The Past Week In Action 2 December 2015

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

The Past Week In Action 2 December 2015

November 25

Hialeah, FL, USA: Super Welter: Erislandy Lara (22-2-2) W TKO 3 Jan Zavcek (35-4). Heavy: John Wesley Nofire (19-0) W TKO 4 Yasmany Consegura (17-3). Middle: Daquan Arnett (15-1) W TKO 1 Yudel Johnson (17-3).Bantam: Emmanuel Rodriguez (14-0) W TKO 7 Eliecer Aquino (17-2-1).

Lara vs. Zavcek

Lara retains his secondary WBA and his IBO titles with injury stoppage of Zavcek. Both fighters were probing with their jabs with Zavcek just a little livelier but a punch from Lara had him stumbling back into the ropes and Lara unleashed a flurry of punches some got through some were blocked. Zavcek got back into centre ring and there were just spasmodic exchanges with Lara quicker. The controlling punch in the second round was the southpaw straight left of Lara, He constantly slotted it through the centre of Zavcek’s guard and with just a few seconds remaining in the round another of those lefts sent Zavcek stumbling back across the ring but the bell went before Lara could add to his success. In the third Lara drove Zavcek to the ropes with a left and scored with a couple of quick combinations. A left snapped back Zavcek’s head and when he came forward to get off the ropes he suddenly pulled away indicating an injury to his right neck/shoulder. He indicated he could not continue and looked in some pain and  the fight was stopped. The 32-year-old Lara looked quick and slick and was really just getting into his stride at the stoppage. “The American Dream” lost a split decision to Saul Alvarez in July 2014 when neither of them held a title but his style is one that Alvarez would probably prefer to avoid so Lara may have to look elsewhere for a big fight. Former IBF welter champion Zavcek, 39, is not as quick as he was and was getting a boxing lesson but the loss was unfortunate.

Nofire vs. Consegura

Practically unknown Nofire did not live up to his name as he forced Consegura out of the fight at the end of the third round. The big Oklahoman, 6’6” (198cm) had plenty of height and reach over the 6’1” (188cm) Cuban and Consegura never really had a workable game plan to overcome this. Nofire was not snapping the jab but even then Consegura was trying to rush in and then not really doing much inside which made it an untidy fight for two rounds. In the third Nofire was finally countering Consegura effectively and making him pay for his reckless rushes. Near the end of the round he shook Consegura badly and belaboured him in a corner until the bell saved the Cuban and his corner pulled him out of the fight. The 29-year-old Nofire was a Regional Golden Gloves champion and competed at the 2010 National Championships but was eliminated in the preliminaries. Since turning pro he has been fighting in the boxing backwoods against the usual suspect and in theory this was a stiff test but he gets win No 15 by KO/TKO including 7 in his last 8 fights. Consegura, 31, has suddenly hit the skids. After  17 wins in a row he now has three losses by KO/TKO in succession. The other two loses were a step up for Consegura in Dominic Breazeale and Artur Szpilka but this loss to Nofire was a very disappointing performance,

Arnett vs. Johnson

This one definitely an upset as Cuban Johnson had been rebuilding after losing his world rating after a defeat against Willie Nelson back in 2012 and then dropping a decision to Jorge Cota in August this year. Arnett floored Johnson early then kept up the pressure. He backed the Cuban into a corner and landed a couple of punches. Johnson tried to storm out of the corner and landed a decent left hook but two rights put the Cuban down and the fight was over. Big win for the 23-year-old from Winter Park as he makes it 9 victories by KO/TKO.. His only loss was on points against then unbeaten Eddie Gomez in January 2014 and this is his fourth win since then. As an amateur he was US Junior champion, and US National bronze medal winner. The danger signs were there for Johnson in the Cota fight as Cota had him down twice.

Rodriguez vs. Aquino

Rodriguez displays speed, skill and power in stoppage of Aquino. These two went at it hard from the first both showing good skills and throwing bombs to head and body. They looked well-matched but Rodriguez was the quicker and harder puncher throwing and landing more than Aquino. Neither was bothering about defence and they both stood in the pocket and  were both landing and absorbing heavy punches to head and body. Rodriguez showed blistering hand speed particularly with his left hooks to the body. The action was red hot in the third when suddenly Rodriguez nailed Aquino with a thunderous right to the chin. He was up at five and ready to continue after the mandatory count. Rodriguez let go punch after punch and a still shaky Aquino was swinging wildly to ride out the storm to the bell. Rodriguez continued his impressive two-handed attacks in the sixth and seventh with Aquino still trying to stand and trade and getting the worst of things. In the seventh Aquino lost his gumshield and was deducted a point. Rodriguez landed a hard right hook to the head and slammed home a left jab that had Aquino staggering back. He came forward trying to punch his way out of trouble and got Rodriguez’s attention with a sharp right uppercut. He was in trouble again from a right from Rodriguez  and then shaken by a series of hooks and uppercuts which sent him staggering back again and the referee stopped the fight. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican looks class. He retains his WBA Fedelatin and WBC Latino titles, makes it 5 wins in a row inside the distance and his 11^th in total. The brilliant young prospect won a god medal at the World Youth Olympics and a silver at the World Youth Championships both in 2010 however by the end of that year it looked as though his boxing days were over. He was involved in a road accident that resulted in his suffering second degree burns over 66% of his body but he fought back from that and despite some setbacks he was back in competition by September 2011. Dominican Aquino, 28, had an 18 bout unbeaten run snapped when he lost to unbeaten Adam Lopez in July so now it is two losses on the bounce.

 

Hammond, IN, USA: Super Middle: Mike Jimenez (19-1,1ND) W KO 1 Dezi Ford (24-30-2). Super Light: Ed Brown (15-0) W TKO 3 Gilbert Venegas (12-20-4.1ND). Light: John Joe Nevin (7-0) W PTS 6 Greg Coverson (3-15-3).

Jimenez vs. Ford

It took only 92 seconds for Jimenez to dispose of poor Ford who should never have been allowed in the ring. A left hook to the body from Jimenez saw Ford go down and he could not get up. “Hollywood” Jimenez goes to 13 wins by KO/TKO. The only loss for the 28-year-old from Chicago was a stoppage against Jesse Hart in May and this is his second win since then. He was stopped in seven rounds by Derrick Findley in 2013 but Findley tested positive for a banned substance. Ford was a late substitute when Ghanaian Thomas Awimbono could not get a visa but even as a late substitute letting Ford into the ring was a disgrace. Ford is 47-years-old and his last fight was in October 2010 when he was also beaten  inside a round and that 2010 loss was his fifteenth in a row.

Brown vs. Venegas

“Bad Boy” Brown pads his record with another inside the distance win. The Chicago prospect made a slow start but exploded in the third first stunning and then flooring Venegas with big rights. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO  for 24-year-old Brown who was a quarter-finalist at both the 2010 and 2011 NGG’s.Venegas,38, drops to 6 losses by KO/TKO and 11 losses in a row.

Nevin vs. Coverson

Nevin builds a few more rounds into his short pro career as Coverson takes him the full six episodes. In his second fight in eleven days the former star of Irish amateur boxing found Coverson an easy fight but a rough fighter. Nevin worked behind his jab and Coverson was  an easy target for body punches but despite flooring Coverson in the fourth round Nevin could not put the gutsy Detroit fighter away. As with Emmanuel Rodriguez Nevin had to overcome serious injury having both legs broken in an attack on him at his home last year. The 26-year-old from Mullingar is yet another outstanding amateur to have turned pro. He won a gold medal at the European Union Championships, a silver medal at the European Championships, two bronze medals at World Championships, competed at the 2008 Olympics and at the 2012 Olympics beat Oscar Valdez and Cuban Lorenzo Alvarez but lost in the final to Luke Campbell. Southpaw Coverson, 36, is the son of Greg “Candy man” Coverson who fought from 1976 to 1983 and finished with a 33-2 record. Coverson Senior won his first 32 fights but lost on points to Hector Camacho and was stopped by Howard Davis Jr and retired. The son is nowhere as good as his dad was.

 

Boston, MA,USA: Cruiser: Chris Traietti (20-3) W TKO 1 Adam Collins (13-11,1ND).

Traietti continues his run of inside the distance as he blows away Collins in the first round. The local fighter put Collins down with a right to the head. When Collins got up and the action continued another right put Collins down for the second time and Traietti ended it with a left hook flooring Collins for the third time. The 30-year-old Traietti was beaten in two rounds by Edwin Rodriguez in 2011 but has rebounded with 10 wins in a row. Collins, 39 , has lost 9 by KO/TKO.

 

Erie, PA, USA: Bantam: Antonio Nieves (15-0-1 W KO 1 Lorenzo Trejo (35-32-1)

“Carita” Nieves fed an easy one in Mexican veteran Trejo. Nieves was just too quick for Trejo who after trying a few punches and tasting some incoming from Nieves went into survival mode. That did not save him as a body punch from Nieves put him down. The Mexican seemed to have injured his arm and just sat out the count. Cleveland’s Nieves now has 7 wins by KO/TKO. The 28-year-old won bronze medals at the NGG’s and the US National Championships and then a silver at the NGG’s but he lost out at the US Olympic Trials. Trejo, 38, a 20 year pro and a former challenger for the WBC Minimum and Light fly titles, now has 19 losses by KO/TKO.

