The Past Week in Action 2 July 2013

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 sport.

June 25

 

Tokyo, Japan: Light Middle: Charlie Ota (23-1-1) W KO 9 Koji Numata (20-7-1). New York born Ota is just too clever and fast for brave but limited challenger Numata and retained his OPBF title for the eighth time. Ota built a lead as he boxed on the retreat and was constantly catching the taller Numata with fast, accurate counters. Numata was down in the sixth but rallied briefly in the eighth. Ota brought the curtain down in the ninth as he floored Numata for the count with a volley of punches. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for 31-year-old Ota (real name Bellamy) the WBO 10/WBC 15. Numata, 29, had been rated No 1 by the OPBF and had won his last four fights inside the distance.

 

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Bantam:  Suriyan (27-5-1) W PTS 12 Renz Llagas (6-5-1). Easy night for former WBC super fly champion Suriyan as he retains his WBC Asian Boxing Council title with a wide unanimous decision over “Dream Boy” Llagas. The 24-year-old WBC No 3 super fly makes it seven wins in a row since losing his WBC title to Yota Sato in December. Filipino Llagas, the GAB No 10 flyweight, is the ABC Continental champion at that weight.

 

June 26

 

Avignon, France: Light Middle: Anthony Somarriba (13-5) W PTS 12 Luis Crespo (9-5-1). Good competitive fight with Frenchman Somarriba crowning his return to the ring with a unanimous decision over Spanish champion Crespo. Having his first fight since October 2011 local fighter Somarriba took a little while to get started, but then dominated with his superior skills and accuracy. Southpaw Crespo, 32, pressed the action and the crowd was treated to twelve good rounds, but Somarriba, 28, always had the edge and won on scores of 117-110 twice and a too wide 118-109. Somarriba wins the vacant IBF Mediterranean title. In Crespo’s defence he had suffered from a virus during the last week before the fight but still went ahead.

 

Kingston, Jamaica: Middle: Devon Moncrieffe (9-2) W PTS 10 Tsetsi Davis (9-3). “Concrete” Moncrieff came out on top in this Wray & Nephew Contender Series final with a well deserved split decision mover Davis. Moncrieff just had the edge due to his higher work rate and strong left jab. Scores 98-93, 97-93 and 94-96. Now five wins in a row for Moncrieff who had lost out in the final of this competition in 2011. He took the first prize of $1 million Jamaican with “The Assassin” Davis having to settle for $500, 00. Davis had won his last five fights but this was his second loss to Moncrieff being halted in two rounds in 2011.

 

Chelyabinsk, Russia: Welter: Konstantin Ponomarev (21-0) W PTS 12 Isaac Aryee (15-6). Cruiser: Marat Gassiev (12-0) W TKO 2 Levan Jomardashvili (31-11).

Ponomarev vs. Aryee

The visitor from Ghana was competitive over the first four rounds but from then Ponomarev took full control showing good moves and bossing the fight with an educated left jab. The 20-year-old Russian won the vacant WBC Youth title on scores of 100-90,100-91 and 100-92, but Aryee made many of the rounds close and has recovered well from losing 4 of his first 5 fights.

Gassiev vs. Jomardshvili

Difficult to know why Jomardashvili bothered to turn up. He came nowhere near to making the contracted weight (must have studied under Joan Guzman) was down twice in the first round from lefts to the body and after two more identical knockdowns in the second the fight was rightly stopped. The tall, 6’3 ½” (192cm) 19-year-old Russian wins the vacant WBC Youth title and makes it eight wins by KO/TKO including 7 quick finishes in his last 8 fights. He is ready for better opposition. Georgian Jomardashvili is 1-11 in fights outside his native country.

 

June 27

 

Essington, USA: Welter: Yordenis Ugas (14-1) W KO 1 Adan Hernandez (15-8). Super Middle: Lekan Byfield (4-4-2) W PTS 6 Isiah Seldon (7-1).

Ugas vs. Hernandez

Cuban Ugas takes only 40 seconds to put away Texan Hernandez. One right hook to the body put Hernandez down and he failed to beat the count. The 26-year-old Ugas was a World and Pan American champion as an amateur beating guys such as Rosniel Iglesias, Darley Perez, Terry Crawford, Sadam Ali and Jose Pedraza, but a split decision loss to Juan Garcia in March 2012 saw him take ten months out. Since returning he has run up three wins. Only the second loss by KO/TKO for Hernandez, 32, who has gone the distance with Urban Antillon, Anthony Peterson and Danny Garcia in being now 2-7 in his last nine fights.

Byfield vs. Seldon

Seldon gets ambushed by the awkward and ungainly Byfield. Seldon, the son of former of former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, was heavily favoured to win this with Byfield winning only one of his last six fights. Byfield made the better start, rocking Seldon in the first and injuring the prospects nose which affected Seldon’s breathing. He never really recovered from that first round and on three occasions spit out his mouthpiece to aid his breathing. That resulted in a one point reduction and with Byfield being the busier fighter the 27-year-old from Yonkers took a unanimous decision on scores of 58-55 twice and 57-56. Byfield had lost every round against Olympian Terrell Gausha and lasted only 48 seconds against Jesse Hart, so this was a big win for him. Seldon, 24, who is trained by his father, can come again.

 

June 28

 

Dubai, UAE: Straw: Xiong Zhao Zhong (21-4-1) W PTS 12 Denver Cuello (33-5-6). Zhong survives first round shock to retain his WBC title. Cuello had suffered a rotator cuff injury in a fight in April and eventually this became the dominating factor in this fight. Cuello made a great start as he floored the champion with a southpaw left in the first round. Unfortunately he reinjured his right arm in the round. Zhong came into the fight after that and was able to dominate the action with Cuello virtually boxing with only his left meaning that the southpaw had no jab of his own to work off. Zhong had Cuello badly rocking in the fourth, but despite his handicap Cuello was picking up rounds. It was obvious that Cuello was injured and in the eighth round the referee examined Cuello, but the fight was allowed to continue. The gutsy Filipino was helped in the scoring when Zhong lost a point in the next round after cutting Cuello badly over his right eye with a butt. Blood from the cut hampered Cuello’s vision over the closing rounds as both fought hard to swing the result their way with Zhong just being the busier. Scores 113-110, 115-112 ands 113-113 with the last seeming the most accurate. Zhong, 30, was making the first defence of his WBC title. Cuello, 26, should not have been in the ring, but after the WBC screwed him out of a fight for the vacant title against Zhong last year he probably had no confidence that he would gat another chance if he pulled out of this one. Cuello had lost only one of his last 31 fights going in and deserves a return.

 

Liverpool, England: Welter: Frankie Gavin (16-0) W TKO 7 Denton Vassell (20-1). Super Fly: Paul Butler (12-0) W KO 4 Najah Ali (5-4-1). Feather: Joe Murray (14-0) W PTS 8 Dan Naylor (4-17-2). Super Feather: Stephen Smith (16-1) W KO 1 Eddie Nesbitt (3-3). Welter: Ronnie Heffron (12-1) W TBA ( ). Light Middle: Liam Smith (14-0-1) W PTS 6 Max Maxwell (16-20-3).Middle: Joe Selkirk (11-0) W PTS 6 Kieron Gray (5-18-1).

Gavin vs.Vassell

Once again Gavin shows he is a class act as he halts Vassell to defend his British title and win the Commonwealth crown as Vassell is forced to retire with a broken jaw. This was always going to be the skill of Gavin against the power of Vassell. Southpaw Gavin swept the early rounds as his speed and skill were just too much for Vassell who was showing the effect of almost seven months of inactivity. Vassell did get through with a hard body shot in the second but Gavin was boxing brilliantly and had his right jab working to great effect. Vassell finally got untracked in the fifth and was concentrating on Gavin’s body to good effect. Gavin had his best round in the sixth as he scored with a stream of fast accurate rights and had Vassell hurt as he constantly caught the Commonwealth champion as he tried to work his way inside. Gavin was on top in the seventh when the referee suddenly halted the action. He had spotted that Vassell was having a problem with his mouth and asked the doctor to examine him. The doctor concluded that Vassell had suffered a broken jaw and although Vassell wanted to continue the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old former World Amateur Champion has had his problems in the past, but since a disappointing split decision win over Curtis Woodhouse in 2011 he has convincingly beaten Kevin McIntyre, Junior Witter, Jason Welborn and now Vassell. He is No 9 with the WBO and is a real threat in the division. Vassell, 28, will now face yet another long lay-off whilst his jaw heals. Once he gets back in action he has the power to make an impact.

