The Past Week in Action 4 July 2023

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:

-Savannah Marshall outpoints champion Franchon Crews Dezurn to win the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super middleweight titles

-Natasha Jonas stops Kandi Wyatt to wins the vacant IBF welterweight title

-Heavyweight Jared Anderson continues unbeaten as he floors and outpoints former IBF champion Charles Martin and on the same show Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov stops Raphael Akpejiori for his seventeenth win.

– On the same show Vincenzo Gualtieri outpoints Esquiva Falcao to win the vacant IBF middleweight title and Etinosa Oliha decisions Julio Almos to win the vacant IBO middleweight title

-Dalton Smith stops Sam Maxwell in seven rounds tom retain the British super lightweight title and win the Commonwealth title

– Petchmanee CP Freshmart retains the WBC minimumweight title with a stoppage of Norihito Tanaka

– Pietro Rossetti retains the EU welterweight title with a points win over Yanis Mehah

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

JUNE 28

 

Rayong, Thailand: Minimum: Petchmanee CP Freshmart (40-1) W TKO 8 Norihito Tanaka (20-9).

Petchmanee retains the WBC title with an eighth round stoppage of Tanaka. The visitor came out swinging hooks from both hands taking the fight to the four inch taller champion. He was over eager and was dropped by a left hook in the first round. Petchmanee dominated the second scoring with left hooks and right uppercuts and Tanaka had problems trying to match Petchmanee’s power. Petchmanee continued to score strongly in the third with Tanaka forced to hold to smother Petchmanee’s shots. Tanaka was still trying to take the fight to Petchmanee but was soaking up plenty of punishment and was bleeding heavily from the nose. In the eight Petchmanee continued to land heavily and after he thumped Tanaka with a straight right and a left hook Tanaka’s trainer jumped up to the ring apron imploring the referee to stop the fight. A pointless defence as he had beaten Tanaka on points in August last year by 4, 8 and 10 points. Petchmanee (Panya Pradabsri), 32, was making the fourth defence of the WBC title and now has 24 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was a majority decision against a Chinees boxer in China in 2017 and he has scored 31 consecutive wins since then. Tanaka had lost on points against Knockout CP Freshmart (Thammanoon Niyomtrong) in a challenge for the WBA title in 2020

JULY 1

 

Toledo, OH, USA: Heavy Jared Anderson (15-0) W PTS 10 Charles Martin (29-4-1). Heavy: Arslanbek Makhmudov (17-0) W TKO 2 Raphael Akpejiori (15-1). Welter: Delante Johnson (9-0) W PTS 8 Jonathan Montrel (15-2). Super Welter: Nicklaus Flaz (11-2) W PTS 8 Jahi Tucker (10-1). Light: Abdullah Mason (9-0) W TKO 2 Alex de Oliveira (20-5). Super Middle: DeAndre Ware (16-4-2) W PTS 8 Decarlo Perez (19-9-1) Super Feather: Tyler McCreary (18-2-1,1ND) W PTS 6 Deivi Julio (26-14).

Anderson vs. Martin

Anderson has his first outing as a main event fighter and in his home town and floors Martin on the way to a wide unanimous decision. In the first Anderson came out looking to take the fight to Martin with Martin going onto the back foot aiming to box and counter. Anderson scored with some good rights and Martin drove home a sneaky left before Anderson drove forward landing rights but with Martin moving away from the punches taking the sting out of them. In the second it was Anderson again in the role as hunter with Martin circling the ring. Anderson kept Martin on the retreat with stiff jabs and a strong right had Martin sliding back along the ropes and Anderson connected with a left and right to the head which brought the crowd to their feet. The third started in the same manner with Anderson walking Martin down stabbing out his jab and then firing rights with Martin backing away and initially just pawing with his jab but eventually throwing some lefts. Anderson switched to southpaw and continued to shadow Martin around the ring. With only seconds remaining in the round Anderson connected with a long right to the side of Martin’s head that sent Martin down. He was up quickly claiming he had tripped but it was a genuine knockdown. As the bell had rung during the count there was no time for further action. In the fourth Anderson showed some good defensive work swaying away from Martin’s punches showing how he continues to develop his skills and he twice caught up with Martin late in the round driving him along the ropes with lefts and rights. There was a complete change of tactics from Martin in the fifth. He had been sticking with trying to draw Anderson’s lead and countering but in the fifth he was driving forward throwing shots from both hands. Anderson was forced to retreat under the pressure and Martin landed some heavy rights even looking to have shaken Anderson but Anderson was firing back at the bell. A round for Martin.  The sixth was a dull round. Anderson just following Martin around the ring scoring with single jabs with Martin only coming to life in the last ten seconds and landing a couple of lefts. The seventh was a close round with Martin dangerous with counter lefts but Anderson more active with his jab. Anderson had more success in the eighth and ninth. He was reaching Martin with his jab and connection with punches to the head. Martin had slowed and was only throwing the occasional straight left and Anderson ended the round with a flurry of punches to the head. Martin scored early in the tenth with a left but Anderson got through with jabs and a right to the head. Anderson continued to pace after Martin and connected with a left to the body and a solid right to the head. Anderson switched to southpaw and had more success driving Martin back with jabs and landing heavily with a right and left to the head. Anderson again boxed southpaw and there is no doubt Martin had problems adjusting. Anderson did switch back to orthodox but was now forcing the pace and getting though with rights but just seconds before the bell a left from Martin almost swept Anderson off his feet and things might have been different if Martin had landed that punch earlier in the round-or the fight. Anderson won on scores of 99-90 twice and 98-91. This was the first time Anderson had gone past the sixth round in his career and he showed growing maturity in his boxing skills and a solid defence. He has the power but is on the way to becoming a better all round fighter and equally as competent with either orthodox or southpaw stance. At 23 there is plenty more to come. At 37 former IBF champion Martin is on the road to just being a mile post on the road to top for upcoming heavyweights and there are flights like that around if he wants them

