Did you miss any of the heart-pounding action in the world of boxing this week? Fear not, as Eric Armit has got you covered with ‘The Past Week in Action’! Prepare to be thrilled as we dive into a comprehensive review of all the major cards from the past week, bringing you up to speed on every knockout, upset, and champion’s triumph in the ring.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-In Manchester Willy Hutchinson decisions Joshua Buatsi to win the vacant WBC light heavyweight title and Jack Rafferty collects the vacant IBO welterweight title as he outpoints Hovhannes Martirosyan and there are wins for Bradley Rea and Gully Powar
– In London Cheavon Clarke springs a major surprise as he halts former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billiam-Smith and Denzel Bentley decisions Shane Mosley.
-Pedro Taduran successfully defends the IBF minimum title as he outpoints Brandon Moireno and Abraham Perez floors and decisions Yankiel Rivera and Atif Oberlton gets a points win against Deon Nicholson
-In five female title fights in Arlington Alycia Baumgarner, Ramla Ali, Skye Nicolson and Imar Garcia win whilst Brittany Sims and Shera Mae Patricio fight to a draw
-Kevin Llerena wins the vacant WBC International cruiserweight title with a points win over Scott Forrest
-Mourad Aliev beats Umut Camkiran in Istanbul for the vacant WBC Silver title with a riot preventing the scores being read out or the belt presented in the ring.
MAJOR SHOWS:
7 NOVEMBER
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: LIGHT HEAVY: WILLY HUTCHINSON (21-2) W PTS 12 JOSHUA BUATSI (20-2). WELTER: JACK RAFFERTY (28-0-1) W PTS 12 HOVHANNES MARTIROSYAN (20-2). FEATHER: GULLY POWER (14-1-1) W TEC DEC 10 ZAK MILLER (17-2). LIGHT HEAVY: BRADLEY REA (23-2) W TKO 2 EZRA TAYLOR (13-2). HEAVY: TONY YOKA ( 16-3) W PTS 6 KONSTIANTYN DOVBYSHCHENKO (10-21`-1)
Hutchinson vs. Buatsi.
HUTCHINSON gets a unanimous decision over BUATSI to win the vacant WBC title and gains revenge for a split decision defeat in 2024. Hutchinson landed a nice combination early in the first and Buatsi lost his mouthguard. When it was replaced Buatsi was jabbing with purpose and just did enough to edge a close round. Hutchinson got through with a couple of sharp left hooks in the second and began to get into his stride finding gaps for his jabs and outboxing a slow looking Buatsi. Hutchinson was changing guard in the third picking off Buatsi at distance and he shook Buatsi with a left and was confident (or stupid) enough to be fitting in some hands-down showboating. Buatsi upped the pressure in the fourth which was a closer round, He was finding the clever Scot an elusive target and although he managed to land some hard body punches Hutchinson was quicker and more accurate. After the fourth the cards reflected Hutchinson better start as he was 39-37 in front on two and 40-36 on the third. Buatsi was more active in the fifth pressing hard and managing to land some good body shots when he could close Hutchinson down. Hutchinson was dancing on his toes in the sixth whipping/flicking jabs through Buatsi’s defence and landing quick hooks with a frustrated Buatsi given a warning for using his elbow. Hutchinson had an even better seventh as he pumped out punches to head and body with Buatsi forced back and too slow to counter. Buatsi had a bit more success in the eighth getting through with body punches getting close to Hutchinson and connecting with real power. The scores at this stage were Hutchinson in front 78-74, 77-75 and 77-75 so still in front on all three cards. Hutchinson seemed to slow in the eighth which allowed Buatsi to scored inside with hooks but Hutchinson picked up the pace again in the ninth with plenty of movement and accurate jabbing. For me Hutchinson now had a winning lead and he also seemed to think so as he settled in the tenth for picking Buatsi off with almost casual jabs with Buatsi unable to land anything big. Buatsi put in a lot of work in the eleventh forcing Hutchinson to the ropes where he could score with hooks to the body and Hutchinson danced his way through the last to win on scores of 115-113 twice and 117-112. I scored it 116-112 for Hutchinson. A defence against WBC No 9 Anthony Yarde may be next as Yarde was at the fight kicking-off speculation. A fight with WBO interim title holder Callum Smith would also be a good draw in Britain. Buatsi will be looking to land a big fight to get himself back into contention
Rafferty vs. Martirosyan
