The Past Week in Action 17 September 2024

Highlights:

-Saulo Alvarez retains the WBA, WBC and WBO super middle titles with points win over Edgar Berlanga

-Erislandy Lara beats Danny Garcia on a ninth round retirement in WBA middleweight title defence

-Caleb Plant wins temporary/interim WBA super middleweight title with stoppage of Trevor McCumby and there are wins for Stephen Fulton, Rolando Romero and Ricardo Salas

-WBC No 2 super featherweight Eduardo Hernandez beats Thomas Mattice on a technical decision.

-Tobias Reyes and Rodrigo Ruiz win in South American title fights in Argentina

-Unbeaten former IBO middleweight champion Etinosa Oliha stops Alexander Pavlov in IBF eliminator

-New Zealand cruiserweight David Nyika stops Tommy Karpency in three rounds

-Maria Ines stops Johen Gonzalez in 10 seconds to win South American lightweight title

Major Shows

SEPTEMBER 14

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Middle: Saul Alvarez (62-2-2) W PTS 12 Edgar Berlanga (22-3). Middle: Erislandy Lara (31-3-3) W RTD 9 Danny Garcia (37-4). Super Middle: Caleb Plant (23-2) W TKO 9 Trevor McCumby (28-1). Super Light: Rolando Romero (16-2) W PTS 10 Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1). Feather: Stephen Fulton (22-1) W PTS 10 Carlos Castro (30-3). Welter: Ricardo Salas (20-2-2) W KO 3 Roiman Villa (26-3). Super Feather: Jonathan Lopez (17-0) W PTS 8 Richard Medina (15-3). Light Heavy: Lawrence King (17-1) W TKO 2 Vaughn Williams (12-2,1ND). Super Middle: Bek Nurmaganbet (12-0) W TKO 2 Joshua Conley (17-7).

Alvarez vs. Berlanga

Alvarez retains the WBA, WBC and WBO titles as he drops Berlanga in the third on the way to a wide unanimous decision.

Round 1

After some early probing Alvarez tried a left hook but was short. Berlanga needed to stay at distance to make use of his longer reach but was also short with two long shots. Alvarez was stalking the circling Berlanga and fired a burst of punches with a couple getting through.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez

Round 2

Berlanga on the front foot jabbing but was short with his punches. Alvarez surged forward and slung a left and right to the body with both scoring. Alvarez backed Berlanga into a corner and landed a couple of hooks. Berlanga got through with a jab and a right but then missed with some sweeping punches and Alvarez landed a left to the body and snapped Berlanga’s head back with two jabs. Berlanga connected with a couple of rights.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 20-18

Round 3

Berlanga did plenty of jabbing at the start but was backed into a corner and had his head snapped back by a jab. He then landed a good right but was caught by a short left hook and went down on his rump. He was up at four not badly hurt. After the count with Berlanga pinned against the ropes Alvarez fired hooks from both hands some hefty ones got through but Berlanga also scored with some counters. A heavy right saw Berlanga stumble but he was throwing jabs and landed a right, At the end of the round Alvarez was hooking to Berlanga’s body and head

Score: 10-8 Alvarez Alvarez 30-26

Round 4

Alvarez was coming forward and Berlanga was jabbing well on the back foot. He got through with a couple of jabs and a right cross. Berlanga kept moving and jabbing. Alvarez scored with a left hook and Berlanga responded with a right to the head and did so again when Alvarez backed him to the ropes and Berlanga scored with two more jabs at the bell.

Score: 10-9 Berlanga Alvarez 39-36

Round 5

Alvarez was prowling after Berlanga blocking or avoiding Berlanga’s jabs and landed a hard jab of his own. They got into a bad tempered tangle with both landing illegal shots and each blaming the other. With his blood up Alvarez trapped Berlanga in a corner and then against the ropes and piled on the punches firing left hooks to the body and a right to the head. Some landed some missed. A sneaky uppercut rattled Berlanga and when he landed a counter Alvarez caught him with a left hook.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 49-45

Round 6

Berlanga was on the retreat constantly firing jabs which Alvarez was blocking or evading. Thery stood and swapped punches and Berlanga had enough success which boosted his confidence. Alvarez continued to track Berlanga along the ropes but missed with a big right and Berlanga continued to pierce Alvarez’s guard with jabs.

Score: 10-9 Berlanga Alvarez 58-55

Round 7

Another good round for Berlanga. He was firing his jabs off the back foot with speed and accuracy and when He was trapped against the ropes he swayed away from Alvarez’s punches and landed a hard right. It developed into a battle of jabs and Berlanga was the one doing the scoring over a subdued Alvarez. Berlanga missed with a right and overbalanced and went down but there was no reason for a count.

Score: 10-9 Berlanga Alvarez 67-65

Round 8

Berlanga was jabbing again and landed straight right. Alvarez stepped up the pace and connected with four hooks to the body. With Berlanga against the ropes Alavarez fired home a left hook to the body. They swapped punches with Alvarez landing the better shots. Berlanga was given a warning for an attempted butt and Alvarez was outjabbing Berlanga and landing some heavy body punches.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 77-74

Round 9

Berlanga was boxing behind a high, tight guard but throwing few jabs. Alvarez landed three rights to the head. He had Berlanga against the ropes and connected with a left hook and a big right to the head. Berlanga had backed to a corner and he landed a couple of counters but had to take more than he was giving as Alvarez banged to the body with hooks. The high guard tactics from Berlanga seemed to signal a determination to last the distance.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 87-83

Round 10

There were some lively exchanges as the round started. Alvarez landed a sharp uppercut and shots to the body with Berlanga firing back but without the accuracy or power of Alvarez’s punches. Berlanga had ditched his jab and seemed to want to turn the fight into a brawl but too often he was just leaning on and Alvarez was clubbing him with hooks. That suited Alvarez and he scored with a fierce uppercut and a pair of rights. There was confusion at the end of the round., Alvarez seemed to think the bell had gone and turned and started walking back to his corner. Berlanga raced after him and with Alvarez’s back to him landed a punch. Alvarez turned in anger but the referee jumped in as the bell went.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 97-92