Makhmudov vs. Akpejiori

In his first pro fight in the USA and with unbeaten Jared Anderson in the main event Makhmudov was obviously out to impress. Nigerian Akpejiori never had a chance to settle. Makhmudov was throwing bombs from the start with Akpejiori given no chance to counter. A left uppercut and a clubbing right which landed at the back of Akpejiori’s head sent him sprawling on the canvas late in the first round. Akpejiori made it to his feet but was sent crashing to the ropes with head punches before a left hook put him down for a second time. The bell went during the count so Akpejiori survived-briefly. A left sent him tumbling to the floor in the second. He made it to his feet but when the referee finished the eight count Akpejiori looked unsteady and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’5 ½” 34-year-old Russian has won 16 of his 17 fights by KO/TKO. He is immensely strong  with only basic skills but his power makes up for whatever he lacks in finesse. Akpejiori, 6’8” was just steamrollered.

Johnson vs. Montrel

“Tiger” Johnson outclasses Montrel. From the first bell Montrel went into survival mode circling the perimeter of the ring behind a high guard and only occasional showing bursts of aggression. It was frustrating night for Johnson as he hunted down the elusive Montrel. When he was able to catch Montrel, or when Montrel chose to briefly stand and trade, Johnson  showcased some blazing hand speed and powerful Jabbing. He landed heavily in the sixth and seventh as Montrel slowed but had to be content with his second points win in a row. All three judges scored it 80-72 for the Tokyo Olympic quarter-finalist and former US National champion. Montrel had won his last three fights by KO/TKO.

Flaz vs. Tucker

Puerto Rican Flaz gets his second win in a row over unbeaten opposition as he takes the majority decision over Tucker. These two were well matched with Flaz just out working Tucker who tended to fight in spurts without sustaining his attacks and the steady, consistent work from Flaz impressed the judges more. Sores 78-74 and 77-75 for Flaz and 76-76. In his last fight Flaz had also won on a majority decision against 13-0 Brian Ceballo in October. At 20 Tucker has time to bounce back from this loss.

Mason vs. de Oliveira

If you have not already heard of Abdullah Mason then be prepared to hear an awful lot about the precociously talented 19-year-old southpaw from Ohio in the future. He dazzled poor Brazilian De Oliveira with lightning hand speed putting together flashing five and six punch combinations. In the first not only did De Oliveira have no idea from where the next punch was coming he didn’t know where the last one had come from. In the second a straight left stiffened De Oliveira legs and Mason then drove him across the ring to the ropes where De Oliveira slumped to the canvas. He tried to rise but fell again and the referee stopped the fight. Mason gets his eighth inside the distance victory. Mason was twice US Junior champion, US Junior Olympics champion and US Youth champion. He comes from a fighting family with brother Amir an unbeaten pro and three other brothers who are good level amateurs. Fourth loss in a row for De Oliveira.

Ware vs. Perez

Ware chalks up a win for Toledo with a unanimous decision over Perez. Ware had quicker hands and boxed cleverly on the back foot spearing Perez with jabs, a punch against which Perez seemed to have no defence. Perez had success when he could get in close and land left hooks to the body but too often it was Ware getting off a burst of punches and then backing out of range before Perez could counter. Ware changed tactics in the fifth standing and trading inside and forcing Perez onto the back foot. The sixth saw both fighters looking to dominate inside and there was plenty of back-and-forth action with Ware getting the better of the exchanges. Ware won on scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56. First fight for Ware since losing on a second round kayo against unbeaten Christian Mbilli in September. Third loss in a row for Perez.

McCreary vs. Julio

Toledo’s McCreary finds Colombian oldie Julio more of a test that expected. The early rounds were even but Julio erred in getting a point deduction for holding in the second round. After a good third McCreary stepped-up his output in the fourth but then Julio came back into the fight over the fifth and sixth to make it close. One judge had 59-54 for McCready but the other two saw it much closer at 57-56 for McCready so the deduction cost Julio a split draw. This was only McCready’s third fight since losing on points to Carl Frampton in November 2019. Julio, 42, has been a pro for ten years. He went 17-0 at the start of his career but has since going steadily downhill.

