The Past Week in Action 31 May 2021

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

Highlights:

– Devon Haney holds off a strong finish from Jorge Linares to retain the WBC lightweight title

-Filipino wonder man Nonito Donaire stops Nordine Oubaali in four rounds to win the WBC bantamweight title

– Mexican Esteban Bermudez springs a huge upset with kayo of unbeaten title holder Carlos Canizales to win the WBA light flyweight title

-Puerto Rican Subriel Matias floors and beats Batyrzhan Jukembayev on a eighth retirement in an IBF super lightweight eliminator

-South African Azinga Fuzile stops Thomas Joseph Ward in seven rounds in IBF super featherweight eliminator

-Jason Quigley outpoints Shane Mosley Jr in a middleweight ten rounder

-Super light Gary Antuanne Russell makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO in 14 fights with win over Jovanie Santiago

-Australian heavyweight hope Justis Huni outpoints Christian Ndzie Tsoye

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

28 May

 

2) W TKO 6 Carlos Canizales (22-1-1). Super Bantam: David Carmona (22-7-5,1ND) W PTS 10 Belmar Preciado (21-4-1).

Bermudez vs. Canizales

Huge upset as unfancied Bermudez grinds down then floors and halts previously unbeaten Canizales to win the WBA secondary light flyweight title. Canizales was scoring early with hooks and uppercuts inside. Bermudez was a bit crude but had a strong jab and looked dangerous with overhand rights. Bermudez kept coming forward behind his jab in the second forcing Canizales onto the back foot. Canizales rocked Bermudez with a right but Bermudez repaid him with a right that snapped the title holder’s head back and Canizales looked rattled. Canizales scored well inside in the third but then the strength of Bermudez had him backing up. Bermudez continued to march forward behind his jab. He was shrugging off counters from Canizales and scoring with strong rights to the head and banging away to the body. Canizales turned up the heat in the fourth. He attacked hard and worked Bermudez over on the ropes and Bermudez looked to be tiring. It was Canizales who was showing signs of tiring in the fifth. Bermudez continued to walk Canizales down raking him with long punches and Canizales was cut over his left eye. Canizales was landing some good counters but Bermudez just shrugged them of and worked on the body of Canizales. The sixth saw Canizales landing quality punches but he could not keep Bermudez out. A right to the head shook Canizales and another sent him down heavily. He staggered up but looked unsteady and when the action resumed a right to the head sent Canizales falling to the canvas against the ropes and the referee immediately stopped the fight. The 25-year-old new champion had no right even being in the ring with Canizales as the WBA had to manipulate their ratings to suddenly bring him from nowhere to No 10. Bermudez seized his chance. He proved a big, strong and determined challenger and walked through the punches from the champion even though Canizales had scored 17 wins by KO/TKO. He was very crude at times but effective. Venezuelan Canizales was making the third defence of the title. It may be that one year without a fight took away something from him but he had previously beaten fighters with better credentials than Bermudez and he just crumbled under the constant pressure.

Carmona vs. Preciado

Carmona makes it a double for Mexico over South America as he outpoints Colombian Preciado in a mild upset. Preciado started well and edged two of the early rounds. Carmona then took the fight inside outscoring Preciado and administering a bad body beating. Preciado faded and in the last it even looked possible that Carmona might stop him. Scores 98-93 twice and 96-94. Carmona wins the WBC Fecarbox belt. He has been beaten in title shots by Omar Narvaez and Khalid Yafai and had lost 5 of his last 6 fights so another title shot is a long way away. Preciado is a very in-and-out performer and nowhere near world class.

 

29 May

 

Carson, CA, USA: Bantam: Nonito Donaire (41-6) W TKO 4 Nordine Oubaali (17-1). Super Light: Subriel Matias (17-1) W RTD 8 Batyrzhan Jukembayev (18-1). Super Light: Gary Antuanne Russell (14-0-0) W RTD 6 Jovanie Santiago (14-2-1). Super Light: Kevin Johnson (9-2) W KO 8 Luis Salazar (15-1). Bantam: Alejandro Santiago (24-2-5) W KO 2 Juan Medina (12-7).

Donaire vs. Oubaali

Donaire crushes WBC champion Oubaali with three knockdowns to make history as the oldest fighter to win a bantamweight title.

Round 1

A close opening round saw Oubaali using his speed and landing jabs to head and body. Donaire was a little slower but looked dangerous with his left hooks.

Score: 10-9 Oubaali

Round 2

Similar story but Oubaali upped his pace a bit more and mixed in some good hooks and straight rights. Donaire applied pressure and connected with some left hooks but was just outscored by the champion.

Score: 10-9 Oubaali                                 Oubaali 20-18

Round 3

Donaire was walking Oubaali down and closing the distance. Oubaali was still jabbing well but had nothing with which to keep the taller Donaire out. It was a close round until with 45 seconds to go in the round Donaire clipped Oubaali with a left to the head. Oubaali fell forward putting his glove on the canvas to stop himself from going down. When he straightened he looked shaky. After the count Donaire floored Oubaali heavily. Initially the referee seemed to throw his arms out to stop the fight and corner men and the doctor were climbing thought the ropes. The referee waived for them to get out and he then gave Oubaali a count and Oubaali survived the round.

