The Past Week in Action

GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX VS NONITO DONAIRE

April 11

Boulogne-sur Mer, France: Super Feather: Romain Jacob (18-0) W PTS 10 Leonus Marie Francoise (8-8-1). Super Feather: Guillaume Frenois (30-0) W PTS 6 Andrei Staliarchuk (9-16-2).

Jacob vs. Francoise
Jacob retains French title for fourth time with unanimous decision over No 6 rated Francoise. Jacobs changes tactics and takes the fight to his limited challenger. It allowed Francoise to get through with some counters but Jacob was faster and more accurate and much the better technical boxer. All he lacks is a punch. Francoise was never really in with a chance of winning. Scores 99-91, 99-93 and 97-93.

The 24-year-old keeps the family tradition alive. He is No 7 with the EBU. Francoise was 1-1-4 going in, but kept his record of never losing inside the distance. Jacob relinquished his French title after the fight to concentrate on a shot at either the European or IBF titles with unbeaten Mexican Martin Cardona (17-0) being mentioned as a possible opponent on June 28.

Frenois vs. Staliarchuk
WBA/IBF No 4 Frenois also changes his tactics adopting a more aggressive approach. The normally light punching Frenchman put the Belarus fighter down in the second, third and fourth rounds. Despite having Staliarchuk under pressure in the last two rounds Frenois had to settle for his usual points victory. The 29-year-old French southpaw has great skills, but only five wins by KO/TKO. Staliarchuk has improved after losing his first seven fights.

April 12

Chalons-Sur-Saone, France: Super Bantam: Ali Hallab (14-0-1) W KO 5 Sean Hughes (17-11-2). Feather: Sofiane Takoucht (27-2) W PTS 6 Tom Barbier (3-12).

Hallab vs. Hughes
Hallab retains WBO European title in his second defence. A quiet first round then Hallab tries to pressurise Hughes in the second but the Englishman counters well and the round is even. Hallab finally got on top late in the third scoring with heavy hooks and Hughes is cut over his left eye. Hallab has Hughes in trouble at the end of the fourth and it looks as though only the bell prevents the fight finishing in this round. In the fifth Hughes tries to fight back, but is floored. He beats the count, but a volley of punches, finished off by a body punch, puts Hughes down for the count.

Hallab, 32 makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO. Hallab competed for France at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and the 2003 and 2005 World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2005 when losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux in the semi-finals. Good effort by 30-year-old Hughes with the Hallab corner describing him as a “Little Lion” for the way he matched Hallab in those first three rounds. Southpaw Hughes was inactive from September 2011 until last month. He has been unsuccessful twice in shots at the British super bantam title and once for the Commonwealth title.

Takoucht vs. Barbier
Routine win for former European champion Takoucht. The 27-year-old “Baby Face”, now the European Union champion, makes it five wins in a row since losing his European title to Alex Miskirtchian in September 2011. Referees score 60-57. Fellow Frenchman Barbier has lost 9 of his last 10 fights but has never failed to last the distance.

Jesi, Italy: Light: Pasquale Di Silvio (16-4-1) W PTS 10 Michele Focosi (17-2-1). Di Silvio wins Italian title. Last time these two met for the title a slow start by Focosi allowed Di Silvio to build a lead with Focosi finishing strongly to get a draw. This time it was Focosi who dominated the early rounds. He hurt Di Silvio with left hooks in the third, had him shaking again from a right uppercut in the fifth, and ahad Di Silvio in trouble at the end of the sixth.

Di Silvio had picked up points in a couple of the early rounds but was behind. However, from seventh round Focosi just faded away and Di Silvio took over. He swept the last four rounds to win on scores of 97-93 twice and 97-94. Di Silvio had obviously learned the lessons from their fight for the vacant title in November, and although Di Silvio was a deserving winner, the scores looked harsh on local fighter Focosi. The 33-year-old “El Puma” from Rome was having his fifth shot at winning an Italian title after three losses and a draw in earlier title fights. Focosi, 30, lost to Samuele Esposito for the Italian light welter title in March 2012. So still no prize.

Dover, USA: Heavy: Ali Mansour (18-0) W KO 1 Jason Gavern (21-14-4). Light: Samuel Kotey Neequaye (19-0) W KO 2 Arturo Santiago (7-7-1). Welter: Dusty Hernandez Harrison (14-0) W PTS 6 Jon Garcia (3-5).

Mansour vs. Gavern
Mansour massacres Gavern The 40-year-old southpaw had Gavern down four times, one looked more like a push, and the fight was all over in 2mins 43 secs. “Hardcore” makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO as he rebuilds after his second stay in jail. He retains his WBFederation Intercontinental title.

Last month, in his first fight after finishing his second spell in jail, he put away Dom Alexander in 24 seconds, so he is badly in need of ring time. He went through with this fight despite suffering a dislocated shoulder when crashing his car into a wall shortly before fight night. Gavern, 35, had a brief spell in the limelight after beating Manuel Quezada and drawing with Jon Banks, but now it is six losses in a row. In fairness to Gavern he was a substitute for a substitute.