 

Manchester, England: Savannah Marshall (13-1) W PTS 10 Franchon Crews Dezurn (8-2,1ND). Welter: Natasha Jonas (14-2-1) W TKO 8 Kandi Wyatt (11-5). Super Middle: Mark Jeffers (16-0 W PTS 10 Zak Chelli (13-2-1). Light Heavy: Ben Whittaker (4-0) W TKO 8 Vladimir Belujsky (13-7-1). Super Middle: Callum Simpson (12-0) W PTS 10 Boris Crighton (11-4). Super Welter: April Hunter (7-1) W PTS 8 Kristie Bavington (7-5-2)

Marshall vs. Dezurn

Marshall wins the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles with a majority decision against champion Dezurn. There was a big difference in height and styles as the 5’ 11 ½” Marshall was looking to box behind her jab against the brawling style of the strong 5’8” Dezurn. Marshall was tending to fight from a crouch and it was just as well as the main danger came from big right crosses from Dezurn. Marshall had the faster hands and landed her jab well but did not have the strength to keep Dezurn out or to match her inside. A charge from Dezurn sent then both crashing to the canvas in the third but neither was injured. It was untidy at times as Marshall tended to hold to stop Dezurn fighting inside preferring to fight at range. The clean work was coming from Marshall through her jabs and straight rights and Dezurn was too often wildly off target with her rights. It was a tough, bruising battled and both tired late but Marshall’s more effective jabbing and countering made her a clear winner. Scores 99-92 and 97-93 for Marshall and 95-95. Marshall had lost her WBO middleweight title in a unifier against IBF, WBA, WBC champion Claressa Shields in October and Shields was at ringside so a return could be on the cards. Marshall had scored a win over Dezurn in an Olympic Test Event in London 2012 Dezurn lost to Shields in her first pro fight but won the WBC title in her fifth fight, added the WBO in her seventh and added the IBF and WBA in her ninth. Her scant professional experience is misleading as she had 75 fights as an amateur winning the US National title nine times and the National Golden glove thrice.

Jonas vs. Wyatt

Jonas was British Fighter of the Year in 2022 after winning the IBF, WBC and WBO super welterweight titles against better fighters than Wyatt. Jonas stepped down to welterweight for this fight and with this win over Wyatt she helped herself to the vacant IBF title. Jonas tried to finish it in the first twice sending Wyatt tumbling into the ropes and unloading with hard shots from both hands. The referee was poised to step in but Wyatt rallied and made it to the bell. A gutsy Wyatt kept trying to take the fight to Jonas but was being repulsed by right jabs, left crosses and counter hooks as Jonas boxed on the back foot. Straight lefts in the sixth and seventh rocked Wyatt back on her heels and when the same punch shook her in the eighth the referee waived the fight over. No knock down but it was a good stoppage. Jonas becomes a two-division champion. Wyatt is a former Canadian Youth and National champion

Jeffers vs. Chelli

Jeffers goes into the lead early and then holds off a strong finish from Chelli to win the unanimous decision. Jeffers made the better start scoring with jabs to the body and landing right hand counters as Chelli moved forward. Jeffers took the fight to Chelli in the second and third coming in behind some solid jabbing and scoring with rights to the head. The fight caught fire in the fourth as Chelli came out of his shell and they swapped punches with both landing well as they tried to get control of the fight. A right to the head and left hooks to the body gave Jeffers the edge before they traded punches at the bell. Jeffers had built a good lead but Chelli outboxed and outworked Jeffers in the sixth with Jeffers warned after three consecutive low punches. Jeffers staged a strong finish to take the seventh but strayed low again. There was a ferocious exchange of punches in the eighth with both landing heavily. Chelli did most of the scoring in the ninth but needed a knockout due to the way Jeffers had picked up the early rounds. The tenth was clearly Chelli’s. He had his best round of the fight piling forward scoring well with both hands but it was not enough and Jeffers won on scores of 97-94 twice and 97-93. Jeffers took the fight on only two weeks’ notice and Chelli was a level above his past opposition so a good win. Chelli had won his last six fights including a victory over 23-1 Anthony Sims Jr. So a setback for him.

Whittaker vs. Belujsky

Another display of super slick skills and arrogance from Williams.  He bedazzled and confounded limited Belujsky. He continually put together multi-punch combinations switching his attack effortlessly from head to body and holding his hands at thigh level using only upper body movement to avoid Belujsky’s punches. Less enjoyable was his constant demeaning clowning. Belujsky just stumbled forward trying to land on Whittaker without any real success. Whittaker could have finished this in any round he chose. Four overhand rights sent Belujsky down in the third and Williams scored heavily in every round. A right cross shook Belujsky in the eighth and as some more some more rights shook the Slovakian the referee stopped the fight.  The 6’3” Olympic silver medallist is much too good for this level of opposition but I guess he is just looking to get some pro bouts under his belt before taking on any credible opponents. Third loss in his last four fights for Belujsky.   .

