The Past Week in Action 31 July 2023

Did you miss any of the heart-pounding action in the world of boxing this week? Fear not, as Eric Armit has got you covered with ‘The Past Week in Action’! Prepare to be thrilled as we dive into a comprehensive review of all the major cards from the past week, bringing you up to speed on every knockout, upset, and champion’s triumph in the ring.

Highlights:

-Terence Crawford unified the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO welterweight titles with a ninth round stoppage of Erol Spence

-Alexandro Santiago outpointed Nonito Donaire to win the vacant WBC bantam title

-Seniesa Estrada successfully defend her WBA and WBC minimumweight titles by outpointing Leonela Yudica

-Super lightweight Andres Cortes 20-0 and superb featherweight Abraham Nova 23-1 scored wins

-Isaac Cruz decisioned Giovanni Cabrera in a WBA lightweight eliminator

-Liam Davies halted Jason Cunningham in a round to retain the British, European and WBC International titles and win the WBO International title

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

June 28

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Minimum: Seniesa Estrada (25-0) W PTS 10 Leonela Yudica (19-2-3,1ND). Super Feather: Andres Cortes (20-0) W RTD 7 Xavier Martinez (18-2) . Super Feather: Abraham Nova (23-1) W KO 3 Jonathan Romero (35-2). Super Light: Rohan Polanco (10-0) W TKO 5 Cesar Francis (12-2). Light: Nahir Albright (16-2) W PTS 8 Carlos Balderas (14-2). Super Bantam: Subaru Murata (5-0) W RTD 3 Juan Centeno (8-9-3)

Estrada vs. Yudica

Estrada retains the WBA and WBC belts with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Yudica. Estrada took the fight to Yudica in the first piling forward pumping our punches from both hands putting Yudica under pressure and outscoring her. Yudica turned it around in the second using her slight edge in reach and landing some hard straight right counters. Estrada upped her pace in the second and third. As well as her much higher work rate and switching her attacks from head to body she was also able to take chances as Yudica is a light puncher which gave her the edge in those rounds. Estrada also clearly took the fifth with Yudica throwing plenty but with little accuracy. Estrada continued to take the fight to Yudica in the sixth and seventh but Yudica was scoring enough to make them close rounds and to have picked up one of them on the cards. Estrada slowed in the eighth and Yudica with a bit more accuracy in her work won the round. Estrada picked up the pace again over the last two rounds with Yudica the one slowing and swinging wildly under pressure as Estrada pocketed both rounds. All three judges had it 97-93 for “Super Bad” Estrada who has also held the WBA minimum and WBO light fly belts. She holds the record for the fastest win  in female professional boxing at seven seconds. Yudica, 34, is a former IBF flyweight champion a title she defended nine times.

Cortes vs. Martinez

Cortes gets the win as Martinez’s corner pulls him out of the fight at the end of the seventh round due to a cut under his left eye. Cortes made the better start hustling the taller Martinez over the first two rounds and landing solid shots. As Martinez shook the dust from eleven months of inactivity he settled in the third and fourth jabbing well and landing counters on the aggressive Cortes. A bruise under the left eye of Martinez began to swell and Cortes was able to land rights to worsen the injury. A punch split open a cut on the swelling in the seventh and Martinez corner wisely retired their man.  Cortes was in front 68-65 and 67-66 with the third judge having it 67-66 for Martinez. Despite a run of wins over credible opposition Cortes is unrated but he still called out the winner of Emanuel Navarrete and Oscar Valdez. Martinez won seventeen in a row before being comprehensively outpointed by Robinson Conceicao in January 2022, but had returned with a win in august.

Nova vs. Romero

Impressive performance from Nova as he knocks out Romero in the third. It was bombs away from the start in this one. Both threw plenty in the first and a fierce attack in the second sent Romero tumbling into the ropes which seemed all that held him up but no count was given. Shortly after a devastating right uppercut felled Romero heavily. He made it out of the round but a right cross sent him face down on the canvas in the third and he was counted out. Puerto-Rican-born Nova gets his sixteenth inside the distance win. His only loss is a fifth round kayo by now WBO feather champion Robeisy Ramirez in June last year but he had bounced back with t convincing points win over Adam Lopez in January. Colombian Romero, the IBF super bantam title holder in 2012/2013, had won twelve fights over non-threatening opposition.

