropped. Valdez connected with series hooks and uppercuts and although Stevenson picked up his pace briefly Valdez continued to land rights.

Score: 10-9 Valdez             Stevenson 97-92

Round 11

Too  often Valdez was static in front of Stevenson who was able to score with batches of punches to head and body. Stevenson was given what looked like a final warning for his use of the stiff- arm but he was jarring Valdez time and again with combinations.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 107-101

Round 12

Valdez strived to produce a strong finish but Stevenson did the cleaner scoring and he smothered Valdez’s attempts to get inside before lashing out with more combinations to finish with a flourish

Score: 10-9 Stevenson        Stevenson 117-109

Official Scores: 118-109 twice and 117-110 all for Stevenson

Not a great fight as Valdez was never quick enough to really threaten Valdez  and he chased in vain all night. A brilliant display of boxing skills from Stevenson. Now a two-division title winner Roger Gutierrez and IBF’s Kenichi Ogawa he would be a heavy favourite to beat both WBA title holder and neither WBC No 1 O’Shaquie Foster (Box Rec No 6) or WBO No 1 Archie Sharp (Box Rec No 45) are at a level where they would pose serious problems-or make attractive matches for Stevenson but a quality–packed lightweight division is another matter altogether. Valdez disappointed against Robinson Conceicao in September and was largely outclassed here but would probably start favourites against Gutierrez, Ogawa, Foster and Sharp if he decides to continue his career. That stiff-arm tactic of Stevenson looked ingrained and now more officials will be aware of him using it so he might be under scrutiny for that tactic.

Cortes vs. del Bosque

After destroying Filipinos  Genesis Servania (34-2) and Mark Bernaldez (23-4) Cortes decided to try a Mexican diet and knocked out a very competitive del Bosque. With a six-inch height advantage it might have been expected that del Bosque would prefer to fight outside but Cortes applied plenty of pressure and del Bosque chose to stand and fight. Cortes took the first two rounds with del Bosque cut over his left eye in a clash of heads but del Bosque had a good third. In the fourth Cortes connected with a series of head punches then a left hook to the body and del Bosque dropped to one knee for a count but then bounced back trading punches to the bell. They traded punches through the fifth with Cortes landing some strong overhand rights but del Bosque refusing to crumble. Early in the sixth two rights to the head sent del Bosque tumbling forwards to the floor. He pushed himself up but was on wobbly legs and the fight was stopped. Cortes, 24, gets win No 10 by KO/TKO. A gutsy del Bosque was 5-0-1 before this one.

Muratalla vs. Hill

Muratalla makes it nine inside the distance wins in a row with victory over Hill in three rounds. Hill touched down briefly in the first from a right and was given a count.  Hill recovered and fought back but had to absorb a succession of punches throughout the second. Muratalla provided a stunning finish in the third. Again he was scoring heavily and dug a left hook to the body that had Hill hurt and backing to the ropes. Muratalla stepped in with a fearsome left uppercut followed by a right to the head that sent Hill down. The referee suspended the count as he saw Hill needed medical attention. Muratalla, 25, impresses and will just move onwards and upwards. First inside the distance loss for Hill.

Davis vs. Sanchez

Davis stops a determined Sanchez in six rounds. Davis is so talented that it is going to be difficult to hold him back. A good problem for a promoter. After a feeling out start Davis began to dominate as he was too mobile and too quick for Sanchez. A good left hook in the third was the best punch landed by Sanchez but even then Davis landed an even better one. After boxing on the back foot Davis picked up the pace in the fourth and was going forward driving home hooks and uppercuts in the fifth with the referee looking close tom stopping the fight on a couple of occasions. The punch stats showed Davis had thrown 61 power punches in the fifth and scored with 36 of them so almost a 60% accuracy rate. To his credit Sanchez took the fight to Davis in the sixth until a  barrage of hooks and uppercuts had him reeling and the referee stepped in to save Sanchez. There will be sterner test for Davis who won silver medals at the Pan American Games, World championships and Tokyo Olympics losing to Cuban start Andy Cruz in each tournament but he has the talent to be a title holder-very soon. Sanchez was gutsy but outclassed,

Isley vs. Hannah

“Transformer” punches too hard for Hannah. Isley shook Hannah with hard shots in the first and then floored him twice in the second with the full count being applied after the second knockdown. Isley, 23, won bronze medals at the World Championships and Pan American Games and competed at the Tokyo Olympics.

