The Past Week in Action August 15th 2022

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

The Past Week in Action 2022

Highlights:

-Teo Lopez returns to action as a super lightweight and stops Pedro Campa in seven rounds

-There are wins for Andres Cortes, Xander Zayas, and Jose Durantes Vivas and for Olympians Troy Isley and Duke Ragan

-Uzbek super lightweight moves to 23 wins beating Angel Martinez in five rounds

-Ecuadorian super middleweight Carlos Gongora halts Oscar Riojas in the fourth and super lightweight improves to 18-0-1 with points victory over Saul Corral

– There are wins in Tashkent for Olympic gold medallists Hebert Conceicao and Fazliddin Gaibnazarov.

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

August 13

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Light: Teo Lopez (17-1) W TKO 7 Pedro Campa (34-2-1). Super Feather: Andres Cortes (18-0) W PTS 8 Abraham Montoya (20-4-1). Super Welter: Xander Zayas (14-0) W TKO 5 Elias Espadas (22-5,1ND). Feather: Jose Durantes (22-2) W Edy Valencia (19-8-6,1ND). Middle: Troy Isley (7-0) W PTS 6 Victor Toney (6-2-1). Feather: Duke Ragan (7-0) W PTS 6 D’Angelo Fuentes (7-1). Super Light: Omar Rosario (8-0) W PTS 6 Esteban Munoz (6-2).

Lopez vs. Campa

Lopez moves up a division and returns with a win.

Both fighters were probing with jabs in the first. Campa was coming forward behind his jab and landed a good burst of punches but Lopez blocked or dodged them and hit back hard at the bell. Campa  was on the front foot at the start of the second but was leaving himself open and paid for that as Lopez scored with clubbing punches to the head. Undeterred Campa continued to advance and pinned Lopez in a corner a couple of times but with Lopez blocking the shots and again countering well but it was a cautious start from Lopez. He let Campa come forward onto counters in the thirds. Campa was throwing lots of punches and getting through with some but Lopez was using some clever defensive work and Campa didn’t seem to have the power to hurt Lopez who finished the round by connecting with three rights to Campa’s head. Lopez cracked Campa with a left hook early in the fourth but Campa took it well and continued his forward march landing some good shots but again Lopez finished the round well throwing less but connecting with more. Lopez landed a couple of strong rights at the start of the fifth and although Campa was still chasing and still throwing punches a lot of fire had gone out of his work. Lopez was pinging him with counters but Campa scored enough to make the round close. The pace dropped a little in the sixth although the pattern stayed the same with Campa forcing but Lopez picking him off and Campa had a heavy swelling alongside his left eye. Early in the seventh Lopez dropped Campa with a right followed by a left hook. Campa was up at eight but the swelling was covering much of his vision. Campa tried to take the fight to Lopez but Lopez was landing some fierce shots and a series of punches to the head had Campa bending under the storm and the referee stopped the fight. Plenty of power and skill on show from Lopez as he shakes off some dust from almost nine months out. He is already calling out Josh Taylor but might need another fight before that. Campa applied plenty of pressure and it was useful ring time for Lopez but Campa was never a real threat.

Cortes vs. Montoya

Cortes boxes his way past an aggressive Montoya. Cortes was on the back foot for most of the fight as Montoya came forward throwing some quality punches. It was the skill and movement that won the fight for Montoya. Good footwork made it hard for Montoya to pin Cortes down, but he never stopped trying. Cortes is not a big puncher and he was not looking to stand and trade and his fast, accurate counters gave him the edge. Montoya might have been credited with a knockdown when a right sent Cortes falling into the ropes but Cortes recovered quickly and no count was given and Cortes boxed his way through the seventh and eighth. Scores 79-73 on all three cards for Cortes which gives no indication of how hard he had to work to get the win. Cortes is collecting some useful scalps having beaten Filipinos Genesis Servania and Mark Bernaldez. Montoya has lost to Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov  and on a majority decision in March to Gabriel Flores