Polanco vs. Francis

Polanco stops Francis in five. Both fighters were cautious over the first two rounds with Polanco taking the third. The Dominican exploded in the fourth shaking Francis with a left and then sent him crashing to the canvas with a right. Polanco was stalking Francis in the fifth and walked through a couple of punches and connected with two rights, a left hook and another right that dumped Francis on the canvas. Panamanian-born  Francis made it to his feet but after a close look at him the referee stopped the fight. Solid punching performance from Tokyo Olympian Polanco. Second consecutive loss for Francis who had scored wins over Mohamed Mimoune and Ray Beltran.

Albright vs. Balderas

Albright takes close majority decision over Balderas. There were plenty of entertaining exchanges from the start with Albright just having the edge thanks to some strong jabbing which jarred Balderas. The fourth saw Balderas beginning to put together some impressive combinations and he shook Albright in the fifth and hurt him with a body punch in the sixth. With the result in the balance both fought hard over the last two rounds. Albright won on scores of 77-75 twice and 76-76 so it was close enough to have gone either way. Albright lost his first pro fight and then put together a run of 14 wins before being beaten on points by Jamaine Ortiz in February last year. Olympian Balderas suffered an upset defeat being knocked out in six rounds by Rene Tellez in 2019 but he rebounded under Top Rank with five wins.

 

July 29

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Terence Crawford (40-0) W TKO 9 Errol Spence (28-1). Light: Isaac Cruz (25-2-1) W PTS 12 Giovanni Cabrera (21-1). Bantam: Alexandro Santiago (28-3-5) W PTS 12 Nonito Donaire (42-8). Super Welter: Yeonis Tellez (6-0) W TKO 3 Sergio Garcia (34-3).Super Bantam: Steven Nelson (19-0) W PTS 10 Rowdy Montgomery (10-5-1). Super Bantam; Jose Salas (13-0) W TKO 4 Aston Palicte (28-6-1). Light: Demier Zamora (12-0) W PTS 8 Nikolai Buzolin (9-5-1).

Crawford vs. Spence

Crawford unifies the welterweight titles with an imperious performance as he destroys unbeaten Spence.

Round 1

Spence made a positive start throwing plenty of jabs with Crawford on the back foot aiming to draw the lead and then counter. Neither fighter was looking to take any chances and Spence just did enough to edge a close, low action round.

Score: 10-9 Spence

Round 2

Spence fired a series of hooks at the start of the round but it then developed into a battle of jabs which Crawford dominated. He was slotting jabs through Spence’s guard and late in the round a strong jab to the shoulder of Spence sent him back and down. Spence was up quickly and there was too little time for Crawford to capitalise on the knockdown.

Score: 10-8 Crawford                 Crawford 19-18

Round 3

Spence took the fight to Crawford at the start of the round trying to claw back the deficit from that knockdown. He backed Crawford to a corner and threw a volley of body shots. He kept Crawford there until Crawford jabbed his way out of the corner. Crawford brought his jab into play over the last minute but the early work from Spence gave him the round

Score: 10-9 Spence                    TIED 28-28

Round 4

Crawford had made a slow start to the third but not this time. He was firing jabs and lefts to the body. He was in charge pushing Spence back and scoring with jabs and lefts to the head and body. Spence tried to come forward but was stopped in his tracks by a jab and nailed by a left to the head. Crawford again landed a hard jab and then a couple of hooks to the body. The confidence seemed to have drained out of Spence and there was a growing swelling under his left eye. The doctor checked on him before the start of the fifth round.

Score: 10-9 Crawford                 Crawford 38-37

Round 5

Crawford dominated from the start jarring Spence with jabs and landing lefts to the head. Spence tried to come forward but was stopped by jabs and again Crawford was connecting with lefts to the head. Crawford could not miss Spence with his jab and Spence was hesitating to let his punches go knowing he would have to move into the range of Crawford’s jab.

Score: 10-09 Crawford               Crawford 48-46

Round 6

Spence came forward throwing punches but there was no conviction in his work and jabs from Crawford had him on the retreat again. A neck-snapping jab and solid left to the head had Crawford in control. Spence did enough work to make the round close but his face was showing the results of Crawfords punches.

Score: 10-9 Crawford                 Crawford 58-55

Round 7

Crawford drove Spence across the ring connecting with long rights and lefts. Spence came forward throwing punches but was floored by a right hook. He was up at three and after the count Crawford scored with  a series of lefts to the head and then stalked Spence before dropping him with two left hooks. Spence made it to his feet but with bell already gone the round was over. The doctor again examined Spence in the interval.

