The Past Week in Action

ESTRADA VS VILORIA

April 3

Tokyo, Japan: Light Fly: Ryoichi Taguchi (18-1-1) W PTS 10 Yuki Chinen (13-1). WBA No 6 Taguchi wins vacant Japanese title with unanimous verdict over JBC No 6 Chinen. Scores 99-92, 98-92 and 97-93. Second shot at title for Taguchi, 26, who had drawn with then champion Masayuki Kuroda. Kuroda relinquished the title to make an unsuccessful challenge to Juan Carlos Reveco for the secondary WBA fly title last month. Chinen, 28, had height and reach over Taguchi, but could not make enough use of the advantages.

April 4

New York, USA: Light Welter: Gabriel Bracero (22-1) W PTS 8 Pavel Miranda (17-10-1). Super Bantam: Luis Orlando Del Valle (17-1) W TKO 5 Andre Wilson (13-6-1). Welter: Ionut Dan Ion (31-2) W PTS 8 Damian Frias (19-7-1). Light Middle: Yuri Foreman (30-2,1ND) W PTS 6 Gundrick King (18-10). Light Middle: Patrick Day (3-0) W PTS 4 Yosmani Abreu (3-7-1).

Bracero vs. Miranda

“Tito” continues to rebuild with unanimous decision over Miranda. Bracero was faster, more accurate and busier than Miranda. The downside for Bracero was a cut over his right eye suffered in the fourth round, but other than that he was in control in most rounds Miranda trying to force the fight but did not have the power to trouble the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican.

Bracero was getting his shots off first and scoring with fast combinations with Miranda only having occasional success with wide swings. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. Fourth win for 32-year-old Bracero since loss to DeMarcus Corley in January 2012. Bracero has a win over Danny O’Connor, but his total of only four wins by KO/TKO illustrates a weakness that will handicap him at the top level. Mexican Miranda, 25, has won only one of his last ten fights, and was coming off a 48 seconds blow out by Frankie Gomez in December.

Del Valle vs. Wilson

Del Valle was given a good fight by southpaw Wilson. In the first it was good and bad as the 26-year-old “Orlandito “ had Wilson badly hurt, but himself suffered a cut. In the third Del Valle both started a swelling over Wilson’s right eye and put Wilson down with a body punch.

Del Valle then registered knockdowns in each of the next two rounds and the referee stopped the fight. First fight for Del Valle since loss to Vic Darchinyan in September. Now being trained by Nacho Beristan, he is still one to watch. Four inside the distance losses in his last six fights for Wilson, but he proved tough, and took Teon Kennedy to a split decision in 2009.

Ion vs. Frias

Ion wins unanimous decision in all-southpaw battle, but needs a strong finish to be sure. Cuban Frias held his own against the talented Romanian and it was a close fight. With three rounds to go Frias was probably a shade in front despite a point deduction for hitting on the break in the fifth.

From the sixth Frias, softened up by the Romanian’s body attack, seemed to run out of gas. Southpaw Ion finished strongly taking all of the closing rounds to secure a unanimous decision. Scores 78-73 twice and 76-75. “Jo Jo”, 31, is WBC No 6, but is unlikely to figure in the plans of any of the title holders anytime soon. After a good win over Henry Crawford, Frias has now lost three tough fights in a row.

Foreman vs. King

A controlled rather than spectacular win for former WBA champ Foreman. A workmanlike performance that saw Forman control the fight with his jab. King had no answer to the skills and good defensive work of the Belarus-born Foreman who kept the pressure on in every round-and won ever round. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. Second win for Foreman since losing to Pawel Wolak in March 2011 and a long lay-off with a knee injury. “Sho-Gun” King 2-4 in his last six.

Day vs. Abreu

After two first round wins prospect Day finally gets in some rounds. He is always a step ahead of Abreu and won on scores of 39-37 from all three judges.

Southport, Australia: Welter: Sam Colomban (21-5) W PTS 12 Leti Leti (8-1). Super Feather: Brent Elliott (9-3-3) W KO 5 Emanuel Micallef (2-10-3). Welter: Rivan Cesaire (11-3) W PTS 8 Alex Ahtong (8-19-5).

Colomban vs. Leti

Colomban wins vacant WBFoundation title with unanimous decision over inexperienced Samoan. Leti, 25, made a good start showing fine skills and looking very strong. However, he had never been past four rounds before, and the pace began to tell. Colomban is not a big banger, but from the fourth he was outworking his younger opponent and was a clear winner. Scores 118-110, 117-110 and 116-113.

The 27-year-old Cameroon boxer was inactive for 15 months after losing to Denton Vassell for the Commonwealth title in 2011. He lost a split decision to Fred Tukes for the vacant Australian title in his comeback fight in February and could not afford a third loss in a row. Leti can come again and remains a good prospect. He was Samoan amateur champion at bantam, feather and light welter, New Zealand champion in 2008 and 2009, won a gold medal at the Oceania Tournament, but lost to Mark Hastie in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Elliott vs. Micallef

Elliott, 22, shakes off rust and floors Micallef three times for kayo. One loss in his last eleven fights for Elliott who retains his Queensland State title. First loss inside the distance for former State super bantam champion Micallef.

Cesaire vs. Ahtong

First fight for Cesaire since September 2011. He eases back win a unanimous decision over Ahtong. Scores 80-72 twice and 77-75. The 28-year-old Cameroon fighter has won eight in a row. With past victories over Aussie No 2 Tim Hunt and No 4 Todd Kidd he will be a force in the division. Zero wins in his last eight fights for southpaw Ahtong.

Calgary, Canada: Heavy: Eric Martel Bahoeli (8-3) W TKO 6 Ray Olubowale (10-6-1). “Hammer” Martel wins CPBC version of Canadian title with stoppage of 6’7” Nigerian Olubowale. The first two rounds went to the champion Olubowale and, when he floored Martel with a right in the fifth, it looked as though he was going to repeat his stoppage of Martel in April last year. A win that brought him the vacant CPBC title.

However, Martel recovered and won the next two rounds. Olubowale was showing signs of tiring and was floored with a right in the sixth. He made it to his feet, but was trapped on the ropes and taking punishment so the referee applied a standing count. The next series of hard shots from Martel saw the referee stop the fight.