Neequaye vs. Santiago
Ghanaian makes it two wins since relocating to USA. The 29-year-old from Ghana had no real test in Puerto Rican Santana and finished him half way through the second round. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO for Neequaye, but his opposition in Ghana has been farcical. He represented Ghana at the 2006 Commonwealth Games losing to Steve Smith and the 2008 Olympics where he lost to Bradley Saunders, but has potential.

Hernandez-Harrison vs. Garcia
Garcia no real test for the 18-year-old Washington prospect. Harrison had height, reach speed and technique going for him and won clearly, showing good skills and fast hands. It looked as though he might put Garcia away in the last round, but the 19-year-old Puerto Rican lasted the distance. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55.

New Buffalo, USA: Light Heavy: Cedric Agnew (26-0) W PTS 12 Yusaf Mack (31-6-2).

Agnew vs. Mack
If this was supposed to be a big test for Agnew then no one told him. The 26-year-old from Chicago had Mack backing up from the first round as he walked in behind a solid defence and forced Mack to fight on the retreat. Agnew showed excellent skills as he was too fast and agile for the slower Mack and had no trouble dealing with the occasional counters from the former IBF super middle and IBF light heavyweight title challenger.

Only a lack of power on the part of Agnew allowed Mack to stay the distance. Scores 120-108, 118-110 and a very strange 115-113. Agnew wins the IBF USBA title. He has wins over Daniel Judah and Otis Griffin. He is No 15 with the WBC and, as Mack was No 14 with the IBF, he will climb in both ratings. Mack, 33, may now just become a test for the Young Lions of the division.

Las Vegas, USA: Light Heavy: Marcus Oliveira (25-0-1) W TKO 11 Ryan Coyle (21-1,1ND). Light: Bahodir Mamadjonov (13-1) W TKO 9 Angelo Santana (14-1) . Light Middle: Marcus Willis (13-2-2) W PTS 8 James De la Rosa (21-2) . Light Welter: Amir Imam (9-0) W TKO 2 Jeremy Bryan (16-3).

Oliveira vs. Coyle
Coyle got the better start, but did not have the punch to stop the forward march of Oliveira. Slowly the 34-year-old Oliveira was breaking southpaw Coyne down. From the sixth he just stayed in Coyne’s face and forced the “Irish Outlaw” to trade. Coyne seemed to have been badly shaken in a clash of heads in the seventh which also left him with a cut and he was visibly fading in the ninth and tenth. With blood coming from his nose, and that cut, it was obvious that the end was near.

In the eleventh two rights and a left hook put Coyne down. He beat the count, but the same combination put him down again and the fight was stopped. Oliveira had been world rated after kayoing Otis Griffiths in two rounds in 2009 but was unable to capitalise on that win. He has 20 wins by KO/TKO and with this victory over WBA No 2 Coyle is now in line for a shot at Beibut Shumenov. Missouri-born Coyne, 30, goes back to the drawing board. The No 2 rating was not a reflection of his opposition.

Mamadjonov vs. Santana
Uzbek Mamadjonov comes in as a late substitute and halts favoured Santana. It looked like going the way of Santana as he dropped Mamadjonov with a left jab in the second round. The Uzbek southpaw recovered and used an effective body attack to get into the fight. Santana seemed to be looking for a one punch finish, but Mamadjonov effectively cut down Santana’s punching room and tied him up when he got close.

The effects of those body attacks became apparent in the sixth when an increasingly frustrated Santana was visibly hurt by a body punch, and again in the eighth as yet another body shot dropped Santana. Santana saw out the round but had nothing left. Mamadjonov scored two knockdowns in the ninth and, despite protests from Santana, the fight was halted.

Mamadjonov was in front 76-74 on all cards at the end of the eighth. The 25-year-old Mamadjonov came in at a weeks notice and this victory over the WBA No 3 (No 1 spot vacant) was huge boost for him. As an amateur Mamadjonov won the World Military title.

His only loss came in his last fight when he lost a split decision to WBA No 2 Darley Perez. Promoted by Don King Cuban Santana, also a southpaw, was to have fought for the interim WBA title but his opponent Carlos Cardenas pulled out with an injury. The 27-year-old Santana was one of a large party of Cubans who made it to Florida on a makeshift raft.

Willis vs. De la Rosa
Another upset as Willis ruins the comeback of Mexican prospect De la Rosa with a deserved majority verdict. Willis shook De la Rosa with a hard shot in the seventh and had had him rocking. Scores 78-74, 77-75 and 76-76. Willis has lost only one of his last nine fights. He was hoping this win might get him a contract with the shows promoter Don King. Be careful what you wish for. De la Rosa, 25, had lost an upset against Allen Conyers in January 2011 and then been inactive until beating Tyrone Brunson in March last year. This was his first fight since then.