Score: 10-7 Crawford                 Crawford 68-62

Round 8

Crawford took his time in this round just walking Spence down with an apprehensive Spence just stabbing out jabs and backing up. Late in the round Crawford shook Spence with right hooks to the head and scored with jolting jabs. Spence had heavy bruising around both eyes..

Score: 10-9 Crawford                 Crawford 78-71

Round 9

Crawford was using his jab to try to set Spence up for a big left  and eventually exploded with an array of punches that had Spence stumbling and staggering and the referee stopped the fight.

A towering performance from Crawford, a three-division champion with thirty-one wins by KO/TKO, who must now be No 1 in the pound-for-pound table. After the way he outclassed Spence it is difficult to see who can test him at welterweight or even super welter. Spence gave it a go but he had no answer to Crawford’s jab and from the fourth it was a one-sided fight. Spence has said he wants the mandatory rematch and hopes it can happen later this year and preferably at super welter but Crawford was so dominant there is no reason the result would be any different. Spence is not talking retirement so he will take a break and see what options there are.

Cruz vs. Cabrera

Cruz wins a split decision over Cabrera. Cruz had problems with the taller and quicker Cabrera having to overcome a five inch height difference and a much longer reach. Southpaw Cabrera began well using his jab and plenty of movement plus tying Cruz up inside to frustrate Cruz. Cabrera looked to have taken the first two rounds but was given a warning in the third for holding.  With that warning hanging over Cabrera’s head Cruz started to dominate from the fourth putting Cabrera under unrelenting pressure and starting to connect with long rights. Cabrera was shaken a few times but persisted in holding his guard low. Cruz began to focus heavily on body punching looking to slow Cabrera and Cabrera realised his negative tactics needed to change so he traded punches more. Cabrera was working well with his jab but Cruz landed heavy punches in the seventh before losing a point in the eighth for a butt. Cruz landed some savage shots in the ninth  and tenth but then seemed gassed. Cabrera was doing lots of holding in the eleventh but looked to have edged a close round and then clearly won then twelfth which with the point deduction made things tight. Scores 115-112 and 114-113 for Cruz and 114-113 for Cabrera. Cruz, 25, lost a very close decision against Gervonta Davis for the secondary WBA title in December 2021. He then scored wins over Yuriorkis Gamboa and Eduardo Ramirez but this was his first fight since that September 2022 victory over Ramirez. This was recognised as an eliminator by the WBA but with Devin Haney holding all four belts and Davis, Vasily Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson in the queue there is no guarantee of a title shot for Cruz anytime soon. Cabrera had beaten some fringe contenders and came close here but Cruz was just too strong.

Santiago vs. Donaire

Santiago wins the vacant WBC title with a unanimous decision over fading Filipino great Donaire.

Round 1

Donaire was walking the retreating Santiago down but Santiago was quicker. Despite giving away height and reach he was landing his jab and sliding away from Donaire’s jab. Both scored to the body and Santiago was scoring well by darting past Donaire’s jab.

Score: 10-9 Santiago

Round 2

Donaire was jabbing strongly and landed a solid right to the head. Both scored with left hooks with Donaire again working hard with his jab. Santiago threw a couple of hooks and Donaire countered with a left hook of his own and landed some shots with Santiago against the ropes.

Score: 10-9 Donaire                          TIED 19-19

Round 3

Donaire was using his longer reach to score. Santiago stepped in with a couple of hooks but was thrown back and almost went down from a left hook from Donaire. Late in the round Donaire scored with a left hook and was again keeping Santiago on the end of his jab. Santiago had a small cut over his right eye.

Score: 10-9 Donaire                   Donaire 29-28

Round 4

Donaire was working his jab but with Santiago staying closer and darting in and scored with two hooks to the head. Santiago was using his quicker hands to land his jab and connected with a good left hook to the head.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                        TIED 38-38

Round 5

Donaire worked the jab early but Santiago was getting inside with his jab and landing hooks. Donaire had slowed and was not effective when jabbing and Santiago was changing angles, sliding inside then scoring to the head with quick combinations.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 48-47

Round 6

Santiago was using slick movement and fast hands to move around a plodding Donaire. He was doubling up on his jab and scoring with straight rights. Santiago dodged inside and their heads clashed with Donaire cut over his right eye. Santiago took Donaire to the ropes and connected with hooks then backed out before Donaire could counter.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 58-56