 

November 27

 

Recero, Argentina: Super Welter: Marcelo E Coceres (19-0-1) W TKO 1 Cesar H Velez (18-9101). This one was a mismatch. Coceres was almost a head taller than Velez and had a big edge in reach. As Velez tried to come forward Coceres was knocking him back with a stiff jab. Velez managed to land a left hook but the a right from Coceres drove him to the ropes and Coceres forced him around the ring with hooks and uppercuts. Coceres threw a series of punches with Velez bending in half to escape. The referee gave Velez a warning for ducking too low and as the fight restarted Velez walked onto a jab and went down  he claimed he had slipped but was given a count. Coceres took Velez to the ropes and unloaded left hooks and overhand rights and the referee stepped in and gave Velez a standing count. When the count was completed Coceres again forced Velez to the ropes and landed 4 or 5 rights. The referee jumped in to stop the fight just as Velez was throwing a counter and Velez protested the stoppage. The 24-year-old “El Terrible”, the FAB No 3, has 11 wins by KO/TKO and this was his fourth defence of his IBF Latino title and had won 7 of his last 9 fights inside the distance. Now 6 losses by KO/TKO for Velez.

 

Sydney, Australia: Super Welter: Ahmed Dib (17-0) W PTS 8 Mark Dalby (4-10). Light: Billel Dib (18-1) W KO 4 Sayan (14-17). Light: Luke Jackson (10-0) W TKO 6 Thongchai (6-6).

Dib vs. Dalby

Dib returns to action with comfortable points victory over fellow-Australian Dalby. The tall 25-year-old member of the boxing family won on scores of 80-72 twice and 78-74. Only the second fight this year for the ANBF No 5. Now 6 losses on the bounce for 37-year-old Dalby.

Dib vs. Sayan

A family double here as brother Billel knocks out poor Thai opponent Sayan in four rounds. The 26-year-old ANBF No 3 has won his last 9 fights and reversed the only loss on his record. Sayan is 2-15 in his last 17 fights including 8 losses by KO/TKO in his last 9 so a very predictable result. Another member of the Dib family made his pro debut on the show with a win.

Jackson vs. Thongchai

Australian champion Jackson halts another poor Thai opponent in six rounds. This was the first southpaw opponent Jackson has faced since coming out of the amateurs. The 2012 Olympian has 5 wins by KO/TKO. Thongchai has lost 5 of his last 6 fights with all of the losses by KO/TKO so another poor match.

 

Bangkok, Thailand: Fly: Inthanon (28-7-1) W KO 7 Ichal Tobida (12-18).

Over the first three rounds the visitor was under heavy pressure but kept banging back in a competitive contest. Inthanon was going to the body more over the next three rounds and put Tobida on the floor in the sixth. Tobida got up and survived to the bell but only briefly as in the seventh Inthanon floored Tobida heavily and the fight was called off without a count being needed. Now 17 wins by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old southpaw who is 8-0-1 in his last 9 fights. Indonesian Tobida has lost 7 of his last 8 fights, 6 by KO/TKO.

 

Scanndicci, Italy: Super Feather: Mario Pisanti (16-2-1) W PTS 10 Angelo Ardito (8-5-2). Super Welter: Orlando Fiordigiglio (23-1) W TKO 2 Istvan Kiss (22-22).

Pisanti vs. Ardito

Pisanti makes successful first defence of his National title with split decision over Ardito. It was not an inspiring fight with too much holding and too little punching. Ardito was trying to force the fight but southpaw Pisanti was blunting Ardito’s attacks with a  sound defence, despite sometimes dropping his hands to tease Ardito and he also showed better stamina. Ardito managed to get close over the middle rounds but Pisanti had paced the fight well and tied-up the decision with a strong finish. Scores 96-94 and 96-95 to Pisanti and 96-94 for Ardito. Pisanti had lost his Italian feather title in October last year, his only loss in his last 13 fights, but then collected the super feather title in July. Ardito, 37, a former Italian champion, was 3-0-1 in his last four fights.

Fiordigiglio vs. Kiss

Fiordigiglio gets second round win over late notice Hungarian. After a quiet first round Fiordigiglio landed a thunderous right uppercut that put Kiss down heavily. He did well to make it to his feet but was still unsteady at the end of the standing count and the fight was stopped. Second win for 31-year-old Fiordigiglio, since losing on an eleventh round stoppage against Frenchman Cedric Vitu for the vacant European title In June. He is a former European Union and WBC International champion,. Kiss, 23, has lost 13 times by KO/TKO.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Fly: Ariel Guzman (10-3-3) W PTS 8 Armando Torres (21-16).

Guzman wins on unanimous decision in minor upset. This was a battle of exchanges and clashes from the start. Guzman had a slight edge but after heads banged together in the early action Guzman had a cut by his left eyebrow. When heads clashed again in the third the referee deducted a point from Torres. They battled toe-to-toe in the fifth with Guzman flooring Torres with a body punch and then Torres putting Guzman down with a right to the head. Over the last three rounds Guzman decided to box and from then he was more accurate and Torres missed more. Scores 79-72, 79-73 and 79-74 all for Guzman. The winner is now 2-2-2 in his last 6 fights. Torres, the nephew of former WBC champion German, has lost his last 4 fights.

 

Cancun, Mexico: Super Light: Roberto Ortiz (33-1-1) W KO 9 Nestor Garcia (21-10). Super Bantam: Hairon Socarras (14-0-2) DREW 8 Marco Chable (6-13-3). Super Feather: Miguel Angel Gonzalez (19-2) W PTS 8 Jesus Quintero (16-12-3). Light: Robert Manzanarez (32-1) W TKO 8 Cristian Lopez (16-6-1)

Ortiz vs. Garcia

Ortiz gets his second win in 2015 with stoppage of game Garcia. Ortiz had the power and experience and landed heavy punches in each round frequently having Garcia in trouble. Garcia took the punishment and stayed in the fight willing to trade. Finally in the ninth a body punch from Ortiz had Garcia in too much pain to continue and the fight was stopped. The 29-year-old “Massa” from Torreon goes to 25 wins by KO/TKO. He had his unbeaten streak broken at 32 with a second round stoppage loss to Lucas Matthysse in September. Garcia is 6-6 in his last 12 fights.

Socarras vs. Chable

Good fight but poor result for Cuban Socarras. There was plenty of action  in every round with both trading and bringing the crowd to its feet time and again. In the end the judges could not separate them and the fight ended in a draw. Socarras,22, remains unbeaten but has a 10 bout winning streak ended but disappointing that he could not get a win over Chable who came in at short notice and was 2-13-1 in his last 16 fights.

Gonzalez vs. Quintero

Gonzalez gets win but has to climb off the floor. Gonzalez was cruising to victory but in the third found himself on the floor from a left cross. He got up survived the round and was again the boss over remaining five round and took the unanimous decision. The 20-year-old “Miguelito” has lost only one of his last 9 fights and that was a split decision against Abner Mares in December. This is his third win since then. Quintero also a late entrant is 1-4-1 in his last six fights.

Manzanarez vs. Lopez

Manzanarez extends his current run of wins to 10 with stoppage of Lopez. The fight was uninspired with Manzanarez on his way to a routine points victory when a straight left in the eighth looked to have seriously damaged Lopez’s nose and he was unable to continue. Still only 20, “Tito” has already been fighting for more than five years and has 26 wins by KO/TKO. He lost to Alejandro Barrera in 2012 but has won 10 in a row since then, 8 by KO/TKO, including a revenge win by knockout over Barrera. “Poison” Lopez was having only his second fight in almost four years and gets his third loss by KO/TKO.

 

Rzeszow, Poland: Welter: Przemyslaw Runowski (10-0) W PTS 10 Felix Lora (18-20-5). Light Heavy: Marek Matyja (11-0) W PTS 8 Bartlomiej Grafka (15-19-1). Cruiser: Michal Cieslak (11-0) W TKO 2 Hamza Wandera (18-9-3,1ND).

Runowski vs. Lora

Runowski gets split decision over unpredictable Lora. Over the early rounds Lora picked up the points with a good work rate and more accurate punching. From the half way mark Runowski was on top as Lora tired and the Pole was able to score well with rights over Lora’s low left. Lora kept pressing but Runowski showed a tight defence and although not throwing as many punches was more accurate and seemed to have done enough to be a clear winner but he had to settle for the split verdict. Scores 98-92 and 97-93 for Runowski and 97-95 for Lora. The 21-year-old Pole was in his second ten round fight and this was a good leaning fight. Spanish-based Dominican Lora a former WBO European champion has lost his last nine fights but has scored a couple of upsets in other visits to Poland.

Matyja vs. Grafka

Matyja wins unanimous decision over fellow-Pole Grafka in a good, competitive fight. Matyja was using his better skills and hand speed with Grafka really looking to win with one big punch. Matyja was working his trade mark left hook to the body with Grafka slinging hooks and always dangerous but apart from a hard right in the last round inaccurate. It later turned out that Matyja had injured his right hand early in the fight so it was a good performance. Scores 78-74 twice and 78-75. Fourth win in the year for the 24-year-old Matyja. Despite his negative record the 27-year-old Grafka was coming off a useful points win over Pawel Glazewski (23-4).

