The Past Week in Action 4 November 2024

Highlights:

-O’Shaquie Foster outpoints Robson Conceicao to regain the WBC super featherweight title and there are wins for Ray Muratalla and Bryce Mills and Abraham Nova draws with Humberto Galindo

-Floyd Schofield decisions Rene Giron , Gabriela Fundora stops Gabriela Alaniz to become the first female to unify the four belts at flyweight and Bektemir Melikuziev outpoints Davis Steven

-Shabazz Masoud outpoints Laim Davies to win IBO super bantamweight title and Chantelle Cameron successfully defends the interim/temporary WBC super lightweight belt

– Padrig McCrory and Robbie Davies score wins in Belfast.

-Nick Hannig beats house fighter Tom Dzemski and Roman Fress gets an inside the distance victory

-Lightweight Alejandro Paulino outpoints Toka Kahn Clary

Major Shows

NOVEMBER 2

Verona, NY, USA: Super Feather: O’Shaquie Foster (23-3) W PTS 12 Robson Conceicao (19-3-1, 1ND). Light: Ray Muratalla (22-0) W TKO 2 Jesus Perez (25-6). Super Feather: Abraham Nova (22-3-1) DREW 10 Humberto Galindo (14-4-2). Super Light: Bryce Mills (17-1) W RTD 5 Mike O’Han (19-4). Feather: Yan Santana (13-0) W TKO 4 Eduardo Baez (23-7-2).

Foster regains the WBC title with a split decision over Conceicao.

Round 1

Conceicao started by jabbing from distance before Foster darted in with a quick combination. Foster was stepping back from Conceicao’s jab and countering. Foster landed a right but Conceicao responded with a left to the body. Close to Foster.

Score: 10-9 Foster

Round 2

Conceicao was mostly just using his left as a range finder and then committing himself to long rights. He threw a long overhand right that connected. Foster was finding the crouching Conceicao a difficult target in a close, low scoring round.

Score: 10-9 Conceicao TIED 19-19

Round 3

Conceicao landed a left and right early and kept coming forward throwing punches and blocking Foister’s counters. Conceicao connected with a jab and an overhand right. Foster got onto the front foot and landed a couple of hooks. Both landed hooks to the body then Conceicao came back with a strong jab.

Score: 10-9 Conceicao Conceicao 29-28

Round 4

They traded punches at the start of the round with Conceicao just getting the better of the exchanges. The pace had quickened and both landed rights. Foster was coming forward but not throwing punches and Conceicao connected with a left hook to the body then a left to the head. Again Foster was not letting his hands go.

Score: 10-9 Conceicao Conceicao 39-37

Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 39-37 Conceicao, Judge Eric Marlinski 38-38 Tied, Judge Tom Schreck 39-37 Conceicao

Round 5

Conceicao started by throwing some long hopeful punches but Foster stepped inside and forced Conceicao back with hooks. Foster was on the back foot looking to counter and he caught Conceicao with a right hook. Foster was ducking under Conceicao’s punches then going on the front foot stepping forward and hooking inside.

Score: 10-9 Foster Conceicao 48-47

Round 6

Conceicao surged forward and landed a good right but Foster countered with a right over Foster‘s guard. Foster landed left and a right jab and a good left hook to the body. Foster was now staying in Conceicao’s face refusing to take a step back.

Score: 10-9 Foster TIED 57-57

Round 7

They stood and briefly traded punches at the start of the round. Foster continued to come forward firing hooks with Conceicao forced to retreat and he was uneasy under the pressure trying hard to push Foster back without success. Both landed good rights and Conceicao worked hard with his jab. A close round .

Score: 10-9 Foster Foster 67-66

Round 8

Both scored with jabs early with Foster again coming forward. Foster landed a left and Conceicao was warned for holding. Foster continued to force Conceicao back and in a close, low scoring round, he just did enough with his hooks to win it.

Score: 10-9 Foster Foster 77-75

Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 76-76, Judge Eric Marlinski 78-74 Foster, Judge Tom Schreck 77-75 Conceicao

Round 9

Foster scored with two quick rights. Conceicao used his strength to force Foster to the ropes and landed a right and Foster came back with a right through Conceicao guard. Foister was continuing to walk Conceicao down forcing him to retreat. They both landed hooks to the body. Conceicao used some clever upper body movement to avoid Foster’s punches and then landed a jab and a right to the head and it was his turn to edge a close round

Score: 10-9 Conceicao Foster 86-85

Round 10

Conceicao got the better of the trading at the start of the round but then Foster found gaps for lefts and rights. Conceicao threw a bunch of punchers but they either missed or were blocked. Suddenly a right from Foster curved over Conceicao guard and staggered Conceicao who looked about to go down but recovered quickly but was caught with another right as Foster continued to stalk him.