Zayas vs. Espadas

Zayas gets his tenth inside the distance victory with stoppage of useful Espadas. Zayas floored Espadas with a counter left hook in the opening round but Espadas recovered and traded with Zayas in the second. Zayas rocked Espadas three rimes in the third but was also caught by some strong shots from Espadas. Zayas was given a stern warning after a low punch in the fourth but he landed heavily with jarring jabs and left hooks to the body. In the fifth a left hook followed by a right to the head sent Espadas stumbling across the ring and down. He was up quickly but the referee felt he had taken too much punishment and stopped the fight. The Puerto Rican teenager continues to show outstanding talent. Mexican Espadas was 13-1,1ND going into this fight with the loss coming against unbeaten Yamaguchi Falcao.

Vivas vs. Valencia

Vivas comes out on top by a split decision after a war with fellow Mexican Valencia. Both looked to take control early so it was punch-for-punch from the start. Vivas had slight edges in work rate and accuracy but Valencia stayed inside as they exchanged jarring and jolting shots. Vivas established a slight lead but Valencia has a good chin and good stamina and finished strongly to make it close. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Vivas (family name is Durantes but he uses his mother’s family name in the ring) and 77-75 for Valencia. The losses for Vivas have come against Ruben Villa and 20-2-2 Eduardo Baez on a majority verdict. Southpaw Valencia has not been stopped and has faced strong opposition including unbeaten Thomas Ward and Jessie Magdaleno.

Isley vs. Toney

Isley gets some more pro rounds under his belt as he outpoints Toney. In some ways it was too comfortable for Isley as although his skill level was so much higher than that of Toney he never seemed to be in top gear. Isley boxed on the front foot early with Toney showing some nice movement but little aggression and Isley never really pressing hard. Isley upped the pace in the third and Toney was livelier. Toney seemed to rock Osley with a right in both the fourth and fifth but Isley finished the rounds strongly and boxed his way to victory. Scores 59-55 twice and 60-54 for Olympian Isley.

Ragan vs. Fuentes

Ragan shines as he boxes his way to another win. Fuentes tried to take the fight to Ragan but Ragan was too slick and easily dealt with the attacks from Fuentes catching him with jabs and chopping rights. Ragan scored heavily to head and body in the second but his legs shook from a left late in the round which probably went to Fuentes. Ragan was back on track with some classy boxing over the third and fourth countering the aggression of Fuentes. In the fifth a right to the head had Ragan rocking and a fired-up Fuentes attacked hard but again Ragan came back well and took the sixth. Scores 58-56 twice and 59-55 for Ragan, The Tokyo silver medallist is long on skill but short on power with only one inside the decision victory. Ragan was a big step-up in level of opposition for Floridian Fuentes.

Rosario vs. Munoz

Rosario comes through a tough test with victory over Munoz. Rosario scored well in the first two rounds marking Munoz up with bruising around his eyes. Munoz kept pressing and over the middle rounds he had the better of the exchanges and the fight looked level after the fourth. Rosario then produced the stronger finish tom take the decision on scores of 58-56 twice. Rosario, 24, was Puerto Rican national champion three times. He has won his last four fights on points so again may be light in the power stakes. Munoz had won his last four fights.

 

Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Middle: Hebert Conceicao (1-o) W Danny Mendoza (6-9). Welter: Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (11-1) W TKO 1 Jaider Parra (33-4-1).Super Feather: Jadier Herrera (8-0) W TEC DEC 7 Mauro Perouene (14-7-1). Super Bantam: Shakhobidin Zoirov (5-0) W KO 1 Jerson Larios (7-9). Heavy: Lazizbek Mullojonov (5-0) W TKO 2 Michael Bassett (2-5). Super Bantam: Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov (2-0) W RTD 3 Islam Torobaev (0-1).

