The Past Week in Action 25 October 2021

ERIC ARMIT | October 26, 2021 | 0 Comentarios/ Comments

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

Highlights:

-Oscar Rivas outpoints Ryan Rozicki to win the WBC bridgerweight belt

-Shakur Stevenson stops Jamel Herring to collect the WBO super featherweight title

-Evan Holyfield the son of Evander and Nico Ali Walsh the grandson of Muhammad Ali score wins

-In Female title fights Yesica Yolanda Bopp retains the WBA Super light flyweight title with stoppage of Johana Zuniga and Shannon O’Connell holds on to the Commonwealth bantamweight title with points win over Taylah Robertson and minimumweight Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen becomes the first Vietnamese to win a sanctioning body title

World Title/Major Shows

October 22

Quebec, Canada: Bridgerweight: Oscar Rivas (28-1) W PTS 12 Ryan Rozicki (13-12

Rivas wins the inaugural WBC bridgerweight title with unanimous decision over Rozicki in a competitive, entertaining and gruelling fight. Rivas, the naturally bigger man, made good use of his jab and rocked Rozicki with a right in the first and with an uppercut in the second. Rozicki came through over the next three rounds scoring with some hurtful punches of his own and looked to be getting on top in the sixth. Rivas took over again as he used his stiff jab and his 20lbs advantage to muscle Rozicki to the ropes and effectively shut down Rozicki’s attacks and had Rozicki looking tired in the seventh. Rozicki recovered and took the fight to Rivas over the eighth and ninth but was being caught with accurate counters that had blood flowing from his nose and he almost went down in the eleventh but just kept firing back. Rivas lost a point in the last for a low punch but was a clear victor. Scores 115-112 twice and 116-111. Montreal-based Colombian Rivas, 34, had moved down from heavyweight where he lost on points to Dillan Whyte in July 2019. It remains to be seen whether there are enough attractive fights in this new WBC division to keep him there or whether he will move back up to heavyweight. Rozicki, 26. from Sydney Nova Scotia, will go back down to cruiserweight with his reputation enhanced in his showing against what was a much higher level of opponent than he has faced in the past.

October 23

Atlanta, GA, USA: Super Feather: Shakur Stevenson (17-0) W TKO 10 Jamel Herring (23-3).Super Welter: Evan Holyfield (8-0) W KO 2 Charles Stanford (6-4). Super Welter: Xander Zayas (11-0) W RTD 4 Dan Karpency (9-4-1). Middle: Troy Isley (3-0) W TKO 1 Nicholi Navarro (2-2). Super Middle: Nico Ali Walsh (2-0) W TKO 3 James Westley (1-1).

Stevenson vs. Herring

Stevenson wins the WBO title with a tenth round stoppage over title holder Herring in a one-sided fight.

Round 1

After some early probing jabs from both southpaws Stevenson landed a sharp straight left and then got through with jabs with Herring not quick enough to land a punch

Score: 10-9

Round 2

Stevenson landed a couple of good lefts early in the round. He continually beat Herring to the punch sliding jabs through Herring’s defence. Stevenson was not looking to block Herring’s punches but was using slick upper body movement and fast footwork so did not have to reset his hands to throw punches. Herring was again finding it difficult to land a punch.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 20-18

Round 3

Stevenson strung together some flashing combinations with most of his punches getting through. Herring finally began to find the target with his jab but was not following with any lefts unlike Stevenson who was firing with both hands and already Herring had a swelling beside his left eye.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 30-27

Round 4

Herring had been boxing on the back foot but he changed his tactics and took the fight to Stevenson. He scored well enough to make the round close but Stevenson pierced his guard with a series of shots before the bell.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 40-36

Round 5

This was the closest round so far. Herring was determined to take the fight to Stevenson. He applied plenty of pressure and Stevenson was not as accurate as before but he did get through with a couple of bursts of punches. Herring was not using his left so all Stevenson really had to do was dodge Herring’s jab and not worry about a left coming behind it.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 50-45