RAFFERTY wins the vacant IBO title with a unanimous decision over a tough and dangerous MARTIROSYAN. There was only a one inch difference in height but Rafferty had a much longer reach and worked behind his jab in the first doing most of the scoring but Martirosyan, boxing on the back foot, landed a couple of tasty body punches. Both had some success in a close second with Rafferty on the front foot again throwing lots of jabs but with Martirosyan closing the round strongly. Rafferty was jabbing solidly to head and body in the third and his early work was enough to get him the round despite another late rally by Martirosyan. The Belgian was finding gaps in the fourth picking Rafferty off with jabs and he landed well with hooks as he outworked Rafferty and had his best round so far. Martirosyan also landed the better punches in the fifth in the shape of right hand counters and had a big sixth. He was blunting Rafferty’s attacks connecting with right hooks to the head outlanding Rafferty and a savage left hook to the body had Rafferty hurt and holding. I had Martirosyan just in front at that point. Rafferty responded with some clever boxing in the seventh getting through with his punches then stepping back before Martirosyan could counter. The eight was close with Rafferty still working hard with his jab and Martirosyan scoring with accurate counters. Rafferty dominated the ninth and despite a cut over his right eye also took the tenth with Martirosyan looking to be tiring. Rafferty kept up the pressure in the eleventh forcing Martirosyan to the ropes and firing punches with both hands that kept Martirosyan too busy defending to counter. In the last, under a Rafferty attack ,Martirosyan dropped back into the ropes and as Rafferty continued to punch and Martirosyan slipped through the middle ropes to sit on the ring apron. He bounced back and up but the referee applied a count. Martirosyan protested but it was a 10-8 round for Rafferty who won on scores of 116-111 twice and 114-113. It had been an entertaining, hard fight with Martirosyan, who had been knocked out by Pierce O’Leary 2024, proving tougher than expected and Rafferty a deserving winner.
Powar vs. Miller
POWAR wins the vacant British title at the second attempt with a technical decision over MILLER. This one was fought at a fast pace as both fighters were firing jabs with Powar forcing Miller onto the back foot early and Miller displaying some quick, smart foot work to blunt Powar’s attack. Powar continued to press the action taking the fight to Miller with Miller boxing with real skill and countering accurately. The pace continued to be fast and it was coming down to the pressure, volume and body punching from Powar against the speed, skill and accuracy of Miller. A clash of heads saw huge swelling begin to form on the left side of Miller’s in the sixth. There were plenty of fiery exchanges and it was anybody’s fight going into the seventh with Powar having a very slender lead. Powar connected with right hands over the eighth and ninth which worsened the swelling and a new swelling had formed over his right eye and the referee called the doctor to examine Miller. The doctor cleared Miller to continue but as Powar continued to land punches in the tenth the referee again called the doctor and he indicated the fight should be stopped immediately. It went to the cards and Powar won the split decision on scores of 97-95, 96-94 and 95-96. A great little fight which deserves a return. Powar had drawn with Rhys Edwards for the same vacant title in April. Former undefeated Commonwealth champion Miller had won his last 4 fights.
Rea vs. Taylor
REA destroys TAYLOR in two rounds. Rea was constantly switching guards controlling the fight with jabs from both hands and combinations and Taylor had trouble trying to get inside. In the second as they stood trading punches a left hook put Taylor down heavily. He staggered to his feet and the referee let the fight continue but as Rea landed a series of punches the referee jumped in and stopped the fight.
Yoka vs. Dovbyshchenko
YOKA gets a points win over DOVBYSHCHENKO. The 6’7” 2016 Olympic gold medal winner was unimpressive. He used his longer reach to land jabs but never subdue Dovbyshchenko who was able to roll forward and work inside. Yoka did most of the scoring but made hard work of this fight. Referee’s score 59-55. Yoka beat both Filip Hrgoivic and Joe Joyce at both the Olympics and World Championships but is not going to make it as a professional. Eighth defeat in a row for Dovbyshchenko.
LONDON, ENGLAND: CRUISER: CHEAVON CLARKE (13-2) W TKO 7 CHRIS BILLIAM-SMITH (22-3). MIDDLE: DENZEL BENTLEY (23-3-1) W PTS 10 SHANE MOSLEY JR (23-6). LIGHT HEAVY: UMAR DZAMBEKOV (15-0) W KO 4 ZACH PARKER (26-3). HEAVY: Da MAZION VANHOUTER (14-0) W TKO 1 IVAN BALAZ (9-1). MIDDLE: SAM HICKEY (7-0) W TKO 6 AMAURY MASSENAUX (16-6-1). CRUISER: LUCAS ROEHRIG (10-0) W TKO 7 CONNAL McDONALD (5-2).