Score: 10-9 Foster Foster 96-94

Round 11

Conceicao started by landing a jab and then a right to the head and had Foster backing up. Both landed hooks as they stood and traded. Conceicao connected with a stiff jab and with two head punches. He was refusing to let Foster back him up and was throwing punches whilst Foster was unable to close the distance to work inside. Conceicao continued to force Foster back and worked to the body with hooks.

Score: 10-9 Conceicao Foster 105-104

Round 12

Conceicao was again coming forward firing punches from both hands. They both had success as they traded punches but Conceicao was throwing more and landing more. He landed a left and right again and then a left hook. Foister just could not get the space to do any useful work with Conceicao lying on top of him and smothering his work and it was a clear round for Conceicao.

Score: 10-9 Conceicao TIED 114-114

Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 115-112 Foster, Judge Eric Marlinski 115-113 Foster, Judge Tom Schreck 115-113 Conceicao

Lots of rounds were close so it could have been scored either way. Close enough for there to be a case for a third fight whilst the rest of the ranked fighters wait it out. Conceicao is 1-3-1 in title fights having previously lost to Oscar Valdez and Shakur Stevenson, drawn with Emanuel Navarrete and beaten Foster in their first match. Foster was No 1 with the WBC and Eduardo Hernandez No 2. In his first defence Foster had come from behind to stop Navarrete in the last round so that might be an option for Foster if the WBC do not mandate a defence against Conceicao for Foster.

Muratalla vs. Perez

Muratalla demolishes Perez in two rounds. Muratalla quickly found the range with his jab going to head and body. Perez launched a couple of attacks but Muratalla danced away from them. Both scored with a right then Muratalla drove a right through Perez’s guard that snapped Perez’s head back and a right and a left sent Perez on the retreat. There was a delay at the start of the second as the referee pulled down Perez trunks as they were setting the belt line too high. A perfectly delivered a laser guided straight right that put Perez down just ten seconds into the second round. Perez was on his back rolled around and was up at eight. When the action restarted Muratalla dropped Perez again with a right. Perez again climbed up at eight but when rights from Muratalla had him stumbling back the referee stopped the fight. Another impressive win for Muratalla who is No 2 with the WBC and is calling out WBC champion Shakur Stevenson. Muratalla is also No 2 with the IBF and as William Zepeda is No 1 with all four sanctioning bodies Muratalla could move into the No 1 spot depending on which title Zepeda goes for. First inside the distance defeat for P:erez. He had suffered consecutive losses against 20-1 Alexis Rocha and 23-0 Brian Norman but was coming off a points win over former IBF super featherweight champion Joseph Diaz in February.

Nova vs. Galindo

After an early scare Nova uses his superior skills to outbox Galindo but has to settle for a split draw. A cagey opening round suddenly came to life as Galindo landed a combination and then banged homa a right that sent Nova reeling back into the ropes in disarray. Galindo followed up looking to pull off a sensation win but Nova quickly recovered. He boxed on the back foot employing his jab and some quick combinations but was willing to mix it with Galindo when he chose to as he won the second and third. Galindo kept advancing in the fourth and fired a burst of punches to the body. Nova worked his jab well blunting Galindo’s attacks and doing enough to edge the round. Galindo turned up the heat in the fifth and sixth striding forward behind his jab and firing dangerous rights. Nova was still boxing on the back foot in the seventh using nifty footwork to frustrate Galindo’s attempts to cut off then ring and choosing his moments to step inside and land rights. Galindo was waiting too long to let his hands go and finding Nova an elusive target and he was simply outboxed in the eighth and ninth. Galindo should have gone for broke in the tenth but after landing a heavy right early he was still not letting his hands go until the last 10 seconds when they both stood throwing punches in a wild melee. Scores 96-94 for Nova, 97-93 for Galindo and 95-95 but I saw Nova a clear winner. After consecutive losses against O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC title and Andres Cortes Nova could not another defeat and he dodged the bullet in this fight. Galindo had lost against Artem Harutyunyan and Ray Muratalla but was coming off a draw with Oscar Bravo and proved to be more of a danger than he looked on paper.

