The Past Week in Action 19 April 2021

Highlights:

-Demetrius Andrade floors and outpoints Liam Williams in a WBO middleweight title defence

-Carlos Gongora retains the IBO super middleweight belt with stoppage of Chris Pearson

-Tony Harrison and Bryant Perrella draw over ten rounds at super welter

-Regis Prograis has to settle for a technical decision win over drama queen Ivan Redkach

-Fabio Turchi outpoints Dylan Bregeon to win the European Union cruiserweight title

– A well-matched MTK show sees Danny Dignum remain unbeaten with a draw against Andrey Sirotkin and Dan Azeez outpoint Ricky Summers

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

April 17

 

Hollywood, FL, USA: Middle: Demetrius Andrade (30-0) W PTS 12 Liam Williams (23-3-1). Super Middle: Carlos Gongora (20-0) W KO 8 Chris Pearson (17-3). Heavy: Andrey Fedosov (32-3) W TKO 1 Mahammadrasul Majidov (3-1). Super Light: Arthur Biyarslanov (8-0) W PTS 8 Israel Mercado (9-1).

Andrade vs. Williams

Andrade floors and outpoints a gutsy and determined Williams. Andrade scored with a couple of punches early and as Williams tried to move inside Andrade staggered him with a series of head punches. Andrade was looking to end this in the first and Williams was desperately holding. Williams tried to come forward and landed a couple of hooks but was wide open to the counters from Andrade.  Williams did better early in the second with stabbing jabs but then a straight left from Andrade dropped him. He was up at eight and Andrade just could not find a punch to finish things. Williams came forward throughout the third but great movement from Andrade was frustrating his efforts and he was being caught with sharp counters. Williams had a good fourth. Again he was pressing forward and he shook Andrade with two left hooks and Andrade was being forced to stand and brawl. The fifth was an even round as Williams continued to walk forward and Andrade was not as busy or as accurate as he had been but Williams was now cut over his right eye. Andrade was back on top in the sixth. He was boxing cleverly and rattled Williams with a booming uppercut the sent the Welshman on the retreat. Andrade scored with two more uppercuts but Williams just walked through them. Andrade outboxed Williams through the seventh and eighth and shook the challenger with uppercuts in both rounds. Williams got back into the fight in the ninth. He hurt Andrade with two heavy rights and Andrade was clinching and spoiling for the rest of the round. The tenth was close but Williams found the target often enough with his right to perhaps edge it. Andrade took the eleventh with some smart boxing leaving Williams swishing air and slotting punches though the challenger’s guard. Andrade run the clock down in the last. He had a little bit more left than Williams and landed enough to take the round. Scores 118-109 twice and 116-111 all for Andrade. Fourth defence of the WBO title for Andrade. He seems no closer to a big career defining fight but a defence against unbeaten Jaime Munguia would be attractive. Williams was brave and did well to recover from the early knockdown and made Andrade fight hard all the way after and there are some good domestic fights for him.

Gongora vs. Pearson

Ecuadorian Gongora retains the IBO title with eighth round kayo of fellow-southpaw Pearson. This was Gongora’s fight all the way. He established control with his jab in the first and was piercing Pearson’s guard with southpaw lefts. Pearson did not seem to have an answer to Gongora’s jab and although he tried to hide behind a high guard Gongora was swinging lefts around Pearson’s guard and onto the target. Pearson came to life in the third dropping his hands and firing punches from hip level. When Gongora punched back Pearson’s aggression faded. It was the same in the fourth with Pearson attacking only in bursts and Gongora landing more and heavier punches. Gongora connected with a series of head punches in the fifth and all that Pearson was able to offer in return was some hooks to the body but he did not sustain his attacks. Gongora continued to pressure Pearson and for much of the sixth Pearson was pinned to the ropes with Gongora battering at his defence. An uppercut snapped Pearson’s head back but he made no attempt to fight his way off the ropes. Gongora bossed the seventh and Pearson had a swelling over his right eye. Pearson made a fiery start to the eighth but Gongora connected with an array of head punches most landing on Pearson’s right eye and Pearson turned away from the action and went down on one knee. He partially got up during the count but then dropped back down and was counted out as he indicated he did not want to continue due to the swelling. Gongora impressed in his kayo win over unbeaten Ali Akhmedov for the IBO title in December and totally dominated Pearson here. His only rating from the other four sanctioning bodies sees him at No 14 with the WBA but hopefully this win will give him a boost. First fight for Pearson since stopping unbeaten Yamaguchi Falcao in May 2019. He was disappointing here and it will be a tough road to recovery for him.