Score: 10-7 Donaire                                 Donaire 28-27

Round 4

Oubaali tried to hold Donaire off in the fourth but failed and a left hook dumped Oubaali on the floor propped up against the ropes. He looked in some distress and this time the referee did stop the fight. Great victory for the 38-year-old Donaire who is already a four-division champion and becomes the oldest fighter to win the bantamweight title. Now he wants a return with Naoya Inoue who took his WBA super bantamweight title in his last fight in November 2019. Oubaali was making the third defence of the title. Oubaali had been a travelling champion having won the WBC title by beating Rau’shee Warren in the USA and defended it in Kazakhstan and Japan. He just could not match the power punching of Donaire. He is 34 but unlikely to retire.

Matias vs. Jukembayev

Matias brutalises and breaks down unbeaten Jukembayev to force Jukembayev’s corner to pull their man out of the fight after eight rounds. A confident start from Jukembayev. He was finding gaps for his right jab and banging home straight lefts. Matias had some success with left jabs late in the round but the early work from Jukembayev earned him the round. Matias was coming forward throughout the second with Jukembayev scoring with rights and lefts but he could not keep Matias out and the Puerto Rican scored well to the body. Jukembayev was being forced to stand and trade punches in the third with the strength of Matias telling and in the fourth a series of punches sent Jukembayev reeling back and down. Jukembayev beat the count and fought hard to make it to the bell. Jukembayev boxed his way through the fifth but Matias had him under heavy pressure at the end of the sixth. Matias was relentless in the seventh. Jukembayev was countering with accurate shots but Matias was walking through them and landing hurtful body shots although Jukembayev seemed to stagger Matias with a right hook late in the round. Matias handed out a solid beating for the whole three minutes of the eighth. With serious swelling around both eyes an exhausted Jukembayev retired at the end of the round. This was the semi-final of an IBF eliminator series to establish a mandatory challenger to Josh Taylor with Australian Liam Paro and Argentinian Jeremias Ponce the other two contesting the semi-finals. Matias was floored and outpointed by unfancied Russian Petros Ananyan in February 2020 but came back with a win over 18-0 Malik Hawkins in October. Canadian-based Kazak Jukembayev had not fought since January 2020 and the only name on his record was Miguel Vazquez who he outpointed in 2019.

Russell vs. Santiago

Russell has yet to go the distance for a win and he floored and broke down Santiago who retired after the sixth round making it the longest fight so far for Russell. Russell dictated the action with stiff jabs in the first and began to find the range with southpaw lefts in the second but Santiago dug in some left hooks to the body at the end of the round. Russell got through with solid shots to head and body in the third and dropped Santiago with a short right hook in the fourth. Santiago soaked up more punishment but made to the bell. The fifth was a more even round but Russell battered Santiago in the sixth and came close to ending it with Santiago retiring at the end of the round. First fight in fifteen months for the 24-year-old Russell who has taken only 29 rounds for his 14 wins. First inside the distance loss for Puerto Rican Santiago who had lost on points against Adrien Broner in February

Johnson vs. Salazar

Johnson proves too strong and too quick for Dominican Salazar. Salazar was having his first fight outside the Republic and was exposed by the less experienced Johnson. Salazar never really got into the fight in a significant way. Johnson outboxed him over the first two rounds and then floored him twice in the third. Salazar survived but also suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose. Salazar’s cut bleed copiously but he managed to avoid too much trouble until the seven when he was dropped for the third time. With his face smeared with blood when he went down again in the eighth the fight was stopped. Johnson, a former National PAL silver medal winner, had lost to two unbeaten former amateur stars in Fazliddin Gaibnazarov and Richardson Hitchins and was having his first fight for 15 months but this win might lead to a more active run. Former Dominican amateur champion Salazar had been carefully matched against novices and faded fighters and was exposed here

Santiago vs. Medina

Mexican Santiago brushes aside Dominican Medina. Santiago outscored Medina in the first and then put him down and out in the second. WBC International champion Santiago is unbeaten in his last 20 fights including four draws and is No 6 with the WBC. Medina drops to 2-7 in his last 9 fights.

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light: Devin Haney (26-0) W PTS 12 Jorge Linares (47-6). Super Feather: Azinga Fuzile (15-1) W TKO 8 Thomas Joseph Ward (24-2-2) W. Middle: Jason Quigley (19-1) W PTS 10 Shane Mosley Jr (17-3).

Haney vs. Linares

Haney takes unanimous decision over Linares in WBC title defence. He outboxes Linares most of the way but is seriously rocked at the end of the tenth and fades late.

Round 1

Easy first round for Haney. His hand speed allowed him to score with jabs and long rights to the body. Linares trailed Haney and landed a couple of jabs but Haney pierced his guard throughout the round and landed a sharp left hook.

Score: 10-9 Haney

Round 2

Brilliant boxing from Haney. He consistently scored with his jab and rights to the body. He also added some left hooks to the body and a sneaky uppercut. Linares padded forward and had some success but was just not quick enough.

