The Past Week in Action 18 April 2022

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

Highlights:

-Errol Spence stops Yordenis Ugas in the tenth round to unify the IBF/WBA and WBC welterweight belts

-Eimantas Stanionis decisions title holder Radzhab Butaev to win the secondary WBA welterweight title.

-Cody Crowley, Isaac Cruz, Brandun Lee and  Jose Valenzuela get wins on the Spence vs. Ugas undercard

-Welterweight hope Connor Benn crushes Chris van Heerden in two rounds

-Chris Billiam-Smith successfully defends the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles with eighth round kayo of Tommy McCarthy

-Alycia Baumgardner outpoints Edith Soledas to retain her WBC and IBO Female super featherweight titles

-Gavin Gwynne retains the Commonwealth lightweight title and wins the vacant British title with points victory over Luke Willis

-Jason Cunningham beats Terry Le Couviour in six round in European super bantamweight title defence

-Featherweight title challenger Ruben Villa returns with a win as he stops Horacio Garcia in nine rounds

-Former undefeated European lightweight champion Francisco Patera gets a points win over Spaniard Samuel Molina

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

April 16

 

Arlington. TX, USA: Welter: Errol Spence (28-0) W TKO 10 Yordenis Ugas (27-4). Welter: Eimantas Stanionis (14-0,1ND) W PTS 12 Radzhab Butaev (14-1,1ND) .  Welter: Cody Crowley  (21-0) W PTS 10 Josesito Lopez (38-9,1ND). Light: Isaac Cruz (23-2-1) W TKO 5 Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-5). Light: Jose Valenzuela (12-0) W KO 1 Francisco Vargas ( 27-4-2). Super Light: Brandun Lee (25-0) W PTS 10 Zachary Ochoa (21-3). Super Welter: Vito Mielnicki (11-1) W PTS 8 Dan Karpency (9-5-1). Cruiser: Efetobor Apochi (11-1) W Adrian Taylor (12-1-1).

9

Spence vs. Ugas

Spence unifies the IBF, WBA and WBC title with a tenth round stoppage of Ugas.

Round 1

Both were probing with jabs for much of the round. Ugas had some success with his jabs to the body and danced out of the range of Spence’s rights and scored with a couple of counters which was enough to just give him the edge in a close round.

Score: 10-9 Ugas

Round 2

Spence’s round. His quicker hand speed saw him piercing the guard of Ugas with jabs and then stepping inside with sharp lefts and getting out before Ugas could counter. Spence got through with a series of punches before the bell.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    TIED 19-19

Round 3

Another round for Spence. He was busy throughout the round scoring with his right jabs and then stepping in with left hooks to the body. Ugas was waiting too long to let his hands go whereas Spence just kept the punches flowing.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    Spence 29-28

Round 4

Ugas was just too slow to provide any threat. Spence was constantly moving around the Cuban spearing him with jabs and landing clubbing lefts to heads and body. Ugas was throwing one shot at a time and although he landed a couple of  body punches late in the round Spence was throwing more and landing more.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    Spence 39-37     `

Round 5

No fancy boxing from Spence in this one. He took the fight inside pounding Ugas with hooks and uppercuts forcing Ugas back outmuscling him and denying Ugas any opportunity to counter. Ugas fired a couple of bursts of punches but not to any great effect.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    Spence 49-46

Round 6

The sixth was going the same way as the fifth with Spence moving inside but this time Ugas was throwing more punches. A right from Ugas knocked Spence’s mouthguard out and then another right sent Spence tumbling back into the ropes. The ropes stopped him going down and the referee should have counted that as a knockdown. Ugas landed more punches then the referee stopped the action to get Spence’s mouthguard put back in and although Spence finished the round strongly it was one for Ugas.

Score: 10-9 Ugas                       Spence 58-56

Round 7

Spence doled out some vicious punishment throughout this round. Jabs, hooks, uppercuts all had Ugas backing up and under fire. He looked befuddled and bewildered at times as Spence drove him around the ring and showered him with punches. A series of lefts quickly had a horrible swelling showing under the right eye of Ugas who threw an occasional punch but one left hook was the only one of note.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    Spence 68-65

Round 8

Ugas took some brutal punishment in this round. Spence hammered away relentlessly driving Ugas around the ring with hooks and uppercuts and clubbing head shots. The referee stopped the action so the doctor could examine some ugly swelling under both eyes of Ugas. He was allowed to continue and Spence laid on some more punishment to the bell in a totally one-sided round which a 10-9 would not do justice to.