Round 7

Santiago scored with a series of rights and lefts to the head then backed out and came in again connecting with another combination. The referee halted the action after a clash of heads and Santiago had blood running from a cut over his left eye. The referee had the ringside doctor look at the cut but allowed the fight to continue. Donaire tried to press hard but Santiago was too quick and was firing bursts of jabs.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 68-65           

Round 8

As Donaire padded forward Santiago was meeting him with jabs and straight rights. Santiago was landing lefts and rights at distance and Donaire was too slow. Santiago drove him to the ropes and scored with a series of punches. Donaire’s jab was and off target and he hardly threw his right.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 78-74

Round 9

Donaire upped his pace and connected with two long rights to the head. Santiago scored with two rights to the head but when they traded punches by the ropes Donaire clipped Santago with two rights. Donaire continued to land his jab and rights. Santiago staged a big attack at the end of the round but Donaire’s early work took the round.

Score: 10-9 Donaire                   Santiago 87-84

Round 10

Donaire was on his toes and on his front foot looking to build on the last round. Santiago had also livened up and was moving around Donaire spearing him with jabs and quick little combinations. On three occasions Santiago landed a left jab followed by a right to the head.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 97-83
Round 11

Santiago scored early with a couple of jabs and a left/right inside and Donaire countered with a right to the head. Santiago was again landing the jab and following with straight rights. Twice late in the round Santiago bombarded Donaire with hooks and straight shots.

Score: 10-9 Santiago                 Santiago 107-102

Round 12

Donaire tried to stage a fight-saving finish. He was jabbing strongly and letting fly with rights. Santiago was mainly just looking to stay out of trouble. Donaire scored with a heavy right to the head and a left hook inside.

Score: 10-9 Donaire                   Santiago 116-112

Mexican Santiago was a good winner. He was giving away almost 5” in height to Donaire but had the right game plan and stuck to it being too quick for the 40-year-old Donaire. He wins a title at the second attempt having fought a draw with Filipino Jerwin Ancajas for the WBO super fly title in 2018. He had put together a twenty-bout unbeaten streak before losing a majority decision against Gary Antonio Russell in November 2021 and then scored three wins before this title fight. Donaire has had a great career winning the IBF flyweight belt back in 2007 and going on to be a five-division champion winning nine different titles. His aim here was to become the oldest fighter to ever win the bantamweight title. He is going to consider his future but it really is the time for him to put away the gloves rather than be a trophy name on the records of lesser fighters.

Tellez vs. Garcia

Tellez comes in as a substitute and stops Garcia. Tellez jabbed well in the first but the more assertive Garcia looked to have the edge. Garca also looked to do well in the second but a flurry form Tellez stopped him inn his tracks. In the third  a right to the head unhinged Garcia’s knees and although he did not quite hit the canvas he lost his focus for a second glancing over his left shoulder ready to say to the referee he had not touched the canvas and Tellez nailed him with crashing right that did send Garcia tumbling down to the canvas. During the count Garcia was still complaining but it was only because he looked away that he was knocked down and that was his own fault. After the count Tellez drove Garcia to the ropes and landed a succession of rights to the head that brought the referee in to stop the fight. The 23-year-old Cuban came into this fight with only three weeks’ notice and with Garcia  No 7 with the WBC this is a big win for him. Garcia had been derailed by consecutive losses against Sebastian Fundora and Tony Harrison but was hoping a win on a big card like this would get him closer to a title shot.

Nelson vs. Montgomery

After a slow start Nelson battles his way to a wide unanimous decision. Nelson was taking the fight to the much taller Montgomery coming forward behind his jab and following with rights to the head. Montgomery was on the retreat trying to keep Nelson off but there was no power in his jab. Nelson landed a hefty right to the head in the second but Montgomery took the punch well. Montgomery started the fourth aggressively but a couple of hooks from Nelson sent him on the retreat again. Both had spells of success in a competitive sixth but Nelson continued to apply pressure and jarred and jolted Mongomery in the eight. Montgomery went down but it was ruled a slip. Nelson went looking for a knockout over the ninth and tenth but it never looked likely and he had to settle for winning on points with the judges cards reading 99-91 twice and 100-90. Nelson wins the vacant WBA Continental Americas belt. The unrated Nelson is 35 and is unbeaten but the standard of his opposition had been modest and he is rated No. 44 by Box Rec. Montgomery was out of his depth (if a 6’2” fighter can be said to be out of his depth) but had won his last three fights.