Simpson vs. Crighton

Simpson finally gets some useful ring time as he has to go the full ten rounds to outpoint tough Scot Crighton. Simpson had five first round finishes in his first eleven fights and he piled into Crighton from the start driving him to the ropes and pounding him with punches. Crighton refused to crumble and fought back hard having some success when they stood and traded. A fired-up Simpson launched fierce attacks in every round but Crighton managed some good counters as they traded punches and picked up a couple of rounds in the early exchanges. There were times over the last three rounds when a referee’s intervention looked close but Crighton stayed the course and even shook Simpson with a right to the head in the tenth. Simpson won on scores of 99-91, 99-92 and 97-93. Last time out Crighton lost a very narrow decision against 17-1-1 Steve Woodall so is having to take tough fights to stay active.

Hunter vs. Bavington

Hunter gained revenge for her only loss but only just. Bavington looked to be in front after six rounds but in the seventh a thunderous right cross from Hunter sent her down heavily. It was a ferocious punch but somehow Bavington made it to her feet and lasted to the bell but that knockdown cost her the fight as Hunter won 76-75 on the referee’s card. Hunter had lost on points against Bavington in October 2021. Bavington is now 0-3 in 2023 including a loss to Kandi Wyatt.

Sheffield: England: Super Light: Dalton Smith (15-0) W TKO 7 Sam Maxwell (17-2). Feather: Hopey Price (11-0) W RTD 7 James Beech (15-5). Super Welter: Pat McCormack (5-0) W RTD 4 Tony Dixon (14-5). Light: Lewis Sylvester (12-0) W PTS 10 Adam Cope (7-1).

Smith vs. Maxwell

Impressive performance from Smith as fighting in his home city he dominates Maxwell and then puts him down and out in the seventh round to retain the British title and win the Commonwealth title. Smith attacked hard from the start driving Maxwell to the ropes in the first and almost sending him head first over the top rope before landing some crisp rights at the bell. Smith scored with a crunching right uppercut early in the second and fired home a left hook with very little coming back from Maxwell who already had a swelling showing under his right eye. When Smith forged forward later in the round they again almost tumbled over the top rope. Maxwell took control of the centre of the ring in the third and after Smith landed a short left hook Maxwell connected with a straight right that sent Smith back on his heels and he forced Smith to retreat with further rights. Maxwell started the fourth on the front foot but a left hook and rights from Smith had Maxwell backing away. A collision of heads at the start of the fifth saw the referee stop the action and examine  a bad cut that had opened over Smith’s right eye. The referee let the action continue and blood began to trickle steadily from the cut but thankfully it was not hampering Smith’s vision. Smith knew the fight could not go on much longer due to the cut and a smaller one over his left eye so he came out firing in the sixth and a right hook unhinged Maxwell’s legs and he almost went down. Smith chased him to the ropes and Maxwell held hard to survive. Maxwell was pushing Smith back with his jab in the seventh when Smith threw a right to the head that sent Maxwell down flat out on the canvas and after starting the count the referee waived the fight over so that Maxwell could get medical attention. Eleventh win by KO/TKO for Smith who is ready to go beyond domestic opposition and domestic titles. Second inside the distance loss in his last three fights so a crisis time for Maxwell. He  scored wins over Joe Cordina and Josh Kelly in the amateurs but is struggling as a pro.

Price vs. Beech

Price stops a bloodied Beech on a seventh round retirement. Price quickly found the range with his southpaw jab and Beech’s face was already bright red by the end of the first round. Beech was having trouble getting past Hope’s jab and was being picked off at distance over the second and third. Price continued to control the fight with his jab and scored with a series of straight lefts in the fourth. Beech was trying to weave his way inside in the fifth but again was eating jabs with Price stabbing straight lefts and left hooks through his guard. Beech was cut in a clash of head late in the sixth and Hope dialled up his attacks in the seventh driving Beech back with shots from both hands. Beech tried to weave his way inside but was being met with stiff counters and his face was smeared with blood and he was now also cut over the right eye and his team pulled him out at the end of the round. Hope,23, wins the vacant WBA Continental title and is making good progress and being matched sensibly. Beech has lost in tough matches for the British and Commonwealth titles at both super bantamweight and featherweight.

McCormack vs. Dixon

McCormack wins on a fourth round retirement over Dixon. He almost ended it in the first with a right to the head that stunned Dixon and sent him staggering to the ropes. McCormack then pounded Dixon with punches and the fight could have been stopped but Dixon recovered and made it to the bell. McCormack continued to hand out punishment in the second and third. He snapped Dixon’s head back with an uppercut in the fourth and then added some hefty rights before dropping Dixon with a booming right. There were less than ten seconds to go in the round and Dixon was able to get up and stagger to his corner but his team wisely pulled him out of the fight. McCormack, 28, collects the vacant WBA Continental title with his fourth win by KO/TKO. Amongst his many triumphs in the amateurs, he won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics and gold at the Commonwealth Games as well as being voted the World Series Boxing Fighter of the Year. He is on his way to becoming a real threat in this division. Welshman Dixon suffers his third loss by KO/TKO.

