The Past Week in Action 19 February 2013

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

February 15

 

Trieste, Italy: Light:  Brunet Zamora (24-1-2) W PTS 12 Krzys Szot (17-5-1). Light Welter: Samuele Esposito (14-1) W PTS 8 Michael I Carrero (11-21-3).

Zamora vs. Szot

Down in his new divisionZamorawins majority verdict over useful Pole. Former top amateur Szot built an early lead asZamoramade a slow start, forgetting to use his skills and letting Szot set the pace. From the fifthZamoragot his act together and was scoring heavily with rights.Zamoranow took the initiative, but Szot stayed in the fight making the rounds close. Rights fromZamorashook Szot in the ninth and the Italian took the tenth. Szot made a big effort to take the eleventh havingZamoraon the defensive but the Cuban-born Italian fired back in the last to clinch the win. Scores 118-112, 115-113 and 114-114 with the middle score being the better reflection of a tough, close fight.Zamora, 38, wins the vacant EU title. Second fight forZamorasince losing his unbeaten tag against Denis Shafikov for the European light welter title in May. Szot, 34, rebuilding after losses in 2012 to Luca Giacon, Nate Campbell and Logan McGuinness.

Esposito vs. Carrero

Now twelve wins in a row for Italian champion Esposito as takes unanimous decision over Nicaraguan. The 27-year-old Italian’s only loss was caused by an injury. Spanish-based Carrero has won only one of his last ten fights.

 

Houghton-le-Spring, England: Cruiser: Jon Lewis Dickinson (13-2) W PTS 12 David Dolan (16-5-1). Heavy: Gary Cornish (13-0) W TKO 4 Jakov Gospic (11-7). Cruiser: Danny Price (7-0) W TKO 1 Tamas Bajzath (5-4-1). Light Heavy: Travis Dickinson (14-1) W PTS 4 Jody Meikle (5-30-1)

Dickinson vs. Dolan

Dickinsonmakes successful first defence of his British title with repeat victory over Dolan.Dickinsonwas in charge over the early rounds. Dolan was coming forward trying to overcome the height and reach advantages of the champion.Dickinsonhad his jab working and was catching Dolan with a strong jab and hard combinations. Dolan managed to get inside in the fourth, which was probably the first round he won.Dickinsonpicked up the pace again in the fifth and six and was also getting through with straight rights. Dolan had a good seventh being busier and working inside. The eighth wasDickinson’s best round as he shook Dolan with left hook and for a while it looked as though he might stop Dolan. Dickinson wrapped up the win by using his jab to dominate the ninth and tenth and although Dolan put in a big effort over the last two rounds as Dickinson looked to cruise to the final bell the fight was already beyond him. Scores 118-111 twice and 117-112. Since losing two fights on injuries in 2010 the 26-year-old 6’4”Dickinsonhas beaten Dolan, Chris Burton, Matty Askin, had a title winning victory over Shane McPhilbin and then this successful defence to establish himself as the best cruiser inBritain. Dolan, 33, was having his third shot at winning the British title. Great things were expected from him after his outstanding amateur achievements but it just has not happened.

Cornish vs. Gospic

“The Highlander continues his progress with stoppage of Croat Gospic. The 6’7” Cornish was able to score at will with his jab and long rights. Gospic never got into the fight and a counter left from Cornish ended the fight. Now five wins by KO/TKO for 25-year-old Cornish who is improving, but still very raw. Gospic has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Price vs. Bajzath

Price breaks a run of six points wins in a row as he finishes Hungarian Bajzath in just 105 seconds. The 27-year-old Price just came up short at the highest level as an amateur, but beat both David Dolan and Tony Bellew. Bajzath had climbed off the floor to go the distance with Cornish in January.

Dickinson vs. Meikle

A double for theDickinsonfamily as brother Travis wins all four rounds against spoiler Meikle. Referee’s score 40-36. The 24-year-oldDickinsonhad been widely outpointed by Bob Ajisafe for the English title in December, so has some rebuilding to do. He found this hard work against the survival tactics of Meikle who has only failed to last the distance twice.

 

Uncasville, USA: Light Middle: Delvin Rodriguez (27-6-3) W TKO 6 George Tahdooahnippah (31-1-1,1ND). Light: Chris Howard (15-2-1) W TKO 3 Bayan Jargal (17-4-3).

Rodriguez vs. Tahdooahnippah

Former IBF and WBA title challenger too good for carefully protected Tahdooahnippah. Rodriguez took control in the first round being too fast-handed for the “Comanche Boy”, and getting through with overhand rights. The early part of the second round was competitive but late in the round Rodriguez shook Tahdooahnippah with heavy rights and had him in trouble. That scenario was repeated in the third and fourth and the doctor examined Tahdooahnippah before letting him come out for the fifth. Rodriguez slowed the pace in the fifth but still rocked “Comanche Boy” with rights at the end of the round. He had Tahdooahnippah trapped on the ropes in the sixth and was unloading heavy shots when the referee stopped the fight. The 32-year-old from theDominican Republicmakes it 15 wins by KO/TKO. This was his first fight since losing to Austin Trout for the secondary WBA light middle title in June. He lost a debatable decision to Isaac Hlatshwayo for the IBF welter title in 2009. He is rated No 8 light middle by the WBA. Only the second fight outsideOklahomafor 34-year-old Tahdooahnippah. This was a reality check on his misleading record.