Butler vs. Ali

A poor Commonwealth title fight saw Butler outclass late sub Ali. Just 15 seconds into the fight Butler put Ali down with a left hook. Ali made it to his feet and fought back to survive the round. Ali was swinging wildly in the second with Butler getting through with hard body shots. It was the same story in the third before Butler ended things in the fourth. A left to the body put Ali down and he never looked like beating the count. The 24-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin” was making the first defence of his Commonwealth title and now has seven wins by KO/TKO. He is a talented hard punching prospect and one to watch. Iraqi-born Ali came in at only 24 hours notice. He holds a win over former Commonwealth champion Don Broadhurst but was out of his depth here.

Murray vs. Naylor

The “Genius” remains unbeaten; Murray was given eight good rounds by journeyman Naylor. Murray had the speed and the class but on occasions chose to mix it with Naylor which allowed the southpaw to make it competitive fight. In fairness this was only Murray’s second fight after a year out of the ring. The 26-year-old has a sterling amateur credentials winning a bronze medal in the World Amateur Championships, where he beat the current WBC No 1 super flyweight Carlos Cuadras and competed at the 2008 Olympics. He is rated No 9 with the EBU and should make a big impact with more activity. Naylor is one of that unique band of British “survivors” who provide good tests for young prospects. Only one of his losses have been inside the distance.

Smith vs. Nesbitt

“Swifty” Smith lived up to his name as he put Nesbitt down and out with a volley of punches with just six seconds left in the first round. Former British and Commonwealth champion Smith, 27, with some rebuilding to do after losing his titles to Lee Selby in 2011, showed no signs of rust in his first fight in over a year. Belfast’s Nesbitt was in way over his head.

Smith vs. Maxwell

Commonwealth champion “Beefy” Smith was also in with a member of the survivors squad. Smith showed classy moves and won every round against former British title challenger Maxwell. The 24-year-old Smith has talent with wins over Gary McMillan and Steve O’Meara to his name. Maxwell has now lost nine in a row, all on points and all against tough opposition.

Selkirk vs. Gray

Talented Selkirk, 27, another former British Amateur Champion showed some real skills in winning every round against Gray and is yet another young British fighter with good prospects. Referee’s Score 60-54. Gray was having his third fight in the last three weeks and makes it 15 losses in a row. Gray is better than these figures show

 

Tapiales, Argentina: Middle: Mateo Damian Veron (17-8-2) W PTS 10 Jorge Heiland (21-4-2). Veron gets his first win over Heiland in three attempts as he takes the majority verdict. Veron fought a clever fight using his height and reach advantages to box on the outside. His reach allowed him to score well with his jab and he rocked Heiland on occasions with hard uppercuts. Heiland was always coming forward trying to get close and force the fight but had little success until the late rounds when “El Chino”, 24, a former Argentinian champion, tired and his work became ragged. Scores 98-92, 97 ½-94 ½, 97 ½-97 ½. Second good win in a row for the FAB No 2 following a victory over Marcos Vergara (28-2) in March. Southpaw Heiland, 26, lost to Sebastian Zbik for the interim WBC title in 2010. It is now 1-1-1 in their three bout series. They fought to a draw in 2011 and Heiland scored a last round knockdown to win a majority decision in September last year. Neither fighter is a puncher and they could fight each other another three times without either winning clearly. Veron wins the “Eduardo Lausse” trophy named in honour of one of Argentina’s best ever middleweights.

 

Rosario, Argentina: Super Bantam: Julian E Aristule (23-4) W TKO 2 Oscar F Orozco (20-3-2). Dramatic win for Aristule. Defending his IBF Latino title for the second time Orozco took the first round as he stalked the retreating southpaw around the ring launching wild attacks with swings from both hands and Aristule boxing on the retreat and countering. Same in the second but Orozco’s wild swinging was leaving him wide open. With his back to the ropes Aristule nailed him with a left to the chin. Orozco staggered backwards across the ring but somehow remained on his feet. Instead of trying to claim Aristule Orozco again had his chin exposed as he threw his wild swings and a tremendous left cross crashed into his jaw. Another left landed on his chin but he was already on his way down landing on his back. Somehow he made to his feet but was staggering backwards on unsteady legs and with his second having waived the towel the referee stopped the fight over. “The Wasp” Aristule, 29, the FAB No 7, was coming off two losses in a row and now has 14 wins by KO/TKO. Orozco, 27, FAB No 3, had lost only one of his last 21 fights going in but was so wide open he was asking for trouble and blew a 20 July fight with Carl Frampton. Probably just as well for him.

 

Istres, France: Light Middle: Jimmy Colas (32-9) W PTS 8 Youssouf Doumbia (8-17-3). Haitian-born Colas, 33, bounces back from a September loss to Jackson Osei Bonsu with a wide unanimous decision over Doumbia. The 33-year-old, a former European Union champion relinquished his French light middle title due to problems making weight and is now No 7 middle with the FFB. Five losses in his last 6 fights for fellow-Frenchman Doumbia.

 

Calais, France: Super Feather: Romain Jacob W TKO 5 Martin Cardona (17-1). Brilliant display of boxing from the young French prospect. Jacob, 24, dominated the fight with his jab and the unbeaten Mexican just never got into the fight. Jacob was sitting down on his punches in a third round that was painful for the Mexican. Jacob continued to punish Cardona in the fourth. In the fifth Jacob shook Cardona with a hard right and the referee stopped the fight. Jacob wins the Vacant IBF Youth title and is hoping to use this as a platform to launch a bid to fight for the IBF title in 2014. Cardona, 21, has a misleading record as his wins have been over very poor opposition.

 

Halle an der Saale, Germany: Light Heavy: Dominic Boesel (12-0) W PTS 10 Chris Mafuta (12-4). Cruiser: Dennis Ronert (18-0) W PTS 10 Gogita Gorgiladze (13-2).

Boesel vs. Mafuta

Boesel retains his WBO Youth title with a unanimous decision over Congolese-born, German-based Mafuta. Boesel starts fast and has Mafuta under fire in the opening round. After that the fight settled down with Boesel back to his usual counter-punching style. Mafuta was pressing the action, but Boesel kept his boxing together, only rarely allowing Mafuta to drag him into exchanges and he finished the stronger. Boesel, 23, wins on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-92. He has good skills, but lacks a finishing punch. “Black Magnum” Mafuta, 23, had won 3 of his last 4 going in.

Ronert vs. Gorgiladze

Ronert wins the IBF Youth title with wide decision over Georgian. “The Bomber from the Rhine” took the early rounds with good counter-attacking skills and was able to get through with hard shots all the way. The action slowed in the middle rounds with Ronert doing the cleaner work and building a big lead. The Georgian finished strongly but had left his effort too late. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. First time 21-year-old Ronert has had to go ten rounds and he paced it well and stayed focused. Gorgiladze, 19, was having only his second fight outside Georgia having been stopped in four rounds by Ilunga Makabu in South Africa for this same title in February.

 

Osini, Italy: Welter: Gianluca Frezza (20-2-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Luciano Abis (33-4-1). Fly: Andrea Sarritzu (34-6-4) W PTS 6 Sergei Tasimov (10-43-3).

