The Past Week In Action 4 February 2013

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 sport.

                                    The Past Week In Action 4 February 2013

January 30

 

Sydney, Australia: Middle: Daniel Geale (29-1) W PTS 12 Anthony Mundine (44-5). Cruiser: Daniel Ammann (26-5-1) W PTS 10 David Aloua (8-1). Super Middle: Jamie Pittman (22-3) W PTS 8 Zac Awad (18-3-1). Super Feather: Joel Brunker (25-0) W PTS 8 Ivan Hernandez (26-7-1). Heavy: Kevin Ferguson (7-0) W KO 2 Shane Tilyard (6-7).

Geale vs. Mundine

Geale retains IBF title and gains revenge for the only loss on his record. The Tasmanian used sharp combinations and an impressive workrate to take the unanimous decision and revenge a split decision loss to Mundine suffered in 2009. Geale bossed most of the fight, walking Mundine down and working the body. In the early rounds Mundine was being forced to box on the retreat and, although he had some success in the second and third rounds, Geale was faster and letting his punches go more. Mundine had a better sixth round, but the body punches from Geale, and the champions tight defence gave Mundine no chance to sustain his attacks. The champion took the seventh and eighth rounds, and had a big ninth, when he harried and drove Mundine backwards. Knowing he was behind Mundine was looking to get through with one big shot to turn the fight, but Geale gave him no chance to get real leverage. By now Mundine was sporting swellings around both eyes, and Geale closed out the last round, again pushing Mundine back and getting inside with short hooks. Scores 117-111 twice and 116-112. Geale took control of this fight in the first and was never really threaten after that. This was Geale’s fourth defence of his IBF title (he was stripped of the WBA title he had won from Felix Sturm) and all of those defences have been voluntary. Geale my now have to defend against mandatory challenger Sam Solomon or risk being stripped. The 37-year-old Mundine refused to accept that he had lost and cried “robbery”. He wasn’t robbed, but looked his age in the fight. He was not talking retirement. Mundine’s controversial nature reared its head again. On this night the national anthem was played before the fighters entered the ring due to a threat from Mundine to turn his back on the Australian flag during the anthem as part of his ongoing protest over Aboriginal rights.

Ammann vs. Aloua

Ammann wins this by pressing inside the tall New Zealander’s guard and working the body. The 6’3” Aloua just could not keep the fight at a distance, nor did he have the punch to turn the fight. Ammann, 30, was always in control and by the sixth Aloua was face was marking up with swellings under both eyes. The experienced southpaw boxed his way to a clear win. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. “The Doberman” retains his Australian title for the third time in his second spell as champion. Aloua, 25, had earned the title shot with a decision over Anthony McCracken in April. He competed at the Commonwealth Games of 2010 as Aloua-Rogers. He is young enough to come again.

Pittman vs. Awad

At 31 it might be a bit late for Pittman to resurrect his career but he took a first step small step in winning every round against Awad. Pittman was cut as usual, but by using his longer reach, southpaw jab, and scoring well with hooks and uppercuts, he generally kept the aggressive Awad out. Awad had some success with his brawling style and body punches-not all above the belt- but Pittman was doing the cleaner work. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Pittman was halted in seven rounds by Felix Sturm in a challenge for the WBA middle title in 2008. Since then losses inside the distance against Joe Kwadjo and Serge Yannick have put a question mark over his future. He meets Yannick again in April, which will be the litmus test for his career. “Shaker” Awad, 31, had given his career a huge boost when he beat streaking Junior Talipeau in 2011, but was knocked back by a split decision loss to Les Piper last February

Brunker vs. Hernandez

Brunker keeps his 100% record with unanimous win over former WBO super fly champ. The 26-year-old Aussie was the busier fighter, and the more accurate puncher, scoring well with uppercuts. Hernandez took the first round through good work with his jab, but from then on the superior work rate and body punching had Brunker on top. He had a momentary scare in the third when a clash of heads saw him cut above his right eye. The cut was bad enough for the referee to ask the doctor to check it in the fourth. The fight continued and Brunker eased through the rest of the rounds catching the Mexican with precise shots. Scores 80-72 form all three judges. The former Olympian is No 12 with the IBF and will go back to theUSto try to improve that ranking. “Choko” Hernandez, 30, who has had two shots at the WBC super bantam title and one at the WBA title, was 19-0-1 in his first 20 fights. He is now 7-7 in his last 14.

Ferguson vs. Tilyard

Fergusonbetter known as “Kimbo Slice” had his pretentions exposed when he was lucky to survive the first round against Tilyard. The Australian landed one hard right in the first round and Slice’s legs turned to jelly. Tilyard followed up with a couple more shots and an unbalanced Slice careered across the ring grabbing Tilyard as he went and bundling then both to the floor. Later in the round Slice again wrestled Tilyard down and so survived. In the second a right to the side put Tilyard down and he took the full count of his knees. At 38 Slice is going nowhere. After this they will have to be even more careful how they match him. Tilyard, 26, does not do distance fights. All 13 have ended by KO/TKO. This was his first fight in ten months.

 

January 31

New York, USA: Light Middle: Jose A Rodriguez (17-2-1) W PTS 8 Denis Douglin (14-2). Rodriguez comes strong over the late rounds to win a unanimous decision in this all-southpaw fight. Douglin was having his first fight in seven months and made a good start. He picked-up the first round using his southpaw jab to blunt the attacks of Rodriguez. However, from the second, as Douglin tired, Rodriguez was able to get inside and work the body. Douglin, 24, rallied in the fifth, scoring with rights, but Rodriguez swept the later rounds. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73. The 33-year-old “Silver Boy” Rodriguez was having his first fight since August 2010. He is no puncher but relies on power and aggression to win. “Momma’s Boy” Douglin has lost by KO/TKO to Doel Carrasquillo and Jermell Charlo.