Round 6

Herring continued to come forward but was being picked off by single punches from Stevenson and finding Stevenson an elusive target. Stevenson was not as dominating as he had been over the first three rounds. He was using single punches and not firing combinations but he was the one doing the scoring.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 60-54

Round 7

There were too many clinches in this round with Herring trying to drag Stevenson into the trenches. In between the clinches Stevenson was back to quick-fire combinations and Herring looked to be tiring and landed a very low left hook but escaped a warning.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 70-63

Round 8

Herring looked lively in this one but was entirely ineffective. Some of the speed and sparkle had gone out of Stevenson’s work. He was still spearing Herring with jabs and putting together the occasional combination but too often was willing to fall into a clinch.

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 80-72

Round 9

Stevenson was back to dominating again as he bounced a series of punches off Herring’s head and landed some cracking combinations. The round then slowed with neither fighter scoring cleanly as again there was some clinching

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 90-81

Round 10

Herring passed a doctor’s inspection of the damage around his eyes. He had swelling by the left eye and a cut over the right. Stevenson opened up with a barrage of blows and with the inspection in mind the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

Stevenson becomes a two-division title holder with his ninth inside the distance win. A unification fight with Oscar Valdez would be a great match if it could be made as would Emanuele Navarrete if he moved up and of course there are Teo Lopez, Vasyl Lomachenko, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis at super feather. Herring was making the fourth defence of the WBO title and was coming off a win over Carl Frampton but Stevenson was just too clever and too quick for him.

Holyfield vs. Stanford

Holyfield stays calm through an early storm and then flattens Stanford with a perfect left hook. Stanford was looking to cause an upset here. He marched forward throwing punches with Holyfield under constant pressure. When he created some room Holyfield put together some neat combinations but Stanford was getting through with hooks from both hands. Holyfield was determined to change things and he made a fast start in the second. Sanford stood and traded with him but Holyfield suddenly produced a classic left hook the sent Stanford crashing to the canvas and he was counted out. Evan, the only one of Evander Holyfield’s eleven children to become a boxer, gets his seventh victory by KO/TKO. Stanford had won his last four contests.

Zayas vs. Karpency

Zayas oozes class as he destroys Karpency in four rounds. Great balance, great hand speed, clever upper body movement flashing combinations and real power Zayas showed them all. Karpency tried to work his way inside but was walking into a storm of punches partially spectacular were the left hooks to the body from Zayas and a right uppercut sent Karpency’s mouthguard flying in the third. Zayas handed out some serious punishment in the fourth and Karpency’s team pulled their man out of the fight. Zayas, who turned 19 in September, makes it eight wins by KO/TKO. Too soon to say how far he can go but he looks destined for the stars. Karpency, gutsy but limited, suffers his first inside the distance defeat.

Isley vs. Navarro

In his first fight since competing at the Olympics in Tokyo Isley annihilates Navarro in one round. Isley hurt then staggered Navarro who retreated to the ropes. Isley then connected with some savage punches to head and body until Navarro crumpled to the floor and the fight was stopped. Despite failing to medal in Tokyo Isley is a top drawer prospect having taken bronze at both the World Championships and the Pan American Games. In the amateurs he scored wins over Devin Haney, Sebastian Fundora, Israil Madrimov and the great Cuban Arlen Lopez. Navarro a lamb to the slaughter.

Walsh vs. Westley

Walsh shows real power as he floors Westley twice. A powerful right cross put Westley on the floor in the second and Walsh ended it in the third. He stepped inside a right from Westley and hammered home a right to the head for a second knockdown. Westley made it to his feet but his corner was waiving the towel to get the fight stopped. Walsh is the grandson of Muhammad Ali. Westley-well someone had to be in the other corner.

Stevenson vs. Herring

Stevenson wins the WBO title with a tenth round stoppage over title holder Herring in a one-sided fight.