Round 11

The incident at the end of the tenth had stoked some fire and they traded punches early. Berlanga was again hiding behind a high guard not using his jab which had been his best weapon. A left hook from Alvarez had Berlanga stumbling and with Berlanga static behind his guard Alvarez was able to pick his shots. Berlanga started to move again but was throwing very few punches. He was in survival mode and he was in a corner with Alvarez unloading punches as the bell rang.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 107-101

Round 12

Alvarez landed pair of left hooks and Berlanga fired back with a right. Alvarez got through with a right but Berlanga scored with an even better one. Berlanga scored with long lefts but Alvarez connected with a right to the head. Alvarez landed a left and a right and another left hook to the body. Berlanga launched a big attack as the round ended. There had been some bad feeling throughout the fight but they embraced like old friends at the end.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez Alvarez 117-110

No real test for Alvarez as Berlanga did not have anything in his armoury that would trouble Alvarez He is now 34 and is 22-2-1 in real title fights (excluding secondary and interim/ temporary fights). There is not much left for him in the way of big fights at super middle. There is mention of Terence Crawford and many would like to see David Benavidez in the opposite corner. Dimitrii Bivol and Artur Beterbiev will be fighting each other for the five belts at light heavyweight on 12 October so no certainty there. Christian Mbilli is No 1 super middle with the WBC but and as they had Berlanga at No 8 in theory they could put some pressure on Alvarez but that just won’t happen. Diego Pacheco is No 1 with the WBO but as with Mbilli I am not sure if his profile is high enough. There are plenty of options but in the end the decision will rest with Alvarez and his paymasters. Berlanga did well enough to be a force at super middleweight but only once Alvarez is not around.

Lara vs. Garcia

Lara wins on a retirement against Garcia in a WBA title defence but the fight is a poor excuse for a title fight proving very little action and no excitement.

Round 1

At the start It was cautious probing jabs from both. Garcia missed with a pair of rights and Lara landed two quick jabs and that was enough for him to take a very low activity round.

Score: 10-9 Lara

Round 2

Lara occupied the centre of the ring with Garia circling looking for an opening but Lara was always quick enough to step back out of range. Lara landed with a left and a right and then a left to the body. Garcia was a just not throwing any punches and when he did come forward Lara easily stepped away.

Score: 10-9 Lara Lara 20-18

Round 3

Garcia launched a couple of attacks and landed couple of light shots. Lara was tracking Garcia but when Garcia was against the ropes Lata was stepping back instead pf applying any pressure. There was a brief flurry of activity at the end of the round as Lara landed some right jabs and a left to the body but the fight was really a non-event so far. And the boos were ringing out

Score: 10-9 Lara Lara 30-27

Round 4

Lara was crouching and just flicking out jabs and Garcia was circling but not throwing punches. There was no action to speak of until Garcia landed a right and that was it for him to win another no action round. More boos.

Score: 10-9 Garcia Lara 39-37

Round 5

Lara landed a lunging left but he was making no effort to put Garcia under any pressure not trying to cut the ring off. Garcia connected with a straight right and Lara landed a left and a couple of punches late in the round but this was dire entertainment.

Score: 10-9 Lara Lara 49-46

Round 6

Once again Lara was just shadowing the circling Garcia making no effort to apply any pressure until finally Garcia came forward and fired a few hooks. Lara landed two rights and then did pressure Garcia but once again backed off and settled for scoring with same powerless flicks. Lara scored with two lefts and then danced away from Garcia’s counters.

Score: 10-9 Lara Lara 59-55

Round 7

Now Lara was making a serios effort to cut off the ring and with Garcia sticking to the ropes Lara landed three lefts but yet again eased up and let Garcia move off the ropes before landing two lefts.

Score: 10-9 Lara Lara 69-64

Round 8

Garcia showed a bit of aggression at the start of the round but it was ineffective. Garcia landed a couple of rights and Lara a couple of jabs. Gacia was the one coming forward with Lara on the back foot looking to counter and Garcia had his best round so far.

Score: 10-9 Garcia Lara 78-74

Round 9

There was an air of menace about Lara that had been absent before. It was if he was finally getting down to business. He was not letting Garcia move off the ropes closing him down and picking his shots and finally putting some venom into them. Just before the bell hen Garcia did slide along the ropes Lara quickly followed him and threw a left. It looked as though it was partially blocked and Garcia went down on one knee not very convincingly. The bell went and as Garcia walked back to his corner his father indicated to the referee that Garcia was retiring. Lara, 41, was making the third defence of the WBA title and is the oldest currently active world title holder. He must be criticised for hardly making any effort to end this earlier. It was as if he was carrying Garcia. His whole attitude changed in the ninth round and if he had showed the same aggressiveness he could have ended this with one or two rounds. The COMPUBOX statistics showed that Lara landed only 63 punches in the completed nine rounds and Garcia only 33! Garcia announced his retirement but this was a poor effort to end such a good career.

Plant vs. McCumby

Plant comes off the canvas to beat down and stop McCumby in the ninth round. Plant had the better of the exchanges in a close first round where both landed some useful punches. McCumby had a much better second round knocking Plant off balance early with a right and indulging in some taunting. McCumby looked to have scored a knockdown when he landed a left hook that sent Plant to the floor. McCumby had also added a shove and the referee decided it was not a knockdown but Plant looked unsteady at the end of the round. Plant was on the floor again in the third but again it was not counted as a knockdown. Plant began to find the range with his jab late in the third but the fourth started badly for him. Two left hooks sent Plant skidding across the ring and almost out through the ropes. After the count McCumby tried to capitalise on the knockdown but Plant regrouped. The fight turned in the fifth. Plant was coming forward forcing McCumby to the ropes and scoring with hooks inside. He kept on top of McCumby and although McCumby was firing back Plant was more accurate landing heavier punches and targeting McCumby’s body. To add to his problems McCumby was also cut over his left eye by a punch. Plant continued to force McCumby to the ropes in the sixth and seventh banging away to the body and denying McCumby punching room and Plant also adds some taunting of his own. The pace slowed at the start of the eighth and McCumby managed to work his way off the ropes but Plant soon forced him back although McComb did a good right at the bell. Plant pinned McCumby against the ropes in the ninth and pounded McCumby with punches. McCumby tried to respond but he was overwhelmed and soaking up punishment and the referee jumped in to save McCumby as the bell sounded so a stoppage at 2:59 of the ninth. Plant wins the WBA temporary (interim) title but a return against Alvarez is not on the cards. McCumby was inactive from November 2018 to May 2023 so largely out of the public eye. He had won four reasonable level wins since returning so in a fighting performance here will have raised his profile and now needs to stay active.