Salas vs. Palicte

Important win for Salas as he stops former title challenger Palicte in the fourth. Mexican southpaw Salas initiated the action in the first taking the fight to the defensively minded Palicte. The second was close with again Salas driving forward with Palicte under pressure but boxing well. Salas began to put together some effective combinations in the third with Palicte struggling to keep him out. In the fourth Salas backed Palicte into a corner and landed a combination that saw Palicte drop to one knee and although the Filipino made it to his feet the referee stopped the fight. Salas has won nine of his last ten fights by KO/TKO. Palicte has had two shots at the vacant WBO super fly title drawing with Donnie Nietes and losing to Kazuto Ioka.

Zamora vs. Buzolin

Southpaw prospect Zamora is just too quick and too busy for a rusty Buzolin. Zamora put Russian Buzolin under relentless pressure and outworked him in every round. Buzolin had some success inside but just could not match Zamora’s work rate and never came close to winning a round. All three judges had it 80-72 for Zamora. Zamora, 20, was in his first eight round fight. Buzolin was inactive in  2020 and had one fight in 2021 and one in July 2022.

 

JULY 26

 

Kissimmee, Fl, USA: Super Feather: Orlando Gonzalez (21-2) W PTS 10 Ramiro Cesena (16-2-1). Super Light: Mohamed Mimoune (23-5) W TKO 6 Steven Galeano (12-1).

Gonzalez vs. Cesena

Gonzalez comes from behind to outpoint hard-punching Cesena. It was Cesena who opened best landing well over the first two rounds. Southpaw Gonzalez began to roll from the third and then took the fourth after Cesena was give some recovery time after a low punch. Gonzalez outboxed Cesana over the middle rounds but Cesena was always dangerous and had a big ninth. Both scored well in the last and it was close with Gonzalez’s skill getting the nod over the harder punches landed by Cesena. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. Gonzalez’s losses have come against Robeisy Ramirez and Misael Lopez. Mexican Cesena had been stopped in four round by Thomas Mattice in April.

Mimoune vs. Galeano

In his first fight for sixteen months French southpaw Mimoune stops Galeano in six. This was close early but Mimoune took over in the fourth before dropping Galeano in the fifth and twice more in the sixth to force the stoppage. Mimoune is a former French, European and IBO title holder but hit a slide with a loss against Viktor Postol and back-to-back defeats against Tyrone McKenna and Cesar Francis. Galeano was having his first fight for a year.

 

JULY 28

 

Riverwood, Australia: Super Welter: Michael Hall (8-3-1) W PTS 12 Gairy St Clair (45-14-2).

Local fighter Hall wins a majority decision over returning St Clair. Hall was able to use his 6” hight advantage and longer reach to outpoint the super veteran. Scores 117-112, 115-113 for Hall and 114-114. In his last fight a year ago Hall had been stopped in one round by 7-0 Joel Taylor. Guyanese-born St Clair, 48, is a former IBF and IBO super feather title holder. He turned pro in 1994 and this was his first fight for ten years.

 

Gratton, Australia: Cruiser: David Nyika (7-0) W TKO 2 Waikato Falefehi (3-21). Super Feather: Jackson John England (14-2) W PTS 8 Shiva Mishra (8-9).

Nyika vs. Falefehi

New Zealander Nyika floors Falefehi twice in a second round for the stoppage. The 27-year-old 6’6” double Commonwealth champion and Olympic bronze medallist has six wins by KO/TKO. New Zealand-born Australian Falefehi is 1-10 in his last eleven bouts.

England vs. Mishra

Australian England takes a unanimous decision against Mishra on scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. Nine wins in his last ten fights for English. Just one win in his last seven fights for Mishra.

 

Piedemonte Matese, Italy: Feather: Simone Rao (9-0) W PTS 10 Vittorio Parrinello (12-6).

Raio retains the Italian title with a split decision over Parrinello in Parinello’s home town. This was a disappointing fight with few highlights. Parrinello was fifteen years older than champion Rao but had a wealth of experience and a much greater skill set. Rao was strong but crude with his attacks and tended to lunge in. Parrinello was getting off a couple of quick punches and then clinching. Parrinello looked to have done the cleaner work but the judges went for Rao on scores of 96-95 twice and 96-95 for Parrinello. First defence for Rao. Parinello, an Olympian in  2008 and 2012 is a former national super bantam champion.