Howard vs. Jargal

Howard pulls off an upset as he halts Mongolian in three. Jargal looked to be on his way to a win when he took the first two rounds, but a right from Howard in the third changed that. Jargal went down. Although he got up before the ten the referee decided to stop the fight over the protests of Jargal. “Hurricane” Howard, 24, had lost both of his fights in 2012, both to unbeaten fights, so a much needed win. Jargal, 31, had lost three tough matches in 2010/2011 to Steve Upsher Chambers, Breidis Prescott and Chris Algieri, but had stopped former IBF feather champion Erik Aiken in one round in November.

 

Doncaster, England: Light Welter: Tyrone Nurse (25-1) W TKO 2 Joe Elfidh (7-3). Disappointing end as Elfidh pulls out due to a dislocated shoulder. The injury was suffered in the first round and aggravated in the second leading to the referee stopping the fight. Nurse, 23, wins vacant BBB of C Central Area title. His only loss was in the final of the 2012 Prizefighter. Moroccan Elfidh lost on points to Scott Harrison in September.

 

Entre Rios, Argentina: Welter: Fernando Angulo (26-9) W PTS 10 Miguel L Caceres (28-43-7). Cruiser: Daniel A Sanabria (15-3) W KO 4 Walter D Cabral (16-9).

Angulo vs. Caceres

Angulo, 32, gets a harder than expected fight from experienced loserCaceres. Angulo took the first round getting through with rights and lefts to the head. Over the next three roundsCaceresused his awkward southpaw style to off-set the Ecuadorian’s attacks and build a lead. Angulo took over again asCacerestired and floored the exhausted Argentinian with a body punch in the ninth. Scores 99-93, 99-94 and 96-95 ½. Angulo reportedly injured his right hand in the first round.Argentinaproving a happy hunting ground for Venezuelan-based “La Fiera” as he beat Juan M Bonanni on points last month. “Cobra”Caceres, 26, has lost his last nine fights, but is durable with only two losses by KO/TKO out of those 43 losses.

Sanabria vs. Cabral

Sanabria ends it with one left to the body. In the first Sanabria was in charge hurting Cabral with a right cross. In the second the tables were turned as “The Bird” shook Sanabria badly with a right to the chin, and opened a bad cut on his left eyebrow. Cabral also looked to have edged the third. Sanabria lived-up to his Whirlwind” nickname in the fourth landing a barrage of rights and then putting Cabral down with a left hook to the body. Cabral was unable to beat the count. The 30-year-old Sanabria, rated No 2 by the FAB, had lost two of his last three fights, so could not afford to slip up here. He has eleven wins by KO/TKO. The 42-year-old Cabral lost for the sixth time by KO/TKO.

 

Sydney, Australia: Middle: Garth Wood (11-3-1) W TKO 9 Togasilimai Leota (12-11-1). Important win for Wood as he halts Samoan southpaw. Wood shot to prominence when he won the Australian Contender series. The prize for winning was a fight with Tony Mundine Jr. Garth pulled off a huge shock by knocking Mundine out in five rounds. He in turn was knocked back when losing on points to Mundine in a return and then being outpointed by Sam Soliman. This was 34-year-old Wood’s first fight since losing to Solomon in February 2012. In the meantime Wladimir Klitschko has contacted Wood and invited him to join the Klitschko team. Leota has won only one of his last eleven fights. Strangely that win was an upset stoppage of the IBF rated Manny Vlamis.

 

Deinze, Belgium: Heavy: Denis Boytsov (32-0) W PTS 8 Samit Kurtagic (11-6).Only hours after a Hamburg Court released Russian Boytsov from his contract with Universum; he stepped back in the ring. German-based Boytsov faced Austrian-based Serbian Kurtagic over 8 rounds on a small amateur show in Deinze, Belgium. Boytsov, 27, started very aggressive, but most of his punches missed their target. Boytsov clearly wanted an early night but was over anxious. The fight was quite competitive for 3 – 4 rounds until the tall Kurtagic went into survival mode. The Russian didn’t like that and seemed quite frustrated in the 5^th, and tired in rounds 6 and 7. Kurtagic earned, or shared, some of those rounds on the judges’ cards. More due to the inactivity of Boytsov, then to the activity of Kurtagic. The fight was briefly stopped in the 6^th for a low right from Kurtagic and referee Daniel Van de Wiele gave Boytsov some recovery time. Boytsov was also on the canvas 3 times from wrestling tactics of Kurtagic. The Russian went all out for the last still trying to get an inside the distance win, but had to settle for a unanimous points decision by scores of 80-73, 79-74 and 78-74. First fight for the WBA 4/WBO 5 Boytsov since April. All of 36-year-old Serbian Kurtagic’s losses have been against highly rated European fighters.

