The Past Week In Action 8 November 2016

 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 8 November 2016

November 4

 

Los Angeles, Ca, USA: Feather: Manuel Avila (22-0) W PTS 10 Jose Ramirez (28-7). Super Bantam: Emilio Sanchez (13-0) W PTS 8 Diuhl Olguin (11-5-3).

Avila vs. Ramirez

Avila gets split decision over Ramirez in a fight that was hard to score because there was so little clean action. From the opening bell Ramirez was bulling forward getting inside the reach of the taller Avila. He would put his head in Avila’s face and then just throw overhand punches which naturally tended to land high if at all. When he could make some room Avila was doing the scoring with jabs and counters but time and again Ramirez bulled him to the ropes and held him there. The referee warned Ramirez twice in the first round and then again in the second for sticking his head in Avila’s face but then let him get away with it for the rest of the fight. Avila just could not make any room to let his better skills work but should have been able to handle the brawling Ramirez better and never really came up with an answer. He opened a cut over the left eye of Ramirez with a punch in the seventh. The referee took points off Ramirez for blatantly hitting on the break in the fifth and for holding in the tenth but Ramirez had been doing that since the opening bell. Two of the judges favoured the few spells of cleaner scoring Avila did over the brawling, arm pumping light punches from Ramirez but this was a messy wrestling match of a fight in which neither fighter shone even faintly. Scores 99-89 twice for Avila and 95-93 for Ramirez. The 24-year-old Californian  “Tito” is better than this. He has wins over Yoandris Salinas and Rene Alvarado and is rated No 14 by the WBC but will want to forget this one. Mexican “Negro” Ramirez, 29, did what he had to do. If he had tried to box Avila would have had too much skill so his tactics were understandable-if ugly.

Sanchez vs. Olguin

Sanchez continues to show the progress that his amateur achievements promised but Olguin showed he was a better fight than his record indicated. Sanchez was attacking from the first taking the fight to Olguin and looking to blow him away early. Olguin did not fold. He showed good defensive skills and was able to score with good counter as Sanchez pressed. In each round Sanchez would press hard pushing Olguin back to the ropes and unleashing left and right hooks to head and body and uppercuts through the middle. Olguin would take it all and by the end of the round it would often be Sanchez on the ropes and Olguin landing belting hooks. Sanchez was throwing more punches and rocked Olguin on occasion but Olguin, who switched to southpaw in the middle rounds, always came right back and had Sanchez retreating. It was three minutes of war in every round with Sanchez doing enough to win most rounds but no matter what he landed Olguin eventually came right back at him and at the bell at the end of the fight it was again Sanchez with his back to the ropes as they just let their punches go. Sanchez a clear winner but Olguin deserves lots of credit for his gutsy performance.. Scores 80-72 , 79-73 and 77-75 all for Sanchez. The 24-year-old Californian Sanchez was US National and NGG champion as a Junior and a bronze medal winner at the US Championships in 2011. That earned him a place at the US Olympic Trials where he won through to the fourth round of the challenges but no further so missed out on the Olympics and turned pro. This was the first fight for 14 months for Mexican “Elegante” Olguin.  He has only lost once by KO/TKO and that was an eighth round stoppage against former IBF champion Zolani Tete  in September last year.

 

Corona, CA, USA: Welter: Taras Shelestyuk (15-0) W PTS 10 Jaime Herrera (15-4-1). Cruiser: Constantin Bejenaru (12-0) W PTS 10 Steve Bujaj (16-1-1). Light: Xolisani Ndongeni (22-0) W PTS 10 Juan Garcia Mendez (19-2-1).

Shelestyuk vs. Herrera

Shelestyuk holds on to his unbeaten record but it is not one of the Ukrainian’s better nights. The tall unbeaten Shelestyuk made use of his left jab and some good offence to take the first two rounds. He then faded badly in the third and fourth as his work rate dropped and he tended to stay inside and hold instead of working. Herrera clearly took those rounds and that holding cost Shelestyuk a points for in the fifth. The Ukrainian claimed that his legs seemed to have gone on him from the third round and that’s why he decided to fight inside. From the sixth he finally picked up the pace and although the sixth and seventh were close by the eighth Shelestyuk was again boxing and moving and he staged a strong finish as Herrera faded but Shelestyuk needed those rounds as the scoring showed. Scores 96-93 twice and 96-95. Toughest test so far for the tall 30-year-old Shelestyuk, the WBA No 13, who was making the first defence of his WBO NABO title. The former World Amateur Champion and Olympic bronze medal winner will find things even tougher as he moves up. Herrera was always going to give Shelestyuk a good fight. He effectively ended the career of Mike Jones with an eighth round retirement win in 2014 and could consider himself unlucky to have had to settle for a majority draw against Canadian hot hope Steven Butler in June last year in Butler’s backyard

Bejenaru vs. Bujaj

Bejenaru climbs off the floor and wins unanimous verdict over Bujaj in ugly fight. The Romanian southpaw was giving away a bit of height to Bujaj but he was barrelling forward with a style that Bujaj found difficult to solve. Heads clashed frequently with Bejenaru generally coming off worst. He was taking the fight to Bujaj and outscoring the New York-based Albanian but suffered a bad fifth when a left hook from Bujaj put him down. He fought his way out of that minor crisis and his case was helped when Bujaj lost a point in the ninth for hitting on the break. Despite a bad cut over his left eye and a number of bumps from the head clashes Bejenaru was a clear winner. Scores 97-91 from all three judges for Bejenaru. The 32-year-old Moldavian-born Bejenaru wins the vacant WBC International and Continental Americas titles. He did his boxing for Romania as an amateur winning five national titles, a gold medal at the World Combat Games, competing at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 World championships and taking medals at both the European and European Union Championships. That long stint as an amateur probably means he has left it too late to shed his vest and this is only his second fight in 13 months so time is slipping away. “Superman” Bujaj, 26, moved from Albania to New York when he was only six months old and as an amateur was New York Golden Gloves champion in 2009 and 2010. He loses his unbeaten tag and has some rebuilding to do after this disappointing performance.

Ndongeni vs. Mendez

South African Ndongeni makes a successful first foray in the USA. The talented “Wasp” outboxed Mexican Mendez and displayed the talent that has been drawing rave reviews in his homeland. He was in control most of the way but was unable to punctuate his showing with an inside the distance win and unfortunately his bout was not part of the TV coverage. That will change as the WBA No 2 already has wins over tough domestic opposition in Mzonke Fana and Jasper Seroka and is ready for some big fights on his way to a clash with Jorge Linares. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 all for Ndongeni. Mendez not as talented as his record might indicate. He was inactive in 2014 and had only one fight in 2015 and in 2016 prior to this outing.

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Middle: Jesse Hart (21-0) W TKO 3 Andrew Hernandez (16-5-1). Super Feather: Andy Vences (17-0) W TEC DEC 9 Casey Ramos (23-1).Welter: Alex Saucedo (23-0) W PTS 8 Ray Serrano (21-4).