The 31-year-old from Quebec needed a win after three losses in a row. With these two having shared inside the distance wins a third fight seems certain. Martel, a former Canadian amateur champion, was kayoed in two rounds by David Price in the 2007 Commonwealth Championships. “Mount Kilimanjaro” Olubowale was making the first defence of his title and suffered his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

Houston, USA: Super Feather: Joel Diaz (12-0) W TKO 5 Victor Sanchez (4-6-1). First fight for almost six months for Diaz. The first round saw Diaz establishing his jab to set up overhand rights and hooks, but Sanchez was willing to come forward and press the the young prospect. The second was full of action as Sanchez was willing to take shots to get inside and there were plenty of exchanges. It was more of the same in the third with Diaz scoring at range and Sanchez fighting his way inside where he needed to be.

Sanchez was hurt by a low blow in the fourth but recovered to score with hard shots that shook Diaz. By the fifth Sanchez was beginning to wilt from the punishment he had absorbed and was pinned to the ropes under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Naturally Sanchez complained at being stopped on his feet, but went further with some shoving and pushing and water bottles flying, but it was nothing serious. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for Diaz, the last ten in a row. First time Sanchez has failed to last the distance.

April 5

Santa Ynez, USA: Light: Rustam Nugaev (23-6-1) W KO 8 Jonathan Maicelo (19-1) W. Feather: Gabriel Tolmajyan (14-2-1) W PTS 8 Jorge Maysonet Jr (11-1). Middle: Alex Theran (12-0) W PTS 6 David Lopez (4-9-3).
Nugaev vs. Maicelo
Good win for Nugaev. The 30-year-old Russian could not match Peruvian Maicelo for skill, but he just kept pressing and pressing. Both were landing with hard shots, but Nugaev was the more accurate and had the better chin. From the sixth Nugaev was on top and Maicelo was fading.

A big right to the chin in the eighth put Maicelo down. The Peruvian struggled to get to his feet, but it was all over. Nugaev wins vacant USBA title in his first fight since July 2011. He now has 13 wins by KO/TKO and has lost only one of his last nine fights. New Jersey-based “Cobra” Maicelo, 29, lacked the strength to keep Nugaev off and paid the price.

Tolmajyan vs. Maysonet

Armenian southpaw Tolmajyan ruins 100% record of Puerto Rican prospect Maysonet. Tolmajyan used his superior skills to blunt the attacks of Maysonet and the young Puerto Rican just could not get untracked. He was floored by a left in the first. It did not help Maysonet that he was also shaken by a clash of heads in the round. As Tolmajyan stalked the Puerto Rican and built an early lead Maysonet show limited technique and became wilder with his work.

That in turn made it easier for Tolmajyan to control the fight. Maysonet was strong and pressed hard and his strength and power gave Tolmajyan some problems, but the Armenian was a clear winner. Scores 80-71 twice and 77-75. “The Ghost” has a win over Daulis Prescott (23-0), and this was his second win since losing to Abraham Lopez (16-0) in March 2012. With his first ten fights having given him less than 15 rounds of action (including nine first round wins) 23-year-old “ Machito” Maysonet is short on experience, but this will have been a reality check which will benefit him in the long run.

Theran vs. Lopez

Colombian “El Principe” Theran remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over fellow-southpaw Lopez. The 22-year-old, who represented Colombia at both the World Junior and Senior Championships, took the fight on scores of 60-54 from all three judges. He has good potential.

Monterrey, Mexico: Light Welter: Antonio Lozada (32-1) W TKO 9 Jorge Pimentel (27-18). Super Feather: Adrian Estrella (11-0) W TKO 9 Arturo Camargo (36-17-3). Light Welter: Jairo Lopez (5-2) W PTS 10 Marcos Villasana Jr (11-2).

Lozada vs. Pimentel

Favoured Lozada given a tough night by Pimentel. It should have been a routine win but despite absorbing a beating Pimentel had Lozada bleeding profusely from the nose. Lozada was using his height and reach to build a lead but Pimentel was forcing “Canitas” to fight hard. Pimentel suffered a dislocated shoulder in the ninth and also had a dislocated jaw. He protested that he wanted to fight on, but his corner retired him. The 5’10” Lozada, WBC No 14, has nine wins in a row since losing to current WBC No 2 Roberto Ortiz in 2011. Pimentel is 3-6 in his last nine fights.

Estrella vs. Camargo

Local prospect Estrella continues his record of 100% inside the distance wins. Camargo was in the fight for four rounds but then it was one-sided with Estrella handing out a beating. Rights from Estrella put Camargo down in the fifth and again in the sixth. Camargo survived until the ninth but Estrella scored two more knockdowns. Although Camargo was saved by the bell the referee declared the fight over. “Diamonte” wins the vacant WBC Fecarbox title but is yet to be really tested. “Tyzon” Camargo was on a good run and was 10-2-1 in his last 13 fights.

Lopez vs. Villasana

Lopez lives up to his “Doberman” nickname as he hunts down young Villasana to win the WBC Youth title. Making the first defence of his title Villasana was reluctant to take a backward step and the fight was close until Lopez pulled away in the closing rounds. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. First ten round fight for Lopez who had lost 2 of his last 3 fights. The 21-year-old Villasana had his father Marcos Senior and Nacho Huizar in his corner. He can come again.

San Vicente, Argentina: Super Feather: Sergio Escobar (23-19-2) W TKO 3 Vicente Rodriguez (36-4-1). Escobar finally wins a title after almost eight years as a pro. Both fighters scored with heavy shots in the first two rounds with Escobar just edging the rounds as he used his loner reach to get through with hard shots to the advancing champion. In the third a right uppercut put Rodriguez down. He only just made it to his feet.

Escobar then landed a left to the body to put Rodriguez down again. Rodriguez got up only to be put down again a left hook to from Escobar. After that third knockdown the fight was stopped. Escobar becomes Argentinian champion and revenges a loss to Rodriguez in July. Only rated No 6 by the FAB, the 30-year-old “Loco Lima” makes it eight wins by KO/TKO. He has won 5 of his last 6 fights. Rodriguez, 28, had lost only one of his last 17 fights, and that was a third round kayo by Adrien Broner for the vacant WBO title in November 2011.

Altona North, Australia: Middle: Jarrod Fletcher (15-1) W TKO 5 Randy Suico (31-9-1). Welter: Tim Hunt (15-3) W PTS 12 Robert Whaley (7-8-2).