 

Navojoa, Mexico: Middle: Luis Ramon Campas (101-17-1) W PTS 12 Gabriel Martinez (27-6-1,1ND).

Campas vs. Martinez

Now 101 wins for Yori Boy, butMartinezpushed him all the way and looked to deserve at least a draw. The former IBF light middle champion just got by on a split decision with home advantage a factor. First fight for 41-year-old Campas since losing to Les Sherrington for the vacant WBFoundation title in July. At one timeMartinez, 25, was 27-1-1 with the only loss coming against Saul Alvarez. Now he has lost five in a row.

 

Chombung, Thailand: Fly: Amnat Ruenroeng (7-0) W PTS 12 Michael Rodriguez (13-35-1). Straw: Fahlan Jr. (17-2) W TKO 1 Toncer Manufoe.

Ruenroeng vs. Rodriguez

Former top amateur Ruenroeng outboxes poor Filipino to win inaugural IBF Asian title, but fails to impress. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-110. The 33 year-old Thai was a bronze medal winner at the 2007 and 2009 World Championships and a quarter-finalist at the 2008 Olympics. Only one win in his last eleven fights for Rodriguez.

Fahlan vs. Manufoe

Fahlan Junior, being carefully matched, is too good for Indonesian novice and wins inside the first round. The 19-year-old is the son of Fahlan Snr. who was IBF straw champion in the early 1990’s and made eight title defences. He came up short in four more shots at a world title before retiring in 2005.

 

Tunis, Tunisia: Light Middle: Ayoub Nefzi (19-2-1,1ND) W TKO 6 Ishmael Tetteh (27-8-2). Belgian-based Nefzi wins vacant IBF Continental Africa title with seventh round stoppage of Ghanaian Tetteh. Only the fourth win inside the distance for “The Prince” as, after fighting hard, Tetteh retires at the end of the sixth round. The only losses for the 32-year-old are to world rated fights in Emanuele Della Rosa and Nikola Stevanovic. Former Ghanaian champion Tetteh, “The Black Roy Jones”, is 2-3 in his last five fights.

 

Lugogo, Kenya: Middle: Robert Kamya (20-13) W PTS 10 Mark Oliech (0-1). Heavy: James K Odeke (3-0) W TKO 2 Ashraf Suleiman (3-5-2,1ND).

Kamya vs. Oliech

Veteran Kamya takes an easy one as he wins a wide unanimous decision over novice Oliech. The 40-year-old “Doctor” turned pro in theUSAwhere he scored wins over Giorbis Barthelemy, Fontaine Cabell and Alex Bunema. He  has scored three wins since returning home.

Odeke vs. Suleiman

New heavyweight hope Odeke makes it three wins by KO/TKO as he halts Tanzanian in second.

 

Hammond, USA: Middle: Donatas Bondoravas (17-3-1) W TKO 2 David Thomas (10-4-2). Lithuanian Bondoravas must be slipping. It took him six seconds longer to stop Thomas this time than he had in November. Bondoravas broke through in the second. With Thomas trapped on the ropes under a barrage from the Lithuanian when the referee stopped the fight. The 33-year-old Bondoravas makes it five wins in a row and has six wins by KO/TKO. He won bronze medals at three consecutive World Military Championships and competed at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships. Three inside the distance losses in a row for Thomas.

 

Troitsk, Russia: Middle: Sherzod Husanov (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Pavel Semjonov (8-1-1). Husanov fails to impress against unbeaten Estonian. Husanov never really managed to put Semjonov under pressure and was throwing single shots which Semjonov had little trouble blocking whilst getting through with counters of his own. Husanov just did enough to deserve the majority decision. Strange scoring sees the judges score it 80-72, 80-74 and 78-78. After being inactive from October 2010 until last December, the former top amateur still has some rust to shed. Husanov representedUzbekistan at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and the 2005 World Championships and won a gold medal in the World Military Championships. First fight outsideEstonia for former national amateur champion and he put up a good effort.

 

February 16

 

Atlantic City, USA: Light: Adrien Broner (26-0) W TKO 5 Gavin Rees (37-2-1). Super Middle: Sakio Bika (31-5-2) W PTS 12 Nikola Sjekloca (25-1). Light Middle: Demetrius Hopkins (33-2-1) W TKO 6 Charles Whittaker (39-14-2). Super Feather: Edner Cherry (31-6-2,1ND) W TKO 6 Vicente Escobedo (26-5) . Bantam: Rau’Shee Warren (3-0) W TKO 2 Ricardo Hernandez (5-1).

Broner vs. Rees

Brave but in the end futile effort by Rees. The Welsh former WBA light welter champion used his busy style to edge the first two rounds as Broner took a while to get going. In the third Broner was finally rolling and was in charge. In the fourth Broner floored Rees with a right uppercut. Rees got up only to be floored again by left to the body. Gary Lockett wanted to pull Rees out at the end of that fourth round, but Rees insisted on continuing. Broner was getting through with heavy shots and Lockett signaled with the towel that he wanted the fight stopped, and it was over. First defence of his WBC title for the 23-year-old “The Problem”. Broner has now won 14 of his last 15 fights by KO/TKO. He could soon run out of opposition at lightweight. The 32-year-old Rees gave it his best shot but Broner was too big, strong and powerful for “The Rock” . If the former undefeated British and European champion decides to continue with his career he can still compete at a high level in the domestic and European scene.