Clarke vs. Billiam-Smith
CLARKE pulls off a major surprise as he stops BILLIAM-SMITH in the seventh round. Billiam-Smith was coming forward behind a high guard from the start pressing hard. Clarke was boxing on the back foot and piercing Billiam-Smith guard with fast double jabs. Billiam-Smith was weaving his way forward but waiting too long to lets his punches flow. Over the first two rounds Clarke was using his speed to fire off a couple of punches and then darting inside to clinch and smother Billiam-Smith’s attempts to fight inside and the referee warned both fighters over holding. Billiam-Smith was taking an extra pace forward in the third and fourth trying get in punching range but Clarke continued to feed him jabs and was finding the target with overarm rights. With the clinching it was too often just gruelling, untidy fight. Billiam-Smith had been advancing behind a high guard but in the fifth and sixth rounds he adopted a more open approach and paid for that as Clarke connected with two rights to the head in the fifth. Clarke was still using his speed to scorer with a couple of quick punches and then dive inside and hold and was warned over the holding. Billiam-Smith connected with a couple of hefty hooks but Clarke was still getting through with jabs. Billiam-Smith began to use his own jab more in the sixth and landed a pair of head shots and later in the round he got through with a series of hooks and uppercuts. Despite that Clarke was fired up and was now the one coming forward throwing punches and he landed a hard right at the bell. As Billiam-Smith came forward in the seventh Clarke connected with a short right to the head that dropped Billiam-Smith and he only just beat the count. Clarke jumped on him and Billiam-Smith twice looked to only be held up by the ropes, He then fell to his knees. He clawed his way up at eight and Clarke forced him to the ropes and was bombarding him with punches when the referee stopped the fight. The Zuffa Boxing show had no title on the line for this fight but with Billiam-Smith No 1 with the WBC and No 2 with the WBA it is a huge win for Clarke and he must now be in with a chance of a title shot. This was a disaster for Billiam-Smith and at 36 he has limited time to rebound.
Bentley vs. Mosley
BENTLEY just scrapes by MOSLEY on a close unanimous decision with an early knockdown proving crucial. The drama started earlier with Mosley struggling to make the weight but succeeding at the second attempt. Mosley had a good first round. Bentley landed a good right but Mosley used his longer reach to get the better of the exchanges. In a dramatic second Bentley rocked Mosley with a right then sent him down heavily with a right hook. The first time in his career Mosly had been floored. He was badly shaken but made it to his feet and Bentley just could not find the punch to end the fight and Mosley was fighting back at the bell. Mosley had a good third as he worked well behind his jab and came forward scoring with some good rights . The fourth was close as Mosley again worked efficiently with his jab and fired useful combinations with Bentley countering accurately and Mosley was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads. Bentley looked to have lost the last two rounds but he upped the pressure in the fifth and outworked Mosley to claw back the points from those two rounds. Mosley swung things back his way with some quality jabbing and combination punching in the sixth but the rounds were close and Bentley, who was switching guards, looked to have just doing enough to capture the seventh as he again was busier and landed some quality counters. Mosley’s cut was worsening but his combination punching and some clever defensive work saw him edge the eighth to close the points gap. Bentley needed to finish strongly to take this one and he did. He upped the pressure over the ninth and tenth and looked to have won them both but the rounds and the fight were both very close. Scores 96-93, 96-94 and 95-94 for Bentley so the 10-8 second round cost Mosley a draw. The WBO had ordered Bentley to defend his title against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernanderz. Bentley asked to be allowed a voluntary defence against Mosley, who the WBO had at No 6 in their ratings, but permission was refused and Bentley was stripped off the title a week ago. Bentley will have to start climbing the ladder again but after the boast from Zuffa Boxing of their intention to destroy the current status quo of the sanctioning bodies the WBO’s reaction was not surprising. Mosley had fought only once in 2024 and in his only fight in 2025 had lost on points to Jesus Ramos JR for the WBC interim title but earned his WBO rating with a win over Serhii Bohachuk.
