The Past Week in Action 31 March 2015

ERIC ARMIT | April 1, 2015 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

The Past Week in Action 31 March 2015

March 26

Hialeah, FL, USA: Super Light: Rances Barthelemy (22-0,1ND) W TKO 2 Angino Perez (18-7). Welter: Fred Lawson (23-0) WPTS 10 Breidis Prescott (27-7). Super Middle: Patryk Szymanski (12-0) 3 TKO 2 Yoryi Estrella (11-10-2). Super Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (20-0) W TKO 6 Jose L Ariaza (31-11-1). Super Welter: Wilky Campfort (20-1) W TKO 5 Devon Moncrieffe (10-4). Heavy: Yasmany Consegura (17-0) W PTS 8 Taurus Sykes (25-8-1). Heavy: Robert Alfonso (5-0) W TKO 2 Ray Lopez (4-12).

Barthelemy vs. Perez

In his first fight at lightweight Barthelemy destroys poor Perez inside two rounds. Barthelemy made a confident start scoring with a couple of left hooks whilst Perez was on the back foot just probing with his jab. Barthelemy trapped Perez on the ropes and scored with a ripping uppercut and then a series of punches ended by a left cross which sent Perez’s head out through the ropes and a chopping left to the head as he brought it back out of the ropes which sent Perez to the canvas on his knees with his left arm draped outside the ring. Perez was up quickly but looked shaky. There were only 20 seconds left in the round but a combination of hooks and uppercuts put Perez down on the seat of his pants. He was arose but as soon as the eight count was completed the bell went. In the second Barthelemy came out fast throwing punch after punch driving Perez back across the ring to a corner and just kept punching as Perez slumped to the canvas and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Barthelemy had relinquished his IBF super feather title before the fight. With his hand speed, skill, power and height 5’11” (180cm) the Cuban is going to be a force at lightweight. Perez’s fights don’t last long. He is 7-3 in his last 10 fights with all 10 ending by KO/TKO and all inside 5 rounds. The two other losses were to Ashley Theophane and Karl Dargan

Lawson vs. Prescott

Lawson remains unbeaten by way of a split decision with a disputed knockdown making the difference. Both started quickly establishing their jab and throwing quick punches to head and body. Lawson was getting the better of the exchanges with overhand rights and with Prescott forced to back off and wild with his rights. Prescott bounced back to take the second as he shortened his punches and had Lawson on the defensive in a corner for much of the round. In the third Lawson was winning the jabbing war as he consistently jerked Prescott’s head back. As they were on the ropes Prescott fired two hooks, he missed with both and as he lunged forward Lawson landed a right on the back of Prescott’s head and he lost his balance and fell to the canvas. The referee applied a count but it looked more of a slip. Prescott took the fourth throwing combinations whilst Lawson was tending to throw single shots but the Ghanaian did get home with a crunching right to the jaw. At the end of the round Prescott was showing a swelling under his left eye. Prescott was more in the fight now with Lawson going away from that strong jab which had controlled the fight early. The pace remained hot with plenty of trading in every round and both scoring with good shots but with Prescott, despite swellings under both eyes the more aggressive. He looked to have buzzed Lawson with a right in the sixth and the Ghanaian’s was getting involved in a brawl that suited Prescott. The Colombian also had the better of the action in the seventh but Lawson edged the eighth to just keep his nose in front and then edged the ninth. It was close and could rest of the last round and Lawson delivered by going back to the jab whilst Prescott was swinging hooks and coming up short. Scores 95-94 twice for Lawson and 96-94 for Prescott. Big win for 25-year-old Lawson as Prescott marked a step up in opposition and gave him plenty of exposure and his third win in the USA. The 31-year-old Prescott could consider himself unlucky as that third round knockdown was the difference in the scoring. Since his shock one round blast out of Amir Khan which moved his record to 20-0 Prescott has gone 7-7 in his last 14 fights but in there are losses to Miguel Vazquez, Kevin Mitchell, Mike Alvarado, Terrence Crawford and Roberto Garcia.

Szymanski vs. Estrella

Szymanski moves to 13 wins with stoppage of Estrella. The young Pole was too casual at the start and was badly shaken for choosing to mix it with Estrella. He was sharper in the second round and handed out a steady beating so that Estrella did not come out for the third round. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for the tall 21-year-old Pole and 6 wins in a row by KO/TKO. Dominican Estrella, 35, is 1-8-1 in his last 10 fights.

Laszczyk vs. Ariaza

Laszczyk comes back from the brink to halt Ariaza. After a quiet first round a right hook from Ariaza put Laszczyk down. He got up but was still shaky and took a knee later in the round after another hard shot from the Mexican. Laszczyk showed maturity by sticking to his boxing despite knowing he had a lot of catching-up to do. He used a stream of hard straight shots to slowly break Ariaza down and the Mexican only just survived to the bell at the end of the sixth and then retired. A welcome if scary stoppage win as the 24-year-old North Bergen-based WBFoud champion had won 7 of his last 8 on points. Ariaza, 36, is just a stepping stone being 2-10-1 in his last 13 fights but this is one stepping stone Laszczyk almost tripped over.

Campfort vs. Moncrieffe

Haitian “Silky” Campfort goes to 18 wins in a row with stoppage of Jamaican Moncrieffe. The Jamaican lacked his usual aggression and resorted too often to holding. Having to lose about 7lbs in the week before the fight must have affected him but Campfort would have been too good for him anyway and the stoppage was timely. The locally-based Haitian lost in his second pro fight back in 2009 but some very careful matching has helped him stay unbeaten since then. He has wins over Milton Nunez and Richard Gutierrez but Moncrieffe was a step down from there. He has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Moncrieffe, 38, was 6-1 in his last 7 fights going in.

Consegura vs. Sykes

Cuban “Shark” Consegura extends his winning run with a unanimous decision over Sykes. The 31-year-old Consegura who defected/escaped in 2009 won gold medals at the Batalla de Carabobo and Copa Francisco de Miranda Tournaments and won bronze and silver medals at the Cuban Championships. He had won his last 13 fights by KO/TKO but low level opposition. Sykes, 39, had retired in December 2010 after consecutive losses to Hasim Rahman, Alex Povetkin, Joseph Rabotte and Seth Mitchell and this was his first fight since then.

Alfonso vs. Lopez

Alfonso gets his first win by KO/TKO. The 28-year-old 6’4” (193cm) was a star member of the Cuban team being Cuban champion in 2007/2008/2009 and 2010, winning a gold medal at the Pan American Games and World Cup and competing at the 2008 Olympics. It remains to see how he will adjust as his old rival Odlanier Solis has struggled. Lopez 1-9 in his last 10 fights says it all.

Tokyo, Japan: Minimumweight: Go Odaira (12-4-3) W PTS 10 Yutaka Sowano (9-6-1). Middle: Akio Shibata (25-8-1) W TKO 4 Michael Sigarlaki (15-14-2).

Odaira vs. Sowano

Odaira retains the JBC title with very close unanimous decision over Sowano. This one never really caught alight. Southpaw Odaira made the better start and was 49-46 up on all three cards after four rounds. Sowano was cut early and showed the champion too much respect. By the time he realised he could win this one he had left it too late. He won the last three rounds but that was not enough. Scores 96-94 from all three judges for Odaira. First fight for the 30-year-old Japanese champion since losing in seven rounds against Katsunari Takayama for the vacant IBF and WBC titles in December. Sowano, 32, the JBC No 1 was 5-1-1 in his last 7 fights going into this one but this was his first 10 round fight which explain his hesitant start.

Shibata vs. Sigarlaki

Too easy for OPBF & JBC champion Shibata as he disposes of Indonesian in four rounds in a non-title fight. A straight right made Sigarlaki take a knee early and was down twice more in the second and in the third and the fight was stopped. The tall 33-year-old Shibata was crushed by Olympic god medal winner Ryota Murata in 2013. The loss did not cost him his OPBF title so he had defended that and won the JBC middle title. Indonesian “King Killer” Sigarlaki, a former Indonesian champion (at super feather !!) came in as a late replacement. This is his eighth loss by KO/TKO and he is 3-5 in his last 8 fights.