Score: 10-9 Haney                                    Haney 20-18

Round 3

Don’t change a winning formula. Again Haney was slotting home his jab firing long rights to the body and an occasional left hook to the body. Linares was just following Haney around the ring unable to land anything of note.

Score: 10-9 Haney                                    Haney 30-27

Round 4

A much better round for Linares. He was working well with his own jab and closing the distance better. Haney was still scoring with his jab but his output dropped and Linares finished the round with a burst of punches.

Score: 10-9 Linares                                  Hany 39-37

Official Scores: Judge Steve Weisfeld 40-36 Haney, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 39-37 Haney, Judge Dave Moretti 39-37 Haney.

Round 5

Haney was back in control. He had his jab on target and was scoring with hooks and uppercuts. He was using upper body movement to get under the punches and then going back to his jab again. Linares just could not pin him down.

Score: 10-9 Haney                                    Haney 49-46

Round 6

Total change of tactics from Haney. He took the fight to Linares forcing Linares on the back foot and outfighting Linares in close. He was bullying Linares and scoring with hooks. Late in the round Linares landed a good left and Haney banged back with a right to the head

Score: 10-9                                              Haney 59-55

Round 7

Haney went back to his jab. He was doubling his jab to head and body and connecting with straight rights. Linares pressed hard and had success with his own jab and left hooks but Haney finished the round strongly again with jabs.

Score: 10-9 Haney                                    Haney 69-64

Round 8

Dominant round for Haney. He was coming forward throughout the round. He was getting through with uppercuts from both hands and coming up under Linares jab with rights to the head. Linares now had lumps around both eyes and a snick over his left eye.

Score: 10-9 Haney                                    Haney 79-73

Official Scores: Judge Steve Weisfeld 80-72 Haney, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 80-72 Haney, Judge Dave Moretti 79-73 Haney.

Round 9

A close round but one for Linares. Haney was continuing to take the fight to Linares but Linares was firing punches as Haney came in. For the first time in the fight Linares was firing burst of punches instead of just one or two at a time. Linares did a little jig as he went back to his corner pleased with his efforts.

Score: 10-9 Linares                                  Haney 88-83

Round 10

Haney was very cautious in this round and he punch output drooped. Linares was jabbing well and scoring with left hooks and Haney was off target with his jab. At the end of the round a right to the head from Linares staggered Haney and he was on shaky legs as he went back to his corner with Linares waiving his hands to politely usher Haney home.

Score: 10-9 Linares                                  Haney 97-93

Round 11

Another round for Linares. For most of the round Haney was not throwing punches but just darting under Linares jab to get close and hold. Linares was not doing a great deal but even then it was more than Haney was doing until Haney connected with a couple of punches late.

Score: 10-9 Linares                                  Haney 106-103

Round 12

Linares was looking to land the big shot he needed to win this fight but just could not find it. He did land a couple of good left hooks and a right. Haney was just looking to avoid trouble. He could have been deducted a point for holding and Linares could have lost a point for punches to the back of the head but neither happened.

Score: 10-9 Linares                                  Haney 115-113

Official Scores: Judge Steve Weisfeld 116-112 Haney, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 116-112 Haney, Judge Dave Moretti 115-113 Haney.

Haney retains the WBC title in his third defence. He outboxed Linares for eight rounds but fell away badly after that and was lucky that the right that unhinged his legs in the tenth came at the end and not at the beginning of the round. He was ultra cautious and did not look the same fighter over the last two rounds. Vasyl Lomachenko is NO 1 with the WBC and that would be a great match for Haney. Linares showed he still has plenty left and another title shot is well within his reach.

Fuzile vs. Ward

Fuzile stops Ward in IBF eliminator. Both were very tentative in the first round with neither really committing themselves but what action there was saw Ward take the round with his jabs. Fuzile stepped up the tempo in the second going on to the front foot and scoring well. Ward reasserted himself in the third with plenty of slick movement and putting Fuzile under pressure. In the fourth a quick right hook from Fuzile knocked Ward off balance and his gloves touched the canvas resulting in a count and a strong round for Fuzile. There was a pause in the action in the fifth after a low punch from Fuzile and then the fight really caught fire and they stood and traded punches with Ward just having the edge. A left hook from Fuzile in the sixth rocked Ward and the South African attacked hard scoring with lefts and rights with Ward fighting back at the end of the round. Half way through the seventh as Ward came forward his legs slid from under him and he injured a knee then started to limp. Fuzile was able to manoeuvre around the stationary Ward and score from different angles with Ward finding it hard to reset himself. A clash of heads opened a bad cut over Ward’s left eye and then Fuzile cracked him with a peach of a right hook that sent Ward down. Ward had to use the ropes to climb to his feet and was dazed initially looking out into the crowd and bleeding heavily from the cut. The referee decided he was able to continue-which he obviously wasn’t -and although Ward took a couple of steps forward Ward’s trainer stepped up to the ring apron to get the fight stopped. Big win for Fuzile. He was having his first fight since being stopped in eight rounds by Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in September 2019. The IBF title is vacant and with Fuzile having been ranked 5 (4) and Rakhimov No 1 it puts Fuzile in a strong position to contest the vacant title. Ward was very much in the fight until he damaged his knee and hopefully will be able to work his way to another eliminator