Fedosov vs. Majidov

Fedosov gets win as Majidov injures his ankle when knocked down in the opening round. Things looked bleak for Fedosov when a stiff left jab sent him stumbling back to the ropes only 45 seconds into the fight. Fedosov had been jabbing well himself and he recovered scored with a jab and then let fly with a right cross to the head that sent Majidov back and down. As he lay on the canvas Majidov was clutching his right leg having twisted it as he went over. He got up but limped when the referee asked him to walk forward. The referee cleared him to continue but another right from Fedosov toppled Majidov and the referee counted him out then called his seconds to help him. A win is a win and the first right scored a genuine knockdown so despite the” injury” victory Fedosov deserves credit for that right. The Californian-based Russian Fedosov, now 35, went 21-1 as the start of his career but the dropped out of the picture and this was his first fight since outpointing Joey Dawejko in October 2018. Russian-born Azeri Majidov, 34, had won gold medals at the 2011 World Championships where he beat Anthony Joshua, and then at the 2013 World Championships  but had to settle for bronze at the 2016 Olympics losing to Roberto Cammarelle. He did not turn pro until he was 32 so he cannot afford too long a lay off.

Biyarslanov vs. Mercado

Russian-born “Chechen Wolf” Biyarslanov looks a clear winner but has to settle for a majority decision against Mercado. Biyarslanov edge the first round and then had Mercado hurt with a body shot and head shots late in the second. Mercado did better in the third and when Biyarslanov looked to be taking charge in the fourth he stopped the Canadian in his tracks with a right. They traded punches through the fifth and sixth with both having good spells. The action slowed in the seventh until Biyarslanov burst into life finding gaps for with a series of body punches and a close last could have been scored for either boxer. Two judges cards had Biyarslanov winning 76-74 and 77-75 and the third had it 76-76. Tough test for Biyarslanov who moved to escape the strife in Chechnya when he was four and then went on to Canada when he was ten. He won a gold medal at the 2015 PanAmerican Games and was the only male Canadian boxer to qualify for the Rio Olympics. Californian “Bad Ways” Mercado was a top level amateur who missed out on the US team for Rio when he was beaten by Teo Lopez in the US Trials.

 

Los Angeles, Ca, USA: Super Welter: Tony Harrison (28-3-1) DREW 12 Bryant Perrella (17-3-1). Cruiser: Efetobor Apochi (11-0) W TKO 3 Deon Nicholson (14-1) Super Light: Omar Juarez (11-0) W Elias Araujo (21-3). Welter: James Martin (7-2) W PTS 8 Vito Mielnicki Jr (8-1). Super Light: Darwin Price (17-1) W KO 5 Saul Corral (31-17).

Harrison vs. Perrella

Harrison and Perrella fight to a split draw. Both fighters made a cautious start as they sought to shed some rust. Perrella was on the front foot with Harrison countering and just doing enough to edge the round. Harrison had admitted he did not like fighting southpaws and Perrella made use of pressure and his right jabs to take the second. He also won the third. Harrison had Perrella on the back foot but Perrella was peppering Harrison with right jabs and then getting through with straight lefts and hooks from both hands with Harrison waiting too long to let his punches fly. Harrison continued to force the action in the fourth and did better in that round but Perrella kept working his right jab as instructed by his corner man Roy Jones Jr. and bounced back by outlanding Harrison in the fifth. Harrison handed Perrella the sixth. He was not using his jab despite having a much longer reach and instead stood in front of Perrella behind a high guard allowing Perrella to pick his spots. Harrison finally found some form over the seventh, eighth and ninth using his longer reach to score at distance and outworking and outscoring Perrella on the inside. The tenth was close with both having good spells but a powerful right from Harrison gave him a slight edge. Harrison used his jab to control the action in the eleventh with Perrella cut over his left eye in a clash of heads but then Harrison seemed to think all he needed to do was avoid trouble in the twelfth and Perrella put in a big effort to take the round. Scores 116-112 Harrison, 117-111 Perrella and 114-114. Disappointing result for former WBC super welterweight champion Harrison in his first fight since being stopped and losing his title against Jermell Charlo in December 2019. He certainly has a part to play in the division with the ability to beat any of the other title holders except Charlo and could possibly fight for the title again in 2022 or earlier. Perrella had been an underwhelming 3-3 in his last six fights and was coming off a crushing stoppage loss against Abel Ramos in February last years but this draw will boost his profile again.