March 27

London, England: Cruiser: Ovill McKenzie (24-12) W PTS 12 Matty Askin (17-3). Light Heavy: Matt Shinkwin (10-0) W KO 6 Richard Horton (9-3). Super Middle: Tom Baker (11-0) W PTS 10 Kevin Greenwood (6-5). Super Feather: Mitchell Smith (11-0) W KO 3 Antonio Horvatic (6-15). Bantam: Ryan Burnett (8-0) W PTS 6 Faycal Messaoudene (5-22-1).

McKenzie vs. Askin

McKenzie retains the CBC title with split decision over Askin. The challenger was being cautious in the first using the full perimeter of the ring scoring well with his jab and looking out for big rights from McKenzie. He tied the champion up whenever McKenzie got close but was also given an early warning to watch he head. McKenzie was not having much success in the second as Askin kept on the move and also launched some big rights of his own. McKenzie was really just looking to launch his right and not letting his hands go or using his jab. Both were warned, Askin for pushing McKenzie’s head down and McKenzie for trying to throw Askin over. The fight was messy in the third with too much holding and wrestling both swinging and missing and Askin doing what little clean work there was. The fight did not get any better in the fourth with Askin throwing one punch and then lunging inside trying to grasp McKenzie at the back of the thighs as if to tip him over. McKenzie was still just following Askin around and not throwing enough punches. In the fifth the holding from Askin increased and a frustrated McKenzie lost a point for a punch to the back of the head as the fight continued to be a fruitless pursuit by McKenzie. In the first seconds of the sixth McKenzie forced Askin to the ropes and the challenger tumbled almost out to the ring apron When he got back the referee issued a stern warning to both fighters. Then for the first time McKenzie got home with his right and Askin was stumbling and clinging to stay upright and was given another warning for holding. McKenzie’s round clearly. That was pivotal as in the seventh round although Askin had his jab working again he was finally deducted a point for his continuous holding. In the eighth McKenzie found a home for some meaty hooks and a desperate Askin was again deducted a point for holding and was lucky not to be disqualified. The ninth saw Askin moving around the ring perimeter and working his jab and it was a close round he might have edged. Despite being by far the older fighter it was McKenzie who put in a storming finish over the final three rounds with Askin, who had covered a lot more ground in the fight as he continually moved around the perimeter with McKenzie having used up much less energy. Askin did so much holding in the eleventh that he could have been disqualified. McKenzie clearly took the last as a tired Askin was caught with short hooks and staggered and did little scoring himself. The round was typical of the fight with both boxers being warned with Askin looked to throw one punch then clinch and McKenzie catching Askin on the back of the head with a punch. It had been a tough gruelling contest not one for the connoisseurs. There was a wide divergence in the scores as two judges went for McKenzie by 116-109, and 115-111 and the third saw it for Askin by 114-113. Second defence of his CBC title and the first of his British title for the 35-year-old “Upsetter” a former CBC light heavy champion. The tall 6’4” (193cm) Askin, 26, felt he was the clear winner but his continuous clinching may have counted against him. His other losses were to Jon-Lewis Dickinson and Krzys Glowacki. He had won his last three fights picking up the English title but this was his first fight for just under 12 months.

Shinkwin vs. Horton

Shinkwin retains BB of C Southern Area title with knockout of Horton. Shinkwin was boxing well inside himself and had Horton badly hurt with a series of shots at the end of the third round. Horton survived the onslaught but three rounds later Shinkwin fired home a devastating body punch that put Horton down in agony. Horton just could not make it back to his feet and was counted out. The 26-year-old from Bushey gets his fourth win by KO/TKO and is making steady progress. Horton, 33 a former Southern Area super middle champion had won his last three fights.

Baker vs. Greenwood

Former ABA finalist Baker continues to progress as he wins his first title collecting the vacant BBBof C Southern Area crown. Baker found the aggressive Greenwood an easy target scoring with jabs and hooks as Greenwood barrelled forward. By the fourth Baker was confident enough to stand and trade and Greenwood showed determination not to fold under the pressure and the close work allowed him to have some periods of dominance. Baker had control over the late rounds but Greenwood never stopped advancing so the crowd got plenty of entertainment as Baker remained unbeaten. Referee’s score 97-94. The 23-year-old former top amateur was going past the sixth round for the first time so this was a good learning experience. Greenwood, 32, is 6-3 in his last 9 fights and was also going past the sixth round for the first time.

Smith vs. Horvatic

WBO European champion Smith stays busy with devastating kayo of poor Croatian Horvatic. Smith was just going through the motions over the first two rounds but once he decided to get serious it was trouble for Horvatic. Early in the third he stunned Horvatic with a left hook and then landed another series of punches which put the Croat down and out cold. Now 5 wins by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin”. He has already won the BBB of C Southern Area and English titles as well as the WBO European trinket. Horvatic was horribly out of his class but he usually goes the distance.

Burnett vs. Messaoudene

Burnett gats a win and some useful rounds under his belt. The Belfast prospect had too many skills for the limited French loser Messaoudene but the visitor is an experienced survivor and managed to last the full six rounds without winning a round. Referee’s score 60-54. Only the second time the 22-year-old former top armature has had to go the distance. Messaoudene has only been beaten twice by KO/TKO.

San Juan, Argentina: Super Feather: Daniel E Brizuela (28-4-2) W PTS 12 Marcos G Martinez (17-2). Super Feather: Ezequiel Fernandez (22-1) W PTS 10 Claudio S Aguirre (7-4-3). Welter: Gumersindo L Carrasco (21-2,1ND) W KO 3 Nelson F Pilotti (14-9-1).

Brizuela vs. Martinez

Brizuela wins the interim South American title with disputed majority verdict over Martinez. It was Martinez who was forcing the fight and scoring better with his hooks to face and body. He was much busier with Brizuela fighting in spurts. Brizuela had a big round in the fourth when he floored Martinez with a left hook to the body but he failed to follow-up on that success and let his work rate drop again. Martinez was back in the fight over the next four rounds and looked to have built a substantial lead. Brizuela banged back to collect the points in the ninth and tenth. Once again he let Martinez back into the fight and Martinez clearly took the eleventh. Although Brizuela was the stronger in the last it seemed as through Martinez had done enough to win. The judges saw it otherwise with scores of 117-115 ½,116 ½-116 and 115 ½-115 ½. “Tatu” Brizuela the FAB No 2 lightweight had a great fight when losing to John Coyle in February last year but was well beaten and stopped in 5 rounds by Luke Campbell. The former Olympian had returned with a win but was fortunate to get this decision. Martinez, 24, the FAB No 4 super feather was halted in two rounds by Brazilian Adeilson Dos Santos in 2013 and was then inactive for 8 months. He scored three wins since his return.

Fernandez vs. Aguirre

Fernandez retains the Argentinian title with wide points victory over Aguirre. Fernandez was the quicker and more accurate with his punches and made good use of a small edge in reach. Aguirre was aggressive trying to get Fernandez to stand and trade and doing most of the leading but Fernandez showed good movement and continually picked Aguirre off with counters. It was almost clinical from Fernandez who was content to box his way to victory without taking any chances. There was brief excitement in the eighth and part of the ninth when they did stand toe-to-toe but by the end of the ninth Fernandez was again on the back foot scoring with quick counters as he boxed his way to victory. Scores 100-93 ½, 100-94 and 99 ½-94. “Pac Man” Fernandez, 24, was making the first defence of his Argentinian title. After winning his first 17 fights he lost a majority decision to Pedro Barboza in 2013 at lightweight. He won 4 fights in 2014 including a victory over veteran Sergio J Escobar in December for the national title. Aguirre, 26, had never been in a fight scheduled for more than six rounds and in fact had only twice been in six rounds fights, one of which ended in the third round. This was a huge leap in quality and distance but he never stopped trying.