Romero vs. Jaimes

Former WBA super lightweight champion Romero outpoints Jaimes. The fight started with a low activity first round due to a mixture of caution and inaccurate punches. From the second it was Romero’s fight. Romero had a slight edge in reach but also had quicker hands and some slick movement. Jaimes only chance was to take the fight to Romero and make it into a brawl. Romero was able to land his jabs and was walking Jaimes onto hooks to head and body and then slip or dodge Jaimes punches. Jaimes kept piling forward but if he did get inside then Romero was just tying him up and then pushing him off. Romero did a professional job of hoovering up the rounds with his better quality work and won 99-1 from all three judges. First fight for Romero since losing his WBA belt against Isaac Cruz in March. He is No 8 with the WBA but could work his back to another shot at the title. Jaimes had beaten Jonathan Romero in July.

Fulton vs. Castro

As he moves up to featherweight Fulton has to climb off the floor to get a points victory over Castro. In the opener Castro kept popping Fulton with jabs and firing straight rights. Fulton was doing a good job of deflecting Castro’s punches then moving inside quickly with hooks and upper cuts. The pace picked up from the second with some fiery exchanges with the highlight being Fulton landing a hard right to the head that rocked Castro. Fulton’s work inside was giving him a slight edge but the rounds were close. Fulton seemed on the point of taking full control as they moved into the fifth. He connected with a right to the head but Castro countered with a right though Fulton’s guard that sent Fulton down on his back. He rolled over and was up at eight and made it to the bell. They traded hard in the sixth with Castro trying to build on the knockdown but Fulton was landing more and better punches. There was another scare for Fulton early in the eighth when a right had him badly shaken and clinching to survive but he recovered and with the result in the balance it was furious give-and-take action over the ninth and tenth. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Fulton and 95-94 for Castro. First fight for Fulton since losing his WBC and WBO super bantam titles by an eighth round stoppage against Naoya Inoue in July last year. He is No 2 with the WBA and No 7 with the WBC.. Castro’s two losses had come in important fights against Luis Nery on a split decision and Brando Figueroa on a stoppage but he was coming into this fight on the back of three wins.

Salas vs. Villa

Salas gives the lie to some recent mixed form as he destroys favoured Villa in three rounds. Salas was giving away a lot of height and reach but he came forward quickly behind his jab in the first firing shots to head and body. He was darting away from Villa’s attacks and responding with overhand rights. Villa found the range late in the round pinning Salas in a corner and scoring with hooks. Villa rocked Salas at the start of the second and Salas almost went down. Villa then sent Salas stumbling back to the ropes. Villa continued to put Salas under pressure and sent Salas stumbling again but was shaken by a left hook. At the start of the third a right from Salas had Villa in trouble and Salas trapped Villa against the ropes and pounded him with punches. Villa turned the tables and put Salas against the ropes but Salas nailed him with a straight right that sent Villa down flat on the canvas and he was counted out. Salas was an uninspiring 3-1-2 in his fight leading up to this win but his kayo of WBC No 9 Villa on a big show should put him in line for some good paydays. Villa had been knocked out in the tenth round by Jaron Ennis in a challenge for the IBF welter title in July last year.

Lopez vs. Medina

Lopez drops Medina on the way to a convincing unanimous decision victory. Lopez had the skills and used them well and dominated from start to finish. A lightning right sent Medina’s mouthguard flying across the ring in the first round and a left opened a cut on the right cheek of Medina. To his credit Medina overcame those first round shocks to take the fight to Lopez. He kept bulling forward trying to get inside to offset the smarter boxing and quicker hands of Lopex. That did not work too well as Lopez more than matched him and was the harder puncher. Lopez already had a winning lead but staged a strong finish. He landed heavily at the end of the seventh and Medina was unsteady on his feet on the way to his corner and then floored him with a left in the eighth. All three judges had it 80-71 for Lopez. He had won 10 of his last 11 fights mostly in the first two rounds. Lopez, 21, scored wins over Xander Zayas and Omari Jones in the amateurs. Second loss in a row for Texan Medina.

King vs. Williams

King wins this battle of southpaws with a second round stoppage of Williams. After an early career loss, the 27-year-old 6’2” King has scored 13 consecutive victories 11 of them by KO/TKO. Williamss had won his last 4 bouts.

Nurmaganbet vs. Conley

Kazakh southpaw Nurmaganbet , 26, stops Conley in two rounds. He has won his last eight fights inside the distance taking him less than 15 rounds to win all eight and he has good amateur credentials so worth watching. Conley had lost his last three but against hard opponents in Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Steven Butler and Shane Mosley JR.

SEPTEMBER 11

Moscow, Russia: Heavy : Apti Davtaev (24-1-1) W TKO 2 Alexander Zubkov (9-12). Super Welter: Albert Khamkhoev (11-0) W PTS 10 Yusuph Metu (10-1). Cruiser: Umar Salamov (29-2) W RTD 4 Server Emurlaev (24-4).