Cieslak vs. Wandera

Cieslak has no trouble polishing off Wandera. The unbeaten Pole had Wandera hurt with a right in the first with the bell going before he could finish the job. In the second Cieslak

landed a series of body punches which quickly saw Wandera wilt and he was trapped on the ropes and taking punishment when his corner threw the towel into the ring to save their man. The 26-year-old 6’3” (190cm) Cieslak, twice a silver medallist at the Polish Championships, has won 7 of his last 8 fights by KO/TKO. Ugandan southpaw Wandera was having his first fight for 11 months and only his second fight in over two years. He has six losses by KO/TKO.

 

Barnaul, Russia: Super Middle: Dmitry Sukhotsky (23-4) W PTS 12 Apti Ustarkhanov (11-2-2). Super Welter: Pavel Mamontov (11-2-1) W PTS 10 Oscar Roberto Medina (26-12-2).

Sukhotsky vs. Ustarkhanov

Home town fighter Sukhotsky gets win on the basis of a late knockdown. It was a hard, close fight with the result in the balance until the eleventh when Sukhotsky floored Ustarkhanov  at a time when the visitor was ahead on two cards. Scores 116-111 and 114-113 for Sukhotsky and 116-111 for Ustarkhanov. The 34-year-old “Hunter” wins the WBC Russian and Slovenian title. He lost a points decision to Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light heavy title in 2009 and was knocked out in two rounds by Adonis Stevenson in a challenge for the WBC light heavy title in December 2014. In August he lost an upset decision to Dilmurod Satybaldiev (8-1) so needed to win this one.  Chechen Ustarkhanov,25 was going twelve rounds for the first time. He was 9-0-1 in his last 10 fights.

Mamontov vs. Medina

Mamontov gets a split decision over Argentinian Medina. These two had fought each other in November last year and although Mamontov got the unanimous decision it was a close fight and this ended the same way. Scores 98-92 and 96-94 for Mamontov and 97-93 for Medina who looked unlucky. Since losing his first pro fight the 32-year-old local fighter has gone unbeaten with 11 wins and 2 draws. Moreno, 34, had been living in Siberia and  fighting in Russia since his loss Mamontov and is 2-5 in his 7 fights this year. And naturally he thinks they need a third fight to settle things.

 

Khayelitsha, South Africa: Light Fly: Mfundo Gwayana (19-9-3) W PTS 12 Dalisizwe Komani (14-7-1). Super Welter: Nkululeko Mhlongo (17-4) W PTS 12 Christiano Ndombassy.

Gwayana vs. Komani

Southpaw Gwayana wins the vacant WBFed Inter-Continental title with unanimous decision over fellow-countryman Komani.  In an eventful scrap which saw both fighters on the floor Gwayana won on scores of 116-113, 115-110 and 116-109. Former South African light flyweight champion Gwayana, a 16 year career veteran, needed the win after losing 3 of his 4 previous fights. Komani had won 9 of his last 10 fights but had never gone twelve rounds before

Mhlongo vs. Ndombassy

Mhlongo adds the interim WBA Pan Pacific title to his collection with a unanimous decision over Angolan novice Ndombassy. Scores 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112. Mhlongo is the South African and WBFed Inter-Continental champion and has won 6 of his last 7 fights. Not enough reliable information on Ndombassy to comment.

 

Santa Ponsa, Baleares, Spain: Super Welter: Jose Del Rio (19-6) W KO 1 Alan Casillas (5-10).

Former Spanish welter champion Del Rio ends this one quickly. The Spaniard came out throwing hard combinations. Casillas tried to trade but was out-gunned, floored and counted out, First fight for Palma fighter Del Rio since being kayoed in two rounds by Italian Orlando Fiordigiglio  in a fight for the European Union title in January. Six losses in a row for Spanish-based Mexican Casillas.

 

East London, South Africa: Feather: Macbute Sinyabi (27-4) W PTS 12 Oscar Chauke (36-11-3).

Sinyabi vs. Chauke

In a clash of former South African super bantamweight champions Sinyabi collected Chauke’s national featherweight title with a points victory. It is Sinyabi’s third win over Chauke and he has won 7 of his last 8 fights with his loss being to Lusanda Komanisi for the vacant IBO title in July last year. Chauke. 35, was making the third defence of his title but was coming off tenth round kayo loss to Tshifihiwa Munyai in September in Preston.

 

November 28

 

Dusseldorf, Germany: Heavy: Tyson Fury (25-0) W PTS 12 Wladimir Klitschko (64-3) . Super Light: Robert Tlatlik (18-0) W TKO 10 Said Rahimi (9-3). Super Feather: Jono Carroll (9-0) W PTS 10 Miguel Gonzalez (13-4).

Fury vs. Klitschko

Ok get me a dunces cap. I never thought Fury could do this but I was completely wrong as Tyson went in with a game plan, executed it to perfection and won one the biggest upsets in recent memory snapping an 11 ½ year, 22 bout unbeaten streak and doing it in the champion’s back yard to lift the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. It was great achievement but not a great fight with both fighters showing low levels of punches thrown and landed but with Fury the clear winner as his tactics took away Klitschko’s usually dominant jab and had the champion hesitant and confused. There was very little action in the first with what was landing coming from Fury in the shape of a strong jab. In the second Klitschko finally had his jab working but not a lot. He started the round stronger but Fury ended the round with a good combination to Klitschko’s head.  Fury was in mind game mode in the third letting his hand lie down his thighs and switching to southpaw and urging Klitschko to come forward and in a low scoring round again what useful work there was was coming from Fury, Klitschko had slight the better of the fourth landing a right his best punch so far. After four rounds most had Fury comfortably in front but on the official score cards two judges had it 38-38 and one had Fury ahead 39-37. In the fifth a clash of heads saw Klitschko cut under his left eye and again the better work came from Fury and this was the first round in the fight that all three judges agreed on giving it to Fury. That pattern continued in the sixth with Fury scoring with his jabs to again get the points as agreed by all on the judges.  Fury dominated over these middle rounds as he was out-throwing and out-landing Klitschko who seemed fazed by the tactics of Fury and was not letting his hands go and the fight was going away from him with the official scores at the end of the eighth round 77-75 twice and 78-74 all for Fury. Klitschko needed to try to change the pace and pattern of the fight and looked to have hurt Fury with a right in the ninth but Fury replied with a left hook and at the end of the round Klitschko was cut on his forehead. The tenth went to Fury as he scored well to the body and with two rounds to go the Ukrainian needed a knockout to retain his title. Fury was winning the eleventh with Klitschko cut again but the challenger had been warned previously about punches to the back of the head and when he did it again the referee deducted a point turning what all three judges had given as a 10-9 to Fury into a 9-9. Klitschko finally woke up in the last round getting home with a big right but instead of capitalising on that success he let himself get involved in clinches and as the bell went it was obvious his status was about to change form champion to former champion. Scores 115-112 twice and 116-111 all for Fury. The 27-year-old member of the Traveller community had walked the talk and you can be sure that his reign, however long it last will be interesting and eventful and on this night he illustrated the strength of an absolute confidence in one’s ability. Klitschko never turned up. He was outthought and outboxed and looked all of his 39 years against an opponent he never figured out. The CompuBox stats show that neither fighter really threw or landed that many punches with Fury throwing a total of 371 and landing 86 and Klitschko throwing 231 and landing just 52 meaning he landed an average of only four punches around but this was not about entertainment it was about winning and that’s what Fury did.

Tlatlik vs. Rahimi

Tlatlik wins on late stoppage. From the opening bell it was the neater boxing of Tlatlik against the aggressive wild swinging hooks of Rahimi. Tlatlik had his jab working well and that together with occasional rights saw him sweep the first three rounds. Rahimi had a better third as he was ducking under Tlatlik’s jab and slamming hooks inside.  Tlatlik managed to kee4p Rahimi and clearly took the sixth. The seventh had some controversy. Rahimi shook Tlatlik with a right early in the round and Tlatlik was in trouble trying to hold and looking disorganised for the first time. Rahimi kept swinging but some of his shots were low. Near the end of the round he landed a very low left hook and then a quick right to the chin as Tlatlik was backing away in pain from the low punch. The referee stopped the fight, warned Rahimi and gave Tlatlik time to recover which got him out of the round without any more punishment. Going into the last Tlatlik had a good lead and Rahimi was storming forward just swinging wildly. The was leaving plenty of gaps and Tlatlik caught him with a left hook that staggered Rahimi who missed with a wild hook and took a left to the chin and was toppling forward when caught with a right. He got up and after the count was caught with a couple of head punches which made him stumble and the referee stopped the fight.

The 27-year-old Essen-based Pole, a former German Under-21 champion and one of two pro brothers, gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO. Afghani Rahimi, 33, gets his second loss by KO/TKO but this was the first time he had gone past the sixth round.