Carrasco vs. Pilotti

Carrasco hits too hard for overmatched Pilotti. “Gumer” controlled the first two rounds and then exploded a right cross on Pilotti’s chin in the third. He made it to his feet but the referee completed the ten count. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO for Carrasco. He had his ambitions put into perspective when Brit Lee Purdy halted him in four rounds in 2012. He also lost a majority decision at domestic level to Elias L Vallejos before moving up to welter where he has scored four wins. He is FAB No 8 in that division. Pilotti has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

Punchbowl, Australia: Heavy: Bowie Tupou (25-3) W PTS 10 Hunter Sam (11-5-2). Light: Naan Wright (6-0) W TKO 3 Brendan Saunders (3-2-2).

Tupou vs. Sam

Tupou wins the vacant WBO African title!!! with split decision over fellow-Auistralian Sam. Scores 97-95 and 96-94 for Tupou and 99-93 for Sam. The 32-year-old Tongan took a year out after back-to-back TKO losses to Malik Scott and Bryant Jennings in 2012 and this is his third win since returning home. Sam, a former Australian champion and current ANBF No 4 had lost one month before to Ben Edwards for the vacant Australian title.

Wright vs. Saunders

Wright wins the vacant IBO Oceania title with stoppage of Saunders. The ANBF No 9 has three wins by KO/TKO. Second loss inside the distance for ANBF No 14 Saubders.

Montreal, Canada: Light: Tyson Cave (25-3) W PTS 8 Abraham Gomez (19-10-1). Middle: Francis Lafreniere (8-5-2) W TKO 8 Mohammed Akrong (20-9). Heavy: Dillon Carman (8-2) W TKO 8 Benito Quiroz (11-3).

Cave vs. Gomez

Anxious to keep busy Cave took this fight at lightweight but came through with the win. The Halifax native “Price of Hali” lost a bit in power against a naturally bigger opponent but made up for that with his superior speed and southpaw skills and boxed his way to a wide unanimous decision. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. First fight for the 33-year-old Cave since losing a contentious decision to Oscar Escandon for the interim WBA super bantam title in December. He is currently No 7 with the WBA. Mexican Gomez, 30, had lost 4 of his last 5 fights and was beaten in Quebec by Kevin Lavalle in August.

Lafreniere vs. Akrong

Lafreniere, a holder of a version of the Canadian title, battered Akrong to painful defeat. Lafreniere was on top all the way in this one gradually breaking the Ghana down. Just when it looked as though Akrong would make it to the final bell he was blown apart. Lafreniere floored him and after the Ghanaian got up he muscled him to the ropes and landed a succession of hard head shots driving Akrong along the ropes and into a corner. The fight should have been stopped as Lafreniere teed-off on Akrong. Instead the referee gave the Ghanaian a standing count. Akrong’s legs were unsteady but the referee did not ask him to take any steps forward and Lafreniere landed a thunderous right which did force the stoppage. The 26-year-old local has 5 wins by KO/TKO. He has won his last 5 fights but against very mediocre opposition. Akrong, 32, is 0-3 in fights in Canada having lost to Schiller Hyppolite and Renan St Juste

Carman vs Quiroz

The Canadian champion Carman wins at the very last second. The 6’5” (196cm) “Big Country “ dominated the fight before dumping Quiroz on the canvas literally at the very end of the last round. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old from Ontario and he has won 6 of his last 7 fights and reversed the lone loss. Mexican Quiroz is 41 and turned pro in 2002 but has had long periods on inactivity. However he had won his last 5 fights and was WBC Mundo Hispano champion.

Chateauneuf-sur-Loire, France; Middle: Michel Mothmora (26-23) WKO 6 Baker Barakat (41-18-4). Mothmora wins vacant WBFed Intercontinental title. The fight was in jeopardy when Barakat came in 2.5kgs (5.5lbs) over the contract weight. He had two more attempts but was still more than 1kg over so the fight went ahead with only Mothmora able to win the title. The home fighter did just that. After a rocky first round where he was shaken by a punch and a butt he used a ramrod jab to keep Barakat at bay. A clash of heads saw both fighters cut in the fourth and in the sixth a right hook from Mothmora had Barakat staggering to the ropes and he was helpless under a barrage from Mothmora when the fight was stopped. The 34-year-old local had been unsuccessful in four shots at winning a French title. He came close in November when only losing on a majority decision to Karim Achour, Achour’s third win over him. Mothmora is now lined up to face Isaac Rodrigues on 19 June in Brazil for the full WBFed title. Syrian-born German-based Barakat goes to 9 losses by KO/TKO. He preserves his sequence as his last 10 fights have gone: W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L

Fiumicino, Italy: Super Welter: Emanuele Della Rosa (35-2) W PTS 10 Francesco Di Fiore (17-10-3). Light Heavy: Alessandro Sinacore (10-0) W PTS 8 Olegs Fedotovs (19-20). Super Feather: Devis Boschiero (36-3-1) W TKO 2 Oskar Fiko (11-10).

Della Rosa vs. Di Fiore

Della Rosa finally wins Italian title with split decision over former champion Di Fiore in this battle of veterans. Always a slow starter Dell Rosa gave away the first two rounds as Di Fiore built a small lead. Della Rosa got into his stride from the third but just when he was in his stride an old problem with his right hand forced him to change tactics and box more but with Di Fiore’s work rate dropping it was Della Rosa in front. The fight swung again over the last two rounds as Di Fiore came on strong and had Della Rosa struggling in the last. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Della Rosa and 97-93 for Di Fiore as Della Rosa wins the vacant title. The 35-year-old Roman lost a split decision to Sebastian Zbik for the vacant interim WBC middleweight title back in 2009. He rebuilt with 11 wins collecting the WBC International title and was a big favourite to win the vacant European title in May last year only to lose to Spaniard Isaac Real after eight rounds of rock-em-sock-em action which saw both fighters on the floor. This is his second win since then and he is No 9 with the EBU. Di Fiore, 37, has twice held this title but winning it and holding on to it is something he finds difficult as he has lost the title each time in his first defence

Sinacore vs. Fedotovs

Sinacore remains unbeaten with comfortable victory over Fedotovs. The Italian southpaw goes eight rounds for the first time and paces the fight well winning every round. The 30-year-old former Italian amateur champion and European Championships representative is being progressed slowly. “Latvian Viking” Fedotovs has lost 7 of his last 8 fights and his job here was to lose but give Sinacore some rounds so he did his job.

Boschiero vs. Fiko

Boschiero was in more of a hurry and was looking to end this early. He did but it was due to a punch opening a bad gash on Fiko’s cheek which was too severe for the fight to continue. . The 33-year-old “Boom Boom” lost a split decision to Takahiro Ao for the WBC title in 2011 and was beaten twice last year by Romain Jacob in an unsuccessful defence and then unsuccessful challenge for the European title. He has dropped out of most of the ratings with the IBF the only one to have him in their top 15 at No 12 but he is No 3 with the EBU so not out of the picture. Romanian Fiko has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Panama City, Panama: Heavy: Shannon Briggs (58-6-1) W KO 1 Zoltan Petranyi (51-22). Super Feather: Juan Huertas (9-1) W PTS 11 Freddy Fonesca (11-2-1). Super Light: Kelly Figueroa (8-2-3) W PTS 9 Isaias Valencia (5-3). Super Fly: Gilberto Pedroza (12-3-2) W PTS 9 Israel Hidrogo (10-5-1). Super Feather: Tony Gomez (6-0-1) W PTS 9 Rolando Giono (16-6,1ND)

Briggs vs. Petranyi

Briggs in yet another farce. One look at a vastly overweight Petranyi was enough to convince all that this would end early. The Hungarian veteran set off around the ring perimeter almost at a run with Briggs stalking. Within the first 10 seconds Briggs had caught up with Petranyi and hip tossed him on his back on the canvas. The referee stepped in and helped Petranyi up and took a point way from Briggs for throwing Petranyi to the floor. Petranyi set off around the ring again, Briggs managed to land a left hook to the body and even he looked surprised when Petranyi went down. The Hungarian got up and tried to throw some punches but went down again from a right to the body. The third knockdown came from a left hook to the body with Petranyi going down om his knees and then slumped forward with his head on the canvas as he was counted out. Another first round win for Briggs, his 6^th in his last 7 fights but the 48-year-old Petranyi, with 15 losses by KO/TKO and coming of a loss by kayo against a 5 fight novice was pathetic and is yet more proof that Briggs is scared to face any live body . He was challenged by former WBA cruiser champion Guillermo Jones. Let’s see-a 42-year-old fighter with just two fights in almost 5 years and two positive drugs tests in the last three years that just might be too a steep improvement in opposition for the 43-year-old “Cannon”.