Bika vs. Sjekloca

“The Scorpion” exposes the carefully protected Serb and wins a wide unanimous decision in this WBC final eliminator. Bika was just too skilled and powerful for Sjekloca. TheCameroonfighter has an awkward style and the pedestrian Sjekloca was too slow to get into the fight in the early rounds. Bika was also working the body. Sjekloca was in trouble after a hard right from Bika in the fourth, but survived the round and fought back well. Many of the rounds were close, but Bika had the edge. Scores 120-108, 119-109 and 118-112. Only the second fight in 14 months for Bika who had actually dropped from No 2 to No 5 with the WBC over recent months, but is now in position to challenge Andre Ward when Ward recovers from surgery. Cameroon Bika, 33, lost a wide unanimous verdict to Ward for the WBA title in 2010. Montenegro-based Sjekloca,34, has wins over Roman Shkarupa, Roberto Santos and Koren Gevor, but his WBC No 1 rating was unjustified.

Hopkins vs. Whittaker

Poor fight seesHopkinswin when Whittaker retires at the end of the sixth round with only partial vision due to heavy swelling .Hopkinswas the quicker, but was not letting his punches go.Hopkinshad Whittaker down in the fourth, but theCaymanIslandfighter was still in the fight and seemingly not in any trouble. However, he decided he was finished at the end of the sixth as he was having trouble with his vision . At 32 “The Gladiator” could not afford to lose this one. After losing to Kendall Holt for the WBO light welter title in 2008 and to Brad Solomon at welter in 2011 he had to put down a marker in this his third weight division. “Killa” Whittaker” 39 needed the win even more after losing to Gabriel Bracero in an IBF eliminator in September.Hopkinswins the  USBA title and Whittaker blows his IBF No 13 rating.

Cherry vs. Escobedo

Big win for Cherry and goodbye to any thoughts Escobedo had of winning a world title. Cherry floored Escobedo at the end of the first round with a left right combination. . Escobar recovered well and was fighting on even terms until the sixth. Cherry got through again near the end of the round with a right which put Escobedo down. Escobedo only just beat the count. Cherry attacked again and put Escobar down just as the bell sounded. The referee had seen enough and stopped the fight without giving Escobar the chance to recover. The 30-year-old “Cheery Bomb” from the Bahamas had looked to be going nowhere when only edging out Juan Carlos Martinez on a majority decision in his last fight in April, but this win puts him very much in the super feather reckoning. Cherry had lost a wide decision to Tim Bradley for the WBC light welter title in 2008 but weighed inside the super feather limit for this fight. He has 17 wins by KO/TKO and is unbeaten in his last eight fights. As for Escobedo, he was coming off a heavy defeat to Adrien Broner for the WBO super feather title in July. He lost a split decision to Mike Katsidis for the interim WBO light title in 2009 and was outclassed by Robert Guerrero in a non-title fight in 2010.

Warren vs. Hernandez

Warrengets his first inside the distance win as he halts Hernandez.Warrenwas far too classy for Hernandez. Two knockdowns in the second round brought an end to the mismatch. The 26-year old has been one of the biggest names inUSamateur boxing

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Bantam: Jonathan Romero (23-0) W PTS 12 Alejandro Lopez (24-2). Super Bantam: Alejandro Gonzalez Jr (16-0-2) W KO 2 Hanzel Martinez (19-1). Middle: Jose Uzcategui (17-0) W PTS 10 Rogelio Medina (30-3). Middle: Matt Korobov (19-0) W TKO 5 Arturo Rodriguez (12-13).

Romero vs. Lopez

Romero wins the vacant IBF title with a split decision over local fighter Lopez. The 26-year-old Colombian made the better start as he outboxed Lopez over the first four rounds and had the Mexican on the back foot. Despite being edged out Lopez had managed to get in with body shots in the third and the next three rounds saw Lopez finally getting to grips with Romero. Romero’s work became ragged and he was warned for a rabbit punch, was careless with his head, and was losing control of the fight. Lopez scored well with rights to take the seventh. Romero was back on top in the next two rounds, but was again guilty of using rabbit punches and was taking hard body punches from the Mexican. In three closing rounds Lopez suffered a cut from a clash of heads and his chances looked to have improved when the referee finally deducted a point from Romero for a kidney punch. Despite the strong finish from Lopez Romero became the new champion on scores of 116-111, 115-112 and 112-115. Romero had earned his shot at the title with wins over Chris Avalos and Efrain Esquivias. Lopez, 25, had been rated No 1 by the IBF after wins over Teon Kennedy, and a hotly disputed win over Takalani Ndlovu.