Imam vs. Bryan
Albany’s “Young Master Imam, 22, gets a big win as he floors former top amateur Bryan with a left followed by a devastating right from which Bryan was out before he hit the floor. The tall 22-year-old Imam makes it eight wins by KO/TKO. “Hollywood” Bryan, 27, was National Golden Gloves champion in 2004 and 2005, and won and lost with Danny Garcia in the 2008 Olympic Trials. His three losses have all come inside the distance . Losses to Vince Arroyo and Ron Cruz knocked him back, but he had beaten former undefeated European champion Yuri Romanov in January.

Shelton, USA: Feather: Oscar Gonzalez (21-2) W PTS 10 Rico Ramos (21-3). Light Middle: Oscar Molina (4-0) W TKO 1 Daryl Gardner (1-2).

Gonzalez vs. Ramos
It takes two to tango and this was a poor fight as only Gonzalez seemed to want to make it a fight. The Mexican was coming forward all the time with Ramos boxing on the retreat and rarely launching much in the way of an offensive. Ramos had good defensive skills and unfortunately Gonzalez lacked the offensive skills to force Ramos to trade. The superior skills of Ramos kept him in the fight early, but that all changed.

In the sixth a thudding left hook to the body and another to the side of the head saw Ramos slump to the canvas. The former WBA super bantam champion survived the round and realising he was behind put up a big effort in the seventh and eighth but faded again over the last two rounds allowing Gonzalez to wrap-up the decision. Scores 98-91, 97-93 and 96-93.

The 32-year-old Gonzalez had scored good wins over Caril Herrera, Gerard Espinoza and Giovanni Caro, but was coming off a loss on points against Raul Hirales in December. At 25 it seems possible that Ramos is on his way down the hill. He has not looked the same fighter since his kayo loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux in January last year, and together with the loss to Ronny Ramos in January has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights.

Molina vs. Gardner
Predictable massacre as hot young Mexican prospect Molina destroys Gardner. The 23-year-old Molina put Gardner down twice, the second time with a thunderous left hook, and the referee stopped the fight. Molina, a former World Youth champion and Pan American Games silver medal winner also represented Mexico in the 2007 and 2009 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.

Ko Phangan, Thailand: Super Fly: Norasing (5-0-1) W PTS 12 Danilo Pena (26-17-2). Super Feather: Terdsak (49-4-1) W PTS 6 Ernesto Rubillar (38-34-7).

Norasing vs. Pena
Thai Norasing looked well on his way to winning the vacant PABA title as he built an early lead over the strong but crude Filipino southpaw. From the midway point, with only 26 career rounds of boxing behind him, Norasing started to tire. Totally exhausted the Thai was floored twice in the tenth and only just held on over the last two rounds to get a majority draw. Scores 113-113 twice and 115-113 for Norasing.

The 26-year-old Thai had been “ordinary” PABA champion but in more madness the champion Denkoasan was promoted to “super” PABA champion last year to allow Norasing to win the PABA title. Pena was slipped in at No 11 in the PABA ratings even though he could not get into the top 15 in the GAB ratings. The 31-year-old “Pit Bull” Pena fights in accordance with his nickname. He has now won only one of his last eight fights.

Terdsak vs. Rubillar
Routine six round points win for WBA No 14 Terdsak. The 31-year-old Thai, has only lost to Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Steve Luevano and Takahiro Ao, but then these are the only four real tests he has had. Abysmal matching as the 42-year-old Rubillar was having his first fight since October 2005.

April 13

Neuquen, Argentina: Middle: Billi F Godoy (28-1) W PTS 10 Valdevan Pereira (7-6). Disappointing fight sees Godoy frustrated by negative Brazilian. Right from the start it was obvious that Pereira was there to survive and went to enormous lengths to do so. Godoy was able to get through with a whole of variety of punches with only the odd punch coming back from Pereira. Both Godoy and the crowd were frustrated by the negative tactics of the Brazilian and at Godoy’s failure to put him away. Scores 100-93, 100-91 ½, 100-93 ½. Billi “The Kid” makes it two wins since losing his unbeaten tag against Sergio Sanders in October. Pereira is 2-6 in his last eight fights.

Schwechat, Austria: Middle: Marcos Nader (17-0-1) W PTS 12 Roberto Santos (18-7-3). Cruiser: David Graf (10-0) W KO 2 Jozsef Nagy (30-15). Welter: Timo Schwarzkopf (11-0) W KO 2 Istvan Kiss (11-8).

Nader vs. Santos
Local fighter Nader wins European title with unanimous decision over champion Santos. This was a repeat of their drawn fight in November, but with a different result. As before Nader made the better start and was scoring well with his jab and fast combinations and being too quick for the Spanish veteran. Although no puncher he was letting his hands go whereas Santos seemed to let the Spanish-born Austrian dictate the pace confident that the challenger would tire in the late rounds.

Santos was better in the fourth and fifth rounds bringing blood from the nose of the challenger. It was Nader on top in the next two rounds with the seventh being his best round in the fight. Santos was putting on the pressure in the eighth and ninth as Nader appeared to tire and in the tenth Nader twice lost his mouth piece after being caught with hard shots.