Fletcher vs. Suico

Man against boy here in physical terms. Fletcher, a natural middleweight, was taking on the smaller and lighter Filipino who started his career as a super featherweight. Fletcher had Suico hurt in the first and continued to walk down the retreating Filipino. Suico showed good skills and was able to score with counters, but lacked the power to stop the forward march of Fletcher.

The Australian kept the pressure on and in the fifth he had Suico in deep trouble. Suico saw out the round but his corner wisely then retired him. Fletcher, 29, retains his PABA title and makes it three wins since crushing loss to talented Billy Joe Saunders for the Commonwealth title in September. He is No 5 with the WBA. Suico, 33, a former OPBF super feather, light and light welter champion, was halted in nine rounds by Juan Diaz in a WBA lightweight title fight in 2006.

Hunt vs. Whaley

As expected Hunt retains PABA title with wide unanimous decision over Whaley. The champion was too fast and too accurate for Whaley who never won a round let alone the fight. Hunt was in different class outworking and outscoring Whaley in ever round. The challenger improved late on the fight but was well beaten and only Hunt’s lack of punching power allowed Whaley to last the distance. Scores 120-108 from all three judges. Hunt, 25, the former undefeated Australian champion, beat transplanted Scot Charlie King for the PABA title in August. He has lost only one of his last 14 fights. Whaley, 28, has lost his last five fights.

Auckland, New Zealand: Super Middle: Adrian Taihia (9-1-2) W PTS 10 Gunnar Jackson (15-4-3). Taihia wins this return bout and collects the New Zealand and WB Federation Oceania titles. As in their previous fight Taihia was doing the pressing and “Stunna” Jackson was countering and making it a tough fight to score. It was close until the late rounds when Taihia pulled ahead but Jackson. Scores 98-93, 97-94 and 96-95. Taihia’s only defeat was a second round kayo against Kariz Kariuki in the Australian Contender series in 2009. He drew with Jackson for the New Zealand title in October. Jackson, 26, was making his second defence of his NZ title. He was PABA No 10 and had lost only one of his last ten fights going in.

Colon City, Panama: Super Bantam: Nehomar Cermeno (21-5-1) W KO 2 Eduardo Garcia (26-12-1). Light Welter: Juan Ruiz (10-0,1ND) W TKO 5 Nelson Lara (15-4-4). Bantam: Yonfrez Parejo (13-1-1) W TKO 1 Eddy Zuniga (7-8-1).

Cermeno vs. Garcia

Venezuelan former interim WBA bantam champion Cermeno wins vacant WBA Fedelatin title with stoppage of Mexican. The 33-year-old Cermeno’s career has looked to be on the down slope after being 1-5-1 in his last seven fights, but three of those losses were split decisions, two of them against Anselmo Moreno for the WBA bantam title. Garcia, also 33, lost on points to Nobuo Nashiro for the WBA super fly title in 2006. He is 5-7 in his last 12 fights with the wins being against modest opposition and the loss to top class opposition.

Ruiz vs. Lara

Looked like an early night for Ruiz when he floored Nicaraguan Lara in the first round. Lara improved slightly as the fight progressed, but after absorbing punishment in the fifth he retired at the end of the round. Five wins by KO/TKO for 26-year-old Ruiz who wins the vacant Fedelatin title. Three losses and two draws in his last five fights for Costa Rican-based Lara, but he has been matched tough.

Parejo vs. Zuniga

WBA No 8 has an easy night. He floors poor Costa Rican Zuniga three times for a stoppage after just 153 seconds. The 26-year-old Venezuelan was stopped in eight rounds when challenging Hugo Ruiz for the interim WBA title in March last year, but bounced back with a good win over Indonesian Angky Angkotta

Torreon, Mexico: Light Middle: Alexis Camacho (19-3) W TKO 12 Gustavo Garibay (8-6). Veteran Camacho finally grinds down champion Garibay to win Mexican title. A war from the first round with both willing to trade toe-to-toe. Camacho was the harder puncher, but Garibay was not going to give up his title easily. It went to the last round when a hard shot from Camacho unhinged the legs of Garibay and the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old Camacho turned pro in 2004 and won his first 16 fights, 15 inside the distance. Losses to Terry Cauthern, Carlos Molina and Shamone Alvarez derailed him and he was inactive for three years. Second win on his comeback and win No 18 by KO/TKO.

April 6

Macao, China: Fly: Juan Francisco Estrada (23-2) W PTS 12 Brian Viloria (32-4,2ND). Super Feather: Roman Martinez (27-1-2) W PTS 12 Diego Magdaleno (23-1). Super Bantam: Yasutaka Ishimoto (22-6) W PTS 10 Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (22-3-1) . Fly: Milan Melindo (29-0) W TKO 4 Tommy Seran(23-2). Super Bantam: Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr (11-0) W KO 3 Nimithra (4-5). Super Feather: Paul Fleming (18-0) W TKO 4 Ryusei Yoshida (22-6). Light Fly: Zou Shiming (1-0) W PTS 4 Eleazar Valenzuela (2-2-2).

Estrada vs. Viloria

Unfancied Mexican Estrada outfights Viloria to lift the WBA and WBO title. In the early going it looked as though Viloria was certain to retain his title, perhaps even on a stoppage. The “Hawaiian Punch” forged ahead in the first three rounds landing heavy counters on the aggressive young Mexican challenger. Viloria was thrown out of his stride in the fourth when shaken by a heavy right from Estrada.

Now it was Estrada in charge as he drew Viloria into a brawl and forced the veteran to fight at his pace. It became a vicious war with both paying little attention to defence, and both shipping hard shots. Viloria had Estrada rocking in the seventh, but it was the Mexican who was getting the better of the exchanges and slowing the champion with vicious body shots. Viloria tired over the late rounds and Estrada had the champion reeling with ferocious attacks right up to the final bell.

Estrada won a split decision on scores of 117-111, 116-111 and 113-115, but the decision should have been unanimous. The 22-yeare-old Mexican was lucky to get the title shot as in his previous fight he had gone down to light flyweight and lost a unanimous decision to Ramon Gonzalez for the WBA title. His only other loss was an eight round verdict in 2011 against current IBF super fly champion Juan Carlos Sanchez. The 32-year-old Viloria naturally wants a return. He was taking part in his 13th title fight and he has shown the he can learn from losses and bounce back.