Quigley vs. Mosley

Quigley wins the vacant WBO NABO title with a majority decision over Mosley. Lots of studying in the first round with Mosley a bit more active and doing the scoring and connecting with a good overhand right. The action picked up a little in the second. Quigley was scoring well with his jab and straight rights. They started to swop punches in earnest in the third. Mosley seemed quicker and had more variety in his work. The action was suspended for a short while after a low punch from Quigley as he sought to score with left hooks to the body. They traded punches through the fourth and fifth which Mosley edged with a higher work rate. The sixth saw both boxers rocked by big punches and Quigley clawed that round back with right hands. Quigley took the seventh constantly stabbing home his jab and after being shaken by a right from Mosley he connected with two hard rights just before the bell. Both landed heavily in the ninth but Quigley seemed to have more left in the tank. Quigley made the better start to the tenth as they just stood and swung tired punches but Mosley finished the round stronger and just pinched it. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Quigley and 95-95. Third win for Quigley since his ninth round loss to Tureano Johnson in July 2019. He is down at No 15 with the WBC and this win should get a rating with the WBO but he has a long way to go to get near a title shot. Mosley had won his last four fights and seems to have reached his ceiling.

 

26 May 2021

 

Sydney, Australia: Heavy: Justis Huni (4-0) W PTS 10 Christian Ndzie Tsoye (5-4-2). Super Middle: Issac Hardman W TKO 8 Robert Berridge (30-7-1).

Huni vs. Tsoye

Huni outpoints Cameroons boxer Tsoye in second defence of the Australian title. The 6’4” Queenslander was much too good and in front of 40 selected attendees he won a wide unanimous decision. Although outboxed Tsoye was competitive over the early rounds but then tired but from the effect of some lusty body punching from Huni. With only twelve rounds of pro boxing behind him and with both a fight with Paul Geller and the Olympics coming up Huni eased off over the closing rounds to get in some ring time. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for Huni who won the Australian title in his first pro fight. He meets Gallen on 16 June and is a heavy favourite. Tsoye won a bronze in the African championships and although he travelled to Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games did not compete and stayed in Australia.

Hardman vs. Berridge

“Headsplitter” Hardman takes a short notice fight to stay busy. Berridge was cut over the right eye in the second and floored in the third. Southpaw Berridge fought hard to stay in the fight but in the last round was put down twice by body punches and the fight was stopped. Eighth inside the distance win for the Australian champion who had just two weeks preparation for the fight. New Zealander Berridge was stopped in four rounds by Dmitry Bivol in a challenge for the secondary WBA light heavyweight title in 2017

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Cruiser: Felix Varela (19-4) W RTD 3 Reinaldo Gonzalez (16-4). Feather: Frency Fortunato (11-1) W TKO 3 Albert Gonzalez (18-7-1).

Valera vs. Gonzalez

Valera uses focused body attack to force Gonzalez to pull out of the fight after the third round. Valera controlled the action in the first with some strong jabbing and left hooks to the body. They exchanged punches throughout the second both landing heavily but again Valera’s jab made the difference. Valera launched a ferocious body attack in the third. Just before the bell he landed low and Gonzalez was given some time to recover. When the action resumed Valera again landed to the body with Gonzalez wincing in pain and he did not come out for the fourth round. Sixteenth win by KO/TKO for the 33-year-old former interim WBA light heavyweight title holder who has now moved up to cruiserweight. Second inside the distance loss this year for Venezuelan Gonzalez.

Fortunato vs. Gonzalez

Fortunato punches too hard for Venezuelan Gonzalez. Fortunato had a substantial reach edge and was able to outbox Gonzalez in the first round. A clash of heads in the second saw Fortunato on the floor. He got up but was dazed. The doctor examined him and allowed the fight to continue. A right from Fortunato floored southpaw Gonzalez in the third. He made it to his feet but a left to the body dropped him again and the fight was stopped. Dominican Fortunato lost on points in March to Argentinian Alberto Melian in a frantic fight that featured seven knockdowns. Venezuelan Gonzalez was having his first fight for 17 months and with some ultra careful matching had lost only one of his previous 13 fights with eleven of his opponents never having won a fight.

 

28 May

 

Perth, Australia: Super Feather: Jackson Jon England (13-1) W TKO 6 Shiva Mishra (7-4).

Australian prospect England picks up two titles as he stops Mishra with a left to the body in six rounds. His fifth quick win in his last six fights nets the 23-year-old local fighter the vacant IBO Oceania-Orient and WBC Asan Boxing council belts. He is a former undefeated Australian featherweight champion but is now fighting at super featherweight. New Zealander Mishra had won his last four fights.

 

Berlin, Germany: Middle: Marten Arsumanjan (11-1-2) DREW 12 Thomas Piccirillo (8-0-3). Super Welter: Haro Matevosyan (13-0,1ND) W TKO 3 Damiano Falcinelli (14-1). Super Middle: William Scull (17-0) W KO 2 Dragan Lepei (19-4-2). Middle: Vincenzo Gualtieri (17-0-1) W PTS 12 Khaliil El Harraz (13-2-1). Super Welter: Jama Saidi (19-2) W PTS 10 Dennis Dauti (19-5).Middle: Bjoern Schicke (17-1-1) W TKO 1 Vito Vendetta (14-8-1).