Nader fought hard in the eleventh but was just trying to survive in the last. Scores 116-112 twice and 1115-113. Big win for the 23-year-old who lost to Oscar Molina in the World Youth Championships in 2008. With only two wins by KO/TKO his lack of punching power may give him problems as he faces tougher opposition. Santos, 31, was making the second defence of the European title he won with a victory over Dominik Britsch in September.

Graf vs. Nagy.
The short, vastly overweight Nagy starts with a flurry which momentarily has Graf covering up. Graf steadies himself and then starts to unload on the Hungarian. A barrage of shots in the second ended the one-sided fight. Seven wins by KO/TKO for 24-year-old Graf. Hungarian Nagy, 37, once weighed a svelte 160lbs and won his first 17 fights. He was 199lbs for this one so is 13-15 since then.

Schwarzkopf vs. Kiss
Similar story in this one although Kiss never had Albanian Schwarzkopf covering up. Schwarzkopf, real name Festim Kryeziu, finishes it in the second to move to seven wins by KO/TKO. Southpaw Kiss, only 20, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights and is scheduled to fight in Dublin next month for a “world” title-WBU version-having lost to Chris Goodwin for the WBFoundation title in August..

Frederikshavn, Denmark: Cruiser: Mateusz Masternak (30-0) W TKO 9 Sean Corbin (15-4). Light Heavy: Erik Skogland (16-0) W PTS 10 Luke Blackledge (13-1-1). Light Middle: Torben Keller (7-0-1) W PTS 8 Terry Carruthers (13-15-6). Cruiser: Micki Nielsen (7-0) W TKO 5 Toni Visic (7-10-1).

Masternak vs. Corbin
Masternak makes heavy work of beating Guyanan veteran. Not an impressive showing for the unbeaten Pole. After three rounds Corbin looked to have built a lead as he was able to get through with some hard punches. It still looked even after five but then Corbin was suffering under the handicap of a facial swelling which was affecting his vision.

Masternak finally began to dominate and floored Corbin in the eighth. A right put Corbin down again in the ninth. The fight could have been stopped then, but the referee let Corbin take more punishment before halting the fight. Now 21 wins by KO/TKO for the Pole. He lifts the vacant WBC International title. Corbin, 38, was having his first fight since beating Wayne Braithwaite in October 2012. European air does not suit him as he has lost inside the distance to Karo Murat and Dawid Kostecki in previous visits.

Skogland vs. Blackledge
Skogland remains unbeaten and wins the WBC Youth and WBO Youth Inter-Continental titles as he just edges out Brit Blackledge. The Swede had the edge in both height and reach and was the better technical boxer using his jab well to hold off the aggressive Blackledge. There were plenty of furious exchanges in the early rounds with Skogland being the more accurate with his shots and building a lead.

Blackledge came on in the middle rounds as Skogland’s work became less accurate. Both fighters were tired from the pace of the fight and neither was really able to impose himself over the late rounds making for a close fight which could have gone either way. Scores 97-93, 96-94 and 96-95. Skogland came in as a replacement for Rudy Markussen. This was only his second ten round fight and his first fight to actually go ten rounds, so it was a good test of stamina for the 21-year-old Swede. Despite the closeness of the scoring Blackledge, 22, had no complaint over the decision, but found Skogland too big and strong and will go back down to super middle.

Keller vs. Carruthers
First eight round fight proves a tough one for Keller. The 26-year-old Dane was handily in charge over the first four rounds but then tired. Carruthers proved a strong opponent and although he never looked likely to win he gave Keller a hard time over the last four rounds in a good test for the young Dane. Scores 78-74 twice and 80-72. Keller, a World Championship quarter-finalist in 2009, has only two wins by KO/TKO. Brit Carruthers, 27, put up good resistance and made Keller work hard for his victory.

Nielsen vs. Visic
Unbeaten Danish prospect gets stoppage win over late sub Visic. The 20-year-old 6’3” southpaw was too big and strong for the brave Croatian. After dominating the first two rounds Nielsen put Visic down in the third. The Croat boxer was not badly hurt and survived the round. Visic almost touched down again in the fourth. In the fifth a left from Nielsen knocked Visic into the ropes and the fight was stopped. Six wins by KO/TKO for Nielsen, a former Danish Junior champion. Visic, has been halted four times, but comes to fight.

Elzach, Germany: Cruiser: Agron Dzila (18-1) W KO 1 Roman Vanicky (14-33-1). Heavy: Mark de Mori (22-1-2) W TKO 3 Bekim Pagga (2-3).

Dzila vs. Vanicky
Macedonian-born Dzila gained ample revenge for the only loss on his record as he wiped out Czech Vanicky with a right. Vanicky had won a split decision over Dzila in 2011. That makes it 14 wins by KO/TKO for the Swiss-based Dzila, the last eight fights have all finished that way. Vanicky, 39, the Czech super middle champion, is 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

De Mori vs. Pagga
Rubbish matching. De Mori takes just under three rounds to wear down novice Pagga and the fight is stopped. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for de Mori and his second win in a week. He is supposed to be on his honeymoon, surely he can find something better to do than fighting guys like Pagga.