 

Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia: Light: Alberto Batyrgaziev (9-0) W PTS 10 Francis Villar (17-1). Light: Pavel Fedorov (3-0) W TKO 3 Burgut Hodjiboyev (8-7).

Batyrgaziev vs. Villar

Tokyo Olympic gold medal winner Batyrgaziev outpoints a tough Villar. Southpaw Batyrgaziev edged the first round but had problems with the longer reach of the Dominican. Villar boxed well in the second but Batyrgaziev came out ahead as they traded ferociously in the third. Batyrgaziev took the fourth and the fifth. Villar was competitive and dangerous with his harder punch but spent too much time static in front of Batyrgaziev being caught with some precision counters from the Russian. Villar was loading up his punches in the sixth and seventh but Batyrgaziev was quicker and more mobile. The eight was close as Villar looks to have shaken Batyrgaziev with a right but Batyrgaziev absorbed the shot and fired back as they swap punches before the bell. Villar landed some heavy rights early in the ninth and Batyrgaziev went on the defensive not looking to take any chances. Batyrgaziev connected with a couple of good rights at the start of the tenth but seemed to have tired and Villar finishes strongly. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 for Batyrgaziev. A good test for Batyrgaziev following wins over experienced battlers Jezzrel Corrales and Ricardo Nunez. He beat Duke Ragan and Lazaro Alvarez in Tokyo and is making good progress as a pro. No names on Villar’s record but a couple of acceptable level wins.

Fedorov vs. Hodjiboyev

Fedorov disposes of Hodjiboyev in three rounds. After a cautious first round Fedorov took control in the second putting Hodjiboyev  under some intense pressure. He ended it in the third with a body punch that put Hodjiboyev down and out. Russian-born Serb Fedorov was an elite level amateur winning a gold medal at the prestigious Istvan Bocskai Tournament and represented Russia at the 2021 World Championships. Sixth loss in a row for Uzbek Hodjiboyev.

 

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Super Light: Prince Dlomo (17-12-1) W PTS 12 Marcus Lebogo (13-5-1).

Dlomo retained the national title with a unanimous decision over Lebogo. Dlomo won well. Lebogo was cut over his right eye in the third but his corner kept the injury under control. Dlomo scored heavily in the sixth and Lebogo was in deep trouble but saved by the bell. Dlomo continued to boss the action and won unanimous decision on scores of 119-110, 119-111 and 118-113. Dlomo was making the fourth defence of the title and it was his thirty-seventh birthday on the day after the fight. He was coming off a loss having been knocked out in six rounds by unbeaten Russian Khariton Agrba in March. Lebogo had found some form with five wins in his last six fights.

 

JULY 29

 

Telford, England: Super Bantam: Liam Davies (14-0) W TKO 1  Jason Cunningham (32-8). Welter: Ethan James (12-0) W PTS 10 James Moorcroft (19-3). Heavy: Moses Itauma (4-0) W PTS 6 Kevin Espindola (7-8).

Davies vs. Cunningham

Davies overwhelms Cunningham in the first round. Positive start from Davies as he stalked Cunningham landing a crisp right sending Cunningham retreating around the ropes. Davies then launched a determined attack scoring with rights and lefts with Cunningham turning his back and dipping at the knees. The referee gave Cunningham a count with Cunnigham complaining that he not actually gone down. When the count was over Davies landed a right and then a looping left that sent Cunningham sliding sidewards along the ropes. Davies leapt in and landed a series of punches rocking Cunningham and the referee came in and stopped the fight. Davies was defending the British, European and WBC International belts and wins Cunningham’s WBO International belt. He gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. Cunningham is a former British, European and Commonwealth champion.

James vs. Moorcroft

James wins the vacant WBO European belt. James showed good hand speed and was switching guards in a good first round for him and despite pressure from Moorcroft he boxed well and edged the second. Moorcroft really needed to slow James and close him down but James was too slick and the third was another round for James. Moorcroft upped the pressure in the fourth but wasn’t throwing enough punches and again the speed and skills of James gave him the edge but Moorcroft began to find the target in the fifth and had a good round. James kept up a high work rate over the sixth, seventh and eighth but Moorcroft finally caught up with him in the ninth. He shook James a couple of times in the round as James was forced to stand and trade punches inside and Moorcroft also took the last over a tiring James. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-94. Impressive skills from 22-year-old James but his lack of power-all of his wins have come on points-may be a weakness. Moorcroft had been knocked out in two rounds by Spaniard Jon Miguez in May last year but had registered three wins since then.