Walsh vs. Ibarra

Walsh finishes Ibarra in the opening round. Walsh was boxing on the back foot piercing Ibarra’s guard with jabs and right crosses. Ibarra landed a couple of nice left hooks  but with about 20 seconds remaining in the round Walsh landed a strong left hook to the head followed immediately by a booming overhand right which sent Ibarra to the canvas on his back and the referee did not need to count. Fourth win by KO/TKO for the grandson of Muhammad Ali

 

April 29

 

Budakalasz, Hungary: Super Welter: Balasz Bacskai (16-0) W PTS 10 Xavier Kohlen (11-1). Super Welter: Laszlo Toth (31-6-2) W PTS 8 Pablo Mendoza (10-11). Super Feather: Roland Galos (1-0) W PTS 6 Marius Col (2-9). Light Heavy: Mate Kis (19-1-2) W TKO 3 Bosco Misic (24-18).

Bacskai vs. Kohlen

Bacskai wins the vacant IBO International belt with a wide unanimous verdict over Dutchman Kohlen. Bacskai seemed to have Kohlen inn trouble a few times in the fight but each time Kohlen fought back hard and had enough left to take the points for the last round. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93. It is a pity that the 34-year-old Hungarian left it so late to join the professional ranks. First fight outside of Holland for Kohlen a former Dutch amateur champion.

Toth vs. Mendoza

The experienced and much travelled Toth wins every round against a dangerous Mendoza. All ten of the Nicaraguan’s wins have come by KO/TKO so Toth boxed sensibly taking no chances. He dropped Mendoza in the sixth and won on scores of 80-71 on all cards.

Galos vs. Col

Olympian Galos turns professional with points win over Moldovan Col. Galos was too quick and too clever for consistent lose Col. All three judges score it 60-54 for Galos, 26, an Elite level amateur who was the only Hungarian male boxer to make it Tokyo and has said he intends to dip back in amateur tournaments.

Kis vs. Bosco

Kis returns to the professional side of the business with stoppage of Bosnian Misic. One knockdown in the second and two in the third saw the fight stopped. The only loss suffered by Kis was stoppage by Istvan Szili which snapped a nineteen-bout unbeaten run.

 

Prato, Italy: Super Welter: Orlando Fiordigiglio (35-3) W PTS 10 Marco Papasidero (10-3-4). Bantam: Mohammed Obbadi (23-2) W KO 6 Patrick Bartos (18-22).

Fiordigiglio vs. Papasidero

Fiordigiglio, 37, wins the Italian title again as he scores a unanimous verdict over champion Papasidero. Fiordigiglio used his greater experienced and better skills but Papasidero’s constant aggression took the fight to Fiordigiglio and although Fiordigiglio won clearly he had to fight hard in every round. Scores 99-91, 97-93 and 96-92 but the first score was harsh on Papasidero who was making the first defence of the title. Fiordigiglio first won this title in 2013.

Obbadi vs. Bartos

Obbadi rebounds from his loss to Jade Bornea in January with kayo of Czech Bartos. Obbadi shook Bartos early and the Czech was then looking  to spoil and brawl. The power of Obbadi’s shots slowed Bartos and a left uppercut put him down and out in the sixth.

 

Coyoacan, Mexico: Super Welter: Diego Carmona (12-1) W RTD 6 Alberto Mosquera (27-5-2, 2ND).

After a slow start Carmona breaks down Panamanian Mosquera. Over the opening three rounds Mosquera worked inside connecting with body punches. From the fourth the tall Carmona managed to create some punching room and then he was the one landing weakening body punches. He kept up the pressure scoring with bunches of hurtful hooks and Mosquera’s problems increased when a punch opened a cut over his right eye in the sixth and the fight was stopped when the doctor examined the cut before the start of the seventh. Carmona was in his first scheduled ten round fight and wins the vacant WBA Fedecentro belt. Mosquera was unbeaten in his first 25 fights and had won 5 of his last 6.