Davtaev vs. Zubkov

Davtaev stops Zubkov in two. Davtaev, 6’5”, dominated the action in the first and then stunned Zubkov with a straight left in the second with the referee quickly stopping the fight. Davtaev was halted in eight rounds by Jack Muloway in 2021 and then had only one fight in each of years 2022 and 2023 but this is his second quick win this year. Only three of his fights have gone the distance. Seven defeats in his last eight fights for Zubkov

Khamkhoev vs. Metu

Southpaw Khamkhoev easily boxes his way to victory over Metu. Scores 100-90 from the three judges. Khamkhoev wins the vacant WBA Asia title as he used his better skills and considerable reach advantage to outscore the Tanzanian. Not sure how a Tanzanian qualifies to fight for the Asian title?

Salamov vs. Emurlaev

Salamov gradually breaks down Uzbek Emurlaev. Salamov handed out a steady beating using his height, reach and accurate punching to score at distance and never letting Emurlaev get a foothold in the fight. After four one-sided rounds Emurlaev declined to come out for the fifth. Salamov lost on points against Dmitrii Bivol for the WBA title in December 2021 and this is only his third fight since then. Emurlaev was having his first fight since losing a majority decision against Callum Johnson in October 2021.

Plant City, FL, USA: Super Welter: Vladimir Hernandez (16-6) W PTS 10 Raul Garcia (13-2-1). Light: Jaycob Gomez (11-0-1) W RTD 2 Jerry Perez (14-5-1).

Hernandez vs. Garcia

Hernandez comes off the floor to drop Garcia and win a unanimous decision. Southpaw Hernandez was trying to manoeuvre Garcia to the ropes in the first. Garcia was on the back foot using his jab to create some space and firing straight rights through Hernandez’s guard. Hernandez kept crowing and landing left hooks to the body but Garcia’s clever movement and rights gave him the edge. Hernandez upped the pressure in the second outlanding Garcia and he was on top at the start of the third until Garcia took over landing a bunch of rights and then in the last twenty seconds of the round dropped Hernandez face down on the canvas with a left hook. Hernandez was up at nine and made it to the bell. Hernandez recovered and was surging forward again in the fourth as they traded punches in exciting action. Hernandez went down but it was ruled a slip. Hernandez had a big fifth. He was forcing hard and clipped Garcia with a right to the head. Garcia staggered forward and then ended up sitting on the canvas. He looked badly shaken but beat the count and survived Hernandez attempts to end the fight. The relentless pressure from Hernandez had him on top over sixth and seventh with Garcia fighting back but close to being overwhelmed. Garcia was doing a good job of picking Hernandez off with rights in the eighth and looked to be on his way to winning the round until a barrage of punches put him down. He was up at seven and then took the fight to Hernandez connecting with a series of rights that rocked Hernandez to close out an exciting round. It was toe-to-toe through a frantic ninth that saw both boxers just letting their punches fly and the round was even more exciting than the eighth. Two tired boxers slugged it out through the tenth with neither wanting to take a step back and with Garcia just that little bit stronger. Scores 96-91, 95-92 and 94-93 all for Hernandez. He has been in some tough fights losing to Israil Madrimov, Souleymane Cissokho, and Troy Isley but has scored wins over Alfredo Angulo, Julian Williams and unbeaten Lorenzo Simpson so a real Mexican warrior. Dominican Garcia had lost a split decision against unbeaten Lorenzo Ruiz in Plant City in August last year.

Gomez vs. Perez

Gomez handles crude Perez with ease. Perez was tending to lunge forward just throwing wild punches. Southpaw Gomez was landing lefts to the body and a left to the side of the head knocked Perez off balance and he put both gloves on the canvas to avoid going down resulting in a count. A left to the head put Perez down for the second time and the bell went as the referee completed the eight count. Gomez continued to find the target with lefts in the second and handed out punishment with Perez against the ropes and trapped in corners. Perez stormed forward forcing Gomez back but Gomez ended the round again bombarding Perez with punches and Perez retired at the end of the round. Seventh win by KO/TKO for the Puerto Rican southpaw Gomez. Three losses in a row for Perez.

SEPTEMBER 12

Grossgmain, Austria: Super Midde: Alem Begic (28-0-1) W PTS 10 David Kerkmann (19-1).

In an all-German clash Begic retains the WBO European title with a points win over southpaw Kerkmann. No scores available. Begic, 37, who holds a masters degree in architecture, was making the first defence of the WBO belt. Impressive figures but against modest opposition. Kerkmann, 40, had won 8 of his last 9 fights inside the distance.

London, England: Super Middle: Martin Bulacio (14-7) W TKO 8 Serhat Guler (7-1).

Argentinian Bulacio pulls off a big surprise as he stops highly-touted Guler in the eighth round . This did not look a tough test for Guler and it looked as though it was going to go with form when Guler scored and early knockdowns. He was piling into Bulacio banging to the body with Bulacio forced onto the back foot. Guler kept winning the rounds but was ignoring defence just walking through Bulacio’s punches. Gradually the accumulation of punches from Bulacio just proved too much for Guler and he was stopped. Bulacio wins the WBC International Silver title. Bulacio had won his last three fight but was only rated No 7 light heavyweight Argentina and had been stopped in 73 seconds by Mark Heffron in Manchester in 2022. Turkey’s Guiler was making the third defence of the title and had impressed when winning the title with a tenth round kayo of 19-1 Leon Bunn.

Flint, MI, USA: Super Welter: Ardreal Holmes Jr (16-0) W PTS 10 Hugo Noriega (10-3). Super Welter: Joseph Hicks (11-0) W PTS 8 Ronnie Austion (10-3). Super Welter: Leon Lawson (16-1) W TKO 4 Luis Veron (20-9-2).

Holmes vs. Noriega

Southpaw Holmes wins unanimous decision over Noriega in a disappointing fight. It was a low action fight without highlights. Holmes had the superior skills but rarely needed them. Noriega might have just edged a close first round but he struggled after that as Holmes, whilst boxing mostly on the back foot, was just a shade busier and more accurate. Noriega did a little better over the middle rounds due to the low work rate from Holmes but Holmes. The closing rounds saw Holmes controlling the fight with his jab. Noriega kept pressing but lacked them power to alter the tide and Holmes up he rounds. Scores 97-93 twice and a too close 95-94 for Holmes. A former US National champion and alternate for the US team for Rio Holmes showed a sharp jab and some clever defensive work but needs to do better. Cuban Noriega was competitive without being threatening.