Arsumanjan vs. Piccirillo

Arsumanjan climbs off the floor to retain the EU title with a split draw against Piccirillo in an entertaining contest. The first round went to Arsumanjan as Piccirillo made a slow start allowing Arsumanjan to build a lead. Piccirillo upped his pace from the fourth and floored Arsumanjan late in the sixth. Arsumanjan rebounded talking a couple of rounds to settle again and then although Piccirillo is known for his stamina Arsumanjan matched him over the closing rounds. It had been a well balanced fight and the draw looked right. Scores 116-113 for Arsumanjan, 116-112 for Piccirillo and 114-114. Arsumanjan, a cousin of former IBF and WBO title holder Arthur Abraham, was making the first defence of the EU title he won with an impressive victory over Piccirillo’s unbeaten team mate Bjoern Schicke in June last year. Italian-born German champion Piccirillo will be hoping to get another shot at Arsumanjan.

Matevosyan vs. Falcinelli

Matevosyan also retained his title as he overwhelmed Italian Falcinelli in two rounds for the IBF Inter-Continental belt. Southpaw Matevosyan took the first two rounds and was landing heavily in the third when the referee stopped the fight as the towel came in to save Falcinelli. Armenian-born Matevosyan was making his first defence and gets his eighth inside the distance victory. Italian champion Falcine4li just did not have the power to match Matevosyan

Scull vs. Lepei

Cuban Skull contributed to making it a bad night for Italian/Italian based boxers as he stopped Lepei. Scull never allowed Lepei to get in the fight as he outscored him in the first and put Lepei down and out with an uppercut in the second. Scull, 28, was defending the IBO International title. Romanian-born former undefeated Italian champion Lepei suffers his second KO/TKO defeat.

Gualtieri v. El Harraz

In another IBO title fight Gualtieri used his longer reach and better skills to outbox former Italian champion El Harraz. The challenger had difficulty getting past Gualtieri’s jab and was shipping plenty of counters when he tried. Gualtieri’s confidence grew as the fight went on and he was eventually comfortable to swap punches with El Harraz but lacked to power to end things early. Scores 120-108 on all three cards in favour of Gualtieri who remains IBO Continental title holder. The draw on Gualtieri’s record came against team mate Piccirillo in a defence of the German title in August last year. El Harraz’s other loss was a very creditable points loss against 21-1-1Marcos Nader in November 2019.

Saidi vs. Dauti

Saidi successfully defends the German International title with unanimous verdict over Swiss-based Greek Dauti. Saidi boxed well against the strong and aggressive Dauti showing a solid defence and accurate attacking skills but was never able to completely subdued Dauti. All three judges gave the fight to Saidi on scores of 98-92. Saidi, of Afghan antecedents, is hoping to now face Italian Orlando Fiordigiglio for the vacant EU title. His losses have been against Culcay, who now trains him, and world rated Vincenzo Feigenbutz. Dauti had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

Schicke vs. Vendetta

Schicke dismantles fellow-German Vendetta with three knockdowns in 63 seconds. Schicke, a former EU champion, was having his first fight since losing the EU title on a sixth round retirement against Marten Arsumanjan in June 2020. Vendetta, real name Vito Palmieri, is 2-4 in his six most recent outings.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Light Fly: Esteban Bermudez (14-3-

 

Johannesburg, South Africa: Light: Tshifihiwa Munyai (33-6-1) W TKO 9 Khaya Busakwe (7-2). Super Bantam: Innocent Mantengu (14-5-1) W PTS 12 Luthando Mbumbulwana (11-7). Bantam: Layten Gloss (7-3) W TKO 7 Tumelo Matsane (4-3).

Munyai vs. Busakwe

Munyai remains South African champion with stoppage of Busakwe. Experience played a big role in this fight. The taller Busakwe made an impressive start and quickly moved into the lead. Munyai eventually found his way into the fight but Busakwe was matching him. Busakwe had never gone past the seventh round in a fight and Munyai had paced the fight better. He came through with two knockdowns in the ninth to end Busakwe’s challenge. The 36-year-old “Atomic Spider”, a former Commonwealth champion, makes it five consecutive wins. Busakwe showed enough in those early rounds to say he will improve with more experience and challenge again.

Mantengu vs. Mbumbulwana

Mantengu gets back into the ranks of winners as he outpoints Mbumbulwana in an all-southpaw clash to win the vacant WBA Pan African belt. Scores 118-109, 117-110 and 116-112 for Mantengu. The former South African champion had lost his national title in his last fight in September 2019. After a good start to his career Mbumbulwana has fallen away and has lost in shots at the South African and WBFederation super bantam belts so is 0-3 in  title fights.