Carroll vs. Gonzalez

Carroll gets wide unanimous decision over limited Honduran. The stocky Irish southpaw was giving away a lot in height and with his muscular arms even more in reach. It was of no consequence as Gonzalez had no idea of how to make use of either advantage. Carroll was able to out jab and out manoeuvre the taller man with Gonzalez having no idea of how cut the ring off and just padding after Carroll who was firing quick combinations and getting away before Gonzalez could counter. Carroll did not seem to be looking for a knockout and Gonzalez lacked the power to inconvenience the Irishman. Scores 100-90, 100-92 and 99-91 all for Carroll. The 3-year-old “Celtic Warrior” was in his first ten round fight so some experience at pacing a contest. Gonzalez, 29, was never in the fight.

 

Quebec City, Canada: Super Middle: James DeGale (22-1) W PTS 12 Lucien Bute (32-3). Light Heavy: Eleider Alvarez (19-0) W PTS 12 Isaac Chilemba (24-3-2). Super Welter: Adrian Granados (17-4-2) W TKO 8 Amir Imam (18-1). Heavy: Oscar Rivas (18-0) W KO 2 Joey Abell (31-9,2ND). Super Light: Yves Ulysse (10-0) W TKO 5 Randy Lozano (10-8-2). Heavy: Bogdan Dinu (14-0) W TKO 6 Manuel Pucheta (38-11). Super Welter: Sebastien Bouchard (11-1) W TKO 2 Giuseppe Lauri (55-18). Super Welter: Custio Clayton (5-0) W TKO 2 Ivan Pereyra (20-6).

DeGale vs. Bute

DeGale gives top class performance in retaining his IBF title in Bute’s backyard. Both fighters got something out of this fight. DeGale another outstanding performance away from home and Bute the assurance that he is still a top flight fighter with a future as he went 12 hard rounds, stayed the distance well and was only let down by a slow start. DeGale came out of the blocks fast taking the fight to Bute firing home quick combinations and effortlessly switching guards. Bute was getting home with some punches but over the first three round DeGale was the busier and more accurate. It was the fourth before Bute picked up the pace focused more on body punches and started backing the champion up and eating into DeGale’s lead. In the fifth a clash of heads saw DeGale suffer a cut over his left eye and it was to trouble the Londoner on and off over the rest of the fight as it affected his vision. The sixth, seventh and eighth rounds saw plenty of action and were close enough to be scored either way but the cut over DeGale’s left eye was trickling blood again. DeGale needed to change the flow of the fight and he did that by clearly winning the ninth round with a selection of hooks and uppercuts. Bute tried to force things in the tenth and had a good round but DeGale had a better one. The last two rounds saw quality action from two excellent boxer/fighters as they both found gaps in the others defence and battled away for the three minutes of each round with the crowd on its feet with excitement particularly in an electrifying twelfth , It seemed to have been a close fight with DeGale a close but clear winner. The scores said something else as they came out for DeGale at 117-111 twice and 116-112. The 29-year-old former Olympic gold medallist was making the first defence of his title and as some fighters do is growing into the title and improving with every fight. Bute, 35, had to deal with whispers that he was on the slide after losses to Carl Froch and Jean Pascal and he did that emphatically here with the wide scores not reflecting how well Bute fought and how hard DeGale had to fight to hold onto his title.

Alvarez vs. Chilemba

If it wasn’t for bad luck Chilemba would have no luck at all. Colombian Alvarez just did enough to take this fight on a majority decision but it was mighty close and Chilemba has failed to get the decision in the two split draws on his record. In a pattern similar to the DeGale vs. Bute fight Alvarez took the first round outworking Chilemba and pocketing the round. The second and third were close but again Alvarez seemed to have just done enough to edge them. It was the fourth before Chilemba began to assert himself when he seemed to have just edged some fiery exchanges only for Alvarez to get back on top in the fifth and sixth. Chilemba then rebounded with some nice touches and a good body attack with Alvarez tiring and only really active in short bursts. Alvarez had built a lead over those early rounds but Chilemba was getting stronger and eating into that lead. Alvarez was impressive in those short spells of activity with more power in his punches and a higher level of accuracy but Chilemba was working harder and throwing more to compensate for his lack of accuracy. The fight was too hard to call over the last two rounds and both fighters went all out for the win with Alvarez crucially seeming to do enough to edge the last round. Scores a way-out 118-110 and a more reflective 115-113 for Alvarez and 114-114 showing that if he could have taken that last round Chilemba would have got a draw. “Storm” Alvarez, 31, retains his WBC Silver title and is now in line for a shot at WBC title holder Adonis Stevenson and since both fighters are promoted by Yvon Michel it should happen. He has skill and power and could give Stevenson problems with his counter-punching style. “Golden Boy” Chilemba, 28, had lost only one of his last 19 fights, a points loss to Tony Bellew, and come up short in draws with Bellew and Thomas Oosthuizen. He is a quality fighter and will be back looking for a title fight in 2016.

Granados vs. Imam

Late choice Granados gets off the floor to get huge upset win over WBC No 1 Imam. Granados came out quickly in the first trying to duck inside the reach of the much taller Imam to work. He was able to take Imam to the ropes but not able to land anything effective. Imam landed some hard rights and suddenly Granados was hurt and on the back foot retreating and trying to avoid the right and get inside. He was unsuccessful as Imam met him with a solid jab and then fired a hard, fast straight right  and Granados went down on his back. He was up immediately but with Imam still throwing bombs it looked likely that Granados would not last the round. He took some punishment but at the bell was trading punches and looked to have recovered. In the second Granados was swarming all over Imam denying him room to get leverage on his punches taking him to the ropes and working away with hooks and uppercuts from both hands. Imam was allowing himself to be dragged into a brawl and his punches seemed to have lost their sharpness. He kept trying to walk Granados onto that right hand again but the pattern was that even in mid-ring Imam just could not shake Granados loose. By the fifth round Imam was resorting to stiff- arming Granados to keep him out but Granados just brushed it aside. Imam tried briefly to jab and move in the sixth but then took Granados to the ropes which exactly where Granados wanted the fight to be. In the seventh Granados was walking through Imam’s punches and firing a constant stream of thudding rights. In the eighth a right sent Imam back into the ropes and Granados fired a stream of punches. Imam escaped briefly but Granados pursued him banging away with both hands with Imam almost folded in half and taking head shots when the referee stopped the fight. With Imam No 1 with the WBC this is a huge victory for 26-year-old Granados as he lived up to his “Tiger” nickname. He has a good draw with Kermit Cintron on his record but suffered back-to-back losses to Felix Diaz and Brad Solomon which put him back to square one. This is his fourth and most important win since then. Disaster for Imam who could to be said to have folded literally under the pressure. Wins over Yordenis Ugas, Santos Benavides, Fidel Maldonado and Walter Castillo had seen him rated highly and at 25 he has plenty of time to rebound but the manner of the loss was worrying.

Rivas vs. Abell

Rivas blows away Abel in two rounds. Not too many punches landed in the first round as Abel circled the ring prodding out a few southpaw jabs and Colombian Rivas looked awkward as he lunged in with wild rights. Rivas’s corner had told him to move in closer and not swing such wide punches. That worked immediately as he crowded Abell back to the ropes and landed punch after punch to head and body. A couple punches crashed into the side of Abell’s head and he slumped to the canvas against the ropes. After starting the count the referee could see Abel was not going to get up and he waived the fight off without completing the count. The 28-year-old “Kaboom” is slow and no stylist but he has real power with 13 wins by KO/TKO. This is his seventh win in a row inside the distance with only one opponent lasting more than three rounds. He was a very useful amateur scoring wins over Kubrat Pulev, Mike Wilson, Didier Bence and Andy Ruiz but has yet to be really tested as a pro. “Ice” Abel, 34, now has 9 losses by KO/TKO. He had back-to-back losses to Pulev and Tyson Fury and then took 14 months out before returning earlier this year and scoring two wins.

Ulysse vs. Lozano

Ulysse cuts and stops Lozano. The Montrealer was on to Lozano from the start hunting the Mexican down and scoring freely. Things went from bad to worse for Lozano in the second when he suffered a bad cut. Ulysses was lacking some sharpness due to an elbow injury suffered in training for which he had a couple of cortisone injection in the days leading up to the fight. Despite that Ulysses caught up with Lozano in the fifth and floored him with a right. Lozano got up but was soon down again from an uppercut. The third knockdown came along and the referee had seen enough. The 27-year-ols Ulysses was Canadian amateur champion in 2011 and 2012, competed at the World Championships in 2011 and 2013 and was a quarterfinalist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he beat Frederic Lawson but lost to Brit Bradley Saunders. He is making good progress but has surgery coming up on that elbow. Lozano who came in late now has 7 losses by KO/TKO and is 2-5 in his last 7 fights

Dinu vs. Pucheta

Dinu gets win over eccentric Pucheta. The big Romanian had height and reach over his Argentinian opponent and Pucheta seemed to have decided from the start that he was not going to win. Pucheta is old in boxing terms and fat in any terms. It was difficult for Dinu to look good but he did his job. He put Pucheta down twice in the third with Pucheta egging him on to do his worst. Pucheta was just looking to survive and that’s why Dinu could not end it earlier, but after another knockdown in the sixth Pucheta’s corner pulled their man out to save Pucheta and the fans from further punishment. The 29-year-old 6’5” (196cm) Dinu has won 8 of his last 9 fight by KO/TKO. After winning a gold medal at the World Cadet Championships Dinu went on to win the Romanian title and to compete at the European and World Championships so good amateur credentials. Pucheta 44 and 6’0” (183cm) now has 5 losses by KO/TKO and is No 4 with the FAB ratings

Bouchard vs. Lauri

It was a bad night for oldies as Italian Lauri was halted in two rounds by Bouchard. The Canadian dropped Lauri at the end of the first round and ended the fight with a blitz at the start of the second. The 28-year-old from Quebec won his first eight fights before dropping a decision to then unbeaten Frankie Galarza. This is his third win since then. Lauri, a former European Union and WBA International champion, is now 39 and 2-9 in his last 11 fights.