 

Bella Vista, Panama: Feather: Rafael Pedroza (13-0) W PTS 10 Hector Sosa (13-1). Welter: Alexander Duran (21-0) W PTS 8 Edwin Bennett (15-3). Welter: Roiman Villa (23-1) W RTD 3 Jesus Bravo (19-6-1). Super Fly: Ronal Batista (14-2)W PTS 8 Ramses Perez (8-1). Bantam: Edgar Valencia (15-5-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Luis Robles (14-2).

Pedroza vs. Sosa

Pedroza wins the WBC Latino title as he scores a points victory over Argentinian Sosa. Pedraza had height and reach over Sosa and was able to work at distance in the first half of the fight additionally Sosa cut badly over his right eye in a clash of heads in the fourth. Pedroza scored heavily in the fifth but in the second half of the fight Sosa stepped up the pressure and Pedroza was cut on his right cheek. The home fighter did enough to have the fight won going into the tenth but a combination from Sosa sent him staggering across the ring and almost down but he made it to the bell. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Pedraza. First ten round fight for WBA No 9 Pedraza. Sosa is a former South American champion.

Duran vs. Bennett

Southpaw Duran returns to action with comfortable points win over Ecuadorian Bennett. Duran dictated the fight outboxing Bennett with ease finding gaps for his southpaw jabs and putting together some flashing combinations with Bennett having problems getting past the longer reach of Duran Bennett woke up in the eighth but too little and much too late. With all three judges scoring it 80-72. First fight for Duran since December 2019. Bennett has gone from 12-0 to 2-3 against tougher opposition.

Villa vs. Bravo

Venezuelan puncher Villa showed his power again with inside the distance win over Peruvian Bravo. Villa dealt out steady punishment over the first two rounds. A left to the head sent Bravo tumbling head first into the ropes in the second and he was given a count. A right to the head then put him on the floor again. He was up at nine and lost a point for spitting out his gumshield and did not come out for the fourth round. The 20-year-old Villa lost a very controversial split decision in Mexico to Marcos Villasana Jr but he has a 95.8 % record for inside the distance wins as all 23 of his wins have come by KO/TKO.  Fifth consecutive defeat for Bravo.

Batista vs. Perez

Local fighter Batista take unanimous decision over Mexican Perez. In a competitive fast-paced fight Batista constantly found the target with his jab/straight right combination and had the better defensive skills. Perez landed some hefty shots of his own but not enough. Scores 78-74 twice and 80-72 for Batista. Only one defeat in his last 12 bouts for Batista and that was against Russian Mikhail Aloyan for the WBA Gold title in December 2019. Perez’s opposition has been very low level.

Valencia vs. Robles

Valencia outpointed Robles. The local boxer took the split decision in their bantamweight contest although Mexican Robles dropped him with a left hook in the sixth. Scores 77-74 and 76-75 for Valencia and 77-74 for Robles who had won his last 12 fights.

 

Krasnogorsk, Russia: Super Middle: Azizbek Abdugofurov (14-1) W PTS 10 Fedor Chudinov (25-3-1). Heavy: Maxim Babanin (4-0) W T KO 3 Evgeny Orlov (17-18-1).

Abdugofurov vs. Chudinov

Major upset as Uzbek Abdugofurov wins unanimous decision over world rated Chudinov. Abdugofurov’s mobility and hand speed proved the defining element in the fight. Chudinov has never been quick and he has slowed with time. Uzbek Abdugofurov boxed cleverly scoring well on the advancing Chudinov and when forced to the ropes blocked many of Chudinov’s punches and took advantage of gaps in Chudinov’s defence. Unfortunately he did lots of holding to stifle Chudinov’s attacks and lost a point in the eighth for that and his negative tactics did not please everyone. Chudinov had Abdugofurov under heavy with clubbing hooks late in the fight  but Abdugofurov deserved the decision. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 97-93 for Abdugofurov. Huge win for Abdugofurov but the result probably said more about Chudinov than former WBC Silver title holder Abdugofurov who had been outclassed by Pavel Silyagin in his last fight in March 2021. At 34 Chudinov is not going to improve. Abdugofurov has offered Chudinov but a down Chudinov hinted he could start thinking of retirement.

Babanin vs. Orlov

Babanin was giving away almost 10” in height and 50lbs but they were more of a hindrance than a help to Orlov. Babanin was able to score easily on the glacially slow Orlov and ended the fight in the third with a some clubbing head punches and a straight right to the body and the towel came in. Now 33 Babanin had a great time as an amateur scoring wins over Frazer Clarke, Joe Joyce, Jose Larduet , Guido Vianello and Viktor Vykhryst. He won bronze medals at the World and European championships but turning pro so late, standing 6’0” and weighing around 250lbs will all count against him.