Apochi vs. Nicholson

An impressive Apochi crushes unbeaten Nicholson in three rounds in this WBA eliminator. Apochi out jabbed Nicholson in the opener and stepped up the pressure in the second. He connected with a series of punches and Nicholson dived inside and held and then went to the floor when Apochi wrestled him off so no count. Apochi continued to find the target with heavy shots and Nicholson was stumbling and staggering and he went down from two right uppercuts. He was very unsteady when he got up but survived some more head shots and made it to the bell walking very stiff-legged to his corner. A right to the head dropped him early in the second and when he stood up he staggered backwards and the referee stopped the count and waived the fight off.  The Texas-based Nigerian moves to eleven wins by KO/TKO. He showed real power here. As an amateur he twice took a silver medal at the All-African Games and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. He also registered a win over Jai Opetaia who is currently the top rated fighter in the IBF cruiserweight rankings. Nicholson had scored 13 inside the distance wins  including 9 in the first round but Apochi’s power was in another league altogether.

Juarez vs. Araujo

A calm confident display from Juarez as he outboxes Araujo. After a slow first round Juarez controlled the action. Araujo was aggressive but limited and lacked the power to compete with Juarez. It was Juarez who scored best at distance and he more than matched Argentinian Araujo inside. The visitor had some success over the middle rounds  but Juarez was back in charge in the seventh and eighth letting Araujo come forward and landing solid counters and he outboxed Araujo over the ninth and tenth for a clear victory in his first ten round fight. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for 21-year-old from Texas. Former Argentinian champion Araujo had won 3 of his last 4 fights.

Martin vs. Mielnicki

Something of an upset as Martin takes majority decision over highly touted teenage prospect Mielnicki. From the start Martin was posing problems for Mielnicki. He was out jabbing Mielnicki and getting past Mielnicki’s jab to score inside. In the second Mielnicki shook Martin with a sharp left hook but a Martin left hook started blood dripping from Mielnicki’s nose and he connected with some good body punches. Mielnicki upped his pace over the fifth and sixth scoring with left hooks to head and body as Martin looked to be tiring but Martin rebounded to dominate the seventh with clubbing rights and hooks to the body and an uppercut which splattered blood from Mielnicki’s nose. Mielnicki tried to put in a strong finish but Martin boxed well in the last to seal his victory. Scores 79-73 and 77-75 for Martin and 76-76. Good win for Philadelphian Martin, 23, who had lost every round against unbeaten Xander Zayas in February. Mielnicki, 18, who turned pro at 16, might just have underestimated Martin and by the time he realised his mistake Martin was in full flow.

Price vs. Corral

Price gets back into the winning column with victory over Corral. Price put Corral down and out in the fifth. In his last fight in December 2019 with unbeaten Malik Hawkins Price was forced to retire in the fifth round due to a knee injury snapping a 16-bout winning run. Mexican Corral was a usefgul fighter at one time but has won only three of his last ten fights.

 

Atlanta, GA, USA: Super Light: Regis Prograis (25-1) W TEC DEC 6 Ivan Redkach (23-5-1).  Super Middle: Junior Younan (16-0-1) W PTS 8 Jeyson Minda (14-5-1).