Sylvester vs. Cope

Sylvester gets a narrow unanimous decision over Cope in  a clash of unbeaten fighters. There was a wide difference in styles here with the fleet Sylvester using good foot work and quick hands to outbox Cope at distance and Cope walking through the lighter punches from Sylvester to work inside. Sylvester was popping Cope with jabs and firing flashing combinations through Cope’s guard but when Cope managed to pin Sylvester against the ropes he won those exchanges. Both had periods of success in every round and all of the rounds were close but Sylvester looked to have taken the last round to just have the edge in an entertaining contest. Scores 96-94 twice and 96-95 for Sylvester who wins the vacant English title.

 

Wuppertal, Germany: Middle: Vincenzo Gualtieri (21-0-1) W PTS 12 Esquiva Falcao (30-1). Middle: Etinosa Oliha (18-0) W PTS 12 Julio Alamos (16-1). Super Welter: Jack Culcay (33-4) W KO 2 Juan Monzon (8-5-3).

Gualtieri vs. Falcao

A big night for German and Italian boxing saw one boxer from each country win versions of sanctioning body titles in the same weight division. The surprise of the night was unfancied Gualtieri flooring and outpointing Brazilian southpaw Falcao to win the vacant IBF middleweight title. Although this was his first fight for thirteen months a confident Falcao outscored Gualtieri in the first but was floored early in the second by a left uppercut. Gualtieri threw a storm of leather trying to find the punch to finish the fight but Falcao survived and was fighting back at the bell. From the third Falcao surged forward with Gualtieri cooly boxing on the back foot with his hands down style constantly switching guards and spearing the oncoming Falcao with fast, accurate jabs and hand counters.  Falco’s pressure was eating into the lead that the early knockdown had given Gualtieri but that changed in the tenth when Falcao went down for a second time. He was given a count but it looked as though he was wrestled down so a controversy but a 10-8 round for Gualtier. From there a confident Gualtieri boxed his way through the last two rounds to win on scores of 117-109, 116-110 and 116-112. Gualtieri was a pupil of the late Graciano Roccchigiani, another German with Italian roots who also won a IBF title. Gualtieri deserved his victory but the scores looked too wide. Falcao, 33, may have blown his one chance and his best chance of becoming a champion but with Top Rank behind him don’t count him out.

Oliha vs. Alamos

The other winner was German-based Italian Oliha 18-0 (8) who won the vacant IBO title with a narrow unanimous decision over Chilean Alamos. This was a fast-paced close fight. Alamos was quicker and had better skills than Oliha and more variety in his work. Oliha relied on constant aggression and strength and worked best inside. There were plenty of close rounds making it hard to score and the judges saw it 115-113 twice and 116-112 for Oliha.

Culcay vs. Monzon

“Golden Jack” Culcay keeps alive his hopes of a title fight as he wipes out overmatched Argentinian Monzon in two rounds. Culcay put Monzon down twice in the first round and finished the job with a left hook to the head in the second. The former holder of the WBA secondary belt is No 2 with the IBF and like the rest of the division is waiting to see what happens with the fight between Saul Alvarez and Jermell Charlo as Charlo holds all four sanctioning body belts. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Monzon.

 

JUNE 28

Culiacan, Mexico: Bantam: Pedro Guevara (40-3-1) W PTS 10 Miguel Herrera (22-6-5). Super Bantam: Nazario Castro (12-2-1) W TKO 8 Juan Ramirez (15-7).Bantam: Alexis Molina (9-0) W TKO 2 Jesus Mercado (5-1-1).

Guevara shows there is still plenty of life in him as wins every round against seasoned pro Herrera . Guevara suffered a set-back in the second round when a cut was opened over his left eye in a collision with Herrera’s  shoulder. He dominated the action and staggered Herrera with rights in both the third and fourth rounds and another right in the fifth had Herrera buckling at the knees as Guevara looked close to finishing the fight. Guevara’s corner was doing a good job of controlling the blood from the cut and by the sixth there was a growing swelling under Herrera’s left eye. Guevara put in  a big effort in the seventh bombarding Herrera with punches. The referee looked poised to step in but Herrera fired back enough for the referee to move away without stopping the action. Guevara shook Herrera in both the ninth and tenth but Herrera shrugged off the punishment and fought hard to the bell. Guevara won 100-90 on the three cards. Guevara, 34, a former WBC  light flyweight champion, was having his first fight for nine months but looked impressively sharp. He weighed 117 ¾ lbs for this fight but is No 2 at super fly with the WBC. Third loss in a row for Herrera who showed a good chin and plenty of grit.

Castro vs. Ramirez

Castro extended his unbeaten run to eleven fights with a stoppage of Ramirez. The 24-year-old southpaw showed some slick defensive work and looked to have scored a knockdown in the third but it was ruled a slip. Castro slowly broke Ramirez down with hefty left counters. It was a different Castro in the seventh as he took the fight to Ramirez going toe-to-toe opening a bad cut over Ramirez’s right eye and almost closing his left. Castro drove Ramirez around the ring in the eighth until Ramirez’s corner threw in the towel. A good display by Castro who was 2-2 in his first four fights. Ramirez had scored a shock win in December over Cuban Yosbany Veitia, a former World Amateur and Pan American Games gold medallist who beat Naoya Inoue at the 2011 World Championships.