Hart vs. Hernandez

Impressive display from Hart as he floors and halts an on form Hernandez. Hart got the perfect start as he put Hernandez down late in the first round with a left hook. Hernandez got up and made it to the bell but Hart continued to apply pressure in the second. In the third Hart pounded away until with Hernandez out on his feet and defenceless the referee stopped the fight. The 27-year-old from Philadelphia retains his WBO NABO title and wins the vacant WBC NABF belt as he moves to 16 wins by KO/TKO. He is No 1 with the WBO despite only having wins over useful but not top flight fighters Mike Jimenez and Aaron Pryor and journeyman par excellence Dashon Johnson. Hart had to climb off the floor and survive a rocky last round to beat Johnson in their fight in March. Hernandez, the 30-year-old Phoenix “Hurricane” had won six fight on the bounce including a victory over the highly rated unbeaten Russian Arif Magomedov. That win garnered him ratings as No 5 with the WBA and No 12 with the WBC but Hart just had too much power for him.

Vences vs. Ramos

Vences comes out on top in the battle between two unbeaten fighters. Vences seemed to edge the first two rounds scoring with good rights as Ramos came forward trying to get inside the guard of the longer reach of Vences. The third and fourth again saw Vences working on the outside with Ramos forcing the pace to try to work in close. Ramos had a good fifth but Vences did most of the scoring over the sixth and seventh working on the outside and building a good lead. In the eighth a clash of heads saw a bad cut opened under the left eye of Ramos. The doctor ruled it was OK for the fight to continue but another clash of heads in the ninth made the cut just too severe and the fight was halted and it was then left to the scorecards. Scores 88-83, 87-84 and 86-85 all for Vences. The 25-year-old Californian “Shark” was moving up to ten rounds for the first time and wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title in his biggest fight so far. Texan “Wizard” Ramos, 27, will feel he was unlucky here but will rebound.

Saucedo vs. Serrano

Lou Mesorana’s prospect  Saucedo is really starting to get noticed. He floored and took a unanimous decision over the much more experienced Serrano to register his biggest win so far. He set a blistering pace from the start taking the fight to Serrano in the first round and then flooring Serrano with a right in the second . Serrano was hurt but far from finished and held off Saucedo’s attacks in the third and fourth to get a foothold in the fight. From there it was close with Saucedo pressing hard and Serrano forced to fight on the back foot or against the ropes. A low punch from Saucedo brought a brief pause in the action in the last and he was a clear winner. Scores 77-74 twice and 76-75 all for Saucedo. Born in Mexico the 22-year-old Saucedo moved to Oklahoma City when he was six and showed such talent that at the age of 17 he was climbing in the ring with Manny Pacquiao for some sparring. He is making good progress so another one to watch. Philadelphian Serrano, 27, won his first 18 fights before suffering consecutive inside the distance losses against Karim Mayfield and Emmanuel Taylor. He returned with three wins but in his last fight in October last year lost to Brad Solomon.

 

Malvern, Australia: Welter: Tim Hunt (20-4-1) W TKO 1 Eddy Comaro (33-28-5). Welter: Shannon McMahon (17-6-1) W PTS 8 Marco Tuhumury (10-15-2).

Hunt vs. Comaro

Hunt dismantles Indonesian Comaro inside a round. A series of body punches followed by a straight right put Comaro down and out after just 72 seconds. The 29-year-old local fighter, the Australian No 4, gets his seventh win by KO/TKO and is now 8-1-1 in his last 10 fights. The loss was to tough Japanese opponent Yoshihiro Kamegai who halted Jesus Soto Karass in September, so no disgrace in Hunt losing that one. Poor Comaro had been stopped in two rounds by Brandon Ogilvie in November last year and now has 14 losses by KO/TKO.

McMahon vs. Tuhumury

McMahon returns after a long absence and outpoints Indonesian Tuhumury on a unanimous decision. The 39-year-old, known as “The Man”, was having his first fight since losing on an eleventh round stoppage against Sam Soliman for the WBFoundation middleweight title in March 2010. Tuhumury is now 1-7-1 in his last 9 fights.

 

Merida, Mexico: Light: Eduardo Torres (20-1) W PTS 8 Orlando Ramos (3-7-3).

Torres gets back in the winning column but has to fight hard to beat young Ramos. The feeling was that Ramos would do well to last two rounds but he proved tougher than that. Torres kept marching forward and landing punches but was wide open for counters. Over the first three rounds the fight was fairly equal but then Torres built a lead and clearly took the last two rounds for a unanimous decision but Ramos rarely took a backward step and fought hard. The local 29-year-old was having his first fight since losing on an upset kayo in five rounds against Carlos Jimenez (9-5-1) in March. A fight that showed the weaknesses in his defence. First fight for Ramos for 2 ½ years

 

November 5

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2) W PTS 12 Jessie Vargas (27-2). Super Bantam: Jessie Magdaleno (24-0) W PTS 12 Nonito Donaire (37-3). Feather: Oscar Valdez (21-0) W TKO 7 Hiroshige Osawa (30-4-4). Fly: Shiming Zou (9-1) W PTS 12 Kwanpichit (39-2-2). Super Welter: Alex Besputin (5-0) W RTD 6 Azael Cosio (20-5-2,1ND). Light: Robson Conceicao (1-0) W PTS 6 Clay Burns (4-3-2).

Pacquiao vs. Vargas

Pacquiao is champion again as he easily beats a disappointing Vargas. Both fighters made a cautious start in a first round that saw neither fighter land anything solid. Pacquiao was coming forward in the second ducking under Vargas’ punches scoring and getting out. He caught Vargas with a long left and a few moments later as Vargas overreached with a left the same punch sent Vargas stumbling back and down. Vargas was up quickly and after the eight count. With only 15 seconds left in the round he traded shots with Pacquiao to the bell. The third and fourth saw Pacquiao drawing the lead from Vargas and stepping inside to score with short,  quick hooks. Vargas scored with a solid right late in the fourth but then undid his good work by getting caught with punches as they exchanged shot at the end of the round. The speed of Pacquiao’s movement continued to give Vargas problems in the fifth and a couple of straight lefts from Pacquiao as Vargas again overreached were the best punches in the round. Vargas slotted home a long right early in the sixth and again late in the round in what was until then his best three minutes in the fight. The seventh was fairly even although Vargas was still having trouble combating the speed of Pacquiao. Vargas started the eighth well with another straight right but then a clash of heads saw him suffer a slanting cut over his right eye with the blood running down the right side of his nostril and Pacquiao had him under pressure at the end of the round. Both fighters did more missing then landing in the ninth but with Pacquiao landing a sharp combination and edging it. The tenth saw Pacquiao again leaping  inside landing short hooks and uppercuts with Vargas a step behind and not quick enough to counter. The fight was already lost for Vargas and he had no Plan B and Pacquiao put on a brilliant display in a one-sided eleventh and then outboxed Vargas in the last. Scores 118-109 twice and a very strange 114-113 all for Pacquiao who regains the WBO title. Title fight No 21 for Pacquiao (22 if you count the win over Ricky Hatton for the IBO) spread over six divisions and almost 18 years. Judging by the way that the 37-year-old Filipino handled Vargas there is plenty more in the tank but Terrence Crawford will be a much different proposition and perhaps a fight too far for “Pac Man”. Vargas was a disappointment. He was never in the fight and seemed to have no fight plan simply allowing Pacquiao to control the fight from start to finish. At 27 he has time and will fight for a title again but he did not do himself justice here.

