The Past Week in Action 9 July 2013

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

July 4

 

Brisbane, Australia: Light Heavy: Trent Broadhurst (11-1) W PTS 8 Joseph Kwadjo (21-6). Good win for Aussie No 6 Broadhurst as he takes unanimous decision over tough Ghanaian Kwadjo who loses a point in the fifth for a butt. Scores 79-72 twice and 79-73. The 24-year-old took a year out after losing to Robert Berridge in November 2011 and has now scored four wins on his return. Kwadjo, the 28-year-old “The Pride of Osu”, had a big win when he halted world rated Jamie Pittman in 2010, but back-to-back losses to Serge Yannick and Blake Caparello dumped him back in the pile. He bounced back with win over local favourite Zulfikar Joy Ali in Fiji in November 2011, but this was his first fight since then,

 

Villeurbanne, France: Bantam: Omar Lamiri (10-1) W PTS 10 Karim Guerfi (19-3). Light Heavy: Hakim Zoulikha (20-4) W RTD 6 Gabriel Lecrosnier (15-21-2).

Lamiri vs. Guerfi

Hometown fighter Lamiri gets an upset win to take the vacant French title. It was a close battle with neither fighter really able to dominate in some fast action. Scores 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95. Home advantage probably made the difference. The 24-year-old Lamiri was having only his second fight in 20 months. Former French champion Guerfi, 26, was having his second shot at this title. He lost on points to Yoan Boyeaux for the title in January, but the title became vacant when Boyeaux tested positive for a banned substance (I have not seen the decision changed). After 18 wins the former French flyweight champion put up a spirited challenge to Juan Carlos Reveco for the interim WBA flyweight title in May last year, and his greater experience was expected to see him beat both Boyeaux and Lamiri

Zoulikha vs. Lecrosnier

Zoulikha made it a double for hometown fighters as he forced Lecrosnier to retire after six rounds. The 26-year-old French No 5 has ten wins by KO/TKO with his losses coming against Robin Krasniqi and Robert Woge. French No 6 cruiser Lecrosnier has lost 5 of his last 6.

 

July 5

 

Mila, Algeria: Super Middle: Samy Anouche (13-1-1) W RTD 6 Sandro Siproshvili (27-15). French No 1 Anouche, 27, makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO and 13 wins and a draw in his last 14 fights as Georgian Siproshvili retires at the end of the sixth round. As an amateur Anouche was French champion and registered a win over George Groves. Siproshvili, 30, has fought in seven different countries in his last seven fights. He went the distance with both Ola Afolabi and Dymtro Kucher.

 

Florencio Varela, Argentina: Super Middle: Claudio Ariel Abalos (25-13-3) W TKO 10 Victor Hugo Mujica (15-3). A good fight is unfortunately ended by a cut. Fighting in front of his own fans for the first time southpaw Abalos was given a torrid time by Mujica. Abalos spent a lot of the fight on the back foot with Mujica showing fast hands and feet and a willingness to mix it. It was the harder punching of Abalos against the busier Mujica. Both were getting through with hard shots with Mujica continually pressing the action and the more flat-footed Abalos countering with hard southpaw lefts. In the sixth a left down the middle put Mujica on the canvas. Mujica got up and took the eight count and for a few seconds Abalos had Mujica in trouble as he threw more hard lefts, but by the end of the round Mujica was fighting back. In the ninth a left from Abalos opened a bad cut on the right eyelid of Mujica with Abalos on two or three occasions pointing out the cut to the referee. Finally the referee took the hint and had the doctor examine the cut. It was bad with the blood trickling down the right cheek of Mujica. Abalos was spurred on by that and again was getting through with hard lefts, but again Mujica fought back. The action was hot in the last, but again the referee stopped the fight and the doctor immediately advised the cut was too bad for the fight to continue. A good, all action fight with styles which meshed to give plenty of action. The 32-year-old “El Chino” retains his South American title. Mujica had won 5 of his last 6 going in and the fight was very close at the end.

 

Ramallo, Argentina: Light Middle: Dario Fabian Pucheta (17-1) W KO 1 Jesus A Sanchez (8-1).Local favourite Pucheta makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO as he puts away previously unbeaten Sanchez in one round. Third win for South American champion and FAB No 8 Pucheta since upset lost to a very ordinary Ezekiel Quinones in June last year. Argentinian-based Spaniard Sanchez turned pro in Argentina.

 

Auch, France: Heavy: Arsen Goulamirian (5-0) W TKO 7 David Radeff (4-7-2). Armenian-born Goulamirian successfully moves up to ten round level with stoppage of Frenchman Radeff. The light punching Goulamirian, 25, is FFB No 9. Just one win in his last eight fights for Radeff.

 

Thiais, France: Light Heavy: Igor Mikhalkin (14-1) W PTS 12 Doudou Ngumbu (31-5). Big win for Russian Mikhalkin as he beats world rated Ngumbu to lift the WBO Inter-Continental title. Mikhalkin took the first two rounds scoring well with hard southpaw lefts that Ngumbu did not seem to have an answer for. In the third and fourth Ngumbu stepped-up the pace and evened things up as he outhustled the Russian.  Mikhalkin was the quicker and used that speed to take the next two rounds. The seventh was the best round of the fight as they traded for three minutes. Ngumbu was the first to tire and Mikhalkin began to dominate the fight. It looked as though the Russian might end it in the tenth but Ngumbu survived. However, he had injured his shoulder and did well to last the remaining two rounds. Scores 116-113, 115-113 and 115-114. German-based Mikhalkin, 28, a former European Junior champion who beat Darren O’Neill on the way to the title, took two years out after losing to Aleksy Kuziemski in 2010 and this was his second win since returning. DRC-born Ngumbu, 31, had beaten Kuziemski and was rated WBO5/WBA 13/IBF 14 after getting a good win over Vyacheslav Uzelkov in March.