Round 1

After some early probing jabs from both southpaws Stevenson landed a sharp straight left and then got through with jabs with Herring not quick enough to land a punch

Score: 10-9

Round 2

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 20-18

Round 3

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 30-27

Round 4

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 40-36

Round 5

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 50-45

Round 6

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 60-54

Round 7

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 70-63

Round 8

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 80-72

Round 9

Score: 10-9 Stevenson Stevenson 90-81

Round 10

Holyfield vs. Stanford

Zayas vs. Karpency

Isley vs. Navarro

Walsh vs. Westley

October 20

Panama City, Panama: Super Fly: Keiver Fernandez (24-1-1) W KO 2 Jose Jimenez (22-14-1).

Venezuelan Fernandez puts Colombian Jimenez down and out with a body punch. Jimenez complained the punch landed low and seemed to have a case but was counted out. Fernandez is No 10 with the WBA but his opposition has been very substandard. Poor Jimenez has lost 7 of his last 9 fights with all 7 losses by KO/TKO.

October 22

Barranquilla, Colombia: Light Fly: Yessica Bopp (37-2) W TKO 4 Johana Zuniga (16-1). Super Fly: Dewayne Beamon (21-4-2) W PTS 9 Jose Farfan (10-2). Super Feather: Jaime Villegas (12-0) W RTD 3 Victor Alta mar (8-5-1,2ND).

Bopp vs. Zuniga

The incredible Bopp retains her WBA Female title with stoppage of Zuniga. Bopp just punched too hard and put Zuniga down in the second and third rounds before finishing the fight in the fourth. She drove Zuniga to the ropes and connected with a series of rights that drove Zuniga to the floor. She got up but was unsteady and the referee stopped the fight. Bopp, 37, is 27-1 in world title fights and has 17 wins by KO/TKO. She is a social psychologist and hoped to compete in the Tokyo Olympics but COVID-19 ruined that plan. Venezuelan Zuniga was taking far too steep a climb in standard of opposition as the 16 fighters she had beaten had just 4 wins between them.

Beamon vs. Farfan

Former WBC super flyweight title challenger Beamon continues his rebuilding project with unanimous decision over Farfan. All three judges saw it 88-83 for Beamon who wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe belt. After being stopped in nine rounds in a challenge to Juan Francisco Estrada Beamon then suffered two more losses but has won five straight this year. Farfan’s record as normal for a Venezuelan’s does not stand scrutiny with the combined records of his ten victims being 7-19.

Villegas vs. Altamar

Villegas wins the vacant Colombian title as Altamar retires at the end of the second round in their fight. Ten wins by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old southpaw. Altamar has scored just one win in his previous seven contests.

Mexico City, Mexico: Super Fly: Ganigan Lopez (37-11) W DISQ 5 Jose Soto (15-1).

Ganigan gets win as Soto is disqualified for a butt in the fifth round. With Lopez a southpaw and Soto orthodox head clashes always seemed possible. Soto made a good start using his longer reach and rocking Lopez with a couple of uppercuts. They clashed heads in the fourth with Lopez cut over his left eye. He survived a doctor’s inspection and then connected with a series of body punches and finished the round strongly. In the fifth when their heads banged together Lopez was bleeding heavily and the fight was stopped with it being ruled that this time it was not an accident and Soto was disqualified for a butt. Lopez wins the vacant WBA Fedecentro. He needed a win-any kind of win- after losing consecutive fights to Armando Torres and Muhammad Waseem in 2019. First fight outside Colombia for Soto.

Mandaue City, Philippines: Light Fly: Christian Araneta (20-2) W KO 1 Arnold Garde (10-10-3). Super Feather: Tomjune Mangubat (14-2-1) W KO 7 Allan Villanueva (11-1).

Araneta vs. Garde

This one was a farce as Garde is counted from a punch that did not seem to make any contact with him. Garde was aggressive enough for about two minutes then Araneta backed him into a corner and threw a southpaw straight left. From the replay’s it clearly went over Garde’s head hardly even brushing his hair but Garde dropped to the canvas and seemed genuinely hurt but was counted out. No credit for anyone in this highly dubious ending.