Frezza vs. Abis

An uninspiring drab fight is overshadowed by the post fight riot in the ring. After two boring rounds local fighter Abis took control in the third as he caught the aggressive visitor with countering rights and hard uppercuts. Frezza continues to roll forward and over the closing rounds his pressure begins to tell and it was a close fight. Frezza retains his Italian title for the third time in a split decision with scores of 96-94, 96-95 and 94-97. Frezza, 33, extends his unbeaten run to 14 bouts. Former European Union champion Abis, also 33, lost only one of his first 33 fights, but is now 2-3 in his last five. He had been rated No 17 by the EBU but has blown that rating. After the fight the ring was invaded and punches were thrown leading to a full scale riot inside the ring that needed the intervention of the police. A sad night for Italian boxing

Sarritzu vs. Tasimov

Sarritzu too fast and easily dominates travelling loser Tasimov. The 37-year-old former European champion and IBF and WBO flyweight title challenger wins every round. Estonian Tasimov has won just one of his last 34 fights and lost to Sarritzu on points in 2011.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Ryo Li Lee (20-3-2) W PTS 12 Shogo Ishikawa (10-4). Lee wins the vacant OPBF title with unanimous verdict over No 5 contender Ishikawa. Over the first three rounds these two fought on even terms. Lee had a big edge in both experience and quality of opposition and used his superior skills to just edge in front over the next four rounds. Knowing from the open scoring that he was behind Ishikawa tried to force the pace over the last four rounds. Both fighters suffered cuts, Lee over his left eye and Ishikawa over both eyes. Lee showed his experience as he boxed his way to victory over those late rounds. Scores 117-112, 116-112 and 116-113. Lee, 31, who also boxes as Retsuri Lee, is a former WBA super bantam champion. This was his second try at winning the OPBF title in this division having drawn with Filipino Cirilo Espino in February. Ishikawa, 30, the OPBF No 5 was jumping from eight round fights to twelve for the first time.

 

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Bantam: Jonathan Lecona (13-13-2) W TKO 7 David De La Mora (25-4). Light Fly: Moises Fuentes (17-1-1) W PTS 10 Gerardo Verde (18-6-1). Bantam: Hanzel Martinez (20-1) W KO 4 Cesar De La Mora (3-5-1).

Lecona vs. De La Mora

Lecona springs yet another surprise as he halts former WBA title challenger De La Mora. The 27-year-old southpaw had De La Mora down with a left in the first. De La Mora took a while to shake off the effects of that but seemed to be getting back into the fight with his superior boxing. However, the body shots from Lecona were having their effect. In the eighth a furious attack saw De La Mora go down on one knee. He got up but was taking more punishment when his corner waived the towel and the referee stopped the fight. Lecona looked a safe opponent as he had lost inside the distance five times and was 2-4 in his last six fights. However, he holds wins over prospect David Gaspar, Ramon Maas and Enrique Bernache and had former IBF super fly Rodrigo Guerrero on the floor before losing to him. De La Mora, 25, won his first 23 fights but then lost to Koki Kameda for the secondary WBA title and to Anselmo Moreno for the full title. In October he was well beaten by Ryosuke Iwasa so failed in this fight to get a badly needed win.

Fuentes vs. Verde

Former undefeated WBO straw champ Fuentes gets a clear win but is hampered by a cut. Fuentes used his advantages in height, reach and power to dominate from the start. He seemed to be cruising towards victory when a clash heads in the fourth round left Fuentes with a deep and long cut on his left eyebrow. That threw Fuentes for a round, but then he was back in control boxing well and scoring with hard shots to head and body. Verde was always dangerous but never really threatened. Scores 99-91 from all three judges. Fuentes, 27, is No 1 with the WBO and is looking for a return with Donnie Nietes after they boxed a draw for the light flyweight title held by Nietes in March. Verde, 28, has never lost inside the distance. He lost to Ivan Calderon for the WBO straw title in 2005.

Martinez vs. De La Mora

“El Tornadito” Martinez, 21, made it a bad night for the De La Mora clan as he kayoed Cesar in four rounds. This was a good fight for three rounds with De La Mora showing good skills. In the fourth Martinez finally nailed him and floored De La Mora twice with the loser having no chance of beating the count after the brutal second knockdown. The down side for Martinez was that a butt from De La Mora opened a bad cut on his right eyebrow. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for Martinez. This was his first fight since suffering a crushing two round kayo loss to Alejandro Gonzalez in a clash of unbeaten prospects in February.

 

La Paz, Mexico: Light Welter: Jose Lopez (18-3-1) W PTS 12 Fernando Silva (8-7-2). Light Welter: Mahonri Montes (28-2-1) W TKO 3 Daniel Valenzuela (32-16-2).

Lopez vs. Silva

Lopez has tough time with late substitute Silva and is pushed all the way. In the end the skill, experience and power of Lopez saw him get the win, but Silva was in the fight until he tired over the closing rounds. Scores 116-112 twice and 114-113. “Piston”, 23, lost a close decision to Humberto Soto for the WBFederation welter title in November but had bounced back with a cuts win over Mahonri Montes in March. “Flintstones Silva did well as he is just a prelims 4-6-8 round fighter.

Montes vs. Valenzuela

Montes eases back into the winning column with stoppage of experienced Valenzuela. The 21-year-old “Russito” has 21 wins by KO/TKO. He was unbeaten in his first 26 fights but then went 2-2 with losses to Silverio Ortiz and “Piston” Lopez.

 

Glenfield, New Zealand: Middle: Gunnar Jackson (15-4-3) W PTS 10 Daniel Roy Maxwell (1-15-1). Jackson moves down to middle and wins vacant New Zealand and WBFederation Oceania titles with unanimous points victory over poor Maxwell.  The former national amateur champion again shows a lack of punching power. Maxwell came in as a late substitute, but should a guy with a 1-15-1 record be fighting for a title?

 

Belfast, N Ireland: Welter: Matt Wilton (7-0) W PTS 8 Ideh Ochuko (5-11). Fly: Luke Wilton (14-3-1) W PTS 6 Kallum De’Ath (4-1). Bantam: Zhanat Zhakiyanov (20-1) W TKO 4 Mike Escobar (7-9). Bantam: Ryan Burnett (2-0) W KO 2 Elemir Rafael (25-70-1)

Wilton vs.Ochuko

A good night for the Wilton clan. Belfast-based Londoner Matt looked to be in for an early night as he floored Nigerian Ochuko early in the first round. Ochuko was not badly hurt and proceeded to force Wilton to fight all the way. The better boxing of Wilton gave him the edge, but Ochuko also had moments, particularly in the fourth when he hurt Wilton with a right. Wilton chose to mix it with Ochuko over the second half of the fight which provide great value for money for the crowd and despite a cut suffered in the last round he finished strongly to get the referee’s nod by 77-74. A good learning fight for the 23-year-old in his first eight round contest. London-based Ochuko has lost 8 of his last 9 fights but always goes the distance.

Wilton vs. De’Ath

Wilton given a very hard fight by late sub De’Ath. To De’Ath’s advantage was that he had been fighting at around 120 lbs whereas Wilton is a natural flyweight. De’Ath was unbeaten and confident and used his superior power and size to boss the first two rounds. Wilton had to absorb some stiff body shots but from the third he was the busier and more active fighter and was able to keep De’Ath on the back foot. Wilton was landing more often, but De’Ath was getting through with the harder punches so it was always going to be a close decision. It went to Wilton by 58-57.

Zhakiyanov vs. Escobar

EBU mandatory challenger Zhakiyanov just too strong for Spanish-based Nicaraguan. The Ricky Hatton team boxer was coming forward from the first bell and applying pressure. However Escobar had never previously lost inside the distance and he showed good punch resistance and stood up well for three rounds. In the fourth Escobar was finally overwhelmed and the referee stepped in to save him. The 25-year-old Zhakiyanov has 13 wins by KO/TKO including seven in his last seven fights. Seven losses in a row for Escobar.