 

Porto Carras, Greece: Cruiser: Mairis Breidis (10-0) W PTS 8 Jeremy Ouanna (14-8). Breidis gets win over French champion Ouanna. The Frenchman did most of the pressing. Unfortunately whilst coming forward Ouanna was not letting his punches go and Breidis was able to score with his jab and shots to head and body. Ouanna kept the pressure up and had some success getting through with some single big shots, but he was not fighting on the inside and still standing in front the Latvian behind a high guard allowing Breidis to throw 3 or 4 punches and then move around Ouanna and out of trouble. The Frenchman’s pressure saw him have more success in the fourth and fifth rounds to make it a close fight, but then he just danced around in the seventh hardly throwing a punch giving away the round. If he though he had the fight won he was wrong and although tiring Breidis did enough to take the last and win the unanimous decision. Scores 79-74 twice and a way out 80-72. The 28-year-old Breidis is breaking the mould for Latvian boxers as he has won twice away from home. He was Latvian champion in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Ouanna, 32, had won 10 of his last 11 fights but lost this fight by not throwing enough punches. It could be a costly loss as he has just been nominated as challenger to Mateusz Masternak for the EBU title.

 

Georgetown, Guyana: Light: Dexter Gonsalves (6-1-2) W KO 7 Revlon Lake (6-10-2). Feather: Leon Moore (30-2) W KO 2 Earl Trotmann (0-9-1).

Gonsalves vs. Lake

“The Cobra” Gonsalves wins the Guyanese title with kayo of former champion Lake. Gonsalves was the heavier puncher and Lake has to soak up quite a bit of punishment. Gonsalves ended it late in the end of the seventh when a right sent Lake down on his back and he failed to beat the count. Gonsalves (the spelling used by local sources rather than Gonzales), Guyanese-based but originally from Trinidad & Tobago was having his first fight since December 2009. Now 5 losses in a row for Lake, 4 by KO.TKO. He hails from Barbados but is also based in Guyana.

Moore vs. Trotmann

Rubbish match sees former world rated Moore put away poor Trotmann. Now 34, the 5’10” (178cm) southpaw Moore has 24 wins by KO/TKO but had only one fight between November 2010 and February 2013. Trotmann was having his first fight since November 2010.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Fly: David Carmona (15-1-4) TEC DRAW 3 Danny Flores (14-4-1). A much anticipated return ends disappointingly as a clash of heads in the third saw Flores badly cut on his right eyebrow with the result being a technical draw. Carmona retains the WBO Youth title that he had won by beating Flores on a split decision in May.

 

Ciudad Obregon, Mexico: Light: Fernando Carcamo (12-5) W TKO 5 Angel Sarinana (4-3), Super Middle: Alan Campa (7-0) W TKO 8 Ramon Olivas (12-2).

Carcamo vs. Sarinana

At 5’11” (180cm) Carcamo towered over late sub Sarinana and was able to get through with long left leads and hard rights from the start. Carcamo slowly broke Sarinana down before finishing the fight in the fifth with a left to the body. Sarinana made it up just as the count was being completed and the fight was over. Carcamo, 22, had a run of 3 losses in 4 fights, but the win in that run was a good one over unbeaten Fidel Maldonado Jr. He now has two wins in a row.

Campa vs. Olivas

Campa had the edge in both height and reach and used a strong jab and a consistent body attack to slow Olivas down. By the fourth both fighters were sporting cuts over their right eye as Olivas stood his ground and tried to turn the fight around. They traded throughout the sixth and seventh rounds, but the harder punching from Campa was having its effect. In the eighth Olivas was trapped on the ropes and shipping heavy punishment and the referee stopped the fight. Five wins by KO/TKO for Campa. Olivas had won his last 4 fights, but was moving up from 4/6 round class.

 

Windhoek, Namibia: Bantam: Immanuel Naidjala (17-0-1) W TKO 8 Emilio Norfat (21-4). Light: Martin Haikali (13-5) W TKO 7 Zan Jonker (8-1-1). Welter: Sacky Shikukutu (17-2-1) W PTS 8 Pascal Kimaru Bruno (16-16-3,1ND). Fly: Japhet Uutoni (3-0) W TKO 3 Kgomotso Bok (0-1).

Naidjala vs. Norfat

Good win for “Prince” Naidjala as he knocked out useful Kenyan Norfat in the eighth to win the vacant IBF International title. It was a very one-sided battle as Naidjala had Norfat down in the second, third, fifth and sixth rounds before finishing the job with a left hook in the eighth. Naidjala had beaten Norfat on a split decision for the interim WBO African title in June 2012, so quite an improvement. The WBO No 6 has eleven wins by KO/TKO. Norfat, 24, had run up five straight wins inside the distance since that loss. He gave current WBO champion Paulus Ambunda a good fight in 2011 before being stopped in the last round.

Haikali vs. Jonker

South African Jonker made a good start and was competitive over the first three rounds. Then the superior strength of Haikali began to tell. He floored Jonker in the fourth and when he put Jonker down again in the seventh the towel came flying in from the South African’s corner. Haikali, 30, has turned his career around with only one loss in his last eleven fights. Jonker, 21, is South African No 5 at light welter.

Shikukutu vs. Bruno

Local fighter “Snake” Shikukutu was just too strong and powerful for Bruno. The Namibian got through with heavy shots in each round but with Kenyan-based Tanzanian Bruno being an experienced survivor, and Shikukutu not a noted puncher, Bruno managed to last the distance. Scores 80-71, 80-72, 80-73. One loss in his last eight fights for Shikukutu, and he reversed that loss with a kayo. “Prince Kilimanjaro” Bruno, 36, a pro since 1994, took Bethuel Ushona the distance in October.

Uutoni vs. Kgomotso

Just a four rounder and an easy win for Uutoni as Botswana novice Kgomotso does not come out for the fourth round. What a pity Uutoni has left it so late to turn pro, Fighting at 48/49kg the 34-year-old, 5’9” (175cm), “Namibian Lion” was African amateur champion, won a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games beating Darren Langley and a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he lost to Paddy Barnes. He also competed at the 2008 Olympics. He could have been a force at light fly/fly as a pro.

 

Auckland, New Zealand: Light Heavy: Robert Berridge (20-1-1) W TKO 5 Shintaro Matsumoto (10-3). Light Heavy: Damien Hooper (3-0) W TKO 1 Scott Taliauli (2-6).