Parker vs. Dzambekov
Austrian southpaw DZAMBEKOV gets an upset win as he puts PARKER down and out with a body punch in the fourth. Parker found Dzambekov a difficult opponent from the start but was doing enough good work with his jab and body punches to edge the first three rounds but they were close. Dzambekov landed some good lefts late in the third to take the round. The fight was poised to go either way. Parker was down early in the fourth but the referee ruled it a slip but Dzambekov then landed a sharp left to the head. Parker was going to the body with rights hooks but it was Dzambekov who connected with a left to the body. Parker seemed to take it well but another left to the body put Parker down and he was counted out. Dzambekov had scored wins over WBC title challenger Romer Angulo and 24-1 Ahmed Elbiali but this was still a shock result. First fight for Parker since losing a majority decision against Joshua Buatsi in November
Vanhouter vs. Balaz
VANHOUTER gets his eleventh inside the distance win and his tenth first round finish as he puts Slovakian BALAZ down and out in the first round. A left hook to the body sent Balaz down. He got up and very reluctantly and continued the fight. Another left hook to the body resulted in another knockdown. Balaz fought back this time until a right to the body put him down for the third time and the referee just waived the fight over. That makes it 14 wins taking less than 27 rounds for the 21-year-old prospect. Equally remarkable is that he was 230 ½ lbs for this fight but was just 154 ¼ lbs when he turned professional in 2022! The 6’5 Balaz was stopped in four rounds by Johnny Fisher in December.
Hickey vs. Massenaux
HICKEY makes a slow start but stops MASSENAUX in the fifth. Hickey was 6” taller than Massenaux but had difficulty making use of the advantage against the tricky Belgian and the fight was fairly even over the first three rounds. Hickey began to find the range in the fourth shaking Massenaux with a couple of uppercuts. Hickey continued his attacks in the fifth and Massenaux dropped to one knee. He beat the count but Hickey drove him across the ring and the referee came in and stopped the fight. Scot Hickey, a Commonwealth gold medal winner, gets his third victory in a row by KO/TKO. Fifth time Massenaux has been stopped but he posed some problems early for Hickey.
Roehrig vs. McDonald
ROEHRIG stops McDONALD in the seventh of a competitive contest. Roehrig was holding his left at hip level and shooting fast jabs from there and exploding with bursts of hooks.. McDonald boxed mostly on the back foot looking to fire rights over Roehrig’s low left which that allowed McDonald to landed some good rights. Roehrig’s faster hands gave him the edge. McDonald stood and traded more from the fifth but in the seventh Roehrig connected with a series of rights to the head and as McDonald collapsed to his hands and knees they referee stopped the fight.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM: MINIMUM: PEDRO TADURAN (21-4-1) W PTS 12 BRANDON MORENO (16-1). FLY: ABRAHAM PEREZ (16-0) W PTS 12 YANKIEL RIVERA (8–1). LIGHT-HEAVY: ATIF OBERLTON (18-0) W PTS 10 DEON NICHOLSON (17-1). HEAVY : PRYCE TAYLOR (14-0) W PTS 10 TSOTNE ROGAVA (13-1). WELTER: JOSE SANCHEZ (15-7-2) W PTS 10 JOSH TORRES (31-8-2).
Taduran vs. Moreno
Southpaw TADURAN successfully defends the IBF title with a close unanimous decision over Spaniard MORENO. Taduran’s power and experience won this one for him. He made his usual aggressive start taking the fight to Moreno. The challenger boxed with speed skill on the back foot but lacked the power to keep the champion at out. Taduran was landing heavily to the body but Moreno, whilst trying to find some space he could work in, was countering well and keeping the rounds and the fight close. Taduran had faced better quality opponents and had more experience of going twelve rounds. That experience saw Taduran pacing the fight better and Taduran’s body punching began to tell over the late rounds as Moreno faded and Taduran won on scores of 115-113 twice and a strange 120-108! Fourth defence for Taduran in his second spell as IBF champion. Moreno can come again.
Perez vs. Rivera
PEREZ drops and decisions RIVERA in defence of the WBA interim title. Perez dominated the first round and never let Rivera get a toe-hold in the fight. He bloodied Rivera’s nose in the first and floored Rivera with a right to the head in the second. Rivera was driving forward trying to get past the longer reach of Perez to rough him up inside and score to the body. A clash of heads in the fourth opened a cut over Perez’s left eye and although Rivera kept driving forward Perez was landing his punches and swivelling away before Rivera could counter. Perez was the one driving forward in the sixth and he forced Rivera back across the ring with a burst of punches and he rocked Rivera with a right in the seventh. Rivera had started out boxing southpaw but he switched to orthodox but still had to soak up punishment in the ninth. Despite suffering another cut Perez was forcing Rivera onto the back foot in the tenth. He finished strongly outscoring Rivera in the eleventh and twelfth and won big. Scores 118-109 twice and 120-107. Perez will now be aiming to get a shot at the real WBA champion Sergio Mendoza but as Mendoza only won the title last month and as the WBC No 1 is Miel Fajardo Perez may face quite delay before getting a shot. Rivera has had three shots at the interim title resulting in a draw and two defeats.