Magdaleno vs. Donaire

Magdaleno beats Donaire to lift the Filipino’s title. In a cautious opening round southpaw Magdaleno just did enough clean work to edge it. Magdaleno also took the second. Donaire was not letting his punches go and the younger, quicker fighter was getting in landing short and getting out before Donaire could counter. Donaire let his hands go more in the third but was still waiting too long with Magdaleno outscoring him and using clever movement to stay off the ropes and in ring centre where his speed gave him the edge. Donaire pressed harder in the fourth and made it a close round with Magdaleno again sharp and elusive but a clash of heads opened a cut over his right eye. At the end of the round all three judges had Magdaleno in front with two having it 40-36 and the third 39-37. Donaire started the fifth well but from the half way mark Magdaleno was again scoring with quick attacks and connected with a good right to the head at the bell. The sixth saw Magdaleno outboxing Donaire. Again he was just two quick landing a series of right hooks in the middle of the round and catching the oncoming Donaire with counters over the late part of the round. The seventh was closer but Donaire was fighting at a pedestrian pace and allowing the sharper Magdaleno to pile up the points and pocket the rounds. Donaire was already 6 or 7 points behind with only five rounds to go. Donaire needed to win the eighth but instead it was a good round for Magdaleno. He was scoring with fast right jabs and straight lefts with Donaire often just too slow to land anything of note. The judges all had Magdaleno streets ahead at the end of the round with scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74. Donaire finally began to fight like a champion who could see his title slipping away and he was cutting the ring down and scoring with straight rights he looked on the way to winning the ninth clearly but over the last 30 seconds Magdaleno had him trapped on the ropes and banged home series of hooks and uppercuts to the head to make it his round. Donaire probably did enough to edge the tenth with neither fighter really dominating but winning rounds was not enough as by now he needed a knockout. The eleventh went to Donaire as he pressed hard and landed some hard straight rights but he was not able to land the big punch he needed and he was showing a big bloody bump under his right eye. Donaire managed to land some rights in the last one of which sent Magdaleno staggering back to the ropes but he recovered immediately and although Donaire had done enough to win the round he had lost his title. Scores 116-112 twice and 118-110 all for Magdaleno. The 24-year-old from Las Vegas makes it third time lucky for the Magdaleno family with elder brother Diego having lost out on shots at the WBO super Feather and light titles. Really there was nothing lucky about it. Magdaleno had a winning game plan and stuck to it. His speed was the differentiator here but he also avoided any toe-to-toe exchanges getting his punches of quickly and getting away before Donaire could make his power a factor. He also avoided any in fighting as he held whenever they came together denying Donaire the chance to land any energy sapping body punches. That helped him pace the fight even though he had never gone past the eighth round before. There are going to be exciting times ahead with the new champion. Donaire, 33, was just too slow and simply did not throw enough punches. He was outboxed by a younger, smarter fighter. He is already Hall of Fame material but the “Filipino Flash” seemed to have lost some of his sparkle. He thought he won the fight but he did not and the decision would probably be the same if they fought again.

Valdez vs. Osawa

Valdez makes successful first defence of his WBO title with stoppage of outclassed Japanese challenger Osawa. Osawa tried to take the fight to Valdez in the first but the champion used a stiff left jab and left hooks to the body to take control. In the second as Osawa came forward Valdez was snapping home his jabs rocking Osawa with rights to the head and scorching left hooks with Osawa under fire on the ropes at the bell. Osawa showed guts to keep walking forward behind his jab in the third but was taking a beating. Valdez focused on head punches in the third catching Osawa time and again with both hands with the challenger too slow to block the punches. Osawa tried to let his punches go more in the fourth but walked onto a short left hook  to the chin that put him down.  He was up immediately but looked badly shaken. After the eight count and with half of the round remaining Valdez was throwing bombs trying to end the fight but Osawa absorbed a number of head punches much harder than the one that put him down and made it to the bell. In the fifth Valdez was scoring freely whenever he let his punches go but he was allowing Osawa to come forward and not pressing his attacks. He was throwing less than half the punches he had thrown in each of the previous rounds. Valdez also took time off in the sixth fighting southpaw for most of the round. He let Osawa come forward and just kept moving around throwing just one punch at a time and when he did throw a wicked left hook to the body it stressed how he had not used that punch in the fifth and only used it once in the sixth. The seventh saw Osawa walking forward and Valdez countering. Suddenly a right to the head staggered Osawa and Valdez sprang forward driving Osawa to the ropes and unleashing a hail of head punches and with Osawa stunned and defenceless the referee stopped the fight. Valdez, just 25, is a burgeoning talent with classy moves and real power. This is win No 19 by KO/TKO for the former Olympian and the bad news for the division is that he will only get better. Osawa, 31, had courage but little else. He just did not seem to see the punches coming from Vargas and was too easy to hit. He was 15-0-1 in his last 16 fights but a look at the strength of his opposition it is clear that his No 1 rating by the WBO was farcical.

Zou vs. Kwanpichit

Zou gives China its first world boxing champion as he easily outpoints limited Thai Kwanpichit to win the vacant WBO fly title. Zou had outclassed Kwanpichit when they fought for the WBO International flyweight title in 2014 with Zou winning by 13, 13 and 16 points and this was a repeat performance. Zou had advantages in height, reach, hand speed and punch selection and Kwanpichit never got even a toe hold in the fight. A short right counter knocked Kwanpichit off balance in the second and with both gloves touching down he was given a count. He was not badly hurt but had to absorb more head punches as Zou let his hands go before the bell. Kwanpichit kept walking forward and had some success with long rights and a bit more when Zou stood and exchanged punches but he was being caught again and again with a variety of punches. Zou kept changing angles on Kwanpichit both giving the Chinese fighter an open target and leaving the Thai swishing air. The punches were coming from every direction with Kwanpichit advancing head down like a blind man with no stick constantly running in to obstacles. For most of the fight Zou was in cruise control dancing around with his hands down easily avoiding Kwanpichit’s effort floating around firing home light hooks, uppercuts and straight rights with Kwanpichit unable to close the Chinese fighter down. Zou decided to stand and trade punches toe-to-toe in the eighth giving Kwanpichit an opportunity and he landed a series of head punches but Zou shrugged them off and landed 3 or 4 for every one the Thai got through. Kwanpichit kept marching forward to the end with Zou showboating and even when tiring still being too quick as he eased his way to the title. Scores 120-107 twice and 119-108 all for Zou. The 35-year-old Olympic star is one of the highest profile sportsmen in China and this will boost his profile even further. After his amateur achievements and what was probably a big payday to turn pro it was necessary for the Chinese market that he should get a world title and Bob Arum has delivered on that. Donnie Nietes, the WBO No 1 was by-passed for this vacant title fight but he will present a much tougher proposition than Kwanpichit. The 35-year-old Thai showed plenty of guts and determination but was just too small and too slow.

