The Past Week in Action 18 October 2021

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:

-Emanuel Navarrete retains WBO feather title with a points victory over Joet Gonzalez in a great scrap.

-Mairis Breidis stops overrated Artur Mann in three rounds in IBF cruiserweight title defence.

-Jonathan Gonzalez wins the WBO light flyweight title with split decision over Elwin Soto

-Spaniard Sandor Martin springs an major upset with majority decision over Mikey Garcia

-Giovani Santillan moves to 28 wins with victory over Angel Ruiz

-Former title holders Anselmo Moreno and Jezreel Corrales win in Panama

– Hughie Fury, Savannah Marshall and Chris Eubank win in Newcastle

-Cletus Seldin and Petros Ananyan win in New York

-Fedor Chudinov gets victory over Ronny Mittag on an injury

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

October 15

 

San Diego, CA, USA: Feather: Emanuel Navarrete (35-1) W PTS 12 Joet Gonzalez (24-2). Welter: Giovani Santillan (28-0) W PTS 10 Angel Ruiz (17-2). Super Feather: Henry Lebron (14-0) W PTS 8 Manuel Rojas (21-6). Super Light: Lindolfo Delgado (14-0) W PTS 8 Juan Mendez (21-5-2).

Navarrete vs. Gonzalez

Navarrete retains his WBO title with a unanimous decision after twelve rounds of war. Gonzalez knew he would have to face down Navarrete if he was going to win  so there was no period of calm survey they just went straight to war. Gonzalez was taking the fight to Navarrete and outworked him over the first two rounds. In the third a left hook opened a cut under the right eye of Gonzalez. That also caused a swelling that was more of a problem as the fight went on. The fourth saw Gonzalez still coming forward forcing Navarrete onto the back foot connecting with a heavy right but he was walking into severe counters to head and body as Navarrete slung punches from all  angles. Gonzalez just could not get forward consistently in the fifth and sixth as Navarrete used his longer reach to score with big single shots particularly some wicked left hooks to the body. Gonzalez did better in the seventh and eighth as he drove forward walking through swinging hooks from Navarrete to score with hooks and uppercuts inside but he was taking more than he was giving and the purple swelling under his right eye was looking ugly. Navarrete was looking arm weary in the ninth and tenth and fighting with his mouth wide open gasping for air as Gonzalez had forced a fast pace but Gonzalez was still having to absorb some heavy punches to get inside where he could score with his hooks. Gonzalez looked livelier in the eleventh even through his face was by now a mess and he was forcing Navarrete to work hard. They slugged it out over the last three exciting minutes with Navarette throwing over 100 punches in the round and landing the harder shots but with Gonzalez never wanting to take a step back and pumping out punches of his own. A great fight. Scores 116-112 twice and 118-110 for Navarrete who was making the second defence of the WBO title. The 26-year-old “Vaquero” does everything wrong but everything comes out right. His eccentric style and power means he is never in a dull fight . Gonzalez was his mandatory challenger so he is open to  take a voluntary defence or go for a shot at the super featherweights and fights against Jamel Herring, Shakur Stevenson or Oscar Valdez but whoever he fights you can be sure it won’t be boring. Gonzalez showed bravery above and beyond in this one. Gonzalez had lost a wide unanimous decision against Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO feather title in October 2019 but cam e back with a victory over Miguel Marriaga in September last year. He enhanced his standing with his showing here.

Santillan vs. Ruiz

Californian southpaw Santillan marches on with wide unanimous verdict over useful Ruiz. It was Ruiz, also a southpaw,  who put down a marker early rocking Santillan with an uppercut in the opening round. From the second the pressure and accuracy of Santillan put him in control. Ruiz was finding himself pinned to the ropes as Santillan scored inside with uppercuts and hooks. Eventually Ruiz stopped trying to match Santillan inside and boxed instead although that might partially be because he had injured his left hand. Santillan maintained the pressure to the end looking for an inside the distance win but Ruiz stayed there final bell. Scores. 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Santillan. He has not yet forced himself into the ratings but that has to come soon. Ruiz had been stopped in two rounds by Javier Flores in October 2019 but had returned with a victory over unbeaten Bobirzhan Mominov in April this year.

Lebron vs. Rojas

Another classy display from Puerto Rican Lebron as he returns to  action for the first time in fourteen months. The young southpaw outscored the taller Rojas in every round boxing coolly and cleverly. Rojas was never a threat as Lebron cruised to victory. Scores 80-72 for Lebron on all three cards. The winner is a former Pan American Youth gold medallist and World Junior bronze medallist. Texan Rojas had dropped a decision to unbeaten Albert Bell in April but then decisioned 16-1-1 Tyler McCreary in June.