Mills vs. O’Han

Mills bludgeons O’Han to defeat inn five rounds. Good first round from Mills as he took the fight to O’Han scoring with jabs, straight rights and left hook to the body. O’Han had some minor success with his jab but Mills was throwing more and landing more. Mills continued the pressure in the second with O’Han spending time pinned against ropes as Mills blasted him with punchers. O’Han scored with a couple of nicer jabs and a straight right at the start of the third but then Mills took over again and scored with shots from both hands as he piled forward for the rest of the round and through the fourth as landed heavily with both hands. O’Han staged a furious attack at the start of the fifth for once forcing Mills back and tried to stand his ground. He was forced to retreat as Mills walked forward pounding him with punches and at the end of the round Ohan’s corner retired him. Mills gets his seventh inside the distance victory and his eleventh win in a row. O’Han was coming off a second round stoppage loss against Abdullah Mason in August.

Santana vs. Baez

Dominican Santana drops and stops Baez. Santana dictated the match from the first bell. He outboxed more experienced Baez over the three completed rounds. In the fourth he dropped Baez and although Baez made it to his feet Santana showered him with punches until the referee stopped the fight. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for Santana in his 13 fights. A second inside the distance loss for Baez who had been knocked out by Emanuel Navarrete in a challenge for the WBO featherweight title in 2022. He lost on points to Angelo Leo in April with Leo knocking out Luis Alberto Lopez for the IBF title in August.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light: Floyd Schofield (18-0) W PTS 12 Rene Giron (20-4). Super Middle: Bektemir Melikuziev (15-1) W PTS 12 Davis Stevens (14-2). Fly: Gabriela Fundora (15-0) W TKO 7 Gabriela Alaniz (15-2). Super Middle: Darius Fulghum (13-0) W TKO 3 Christopher Pearson (17-5-1). Welter: Eric Tudor (12-1) W PTS 10 Harold Calderon (28-2).

Schofield vs. Giron

Schofield comes off the canvas to outpoint Giron. Schofield clearly took the opening round using fast hands and quick footwork to set himself to deliver some accurate jabbing and impressive combinations. Schofield settled into the fight in the second switching to southpaw and altering angles slotting jabs through Giron’s defence and dominating the action. The third saw Schofield parking his skills and trading with Giron. Both landed hard shots with a punch from Giron looking to have rocked Schofield. Heeding the danger sign from that punch Schofield went back to his boxing in the fourth and although he outboxed Giron in the fifth a hard right from Giron reminded Schofield of Giron’s power. Schofield’s classy boxing took the edge of Giron’s attacks and forced the Mexican to adopt a more defensive approach. Giron was given a severe warning for punches to the back of the head as Schofield continued to get the better of the exchanges but Giron remained dangerous. Schofield followed his corners instructions to stick to his boxing in the ninth but chose to mix it again in the tenth and for the first time in the fight seemed to have Giron hurt with a body punch. There was a momentary scare in the eleventh when, with Schofield off balance, a Giron left hook sent him down. Schofield was not shaken and outlanded Giron over the rest of the eleventh and the twelfth to wrap-up a clear victory. Scores 118-109 twice and 116-111. Schofield was making the 5th defence of the WBA International belt and, not surprising with his dedication to that sanctioning body, is No 2 with the WBA. Giron was coming off wins over 17-1 George Acosta and 20-2-1 Alex Dilmaghani so a genuine test.

Melikuziev vs. Stevens

Melikuziev wins a split decision over Stevens. The early rounds saw both fighters boxing cautiously. Stevens had success with his jab and came forward looking to trade with Melikuziev but Melikuziev was circling the ring with his hands down then spring in quickly with a burst of punches. Stevens kept up the pressure and by the third there was blood coming from Melikuziev’s nose. Melikuziev had a good fourth as he scored consistently with straight lefts but Stevens banged back hard in the fifth connecting with some hurtful body shots and a clashing of heads saw a cut open over Melikuziev’s left eye. Both had some success in the sixth but steady pressure from Stevens saw him getting the better of the exchanges over the seventh. Melikuziev went back to his hands down swaggering approach in the eighth using superior hand speed to score but in addition to the cut Melikuziev had swelling by the eye as well. Stevens had never gone past the eighth round before and that began to be a big factor. Melikuziev used plenty of movement and was feeding the slower Stevens jabs and then sliding home lefts. Stevens kept trying to walk Melikuziev down but just did not have the energy left to do so and Melikuziev swept the last four rounds for the win. Scores 118-110, and 117-111 for Melikuziev and 116-112 for Stevens. Third defence of the WBA Inter-Continental belt for Melikuziev who is No 6 with that body. Eighth win for the Uzbek since losing on a sixth round kayo against Gabe Rosado in 2021. Stevens had been stopped inside a round by Joeshon James in October last year but had scored a win in June.