Martinez vs. Magdaleno

A knockdown proved to be a factor in two fights on the card. Martinez reatians his WBO title. Magdaleno was forcing the pace and made a good start and looked to have built an early lead. Martinez was forced to operate on the back foot scoring with counters. That changed in the fourth as a right to the head from Martinez put Magdaleno down. From then on Magdaleno seemed to become more cautious, which allowed Martinez into the fight.

It was much more even contest and close. Magdaleno looked to have shaken Martinez in the eighth, but was cut in the ninth. In the late rounds a drop in Magdaleno’s work rate and a charge from Martinez turned the fight his way and allowed him to retain his WBO title on a split decision. Scores 115-112, 114-113 and 111-116.

Assuming a 10-8 for Martinez in the eighth that flooring cost Magdaleno a draw at worst and perhaps a win if the round had been scored even or 10-9 to Magdaleno. However “Rocky “ Martinez, 30, won, and deserved to do so. The Puerto Rican is living on the edge in title fights with a split decision win, a split decision draw, and another split decision in his last three title fights. Twenty-six-year-old southpaw Magdaleno failed to live up to expectations but he is young enough to come again.

Ishimoto vs. Vazquez

Vazquez blows his rating with a loss to Ishimoto. Ishimoto knew this was a huge opportunity for him and he took it. The unfancied Japanese fighter just kept coming forward and pressurising the former WBO super bantam champion. Vazquez had the superior skills, but did not put them to use, allowing Ishimoto to dictate the type of fight they were in.

That’s not to say Vazquez was never in the fight. The Puerto Rican was doing the cleaner and more accurate work, but it was the aggression of Ishimoto that caught the eyes of the judges. In the end the close fight swung on an eighth round knockdown when Vazquez touched down on the canvas with a glove after being hit with a hard right.

That made it a 10-8 round for Ishimoto and, together with a strong finish that had Vazquez fading and holding on, was the difference between a face-saving win and a loss for Vazquez. Scores 96-93, 95-94 and 95-95. Ishimoto wins the WBO International title. Only one loss in his last ten fights for 31-year-old JBC No 2. Vazquez was No 1 with the WBO, and even the Puerto Rican President of the WBO will have to agree to his falling from the spot.

Melindo vs. Seran

Melindo destroys Indonesian in four. The “Methodical” Melindo went to work early flooring Seran with a left in the first minute of the first round. Seran never looked like getting into the fight and was down again in the second. Melindo worked patiently in the third chipping away at Seran. In the fourth, after a volley of body shots, the talented Filipino floored Seran with a left hook to the jaw and the fight was stopped.

The 25-year-old WBO No 1 flyweight had just edged past Jean Piero Perez on a paper-thin majority verdict in September but was hot tonight. Seran, 29, was WBO No 1 light fly and was giving away weight. This is his first loss inside the distance, but his record is heavily padded with poor opposition.

Penalosa vs. Nimithra

Filipino prospect has to overcome early scare to get win. The 22-year-old Filipino southpaw found himself on the floor in the first round from a straight left from the Thai. He put things right in the second round flooring the Thai with a left. Undaunted Nimithra continued to come forward but a right followed by left hooks to the body left Nimithra down on his back. Dodie Boy, the son of former IBF light fly and fly champion Dodie Boy Senior, has won all eleven of his fights by KO/TKO, but this was no test. Nimithra has lost 4 of his last 5 with all of those fights ending in KO/TKO.

Fleming vs. Yoshida

Aussie southpaw “2 Gunz” Fleming looks on his way to victory but unsatisfactory ending takes some of the sheen off a good performance. Fleming had his jab working in the first and was also getting thorough with good rights to the body. Same pattern in the second and third rounds, but the left eye of Yoshida was affected by a cut and was also swelling alarmingly.

Finally the doctor takes a look at the injury and the fight is stopped. It is ruled that the swelling was caused by a punch so Fleming gets the win. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for 24-year-old Fleming who is No 1 in the Aussie ratings and No 2 with the OPBF. Three losses in a row for Yoshida, two of those were in Australia.

Shiming vs. Valenzuela

Two-time Olympic champion Shiming gets his pro career off to a winning start as he has too much skill and speed for Mexican teenager Valenzuela. Although winning every round the 32-year-old Chinese fighter failed to set the place alight and Valenzuela was never in any real trouble. Scores 40-36 from all three judges.

Shiming has great talent but it will naturally take him a while to adjust to the professional game although at 32 time is not on his side. However, with the huge potential of the Chinese market he will be guided to a spot in the ratings and a title shot in double quick time. He reportedly received $300,000 for this six round fight. Valenzuela, 19, did his job in losing and going the distance for about three zeros less.

Rome, Italy: Welter: Leonard Bundu (29-0-2) W KO 12 Rafal Jackiewicz (42-11-2). Light Welter: Samuel Esposito (15-1) W TKO 6 Carlos Mairena (21-18-2,2ND). Cruiser: Michele Orlando (36-5-2) W PTS 6 Jorge Ortiz (1-53-4).

Bundu vs. Jackiewicz

Bundu easily retains his European title with stoppage of perennial challenger Jackiewicz. Both fighters were cautious over the first two rounds, but then southpaw Bundu took over. In the third the champion scored with a series of good uppercuts and clearly took the round. It was the same story for most of the fourth with Bundu getting his shots off first and, despite a strong effort from the Pole at the end of the round, Bundu increased his advantage.

Knowing he was behind Jackiewicz tried to increase his work rate in the fifth, but again Bundu took the round being faster, more active and working well to the body. In the sixth Jackiewicz was already looking discouraged and Bundu began to pull further and further ahead. Both fighters were warned after heads clashed in the seventh and Bundu was on the floor in the ninth but only from slipping on the wet canvas. Jackiewicz needed a kayo to win, but he was really in survival mode. It looked as though the Pole might hold out to the final bell, but in the twelfth Bundu dug a wicked left to the body of the challenger.

Jackiewicz collapsed in pain and was counted out. The 38-year-old Sierra Leone-born Italian has now defended the European title four times. He is No 4 with the WBC and No 9 with the WBA, but it is unlikely that he will ever get a title shot. “Braveheart” Jackiewicz , 36, had his shot at the big time in 2010 and lost a very creditable majority verdict to Jan Zaveck for the IBF title. The former undefeated European champion had gone 6-1-1 since the Zaveck fight with the loss being to Kell Brook.

Esposito vs. Mairena

Esposito stretches his unbeaten run to 13 but does not impress. Nicaraguan Mairena, having his first fight in Europe, showed a fast pair of legs in the first but from the second was already tiring. Esposito was pressing but was missing with a lot of his shots. He had Mairena in trouble at the end of the third but could not finish the job.