Delgado vs. Mendez

Delgado wins every round against Mendez. Over the early rounds Mendez was busier but Delgado was connecting with the harder punches and edging the rounds. Delgado rocked Mendez in the fourth and just got stronger from there. His jab had real power and had Mendez bleeding heavily from the nose. A right floored Mendez in the last but time ran out before Delgado could finish the job. All three judges gave it to Delgado 80-71. A PanAmerican silver medal winner and 2016 Olympian Delgado is progressing well and being matched sensibly. Experienced Mendez was coming off a couple of reasonable domestic wins.

 

October 16

 

Fresno, CA, USA: Light Fly: Jonathan Gonzalez  (25-3-1,1ND) PTS 12 Elwin Soto (19-2). Welter: Sandor Martin (39-2) W PTS 10 Mikey Garcia (40-2). Light: Brock Jarvis (20-0) W TKO 5 Alejandro Frias (13-5-2). Light Fly: Jesse Rodriguez (14-0) W TKO 4 Jose Burgos (18-5-1). Super Middle: Diego Pacheco (13-0) W TKO 8 Lucas de Abreu (12-1). Middle: Nikita Ababiy (11-0) W PTS 8 Sanny Duversonne (11-5-2.

Gonzalez vs. Soto

An outsider in the betting slippery southpaw Gonzalez boxes a clever fight to frustrate Soto’s aggression and take the split decision and Soto’s WBO title. Over the first two rounds Gonzalez was boxing on the retreat. He was using his jab to unsettle Soto and then darting in firing a quick bunch of punches and moving before Soto responded. Soto pressed harder in the third managing to cut off the ring but Gonzalez was a difficult target. It was proving a frustrating fight for Soto as he just could not pin Gonzalez down. Gonzalez was stabbing his punches through Soto’s guard and then using quick footwork and upper body movement to get away from danger. By the end of the sixth Gonzalez had built a big lead. Soto managed to force Gonzalez to stand and trade in the seventh and eighth which won him the rounds and Gonzalez was also warned for holding. Gonzalez took the ninth and also complained when Soto twisted his arm severely in a clinch. Soto got back into the fight in the tenth as he hunted Gonzalez down and scored with body punches but Gonzalez outboxed Soto in the eleventh and was already celebrating in the twelfth round as he continued to duck and dive around Soto’s punches and land quick counters. Scores 116-112 twice to Gonzalez and 116-112 for Soto. Gonzalez had been halted in seven rounds by Kosei Tanaka in a challenge for the WBC flyweight title in August 2019 but had moved down to light flyweight and scored wins over experienced Mexicans Saul Juarez and Armando Torres. Soto was making the fourth defence of the WBO title and had put together a winning sequence of 17 fights.

Martin vs. Garcia

Martin pulls off a great upset victory as he takes a majority decision over Garcia after a close fight. Martin just had a slight edge in a feeling-out first round. The lights went out briefly at the start of the second but once the lights returned Garcia got to work snapping out his jab and staggering Martin with a right  to even the scores. Garcia continued to be in charge in the third and fourth outscoring Martin but the Spaniard was just getting started. The pace picked up in the fifth with Martin finding the target with lefts and rights and although Garcia ended the round strongly Martin had clawed a round back. The action was hectic in the sixth but the momentum seemed to have shifted to Martin and he was the one who finished strongly to even up the scores. The pace dropped in the seventh but again Martin did the better work to move into the lead. Martin was putting together some impressive combinations in the eighth but Garcia had a big ninth outscoring and rocking Martin. Garcia must have known he needed to take the tenth and they both battled hard with Martin landing a series of shots in the middle of the round and just doing enough to take the round and deserve the decision. Scores 97-93 twice for Martin and 95-95. Huge win for former undefeated European champion Martin who will now be looking to get a title shot but with Josh Taylor holding all four of the titles and having four different mandatory challengers there is not much room for a voluntary shot and the highest rating Martin had was No 7 with the WBA. First fight for twenty months for Garcia who was looking to build on his win over Jessie Vargas. This is a big blow to his hopes of another title chance.

Jarvis vs. Frias

Unbeaten Australian Jarvis has to overcome a rocky second round to stop Frias. After a steady first round Frias staged a furious attack in the second. Jarvis was pinned to the ropes for most of the round being raked with punches and the referee seemed on the point of jumping in to stop the fight on a couple of occasions but with guts and some holding survived. Jarvis then took over and slowly beat the fight out of Frias until the referee came in to stop the flight in the fifth. The 23-year-old Jarvis started out as a bantam but at 5’9” was always going to outgrow that division. He has 18 wins by KO/TKO and is one of the best young prospects in Australia. He wins the IBF Inter-Continental belt and is currently rated No 9 super feather by the IBF but has outgrown that weight as well. Mexican Frias was a decent 7-1-1 before losing this one

Rodriguez vs. Burgos

Rodriguez floors Burgos twice on the way to a fourth round stoppage. Southpaw Rodriguez dominated the action over the first three rounds and then wrapped up the win in the fourth.  He rocked Burgos early and then dropped him. Burgos managed to get up but was floored by left and the referee stopped the fight. The 21-year-old Texan gets his sixth consecutive inside the distance finish. One win in his last five for Burgos.