Score: 10-8 Spence                    Spence 78-73

Round 9

Spence took this one. Again he was firing hooks and uppercuts mainly focusing on the body. This time Ugas banged back with some hurtful rights to the body that stopped Spence in his tracks but then Spence would march forward again punishing Ugas with shots from both hands.

Score: 10-9 Spence                    Spence 88-82

Round 10

Spence was pounding Ugas again. To his credit Ugas tried to fight back but his right eye was almost closed and when the referee had the doctor take another look at the injury he recommended the fight be stopped.

First fight for sixteen months for Spence and after a slow first two rounds he was just too good and too quick for Ugas. Boxing needs a Spence vs. Terence Crawford fight to unify the welterweight division so let’s hope it happens. Ugas went to hospital for an examination of a fractured orbital bone under his right eye. He was never in the fight once Spence warmed up.

Stanionis vs. Butaev

Stanionis wins the secondary WBA title with a split decision over Butaev with the scoring looking generous to defending title holder Butaev. Both opening rounds were close but in the second Stanionis was controlling the action with his jabs. Butaev tried to change the flow by switching to southpaw and going to the body with his punches in the third and fourth but Stanionis was landing consistently to the body. The fifth was close as both landed some good shots and Stanionis was showing bruising under his left eye. Butaev scored with his jab at the start of the sixth but then Stanionis banged back with hooks and uppercuts and in a close seventh Stanionis scores well at distance with Butaev doing useful work inside. Butaev had his best spell as he outworked Stanionis in the eighth and ninth but now has swelling around both eye and Stanionis had a small cut over his left eye and by the start of the tenth an ugly swelling has developed on the right side of his forehead. Any impetuous Butaev had developed was wasted in the eleventh when he lost a point for hitting Stanionis whilst holding the Lithuanian’s head down. Stanionis outscored Butaev in the last and they tangled and both went down late in the round. Scores 117-110 and 116-111 for Stanionis and 114-113 for Butaev who now enters the blind alley known as the secondary WBA title. Russian Butaev was making the first defence of the title.

Crowley vs. Lopez

Canadian southpaw Crowley racks up another important win as he drops and outpoints Lopez. The opening rounds were low key and close with Crowley taking the fight to Lopez and going in front.  Lopez tried to force the fight over the third and fourth but Crowley although rocked withstood the pressure and applied some pressure of his own landing straight lefts in return for body punches from Lopez and outscored Lopez in the fourth. The fifth was close with Lopez strong at the start and Crowley taking over in the second half of the round. Crowley scored again with lefts in the sixth and he received a boost in the seventh when he credited with a questionable knockdown with Lopez claiming he had slipped. Lopez looked to be tiring in the eighth but ended the round strongly only for Crowley to hand out steady punishment in the ninth. Lopez was well behind and needed a big finish but just could not produce the goods as Crowley proved stronger and outworked Lopez in the last. Scores 98-91 twice and 99-90 for Crowley. The WBO No 6 was coming off an emphatic win over unbeaten Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in December and needs another win over a rated fighter to have any chance of landing a title fight. Lopes, 37, lost to a majority decision to Keith Thurman for the WBA title in January 2019 but had scored two wins over reasonable level opposition since then.

Cruz vs. Gamboa

Cruz destroys a very faded Gamboa with four knockdowns. Cruz handed out plenty of punishment to Gamboa in the first band then dumped Gamboa on the floor late in the second with a series of punches. A savage left hook floored Gamboa early in the third but he beat the count and made it through the round and even survived a heavy fall in the fourth. Cruz ended it in the fifth with a left/right combination that sent Gamboa slumping into the ropes which held him up counting as a fourth knockdown with the referee jumping in to stop the fight. Last time out Cruz lost a razor-thin decision to Gervonta Davis for the WBA secondary belt in December. At 40 Gamboa is way past his use-by date with this being his third consecutive loss against high quality opposition.