 

Moscow, Russia: Middle: Andrey Sirotkin (20-2-1)W PTS 10 Viktar Murashkin (4-3).

Sirotkin given more trouble than anticipated against Belarusian Murashkin who was coming off a good win over 20-2 Stanyslav Skorokhod in December. Murashkin scored heavily in the early action but Sirotkin worked his way into the fight pacing it better and winning the unanimous decision. No scores available. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw, a police officer and former world kickboxing champion, fought a draw with Danny Dignum in April last year but lost to Meiirim Nursultanov in March.

 

Bloemfontein, South Africa: Middle: John Bopape(11-8) W KO 11 Nkululeko Mhlongo (23-9-1).

Mhlongo fails to get revenge for a previous points defeat  and loses his national title.  Bopape’s youth and power prove too much for Mhlongo. Bopape caught up with Mhlongo in the eleventh round flooring Mhlongo twice with Mhlongo counted out on the second knockdown. Very much an in-and-out performer but a dangerous punches Bopape gets his tenth win by KO/TKO. He had won a split decision over Mhlongo in a non-title fight in February 2021. Only the second inside the distance loss for Mhlongo, 40, a former South African super welterweight champion.

 

Phoenix, AZ, Super Bantam: Angel Contreras (13-5-2) W PTS 8 Darren Cunningham (15-2).

Mexican Contreras tears up the script with majority decision over Cunningham. Contreras forced the fight from bell to bell getting inside and cramping Cunningham’s style and getting the better of the fiery exchanges in an entertaining scrap. It looked close and Contreras staged a big finish in the last shaking Cunningham a couple of times. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Contreras and 76-76. Contreras was 1-3-1 going in but he had met a much higher level of opponent than Cunningham

 

Springfield, MA, USA: Light Heavy: Richard Rivera (21-0,1ND) W KO 3 Fidel Monterrosa (40-29-1,1ND). Super Middle: Kendrick Ball (18-2-2) W TKO 5 Ronald Montes (19-16-1)

Rivera vs. Monterrosa

Rivera gets another quick win as he stops seasoned Colombian Monterrosa in three rounds. Rivera had Monterrosa down in the second but the Colombian survived. In the third an attack from Rivera forced Monterrosa to go down on one knee.  When he got up he was sent sprawling and almost out through the ropes and the referee halted the fight. “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera has 16 inside the distance victories but an inside the distance win in 2018 was changed to No Decision which is never a positive sign-or perhaps it is a “positive” sign. Poor Monterrosa has won only one of his last 12 contests, with ten of his losses by KO/TKO.

Ball vs. Montes

Ball gets back into the winners ranks as he stops Montes in five rounds. After four fairly even rounds Montes looked to have floored Ball with a body punch in the fifth. Instead the referee ruled the punch was low and deducted a point from Montes. A fired up Ball went after Montes drove him to the ropes and was banging home punches until the referee stopped the fight. First fight for local hope Banks since a surprise ninth round stoppage defeat against Mike Guy in November. Just one win in his last eleven fights for Colombian Montes.

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light: Keith Hunter (15-1) W Pts 10  Demarius Driver (12-1). Heavy: James McKenzie Morrison (20-0-2) W TKO 5 Hasim Rahman Jr (12-1). Super Welter Sharif Rahman (6-0) W PTS 6 Reyes Sanchez (7-2). Welter: Arturo Moreno (6-0) W PTS 6 Alcibiade Duran (9-2). Cruiser: Gerald McClellan Jr. W PTS 4 Demetrius Alexander (1-1).

Hunter vs. Driver

Six sons of famous ex-boxers fought on this card with Keith Hunter leading the way. Hunter outlanded Driver on the way to a unanimous decision in a close, tactical fight. Many rounds were close with Hunter using his longer reach and also investing in body punches to be marginally in front after the first five rounds but was leaving himself open to counters from Driver. From the sixth Driver made some inroads into Hunter’s lead Hunter outworked Driver over the closing rounds to take the verdict clearly. Scores 99-91 (too wide), 97-93 twice. Keith, son of Mike and younger brother of Michael, suffered a bad defeat being decisioned by 4-0-1 Armando Ramirez In August and has some way to go to put that result behind him.  Driver had knocked out experienced Juan Carlos Perez in one round in February.