Besputin vs. Cosio

Rising Russian talent Besputin shows class in handling experienced Cosio. The Oxnard-based Besputin was quick and slick and dominated the action. Cosio had brief success with a right in the second but apart from that it was mainly one way traffic and it was no surprise when Cosio retired at the end of the sixth round. The 25-year-old Besputin took gold at European schoolboy and Junior and also the  Russian Youth, Under-22 and Senior level and was a quarter finalist at the 2013 World Championships. One to follow. Panamanian Cosio gets his second loss by KO/TKO in a row.

Conceicao vs. Burns

Rio Olympian turns pro with low key win. The 28-year-old Brazilian won every round as he eased his way into the paid ranks. Judges scores 60-54 from all three. He won’t be rushed. The Falcao brothers Esquiva and Yamaguchi both medalled at the 2012 Olympics and are still being brought along slowly. “ 3^rd Degree” Burns just a prelim fighter but you have to start somewhere.

 

Potsdam, Germany: Super Middle: Tyron Zeuge (19-0-1) W TKO 12 Giovanni De Carolis (24-7-1). Welter: Deniz Ilbay (17-1) W KO 2 Anzor Gamgebeli (30-17-3). Super Middle: Stefan Haertel (12-0) W PTS 10 Adasat Rodriguez (14-6-2). Cruiser: Artur Mann (9-0) W TKO 5 Adam Gadajew (16-13). Middle: Patrick Wojcicki (6-0) W PTS 6 Frane Radnic (11-4).

Zeuge vs. De Carolis

Zeuge wins secondary WBA and Global Boxing Union titles with late stoppage of De Carolis. Having gone twelve rounds together both fighters knew what the other one had to offer so there was no feeling out and both got through with heavy punches in the first two rounds. The first was close with De Carolis generally the aggressor scoring with body punches and clubbing rights. Zeuge worked well with his jab and quick combinations and switched to southpaw in second as he closed the round strongly. Zeuge also took the third working his jab and blocking the shots from De Carolis. There was a trial of strength going on as the two fighters continually stood chest to chest each trying to push the other onto the back foot. The fourth was the champions. He started with a furious attack and continued to come forward in the round with clubbing hooks to the body. Zeuge was blocking many of them but not throwing enough of his own. After four rounds two judges had De Carolis in front 39-37 and the other was for Zeuge 39-37. Zeuge took the fifth constantly switching guards and catching De Carolis with sharp left hooks. De Carolis came back to take the sixth. There is nothing stylish about him. He rarely bothers with a jab but in this round he was battering away at Zeuge with left and right hooks to the body and head. Zeuge clearly took the seventh. He was again switching guard and scoring with hooks inside and some of the snap had gone out of the Italian’s punches. Zeuge was taking over the fight. In the eighth. He was pushing De Carolis back and scoring with clusters of short hooks with De Carolis just pumping his arms with no snap in his punches. He was fading fast and looking arm weary. After eight rounds the judges had the fight even at 77-75 for each fighter and 76-76. Zeuge was again in control in the ninth scoring with a series of short hooks with De Carolis constantly on the back foot and already looking a loser. Zeuge bullied De Carolis throughout the tenth ignoring his jab and just using hooks and uppercuts to drive De Carolis back. Knowing he had fallen behind De Carolis put in a big effort in the eleventh managing to come forward and score with his trade mark hooks. He did enough to win the round but was exhausted at the bell. De Carolis had used the last reserves of his strength in the eleventh and Zeuge bundled him to ropes and landed a couple of head punches as De Carolis slid to the canvas. He only just managed to drag himself up to beat the count. He stepped forward when the referee asked him to but did not raise his hands. The referee raised them for him, brushed them and let the fight continue. De Carolis tried to clinch but Zeuge drove him down and almost through the ropes and as De Carolis slid sideward along the ropes the referee stopped the fight with just 20 seconds left in the last round. Going into the last Zeuge was ahead on all three cards 105-104 twice and 106-103. The 24-year-old baby-faced German looked much better than he did in their drawn fight in July. He was stronger and paced the fight better against a tough De Carolis and was impressive. De Carolis 32 wins his fights on strength but this time the younger man was strongest at the end and as a result the Italian lost inside the distance for the first time in eight years. He will be a good test for any fighter at this weight.

Ilbay vs. Gamgebeli

German prospect Ilbay blows away poor Georgian opponent to win the vacant Global Union title. Ilbay floored Gamgebeli in the first but ran out of time to finish the fight. He struck again half way through the second round and put Gamgebeli down and out. The 21-year-old Ilbay already holds the WBFederation title which he won with a very impressive victory over experienced Bethuel Ushona in Namibia in June. He has 9 wins by KO/TKO. His loss was a wide unanimous decision against unbeaten Egidijus Kavaliauskas in Las Vegas in April. Now 11 losses by KO/TKO for Gamgebeli.

Haertel vs. Rodriguez

Haertel remains unbeaten but only just as he scrapes by on a very close unanimous verdict against Rodriguez. Haertel made a good start and captured the early rounds. He was finding gaps for his jabs and straight rights, but also getting caught time and again by shots from Rodriguez. The visitor staged a strong finish and cut into Haertel’s early lead and at the end looked to have closed the gap enough to get a share of the decision but Haertel had home advantage. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 all for Haertel. The German was in his first ten round fight and did not seem to have paced it too well. The 26-year-old former Olympian has yet to win a fight inside the distance which will make things tougher the higher he climbs. Spaniard Rodriguez has done most of his fighting at light heavy where he was Spanish champion. He lost to Erik Skoglund and Mehdi Amar for the European Union title and was halted in two rounds by Caleb Plant in Los Angeles in January but had won his last three fights.

Mann vs. Gadajew

”Thundermann” gets another win as German-based Russian Gadajew is pulled out in the fifth. Hard, accurate punches from Mann had the blood flowing from the nose of Gadajew in the first round. He continued to land freely Although he was taking a beating Gadajew stayed in the fight and was angry when his corner threw in the towel in the fifth. Kazak-born Mann, 26 , won his first six fights by KO/TKO but had been taken the distance in his last two fights including a points win over experienced Valery Brudov. Gadajew was 5-12 in his first 17 fights but had registered 11 wins in a row and collected  the Global Boxing Council title.