Valenzuela vs. Vargas

Valenzuela crushes Vargas in one round. Vargas came forward trying to put the inexperienced Valenzuela under pressure but Valenzuela nailed him with a devastating left to the chin which sent Vargas down on his back with the referee immediately signalling the fight was over. Hugely impressive win for 22-year-old Valenzuela who collects the vacant WBC Continental Americas belt with his eighth win by KO/TKO. Former WBC super feather title holder Vargas, 37, was coming off a wide decision loss against Isaac Cruz in June.

Lee vs. Ochoa

Lee decisions over Ochoa as he goes past the seventh round for the first time. An aggressive start from Lee as he came forward looking to score with rights in the first and maintained the momentum in the second. Ochoa showed good movement and a handy jab in the third with Lee getting through with rights late in the round. Lee continued to march forward over the middle rounds scoring with rights to head and body and Ochoa was neither able to keep Lee out or throw enough punches to steal a round. Lee was pacing himself keeping up the pressure and Ochoa was handicapped by a cut over his left eye. Ochoa finally came to life in the ninth and stood and exchanged punches with Lee and did enough to make the tenth close. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for Lee, 22, the IBF No 9 super lightweight who had won his last fifteen fights by KO/TKO. Brooklyn-born Ochoa lost a split decision to 22-2 Juan Velasco in his last fight in January 2021.

Mielnicki vs. Karpency

Teenager Mielnicki makes it three wins in a row with victory over Karpency. Mielnicki was able to control the action at distance with his longer reach with Karpency struggling to make any headway. Later in the fight Mielnicki stood and traded more and won those exchanges as well before easing up over the last two rounds. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 for 19-year-old Mielnicki. Three consecutive losses for Karpency.

 

Manchester, England: Welter: Conor Benn (21-0) W TKO 2 Chris van Heerden (28-3-1). Cruiser: Chris Billiam-Smith (15-1) W KO 5 Tommy McCarthy (18-3). Super Feather: Alycia Baumgardner (12-1) W PTS 10 Edith Soledas (17-12-1). Cruiser: Jordan Thompson (13-0) W TKO 2 Mariano Gudino (14-6). Light Heavy: Thomas Whittaker Hart (7-0) W PTS 8 Ben Ridings (5-1). Light: Campbell Hatton (6-0) W Ezequiel Gregores (3-10). Super Middle: Jack Cullen (21-3-1) W PTS 8 Vladimir Belujsky (12-3-1). Super Welter: James Metcalf (22-2) W TKO 5 Evgenii Vazem (9-27)

Benn vs. Van Heerden

Benn destroys van Heerden who is blown away in two rounds.  Benn attacked from the bell chasing down van Heerden bobbing and weaving under the South African’s longer reach and letting his punches go. They both landed solidly in a frantic exchange with Benn coming forward throwing hooks and putting van Heerden under pressure. van Heerden connected with left counters but could not keep Benn out in what was a red-hot first round. Early in the second a right from Benn staggered van Heerden and with the South African trapped on the ropes Benn unleashed a succession of head punches with a final chopping right sending van Heerden down to his hands and knees. The referee started the count but then waived the fight over as van Heerden was not going to get up. Very impressive performance from a fired-up Benn who was making the seventh defence of his WBA Continental belt. He was No 5 with the WBA and with No 1 Eimantas Stanionis having beaten Radzhab Butaev for the WBA secondary title in Arlington on the same night he should move up to fourth but with Vergil Ortiz, Jaron Ennis and Keith Thurman above him he faces a hard road to a WBA title fight. With less than three minutes of ring time in the past 32 months van Heerden will have been rusty and this is only the second time he has lost by KO/TKO with Errol Spence having floored and stopped him in eight rounds in 2015.