Molina vs. Mercado

Molina knocks out Mercado in the second round. In the first Mercado showed some good skills and was much quicker than the pedestrian-paced Molina landing some good southpaw lefts. In the second Molina walked through Mercado’s punches and struck with a left and a right to the head. Mercado dropped to one knee and stayed there with his head down until counted out. He was up quickly after the count was completed and it was clear he would have been able to get up if he had chosen to do so. Fourth inside the distance win for Molina. Mercado, 18, had scored four first round stoppages but crumbled too easily here.

 

JUNE 29

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Bantam: JT Doheny (24-4) W TKO 4 Kazuki Nakajima (14-2-1). Super Bantam: Toshiki Shimomachi (17-1-2) W PTS 10 Ryuto Owan (10-2).

Dohenny vs. Nakajima

In a battle of southpaws former IBF super bantam champion Doheny wins the WBO Asia Pacific title with a fourth round stoppage of champion Nakajima. Dohenny put Nakajima under relentless pressure in the first round and shook him a couple of times. Doheny continued to march forward in the second but in the third Nakajima had his jab working well and clawed a round back. In the fourth Doheny connected with a series of hooks that floored Nakajima heavily. He beat the count but a right hook dropped him again and although he made it to his feet he was in no state to continue. Doheny, 36, was 2-4 in his last 6 fights so he needed a win here and it shows he is far from finished. He seems to like Japanese opponents as he is 3-0 against Japanese fighters. Nakajima was making the first defence of the title.

Shimomachi vs. Owan

Shimomachi wins the vacant Japanese title with a points win over Owan. Shimomachi used his 5” height edge and longer reach to dominate at distance. Owan attacked hard and had some success inside but after five rounds Shimomachi was in front 49-47 on two cards and 49-46 on the other. Owan continued to barrel forward but Shimomachi, a former Japanese Rookie of the Year, stayed cool and stuck to his game plan to keep moving and spearing Owan with right jabs and left counters and won on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-93. Shimomachi is unbeaten in his last 17 fights. Owan was moving up to ten rounds for the first time.

 

New York, NY, USA: Super Light: Kurt Scoby (12-0) W TKO 2 Henry Lundy (31-14-1). Super Welter Brian Ceballo (15-1) W PTS 8 Mitch Louis-Charles (7-4-2). Super Light: Matt Gonzalez (13-0-1) W PTS 8 Terell Bostic (8-2).

Scoby  vs. Lundy

Scoby makes it seven inside the distance wins in a row as he halts veteran Lundy in the second. Scoby was taller, heavier and quicker and Lundy spent much of the first round with his back against the ropes as Scoby banged home vicious left hooks to the body and overhand rights. A thunderous right sent Lundy down to his hands and knees in the second. Lundy made it to his feet but Scoby bombarded him with rights to the head and left hooks and when Lundy dropped to the canvas the referee waived the fight over. Growing up in a tough area of Los Angeles the 27-year-old Scoby won a scholarship to college as a football running back and was scouted by some NFL clubs but chose to be a boxer. He showed impressive power in this win. Lundy, 39, announced his retirement after almost seventeen years as a pro. He was 18-0-1 at the start of his career and lost on points against Terence Crawford for the WBO super lightweight title in 2016 but this is his sixth loss in a row so a good time to bring the curtain down on a distinguished career.

Ceballo vs. Louis-Charles

Ceballo floors Louis-Charles on the way to a comfortable points victory. Ceballo was just too powerful and too quick for Louis-Charles. Ceballo used some sharp jabbing to keep Louis-Charles on the back foot and shook him with a left hook in the second. By the end of the fourth Louis-Charles right eye was almost closed. He was down in the fifth from a low left hook from Ceballo and was given plenty of recovery time and when the action recommenced a left hook dumped Louis-Charles into the ropes and he was given a count. Ceballo continued to boss the exchanges and won on scores of 79-72 twice and 80-71.

Gonzalez vs. Bostic

Southpaw Gonzalez has a frustrating night hunting down the retreating Bostic. Gonzlez was able to score with southpaw rights as he came forward with Bostic boxing cleverly showing good defensive work and nice counters but he lacked the power to match Gonzalez who kept plugging away exerting pressure and outscoring Bostic. Scores 77-75 twice and 78-74 for Gonzalez who was having his first fight since October 2021. Bostic had won his last five fights.

 

JUNE 30

 

Grosseto, Italy: Cruiser: Milosav Savic (9-5-1) W TKO 9 Eduardo Giustini (14-3).

Savic springs a surprise as he floors and stops local hope Giustini to win the vacant WBC Mediterranean title. Southpaw Giustini had slight edges in height and reach over Serbian Savic but was too tentative allowing Savic to settle into the fight. In the fourth Savic put Giustini down with an uppercut. Giustini made it of the round but Savic was in front 39-36 on two cards and 40-35 on the other. Giustini was by far the better boxer but seemed mesmerised by Savic’s tactics of holding his hands at thigh level twirling his right hand as if winding it up to throw a big punch and Giustini was overly cautious. Finally in the ninth Savic did land that big right putting Giustini down and although Giustini beat the count his corner threw in the towel. Seventh victory by KO/TKO for Savi who looked a safe opponent for Giustini who had won his last twelve fights.