 

February 1

 

Dusseldorf, Germany: Middle: Sam Soliman (43-11) W PTS 12 Felix Sturm (37-4-2). Light Heavy: Lolenga Mock (31-13-1) W PTS 8 Pat Dobroschi (13-2-3) . Light Middle: Maurice Weber (17-1-1) W PTS 6 Mariusz Biskupski (19-25-1). Heavy: Adnan Redzovic (10-0) W PTS 6 Niko Falin (3-2).

Solomon vs. Sturm

Soliman wins IBF eliminator with a close decision in Germanyfinally going against Sturm. Normally a slow starter Sturm took the first three rounds. He floored Solomon heavily with a right in the second, and shook, and nearly floored him again in the third. However, Soliman has a good chin, with only one loss inside the distance-to Anthony Mundine in 2007. He recovered and then began to use his awkward style, good movement and a high work rate to claw back the deficit and build a lead. Sturm was generally just trying to walk-down the Australian whilst Soliman was letting his hands go and with his greater accuracy picking up the points. Sturm’s corner urged him to step-up his work and he had a good eighth.  From the ninth the fight was close. Soliman seemed to wrap up the decision by taking the tenth and eleventh, but Sturm just edged the last. The scores of 114-113 twice and 116-111 were announced with MC Michael Buffer declaring Sturm the winner. The German’s were starting to celebrate when Buffer corrected his mistake and declared Soliman the winner. Soliman wins IBF final eliminator, but I can’t see Daniel Geale rushing to makes this defence as there are much more lucrative fights around. It will depend on whether the IBF order him to meet Solomon next. Now 39, Solomon has come to this point the hard way having been 12-7 in his first 19 fights. He has fought as high as cruiserweight to get work. A run of 19 wins earned him a fight with “Winky” Wright in a WBC eliminator and two shots at Anthony Mundine for the secondary WBA title at super middleweight but he lost all three bouts. After the 2008 loss to Mundine, Soliman ran up seven wins to take him to this-the biggest win of his career. Sturm, whose 34^th birthday was the day before the fight, is not talking retirement, but with 19 world title fights behind him, and having suffered his first back-to-back losses, it would be a sensible decision.

Mock vs. Dobroschi

Mock wins to help re-launch his stuttering career. Showing very little ring rust. the DRC-born Danish-based 40-year-old put Dobroschi down in the first and throughout the fight used his power to out muscle and outscore his 33-year-old German opponent. Scores 79-72, 79-73 and 78-74. “Lumumba Boy”, a former three-time EU champion, had a young David Haye on the floor back in 2003. Dobroschi, 33, a former double German amateur champion and World Military silver medal winner, found the step-up in class too much

Webber vs. Biskupski

Pedestrian performance by Webber as he wins clearly against modest Pole but fails to impress. He had height and reach over his opponent but made hard work of using those advantages. Scores 60-54 twice and 58-56. The 31-year-old (he is of Tunisian origin and his real name is Mohammad Lassoued) took three years out after losing to Frederic Serre in 2008. This was his fifth win since his return. The 36-year-old Biskupski has lost to John Ryder and Craig McEwan. He is 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

Redzovic vs. Niko Falin

The “Bosnian Lion” outpoints German Falin. At 35, he was inactive from 2004 to 2011; Redzovic lacks the punch to compete at a higher level, but remains unbeaten. Scores 59-56 twice and 59-55.

 

Phran Kratai, Thailand: Feather: Chonlatarn (45-1) W KO 5 Arief Blader (17-9-1). Feather: Bualuang OnesongchaiGym (10-0) W KO 2 Kamlaingern (0-1).

Chonlatarn vs. Blader

Brilliant boxing display by Chonlatarn. For the first three rounds he fought exclusively with his left. Blader was pressing the fight but could not get away from the jabs Chonlatarn which was mixing with vicious hooks and uppercuts. The Indonesian continued to force the fight in the fourth, but now Chonlatarn was letting go with four and five punch combinations as the Indonesian followed him around the ring. Blader started the fifth at a faster pace trying to get inside and work the body. Instead he walked onto a lightning fast combination which shook him. He just walked through it only to be nailed with a burst of four punches which sent him down on his side. Blader got to his feet just a second too late. Chonlatarn, WBO No 10 and WBA NO 11, was having his first fight since points loss against Chris John for the WBA title in November. He now has 28 wins by KO/TKO. Blader showed admirable aggression, but just kept walking onto the Thai’s punches. Five losses by KO/TKO for Blader who is 2-5 in his last seven fights.

Bualuang vs. Kamlaingern

The 25-year-old Bualuang, the WBC ABC champion, puts away novice with a body punch in the second. The short, stocky, heavy-handed Thai is still very much a work in progress.

 

Chicago, USA: Light Middle: Carlos Molina (21-5-2) W PTS 12 Cory Spinks (39-8). Light Middle: Antwone Smith (23-4-1) W PTS 10 Jose Luis Castillo (64-12-1). Heavy: Artur Szpilka (13-0) W KO 6 Mike Mollo (20-4-1). Super Middle: Don George (24-3-1) W TKO 1 James Cook (11-5-1).