Huertas vs. Fonesca

Huertas looks lucky to get split decision over Fonesca. “El General” made a good start but then a hand injury made it a struggle over the last five rounds as Fonesca could take some chances and dominated the second half of the fight. He looked to have won clearly but the decision went to the local fighter. Scores 106-103 ½, 106 ½-104 for Huertas and 106-104 ½ for Fonesca. Panamanian champion Huertas, 22 wins the vacant WBA Fedelatin title. His only loss came against Costa Rican Bergman Aguilar for the interim version of this title in April last year. Costa Rican southpaw Fonesca, 23, was unbeaten in his last 8 fights and felt he was robbed here-he has a point.

Figueroa vs. Valencia

Venezuelan Figueroa makes a second successful defence of his WBA Fedecaribe title but just gets by the local fighter on a close unanimous decision. Scores 86-85 twice and 87-84. Figueroa, 30, is 5-0-1 in his last 6 fights. Now 3 losses in a row for Valencia.

Pedroza vs. Hidrogo

Yet another very close contest as Pedroza moves up a couple of divisions and wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title and the Panamanian title. Pedroza was giving away some weight and was the naturally smaller fighter but he just edged his way to victory. Scores 87-86, 86 ½-85 to Pedroza and 86-85 to Hidrogo. Last year 22-year-old Pedroza moved up from minimumweight to light fly so this was a jump of another two divisions. He says he will go back down to light fly. Hidrogo, 22, the “Panamanian Ricky Hatton” had won his last 5 fights and was making the first defence of the Panamanian title.

Giono vs. Gomez

Yet another fight that was almost too close to call as local fighter Giono gets a majority decision over Gomez. This was the best fight of the night as they stood toe-to-toe for round after round with neither willing to take a step back. It could have gone either way but in the end a one point deduction from Gomez in the sixth round and the extra firepower of Giono clinched it. Scores 86-84, 86-85 and 85-85. Giono, 28, has turned his career around with 6 wins and a no decision in his last 7 fights and he collects the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title. First loss for Venezuelan Gomez.

Bilbao, Spain: Heavy: Gonzalo O Basile (65-11, 2ND) WDIS 3 Mario Lakatos (4-6). Super Feather: Andoni Gogo (10-1-2) W PTS 6 Michael Carrero (12-37-4). Middle: Lucas G Priori (13-3-1) W Stefan Stanko (6-65-1,1ND).

Basile vs. Lakatos

Basile, the walking tattoo parlour tries hard but it takes two and Lakatos was not interested and kept going down every time a blow swept by him and was finally disqualified in the third round. The 6’6” (198cm) 40-year-old Argentinian is trying his luck in Spain. He has fought in Europe twice and is 0-2 with both losses by KO/TKO. It’s strange 77 fights and he has never fought for the Argentinian title. Slovakian Lakatos, really just a cruiser has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

Gago vs. Carrero

Gago wins unanimous decision but is pressed hard by Carrero. The Spanish champion found Carrero a tough customer to overcome and also had to deal with the handicap of a big swelling over his left eye. He was a clear winner but the fight was harder than expected. The 29-year-old local has won his last four fights. Carrero, 29, a Spanish-based Nicaraguan has won only one of his last14 fights

Priori vs. Stanko

Argentinian Priori wins on his first fight in Spain. It was all over inside 40 seconds. One huge left cross from Priori put the 6’5” (195) Stanko down heavily. He made it to his feet but another burst of punches from Priori saw the fright stopped. The 28-year-old Priori has 9 wins by KO/TKO but has been strictly a 4 & 6 round fighter in Argentina. Stanko should find another hobby. He now has 57 losses by KO/TKO including eleven in a row.

Leeds, England: Welter: Adil Anwar (21-4) W PTS 8 Ryan Hardy (7-5).

The “Platinum Kid” gets back to winning ways with a points win over Hardy. Anwar was in his stride from the first round and came close to ending the fight inside the distance when he floored Hardy in the seventh. Hardy has yet to lose inside the distance and he kept that clean record by getting up and going through to the bell at the end of the eighth. The 27-year-old Anwar had an unbeaten run of 18 fights blown when he lost to Darren Hamilton for the British super light title in 2013. Two more losses in lower level fights knocked him back but now he hopes to get back to his old form. Hardy came in at two weeks’ notice and did well.

Arcadia, FL, USA: Super Fly: David Carmona (19-2-4) W PTS 10 Daniel Lozano (13-2).

Carmona gets the decision in this close fight between two well matched boxers and the visitor goes away with the decision. They fought on equal terms over the first half of the fight with nothing much between them. Mexican Carmona was using his superior skills to build a small lead over the last five rounds and then put the fight beyond local boy Lozano with a knockdown in the ninth. Lozano was not badly shaken and fought hard in the tenth but that knockdown proved too much to overcome. Scores 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94. Carmona, 24, lost in seven rounds in a far too ambitious challenge to Omar Narvaez for the WBO super fly title in 2013, his only loss in his last 18 fights. He has won three in a row since then and this victory gives him the WBO Latino title. “The Scorpion” Lozano was making the second defence of his WBO Latino title and was coming off a win over Jonathan Vidal (18-2). This loss will cost him his belt and his WBO No 9 rating.

March 28

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Feather: Gary Russell Jr (26-1) W TKO 4 Johnny Gonzalez (57-9). Super Welter: Jermell Charlo (26-0) W PTS 10 Vanes Martirosyan (35-2-1). Super Welter: Jermall Charlo (21-0) W PTS 10 Mike Finney (12-3-1). Super Middle: J’Leon Love (19-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Scott Sigmon (24-7-1). Super Middle: Elvin Ayala (28-6-1) W PTS 8 Ronald Gavril (11-1). Super Light: Levan Ghvamichava (14-1-1) W TKO 4 Sergio Villanueva (27-7-2). Bantam: Cesar Juarez (16-3) W PTS 8 Cesar Seda (26-2).

Russell vs. Gonzalez

Russell crushes Gonzalez in four rounds to win the WBC title and makes the Mexican look an old man overnight. Russell used a lightning quick southpaw jab and slick movement to clearly win the first round. That jab and some straight lefts gave Russell the second round. Gonzalez was a little more aggressive looking to get close and land his left hooks but Russell was just too quick. Russell stayed in control in the third with Gonzalez trying to close the distance but getting hit time and again with the jab and straight lefts. With just seconds to go in the third Russell scored with a lighting left/right combination of hooks and Gonzalez went down. The champion got up at six and the referee counted the mandatory eight. As the bell had gone during the count Gonzalez was able to go back to his corner to try to regroup. Russell went straight after Gonzalez in the fourth and as they exchanged punches a right hook staggered Gonzalez. He tried to fire back but was shaken by a left hook and took a step back and then went down on his knees. Gonzalez legs were wide spread and he almost reluctantly got to his feet as the count reached eight. Gonzalez took only a tentative step forward when asked to but said he was ok to continue so the referee waived them on. Russell rushed over and landed four hooks and Gonzalez tumbled sideways to the canvas with the referee stopping the fight immediately. The 26-year-old former Olympian answered the critics who though he did not deserve a title shot after his majority decision loss to Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant WBO title and his WBC No 7 rating. With 14 wins by KO/TKO going into the fight his best chance seemed to lie in using his speed to outscore Gonzalez which only increased the shock value of this win. He had been a remarkable amateur winning both the US National title and the NGG’s before he was seventeen but his Olympic dream ended when he collapsed in the dressing room before his first bout in Beijing but the dream of becoming a world champion has come true. Gonzalez is 33 but he looked much older on the night and much of his punch resistance seemed to have gone as the finishing combination of hooks did not look that hard. He has bounced back before but not sure he can do it again.