Billiam-Smith vs. McCarthy

Billiam-Smith successfully defended his European and Commonwealth titles with kayo of McCarthy. Billiam-Smith edged the opener as took the fight to McCarthy in the first with McCarthy warned for use of the head and a punch to the back of the head. McCarthy was dangerous in the second connecting with a couple of heavy rights with Billiam-Smith Billam-Smith looking shaky at the bell. Both scored heavily in a close third but Billiam-Smith rocked McCarthy a couple of times in both the fourth and fifth and looked to be taking control. McCarthy rallied in the sixth with Billiam-Smith cut over his left eye in a clash of heads. Billiam-Smith took a close seventh as both landed strong rights and with McCarthy now cut. Great finish from Billiam-Smith in the eighth. He drove McCarthy to the ropes and then unleashed a ferocious stream of head punches before a booming right sent McCarthy to the floor and he was counted out. When these two met in July last year Billiam-Smith won a split decision but he was just too strong here in an impressive show of power and a strong chin. His only defeat is a split decision against Richard Riakporhe and a title fight later this year is a possibility. McCarthy has a steep hill to climb to get back into title contention.

Baumgardner vs. Soledas

Baumgardner a couple of levels above Argentinian Soledas and she handles Soledad with ease on the way to retaining her WBC and IBO belts. Whether leading or countering Baumgardner was able to score at will. She constantly banged home flashing combinations and shook Soledas in the fifth. Soledas tried to get inside to brawl but was caught with some searing counters when she came forward. Baumgardner tried hard to put Soledas away in the last but Soledas made it to the bell. Scores 100-90 on the three cards. Baumgardner was making the first defence of her titles she won with a fourth round stoppage of Terri Harper in November. Soledas is a former WBA/WBC featherweight title holder but at 41 is way past her best and was 3 ½ lbs. over the weight for this fight.

Thompson vs. Gudino

The 6’6” Thompson towered over the 6’1” Gudino who looked outclassed before the fight even started. Thompson just shadowed Gudino in the first not throwing much. The quality of Gudino was demonstrated when he fell to the floor after missing with punch. Thankfully Thompson ended it early in the second with a right that put Gudino down. He just beat the count but the referee would not let him continue. Eleven wins by KO/TKO for Thompson. Gudino had been floored four times and stopped in seven rounds by Lawrence Okolie in 2019.

Whittaker Hart vs. Riding

Five weeks ago Whittaker Hart knocked out Ben Thomas in 43 seconds but Ridings was made of sterner stuff. A clash of heads in the first saw both fighters cut and Ridings was very much in the fight over the first four rounds. From there Whittaker Hart took total control and eased his way to the win with the referee scoring the fight 78-74 for Whittaker Hart who is managed by former champion Tony Bellew.

Hatton vs. Gregores

Too easy for Hatton. He shows his usual all-out aggression and very little defence as he wins all six rounds on the referee’s 60-54 card. Argentinian Gregores is 0-7 in fights in the UK all losses on points.

Cullen vs.  Belujsky

Good eight rounds of work for Cullen. He had height and reach over Slovakian Belujsky and took the fight to Belujsky. The Slovak was on the back foot and outscored most of the time but certainly came to fight and regularly found gaps for counters. Cullen scored heavily in the sixth as Belujsky slowed and handed out lots of punishment in the seventh and eighth but Belujsky survived. Referee’s score 80-72 for Cullen who rebounds from a crushing stoppage loss against Kevin Lee Sadjo for the vacant European title in December. Belujsky had won his last five fights each in a different country.

Metcalf vs. Vazem

Some ring time and a much needed win for Metcalf as he stops UK-based Russian Vazem in the fifth round. Former undefeated Commonwealth champion Metcalf suffered set-backs with consecutive losses to Ted Cheeseman and Kieron Conway in 2021. Now seventeen losses in a row for Vazem.

 

April 13

 

Brisbane, Australia: Cruiser: Jason Whateley (10-0) W KO 2 Savenaca Naliva (14-4-1,1ND). Light Heavy: Jerome Pampellone (11-0) W PTS 10 Lucas Miller (8-5-2). Super Welter: Andrei Mikhailovich (17-0) W TKO 1 King Davidson (20-4). Super Feather: Ender Luces (17-0) W PTS 10 Dana Coolwell (7-2). Super Bantam: Erik Sokolov (4-0) W PTS 10 Liam Pope (3-1). ). Welter: Ben Kite (19-6-1) W PTS 10 Ben Horn (4-4).