Mairena survived until the sixth when totally exhausted he was floored and the referee stopped the fight. Now 8 wins by KO/TKO for the 27-year-old Italian, but a meaningless win. Only one win in his last 12 fights for Mairena, which should ensure he gets plenty of work.

Orlando vs. Ortiz

First fight since December 2007 for former Italian and European Union champion Orlando. He had rust to shed but he was up against an all-time loser with highly tuned survival instincts. Orlando did all of the pressing with Ortiz fighting off the ropes in every round and only throwing the occasional counters.

Too easy for Orlando as he wins every round. He stopped Ortiz in one round back in 1999. The Italian was 28lbs heavier than when he retired back in 2007, and is now 39, so unreasonable to expect too much in this fight. Spanish-based Colombian Ortiz makes it 53 losses, but he can point to only having failed to last the distance eight times.

Carolina, Puerto Rico: Light Welter: Thomas Dulorme (18-1) W PTS 8 Ben Ankrah (17-13,1ND). Super Middle: Manny Siaca (25-7) W PTS 8 Milton Nunez (25-8-1).

Dulorme vs. Ankrah

Dulorme gets another win, but still seems to have a hangover from his loss to Abregu. The talented 23-year-old Puerto Rican found the game but limited Ghanaian an easy target, but there were times when he did not seem to be turning on his full power and looked tentative. He was always in charge, switching guards and showing speed and accuracy, but the pre-Abregu Dulorme would probably ended this one early.

Ankrah was given a brief respite in the sixth when he was hurt by a punch that strayed low. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Perhaps Dulorme has to come through a much stiffer test to get his confidence back 100%. The 33-year-old “Congo Soldier” Ankrah, a former national lightweight and welterweight champion, came in as a late sub. He had been floored and stopped in three rounds by Chad Bennett in January.

Siaca vs. Nunez

Former WBA super middle champion Siaca eased back with a comfortable (well almost comfortable) win over Colombian Nunez. Siaca dominated the early rounds but over the late rounds the discomfort came when he was limping from a pulled muscle in his left foot.

That allowed Nunez to get into the fight late, but Siaca was a clear winner. Scores 78-74 twice and 80-72. Now 37, Siaca finally won the WBA title in 2004 outpointing Anthony Mundine in his fourth attempt at the title. After losing his title to Mikkel Kessler in November of that year he went on to lose to Silvio Branco for the interim WBA light heavy title and Danny Green for the IBO light heavy crown before retiring in 2011.

Chester, USA: Light Welter: Paul Spadafora (48-0-1) W PTS 10 Robert Frankel (32-13-1). Spadafora keeps his faint hopes of a big payday alive with convincing win over experienced Frankel. The 37-year-old former undefeated IBF lightweight champion showed he still has silky skills even if he has slowed a bit. The durable Frankel never looked like winning as he could not match the movement, accuracy or power of the southpaw jabs and rights from Spadafora. Frankel had to cope with damage by his left eye late in the fight and staged a good finish, but Spadafora was a class above. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93.

Three wins in a row for Spadafora after returning after almost two years away. One of those was a good win over tough Solomon Egberime. Spadafora has had an “eventful” past being side-tracked and side tracking himself. He lost his big chance as an amateur due a policemen shooting him in the leg, blew his IBF title when he wounded his girlfriend with a shot to the stomach, and, before this latest comeback, had spent time in a recovery program after nearly overdosing on heroin. So much talent and now so little time left to salvage something from it. Frankel, 32, had won 4 of his last 5 going in and was a good test.

Pigue, Argentina: Middle: Jorge Heiland (21-3-2) W DISQ 6 Douglas Ataide (9-1). Heiland wins but a very strange ending. The Brazilian had big edges in height and reach and Heiland just could not find a way through. Ataide has a very upright stance and very basic technique. He is also an arm puncher, which was just as well for Heiland, as the Brazilian was able to score with ease in every round. Constantly switching guards Ataide was able to spear Heiland with jabs and quick flurries. Heiland just could not get untracked. When he did get inside Ataide either held, used his strength to push Heiland off, or, when on the ropes, spun the Argentinian round.

Heiland was trying to step-up the pace but with Ataide constant switching to southpaw and landing the long jab in Heiland’s face the Argentinian was ineffectual. His best bet looked to be if Ataide tired. At the start of the sixth round, after the fighters had left their corners, the referee gestured to the ringside doctor indicating a small stick like object he spotted in the Brazilian’s corner. The doctor investigated and called the referee over and apparently told the referee that it was some form of nasal spray or stick.

He also informed the referee that it was classified as a “banned substance” and that the Brazilian had to be disqualified. A lucky win for Heiland. The 26-year-old “El Gaucho de Pigue” wins the vacant WBC Latino title. He lost on points to Sebastian Zbik for the interim WBC title in 2010, and also to Billi Godoy for the vacant WBC International title in July 2012. Brazilian champion Ataide, 22, will give some fighters trouble with his style, but he is very static with little head movement and has no power in his punches.

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Daiki Kaneko (18-2-3) W TKO 9 Kyohei Tamakoshi (31-7-6). Feather: Akifumi Shimoda (27-3-2) DRAW 10 Roli Gasca (19-4-1).

Kaneko vs. Tamakoshi

Keneko retains Japanese title with stoppage of challenger Tamakoshi. The champion just punched too hard for his game challenger. Keneko scored a knockdown in the fifth and forced the stoppage in the ninth. The 24-year-old was making the third defence of his national title. He has eleven wins by KO/TKO and is unbeaten in his last 15 fights. Although the challenger, Tamakoshi, No 7 with the WBC and No 8 with the WBA, was the ranked fighter due to a stoppage win over world rated Dante Jardon in 2011. This was his fourth unsuccessful shot at a national title.

Shimoda vs. Gasca

Filipino Gasca springs a major surprise. Former WBA super bantam champion Shimoda was just meant to get a routine payday out of this and that’s how it started. The Japanese fighter took the lead early using his superior southpaw skills, but it was a different fight when the Filipino managed to get Shimoda to engage in a brawl.