Clayton vs. Pereyra

Clayton wipes out Mexican Pereyra inside two rounds. The Canadian Olympian floored Pereyra right at the bell to ends the first. The Mexican came out for the second but not for long as Clayton was right on him and scored two more knockdowns to finish the fight. The 28-year-old from Nova Scotia was Canadian amateur champion in 2009. 2010 and 2012, competed at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships and the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the 2012 Olympics he beat currently unbeaten pros Oscar Molina and Cameron Hammond and  came close to a medal drawing 14-14 with Fred Evans in the quarter-finals but losing on judges counts. He is one of the top prospects in Canada. Pereyra has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights but in June went the distance against Clayton’s old amateur foe Mian Hussain.

 

Dallas, TX, USA: Super Welter: Jermall Charlo (23-0) W TKO 4 Wilky Campfort (21-2). Welter: Errol Spence (19-0) W TKO 5 Alejandro Barrera (28-3). Super Welter: Erickson Lubin (13-0) W KO 2 Alexis Camacho (21-6). Super Light: John Molina Jr (28-6) W TKO 3 Jorge Romero (24-10). Cruiser: Steve Lovett (15-0) W DISQ 2 Sam Miller (29-13).

Charlo vs. Campfort

The first round saw hardly a punch thrown as they circled each other just probing with jabs. Charlo had minimal edges in height and reach but was more upright in his style which made the height difference look more. In the second Charlo was letting his hands go more and hurt Campfort with a short right. Campfort tried to come forward and Charlo nailed him with a thumping left jab and straight right that sent him down. He was up quickly and continued to press the fight with Charlo not really trying to build on that knockdown but a double jab from but Charlo sent Campfort back a couple of steps with a double jab at the end of the round. In the third Charlo landed a swinging left to the side of Campfort’s head and a right uppercut through the middle of Campfort’s guard and the challenger was down again. This time when the eight count was over Charlo was letting his hands go landing a series of combinations and it looked as though Campfort might not make it through the round. However he re-grouped and was rumbling forward at the bell but without really doing any useful scoring.  In the fifth Charlo landed a straight right then a left uppercut and then a right which sent Campfort back to the ropes dabbing at his right eye. As Charlo followed Campfort to the ropes he went down on his knees still dabbing the eye. He got up but indicated his vision was affected and he could not continue and the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old Texan was making the first defence of his IBF title and put on an impressive show as he collected win No 18 by KO/TKO, but there are tougher fight out there for him. Haitian Campfort , 31, was unbeaten in 20 fights going in but the opposition had not been strong and he suddenly got his IBF rating at a time when he had not fought for almost six months. He tried hard here but the statistics showed he hardly landed a punch and was in over his head.

Spence vs. Barrera

Spence impresses in front of his home crowd with break down and stoppage of useful Mexican Barrera. The Texan southpaw was coming forward in the first with Barrera, who had the longer reach,  not find the target with Spence using good movement, coming underneath and scoring with body shots. Barrera just could not establish his jab and early in the second Spence had him wobbling with a right hook to the chin. Barrera escaped and tried to throw a few punches of his own but his range finder was off and Spence hurt him with another right. Late in the round a right snapped Barrera’s head back and he was under pressure at the bell. Barrera started the third throwing more punches and backing Spence up at times but he was out of distance and wild with them allowing Spence to bang home straight lefts. In the fourth Spence was taking his time picking Barrera apart with sharp combinations not wasting a punch and he landed two good straight lefts to end the round. In the fifth Spence took Barrera to a corner and slammed home a left and right to the body with Barrera slumping to his knees. Barrera got up but Spence jumped on him and a four punch combination to head and body saw Barrera going down again as the referee stepped in to stop the fight. The 23-year-old Spence moves to 16 wins id with 9 inside the distance wins in his last 10 fights and with useful names such as Sammy Vargas, Phil Lo Greco and Chris van Heerden all failing to last the distance. He is rated WBC 10/WBA 10/IBF 10(8)/WBO 13. He needs a few more fights and will then be ready for some of the big names in the division. Barrera, 29, suffers his first loss by KO/TKO. He has wins over Abner Lopez, Juan Maciel Montiel and Jose De Jesus Macias but Spence was a different class.

Lubin vs. Camacho

Lubin too hot for Camacho who is down in the first and out in the second. . Southpaw Lubin was stalking  Camacho in the first. Camacho was trying a couple of long rights but Lubin  backed him into a corner and shook him with a right hook. He followed Camacho along the ropes and a right hook put Camacho down. He was up at three and after the eight count Lubin continued to stalk Camacho around the ring. Late in the round he again cornered Camacho and unloaded combinations to head and body and with Camacho wilting until he was saved by the bell. Lubin finished it in style in the second with a stunning overhand right that crashed onto Camacho’s jaw and put him down on his back. He managed to sit up but just stayed there until the count was completed. The tall 20-year-old southpaw from Orlando, a former NGG champion, looks better every time he fights. No big tests yet but useful wins over Norberto Gonzalez and Orlando Lora. Austin-based Mexican Camacho, 34, was having his first fight for 14 months and was never in with a chance.

Molina vs. Romero

Molina returns refreshed and punches too hard for Romero. After dominating the first two rounds Molina was unloading heavy combinations on Romero in the fourth when the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. First fight for the 32-year-old Californian since he lost three tough fights in a row against Lucas Matthysse-a brutal beating-Humberto Soto and in March this year to Adrien Broner but he is looking for a chance to erase the memory of his loss inside a round to Antonio DeMarco in a WBC title fight in 2012. Now 6 losses in a row for the once promising Romero.

Lovett vs. Miller

Lovett gets painful win over Miller. Lovett was boxing well enough in the first but Miller seemed to think that the Australian’s waist started at his knees and was throwing low shots from the start. After deducting three points from Miller and seeing the danger of things progressing from circum to castration the referee disqualified him. Lovett, 30, is a former Australian amateur champion and is 9-0,1ND since moving to the USA. Miller has lost 5 of his last 6 fights but had never been disqualified so perhaps he was just feeling a little low.

 

Sendai, Japan: Light Fly: Yu Kimura (18-2-1) W PTS 12 Pedro Guevara (26-1-1). Super Fly: Carlos Cuadras (34-0-1) W PTS 12 Koki Eto (17-4-1).

Kimura vs. Guevara

Kimura pulls off upset victory to lift Guevara’s IBF title. Guevara was favourite in this one and that looked a good pick as he used rapid and accurate jabs and plenty of movement to outbox the less skilful Japanese challenger. After four rounds Guevara was ahead on all three cards 39-37 twice and 40-36. It looked an even better choice after Guevara shook Kimura with big right in the fifth. Guevara piled on the pressure looking for the finish but Kimura survived the round. Up to now Kimura had been trying to box with Guevara but that was not working so from the sixth he changed his tactics and began to close the distance, put on more pressure and work the body more. It worked to an extent as after eight rounds he had closed the gap in the points slightly as they stood at 79-73 and 77-75 and 76-76. It rested on the last four rounds and Kimura swept the closing rounds constantly putting Guevara under pressure with the champion’s work rate dropping and his title with it. Scores 115-113 twice for Kimura and 117-111 for Guevara. The 32-year-old new champion, a former undefeated Japanese champion, had lost only one of his last 15 fights but his opposition had been mainly low level domestic opposition. Guevara had impressed in knocking out Akira Yaegashi in seven rounds in Japan in December and in two defences during 2015 but he let his title slip away here with a poor finish.

Cuadras vs. Eto

Cuadras got a win for Mexico as he used superior skill, speed and movement to box his way to a clear unanimous decision and retain his WBC title. Despite Eto having reach and height over Cuadras the champion was able to get in land his punches and out before Eto could counter. Eto kept trying to force the fight but Cuadras was able to manoeuvre him onto the ropes and work inside with Eto not having space to use his physical advantages, Eto’s defence was not too sound and Cuadras was able to slot home accurate shots in round after round of intelligent boxing. At the end of the fourth the scores clearly showed the dominance of Cuadras as they stood at 40-36 for the Mexican on all three cards. He continued to use his speed to score inside and outside although an overhand right from Eto had shaken Cuadras in the sixth and he had been more cautious in the seventh and eighth. At the end of the eighth Cuadras had a winning lead and after that right from Eto in the sixth he went into his shell and fought a much more defensive fight not fighting on the inside but moving more and punching less. Even then his speed allowed him to outscore Eto over the closing rounds. Scores 117-111 twice and 116-112 all for Cuadras. The 27-year-old “Principe” was making the fifth defence of his title and with his blend of skill and power will be hard to beat. Eto also 27 a former interim WBA flyweight champion had done little of note since losing his title to Yodmongkol in November 2013 and just could not match the skills of the champion.