Fundora vs. Alaniz

Fundora becomes undisputed female flyweight champion with stoppage of Alaniz. Fundora’s 5’9” height and her much longer reach proved insurmountable problems for the 5’3” Alaniz. Despite that huge advantage Fundora was just as happy to fight toe-to-toe and she proved too good inside and outside for the Argentinian. Fundora connected with some heavy punches in the first firing right jabs and then following with straight lefts. Alaniz had speed on her side and had success when she slipped Fundora’s lead and darted inside to score but was constantly caught by leads and counters from Fundora. Alaniz launched a furious attack at the start of the third and did enough to edge the round. The fourth was all Fundora as she used her longer reach to land at distance and when Alaniz attacked was able to use her longer legs to take a step back and still be able to land counters. Alaniz again drove forward with some success in the fifth but was having to use a lot of energy in trying to close the distance and in the sixth was tiring and showing signs of distress from the constant punishment Fundora was handing out. In the seventh Fundora drove a straight left through Alaniz’s guard and dropped her heavily. Alaniz protested the count but when the action resumed another left sent Alaniz face down on the canvas. The referee counted to eight and as Alaniz arose he waived the fight over with no protest from Alaniz. The 22-year-old Fundora was defending her IBF title and challenging Alaniz for her WBA, WBC and WBO titles so becomes the first fighter to unify the four flyweight belts. Alaniz had held the WBO version of the title but lost that to Marlen Esparza in a fight which unified the WBA, WBC and WBO belts. Alaniz rebounded to win a split decision over Esparza for the titles in April.

Fulghum vs. Pearson

Fulgham stops a disappointing Pearson in three rounds.

Fulgham used some strong jabbing to put Pearson on the retreat in the first. Pearson was having difficulties dealing with Fulgham’s height and longer reach and spent most of the round against the ropes hiding behind a high guard. Fulgham worked him over with punches to head and body until Pearson dropped to a knee. Pearson got straight up and again Fulgham took him to the ropes and was firing punches when the bell went. The second was a repeat of the first with Pearson against the ropes acting as a punch bag as Fulgham bombarded him with punches. Fulgham continued to pound on Pearson in the third until the referee stepped in and ended the fight. Eleven wins by KO/TKO for Fulgham. Pearson had drawn with 29-4 Derrick Webster in 2023 and lost on points against unbeaten Trevor McCumby in January.

Tudor vs. Calderon

This one looked a tough ask for Tudor but he took it in his stride winning a unanimous verdict on scores of 98-92 twice and 99-91. Third win in the year for the 22-year-old Floridian a former National PAL champion. Southpaw Calderon, 37, won 27 in a row before losing to Shakhram Giyasov in June last year.

Birmingham, England: Super Bantam: Shabazz Masoud (14-0) W PTS 12 Liam Davies (16-1). Super Light: Chantelle Cameron (20-1) W PTS 10 Patricia Berghult (17-12. Welter: Ekow Essuman (21-1) W PTS 10 Ben Vaughan (10-1). Light Heavy: Ezra Taylor (10-0) W KO 1 Kristaps Bulmeistars (12-3). Welter: Ethan James (13-1) W PTS 10 Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards (11-1).

Masoud vs. Davies

Masoud wins the IBO title with a split decision over champion Davies. Masoud made a confident start in the first boxing on the retreat happy to let Davies come to him. He was already piercing Davies’ guard and using quick footwork to move away from the punches Davies threw. Masoud was warned in the second for holding as he sought to stop Davies working inside and Davies was warned for using his elbow. Davies continued to try to walk Masoud down over the third and fourth with no real success as Masoud was snapping jabs though the guard of Davis and easily slipping Davies’ punches and Davies was cut over right eye by a punch. Masoud continued to move and counter through the fifth and although Davies had some success when he trapped Masoud against the ropes in the sixth Masoud also landed some good shots. Masold continued to box on the back foot still shooting jabs through the defence of Davies and either sliding away from Davies’ attacks or moving inside and smothering Davies’ work. Davies finally began to have some success late as Masoud speed and output dropped, Masoud was standing and trading more and Davies was able to cut off the ring and close Masoud down. Masoud was still landing some sharp lefts but Davies was eating into the lead Masoud had built over the first half of the fight but Davies just ran out of rounds and came up short. Scores 116-112 and 115-113 for Masoud and 115-113 for Davies. Masoud was an outsider here but was a good winner. Davies paid the price for a slow start.

