The Past Week in Action 3 October 2023

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:

– Saul Alvarez retains the four versions of the super-middleweight title with an easy points victory over a disappointing Jermell Charlo

-Mario Barrios outscores Yordenis Ugas to win the WBC interim welterweight title, Erickson Lubin gets a controversial points win over Jesus Ramos in a WBA super welterweight eliminator and there are wins for Frank Sanchez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk

-Jai Opetaia stops Jordan Thompson in four rounds in an IBF cruiserweight title defence 

-Otto Wallin scores an important victory as he outpoints Murat Gassiev

– In title fights in Britain Caroline Dubois wins the vacant IBO lightweight title, Ellie Scotney retains the IBF super bantamweight title and Rhiannon Dixon wins the vacant European lightweight title

-Canadian cruiserweight Ryan Rozicki scores a dramatic last round kayo over Alante Green

-Tevin Farmer continues his lightweight campaign with a win over Oscar Barajas

-French heavyweight Mourad Aliev remains unbeaten with a points victory over Evgenios Lazaridis

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

SEPTEMBER 30

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Super Middle: Saul Alvarez (60-2-2) W PTS 12 Jermell Charlo (35-2-1). Super Welter: Erickson Lubin (26-2) W PTS 12 Jesus Ramos (20-1). Welter: Mario Barrios (28-2) W PTS 12 Yordenis Ugas (27-6). Middle: Elijah Garcia (16-0) W TKO 8 Jose Resendiz (14-2). Heavy: Frank Sanchez (23-0) W RTD 4 Scott Alexander (17-6-2). Light Heavy: Oleksandr Gvozdyk (20-1) W KO 2 Isaac Rodrigues (28-5). Light Heavy: Gabriel Valenzuela (28-3-1) W KO 6 Teis Solano (15-3). Middle: Terrell Gausha (24-3-1) W PTS 8 KeAndre Leatherwood (23-9-1). Super Feather: Curmel Moton (1-0) W TKO 1 Ezequiel Flores (4-1).

Alvarez vs. Charlo

Alvarez retains his four belts as he scores a wide unanimous decision over a defensive minded Charlo who never looked like winning and never looked like he was even trying to win.

Round 1

Not much action Alvarez took the centre of the ring with Charlo circling him. It was over a minute before any punch was thrown. Charlo was just probing with his jab. Alvarez was able to block the jabs and landed some body shots when he managed to cut off the ring. Enough to win a low action round

Score: 10-9 Alvarez

Round 2

Charlo was permanently on the back foot with Alvarez stalking him. Charlo was a bit more aggressive early throwing his jab with more purpose and scoring with a right. Alvarez scored with a right to the head then pinned Charlo against the ropes and connected with a left to the body and a right to the head.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                          Alvarez 20-18

Round 3

Plenty of jabs from Charlo but all either short or blocked Alvarez landed a couple of right to the body. Charlo was never far from the ropes constantly circling and changing direct but showing very little offence. Charlo got though with a right hook but Alvarez scored with a body punch and drilled Charlo with a right to the head.

Score 10-9 Alvarez                            Alvarez 30-27

Round 4

Alvarez landed a left to the body. Charlo was continuing on the back foot just prodding with his jab but as was going back when throwing them there was no power in the jabs. Charlo scored with a left hook but Alvarez landed a couple of hooks to Charlo’s body then connected with a right and a left hook.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                   Alvarez 40-36

Round 5

Good start for Alvarez as he continued to stalk Chalo and connected with a left hook to the body and a right. Charlo had some success with a little burst of hooks late in the round and again just before the bell then dodged some big shots from Alvarez. Close round which Charlo just took.

Score: 10-9 Charlo                     Alvarez 49-46

Round 6

Speedy circling by Charlo frustrated Alvarez attempts to cut off the ring and Charlo landed a couple of sharp jabs. Alvarez finally managed to pin Charlo against the ropes and scored with a couple of left hooks to the body and a clubbing right

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                   Alvarez  59-55

Round 7

Alvarez landed a couple of body shots then trapped Charlo against the ropes and landed a right to the head. Charlo sagged forward and Alvarez landed a right uppercut that sent Charlo down to kneel on the canvas. He was up at six then dodged and held. Charlo danced away from Alvarez scoring with a couple of jabs but Alvarez again trapped him on the ropes and landed a couple of hefty hooks.