Mexico City, Mexico: Feather: Jesus Galicia (11-6) W PTS 12 Romulo Koasicha (19-3) . Southpaw Galicia sprang a minor surprise here as he took a majority verdict over Koasicha to win the WBC US title. It was a close fight with the right jab of Galicia giving Koasicha trouble. The champion just could not seem to figure out a way to deal with the southpaw stance of Galicia but kept pressing and staged a strong finish with

Galicia cut on his right eyebrow in a storming last round. Scores 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114. The 25-year-old “Zurdo de Oro” is better than his record indicates with wins over Rodolfo Hernandez (19-1-1) and Jesus Ruiz (25-3-2), but was coming off a loss in six rounds against Miguel Angel Gonzalez in November. Koasicha was making the third defence of his WBC US title and had lost only one of his last eleven fights.

Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico: Super Fly: Juan Jose Montes (23-3-2) DREW 12 Julio Cesar Miranda (37-8-2). Super Fly: Tomas Rojas (40-14-1,1ND) W KO 6 Jaderes Padua (8-2-1). Middle: Marcos Reyes (27-1) W TKO 5 Eric Mitchell (23-10-1). Light Fly: Juan Hernandez (22-2) W KO 3 Josue Vega (17-12). Light Fly: Saul Juarez (17-2) W TKO 1 Arturo Castro (4-7).

Montes vs. Miranda
This fight settled nothing but gave the fans twelve rounds of exciting action. Former WBO flyweight champion Miranda just had the edge in the early rounds scoring with hard shots to head and body. Montes stayed with him despite being hampered by facial damage caused by those hard hooks from Miranda. Montes slowly cut into the lead of Miranda but at the end of the eleventh it looked as though Miranda would get a close decision.

Montes needed a big last round and he came through flooring Miranda to even things up. Scores 114-113 to Montes, 115-112 for Miranda and 113-113. The WBC International title remains vacant. “Goofy” Montes, 23, WBO No 3 and IBF No 9, has wins over Fernando Lumacad, Sylvester Lopez and Oscar Ibarra twice, the second time for the vacant WBFederation title. He was stopped in eleven rounds by Tomas Rojas for the WBC title in May 2011 and needed a good performance here after losing to Martin Casillas in January. The 32-year-old Miranda lost his WBO title to Brian Viloria in July 2011 and was even more in need of a good show as he had lost his last two fights.

Rojas vs. Padua
Former WBC champion Rojas stops tough young Filipino. Padua came to fight and was willing to trade with Rojas from the start. Rojas was scoring well and built a lead but the body attack from Padua was giving Rojas problems. “Gusano” resolved matters in the sixth. A southpaw left to the body and a crunching left to the jaw put Padua down and the fight was stopped. First fight for 32-year-old Rojas since losing in seven rounds to Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC bantam title in November. He wins the WBC Latino title. Gutsy showing by 22-year-old Padua who had won his last three fights.

Reyes vs. Mitchell
Losing has become a habit for Mitchell, but his clever defensive tactics and tricks made Reyes work hard for his win. Reyes came forward pressing Mitchell for the whole fight but found “Murder” a difficult target. He finally broke through in the fifth and put Mitchell down with the referee stopping the fight. Now 21 wins by KO/TKO for 25-year-old Reyes and 13 wins in a row since upset loss to Amilcar Fuentes in 2010. Mitchell, 43, losses inside the distance for only the second time. The other fighter to stop him is Dmitry Pirog. Now 6 losses in his last 7 fights.

Hernandez vs. Vega
Former WBC strawweight title challenger Hernandez flattens poor Vega. A one-sided fight sees Hernandez put Vega down three times. The last knockdown left Vega spread-eagled on the canvas out cold and it was some time before he recovered. The 26-year-old Hernandez has 16 wins by KO/TKO. Hernandez lost on points to Kazuto Ioka for the WBC strawweight title in 2011, his only loss in his last 16 fights. Vega has been stopped nine times, but has improved after having a 1-9 run early in his career.

Juarez vs. Castro
Just a record padder for “Baby II” Juarez as he floors Castro twice and halts him inside a round. Eleven wins by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old WBC US champion. Fifth loss inside the distance for Castro.

Bar, Montenegro: Light: Dejan Zlaticanin (17-0) W PTS 12 Petr Petrov (32-4-2). Middle: Milorad Zizic (9-0) W KO 2 Francesco Basile (9-2).

Zlaticanin vs. Petrov
Zlaticanin retains his WBC title with unanimous decision over Spanish-based Russian Petrov. The Montenegrin southpaw was given a hard fight by the experienced Petrov and although a clear winner this was his toughest test so far as he had to stay strong to the last bell to ensure victory. Scores 118-110, 117-113 and 116-114. The 28-year-old southpaw has wins over Felix Lora and Godfrey Nzimande, but his No 9 rating by the WBC flatters him when the strength of his opposition is taken into account. Petrov, 30, had lost only one of his last 17 fights, and that was a stoppage against Marcos Maidana for the secondary WBA light welter title in September 2011. The only time he has failed to last the distance in a fight. He gave the local fighter a much tougher scrap than the scores suggest.