McKenzie (Morrison) vs. Rahman

McKenzie stops Rahman. Rahman had the better skills. He was boxing on the back foot, switching guards and catching the wide open McKenzie with crisp hooks. McKenzie kept rolling forward throwing bombs but being outboxed. McKenzie seemed to feel the pace but kept up the pressure and Rahman began to tire. In the fifth a series of punches sent Rahman skittering across the ring and his legs slipped out from under him. He beat the count but when a right uppercut and a left to the head staggered him the referee stopped the fight. The 31-year-old son of Tommy Morrison makes it 18 wins by KO/TKO and collects the vacant WBC US belt. Rahman Jr has skill but was sluggish and slow.

Rahman vs. Sanchez

Sharif registered a win for the Rahman family as he boxed through the handicap of a bad cut over his left eye and took a unanimous verdict over Reyes Sanchez on scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55. Sharif is the younger of the two fighting Rahman brothers. Reyes lost on a majority decision to Nico Ali Walsh in December.

Moreno vs. Duran

Teenager Moreno remains unbeaten with a points win over Duran (the son of Roberto). Moreno was the better boxer. Duran had some good moves but was not busy enough or forced the fight enough. Scores 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 for Moreno. First six round fight for Moreno, Duran, 33, had won his last six fights but did not turn pro until he was 30.

McClellan vs. Alexander

McClellan Jr, 33, the son of former WBC super middleweight champion Gerald, gets a win but has to settle for a majority decision over fellow novice Alexander. Scores 39-37 twice and 38-38

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Bantam: Christian Carto (19-1) W TKO 1 Ernesto Franzolini (14-13-2).

Carto vs. Franzolini

Carto wipes out Argentinian Franzolini in the first round. A body punch sent Franzolini down but he managed to beat the count. Carto jumped on him and landed a fierce volley of punches until the referee stopped the fight. Carto lost his unbeaten record on a brutal kayo against Victor Ruiz in February 2019. His two fights since returning in September last year have both finished in the first round giving him less than six minutes of ring time so he needs stronger tests. Franzolini, a former Argentinian champion, had won 5 of his last 6 bouts.

 

April 30

 

Galvez, Argentina: Super Feather: Ayrton Gimenez (15-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Blas Caro (8-4).

Gimenez gets a repeat win over Caro in defence of his WBC Latino belt. Gimenez was never under any real pressure and boxed slickly with accuracy. He sent Caro down in the second with a right to the body and eased his way to victory on scores of 100-90,98-92 and 96-93. Eighth consecutive win for Gimenez who had won a similarly wide decision over Caro in November

 

Ingelmunster, Belgium: Super Light: Oshin Derieuw (15-0) W TKO 9 Silvia Bortot (8-1-1).

12

Belgian Derieuw gets late stoppage of Italian Bortot. The visitor’s aggression kept her in the fight as she took the fight inside against the longer reach of Derieuw. The local fighter was making Bortot pay with accurate counters and the cumulative effect caught up with Bortot in the end and the referee came in to save Bortot from too much punishment. Derieuw, 35. The former undefeated European Female welterweight champion wins the vacant IBO Inter-Continental title. Bortot is a former undefeated European Female super light champion.

 

Pont-Sainte-Maxence, France: Light: Yves Mendy (46-5-1)W Gianluca Ceglia (17-3-1). Light Heavy: Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (18-1) W Sadok Sebki (6-11-2).

Mendy vs. Ceglia

Mendy “The Lion of Pont Saint Maxence” wins the European title at the second attempt with a unanimous verdict over tough Italian Ceglia. Mendy surprised Ceglia by starting out boxing southpaw and had early success.  In his last couple of fights Mendy had seemed to dial back on his punch output but was back to his best in this one. He was highly motivated and scored throughout the fight with body punches. Ceglia was competitive all the way throwing plenty but Mendy both defended and countered well. A right from Mendy had Ceglia shaken in the eighth and the Italian took a knee but beat the count and came back hard. Mendy seemed to lose his way in the ninth but was back in the fight over the last three rounds with Ceglia fighting hard enough to make the rounds close. Scores 116-111 twice and 117-110 for Mendy. He lost a decision against Edis Tatli for the vacant version of this title in 2015 but is 17-1 since then including a win and loss against Luke Campbell. Former undefeated Italian and European Union champion Ceglia was unbeaten in his last seven fights. Mendy is No 6 with the WBC but at 36 the rarefied air at the top of the lightweight division makes a title shot very unlikely.