Hicks vs. Austion

Hicks boxes his way to victory over Austion. The Grand Rapids fighter boxed cautiously picking up the first two rounds with his longer reach and quicker hands then upped his pace. He was on the front foot opening Austion up with his jab connecting with fast rights to the head. Austion was looking to throw right counters over Hicks jab but that was not working for him and it was Hicks who connected with an overhand right in the fifth. Austion just could not find a way into the fight as Hicks stepped up the pressure firing more rights. He became a little right hand happy not working his jab as much but he never really Had Austion in any trouble. Scores 80-72, 78-74 and 79-73 for Hicks a former National Golden Gloves champion who was set to captain the US team for the 2020 Olympics but COVID ruined his schedule and he turned professional. Detroit-born Austion was having his first fight in over five years.

Lawson vs. Veron

Lawson was 6” taller than Veron with an 8” edge in reach and that decided the tactics and the outcome. Lawson kept firing jabs with and Veron had to either back up or dive in. He tried both but neither worked. Veron circled to ring constantly changing direction but he could not get away from or past Lawson’s jab and looked whenever Lawson landed a chopping right. Veron had some success with his attacks in the second and third. He had Lawson going back and Lawson looked uncertain when under pressure with Veron looking to have taken the third. The Argentinian was rolling forward in the fourth when Lawson finally nailed him with a right. Veron went down heavily. He immediately tried to rise but the stumbled, tottered a few steps and then went down again and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’5” Lawson gets his ninth inside the distance win. He lost a majority verdict against Nathaniel Gallimore in June 2021. He was then inactive until returning with a win in April last year and this is his first fight since then. Lawson, a first cousin of Andre and Anthony Dirrell, was US Under-17, Under-19 and National Golden Gloves champion. Veron has lost 6 of his last 7 fights.

SEPTEMBER 13

Hermosillo, MX: Super Feather: Eduardo Hernandez (35-2) W TEC DEC 6 Thomas Mattice (22-3-1). Fly: Sergio Mendoza (24-0) W KO 3 Angelo Ramos (32-2-2).Super Middle: Julio Porras (12-0) W PTS 10 Isaac Torres (10-1).

Hernandez vs. Mattice

Hernandez wins over Mattice on a technical decision. In the first round Hernandez was marching forward trying to get close and work to the body. Mattice was circling the ring firing occasional jabs and using swift foot work to frustrate Hernandez’s attempts to trap him. Neither really scored anything of consequence. In the second Hernandez made a better job of closing Mattice down forcing him to the ropes and was able to land thumping hooks and an occasional uppercut. Mattice was piercing Hernandez guard with jabs and connecting with some good body punches. He was ducking away from Hernandez punches but not really throwing enough punches. Hernandez had early success in the third landing a couple of rights to the head and a left hook to the body. He was relentlessly chasing Mattice pinning him against the ropes and scoring with hooks and uppercuts. Mattice fired home a couple of sharp counters but was constantly under smothering pressure. It was more of the same but with a higher tempo from Hernandez in the fourth with Mattice unable to keep Hernandez out but a clash of heads opened a cut over Hernandez’s right eye. A change in the fifth saw Mattice moving less standing and swopping punches and landing some good shots. Hernandez slowly began to take over banging home body punches and sending Mattice retreating again. Mattice was connecting with some sharp counters but not many. There were some fiery exchanges at the start of the sixth before Mattice again went into reverse. There was blood coming from the cut over Hernandez right eye and as heads banged together he was also cut over his left eye and he had two streams of blood running down his face. Mattice landed two rights to Hernandez head at the bell. The referee had the ringside doctor examine Hernandez’s cuts before the start of the seventh and it was clear he could not continue. Mattice thought he had won on a TKO but the referee told him because the cuts came from head clashes it would go to the scorecards and Hernandez won on scores of 59-55, 58-55 and 58-56. Second tough fight in a row for 26-year-old Hernandez since losing in a challenge for the WBC title against O’Shaquie Foster in October. Against Foster Hernandez was 9 and 5 points ahead with just 22 seconds left in the twelfth round when the fight was stopped. He is No 2 behind Foster with the WBC and will be looking to land a fight against current WBC champion Robson Conceicao but Hernandez vs. WBO champion Emannuel Navarette would be a great fight. Mattice, 34, has lost important fights on close decisions against Isaac Cruz and Luis Melendez but has the skill to still be a threat.

Mendoza vs. Ramos

Based on their records this looked like a good test for both boxers but Mendoza showed his power with a victory by knockout in the third round. Ramos made the better start being much busier than Mendoza over the first two rounds but there was a sign of danger when a right from Mendoza shook Ramos at the close of the second. Ramos was taking the fight to Mendoza in the third but Mendoza was countering well and landed a thudding left uppercut sent Ramos down heavily and the referee waived the fight off. Southpaw Mendoza, 24, the WBO No 9, gets win No 21 by KO/TKO. Ramos, also a southpaw, came in on the back of a thirteen-bout winning streak but suffered his second inside the decision loss.

Porras vs. Torres

Local hope Porras floors and decisions Venezuelan Torres. Porras edged cautious opening round but then connected with an overhand right to the head at the start of the second. He produced an even better punch just before the bell flooring Torres with a left hook. Torres saw out the round but from then was never in the fight with a chance. He never really got off the back foot as Porras followed him around the ropes. Porras controlled the action with his jab and despite having won all of his fights by KO//TKO Torres did not have the punch to threaten Porras who was persistent but one-paced but shook Torres with a left at the end of the ninth and was a clear winner. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-90. This was for the WBC Youth title. Yet another misleading Venezuelan record with eight of the ten men Torres beat had only one win between them.

Detroit, MI, USA: Super Middle: Antwan Jones (16-0) W PTS 8 Robert Daniels Jr (8-2).