Wojcicki vs. Radnic

Wojcicki moves to six wins with victory over Croatian Radnic. The German floored Radnic twice in the first round but Radnic survived the round and showed guts to take last the full six rounds helped also by two breaks in the action due to low punches from Radnic. The 25-year-old Wojcicki was German national champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and fought at both the European Championships and the 2012 Olympics. Radnic, 32, has lost four on the bounce all to unbeaten fighters including a one round retirement loss against Anthony Ogogo in June.

 

Belfast, NI, Feather: Marco McCullough (16-3) W RTD 4 Luis Lugo (17-6-3). Super Light: Philip Sutcliffe Jr (12-1) W PTS 10 Chris Jenkins (16-2-1). Super Fly: Jamie Conlan (18-0) W PTS 8 David Koos (8-3-1). Welter: Tyrone McKenna (12-0-1) W RTD 5 Seam Creagh (4-1). Heavy: Con Sheehan (4-0) W PTS 8 Kamil Sokolowski (2-8-1). Fly: Paddy Barnes (1-0) W DISQ 4 Stefan Slavchev (8-25-1). Light: Stephen Ormond (22-3) W RTD 3 Daniel Bazo (3-10-3). Light: Declan Geraghty (14-1) W TKO 1 Khvicha Gigolashvili (14-16).Super Feather: James Tennyson (17-2) W PTS 4 Rafael Castillo (14-26-3,2ND).

McCullough vs. Lugo

Both fighters made a cautious start box the action heated up in the second. McCullough was working the jab well and scoring with right crosses but at the end of the round a right from Lugo made McCullough’s legs wobble and Lugo launched a furious assault throwing wild punches with McCullough forced to duck down and cover until the storm blew over and the bell went. McCullough boxed neatly in the third as Lugo was looking to counter and waiting too long and the local fighter scored with a nice right to the chin and a choice uppercut. McCullough let the big punches flow in the fourth taking Lugo to the ropes and firing slashing hooks and right crosses. Lugo escaped  each time but when McCullough threw a right to the body Lugo’s left arm got tangled with McCullough’s right and he went down indicating his arm was injured. The referee ignored the Mexican’s appeal and gave him an eight count. That fired up Lugo who kept beckoning McCullough to bring it on and was willing to trade even using his left but at the end of the round he immediately indicated to his corner that he could not continue. McCullough wins the vacant WBO International title. The former WBO European champion has suffered two inside the distance losses and it was worrying to see him wobbled by a Lugo punch but he recovered well and was on his way to a win here. Lugo was 4-1-1 going into this one but against very moderate opposition.

Sutcliffe vs. Jenkins

Sutcliffe gets victory but Jenkins looks unlucky. This was war from the outset. Sutcliffe was coming forward throwing powerful hooks and just 30 seconds into the round a straight right and a left hook put Jenkins down. He was up quickly and after the eight count Sutcliffe scored with some hooks to the head only for Jenkins to bang back with a series of left and right hooks to the body in an exciting first round. The hectic pace continued in the second. There were plenty of heavy punches being traded but they were not wild swings. Sutcliffe was firing short hooks from both hands with Jennings using his longer reach to land thumping jabs and left hooks to the body of his own. The pace slowed a little in the third and fourth with Sutcliffe coming forward and again scoring with hooks and Jenkins countering but being outpunched. Jenkins was on the front foot in the fifth forcing Sutcliffe back and hammering home hooks and uppercuts with Sutcliffe looking like a man caught in a storm. The left jab of Jenkins dominated the early part of the sixth and over the closing seconds he scored with some scorching body punches to take the round. The seventh was an even better round for the Welshman. His jab constantly penetrated Sutcliffe’s defence. He was also able to land heavy combinations to the head and looked to be taking over the fight. The eighth was three minutes of attrition. Both fighters ignored defence and Jenkins stopped using his jab. Sutcliffe was able to score with hook after hook and Jenkins was doing the same hurting Sutcliffe twice with rights to the body as they pounded away at each other in what was already looking like a candidate for Fight of the Year. Jenkins clearly won the ninth. He went back to the jab ramming it into Sutcliffe’s face and firing rights through the defence of a tired looking Sutcliffe. The tenth was the only bad round in the fight. Both were tired and there was too much holding. Jenkins was warned for careless use of his head and Sutcliffe for twice rubbing the laces of his gloves up the face of Jenkins. In the end Sutcliffe staged the stronger finish but I felt that the least Jenkins deserved was a draw. Referee’s score 98-93 was one I disagreed with completely. Important win for 27-year-old Sutcliffe and I guess for him it redresses the balance after losing a controversial majority decision to world rated Swede Anthony Yigit in May. His father Philip Senior was an outstanding amateur competing at two Olympics and winning bronze medals twice in the European Championships. Philip Jr was also a top level amateur but was plagued by hand injuries and is hoping that recent surgery will have cured that. Jenkins, 28, won his first 16 fights and then drew with Tyrone Nurse in July last year for the British title. In a return he had Nurse on the floor but lost a close unanimous decision. He will have been disappointed with the outcome here but the part he played in this tremendous scrap will only boost his reputation.

Conlan vs. Koos

Conlan wins every round against Koos but is made to work for his victory in a fast paced open fight. Despite his inexperience Koos was quick with some good defensive skills and scored with some sharp but not powerful punches. Conlan worked everything off his jab. He was faster, getting his punches off first catching Koos with counters when the smaller fighter tried to get inside and scoring with long straight rights and left hooks to the body. From the fourth Conlan’s superior speed and power began to wear down the young Hungarian. Koos was throwing less punches and was taking more punishment but never looked in trouble. The classy local boxer continued slotting home jabs and straight rights and getting through with left hooks to the body. Those rights and the left hooks had Koos in trouble late in the fifth but he showed good defensive work. Conlan continued to press and scored with a good left hook to the chin/straight right in the seventh but Koos kept his boxing together and gave Conlan eight useful rounds of work. Referee’s score 80-72 for Conan. The 30-year-old Commonwealth champion is rated No 3 by the WBO so could be looking for a title shot in 2017. Koos, 20, came in as a substitute and showed some neat boxing.