Charlo vs. Martirosyan

Charlo gets close unanimous decision over Martirosyan. Over the first two rounds Martirosyan seemed to just have the edge as he had his jab working and was scoring to the body. Charlo was fighting on the back foot and looking to counter and started to have success with those tactics from the third. He found they were working well for him so he continued to let Martirosyan be the aggressor and speared him with quick jabs, straight rights and combinations. As they went into the middle rounds it was a case of Charlo scoring more and Martirosyan landing the heavier punches. Martirosyan was cut in a clash of heads in the eighth and when inspected by the doctor Martirosyan indicated that he was having trouble with his vision but he wanted to fight on. The doctor agreed and the fight continued. It was very close and despite both boxers fighting hard over the last two rounds the decision was in the balance. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Charlo. Both fighters felt they had won but perhaps Charlo’s busier style helped him edge the close rounds. The 24-year-old Texas “Iron Man” adds Martirosyan to a list that already includes Demetrius Hopkins, Gabriel Rosado and Charlie Ota. Charlo is rated WBO 1/IBF 2/WBC 3. Martirosyan, 28, lost a split decision to Demetrius Andrade for the vacant WBO title in March last year but had returned with wins over Mario A Lozano and Willie Nelson (23-1-1) so this is another big setback for him.

Charlo vs. Finney

Charlo wins every round against the once promising Finney. Neither fighter really dominated the first round and Finney did enough to make it look as though it might be a close fight. From the second that impression changed as Charlo banged home a strong jab and scorching body punches and dominated the action for the rest of the fight. He was too quick and punished Finney in round after round. Finney kept walking into the punches trying to get close enough to do some scoring of his own. He had some success in short spells but was being battered and bruised in every round by speedy combinations from Charlo. The fight might have been stopped any time after the seventh but Charlo seemed content to get in some work and a battered and bloodied Finney made it to the final bell. The 24-year-old Texan has good wins over Norbert Gonzalez and Lenny Bottai but has not met the level of opposition to merit his No 1 rating by the IBF. Finney, 23, now has three losses and a draw ion his last four fights.

Love vs. Sigmon

Love returns to the ring and to the winning column with decision over Sigmon. To some extent he made this harder than it needed to be as he stood close and traded shots with Sigmon over the first two rounds instead of using his speed and skill to stay on the outside. He started to box more from the third and although Sigmon kept pressing he was finding Love a harder target and absorbing plenty of hurtful counters. The sixth saw some minor drama as Love was cut over his right eye and it was difficult to say if it was a punch or a clash of heads. Sigmon also landed a hard right, the best punch he had landed in the fight. Love took no chances after the sixth and was content to use his jab and a selection of uppercuts to pick up the points. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 27-year from Michigan was having his first fight since tumbling to a kayo loss against Rogelio Medina in August. The no decision was a win over Gabriel Rosado which was changed to a no decision when Love gave a positive test for a banned substance. He dropped out of the ratings after that los to Medina so has some work to do. Sigmon was coming off a stoppage loss to Caleb Truax in November.

Ayla vs. Gavril

This was not in the script as Ayala was a late replacement and only returned from two years of inactivity with a win in January over six rounds against 45-year-old Aaron Mitchell. Ayala showed he still had lots of skills rusty or not and loads of experience. He boxed on the back foot getting his jab off first and catching Gavril, with quick, accurate counters as the Romanian seemed unable to cut-off the ring and was not letting his punches go. Ayala was pocketing the rounds although Gavril had some success in the sixth and seventh as he increased his work nevertheless Ayala in the end was a comfortable winner. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. The 34-year-old from New Haven was knocked out in 12 rounds by Arthur Abraham for the IBF middle title in 2008 and after being knocked out in 70 seconds by Curtis Stevens in January 2013 decided to retire. Now he is back and can expect to be busy. Gavril, 28 will have to find a way to rebound from this loss. Ayala was a big step up from his previous opposition in both ability and experience so he needs to take on board the lesson he got here and put it to use to rebuild.

Ghvamichava vs. Villanueva

The Georgian “Wolf” too strong for experienced Mexican Villanueva. The fight was one-sided with Ghvamichava using a relentless body attack to wear down Villanueva. The Mexican tried to fight back but lacked the power to keep Ghvamichava out and his corner retired their man after four rounds. The 29-year-old Ghvamichava lost a split decision to Albert Herrera in 2013 but is 4-0-1 since then. Villanueva is 2-5 in his last 7 fights.

Juarez vs. Seda

This fight was supposed to continue the rebuilding of the former double world title challenger Seda but no one told Juarez that so he took the majority verdict. The Mexican looked a reasonable level opponent made safe by 22 months of inactivity. Juarez shook things up from the start by flooring southpaw Seda in the first round. The Puerto Rican recovered and made use of his better skills to get into the fight and slowly build a lead. Juarez just kept swarming in loading up on every punch and although getting caught by sharp counters from Seda he was able to land some power shots of his own. Seda looked to have clawed back the early lead that the knockdown gave Juarez, but he ruined his good work by landing one too many low punches in the last round and suffering a point deduction. Scores 76-74 twice and 75-75. A good win for Juarez and as he has a “name” on his record he will be another fighter in demand. He had been meeting a good level of opposition but Seda was higher level so a big win. Seda, 29, lost to Omar Narvaez for the WBO super fly title in 2011 and to Leo Santa Cruz for the WBS super bantam title in December 2013. He had returned with a win in June but now has to regroup again.

Sheffield, England: Welter: Kell Brook (34-0) W TKO 4 Ionut Dan Ion (34-3). Super Bantam: Gavin McDonnell (13-0) W PTS 12 Olek Yegorov (13-1-1). Middle: Sergey Khomitsky (30-11-3) W KO 4 Adam Etches (18-1). Fly: Khalid Yafai (14-0) W PTS 8 Cris Rosales (10-2). Welter: Frankie Gavin (22-1) W PTS 10 Bogdan Mitic (20-7). Super Feather: Stephen Smith (21-1) W PTS 6 Jacek Wylezol (11-9).

Brook vs. Ion (Dan)

Brook retains IBF title as he floors Dan (Dan Ion) four times on the way to victory. The first round saw both tentative over the first two minutes but both letting some punches fly over the last minute with Brook doing better scoring with a stabbing jab and sharp right uppercut. In the second a straight right from Brook had southpaw Dan staggering backwards. As he lunged in trying to grab on to Brook a right uppercut inside put Dan down on one knee. He was up immediately and ready to continue after the mandatory count. Brook walked straight in and another right put Dan down on his bottom. Again he was up quickly and when the fight restarted Brook hammered home some more rights then wrestled Dan to the floor. The Romanian was just trying to survive, ducking and diving and clutching but he looked unsteady every time Brook landed a punch. By the end of the round he had steady himself and was trying to punch back. Dan was working his jab in the third and Brook was a little right hand happy and throwing the punch without setting up his jab. Near the end of the round Brook again got through with some rights to the head and Dan looked rocky. Dan actually started the fourth aggressively lunging in with his southpaw jab and trying to work inside. With a minute to go as Dan rushed in Brook caught him with a right uppercut and a left to the side of the head. Dan was staggered and after a series of punches he went down. At the end of the count he came forward throwing punches but after an untidy spell of wrestling a left to the side of the head sent Dan tumbling to the canvas again. He was up quickly and by the time the count was completed the bell had rung but Dan retired in his corner. “The Special One” has made a remarkable recovery from a machete attack and showed real power in demolishing his mandatory contender. He now has plenty of options with Juan Manuel Marquez being mentioned but the preferred option for British fans would be a fight with Amir Khan. Dan, 33, was made to look very ordinary and was probably not deserving of the No 1 spot but he was a world class amateur and his only two losses had been highly controversial points defeats by Turk Selcuk Aydin in Turkey and he had twice beaten Canadian Kevin Bizier. The only defeats Brazier has suffered in his 25 fights.