Jones continues his winning ways with a narrow victory over Daniels. Jones had a slight advantage in reach and more experience than Daniels but needed a strong finish to get the decision on scores of 77-75 twice and a way out 80-72 in favour of Jones. He is making steady progress but at 34 time is not an ally. Daniels is the son of the former WBA cruiserweight champion of the same name.

SEPTEMBER 14

Villa Maria, Argentina: Fly: Tobias Reyes (16-0-1) W TKO 4 Jackson Zapata (9-1-1). Super Bantam: Rodrigo Ruiz (20-0) W PTS 10 Brian Arguello (9-4). Light: Maria Ines (10-0-1) W TKO 1 Johen Gonzalez (7-1-2).

Reyes vs. Zapata

Reyes makes a successful defence of the South American and WBO Latino belts as he stops Venezuelan Zapata in the fourth round. Reyes did enough to take the first round and then came forward looking to attack Zapata’s body and he slowly weakened Zapata over the third. He forced Zapata to the roues in the fourth and then poured on the punches until Zapata collapsed to his hands and knees. Zapata was up at six but made no attempt to raise his hands when asked to so the referee picked them up for him. A series of punches and then a push sent Zapata down. The referee signalled for Zapata to get up but by then Reyes had climbed the ropes enjoying his victory. The referee pointed out that the fight was not over so Reyes climbed down from the ropes strode across the ring and floored Zapata with a right and this time the referee did waive the fight over. Reyes has amassed 16 inside the distance victories. His draw came in October 2023 in Mexico City against the much taller Cristian Gonzalez who in April 2023 had lost on points against Jesse Rodriguez in a fight for the vacant WBO flyweight title. Venezuelan light fly champion Zapata had the usual heavily padded Venezuelan record with his nine victims having just 22 wins between them

Ruiz vs. Arguello

It was thought this would be the best fight of the night and that’s how it worked out with Ruiz a deserving winner on a unanimous decision over the naturally bigger fellow-countryman Arguello. Neither wanted to take a backward step and there were fierce exchanges in every round. Ruiz landed the heavier punches and slipped or blocked many of Arguello’s but Arguello stayed there punching with him to the end. Ruiz, 23, was defending the South American title for the seventh time and the IBF Latino for the fourth time. Arguello holds the South American and WBA Fedelatin super bantam belts which were not on the line.

Ines vs. Gonzalez

If you blinked you could have missed this one. The action started immediately with Ines connecting with a brutal right hook to the head that had Gonzalez falling straight back with her head hitting the bottom rope. The referee counted to three and as a stunned Gonzalez began to rise he waived the fight over. Done and dusted in ten seconds. Gonzalez did get up and seemed okay. Ines wins the vacant South American title with her sixth victory by KO/TKO. Colombian Gonzalez never knew what hit her.

Montreal, Canada: Welter: Mathieu Germain (25-2-1) W RTD 5 Cristian Palma (33-16-2). Light: Jessica Camara (14-4) W PTS 10 Bonnie Hunter (4-4).

Germain vs. Palma

Germain gets a win over Chilean Palma who seemed to be focused on survival. Germain made a careful start as this was just a stay busy fight for the Canadian and he was taking no chances. He upped his pace to try to get Palma to be competitive but the visitor showed no ambition. A frustrated Germain threw Paloma to the canvas on one occasion and shook him with a right in the third. The referee warned Paloma to show more fight in the fifth but Palma did not come out for the sixth. Germain, the IBF No 12 (11), has won his last seven fights now including victories in domestic dust ups against Steve Claggett and Steven Wilcox, but has some way to go to get a title shot. That’s three fights in Montreal and three inside the distance losses for Palma.

Camara vs. Hunter

Convincing victory for Ontario boxer Camara. She had too much skill and experience for tough fellow-Ontarian Hunter. Camara shook Hunter a few times but Hunter refused to break and kept taking the fight to Camara. The down side for Camara was a bad cut on her right eyebrow but she did not panic and won 100-90 on the judges’ cards. Camara, 36, was defending the WBA Gold title she won in South Korea April by beating 21-0-1 Hyun Mi Choi. She is now No 1 with the WBA and WBO and 2 with the IBF and WBC and is hoping to land a shot against unified champion Katie Taylor. Hunter, 40, has now lost 4 of her last 5 fights.

Ryomgaard, Denmark: Super Middle: Jacob Bank (14-0) W PTS 8 Iago Kiziria (7-15).

Dane Bank wins every round against Kizira but has to fight hard all the way. Bank used his fast foot work and quick hands to control this one early but Georgian Kiziria remained aggressive and put Bank under pressure over the first four rounds. Bank upped his pace from the fifth and outscored Kiziria over the second half of the fight but Kiziria proved a stubborn opponent so Bank had to settle for a distance win on scores of 80-72 on the three cards. Winning the WBO European title , which he has since vacated, got Bank a No 8 rating from the WBO which on the strength of his opposition is vastly inflated but at 23 he has time to justify it. Sixth defeat in a row for Kiziria in six different countries.

Charlottenburg, Germany: Middle: Etinosa Oliha (21-0) W RTD 3 Alexander Pavlov (21-4). Middle: Bujar Tahiri (18-0) W PTS Nicolas Veron (11-13-1). Heavy: Granit Shala (16-1) W TKO 3 Emilio Zarate (21-23-3).

Oliha vs. Pavlov

Oliha gets an injury win against Pavlov. Over the first two rounds Oliha controlled the bout from the ring centre with some accurate jabbing and well placed rights to the head and body. Oliha put Pavlov down with a right to the head in the third. Pavlov was up quickly but on coming out of a clinch Pavlov went down on his knees apparently having injured his left shoulder and was unable to continue. Oliha, a former undefeated IBO champion, wins an IBF eliminator. He was No 8 with the IBF and Pavlov No 10 so with this win over another rated opponent Oliha qualifies to fill either the No 1 or No 2 spot in the IBF ratings both of which are vacant. Box Rec has Pavlov No 58

Tahiri vs. Veron

German Tahiri gets a points win over substitute Veron. Tahiri took the fight to Veron from the start storming forward in his usual style trying to overwhelm Veron. The Argentinian took a beating but is durable with only three inside the distance losses and he managed to take advantage of Tahiri’s wide-open style to land counters and made it to the last bell. Unfortunately, Tahiri suffered a cut under his left eye late in the fight but won the unanimous decision. No scores available. No real tests yet for Tahiri with Veron losing for the third time in a row.