Mangubat vs. Villanueva

Mangubat breaks down and stops a competitive Villanueva in an entertaining scrap. Both scored heavily but Mangubat had the heavier punch and was just that bit quicker. They traded fierce body punches in the fifth but with Mangubat losing a point for a low punch. In the sixth Villanueva was starting to wilt. He tried to take the fight to Mangubat in the seventh but Mangubat stunned him with two uppercuts and then pinned him against the ropes and hammered home body punches until Villanueva slumped to the floor and was counted out. Fourth win in a row for Mangubat. First inside the distance defeat for Villanueva.

Windhoek, Namibia: Feather: Nathanael Kakololo (12-3-1) W TKO 4 Johannes Ninkoti (3-6-4).

Kakololo destroys former foe Ninkoti in four rounds. Kakololo had Ninkoti rocking at the end of the first and again in the third. In the fourth Kakololo floored Ninkoti with a right hook. Ninkoti was up early but was floored again and the fight was stopped. Kakololo had scored a narrow verdict over Ninkoti in November. Two of Kakololo’s losses have come when he was over matched in fights this year in the Ukraine and then Russia. Ninkoti is 0-3 in his last 3 fights.

Ontario, CA, USA: Super Light: Miguel Madueno (26-0) W TKO 5 Jose Rodriguez (25-15-1). Super Bantam: Katsuma Aklitsugi (7-1) W PTS 8 Eros Correa (10-1).

Madueno vs. Rodriguez

Madueno registers another win as he proves too strong for Rodriguez. In a contest fought mainly on the inside Madueno controlled the first three rounds with Rodriguez having a measure of success in the fourth. A focused body attack from Madueno in the fifth proved too much for Rodriguez and he went down. He made it to his feet but after the count Madueno continued to land heavily and the referee stopped the fight. “Explosivo” Madueno has scored 24 wins by KO/TKO but only a couple of his victims would pass as credible tests. Fifth inside the distance loss for Rodriguez.

Aklitsugi vs. Correa

Akitsugi moves up to eight rounds for the first time and gets a majority decision over Correa. There was never much of a gap between these two. Akitsugi constantly took the fight to Correa who boxed cleverly on the back foot and the verdict could have gone either way but Akitsugi’s aggression won out. Scores 78-74 twice for Akitsugi and 76-76. Japanese southpaw Akitsugi has done all of his fighting in USA whereas Californian Correa had done most of his fighting in Mexico.

October 23

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Feather: Karen Carbajal (18-0) W TKO 10 Cintia Castillo (10-9).

Local fighter Carbajal retained a title and won a title with this late stoppage of Castillo. Carbajal had won the vacant national title with a points victory over Castillo in 2017 and was defending the title for the first time. She also collected the vacant South American Female title with only her second inside the distance ending. Poor Castillo was challenging for the Argentinian title for the fifth time.

Cutral Co, Argentina: Fly: Ayelen Grandino (7-1-3) DREW 10 Debora Gomez (7-6-2).

No cautious opening for these two as they were trading frantically from the start and somehow maintained that pace over the full ten rounds. Defence was forgotten as they just traded punch after punch. Grandino was that little bit stronger and Gomez often found herself pinned against the ropes but just kept pumping out punches. There was no science involved but on the very few occasions when there was a small break in the toe-to-toe slugging Grandino picked her punches better and that gave her a slight edge. She seemed to have done enough to win but had to settle for a draw. Scores 96-94 Grandino, 97-93 Gomez and 95-95. Grandino retains her national title and the South American title remains vacant. Gomez lost a split decision to Micaela Lujan for the IBF Female super fly title in January.

Brisbane, Australia: Bantam: Shannon O’Connell (22-6-1) W PTS 10 Tayiah Robertson (3-1). Super Welter: Luke Woods (7-4) W PTS 10 Ethen Law (5-1).

O’Connell vs. Robertson

O’Connell retains the Commonwealth title with a split points victory over Robertson. This one was wall-to-wall war. Despite her lack of experience Robertson was more than willing to stand and trade and took the fight to O’Connell. The difference was the more accurate and harder punching from O’Connell but she had to fight hard all the way but was a clear winner. Scores 99-92 and 97-94 for O’Connell and a dissenting 96-94 for Robertson. The 38-year-old from Queensland was making the first defence of the Commonwealth title. Robertson had won the Australian title in June and on this showing will win more titles.