Oberlton vs. Nicholson
OBERLTON shrugs off an arm injury and gets a split decision over NICHOLSON. The fight started badly for Oberlton as he injured his left bicep in the first round and had to fight the remaining nine rounds mainly using his right. He was four inches taller with a longer reach which helped to an extent as he adjusted to a complete change in strategy. He was using his right to break-up Nicholson’s attacks and keep him at distance and Nicholson was rarely following in behind his own jab and did not press as hard as he should considering Oberlton’s injury. Nicholson looked to be ready to up the pressure as he had a good seventh but he was also showing a troublesome swelling over his left eye. Oberlton’s accuracy with his right jabs continued to disrupt any rhythm Nicholson might have needed and Oberlton won the split decision on scores of 98-92 twice for Oberlton against a 96-94 for Nicholson (by the same judge who scored the 120-108 for Taduran). Oberlton, a former National Golden Gloves champion, has scored wins over former IBO champion Carlos Gongora and former WBO and WBC super-middleweight title challenger Roamer Angulo this year. and is No 5 with the WBA, 6 with the IBF and 15 with the WBO. Nicholson had a nine-bout winning streak going in to this fight
Taylor vs. Rogava
TAYLOR gets a split decision over ROGAVA. In a slow-paced close bout Taylor just did enough to deserve the verdict on scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Ukrainian Rogava.
NOVEMBER 8
ARLINGTON, TX, USA: LIGHT: ALYCIA BAUMGARDNER (19-1) W PTS 10 ELIF NUR TURHAN (14-1). SUPER BANTAM: RAMIA ALI (12-2) W PTS 10 MIKIAH KREPS. SUPER BANTAM: SKYE NICOLSON (16-1) W PTS 10 MIYO YOSHIDA (19-6). SUPER FLY: IRMA GARCIA (27-5-1) W PTS 10 NATALY DELGADO (21-8-2). BANTAM: BRITTANY SIMS (10-03-1) DREW 10 SHERA MAE PATRICIO (10-1).
On a show featuring five female world title fights and seven titles:
: BAUMGARDNER scored a shut-out against Yurfkey’s ELIF NUR TURHAN with all three card reading 100-90. Baumgardner adds the IBF lightweight title to the IBF, WBA and WBO super feather titles she already holds.
Britain’s RAMLA ALI floors and gets a split decision over American MIKIAH KREPS to win the vacant IBF and WBO super bantamweight belts on scores of 97-92 and 96-93 for Ali and 98-91 for Kreps.
: Australia’s SKYE NICOLSON, the WBC’s interim super bantamweight title holder, wins the full title with a wide unanimous verdict over Japan’s MIYO YOSHIDA . Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Nicolson’s only defeat came on a split decision in a defence of her WBC featherweight title. Yoshida, 38, is 4-4 in title fights.
: Mexico’s IBF super fly champion IMRA GARCIA unified the IBF and WBA titles with a victory over Panama’s NATALY DELGADO with all three judges scoring it 97-92. Garcia had stopped Britain’s Emma Dolan in a title defence in April.
: An all-American clash saw Ohio’s BRITTANY SIMS and Hawaii’s SHERA MAE PATRICIO end all even leaving the WBA bantamweight title still vacant with the scores making no sense at 97-93 for Sims, 100-90 for Patricio and 95-95
6 NOVEMBER
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: MIDDLE: CALLUM PETERS (10-0) W PTS 10 JUAN ORTIZ (11-2). Light: AHMAD REDA (10-0) W PTS 10 JAKE WYLLIE (19-3-1,1ND). LIGHT HEAVY: PAULO AOKUSO (13-0) W TKO 2 MOBIN KHAHRAZEH (16-1).
Peters vs. Ortiz
PETERS remains unbeaten as he scores a unanimous decision over Colombian ORTIZ. Both were trading hard punches from the start. Peters generally got the better of the exchanges but Ortiz weas never completely subdued and found plenty of gaps for counters over the first four rounds. The better skills and harder punching from Peters’ wore Ortiz down and Peters opened a big gap in the points over the second half of the fight and won on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-92. Paris Olympian Peters, 23, is one of the best prospects in Australia. Ortiz was also a top level amateur competing at the World Championships.