The Filipino staged a strong finish to earn a majority draw. Scores 95-95, 96-96 and 97-94 for Shimoda. With the 28-year-old Shimoda still in the super bantam ratings at No 8 with the WBC and No 4 with the WBA, this was a big result for 23-year-old “Gasolina” Gasca. The former OPBF super bantam champion was coming off consecutive losses to Alex Bakhtin and Yukinon Ogunmi

Zama, Japan: Light Middle: Charlie Ota (22-1-1) W PTS 12 Kyeongseok Kwak (10-8). Ota (real name Bellamy) makes a successful seventh defence of his OPBF title with wide unanimous decision over Korean southpaw Kwak. Ota was too good for the limited Korean and won every round.

The nearest it came to an early finish was the seventh when Ota put Kwak down with a body punch but the Korean survived and lasted the distance. Bellamy, 31, is a former US Serviceman now fighting in Japan. This show was staged at a US Army Base there. He is unbeaten in his last 17 fights, but for some reason disappeared from No 6 with the WBA into oblivion. Kwak, 35, was rated No 9 by the OPBF.

Zamora, Mexico: Light Welter: Ricardo Alvarez (20-2-3) W KO 2 Carlos Valdez (12-6). Fly: Jesus Silvestre (27-3) W TKO 6 Luis Leon (15-7-1). Middle: Bruno Sandoval (13-0) W TKO 1 Isaac Mendez (16-10).

Alvarez vs. Valdez

Alvarez had some problems with the taller, strong, Colombian in the first round. It was a different matter in the second when an volley of punches finished off with an uppercut put Valdez down. Valdez got up, but was wobbling badly. Alvarez landed a couple more hard shots.

Valdez went down again and the fight was over. “Dinamita” Alvarez, 31, retains WBC Continental Americas title and makes it twelve wins by KO/TKO. In recent action he has drawn with Joksan Hernandez, lost on points to experienced Rene Gonzalez and, in December, beat Mauricio Pintor. Valdez had won 7 of 8 going in, but poor opposition.

Silvestre vs. Leon

It took Silvestre a while to break down southpaw Leon but his strength and superior power told in the end. By the sixth the Colombian’s face was covered in blood. A couple of hard uppercut and a series of hooks had the Colombian in distress and looking for a way out and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. “Negrito”, the interim WBA strawweight champion, goes to 20 wins by KO/TKO.

One of Silvestre’s defeats was at the hands of current WBO light fly champion Donnie Nietes, but he has lost only one of his last 13 fights. That loss was to unbeaten Thai Paipharob for the interim title in 2011, He has registered four victories since then including winning and defending the interim title. Leon, 29, has been in with Ulises Solis, Juan Palacios and Julio Cesar Miranda who is the only other fighter to have beaten him inside the distance.

Sandoval vs. Mendez

A short but exciting fight. Mendez came to fight and went toe-to-toe with the” Shark” from the first bell and even bloodied Sandoval’s nose. That proved a big mistake and a hard right put Mendez down. He made it to his feet but was in no condition to continue and the fight was halted. Twelve wins by KO/TKO for 21-year-old Sandoval, the last nine in a row. Third loss by KO/TKO in a row for Mendez.

Miami, USA: Light Heavy: Azea Augustama (14-1) W TKO 2 David McNemar (13-3). Haitian Augustama wins, but unsatisfactory ending. The former National Golden Gloves champion, having his first fight for almost a year, shook off whatever rust there was and looked sharp in the first getting through with left hooks and hard rights. In the second a coming together of the fighters saw late sub McNemar tumble to the canvas. McNemar had obviously been injured.

He insisted on continuing, but was an easy target for Augustama for the rest of the round. After the bell McNemar retired with an injury to his left shoulder. An outstanding amateur Augustama represented Haiti in the 2007 World championships and the 2008 Olympics. His only loss is a majority decision to world rated Denis Grachev. First fight for McNemar since losing a very close decision to world rated Ryan Coyne in June 2011.

Dauin, Philippines: Bantam: Albert Pagara (16-0) W PTS 10 Jessie Tuyor (6-10-4). Super Bantam: Jimmy Paypa (12-2) W TKO 3 Nikong Calamba (6-12-2).

Pagara vs. Tuyor

“Prince Albert remains unbeaten with decision over game loser Tuyor. The 19-year-old brother of world rated Jason is No 1 contender for the Philippines title. Tuyor is without a win in his last eight fights.

Paypa vs. Calamba

Southpaw Paypa moved to eight wins in a row with stoppage of poor Calamba. The 19-year-old Paypa is No 5 with the GAB and has won his last eight. Southpaw Calamba has won only one of his last nine fights and lost eight inside the distance, so predictable result.

Salo, Finland: Light Welter: Jarkko Putkonen (8-0) W PTS 8 Brahim Kamal (5-2). On a small, well attended pro-am show, former Finnish amateur champion Putkonen remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Dutch-based Kamal. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-74

Giessen, Germany: Heavy: Andreas Sidon (41-11,1ND) W KO 3 Sheldon Hinton (11-9-1). Heavy: Mark de Mori (21-1-2) W TKO 4 Jon Pasi (22-27-2).

Sidon vs. Hinton

Sidon, who makes Bernard Hopkins seem young, retains his WBU title with a third round kayo of Canadian Hinton. When these two clashed in 2009 it was Hinton who came out on top with a stoppage in the third round. This time Sidon settled things with a big right in the third. That punch put Hinton down and he was counted out. The 50-year-old Sidon was making the first defence of his title. First fight since August 2011 for Hinton and third loss in a row.

De Mori vs. Pasi

Australian de Mori, reportedly on his honeymoon, was unimpressive in this one. He showed some good body shots and a fair jab, but Congo-born Pasi was never troubled and the fight was even at the end of four rounds. Unfortunately at that point Pasi, who had come in as a late substitute, retired with an injured shoulder. The Australian is scheduled to have a couple of more fights in Germany and he has caught the eye of K” promotions. Six losses in a row for Pasi who should have presented no problems for the WBA No 15.

Lynchburg, USA: Super Middle: Scott Sigmon (23-4) W PTS 10 Mike Rayner (8-20-1). This one was billed as “Redemtion” as Sigmon returned to action for the first time since a crushing loss to Kelly Pavlik in June. “Cujo” had outpointed Rayner back in 2010 and won by a wide margin again. For once the 5’9” Sigmon had height and reach over an opponent and he used those attributes to control the bout. He had Rayner rocking on occasion but was never able to knock him over. The downside for Sigmon was the cuts he suffered which had both fighters covered in blood at the end. Southpaw Rayner scored best inside and seemed to hurt Sigmon in the sixth, but the local fighter was soon back in control. Scores 99-90 twice and 98-91.