Itauma vs. Espindola

Itauma much too good for Argentinian Espindola. It looked as though this one might end early as Itauma shook Espindola with a right late in the first but then Itauma seemed to want to get some rounds under his belt as he boxed and looked for openings. He connected with some good body punches but Espindola was never really in any deep trouble after that first round. Referee’s score 60-54. The 18-year-old southpaw, a former World and European Youth champion, needs more fights where he can get in some rounds after winning his first two fights in a total of 58 seconds. Espindola is 0-3 in fights in England having lost on points to Solomon Dacres and retired after four rounds against Frazer Clarke due to a hand injury

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Cruiser Yamil Peralta (16-1) W TKO 4 Guillermo Andino (17-8). Super Light: Yamila Abellaneda (17-6-1) W PTS 10 Marisa Portillo (19-17-3). Heavy: Victor Ramirez (29-4-1,1ND) W TKO 4 Carlos Jerez (45-24-4,1ND).

Peralta vs. Andino

Peralta crushes Andino in four rounds. Peralta used his longer reach to punish Andino with jabs and long rights over the first two rounds and then had Andino backing off in pain with a body punch in the third. He ended the fight in the fourth. He landed a couple of hard shots and then a left cross to the head had Andino backing to kneel down in a corner and the towel came in. Peralta was defending the Argentinian and South American belts. His only loss is a split decision against Ryan Rozicki a decision which was so bad that Rozicki refused to have his own arm raised and raised Peralta’s instead. Andino had scarped up a couple of wins before this loss.

Abellaneda vs. Portillo

Abellaneda made a successful defence of the national title with a wide unanimous decision over Portillo. The challenger did enough to be competitive over the first five rounds then fell apart after that. She lost a pint in the sixth for a butt and Abellaneda swept the remaining rounds winning on scores of 98-91 twice and 97-93. Abellaneda was making the first defence of the title and she is a former Argentinian lightweight champion.

Ramirez vs. Jerez

Former WBO and IBF cruiser title holder Ramirez continued a stuttering comeback with a third round win over Jerez. Ramirez was on top and handing Jerez a beating when Jerez’s corner took pity and chucked in the towel. Now 39, Ramirez was inactive in 2020 and had just one fight in each of years 2021 and 2022. Jerez was having his first taste of action since February 2019

 

Cervaro, Italy: Gianmarco Cardillo (10-0-2) W Alfonso Damiani (7-4).

Cardillo regains the  Italian title with a split decision over Damiani. In a lively, open start Damiani took the fight to Cardillo and moved into a slight lead. Cardillo was switching guards but without much success and was probably a bit behind after five rounds. From there Cardillo began to find the target regularly particularly with hooks and uppercuts and finished strongly to take the decision on scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94. Cardillo won this title back in 2017 but did not defend it, He fought a draw in March with Emanuele Venturelli for the vacant title but was successful this time. Damiani, 37, a former top level rugby player, was having his first shot at the title.

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Light Fly: Tania Enriquez (21-1) W TKO 1 Cecilia Rodriguez (10-1-1). Super Middle: Luis Ramon Campas (108-17-3) W KO 8 Juan Carlos Parra (8-27-2).

Enriquez vs. Rodriguez

Enriquez wipes out Rodriguez in the first round. Enriquez was unloading on Rodriguez from the start and Rodriguez went down under a series of body punches. Rodriguez beat the count but Enriquez jumped on her and was again landing body punches and with Rodriguez bent in half and about to go down the referee stopped the fight. Enriquez was rebounding after her first defeat a points loss against Evelin Bermudez in March with the vacant IBF and WBO light fly titles om the line.

Campas vs. Parra

Super veteran Campas came out of retirement, beat Parra and then retired again. In his first fight for over five years The 52-year-old former IBF super welterweight titleholder kayoed Parra early in the eighth round. Campas won the IBF title in December 1997 and lost it in his fourth defence in December 1998 when being stopped by Raul Marquez . Seventeen of Parra’s losses have come by KO/TKO.

 

Hermosillo, Mexico: Super Fly: Victor Olivo (21-3-1 ) W PTS 8 Joel Cordova (13-8-2). Super Bantam: Noe Robles (27-2) W TKO 3 Felipe Lopez (9-18-2).