Burnett vs. Rafael

Good night for the Hatton stable as new boy Burnett makes it two quick wins in two outings. The 21-year-old from Belfast floored Rafael just before the bell at the end of the first round. He continued the barrage in the second and just after the 2 minute mark a left hook put the Slovakian down and out. In 2010 in the space of less than four months Burnett won a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and a silver at the World Youth Championships in Baku fighting at 48kg but has grown into a bantamweight and looks a great prospect. Loss No 70 ! for Rafael.

 

Montebello, USA: Light Heavy: Ismayl Sillakh (21-1) W TKO 1 Alvaro Enriquez (12-12-2). More farce than fight. The much bigger Sillakh was chasing little Enrique around the ring with the Mexican only stopping now and then to swarm in with his head down and arms flailing. Finally a wicked left hook to the body puts Enriquez down in agony and the fight is immediately waived off. Second win for the 28-year-old Californian-based Ukrainian since upset loss to Denis Grachev in April last year and victory No 15 by KO/TKO. Mexican Enriquez has lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Ontario, USA: Super Bantam: Chris Martin (27-2-3) W KO 5 Raul Hidalgo (20-9). Super Bantam: Efrain Esquivias (16-2-1) TEC DRAW 2 Victor Sanchez (5-6-2).

Martin vs. Hidalgo

Mexican Hidalgo looked to be on his way to victory in this fight until Martin woke up. Hidalgo was forcing the fight from the first and easily outscoring a static Martin. Hidalgo was in charge and was getting through with good combinations particularly to the body. Martin got through with some body punches of his own at the end of the third but then went back into sleep mode. Hidalgo rocked Martin in the fourth and Martin was forced to fight off the ropes for most of the round. Finally in the fifth Martin went back to the body. A punch downstairs forced Hidalgo to retreat and a volley of body shots saw Hidalgo down and out, The “SD Kid” made this tough for himself. After being unbeaten in his first 25 fights the 26-year-old Martin went loss-draw-loss in bouts against Jose Beranza, Teon Kennedy and Luis Orlando Del Valle, but has won his last four fights including a close decision over Beranza. Hidalgo, 24, is 4-4 in his last eight with the other three losses being to AJ Banal, IBF title challenger Alberto Guevara and Ivan Morales.

Esquivias vs. Sanchez

This fight never really got started. In the first round a clash of heads left Texan Sanchez with a bad cut over his right eye. Early in the second round the referee stopped the fight so that the doctor could examine the injury. It was allowed to continue but the cut continued to bleed and the referee stopped the fight with the result being given as a technical draw.

 

Ignacio, USA: Heavy: James Toney (75-8-3-2 ND) W PTS 8 Kenny Lemos (12-8-2). We just don’t need “fights” like this. These two went through the motions for eight rounds with Toney doing what little scoring there was. Lemos 6’1” (185cm) weighed a gigantic 291 ¾ lbs (130kg) so could only plod at best. Initially Lemos was declared the winner with Toney storming out of the ring. He was then called back as the scores were in fact 77-75 twice and 79-73 for him. That decision caused a minor riot with the police having to break thing up. The 44-year-old Toney has tarnished his image with these farcical “fights” as he has gone from a Hall of Fame certainty to an unrecogniseable fat effigy.

Kissimmee, USA: Light Welter: Vicente Mosquera (33-2-1) W TKO 7 Cosme Rivera (35-17-3,1ND). This bout had to be thrown together quickly when Joan Guzman disgracefully came in 8.2lbs over the limit for the proposed interim WBA light welterweight title fight against Mosquera. Rivera came in at short notice with all of the disadvantages that entails. Rivera is a slow starter and former WBA super feather champion Mosquera took control from the first. He used a powerful jab to keep Rivera on the back foot and was slowly breaking down the 36-year-old Mexican. Mosquera stepped-up the pace in the fourth and was getting through with heavy shots that former IBF/WBA/WBC title challenger Rivera had no answer to. After six painful rounds Rivera retired in his corner and did not answer the bell for round seven. “El Loco” Mosquera, 33, has won nine in a row. He lost time out of his career when he was wrongly imprisoned and this night should have been his crowning glory, but was rendered meaningless by Guzman. Three losses in a row for Rivera, but this one was excusable.

 

Jacksonville, USA: Middle: Sergio Mora (24-3-2) W PTS 10 Grzegorz Proksa (29-3).Light Middle: Patrick Teixeira (20-0) W PTS 10 Marcus Willis (13-3-2).

Mora vs. Proksa

Mora keeps his career alive with close but unanimous verdict over Proksa. Mora had big advantages in height and reach and southpaw Proksa did not really press to get inside in the early rounds. He continued to let Mora to box at a distance and dictate the pace allowing Mora to steal the rounds. Proksa did score with some good shots but they were too rare and when he did get inside he did not really capitalise on the opportunity. Mora was having only his second fight in 19 months and his first since losing to Brian Vera in August, but he seemed the sharper fighter and Proksa was unable to stage the strong finish he needed. “The Latin Snake” wins on scores of 96-94 twice, which seemed generous to an off form Proksa, and 98-92. With Proksa No 5 with the WBA, this was a big win for the 32-year-old former WBC light middle champion. Pole Proksa fought the wrong fight and paid for it. The former undefeated European champion may have found his level.

Teixeira vs. Willis

Young Brazilian hope Teixeira was taller and faster but Willis proved a tough nut to crack. At times the Brazilian gave up his physical advantages to trade with Willis and that resulted in Teixeira suffering a bad cut over his left eye in the fourth. Willis showed smarts in combating the taller, harder punching Brazilian, but Teixeira was always doing enough to take the rounds. Willis was badly hurt by a right in the seventh and in deep trouble as Teixeira tried desperately to take him out. Willis survived and was fighting back by the end of the round. Both fighters tired over the closing rounds with Willis looking the stronger and taking 2 of the last 3 rounds. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. The 22-year-old Brazilian has impressive looking figures, but built on the back of abysmal opposition. This was the first vestige of a real test and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. Willis had lost only one of his last eleven fights, and that was to world rated Jorge Melendez.

 

Charenton, USA: Light: Mason Menard (25-1) W KO 5 DeShaun Williams (5-14-1). Light Middle: Travis Scott (15-0) W PTS 8 Larry Smith (10-16-1).

Menard vs. Williams

Menard gets rid of a competitive Williams in the fifth. Menard was pressing the action and getting through with heavy shots whenever he could corner the determined visitor. Williams was getting through with shots of his own but did not have the power of the local. Although Williams was down briefly in the third he seemed to be taking the Menard punches and fighting back. It was an exciting fight but the power of Menard’s punches were having their effect. In the fifth a perfect left hook put Williams down and he could not beat the count. The 24-year-old “Rock Hard Mighty” from nearby Rayne has 18 wins by KO/TKO and has won his last 23 fights in a row. Texan Williams has won only one of his last seven fights, but gave Menard some tough moments.

Scott vs. Smith

Baton Rogue’s “Dirty Red” Scott wins the UBO All American title with wide unanimous verdict. Scott just had too much of everything for Texan Smith. He was able to box on the outside and thread his punches through Smith’s guard. The problem was that he was throwing one or two punches at a time and not pressurising Smith enough. It was a one-sided bout with Scott doing enough to win easily but not really opening up until the last round. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 32-year-old Scott has talent and hopefully trainer Chad Broussard can get him to show more of it. Smith usually goes the distance, but his team needs to do something about the “Slow Motion” nickname. Get on board guys. “Smasher Smith”?

 

Albuquerque, USA: Light Middle: Joe Gomez (19-7-1) W TKO 5 Cris Cabral (5-1-1). Gomez has the edge in height, reach and experience and once Cabral had done his best over the opening two rounds Gomez took over. Cabral had won those two rounds as Gomez is a renowned slow starter. However a left from Gomez at the end of the second started a swelling under the right eye of Cabral. From the third Gomez gradually broke down Cabral with a body attack and was pounding away at the younger fighter in the fifth when the referee stopped the fight. The 28-year-old Gomez had lost 5 of his last 6 fights so needed to stop the rot. Cabral, 19, just did not have the power or stamina to stand up to the more experienced Gomez and will struggle against any quality opponent.