Molina vs. Spinks

Not a pretty fight, but an important win for Molina in this IBF eliminator. Molina scored with heavy body shots and Spinks resorted to ducking down to wais level to avoid them. The pressure from the 29-year-old Molina had Spinks exhausted. Molina scored with hooks to the body over the first three rounds, and got through with overhand rights all night long, Spinks did not have the power to keep Molina out. Spinks was scoring with shots to the head and body, but they were having no effect on Molina and again Molina was firing back with harder shots. Spinks may have just shaded the seventh as he got through with a hard uppercut and was busier than in early rounds. Spinks tried to get some respite by clinching but all that got him was a point deduction in the ninth. Knowing he was behind Spinks tried to take the fight to Molina. In the eleventh a left put Spinks down briefly. Running on empty Spinks was just trying to survive but a volley of punches saw the referee give Spinks a standing count. Scores 119-106 twice and 120-105. Since Molina was No 4 and Spinks No 12 the win does not guarantee “King” Molina a title shot. A run of twelve fights unbeaten with wins over Ed Paredes and Kermit Cintron and a draw with Erislandy Lara saw Molina land a slot against James Kirkland in a WBC eliminator. He was well beaten when his corner finally entered the ring before the bell ended the tenth round and he was disqualified. Spinks, 35 this month, is 3-5 in his last eight fights and loses inside the distance for the second time in a row. Retirement time Cory.

Smith vs. Castillo

Easy win for “The Truth” over a shadow of the fighter Castillo once was. Smith was in command through out. He could not miss the Mexican veteran with his jab. He was stronger, faster and busier than Castillo scoring inside with hooks and uppercuts and bossing the fight. The 39-year-old Castillo tried hard, but the former WBC light champion at light middle is well over his best fighting weight, and just could not match the work rate of Smith. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Castillo lost a point in the fourth for a low punch. Smith has stuttered in his career. After being 18-1-1, losses to Lanardo Tyner, Kermit Cintron and Roberto Garcia put a damper on his hopes. He has now bounced back with a win over unbeaten Ronnie Cruz in September and this win. Castillo is really now just a test for climbing prospects. A far cry for the guy who thrilled boxing with those two wars with the late Diego Corrales and came as close as anyone to beating Floyd Mayweather Jr (two judges had it 115-113).

Szpilka vs. Mollo

Good and bad in this one for the unbeaten Pole. The good was that he added a useful scalp to his collection. The bad is that a potential weakness was exposed as he was down twice before winning. Szpilka started well throwing fast jabs and short rights and making Mollo stumble after a hard right. With a minute left in the first Mollo got through with two swings which unbalanced Szpilka. The Pole was shaken and wrestled to the floor with a right to the body from Mollo helping him on his way. The Pole was up quickly and took the eight count then dominated the rest of the round in which after a clash of heads a wild Mollo ended with a bad cut over his left eye. Mollo was rumbling forward trying to turn the second round into a brawl, but Szpilka began to make room for himself with his right jab and speared Mollo with straight lefts. Another clash of heads opened a bad cut up on Mollo’s forehead above his right eye. With ten seconds left in the round the referee asked the doctor to examine both cuts, but the fight was allowed to continue. The third was a painful round as Szpilka speared Mollo with right jabs and hard lefts for three minutes and Mollo’s face was a mask of blood. The fourth was more of the same with another doctor’s examination. However, Szpilka got careless on the ropes and a left from Mollo crashed into his jaw and sent the Pole down. He got up quickly and used his jab to hold off the wildly swinging Mollo for the rest of the round. With the cut on his left eyebrow obscuring his vision and the cut on his forehead flowing blood Mollo showed great guts to keep walking through the punishment. Szpilka had an easy target for his right job and was working on the cut above Mollo’s left eye. When Mollo came rumbling forward Szpilka would duck low. To add insult to injury Mollo was deducted a point for wrestling the ducking Pole to the floor. In the sixth Mollo began to come apart and a flashing right left put Mollo down on his back. The referee started to count but the doctor had already climbed through the ropes and the referee waived the rest of the count. The 23-year-old southpaw makes it ten wins by KO/TKO. His best wins previously had been over Owen Beck and Jameel McCline, but they may wrap him in cotton wool before risking his chin against any other tough opposition. Mollo, 32, was having his first fight since 2010, and only his third fight in almost five years. His other losses were on points to Andrew Golota and Jameel McCline and a stoppage by DaVarryl Williamson in 2006.

George vs. Cook

Disgraceful mis-match thankfully over quickly. A body punch puts Cook down and he takes the count on his knees. All over in 75 seconds. The 28-year-old “Da Bomb” has 21 wins by KO/TKO. George is looking to bounce back from losses to Edwin Rodriguez and Adonis Stevenson, but this rubbish does nothing towards that aim. Poor Cook, 35, was having his first fight since being kayoed in five rounds by Andy Lee in July 2010.

 

Albuquerque, USA: Welter: Josh Torres (10-2-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Bernardo Guereca (16-17-1): Welter: Hector Munoz (21-9-1) W TKO 2 Jerry Torres (7-21).

Torres vs. Guereca

Doing more boxing then brawling for a change “Pitbull” Torres won a unanimous decision over Mexican Guereca. Local attraction Torres scored with combinations and hard hooks in the first. Guereca took the second brawling away and getting inside. From then on Torres was getting through with hard shots from both hands with Guereca mauling and holding. The Mexican was staggered by combinations in the sixth and after being nailed with an uppercut in the seventh had to spit out his mouthpiece to get a break. Scores 80-72, 79-74 and 78-74. Only one loss in his last eleven fights for 23-year-old Torres. The 39-year-old Guereca has won only one of his last ten fights.

Munoz vs. Jerry Torres

Disgraceful match sees late sub Torres put up a better fight than his approval as an opponent merited. “Hurricane” Munoz staggered Torres at the start of the first and it looked as though it could be all over then. However, Torres showed guts and fought back. Munoz was going forward throwing punches in the second with Torres already looking tired but firing back on occasion. At the end of the second Torres retired-both from the fight and from boxing. The 34-year-old Munoz badly needed the victory after winning only two of his last ten fights, but he has been in with Mike Jones, Shawn Porter, Brad Solomon and Ed Paredes. Torres, 32, had lost his last 13 and was a very late substitute. Reportedly the local Commission had previously put him on indefinite suspension after some bad kayos.