Conceicao vs. Mendoza

Brazil’s Tokyo gold medal winner turns pro with a win. Steady start from Conceicao in his first pro fight as he let Mendoza barrel forward in the first just probing with jabs and then putting together some classy combinations. In the second Conceicao exploded with punches snapping Mendoza’s head around and after Conceicao had connect with six thumping rights the referee stepped in to save Mendoza. Conceicao won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, silver at the Pan American Games and a bronze at the World Championships. Eight defeats in a row for Spanish-based Nicaraguan Mendoza who started out as a super feather but is now fighting at super middle.

Gaibnazarov vs. Parra

Gaibnazarov blows away Parra in the first round. Southpaw Gaibnazarov had Parra backing up from the start. He forced him to the ropes and dropped him with two left hooks and with Parra kneeling with his face on the canvas the referee just stopped the fight. Sixth inside the distance finish for 31-year-old Gaibnazarov who failed to medal at the 2012 Olympics but bear Jose Ramirez in an early round and went on to win gold in 2016. Venezuelan Parra, 39, was having his first fight since a sixth round kayo loss against Yvan Mendy in December 2019

Herrera vs. Perouene

Dubai-based Cuban Herrera wins on a technical decision over Argentinian Perouene. The fight ended in the seventh as the South American was unable to continue due to a cut and teenager Herrera won the unanimous decision but no scores available. Perouene was beaten by Dalton Smith on a sixth round retirement in June.

Zoirov vs. Larios

Very impressive punching show by southpaw Zoirov as he puts Larios down and out in the first round with a massive straight left. As an amateur in putting together a 103-28 record Zoirov won gold at the 2016 Olympics the 2019 World Championships and at the Asian Games. Seven defeats in a row for Spanish-based Nicaraguan Larios

Mullojonov vs. Bassett

Uzbek southpaw Mullojonov beats Britain’s Michael Bassett with the visitor’s corner throwing in the towel in the second round to save their man. The 23-year-old 6’3 ½” Mullojonov is a former World Military Champion and beat the UK’s Delicious Orie at the 2021 World Championships. Third loss by KO/TKO for Bassett.

Mirzakhalilov vs. Torobaev

Local boxer Mirzakhalilov wins his first pro fight as Torobaev’s team pull him out of the fight after three one-sided rounds. Mirzakhalilov took gold at the Asian games and World Championships but lost to Ireland’s Kurt Walker in Tokyo.

 

August 10

 

Detroit, MI, USA: Super Light: Shohjahon Ergashev (23-0) W TKO 5 Angel Martinez (14-2-2). Light Heavy: Ali Ismailov (9-0) W PTS 10 Eric Murguia (14-1).Bantam: Prince Dzanie (23-0) W KO 2 Juan Medina (14-12).

Ergashev vs. Martinez

Detroit-based Uzbek Ergashev shatters Martinez in five rounds. Martinez was on the floor in the first minute in what looked a genuine knockdown but it was ruled Ergashev had pushed Martinez there. Martinez took the fight to Ergashev but Ergashev used a straight right arm to measure Martinez then hit him with left counters. In the fourth a right staggered Martinez and his knee momentarily touched the canvas and he was given a count. Martinez was shaken a couple more times in the fourth and Ergashev ended it in the fifth. A straight left dropped him on his back just twenty seconds into the round. After the count Martinez lunged forward throwing punches and another left put him on the floor. He only just made it to his feet and after Ergashev landed some more lefts the referee stopped the fight. Ergashev, the IBF No 4, has 20 wins by KO/TKO. He has good movement and power in his left but is ready for a higher level of opposition. Martinez was coming off consecutive draws in his last two fights.