 

June 29

 

Mashantucket, USA: Middle: Gennady Golovkin (27-0) W KO 3 Matt Macklin (29-5). Super Middle: Thomas Oosthuizen (21-0-2) DREW 10 Brandon Gonzales (17-0-1,1ND). Light Middle: Willie Nelson (21-1) W PTS 10 Luciano Cuello (32-3). Light Welter: Danny O’Connor (21-1) W PTS 8 Hector Munoz (21-11-1). Super Bantam: Luis Rosa (14-0,1ND) W PTS 8 Jose Angel Beranza (36-27-2). Light Middle: Dusty Hernandez Harrison (16-0) W PTS 6 Ben Ankrah (17-16 ).

Golovkin vs. Macklin

Once again Golovkin wins big and shows he is the main man at middleweight and probably the hardest pound-for-pound puncher around today. Both fighters started cautiously with Golovkin stalking Macklin and the Brit circling the ring and prodding out his jab. Golovkin was looking dangerous with his right and at the end of the round a straight right saw Macklin stagger back into the ropes only for the bell to go before Golovkin could follow-up. Golovkin came out fast in the second and again a right sent Macklin staggering to the ropes. Golovkin continued to stalk Macklin, but at the end of the round Macklin stood and exchanged with the champion and got home with some good shorts from both hands. However he was cut by the left eye in a clash of heads in the round. Macklin seemed to want to mix it with Golovkin in the third and again had some early success. However with Macklin on the ropes Golovkin threw an uppercut through the middle of Macklin’s guard and then landed a wicked left hook to the body. Macklin went down in agony and was still writhing on the canvas at the end of the count. He was down for a good many minutes and needed medical assistance before he finally made it back to his feet. Once again the power and hand speed of the 31-year-olf Kazak was too much for a challenger and he retained his WBA and IBO titles and makes it 14 inside the distance wins in a row and a total of 24 wins by KO/TKO. Macklin, also 31, was coming off back-to-back losses but had shown he was genuine world class in losing a very controversial split decision to Felix Sturm and had taking Sergio Martinez into the eleventh round.

Oosthuizen vs. Gonzales

The lanky South African IBO champion nearly finds a banana skin in unfancied Gonzales. Although rated No 10 by the IBF (really No 8) Gonzales was having his first ten round fight. He fought as though it was a six round fight getting off early and building a lead and landing hard shots whilst southpaw Oosthuizen just could not get untracked. The South Africa woke up in the second half of the fight but was still not able to really dominate with Gonzales able to get through with power punches. Oosthuizen finished big hurting Gonzales with a right in the last round but looked to have blown the fight. The judges saw it differently and saved Oosthuizen’s face with scores of 98-92 for Gonzales, 96-94 for Oosthuizen and 95-95. “Tommy Gun” shot himself in the foot as an impressive displayed might have put him in with a chance of a fight with one of the top super middles. At 25 he has time on his side but needs to take some lessons away from this one. At 29 Gonzales is now someone and he can look for some good paydays, but how a guy who has never fought more that 8 round fights (and only four of them) can be rated No 10 in the world only the IBF know.

Nelson vs. Cuello

The big guy beat the little guy, but only just. The 6’3” (191cm) Nelson had all of the physical advantages over the 5’9 ½” (177cm) Cuello and made good use of them over the first nine rounds. Nelson used his height and reach to control this fight from the outside, but the “Little Prince” has been in with some tough opposition and used that experience to make it uncomfortable for Nelson. Nelson was troubled by a cut over his right eye from the first round and Cuello was able to get inside and work more than he should have. Nelson was able to score with his jab and build a lead but it was never a wide or comfortable one, but enough for Cuello to need a kayo going into the last. The 29-year-old Argentinian nearly got it as he stunned Nelson with a right in the opening exchanges. Nelson was also cut again in serious trouble and had to back peddle at speed and hold for the rest of the round to be there at the finish. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. Nelson, 26, retains the NABF title. He had crashed the ratings with wins over Yudel Jhonson, John Jackson and Mike Medina and is No 3 with the WBC. Cuello, 29, had lost a hotly disputed decision to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in 2009 and been stopped in six rounds by Saul Alvarez for the WBC Silver title in 2010 but had won his last six fights and was WBC No 13.

O’Connor vs. Munoz

O’Connor wins wide decision but makes it harder from himself than it needed to be. The southpaw, a former United States and Golden Gloves champion, had the speed and southpaw skills to outbox the 35-year-old Munoz. Whilst he did that some of the time too often he elected to stand and trade. It made for an entertaining fight but not a smart fight by O’Connor. This showed in the two bad cuts that O’Connor suffered on his way to a win on scores of 79-73 from all three judges. Seven un-testing victories for 28-year-old O’Connor since losing a wide decision to Gabriel Bracero in 2011. Munoz is now 2-7 in his last nine fights.

Rosa vs. Beranza

Rosa gets eight rounds from the much favoured “opponent” Beranza. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican seems to have lost his punch as he has scored only one win by KO/TKO in his last nine fights. He took this one by 79-72 from all three judges. Mexican Beranza, 37, fights anyone anywhere and is used to give promising youngsters a good test.

Harrison vs. Ankrah

Dusty, real name Arturo Hernandez with the Harrison being his mother’s name (he is of Puerto Rican descent), moves to 16 wins with a unanimous decision of Ghanaian Ankrah. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55. Eight fights in 2012 and five already in 2013 so the 19-year-old is keeping busy. Ankrah, 33, is also keeping busy but going the other way with five losses in 2013.

 

Bolton, England: Super Middle: Paul Smith (33-3) W TKO 6 Tony Dodson (29-8-1). Light: Anthony Crolla (26-4-1) W PTS 12 Gavin Rees (37-3-1). Light Middle: Brian Rose (24-1-1) W PTS 10 Alexey Ribchev (14-7-1). Super Bantam: Scott Quigg (26-0-1) W KO 2 William Prado (21-4-1). Light Welter: Thomas Stalker (5-0) W KO 1 Gyula Vajda (11-3). Light Middle: Erick Ochieng (14-1) W PTS 6 Simone Lucas (4-17-3).

Smith vs. Dodson

Smith regains the British title with stoppage of previous victim Dodson in this all-Liverpool battle. “Smigga” virtually decided this one in the third when he floored Dodson with a fierce left hook. The former champion made to his feet unsteadily but fought back well. However, Smith now knew he could hurt Dodson and was looking for the finish. In the sixth, with Dodson also badly cut, a huge right had Dodson reeling and the fight was stopped. The 30-year-old Smith had outpointed Dodson in a bloody title defence in 2010. He had his hopes severely dented by stoppage losses to James DeGale and George Groves but there are some good domestic fights for him out there. Dodson, 32, had held the British title back in 2003. He was stopped in three rounds by Ovill McKenzie for the Commonwealth light heavy title in February last year and was 180lbs for his last fight.

Crolla vs. Rees

Crolla wins this much anticipated fight but only just. Former WBA light welter champion Rees got off to a flier taking the first two rounds. From the third Crolla came into the fight scoring well with overhand rights. The rounds were close with both having their moments and Crolla opening a cut by the left eye of Rees. Crolla seemed to take over again in the eighth and ninth to make up for the better start by Rees and the Welshman was also cut again in a clash of heads. This time over the right eye. It was anyone’s fight going into the last third and it was Crolla who produced the better finish to take the majority verdict. Scores 116-113, 115-113 and 115-115. Former British champion “Million Dollar” wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title, but the win was worth more than the title and will give Crolla’s career a huge boost. Having won the British title with a wide points victory over Willie Limond in 2011 Crolla dropped the title in his first defence being floored and halted by Derry Matthews in April last year. He had drawn with Matthews in a fight for the vacant Commonwealth title in March this year but may now set his sights much higher. Rees hinted retirement. The gutsy little 33-year-old Welsh fighter’s only other losses were against Andriy Kotelnik in 2008, which cost him his WBA title, and Adrien Broner for the WBC title in February. If he does retire he can be proud of his 2007 upset win over Souleymane M’baye for the WBA title and his record as unbeaten British and European lightweight champion.