Pacheco vs. de Abreu

No real test here for Pacheco but a de Abreu almost made it to the last bell. Pacheco was the one on the front foot for most of the fight. He used his longer reach to keep de Abreu on the defensive and tested his chin with some long rights shaking him in the fourth. de Abreau showed some nice moves and switched guards occasionally but took plenty of punishment in the seventh. They traded punches in the last and although Pacheco landed some hard rights to the head it was a surprise when the referee stopped the fight with just 39 seconds remaining. Pacheco, 20, is just gathering experience right now so won’t be rushed. Brazilian de Abreu had turned pro in the USA in 2016 but this was his first fight there in five years.

Ababiy vs. Duversonne

“White Chocolate” Ababiy outpoints Duversonne. Ababiy was jabbing well and slotting straight rights through Duversonne’s guard. He showed plenty of movement and dug to the body well. Duversonne did very little over the early rounds but from the sixth came into the fight more as Ababiy’s work rate dropped. They traded punches over the last two rounds with Duversonne doing the pressing and scoring the harder shots. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 77-75 for twenty-year-old Ababiy who was in his first eight round fight. After going 11-0-2 at the start of his career it is now five losses in a row for Duversonne

 

Riga, Latvia: Cruiser: Mairis Breidis (28-1) W TKO 3 Artur Mann (17-2).

Breidis has an easy night as he destroys a vastly overrated Mann in three rounds. Mann  made a bright start stabbing out jabs early in the round with Briedis more cautious. Slowly Breidis began to come forward exerting pressure but Mann landed two good rights late in the round. Breidis picked up the pace in the second. His jab was stronger putting Mann on the back foot and he was throwing long rights. Just before the bell Breidis threw a right over a lazy jab from Mann which clipped Mann on the chin. Mann took a couple of steps back then dropped to a knee. He was up early and the bell went just seconds after the eight count was completed. Breidis chased Mann down in the third. He harried Mann and caught up with him scoring with a series of punches that had Mann dropping to the floor. He was up at seven and gained a few more seconds of recovery time as his mouthguard was replaced. A clash of heads opened a cut on the bridge of Breidis nose but he ignored that and after a bad tempered exchange of punches to the back of the head Breidis landed a bunch of hooks and uppercuts with Mann stumbling back and down to his knees. Mann arose at five but promptly dropped straight back down and then stumbled up again and the referee just waived the fight over.  First fight for Breidis since taking a majority decision over Yuniel Dorticos for the IBF title in September last year. The IBF have nominated Jai Opetaia as the mandatory challenger for Breidis. Mann’s No 6 with the IBF was down to some very funny goings on with the IBF ratings (see Observations)

 

October 15

 

Panama City, Panama: Feather: Anselmo Moreno (40-6-1) W KO 1 Walberto Ramos (26-11-2). Light: Jezreel Corrales (25-4) W PTS 10 Jesus Bravo (19-5-1). Super Fly: Salvador Juarez (16-7-2) W PTS 10 Geraldo Valdez (10-1). Super Feather: Ricardo Nunez (23-3) W TKO 1 Ricardo Solano (25-3-2,1ND). Super Welter: Alfredo Mosquera (27-4-2, 2ND) W PTS 10 Abel Mina (14-1). Feather: Rafael Pedroza (12-0) W KO 7 Iwier Henriquez (11-14-1.1ND).

Moreno vs. Ramos

Moreno gets this one over early as he blitzes Colombian Ramos forcing a stoppage after just 86 seconds. Moreno floored Ramos twice finishing with a powerful right for the second knockdown that put Ramos down and out. The former WBA title holder at bantamweight, who has taken part in 17 title fights for various belts, has done nothing of note since losing inside the distance in consecutive fights against Shinsuke Yamanaka and Julio Ceja but still manages to be rated No 2 with the WBA. First fight in two years for 40-year-old Ramos.

Corrales vs. Bravo

Corrales outpoints Bravo. Apart from a count when he overreached and lost his balance in the second round this was just a good workout for Corrales against Peruvian Bravo. Corrales put Bravo down in the fourth for a genuine knockdown and won on scores of 98-90 on the three cards. After a run of three losses in four fights Corrales was out of action for 16 months before returning with a win in May. Four losses on the bounce for Bravo.

Juarez vs. Valdez

Mexican Juarez gets unanimous points victory over Dominican Valdez. This was war from bell to bell as they traded hard shots for the full ten rounds. It was close all the way but Juarez’s experience gave him the edge and he was a good winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. Juarez gets his fourth victory in a row and lifts Valdez’s WBC Latino title. Valdez was defending the title for the second time.