Ismailov vs. Murguia

Ismailov proves too powerful for modest but clever Murguia. Ismailov was connecting with some good body punches over the first two rounds and then stepped up the pressure in each succeeding round. Murguia tried to trade but Ismailov had the harder punch and the better skills and slowly beat Murguia down. Ismailov went for a stoppage in the last but Murguia did not crumble and Ismailov had to settle for a points win. Scores 100-90, 98-92 and 99-91 for the Detroit-based Russian who wins the vacant USBA title. Murguia had won his last ten fights inside the distance against very mediocre opposition.

Dzanie vs. Medina

Ghanaian “Octopus” Danzie launches a late campaign in the USA with a second round kayo of Dominican Medina. A right to the head sent Medina down and out early in the second round. Danzie, 37, a former Ghanaian champion, was having his first fight outside of Ghana and only his second fight in three years. Seventh time Medina has lost by KO/TKO.

 

Guasave, Mexico: Super Welter: Jesus Vega (22-3-2) Drew 8 Ivan Alvarez (31-14-3). Light Fly: Leobardo Lopez (16-0) W TKO 1 Gerardo Verde (19-9-1). Bantam: Willibaldo Garcia (17-5-1) W RTD 4 Hector Ruiz (13-9-1). Light: Benjamin Anderson (14-2) W TKO 1 Alejandro Quintero (13-9-2).

Vega vs. Alvarez

Vega salvages a draw from this close, technical battle with visitor “Iron Alvarez” no scores available. Vega could not afford to lose having been knocked out in one round by 19-1 Damian Sosa in April. Typical no luck outcome for southpaw Alvarez who always seems to fight in the other guys home town having lost recently in Romania, Germany and Ecuador.

Lopez vs. Verde

Lopez wins one for the locals as he finishes Verde with a left to the body. All over in 102 seconds for the 22-year-old and win No 11 by KO/TKO. Third inside the distance defeat in a row for Verde in 2022.

Garcia vs. Ruiz

It took three rounds for Garcia to catch Ruiz. He then handed out steady punishment with Ruiz retiring at the end of the fourth. Garcia is 7-1 in his last eight contests with the defeat being a very creditable split points loss to Paul Butler in June last year. Ruiz was also defeated by Paul Butler but back in 2016.

Anderson vs. Quintero

Anderson ended this one early as he halted Quintero in 1:20 of the opening round. The 22-year-old from Ensenada has put together a 9-bout winning streak with 7 quick finishes. Quintero had won his last four fights.

 

August 12

 

Mar del Plata, Argentina: Cruiser: Franco Acosta (12-0) W KO 3 Jean Mina (8-2). Super Feather: Ayrton Gimenez (16-0) W TEC DEC 8 Lucas Montesino (8-4-1).

Acosta vs. Mina

Argentinian champion Acosta pounds Ecuadorian Mina to defeat in three rounds. Acosta was already finding the target with his long reach in the first. With Mina not showing much Acosta stepped up his attacks in the second and then finished Mina in the third. Mina tried to trade punches with Acosta but was caught by a right uppercut to the head and a wicked left hook to the body that had Mina squirming on the canvas in agony and he was counted out. The 6’3 ½” local makes in nine wins by KO/TKO and collects the WBA Fedelatin belt. First fight outside of Ecuador for Mina.

Gimenez vs. Montesino

Gimenez gets off the floor to take a unanimous technical decision over Montesino. With the fight just two minutes old Montesino connected with a right to the head that sent Gimenez down heavily. He made it to his feet and saw out the round. Montesino continued to hunt an elusive Gimenez down and another right in the third had Gimenez badly shaken. From there Gimenez used his speed and better skills to outbox Montesino. In the eighth their heads banged together as they were trading punches and both reeled back with cuts on their forehead and as neither could continue it was decided on the scorecards with the three judges giving it to Gimenez 78-73, 77-74 and 76-75.

 

Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina: Middle: Nahuel Garcia (12-0) W KO 1 Yeison Gonzalez (16-9).