Berridge vs. Matsumoto

Berridge may not be pretty, but he is effective. The shaven-headed New Zealander has a stiff jab and fires heavy shots to head and body from both hands. The 28-year-old southpaw battered away at the head and body of the Japanese import. It was the body attack that had the most effect and Matsumoto began to wilt. In the fifth two left hooks to the body put Matsumoto down. He made it to his feet only for another left to the body to put him down and the fight is stopped. “The Butcher” wins the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title and makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO. Berridge is strong and hits hard and is still working to improve his technique. Masumoto is not only the top rated super middle/light heavy in Japan-he is the only one.

Hooper vs. Taliauli

Olympian Hooper halts Tongan late in the first round. The 21-year-old, part of Ricky Hatton’s stable, is considered the best prospect in Australia-all he has to do is stay out of trouble outside the ring.

 

Pathum Thani, Thailand: Straw: Kwanthai (43-1-1) W TKO 5 Madit Sada (5-11). Routine win for Kwanthai over poor Indonesian. The 28-year-old former WBA champion has been busy and this was win No 12 since losing his title to Muhammad Rachman in 2011. He retains his PABA title and his No 2 rating with the WBA. Sada is 0-5 in visit to Thailand.

 

London, England: Welter: Ahmet Patterson (10-0) W TKO 6 Phil Gill (14-2-2). Turkish-born “Pattycake” Patterson wins vacant Southern Area title with stoppage of Gill. Patterson was the more skilful, but Gill set him some problems with his low ducking style ands movement. It was the third round before Patterson was really into his stride. Gill continued to frustrate him, but Patterson was scoring well with body punches. He was on top in the fifth and looked close to a stoppage win as he scored with heavy punches to head and body. The sixth saw more of the same and Gill’s corner retired their man in the interval.

 

Inverness, Scotland: Heavy: Gary Cornish (15-0) W KO 5 Paul Butlin (14-19). “Highlander” Cornish wins his first title albeit a very minor one in the shape of the vacant International Masters title. In front of his own fans he dealt comfortably with trial horse Butlin. Cornish used his 6” height advantage and his longer reach to dominate the first three rounds as Butlin was unable to get inside to work. The fourth was an untidy round but near the end Cornish landed a heavy right that staggered Butlin. After using his jab to set things up in the fifth Cornish finished the fight with a left to the body which put Butlin down for the count. The 26-year-old Cornish has seven wins by KO/TKO. He is still very raw but is slowly improving. Butlin, 37, is 2-13 in his last 15 fights.

 

Hartford, USA: Feather: Billy Dib (36-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Mike Oliver (25-4,1ND). Super Feather: Mark Davis (17-0) W Robert Osiobe (14-6-4).

Dib vs. Oliver

The early rounds did not go well for the former IBF champion Dib. He lost a point in both the second and third rounds for low blows and was bruised around his left eye by the fourth. However, Dib forced the action and once he had settled into his rhythm and had his jab working he forced Oliver to fight on the back foot and Oliver spent more time on the ropes. Dib had been given a final warning after the second deduction so was going for head shots. Local southpaw Oliver was able to get through with hard counters but after those early rounds was just not busy enough and let the middle and late rounds slip away against a physically stronger and heavier fighter. Scores 98-92, 96-92 and 94-94. First fight for 27-year-old Dib since losing his IBF title to Evgeny Gradovich in March. He is No 4 with the IBF (really the third rated boxer as the No 2 spot is vacant. To avoid having to say this each time I will give IBF ratings as 4/3, so he is rated four but is the third boxer rated). After winning his first 22 fights Oliver was effectively derailed by inside the distance losses to Rey Lopez and Antonio Escalante in 2008 and his stuttering attempts to get back on track were ruined by a two round crushing by Juan Manuel Lopez in October 2011. This was his first fight since then.

Davis vs. Osiobe

Nigerian Osiobe started well, taking the first round, and finished well taking the last two, but in between times the sharper, busier and more accurate work of former amateur star Davis won him the rounds and the unanimous decision. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. The 26-year-old “Too Sharp” Davis, a two-time US Amateur Champion, was having his first fight in 20 months of a stop-start career with himself being mostly to blame for that. After losing on points to Evgeny Gradovich and Rances Barthelemy 35-year-old Osiobe then won three in a row including good wins over Jose Hernandez and unbeaten Jose Roman. The constitutes the most fights he has had in any year since turning pro in 2000, with the USA being the ninth different country he has fought in. He gives value for money.

 

July 6

 

Villaguay, Argentina: Welter: Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo (23-2-2,1ND) W TKO 5 Diego Alzugaray (26-21-4). Light Welter: Daniel Aquino (9-0) W KO 3 Jose Iturria (5-21-1,3ND)

Barrionuevo vs. Alzugaray

Barrionuevo shows his punching power as he floors fellow southpaw Alzugaray in the second round and then twice more in the fifth at which point the fight is stopped. Barrionuevo had Alzugaray down in the second with a right uppercut and although no count was applied a left to the chin did put Alzugaray down later in the round. Barrionuevo was handing out steady punishment in the third and fourth and ended matters in the fifth. A three punch combination ending with a hook to the body put Alzugaray down. He got up only to be floored again by a left uppercut. Once again Alzugaray dragged himself up but after another body punch put him down the referee stopped the fight. That’s 17 wins by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old “La Joya” and 20 wins in a row. He is No 5 with the FAB. Alzugaray, 34, now has five losses by KO/TKO and is 1-5 in his last six fights.

Aquino vs. Iturria

Aquino lives up to his “El Terrible” nickname as he dominates the first two rounds and then floors and stops Iturria with a vicious left hook to the body in the third that had Iturria writhing in agony and spitting out his mouthpiece as he was counted out.. Now eight wins by KO/TKO for the 24-year old from Parana. Iturria goes to 15 losses and 2 No Decisions in his last 17 fights.

 

 

Northbridge, Australia: Light: Daud Cino Yordan (31-3,1ND) W PTS 12 Daniel Brizuela (25-2-2). Middle: Luke Sharp (6-0-2) W PTS 10 Peter Mitrevski Jr (23-9-1). Super Bantam: Jason Cooper (7-1-1) W PTS 10 Rasmanudin (17-4-2).