Cameron vs. Berghult

Outstanding performance from Cameron as she scores a wide unanimous verdict over experienced Berghult. Cameron asserted her domination from the first round. She was too quick and accurate never giving Berghult a chance to get into the fight in any meaningful way. She constantly targeted Berghult’s body and that caused Berghult to slow over the closing rounds. Cameron seemed to ease up in the ninth but finished strongly in the last to win on scores of 100-90. 98-92 and 99-91. She was making the first defence of the WBC Interim /temporary title and will now be hoping for a third fight with Katie Taylor as they are 1-1 in their two fights to date. Berghult, a former IBO and WBC title holder, lost to Natash Jonas in 2022 with her WBC and Jonas’ WBO belts on the line

Essuman vs. Vaughan

Essuman retains the WBO European title with a majority decision over a bloodied Vaughan. This was the fight of the night as they waged war for ten rounds. No time wasted in studying the opponent as they traded punches in frantic action from the start. Southpaw Vaughan was happy to fight at a fast pace hoping that the ten year older Essuman might tire late. Vaughan was cut over his right eye as their heads banged together in the second and the cut continued to leak blood throughout the fight and also caused a swelling which would hamper Vaughan later. They continued to interchange punches in round after round with both having enough success to make the rounds close. It was quality in-fighting with hardly a clinch in the fight. Essuman had a good seventh rocking Vaughan with a right and with the blood still flowing from Vaughan’s cut and swelling around both eyes the referee had the ringside doctor examine the injuries. He allowed the fight to continue leading to three more rounds of mayhem as Vaughan attacked hard trying to claw back the advantage Essuman had built over the middle rounds. Essuman won on scores of 97-93 and 97-94 with one card reading 95-95. Essuman had held the British, Commonwealth, IBF European and WBC International Silver titles but they drained away as he lost three to Harry Scarff and did not defend the fourth. Winning the WBO European title netted him a No 9 spot in the WBO ratings so he will be looking to build on that. Midlands Area champion Vaughan had scored first round wins in each of his last two fights. Essuman was a huge jump in the quality of opponent for Vaughan but on the showing in this fight he will certainly come again.

Taylor vs. Bulmeistars

A “ blink and you missed it” finish from Taylor as he blasts out Bulmeistars in the first round. Taylor started by stabbed out two jabs and then landed a booming overhand right that sent Bulmeistars down on his back. Bulmeistars made it to his feet but was unsteady and the referee waived the fight over. Done and dusted in 24 seconds. Seventh win by KO/TKO for the 6’2” Taylor. Latvian Bulmeistars was 10-0 at the start of his career but 1-3 against tougher opposition.

James vs. Osbourne-Edwards

James boxes his way to a unanimous decision over Osbourne-Edward. A close first round saw James aiming to box at distance with Osbourne-Edward looking to get inside and exert some pressure. James gradually found the range with his jab and began to control the exchanges. Osbourne-Edward kept marching forward making the rounds close but was cut over his left eye by a punch in the fourth. James is no power puncher and gradually Osbourne-Edward was able to get past the jab of James and do some useful work to the body. James stuck to his boxing and his superior skills saw him score repeatedly with his jab and strong counters over the closing rounds for a comfortable victory on scores of 99-91, 99-92 and 97-93. James had scored a useful win over James Moorcroft for the vacant WBO European title but then lost on a ninth round retirement against Owen Cooper with his European title and the vacant English title on the line. Good effort from BBB of C Midlands Area champion Osbourne-Edward.

NOVEMBER 1

Belfast, Northern Ireland: Light Heavy: Padraig McCrory (19-1) W PTS 10 Leonard Carrillo (17-6). Super Light: Robbie Davies Jr (24-5) W PTS 10 Javier Fortuna (38-5-1,1ND ). Cruiser: Tommy McCarthy (21-6) W PTS 6 Ryan Labourn (0-19-2). Feather: Colm Murphy (13-0) W PTS 6 Erick Lopez (16-20-2).