 

Venado Tuerto, Argentina: Super Bantam: Javier N Chacon (21-3-1) W TKO 9  Isaias Luques Castillo (16-4). Chacon comes from behind to halt Luques Castillo. Over the early rounds Luques Castillo used his height, reach and long jab to build a lead. Chacon was dangerous with his wild attacks but not accurate. Eventually Chacon’s pressure found Luques Castillo spending more and more time on the retreat and being shaken by rights from Chacon Luques Castillo tried to fight back with quick combinations of hooks and uppercuts but he lacked the power to match Chacon. In the ninth with blood trickling from a cut over his right eye Chacon sent Luques Castillo tumbling into the ropes with a hard left. Luques Castillo was being driven along the ropes with Chacon chasing and landing with heavy swipes that put Luques Castillo over and the referee stopped the fight. Chacon, 34, wins the interim WBC Latino title. He lost to Anselmo Moreno for the WBA bantam title in March 2014 and to Jamie McDonnell for the secondary WBA title in November but last time out had a good draw with Roberto Domingo Sosa in July. He was FAB No 2 at bantam: Luques Castillo, the FAB No 1 bantam was making the second defence of his interim WBC Latino title and gets his second loss by KO/TKO.

 

Mansfield, Australia: Light Heavy: Trent Broadhurst (17-1) W KO 8 Rob Powdrill (6-2). Super Welter: Rocky Jerkic (12-0) W TKO 8 Shannon King (9-2). Light: Darragh Foley (8-1) W KO 1 Miles Zalewski (5-1). Cruiser: Jai Opetaia (3-0) W PTS 6 Randall Raiment (2-2).

Broadhurst vs. Powdrill

Experience and better skills win this one for Broadhurst. He used a stiff, accurate jab to keep Powdrill on the back foot. Powdrill had shown how dangerous he was with a 21 seconds blow-out of hot prospect Damien Hooper but Broadhurst never gave him a chance to use that power. Broadhurst bossed the action with that jab and hooks to the body. In the seventh a couple of those hooks strayed low and Broadhurst was deducted a point but it made no difference. In the ninth anther stiff jab from Broadhurst put Powdrill on the back foot and  a peach of a right uppercut and a left hook to the body had Powdrill retreating along the ropes. He stopped and tried to fire off a punch but Broadhurst banged home two right to the head and Powdrill went face down on the canvas. He managed to turn over but only managed to turn over on his back and the referee waived the fight over without taking up the count. The 27-year-old scaffold worker makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO and wins the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title. His only loss was a knockout against Robert Berridge in 2011 and he has won 10 fights since then, 7 by KO/TKO. Powdrill, 31, suffers his first loss by KO/TKO.

Jerkic vs. King

Jerkic pulls this one out of the fire to win the Australian title from champion King in an exciting but untidy fight. Jerkic had the superior skills and with King swinging wildly he was able to stay on the outside and pick up the points .Both indulged in some rough stuff with the referee having his work cut out to control the fight. Gradually King came into the fight and despite having soaked up quite a bit of punishment he began to take over as Jerkic seemed to tire. After seven rounds King was ahead on two cards but Jerkic took it out of the judges hands by flooring King twice with big rights and forcing the stoppage. The 27-year-old new Australian champion showed he had power to go with his skills and has now won 7 of his last 8 fight by KO/TKO. King just kept coming and coming no matter how much punishment he took and the 37-year-old “Shaggy” is a popular fighter but not active enough with just two fights in 14 months.

Foley vs. Zalewski

Minor upset as Foley kayos unbeaten Zalewski to win Australian title. It took the 27-year-old Kent-born Irish fighter just 2:20 of the opening round as he gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. He had shown his potential last month with a stoppage of Australian hope Valentine Borg. Zalewski was making the first defence of his Australian title

Opetaia vs. Raymen

Former Olympian Opetaia settles for going the distance. The highly-touted southpaw prospect suffered an early injury to his left hand but still managed to floor Raymen in the third. After that he just boxed his way to a comfortable victory . Scores 60-54 twice and 60-53. The 20-year-old 6’4” (194cm-although the official Australian information for the Olympics gave his height as 182cm) was Australian champion at Schoolboy, Junior and Senior level and won a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships. One to watch whatever his height. Rayment, a former mixed martial arts competitor just really a four round fighter.

 

Dartmouth, Canada: Super Bantam: Tyson Cave (28-3) W TKO 2 Walter Rojas (24-8-1). Feather: Joey Laviolette (3-0) W TKO 2 Larami Carmona (1-2).

Cave vs. Rojas

Cave takes care of business in less than 5 minutes with stoppage of Rojas. Cave was much too good for the  Argentinian. The first round did not feature much action with Cave just seeing what Rojas brought to the table. In the second an already frustrated Rojas signalled for Cave to stand and trade punches-big mistake. A hard accurate shot to the chin from Cave put Rojas down and he never really recovered from that punch. Rojas got up and tried to punch his way out of trouble only to be floored again. Once again the Argentinian got up but a thumping punch to the head sent Rojas out under the ropes. He tried to rise but collapsed again and the referee waived the fight over so that Rojas could get medical attention. The 34-year-old Cave “The Prince of Hali”-that’s Halifax Nova Scotia-makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. He lost to Oscar Escandon for the interim WBA title in December and this is his fourth low level win since then. He is rated No 4 by the WBA. This fight was for a version of the WBU title, as there is more than one WBU I don’t know which one and don’t really care too much, but understandably Cave was happy to have won a “world” title in front of his fans and family and now naturally he wants Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg. Rojas,28, came in at very short notice when the original Mexican opponent had a visa problem, and suffered his third loss in a row by KO/TKO with the other two being first round losses. He does not do distance fights as only 2 of his 33 fights have gone the distance with him losing 8 of them by KO/TKO. It was not his night as they played the Mexican anthem for him instead of the Argentinian one-insult and injury.

Laviolette vs. Carmona

Former Canadian amateur champion gets his third inside the distance win. The local fighter put Carmona down three times before the referee halted the match in the second round. The 27-year-old Laviolette is a four-time Canadian amateur champion. He turned pro in 2012 after failing to qualify for the Olympics but after his first fight suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and one thing led to another and he drifted away from the sport for three years before returning with a win in July this year. Second quick loss in a row for Carmona.

 

Turin, Italy: Super Light: Andrea Scarpa (19-2) W PTS 12 Lyes Chaibi (14-9-2). Heavy: Carlos Takam (33-2-1) W PTS 8 Geroge Arias (56-15). Super Middle: Hadillah Mohoumadi (20-3-1) W TKO 1 Ericles Torres Marin (8-7-1). Heavy: Matteo Modugno (18-0) W TEC DEC 5  Ivica Perkovic (21-29). Light Heavy: Orial Kolaj (16-5) W TKO 4 Bela Juhasz (12-5).

Scarpa vs. Chaibi

Scarpa wins the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title with unanimous decision over French southpaw Chaibi. The Frenchman made an aggressive start and although giving away height and reach had his right jab working well and was getting through with some light but scoring punches and took the first three rounds. Scarpa began to find the rang with his right late in the third. Chaibi was still forcing the fight in the fourth but a right counter from Scarpa had him badly shaken. The Frenchman recovered in the fifth and was again marching forward and they exchanged body punches in what was becoming a testing and entertaining fight. Scarpa had Chable shaken by a counter at the start of the sixth but Chaibi showed a good chin and although he took punishment again in the seventh was still dangerous. Chaibi kept rolling forward in the eighth and ninth ignoring the incoming fire but was hurt by another right in the  ninth. Scarpa’s face was a mask of blood from cuts but he had Chaibi hurt and pinned to the ropes in the tenth. Chaibi bounced back to have a good eleventh leaving the fight in the balance. Scarpa needed a big last round to be sure of the decision and he again got home with a big right and this time Chaibi was badly hurt and a stoppage seemed possible but Chaibi made  it to the bell. Scores 116-111, 115-112 and 115-113 all for Scarpa but only the last two scores really reflected how the action panned out. The 26-year-old local, the Italian champion, went 1-2 in his first 3 fights so is now on an 18 bout winning streak and is No 9 with the EBU. Chaibi, 32, was 5-6-2 in his last 13 fights but fought much better than expected.

Takam vs. Arias

Takam gets eight rounds of work against Brazilian oldie Arias as he cruises to a unanimous decision. The French-based fighter from Cameroon varied his work over the first round using the jab and then getting inside and working the body. Arias tried to force the fight in the second but Takam was too skilful and handled the Brazilian’s attacks easily. Takam turned the heat up in the third with Arias forced to take a standing count and as the Brazilian tired over the closing rounds Takam even had time for a bit of show-boating on his way to the victory. Takam had a good run with wins over Mike Grant and Tony Thompson but in October last year was knocked out in ten rounds by Alex Povetkin. He has three wins this year including a kayo of Michael Sprott in June. I was going to say that Arias, 41, was a shadow of the fighter who lost to Johnny Nelson for the WBO cruiser title in 2011 but since he now weighs about 40lbs heavier than he did then I will say he is past his best.