Prograis vs. Redkach

Prograis gets the win in the clash of southpaws but it is tainted by the disgraceful antics of Redkach who collapsed from a “low punch” clutching his groin whereas the replays showed the punch landed above the belt and on the left side of Redkach body but he writher in agony and was taken out of the ring on a stretcher. Lots of probing jabs in the first but little else. Prograis was that bit more positive and did what scoring there was. Prograis took control in the second hunting Redkach down with a series of punches and scoring with long lefts and hooks to the body. Redkach complained when a left hook from Prograis landed low. Redkach had a small cut over his left eye. The third was closer with Redkach working with his jab and Prograis off target with his lefts. Prograis upped his pace in the fourth and was connecting with hard overhand lefts to head and body and chasing down a retreating Redkach. In the fifth Redkach used lots of jabs and lots of movement and Prograis was unable to cut the ring off so not landing as much as earlier and it was a close round. In the sixth Prograis had Redkach under heavy pressure. He was landing hooks to the body. In close Prograis missed with an overhand left then threw a right hook to the body. Redkach collapsed to his hands and knees and then started to drum his feet on the canvas and rolling over clutching his genitals. Initially the referee counted to eight but when he saw Redkach writhing in agony and clutching his crown jewels the referee stopped the count and chaos took over. Replay after replay showed the punch curling around Redkach’s left elbow and into his side. It would have been impossible for the punch going round the back of his left elbow to land where Redkach was pretending it had. Eventually Redkach was carried from the ring on a stretcher. In the end it was decided to go the cards and two judges had Prograis winning on scores of 60-54 and the third by 59-54 but Prograis rightly complained he should have been awarded a knockout. Prograis will move on waiting to see what shakes out from the Josh Taylor vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez fight. Redkach should be given the Golden Raspberry Award. It’s reserved for female actors but who knows Redkach might now be eligible.

Younan vs. Minda

Younan returns to action as he floors and decisions Ecuadorian Minda. Scores 80-71 for Younan on all three cards. First fight for Younan in over two years. The only blemish on the record of the 25-year-old from Brooklyn is a split draw with Ronald Ellis back in 2018. Since leaving Ecuador Minda has been seriously overmatched having lost all five of his fights away from home four of them by KO/TKO.

 

16 April

 

Milan, Italy: Cruiser: Fabio Turchi (19-1) W PTS 12 Dylan Bregeon (11-1-1). Super Middle: Ivan Zucco (13-0) W RTD 6 Luca Capuano (11-1). Light: Francesco Patera (24-3) W PTS 8 Nicola Henchiri (9-3-2). Super Welter: Samuel Nmomah (15-0) W PTS 8 Kassimou Mouhamadou (7-3). Feather: Mauro Forte (15-0-1) W PTS 6 Cristian Narvaez (16-25-6).  Fly: Mohammed Obbadi (22-1) W PTS 6 Jose Sanchez (4-16-1,1ND).

Turchi vs. Bregeon

Turchi wins the vacant European Union title with close unanimous decision over Bregeon in a disappointing fight. Bregeon made a good use of his longer reach in the early rounds which were slow and without any real highlights. Turchi had been expected to show more aggression and had probably conceded a lead to Bregeon. The Italian opened up in the sixth and put more pressure on Bregeon working to the body. Turchi looked to have drawn even in the scoring as he had strong rounds in the ninth and tenth. Bregeon was spending more time pinned to the ropes and there were plenty of clinches. At times Turchi was wild with his punches but his strong finish made him a clear winner. All three judges had Turchi winning 115-113 with the scores looking a little generous to the Frenchman. The 27-year-old “Stone Crusher” will now be looking to get revenge against Tommy McCarthy who beat Turchi on a split decision for the WBC International title in October 2019 and now holds the European title. Former undefeated French champion Bregeon was having his first fight since outpointing useful Olivier Vautrain in January last year and will almost certainly regroup and get another title shot at some time in the future.

Zucco vs. Capuano

Zucco collects the vacant Italian title with victory over Capuano in an all-southpaw match. Big puncher Zucco surprising choose to box in the first round but then resorted to type and attacked hard from the second. A left from Capuano in third saw Zucco dip with his knee touching the floor but the referee decided it was a slip. Zucco then finished the third pounding Capuano with punches. The pace slowed in the fourth but Zucco dominated the fifth. In the sixth he handed out severe punishment. He stunned Capuano with a left hook late in the round and Capuano chose to retire at the end of the round. Eleventh inside the distance finish for Zucco. This was his first fight scheduled for ten rounds so now he will be looking to extend his experience. Capuano, 32, was a good level amateur but did not turn pro until he was 28 and his performance here was disappointing.