Yordan vs. Brizuela

Yordan makes history as he becomes the first Indonesian boxer to win a “world” title in two weight divisions. After jumping two weights Yordan was not as drained by weight making as he was when losing his IBO feather title to Simpiwe Vetyeka in April. Yordan got off to a good start working in close and not giving the smaller skilful Argentinian any room to work. Those tactics gave Yordan most of the first six rounds. In the seventh a change took place as Brizuela decide to stand and trade and opened a cut over Yordan’s right eye with a left. Brizuela then had his best spell he boxed beautifully using a sharp, accurate jab to make some room and also stepped-up his workrate. Yordan came back into the fight over the last two rounds and just did enough to maintain his early lead. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. The 26-year-old “Indonesian Thunder” was to have fought former secondary WBA title holder Jose Alfaro, but Brizuela had to step in as a late replacement after Alfaro suffered visa problems. Apart from Vetyeka the only other fighters to beat Yordan are Celestino Caballero and Chris John, the latter in a WBA title fight. Former Olympian Brizuela, 27, had rebuilt with eight wins and a draw after suffering a shock one round kayo loss to Daniel Dorrego in 2009. With more time to prepare he might have been in with a chance of lifting the vacant title.

Sharp vs. Mitrevski

Youth, skill and a dose of ring rust did for Mitrevski in this one. “Razor” Sharp lived up to his name, and his nickname, as he was just too quick and accurate for the slow starting Mitrevski. It was the third before Mitrevski showed any real competitiveness but 24-year-old Sharp was already in control by then and never relinquished his hold on the fight. Showing excellent skills the relatively inexperienced fighter, rated No 6 by the ANBF, became the IBO Asia Pacific champion as he took the unanimous decision on scores of 99-91 twice and100-90. FormerCommonwealth title challenger Mitrevski, 33, was having his first fight since December 2010. The layoff was due to Mitrevski being shot in both legs in an incident.

Cooper vs. Rasmanudin

Young Australian Cooper gets a hard won victory over more experienced Indonesian. The Indonesian bossed the first three rounds roughing up Cooper and opening cuts over both of the Australian’s eyes. In the third Cooper began to use his advantages in height and reach to control the fight and also to target Rasmanudin’s body. Except for a brief rally by the Indonesian in the seventh Cooper swept the late rounds. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. Cooper, 21, wins the vacant IBO Asia Pacific title. “Nugget” Cooper has reversed his only loss and has now won his last five fights. Rasmanudin “The Lost Boy” provided Cooper with a good test. All of his losses have come on the road against tough opposition.

 

Brugge, Belgium: Super Middle: Michael Recloux (22-12-2) W PTS 10 Erik Nazaryan (11-16-4,1ND). Light Welter: Jean Pierre Bauwens (28-1-1) W TKO 4 Jevgenjis Fjodorovs (8-40-6).

Recloux vs. Nazaryan

Fight between two second tier boxers for the vacant Belgian title sees Recloux become a two-division champion. Nazaryan tries to upset the superior technique of Recloux with some roughing up but Recloux sticks to his boxing and wins a unanimous decision on scores of 97-92, 97-94 and 96-93. Recloux, 29, a former Belgian middleweight champion early in his career, had been unsuccessful in two shots at the national light middle title. He has lost on the road to Martin Murray, Dominik Britsch and Rudi Markussen, but usually wins at home. Local boy Nazaryan had won his last three fights inside the distance but the rest of his record is not so hot.

Bauwens vs. Fjodorovs

Bauwens returns to the winning column with stoppage of poor Latvian. First fight for 28-year-old Bauwens since losing in his home town to Spaniard Ruben Nieto for the vacant EU title in April. “Junior”, 25, is a good draw so he will be slowly rebuilt. Fjodorovs in 0-7-2 in his last nine fights.

 

Dortmund, Germany: Middle: Felix Sturm (38-3-2,1ND) W TKO 4 Predrag Radosevic (27-1). Light Heavy: Konni Konrad (19-1) W PTS 10 Bernard Donfack (16-11-3). Light Middle: Maurice Weber (18-1-1) W TKO 1 Aliak Abramenka (17-37-1). Light Middle: Mike Keta (13-3) W PTS 6 Florian Wildenhof (17-3).

Sturm vs. Radosevic

Sturm make impressive return to form against Montenegrin Radosevic. Sturm seemed to take the first round with Radosevic coming back to take the second. A vicious shot to the ribs body third put Radosevic down. He got up and fought back but the reprieve was short. In the fourth another body punch put Radosevic down. Again Radosevic got up and tried to take the fight to Sturm but he was floored again by another body punch the towel came in from the Montenegrin’s corner. The 34-year-old former WBA champion looks set to get another shot at winning the IBF title as this was an IBF eliminator with Sturm No 3/2 with them and Radosevic No 4/3. How that will work with Sam Soliman at No 1 is anyone’s guess. Radosevic was out of his depth in this one, but at 28 can come again.

Konrad vs. Donfack

Konrad just edges past late sub Donfack. Twice in the fight, in rounds two and six, Donfack was on the brink of victory as he had Konrad reeling from heavy shots. He failed to finish off the German-based Montenegrin and Konrad staged a strong finish to take the late rounds and the majority decision. Scores 116-111, 115-112 and 113-113. Konrad, 28, wins the vacant IBF International title. Since losing a close decision to Denis Inkin in 2006 he had only one fight through to September 2012. This is his second win on his return. German-based Cameroons fighter Donfack, 33, came in at just 24 hours notice after original opponent Edison Miranda was unable to make the weight. He has generally been used to provide a test to fighters such as Dawid Kostecki, Piotr Wilczewski, Server Yemurlayev and Max Vlasov, but deserves some reward from the promoter for taking this one at such short notice.

Weber vs. Abramenka

Weber gets a rare stoppage win as he halts Belarus fighter Abramenka just past the two minute mark in the first round. Six wins for 32-year-old German Weber (real name Mohammed Lassoued) since losing his unbeaten tag on majority decision against modest Frederic Serre in 2008 and taking three years out. Ten losses in a row for Abramenka.