 

February 2

 

Caseros, Argentina: Welter: Elias L Vallejos (13-1-1) W PTS 10 Gumersindo Carrasco (17-2,1ND).Vallejos wins WBC Latino title with majority decision over Carrasco. This was an awful fight filled with fouls and very little clean action. It started as it was to continue with the referee warning both fighters for carless head work and both on the canvas after some messy wrestling in the first round. The bullish Carrasco was coming forward and forcingVallejos to the ropes but was swinging wildly whilstVallejos was scoring with short hooks and uppercuts. In the third one of many head clashes saw Carrasco cut by the left eye.Vallejos was ducking low to avoid the swings of Carrasco’s but a head clash in the fourth sawVallejos cut over his left eye. Carrasco’s frustration was building. He may have set some sort of record in the fifth round as he was deducted two points in the space of a minute, both times for butts. The sixth sawVallejos deducted a point for ducking too low, and both were guilty of hitting on the break. Carrasco was just too wild in his attacks and that allowed the light punching, but quickerVallejos to score with jabs and short counters. The fight ended as it had begun withVallejos wrestled to the canvas early in the round and both tumbling to the floor just before the end. The majority decision should have been unanimous. Scores 96-91, 96-93 and 94-94. After losing his first pro fight the 24-year-oldVallejos is now unbeaten in 14. Carrasco, 26, lost his unbeaten tag when he was halted in four rounds by Lee Purdy in September.

 

Seilles, Belgium: Heavy: Herve Hubeaux (12-1) W PTS 10 Toni Visic (6-8-1). Cruiser: Chris Dufaux (12-6) W TKO 6 Geoffrey Battelo (25-5).

Hubeaux vs. Visic

Hubeaux gets revenge for his only loss suffered against Visic in October

with a very close majority points decision. Hubeaux deserved the win but perhaps

not by the margin given by two of the judges. Visic was down in round one

and was deducted a point for dangerous head work in round seven. Those points

made the difference as Visic came on very strong in the second part of the fight

as Hubeaux was running out of stamina. The 20-year-old Hubeaux wins on scores of 97-94, 96-92 and 95-95. He regains the WBC Youth Intercontinental title. All of Croatian Visic’s losses have been on the road, including a loss in three rounds to Brit Dillian Whyte in 2011.

Dufaux vs. Battelo
Batello lost his Belgian cruiserweight title being stopped in the sixth round. It was

an all action fight with Batello, known for his punch, and Dufaux who was always

coming forward. Dufaux unexpectedly was the more accurate and active in the first two

rounds. In the third Dufaux caught Batello with a huge left and he had Batello reeling
against the ropes. He was out on his feet but lucky to be saved by the bell.
Batello regained his composure in the fourth and it was Dufaux in trouble. Controversially the referee gave Dufaux a standing eight count whereas Batello had not been given one in the previous round, even though he seemed to have been  in more trouble. Dufaux came out strong again in the fifth and again had Batello under heavy pressure and in difficulties at the end of the round. The boxer from Namur continued his effective attacks in the sixth and had Battelo hurt. Dufaux landed with two handed heavy blows to the head and with Batello on the ropes the fight was stopped. Home town fighter Dufaux, 30, wins the Belgian title. He was 3-5 in his previous eight fights. Three losses in a row for 33-year-old Battelo, and perhaps time for him to hang up his gloves.

Chicoutimi, Canada: Light Ghislain Maduma (12-0) W TKO 5 Gyorgy Mizsei Jr (10-3). Light Heavy: Francy Ntetu (9-0) W TKO 5 Mike Walchuk (9-8).

Maduma vs. Mizsei

The 28-year-old from theCongoproves too strong for game Hungarian. Mizsei had some early success using his height and reach edge to keep Maduma out. By the third Maduma’s power was proving too much for the young Hungarian who was being caught by hard left hooks to head and body. Maduma stepped-up the pace in the fourth and buckled Mizsei’s knees and put him down with a left. The Hungarian was floored again at the start of the fifth and another knockdown saw the referee stop the fight. Maduma, who represented the DRC in the 2007 World Championships, has eight wins by KO/TKO, including 6 in his last 7 fights. The 19-year-old Hungarian was out of his class but showed plenty of guts. He was halted in four rounds by Scott Harrison in June.

Ntetu vs. Walchuk

Ntetu wears down and halts former Canadian title challenger. Walchuk made a good start landing a left hook which was the best punch of the first round. After that the strength and aggression of Ntetu told as he landed with good double jabs and hooks. A right dropped Walchuk at the start of the fifth and a barrage from Ntetu with nothing coming back from Walchuk ended the fight. Ntetu, 30, also from the DCR, but who representedCanadaat the 2007 World Championships, has three wins by KO/TKO. Walchuk, 34, makes it six losses in a row, four by KO/TKO.

 

Ballerup, Denmark: Heavy: Claus Bertino (15-4) W PTS 8 Humberto Evora (4-10-2).

Bertino gains revenge for a kayo loss suffered back in 2007. The Dane had huge advantages in height, reach and weight and he took the early rounds. Bertino was taking the fight to Evora from start to finish with Evora losing a point in the fifth for holding. The fight was messy at times with Bertino finding it hard to land on the elusive and awkward Evora. Bertino tired down the stretch and his work rate dropped. Scores 78-73 twice and 77-73. The 32-year-old Dane, despite losses to Andrzej Wawrzyk and novice Agit Kabayel in a heavyweight tournament, still hopes to break into the European title picture. The 40-year-old Evora has won only one of his last eleven fights.