Whateley vs. Naliva

Whateley flattens Naliva in the second round. Naliva tried to hustle Whateley out of his stride jabbing to the body and firing overhand rights but Whateley remained composed. As Naliva rumbled forward in the second a booming right uppercut put him flat on his back on the canvas with no count required. Ninth consecutive win by KO/TKO for the 6’5” Australian who wins the IBF Pan Pacific belt. He was Australian champion in 2014/2015/2016 and 2017 and competed at the 2016 Olympic Games. Naliva is Fijian champion.

Pampellone vs. Miller

Prospect marches on as he outclasses a strong but limited Miller in his first fight outside his home in New Zealand. Pampellone floored Miller in the second and staggered him badly in the ninth but Miller stayed the distance. Scores 100-89 twice and 99-90. London-born Pampellone

Mikhailovich vs. Davidson

Russian-born New Zealander Mikhailovich impressively crushes experienced Davidson in the first round. A driven right cross crashed onto Davidson’s jaw and he was already on his way down when another right helped him on his way. Davidson beat the count but was on shaky legs and the referee waived the fight over. Tenth inside the distance victory for Mikhailovich who since turning pro has twice won the Award for New Zealand Knockout of the Year. First inside the distance loss for Davidson.

Luces vs. Coolwell

Venezuelan southpaw Luces overcomes a cut over his left eye and wins the vacant IBF Youth title with split decision over local fighter Coolwell. In a close, hard fight to score, Luces won 97-93 and 96-94 with the third judge having it 97-93 for Coolwell. First fight outside Venezuela for Luces. Coolwell is Australian champion.

Sokolov vs. Pope

Ukrainian Sokolov suffers two cuts but wins the vacant Australian title with split verdict over Pope after ten pulsating rounds. Novices or not they fought hard over the full ten rounds. Scores 96-94 and 96-95 for Sokolov and 96-94 for Pope.

Kite vs. Horn

Kite collects the vacant Australian title as he takes majority decision over Horn. Scores 98-92 and 97-93 Kite and 95-95. Former champion Kite had made four defences before back-to-back losses to Andrew Hunt last year cost him his title and saw him lose in a return match. Second loss in a row for Horn but he did well considering his lack of experience

 

April 14

 

Nykoebing, Denmark: Heavy: Kem Ljungquist (11-0) W TKO 1 Laszlo Ivanyi (10-16-1).

Fighting in his home town for the first time as a pro Ljungquist stops Hungarian Ivanyi in the first round. Sixth inside the distance victory for the 6’6 ½” southpaw who was Danish champion in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 but came up short in international tournaments. The 5’ 11 ½” Ivanyi is 0-5-1 in his last six contests with all dive losses by KO/TKO

 

April 15

 

London, England: Light: Gavin Gwynne (15-2) W PTS 12 Luke Willis (11-1). Super Feather: Sultan Zaurbek (13-0) W KO 5 Nicolas Botelli (11-7). (17-1). Super Welter: Sam Gilley (14-1) W TKO 9 Drew Brown (12-1).

Gwynne vs. Willis

Gwynne overcomes a slow start to outpoint Willis. Southpaw Willis was quicker using good movement and then darting quick punches past the longer reach of Gwynne to move into an early lead with Gwynne looking slow and ponderous at times. Willis seemed to edge the first three rounds but from there the bigger and stronger Gwynne began to dominate the action as Willis was forced to stand and trade more. Willis just could not keep the 5” taller Gwynne from rolling forward. Willis rallied to edge the seventh with some neat skills but Gwynne kept up the pressure and outscored Willis over the eighth, ninth and tenth and finished strongly over the last two rounds. Scores 118-110, 117-113 and 115-112 for Gwynne who wins the vacant British title and makes a second successful defence of the Commonwealth title. Gwynne had lost to Joe Cordina and James Tennyson in previous British title fights. Willis showed plenty of skill but in the end Gwynne was just too big and strong for him.