Olivo vs. Cordova

Olivo gets his seventh consecutive win with a unanimous decision over Cordova. The brawling tactics of Cordova had Olivo boxing on the retreat but he was accurate with his jab and put together some sparkling combinations. It was close over the first half of the fight but Cordova slowed from the seventh and Olivo kept finding the target with his jab and slipping away from Cordova’s attacks and was a good winner. Scores 78-75 twice and 77-75 for Olivo. Two of his losses have come against good opposition in the Far East including a split decision against future IBF and WBO light fly champion Milan Melindo in the Philippines. Cordova was stopped in six rounds by Julio Cesar Martinez in a challenge for WBC fly title in June 2021.

Robles vs. Lopez

Robles decisions Lopez. Lopez was on the front foot in the first coming forward throwing hooks and uppercuts with Robles under pressure but countering him with jabs and straight rights before turning the tables and landing heavily before the bell. Robles took over in the second using some strong jabbing to have Lopez on the defensive and Lopez backed off in pain from a left hook to the body. The third saw Robles landing left hooks to the body and right crosses and with Lopez trapped on the ropes being bombarded with punches the fight was stopped. Now 22 wins by KO/TKO for Robles with Lopez 1-15 in his last 16n fights.

 

Bangkok, Thailand: Super Bantam: Chainoi Worawut (22-0-1) W PTS 10 Jess Rhey Waminal (16-9-1). Super Bantam: Phongsaphon Panyakum (19-2) W TKO 5 Netflix Manfah Gym.

Chainoi vs. Waminal

Waminal ( real name Thattana Luangphon) had slight edges in height and reach but Chainoi was quicker with his jab and had real power in that punch. The jab kept Waminal on the back foot for much of them fight. Chainoi has a good chin and he was walking through Waminal’s punches and punishing him with crunching hooks to the body. Waminal had a good sixth when Chainoi decided to just stand in a corner and let Waminal take pot-shots but other than that Chainoi was in control. He was 80-72 up on two cards after eight and 79-73 on the third. From there Chainoi tired and his work became ragged allowing Waminal some success but the local fighter did enough to win the rounds. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Chainoi, the WBC No 5, was making the ninth defence of the WBC Asian Council belt. Waminal is now 2-6 in his most recent action.

Panyakum vs. Netflix

Panyakum batters novice Netflix to defeat in four rounds. This was totally one-side. Panyakum handed out a savage beating to a game but outclassed Netflix. Panyakum banged home hurtful hooks to the body in every round and landed some neck-snapping rights which brought a swelling around Netflix’s left eye and his corner did not let him go out for the fifth round. Panyakum has won 19 of his last 20 bouts. No details on Netflix

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Terence Crawford’s win over Errol Spence tops everything

Fight of the week (Entertainment): I go for Crawford-Spence again for the quality of Crawford’s performance. It may not have been entertaining but it would have been worth the money just to see Crawford at work.

Fighter of the week: Terence Crawford

Punch of the week: The perfectly delivered right hook from Crawford that dropped Spence in the seventh is the choice with honourable mention to Abraham Nov’s right uppercut that effectively finished Jonathan Romero in the third.

Upset of the week: The relatively inexperienced Yeonis Tellez stopping world rated Sergio Garcia certainly counts as an upset.

Prospect watch: New Zealand Cruiserweight David Nyika 7-0 (6) could be a threat down the road.

 

Observations

Rosette:  For all those involved in getting Crawford and Spence in the ring together and to Crawford for leaving no lingering doubts about who was the best man

Red Card: I must be getting soft as nothing upset me this week

-Gairy St Clair has to be the comeback king.  The 48-year-old Guyanese-born Australian was IBF and IBO super feather title holder in 2006. He retired in June 2013 and returned to action as a super welterweight at the weekend after ten years away and went twelve rounds losing on a majority decision against 32-year-old Michael Hall.

– St Clair was not the oldest returning champion. There was 52-year-old former IBF super welter/light middle title holder Luis Ramon Campas and not too far behind them was Argentinian Victor Ramirez , 39, a former WBO and IBF cruiserweight champion. The Senior Citizen homes must have been nearly empty with Carlos Jerez 44, Juan Carlos Parra 43, Pigmy Kokietgmy 41yo, Vittorio Parrinello 39 and youngsters   Rowdy Montgomery and Alfonso Damiani both 37 all jumping out of their bath chairs