Nunez vs. Solano

Nunez despatches Solano in 71 seconds. A huge right to the head floored Solano early. Somehow he beat the count but was trapped against the ropes being hammered by head punches when the referee stopped the fight. Nunez rarely does a distance fight with 23 of his fights ending early-unfortunately three of those 23 early endings were losses including  came in a second round defeat against Gervonta Davis for the WBA featherweight belt in July 2019. Dominican Solano had a 17-1-2, 1ND run going into this one with the No Decision coming when both he and his opponent landed so many illegal punches they were both thrown out.

Mosquera vs. Mina

Mosquera outpoints Mina over ten tough, gruelling but entertaining rounds. Although having an edge in reach southpaw Mosquera was usually the one forcing the fight with Mina happy to trade inside but losing a point for holding in the sixth. Both fighters tired late due to the many exchanges. Scores 99-90, 97-92 and 96-93 for Mosquera. Second fight this year for Mosquera, 34, but he has seen his best days in the rear view mirror. Mina suffered his first pro loss in June on a split decision against 17-1 Mexican Damian Sosa in June.

Pedroza vs. Henriquez

Panamanian puncher Pedroza keeps his 100% record with win over Henrique. Pedraza was down in the second but then dominated  the action before bringing the curtain down it in the seventh. Just before the bell to end the round a right to the body saw Henrique take a couple of steps forward and then collapse to his knees. He made it to his feet but was pulled out of the fight.  Eleventh inside the distance ending for Pedraza who had climbed off the canvas to outpointed Venezuelan Henrique in 2018.

 

Saint-Quentin, France: Light: Guillaume Frenois (49-2-1) W PTS 10 Giuseppe Carafa (14-5-2). Light Heavy: Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (17-1) W KO 5 Mehdi Privat (5-3).

Frenois vs. Carafa

Frenois gets good win over a competitive Carafa. The southpaw skills of Frenois gave him a big edge but Carafa made him work hard for the decision. Frenois was sharp with his right jabs and constantly met the advancing Carafa with straight rights but never completely subdued him. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Frenois. He is boxing at lightweight after losing on points against Tevin Farmer for the IBF super feather belt in July 2019. He wins the vacant WBA Continental belt. Former Italian champion Carafa showed well.

Dos Santos vs. Privat

Dos Santos had some problems with the reach of the much taller Privat but he solved that problem spectacularly in the fifth with a leaping left hook to the head that sent Privat face down on the canvas and out. Second win for Dos Santos after losing on a fourth round stoppage against Joshua Buatsi in May. Privat had won his last three fights.

 

Reggio Emilia, Italy: Super Feather: Juan Gomez (11-0) W PTS 12 Nicola Henchiri (10-2). Super Bantam: Luca Rigoldi (25-2-2) W PTS 10 Mattia De Bianchi (11-1) . Light: Domenico Valentino (10-2) W PTS 6 Maycol Escobar (9-25-2). Super Bantam: Vincenzo Picardi (5-0) W PTS 6 Shoaib Zaman (4-15-2).

Gomez vs. Henchiri

Visitor Gomez wins the European Union title with wide unanimous call over champion Henchiri. Gomez led from the start with his strong if at times crude attacks. He was too aggressive for light-punching Henchiri who was floored in the tenth and well beaten. Scores 119-107, 119-108 and 118-108 for Gomez. Henchiri was making the first defence of the title.

Rigoldi vs. De Bianchi

Former European champion Rigoldi regains the Italian title with points victory over De Bianchi. Scores 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94. Third win for Rigoldi since losing his European title to Gamal Yafai in December. Unsuccessful first defence for De Bianchi.

Valentino vs. Escobar

Former top level amateur and former Italian champion Valentino returns with a win as he outpoints Nicaraguan loser Escobar. Last time out in September 2020 Valentino suffered a shock second round kayo against Mohamed Khalladi. Escobar’s recent record is now 0-11-1.

Picardi vs. Zaman

Italian champion Picardi has no trouble getting a win over Italian-based Pakistani Zaman. The 37-year-olf Picardi is hoping his fifth victory will allow him the chance to fight for the European title. Thirteen losses in a row for Zaman.

 

Mexico City, Mexico: Light Fly: Axel Vega (15-4-1) W pts 10 Armando Torres (26-20).

At 4’ 9 ½” Vega must be one of the smallest male pro fighters so he has had to develop an attacking style to work his way inside. He did this early against the experienced Torres with lots of success but then tried boxing on the outside. That allowed Torres a foothold in the fight and he had a good seventh in a strong finish but could not claw back the lead Vega had established. Vega won on scores of 98-93, 95-93 and 96-95. Vega was defending the WBA Fedecentro belt. He has lost in shots at both the WBO and WBA light flyweight titles. Torres, 40, had found a little form in winning 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Los Mochis, Mexico: Welter: Santiago Dominguez (25-0) W TKO 5 Jesus Rubio (13-5-1). Super Feather: Jose Nunez (22-1) W KO 9 Osvaldo Maldonado (10-2).