Reda vs. Wyllie
REDA outpoints WYLLIE. There was plenty of bad feeling around this match and it was made worse when Wyllie came in 2 kg over the contract weight. Reda agreed to go ahead with the fight even though he was also conceding height and reach. Reda had faster hands. Was more mobile and was on target early with his quick jab and accurate combinations. Wyllie kept marching forward and scored with some hefty hooks from both hands. It was a fast-paced, entertaining fight with Reda’s speed giving him a winning edge. Scores 98-92 and 96-94 for Reda and 95-95.
Aokuso vs. Khahrazeh
AOKUSO puts on an impressive power showing as he stops unbeaten Austrian KHAHRAZEH in two rounds. Aokuso was already finding the target with clubbing
shots in the first and he finished in style in the second. He dropped Khahrazeh with a thudding left hook. Khahrazeh made it to his feet but Aokuso landed a couple of punches that had Khahrazeh lurching forward clinging to Aokuso trying to stay up. Aokuso shrugged him off and was unloading punches then stopped to indicate to the referee that behind his back Khahrazeh’s corner had thrown in the towel. Aokuso was defending the IBF Inter-Continental title and gets his eighth inside the distance finish. He will now get big exposure when he fights on the undercard to the unification fight between welter champions Devin Haney and Liam Paro in San Francisco 19 December.
ACCRA GHANA: LIGHT: EMMANUEL SACKEY (15-3-1) W PTS 12 EZEKIEL ANNAN (12-9-3). SUPER WELTER: DANA KOFI W TKO 7 RAIMI ISIAKA (12-4).
Sackey vs. Annan
SACKEY wins the vacant WBO African title with a unanimous decision over fellow-Ghanaian ANNAN
The smaller Sackey pressed the fight all the way finding way past the longer reach of Annan and banging away with left his to the body and overhand rights. Annan had some success with counters but his vaunted power just could not keep Sackey at bay. After being 0-2-1 in his first 3 fights Sackey is now 15-1 in his last 16
Kofi vs. Isiaka
KOFI stops Nigerian ISIAKA in the seventh round in a fight for the vacant WBO African title. Kofi was more interested in showboating than fight over the first two rounds but was shaken by a right in the third and he settled to take care of business. The action was stopped in the fifth when Isiaki suffered a bad cut cover his left eye. The cut worsened in the sixth and the doctor advised the fight be stopped. Kofi, 23, also had a poor start to his career going 2-3 but has now won eight in a row, all inside the distance. Isiaki, 41, suffers his first inside the distance defeat.
MELIKUZIEV (18-1) W KO 2 KAROMATULLO SHARIPOV (4-4-1).
WBA No 1 MELIKUZIEV stops overmatched Tajik SHARIPOV. Southpaw Melikuziev hunted Sharipov in the first and finished him late in the second. A right hook to the head put Saharipov down on his hands and knees, He rolled over trying to get up but was counted out. The WBA ordered Jaime Munguia to defend his belt against the Uzbek but then cleared Munguia to fight Russian Nikita Zon on October 31, with the condition that the winner face Melikuziev- Munguia won now Melikuziev should get his shot.
KAZAN, RUSSIA: MIDDLE: AZIZBEK TOJIEV (11-2) W PTS 10 VADIM LUBSANOV (14-8-1).. WELTER; SERGEY LIPINETS (19-5-1) W TKO MARK URVANOV
Tojiev vs. Lubsanov
Uzbek TOJIEV boxes his way to a points win over Russian southpaw LUBSANOV. Tojiev boxed with real skill on the back foot Lubsanov pressed hard but had trouble getting past the longer reach of the taller Tojiev. No scores available.
Lipinets vs. Urvanov
LIPINETS floors and stops a very shop-worn URVANOV. Lipinets, a former IBF super light champion, dropped Urvanov with a heavy right to the head and the fight weas stopped. Lipinets, 37 suffered back-to-back losses to Adam Azim and Art Biyarslanov in 2025 and this is his first fight since the loss to Biyarslanov in October 2025. Sixth consecutive inside the distance defeat for Urvanov.
7 NOVEMBER
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: LIGHT: NAHUEL ESPINDOLA (15-0) W PTS 10 ALFREDO SOTO (19-2,1 ND). SUPER WELTER: GERARDO VERGARA (22-2) W TKO 9 DARIO SOTO (7-6-3).