 

Aulnay-sous-Bois, France: Middle: Max Bursak (26-1-1) W TKO 3 Julien Marie Sainte (34-3). Super Middle: Samy Anouche (11-1-1) W KO 1 Gabor Zsalek (9-23-2), Middle: Mehdi Bouadla (27-5) W PTS 6 Norbert Szekeres (13-20-3). Bantam: Mohamed Bouleghcha (18-6-2) W DISQ 5 Csaba Toth (8-18).

Bursak vs. Sainte

Bursak wins vacant European title  as this fight was virtually over in the first round . The Ukrainian came out full of aggression and scored repeatedly with left hooks against the slow starting Frenchman. Sainte did fire back with a couple of punches but Bursak had the speed and the power, and his left hooks kept getting through. Another left openeds a cut on the right eyelid of Sainte. In the second again it is Bursak doing the throwing and Sainte doing the catching. The hand speed and power of the Ukrainian allowed him to dominating the fight. Sainte was forced to fight with his back to the ropes and was unable to take advantage of any mistakes Bursak might make in his attempts to finish the fight. The cut was long and deep and the blood was hampering the Frenchman’s vision. Sainte was on the ropes again in the third and a two-fisted barrage from Bursak saw Sainte go down on one knee and the referee stopped the fight. The 28-year-old Bursak impressed with his power and speed and lived up to his Tiger nickname. TheKievfighter, rated No 6 by the WBO, has twelve wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was on points against Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam for the interim WBO title in May. Local fighter “Brigadier” Sainte, 32, never got into the fight after Bursak’s whirlwind start, and that early cut. Only the second loss inside the distance for the former undefeated French champion. After a points loss to Tyan Booth in 2009 he had run-up 16 wins, but only against modest opposition.

Anouche vs. Zsalek

All over in 30 seconds as a hook to the head puts the poor Hungarian down and out. The 27-year-old Anouche has ten wins by KO/TKO. As an amateur he was French champion and in a 2008 Tournament beat George Groves before losing to James DeGale in the final. Zsalek has lost by KO/TKO 17 times and has won only one of his last nine fights.

Bouadla vs. Szekeres

Former WBO title challenger Bouadla, fighting on his birthday, won every round against Hungarian but just could not close the fight out.  Scores 60-53 from all three judges. The 31-year-old Bouadla has lost only twice since 2008-to Mikkel Kessler and in a WBO super middleweight title fight with Arthur Abraham in December. Szekeres, 26, is 2-9 in his last eleven fights.

Bouleghcha vs. Toth

Former French and European Union champion Bouleghcha wins a foul-filled scrap which saw the Frenchman get one warning and Toth three with the referee disqualifying Toth for the third infraction. The 30-year-old “Little Joe” had won 6 of his last 7 fights with the loss being to Lee Haskins. Southpaw Toth is 1-7 in his last 8 fights.

 

Berlin, Germany: Light Heavy: Juergen Braehmer (39-2) W PTS 12 Eduard Gutknecht (24-1). Light Heavy: Robert Woge (11-0) W TKO 11 Hakim Zoulikha (18-4). Super Middle: Dominik Britsch (27-1-1) W PTS 8 Luis Crespo (8-4-1). Light Heavy: Dustin Dirks (27-0) W TKO 3 Chris Cruz (12-14-1).

Braehmer vs. Gutknetch

Big win for veteran Braehmer as he wins the European title and solidifies his No 2 spot with the WBO by winning this final eliminator. This was a tough one to score with many of the rounds very even. Gutknecht made the better start using his jab and straight rights to good effect against southpaw Braehmer. The busier Gutknecht had a good third round and looked to be ahead at that point. The former WBO light heavyweight champion eventually got rolling and using good body shots to blunt the attacks of Kazak-born Gutknecht. Braehmer was cut by his right eye in the fourth round, but this was never a factor in the fight. A lack of punching power made it difficult for Gutknetch to dominate, but he was picking up points. Braehmer was continuously ducking low to avoid the attacks of Gutknecht. The champion became frustrated and in the ninth he pushed the ducking Braehmer to the canvas for which he was deducted a point. Braehmer was tiring and Gutknecht came on strongly in the tenth and eleventh rounds, but seemed on the verge of losing another point as Braehmer seemed to be deliberately trying to lure Gutknecht into repeating that foul in the ninth. They both battled hard over the closing rounds with Braehmer tiring but Gutknecht not having the power to take advantage. Braehmer was the winner in what had looked a close fight, but the judges decided differently with scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 114-113. The 34-year-old bad boy Braehmer is now in line to face the winner of the Nat Cleverly vs. Robin Krasniqi WBO title fight. Gutknetch, 30, was making the fourth defence of his European title, and blew his top five rating with the IBF, WBA and WBC.

Woge vs. Zoulikha

A good, competitive fight saw both fighters willing to trade. Woge was the aggressor, but the Frenchman showed excellent upper body movement, which allowed him to dodge many of Woge’s punches whilst remaining in range to land his own. Woge looked to have taken the first and fourth rounds with Zoulikha taking the second and third. These two brawled away in the middle rounds with not much between them, and neither willing to give way. The strength and power of Woge began to tell and he had built an unassailable lead on all three cards by the end of the tenth. In the eleventh a big left hook put the Frenchman down. He was badly hurt and still very shaky when he got up. The referee had a close look, but let the fight continue even though Zoulikha seemed to be out on his feet. More punches from Woge saw the referee have another check on Zoulikha, and somehow decided the fight could continue. Woge attacked again and Zoulikha sat down on the canvas looking for a rest from Woge’s attacks and the referee stopped the fight with the Frenchman complaining that he was okay to fight on. The 28-year-old Woge makes it six wins by KO/TKO in a row and wins the vacant IBF Inter-continental title. Woge was German amateur champion in 2004/5/6/7 and competed at the 2006 European Championships and the 2007 World Championships. Zoulikha, 26, losses inside the distance for the second time having been stopped in twelve rounds by Robin Krasniqi for the WBO European title in January last year.