McDonnell vs Yegorov

McDonnell wins the vacant European title but Yegorov put up a much better showing than the scores indicate. The Ukrainian champion started well scoring with sharp jabs against McDonnell. The second saw the British fighter settle down and begin to use his own jab, fast rights and some body punches as he bloodied the face of the Ukrainian. Yegorov has some success in the third as he had McDonnell on the back foot and fighting off the ropes but McDonnell blasted home an uppercut at the end of the round. McDonnell was going to the body more in the fourth and dominated the fifth but Yegorov was also having some success inside and battled back in the seventh only for McDonnell to finish the round with a flourish. The Brit hurt Yegorov with a body punch in the ninth but the durable Ukrainian had a better tenth as McDonnell seemed momentarily to tire. Yegorov did enough to make the eleventh a close round and then they scrapped throughout the last three minutes with McDonnell getting the deserved decision. Scores 118-109, 118-110 and 117-111. The 28-year-old from Doncaster, the brother of WBA bantam secondary tittle holder Jamie, beat world rated Vusi Malinga last time out and is rated IBF 9. He will be hoping this win makes the other sanctioning bodies take notice. Yegorov, 26, was a strange choice to contest the vacant title as he had only one ten round fight previously but he fought well and justified his selection.

Khomitsky vs. Etches

Khomitsky bombs the “Bomber”. The visitor made a good start scoring with a hard right in the first and getting the better of most of the second until Etches shook Khomitsky with a right late in the round. Etches was now applying the pressure and scoring with good rights as he took the third. However Khomitsky was still dangerous and he exploded a one punch finish in the fourth. Etches reached with a jab and leant to his right. That meant the left side of his chin was exposed and Khomitsky landed a clubbing right that sent Etches crashing to the canvas. He went down heavily and although the referee started the count he abandoned it at two and the fight was over. The 40-year-old Belarus fighter wins the IBF International title. He is known as “The Ghost” but judging by this stunning one-punch finish and his halting of Frank Buglioni he should steal from the great Jimmy Wilde and be “The Ghost with the Hammer in His Hands”. Since halting Buglioni in April last year he had lost by TKO against Robert Stieglitz and drawn with Brit Nick Blackwell but after this fight he might by shunned

by any promising young Brit. Etches, 24, looked to have the fight well in hand and got nailed by a punch that would have put any but the concrete-chinned down. He is still a good prospect and can and will rebuild.

Yafai vs. Rosales

Yafai gets a win but Rosales proves tougher than expected. The brilliant young CBC champion was always in control but the Nicaraguan champion made him fight hard all the way. Referee’s scores 79-76. The 25-year-old “Kal” the CBC champion is a former amateur star and a great prospect. Rosales, 20, will now probably find it more financially rewarding to fight often and lose often on the European circuit.

Gavin vs. Mitic

Gavin uses Mitic as warm-up for fight with Chris van Heerden in May. The CBC and British champion was just too quick and too slick for the static Serb. Mitic had no answer to the southpaw jabs and quick lefts of Gavin. The Birmingham fighter looked to have shaken Mitic with a right in the fifth and a left in the seventh but never really went into top gear and Mitic was able to last the distance without winning a round. Referee’s score 100-90. The 29-year-old Gavin’s only loss is a split decision against Leonardo Bundu, a recent loser to Keith Thurman for the interim WBA title, in June. He has rebounded with a win over Bradley Skeete (18-0) for the British and CBC titles. He is rated IBF 5/WBA10/WBC 14 so still very much in the mix albeit in a very tough British mix that includes Amir Khan and Kell Brook. Mitic, 31, is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights but those five losses were to boxers with combined records of 89-1so a tough road

Smith vs. Wylezol

Smith eases his way through to a comfortable victory. The fighter from the famous Liverpool fighting family had Wylezol on the floor in the third from a body punch but the Pole got up and survived to the end of the six rounds. Referee’s score 60-53. The 29-year-old “Swifty” lost on a stoppage against Lee Selby in 2011 for the CBC and British featherweight titles but has run up 8 wins since then winning the British and WBC Silver titles at super feather with the Silver title getting him a No 2 rating with the WBC so next in line after Francisco Vargas. Wylezol, 26, has lost 7 of his last 8 fights and is 0-3 in fights in the UK.

Quezon City, Philippines: Light Fly: Donnie Nietes (35-1-4) W RTD 9 Gilberto Parra (19-3,1ND).Super Bantam: Nonito Donaire (34-3) W TKO 2 William Prado (22-5-1). Super Bantam: Albert Pagara (23-0) W TKO 4 Rodolfo Hernandez (26-6-1,1ND). Bantam: Ryo Akaho (26-1-2) W KO 4 Prosper Ankrah (24-5,1ND). Feather: AJ Banal (33-2-1) W PTS 8 Junior Bajawa (14-6).

Nietes vs. Parra

This was never going to be a difficult fight for Nietes and he confirmed that impression by dominating all the way. He had his left hooks slamming into the body of Parra in the first round and went to the head in the second with jarring straight rights. As a result the challenger was already marked up on his face and suffered a bad cut on his right eyebrow. Parra showed courage by not capitulating and after taking more punishment in the third and fourth he briefly went into survival mode but was competitive in the fifth and probable did enough to share the sixth. Nietes worked his way on top in the seventh and floored Parra in the eighth with a left/right combination. Parra made it to his feet but took a pounding in the ninth a series of straight rights worsened the gash on Parr’s eyebrow and at the end of the round the doctor took a look at the injury and advised that the fight should be stopped. The 32-year-old “Ahas” was making the sixth defence of his WBO title. He holds the record for the longest period for any Filipino fighter being a world champion. He was 5-0 in title fights at minimumweight and is 6-0-1at super fly (he drew with and then knocked out Moi Fuentes), His only loss was a split decision to Angky Angkotta in Indonesia in 2004 and he is unbeaten in 26 fights since then. Parra had done little of note since losing to Martin Tecuapetia in 2013 but was somehow rated No 13 by the WBO.

Donaire vs. Prado

Donaire overwhelms poor Brazilian Prado in two rounds. Donaire took the first round just to warm up but still landing some nice hooks. In the second he cut loose and quickly had Prado’s face bloodied from a bad cut and the Brazilian tried desperately to get away. Donaire drove him to the ropes and was pounding the cowering Prado with left hooks and uppercuts when the referee stopped the fight. The 32-year-old “Filipino Flash” wins the vacant NABF title and has 22 wins by KO/TKO. He will now be looking for a title shots at super bantam after the devastating kayo loss to Nicholas Walters convinced him the feathers were not his natural home. Prado was way out of his depth here. He had gone the distance with Paulus Ambunda and Jeremy Parodi but was knocked in three rounds by Scott Quigg and like so many Brazilians had never won a fight outside Brazil.

Pagara vs. Hernandez

Pagara again shows he is a boxer for the future and probably the next big Filipino star. The dyed-haired youngster floored Hernandez in the first with a right and showed little respect for the vaunted punching power of Hernandez who had scored 24 of his 26 wins by KO/TKO. Hernandez showed typical Mexican grit by trading with Pagara in the second and third, but was slowly getting broken down. Pagara had him staggering from a right in the third and dominated the fourth with a series of hooks from both hands to head and body. Hernandez retired at the end of the round citing an injury to his right hand. The 21-year-old “Prince Albert” was making the second defence of his IBF Inter-Continental title and has 16 wins by KO/TKO. He is rated No 7 (6) by the IBF and his brother Jason is also world rated. Hernandez does not do distance fights as only 5 of his 34 fights have gone the distance. He is 3-4 in his last 7 fights all of which naturally ended inside the distance.

Akaho vs. Ankrah

Akaho has too much power and skill for Ghanaian Ankrah. It wasn’t a pretty fight with Ankrah doing lots of holding and very much in survival mode. . Akaho finally ended it in the fourth with a barrage of hooks which put Ankrah down for the full count. The 28-year-old Japanese fighter wins the vacant WBO International title. He lost on points to Yota Sato for the WBC super-fly title in 2012 and this is his seventh win since then. He is now part of the outstanding ALA team in the Philippines and is rated WBO 1/IBF 10(8)/WBA 10/WBC 12. Ankrah goes to 4 losses by KO/TKO. He was knocked out in two rounds by Carl Frampton in 2012 for the CBC title and usually loses when he tries to step up.