Mohoumadi vs. Marin

Just some Christmas money for European champion Mohoumadi. He started in his usual whirlwind fashion and just overwhelmed the inexperienced Hungarian southpaw . The 35-year-old Frenchman, a human dynamo, lost on points to James DeGale in a challenge for the European title in 2012 but has won his last 6 fights the last five of those by KO/TKO. Marin, 39, is 2-6 in his last 8 fights.

Modugno vs. Perkovic

Italian champion Modugno gets technical decision over yet another oldie in Croatian Perkovic. Modugno was on his way to a points victory when a clash of heads left the Italian fighter with a bad cut and the fight went to the cards with Modugno the clear winner. The

6’6 ½” Milanese fighter remains unbeaten but has yet to face any real tests and is rated No 10 by the EBU. Perkovic, 41, has lost 8 of his last 9 fights.

Kolaj vs. Juhasz

The Albanian “Eagle” Kolaj stops Hungarian Juhasz in four rounds. The Rome-based fighter, is Italian champion and after a 5-5 start to his career has now won 12 in a row and is No 14 with the EBU. Juhasz, 28, lost to Brit Miles Shinkwin June but then had three low level wins back home.

 

Tequisquiapan, Mexico: Welter: Carlos Ocampo (17-0) W PTS 10 Jorge Paez Jr (39-7-2,1ND) W. Bantam: Emanuel Navarrete (12-1) W KO 3 Ricardo Roman (9-8-3).

Ocampo vs. Paez

Ocampo gets his best win so far with wide unanimous verdict over experienced Paez. Over the first four rounds Ocampo surprised by standing and trading with Paez and getting the better of the exchanges. Ocampo then changed his tactics and began to move more and outbox Paez. Paez kept pressing and had some success but was tiring and Ocampo cleverly then moved back inside and then over the eighth and ninth started to box again and a desperate last round attack by Paez was too little too late. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92 all for Ocampo. The young fighter from Ensenada was coming off a good win over Jhonny Navarette in August but Paez is by far his biggest scalp. Paez, 27, had lost to Jose Benavidez for the interim WBA title in May but bounced back with a points victory over Daniel Echevarria (18-0) in August so it looked to be a big ask for Ocampo.

Navarrete vs. Roman

“Cowboy” Navarette  extends his winning streak with kayo of Roman. Navarette had Roman down in both the first and second rounds before scoring the knockout in the third. The 20-year-old from Mexico City has won his last 7 fights 6 of them by KO/TKO. Roman going the other way with only one win in his last 9 fights,

 

Outapi, Namibia: Feather: Gottlieb Ndokosho (16-4,1ND) W Francis Miyeyusho (41-13-2). Ndokosho wins the IBF African and Persian Gulf title with close decision over Tanzanian Miyeyusho. This one had a dramatic start with Ndokosho flooring Miyeyusho inside the first minute of the first round. The Tanzanian southpaw got up and shocked the locals by flooring Ndokosho before the round ended. Miyeyusho seemed to recover better and over the next four rounds built a good lead. From the sixth to the eighth  Ndokosho’s body attack helped him get back into the fight and over the remaining four exciting rounds he did enough to convince the judges that he had won Scores 115-110, 114-111 and 114-113 for the local fighter with Miyeyusho’s trainer adamant that his fighter had been robbed. The 36-year-old Ndokosho was having his first fight since losing his IBF Inter-Continental title on a wide unanimous decision to Oscar Chauke in February. Former CBC title challenger Miyeyusho,35, has lost a lot of fights on the road .

 

Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines: Super Fly: Arthur Villanueva (28-1) W PTS 12 Victor Mendez (19-3-2). Super Feather: AJ Banal (34-2-1) W TKO 3 Emilio Norfat (25-7). Super Fly: Milan Melindo (33-2) W PTS 10 Victor Olivo (9-1). Super Fly: Rocky Fuentes (39-8-2) W KO 2 Afrizal Tamboresi (11-4). Fly: Kevin Jake Cataraja (2-0) W TKO 4 Ellias Nggenggo (10-9-3).

Villanueva vs. Mendez

Villanueva wins the vacant WBC International title with a split decision over Mexican Mendez. Villanueva made a fast start being more aggressive than in other fights and scoring with southpaw rights and some choice uppercuts. Mendez took the punches well and used his longer reach to work outside and get home enough rights of his own to be in the fight. Villanueva was more successful at getting inside over the middle rounds although at distance his timing and accuracy were off. Villanueva had Mendez in trouble in the ninth but other than that seemed to think he was way out in front and tended to coast over the late rounds which almost cost him the fight. Luckily he had built enough of a lead to have a cushion. Scores 117-111 and 116-112 for Villanueva and 115-113 for Mendez. Villanueva “barely” made the weight for this one. He was over at the first weighing but stripped off his underpants and that was enough to get him inside the limit. This is the first fight for the 26-year-old “King Arthur” since losing on a technical decision to McJoe Arroyo for the vacant IBF title in July. The 22-year-old “Spock” Mendez-he resembles the famous Star Ship Vulcan-had been meeting a much lower level opposition but had won his 5 fights this year.

Banal vs. Norfat

Banal floors Norfat early but then gets a cut before ending things in the third. “Bazooka” knocked Norfat over with one of his bombs, a southpaw left, just after the bell to start the opening round. Tanzanian Norfat did well to get up and last the remaining time. In the second a clash of heads saw Banal suffer and injury to his left eye in a clash of heads and the injury quickly ballooned up to virtually close Banal’s eye. He came out firing in the third and a right hook to the side of the head put Norfat down he got up but Banal showered him with punches until the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old Banal makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO. He has lost his two biggest fights being knocked out by Rafael Concepcion for the interim WBA super fly in 2008 and to Pungluang on a ninth round stoppage in 2012 for the vacant WBO bantam title. He took nine months out after that defeat and has acquired six wins since then but has a long way to go to another title shot. Norfat, 26, “Prince Kilimanjaro” suffers his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

 Melindo vs. Olivo

“Method Man” Melindo gets a less than impressive split decision over Mexican novice Olivo. Melindo edged the first round but was rocked badly by punches from Olivo in the second and third rounds. Melindo managed to find some punching space in the fourth but lacked the power to keep Olivo from getting inside and the Mexican did well over the middle rounds. Melindo had Olivo badly hurt with a right in the eighth but Olivo’s punches had caused swelling around both of Melindo’s eyes. With only one ten round fight behind him Olivo seemed to tire over the last two rounds allowing Melindo to steal the verdict. Scores 96-94 twice for Melindo and 96-94 for Olivo. The 27-year-old Melindo’s losses have been in world title shots against Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA/WBO flyweight titles and Javier Mendoza for the IBF  light fly title. This was his first fight since losing the technical decision to Mendoza in May. He is rated WBO 4/IBF 5 (3)/WBC 8. Olivo, just 19 was brought in as a very late notice substitute and was taking a huge step up in class and distance in this fight as his previous experience consisted of seven four round fights, one six round, and one ten, so to have taken Melindo to a split decision in Melindo’s home town indicates a lot of potential. In addition he had to take off quite a bit of weight having fought at 121lbs in July but he got down to 113 for the fight and his mobility posed problems for Melindo

Fuentes vs. Tamboresi

“Road Warrior” Fuentes is a few classes above relatively inexperienced Indonesian. After taking the first round Fuentes put Tamboresi down and out with an overhand right and a left uppercut. The 29-year-old local now has 21 wins by KO/TKO. The former OPBF champion  had a 15 bout winning streak snapped as he suffered defeats against Amnat Ruenroeng in January 2014 for the vacant IBF fly title and in November to Roman Gonzalez for WBC title. This is his first fight since that November loss to Gonzalez. Tamboresi was coming off a points loss against Brad Hoare in Australia in May.

Cataraja vs. Nggenggo

Cataraja may be a name to keep an eye on. The former top amateur had Nggenggo retreating and under pressure all the way.  A wicked right to the ribs put Nggenggo down in agony in the first but the Indonesian made it to the bell. Cataraja always looked as though he would finish this inside the distance but in the end it was a cut on the left eyebrow of Nggenggo which saw the doctor recommend the fight be stopped. Still only 20 Cataraja is considered a can’t miss prospect. Nggenggo could not complain about losing on a cut as it was a cut caused by a punch that gave him his biggest when he beat world rated Merlito Sabillo in November last year.

 

East London, South Africa: Light: Xolisani Ndongeni (20-0) W TKO 9 Jasper Seroka (26-5). Feather: Simpiwe Vetyeka (28-3) W KO 4 Rodolfo Puente (16-2-2). Minimum: Siyabonga Siyo (10-0 W PTS 10 Ronie Tanallon (8-2-1). Super Bantam: Mzuvukile Magwaca (17-1-1) W TKO 2 Raul Medina (26-17-3).

