The Past Week in Action 11 April 2022

ERIC ARMIT | April 11, 2022 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

Highlights:

-Gennady Golovkin stops Ryota Murata in nine rounds to unify the IBF and WBA middleweight titles and on the same card Junto Nakatani halts Ryota Yamauchi in WBO flyweight title defence

-Sebastian Fundora beats Erickson Lubin on a ninth round retirement in a fight for the vacant WBC interim super welterweight belt

-Ryan Garcia returns to action with low key points win over Emmanuel Tagoe

– Mikaela Mayer outpoints Jennifer Han to retain the IBF and WBO Female super featherweight titles

– Jason and Andrew Moloney, Giovani Santillan, Luis Lopez and Lindolfo Delgado register victories

-Michael Magnesi stops Dennis Contreras in IBO super featherweight title defence

-Marlen Esparza outpoints veteran Naoko Fujioka to retain the WBC Female flyweight title and win the WBA title

-Tony Harrison outpoints Sergio Garcia in a welterweight ten round clash

-Dina Thorslund retains the WBO Female bantamweight title with points win over Niorikis Carreno

-Angel Ayala gets upset points victory over WBC No 1 flyweight Cristofer Rosales

World Title/Major Shows

April 9

Saitama, Japan: Middle: Gennady Golovkin (42-1-1) W TKO 9 Ryota Murata (16-3). Fly: Junto Nakatani (23-0) W TKO 8 Ryota Yamauchi (8-2). Light: Shuichiro Yoshino (15-0) W TEC Dec 11 Masayuki Ito (27-4-1).

Golovkin vs. Murata

Golovkin makes a slow start but then outboxes and wears down and stops Murata to unify the IBF and WBA versions of the middleweight title.

Round 1

Golovkin worked well with his jab with Murata trying some rights. Golovkin put together a nice bunch of punches with Murata landing a good hook to the body. Golovkin continued to pierce Murata’s defence with jabs to take the round.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin

Round 2

Golovkin started this round with a good left hook to the body but Murata looked strong and forced Golovkin onto the back foot and drove home straight rights. Murata continued to march forward landing hooks to head and body and apart from one brief flurry of punches from Golovkin it was all Murata.

Score: 10-9 Murata TIED 19-19

Round 3

Golovkin started the round with a barrage of punches but Murata absorbed them and was soon on the front foot stabbing out hard jabs and straight rights and knocking Golovkin back on his heels. Golovkin looked drained and Murata was slamming home body shots as Golovkin constantly retreated and threw little in return.

Score: 10-9 Murata Murata 29-28

Round 4

Golovkin changed tactics. He was staying and punching with Murata threading jabs through Murata’s guard and sliding hooks and uppercuts home to head and body. Murata continued to come forward throwing rights but mostly off target and Golovkin put together some quality shots before the bell.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin TIED 38-38

Round 5

Golovkin took charge in this round. He was pelting Murata with lefts and rights jabs, hooks and uppercuts and getting in close and forcing Murata on to the back foot Murata is not a back foot fighter and he throws long swinging punches. He had some success with body punches but Golovkin was denying him punching room and had Murata going back at the bell. Murata was bleeding from the nose and had bruising under his right eye.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 48-47

Round 6

Murata opened the round with an attack but Golovkin easily dealt with that and then began to pepper Murata with punches through, around and under Murata’s guard. He was not loading up on his punches but was getting though time and again with quick jabs hooks and uppercuts. Murat was relying on heavy rights but few were getting through.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 58-56

Round 7

Golovkin was finding the slow Murata an easy target picking his spot as he threaded jabs and uppercuts through Murata’s defence. Whereas Murata had looked strong early now Golovkin was man-handling him pushing him back and outscored Murata in an exchanges of punches at the end of the round. Murata had a cut on the bridge of his nose.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 68-65

Round 8

Golovkin had Murata pinned against the ropes early and it was target practice as he unloaded with lefts and rights. Murata fought his way off the ropes and landed some good right hand shots before Golovkin upped his pace again and had Murata on the retreat under a burst of punches.

Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 78-74

Round 9

Golovkin bombarded Murata with punches driving him around the ring and against the ropes before unloading heavy shots. The referee was poised to stop the fight but Murata showed real spirit marching forward throwing punched until a right to the head saw him turn away and drop to his hands and knees with the referee immediately stopping the fight.

Some of the fire seems to have gone out of Golovkin which might be expected as he had his fortieth birthday the day before the fight. He proved too mobile and too clever for the strong but slow Murata but at times Murata was able to put him under pressure and Golovkin mainly fought in bursts rarely sustaining his attacks. If there is to be a third fight with Saul Alvarez then on this showing Alvarez would be a heavy favourite. Murata has overachieved for the skills he has and at 36 his time has been and gone.

Nakatani vs. Yamauchi

Nakatani retains the WBO title in a poor excuse for a title fight as he easily outclasses Yamauchi a novice who had never faced anyone anywhere near a world ratings and was listed as generous No 32 by BoxRec

Round 1

At 5’7” and with his longer reach Nakatani was able to box on the outside and score with long southpaw lefts. Yamauchi just could not get past Nakatani’s jab and at the end of the round was staggered by a left and almost went down and then was shaken by another one.