Banal vs. Bajawa

Former double world title challenger Banal keeps busy with a unanimous decision over Indonesian Bajawa. The Filipino “Bazooka” was coasting when a bit of headwork by Bajawa in the sixth left him with a cut up at hair level. Bajawa was deducted a point for the butt and despite the cut Banal won every round. Scores 80-71 from all three judges. The 26-year-old southpaw lost to Rafael Concepcion for the interim WBA super fly title in 2008 and to Pungluang for the vacant WBO bantam title in 2012. This is his fifth win at featherweight. Bajawa, 24, a former Indonesian bantam and super fly champion has now lost 5 in a row.

Merida, Mexico: Fly: Juan Francisco Estrada (32-2) W TKO 3 Rommel Asenjo (26-4). Super Feather: Miguel Berchelt (25-1) W RTD 5 Rene Gonzalez (31-8-1,1ND). Light: Aaron Herrera (29-3-1) W TKO 1 Raul Hinojosa (11-5-1,1ND). Fly: Moises Fuentes (21-2-1) W PTS 6 Francisco Hernandez (1-2). Super light: Pedro Campa (16-0) W TKO 6 Dario Garibay (11-2-1).

Estrada vs. Asenjo

Estrada easily brushes aside challenge from Filipino Asenjo and retains his WBA and WBO titles. After a first round of study Estrada cut loose in the second. The champion realised that Asenjo lacked the power to hurt him and took over. He had the Filipino under fire for most of the round and opened a bad cut over the right eye of Asenjo. In the third Estrada put Asenjo down with crushing right and after the Filipino got up as Estrada was unloading on Asenjo the Filipino’s corner threw in the towel. The referee stopped the action but did not officially stop the fight as the token throwing of a towel is not recognised here. Asenjo’s corner then entered the ring effectively taking the decision out of the referee’s hands and the fight was over. The local Commission was concerned that the damage over Asenjo’s eye was more than just a cut and could have led to neurological damage so it was a good stoppage. The 24-year-old Estrada makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO and this was his fourth defence of his titles. His only loss in his last 15 fights was against the great little Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez in 2012. He has since scored six wins including victories over Brian Viloria, Milan Melinda and Giovani Segura. Southpaw Asenjo, 26, was halted in three rounds by Raul Garcia for the WBO minimumweight title in 2011 and won 6 low level fights since then. He should never have been rated as a flyweight let alone fighting for a title

Berchelt vs. Gonzalez

Berchelt made a fast start and was already targeting the body of Gonzalez. The visitor from Nicaragua was under heavy pressure in the second but showed a willingness to stand and trade and absorb the shots from Berchelt. The third was again full of exchanges with neither paying much attention to defence and although Berchelt was winning the fight he was taking punches he should not have done. The fourth saw Berchelt on top and Gonzalez wobbled on occasion but he would not back down. The fifth was all Berchelt and with Gonzalez badly cut on his right eyebrow it was no surprise when the Nicaraguan retired at the end of the round. Berchelt, 23, wins the vacant WBO NABO title and makes it 22 wins by KO/TKO. But he still needs to tighten his defence as illustrated by his first round loss to Colombian Luis E Flores in March. This is his fourth win since then and he is rated WBO 9/WBC 13.”Chirizo” Gonzalez, 31, suffers his third loss in a row and his third loss by KO/TKO. Once world rated he is now 4-7 in his last 11 fights

Herrera vs. Hinojosa

“La Joya” Herrera is slowing getting his career back on track. The local fighter took only 85 seconds to halt Hinojosa. Herrera rocked Hinojosa early and had him against the ropes and was flailing away with both hands. Hinojosa was blocking many of the shots and ducking and diving away from the other so that when the referee halted the fight it looked a very premature stoppage with the crowd baying their disapproval. However the decision was made and Herrera gets win No 18 by KO/TKO. After winning his first 24 fights the 24-year-old from Valladolid then went 1-3 in his next 4 with losses to Fernando Garcia, Jason Pagara and Selcuk Aydin. Since the 2013 loss to Aydin he has scored 4 wins and been in a technical draw with Jorge Paez Jr. Southpaw Hinojosa is 1-4-1no decision in his last 6 fights but had taken world rated Fermin De Los Santos to a majority decision in November.

Fuentes vs. Hernandez

Former undefeated WBO minimum champion Flores gets through a keep-busy fight with novice Hernandez and wins unanimous decision with Hernandez doing better than expected by being competitive. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55. The 29-year-old “Moi” has good wins over Raul Garcia, Julio Cesar Felix, Ivan Calderon Luis de la Rosa and Omar Salido and drew with Donnie Nietes for the WBO light fly title before losing on a ninth round kayo to Nietes last May. This is his second low level win since then.

Campa vs. Garibay

Campa wins a good scrap between two promising boxers. Campa kept his unbeaten record as he put Garibay down on his knees in the first and had the better of the toe-to-toe action in each round. Garibay was taking punishment but was not willing to retreat so there were plenty of furious exchanges. Campa decided it in six with a right that put Garibay down. He made it to his feet but had nothing left and the fight was stopped. Campa now has 14 wins by KO/TKO although local sources had him 18-0 with 16 by KO/TKO. Garibay’s only other loss was to the very useful Abner Lopez

Catamarca, Argentina: Super Bantam: Luis E Cusolito (21-1) W TKO 2 Sergio C Santillan (31-14-3). Welter: Cesar M Barrionuevo (27-3-2) W PTS 10 Ramon de la Cruz Sena (19-14-2).

Cusolito vs. Santillan

Cusolito crushes the normally durable Santillan inside two rounds. Cusolito had height, reach and power and Santillan spent most of the first round on the move whilst Cusolito tried to hunt him down. Santillan tried to stay in the centre of the ring in the second and was showing a bit more aggression. Suddenly a chopping right from Cusolito landed on the side of Santillan’s head. He took a couple of small faltering steps and then pitched face down on the canvas. It was an alarming knockdown and the referee immediately stopped the fight so that Santillan could get medical attention and he recovered quickly. Cusolito, 26, has 19 wins by KO/TKO and looks to have genuine power. He is a long lean fighter who whips his punches in. This was his second defence of his Argentinian title and he wins Santillan’s South American title. Santillan, 31, loses inside the distance for only the second time. The only other KO/TKO loss this way was back in 2004 against Masibulele Makepula in South Africa

Barrionuevo vs. Sena

Barrionuevo wins close unanimous decision over old foe Sena. It was very much a clash of styles with the tall loose-limbed southpaw in constant movement and the tough experienced Sena trying to get inside and work to the body to slow down the quicker man. Barrionuevo was able to take pot shots from the outside but Sena was willing to take punches either to get through with his own or to lure Barrionuevo into range by hiding behind a high guard. Since Barrionuevo has no real power in his punches they were sound tactics but meant he was letting Barrionuevo dictate the pace of the fight. Many of the rounds were close with some good exchanges as neither has a tight defence. Barrionuevo was far enough in front to have coasted through the last but he was more often the one coming forward and ran out a clear winner. Scores 99-93 ½, 99-94 and 99-96. Barrionuevo wins the interim Argentinian title and is 2-1 ahead in their series. He has lost just one of his last 26 fights but that lack of power will keep him at domestic level. Sena, 28 is an average performer who has a great chin but limited technique. He was rated FAB No 5 going in.

Mansfield, Australia: Super Feather: Paul Fleming (20-0) W PTS 10 Chaiyong (36-13-4). Super Welter: Shannon King (9-1) W PTS 10 Liam Hutchinson (10-2).

Fleming vs. Chaiyong

Fleming remains unbeaten with wide unanimous decision over tough but limited Thai. This was only the second fight for Fleming in almost two years but he never let Chaiyong get into the fight and was a clear winner on scores of 100-90,100-91 and 98-92. He wins the vacant interim WBO Asia Pacific title. The 26-year-old “2Gunz” a former World Junior bronze medallist competed for Australia at both the World Championships and the 2008 Olympics. This is his first professional title. Chaiyong, 34, was unbeaten in his last 6 fights but is now 0-4 in fights in Australia.