McKenna vs. Creagh

McKenna gets win over tough Creagh. Up against the 6’1” (185cm) southpaw McKenna Creagh had no choice but to rumble forward trying to take McKenna to the ropes and bustle and hustle him out of his stride. McKenna made him pay catching Creagh with right jabs straight lefts and left uppercuts as he walked in but McKenna is not a power puncher so Creagh had some success. McKenna was landing three/four punch combinations which would temporarily halt Creagh in his tracks. a left uppercut knocked Creagh’s mouthguard out in the second round but soon Creagh was be padding forward again and had some success with wild swings that Tony Galento would have been be proud to call his own. Creagh took a pounding in the fourth walking onto punch after punch and it became a question of how long he could continue to take such punishment. A straight left to the chin and a series of head punches seemed to stagger Creagh in the fifth and he was rocked again by combinations at the end of the round. Creagh wanted to continue but his corner made the right decision and would not let their man come out for the sixth. The draw on the 26-year-old Belfast fighter’s record was a technical one when McKenna was cut early. He showed good hand speed and movement here but his lack of power may be a drawback. Dubliner Creagh  was taking a big step up here as his other fights had all been over four rounds. He showed terrific guts but his fights will always be wars and that can drain a fighter.

Sheehan vs. Sokolowski

Sheehan gets points win in a fight that almost doubled his ring time to this point. The 6’5 ½” (197cm) Irishman towered over the 6’1”(185cm) UK-based Pole and was able to make good use of his longer reach to spear Sokolowski with jabs and long rights. Sokolowski was competitive trying to come forward and get inside when he could but Sheehan was able to catch him with left hooks and straight rights. Sheehan showed good skills and speed for a big man but was caught inside with uppercuts from Sokolowski and some hard rights when he ignored his boxing and just stood and traded. Luckily Sokolowski is not a big hitter. Sheehan got the win and showed both strengths and weaknesses but he has plenty of time to learn. Referee’s score 79-74 for Sheehan. The 27-year-old from County Tipperary was Irish champion six times and won a gold medal at the European Union Championships. He also competed at the 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Championships on his way to a 203-18 record. First eight rounder for 30-year-old Sokolowski who gave Sheehan useful ring time.

Barnes vs. Slavchev

Barnes was looking to impress in his first pro fight but Slavchev made that difficult. The Bulgarian retreated around the ring weaving away from the punches of Barnes stopping to throw an occasional punch and rarely moving more than a pace from the ropes. Slavchev used some eccentric moves to frustrate Barnes in the second and landed some punches but Barnes was finding the target with his rights. Slavchev was doing some holding and when Barnes swung around trying to break free they both tumbled to the canvas. In the third the wrestling continued with Slavchev holding and Barnes swinging around to shake him off with the result that they again both ended on the floor and both were given a warning. Barnes showed his frustration by taking a Floyd Mayweather Jr pot shot when Slavchev extended his hand to touch gloves after a clinch. The frustration continued for Barnes in the fourth and when Slavchev hoisted Barnes on his shoulders and began to propel him across the ring the referee had had enough of the Bulgarian’s tactics and disqualified him. A disappointing night for the 29-year-old from Dublin. He was an outstanding amateur winning bronze medals at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and a gold and silver at the European Championships. He will be a force as a pro. Slavchev has now lost 9 of his last 10 fights and it is almost impossible to look good against a fighter with such an eccentric and negative style.

Ormond vs. Bazo

The tall, slim Bazo spent the first round retreating around the ring at speed prodding out his jab and stopping occasionally to throw a couple of punches. Ormond landed a couple of left hooks but had trouble cutting the ring down. Early in the second as Bazo was on his circular tour of the ring again he slipped and did the splits and seemed to hurt his upper leg. He shook that off (the injury not the leg)and threw a lot more punches in the round firing quick combinations but there was no power in the punches and Ormond was landing left hooks to the body and a long right rocked Bazo’s head. Bazo visibly tired in the third and Ormond was pounding him with double left hooks and clubbing rights but it was a surprise when Bazo retired before the start of the fourth due to a shoulder injury. Last month the 33-year-old Dubliner was knocked out by Hungarian novice Zoltan Szabo but there was no danger of that this time as the former WBO European champion gets his12th win by KO/TKO. Czech Bazo, 19, has won only one of his last 15 fights.

Geraghty vs. Gigolashvili

Although not a noted puncher Geraghty gets this one over quickly. The Dublin southpaw came out firing and put Gigolashvili down in agony with the fight being waived off after just 33 seconds. The 26-year-old “Pretty Boy” lost on a disqualification in his seventh fight but now has a run of eight wins. Georgian Gigolashvili has eighth loss by KO/TKO.

Tennyson vs. Castillo

Tennyson gets back into winners circle with points win over Castillo. The Belfast fighter was able to outbox the limited Castillo with ease in what was intended to be a workout before his Irish title fight against Declan Geraghty. Unfortunately Tennyson picked up a cut by his right eye which will force the much anticipated fight to be postponed. Referee’s score 40-36 for 23-year-old Tennyson who was having his first fight since being stopped in five rounds by Ryan Walsh for the British feather title in April. Nicaraguan Castillo now 2-7-1ND in his last 10 fights

 

Munich, Germany: Super Middle: Avni Yildirim (14-0) W TKO 3 Schiller Hyppolite (21-2). Light Heavy: Toni Kraft (10-0) W PTS 10 Abdallah Paziwapazi (14-4).  Cruiser: Goran Delic (29-1) W PTS 6 Robert Rosenberg (7-4).

Yildirim vs. Hyppolite

Yildirim wins vacant WBC International Silver  title as he pounds Hyppolite to defeat inside three rounds. Hyppolite had edges in height and reach but Yildirim quickly took the Canadian to the ropes with a stiff jab and was firing hard hooks to head and body. Hyppolite tried to counter but Yildirim just walked through the punches and hurt Hyppolite with two left hooks to the body. He continued to pressurise Hyppolite banging home left hooks and right uppercuts in a one-sided opening round. The second round was almost a copy of the first. This time Hyppolite threw and landed more counters but they had no effect on Yildirim. The Turk was living up to his “Robot” nickname just walking forward driving Hyppolite around the ring and scoring with short hooks and uppercuts inside. Hyppolite tried to stand and fight in the third but crunching body punches and uppercuts were draining his resistance and a short left hook followed by a clubbing right to the head sent him tumbling across the ring and down on his back in a corner. He was up at seven and indicated he was OK to continue but looked shaky. Yildirim finished the fight with a series of hooks to the head and the referee stopped the fight. Hyppolite disputed the stoppage but the timing was right. The 25-year-old Turk had previously won the WBC International Silver title at light heavy but was moving down a division and he looks very powerful at 168lbs.. There is nothing fancy about Yildirim he is a strong, hard punching fighter who wins through relentless pressure. His previous opposition has not been of top quality but he was impressive here getting his ninth win by KO/TKO. A former standout amateur he initially succeeded at kickboxing before moving over the boxing representing Turkey at the World Championships. He is rated WBC 4/IBF 12(11). Disappointing showing by Haitian-born Hyppolite as he was simply steamrollered by the power of Yildirim. This was his first fight outside of Quebec and also the first real test he has faced and he was never in the fight.