Score: 10-9 Nakatani

Round 2

This was too easy for Nakatani. He was finding the target with his right jabs and again staggered Yamauchi with a straight left. Yamauchi clung on until his head cleared but he was caught persistently with those long lefts and was never able to get close enough to be effective.

Score: Nakatani 10-9 Nakatani 20-18

Round 3

Yamauchi had some success in this round. He marched forward taking punishment to get inside and the fired off bursts of hooks dragging Nakatani into a brawl. Over the last minute of the round Nakatani went back to his boxing and was scoring with jabs and right hooks.

Score: Nakatani 10-9 Nakatani 30-27

Round 4

No brawling this time from Nakatani in a low key round. He jabbed, moved and slotted home straight lefts. Yamauchi chased hard but was never able to pin Nakatani down

Score: 10-9 Nakatani Nakatani 40-36

Round 5

Nakatani decided to fight inside in this round which gave Yamauchi a chance to do some scoring. They traded on even terms until the last minute when Nakatani again boxed on the outside and did enough to edge the round.

Score: 10-9 Nakatani Nakatani 50-45

Round 6

Nakatani was breaking Yamauchi down. Jabs were snapping Yamauchi’s head back and Nakatani connected with straight lefts and successive left hooks with Yamauchi unable to find any shelter or do any useful work.

Score: Nakatani 10-9 Nakatani 60-54

Round 7

Nakatani handed out some serious punishment in the round. He was getting though with pinpoint accuracy at distance and putting together some flashing combinations. Yamauchi was stopped in his tracks by right jabs and then shaken by booming lefts and just could not get close enough to threaten Nakatani.

Score: 10-9 Nakatani Nakatani 70-63

Round 8

Yamauchi made a fighting start to the round coming forward firing punches from both hands and trying to walk through Nakatani’s punches. Nakatani began to find the target with crunching shots from both hands and Yamauchi wilted under a storm of punches and was under fire against the ropes when the fight was stopped. Second defence for Nakatani and eighteenth victory by KO/TKO. It is questionable as to how long he can make the flyweight limit but he is seeking a unification fight with Julio Martinez which would be a good contrast in styles. Yamauchi had bravery to offer and nothing else. His No 2 rating by the WBO was “bought” by his promoter paying a sanctioning fee so that Yamauchi could win the WBO Asia Pacific title against a fighter with a 10-3-4 record and then climb by fighting equally poor opposition (see Observations).

Yoshino vs. Ito

Yoshino retains the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific titles with a technical decision over a much bloodied Ito. Although the early action was close Ito was already sporting an injured nose from the second round and it bled even heavier by the third. Despite this Ito was very much in the fight holding his own in the exchanges. Yoshino was scoring with some wicked body punches and a left hook added to the facial damage Ito had already suffered and opened a cut over his left eye. Ito fought back hard but the injury over his left eye was affecting his vision. Ito passed a doctor’s examination in the tenth but was badly hurt by a body punch and under plenty of pressure. A clash of heads in the eleventh worsened Ito’s injuries and the fight was stopped and went to the cards and Yoshino won on scores of 107-102 twice and 106-103. Yoshino, rated WBO 6/IBF 12/WBC 15 is now aiming to head to the USA to try to work his way to a title shot. Former WBO super feather title holder Ito was trying to rebuild after losing his title to Jamal Herring in 2019 and dropping an upset decision against newcomer Hironori Mishiro in December 2020.

Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Super Feather: Mikaela Mayer (17-0) W PTS 10 Jennifer Han (18-5-1,3 ND). Welter: Giovani Santillan (29-0) W TKO 7 Jeovanis Barraza (23-3). Bantam: Jason Moloney (23-2) W PTS 10 Francisco Pedroza (17-11-2). Super Fly: Andrew Moloney (23-2,1ND) W KO 8 Gilberto Mendoza (19-12-3). Feather: Luis Lopez (25-2) W KO 4 Raul Chirino (19-14). Super Light: Lindolfo Delgado (15-0) W TKO 2 Gustavo Vittori (25-11-1). Feather: Duke Ragan 5-0) W PTS 6 Diuhi Olguin (15-22-5).

Mayer vs. Han

Mayer holds on to the IBF and WBO belts with wide unanimous decision over Han. Mayer had to overcome the handicap of a cut over her left eye caused by a punch in the first round. Han put in some good defensive work over the early rounds but Mayer was picking up the points. A shot from Mayer bloodied Han’s nose in the fourth and as Mayer stepped up the pressure round by round Han was badly shaken twice in the eighth but was still fighting hard at the final bell. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Mayer. Her aim now is to step up a division and a fight against the winner of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano. Han is a former IBF featherweight title holder.

Santillan vs. Barraza

Southpaw Santillan marches on with seventh round stoppage of Barraza. This was largely one-way traffic from the first bell. Santillan took the fight inside with a focused body attack. Barraza tried to match him but did not have the power or stamina to do so. Round after round Santillan worked the body putting together 5/6 punch combinations with Barraza eventually falling into survival mode under the incessant pressure from Santillan. The doctor checked on Barraza after the sixth round but let him continue. Barraza tried to punch with Santillan in the seventh but was overwhelmed and after a series of head punches had Barraza reeling the referee stopped the fight. Sixteenth inside the distance victory for the San Diego fighter who is ready for a rated opponent. Colombian Barraza was coming off a ninth round stoppage loss against Alexis Rocha in November.