April 7

Tokyo, Japan: Bantam: Shinsuke Yamanaka (18-0-2) W TKO 12 Malcolm Tunacao (32-3-3). Fly: Akira Yaegashi (17-3) W PTS 12 Toshiyuki Igarashi (17-2-1). Super Feather: Takashi Miura (25-2-2) W TKO 9 Gamaliel Diaz (37-10-2).

Yamanaka vs. Tunacao

Yamanaka continues to grow as a champion as he demolishes his No 1 contender in the third defence of his WBC title. Yamanaka was relentless. He came close to ending the fight in the third when he put Tunacao down twice. Tunacao has guts to go along with his skill and survived. Yamanaka was the one forcing the fight and scoring with heavy shots.

In the seventh Tunacao tried to alter the course of the fight and although he had Yamanaka hurt and backpedalling could not finish the champion. At the end of the eighth Yamanaka was in front on the cards by 4, 4 and 3 points giving Tunacao a mountain to climb. That got steeper in the ninth when the Filipino suffered a bad cut over his right eye.

The referee had the cut examined but the fight was allowed to continue. Yamanaka finally caught up with a tiring Tunacao in the last round and floored him for the third time. The fight was stopped and Yamanaka had won this all-southpaw war. The 30-year-old champion had stopped Mexican Christian Esquivel in November 2011 to win the title and outpointed Vic Darchinyan and kayoed Tomas Rojas in defences.

Darchinyan is the only one to have taken Yamanaka the distance in his last 12 fights. Tunacao, 35, was WBC fly champion in 2000 and lost the title in his second defence in March 2001, being floored three times and stopped inside a round by Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. Despite losing only once in his next 24 fights (a technical decision), it has taken him twelve years to get another title shot. At 35 it is probably too late now for “Eagle Eyes” but he fought hard all the way in this one.

Yaegashi vs. Igarashi

Former WBA strawweight champion Yaegashi made a successful jump up two divisions and won the WBC fly title with a wide points decision over champion Igarishi. Yaegashi was giving away height and reach to natural flyweight Igarishi. However, the challenger attacked strongly from the first and southpaw Igarashi was never able make use of his advantages, being forced to fight inside. After four one-sided rounds the fight became scrappy and bloody as heads clashed in the fifth and sixth.

Yaegashi was deducted a point in the fifth when a clash of heads left Igarashi with a cut, and in the sixth more head clashes saw more cuts with both fighters deducted a point under the stupid WBC rule. Yaegashi developed swellings over both eyes but Igarashi’s injuries were much the worst and his cuts bleed heavily for the rest of the fight. After eight rounds the challenger was in front on the cards by 5, 3 and 1 points and he kicked on from there.

Both fighters gave it their all over the last four rounds but Yaegashi was the stronger having a bloody faced Igarashi badly rocking on his way to a wide decision. Scores 117-108, 116-109 and 115-110. Yaegashi lost his WBA strawweight title on a very close unanimous decision to Kazuto Ioka in June, his only loss in his last eleven fights. Igarashi, 29, was making the second defence of the WBC title. He had won the title on a split decision over Sonny Boy Jaro and defended with a razor thin majority decision over Argentinian Nestor Daniel Narvaes, so had hardly been a convincing champion.

Miura vs. Diaz

Mexican Diaz had his brief moment in the spotlight reigning for less than six months and losing his WBC title in his first defence. In the first round a clash of heads saw Diaz cut badly on his right eyebrow and Miura deducted a point under the WBC rule. Miura struck in the third flooring Diaz with a left. It got worse for Diaz as the fight progressed. His face was swollen from the hard southpaw lefts of Miura and the Mexican was floored again in the sixth and seventh rounds.

The end came in the ninth when Diaz hit the canvas for the fourth time and the fight was stopped. The 28-year-old new champion was having his second shot at a title having lost in eight rounds to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA title, despite having Uchiyama on the floor. That’s his only loss in his last 15 fights. He has 19 wins by KO/TKO.

Veteran Diaz had scored a big upset when he outpointed Takahiro Ao in winning the WBC title in October and was on a 14 bout winning streak. He had lost to Jorge Linares for the WBC feather title in 2007, to Humberto Soto for the interim WBC super feather title in 2008 and Zolani Marali for the vacant IBO title in 2009. No sign he was going this far when he was 3-5 in his first eight fights.

Osaka, Japan: Bantam: Koki Kameda (30-1) W PTS 12 Panomroonglek (36-2). Fly: Hiroyuki Hisataka (22-10-1) W PTS 10 Sonny Boy Jaro (34-11-5) . Straw: Denver Cuello (33-4-6) W PTS 10 Takashi Kunishige (24-9-2).
Kameda vs. Panomroonglek
Kameda hangs on to his secondary WBA title but only just. In this all-southpaw scrap Kameda made the better start but it was not all one way with the Thai challenger shaking Kameda with an uppercut in the second. At the end of four rounds Kameda was ahead on two cards with the third judge having the fight equal. Kameda was working the body, but Panomroonglek was getting through constantly with sharp jabs and bloodied the champion nose.

The title appeared to be slipping out of Kameda’s hands as the Thai using strong pressure and that fast, accurate jab took the seventh, eighth and ninth rounds on all three cards. Kameda battled back to win the tenth, but with Panomroonglek edging the eleventh it was all on the last round with one judge having Kameda one point in front, one having it all square and the third having Panomroonglek four points in front.

Kameda had to win that last round, and he did. Scores 115-113, 115-114 and 113-116. Kameda was lucky to hold on to his title and the Thai’s management felt that their man had won and called for a rematch. Kameda, 26, was making the sixth defence of his title, and this was his second split decision win in a row. His only loss was to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in 2010, which cost Kameda his WBC fly title. This was his eighth win since then. Panomroonglek, 29, has done most of his fighting at flyweight. His only loss was a shock stoppage by Hiroyuki Hisataka in 2010.

Hisataka vs. Jaro

Hisataka pulled-off another upset here as he took a unanimous decision over former WBC flyweight champion Jaro who blew a world title shot with this loss. Hisataka used an effective body attack to edge most rounds with Jaro having his moments and keeping the fight close, but generally being outworked and just not busy enough. Scores 98-94 twice and 96-94.