Keta vs. Wildenhof

Albanian Keta gains revenge with a unanimous decision over Wildenhof. The Munich-based 30-year-old had lost a split decision to Wildenhof in 2011. Former Global Boxing Council “world” champion Wildenhof has a deceptive record as he has met some very poor opposition.

 

Civitavecchia, Italy: Cruiser: Silvio Branco (63-11-3) W TEC DEC 10 Juho Haapoja (20-4-1,1ND). Middle: Emanuele Blandamura (20-0) W PTS 6 Andrejs Loginovs (14-28-1). Light Heavy: Orial Kolaj (13-5) W TKO 4 Jevgenjis Andrejevs (7-53). Light: Carel Sandon (16-1) W TKO 2 Mladen Zivkov (5-14).

Branco vs. Haapoja

Branco continues to defy age as he takes wide unanimous decision over Finn Haapoja to win the vacant WBC Silver title. The 32-year-old Finn tried to force the fight from the start but Branco is just too smart and too experienced and takes the early rounds on his better skills. In the fourth Branco staggered Haapoja with two hooks but at the end of the round a clash of heads saw Branco cut by his left eye. Branco attacked hard in the fifth and Haapoja seemed to have no plan on how to counter his taller opponent but was getting rough inside. Another clash of heads in the sixth sees Haapoja deducted a point and Branco again is taking the rounds with his superior skills. In the seventh Haapoja began to look tired. He was still trying to press the fight but Branco was handling the younger man with ease and getting through with hard right uppercuts. Branco was breezing through the eighth until caught with a couple of hooks, but he closed the round strongly. The open scoring had Branco ahead on all three cards at 88-71. Branco dominated the ninth completely with a tired Haapoja unable to find a punch to change things. Another clash of heads in the tenth sees Branco cut again. The referee asks the doctor to examine the injury and the doctor confirms that the fight should be stopped. The decision is a formality with Branco winning on scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91. The 46-year-old “Barber”, a former WBA light heavyweight champion, just seems to go on and on. He has been a pro since 1988 and has fought at least once in each of the 25 years of his career. Rated No 5 by the WBC and now winning the Silver title must make another title fight a possibility. Former EU champion Haapoja, 32, a former Finnish heavyweight champion, had lost only one of his last 16 fights and that was to unbeaten Mateusz Masternak for the vacant European title in December.

Blandamura vs. Loginovs

Just a work out for local hero “Sioux” as he gets his jab working early with the Latvian being too slow to get into the fight. A body punch puts Loginovs down in the fourth. In the fifth a right uppercut to the body puts Loginovs down and he is put down again before the end of the round. Loginovs shows guts to see out the last round with Blandamura a wide points victor winning ever round. Blandamura, 33, is only No 15 with the EBU so he needs better opposition to progress further. Loginovs just another member of the Latvian Travelling Losers club.

Kolaj vs. Andrejevs

Italian-based Albanian Kolaj given an easy one. The heavy punching southpaw has no trouble with fellow southpaw Andrejevs and for three rounds the Latvian just soaks up punishment. In the fourth he spits out his mouthpiece twice when under pressure and the referee stops the fight with Andrejevs exhausted and under fire. The former undefeated EU and Italian champion has improved dramatically after being 5-5 in his first ten fights and has climbed to No 2 in the EBU ratings. Andrejevs has 53 losses, but only four of those inside the distance.

Sandon vs. Zivkov

Sandon floors Serbian early in the first but tries to hard for the knockout and is wild with his punches. No trouble in the second as a left to the body puts Zivkov down again and the referee stops the fight. DRC-born Sandon, 30, the nephew of former WBA champion Sumbu Kalambay, was inactive from July 2011 until February this year as he recovers from suffering bad burns after what is seen as an attempted suicide. Six losses by KO/TKO for Zivkov.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Bantam: Ryosuke Iwasa (15-1) W PTS 10 Jecker Buhawe (14-9-1). Super Fly: Tetsuma Hayashi (22-2-1) W PTS 8 Marzon Cabilla (9-9-1).

Iwasa vs. Buhawe

WBC No 2 Iwasa keeps his hopes of a world title fight alive as he outclasses game Filipino. Iwasa was able to get home with southpaw jabs and straight lefts with Filipino Buhawe unable to counter the speed and accuracy of the shots. A left put Buhawe down in the fifth. Again Iwasa was able to score with hard combinations in every round but Buhawe stood up to the punishment and was still there at the final bell. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Iwasa is looking to get revenge for his only loss. He lost his Japanese title on a tenth round stoppage against Shinsuke Yamanaka, now the WBC champion, in 2011. Buhawe, GAB No 14, was coming off a points loss against former WBA super fly champion Tepparith.

Hayashi vs. Cabilla

Hayashi, the Japanese No 1 contender, also met a durable Filipino and had to go the distance. The 25-year-old is a light puncher which also aided Cabilla effort to go the distance. Hayashi won easily, but Cabilla stayed there until the end. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. Only seven wins by KO/TKO for the fighter from Kashiwa. Four losses and a draw in his last five fights for Cabilla.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Light: Carlos Zarate Jr (19-1) W KO 3 Saul Carreon (7-12). Easy win for Zarate against substitute Carreon. The fight was virtually over in the first round when firstly a clash of heads saw Carreon cut and shortly after that a body punch put him down. Carreon was back in the fight in the third and had Zarate on the ropes when a “Zarate special” a trademark hook to the body put Carreon down for the count. Second inside the distance win in a row for Zarate since he lost his unbeaten record when he was forced to retire with a dislocated shoulder against Daniel Valenzuela in August. Now 14 wins by KO/TKO for Zarate who had both dad Zarate Snr, and Lupe Pintor in his corner. Three inside the distance losses in a row for Carreon.

 

Tepic, Mexico: Light Middle: Omar Chavez (30-2-1) W PTS 10 Charlie Navarro (22-7). Bantam: Juan Alberto Rosas (38-7) WPTS 10 Fernando Vargas (25-7-3).