Gonzalez vs. Martinez

A bombs away clash saw Gonzalez remain unbeaten by stopping fellow prospectMartinez. After fierce exchanges in the second round both landed hard left hooks. Gonzalez absorbed the punch fromMartinez, but the local prospect was badly hurt. Gonzalez jumped on him and a thunderous left hook putMartinezflat on his back under the bottom rope. The referee counted to nine and then stopped to allowMartinezto receive attention. Gonzalez, 19, is the son of the former WBC featherweight champion of the same name. This was his first fight scheduled for more than six rounds. He has eleven wins by KO/TKO.Martinezwas in his first fight scheduled for more than eight rounds. This was the first real test for both fighters.

Uzcategui vs. Medina

Mexican-based Venezuelan Uzcategui boxed his way to victory overMoreno. The unbeaten Venezuelan confusedMedinawith constant switching and used an educated left to keepMorenoon the outside. “Porky” Medina was always dangerous, but Uzcategui‘s good footwork and lateral movement nullified most of the Mexican’s attacks.Medinamanaged to get through with heavy shots in the seventh, but Uzcategui was back in control despite losing a point for a low punch. Scores 97-92 twice and 96-93.

Korobov vs. Rodriguez

The former double world amateur champion continued his efforts to get his career back on track with a stoppage of Mexican Rodriguez. Southpaw Korobov, 30, took his time breaking down the veteran, but two knockdowns in the fifth convinced the referee to stop the fight. Second win for Korobov after being inactive for almost eleven months. Rodriguez, who fought Miguel Cotto and Paul Williams, returned to action last year after seven years out of the ring.

 

Kempton Park, South Africa: Straw: Hekkie Budler (22-1) W PTS 12 Renan Trongco (12-4).  Light Heavy: Ryno Liebenberg (11-0) W TKO 4 Flash Issaka (20-13). Cruiser: Ilunga Makabu (12-1) W TKO 4 Gogita Gorgiladze (12-1). Light: Thompson Mokwana (18-6) W PTS 8 Matias E Gomez (29-1). Cruiser: Kevin Lerena (6-0) W PTS 6 Javier Corrales (7-2-2).

Budler vs. Trongco

Budler retains IBO title with impressive and mature display against tough but limited Filipino southpaw. Budler took the opening rounds as he used fast combinations to get through the Filipino’s guard and cleverly nullified the southpaw left of Trongco by countering with his own right. Trongco had a better third round as he got through with some good shots, but Budler was back in charge in the fourth through to the sixth hurting the Filipino with solid punches in the sixth. Trongco had his best round in the seventh as he landed some good shots early in the round and Budler was showing a cut over his right eye. Budler wrapped up the eighth with an array of fast and accurate counters. Trongco had reportedly had to take off 4kgs in a short time to make the weight, and it showed over the late rounds as he faded. The Filipino did get through with some hard punches at the end of the tenth when Budler chose to stand and trade. Budler stayed focused in the last two rounds as Trongco attacked looking for a kayo to pull the fight out of the fire, but this was Budler’s fight, and it was the little South African who came closest to getting a kayo in the last round. Scores 117-111 twice and 118-110. The 24-year-old “Hexecutioner” showed excellent skills and continues to improve under his young trainer Colin Nathan. The former IBO light fly champion is rated No 3 by the WBC. Now five wins for Budler since going down to strawweight after an upset loss to Gideon Buthelezi that cost him his IBO light fly title. It was not just his excellent boxing that caught the eye. His purple, pink and yellow hairstyle was also a stand-out. Trongco, 24, came in as a late substitute for fellow countryman Merlito Sabillo. He is rated No 3 light flyweight by the GAB. After losing his first two fights Trongco had won 12 of his next 13 losing only to Mexican Sammy Gutierrez for the interim WBA straw title. He put up a good show here against a talented champion.

Liebenberg vs. Issaka

A farce saw prospect Liebenberg literally knock Issaka out of the fight with the ancient Ghanaian ending up on the laps of ringsiders. After two messy rounds a left from Liebenberg put Issaka down in the third. A cut had been opened on Liebenberg’s forehead so he really got to work in the fourth. A right to the body put Issaka down again. After he got up a volley of punches sent him tumbling out of the ring where he landed in the lap of the ringside doctor. Issaka was unable to get back into the ring. The 29-year-old Liebenberg retains his IBO All-African title and makes it eight wins by KO/TKO. Liebenberg did his job, but this match turned out to be a farce. That was not obvious on paper with Issaka a seemingly acceptable 36-year-old experienced fighter who had won his last three fights inside the distance and was a former ABU champion. However, it was reported that Issaka admitted to being 47 before the pre-fight press conference, where he then changed the number to 45. His three inside the distance wins inGhana, all at super middle, were over poor fighters with combined records of 0-14. That typifies some of the atrocious matching in fights inGhanaright now. You also have to ask how the IBO could accept a guy who was not in their top 100 as fighting for any of their titles.

Makabu vs. Gorgiladze

Southpaw “Junior” Makabu hands out a brutal beating to Georgian novice Gorgiladze. Having only his second fight in the past 14 months the banger from the DRC just punched too hard for Gorgiladze. The young Georgian had neither the power nor the skill to complete and the fight should have been stopped earlier than it was. Since losing inside a round in his first pro fight the Harold Volbrecht trained 25-year-old Makabu has won all of his subsequent fight by KO/TKO. He wins the vacant IBF Youth title. The 19-year-old Georgian was having his first fight outside his home country. Georgian records are no indication of a fighter’s ability, more a reflection of the very low standard of pro boxing there, with only two of Gorgiladze’s opponents having positive records.