Zizic vs. Basile
Basile makes a fight of it for part of the first round, but Zizic has him on unsteady legs by the end of the round. A big right in the second put the Italian down and out. A brutal finish. Zizic, 26, adds the WBC Mediterranean title to the IBF Youth title he already holds. Basile, 35, was having his first fight since July 2011.

Kilmarnock, Scotland: Feather: Jon Slowey (13-0) W PTS 8 Mike Stupart (2-9-1). Middle: Craig McEwan (22-3-1) TEC DRAW 1 Alastair Warren (8-4-2).

Slowey vs. Escobar
Southpaw prospect Slowey floors Escobar in the second and then boxes his way to victory over late sub Stupart. The 22-year-old from Glasgow shows excellent skills but Stupart does not have the best of chins and Slowey needs to improve his power to progress. Four losses in a row for Stupart.

McEwan vs. Warren
Frustration for McEwan as a clash of heads after just 2 ½ minutes leaves Warren too badly cut for the fight to continue. The 30-year-old Edinburgh southpaw will now hope to revitalise his career either in Scotland or over in the USA with Lou Di Bella.

Sheffield, England: Middle: Adam Etches (12-0) W TKO 4 Andrei Abramenka (18-3-2). Etches stops gutsy Belarus fighter. It looked like an early finish when Etches dropped Abramenka with a perfect right counter in the first. However, Abramenka had come to fight and quickly recovered. The Belarus fighter constantly switch guards and fired off quick counters from both hands, but his shots lacked power and Etches was scoring well with his jab and getting through with hooks to the body and overhand rights.

Abramenka showed good skills but in the second Etches was in control in centre ring with Abramenka spending most of the round retreating around the ring and occasionally taking punishment when Etches had him cornered. Abramenka scored with a good four punch combination in the third as Etches was becoming anxious to get the fight over. Etches cornered Abramenka in the fourth and put him down with a right and left hook. Abramenka was up early and took the remainder of the eight count. Etches was going for the finish with Abramenka literally running around the ring.

Finally Etches took him to the same corner where the first knockdown occurred and a left put Abramenka down again. He got up but the referee completed the eight count and then waived the fight over. “Bomber” Etches, 22, wins the vacant IBF Youth title. He has ten wins by KO/TKO the last seven in a row. Abramenko, 25, loses inside the distance for the first time. He had gone twelve rounds in losing to Matthew Hatton and had won 3 of his last 4 fights with the loss being to world rated Aslanbek Kozaev. Abramenko came to fight and it was a good performance from Etches to stop him as early as he did.

New York, USA: Super Bantam: Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0) W PTS 12 Nonito Donaire (31-2). Welter: Mike Zewski (19-0) W KO 2 Daniel Sostre (11-9-1). Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (18-0) W TKO 1 Dion Stanley (11-5). Light Middle: Glen Tapia (18-0) W PTS 8 Joseph de los Santos (14-12-3). Super Feather: Felix Verdejo (5-0) W TKO 1 Steve Gutierrez (4-4-1). Light Middle: Glen Tapia (18-0) W PTS 8 Joseph de los Santos (14-12-3).Super Middle: Jesse Hart (6-0) W TKO 3 Marlon Farr (2-3). Super Feather: Toka Kahn Clary (5-0,1ND) W TKO 1 Gadiel Andaluz (4-5-1). Light: Erick De Leon (3-0) W PTS 4 Diamond Baier (2-5-1).

Rigondeaux vs. Donaire
The brilliant former amateur star Rigondeaux won on sheer skill. Donaire was looking to unload but whilst he was doing that the Cuban was in, landed some shots, and out again. In the first round a southpaw left from Rigondeaux hurt Donaire. That set the scene with Rigondeaux’s speed, movement and clever tactics giving him the edge. Donaire had difficulty pinning the Cuban down and did not his punches go as freely as he would normally.

Donaire shook Rigondeaux with left hook in the fourth and his big moment came in the tenth when he dropped Rigondeaux with a left hook. Rigondeaux quickly recovered and was in control again in the eleventh and staged a storming finish in the last round. Donaire did pick up some rounds when Rigondeaux’s work rate dropped, but otherwise it was the Cuban’s night. Scores 116-111, 115-112 and a too close 114-113.

Rigondeaux, the WBA champion, adds Donaire’s WBO title to his collection. In some ways Rigondeaux is too good for his own good. His style excites the purists but is not exciting enough for fans who look for raw action in their fights. Rigondeaux needs to be pushed to the limit to be forced into a barn burner/ crowd pleaser fight, but if Donaire could not achieve that it is difficult to see who can. At 32 the vastly talented Cuban is not about to change now.