Dos Santos vs. Sebki

Dos Santos overcomes a strong challenge from Tunisian Sebki. For three rounds they traded punches with Dos Santos having to deal with wild lunging attacks from Sebki. By the fourth the cumulative effect of the bruising counters from Dos Santos had Sebki staggering and the fight was halted. Dos Santos was stopped in four rounds by Joshua Buatsi in May last year but now has four consecutive victories.

 

Puebla, Mexico: Super Welter: Jhony Navarrete (35-17-2) W PTS 10 Hironobu Matsunaga (20-2).

Navarette, the elder brother of WBO featherweight champion surprised fancied Matsunaga and took the majority decision but nom scores available. The shorter Matsunaga pressed the fight for all ten rounds but the experienced Navarette defended well and used his longer reach to keep Matsunaga off and connected with counter straight rights. Navarette is a fight anyone anywhere battler who has the ability to score an upset now and then. Former undefeated Japanese champion Matsunaga had won his last 14 fights.

 

Dangcagan, Philippines: Minimum: Samuel Salva (19-1) W KO 1 Jeffrey Galero (17-8).

Salva gets first round win over Galero. It was almost like sparring for Salva as he fired bunches of shots to head and body with Galero only firing a rare counter. Just before the bell Salva pinned Galero against the ropes. He landed a right hook that was clearly low sending Galero down to his knees and landed a left hook when Galero was on his hands and knees facing away from Salva but the referee just counted Galero out. Twelfth win by KO/TKO for Salva who lost to Pedro Taduran for the vacant IBF minimumweight title in September 2019. Only one win in his last six fights for Galero.

 

Walcz, Poland: Cruiser: Krzys Glowacki (32-3) W TKO 4 Francisco Rivas (16-4). Super Middle: Kamil Bednarek (11-0) W PTS 8 Iago Kiziria (5-4). Super Middle: Mateusz Tryc (14-0)W PTS 8 Omar Garcia (17-7).

Glowacki vs. Rivas

Glowacki massacres victim Rivas. The Pole floored Rivas twice in the opening round and then appeared to back off to allow Rivas to finish the round. He then scored heavily in the second and third but without following through with his attacks. He ended it in the fourth flooring Rivas with a left hook . Rivas beat the count but was stunned by a right hook and the fight was stopped. First time back in the ring for Glowacki after consecutive defeats against Mairis Breidis and Lawrence Okolie in WBO title fights. Mexican Rivas way out of his league.

Bednarek vs. Kiziria

Southpaw Bednarek gets a win but in a very unimpressive showing. Georgian Kiziria landed some heavy punches in the first two rounds and it was the third before Bednarek found any rhythm. He swept the third, fourth and fifth opening a cut over Kiziria’s right eye. The Georgian came back into the fight in the seventh almost overwhelming Bednarek with a fierce attack but the Pole got his act together in the last to just earn the split verdict. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Bednarek and 77-75 for Kiziria. Plenty to work on for the unbeaten local. Kiziria is 1-4 in his last 5 fights but of the losses two were slit decisions and one a majority decision-you get no favours in the other guy’s back yard.

Tryc vs. Garcia

Tryc is cut and shaken a couple of times but wins clearly over Venezuelan Garcia. A right from Garcia shook Tryc badly in the first but he took control over the next three rounds despite being handicapped by a cut over his right eye brought about by a clash of heads. Garcia landed big shots in the fifth and in the seventh but Tryc was also landing heavily and came close to stopping a flagging Garcia in the eighth. Scores 78-74 twice and 80-72 for Tryc.

 

Bangkok, Thailand: Light Fly: Danal (11-3) W T KO 4 Vijes Oak (3-1). Bantam: Nawaphon (53-1-1) W TKO 2 Thitikorn (0-2).