The 27-year-old home fighter was 5-4 in his last nine fights but the four losses were to Takefumi Sakata, Denkoasan and Hugo Cazares in title fights and to former WBC strawweight champion Oleydong. Jaro, 31, pulled off a huge upset when he halted Pongsaklek Wonjongkam to win the WBC title in March, but dropped the title four months later to Toshiyuki Igarashi on a split decision.

Cuello vs. Kunishige

WBC No 1 strawweight Cuello made hard work of getting by Kunishige on a majority decision. It looked as though things were going to plan when the Filipino floored Kunishige in the second. However, the gutsy Japanese fighter made it to the end of the round, and then fought southpaw Cuello on even terms the rest of the way. Scores 97-92, 96-93 and 95-95.

Cuello had fought for seven rounds with an injured shoulder in beating Ivan Meneses in September, so this may have taken the edge of his power, but this was not an impressive showing by Cuello against a fighter who was only No 6 in the Japanese ratings. Cuello, 26, has lost only one of his last 30 fights and is in line for a shot at WBC champion Xiong Zhao Zhong. Kunishige, 36, lost in eight rounds to Edgar Sosa for the WBC light fly title in 2008 and was coming off a points loss over six rounds to a guy with a 6-3-3 record so it should have been an easy night for Cuello

Osaka, Japan: Welter: Tetsuya Suzuki (28-11) W PTS 10 Prawet (48-5-2). Bantam: Nobuo Nashiro (19-5-1) W KO 6 Yodchanchai (19-3,1ND). Super Fly: Mark Anthony Geraldo (27-4-3) W KO 2 Hirofumi Mukai (8-2-1).

Suzuki vs. Prawet

Local fighter Suzuki just edges out experienced Thai on very debatable unanimous decision., Scores 97-95, 96-94 and 95-94. Big win for 31-year-old in this all-southpaw match. Suzuki, Japanese No 2, is a former Japanese and OPBF champion up at middleweight. He had been 2-3 in his last five fights. Set-back for Thai Prawet, 36, after drawing with Jose Miguel Cotto and losing a split decision to Jose Alfaro in fights for the vacant secondary WBA lightweight title he went unbeaten in 18 bouts until losing to Akinori Watanabe in November. First time in his career he has lost two in a row.

Nashiro vs. Yodchanchai

Nashiro bounces back from disappointment of majority decision loss to Tepparith for the WBA super fly title with kayo of Thai. Nashiro finishes the job right at the start of the sixth round for win No 13 by KO/TKO. Nashiro won the WBA super fly title in only his eighth fight and his five losses and a draw have all come in world title fights. Yodchanchai was unbeaten in his last 17 fights and was No 12 bantam with the WBC.

Geraldo vs. Mukai

“El Heneral” has no trouble with Japanese novice. Geraldo floored Mukai at the end of the second round and the count continued past the bell with Mukai unable to get up. That gave the 21-year-old Filipino southpaw his twelfth win by KO/TKO. He has won six in a row after suffering back-to-back losses against unbeaten Arthur Villaneuva and former WBC strawweight champion Oleydong. Mukai, also a southpaw challenged for the WBC flyweight title against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in only his seventh fight. Unfortunately the fight only lasted 47 seconds with Mukai suffering a bad cut and the fight being declared a technical draw.

East London, South Africa: Fly: Lwandile Sityatha (16-2) W PTS 12 Jackson Chauke (11-1-1). Light Welter: Mzolisi Yoyo (19-4) W TKO 7 Tapelo Potwana. Fly: Doctor Ntsele (15-5-1) W KO 8 Xola Sifama (10-6-1). Light Fly: Luthando Baneti (6-1) W PTS 10 Sinethemba Magibisela (5-5).

Sityatha vs. Chauke

Sityatha retains national title with wide unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Chauke. This was a one-sided affair with Sityatha in charge from the first round and never letting Chauke get into the fight. Sityatha used a body attack to slow Chauke down and the challenger was forced to fight on the back foot relying on counters to stay in the fight. Scores 120-110, 119-110 and 118-110. Sityatha, 24, has won 7 of his last 8 fights. Chauke, 27, who won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and competed at the 2008 Olympics, has so far failed to live up to his promise as a pro.

Yoyo vs. Potwana

Unheralded No 4 rated Potwana nearly pulled off a big upset against champion Yoyo in the South African title fight. After a shaky first round the taller challenger was giving Yoyo all sorts of problems with his awkward style and his edges in both height and reach. He shook Yoyo in the second and bloodied his face in the fifth. The champion’s best chance was to catch Potwana on the way in and he got his chance in the seventh.

He put Potwana down with a right-left combination of counter punches. Potwana got up and indicated to the referee that he was okay to continue but then collapsed. He was laid on a stretcher and given oxygen before being rushed to a nearby hospital. It was later reported that he was in responding well to treatment. Fourth title defence for Yoyo and seventh win in a row.

Ntsele vs. Sifama

Ntsele wins vacant WBFoundation Intercontinental title with kayo of Sityatha in clash of former South African champions. Ntsele had won a split decision over Sifama in 2011 but then lost his title to Sityatha in December. Now 6 wins in his last 7 fights and 10 wins by KO/TKO for Ntsele. Second loss inside the distance for Sifama, the other one being to IBF champion Moruti Mthalane.

Baneti vs. Magibisela

Baneti wins Eastern Cape title with unanimous decision over Magibisela. The two southpaws both fought a cautious fight. The flashy Baneti, an African Zone 6 Youth silver medallist, had Magibisela down in the seventh and hurt on other occasions but did not keep the pressure on and missed the chance of an early win. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-94.

Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Hisashi Amagasa (23-4-2) W PTS 10 Daisuke Yokoyama (14-5). Light Welter: Keita Obara (8-1) W KO 4 Hayato Hokazono (16-4-1).

Amagasa vs. Yokoyama

Fourth successful defence of his national title for Amagasa but a tough fight. Scores 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94. Only one loss in his last 17 fights for Amagasa the WBC No 13. Southpaw Yokoyama, rated No 1 by the JBC, had won his last eight. Both these guys are lanky string beans at 5’10 ½”.

Obara vs. Hokazono

Prospect Obara, the JBC No 1, wins vacant JBC title with kayo of former victim Hokazono. After losing his first fight inside the distance Obara has won seven in a row by KO/TKO, including an eighth round stoppage of Hokazono in November. Hokazono, JBC No 3, had won eight straight until those two losses to Obara.