Britsch vs. Crespo

In a fight punctuated with low blows Britsch got a bounce back win over game Spaniard. Britsch boxed cautiously over the first four rounds using his superior hand speed to get through with good combinations. Southpaw Crespo was using a sound defence to pick-off a lot the punches from the German, and the fight was close over those rounds. Crespo then became his own worst enemy as he lost points in the fifth and also the last round, but a tiring Britsch faded and dropped his work rate The Spaniard had to survive a torrid seventh round but was still there at the final bell. Scores 79-72, 78-72 and 78-73. First fight for 25-year-old Britsch since loss to Spaniard RobertoSantosfor the European title in September. The German has wins over Steve Bendall and Billy Lyell, but it was worrying to see how he faded in this fight. Spanish champion Crespo, 31, is 2-4-1 in his last seven fights.

Dirks vs. Cruz

Dirks makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO in his last 9 fights. A clash of heads opened a cut on the bridge of the American’s nose in the first round and Dirks soon made it worse with some heavy punches. Dirks was handing out a steady beating in the second and when a couple of rights shook Cruz in the third his corner threw in the towel. The 23-year-old Dirks shows plenty of promise but there is nothing in his record to justify his WBO 4/WBA 8 rating. Cruz, 34 on the day of the fight, was having his first fight for almost 14 months. He has now lost ten in a row

 

Tokyo, Japan: Light Middle: Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-0-1) W KO 2 Jose A Leal (8-5). Middle: Daisuke Nakagawa (20-3-2) W PTS 10 Takehiro Shimokawara (18-8-2).

Kamegai vs. Leal

Kamegai again shows his punching power in kayo of Mexican. The Japanese fighter spent the first round studying the 5’ 11”tall Mexican. Kamegai went to work in the second and took Leal to the ropes and landed a fast left-right combination. Leal went down. He made it back to his feet but was in a bad way and the referee completed the count. The 30-year-old Kamegai, a former Japanese amateur champion who was 57-12 in the amateurs, had his 100% wins record dented in October when he drew with Jorge Silva inSacramento. Leal was inactive for three years before returning with a win in a six round fight in December.

Nakagawa vs. Shimokawara

Former Japanese welter and light middle champion Nakagawa given a tougher than expected fight by Shimokawara. Nakagawa used his more extensive experience to build, and then hold onto a lead. He was a clear winner but not impressive. Scores 98-93, 97-94 and 96-94. The 35-year-old Nakagawa was unbeaten in a run of 14 fights before losing his national light middle title to Akio Shibata in June. Only the second ten round fight for Shimokawara.

 

Queretaro, Mexico: Feather: Andres Gutierrez (25-0-1) W KO 2 Jose Carmona (18-3). Super Bantam: Mario Briones (24-3-1) W TKO 6 Ramon Maas (26-3). Middle: Bruno Sandoval (12-0) W TKO 3 Antonio Martinez.

Gutierrez vs. Carmona

The “Little Jaguar” celebrates his return to his old home town with kayo of Carmona. Both fighters were letting their punches go in the first with very little defensive work in evidence. In the second a body shot followed by a hard right had Carmona down on one knee. He got up but was immediately put down again by a barrage of punches. A third knockdown followed and Carmona was counted out. Now 21 wins by KO/TKO for the 19-year-old Gutierrez. He retains the WBC Fecarbox title. He turned pro at 15 and was fighting ten round bouts at 17. Colombian Carmona has built his record on poor opposition, but performed well in losing a very close decision to Daulis Prescott in 2010.

Briones vs. Maas

Briones wins convincingly in important bout for both fighters. After three fairly even rounds Briones took over. He was getting through heavily with both hands and Maas’s face was marking up, Briones continued the punishment in the sixth and withMaasnot fighting back the fight was stopped. Briones, 27, had won his first 21 fights, but losses to AJ Banal, Roberto Vazquez and Mario Munoz threatened to send him back into the pack. He has 17 wins by KO/TKO. The picture was similar for southpawMaas. He had run up 23 wins but losses to Enrique Bernache and prelim fighter Jonathan Ramos had put question marks over how far he could go.

Sandoval vs. Martinez

Too easy for local banger Sandoval. Late subMartinezmanages to survive the first two rounds, but was floored twice in the third and the fight was stopped. Ten wins by KO/TKO for 21-year-old “Tiburon”.

 

Bayamon, Puerto Rico: Super Feather: Juan Manuel Lopez (32-2) W TKO 9 Aldimar Silva Santos (18-4). Fly: McWilliams Arroyo (14-1) W KO 4 Miguel Tamayo (14-6-2). Fly: Jonathan Gonzalez (11-0,1ND) ND 1 Orlando Salado (23-5-2,1ND). Super Fly: McJoe Arroyo (12-0) W TKO 3 Felipe Rivas (14-12-1). Light: Jose A Gonzalez (22-0) W TKO 5 Alejandro Rodriguez (18-9). Super Feather: Felix Verdejo (3-0) W TKO 3 Jose Santiago (2-4).

Lopez vs. Santos

Right from the start Lopez began breaking down the Brazilian. From the first Lopez had his right jab working and got through with hard, straight lefts.Santoswas just jabbing and trying to stay out of trouble. Trouble came his way in the fifth when Lopez had the Brazilian on the ropes. AsSantoscame off them Lopez nailed him with a left that putSantosdown. He got up quickly and although taking more punishment he lasted to the bell. Lopez handed out more punishment in the sixth and then knockedSantosdown again in the seventh with a left. Again the Brazilian was up quickly and shipped more heavy rights and lefts. Lopez brought the curtain down in the ninth. Early in the round he caughtSantoswith a left that had the Brazilian wobbling. A combination finished off by another left hadSantosdown for the third time. The fight should have been stopped then but the referee let it go on. WithSantoson the ropes and Lopez teeing off with rights and lefts the fight was finally halted. First fight for Lopez since his loss to Omar Salido last March. He was slapped with a suspension when he  made a remark in the post fight interview about the referee having a gambling problem which was why he stopped the fight.  Now 29 wins by KO/TKO for 29-year-old Juanma who says he will fight at super feather in future. Brazilian Santos had been wiped out in two rounds by Jesse Magdaleno in August.