 

JULY 1

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Alberto Melian (12-2-1) W PTS 10 Diego Ruiz (24-7-1). Light: Maira Moneo (13-1) W TKO 8 Alys Sanchez (17-9-1).Welter: Jonathan Hernandez (11-0) W TKO 4 Marcelo Sanchez (8-5-3). Light: Maria Sol Baumstarh (8-6-1) W TKO 1 Sofia Mendez (4-3).Super Bantam: Rodrigo Ruiz (15-0) W TKO 4 Cesar Paredes (17-6-1). Super Feather: Ayrton Gimenez (18-1) W DISQ 4 Alexis Camejo 6-2-2).

Melian vs. Ruiz

Former Olympian Melian put both his IBF and WBO Latino belts on the line here and after a slow start took over the fight and won the unanimous decision. Despite a nose injury suffered in the second round Ruiz looked to have swept the first three rounds. From the fourth Melina took charge constantly forcing Ruiz on to the back foot. Pressure from Melian and pain from his injured nose saw Ruiz fading and although he fought hard Melian had wiped out Ruiz’s early lead and was a clear winner on sores of 97-93 twice and 98-92. Now 33 Melian  did not turn pro until he was 27 and early losses to Leonardo Baez and Oscar Negrete derailed him and although he is now 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights I can’t see him rising above domestic level. Ruiz is 1-3-1 in fights in the UK but the win was against Gamal Yafai and the draw with unbeaten Lee McGregor with his only inside the distance defeat coming against Michael Conlan.

Moneo vs. Sanchez

“The Little Lioness” Moneo won the vacant interim WBA title with a ninth round stoppage of Venezuelan Sanchez. It was a messy fight with too many clinches. A fast pace and a focused body attack from Uruguayan Moneo slowly broke Sanchez down. When Sanchez dropped to the canvas in the seventh it was as much due to fatigue as any single punch. An exhausted Sanchez spat out her mouthguard twice in the eighth and was deducted a point. The ringside doctor examined Sanchez at the end of the eighth round and with both of Sanchez eyes almost closed indicated the fight should be stopped. Seventh consecutive win for Moneo. Sanchez, 36 is a former WBA super bantam champion

Hernandez vs. Sanchez

Argentinian based Venezuelan Hernandez successfully defended his WBA Fedelatin title with stoppage of local southpaw Sanchez. Hernandez was ahead on points when the fight was halted in the fourth round due to a cut suffered by Sanchez high on his forehead. Hernandez was defending the title for the first time.

Baumstarh vs. Mendez

In a South American title fight champion Baumstarh retains her crown as she blows away fellow-Argentinian Mendez. Despite giving away lots of height and reach Baumstarh stormed out of her corner firing hooks from both hands. Mendez was overwhelmed before she could make any use of her physical advantages. A right from Baumstarh shook her to her toes and the referee stopped the action and gave Mendez a standing count. The referee then let the fight continue but a series of punches rocked Mendez and the referee stopped the fight. Fourth defence for Baumstarh. Mendez had won her last three fights.

Ruiz vs. Paredes

In another South American title fight Ruiz floored Peruvian southpaw Paredes twice before the referee stopped the fight in the fourth. Twelfth victory by KO/TKO for 22-year-old Ruiz and second defence of his title.

Gimenez vs. Camejo

Gimenez eases his way back into the winning column with a disqualification victory over Camejo. Gimenez had controlled the first three round but was unable to continue after a deliberate butt from Camejo in the fourth opened a cut over Gimenez’s right eye. Last time out Gimenez lost his unbeaten tag when he was outpointed by Michael Magnesi for the vacant WBC Silver belt in March.

 

Karlsruhe, Germany: Super Middle: Kamer Maloku (18-3) W TKO 6 Ondrej Budera (18-33-2).

Kosovan Maloku makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO as he stops much-travelled Czech Budera in the sixth round. After losing his first two fight Maloku has now lost just one of his last nineteen. Impressive figures but less impressive opposition. Budera’s recent form is 0-7-1.

 

Bernau, Germany: Cruiser: Enrico Koelling (29-5) W TKO  4 Ali Ismayilov (20-10-1). Welter: Volkan Gokcek (12-0) W RTD 2 Rauf Aghayev (38-16).

Koelling vs. Ismayilov

Koelling returns to action with a fourth round stoppage of Ismayilov. First fight for the former IBF light heavy challenger since losing on a first round stoppage against Michal Cieslak in June 2022. He wins the vacant GBC Inter-Continental belt. Nine of his ten losses have come inside the distance for 49-year-old Ukrainian-born Azeri Ismayilov.