Gloss vs. Matsane

Both of these fighters had won 3 of their last 4 fights but it was South African No 4 Gloss who made it 4 out of 5 with a seventh round stoppage of unrated Matsane

 

Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania: Super Welter: Hassan Mwakinyo (19-2) W TKO 9 Antonio Mayala (10-4-1) . Cruiser: Olan Durodola (36-8) W KO 2 Shaban Hamadi Jongo (8-2-2). Light: Ibrahim Class Mgender (26-6) W PTS 8 Sibusiso Zingange (14-5-2,1ND).

Mwakinyo vs. Mayala

Mwakinyo breaks down and stops Mayala to win the vacant ABU title. This was a tough, competitive fight. Mayala had height and reach with Mwakinyo quicker and moiré accurate. Both had good spells and there were some exciting exchanges. Mwakinyo’s best punch was his right cross and the left side of Mayala’s face marked up and swelled. By the fifth round the snap had gone out of Mayala’s punches and he was tiring and under constant pressure. Both fighters tried switching guards on occasion but it did not interrupt the flow of the fight which was one-way with Mwakinyo handing out steady punishment and Mayala firing back when he could. Mwakinyo staggered Mayala with two big rights in the eighth and he ended it in the ninth landing four lefts to the head which put Mayala down on his back and the referee just waived the fight off. Seventeen wins in his last 18 fights for 26-year-old Mwakinyo including a second round demolition of current WBC Silver middleweight belt holder Sam Eggington in Birmingham in 2018. A big win that he has not built on. The 40-year-old Angolan Mayala has done all of his boxing in South Africa. He was 8-0-1 going into this one and showed well until he tired.

Durodola vs. Jongo

Durodola keeps the ABU title with dramatic second round kayo of local fighter Jongo. The Tanzanian took the fight to Durodola in the first trying to hustle and bustle the more experienced Nigeria. Durodola did not look comfortable under the pressure and was being caught with some overhand rights. Just before the end of the round a butt from Jongo opened a bad cut over the left eye of Durodola. In the second a right from Jongo sent Durodola back to the ropes but the Nigerian connected with a thunderous right to the head that sent Jongo face down hanging over the bottom rope. He made to his feet but then toppled back to the floor again and the refer halted the fight. The 40-year-old Durodola is rated No 7 by the WBC but when he has stepped up against Michal Cieslak and Ilunga Makabu in a WBC title challenges he has lost inside the distance. Jongo was strong but very crude.

Mgender vs. Zingange

Mgender take unanimous decision over south African Zingange but looks very fortunate to get the decision. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74 for Mgender. He is 12-2 in his last 14 fights with the losses not surprisingly coming against world rated Azinga Fuzile and Eduardo Hernandez. Former undefeated ABU title holder Zingange the South African No 1 and WBA Pan African champion was unlucky here.

 

Sheffield, England: Heavy: Kash Ali (18-1) W Tomes Salek (15-2).

Ali wins the vacant IBF European title with stoppage of Czech Salek. Ali’s punching power proved too much for Salek. After taking the first round Ali floored Salek with a volley of uppercuts in the second. Salek managed to beat the count but more uppercuts and head punches put him down in the third and although he made it to his feet the fight was stopped. The 6’6” Ali is battling his way to respectability after being disqualified in March 2019 for biting David Price. This is his fourth win since then. Salek had won his last four fights by KO/TKO.

 

29 May

 

Liege, Belgium: Super Light: Hovhannes Martirosyan (11-0) W PTS 8 Tsotne Sultanshvili (3-5). Light: Mirko Khatchatryan (12-0) W PTS 8 Nukri Gamgebeli (10-11. Heavy: Herve Hubeaux (33-3) W PTS 8 David Spilmont (10-6). Super Welter: Gary O’Sullivan (31-4) W PTS 6 Nodar Robakidze (15-36-6).

Martirosyan vs. Sultanshvili

Belgian champion Martirosyan keeps his 100% record with unanimous decision over Georgian Sultanshvili. Scores 80-73, 79-75 and 77-75. Fourth points defeat in a row for Sultanshvili

Khatchatryan vs. Gamgebeli

Local boxer Khatchatryan, 25, makes it 2-0 for Belgian champions vs. Georgian as he floors and decisions Gamgebeli. Scores 80-71 twice and 79-72 for Khatchatryan. Eighth consecutive defeat for Gamgebeli.

Hubeaux vs. Spilmont

Hubeaux sheds the rust of 15 months of inactivity as he outpoints Frenchman Spilmont on scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. The 6’4” Hubeaux has now gone 7-1 in his last 8 fights with the loss coming against Oscar Rivas in 2018. Spilmont had improved his record with a run of seven wins before losing on a sixth round stoppage against Nicolas Wamba in his last fight in February 2020.

O’Sullivan vs. Robakidze

“Spike” O’Sullivan gets in some needed ring time as he decisions Robakidze. In his first fight since losing on an eleventh round stoppage against Jaime Munguia in January 2020 O’Sullivan eased his way past experienced survivor Robakidze on scores of 60-55, 59-57 and 58-56. O’Sullivan is looking for a big fight some time this year. Robakidze is still looking for his first win outside of Georgia after 31 attempts.

 

Maraussan, France: Middle: Mike Esteves (7-1) W PTS 10 Sofian Bellahcene (11-18-3).