Rose vs. Ribchev

Rose fails to impress against modest Bulgarian. The British champion and WBO No 9 laboured to subdue the useful Ribchev. He lacked his usual zip and looked listless. Later it was revealed that he was carrying a shoulder injury and should perhaps have given this fight a miss. He won clearly but the referee’s 99-93 score looked too one-sided. Rose is better than this and there was no real need to take this one if he was not 100%. Ribchev has not lost inside the distance and gave Anthony Fitzgerald a tough fight early last year.

Quigg vs. Prado

Interim WBA champion just too good for Brazilian. Quigg was always in charge although Prado did try to make a fight out of it. Quigg dropped Prado with a right in the third and Prado was counted out. Just a mark-time fight for 24-year-old Quigg as he waits for the big fights. First loss inside the distance for Prado. He lost a wide decision to now WBO bantam champion Paulus Ambunda in July, but came close to causing an upset against Frenchman Jeremy Parodi in October.

Stalker vs. Vajda

Tall southpaw Stalker makes it two first round wins in a row as he kayos poor Hungarian opponent. Stalker had Vajda down three times. The 28-year-old Stalker, a Commonwealth Games gold medal winner and captain of the 2012 British Olympic boxing team, has skill and power and is one to watch. Third loss by KO/TKO for Vajda.

Ochieng vs. Lucas

Kenyan-born Ochieng extends his winning run to nine fights as he outpoints Burundi-born Lucas. The English champion and EBU No 17 floored Lucas in the fifth and the referee had him the winner by 59-54

 

Bella Vista, Argentina: Super Bantam: Diego Silva (29-2-4) DREW 12 Nestor Paniagua (22-7-2).

Silva vs. Paniagua

Great little scrap between two experienced fighters. Silva was the boxer and Paniagua the puncher and their styles made for an entertaining ten rounds. Silva used his superior hand and foot speed to get his shots off in the early rounds with Paniagua stalking and looking to get home with big shots. Silva had built a good lead by the half way point, but from the on Paniagua was able to shorten the distance and was stalking Silva. Although Silva was still the busier he lacked the power to keep Paniagua away and he was badly rocked by rights in each of the last three rounds. Paniagua’s corner was the one celebrating at the final bell, and Silva looked dispirited. However, two of the judges decided Paniagua had not done enough to cancel out Silva’s early lead. Scores 95-95 twice and 96-95 for Paniagua. Silva, 29, retains his WBO Latino title. The former Argentinian and South American champion had run up five wins since losing in three rounds to Fernando Montiel for the interim WBO bantam title in 2009. Paniagua, 33, was having his first fight since June 2011 and looked unlucky not to get the decision, but it was a lovely little fight.

 

Newcastle, Australia: Light Welter: Chad Bennett (32-4-3) W TKO 5 Ebenezer Lantei Lamptey (22-2). Welter: Lenny Zappavigna (29-2) W TKO 1 James Armah (19-4). Heavy: Kirk Lawton (2-1) W RTD 2 Eric Esch (77-9-4).

Bennett vs. Lamptey

Bennett retains WBA Pan African and WBO Asia Pacific titles with stoppage of Ghanaian. The 40-year-old local was bossing this fight from the start. He broke through in the third flooring Lamptey. The Ghanaian lasted out the round, but only delayed the ending as Bennett was teeing-off on Lamptey in the fifth when the referee stopped the fight. Rated WBO 7 and WBA 13 Bennett was calling out Danny Garcia, but that is a pipe dream. Now 23 wins by KO/TKO for Bennett and eight wins in a row but all against modest, unrated opposition. Lamptey, 27, has impressive looking figures, but matching in Ghana over the past 2-3 years has been abysmal with 18 of his victims never having won a fight.

Zappavigna vs. Armah

Old Father Time and a young Zappavigna were too much for former double Commonwealth champion Armah in a bad night for Ghanaian fighters. Zappavigna nailed Armah early and never let him off the hook. The referee stopped the fight on the third knockdown. “Zappa”, 25, a former IBO champion and IBF title challenger makes it four wins since back-to-back losses in 2011 to Miguel Vazquez for the IBF light title and Ammeth Diaz in an IBF eliminator. Third loss inside the distance for 37-year-old Armah with the other two being against Bennett last year.

Lawton vs. Esch

End of the road for “Butterbean” I hope. The 46-year-old fat man has somehow managed to get through 91 fights with no ability, but more asa a comical curiosity. The official ending was due to a shoulder injury suffered by Esch. The 41-year-old Australian Lawson was having his first “fight” since 2005. The sport should be able to do without farces such as this.

 

Richmond, Australia: Light Welter: Gairy St Clair (45-12-2) W PTS 10 Roberto Oyan (20-39-5). Guyanese-born St Clair, 38, makes it four points wins in a row with unanimous decision over experienced Filipino. The former IBF/IBO super feather champion was just too skilful for the game Oyan who he had beaten over six rounds last time out. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Sydney-based Oyan is 2-14-1 in his last 17 fights with only one of those 14 losses being inside the distance. Difficult to know where St Clair can go from here, but if he keeps winning the possibility of another big fight is there.

 

Ninove, Belgium: Cruiser: Ismail Abdoul (49-27-2) W PTS 12 Ben Nsafoah (15-9-2). Cruiser: Bilal Laggoune (10-0-1) W PTS 10 Christophe Dufaux (13-8). Welter: Sasha Yengoyan (24-1-1) W KO 2 Zoran Cvek (7-25-4).

Abdoul vs. Nsafoah

Perennial trial horse Abdoul wins WBFederation Intercontinental title. The 36-year-old Belgian took a wide unanimous verdict over the defending champion the German-based Ghanaian Nsafoah. Scores 120-107, 120-108 and 119-111. In 78 fights the only time Abdoul has failed to last the distance was back in 2002 when he was stopped by Krzys Wlodarczyk. He loses all the big ones, but is too good for opposition such as Nsafoah who has now lost four in a row.

Laggoune vs. Dufaux

Minor upset as Laggoune wins Belgian title with wide unanimous decision over champion Dufaux. Laggoune’s superior skills and speed gave him the edge in nearly every rounds. He had Dufaux badly hurt with a right at the end of the sixth but Dufaux survived. Both fighters continued to throw punches at the end of the ninth, but the referee quickly intervened to prevent things getting out of hand. Laggoune, 20, a former Belgian amateur champion, wins on scores of 100-90 twice and 100-91. Dufaux, 30, had impressed in winning the Belgian title by halting experienced Geoffrey Battelo in February, but was well beaten here.

Yengoyan vs. Cvek

Terrible match sees Yengoyan just avoid disqualification in win over poor Croat Cvek.  Yengoyan had Cvek down in the first and twice more in the second. A third knockdown seemed to come from a punch that landed after the bell. Third win since losing his unbeaten tag against Aslanbek Kozaev in September for the tall Armenian-born “Beast from the East”. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Cvek needs to find another hobby. He has 21 losses inside the distance and has lost eight and drawn one of his last nine fights

 

Herstal, Belgium: Welter: Steve Jamoye (14-0) W PTS 8 Innocent Anyanwu (21-9-3). Due to an injury to brother Stephane young Jamoye was elevated to the main event. The 22-year-old prospect lacks any punching power but boxed his way to a win over his more experienced foe. Anyanwu, 34, continues to slide. The Dutch-based Nigerian has lost eight and drawn one of his last nine fights.