Zaurbek vs. Botelli

Zaurbek has to get off the floor to stop Botelli. A strangely low key start from Kazak southpaw Zaurbek who did not really let his hands go until the end of the second round which gave Argentinian Botelli some confidence. His confidence went even higher when he dropped Zaurbek with a laser-like right cross in the third. Zaurbek was up quickly and when Bonelli pinned him to the ropes and let his punches go a right hook from Zaurbek stunned him and Zaurbek scored heavily as they traded punches to the end of the round. Zaurbek had Bonelli on the back foot in the fourth and early in the fifth he drove home a wicked left to the body. Bonelli took a step back in a delayed reaction and then fell to his hands and knees and was counted out. Ninth win by KO/TKO for Zaurbek and second defence of the WBO European title. Despite his modest record Bonelli came to fight and the right that knocked down Zaurbek was a beauty.

Gilley vs. Brown

Gilley retains the English title with a ninth round stoppage in a tough, gruelling, entertaining contest against Brown. It was Brown who started quickest and he outscored Gilley over the first two rounds and also took the third after a clash of heads started a swelling by Gilley’s left eye. The fourth was close. Gilley’s vision was being affected by the swelling but he outfought Brown over the fifth and sixth. The seventh was also close and the eighth was total war as two tiring warriors traded punches throughout with Brown looking on the point of going down a couple of times but fighting back to the bell. Gilley ended the fight in dramatic style in the ninth. A huge right sent Brown staggering across the ring to the ropes and another right sent Brown down just as the referee stepped in to save him. A tremendous scrap. Gilley a deserving winner but Brown, who was in his first ten round fight, and his first fight since July  2019, deserves credit for his part in a stirring battle.

 

Ontario, CA, USA: Feather: Ruben Villa (19-1) W TKO 9 Horacio Garcia (35-6-1,1ND).

Villa returns to the winners circle with impressive stoppage of seasoned pro Garcia. The fight started badly for Garcia who was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the first round. It did not get any better for him as southpaw Villa‘s speed and movement proved too much for Garcia. Villa put together some flashing combinations switching his attacks from head to body changing angles and spearing Garcia with jabs and straight lefts. When Villa chose to stay inside and trade he was again getting the better of the exchanges and with blood still streaming from his cut Garcia was flagging by the end of the eighth. Garcia got a brief respite when one of his gloves needed replacing but a series of head shots in the ninth had Garcia reeling and the referee stopped the fight. First outing for Villa since getting off the floor twice against Emanuel Navarrete in October for the vacant WBO feather title and losing a unanimous decision by 2, 2 and 3 points. Garcia was 29-0 at the start of his career but life is tougher now and he is 3-4 in his last 7.

 

Detroit, MI, USA: Super Fly: Ja’Rico O’Quinn (16-1-1) W PTS 8 Jobert Alvarez (20-3-2). Heavy: Mike Balogun (19-0) W KO 2 Sergio Ramirez (21-8).

O’Quinn vs. Alvarez

O’Quinn outboxes Alvarez winning every round on the three cards. A rusty Alvarez was competitive but never able to finds the target often enough with stronger punch. There should have been a count in the second when Alvarez touched the canvas with his gloves but O’Quinn’s domination meant there were few highlights and he comfortable eased his way to victory. Scores 80-72 for O’Quinn from the judges as he starts again after a crushing first round loss against 16-1 Saul Sanchez in September. He is a former US National and Youth champion. Alvarez was having his first fight since December 2019.

Balogun vs. Ramirez

Maryland southpaw Balogun gets another inside the distance win as he kayos Mexican Ramirez in a poor match. Balogun handled the slow and smaller Ramirez easily in the first. In the second he drove Ramirez to the ropes and then landed a left hook with Ramirez going down on one knee and being counted out. In December the 38-year-old Balogun stopped previously unbeaten Trey Lippe Morrison in the first round. A former linebacker who played for the 49’ers, Cowboys, Redskins and others has 15 wins by KO/TKO. The 5’7” Ramirez weighed 185lbs in his first pro fight and was carrying 32lbs more here but usually goes the distance.

Toledo, OH, USA: Super Feather: Albert Bell (21-0) W PTS 8 Martin Diaz (18-12-2,1ND).