Espindola vs. Soto
ESPINDOLA defeats SOTO to win the vacant Argentinian title. Espindola employed his usual aggressive, high volume tactics. Soto fought hard but just could not match him and when he did take the fight inside Espindola tied him up. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Espindola, 25, won the vacant title in February but did not defend it but he is champion again. Southpaw Soto, the South American champion, had won four in a row,
Vergara vs. Soto
VERGARA wins the vacant South American title as he floors and stops SOTO. Vergara made a good start scoring with southpaw left hooks to the head. It was Soto’s turn in the third when he shook Vergara with a left. Vergara dropped Soto in the fourth and took over again handing out heavy punishment and when Soto was staggered by a right jab the fight was stopped. Vergara was 20-0 before being knocked out by Charles Conwell and was beaten on points by Rodrigo Coria for the vacant Argentinian title in July. Soto was no test.
TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA: MIDDLE: DYLAN BIGGS (20-1) W KO 1 DAN CATLIN (10-3). WELTER: JACKSON GRIFFITHS (20-0-1) W PTS 8 AKETELIETI YELEJIAN (10-6-1)
Biggs vs. Catlin
BIGGS extends his winning run to ten as he stops England’s CATLIN in the first round. The WBC Grand Prix winner floored Nikita Tszyu in first round in their fight in 2023 but Tszyu recovered and halted Biggs in the fifth. In his last fight Blackpool’s Catlin lost on a tenth round stoppage against Linus Udofia for the English title in 2024.
Griffiths vs. Yelejian
GRIFFITHS extends his unbeaten run to 21 fights with a unanimous decision over China’s YELEJIAN. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72. The draw on Griffiths’ record is a technical one. Second loss in a row for Yelejian’
KORNEUBURG, AUSTRIA: SUPER MIDDLE: ANDREI DASCALU (15-0) W TKO 7 BERNARDIN JAKAJ (20-2).
UK-based Romanian Dascalu upsets the locals with a seventh round stoppage of JAKAJ. The first three rounds belonged to Jakaj as he boxed behind a tight guard and varied his attacks to head and body. Dascalu showed he could be dangerous with a left hook in the fourth. Both had some success in the fifth but again Jakaj looked comfortable. That changed dramatically in the sixth when he was floored late in the round and the bell went before Dascal could finish the job. Dascalu drove a right through Jakaj’s guard at the start of the seventh that put Jakaj face down on the canvas. He beat the count but was down again from another left. Again he made it to his feet but a couple of uppercuts had him stumbling to the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’2” former BBB of C Southern Area champion wins the WBO European title from Jakaj.
CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES, FRANCE: SUPER FEATHER: YONI VALVERDE JR (17-1) W AARON MARQUEZ (13-3).
9
Local fighter VALVERDE wins the vacant IBF International title with a points victory over Mexican MARQUEZ. The three judges all came up with 99-90 cards. Valverde’s only loss on a first round stoppage in the featherweight semi-finals of the WBC Grand Prix in October. Marquez was 5-1 in his last 6 fights
SZCZECIN, POLAND: LIGHT HEAVY: PAWEL STEPIEN (22-2-2) W PTS 8 YUNIOR MENENDEZ (13-).
Stepien vs. Menendez
Fighting on his home turf STEPIEN outpoints MENENDEZ. Cuban Menendez played to his strength with an aggressive start throwing a stream of punches. Stepien defended well and launched a ferocious body attack from the third. Menendez stood up well to the punishment but the body punches had him lowering his guard and Stepien was able to bang home left hooks to the head. Menendez continued to throw lots of punches but Stepien blocked many and his counters were more effective and he took the referee’ decision on a score of 78-74. Stepien, 36, is a bumpy 4-2-1 in his last 7 fights. One of his losses was a points decision against Joshua Buatsi but in his last fight in August he had outpointed 23-1 Daniel Dos Santos. Menendez had lost in Russai to then unbeaten Imam Kataev.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: CRUISER: KEVIN LERENA (32-5) W PTS 10 SCOTT FORREST (8-4).
LLERENA collects the vacant WBC International title with a unanimous decision mover FORREST.