Donaire had some excuses for a below par performance other than the sheer brilliance of Rigondeaux. An old shoulder injury (he plans now to have an operation on it) and his wife’s pregnancy may have been diversions, but even at his best he would still have struggled against Rigondeaux. Donaire, 30, is talking about moving up to featherweight with the aim of winning a world title in a fourth division (his WBA super flyweight title was of the interim type so not a real title). Yet another blow for Philippines boxing following the losses by Manny Pacquiao and Brian Viloria.

Zewski vs. Sostre
Canadian Zewski continues his run of wins by KO/TKO. After being on top in the first Zewski floored Puerto Rican Sostre with a right at the start of the second. Sostre got up only to be put down and out by a left hook. The 24-year-old Canadian now has 15 wins by KO/TKO, and his last ten fights have ended that way. Now five losses in a row for Sostre.

Monaghan vs Stanley
Too easy for “Irish” Monaghan. He hurt Stanley early with body punches then floored Stanley with a right to the head. Stanley made it to his feet but another right to the head finished the fight. All over in 111 seconds. Win No 11 for 31-year-old Monaghan, but he is ready for stronger opposition. Stanley, 36, was having his first fight since May 2011.

Verdejo vs. Gutierrez
Another 111 seconds finish as hot Puerto Rican prospect Verdejo destroys poor Gutierrez. The hand speed of Verdejo too much for Gutierrez. The Texan walked into a left hook which shook him. A right then put him down. He beat the count only to be floored again and the fight was stopped. Four wins by KO/TKO for the 19-year-old Verdejo who won a gold medal at the Pan American Youth Championships and competed at the 2012 Olympics. Three losses in a row for Gutierrez, but none as quick as this.

Tapia vs. de los Santos
Tapia makes it 18 wins with comfortable decision over Dominican de los Santos. Tapia was always in control spearing the Dominican with sharp jabs and landing solid rights. Tapia tried to finish it in the sixth, but de los Santos fought back strongly and lasted the distance. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 23-year-old “Jersey Boy” gets in some useful rounds after finishing 5 of his last 6 fights inside the distance. The 36-year-old de los Santos had won his last three fights.

Hart vs. Farr
Hart ends a one-sided fight in the third. Hart, the son of Philadelphian legend Gene “Cyclone” Hart, had a look at Farr in the first round and then almost put him down with a right at the end of the second. In the third round a right put Farr down. He got up only to be caught again with a hard combination and the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

The tall 23-year-old was a top amateur. He was US and National Golden Gloves champion in 2011 and represented the USA at the 2011 World Championships. He looks a great prospect. Dad Gene fought the toughest guys around when Philly was “the fight town” and the gym sessions were tougher than most world title fights. Farr was way out of his league.

Clary vs. Andaluz
Clary massacres poor Andaluz. All over in just 92 seconds as Clary nails the Puerto Rican and puts him down three times. The heavy-fisted, Liberian-born, 20-year-old southpaw is yet another great prospect. He was National Golden Glove champion in 2010 and won silver and bronze respectively at the 2011 and 2012 US Championships. He is trained by Pete Manfredo Snr. Four losses and a draw in his last five fights for Andaluz.

De Leon vs. Baier
Yet another former top amateur to keep an eye on. De Leon comfortably won every round to take the decision on scores of 40-36 twice and 40-34. The Mexican-born naturalised American was National Golden Gloves champion in 2009 and 2010 and did a lot of his early work at the Kronk gym under the eye of Manny Steward. He was one of Donaire’s main sparring partners for the Rigondeaux fight. He is equally proficient fighting orthodox or southpaw. Tapia, Hart, Clary, De Leon all good prospects.

North Bergen, USA: Welter: Alex Perez (17-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Kenny Abril (14-6-1). Perez overcomes a very rocky fourth round to win decision over fellow southpaw Abril. Perez used his height and reach to keep Abril on the outside over the first two rounds. In the third he chose to work inside to counter the body attack from Abril with shots of his own. Those tactics almost cost him the fight. In the fourth as a right from Abril unhinged the legs of Perez. He was badly hurt and rocked again by a volley of punches.

A left had Perez close to a stoppage loss, but the bell rang just after the punch landed. Perez went back to his boxing in the fifth showing a solid defence and firing some good uppercuts. Over the last three rounds Abril was looking for one big punch to turn the fight around, but Perez was boxing his way to victory. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-74. Much needed win for the 30-year-old “Brick City Bullet” after losing on a sixth round stoppage against Antonin Decarie in September. New Yorker Abril had won his last three fights, including a split decision over worlds rated Filipino Denis Laurente.

Corpus Christi, USA: Light Welter: Juan Diaz (36-4) W TKO 6 Pipino Cuevas Jr (16-10). Super Feather: Jerry Belmontes (18-1) W PTS 8 Daniel Diaz (19-5-1).

Diaz vs. Cuevas
On his return to the ring Diaz beats up on Cuevas. Although a bit out on his timing “The Baby Bull” had Cuevas backing up from the first round and was scoring with jolting hooks and rights. The pattern was the same for each of the following rounds with Cuevas forced to fight on the back foot and being worn down. Never a great puncher, Diaz was breaking Cuevas down and in the sixth after volley of hard shots the referee stopped the fight over the protests of Cuevas and his seconds.