Kraft vs. Paziwapazi

Kraft wins the vacant WBC Youth title with unanimous verdict over Paziwapazi. Kraft used his superior skills to win this one. He worked well behind his jab whereas the Tanzanian  was looking to land fewer but bigger punches. There was too much clinching for it to be exciting but it was entertaining. Kraft went down in the sixth from what looked to be caused by a punch whilst he was off balance but the referee ruled it a slip. The referee also deducted point from Kraft for pushing Paziwapazi to the floor in the eighth round but the deduction was not important as Kraft dominated the fight and was a clear winner. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-92 all for Kraft. The 23-year-old Kraft won the vacant WBC Youth title at cruiser in January but he is a natural light heavy. Paziwapazi, 23, had won his last 7 fights all by KO/TKO.

Delic vs. Rosenberg

Delic pads his record with another win as he takes unanimous decision over Czech in a contest between two boxing senior citizens. The 42-year-old German-born, B&H- based southpaw has won a number of minor titles but faced only one real opponent in Juan Carlos Gomez who stopped him in five rounds in 2014. This is his third win this year. Czech Rosenberg, 41, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Dublin, Ireland: Middle: Luke Keeler (11-2) W PTS 8 Bradley Pryce (38-21). Super Feather: Eric Donovan (2-0) W TKO 2 Krzys Rogowski (10-21)

Keeler vs. Pryce

Keeler rebounds from stoppage loss to Tom Doran and comes through good level test with points win over experienced Pryce. Keeler had his jab working well in the first and put Pryce down late in the second. Pryce had tried to march forward through the punches from Keeler but a sharp uppercut and a right to the head put him down heavily. He wobbled when he got up but the bell went before Keeler could nail him again. Keeler was in command in the third despite a punch from Pryce opening a cut over his right eye. He edged a close fourth and banged home some good shots to take the fifth. A low punch cost Keeler a point in the sixth but he outboxed Pryce for the last two rounds throwing some show boating into the mix in a good performance. Referee’s score 78-73 for “Cool Hand Luke” Keeler. The 29-year-old Dubliner also lost to Doran in a Prizefighter Tournament but will be aiming to rebuild with some fights at home. Welshman Pryce, 35, a former Commonwealth champion, had a bad spell of 7 losses in 8 fights but had won his last three before this Dublin fight.

Donovan vs. Rogowski

With Andy Lee in his corner former top amateur Donovan gets his second pro win. Donovan put the experienced Pole down with a body punch at the end of the first round. The speed and accuracy of Donovan’s punches were just too much for Rogowski in the second round and he was put down twice more and the fight was stopped. The 31-year-old “Lilywhite Lightning” was Irish Elite National champion five times ranging from bantam to light, and won bronze medals at both the European Championships and the European Union Championships. The only question is whether he has left it too late to make it to the top as a pro? Rogowski did leave it too late and has settled for travelling loser status with only one win in his last 11 fights. He had similar success as an amateur being three-times Polish champion and three times runner-up also winning a bronze medallist at the European Union Championships plus a claimed win over Carl Frampton. Now he just fights for a pay day.

 

Siena, Italy: Super Feather: Mario Alfano (9-0-1) W PTS 10 Angelo Ardito (9-6-2). Cruiser: Fabio Turchi (8-0) W PTS 8 Arturs Kulikauskis (18-30-6). Super Welter: Orlando Fiordigiglio (26-1) W PTS 6 Nikola Matic (14-33).

Alfano vs. Ardito

Alfano holds on to his national title with close unanimous decision over Ardito. The challenger took the fight to Alfano from the first round pressing hard and throwing bunches of punches. Alfano was forced to box on the back foot but was much more accurate with his punches. Ardito had his nose in front at the half way mark and kept pressing but Alfano was producing the quality work with precise counters and good defensive skills to blunt the challengers attacks. It was a case of whether Alfano’s work over the second half of the fight was enough to get the decision and the judges decided it was-just. Scores 96-94 for Alfano from all three judges. The 25-year-old from Rome was making the first defence of his title. Former champion Ardito, 38, lost the title to Mario Pisanti on a split verdict in November last year.

Turchi vs. Kulikauskis

Turchi gets unanimous decision over Kulikauskis. With only 17 rounds of fighting behind him Turchi got some useful work against the courageous Latvian southpaw. Turchi won all the way but Kulikauskis soaked up the punishment and stayed in the fight without ever really threatening the Florence “Stone Crusher”. The 23-year-old Turchi will now be looking to challenge for the national title so the ring time here was valuable. As an amateur he was Italian champion four times, won a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games, a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games and the World Military Championships and a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships so big things are expected from him. Kulikauskis is 2-6-1 in his last 8 fights including a stoppage loss against Tony Bellew last year.

Fiordigiglio vs. Matic

This turned out to be a far from comfortable night for Fiordigiglio against former victim Matic. Although he edged the first three rounds he was being caught too often by hooks to the head from Matic. Things got worse in the fourth when a big left hook stunned Fiordigiglio and had his legs quivering. Matic sensed an upset and stormed forward trying to find a punch to finish the job. Fiordigiglio managed to duck, weave and hold to the bell but it was a near thing. Fiordigiglio recovered over the interval and boxed carefully over the fifth and sixth to take the decision. The 32-year-old former European Union champion won his first 21 fights before being halted in eleven rounds by Cedric Vitu in 2015 for the vacant European title when he was in front on two cards. This is his fifth win since then but he was given a real scare. Matic, the Bosnia & Herzegovina champion, had lost 7 of his last 8 fights but missed a big chance here.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Fly: Daigo Higa (11-0) W KO 4 Felipe Cagubcob (6-3-5). Super Fly: Koki Eto (19-4-1) W KO 8 Jun Blazo (5-2-3).

Higa vs. Cagubcob

Japanese prospect Higa much too good for modest Philippines champion Cagubcob. Higa came out firing and southpaw Cagubcob was willing to stand and swop body punches toe-to-toe but was constantly driven back by the speed and power of Higa. The Filipino’s cause was not helped by a cut over his right eye in the third round but it was the body punches which were weakening him. In the fourth Higa put Cagubcob down twice and although he made it to his feet at the second knockdown he was counted out. The 21-year-old from Tokyo retains his OPBF title. He has won all of his fights by KO/TKO but despite his No 3 rating by the WBO he has yet to come up against a top level opponent. Cagubcob had won the Philippines title with a kayo of OPBF No 5 Donny Mabao in July which saw him elevated to the No 1 spot by the OPBF but he was way out of his depth here.

Eto vs. Blazo

Eto gets his second win of 2016 as he halts Filipino novice Blazo in the last round. It was not a sharp display by Eto who struggled at times to subdue the little Filipino. Just a prelim fighter Blazo has never been passed the sixth round and his lack of experience caught up with him in the eighth as body punches put him down three times and he was counted out. Former interim WBA flyweight champion Eto was outpointed by Carlos Cuadras for the WBC super fly title in November. Blazo was having only his second fight in eleven months and gets his second loss by KO/TKO.