Mokwana vs. Gomez

Pop! That was the reputation of Argentinian Gomez blown apart. Former South African champion Mokwana simply outboxed the dangerous but limited Argentinian. The faster hand speed and more accurate punching from Mokwana frustrated the Argentinian who was just not busy enough and lacked the skills to turn the fight around. Scores 78-74 from all three judges. First fight for Mokwana since losing his national title to Viwe Mdletyeni in July. “Tsunami” Gomez, 24, had scored 28 of his 29 wins by KO/TKO but against hand picked opposition with only six of his victims having won more fights than they had lost.

Lerena vs. Corrales

Southpaw Lerena, 21, fights his usual all out aggressive fight with the limited Paraguayan willing to trade. Corrales, who reportedly had to lose a chunk of weight before the weigh-in, stayed to the final bell, but Lerena won a clear decision on scores of 59-55 from all three judges. Useful bout for Lerena who had won his first five fights inside the distance with total ring time of less than eight rounds. Corrales had not been stopped in any his previous fights.

Gatineau, Canada: Light Welter: Dierry Jean (24-0) W TKO 2 Juan J Rivera (25-10). Super Middle: Andrew Gardiner (7-0) W PTS 8 Konstantin Piternov (13-3). Welter: Ahmad Cheikho (9-4-2) W PTS 8 Giuseppe Lauri (53-11).

Jean vs. Rivera

Jean crushes overmatched Mexican. A left hook from the Haitian-born Jean forced Rivera to touch down briefly in the first. Jean had Rivera down with a big right in the second and was scoring with heavy shots when the referee stopped the fight. This was to have been the first defence of his NABF title for 30-year-old Jean, but Rivera was 7lbs over the contract weight. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for Jean, but his No 1 rating from the WBC is inexplicable. Six losses by KO/TKO for “Bubble” Rivera.

Gardiner vs. Piternov

Canadian Gardiner wins wide decision over Russian Piternov. Gardiner had to overcome the handicap of bad cuts over both eyes but he forced the fight and Piternov was constantly trapped on the ropes with no room to work, Gardiner remained strong to the end and had Piternov in trouble in the last only for the Russian to spit out his mouthpiece to gain a respite. Gardiner wins on scores of 80-72, 78-74 and 77-75. The 25-year-old Canadian had won his last three fights inside the distance. First fight outsideRussiafor Piternov and first fight since October 2011.

Cheikho vs. Lauri

Lebanese-born Cheikho easily outpoints a very faded Lauri. Cheikho fought a more cautious fight than usual, constantly switching guards, but he did not have to fight that well as he had little in front of him. It was an untidy fight with Lauri losing a point in the fifth for a rabbit punch and Cheikho losing a point in the last for pushing Lauri to the canvas. Scores 79-71 twice and 78-72. Three wins in a row for 30-year-old Cheikho following successive defeats against Sergei Melis and Sam Vargas in 2011. Lauri, a former Italian and European Union light welterweight champion, is now 36, and has lost 4 of his last 5 fights. He lost in four attempts to win the European title.

 

Campbon, France: Welter: Frank Haroche Horta (31-10-5) W PTS 10

Sebastien Allais (15-6-4). Experienced Horta “H2F” wins fight for vacant French title, and so regains title he held in 2008. The southpaw won a split decision which should have been unanimous. He built an early lead and floored Allais in the seventh to run out a clear winner. Scores 96-93 twice and a ridiculous 94-97. After losing his French title, also in 2008, “F2h” drew in each of two attempts to win the title back, and lost in a challenge for the French light middle title. He is a tough opponent for anyone and gaveIrelands Dean Byrne his first defeat. Local fighter Allais, 31, was having his second shot at the title and had lost only one of his last eleven fights.

 

Tulum, Mexico: Light: Fidel Maldonado Jr (14-2) W KO 3 Jorge Romero (24-5). Welter: Roberto Ortiz (28-0-1) W TEC DEC 5 Fidel Monterrosa M (29-7,1ND). Light: Robert Manzanarez (22-1) W TKO 4 Eugenio Lopez (30-24-1).

Maldonado vs. Romero

Southpaw Maldonado took the first round with a series of long lefts which Romero could not seem to block. Maldonado sealed the round with a left that knocked Romero’s head back and brought blood from Romero’s nose. Romero was more aggressive in the second and was getting through with some shots, but again being nailed by the long southpaw left. Maldonado flirted with disaster as he had a point deducted for pushing Romero’s head down, and after doing it twice more, was given a final warning. In the third another long left put Romero down on his back and he hit his head on the bottom rope. He tried to get up but tumbled onto his side and the referee stopped the count and stopped the fight. Maldonado, 21, wins the WBC Silver Latino title and makes it twelve wins by KO/TKO. Romero, 22, had earlier lost inside the distance in back-to-back fights with Danny Garcia and Pablo Cesar Cano, but had reestablished himself with seven wins in a row including a victory over former WBC feather champion Rodolfo Lopez.