Another power show from southpaw Garcia as he stops Gonzalez in the first round. A fierce attack had Gonzalez stunned and eh was given a standing count but the referee took the count all the way to ten as Gonzalez was unable to continue.  Eighth consecutive inside the distance win for Garcia and the eleventh in his twelve fights. Venezuelan Gonzalez suffers his eighth loss by KO/TKO.

 

Neuquen, Argentina: Super Welter: Gino Godoy (28-2) W KO 4 Omar Correa (6-8-1).

Godoy extends his unbeaten run to 22 as he puts away Correa in the fourth. Godoy landed some punishing body shots over the first two rounds. In the third he floored Correa with a body shot. Another knockdown came early in the fourth from a body punch and although Correa made it to his feet he was down again from a series of punches and the fight was over. Now eighteen victories by KO/TKO for 34-year-old Godoy who despite his impressive looking record has never fought for a title. Second inside the distance in a row for Correa.

 

Prescott Valley, AZ, USA: Super Bantam: Tramaine Williams (20-1) W PTS 10 Jetro Pabustan (31-10-6). Light Fly: Mohammed Aryeetey (7-0-1) DREW 8 Jeronil Borres (11-7-2).

Williams vs. Pabustan

“Mighty Midget” Williams gets back on track with unanimous decision over experienced Filipino southpaw Pabustan on scores of 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94 in a competitive scrap. Williams lost a unanimous decision against Angelo Leo for the vacant WBO bantam title in his last fight in August 2020. Williams is a former National Golden Gloves champion and beat Gary Antonio Russell and Antonio Nieves but his career has been interrupted by some jail time. Pabustan fought above expectation as he had been 2-5 coming in to this one.

Carbajal vs. Mesquita

As with Williams Carbajal was also coming back from an important loss with a knockout of Brazilian Mesquita in the third round. Carbajal was scoring well with strong jabs and left hooks to the body. Mesquita had his moments but in the third a left hook to the body and a clubbing right to the head put him down and he was counted out. Carbajal had an 18 bout winning run ended when losing to Leo Santa Cruz in February. Mesquita has lost tough jobs against Jono Carroll and Carlos Balderas.

Aryeetey vs. Borres

Ghanaian teenager “Golden Boy” Aryeetey has his first fight outside of his own country and looks unlucky not to get the decision as the judges came nowhere near agreeing as they scored it 78-74 for Aryeetey 79-73 for Borres and 76-76.

Aryeetey  19yo 5’3” Golden Boy, 5 wins id, 1 o/s Ghana fly champion

 

August 13

 

Melrose, MA, USA: Super Middle: Carlos Gongora (21-1) W TKO 4 Oscar Riojas (28-16-1). Super Light: Mykquan Williams (18-0-1) W PTS 8 Saul Corral (30-19). Light Heavy: Juan Carrillo (8-0) W TKO 3 Victor Fonseca (18-12-1).

Gongora vs. Riojas

Gongora celebrates signing a contract with the Di Bella team with a stoppage of Riojas. The Boston-based Ecuadorian southpaw almost made it a very early night as he floored Riojas twice in the first round. Riojas made it out of the round but was taking a beating in the fourth when the referee stopped the fight. Last time out Gongora lost his IBO super middle title on a split decision against Lerrone Richards. Riojas had enjoyed a nice little run of seven wins but was stopped in five rounds by Joe Ward in April.

Williams vs. Corral

Williams remains unbeaten as he outboxes seasoned Corral and takes the unanimous verdict on scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 24-year-old Williams is making steady progress. Six defeats in a row for Corral.

Carrillo vs. Fonseca

Former Elite level amateur Carrillo gets his sixth inside the distance victory with stoppage of Fonseca. After withstanding a strong start from Fonseca Carrillo took control in the second with Fonseca constantly pinned against the ropes taking punishment. A left to the body in the third sent Fonseca down on his knees and the referee stopped the fight. Colombian Carrillo competed at the World Championships and the 2016 Olympics and collected a silver medal at the Pan American Games. Seventh loss by KO/TKO for Fonseca but he has been matched tough.