 

Kasarani, Kenya: Bantam: Gabriel Ochieng (16-5-1) W KO 3 Juma Fundi (29-14-3). Ochieng gets inside the distance win over experienced Tanzanian Fundi. Ochieng easy outboxed Fundi over the first two rounds before putting him down and out in the third with a left hook. Ochieng was 2-5-1 in his first 8 fights but has now won 14 on the bounce but against low level opposition. Fundi, 29, was 4-1-1 going in with the loss coming in July last year when he was thrown in over his head against Filipino Bernabe Concepcion and stopped in two rounds.

 

Los Mochis, Mexico: Light: Nery Saguilan (37-7-1) W Rosekie Cristobal (12-1). Super Fly: Felipe Orucuta (32-4) W Efrain Perez (17-9).

Saguilan vs. Cristobal

After back-to-back losses Saguilan needed a win here and he got it but not the way he would have wanted. The colourful, eccentric Mexican was showing off his bag of tricks over the first two rounds scoring well with both hands and dancing and show boating. Cristobal kept switching guards but mainly was dangerous with his head and severely frustrated. In the third a head butt saw the referee deduct a point from the Filipino. With Saguilan still an elusive target Cristobal landed another butt and the referee disqualified him. The 28-year-old “Pantera” put his losses this year against Marcos Villasana and Dante Jordan down to problems outside the ring but for whatever reason he has been dropped from the ratings and needs to fight his way back in. Filipino southpaw Cristobal  suffers his second disqualification loss in a row. Head butts and low punches saw him thrown out in the tenth round of his fight with Villasana in August.

Orucuta vs. Perez

Orucuta continues his reconstruction with stoppage of Perez. Orucuta used his longer reach to slot homes jabs and then scored with good left hooks. Perez kept coming but was not able to land anything of substance. In the third a left hook put Perez down. He made it to his feet but after the eight count Orucuta landed and overhand right followed by a cluster of shots and the referee stopped the fight. Now 27 wins by KO/TKO for Orucuta. He was unlucky to lose a split and then a majority decision in challenges to Omar Narvaez for the WBO title in Argentina but lost in six rounds to Jose Cayetano in December. He is No 11 with the WBC and has the talent to win a title if he gets another shot. Former Mexican champion Perez has now lost six fights in a row.

 

Lomianki, Poland: Light Heavy: Dariusz Sek (26-2-2) DREW 8 Mustafa Chadlioui (8-2-2). Heavy: Marcin Siwy (16-0) W PTS 6 Michael Sprott (42-27). Welter: Michal Syrowatka (16-1) W RTD 6 Norwin Galo (7-6).

Sek vs. Chadlioui

Sek escapes with a draw against aggressive Moroccan Chadlioui. The visitor was bundling forward over the first round with Sek thrown out of his stride. The Pole steadied things in the second but was still being forced to fight in close. In the third he managed to open some space and boxed his way through the round making good use of his southpaw right jab. Chadlioui was firing again in the fourth and a couple of left hooks in the fifth had Sek unsteady. Sek got through with a hard left hook at the end of the sixth and shook Chadlioui in the seventh then staged a strong last round which saw him awarded a share of the points. Scores 79-76 for Sek, 78-76 for Chadlioui and 77-77. A sub standard performance from Sek. His losses both came in fights in Germany against Robert Woge and Robin Krasniqi. He is now 5-0-1 in his last 6 fights and the EBU No 4 but he nearly blew that rating here. Spanish-based Chadlioui, the Spanish champion, had a good win last year when he stopped British fighter Travis Dickinson inside a round. In his last fight in July he had to retire after eight rounds against unbeaten Sergei Ekimov due to a foot injury and he showed here he can be a tough handful.

Siwy vs. Sprott

Siwy too young and quick for Sprott. Siwy landed a good left hook to the chin in the first but Sprott was unmoved and used some survival tactics to keep the Pole out. Siwy continued to press over the second, third and fourth when he got through with another left hook. Siwy had Sprott on the floor in the fifth from a right to the body but it also looked as though Sprott got his feet mixed up and that was the main cause of his going down. Siwy tried hard to end it in the sixth but Sprott was too cunning and was still there at the bell. Scores 60-54, 60-55 and 59-54. Useful experience for Siwy. The 41-year-old Sprott breaks a run of five losses in a row by KO/TKO including four in the first round.

Syrowatka vs. Galo

Syrowatka has easy win over Galo. The local fighter scored early with body punches and was throwing four and five punch combinations. Galo was just hiding behind a high guard and trying to survive. Syrowatka blasted away at Galo in the fifth and Galo retired at the end of the round. Syrowatka, 28, gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. His loss was to former European champion Rafal Jackiewicz in December and he scored a revenge win over Jackiewicz in April. Spanish-based Nicaraguan prelim fighter Galo was beaten in four rounds by Mitchell Smith last month in his first fight outside Nicaragua.

 

Tandil, Argentina: Feather: Matias Rueda (27-1) W TKO 1 Daniel Brizuela (28-7-2,1ND). Rueda obliterates Brizuela inside a round. Brizuela started out boxing at a distance showing good movement and switching guards. Rueda closed the distance and then began to let his punches go forcing Brizuela to stand and trade. A right followed by a straight left shook Brizuela and a right to the body followed by a booming right sent Brizuela down and the referee immediately waived the fight over. First fight for the 28-year-old “Little Cobra” since being destroyed inside two round by Oscar Valdez for the vacant WBO title and only the second defence of his Argentinian title in three years. He has 24 wins by KO/TKO but Valdez exposed him when he tried to move up. Brizuela, 30, now has 5 losses by KO/TKO. He was 3-4 going in with losses in tough fights against Tommy Coyle, Luke Campbell, Mauricio Munoz and Stephen Smith

 

Henin-Beaumont, France: Bantam: Hassan Azaouagh (20-11) W PTS 10 Jeremy Beccu (10-2).Local fighter Azaouagh wins the vacant French title with controversial unanimous decision over Beccu. The fight started badly for Beccu as a clash of heads left him with a cut over his left eye. Despite the injury Beccu took the fight to Azaouagh but was leaving himself open and the precision and power of Azaouagh’s counters saw him build a good lead by the end of the fifth. From there Beccu stepped up the pressure and although he lacked accuracy the volume of punches saw Azaouagh began to tire and his work rate dropped. Beccu finished strongly and looked to have down enough to get at least a draw but the judges all gave the decision to Azaouagh two by two points and one by a ridiculous four points. The 30-year-old Azaouagh, a policemen in Rouen and  a former French flyweight champion, had lost in his last four championship contests, two for the national bantam title and two for the European Union title. Weight problems may mean he goes up to super bantam next. Beccu,26, was an outstanding amateur being French champion in 2009,2010 and 2011 and competing at the 2012 Olympics but at light flyweight and he struggling to impress as a pro.