King vs. Hutchinson

Former Muay Thai exponent King, 37, retains the Australian title with unanimous decision over Hutchinson. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-94. King who dips in and out of boxing for Muay Thai fights won his first seven contests by KO/TKO but then lost to Sam Ah See for the vacant Australian title in February last year. He won the then vacant title with a victory over Rey Anton Olarte in September. Hutchinson, 22, the Queensland State champion had won his last six fights.

Mississauga, Canada: Feather: Logan McGuinness (21-0-1) W PTS 8 Luis A Juarez (19-9-2). Light Heavy: Ricardo M Ramallo (17-6-1) W TKO 1 Steve Franjic (12-2-1). Heavy: Donovan Ruddock (39-5-1) W TKO 5 Ray Olubowale (10-7-1).

McGuinness vs. Juarez

McGuinness makes a welcome return with a win. The local hero used a sustained body attack to shut Argentinian Juarez out of the fight. McGuinness suffered some frustration from the running and holding tactics of the Argentinian but he probably got more useful ring time than he would have in an early blow out of an opponent. Scores 79-73 from all three judges. First fight for over two years for the 27-year-old McGuinness who was riding high in the ratings after winning a third NABA title to become the only fighter to have won NABA titles in three divisions. A broken hand and an Achilles tendon injury forced his inactivity. Juarez, 32, was coming back from inactivity with just one fight in the previous 15 months.

Ramallo vs. Franjic

Argentinian springs upset as he beats local Franjic in 75 seconds. In almost the first exchange a right from Ramallo put Franjic down. The Canadian looked to have hurt his knee as he went down. He made it to his feet but Ramallo was all over him landing with punches from both hands. Franjic’s corner threw in the towel but the referee did not see it and it was Ramallo who pointed it out just as one of Franjic’s seconds climbed into the ring. The 31-year-old Argentinian had lost 3 of his last 4 fights down at super middle but there were tough fights on the road against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam and Zac Dunn contributing to those three losses. Second loss in a row by KO/TKO for Franjic.

Ruddock vs. Olubowale

Ruddock returns to the ring with a win as he comes from behind to halt former Canadian champion Olubowale. The 6’7” (201m) “Mount Kilimanjaro” Olubowale used his height and reach to keep Ruddock on the end of his jab and found Ruddock’s flabby middle an easy target for body punches. He floored the former world title contender with a right in the fourth but just could not find a definitive punch and a rocky Ruddock survived with the help of the mandatory eight count. Suddenly in the fifth Ruddock landed a big left uppercut that put Olubowale down and the fight was stopped. Ruddock was on the way to losing this one until he found that uppercut but then he has always been a puncher as guys such as James Broad, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Mike Dokes and Greg Page can attest. Ruddock had won 10 fights in a row, 9 by KO/TKO, when he retired in October 2001and the 51-year-old “Razor” was anything but sharp in his first fight in over 13 years. Olubowale, no spring chicken himself at 44, was having his first fight in two years and this is his fifth loss by KO/TKO.

Budapest, Hungary: Super Middle: Norbert Nemesapati (17-2) W PTS 10 Zura Mekereshvili (7-2). Hungarian teenager Nemesapati wins vacant WBO Youth title with unanimous decision. Georgian Mekereshvili was competitive over the early rounds pressurising the young “Noble”. Nemesapati used superior skill extra experience and conditioning to dominate from the fifth round as he was able use those skills to open up the Georgian’s defence; Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. Still only 19 Nemesapati won his first 15 fights but then last year lost to Jason Escalera in Nevada and Schiller Hyppolite in Montreal. This is his second win as he rebuilds back home. Mekereshvili, 21, had won his last 4 fights but is 0-2 outside Georgia.

Christchurch, New Zealand: Cruiser: Anthony McCracken (18-7-1) W PTS 10 Vaitele Soi (24-2). Cruiser: Monty Betham Jnr W TKO 4 Adam Hollioake (2-2)

McCracken vs. Soi

Wagga Wagga resident McCracken retains his WBA Pan African, WBO Asia Pacific and OPBF cruiser titles with clear unanimous decision over Samoan Soi. “The Bull” won on scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92. Second good win in a row for 31-year-old McCracken who came from behind to stop world rated David Aloua in November. Beating Aloua and winning those titles means he is WBA No 12/WBO 13. He has lost twice to Daniel Ammann for the Australian title. Soi, 27, won his first24 fights but lost to Brad Pitt in the final of the New Zealand staged cruiserweight Super 8.

Bethan vs. Hollioake

Betham makes it two wins on his return as he halts former England cricketer Hollioake. Betham floored Hollioake in the first and then again in the fourth. Another barrage of punches from Betham saw the referee stop the fight. The 37-year-old son of the former CBC middleweight champion Monty Snr lost to Shane Cameron on points in December 2011 and was then inactive until returning with a win in December last year. Hollioake, 43, was born in Australia but played cricket for England along with his brother Ben and was an outstanding captain of the Surrey team. His post cricket life was not so happy with the tragic death of Ben and some poor business ventures which saw him declared bankrupt in 2011. He has competed in MMA as well as boxing.

Lima, Peru: Feather: Carlos Zambrano (25-0) W PTS 12 Daniel Ramirez (24-1).

Zambrano wins the WBA interim title with unanimous decision over Ramirez. Zambrano out boxed the Dominican over the first three rounds with his tricky hands down style and fleet movement with Ramirez not able to get in close. From the fourth Ramirez came alive and was much more competitive. Zambrano took control again over the last four rounds and had done enough to be able to dance through the last rounds with his arms at waist level and Ramirez just too slow to cut off the ring. Scores 118-111, 116-112 and 116 ½-113 ½. The 30-year-old “Mina”, he is the nephew of the best fighter ever produced by Peru-Mauro Mina, turned pro in the USA and has consistently avoid meeting any serious opposition but that has worked for him. “Mad Dog” Ramirez, 21, has impressive statistics but the matching in the Dominican Republic is the worst in the world! 14 of Ramirez’s opponents had never won a fight and 9 others had negative records

Portsmouth, England: Light: Floyd Moore (10-6-1) W Kris Dochev (12-20).

Local hero Moore gets back to winning ways with stoppage of Bulgarian. Moore had Dochev down in the first and third rounds scoring three knockdowns in all and the fight was halted early in the sixth round. The 24-year-old “Pac Man” has 8 wins by KOTKO. He wins the vacant International Masters title and breaks a three fight losing streak. Dochev is 0-11 in fights in the UK.

Pensacola, FL, USA: Cruiser: Roy Jones (61-8) W TKO 1 Paul Vasquez (10-7-1).

Jones adds another meaningless win in his campaign for a shot at the cruiserweight title. Vasquez came out aggressively forcing Jones to the ropes and trying to hold him there where the hand speed of Jones would be nullified. When Jones got off the ropes he drove Vasquez to a corner and unleashed a volley of punches from both hands as Vasquez slumped to the floor. The referee started the count. He then realised that Jones after walking to a neutral corner then started walking towards Vasquez’s corner. He stopped the count and ordered Jones back to the neutral corner. That gave Vasquez time to get to his feet. The referee had Vasquez step forward and wiped his gloves. He then ordered Vasquez to his corner and walked with him. When they reached the corner the referee waived his arm and stopped the fight. A curious ending to a fight that proved nothing. Jones is determined to get a fight with Marco Huck but with the opposition he is fighting he is almost taking a similar but much politer Shannon Briggs route.

Tacoma, WA, USA: Super Middle: Mike Gavronski (17-1-1) W TKO 6 Maurice Louishome (8-2-1).

Local fighter Gavronski marks the celebration of the 100^th show on board the Emerald Queen Casino as he gets inside the distance win over Louishome in six. No sizing up time here as the fighters went in determined to trade. It made for an exciting start with both fighters on the floor in the second round. In the following rounds Gavronski gradually took command with a ramrod jab and heavy rights. Louishome was rocked by a right late in the fifth and after a knockdown in the sixth the fight was stopped. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for the 29-year-old “Imagine Me”. His only loss was a points decision against world rated Tureano Johnson in July and this is his third win as he re-establishes himself. Louishome, 37 had been stopped by unbeaten Russian Ievgen Khytrov in January.