Moloney vs. Pedroza

Moloney keeps his name in the frame for a title shot with unanimous decision over Pedroza who fights hard for very little recognition. Moloney attacked hard from the start with Pedroza looking to match him punch for punch. Moloney was that bit quicker and had more power as he concentrated on wearing Pedroza down with body punches. The rounds were close over the first half of the fight with Moloney in forward gear with Pedroza countering well. From the sixth Moloney was dominant getting the better of the exchanges with Pedroza refusing to buckle but being outworked as Moloney pressed the action and outscored the Mexican to emerge a clear winner. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Moloney which did not reflect how hard he had to work for his victory. The WBC No 2 has lost in title fights against Emmanuel Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue but could find himself challenge for a title for a third time later this year. After losing his first two fights by KO/TKO Pedroza had not lost inside the distance in his last 27 contests.

Moloney vs. Mendoza

Moloney make it a family double as he breaks down and stops Mendoza in the last round. Relentless body punching from Moloney couple with some clubbing head shots saw the Australian slowly beat the fight out of Mendoza. In addition to the punishment Mendoza was cut over his right eye in the second and had swelling around both eyes. Despite that it looked a s through he was going to last the distance until Moloney trapped him against the ropes in the tenth and connected with a series of head punches that brought the referee in to save Mendoza with thirty second remaining in the fight. Moloney, a former WBA interim title holder fought Joshua Franco three times in bouts for the secondary WBA super fly title losing two close decisions and with one fight ending in a No Decision after Franco was cut. He is No 4 with the WBA and No 8 with the WBC so has some work to do to get another title shot. Only the third loss by KO/TKO for Mendoza.

Lopez vs. Chirino

Just a mark-time outing for IBF No 1 Lopez as he destroys overmatched Chirino in four rounds. Lopez put Chirino down in the second and twice in the third. With Chirino being jolted and jarred by head punches in the fourth the referee decided to stop the slaughter. Wins over Andy Vences, Gabriel Flores and Isaac Lowe have seen Lopez rise to the position of mandatory challenger for Josh Warrington and as Warrington’s victory over Kiko Martinez was a voluntary defence there will be pressure from the IBF for Warrington to face Lopez. Tenth loss by KO/TKO for Chirino who had found some form with five wins in his last six fights.

Delgado vs. Vittori

Mexican Olympian Delgado gets win No 13 inside the distance as he floors Argentinian Vittori twice in the second round with the referee waiving the fight over after the second knockdown. Delgado, 27, won a silver medal at the Pan American Games and represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympics. Only 2 wins in his last 8 fights for Vittori.

Ragan vs. Olguin

Tokyo silver medallist Regan returned to the professional ring for the first time in a year and was given some useful rounds by limited but experienced Mexican Olguin. Ragan won on scores of 60-54 on the judges card’s and it will be onwards and upwards from here.

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Welter: Sebastian Fundora (19-0-1) W RTD 9 Erickson Lubin (24-2). Super Welter: Tony Harrison (29-3-1) W PTS 10 Sergio Garcia (33-2). Super Welter: Kevin Salgado (14-0-1) DREW 10 Bryant Perrella (17-3-). Super Welter: Jamontay Clark (16-2-1) DREW 8 Aaron Coley (16-4-1).

Fundora vs. Lubin

Fundora and Lubin deliver a candidate for Fight of the Year as both hit the canvas before Fundora halts a bloodied Lubin who retires at the end of the ninth round. Lubin boxed well showing quicker hands to take the first but the roof fell in on him in the second. Fundora came forward strongly rocking Lubin inside with uppercuts and with just eight second remaining in the round exploded a right uppercut that put Lubin down on his back. Lubin was up quickly but looked unsteady. When the eight count was completed the round was over. Lubin bounced back in the third as they continued to swap punches with a Lubin punch bringing blood from Fundora’s nose and after fierce exchanges in the fourth Lubin was forcing Fundora back. The action continued at a hectic pace over the fifth and sixth with both landing heavily and Lubin having overcome the early knockdown slightly ahead. In a dramatic seventh Fundora was on top pinning Lubin to the ropes and crashing home a series of uppercuts. It looked as though Lubin was wilting as Fundora drove him around the ring bombarding him with hooks and uppercuts. Suddenly Lubin uncorked a right hook and Fundora wobbled. Lubin forced Fundora to the ropes and then across the ring connecting with a stream of hooks to the head until Fundora dropped to the canvas on knee. Fundora was up at four and had lost his mouthguard so he had a couple of extra seconds to recover and although Lubin landed more right hooks Fundora made it to the bell. Although it had been a great round for Lubin his face was bruised and battered. Fundora dominated the eighth and ninth and with Lubin bleeding heavily from the nose with swelling around his eyes and a growing haematoma on his forehead as he returned to his corner at the end of the ninth his corner pulled him out of the fight. The biggest and best win of his career so far for Fundora who is now in line for a shot at the winner of the Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano unifier. He wins the interim WBC title an anachronism boxing can do without.(See Observations). Lubin put up a great fight and was ahead 85-84 on two cards and even at 85-85 on the third. He has put his first round kayo loss to Jermell Charlo behind him. His wins over Terrell Gausha and Jeison Rosario did that for him and his performance in this fight will have grown and not diminished his standing.