 

Cutral Co, Argentina: Light Yamila Abellaneda (14-5-1) W PTS 10 Sofia Rodriguez (5-6). Welter: Leandro Fonseca (13-0-1) W PTS 10 David Romero (12-18-1).

Abellaneda vs. Rodriguez

Abellaneda retains the Argentinian Female title with majority decision against Rodriguez. Over the first half of the fight southpaw Abellaneda made good use of her longer reach and better skills to dominate. Rodriguez had more success with body punches in the fifth and sixth but Abellaneda came back to take the seventh and then held off a strong finish from Rodriguez and looked a clear winner. Scores 97-93 twice for Abellaneda and 95-95. Abellaneda is 8-1-1 in her last 10 fights with the lost coming against Terri Harper in Mach and this is her third points win over Rodriguez.

Fonseca vs. Romero

Hurricane” Fonseca remains unbeaten with a unanimous verdict over Romero. This fight also saw the eventual winner control the early rounds. Fonseca stamped his authority in the early action with his jab and straight rights and from the third. It was the seventh round before Romero put Fonseca under any real pressure but Fonseca worked his way to victory with some accurate counter shots. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94 for Fonseca who has won his last twelve fights. Only one win in his last fifteen bouts for Romero

 

Nadi, Fiji: Light Heavy: Renold Quinlan (14-11) W KO 3 Savenaca Naliva (14-4-1,1ND). Super Middle: Siliveni Nawai (13-6-2) W PTS 10 Abhay Chand (24-19-5).

Quinlan vs. Naliva

Quinlan dismantles limited Naliva in three rounds. Easy fight for Quinlan. Naliva was crude and limited and Quinlan landed with strong shots over the first two rounds. In the third he rocked Naliva with a left hook to the head and then blasted him into the ropes and down on his back and Naliva was counted out. Quinlan, 33, who is of Fijian antecedents, won the IBO super middle title back in 2016  with second round kayo of former IBF and WBA middle champion Daniel Geale but lost it to Chris Eubank Jr in his first defence. Since then he had gone 2-9 so he was badly in need of a win. Three consecutive defeats for Naliva.

Nawai vs. Chand

In an all-Fijian clash Nawai took a unanimous verdict over lanky Chand. No scores available. Both were on bad runs with Nawai 1-6-2 on his last 9 bouts including a previous win over Chand and Chand 1-3-1

 

Hamburg, Germany: Heavy: Ihor Shevadzutskyi (10-0) W PTS 8 Kevin Johnson (35-20-1). Super Light: Volkan Gokcek (10-0) W PTS 8 Gabor Gorbics (26-31-2).

Shevadzutskyi vs. Johnson

Shevadzutskyi gets the decision over Johnson but only really put the fight beyond doubt over the closing rounds. Shevadzutskyi constantly had Johnson under pressure but Johnson boxed well and found plenty of gaps for his punches. It was only when Johnson tired that Shevadzutskyi pulled ahead to take the verdict. Referee’s score 78-75 for Shevadzutskyi. The Ukrainian “Hulk” had recently been involved in the fighting in his home country. He competed for the Ukrainian Ottomans in the WSB.

Gokcek vs. Gorbics

Turkish hope Gokcek gets eight rounds of work against seasoned pro Gorbics. Gokcek was too quick for Gorbics who was a late choice as an opponent. Gokcek started slowly and then upped his pace with Gorbics the bigger man, never threatening but making Gokcek work hard. Referee’s score 78-73 for Gokcek. Gorbics is on a winless 0-19-2 run and as he usually goes the distance gets plenty of work.

 

Orlando, FL, USA: Light: Wesley Ferrer (17-1-1) W PTS 8 Jayson Velez (30-8-1).