 

Santiago, Chile: Light: Oscar Bravo (21-3 W PTS 8 Jorge Fredes (9-3,1ND). Bravo wins unanimous decision but injures his right hand in the process. “The Machine” was having his first fight for almost two years and was hard pressed by his Argentinian opponent. Fredes lived up to his “Little Mexican” nickname and stood in front of Bravo and applied pressure in every round. Bravo’s better boxing kept him in front and he nearly ended the fight in the seventh when he staggered Fredes with a right. The Argentinian was badly hurt, but Bravo did not follow up his advantage. He had broken his right hand and used only the left in the last round. Scores 78-76 twice and 80-74 with the last not being a real reflection of the fight. Bravo, 25, has lost on the road to Will Tomlinson, Matias Ferreyra and Emmanuel Tagoe but will now be rebuilding at home. Fredes had won his last two fights and was competitive in this his first eight round fight and his first fight outside Argentina.

 

Liberia, Costa Rica: Light: Bryan Vasquez (31-1) W TKO 4 Eugenio Lopez (32-26-1). Vasquez halts Mexican Lopez in four rounds. The 25-year-old local had set himself two new challenges, to spend time first studying his opponents, and to use his right more. He followed that plan by not opening up until the third when he floored Lopez with a right to the body. Two more knockdowns from rights hands ended the fight in the fourth. Now 17 wins by KO/TKO for Vasquez and two quick wins since losing to Takashi Uchiyama for the WBA super feather title in December. Lopez is 4-3 in seven fights this year.

 

Arezzo, Italy: Light Middle: Orlando Fiordigiglio (16-0) W TKO 6 Giuseppe Langella (19-9-4). Cruiser: Salvatore Erittu (22-1) W PTS 6 Tony Visic (8-11-1).

Fiordigiglio vs. Langella

Fiordigiglio wins vacant European Union title. Much the taller boxer, Fiordigiglio, the local fighter and the Italian champion, shows good skills finding Langella with fast accurate jabs. Langella tries to get inside to work, but is forced to take hard counters from both hands to head and body and his work is ragged. In the third Langella gets a warning for coming in with his head low but continues to come forward and has some success. In the fourth Fiordigiglio again dominates with his jab and Langella’s work rate drops. The fifth sees Langella floored by a left hook and he is again wild with his attacks. The end comes in the sixth when a right uppercut to the body sends Langella to his knees. He gets up but after tasting a left hook from Fiordigiglio he turns away and the referee stops the fight. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for 28-year-old Fiordigiglio. Langella, 32, a former Italian welter champion has now won only one of his last six fights.

Erittu vs. Visic

First fight since shock inside the distance loss to Giulian Ilie in September 2011 for Erittu. The rust shows and it takes Erittu four rounds to get into his stride. Croat Visic made Erittu work hard for the win. Erittu had Visic shaken in the fifth but the Croatian recovered well. A clear decision victory for Erittu in the end.  At 32 time is not on Erittu’s side and he needs to quickly find the form that saw him win his first 21 fights. Visic is a travelling loser who usually goes the distance.

 

Apatzingan, Mexico: Super Fly: Jose Salgado (32-2-1) W KO 5 Toyoto Shiraishi (23-8-1). “Sugar” Salgado halts Japanese opponent and retains NABF title for third time. Salgado almost blew Shiraishi in the first round, but the Japanese fight survived the storm. Salgado took the second and seemed on his way to an early stoppage. In the third a clash of heads saw Salgado cut badly on his left eyebrow and the referee took a point of Shiraishi for a butt. Salgado stepped-up his attacks knowing that the cut was bad. In the fifth a thunderous right crashed into the left side of the jaw of the Japanese fighter and he went down and out. The punch broke Shiraishi’s jaw. Now 26 wins by KO/TKO for 24-year-old Salgado. He blew his big chance when he lost on a split decision to Liborio Solis for the interim WBA title in 2011. That’s his only loss in his last 15 fights. He is No 7 with the WBC. Shiraishi, 27, is the OPBF No 12 and this was only his second loss by KO/TKO.

 

Windhoek, Namibia: Light Heavy: Harry Simon (28-0) W TKO 2 Zoltan Kiss Jr (29-15-3). Feather: Gottlieb Ndokosho (13-3,1ND) W TKO 3 Ibrahim Mostafa (13-5-2). Simon vs. Kiss

Easy win for Simon in his first fight for a year. He was looking to get this over quickly and punished his modest Hungarian opponent with hard shots from both hands in the first. In the second round Kiss was down twice and under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Another attempt by the former undefeated WBO light middle and middle champion to continue his stuttering career. This was only the second fight since December for the 41-year-old Namibian whose career was curtailed by a two-year sentence for “culpable homicide” following a car accident back in 2002. Kiss, 38, moves to 14 losses by KO/TKO.

Ndokosho vs. Mostafa

Ndokosho retains his IBF Continental title with stoppage of Egyptian Mostafa. The challenger made a good start, but by the end of the first round Ndokosho was getting through with heavy shots. With the local fighter keeping up the pressure in the second Mostafa began to wilt. Ndokosho was against handing out punishment early in the third and with nothing coming back from Mostafa the fight was stopped. Now four wins in a row for the tall Namibian who lost to Australian Luke Jackson in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Mostafa was a poor opponent. This was his first fight since 2009 and only his second since 2007.

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Light Welter: Walter Castillo (22-2) W TKO 3 Rossemberth Gomez (16-4-1). Bantam: Jose Rios (9-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Carlos Osorio (10-4). Light: Carlos Winston Velasquez (21-16-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Shoky Sakai (13-2).Light Fly: Luis Rios (11-2-1,1ND) NO DEC 1 Jose Cordero (7-2-2,2ND).

Castillo vs. Gomez

Castillo wins as Gomez fails to come out for the third round. The first round saw Castillo teeing off on Gomez who was walking in behind a high guard and swinging wildly. Castillo was able to slam through jabs and rights to head and body as Gomez spent too long standing in front of him and not working. The referee stopped the fight late in the round-for Gomez to have his pigtail tied more tightly-surely a first. It was more of the same in the second as again Castillo was allowed to tee off on Gomez as he walked forward. Things warmed-up in the middle of the round as Gomez decided to let his hands go. However, he was leaving even more gaps for Castillo and over the last minute it was all Castillo as he drove Gomez around the ring with hard shots to head and body. Gomez did not go down, or seem badly hurt, but he retired in his corner. Castillo continues his good run with just one loss in his last 23 fights and that a split decision against Vicente Mosquera in Panama when a point deduction cost him a draw. The 24-year-old WBA No 8 is a big, strong light welter with a stiff jab and a good punch. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO. First loss inside the distance for Gomez.

Rios vs. Osorio

Rios came close to ending this early as he had Osorio down in both the first and second round. Osorio recovered well and it was a close fight from then on with Rios taking the unanimous verdict and the vacant Nicaraguan title on scores of 96-93 twice and 96-92. First ten round fight for 23-year-old Rios. Osorio, 22, was coming off a third round kayo loss to Manuel Vides in May, but did well to come back after that bad start.

Velasquez vs. Sakai

Velasquez just squeezes past Mexican-based Sakai on a split decision. It was a close battle all the way with the busier Velazquez just deserving the nod. Scores 78-74, 79-75 and 76-77. Velasquez had lost 3 of his last 4 going in. First bout outside Mexico for Japanese Sakai who had won his last five fights.

Rios vs. Cordero

All over early as a clash of heads sees the younger Rios brother cut over the left eye and the fight stopped. This was a National title eliminator so they may do it again soon. They had fought a draw in a four round fight in 2011.

 

Ostroda, Poland: Light Heavy: Hadillah Mohoumadi (15-3-1) W TKO 7 Pawel Glazewski (20-2). Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (14-0) W PTS 12 Andrei Isaeu (23-4). Light: Michal Chudecki (6-0-1) W PTS 8 Krzys Szot (17-6-1). Middle: Maciej Sulecki (15-0) W PTS 6 Daniel Urbanski (21-13-3).