Harrison vs. Garcia

Harrison gets a vital win as he boxes his way to victory over Garcia. The Spaniard was a danger in the first two rounds shaking Harrison with an uppercut in the second. After that it was all Harrison. He used his jab to both counter any advances by Garcia and to keep him off balance. Garcia pressed hard but Harrison stuck to his game plan refusing to be dragged into sustained exchanges. Garcia began to look for one big single shot to turn things his way. Harrison stepped up the pace from the sixth and landed heavily through the seventh and eighth. He stopped Garcia in his tracks with a neck-snapping left hook in the ninth then avoided Garcia’s desperate efforts in the tenth. Scores 100-90 twice and 98-92 for Harrison who wins the vacant WBC Silver belt. After losing his WBC title to Jermall Charlo and then drawing with Bryan Perrella Harrison could not afford to lose this one and a victory over WBC No 4 Garcia puts him right back in the title mix. Second loss in a row for Garcia having been outpointed by Sebastian Fundora in December.

Salgado vs. Perrella

Second successive draw for Perrella as he and Salgado finish all even. Salgado hurt Perrella with a body punch in the first but then Perrella brought his jab into play and outboxed Salgado rocking Salgado with an uppercut in the fifth. Salgado came on strong to collect the sixth and seventh with Perrella finding his form again over the closing rounds and looking to have done enough to win. Scores 97-93 Perrella, 96-94 Salgado and 95-95. First fight in the USA for Mexican Salgado. Perrella had fought to a split draw against Tony Harrison in his last fight in April 2021.

Clark vs. Coley

In a clash of ring rusty southpaws Clark gets split decision over Coley. There was never much of a gap between them in a spirited contest. Both worked well with their jab but neither had the power to dominate as Coley made the better start and Clark the stronger finish. Scores 77-75 twice for Clark and 77-75 for Coley. Clark had been blasted out in two rounds by Terrell Gausha in his last fight in March 2021 and Coley lost a split decision against Vlad Hernandez in July 2020.

San Antonio, TX, USA: Super Light: Ryan Garcia (22-0) W PTS 12 Emmanuel Tagoe (32-2). Fly: Marlen Esparza (12-1) W PTS 10 Naoko Fujioka (19-3-1). Super Middle: Shane Mosley Jr (18-4) W PTS Gabriel Rosado (26-15-1). Super Middle: Paul Valenzuela (28-11) W DISQ 2 Patrick Teixeira (31-3). Super Bantam: Art Hovhannisyan (21-3) W TKO 2 Dagoberto Aguero (15-2). Super Light: George Rincon (13-0) W PTS 10 Alejandro Frias (13-6-2).

Garcia vs. Tagoe

Garcia returns to the ring for the first time in fifteen months with a points win over Tagoe. Against an awkward, defensively minded Tagoe Garcia struggled to look good. He dropped Tagoe in the second but never really threatened an early finish after that. He outboxed and outlanded Tagoe but found the Ghanaian a clever, elusive target and had problems cutting the ring off and when he did corner him Tagoe clung on tightly until the danger was passed. It was hard to look good against such negative tactics and Garcia was almost floundering at times and had to settle for shaking some ring rust and going twelve rounds for the first time. Scores 119-108 twice and 118-109. There are tougher tests ahead for Garcia. Despite 15 months out he has still somehow retained his WBC No 2 rating but it is unlikely a title shot will come his way this year so there will be time to see whether he has lost anything during the past troubled months. Tagoe was out of his league and at 33 is not going to improve but there will be some useful pay days to come for him.

Esparza vs. Fujioka

Texan Esparza retains her WBC Female title and adds the WBA title with a victory over tough and experienced WBA champion Fujioka. Esparza had to use all of her skills in tackling the ever aggressive Fujioka who stormed forward throughout the fight. Esparza was clever on the defensive and quick and accurate on the offensive. She jabbed strongly and after being rocked by a right in the first round was never again in any danger despite the constant aggression from the heavy-handed Fujioka. Scores 100-90 twice and 97-93 for Esparza. A clear winner but Esparza had to fight much harder than the scores suggest. She won a bronze medal at the London Olympics and was a World Championships gold medallist. Fujiota’s place in the Hall of Fame should already be assured. Now 46, she did not turn professional until she was 33, has won titles in every division from minimumweight to bantamweight and is 12-3-1 in sanctioning body title fights

Mosley vs. Rosado

Mosley gets a majority decision over Rosado in a poor fight. Mosley took no chances. His game plan was to outbox Rosado and he stuck to that plan. Rosado just could not get close enough often enough to be in the fight in any meaningful way and when he did track Mosley down Mosley clinched to nullify Rosado’s work. With very little sustained action the crowd booed loud and often. Even the scoring was unsatisfactory with one judge scoring it 97-93 for Mosley and another 98-92 but the third had it a draw at 95-95! Last time out in May 2021 Mosley lost a majority decision to Jason Quigley. In his last fight in November Rosado lost a unanimous decision against Jaime Munguia.