Bell returns to his home town for the first time since September 2018 and is far too good for Diaz. The Nicaraguan had no answer to the superior skill, speed and accuracy of Bell’s jab and although never in any serious danger he was also nowhere near winning a single round but Bell’s lack of power may come back to haunt him against stiffer opposition. Three scores 80-72 for Bell the WBC No 14. Only two inside the distance losses for survivor Diaz.

 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Feather: Alberto Melian (9-2-1) DREW 10 Alan Luques (27-12-1). Welter: Williams Herrera (12-1,1ND) W TEC DEC 5 Marcelo Sanchez (8-3-3). Welter: Leandro Fonseca (11-0-1) W TKO 5 Mariano Maidana (5-4-4).

Melian vs. Luques

Melian and Luques finish all even. Melian took an early lead outworking the taller Luques but his output dropped over the second half of the fight as made better use of his longer reach. It was close but Melian looked to have done enough to win. Scores 97-93 Melian, 97-93 Luques and 95-95. Double Olympian Melian did not make weight so the IBF Latino title remains vacant. Luques is a dormer South American champion and a fight with Jordan Gill end as a technical draw in December

Herrera vs. Sanchez

Herrera wins the vacant WBC Latino Silver title on technical decision over Sanchez. Herrera dominated the action until the fifth round when a clash of heads worsened an existing cut on Sanchez nose. The scores were 49-46 on the three cards for Herrera who gets his ninth successive victory. Sanchez had won his last five outings.

Fonseca vs. Maidana

Fonseca registers his ninth win in a row as he halts Maidana in the fifth. Fonseca floored Maidana with a right in the first and was unloading on him in the third when the referee came in to give Maidana a standing count. He was dishing up more punishment in the fifth and with nothing coming back from Maidana the referee stopped the fight.

 

April 16

 

Telford, England: Super Bantam: Jason Cunningham (31-6) W TKO 6 Terry Le Couviour (16-1). Super Bantam: Andrew Cain (9-0) W TKO 1 Pablo Gomez (15-11-2). Middle: Nathan Heaney (15-0) W PTS 10 Diego Ramirez (24-7-1).

Cunningham vs. Le Couviour

Cunningham stops a game but limited Le Couviour. Southpaw Cunningham boxed cleverly in the first using his longer reach to score at distance and catching Le Couviour with counters as he tried to get inside. In the second a left to the body put Le Couviour down. He was up at eight and marched forward but was under pressure against the ropes at the bell. Cunningham rocked Le Couviour early in the third and then floored him again with a left hook to the body. Cunningham dominated the fourth with body punches and a left hook to the ribs in the fifth had Le Couviour in trouble. That same left hook to the body ended the fight in the sixth. Le Couviour just made it to his feet but there was no dissention when the referee stopped the fight. Second defence of the European title and first defence of the IBF International title for Cunningham. Former undefeated European Union title holder Le Couviour put in plenty of effort but just could not take the body shots.

Cain vs. Gomez 

If you blinked you missed this one. The first time they traded punched an overhand right from Cain slammed onto the temple of Gomez and he went down. He made it to his feet but staggered and stumbled and the fight was stopped after just 19 seconds. The 25-year-old from Liverpool gets win No 8 by KO/TKO and lifts the vacant WBC International Silver belt. Argentinian and South American champion Gomez had won 14 of his last 15 fights.

Heaney vs. Ramirez

Heaney gets off the canvas in the first round to get unanimous decision over Ramirez. Heaney made a confident start forcing southpaw Ramirez back with strong jabs and landing some hurtful boy punches. As they traded punches seconds before the end of the round a left hook counter from Ramirez sent Heaney back and down. He was up quickly and the bell had gone so no more action after the eight count. From there Heaney used his strong jabs to dictate the action and keep Ramirez on the back foot. Ramirez always looked dangerous and almost floored Heaney a couple more times but other than those occasions Ramirez did little work really just looking to catch Heaney with an occasional counter whereas Heaney worked hard scoring with long jabs an thudding body punches in every round to emerge a clear winner. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 97-93 for Heaney who retains the IBO International belt. On a previous visit to the UK Ramirez had scored an upset second round stoppage over Bradley Skeete but his recent form was a modest 3-4-1.