The French Federation is going to great lengths to keep their titles moving as this clash between novice Esteves and Bellahcene shows. It is also giving local promoters the chance to feature their boxers. In this fight for the vacant French title neighbourhood fighter Esteves came through with a convincing win over experienced former champion Bellahcene on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-92 giving him his sixth win on the bounce. It was Bellahcene’s first fight since September 2019

 

Rumilly, France: Middle: Bruno Surace (18-0-2) W PTS 10 Mahdi Madani (20-9-1). Light Heavy: Thomas Faure (20-4-1) W PTS 10 Patrick Bois (15-9-1).

Surace vs. Madani

Surace takes his title into the home town of seasoned pro Madani and retains it with a good points victory. A wide divergence in the scores with the judges tallies all for Surace reading 98-91, 97-92 and 95-94. First defence of his title for Surace and to show how strong the division is in Europe his 15 fight unbeaten run has not been enough to get him into the EBU ratings. Madani had won his last seven fights and collected the WBC Mediterranean title but was second best in this one.

Faure vs. Bois

Faure successfully defends the national title for the second time with a unanimous decision over ex-champion Bois. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. Second defence for Faure who has lost only one of his last 14 fights. Bois is 1-6 in a series of very tough assignments.

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Light: Carlos Diaz (29-1,1ND) ND 7 Elvis Torres (19-1-2,1ND).Super light: Diego Torres (9-0) W KO 1 Francisco Pina (16-18-7). Fly: Bryan Mosinos (21-2) W

Unfortunate ending to an exciting scrap as a punch to the back of the head renders Torres unable to continue. A wild opening round saw Torres rock Diaz badly. Torres was letting his fists fly but was leaving himself open and a series of shots from Diaz dropped him to his knees. He beat the count and attacked strongly and it looked as though Diaz touched the canvas with his gloves when he was knocked off balance but the referee did not apply a count and the bombed each other to the bell. They settled down and boxed more with the shorter Torres using his right jab to get inside and Diaz countering but with Torres getting the better of the exchanges. Diaz changed things in the fifth attacking more but Torres bounced back to take the sixth. As Torres ducked to come inside in the seventh Diaz landed two punches to the back of the head of Torres. Torres was badly dazed and shaking his head . He was given recovery time but was unable to continue and it was ruled the punch were accidental resulting in a No Decision. I though the first punch was deliberate and the second definitely was but that’s the decision. Torres was well in front at the end but there was still plenty of time to go.

Torres vs. Pina

“Azabache” Torres chalks up another quick win as he knocks out Pina in the opening round. Torres sent Pina down twice with body punches and Pina was counted out. The 23-year-old Torres has scored six victories in the first round and three in the second including finishing Nery Saguilan in just 58 seconds in his last fight in March. Ninth inside the distance loss for Pina.

Mosinos vs. Alejo

Mosinos squeezes past experienced Alejo on a unanimous decision. In a fiery battle Mosinos had to climb off the floor twice but also scored a knockdown and his aggression and higher work rate gave him the edge. Scores 95-92 twice and 94-93. Mosinos, trained by Hall of Famer Ignacio Beristan extends his current winning run to eight. Alejo has lost to Donnie Nietes and Andy Acosta in shots at the WBO light flyweight title.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Bantam: Ernesto Salcedo (13-0) W KO 2 Manuel Montalvo (?). Bantam: Luis Rosales (10-15-1) W TEC DEC 7 Jose Rojas (4-6-1).

Salcedo vs. Martinez

An easy inside the distance job for Salcedo as he knocks out late substitute Montalvo in the second round. After a slow first round where Salcedo did most of the scoring he staggered Montalvo with a left hook in the second and then drove him into a corner and unloaded punches until Montalvo dropped to the floor and was counted out. Salcedo was to have fought for the vacant Mexican title but his opponent was injured and Montalvo came in as a very short notice replacement. You could tell he was a short notice fill-in as he was using someone else’s gumshield which was much too big and did not really fit inside his mouth. Now ten wins by KO/TKO for Salcedo. Montalvo’s record was given as 10-2-1.

Rosales vs. Rojas

This was also supposed to be for a vacant Mexican title but again there was a late substitution. Rosales suffered a bad cut on his right eyebrow in the fourth. It was a close battle early but Rosales was weakening Rojas with hooks to the body and  was on top in the fight until the referee halted the action with just 10 seconds to go in the seventh round. The doctor said the cut was too bad for the fight to continue and it was decided on the cards. Scores 59-55, 59-56 for Rosales and 57-57. Big disappointment for 33-year-old Rosales who had his sights set on becoming national champion. Rojas just a limited prelim fighter.

 

Ascona, Switzerland: Super Middle: Celso Neves (8-1-1) W TKO 8 Marzio Franscella (9-1-1). Super Light: Ricardo Silva (19-2-2) W PTS 6 Sladjan Dragiisic (5-24-2).