Chavez vs. Navarro

Chavez gets good win over talented Venezuelan. Navarro was able to get into his stride quickly and use his superior skill to edge ahead over the first three rounds. From then on  the superior firepower of Chavez was apparent and Navarro was shaken on a number of occasions. The pace dropped in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Navarro was the busier but Chavez was scoring the more eye-catching shots. Chavez threw away the ninth as he seemed exhausted and his work rate dropped dramatically. Both put everything into an exciting last round with Chavez just doing enough to deserve victory. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. “Businessman” Chavez, 23, was knocked back by two losses to Jorge Paez Jr in 2011/2012 but has rebounded well with two good wins. Former top amateur Navarro, 33, has been the distance with Sebastian Lujan, Vyacheslav Senchenko and Thomas Dulorme. Last time out in October he only lost to Paez Jr on a majority decision in a fight which saw both fighter on the canvas.

Rosas vs. Vargas

In his first fight for a year former IBF champion Rosas gats a wide unanimous verdict over useful Vargas. Rosas was just too busy and too strong for Vargas. From the first bell he was forcing the fight and getting home with hard shots to head and body. Vargas suffered various cuts and bruises but absorb the punishment. It was only in the last round that Vargas crumbled and Rosas drove him around the ring and had him staggering on unsteady legs. Scores 100-98, 99-90 and 98-92. The 28-year-old “El Topo” failed in an attempt to regain his title when he lost on points to Juan Carlos Sanchez last year. He had beaten Vargas on a split decision in 2011. Vargas, 25, specializes in close decisions with four of his losses being on split decisions, one of his draws being a majority verdict and another split.

Hinojosa vs. Borquez

The hard-punching Mexico City prospects just too much for experienced Borquez. Hinojosa almost has Borquez out in the opening round as he scored two knockdowns. Borquez was badly shaken by a hard right in the second but just kept his feet. In the third Hinojosa scored another knockdown. Borquez made it to his feet, but only just, and the referee stopped the fight. After a loss and a draw in his first two fights Hinojosa has won 11 in a row, 10 by KO/TKO. Borquez is 6-3 in his last nine fights but has been in some tough matches.

 

Queretaro, Mexico: Super Bantam: Andres Gutierrez (27-0-1) W PTS 12 Rey Perez 17-4). Light Welter: Ricardo Alvarez (21-2-3) W PTS 12 Reyes Sanchez (24-5-2).

Gutierrez vs. Perez

Still just a teenager Gutierrez again gave an impressive show as he totally outclassed Filipino Perez. “Jaguarcito” made it a one-sided fight from the start out boxing Perez, winning every round and handing out some fierce punishment. Perez bravely soaked up the punches but the referee was wrong to let this pasting go the full distance. Scores 120-108 from all three judges. The 19-year-old Gutierrez, the WBC No 5, retains his WBC Silver title. He has good wins over Jose Carmona (18-2) and Salvador Sanchez but his real mettle can’t be measured until he faces guys such as Hugo Cazares and Cris Mijares. It may be some measure that Perez lost by only one point on two cards when being outpointed by Cazares in January. The 22-year-old Perez the GBA No 5 super-flyweight had also taken former champion Nobuo Nashiro the distance and  again was not outclassed then.

Alvarez vs. Sanchez

Alvarez had the power and Sanchez had the skill. Alvarez was making the fight coming forward and trying to force Sanchez into a brawl. When that did happen the fight caught fire with both trading hard shots. “Dinamita” Alvarez is a dangerous puncher so Sanchez did better when he stuck to his boxing and made it a close fight. They traded again in the ninth and both fighters were tiring. Alvarez from the pace he had set and Sanchez from the body punches from Alvarez. It was Alvarez who finished the fight stronger and took the majority decision on scores of  a ridiculous 119-109 (where do they get these guys), 115-113 and 114-114. Alvarez, 31, retains his WBC Continental Americas title which he won by beating Mauricio Pintor. He has lost only one of his last twelve fights and that was a split decision against Rene Gonzalez in August. This was his third win since then. The lanky Sanchez had lost only one of his last nine fights and that was a close points loss to Antonio DeMarco for the WBC Silver title in 2011. He has wins over Ali Chebah, Daniel Estrada (23-1-1) and former WBC feather champion Rudy Lopez.

 

East London, South Africa: Super Bantam: Thabo Sonjica (18-2) W TKO 6 Silvester Lopez (20-6-2). Light: Ali Funeka (32-4-3) W KO 1 Vusi Dadla (6-9-2).

Sonjica vs. Lopez

The South African wins vacant IBO title with stoppage of Filipino Lopez. Southpaw Sonjica made a fast start and hurt Lopez with solid body shots in each of the first two rounds. He was setting such a fast pace that his corner wanted him to slow down to conserve energy for the later rounds. That allowed Lopez to make it a more evenly balanced fight in the third but Sonjica was still hurting Lopez . The fifth saw Sonjica on top again and landing with hard shots from both rounds with Lopez beginning to wilt. Sonjica was again landing with heavy shots to head and body in the sixth and the referee stepped in to save Lopez. In March the 24-year-old Sonjica had decisioned Macbute Sinyabi to gain revenge for the two losses on his record. He now has 13 wins by KO/TKO. First time the 25-year-old Lopez, a former WBC super flyweight challenger, has been beaten inside the distance.

Funeka vs. Dadla

An awful match is over quickly as Funeka kayos late substitute Dadla inside a round. The 35-year-old former IBF lightweight title challenger towered over his smaller opponent. He made it 26 wins inside the distance as he tries to rebuild after losing to Zolani Marali in December. Dlada was having his first fight for 15 months and should not have been in the ring with Funeka.

 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain: Light: King Daluz (8-0-1) W PTS 8 Jesus Garcia Simon (13-18-3). Cruiser: Ibrahim Lopez (9-0-1) DREW Mustafa Chadlioui (2-0-1).