Mexican Dominguez makes in nineteen inside the distance victories as he forces Rubio out of the fight in the fifth. Dominguez had punished Rubio from the start and he ended things in the fifth. A bunch of vicious left hooks to the body had Rubio turning away from the action in agony and the fight was stopped. Dominguez wins the vacant WBC Latino title. Rubio’s third loss by KO/TKO. Despite his 25 wins the low quality of his opposition means Dominguez is not currently rated.

Nunez vs. Maldonado

Local fighter Nunez continues to cut a swath through some modest opposition as he knocks out Maldonado in the ninth. All 22 of Nunez’s wins have come by KO/TKO. Second consecutive defeat for Maldonado

 

Kazan, Russia: Super Middle: Fedor Chudinov (25-2-1) W RTD 2 Ronny Mittag (31-5-4).Bantam: Fatima Dudieva (11-0) W PTS 8 Soledad Macedo (17-16-2).

Chudinov vs. Mittag

Chudinov gets unsatisfactory victory as Mittag retires after two rounds with an ankle injury. Chudinov was walking Mittag down in the first. Mittag was firing bursts of punches without much power with the slower Chudinov landing single harder shots but they exchanged furiously at the bell. Mittag continued to score with lots of shots in the second finding Chudinov an open target but Chudinov was now throwing more and Mittag was on the retreat and under plenty of pressure. The German retired at the end of the second blaming a broken rib. The two rounds were entertaining with Mittag busier but Chudinov landing the heavier punches. Chudinov is rated WBA 2/WBO 8/WBC 10 EBU 2 but a title shot is a distant dream at best. This was Mittag’s chance to regroup after losses in domestic action against Patrick Wojcicki and Denis Radovan so an unfortunate ending.

Dudieva vs. Macedo

“Amazonka” Dudieva continues unbeaten with a points victory over Uruguayan Macedo in a Female eight. Dudieva was just too quick, too mobile and too busy for the portly Macedo who was outboxed in every round and was just aiming to survive over the late rounds.

 

Ghent, Belgium: Middle: Sasha Yengoyan (45-8-1) W PTS 6 David Nikolayev (9-9-1).Middle: Stephen Danyo (20-4-3) W PTS 6 Milos Janjanin (14-27).

2

Yengoyan vs. Nikolayev

Yengoyan goes out with a win. In what he says will be his last pro fight Yengoyan takes a unanimous verdict over Nikolayev on a score of 58-56 from all three judges. Yengoyan was 31-1-1 at one time and won the World Boxing Federation title but never a major title. Russian Nikolayev never came close to ruining the party.

Danyo vs. Janjanin

Dutchman Danyo gets a points win over Bosnian Janjanin. 60-54, 59-54. 58-56.

 

October 16

 

Newcastle, England: Hughie Fury (26-3) W RTD 5 Christian Hammer (16-7). Middle: Savannah Marshall (11-0) W TKO 2 Lolita Muzeya (16-1). Middle: Chris Eubank Jr (31-2) W RTD 5 Wanik Awdijan (28-2).

Fury vs. Hammer

Fury wins this one as Hammer retires after five rounds citing an arm injury. Fury boxed in a measured style in the first content to let Hammer rumble forward and using his longer reach to score with his jab. Hammer kept swinging hopefully in the second and third doing enough to cause a bruising under Fury’s right eye but Fury switched guards and found the target with hooks and uppercuts. They traded heavy shots in the fourth and the fight seemed to be warming up nicely. Hammer landed a right at the start of the fifth but was later deducted a point for hitting on the break. Fury then launched a big attack and put Hammer under lots of pressure. The fight ended there with Hammer retiring due an arm injury. Fury has lost big fights against Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Povetkin. He has three wins under his belt now but is not in the ratings so is going to have to start winning big fights to get anywhere near a title shot. Hammer is also a serial big fight loser having been beaten by Tyson Fury, Povetkin, Luis Ortiz and Tony Yoka and I can’t see him changing that trend.

Marshall vs. Muzeya

Marshall stops Muzeya in two rounds. Marshall constituted a huge step up in class for Muzeya who tried to surprise Marshall with a hurricane attack in the first. Marshall waited out the storm and then welcomed Muzeya to the elite level shaking the Zambian with an uppercut just before the bell. Muzeya bravely tried to come forward again in the second but was being rocked by powerful uppercuts. When Marshall cut loose with a ferocious attack Muzeya was overwhelmed and was in deep trouble when the referee stopped the fight. Marshall retains the WBO Female title with her ninth KO/TKO victory and she is hoping to face Clarissa Shield soon. They will both appear on the same show in December. Meanwhile Shields is giving MMA a try but will not want to pass up the chance to gain revenge against Marshall who beat her at the 2012 world championships the only loss Shield has suffered. Muzeya was just not in this class.