Arroyo vs. Tamao

McWilliams makes it twelve wins by KO/TKO, and quick win No 9 in his last 10 bouts, as he floors late substitute Tamao three times for the stoppage. The 27-year-old former World Amateur champion is rated No 6 by the WBO. He lacks the quality wins to currently deserve that rating, but then he is Puerto Rican, and this is the WBO. Mexican Tamayo, reportedly a late substitute for former WBC champion Sonny Boy Jaro, is really just a prelim fighter and this was his fifth loss by KO/TKO.

Gonzalez vs. Salado

Disappointing outcome asSaladounable to continue after Gonzalez lands an accidental punch to the back of the Mexican’s head and the fight is ruled a no decision with only 73 seconds gone. A right from the 21-year-old Gonzalez seemed to hitSaladoon the neck, but he went to the floor claiming it had been a rabbit punch.Saladowas given time to recover, but said he could not continue. Initially the referee disqualified Gonzalez, but then the bout was declared a no decision.Saladowas a improvement on the past opposition of WBO No 12 Gonzalez, so the chance of a good test was lost. The Mexican had been unbeaten in his first 21 fights, including a draw with Ulises Solis for the IBF light fly title. He was 4-5 in his last nine fights but those loses included a WBC eliminator with Julio Cesar Miranda, a loss to Luis Concepcion and an unsuccessful challenge for the WBA light fly title against Roman Gonzalez.

Arroyo vs. Rivas

McJoe made it a good night for the Arroyo twins as he forced Rivas to retire at the end of the third round. However, he had to overcome a scare. After a first round of feeling out McJoe opened up in the second and was getting on top when a clash of heads opened a gash on the forehead of the Puerto Rican. It was bad enough for the referee to ask the doctor to examine it, but the fight was allowed to continue.  Fearing that the cut might end the fight McJoe battered away at Rivas in the third and the Mexican decided not to come out for the fourth. The 27-year-old southpaw, already No 8 with the WBO, wins the vacant WBO Latino title. Unlike his twin McJoe did not get a gold medal but he did collect a bronze at the 2007 World Championships and made it to the 2008 Olympics.  On his last visit toPuerto Rico, back in 2011, Rivas only lost to Ivan Calderon on a split decision. A useful scalp for McJoe.

Gonzalez vs. Rodriguez

“Chelo” choose to start this fight boxing on the defensive and letting Rodriguez set the pace. That meant that Rodriguez was on top for the first two rounds. Gonzalez was a little more active in the third, shaking the Mexican with a straight right and an uppercut. The fourth saw Gonzalez more active. He was still letting Rodriguez come forward but was getting through with hard counters. The fifth was painful for Rodriguez. Finally Gonzalez was coming forward scoring with hooks and uppercuts inside and a right busted open the Mexican’s nose. A dejected Rodriguez declined to come out for the sixth. Fifth defence of his WBO Latino title for 29-year-old Gonzalez and win No 17 by KO/TKO. He is No 1 with the WBO and the mandatory challenger for Ricky Burns. Rodriguez had Puerto Rican prospect Abner Cotto on the floor when losing a unanimous decision in November.

Verdejo vs. Jose Santiago

The teenage prospect, a former Pan American Youth champion, and 2012 Olympian, floorsSantiagoin the first and again in the third, and the referee intervenes to saveSantiago. Poor match asSantiagohad been stopped inside a round in each of his last two fights.

 

Madrid, Spain: Super Bantam: Sergio Prado (7-3-1) W PTS 10 Angel Lorente (5-3-1). Super Middle: Mariano Hilario (8-2) W PTS 10 David Sarabia (5-2-2). Light Heavy: Xesus Ferreiro (8-2-1) W PTS 10 Adasat Rodriguez (8-2-1). Light Welter: Ruben Nieto (11-0) W PTS 10 Daniel Rasilla (25-4-2).

Prado vs. Lorente

Prado comes out on top in tough scrap. Lorente stunned Prado in the opening round and with that good start went on to build a lead over the first three rounds. Prado got into the fight in the fourth and floored Lorente with a left in the sixth. However, Lorente wasn’t finished, and traded with Prado. It got heated and messy in the ninth with both fighters being warned, but Prado had done enough to take the decision and regain his old title. “Schuster” Prado, 30, had beaten Lorente in four rounds for the vacant title in June. He then vacated the title which Lorente won. First defence of his title for Lorente.

Hilario vs. Sarabia

Former amateur champion Hilario wins the vacant Spanish title. Hilario had Sarabia down from a right in the first and proceeded to dominate the fight until the sixth. From then on Hilario seemed to tire and Sarabia had Hilario rocking a few times. He just could not close the points gap that Hilario had built. Very mixed scoring with one judge giving it to Hilario 98-91 and one giving it to Sarabia 96-95. The deciding score was 96-93 for Hilario. “Tiburon” is working his way back after two losses in 2012. As an amateur he was Spanish champion and fought forSpainin the 2006 European Championships and the 2007 World Championships.