Valenzuela vs. Teixeira

An unsatisfactory ending in this one. A punch to the back of Valenzuela’s head in the second round saw him unable to continue and former interim WBO belt holder Teixeira was disqualified.

Hovhannisyan vs. Aguero

Hovhannisyan blasts out Aguero in two rounds. Hovhannisyan was landing regularly in the first and rocked Aguero late in the round. In the second both let their hands go in a frenzy of punches. Hovhannisyan fired home a succession of left hooks flooring Aguero. Aguero beat the count and Hovhannisyan jumped on him and again fired a stream of left hooks to put Aguero down. Aguero made it to his feet but when the action resumed he was staggered again by left hooks and the referee stopped the fight. Armenian Hovhannisyan lost on points against Rey Vargas in a challenge for the WBC super bantamweight title in 2018 but has put together a run of seven wins, six by KO/TKO, and is No 2 with the WBA. First fight for two years for Dominican Aguero who took this fight at short notice.

Rincon vs. Frias

Rincon wins on points over Frias. Rincon floored Frias in the second and seventh rounds. A stoppage looked on the cards but a clash of heads in the seventh seemed to stun Rincon. He took the eighth but now had a gash on his forehead with the blood running into his eyes. Frias took advantage of that to sweep those last two rounds. Scores 96-91 twice and 98-89 for Rincon. He is a former National Golden Gloves champion who beat Brian Ceballo, James Perrella, Jamontay Clark, Amir Imam and Robert Easter in the amateurs.

APRIL 6

Sydney, Australia: Light: Harry Garside (2-0) W PTS 10 Manuer Matet (4-2). Light Heavy: Paulo Aokuso (1-0) W TKO 5 Michael Van Nimwegen (11-8)

Garside vs. Matet

Garside, 24, wins the vacant Australian title in his second pro fight. He won all the way against a very game Sudanese-born Matet who survived a torrid ninth round to go the distance. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91. Garside won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics losing to Cuban Andy Cruz in the semi-finals.

Aokuso vs. Van Nimwegen

Australian Olympian Aokuso turns professional with a fifth round stoppage of fellow-Australian Van Nimwegen to win the Australasian belt. Aokuso had Van Nimwegen down in the first, third and fifth rounds. Aokuso, 24, of Samoan parentage fought his way through the Asia-Oceania qualifier to compete in Tokyo but did not medal.

April 8

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Super Fly: Norberto Jimenez (30-9-6) W Keyvin Lara (31-4-1). Minimum: Yudel Reyes (14-1) W PTS 10 Rene Santiago (9-3). Super Bantam: Jonathan Guzman (25-2,1ND) W TKO 8 Starling Martinez (8-3).

Jimenez vs. Lara

Jimenez walks away with clear unanimous decision in a foul-filled grudge fight. Lara made the better start driving Jimenez to the ropes and bombarding him with punches. From that point onwards it was Jimenez’s fight. Lara kept marching forward but Jimenez boxed cleverly and constantly found gaps for counters. Lara had a good seventh but Jimenez edged the eight and then used plenty of movement some of it excessive, and accurate shots as he cruised to the final bell. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Jimenez. He lost to Khalid Yafai in a challenge for the WBA super fly title but was coming off a good result in the shape of a draw with Donnie Nietes in December. Nicaraguan Lara had won 5 of his last 6 fights.

Reyes vs. Santiago

Reyes takes unanimous verdict over Santiago in an exciting ten rounds of war. Reyes built a good lead over the first six rounds and then floored Puerto Rican Santiago in the seventh. Santiago beat the count and then won the eighth and ninth with Reyes talking the last. Scores 96-94 twice and 96-92 for Mexican Reyes who wins the vacant WBO NABO belt.

Guzman vs. Martinez

Guzman gets off the canvas to beat Martinez. Guzman cruised through the first four rounds but suffered a shock knockdown late in the fifth and only just made it to his feet at nine. Handily for Guzman the start of the sixth was delayed by twenty seconds as the referee insists the ring be mopped up. Guzman took his revenge in the sixth flooring Martinez three times all heavy knockdowns and somehow the referee did not stop the fight. Martinez was stunned again in the seventh and the fight was halted. Former IBF super bantam title challenger Guzman makes it 24 wins by KO/TKO. Third loss by KO/TKO for Venezuelan Martinez.

Grande-Synthe, Frame: Cruiser: Dylan Bregeon (12-2-1) W PTS 10 Eddy Lacrosse (13-7-2). Super Welter: Milan Prat (14-0,1ND) W Jose Flores (9-5-2). Super Welter: Priscilla Peterie (5-0) W PTS 10 Marianne Ahlborg (5-1). Super Bantam: Mathis Vegas (9-0) W PTS 10 Thomas Barbier (10-23-1).

Lacrosse vs. Bregeon

Bregeon regains the French title in clash of former champions as he takes a split decision over defending champion Lacrosse. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Bregeon and 97-94 for Lacrosse. Bregeon was rebounding from consecutive losses against Fabio Turchi and Chris Billiam-Smith. Lacrosse was in his second reign as champion.