Daluz vs. Garcia

Local prospect DaLuz moved closer to a national title fight with a wide points victory over experienced Simon. DaLuz was wining handily and came close to ending it as he floored Simon in the last. Under his real name Juan Carlos Lopez DaLuz was Spanish Junior champion and lost to Tom Stalker in the 2008 European Union championships. Only one win in his last nine fights for Simon

Lopez vs. Chadlioui

This one also had a dramatic ending as Chadlioui floored local fighter and current Spanish cruiser champ Lopez in the last round but had to settle for a draw. A rematch for the title looks a must. Chadlioui’s lack of pro experience is misleading as he was three times Spanish amateur champion at 91kgs and once as super heavyweight.

 

Barcelona, Spain: Feather: Juli Giner (10-0) W PTS 10 Francisco Urena (17-8-1). Light Welter: Sandor Martin (14-0) W Daniel Rasilla (25-5-2)

Giner vs. Urena

Giner uses his greater hand speed and movement to take an early lead. Urena was gradually getting more into the fight but was deducted a point in the fourth for a butt. Giner continued to boss the fight with his jab and quick combinations until the seventh when Urena more than matched Giner punch for punch. The two closing rounds were hotly contested and the fight looked close although the judges did not think so. Scores 96-93 twice and 97-92. Giner, a former Spanish amateur champion, wins the vacant Spanish title. Urena, 32, has been unsuccessful in two shots at the Spanish super feather, European Union feather and Spanish super bantam titles. This fight was close enough to merit a return.

Martin vs. Rasilla

The 19-year-old Southpaw Martin looks to be the best of the current young Spanish fighters. Against the much more experienced Rasilla he was in total charge from the first to the tenth round. Martin was so in charge that Rasilla was unable to let his punches go and had no idea how to counter the speed and movement of the young Catalonian, losing a point in the fifth when he tried to use his head for something other than thinking. Martin eased up over the last three rounds but was still doing enough to win all of the rounds. Scores 100-89 from all three judges. The 33-year-old Rasilla lost on points to Andy Murray for the EU lightweight title in 2009 and in seven rounds to Paul McCloskey for the EBU ligh welter title in 2009. He also drew with Finn Ville Piispanen for the EU light welter title in 2010. He had lost only one of his last 13 going in.

 

London, England: Light: Kevin Mitchell (34-2) W PTS 8 Sebastien Benito (10-7). Mitchell, 28, eases his way back with points win over late substitute Benito. He may have been disappointed at not stopping the Frenchman, but he did not lose a round and got in eight rounds of useful work in his first fight since losing to Ricky Burns in September. Three points losses in a row for Benito.

 

Liverpool, England: Heavy: Tony Thompson (38-3) W TKO 5 David Price (15-2) . Light Welter: Darren Hamilton (14-2) W PTS 12 Adil Anwar (19-2). Fly: Kevin Satchell (11-0) W PTS 12 Iain Butcher (8-1). Light Heavy: Travis Dickinson (15-1) W PTS 6 Nat King (13-19). Middle: Neil Perkins 4-0) W PTS 6 Dan Blackwell (3-21). Super Bantam: James Dickens (16-0) W PTS 4 Rey Cajina (12-17-3,1ND).

Thompson vs. Price

Lightning strikes twice as Price’s decision to climb straight back in with conqueror Thompson backfires. It looked like it might pay off when a hard right from Price put Thompson down heavily in the second. That was as good as it got for Price. Thompson embroiled him in a brawl which saw both fighters scoring well, but also showed the inexperience of Price as he unable to fight effectively on the inside and eventually was having to take hard lefts and rights to the head. Price looked exhausted in the fifth. He was caught in a corner and being battered with shots from Thompson when the fight was stopped. Thompson shows that 41 is just a number as he puts himself back into the heavyweight title mix. It was strange that Thompson seemed so lightly considered as the 6’5”  southpaw has lost only twice in 36 fights since 2000 and those losses were both to Wlad Klitschko in title fights. For Price it is back to the drawing board. There is no need to talk retirement. The first loss, one of those shots to the temple which can rattle senses better than a shot to the chin, and a second which seemed to be a stamina problem. However at 29 he is likely to find it is strike three and you are out.

 

Hamilton vs. Anwar

Hamilton has certainly grown into his title and now seems a different fighter to what he was before beating world rated Ashley Theophane for the British title. Anwar was the flashy, confident, showman and Hamilton the serious, take care of business, professional. Sheer confidence gave Anwar the spark to take some of the early rounds, but soon the methodical busy work from the champion had poured water on that early fire. Hamilton worked his jab and was getting through with solid punches from both hands. As Anwar tired in the late rounds it even looked as though a stoppage was on the cards although Hamilton is not a noted puncher and Anwar toughed it out and lasted the distance but a clear loser. Scores 118-112, 117-112 and 116-113. Second defence of his British title for Hamilton and 9 wins in his last 10 fights with the loss being a silly disqualification for a butt in the first round. The 34-year-old from Bristol has not really received the recognition he deserved with the main sanctioning bodies ignoring him, but the EBU have him at No 3. Anwar, “The Platinum Kid” had lost his first pro fight and then won his next 18 including the 2012 Prizefighter. Still only 25 he can come again if he takes the right lessons from this loss.

Satchell vs. Butcher

Satchell retains Commonwealth and British titles with very close unanimous decision. Satchell opened well with good jabs and straight rights, but Butcher just marched forward trying to slow down and corner the champion. Those tactics paid off in a big way in the second as a hard combination put Satchell down heavily in the second.  It looked like the title was there for Butcher to take, but despite shaky legs Satchell not only survived he immediately started to eat into the lead that knockdown had given Butcher with some good skilful work. There was nothing between these two and round after round was close with Satchell’s better boxing giving him a very slight edge. Scores 115-113 twice and 115-114. An excellent little Commonwealth title fight with Butcher deserving a return. Local fighter Satchell,24, was making the second defence of his Commonwealth title and the third of his British title. Scot Butcher, 21, felt he had won this one and with himself, Satchell, Paul Butler and Luke Wilton Britain suddenly has some good little men again.