Eubank vs. Awdijan

Eubank forces Awdijan in to retirement after five rounds. Eubank eased his way into the fight in the first round then upped the pace in the second putting the retreating Awdijan under pressure. Awdijan showed some good defensive work in the third but Eubank was connecting with some hefty body punches. Eubank continued to go to the body in the fourth and Awdijan was not relishing the strength sapping shots. It was all Eubank in the fifth with Awdijan hurt again with body punches and the visitor retired at the end of the round with a rib injury. Useful outing for Eubank but he badly needs to get into some big fights and soon-and he no longer has the WBA interim title but is ranked No 1 by them. Armenian-born German Awdijan had won his last 21 fights but against a carefully selected collection of mediocrity.

 

New York, NY, USA: Super Light: Petros Ananyan (16-2-2) W PTS 10 Daniel Gonzalez (20-3-1). Super Light: Cletus Seldin (26-1,1ND) W KO 7 William Silva (28-4). Welter: Cesar Francis (9-0) W PTS 8 Jose Roman (11-1). Super Light: Will Madera (17-1-3) W RTD 5 Jamshidbek Najmitdinov (17-2).

Ananyan vs. Gonzalez

Russian Ananyan pulls out a majority decision in a close fight. The contest did not really catch alight over the first three rounds with neither boxer fighting at a high pace. Ananyan was switching guards and just seemed to have a slight edge over those rounds and he needed it. Despite a cut on his forehead Gonzalez upped his pace and put Ananyan under plenty of pressure over the middle rounds and looked to have moved into the lead but not by much. Ananyan came on stronger at the end landing the heavier punches and the judges decided he had just done enough to turn the fight his way. Scores 96-94 twice for Ananyan and 95-95. Ananyan was having his first fight since getting a huge win with a points victory over unbeaten Subriel Matias in February last year. The inactivity has cost him what would have been a very high rating with the more active Matias Now the IBF No 2. No surprise Gonzalez ran Ananyan as close as his only losses before this have been against Danny O’Connor and Chris Algieri.

Seldin vs. Silva

Seldin “The Hebrew Hammer” scores spectacular kayo over Silva. The first three rounds were forgettable as neither fighter really did much. Seldin picked up the pace from the fourth taking the fight inside and landing heavy body punches. Silva was trying to land big shots on the incoming Seldin but it was not working. Seldin buckled Silva’s legs with a right in the sixth and in the seventh connected with two rights to the head that put Silva down and out with no count needed. A loss to Yves Ulysse in 2017 and shoulder injuries had Seldin considering retirement but an eleventh round victory over Zab Judah in 2019 won Seldin the vacant NABA title and he is rated No 13 by the WBA but a long way from any smell of a title shot. Silva’s other losses have come against Felix Verdejo, Teo Lopez and Arnold Barboza

Francis vs. Roman

Panamanian-born New Yorker Francis floors and outpoints Roman. This started out as a fairly even contest but gradually Francis was bossing the battle with body punches inside. Francis had a big fourth round with Roman on the floor and never really the same fighter after that. Roman was fighting without conviction and Francis powered his way to victory. Scores 78-73 twice and 79-72. Overtime for Francis as his last two wins only took him 2:40seconds in total. Puerto Rican Roman just never recovered from the fourth round knockdown.

Madera vs. Najmitdinov

A disappointing first showing in the USA for Uzbek Najmitdinov as he pulls out after five rounds with an arm injury. Good start from Najmitdinov as he landed power punches over the first two rounds. Madera’s speed saw him getting into the fight in the third and taking the action to Najmitdinov. He had Najmitdinov spilling blood and the doctor looked at Najmitdinov in the fourth. Madera was in charge in the fifth with Najmitdinov bleeding heavily from the nose and seemingly carrying and injury and he retired at the end of the round. An important win for Madera as he tries to rebuild his reputation after a first round stoppage loss against Felix Verdejo in July last year.  Najmitdinov’s only other loss was against Viktor Postol back in 2017 and now he too has a rebuilding job.

 

Cancun, Mexico: Super Bantam: Christopher Lopez (14-0-1) W PTS 10 Franklin Manzanilla (20-7). Super Fly: David Cuellar (20-0) W TKO 6 Moises Fuentes (25-7-1). Welter: Taras Shelestyuk (19-0) W TKO 10 Ernesto Espana (31-3-1). Super Bantam: Pedro Tut (21-1) W PTS 8 Antonio Garcia (25-8).Light Fly: Yesenia Gomez (19-5-3,1ND) W PTS 8 Itzayana Cruz (6-8). Light: Oscar Duarte (21-1-1) W TKO 5 Iran Rodriguez (8-7-4). Middle: Simon Madsen (13-0) W TKO 7 Selim Martinez (4-3).