Ndongeni vs. Seroka

Ndongeni wins vacant IBO title but fails to impress on the night. The talented local fighter started brightly taking the early rounds but Seroka just kept plugging away and was soon outworking Ndongeni and turning the fight around. Seroka had got his nose in front and with Ndongeni not using his superior skills or usual forceful jabbing the fight was getting away from him. His trainer Colin Nathan read Ndongeni the riot act at the end of the eighth round which stung Ndongeni into action. He stormed out for the ninth driving Seroka to the ropes with a succession of hard, accurate combinations and with Seroka not fighting back the referee stopped the fight. Seroka’s corner protested the stoppage but Seroka was badly hurt and just taking punishment. Strangely after eight rounds Ndongeni was in front 78-74 on two cards and 79-73 on the third so comfortably in front but the perception was that he was fading. Ndongeni gets his tenth win by KO/TKO and it was explained that he had injured his right shoulder nine days before the fight and had troubled him more the longer the fight went. He remains one of the top prospects in South Africa. Seroka, the South African super feather champion, had won his last five fights including good wins in domestic action against Joey Stiglingh, Ashley Dlamini and his No 1 challenger Koos Sibiya.

Vetyeka vs. Puente

The former WBA and IBO feather champion showed he is still a force as he was a class above Colombian Puente despite the South American superficially impressive looking statistics. Vetyeka had no trouble dealing with the erratic attacks of Puente and outboxed him over the first three rounds before putting him down and out with a head shot in the fourth.  The 34-year-old Vetyeka retains his WBA International title. He still does not get the recognition he deserves for stopping Chris John in 2013 to snap the Indonesian’s unbeaten streak at 53 fights. Vetyeka lost his WBA title to Nonito Donaire on a technical decision in May last year but got a good win over Arturo Santos Reyes in December. This is Vetyeka.s first fight in 2015 but low levels of activity are the norm with the South African who has never fought more than twice in any year since 2007. Puente lost his first pro fight so was unbeaten in 18 fights going in but this is his first fight outside Colombia and his first real opponent.

Siyo vs. Tanallon

Siyo remains unbeaten with unanimous verdict over Filipino southpaw Tanallon. The talented but light punching Eastern Cape boxer had to climb off the floor in the seventh round but was never in any real danger of losing. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-91. The South African No 1 shows plenty of promise. The 22-year-old Filipino “Ultimate Warrior” holds the Philippines Boxing Federation title and is rated No 8 light flyweight by the GAB.

Magwaca vs. Medina

“Old Bones” Magwaca is much too good for Argentinian veteran Medina. Magwaca was in top form and dished out enough punishment for the referee to feel the need to save Medina from too much punishment just as the Argentinian’s corner were about to pull their man out. Don’t let the “Old Bones” nickname fool you Magwaca is a promising fighter with real talent. His only loss is to another rising star in unbeaten Makazole Tete and he has good domestic wins over Lwandile Sityatha the current IBO super fly champion, Mfundo Gwayana and Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez (22-2). The 36-year-old Medina, a former Argentinian and South American champion, is well down the slope with 8 losses in his last 9 fights but this is the first time he has failed to last the distance in a fight in nine years.

 

Brabant, Belgium: Middle: James Hagenimana (4-4) W KO 6 Mohammed Sidi Slimani (7-7-1).

Hagenimana wins the Belgian title with kayo of Silimani. There was not much between these two over the first three rounds but in the fourth a right uppercut/left hook combination from Hagenimana put Slimani down but he got up took the eight count and saw out the round. Silimani was down again in the fifth but it was rightly rules a slip but he is under pressure. In the sixth Hagenimana a body punch from Hagenimana again floors Slimani and although he bravely climbed to his feet his corner threw in the towel but the referee complete a ten count. Now three wins by the local “Black Dragon Hagenimana who had knocked Silimani out in one round when Hagenimana had his first pro fight. Silimani, 35, is now 2-5 in his last 7 fights.

 

Suzhou, China: Heavy: Peter Graham (10-3-1) W TKO 4 Alphonce Masumbuko (12-4-1). Cruiser: Shunkai Xia (6-0) W TKO 1 Amour Mzungu (7-4-1).

Graham vs. Masumbuko
Graham wins the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title with stoppage of Tanzanian. Masumbuko had no chance of winning this one on physical measurement alone. He was a 5’9” (175cm) 220lbs (100kg) fighter facing a 6’6” (198cm) 250lbs (113kg) fighter. His only chance was to get inside and although he marched forward he was just soaking up jabs and body punches. Graham floored the Tanzanian twice in the third and after another knockdown in the fourth the fight was stopped. Australian champion Graham gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. He is 40 and initially turned pro in 2000. He lost his first three fights but then went 6-0-1 in his next seven before disappearing from the scene in November 2002. He did not return until 2012, almost 10 years later but this is only his fourth fight in over three years so is unbeaten in 11 fights. Masumbuko (he fights as Mchumiatumbo), 28 began his career with 10 wins and a draw and has gone downhill from there

Xia vs. Mzungu

Xia retains the WBO China Zone title with 104 seconds wipe out of another Tanzanian with no hope of winning. A left hook to the body and a straight right put Mzungu down and out cold with the referee not counting but getting Mzungu medical attention and he quickly recovered. Xia, 23, gets his third win by KO/TKO. Poor Mzungu had even less chance of winning than Masumbuko. The dimension were similar to the Graham fight at 5-9” (175cm) against 6’4” (193cm) but to make it far worse Mzungu is 44-year-old and had been knocked out in 91 seconds in his last fight in March. The WBO are obviously quite happy to sanction this sort of dangerous mismatch and they would share equal blame with the local officials if something bad happened.

 

Manila, Philippines: Super Feather: Randy Braga (17-1-1) W TKO 2 Jilo Merlin (13-25-2). Elorde Gym fighter Braga gets his fourth win by KO/TKO as he floors Merlin in the first and forces the stoppage in the second. The 27-year-old southpaw, the GAB champion, gets his second win since suffering his sole loss on a split decision against Macbute Sinyabi in South Africa for the IBO Inter-Continental title. Merlin has lost his last 10 fights so obviously no magic from him.

 

General Santos City, Philippines: Super Fly: Mark Antonio Geraldo (32-6-3) W TKO 6 Jelbirt Gomera (10-0).

Experience triumphed here as Gerald halted the unbeaten run of Gomera. Geraldo floored Gomera heavily in the second but the youngster got up and fought back. Geraldo suffered a bad cut over his right eye before scoring two knockdowns in the sixth to finish the fight. Southpaw Geraldo, 24, was coming back from tough points losses to McJoe Arroyo in an IBF eliminator and Takuma Inoue for the OPBF title so could not afford another defeat. Gomera, just 19, has the talent to come again.

 

Olivos, Argentina: Super Light: Matias E Gomez (34-2) W TKO 5 Martin Escobar (15-3).

Both of these fighters are big punchers so it came to who struck first and Gomez won the race. He floored Escobar in the first and like the experience so much that he put him down six more times. He scored another knockdown in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth to finish the fight. Only the third fight in over three years for Gomez who was once looked on as a big prospect. He won his first 29 fights, 28 by KO/TKO but then suffered back-to-back losses on the road in 2013 to Thompson Mokwana and Andrey Klimov. Fellow-Argentinian Escobar had won his last 10 fights in a row by KO/TKO including 5 in the first round.

 

November 29

 

St. Petersburg, Russia: Middle: Igor Selivanov (11-0) W PTS 8 Kassim Ouma (28-9-1).

Young Russian hope gets a name on his record as he takes a wide unanimous decision over former IBF super welter champion Ouma. He had Ouma rocking a couple of times but never managed to close the fight out. Scores 80-72 twice and 78-75. The tall 21-year-old Ukrainian-born Selivanov is being brought along carefully and this is his first win over a “name” fighter. Ugandan southpaw Ouma, 36, was having his first fight in two years and only his third in over four years.

 

December 1

 

Kempton Park, South Africa: Welter: Paul Kamanga (18-0) W TKO 5 Roman Zhailauov (15-2). Super Light: Warren Joubert (23-4-5) W PTS 8 Jason Bedeman (18-4-3).

Kamanga vs. Zhailauov

Kamanga gets off the floor to halt Zhailauov. Things looked to be going badly for Kamanga when he was floored by a left in the second round but he had been doing some substantial scoring of his own before that. He had been boxing on the outside with Zhailauov dangerous with left hooks when he got inside. Kamanga’s work paid dividends in the third when a punch stated a rapidly growing swelling under the right eye of Zhailauov. Both continued to land hard punches in the fourth with Kamanga getting home the harder shots. Zhailauov survived a doctor’s inspection in the fourth but with his right eye closed was shipping heavy punishment in the fifth when the fight was halted. Tenth win by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old DRC-born Kamanga who already has wins over Kaizer Mabuza and Jason Bedeman and looks to be one for the future. Zhailauov, 21, currently based in South Africa, had lost a split decision to Thompson Mokwana in September and gave Kamanga a good test until the injury.

Joubert vs. Bedeman

This was an important fight for both men as they were both coming of losses and did not want to slip any further. As a result it was a real war which could have swung either way but in the end Joubert got a close but deserved decision. Scores 77-75 twice and 77-76. “The Warrior” Joubert has been a pro for 11 years but only won his first South African title in April. Unfortunately he only held it for just over three months losing it to Grant Fourie in July.  “Badman” Bedeman has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights but the other two losses were to class opposition in Ali Funeka and Kamanga and at 25 he can rebuild.

 

Bedeman Badman 25 has now lost 3 of 4 but is young enough to rebuild with the other losses to Ali Funeka and Kamanga.