Gokcek vs. Aghayev

Turkey’s Gokcek, a former Elite level amateur makes it eight wins by KO/TKO as Azeri Aghayev retires after the second round of their fight. Aghayev had won his last five but against opposition with combined records of 5-12.

 

Osti, Italy: Welter: Pietro Rossetti (18-1) W PTS 12 Yanis Mehah (12-1). Light Heavy: Giovanni De Carolis (33-10-1) W PTS 10 Douglas Ataide ( 9-4-1).

Rossetti vs. Mehah

Rossetti retains the European Union belt with a split decision over Frenchman Mehah. This was a close fight all the way. A seventh round knockdown scored by Rossetti was decisive. Meheh had proved a tough competitor and Rossetti was under considerable pressure never able to open any significant lead and but for the knockdown he would only have retained his belt with a majority draw. Scores 116-112 and 115-113 for Rossetti and 114-113 for Mehah. Ten wins in a row for Rossetti who was making the first defence of the title he won with an impressive second round kayo of Mohamed Kani in March. This was close enough for promising Mehah, French amateur champion in 2017 and 2018, to merit a return.

De Carolis vs. Ataide

De Carolis also had to fight hard for his win over inexperienced Brazilian Ataide. With De Carolis, being the mandatory challenger to European champion Kevin Lee Sadjo, he was looking to get in some useful rounds but in the end had a real fight on his hands. Ataide, although limited, only had a forward gear and just kept coming no matter how much punishment De Carolis handed out. De Carolis was a clear winner but had to battle hard in every round. Now 38 the former holder of the secondary WBA title lost to Lerrone Richards for the vacant EBU title in 2021 and will start as an outsider against the powerful Lee Sadjo. Ataide is now 1-4 in fights outside of Brazil.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Fly: Kenta Nakagawa (24-4-1) W PTS 12 Joe Shiraishi (11-1-1). Fly: Jukiya Limura (4-1) W PTS 10 Josuke Nagata (5-1).

Nakagawa vs. Shiraishi

Veteran southpaw Nakagawa retains the WBO Asia Pacific belt  with a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Shiraishi. There was a slow start to this one with Shiraishi coming forward without conviction and Nakagawa content to sit back and counter. A clash of heads in the third saw Shiraishi cut over his left eye and Nakagawa controlled the action with his jab and clinched when Shiraishi managed to get inside. Shiraishi upped the pressure late in the fight making the rounds close and a punch opened a cut over Nakagawa’s left eye in the eleventh but Nakagawa boxed his way through the last round to win on scores of  117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Nakagawa, 37, was making the first defence of the title

 Limura vs. Nagata

Limura wins a majority decision over champion Nagata to lift the Japanese title. These two knew each other’s style well having faced each other four times as amateurs with Limura winning three of the matches. This proved to be a fast-paced close fight with Nagata rolling forward putting Limura under pressure and Limura matching him punch-for-punch. At the half-way stage two judges had Limura in front 49-47 and 48-47 with the dissenting judge seeing Nagata up at 48-47. Nagata upped his output over the second half of the fight going for quantity but the sharper and more accurate punches came from Limura and he came out on top 96-94 twice and 95-95. Limura had lost to more experienced Filipino Esneth Domingo in October. Nagata losses his title in his first defence.

 

 

London, England: Super Fly: Quaise Khademi (9-1-2) W TKO 3 Benn Norman (7-3).

Khademi gets his first win for over three years as he floors Norman twice on the way to a third round stoppage in a fight for the vacant IBO Continental belt. After losing to Ijaz Ahmed on a majority decision in 2019 he then drew with Ahmed for the vacant British title in 2021 and drew again in 2022. First inside the distance defeat for Norman.

 

 

Fight of the week: (Significance): Savannah Marshall’s win over Franchon Crews Dezurn could see a return with Claressa Shields in another big fight for woman’s boxing

Fight of the week: Marshall vs. Dezurn was an entertaining clash of styles

Fighter of the week: Savannah Marshall for her four belt triumph over Dezurn

Punch of the week: An all-British and all rights pick with Dalton Smith’s right that put Sam Maxwell down and out and Pat McCormack right that dropped Tony Dixon being special but I go for the right cross from April Hunter that nearly knocked Kristie Bavington’s head clean off her shoulders and I still can’t believe Bavington got up from the punch.

Upset of the week: Vincenzo Gualtieri’s win over Esquiva Falcao was a big surprise ( he was rated No 94 by Box Rec before the fight)

Prospect watch: Lightweight Abdullah Mason 9-0 (8) put on a stand out performance at the weekend.

 

Observations

Rosette: German promotions group Agon Sports who with the victories for Gualtieri and Oliha collected their first ever and second titles in the same night

Red Card: To German TV channels not one of whom chose to show the two title fights.

 

-There was a sanctioning body bonanza at the Luna Park in Buenos Aires where the fights were for;

IBF Latino featherweight

WBO Latino featherweight

WBA interim lightweight

WBA Fedelatin welterweight

South American light flyweight

South American super bantamweight

We might get to a point where there are so many title fights for different sanctioning bodies that once you allocate seats for the various supervisors there be no room for the fans.