Prat vs. Flores

French hope Prat, 22, floors and stops Mexican Flores in two rounds to win the vacant IBF Youth belt. Twelfth inside the distance victory for Prat. Third stoppage loss for Flores.

Peterie vs. Ahlborg

French boxer Peterie outboxes game Swede Ahlborg and wins the vacant European Female title with comfortable unanimous verdict. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for unbeaten Peterie.

Vegas vs. Barbier

Vegas retains the French title with wide unanimous decision ex-champion Barbier with the judges seeing it 100-90 twice and 99-91. First defence for Vargas. Usual gutsy display from limited but durable 38-year-old Barbier.

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Welter: Damian Sosa (20-1) W TKO 3 Jesus Vega (22-3-1).

Sosa batters Vega to defeat in three rounds. Sosa rocked Vega in each of the first two rounds with left hooks before ending the fight in the third. He staggered Vegas with two clubbing rights and then connected with a left hook that put Vega down on his back with the referee not bothering with a count. Eight victories in a row for Sosa who was making the first defence of his WBO Latino belt. Vega had suffered losses in tough fights against Alessandro Riguccini and Omar Chaves but had a seven-bout winning streak going into this fight.

Mpumalanga, South Africa: Light: Tshifihiwa Munyai 35-6-1) W PTS 12 Aphiwe Mboyiya (17-5-1,1ND). Super Bantam: Thato Bonokoane (12-5-3 ) W PTS 12 Innocent Mantengu (14-7-1).Super Light: Xolani Mgidi (7-9) W PTS 10 Sam Sithole (10-16-4).

Munyai vs. Mboyiya

Munyai holds on to the national title with split decision over southpaw Mboyiya in a dramatic battle. Mboyiya dominated the early action and had Munyai down and out in the third but despite counting Munyai out the referee allowed the fight to continue. A head-down rush from Mboyiya opened a gash on the left cheek of Munyai and sent both fighters tumbling to the floor. Munyai passed a doctor’s inspection and then used his greater experience to control the fight over the closing rounds. Scores 116-114 and 114-113 for Munyai and 116-113 for Mboyiya. Seven wins in a row for the former Commonwealth champion who lost to Scott Quigg for the secondary WBA super bantam title in 2014. Mboyiya, a former national feather and super feather title holder, was out for two years from 2019 to 2021 after testing positive for a banned substance.

Bonokoane vs. Mantengu

In yet another tense struggle Bonokoane won on a unanimous verdict over Mantengu in a WBFed Inter-Continental title defence. It was the quality from Bonokoane against the quantity from Mantengu with the judges favouring Bonokoane on scores of 117-119, 116-111 and 116-112

Mgidi vs. Sithole

Mgidi gets off the floor to win a close unanimous decision over more experienced Sithole. Plenty of exciting exchanges with Mgidi getting the nod on scores of a strange 99-91, 96-94 and 96-95 giving the fans real value for their money.

April 9

Civitavecchia, Italy: Super Feather: Michael Magnesi (21-0) W TKO 5 Dennis Contreras (24-12-1).

Magnesi stops Contreras in IBO title defence. Magnesi made a good start scoring heavily in the opener. There were plenty of fiery trading in the second with Contreras looking to have edged it. Magnesi got the better of the exchanges in the third although Contreras fought back at the bell. It was all Magnesi in the fourth as Contreras started to wilt and Magnesi put Contreras down twice with rights early in the fifth and the towel came flying in to save Contreras. Second defence of the IBO belt and thirteenth victory by KO/TKO for Magnesi who is rated No 10 with the IBF. Contreras had won 4 of his last 5 contests.

Metepec, Mexico: Super Fly: Angel Ayala (14-0) W PTS 12 Cristofer Rosales (32-6).

Ayala pulls off a major upset as he outboxes WBC No 1 flyweight Rosales. Ayala showed plenty of skill. Boxing mostly of the back foot he was too quick for Rosales darting in quickly to score with flashing shots and getting out before Rosales could counter. Rosales ploughed forward but was unable to pin Ayala down. Ayala effortlessly switched guards and when he did stand and trade he was landing some hefty head shots and hurtful left hooks to the body. Rosales kept coming forward exerting pressure and eventually Ayala began to slow down and Rosales took the seventh and eighth rounds but after a close ninth Ayala boxed his way to victory sweeping up the closing rounds. Scores 120-107, 116-111 and 116-112 all for 21-year-old Ayala. He was not even in the WBC top 40 going into this fight so the ratings will have to be re-jigged to bring him in and demote Rosales

Holstebro, Denmark: Bantam: Dina Thorslund (18-0) W PTS 10 Niorikis Carreno (22-3). Super Feather: Alex Dilmaghani (29-2-1) W PTS 8 Victor Julio (16-4). Super Bantam: Thomas Essomba (11-7-1) W PTS 8 Michael Nielsen (6-2).

Thorslund vs. Carreno

Thorslund makes a successful sixth defence of her WBO title with a points victory over a brave Carreno. Thorslund dominated the action having Carreno badly shaken in the fourth but counters from the challenger had Thorslund bleeding from the nose. Carreno was in trouble again in the eighth but made it to the bell although a swelling was limiting her vision and she withstood heavy punishment the ninth and tenth. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Thorslund. Last time out Thorslund scored an important victory over 53-3-2 Zulina Munoz. Thorslund had to shed 3.5kgs in a couple of days to make the weight for this fight. Carreno lost to Debora Lopez for the vacant WBO flyweight title in 2019.