Lopez vs. Manzanilla

Lopez wins the vacant WBA International title with decision over Manzanilla. It was a tough night for Lopez who triumphed despite suffering two knockdowns. Eight successive wins for Lopez. Venezuelan Manzanilla had shown his power previously by flooring Rey Vargas before losing on points to Vargas for the WBC super bantamweight title in February 2019.

Cuellar vs. Fuentes

Cuellar moves to a whole new level as he stops Flores in six rounds. Punches from Cuellar had a swelling showing by the right eye of Flores by the second round and only the ropes held up Flores in the third. By the sixth Flores was badly busted up and taking punishment when a right put him down flat on his back out cold and the referee immediately called for medical help. Flores was taken to hospital and underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain. He is said to be recovering but nit is early days. This was the first fight in just over three years for Flores. He retired after being knocked out in one round by Daigo Higa in February 2018 in a challenge for the WBC flyweight title and then being stopped in five rounds by Roman Gonzalez in September that year. The 19-year-old Cuello had knocked out Karim Arce in nine rounds in June.

Shelestyuk vs. Salas

Ukrainian southpaw Shelestyuk comes back with a win as he halts Ernesto Espana in nine rounds. First fight for 22 months for Shelestyuk. The inactivity has cost him his world rating but he will be out to get back in contention. Espana’s record has more padding than a NFL team. He is the son of Ernesto and nephew of Cristano who both won titles  but Ernesto is not in their league.

Tut vs. Garcia

Tut has his first outing in 22 months as he outpoints Garcia over eight rounds. Tut took the unanimous decision for his sixteenth victory in a row, Garcia lost on points to Anselmo Moreno in May.

Gomez vs. Cruz

Local fighter Gomez outpointed “La Diva” Cruz in a slow Female eight. “La Nina” Gomez has lost only one of her last seventeen contests. Cruz is now 2-4 in her recent fights.

Duarte vs. Rodriguez

Duarte stopped Rodriguez in five for win No 16 by KO/TKO. Duarte is trained by former champion Erik Morales. Rodriguez is without a win in his last four tries.

Madsen vs. Martinez

Cancun-based Dane “Viking” Madsen made it seven wins in a row, six by KO/TKO with a seventh round stoppage of Martinez. Madsen 26, has done all of his pro fighting in Cancun.

 

Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina: Super Light: Emiliano Dominguez (26-9-1) W PTS 10 Miguel Correa (10-21-2).

After a disappointing 2-5-1 run any win is welcome for Dominguez as he tries to work his way back into the national rankings having lost in a shot for the title in July. He wins on scores of 99 ½ – 92 ½, 98 ½- 92 and 98 ½ -92 ½. Yet another loss on Correa’s spotty record.

 

San Lorenzo, Argentina: Welter: Marcelo Sanchez (7-2-3) W PTS 10 Nahuel Galesi (13-8-1).

Sanchez continues his improved form as he outpoints Galesi to win the vacant WBC Latino title on scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93. Sanchez came in at short notice. He has shown much improved form being 7-1-2 in his last 10 fights. Fourth points defeat in a row for Galesi.

 

Koingsbrunn, Germany: Light Heavy: Luca Cinqueoncle (14-0) W TKO 7 Killan Weck (5-2). Light Heavy: Uensal Arik (35-2) W TKO 2 Janne Forsman (22-15).

Cinqueoncle vs. Weck

Cinqueoncle wins the vacant IBO Youth title when Weck’s corner throw in the towel in the seventh round. The 6’2” has eleven inside the distance victories. Weck had won his last 5 fights.

Arik vs. Forsman

German-born Turk Arik stops poor Finn  Forsman. That makes it 29 wins by KO/TKO for Arik who has won his last 17 fights but against sub standard opposition. Eleventh consecutive loss for Forsman nine by KO/TKO.

 

Accra, Ghana: Super Light: Robert Quaye (20-0) W TKO 1 Nathanael Nukpe (13-8-1). Feather: Holy Dorgbetor (8-0) W PTS 12 Success Tetteh (10-3).

Quaye vs. Nukpe

An uppercut from Quaye ends this one in the first round. He moves to 17 wins by KO/TKO and is ready for much better opposition as his record contains not a single real test. Nukpe was having his first fight since April 2019 and has lost 5 of his last 6 contests.

Dorgbetor vs. Tetteh

Dorgbetor wins the vacant national title as he outclasses Tetteh. Dorgbetor won every round on all three cards leading to three scores of 120-108. Good experience for Dorgbetor, 22, who had taken only 19 rounds for his seven previous wins. Tetteh was kayoed in two rounds by Nigerian Oto Joseph in an ABU title fight in April 2019.

 

Rome, Italy: Super Welter: Marco Papasidero (9-2-4) W Mirko Di Carlantonio (11-7-1).