Patera vs. Henchiri

Patera beats substitute Henchiri. Belgian Patera prefers to fight on the back foot but Italian Henchiri was not willing to chase the fight leaving Patera to step up and take the fight to Henchiri. Patera outboxed Henchiri but the Belgian was never able to put Henchiri in any danger and Henchiri saved his best for last putting in a good eighth round. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-74 for Patera. A run of excellent wins over 17-0 Lewis Ritson, 24-1-1 Marvin Petit, 20-1 Paul Hyland Jr and unbeaten Domenico Valentino have brought scant reward for the former undefeated European champion as his sixteen months out of the ring has hurt his rating with the sanctioning bodies. Former Italian super featherweight challenger Henchiri came in at only three days notice but had fought in February with a win that meant he was 7-0-1 going into this fight.

Nmomah vs. Mouhamadou

Nmomah continues to make progress as he outpoints Mouhamadou. After a low key opening round the fight proved entertaining and competitive. Nmomah used his technical superiority to boss the fight with Mouhamadou using lots of movement and scoring with jabs and rights to the body. Nmomah was outstanding over the last two rounds putting together some speedy combinations with Mouhamadou doing well to last the distance. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-75 for Nmomah. The Nigerian-born Italian was moving up to eight rounds for the first time. Third loss in his last four fights for Frenchman Mouhamadou.

Forte vs. Narvaez

Just a gentle run out for European Union champion Forte as he outpoints Narvaez. The Rome southpaw had not fought since December 2019 so needed some ring time before his EU title defence against Isaac Lowe with no date yet set for the fight. Spanish-based Nicaraguan Narvaez is a champion survivor with just one win in his last 22 fights with 21 of those losses on points.

Obbadi vs. Sanchez

Former undefeated European Union flyweight champion Obbadi was also having his first fight since December 2019 and he also took the chance to shed some rust with a points win over Sanchez. Ninth win for Obbadi since he was beaten in seven rounds by future WBC champion Cristofer Rosales in 2017. Inactivity has seen him drop out of the EBU ratings but he is a viable contender at flyweight. Sanchez yet another Nicaraguan with a losing habit as he extends his run of defeats to 16-all on points.

 

Monterrey, Mexico Super Light: Miguel Vazquez (43-10) W TKO 7 Isai Hernandez (10-2-1). Super Bantam: Ariel Perez (6-0) W TKO 7 Brandon Romero (11-2-1).

Vazquez vs. Hernandez

Vazquez much too good and experienced for Hernandez. The former IBF lightweight champion put Hernandez down twice in the fifth and finished the job in the seventh with a series of punches rounded off with a left hook to the body. First fight for Vazquez since losing a very disputed decision to Lewis Ritson in England in October. Hernandez had won his last four fights but was in way over his head against Vazquez.

Perez vs. Romero

Perez wins the vacant WBC Inter-Continental Youth title with seventh round kayo of Romero. The 22-year-old Guatemalan-based Cuban is a former Cuban Youth champion so could bear watching. Mexican Romero is 0-2-1 in his last three contests.

 

Panama City, Panama: Light: Darvin Galeano (10-0) W TKO 1 Fernando De La Rosa (5-2-1). Fly: Keiver Fernandez (22-1-1) W PTS 8 Engel Gomez (8-1-1).

Galeano vs. De La Rosa

Galeano blows away De La Rosa in less than a minute. Galeano floored De La Rosa with a left to the head. De La Rosa beat the count but was taking severe punishment and the referee stopped the fight after just 51 seconds. Seven inside the distance victories for the 26-year-old Colombian who now holds the WBA Fedecaribe title. Panamanian Dev La Rosa had won his last three fights but both of his losses have come inside a round.

Fernandez vs. Gomez

Venezuelan Fernandez wins a unanimous decision over Gomez but is deducted a point in the second round for a low blow. Scores 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75. Fernandez is rated No 13 with the WBA but being a Venezuelan naturally his record flatters him with thirteen of those he has beaten never having won a fight. Despite his lack of experience Nicaraguan Gomez gave Fernandez a tough night.