Dilmaghani vs. Julio

Dilmaghani gets in some ring time but has more problems than expected against tall Colombian Villa. The tall Villa made Dilmaghani work hard and it was close in the end with Dilmaghani getting the decision on scores of 77-75 twice and 78-74. Last time out in December 2020 Dilmaghani lost on a twelfth round stoppage against Samir Ziani for the European title. Fourth consecutive defeat for Julio.

Essomba vs. Nielsen

Once again Essomba showed how dangerous it is to underestimate the little Cameroon-born fighter as he outclassed local boxer Nielsen winning every round as all three judges scored it 80-72 for him. He has given Jay Harris, Lee McGregor and Marc Leach tough nights.

San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile: Super Fly: Daniela Asenjo (11-3-3 ) DREW 10 Mirabel Ramirez (13-9-3). Super Bantam: Jose Velasquez (30-7-2) W KO 3 Ronald Ramos (42-21-4). Miguel Gonzalez (32-3) W KO 5 Edinso Torres (15-7).

Asenjo vs. Ramirez

Ramirez retains her WBA title with majority draw against local fighter Asenjo. It was a strongly contested scarp and close all the way. The Chilean fans were unhappy at the outcome but a draw looked about right. Scores 95-95 twice and 96-95 for Asenjo. Second title defence for Mexican Ramirez. Former champion Asenjo had lost her title through inactivity and this was her first fight for thirty months.

Velasquez vs. Ramos

Velasquez starts his rebuilding with kayo of Colombian Ramos. After two sluggish rounds Velasquez put Ramos down and out with a right to the head in the third. Velasquez had a 21-bout unbeaten streak snapped when he was outpointed by Murodjon Akhmadaliev in a challenge for the WBA title in November.

Gonzalez vs. Torres

Gonzalez ended a frustrating fight with a body punch in the fifth. Venezuelan Torres did a lot of holding and managed to “lose” his mouthguard a few times when in trouble. As a result the referee deducted him two points but the body punch from Gonzalez made the points irrelevant. Gonzalez was back in the ring for the first time since his sixth round stoppage loss against Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF super fly title in December 2019.

Brive, France: Cruiser: Cyril Leonet (17-11-3) W RTD 5 Nicolas Wamba (8-1).

Leonet regains the French title with win over Wamba who retired at the end of the fifth round. Leonet, 38, has almost made a career out French title fights as he is now 3-4-1 in national title contests. Wamba was making the second defence of the title.

Falkensee, Germany: Cruiser: Edin Puhalo (21-1) W TKO 3 Nils Schmidt (20-2). Heavy: Tom Schwarz (26-1) W Muhammed Ali Durmaz (32-30)

Puhalo vs. Schmidt

Bosnian Puhalo stops German Schmidt in the third. After a fairly even start Puhalo scored heavily in the second and put Schmidt down with a left hook to the chin in the third and the referee stopped the fight without a count. Both fighters have ridiculously heavily padded records and are going nowhere.

Schwarz vs. Ali Durmaz

Schwarz gets a kayo in his first fight since September 2019. Schwarz and Ali Durmaz engaged in some furious exchanges until Schwarz cornered Ali Durmaz and bombarded him with punches until Ali Durmaz slumped to the floor and was counted out. Nineteenth inside the distance victory for Schwarz who was stopped in two rounds by Tyson Fury in June 2019. Now 26 losses by KO/TKO for 41-year-old Ali Durmaz.

Milan, Italy: Bantam: Alessio Lorusso (17-4-2) W TKO 12 Jacob Barreto (13-5). Bantam: Vincenzo Picardi (6-0) W PTS 10 Claudio Grande (6-2).

Lorusso vs. Barreto

Lorusso scores a late stoppage over Spaniard Barreto in a European Union title defence. Lorusso boxed with speed and accuracy over the opening four rounds to establish a lead. Barreto was able to get into the fight from the fifth but with Lorusso switching guards and scoring freely the champion increased his advantage. Barreto fought back hard over the tenth and eleventh but had nothing left in the twelfth and was taking some savage shots when the referee came in to end the fight. First defence for southpaw Lorusso who has plenty of skill but lacks real power. Barreto was stopped in two rounds by Charlie Edwards in December

Picardi vs. Grande

“Mosquito” Picardi outboxes inexperienced Grande in a national title defence. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92. Picardi, 38, was a top level amateur and will now be aiming to get a shot at the EU or EBU titles. Grande was beaten on points by Hope Price in August.

Florence, Italy: Heavy: Eduardo Giustini (11-2) W TKO 6 Ivan D’Adamo (8-3-1).

Giustini gets his revenge and the Italian title as he beats D’Adamo in the sixth round. The fight was close after five rounds but in the sixth Giustini took D’Adamo to a corner and scored with a volley of punches that put D’Adamo down. He made it to his feet but was hanging on the ropes absorbing punches and the fight was stopped. Giustini has won 9 of his last 10 fights with the loss being an eighth round stoppage against D’Adamo for the vacant title in March last year. D’Adamo was defending the title for the second time.