Ortiz vs. Monterrosa

A blood spattered battle saw both fighters cut. The fight was littered with head clashes and as early as the second round both fighters were sporting cuts, and both had a point deducted for butts. They continued to trade in the third with Ortiz getting the better of the exchanges. By the end of the fourth all three judges had Ortiz in front 38-36. The pace dropped in the fifth with Monterrosa twice being warned for low blows. Monterrosa’s cuts were more serious as Mexican Ortiz had made the face of the Colombian a target. That also led to facial swelling for Monterrosa and in the sixth round, with the bad cut, and Monterrosa’s vision impaired, the fight was stopped and it went to the cards. “Massa” Ortiz, 27, won on scores of 58-54 twice and 56-56. Ortiz retains his WBC Silver title. He is No 2 with the WBC and has wins inside the distance over Antonio Lozada Jr. and Cesar Chavez. Colombian Monterrosa, 24, lost on points to Humberto Soto for the WBC light title in 2010.

Manzanarez vs. Lopez

Young “Tito” gets back in the winning column with stoppage of experienced Lopez. The 18-year-old, who turned pro at 15, has 18 wins by KO/TKO, but lost a lot of prestige after stoppage loss to Alejandro Barrera in November. Lopez fails every time he steps up in quality.

 

Paranaque City, Philippines: Light Fly: Randy Petalcorin (19-1-1) TEC DRAW 8 Rene Patilano (7-1-2). Feather: Ranel Suco (15-7-2) W PTS 12 Prell Tupas (8-19-4).

Petalcorin vs. Patilano

A bad cut on his lefty eyelid suffered by WBA No 5 Petalcorin brings this closely contested fight to an end. Two judges scored it a draw at 76-76 and the third had underdog Patilano ahead 77-75. Southpaw Petalcorin, 21, retains his PABA title. Despite the disappointing result Petalcorin is being lined-up to face Thai Wisanu for the vacant interim WBA title. GAB No 5 Patilano, also 21, was moving up from eight rounds to main events.

Suco vs. Tupas

Suco has no trouble with loser Tupas and wins wide unanimous verdict to lift interim WBC ABC title. Scores 119-109 from all three judges. The 26-year-old Suco had lost this same title to Thai Jomthong in November. Tupas has lost 9 of his last 10 fights, but somehow qualifies to fights for a title!

 

Glasgow, Scotland: Super Feather: Jon Slowey (12-0) W PTS 10 Ian Bailey (8-11). Scottish southpaw Slowey lifted his first title with a points win over Bailey. Slowey boxed cleverly to off set the constant aggression of Bailey. Slowey showed good hand speed and was able to score with fast, accurate counters. Bailey just could not pin the Scot down. He had a good eighth round, but Slowey had paced the fight well and finished strongly to cement the victory. Referee’s score 97-94. The 22-year-old Glaswegian wins the vacant International Masters title. His lack of power may be a handicap at a higher level as he has yet to wins inside the distance. Southern Area champion Bailey, 28, had come to fight and made things interesting.

 

Crawley, England: Super Feather: Ben Jones (14-3-1) W PTS 12  Kris Hughes (16-3). Local fighter Jones wins vacant WBO European title with wide points decision over Scot Hughes. Jones made a slow start but from the fourth there was only going to be one winner. In the fifth Jones scored with good uppercuts and body punches and had Hughes pinned in a corner and under pressure for the last 30 seconds of the round. Hughes bounced back to take the eighth with Jones bleeding from the nose. Jones had Hughes under pressure on the ropes again for much of the ninth. Hughes had taken the fight at just eight days notice and began to tire over the closing rounds but hung on to the final bell. Scores 120-109, 119-109 and 119-111. Second win for former undefeated English champion Jones since one round loss to Stephen Smith in March. Now 3 losses in his last 4 fights for Hughes who has twice challenged unsuccessfully for the Commonwealth title at super bantam. First WBO European title fight inBritain.

 

Montevideo, Uruguay: Heavy: Gonzalo O Basile (58-8,1ND) W PTS 10 Alfredo Ruiz Diaz (6-7-1,ND). Super Middle: Pablo Farias (24-2) W TKO 2 Ramon Garcia (5-5-1). Super Middle: Noe Gonzalez Alcoba (30-2) W KO 1 Idiozan Matos (20-17).

Basile vs. Diaz

A boring match between two very limited Argentinian heavyweights sees Basile using his huge advantages in height ( 8”) and reach to outpoint stocky Diaz. Basile was able to reach Diaz with a prodding jab and overhand rights. When Diaz did get inside there was more mauling and holding than fighting. Both fighters were glacially slow and arm punchers. Scores 100-90, 99-90 and 99-94. The head to toe tattooed trucker, 38-year-old Basile, wins the interim WBC Latino title.  Diaz tried hard, but lacks any skill.