Danal vs. Oak

Thai southpaw Danal stops Oak in the fourth. Cambodian teenager Oak was holding his own until a fearsome left hook dropped him in the fourth. He beat the count but was on very shaky pins and the fight was stopped. Now 8 wins in his last 9 fights for Danal with his loss in that sequence coming in a twelve round fight against WBC minimumweight champion Petchmanee CP Freshmart in November. All of Oak’s fights have been in Thailand.

 

Bolton, England: Cruiser: Jack Massey (20-1) W TKO 2 Vaclav Pejsar (19-13).Light: Michael Gomez Jr (17-1) W PTS 8 Ezequiel Gregores (3-11).

Massey vs. Pejsar

Massey survives a first round scare to beat Pejsar. Both fighters were busy in the first finding the range with their jabs. Suddenly Pejsar landed a heavy right to the head and Massey stepped back with his legs shaking badly. Pejsar jumped on him firing more rights with Massey still looking shaky. Massey recovered and was punching back at the bell. Pejsar made a confident start to the second until a wicked left hook to the body sent him to the canvas writhing in agony. He dragged himself to his feet but was bent double and dropped again. The referee started the count but then waived the fight over. Eleventh win by KO/TKO for IBO champion Massey. His only loss was a close decision against Richard Riakporhe for the vacant British title in December 2019. Pejsar had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Dundee, Scotland: Middle: Paul Kean (15-2) W TKO 2 Sulaimon Olagbade (9-2).

Neighbourhood boxer Keen collects the vacant IBO Continental title as he stops Nigerian Olagbade. The visitor had won his last five fights by KO/TKO but from the start it was Keen landing the heavier punches. Southpaw Keen put Olagbade on the floor twice in the second round before the referee stopped the fight. Keen already holds the Scottish and Celtic titles. He is 7-1 in his last 8 fights with the loss being to world rated Hamza Sheeraz. Olagbade is a former holder of the WBU (German Version) super welterweight title.

 

Conroe, TX, USA: Heavy: Alfonso Lopez (33-4-1) TEC DRAW 5 Roberto Silva (11-2-1).

A clash of heads that opened a cut over the left eye of Lopez ended this one. Both fighters were seriously overweight and the pace was slow. Lopez tired to box and Silva relied on two-fisted swinging lunges. Both had some success with what skill there was being shown by Lopez and he looked to be in front at the stoppage but it was ruled a majority technical draw but I did not get the scores.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano topping the card at Madison Square Garden was a huge boost for Female boxing

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Taylor vs. Serrano a tremendous fight

Fighter of the week: Tied Taylor and Serrano with honourable mention to Shakur Stevenson for his dominant display in beating Oscar Valdez

Punch of the week: The left uppercut from Ray Muratalla that was the beginning of the end for Jeremy Hill

Upset of the week: : Azizbek Abdugofurov was just meant to be a mild run out for Fedor Chudinov but came away with the win

Prospect watch: Middleweight Austin Williams 11-0 was very impressive in the way he blitzed 17-0 Chordale Booker

 

Observations

Rosette: To Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for their great fight and for the great advert they both were for female boxing

Red Card: To the referee who seemed not to notice Samuel Salva floor Jeffrey Galero with an obviously low punch and then hit Galero with a punch to the back of the head when he was on his hands and knees

Some great nicknames out there this past weekend including: Popeye the Sailor Man, The Heavy Hitting Diva and the Molecule from Hell!!

Great idea to put the sons of Tommy Morrison, Hasim Rahman, Mike “The Bounty” Hunter, Roberto Duran and Gerald McClellan on the same card. With Nico Ali Walsh also in action I thought I might have fallen asleep and a time machine had transported me back to long, long ago.

I always show No Decisions (don’t get me started on the ridiculous and meaningless No Contest which then goes on the boxers record as a contest) because there are a number of differing uses made of  No Decision. The most common is an early stoppage due to a cut or other injury but there others. If a fight has gone the distance with the result later changed to No Decision it often means it is changed because the winner tested positive for use of a banned substance and to me that should not be hidden. Another example but a much less common No Decision appears on the record of Argentinian Ayrton Gimenez who scored a win on Saturday. Back in July 2019 his fight with Franco Sotelo shows as a No Decision after five rounds. The explanation given is “Strong riot when the fifth round was in progress with fans fighting each other, throwing and breaking of chairs and the venue had to be evacuated”

No Decision-two words with many meanings!