Rizal, Philippines: Minimum: Ar Ar Andales (13-2-1) Drew 12 Joey Canoy (17-5-2,1ND).

The WBO Oriental title remains vacant after Andales and Canoy finish all even with a majority draw. Scores 114-114 twice and 116-112 for southpaw Canoy. Andales is a former WBA minimumweight title challenger and Canoy has had three shots at the IBO minimumweight title.

Sun City, South Africa: Super Fly: Landi Ngxeke (8-0-1) W TKO 10 Athenkosi Dumezweni (13-4). Super Feather: Bukiwe Nonina (18-4-1) W PTS 10 Feriche Mashauri (10-5). Minimum: Simpiwe Konkco (20-6,1ND) W PTS 10 Ariston Aton (9-4).

Ngxeke vs. Dumezweni

Ngxeke wins the vacant South African title with stoppage of southpaw Dumezweni late in the tenth round. Eighth consecutive victory for Ngxeke. Dumezweni lost on an eleventh round stoppage against Fernando Martinez in December 2019 with Martinez going on to beat Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF title.

Nonina vs. Mashauri

Nonina too good for Tanzanian Mashauri and wins the vacant ABU Female belt on scores of 100-90 from the three judges. Nonina is 13-1-1 in her last 15 fights. Mashauri came in as a late substitute.

Konkco vs. Aton

Konkco finally gets in some ring time as he beats Filipino Aton on a unanimous decision. Acores 100-90, 97-93 and 96-92. First fight for former undefeated IBO title holder Konkco since losing a decision against Wanheng for the WBC title in October 2019. Third “on the road” loss in a row for Aton.

Schenectady, NY, USA: Cruiser: Simone Federici (19-2-1) W PTS 10 Lyubomyr Pinchuk (14-3-1).

Federici outworks Pinchuk in WBC Continental America’s title defence. Federici was giving away height to the 6’3” Pinchuk so took the fight inside scoring steadily with hooks to the body with Pinchuk trying to work on the outside. A clash of heads in the fourth saw Federici suffering a bad cut but he continued to march forward and bulldozed his way to victory. Scores 97-93 twice and 99-91 for the former undefeated Italian champion. Ukrainian Pinchuk had a useful 10-1-1 run going before this fight.

Fight of the week (Significance): The wins for Sebastian Fundora and Ryan Garcia must count but Gennady Golovkin’s win could lead to a third fight with Saul Alvarez which would be a huge fight.

Fight of the week (Entertainment): It has to be Fundora’s vs. Erickson Lubin a war all the way. Honourable mention to Tshifihiwa Munyai vs. Aphiwe Mboyiya a battle royal.

Fighter of the week: Gennady Golovkin with Honourable mention to Sebastian Fundora

Punch of the week: The right to the head from Golovkin that finished Murata

Upset of the week: Unrated Angel Ayala’s points win over WBC No 1 Cristofer

Prospect watch: None I have not already tagged.

Observations

Rosette: For the Costa Mesa and Las Vegas show’s packed with quality fighters and the show in Mpumalanga in South Africa with the three card topping fights providing drama and entertainment.

Red Card: To the WBO. When you rate fighters on the basis of some obscure trinket their promoter paid for there is always the risk of a poor excuse for a title fight. Ryota Yamauchi was unrated in July 2020 but then:

-August 2020 beat Saturo Todaka record 10-3-4

-June 2021 beat Yuta Nakayama record 8-3-1

No more fights

–September 2021 WBO No 2

If you can think of an honest explanation for this let me know for I can’t think of one.

-The standard of refereeing varies greatly. It was amazing to see the referee count to ten and waive his arms to show the fight was cover and then just wipe Tshifihiwa Munyai’s gloves and let the fight continue.

– The farce goes on. Sebastian Fundora wins the WBC “interim” champion even though there is an active champion scheduled to fight next month. Even Fundora said he wanted to win a real title. Jose Sulaiman did the right thing when he said the WBC were going to do away with them. Obviously one of Jose promises that Mauricio has no intention of keeping. Check your dictionary for the meaning of interim.

-The difference between amateur and professional has become so blurred it is difficult to use the term amateur. Duke Ragan had a professional fight in April 2021 then fought in the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. So can a professional have an “amateur” fight or since he is a professional shouldn’t all of his fights be classified as professional? If not what term do you use to describe his fights at the Olympics? He is a professional but he was not fighting a professional but he is not an amateur so those fights are neither fish nor fowl.

-German heavyweight Tom Schwarz has rightly had some strong criticism after his violent attack on his fiancée and he faced an unusual protests before his fight in Magdeburg on Saturday. Two topless female activists stormed the ringside protesting against male violence with “End male violence “written across the chests. I spent a little while trying to think of some funny remark but let’s face it there is nothing funny about male violence against women.

-I love statistics I can cover pages with them which saves me having to think about what to write. However I am also aware that the saying “there are lies, dam lies and statistics” is true. Take the case of Niorikis Carreno who fought Dina Thorslund for the WBO Female bantamweight title she had an impressive looking 22-2 record. The 22 fighters she had beaten had a total of 15 wins between and 15 of them had never won a fight! There that’s saved me from having to think of anything else to write!