 

17 April

 

Bolton, England: Middle: Danny Dignum (13-0-1) DREW 10 Andrey Sirotkin (19-1-1). Light: Dan Azeez (12-0-1) W PTS 10 Ricky Summers (17-3-1). Super Bantam: Jack Bateson (13-0) W PTS 8 Joe Ham (16-3).

Dignum vs. Sirotkin

Dignum and Sirotkin fight to a split draw. Sirotkin made a busy start trying to hustle Dignum out of his stride and he worked hard to take the round. Dignum had a good second. He was jabbing constantly and countering Sirotkin’s attacks with right hooks and straight lefts. Sirotkin outworked Dignum in the third. He was bobbing and weaving to get inside and landed some heavy rights. Dignum just could not find the target with his jabs but did score with a couple of hooks. Dignum was back on target with his jab in the fourth and connected with some fierce body punches. Sirotkin was swinging wildly and leaving himself open to counters. The fifth was close with Sirotkin nicking it by being busier but Dignum clearly took the sixth pressing hard and scoring with left hooks inside and he outboxed Sirotkin in the seventh with Sirotkin relying on head down wild swings. It was a fast paced close fight and finely balanced. Sirotkin turned things his way in the eighth. He cracked Dignum with two straight lefts and then launched a furious attack that had Dignum retreating in disarray and he landed more punches late in a round that saw Dignum cut over his left eye. Sirotkin was stronger in the ninth with Dignum too busy defending to show much in the way of offence. It was the same in the last. Sirotkin was fresher and did all of the attacking. Dignum was cut over his left eye for a second time and just did not compete in the last. Scores 96-95 Dignum, 96-94 Sirotkin and 95-95. Dignum retains the WBO European title and presumably his ludicrous No 5 in their ratings (he is No 34 in the BoxRec World ratings). This will have been a good learning fight for Dignum and once the cuts heal he will be looking to make up for having had only one fight in the previous seventeen months. Russian Sirotkin, 36, a former full contact kickboxing European and World champion, has managed to keep active with three fights last year. His only loss is a seventh round stoppage by John Ryder in 2018

Azeez vs. Summers

Azeez just edges out Summers on a split decision. A close opening saw both using their jabs effectively and both landing rights to the head. Although Azeez had the shorter reach he connected with powerful jabs and a series of rights in the second. Summers worked hard with his jab in the third ramming it through Azeez’s guard and both connected with heavy rights to the head. The pace slowed in the fourth which Summers took again working hard with his jab. The fifth was livelier with Azeez upping his pace but with Summers finding gaps for his jab and dancing away from Azeez’s counters. The sixth was a good round for Azeez. He started using his jab again and getting past the jab of Summers and he landed a series of rights to the head that had Summers holding. At this point the rounds had been close but Summers looked to have a small lead. Azeez took the seventh and eighth. He was more mobile and putting his punches together getting through with rights with Summers relaying on a left jab and straight right with no variety in his work. Summers choose to brawl with Azeez in the ninth and landed a series of hard rights to the head but Azeez came back in the tenth pounding a tiring Summers with punches. It had been a gruelling battle with many rounds close but I though Azeez just deserved the win. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Azeez and 97-95 for Summers. Azeez was defending the English title and as this was also a final eliminator for the British title he will now get a shot at champion Craig Richards. Summers had not fought since December 2019 and he will be looking to rebound and try for another title shot.

Bateson vs. Ham

Bateson takes the referees decision over Ham in a clash of former leading lights in the amateur ranks. Bateson is very much flying under the radar but here he made full use of his long reach and fast hands to outbox the smaller Scot. Ham kept marching forward trying to cut off the ring and when he succeeded he scored well with some sharp left hooks and uppercuts. Too often he was not quick enough and Bateson was hitting him with right jabs and straight lefts then skipping out of reach bedore stopping to trade with Ham and firing a bunch of shots . Neither fighter was ever in any trouble in these fast-paced eight rounds with Bateson picking up a well deserved win 78-75 on the referee’s card. Bateson, 26, collected a bucket full of gold medals scoring over 100 wins in around 120 amateur fights. He is an outstanding talent with a lack of power the only problem for him. Ham dominated his field in Scottish amateur boxing and also collecting medals galore but has lost to Tyrone McCullagh and Qais Ashfaq and domestic fights may be his ceiling.