Ferreiro vs. Rodriguez

Ferreiro puts most of the early rounds in his pocket as the normally aggressive Rodriguez tried to box rather than fight. That was playing into the hands of Ferreira who was able to pile up the points with his quicker and more accurate shots. Rodriguez reverted to type in the middle rounds, but then went back to boxing and allowed Ferreiro to edge the closing three rounds. Scores 98-93, 97-94 and 96-95. Now 6 wins in his last 7 fights for the man fromLa Corunaand his first ten round fight. Rodriguez had the punchers reputation, but got his tactics all wrong.

Nieto vs. Rasilla

Nieto wins Spanish title with win over experienced Rasilla. Nieto had the power and only the craft of Rasilla kept him in this fight. Nieto got through in the fifth and floored Rasilla at the end of the round. It looked all over, but Rasilla survived. Nieto had the champion down again in the eighth and the ninth, but Rasilla lasted the distance. The local fighter took a wide, unanimous decision on scores of 98-89, 98-90 and 97-89. Only the second fight in 21 months for Nieto. Rasilla, 32, lost on points to Andy Murray in March 2009 and was halted in nine rounds by Paul McCloskey for the European title in November of the same year. He had gone undefeated in twelve fights since the loss to McCloskey.

Four Spanish title fights on one show. Things are looking up, but there is a long way to go before you can herald it as a revival in Spanish boxing.

 

Las Vegas, USA: Welter: Frankie Gomez (15-0) W PTS 10 Lanard Lane (13-3). Super Feather: Mickey Bey Jr (19-0-1) W TKO 3 Roberto Rodriguez (7-3). Super Middle: Badou Jack (12-0) W TKO 1 Jonuel Tapia (8-4-1).

Gomez vs. Lane

First ten round fight for the former world amateur champion. Gomez was just too fast and busy for Lane but spoiled the effect by letting his work rate drop and allowing Lane into the fight. Lane, “The “Fighting Fireman”, showed a good defence and durability and with  Gomez brilliant only in spurts Lane could have made this a much closer fight if he had let his hands go more. Gomez seemed to tire over the closing rounds but he was doing enough in those spurts to take every round. After eleven months out the 20-year-old Gomez has scored good wins over Manuel Leyva and Pavel Miranda and is a top prospect, but it remains to be seen whether he has a stamina problem. Lane, 30, took 21 months out after losing on points to Mike Dallas in 2010. He has now lost 2 out of three on his return.

Bey vs. Rodriguez

One-time top amateur Bey makes another one of his rare appearances. He was on top all the way against Rodriguez. He softened-up  Rodriguez with body shots in the first but had a quieter second as Rodriguez used his jab to keep Bey outside. The fight was stopped in the third after Bey floored Rodriguez twice with left hooks. The 29-year-old former National Golden Gloves and US Junior champion had ten wins by KO/TKO, but was having his first fight for a year, and only his second since November 2011. Rodriguez has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Jack vs. Tapia

Easy for Jack as he collapses Tapia with a volley of head and body punches to finish the fight in just 107 seconds. The 29-year-old Swedish “Ripper” has nine wins by KO/TKO. He was Swedish amateur champion in 2004/5/6 and 7, competed at the European and World championships, and through his Gambian father representedGambiaat the 2008 Olympics. Puerto Rican Tapia has lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

 

McAllen, USA: Light: Jose Felix (23-0-1) W PTS 10 Gerardo Robles (16-11). Super Middle: Andre Dirrell (20-1) W PTS 10 Mike Gbenga (14-6).

Felix vs. Robles

Felix boxes his way to unanimous decision. The 20-year-old Mexican was able to keep Robles on the outside and build an early lead with his better skills and faster hands. Robles needed to get inside to score, but Felix was boxing with caution, avoiding getting into a brawl and pocketing the rounds. From the sixth Robles awkward style made it an untidy and more equal fight, but Felix had built a good lead in the early rounds and cruised to a clear victory. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93. “Josesito Junior” had scored good wins over Meacher Major and Luis Cruz last year and continues to progress. Robles, 31, had won 6 of his last seven fights losing only to Rances Barthelemy, and beating Roger Gonzalez

Dirrell vs. Gbenga

Dirrell eases back with an easy points win over Nigerian. Dirrell found Gbenga an easy target from the start. “The Matrix” was able to land with southpaw jabs and hooks with Gbenga getting through with some heavy rights in the fourth, but otherwise unable to penetrate Dirrell’s defence. A low punch cost Gbenga a point in the fifth, and he was staggered badly by a right in the seventh. Dirrell was still finding Gbenga an easy target and put him down with an uppercut in the ninth. Gbenga was hurt again in the tenth as Dirrell breezed to a wide points decision. Scores 100-87 twice and 100-88. First fight for 13 months for Dirrell and only his second fight since his win over Arthur Abraham in March 2010. After another couple of fights he should be ready to get involved in the big fights in this division. Gbenga,33, a former Commonwealth title challenger, had won 9 of his last 10 fights, but against abysmal opposition with eight of those victims never having won a fight.

 

Cuautla, Mexico: Super Bantam: Hugo Partida (18-4-2) W PTS 12 Cesar Juarez (13-3). A good close fight at the Carlos Zarate Gym sees Partida retain the interim WBC Fecarbox title with a majority verdict overJuarez. This was a real grudge match with both of the fighters wanting to continue the fight after the final bell and having to be separated by the promoter. Using his greater experience Partida concentrated on the body.Juarez had a big round in the third flooring Partida, but Partida beat the count and recovered quickly. In the middle rounds Partida was out boxing Juarez who was attacking wildly to try to capitalise on his success in the third. His over enthusiastic approach cost him a point in the eighth when he landed a couple of rabbit punches. Partida was now in control and despite suffering a cut by his right eye in the tenth he was a deserving winner. Scores 115-112, 114-112 and 113-113. Partida, 25, was coming off a stoppage defeat by former WBA super bantam champion Akifumi Shimoda in November.Juarez had won 6 of his last 7 fights with all of the wins coming by KO/TKO.