Woods vs. Law

Woods wins the vacant national title with victory over Law. That looked a very unlikely outcome when Law connected with a vicious left hook in the second that sent Woods down heavily. Woods only just made it to the bell but then soundly outboxed Law to win on scores of 97-92 twice and 98-91. Tasmanian Woods was a top level amateur but had under performed as a pro. Law failed to make the weight so could not have won the title.

Cernay, France: Welter: Nurali Erdogan (12-0) W PTS 10 Romain Nemery (9-11-3).

Fighting in his home town Erdogan wins the vacant French title as he outboxes former champion Nemery. Erdogan had Nemery in trouble with a left hook to the body in the second and almost floored him with a left to the head in the eighth. He was carried away by that success and threw a bundle of punches trying to put Nemery away. Unfortunately he punches himself out and was so exhausted that he was to one in trouble at the end of the round. He boxed his way through the last two rounds and won on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93. These two had met over eight rounds in February with Erdogan winning a close fight on the referee’s score of 77-75.

Manila, Philippines: Fly: Giemel Magramo (25-2) W PTS 12 Jayr Raquinel (12-2-1). Light Fly: Arvin Magramo (13-1-1) W TKO 2 Jerry Francisco (9-2). Feather: Juan Miguel Elorde (29-2) W PTS 6 Aroet Romasasa (11-10). Super Fly: Jonathan Taconing (29-4-1) W PTS 6 Albert Alcoy (15-29-6).

Magramo vs. Raquinel

Magramo picks up the vacant OPBF title with a points win over fellow-Filipino Raquinel. Scores 119-109, 118-110 115-113. First fight for Magramo since his eighth round kayo loss to Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO title in November. Raquinel, a former holder of the OPBF belt, lost the title when he could not defend it due to the pandemic and this was his first fight for 23 months.

Magramo vs. Francisco

Magramo makes it a family double as he blows away Francisco in two rounds. A vicious combination of head punches floored Francisco in the second. He made it to his feet but then soaked up a savage beating before the fight was stopped. Magramo wins the WBO Oriental title with his ninth TKO/KO victory. Arvin is the younger brother of Giemel. Francisco lacked the power to compete.

Elorde vs. Romasasa

Elorde gets in six rounds of work with unanimous decision over Romasasa. Elorde had been inactive since losing on a fourth round stoppage against Emanuel Navarrete in a challenge for the WBO super bantam title in September 2019. Poor Romasasa has lost his last ten fights.

Taconing vs. Alcoy

There was a lot of rust being shed on this night. Taconing’s last ring appearance was in July 2019 when he was halted in four rounds by Kenshiro Teraji in a WBC light flyweight title fight. He eased his way through six rounds here to take the decision. Alcoy was having his first fight since January 2019.

Zakopane, Poland: Middle: Fiodor Czerkaszyn (19-0) W PTS 10 Gonzalo Coria (18-5). Cruiser: Mateusz Masternak (46-5) W TKO 4 Armend Xhoxhaj (12-2). Super Middle: Kamil Bednarek (10-0) W KO 1 Uriel Gonzalez (18-9-1). 12

Czerkaszyn vs. Santoyo

Czerkaszyn outclasses Coria and takes the decision without ever getting into top gear. After a measured start Czerkaszyn turned up the heat from the third rocking Coria with hooks from both hands. From the fourth southpaw Coria was just looking to survive. Czerkaszyn put on plenty of pressure and switched guards a few times but Coria made it to the final bell. Scores 100-90 for Czerkaszyn on all three cards. The 25-year-old Ukrainian-born Pole has faced a reasonable level of opponent but needs to move up now. Coria was knocked out in two rounds last October by Kazak Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for the vacant WBO Global title but had scored wins in a couple of domestic outings since then.