McCroy vs. Carrillo

McCrory floors and decisions dangerous Carrillo. An explosive first round saw McCrory drop Carrillo with a left hook only for Carrillo to beat the count and then nail McCrory with a left that shook McCrory. Carrillo piled on the punches and it was a dazed McCrory who went back to his corner. McCrory had not completely recovered in the interval and Carrillo took the second round but McCrory rebounded to just edge the third, a round that saw some frantic exchanges. McCrory then took control outlanding Carrillo over the middle rounds as Carrillo was wasting energy with wild swinging punches and some showboating. McCrory was cut over his left by a punch in the eighth and found himself under heavy pressure at the end of the ninth and Carrillo had a strong tenth as McCrory tired. The referee scored it 98-91 to McCrory and he was a clear winner but Carrillo was always dangerous. First fight for McCrory since a sixth round kayo loss against Edgar Berlanga in February. Barcelona-based Colombian Carrillo has just 2 wins in his last 7 fights.

Davies vs. Fortuna

Davies returns with a win. There was a poor start to the fight with very little clean scoring and when they got tangled up both fighters ended up on the floor. Although much the taller boxer Davies made little use of the advantage choosing more often to fight inside. He was just a bit busier taking the fight to Fortuna and landing the better shots with Fortuna having ring rust to shed as this was his first fight for 14 months. There was also a question over Fortuna’s level of fitness as he had come in well over the contract weight but he caught Davies with some long southpaw lefts. Fortuna was doing lots of dancing with his hands at thigh level. However, much of the fight was fought inside in untidy mauls making the rounds hard to score. Davies was cut over his right eye in the sixth, seemingly from a punch, and Fortuna landed the better punches to make it a good round for him. He also outscored Davies in the seventh eating into Davies early lead but Davies turned up the pressure to take the eighth and ninth and had a lead going into the last. He needed that lead as Fortuna had a strong last round. He was dancing on his toes darting in firing punches with Davies clinching. Fortuna scored with some clubbing shots to the head and as Davies tried to hold Fortuna shook him off and Davies went down. Davies complained he had been pushed to the canvas but the referee applied a count. Davies slid away from Fortuna and clinched his way through the remaining 70 seconds and took the decision 95-94 on the referee’s card. Consecutive losses to Darragh Foley and Sergey Lipinets had been huge blows to Davies but he is back in the winning column. Dominican Fortunato had held the secondary WBA super feather title but was 148 lbs for this fight. He had lost to Joseph Diaz in a fight for the WBC temporary / interim title in 2021 and was knocked out by Ryan Garcia in 2022 and this was his fight since a low level win 14 months ago.

McCarthy vs. Labourn

No real test for former European champion McCarthy. After a slow start McCarthy built the pressure against southpaw Labourn jabbing well and landing some hefty body punches. Labourn just could not get past McCarthy’s jab or figure out a way into the fight and McCarthy took no risks as he won 60-54 on the referee’s card. McCarthy rebuilding after successive inside the distance defeats against Michal Cieslak and Cheavon Clarke. Eight losses in a row for Labourn.

Murphy vs. Lopez

Murphy maintains his 100% record with comfortable points win against overmatched Mexican Lopez. Murphy had too much in the shape of skill and speed for the limited Lopez. Murphy was able to find gaps for his jabs and land some hurtful body shots. Lopez resorted to wild swinging attacks which Murphy evaded with ease. The referee scored it 60-54 for the former Irish Under 22 and British Universities champion. Lopez is 0-9 in fights in the UK with all 9 losses on points.

Phoenix, AZ, USA: Super Light: Trini Ochoa (19-0) W PTS 10 Jose Jacobo (15-2).

Ochoa takes a unanimous decision over Jacobo but is made to fight hard for the win. Jacobo boxed well on the back foot jabbing strongly, countering well and using nifty footwork to stay off the ropes. Ochoa applied pressure all the way and set a high work rate constantly driving forward but having to eat counters. The pressure told over the closing rounds as Jacobo tired but it looked a close fight. The judges scored it 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94 for Ochoa with the 96-94 looking the best reflection of the fight. Ochoa marches on but he will need to step up the quality of his opposition if he is to progress further. Nebraskan Jacobo had won his last 14 fights and was moving up to ten round status for the first time.

Orlando, FL, USA: Super Light: Jamaine Ortiz (18-2-1) W KO 4 Cristian Mino (24-10-2, 1 ND).