Shala vs. Zarate

After his second round kayo loss to Oleksandr Zakhozhyi for the European title Shala’s promoters made sure he got a win by pitting him against a 42-year-old Argentinian who was having his first fight for five years. Shala handed out severe punishment for two rounds and when the one-sided beating continued in the third Zarate’s corner threw in the towel. A disgraceful mismatch.

Bielefeld, German: Bridgerweight: Senad Gashi (30-4, 1 ND) W TKO 3 Reinaldo Gonzalez (22-12). Welter: Ilyas Can Kali (13-0) W PTS 10 Carlos Zabaleta (12-4). Super Middle: Dimitar Tilev (17-2-1) W PTS 8 Roberto Arriaza (19-12).

Gashi vs. Gonzalez

Gashi wins the inaugural WBF Bridgerweight title with a third round stoppage of Venezuelan Gonzalez. Gashi struggled to make the weight but had no trouble disposing of Gonzalez. After a close first round Gashi began to find the target with heavy punches in the second. He floored Gonzalez with an uppercut in the third and when he connected with another strong uppercut the referee stopped the fight. Now 29 wins by KO/TKO for Gashi. Gonzalez , 41, has a very padded record even by Venezuelan standards. Of the 22 fighters Gonzalez has beaten 19 had never won a fight and the other three had “amassed” only eight wins.

Kali vs. Zabaleta

Home town fighter Kali wins the vacant WBO Youth title with a points victory over Venezuelan Zabaleta. No scores available as Kali hoovers up his fourth minor belt. Zabaleta, 20, again a typical Venezuelan record with seven of the fighters he has beaten never having won a fight.

Tilev vs. Arriaza

Home town fighter Tilev gets back into the winners ranks as he outpoints Nicaraguan Arriaza. Scores 78-74 twice and 80-72 for Tilev. After winning his first 15 fights Tilev travelled a rocky path with losses against Jose Luis Navarro and in April against Willi Knorpp. How fit is Arriaza? He was 143 lbs in his first fight and 169 lbs for this one which is his ninth consecutive defeat.

Accra, Ghana: Bantam: Daniel Gorsh (13-0) W PTS 12 Ghislain Vodounhessi (25-3).

Ghanaian Gorsh, 24, wins the vacant WBO African title as he scores a unanimous decision over Benin’s 39-year-old Vodounhessi. No scores available. Only the fifth reported fight for Vodounhessi in the last five years.

Auckland , New Zealand: Cruiser: David Nyika (10-0) W TKO 3 Tommy Karpency (31-9-1). Heavy: Hemi Ahio (23-1) W PTS 10 Faiga Opelu 16-6-2). Super Feather: Jackson Jon England(17-3) W RTD 4 Nort Beauchamp (19-7-1).

Nyika vs. Karpency

Nyika marches on as he drops experienced Karpency twice in the second round. Too easy for Nyika in the first as he used his 6” height advantage and longer reach switching guard a few times and outboxing southpaw Karpency. A vicious left to the ribs sent Karpency down in the second. He beat the count and then rushed forward only to run into a right counter which put him down again and the towel came in from Karpency’s corner. That’s nine inside the distance wins in total and seven in a row for Nyika. He was defending the IBF Inter-Continental belt and wins the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. He could be the next big star in New Zealand boxing. Karpency, 38, has lost in fights for the WBO, IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles but this is only his fifth fight in the last seven years.

Ahio vs. Opelu

Ahio wins a split decision over Opelu. This was a fight of contrasting halves. It was all Opelu over the first half of the fight. He outworked an almost static Ahio in the first and then connected with some hefty rights in the second. The third was close with both landing in some good exchanges but Opelu took the round. The fourth was another close round with both slowing and Ahio connecting with a good right in what might be the first round he had won but Opelu outworked him in the fifth. Opelu began to slow from the pace and Ahio was now the one just doing enough to win the rounds. He had clawed back Opelu’s lead and moved ahead but although he fought hard Opelu had more left in the tank and staged the stronger finish. Scores a strange 99-91 and 96-94 for Ahio and 96-94 for Opelu. Revenge for Ahio for the only defeat on his record a fourth round stoppage loss to Opelu in 2022. Ahio’s second win this year having stopped Lucas Browne in the first round in May. Samoan-born Opelu was halted in one round by Joseph Parker in May last year and stopped in the tenth round by Joseph Goodall in May this year.

England vs. Beauchamp

England blows away Beauchamp. England floored Beauchamp twice with body punches in the first round and landed heavily in the second with a gutsy Beauchamp trying to fight back. Body punches had Beauchamp in trouble again in the third and fourth and his corner retired their man at the end of the round. England scored an impressive win over Nathaniel May but then lost a close decision against Liam Wilson ,who was beaten in a controversial fight against Emanuel Navarette for the vacant WBO super feather title, but rebounded with a victory over former WBO champion Jamel Herring in April. Thai-born

Beauchamp falls to 1-6-1 in his last 8 bouts.

Gumligen bei Bern, Switzerland: Angelo Pena (10-0) W PTS 10 Hiroki Hanabusa 13-3-5). Light: Christopher Mouafo (10-1) W PTS 10 Jonniel Laurente (10-2-1). Middle: Eugeniusz Makarczuk (11-0) W PTS Ramadan Hiseni (19-2-2).