Masternak vs. Xhoxhaj

Masternak finishes Xhoxhaj in four rounds. From the opening Masternak used his longer reach to land strong jabs and had Xhoxhaj in trouble at the end of the round. Masternak continued to dominate the action in the second. Xhoxhaj

connected with a heavy right in the third but that only stung Masternak into action. In the fourth Masternak put Xhoxhaj down with a series of shots to head and body. Xhoxhaj made it to his feet but the towel was thrown in by his team. Routine outing for the 34-year-old Pole, the WBO No 7, who gets his fifth consecutive victory. Kosovon Xhoxhaj had won his last seven fights.

Bednarek vs. Gonzalez

If you blinked you might have missed this one as a left hook to the liver from Bednarek left Gonzalez face down on the canvas in pain after just 52 seconds. Sixth fast finish for the Polish southpaw and seventh loss in his last nine fights for Gonzalez.

Ansan, South Korea: Minimum: Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen (5-0) W PTS 10 Etsuko Tada (20-4-3) Fly: Olimjon Nazarov (26-5) W PTS 12 Michael Mendoza (11-2-2). Minimum: Arar Andales (13-2) W TKO 7 Minh Phat Sam (7-4).

Nguyen vs. Tada

A bit of history here as Nguyen becomes the first Vietnamese boxer to win a professional title as she takes a very thin unanimous verdict against WBO title holder Tada. Over the early rounds the stronger Tada looked to have moved into the lead with Nguyen’s face showing the effects of Tada’s effective southpaw lefts. The younger Nguyen put in a strong finish but looked fortunate to get the decision. Scores 96-94 thrice for Nguyen who had a low key birthday celebration of her twenty-fifth birthday on Wednesday. Tada, 40, won the WBA Female minimum title back in 2009 and went on to win minimum titles of the IBF and the WBO and this was her eighteenth title fight.

Nazarov vs. Mendoza

Nazarov retains the WBO Orient title with a close unanimous decision over Mendoza. Not much to get excited about in this one as both boxers were far too cautious. Nazarov was the aggressor most of the time but was largely ineffective. Mendoza was the better boxer and with a bit more effort could have lifted the title but just let it slip away from him. Scores 115-113 on the three cards for Uzbek Nazarov. Thirteen consecutive victories for 36-year-old Nazarov who is WBO No 3. Filipino Mendoza had won his last six fights but blew his chance here.

Andales vs. Sam

Filipino Andales won this one all the way. He was just too quick and skilful for the limited Sam. Andales found plenty of gaps in Sam’s defence and by the third Sam’s face was already showing the effects of Andales accuracy. Sam kept trying to take the fight to Andales but was taking plenty of punishment and by the seventh his face was so bruised and swollen that the fight was stopped. Andales ,22, lost a technical decision against Knockout CP-Freshmart for the WBA minimum title in August 2019 but won a title of sorts by knocking out Rey Caitom for the vacant WBFoundation title in March last year. Vietnam’s Sam had scored wins in his last four fights.

Tampa, FL, USA: Welter: Harold Calderon (26-0) W DISQ 6 Luis Florez (25-22,2ND). Super Bantam: Otabek Kholmatov (4-0) W KO 2 Juan Medina (12-9).Super Light: Clarence Booth (21-4) W TKO 7 Alejandro Munera (6-4-4). Heavy: Istvan Bernath (8-0) W TKO 1 Guillermo Del Rio (3-4-1).

Calderon vs. Florez

Honduran southpaw Calderon gets another win but this one a bit unconventional. Calderon’s heavy power had him looking at another inside the distance win after he floored Florez twice in the fifth. The fight ended in the sixth but not by KO/TKO but on disqualification after Florez bit Calderon on his chest and was thrown out. Despite his 26 wins Calderon is missing from the ratings so needs to take on some riskier opposition. Only one win in his last fifteen fights for Florez-and this is the guy who stopped Miguel Berchelt in 29 seconds in 2014

Kholmatov vs. Medina

This was supposed to mark Kholmatov’s first ten round fight but he ended it in two rounds. The Uzbek sent Medina down in the first and down and out in the second. The 23-year-old former Elie level amateur has taken less than nine rounds to wins his four fights. Dominican Medina sliding rapidly with six losses in his last seven fights.