Brooklyn’s Ferrer wins the vacant NBA Inter-Continental belt with a majority decision over Puerto Rican Velez on scores of 77-75 twice and 76-76. Fifth win in a row for Ferrer. Velez has been in some challenge bouts losing to Oscar Valdez and Gabriel Flores.

 

August 14

 

Santiago, Chile: Fly: Andres Campos (14-0) W PTS 10 Gilberto Pedroza (21-10-2).

Fighting in his home city Chilean champion Campos makes a third defence of the WBO Latino title with unanimous decision over Panamanian Pedroza by scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93. Pedroza was coming off a couple of reasonable wins over Dexter Marques and Pedro Villegas.

 

Kobe, Japan: Fly: Ryuya Yamanaka (18-3) W PTS 8 Jonathan Taconing (29-5-1).

In a bout reduced to eight rounds former WBO minimum title holder Yamanaka outpointed Filipino southpaw Taconing. No scores available but Yamanaka won all the way and launched a fierce attack in the eighth but Taconing fought hard and made it to the end. Yamanaka lost the WBO title when outpointed by Vic Saludar in July 2018 and only returned to action with a win last March. Taconing has come up short in three title shots.

 

Osaka, Japan: Super Feather: Masanori Rikiishi (12-1) W TKO 4 Tomjune Mangubat (15-4-1). Heavy: Mitsuro Takjima (2-0) W TKO 1 Sung Min Lee (7-3-1). Fly: Azael Villar (18-1-3) W TKO 1 Ryo Miyazaki (26-2-3). Super Feather: Jeo Santisima (22-4) W TKO 5 Hiroshige Osawa (37-5-4).

19

Rikiishi vs. Mangubat

Rikiishi retains the OPBF title with fourth round stoppage of Mangubat. Southpaw Rikiishi bossed from the start with his right jab. In the fourth he produce a wicked left uppercut that sent Mangubat down heavily and the referee just waived the fight over. First defence of the title for Rikiishi. Last time out in March Mangubat was stopped in the twelfth round by Charly Suarez.

Takjima vs. Sung

Takjima wins the vacant Japanese title as he stops Lee in the first round. He rocked Lee with a heavy right and after a right uppercut snapped Lee’s head back the referee came in to save Lee. Takjima set a new record by winning the national title in only his second fight. A former Japanese amateur champion at 81kg(178lbs) he was 264lbs for this fight and took just 69 seconds for his win having previously won his first pro fight in 56 seconds. Korean champion Lee is now 0-2-1 in his most recent fights.

Villar vs. Miyazaki

Huge shock as Panamanian danger man Villar takes just 2:43 of the opening round to stop Miyazaki. Villar stunned Miyazaki with a left hook and then poured on the punches forcing the referee to come in to save Miyazaki. After being unbeaten in his first 17 fights Villar was stopped in one round by Nicaraguan Jerson Ortiz but had then scored four wins back home  in Panama and was rated No 9 by the WBC. He has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Miyazaki, 32, a former WBA minimum title holder was out for over five years before returning in December 2021 and winning two fights.

Santisima vs. Osawa

Filipino Santisima also scores a win for the visitors as he beats experienced former title challenger Osawa. Santisima put Osawa down with a left hook in the third and repeated the feat in the fifth with the same punch and the fight was immediately stopped. Santisima lost on an eleventh round stoppage in a challenge for the WBO super bantam belt in 2020 and in his last fight lost on a ninth round stoppage against Joet Gonzalez. Osawa lost to Oscar Valdez in a fight for the WBO feather title back in 2016.

 

August 15

 

Cannes, France: Super Middle: Kevin Lele Sadjo (18-0) W TKO 3 Badri Gogichashvili (11-19-5). Light: Yurik Mamedov (16-2) W PTS 10 Javier Clavero (30-10). Super Welter: Milan Prat (17-0,1ND) W TKO 3 Giorgi Kankava (3-7-1). Super Welter: Bakary Samake (9-0) W TKO 3 Apisit Sangmuang (9-2-1).