First fight for the former IBF/WBA/WBO light champion since being outpointed by Juan Manuel Marquez in July 2010. Useful rounds in his comeback for the 29-year-old Texan. Cuevas, 33, is just a club fighter with a famous surname and very little ability. He is 2-5 in his last seven fights with the five losses all by KO/TKO.

Belmontes vs. Diaz
“The Corpus Christi Kid” also returns with a win. The 24-year-old former amateur stand-out looked much sharper than he did in losing a wide decision to Eric Hunter in December. Despite injuring a hand on the chin of Diaz in the second round he dealt well with the spasmodic attacks of Diaz showing good defensive skills. It was only late in the fight that Diaz really applied any pressure and by then Belmontes had the fight in the bag-for two judges anyway. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 76-76.

The former US Junior champion was runner-up to Diego Magdaleno in the 2007 US Championships but losses to Sadam Ali and Miguel Gonzalez at the Trials cost him a berth on the US team for the 2008 Olympics. Nicaraguan Diaz, 27, has mixed in good company. He lost in eleven rounds against Koki Kameda for the secondary WBA bantam title in 2011 and was coming off a points loss to Hugo Cazares in August.

April 14

Jakarta, Indonesia: Feather: Chris John (48-0-3) TEC DRAW3 Satoshi Hosono (23-2-1). Feather: Simpiwe Vetyeka (25-2) W TKO 12 Daud Cino Yordan (30-3). Feather: Rasmanudin (17-3-2) W KO 1 Jay Jay Ngotiko (7-1). Light: Yohannes Yordan (12-2-3) TEC DRAW 3 Sadiki Momba (13-2-2). Fly: Fadhili Majiha (13-3-4) W PTS 6 Heri Amol (31-12-4). Welter: Sahlan Coral (9-2) W PTS 6 Fabian Lyimo (9-4-1).

John vs. Hosono
Disappointing 18th title defence for 33-year-old John as a clash of heads sees the WBA champion cut too badly to continue. Late in the second round Hosono’s head banged into the face of John but luckily there was no cut. At the start of the second it happened again and this time John suffered a bad cut over his right eye and a lesser cut on the left side of his forehead.

The doctor examined the wound and with the blood running into John’s eye decided the fight could not continue. “The Dragon” will probably be inactive for up to six months if the cut is to heal properly. John is looking to beat the wins record of Ricardo Lopez who retired unbeaten with 51 victories in a 51-0-1 record. Hosono, 29, a former undefeated OPBF and Japanese champion, was having his third shot at the WBA title having lost to Poonsawat and Celestino Caballero for the secondary title. Not sure why this was a technical draw instead of a no decision.

Vetyeka vs. Yordan
South African Vetyeka, a former undefeated South African and IBO bantam champion, sprang a major surprise as he halted local Yordan to win the IBO featherweight title. In an exciting fight fought at a fast pace the South African took the fight to Yordan from the start. The Indonesian could not keep up with the pace and looked exhausted in a bad fifth round for him. From then on Vetyeka was well on top as Yordan faded. He only just survived the ninth and had nothing left in the tenth and eleventh.

Vetyeka was looking for the finish and found it in the last round putting Yordan down. The Indonesian got up but was an easy target and was shipping punishment when the referee stopped the fight. Huge win for 32-year-old Vetyeka. His only loss in his first 24 fights was a close decision against Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC title in 2007. He won the IBO title in 2009 but never defended it. He climbed back into the ratings with a win over Giovanni Caro in a WBC super bantam eliminator in 2011 and then did not fight for eleven months.

When he finally returned in June last year he lost over eight rounds to Klaas Mboyane, a fighter with an 13-9-2 record who had lost his last two fights. That looked like the end of the line, but Vetyeka and his trainer Nick Durandt were confident of victory and they proved to be right. This was the second title defence for Yordan who had given Chris John a tough time in a WBA title fight in 2011. He claimed that he had trouble making the weight for this fight and that weakened him. His brother resigned as his trainer and it was stated that in future Yordan will fight at lightweight. This was the first time that two Indonesian had fought in world title fights on the same card.

Indonesia vs. Tanzania
For some unfathomable reason the undercard featured Indonesian fighters against Tanzanian opposition. The Tanzanians lost 2-1 with one technical draw which was a good performance away from home. The much more experienced Indonesian super bantam champion “Lost Boy” Rasmanudin kayoed previously unbeaten TPS champ Ngotiko in one round.

As with the main event a cut ended the fight between southpaw Yordan, the younger brother of Daud, and Momba in the third round and it was ruled a technical draw. Useful 19 year-old Majiha won an upset split decision over WBO Asia Pacific champion Amol. Former Indonesian light welter champion Coral outpointed Tanzanian Lyimo. (Photo: CHRIS FARINA / TOP RANK)