Neves vs. Franscella

Portuguese fighter Neves wins the vacant Swiss title with three knockdowns and a stoppage of Franscella. Neves set a frantic pace and floored Franscella with a series of punches in the second. Franscella is limited but strong and by the end of the round he had driven Neves back with some hard head punches. They were fighting on equal terms in the third when an uppercut sent Franscella down for the second time but again Franscella’s strength saw him survive. It was the movement and hand speed of Neves against the tough clubbing shots of Franscella with an occasional spectacular head-jerking uppercut from Neves. In the eighth round Neves floored Franscella and although he managed to get up the referee saw he was unsteady and stopped the fight. Third consecutive win for Neves who showed some nice moves. Franscella slow but fought back well after those two early knockdowns.

Silva vs. Dragisic

Silva outpoints Dragisic but has to come off the floor for the win. Silva was much the better boxer and outscored Dragisic in the first. They bumped heads in the second with Silva suffering a cut high on his forehead. Silva was bit too confident in the third standing and trading punches with Dragisic and he was sent to the floor by a couple of hooks. He made it to his feet and Dragisic was unable to capitalise on that success. From there Silva boxed his way to a unanimous verdict. Scores 59-55 twice and 59-56 for Silva. He is 3-0-2 in his last five fights. Dragisic is 0-10-1in his last 11.

 

30 May

 

Heavy: Lukasz Rozanski (14-0) W KO 1 Artur Szpilka (24-5). Cruiser: Mariusz Masternak (44-5) W PTS 10 Adan Balski (15-1). Light Heavy: Pawel Stepien (15-0-1) W KO 5 Deneb Diaz (14-1,1ND).

Rozanski vs. Szpilka

Rozanski gets off the floor and scores three knockdowns to finish Szpilka. A great start for Szpilka as he put Rozanski down with straight left just seconds into the fight. Rozanski was up quickly and did not look hurt. Less than a minute later a wild right from Rozanski had Szpilka on the floor again. Szpilka got up but after the count a right to the head sent Szpilka down heavily. He made it to his feet and was given a little more recovery time as his gumshield had come out. When the fight resumed three swinging head punchers from Rozanski sent Szpilka down for the third time and he was counted out. The 36-year-old Rozanski is a brutal bull of a fighter with no finesse but a big punch which has brought him twelve consecutive inside the distance victories and his seventh first round ending. He reportedly collected the vacant WBC International bridgerweight title here. Szpilka suffered a knee injury in the fight and in fact wore an elastic cover on his left knee. This is his fifth loss all of which have come inside the distance but there was no statement of retiring.

Masternak vs. Balski

Masternak wins a clear decision but Balski fights hard to make an entertaining ten rounds. Balski took the opening round but from there Masternak used his better skills and experience to give him the edge. Balski never stopped trying to take the fight to Masternak. He was cut and bruised under the left eye but was always dangerous with counters and made the rounds close but when Masternak chose to box he was in control and won well. Scores 99-91 twice and 98 92 for Masternak. He wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title and is hoping to qualify to compete in Tokyo. This was just too big a step up for Balski.

Stepien vs. Diaz

Polish champion Stepien collects the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title with kayo of Colombian Diaz. Stepien made a measured start taking no chances and boxing carefully. He upped his pace from the third and already Diaz seemed to be tiring. Stepien scored with left hooks to the body in the fourth and a right put Diaz down and out in the fifth. Stepien had drawn with useful Marek Matyja for the vacant Polish title in July 2019 but outpointed Matyja to lift the title in July last year. Diaz’s record is padded with some abysmal opposition.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Devin Haney’s win over Jorge Linares keeps him in with the chance of fights with Teo Lopez or Gervonta Davis

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Plenty of quality action and a strong finish from Linares kept the interest high in the fight with Haney. Honourable mention to Carlos Diaz vs. Elvis Torres who went to war before the fight ended in a No Decision

Fighter of the week: Nonito Donaire a true modern great

Punch of the week: The hammer blow from Olan Durodola that left Shaban Hamadi Jongo draped over the bottom rope.

Upset of the week: Esteban Bermudez was hand-picked as an easy defence for WBA light flyweight title holder Carlos Canizales but turned the tables and instead stopped Canizales

Prospect watch: No one stood out.

 

Observations

What is it about these Filipinos? They seem to collect titles hand over fist. Ignoring secondary and interim titles:

Manny Pacquiao –Ten titles in six different divisions

Nonito Donaire-Nine titles in four different divisions

Donnie Nietes –Four titles in four different divisions

For a voluntary defence of the secondary WBA light flyweight title the promoter of Carlos Canizales selected obscure Esteban Bermudez who was not even remotely near being worthy of being rated. As usual the WBA manipulated their ratings to parachute Bermudez in at No 10-and Bermudez gave Canizales a beating and took the title. Canizales must have been mad that his team made such a bad mistake in seeing no danger in matching him with Bermudez. It takes me back to a story regarding Terry Downes. Terry, a future world champion, was matched in his third pro fight with a Nigerian named Dick Tiger who was an unimpressive 6-5 in his first eleven fights in Britain. Future world champion Tiger proceeded to give Downes a beating and stopped him in five rounds. When the reporters asked Downes who he wanted to fight next Downes answered “The stupid f….r that made this match. Mikey Duff slid quietly out of the dressing room!!