Sadjo vs. Gogichashvili

European champion Sadjo punches too hard for Georgian Gogichashvili and stops him in the third. Sixteen inside the distance victories for the 32-year-old “Phenomen”. Gogichashvili suffers his eighth defeat by KO/TKO.

Mamedov vs. Clavero

Russian-born Frenchman Mamedov makes a successful defence of the WBA Continental belt with a unanimous decision over Argentinian Clavero on scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94. Third win in a row for Mamedov. Clavero usually goes the distance with only one loss inside the full route.

Prat vs. Kankava

Easy night for European Union champion Prat as he stops Georgian Kankava in three rounds. Ninth consecutive inside the distance win for Prat. Kankava is 1-6 in his 7 most recent fights.

Samake vs. Sangmuang

In a battle of 19-year-olds French prospect Samake wins on a third round stoppage over Thai Sangmuang. Sixth win by KO/TKO for Samake. First fight outside of Thailand for Sangmuang

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Teo Lopez vs. Pedro Campo as Lopez now becomes a threat at super lightweight

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Great mix of styles saw Jose (Durantes) Vivas and Edy Valencia provide eight rounds of action.

Fighter of the week: Teo Lopez as a force again

Punch of the week: The left hook from Argentinian Franco Acosta that finished Juan Mina was spectacular but I go for the powerful straight left from Shakhobidin Zoirov that ended his fight with Jerson Larios.

Upset of the week: Azael Villar’s first round stoppage of former WBA title holder Ryo Miyazaki shocked the locals

Prospect watch: Uzbek bantamweight Shakhobidin Zoirov 4-0 (2) has class and power

 

Observations

Rosette Good matching saw Andres Cortes, Troy Isley Duke Ragan and Omar Rosario get useful rounds under their belt

Red Card To the promoters of the Tevin Farmer vs. Mickey Bey and Lorenzo Simpson vs. Tyi Edmonds as the fights are called off at the last minute as the promoters “didn’t fulfil their obligations”.

-Ukrainian heavyweight Ihor Shevadzutskyi seems to have a leg he can unscrew when it suits him. He was 301lbs when he turned pro in June 2019. Went down to 257lbs for a fight in June 2021 and was 290lbs for his fight with Kevin Johnson at the weekend.

– The big show in Osaka on Saturday was the first from Koki Kameda the former WBA light fly and WBC fly title holder as well at one time holding the secondary WBA bantamweight belt.

– Mitsuro Brandon Tajima who set a new record for Japanese boxing when he won the national title in only his second fight is an interesting character. He was born in Japan to a Japanese father, who died just two months after Tajima’s birth, and a Brazilian mother and retained his Brazilian citizenship. He won the Japanese amateur title at 178lbs in 2015 and had aimed to try for the team for the Rio Olympics but delays with his naturalisation and injuries prevented that and he gave up boxing in early 2020. The pandemic delayed the launch of his professional career. He is 5’11” and boxed at 178lbs as an amateur. He was 264 ½ lbs on Sunday so almost 100lbs heavier!!

-Quite a weekend for former amateur stars with the following in action (plus some other Olympians)

Las Vegas

Duke Ragan Tokyo Silver, World Championships Silver, Pan American Games Silver

Troy Isley Bronze at World Championships and Pan American Games and competed in Tokyo Silver Pan American Games

Tashkent

Hebert Conceicao Gold Tokyo, Bronze South American Games and Bronze World Championships

Shakhobidin Zoirov Silver Tokyo, Gold 2016 Olympics, Silver at Asian Games and Asian Championships

Fazliddin Gaibnazarov Competed 2012 Olympics, Silver 2015 World Championships, Gold 2016 Olympics

Lazizbek Mullojonov  Gold World Military Championships

Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov Gold World Championships and Asian Games and Asian Championships