 

Melbourne, Australia: Cruiser: Jason Whateley (8-0) W TKO 8 8Aaron Russell (13-6).

Olympian Whateley stops Russell in eight rounds. The 6’5” Whateley used a strong jab to control the action and kept Russell on the back foot. Whateley was scoring with hard right crosses and mixing in left hooks to the body. When Russell did gets inside he landed some hooks with both hands but too often was stuck at the end of Whately’s long jab. Whateley connected with some neck-snapping uppercuts in the fourth and by the fifth Russell was bleeding from the nose. Despite taking plenty of punishment Russell kept fighting back. His resistance ended in the eighth when a series of punches sent him lurching into the ropes and with Whateley pounding him with punches the referee halted the fight. The 30-year-old former undefeated Australian champion gets his seventh win by KO/TKO in his first fight for 16 months. In the amateurs he won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and competed at the World Championships and 2016 Olympics. Russell, another former National cruiser champion, loses inside the distance for the sixth time.

 

Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany: Welter: Karen Chukhadzhian (19-1) W TKO 7 Yannick Dehez (21-2-1). Middle: Andrii Velikovskyi (19-2-1) W RTD 5 Anatoli Hunanyan (9-7-1).Heavy: Oleksandr Zakhozhyi (15-0) W TKO 1 Sergei Werwejko (11-3). Welter: Maurice Morio (7-1) W PTS 10 Said Rahimi (11-5).

Chukhadzhian vs. Dehez

Chukhadzhian stops Dehez in seven. Chukhadzhian imposed himself on the fight from the start controlling the action and gradually wearing down the Frenchman. Southpaw Dehez resisted well but after Chukhadzhian floored Dehez in the seventh the towel came fluttering in from Dehez’s corner. Impressive first showing in Germany for the 24-year-old Ukrainian. Former French champion Dehez just could not handle the power of Chukhadzhian

Velikovskyi vs. Hunanyan

These two were to have met in October but the fight was cancelled at short notice. Velikovskyi got the job done six months later as he built a good lead before stopping Hunanyan in the sixth. The Ukrainian, the holder of the WBC Asian Boxing Council title, makes it twelve inside the distance endings. Armenian-born Czech Hunanyan suffers his first stoppage loss.

Zakhozhyi vs. Werwejko

Zakhozhyi lifts the vacant WBC Francophone title as he destroys Werwejko. A fierce attack from Zakhozhyi had Werwejko reeling and rocking and the referee stopped the fight after just 79 seconds. The German-based “Hunter” Zakhozhyi, 27, is another of these Ukrainian giants standing 6’9” tall but the only “name” he has met so far is a very faded Kevin Johnson who he outpointed in October 2019. Pole Wertwejko, a mere 6’5” and also born in Ukraine, has lost four by KO/TKO but lasted a lot longer in those losses than he did in this one.

Morio vs. Rahimi

Morio wins unanimous decision over elderly Rahimi for the vacant German title. The 20-year-old was in his first ten round fight. Afghan-born Rahimi, 39, had previously lost in a challenge for the German International title.

 

Junin, Argentina: Super Light: Hugo Roldan (20-0-1 W PTS 10 Emiliano Dominguez (25-8).

Roldan makes it a double over Dominguez as he floors and outpoints him in a clash of rated fighters. Dominguez had been forcing the fight but Roldan dropped him with a left hook in the fifth. Dominguez was up quickly and fought back hard but Roldan had the better skills and was a clear winner but it was not an easy night for him despite the scores of 100-89, 98 ½ -93 ½ and 96 ½ -93 ½. Roldan, the Argentinian No 3 is yet to face a real test. Former IBO title challenger Dominguez rated No 5 had lost on points to Roldan in February last year.

 

Desvio Arijon, Argentina: Super Light: Gustavo Lemos (27-0) W TKO 8 Maximiliano Veron (12-3-1,1ND).