Mohoumadi vs. Glazewski

Mohamoudi wins vacant WBO European title with victory over highly rated Pole. The all-action Frenchman was in charge in this one from the start. His usual all-out aggression gave Glazewski no room to work and a series of uppercuts shook the Pole. Glazewski has a particularly good left hook and he managed to get a counter through in the second. Mohoumadi went down briefly but it was ruled a slip. Again in the third it was Mohoumadi doing the scoring as he worked away inside with both hands. The fourth saw both fighters trading shots, but Glazewski emerged with a bad cut over his left eye and the beginning of a swelling under the eye. The pressure continued in the sixth with Glazewski having to fight off the ropes as Mohoumadi swarmed forward. In the seventh, with Glazewski having limited vision from the cut and the swelling by his left eye and Mohoumadi landing heavily with shots from both hands the Pole slumped onto one knee and the referee stopped the fight. Big win for the 32-year-old perpetual motion French champion. Mohoumadi will give any fighter trouble with his all-action style and good chin. I thought he deserved at least a draw with James DeGale in October. Glazewski, 30, went to hospital after the fight but luckily there were no fractures on his swollen face. He had scored three wins in trying to get back on track after losing to Roy Jones in June last year but is back at square one with more rebuilding to do.

Laszczyk vs. Isaeu

Pole retains WBO Inter-Continental title for first time. The action was fast and furious over the first three rounds as the Belarus fighter started quickly trying to force the Pole to fight on the back foot. Laszczyk made Isaeu’s pay as he scored with fast accurate counters. The pace slackened a little from the fourth as Isaeu slowed his pace. Laszczyk showed excellent skills using good movement and threading hard fast jabs through the defence of Isaeu. The Pole was cut on the left eyebrow in the seventh but that did not affect his workrate. Isaeu is a good quality fighter and he kept the bout competitive to the end trying hard to find the punch to turn things around against the elusive Laszczyk. Scores 116-112 from all three judges. Toughest test so far for 22-year-old Laszczyk and he came through it well. Third loss in his last four fights for Isaeu but the others were on points against Oleg Yefimovych for the European title and to Rendall Munroe. This was his first fight since that loss to Munroe in April 2011 and he deserves to get more fights on this showing.

Chudecki vs. Szot

Chudecki wins this battle of former top amateurs. Szot knew he could not match Chudecki for skill so he tried to take the younger man to the ropes and keep it a close-quarters scrap. Chudecki was too smart and quick to let that happen. He was firing off fast, accurate combinations and using good footwork to stay off the ropes. As the rounds went on Szot’s work became ragged and try as he might he could not get Chudecki to stand and trade. Szot just had no answer to the skills of Chudecki and was a clear loser. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. Big things are expected from the 27-year-old Chudecki who represented Poland at the 2007, 2009 and 2011 World Championships but he looked less than sensational in scraping a draw against Chris Steele (3-5) in North Bergen in April. This will have given him back some gloss. Szot, 35, was Polish amateur champion for seven consecutive years from 2001 to 2007 and beat Alex Arthur. Things have fallen apart for him over the past 15 months as he has gone 2-5 in his last 7 fights but he took Brunet Zamora to a majority decision in a European Union bout in his previous fight in February.

Sulecki vs. Urbanski

Sulecki remains unbeaten with points win over Urbanski. The 24-year-old Polish prospect was the superior boxer and handed out plenty of punishment but the rugged fellow-Pole did not crumble. Sulecki tried hard to finish it over the last three rounds but Urbanski was still there at the finish although a clear loser. Despite his talent that lack of punching power could hold Sulecki back. Only one of his last ten wins have come inside the distance. Six losses in a row for Urbanski.

 

Secunda, South Africa: Super Bantam: Evans Mbamba (18-3-1) DREW 12 Mario Briones (24-3-2). The vacant WBFederation title remains vacant after this majority draw. An evenly fought bout saw neither fighter dominate. Briones was the busier fighter but his shots had more quantity than quality. Southpaw Mbamba, 31, found the Mexican easy to catch with counters but did not have the power to end things. There was more action over the second half of the fight with Mbamba happier in close and Briones using the ring well to keep pout of trouble. Neither fighter was able to produce a strong finish and a draw looked about the right result as neither had done enough to convince the judges. Scores 114-114 twice and 117-111 to Mbamba. Mbamba had been a world rated fighter but losses to Tomas Rojas for the interim WBC super fly title in 2009 and to Vic Darchinyan in 2011 for the IBO bantam title knocked him back. He took a year out after the Darchinyan loss and was beaten by Miniyakhe Sityatha on his return in October last year. Somehow that qualified him to fight for the WBFederation title. Briones, 27, had won his first 21 fights, but losses to AJ Banal, Roberto Vasquez and Mario Munoz had dented his hopes. However, he had won his last three in a row including a big win over highly touted Ramon Maas (26-2) in February

 

London, England: Cruiser: Menay Edwards (11-2) W PTS 10 JJ Ojuederie (14-9-1). Welter: Bradley Pryce (34-13) W PTS 8 Michael Lomax (19-5-1).

Edwards vs. Ojuederie

Edwards makes it 7 wins in his last 8 fights and collects the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title. The referee saw 28-year-old “Emperor” Edwards the winner on a score of 97-94. In addition to his win over former British champion Shane McPhilbin in March this victory puts him in line for a shot at the British title. Now 5 losses in his last 6 fights for Ojuederie.

Pryce vs. Lomax

Pryce wins this battle of veteran’s who badly needed a win to keep their career alive. This was a very close contest with both fighters desperate for the win, but neither really able to dominate. It was one that could have gone either way but the former Commonwealth champion got the nod by 76-75. Pryce, 32, after beating Lomax in 2011, had been 2-5 in his last seven fights but all against good quality opposition. Southpaw Lomax, 34, was trying to get back on track after stoppage defeats against Frankie Gavin and Matthew Hatton.

 

Thackerville, USA: Super Feather: Daniel Diaz (20-5-1) W PTS 10 Robert Marroquin (23-3). Welter: Brad Solomon (20-0) W KO 5 Henry Aurad (14-8-1).

Diaz vs. Marroquin

Diaz gets upset decision over former WBA title challenger. The first round was a nightmare for young Texan Marroquin. A right from Diaz put Marroquin down heavily. He made it to his feet only to be floored by another right. To add injury to insult he seemed to have hurt his right knee. To his credit Marroquin was not gun shy and got back into the fight. Diaz still in front at the mid point but as the rounds went on Marroquin was eating into his lead. Over the last six rounds Marroquin generally had the better of things but Diaz was dangerous and stole enough rounds to just about hold onto his lead. Scores 96-92 twice for Diaz and 95-93 for Marroquin. Nicaraguan Diaz, 27, had mixed in good company having lost to Koki Kameda in a challenge for the secondary WBA bantam title, losing to Hugo Cazares over twelve rounds and only being edged out by prospect Jerry Belmontes on a majority decision in April. Marroquin, 23, may have been hampered by that leg injury but the loss is a step backwards. He had lost on points to Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBA title in September, and then bounced back with a stoppage of Antonio Escalante.

Solomon vs. Aurad

Solomon makes another rare appearance and kayos Colombian Aurad. Solomon had Aurad down three times and finished the bout in the fifth. Back in 2010 Solomon was the WBA No 1 but he was inactive from his March 2011 win over Demetrius Hopkins until last July. Now 30, the Lafayette-based fighter was a three-time National Golden Gloves champion beating guys such as Danny Garcia, Demetrius Andrade and Javier Vargas and looked a sure fire future champion. Now he has a lot of time to make up. Aurad no real test. He is 2-7 in his last nine fights.

 

Berne, Switzerland: Light Middle: Riad Menasria (34-2-1) W PTS 8 Ludovic Duval (7-13). Menasria wins but it is not pretty. Too much holding and wrestling and not enough action. The 37-year-old Algerian-born Menasria wins on scores of 78-74 twice and 80-72. His sixth win in a row on the road to nowhere. Frenchman Duval is 2-9 in his last eleven but has only twice failed to last the distance.