Papasidero finally gets a win over Di Carlantonio and it gains him the vacant national title. In a close fight Di Carlantonio moved ahead by the half way point but Papasidero was stronger over the later rounds and was a good winner. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Papasidero. He lost in his first pro fight to Di Carlantonio and they drew in a fight for the vacant title in July. The 40-year-old Di Carlantonio was 5-0- going in.

 

Florence, Italy: Orlando Fiordigiglio (33-3) W TKO 5 Beka Murjikneli (6-17-1)

Fiordigiglio returns to the ring with a comfortable stoppage of Murjikneli. A series of body punches finished Murjikneli in the fifth. At 37 Fiordigiglio is still hoping for some big fights but may have to settle for domestic challenges. Georgian Murjikneli

Is without a win in his last twelve fights.

 

 

Windhoek, Namibia: Super Bantam: Filipus Nghitumbwa (10-1) W TKO 6 Innocent Mantengu (14-5-1). Super Middle: Paulinus Ndjolonimu (13-0) W TKO 2 Anthony Jarmann (17-5-1). Welter: Charles Shinima (13-0) W KO   2 Mohamed Mutalemwa (10-3-1). Super Feather: Jeremiah Nakathila (22-2) W TKO 2 Ndonana Ncube (7-3).

Nghitumbwa vs. Mantengu

Nghitumbwa put South African Mantengu under pressure from start. Mantengu tried to box his way out of trouble but he lacked the skill or the power to succeed. Nghitumbwa landed heavily in the fifth and then put Mantengu down and out in the sixth with a body punch. Nghitumbwa wins the vacant WBO Global belt. Former South African champion Mantengu had won the WBA Pan African title in his last fight.

Ndjolonimu vs. Jarman

In an all-Namibian clash Ndjolonimu gets repeat inside the distance win over Jarman. After a slow first Ndjolonimu connected with a left hook to the head in the second and Jarman went down and was unable to continue. Jarman was defending the WBO African title he won with a tenth round kayo of Jarman in April. Ndjolonimu has eleven inside the distance finishes. All five of Jarman’s losses have been by KO/TKO.

Shinima vs. Mutalemwa

Shinima wins the vacant WBO African title with kayo of Tanzanian Mutalemwa. Shinima floored Mutalemwa at the start of the second and then put him on the floor with a body punch with Mutalemwa unable to beat the count. Eighth consecutive inside the distance victory for Shinima. Mutalemwa was a decent 8-0-1 before this one.

Nakathila vs. Ncube

Nakathila wipes out Zimbabwean Ncube in two rounds. After rocking Ncube in the first Nakathila finished the job with a body punch in the second. First fight for Nakathila since losing on points against Shakur Stevenson for the interim WBO title in June. Third stoppage loss suffered by inexperienced Ncube

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Emanuel Navarrete’s win over Joet Gonzalez was good for boxing and hopefully will lead to some big fight for Navarrete.

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Emanuel Navarrete vs. Joet Gonzalez. For the second successive week a candidate for Fight of the Year. Honourable mention to the contests between Salvador Juarez and Geraldo Valdez

Fighter of the week: Emanuel Navarrete

Punch of the week: The left hook from Daniel Bienda Dos Santos that flattened Mehdi Privat.

Upset of the week: Has to be Sandor Martin’s win over Mikey Garcia.

Prospect watch: Mexican super flyweight David Cuellar is 20-0 with 13 wins by KO/TKO.

 

Observations

Rosette to:  Navarrete vs. Gonzalez  as another great advert for boxing and Top Rank for following up Fury vs. Wilder with Navarrete vs. Gonzalez

Red Card to: The IBF for playing disgraceful games with their rating of Artur Mann. Before the fight with Mairis Breidis for the IBF title on Saturday Mann was rated No 6 by the IBF.  Mann’s last fight before facing Breidis was on 20 June 2020 when he was unrated by the IBF. Four months later without fighting he jumped into their ratings at No 13 and eventually climbed to No 6 all without taking part in a single fight . So unrated to No 6 without fighting and he challenges Breidis having not fought for 16 months and surprise-surprise he collapses the first time Briedis turns the screw. Rubbish ratings lead to rubbish title fights-and these sort of “games” rob more deserving fighters of a title chance.

And to the WBO. We keep getting told how important their Global title is so how come Namibian Fillipus Nghitumbwa with a 9-1 record (built against low level opposition) vs. Innocent Mantengu with a 14-5-1 record qualify to compete for this gloriously important Gold title? Is the winner now eligible to challenge Steve Fulton? Or is it just a sop to the local promoter for his outstanding loyalty to the WBO?  A title only gets the amount of respect owed to those who hold and compete for the title. Box Rec has Nghitumbwa rated No 50!

-Celebrate a good weekend for Spanish boxing with Sandor Martin beating Mikey Garcia and Juan Felix Gomez winning the European Union super featherweight title. Ole!-that’s all the Spanish I know amigos.