Farias vs. Garcia

No skill whatever on show from either boxer. Both came out swinging widely. Farias looked to be getting through better with his swings when a three punch combination from Garcia saw Farias go down. He fell as much from his efforts to duck backwards from Garcia’s punches as from actually getting tagged. Farias was up and they were again swinging like street fighters. At the end of the round Farias got through with chopping rights and had Garcia hurt. In the second Garcia took Farias to the ropes and swung 6 or 7 punches but also leaving himself wide open. A stunning right from Farias had Garcia staggering. What happened next was as dumb as it gets. Garcia was hit with a crunching right to the jaw which sent him back a couple of steps. He then dropped his guard, stuck out his chin and beckoned Farias to try again. Another right crashed his jaw and again he dropped his guard and invited Farias to take another shot, and Farias landed another big swing. When Garcia dropped his guard for a third time a right finally put him down. He got up swinging only for a chopping right to put him face down and the referee stopped the fight without completing the count. The 25-year-old “Pokemon” Farias  has 16 wins by KO/TKO but is just a crude slugger. He makes it five wins since losing in five rounds to Arthur Abraham for the WBO European title in January 2012. Garcia wins SFP title, Stupidest Fighter on the Planet.

Alcoba vs. Matos

The visiting Brazilian showed some nice southpaw skills shooting out a jab and using the ring well, but he looked fragile. Alcoba was walking him down. A hard right shook Matos and Alcoba then had him pinned on the ropes, and a right cross put the Brazilian down. The referee stopped the fight immediately as it was obvious he was not going to get up. The 33-year-old Uruguayan has 21 wins by KO/TKO. All of his last 16 fights have ended on KO/TKO. Unfortunately one of those that finished inside the distance was a crushing two round loss to Adonis Stevenson in April. Alcoba lost to Felix Sturm for the WBA middle title in 2007.  Fourteen losses by KO/TKO tell the story for Matos.

 

Campana, Argentina: Juan Manuel Witt (23-0-2) W KO 3 Jonathan A Riquelme (6-9). Witt wins WPC Latino title with kayo of Ramirez. The tall, slim, “Little Prince” had some trouble with lefts from Ramirez but was well in front when a left hook to the body put Ramirez down and he was unable to rise before being counted out. Witt, 26, had halted Ramirez in three rounds in April. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Seventh loss by KO/TKO for Ramirez. Yes. I did say WPC, the World Commission of Pugilism-yet another sanctioning body.

 

Monterrey, Mexico: Feather: Adrian Estrella (10-0) W TKO 6 Juan C Santillan (9-4). Local favourite punches too hard for Santillan. Both were willing to stand and trade, which was bad tactics for Santillan. Estrella had the harder punch and was slowly breaking Santillan down. Santillan’s corner pulled their man out at the end of the sixth. Ten fights, ten wins by KO/TKO for Estrella. Santillan had won 4 of his last 5.

 

Gyor, Hungary: Light Heavy: Balazs Kelemen (17-0) W TKO 5 Zoltan Kallai (13-27-7). Cruiser: Sandor Nagy (8-0) W TKO 1 Sandor Polgar (2-18-1).

Kelemen vs. Kallai

Tall 34-year-old Kelemen obviously a class above Kallai from the first bell. He is satisfied to just outbox Kallai until the fifth. When he turns on the heat Kallai is floored twice and the fight is stopped. Twelve wins by KO/TKO for Kelemen, but no real tests so far.

Nagy vs. Polgar

Predictable ending as Nagy disposes of poor Polgar with a body punch in the first round. Southpaw “Alexander the Great” has won all of his eight fights by KO/TKO, six in the first round, but poor opposition. Now 15 losses in a row for Polgar.

 

Opelousas, USA: Light: Mason Menard (23-1) W KO 1 Ricky Alexander (8-11). Too easy for local favour Menard as one hard right ends the fight after just 109 seconds. The 24-year-old from Rayne has 16 wins by KO/TKO and is unbeaten in his last 21 fights, but second string opposition. Six losses by KO/TKO in his last seven fights for Alexander

 

 February 17

 

Sanda, Japan: Middle: Yuki Nonaka (23-8-2) W PTS 10 Lee Oti (17-13-1). Heavy: Rio Hidaka (10-0) W PTS 8 Clarence Tillman (11-11-2).

Nonaka vs. Oti

OPBF No 4 middle Nonaka comfortably outpoints New Zealander Oti. Scores 99-91, 99-92 and 98-92. The former OPBF and Japanese light middle champion makes it three points win in a row since moving up a division. First fight for Oti since being blown away inside a round by Steve Heremaia in June.

Hidaka vs. Tilman

Japanese heavyweight Hidaka had to press hard to get inside the guard of the 6’4”  New Zealand-based American who had over 6” in height advantage. Tilman , not much of a puncher, just could not keep Hidaka out, and was regularly caught with overhand rights. Tilman got in some whacks of his own but was outworked. Scores 79-74 twice and 79-73. Only the tenth fight in almost seven years for 32-year-old Hidaka who has eight wins by KO/TKO. Third loss in a row for Tilman after being halted inside a round by Sonny Bill Williams and Kyotaro Fujimoto