 

Herstal, Belgium: Light: Francisco Patera (26-3) W PTS 10 Samuel Molina (19-2,1ND). Welter: Quentin Gomes (13-0) W RTD 4 Alex Kachelewa (8-2-1).

Patera vs. Molina

Patera gets a majority decision over Spaniard Molina. It was the visitor who impressed over the first two rounds with some skilful countering on the back foot. Patera pressed hard from the third and began to connect with some jarring punches cutting the ring off and scoring well. Molina rocked Patera with a right in the sixth but Patera showed his class as he ripped home some brutal punches in the seventh and eighth. Molina had a good ninth but Patera took the last to ensure the victory. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Patera and 95-95. The former undefeated European champion wins the vacant WBO Global title. Molina was knocked out in five rounds by unbeaten Artem Harutyunyan in September but has scored three wins by KO/TKO since then.

Gomes vs. Kachelewa

Belgian Gomes collects the IBF Youth belt with win over Tanzanian Kachelewa who retired after the fourth round.

 

Unterschleissheim, Germany: Light Heavy: Shefat Isufi (34-4-2) W PTS 12 Grigor Saruhanian (16-6-1). Middle: Vincent Feigenbutz (34-3) W TKO 2 Kenan Catic (3-4-1).

Isufi vs. Saruhanian

Isufi takes unanimous verdict over Saruhanian. This fight started slow and did not really improve much. Neither was willing to commit himself to attack. Isufi was able to use his longer reach to do most of the scoring with Saruhanian not positive enough. A clash of heads in the fourth saw both boxers cut but that was never a factor in a fight with no real highlights. Scores 117-111 for Isufi from the judges. Serbian-born German Isufi wins the WBFederation title. Armenian-born Bulgarian Saruhanian was 14-0-1 in his last 15 fights.

Feigenbutz vs. Catic

A disgraceful excuse for a match sees Feigenbutz stop Catic in the second  round. Feigenbutz scored heavily in the first and ended it in the second dropping Catic with a volley of punches bringing the towel in from Catic’s corner. Feigenbutz was stopped in ten rounds by Caleb Plant in February 2020 in a challenge for the IBF super middleweight belt. All of Catic’s previous fights had been four round fights.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas which unifies the IBF/WBA/WBC titles and opens the door for a Spence vs. Crawford fight to unify the division

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Sam Gilley vs. Drew Brown was a battle all the way with a spectacular ending

Fighter of the week: Errol Spence with honourable mention to Conor Benn for his destruction job on Chris van Heerden

Punch of the week:  The left hook from Jose Valenzuela that ended his fight with Francisco Vargas

Upset of the week:  Not a sniff of an upset anywhere

Prospect watch: Lightweight Jose Valenzuela 12-0 showed real power in wiping out Francisco Vargas

 

Observations

Rosette: Promoters in Arlington and Brisbane with Arlington having two twelve round and four ten round fights plus plenty of young talent on the undercard and Brisbane with five ten round fights which included two split decisions and a majority decision

Red Card: Anyone calling for a Conor Benn vs. Amir Khan fight next. It is a sadist/masochist approach. Khan has had a great career but you would have to be a sadist to want him to face a young tiger such as Benn and a masochist to want to watch it. Red Card also to whoever thought putting 3-3-1 Kenan Catic in with 33-3 29 wins by KO/TKO former WBA interim title holder and IBF title challenger Vincent Feigenbutz was a match to put before the public is definitely a sadist.  

Scoring watch: One judge had Eimantas Stanionis winning 117-110 and one had Radzhab Butaev winning 114-113. Eight points difference in a twelve round fight. In the Ben Kite vs. Ben Horn fight one judge had Kite winning 98-92 and another had it 95-95. Two people seeing the same fight but a different fight. That’s the human element. A beauty contest with gloves and blood.

A life saved by boxing! It does happen. Take the case of Russian-born New Zealander Andrei Mikhailovich. He was born in St Petersburg and he and his twin brother were adopted by a New Zealand couple at just 18 months. Eventually he ended up in an orphanage and by the age of twelve was being counselled for drug and alcohol addiction and only really turned his life around thanks to boxing and he is now 17-0 with 10 wins by KO/TKO.