Ortiz destroys Mino in four rounds. Ortiz was hunting a retreating Mino down in the first and put him on the canvas with a series of head punches just before the bell to end the round. Mino was up quickly and time ran out for Ortiz to capitalise on that success. Ortiz got to Mino with body punches early in the second for another knockdown but Mino beat the count and survived only to do down again under a burst of punches late in the third. Both fighters were down at the start of the fourth. Ortiz gave Mino a violent push and later Mino repaid Ortiz by picking him up and body slamming him to the canvas for which he had a point deducted. Ortiz finished the fight in the same round by dropping Mina down on his back with a combination. The two losses suffered by Ortiz have come against Vasyl Lomachenko in a non-title fight and a very close decision against Teo Lopez in a challenge for the WBO super light title in February. Ortiz wins the WBA Continental USA belt. Argentinian Mino had been stopped in 91 seconds in December by Vlad Panin.

Worcester, ME, USA: Super Welter: Josniel Castro (14-1) W PTS 10 Denzel Whitley (14-1).

Castro retains the WBC USA belt with unanimous decision over local boxer Whitley. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Fifth win in a row for Castro. Whitley was hampered by a cut over his left eye but Castro was a good winner.

NOVEMBER 2

Chemnitz, Germany: Light Heavy: Nick Hannig (14-1-1) W TKO 8 Tom Dzemski (21-3). Cruiser: Roman Fress (22-1) W KO 9 Stefan Nikolic (9-2). Cruiser: Armend Xhoxhaj (19-4) W PTS 6 Milosav Savic (9-8-1).

Hannig vs. Dzemski

Hannig springs a major surprise as he stops Dzemski in the eighth round. The first two rounds were fairly even with both investing in some useful body work. Hannig upped his pace in the third and fourth. He was taking the fight to Dzemski forcing Dzemski back taking him to the ropes and scoring well inside. Dzemski was being outworked and was already bleeding from the nose. Hannig had set a fast pace but his 38 years seem to catch up with him in the fifth and Dzemski was able to find the target with jabs as Hannig’s work rate dropped. Hannig remained dangerous shaking Dzemski in the fifth and with a right in the sixth but the fight seemed to be going Dzemski

way as he had a good seventh round. In the eighth a left hook from Hannig had Dzemski staggering back into a corner. Hannig exploded with punches hammering at Dzemski until Dzemski slumped to the floor on his rump. Hannig was jumping up the ropes celebrating his victory but Dzemski made it to his feet and bravely began to fight back. Hannig drove forward connecting with hooks from both hands and with Dzemski reeling under heavy fire the referee stopped the fight. Hannig wins the vacant WBO European title which should get him a rating and at least one more good pay day. Dzemski’s previously losses have been majority decision against IBF No 1 Michael Eifert and Daniel Blenda dos Santos for the vacant European Union title in April .

Fress vs. Nikolic

The fight was close over the early rounds. Fress was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the second but it was not a factor in the fight. Fress had more variety in his work and was busier but Nikolic kept it close with some accurate jabbing. It was still close after the eighth but Fress ended it with a body punch in the ninth that sent Nikolic down and he was unable to beat the count. Fress had lost on points to Kosovan Armend Xhoxhaj in 2022 but had won the vacant WBC International title in August this year. Swedish-born Austrian Nikolic had not fought for fourteen months but made Fress work hard for his win.

Xhoxhaj vs. Savic

Xhoxhaj rebounds from his two round stoppage loss against Huseyin Cinkara in April with a points victory over Savic. Xhoxhaj had Savic down twice in the second and again in the fifth but Savic made it to the final bell. No scores available. Xhoxhaj was knocked out in five rounds by Chris Billiam-Smith in December 2022 but then scored four wins before losing to Cinkara. Savic was coming off two inside the distance losses.

Uncasville, CT, USA: Light: Alejandro Paulino (19-0) W PTS 10 Toka Kahn Clary (29-4). Super Feather: Kevin Walsh (15-0) W TKO 4 Irvin Gonzalez (16-5).

Paulino vs. Clary

Paulino holds off a second half surge from more experienced Clary to win a majority decision. Paulino swept the opening rounds against a mainly defensive minded Clary. The fight plan from Clary was to let Paulino set a fast pace but keep things close enough so that when Paulino, who had never been past eight rounds, tired, Clary could win it down the final stretch. The plan nearly worked but Paulino held on to his lead and was scored the winner on two cards at 97-93 and 96-94 with the third reading 95-95. Good learning fight for Paulino. Clary had lost every one of the ten rounds when he fought Shakur Stevenson in 2020 and was then out of the ring for two years before beating Jonathan Oquendo-Arnaldi in November 2022 and was out another two years before this fight.