“Electric Storm” Lemos grinds down and stops Veron in eight. A typically aggressive showing from Lemos as he never stopped coming. Veron was forced to spend a lot of the fight against the ropes with Lemos trying to find a finishing punch. The taller Veron fought back strongly staggering Lemos with a left hook counter in the third but Lemos recovered and went straight back into the attack and rocked Veron with a left hook in the fifth. Veron showed a great chin but could not keep Lemos out. In the eighth Lemos took Veron to a corner. Veron connected with three hard counters but Lemos shook them off and then sent Veron staggering along the ropes with two left hooks and was unloading on Veron when the referee stopped the fight

The 25-yeaer-old Lemos retains the IBF Latina title and now has 17 inside the distance finishes. He is No 3 with the IBF so close to a title shot. He has power but he will have to improve his defence against better opponents. Veron, the holder of the IBF Latino welterweight title had outpointed 21-2 Diego Ramirez in his last fight in November 2019.

 

Derry, NH, USA: Cruiser: Chris Traietti W TKO 3 Kevin Brown (2-14). Super Middle: Kendrick Brown (16-1-2) W PTS 8 Brian Vera (28-26)

Traietti vs. Brown

Traietti continues to beat up the beaten as he halts poor Brown in three rounds. The local ticket seller has managed nine consecutive wins against shop-worn or novice opponents. Eight losses in his last nine fights seven by KO/TKO for Brown.

Brown vs. Vera

Brown takes unanimous decision over old timer Vera. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-74 for Brown who is now the proud holder of the WBC United States title. This 39-year-old Vera is a world away from the Vera of yesteryears.

 

18 April

 

Corona, CA, USA: Super Light: Ruben Torres (15-0) W TKO 1 Diego Contreras (11-4). Welter: Miguel Madueno (23-0) W KO 1 Bergman Aguilar (15-7-1).

Torres vs. Contreras

Torres gets this oe over quickly as he floors Contreras twice in the opening round with the referee dispensing with a count. The 23-year-old tall Californian makes it twelve wins by KO/TKO. Mexican Contreras just prelim level and his three inside the distance losses have all come within the first two rounds.

Madueno vs. Aguilar

A wicked body punch from Madueno finished this fight just one second before the bell ended the opening round. The 22-year-old “Explosivo” is living up to his nickname as only two of his victims have lasted the distance and eight have gone out in the first round. Costa Rican Aguilar has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Demetrius Andrade keeps his name in the frame for a big fight with his win over Liam Williams but whether it will happen for Andrade we will have to wait and see.

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Tony Harrison vs. Bryant Perrella was a hard fought contest.

Fighter of the week: Not Ivan Redkach that’s for sure. I go for Perrella who rebounded from a sticky patch of form to get close to a career best win against Harrison

Punch of the week: The thunderous right to the head from Efetobor Apochi that effectively ended his fight with unbeaten Deon Nicholson

Upset of the week: James Martin (6-2) was not expected to pose any problems for unbeaten and highly rated prospect Vito Mielnicki but he took a deserved decision

Prospect watch: Nigerian cruiser Efetobor Apochi (11-0) showed real power and some good skills

 

Observations

Ivan Redkach’s disgraceful attempt to cheat against Regis Prograis should get him a suspension and a fine. The replays showed clearly that Prograis punch was not low and it swept around the left elbow of Redkach and it was a physically impossible for a punch doing that to land on Redkach’s testicles.  It did raise a bit of a problem for the female doctor who attended him in the ring. She could hardly ask him to drop his shorts so she could examine him and heaven help us if she had deemed it necessary to either count that he still had two or rub him to see if it made him feel better. Public decency would not permit

When I see mention of the WBC Francophone title I always think it might referrer to a Spanish dictators mobile!

Reliable losers don’t come much better than the squad of Nicaraguans residing in Spain. Featherweight Cristian Narvaez is 1-21 in his last 22 fights and flyweight Jose Sanchez is on a 0-16 run but they have gone the distance in every one of those losing fights which is why they are kept active. It is about all a promoter really wants from an imported boxer.

Promoters are certainly doing all they can to get fighters back in the ring. Two shows in Colombia featured a total of 19 fights, shows in Germany added another 24, Ghana had a development show with twelve fights and Derry New Hampshire topped the list with 24 bouts-mostly totally mismatches but work is work.