Pena vs. Hanabusa

Pena gets another win. Pena had Hanabusa badly shaken in the second but Hanabusa managed to get through the round. Pena continued to dominate the fight dealing cleverly with Hanabusa’s aggression and winning the rounds with the question being whether he can force a stoppage. Hanabusa proves tough he has a good ninth and then they go toe-to-toe in frantic action in the tenth. Swiss-based Dominican Pena wins on scores of 100-90, 99-91, 98-92 and collects the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title . Former Japanese Youth champion Hanabusa was 5-0-2 in his previous 7 fights.

Mouafo vs. Laurente

Mouafo wins a wide unanimous decision over southpaw Laurente. Mouafo set a fast pace from the start taking the fight to Laurente who was under continuous pressure. A split lip caused some concern for Mouafo in the fifth and whilst Filipino Laurente tried to stage a strong finish he was never a threat and Cameroon-born Mouafo was a good winner on scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. Fifth win in a row for Mouafo but more importantly he wins the vacant WBO Global title. Philippines Youth champion Laurente is now 2-1 in fights in 2024

Makarczuk v. Hiseni

Visitor Makarczuk takes a unanimous decision over Hiseni. The first three rounds were tight but Makarczuk was coming forward keeping pressure against the taller Hiseni and controlled the fight over the middle rounds. Hiseni need a strong finish but just could not make a dent in Makarczuk and ended a clear loser. Scores 96-94 twice and 100-90 for Makarczuk.

London, England: Linus Udofia (20-2) W TKO 10 Dan Catlin (10-2).

Impressive display by Udofia as he stops a competitive Catlin in the tenth. Udofia outboxed Catlin over the early rounds and then put him down with a right in the fourth. Catlin beat the count but Udofia continued to score heavily and put Catlin down again in the tenth. Catlin made it to his feet but was under fire and the referee stopped the fight. Udofia wins the vacant English title. After winning his first 17 contests Udofia lost a split decision against Denzel Bently for the vacant British title. His other loss came against Kieron Conway when a punch had his right eye badly swollen and he could not continue. Catlin had won his last three fight.

Springfield, MA, USA: Feather: Carlos Gonzalez (13-0,1ND) W TKO 8 Duke Micah (24-2). Super Welter: Anthony Velazquez (15-0-1) W PTS 10 Florent Dervis (10-2).

Gonzalez vs. Micah

Gonzalez drops Micah and stops him in the eighth round. Gonzalez, fighting in front of his hometown fans, was moving up to the ten round distance and facing his most experienced opponent in the shape of former WBO bantam title challenger Ghanaian Micah. Gonzalez pressed the action from the start. Micah was having his first fight for four years and he found the pace too hot. Gonzalez shook Micah with a fierce left hook to the head in the seventh and then knocked him down later in the round. Gonzalez continued his ferocious attacks in the eighth and with Micah reeling under a storm of punches the referee stopped the fight. Gonzalez gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO. He had ended his two most recent fights in the first round so some useful experience for him. Micah won his first 24 fights before losing to John Riel Casimero in three rounds in a challenge for the WBO belt in September 2020.

Velazquez vs. Dervis

Springfield’s Velasquez continues unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Frenchman Dervis. Scores 96-94 twice and 98-92 for Velazquez. He had won each of his last two fights in under two minutes and has seven first round victories in total. Dervis has done most of his fighting in Thailand and has never fought as a professional in France.

Gulfport, MS, USA: Super Feather: Jeremy Hill (20-3-1) W TKO 1 Isao Carranza (15-18-1). Light: Jonathan Montrel (18-3) W KO 1 Carlos Padilla (19-17-1). Super Welter: Yan Marcos (11-0) W RTD 5 Saul Corral (31-22).

Hill vs. Gonzalo

Hill gets a quick win as he stops Carranza for his thirteenth victory by KO/TKO. All over after just 2:52 of the first round. Hill was knocked out in three rounds by Raymond Muratalla in 2022 but has steadied his career with a 4-0-1 run since then. Carranza, 37, has lost his last twelve fights.

Montrel vs. Padilla

Montrell makes it a double for New Orleans and was even quicker. He knocked out Padilla after only 2:24 of the first round. Third inside the distance win this year for Montrel. Colombian Padilla now has 14 losses by KO/TKO.

Marcos vs. Corral

Young Cuban southpaw Marcos beat veteran Corral on a fifth round retirement for his seventh inside the distance finish. Marcos is guided by Jorge Linares. Corral, 37, is 1-9 in his last 10 fights.

Huntington, NY, USA: Super Middle: Junior Younan (21-0-1) W TKO 5 Alexius Gaytan (15-10).

Now eight wins in a row for Younan as he drops and stops Gaytan in the fifth round. Younan had a 13-bout winning run ended with a draw against Ronald Ellis in 2018 and was then hardly active with four fights in four years but this is his fourth fight in a little over two years so encouraging activity for Younan. Gaytan had found some form with 8 wins in his last 9 fights.

Fight of the week: (Significance): Alvarez will go on to fight whoever he decides to fight and it will as always be a huge event

Fight of the week: (Entertainment); Vladimir Hernandez and Raul Garcia went to war for ten rounds.

Fighter of the week: Saul Alvarez-no real competition

Punch of the week: Short right hook from Maria Ines that ended her fight with Johen Gonzalez after just ten seconds.

Upset of the week: Ricardo Salas had been a modest 3—1-2 in his last 6 fights but destroyed WBC No 9 Roiman Villa in three rounds

Prospect watch: Super Featherweight Jonathan Lopez 17-0 12 KO looks good

Observations

Rosette: Tom Brown. On an otherwise flat weekend a show with three title fights, three ten round fights and four other fights adding up to a schedule of 96 rounds.

Red Card: Erislandy Lara and Danny Garcia a much booed fight which deserved every boo. Garcia was just a shadow of a great fighter and Lara spent eight rounds going through the motions and then gave the game away by actually turning up at the fight in the ninth round.

-A mark of Alvarez’s drawing power the he could draw 20,000 fans see him in a fight everyone knew he would win.

-Apparently Alvarez received $65 million for fighting Berlanga. -You have to wonder how much he would have to be paid to fight Terence Crawford, Dmitrii Bivol or David Benavidez?