Llerena bossed this fight from the start but Forrest put
up plenty of resistance. Llerena Had his jabs on target from early working well to head and body and had Forrest under heavy pressure. Forrest proved durable and fought back well and after eight rounds the open scoring was 77-75 twice and 78-74. Then Llerena’s experience saw him pacing the fight better and as Forrest tired he dropped Forrest late in the tenth winning on scorers of 97-92 twice and 98-91. Llerena had suffered back-to-back losses at heavyweight against Lawrence Okolie and Ryad Merhy weighing 232 lbs and 221 lbs respectively but slimmed down shedding 35 lbs in 5 months to 198 ¾ for this fight This was the first time he had fought at cruiser since 2020. Scot Forrest was born in South Africa but moved to Scotland at a young age and was Scottish Youth and Seniors champion.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY: HEAVY: MOURAD ALIEV (16-1) W PTS 10 UMUT CAMKIRAN (25-1). SUPER: MIDDLE: LUCA PLANTIC (14-1) W TKO 3 ISMAT EYNULLAYEV (20-12). SUPER LIGHT: LUIS VELA (8-0) W KO 8 FUAD TARVERDI (11-4). HEAVY: AHMED KRNJIC (10-1) W KO 2 AKHMAD MAMADJANOV (9-6-1).
Aliev vs. Camkiran
ALIEV outpoints CAMKIRAN to win the vacant WBC Silver title with a riot ensuing at the end of the fight preventing the presentation of the scores and the title belt. The 6’0” Camkiran was giving away 7 ½” against Aliev and he had no answer to that difference. Southpaw Aliev was able to box at distance scoring with his jabs and straight rights and mixing in some hooks and uppercuts with Camkiran too slow to get into punching range. Camkiran’s tactics were to lumber forward behind a high guard then lunge in firing wild and wide punches and when he did get close Aliev clinched making it impossible for Camkiran to do any useful work. There was not much power behind Aliev’s punches and most of the time he was just hitting against Camkiran’s gloves but it was keeping Camkiran busy defending. As the bell went for the end of the fifth round Aliev was next to his own corner and turned away looking for his seconds climb into the ring and Camkiran reached around from behind Aliev and landed a punch on Aliev’s body. Aliev collapsed to the canvas. The referee sent Camkiran to his corner and waited a few seconds for Alkies to be helped to his corner and then allowed him time to recover. After some discussions Camkiran weas deducted a point for a punch landed after the bell. Camkiran had some success as Aliev tired over the closing rounds but it was clear Alive had won.
**See Observations for the riot that ensued.
Plantic vs. Eynullayev
Too easy for PLANTIC as he floors and stops over-matched Azeri EYNULLAYEV in the third. Plantic handed out steady punishment over the first two rounds and then trapped Eynullayev against the ropes and blasted him with punches until Eynullayev slipped to the canvas. He half-arose then changed his mind then changed it again and got up but the referee waived the fight over. First fight for Plantic since he lost on a tenth round stoppage against Lester Martinez for the WBC interim title in August. Fourth TKO loss in a row for Eynullayev.
Vela vs. Tarverdi
Plenty of controversy as VELA gets a KO win after putting TARVERDI down with a low left hook. The fight started with some drama as unfancied Tarverdi put Vela down in the first. Vela recovered and outboxed Tarverdi to build a good lead. As they traded punches in the eighth round Vela ducked to avoid a Tarverdi hook and threw one of his own which landed low. Tarverdi went down rolling in agony and was counted out. Members of both teams entered the ring and there was some pushing and shoving things looked about to turn nasty but a riot was averted. Italian Verdi, 20, was making the first defence of the WBC International title and looked useful as he now has six wins by KO/TKO. Azeri Tarverdi had won his last 5 fights inside the distance
Krnjic vs. Mamadjanov
Bosnian southpaw KRNJIC halts Uzbek MAMADJANOV in the second round. A solid right to the head floored Mamadjanov in the second and he just sat out the count. The 6’4 ½” southpaw Krnjic. A loser in the WBC Grand Prix final in December has seven wins by KO/TKO. Mamadjanov was on a six-fight winning run.
OBSERVATION:
Aliev vs. Camkiran
Before any announcement of the winner was made Aliev was already parading around the ring with his hands aloft with the home crowd booing. Aliev stopped and made a crude gesture to the crowd and a riot ensued. Camkiran tried to get at Aliyev but was prevented, Chairs and other debris flew through the air and the ring filled with lots of people who did not belong there and Aliev was assaulted. There was scuffling going on and Aliyev had to run the gantlet of people in the ring and on and on the ring apron throwing punches at him as he made his way from the ring to the dressing rooms with scuffling continuing in the ring. As a result the normal announcing of the scores and the presentation of the belt to the winner did not take place. Aliev should carry part of the blame for provoking the crowd (withy his miming of masturbation) but what then occurred was a disgraced and a black mark for Turkish boxing.