Booth vs. Munera

Floridian Booth continues his winning sequence with last round stoppage of Munera. After a fierce battle Booth came out the winner when the fight was stopped with 23 seconds remaining in the final round. Sixth win in a row for Booth including five inside the distance finishes. His four losses have come against quality opposition. Second consecutive loss for Colombian Munera.

Bernath vs. Del Rio

Hungarian Bernath stays busy and gets another quick finish. The 6’4” Hungarian halted Mexican Del Rio in two rounds. This one had an element of farce with Bernath 8” taller than Del Rio. Eighth win all in 2021 for Bernath. He was Hungarian champion four times and twice won silver at the European Union championships but has left it late in turning pro at 32.

Fight of the week (Significance): Shakur Stevenson’s win over Jamel Herring opens up lots of possible matches. Stevenson vs. Herring

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Argentinian Female flyweights Ayelen Grandino and Debora Gomez staged a ten round war.

Fighter of the week: Oscar Rivas as he gives Colombia a title holder becoming the inaugural holder of the WBC bridgerweight belt. Honourable mention to Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen who becomes the first Vietnamese boxer to win a major sanctioning body professional title.

Punch of the week: Evan Holyfield’s left hook that put Charles Stanford down and out cold is one his father would have been proud of.

Upset of the week : With her 4-0 record Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen was an outsider against the more experienced 20-3-3 Etsuko Tada.

Prospect watch: Middleweight Troy Isley 3-0 is certainly one to follow.

Observations

Rosette: Yesica Yolanda Bopp for her amazing record. Now 37 she is a two division champion being currently the WBA Super light flyweight champion and having previously held the WBO light flyweight and flyweight titles. She is 27-0 in various world title fights including being WBA Regular/ Secondary title holder from 2008 to 2019. Not so much a Rosette as a field full of flowers.

Red Card: How can anyone think a fight between 6’4” Istvan Bernath and 5’8” Guillermo Del Rio is something to put on a fight card. Farcical.

-Suddenly I feel even older than I did last week. I could live with Evander Holyfield’s son being a boxer-but Muhammad Ali’s grandson! It was enough to make me wheel my bath chair away from the computer.

– Time moves on. Back in 2014 Colombian Luis Florez was 16-1 and had crushed unbeaten Miguel Berchelt 21-0 (18 wins by KO/TKO) in just 99 seconds now he is 1-13, 1ND in his last 15 fights

– The Philippines is the place where boxing is often a family business . On Saturday in Manila brothers Giemel and Arvin Magramo scored wins. Their father Melvin Magramo is a former Philippines and OPBF champion, their uncles Renato, Ronnie and Alvin were pros and it all started with grandfather Ric. They fought in Saturday at the Elorde Sports Complex which is yet another great family name in Philippines boxing and you also have the Penalosa clan-all great boxing dynasties

A new addition to the Report (hopefully-if I find the time)

Let Me Tell You About: Blair Richardson

Nova Scotia’s Ryan Rozicki fighting for the WBC bridgerweight title brought to mind one of the first fighters from the Canadian Maritime Provinces to catch my eye:

Blair Richardson also hailed from Nova Scotia born in Sydney on 29 January 1941. He turned pro at the age of 15 without any amateur experience. He won 28 of his first 30 fights 25 of them by KO/TKO, 16 of them in a row. He lost to Gomeo Brennan for the Commonwealth middleweight title in 1965 but won the title with a points victory over Brennan in 1966. He scored wins over Burke Emery, Wilf Greaves, Del Flanagan and Joe DeNucci. He finished his career with a draw against Isaac Logart in 1966 with a 45-5-2 record and 36 wins by KO/TKO. His power was his strength and his weakness as he continually suffered hand injuries which is partly why he retired at 25. He earned bachelor and master of science degrees in speech and taught speech at university. He died following surgery for a brain tumour on 6 March 1971 at the age of 30 when his wife was expecting their first child.