Dickinson vs. King

Good six round of work for Dickinson against tough King. “Tasty” managed to get through with hard rights in most rounds but King, with only three losses inside the distance to Tony Quigley, Jean Paul Mendy and Cuban Luis Garcia, did not wilt and did enough to take one round and avoid a whitewash. Referee’s score 59-56. Second win for 25-year-old Dickinson since loss to Bob Ajisafe for the English title in December. King has lost 10 of his last 11 fights but many of the top British super middle are in there such as Tony Dodson, Kenny Anderson and James DeGale, who were all taken the distance.

Perkins vs. Blackwell

Former top amateur Perkins gets another win as he takes every round against a tricky and gutsy late substitute Blackwell. Perkins showed a strong body attack and was way ahead of Blackwell on quality. However Perkins lacks real punching power and Blackwell was able to protect his record of only one loss by KO/TKO in his 21 defeats. The 33-year-old southpaw Perkins did not turn pro until last year. As an amateur he was twice ABA champion, won a gold medal at the European Union championships and bronze medals at the both the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games-if only he had turned pro earlier who knows how far he could have gone.

Dickens vs. Cajina

Just a four round workout for “Jazza”. The 22-year-old Liverpool southpaw, the English champion, did what he needed to do and won every round against Nicaraguan trial horse Cajina. Referee’s score 60-54.

 

Wolverhampton, England: Super Middle: Ryan Aston (10-1-1) W TKO 4 Harry Matthews (12-9-1). Body shots win this one for local fighter Aston. The scene was set in the first as Aston hurt Matthews with right hooks only for Matthews to bang back with an uppercut. It was more right hooks in the second but as a bit of variety Aston drove Matthews back with a left in the second. Matthews was trying to force the fight but a savage right to the ribs in the third almost lifted him off his feet and that effectively ended the fight. With his ribs damaged and his left eye marked he failed to answer the bell for the fourth round. The Dudley “Tank” wins the vacant British Masters title. Matthews “The Pocklington Rocket” fails to last the distance for the first time.

 

Carlton, Minn, USA: Cruiser: Al Sands (10-1) W TKO 2 Justin Howes (13-5). Middle: Cerreso Fort (17-1-1) W PTS 8 Marcus Upshaw (15-10-2). Super Feather: Ismail Muwendo (14-0) W TKO 2 Carlos Fulgencio (19-11-1). Light: Robbie Cannon (12-8-2) W PTS 8 Gary Eyer (11-2-1).

Sands vs. Howes

Sands makes it eight wins in a row by KO/TKO. “The Haitian Temptation” put Howes down heavily with a right in the second and the fight was stopped. None of the Haitian-born Sands’ fights have lasted the distance or gone beyond four rounds. Howes has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

Fort vs. Upshaw

Despite giving away a lot in height it was Ford who kept the fight open and was countering the taller Upshaw as he tried to get inside. Fort registered a dubious knockdown in the sixth and Upshaw staged a strong finish, but Fort had the fight tied up by then. Scores 80-71, 79-72 and 78-73. “Sir” Fort, 27, was having his first fight since losing his unbeaten tag against John Jackson in April. He had boxed a draw with Upshaw in 2011, and beat local rival Andy Kolle in January this year. The 6’4” (193cm) tall Upshaw had won only 2 of his last 9 fights but there was quality opposition such as Gilberto Ramirez and Marco Antonio Rubio in there. He also has a draw with James McGirt and a win over Renan St Juste on his record.

Muwendo vs. Fulgencio

Ugandan Muwendo retains Mid American title with a second round stoppage of Dominican Fulgencio. Body punches in the first took all of the fight out of Fulgencio. In the second another body punch put the Dominican down. He seemed reluctant to continue but did only for a few more shots from Muwendo to convince the referee to stop; the fight. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for Muwendo who represented Uganda at the 2007 World Championships. Six losses in a row for Fulgencio.

Cannon vs. Eyer

Missouri’s Cannon must have misread the script. With five losses and a draw in his last six fights he was there to lose to Duluth’s Eyer. Instead, with Eyer choosing to brawl the visitor gave better then he was getting and took the unanimous decision on scores of 78-74 twice and 79-73. Eyer is no great prospect, but he had won his last three and this was to be No 4. Instead Cannon found some of the form that had him unbeaten in his first eleven fights.

Leyton, Ut, USA: Welter: Said Ouali (28-4,1ND) W TKO 1 Bryan Abraham (6-18-2). This hardly qualifies as a fight. Ouali wastes no time on late substitute Abraham. He  floors Abraham twice and it is all over in just 35 seconds. First fight for Ouali since stoppage loss to Carson Jones in September 2011. The Moroccan southpaw has 21 wins by KO/TKO including coming off the floor to blast out Hector Saldavia all in 104 seconds. Now 11 losses in his last 12 fights for Abraham.

 

Grand Rapids, Mich, USA: Heavy: Jordan Shimmell (11-0) W RTD 3 Matt Greer (15-11). Welter: Johnny Garcia (16-1) W PTS 8 Larry Ventis (6-3). Middle: Purnell Gates (25-2) W PTS 6 Keith Collins (4-25).

Shimmell vs. Greer

Former top amateur Shimmell remains unbeaten with stoppage of Greer. A injured hand affected Shimmell’s early work, but he floored the crude Greer twice in the third and his corner pulled Greer out at the end of the round. The 24-year-old Shimmell was both US National and National Golden Gloves champion in 2009 and now has ten wins by KO/TKO. “Gator” Greer has lost 5 of his last six fights.

Garcia vs. Ventis

Garcia gets a good start but Ventis was firing back effectively in the third. The action continued at a good pace with Garcia much the busier and forcing Ventis to fight on the back foot and off the ropes. Ventis tried to turn it around over the last two rounds but just did not do enough. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-75. The 31-year-old Garcia is rebuilding after a kayo loss to Angelo Santana in November. He has won three in a row this year. Ventis was having his first fight since December 2011

Gates vs. Collins

Oldie Gates continues his comeback with a wide unanimous decision over Collins. Scores 59-55 twice and 60-54, . The 39-year-old Gates was inactive for a year from January 2012 until January this year. He has lost just one of his last 24 fights, a second round stoppage against David Lemieux in 2010. He stays busy on the Michigan circuit and that is about his level..