Walsh vs. Gonzalez

Walsh overcomes a slow start to stop Gonzalez in the fourth. Gonzalez dominated the exchanges over the first two rounds. Both let their hands go in an explosive third and a ferocious attack at the start of the fourth had Walsh bombarding Gonzalez until the referee stopped the fight to save Gonzalez from further punishment. Eight wins by KO/TKO for Brockton’s Walsh. Gonzalez was 1-1 in two tough fights last year.

Giengen an der Brenz, Germany: Super Middle: Simon Zachenhuber (25-0) W TKO 1 Cristian Vaduva (6-1).

This one was over quickly. Zachenhuber was walking Vaduva down in the first round but as Vaduva threw a left he turned away from the action in considerable pain indicating an injury to his left arm and he was unable to continue. Fifteenth inside the distance win for Zachenhuber but he would have been hoping to get more ring time than this.

Bad Hersfeld, Germany: Cruiser: Artur Mann (22-4) W TKO 7 Ion Mihai Desrobitu (8-1).

Mann stops Romanian Desrobitu in a fight that sees both boxers on the floor. Mann made a strong start outscoring Desrobitu in the first and dropping him in the second. Mann looked to be cruising as he took the third but was down himself in the fourth. Mann was back in control in the fifth and handed out steady punishment until the referee came in to save Desrobitu inn the seventh. Mann has lost in shots at the IBO and IBF cruiserweight tittles and more recently against Evgeny Tishchenko and unbeaten Muslim Gadzhimagomedov. First time Desrobitu has been in a fight scheduled for more than six rounds so big experience gap.

Cordoba, Argentina: Rodrigo Coria (14-6) W PTS 10 Gonzalez Chaparro (11-6-1).

Home town fighter Coria wins the vacant WBA Fedebol title as he scores a wide unanimous decision over Chaparro. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for Coria who in his last fight had lost on points to 22-1 Frenchman Milan Prat in February.

George Town, Cayman Islands: Super Feather: Mandeep Jangra (11-1) W PTS 12 Conor McIntosh (8-2). Feather: Michael Desmarinas (36-3-2) W TKO 1 Eduardo Esquivel (16-5-1). Super Bantam: Katie Healy (9-1) W PTS 10 Ashleigh Johnson (2-2).

Jangra vs. McIntosh

US-based Indian Jangra wins the vacant WBFoundation title with a unanimous decision over Welshman McIntosh. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-111. Jangra had lost a majority decision against unbeaten Nilo Guerrero last month. Welsh champion McIntosh had won his last 3 fights.

Desmarinas vs. Esquivel

Desmarinas wipes out overmatched Esquivel in the first round. Desmarinas was quickly on target with lefts and as Esquivel came forward another left rocked him then a left and a right sent him crashing to the canvas. When Esquivel made it to his feet he walked away from the referee on unsteady legs and the fight was stopped. Now 25 wins by KO/TKO for the former IBO bantam champion and current Philippines featherweight champion. Second successive inside the distance loss for Esquivel, one of the few active fighters in Belize.

Healy vs. Johnson

Healy retrains her Commonwealth Silver title with a unanimous decision over Johnson. Healey made good use of her height and longer reach to win this one. She was able to keep Johnson out with her jab and found the target with straight rights. She rocked Johnson with a right in the fifth but Johnson kept surging forward to the end when both tired. Scores 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93 for Healey. Her lone loss was against Nina Hughes for the WBA bantam title in June last year. Johnson competed hard but had only two six round fight for her experience.

Fight of the week: (Significance): O’Shaquie Foster’s win over Robson Conceicao makes him champion again

Fight of the week: (Entertainment) Ekow Essuman vs. Ben Vaughan provided ten great rounds

Fighter of the week: O’Shaquie Foster

Punch of the week: Straight right from Ray Muratalla that floored Jesus Perez was perfection. Honourable mentions to the straight right from Gabriela Fundora that put Gabriela Alaniz down ,was a beauty and the overhand right Eithan Taylor that finished Kristaps Bulmeistars. In the first round was spectacular

Upset of the week: Nick Hannig for his win over 21-2 Tom Dzemski

Prospect watch: Super Middleweight Darius Fulgham 13-0 ( 11 by KO/TKO)