Score:  10-8 Alvarez                  Alvarez 69-63

Round 8

Alvarez was hunting Charlo down again. Charlo had some success with jabs but Alvarez landed a hard left hook to the body then a left to the head that sent Charlo back on his heels and later a right to the head

Score: 10-09 Alvarez                 Alvarez 79-72    

Round 9

Alvarez started the round by landing a left hook then Charlo stepped forward and connected with a pair of rights that sent Alvarez back on his heels. It was a rare show of fire from Charlo then he went back to circling the ring. Alvarez managed to score with a couple hooks and a right uppercut before the bell but otherwise he chased Charlo in vain. A close round

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                   Alvarez 89-81

Round 10

Alvarez connected with some strong left hooks to the body as he chased down Charlo who just kept moving but not throwing much. Alvarez continued to land single punches as and when he got into range with Charlo firing only an occasional punch.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                   Alvarez 99-90

Round 11

Alvarez caught up with Charlo and landed a left hook, Despite the big physical advantages Charlo had Alvarez was able to score with a stiff jab before again scoring with a left. Charlo drove a right through Alvarez’s guard but Alvarez countered with a jab then again took Charlo to the ropers and landed a left and right.

Score: 10-9 Alvarez                   Alvarez 109-99

Round 12

Finally, elven rounds too late, Charlo showed some fire following his jab with rights with Alvarez replying with a couple of hooks to the body. Charlo connected with  a short left hook-the best punch he had landed in the fight. He then launched a series of jabs and just missed with a left hook. Charlo danced and held as an almost bored looking Alvarez followed him around the ring with his hands down as the last few seconds of a one-sided low key fight dribbled away

Score: 10-9 Charlo                     Alvarez 118-109

This was labelled a bad match and so it proved. Alvarez hardly broke into a sweat against a passive Charlo. Now 33 Alvarez will have to be careful who he picks as his next opponent. Both David Benavidez and Jaime Munguia would be big fights but WBA secondary title holder David Morrell and IBF No 1 William Scull would not sell well and a return with Dmitrii Bivol or a challenge to Artur Beterbiev would be too dangerous and with Jermall Charlo not having fought for over two years a family double looks unlikely. Alvarez has reportedly ruled out Terence Crawford but another name will emerge and let’s hope it makes a better match than this. Charlo has business to attend to at super welter. As soon as his name was announced before the start of the Alvarez fight the WBO stripped him off his title and upgraded Tim Tszyu to champion so now he must try to hold on to the IBF, WBA and WBC versions.

Lubin vs. Ramos

Lubin gets a controversial and unpopular unanimous decision over Ramos. There was little scoring by either of these southpaws in a tentative opening round with Lubin just doing enough with his jab to pocket it. Ramos upped the pace in the second doing a good job of cutting off the ring and scoring to the body. Ramos scored well with his jab in the second before digging home some body punches and landing an uppercut. Lubin showed good defence but was not throwing enough punches. Ramos pressed again in the third and fourth with Lubin landing some counters but having difficulties in getting off the ropes as Ramos scored with quick combinations. Lubin came to life in the fifth getting through with jabs and scoring with hooks to the body until pressure from Ramos had him on the retreat again but Lubin landed enough counters to win a close round. Lubin started the sixth well but after some exchanges again retreated to the ropes and Ramos worked to the body with very little coming back from Lubin. Lubins corner urged him to let his hands go in the seventh as Ramos was winning the rounds on his aggression but Lubin let himself be pushed back to the ropes as Ramos scored with hooks and uppercuts. Lubin was on the back foot again in the eighth allowing Ramos to bully him back to the ropes and land inside. The crowd were beginning to get restless over the lack of sustained action. Lubin did better in the ninth and tenth again staying off the ropes for much of the time and popping Ramos with jabs. He managed to stay off the ropes and finally let his hands go with Ramos less active in both rounds. The fight was starting to slip away from Ramos but he steadied things with a better eleventh. It was all jabs with neither fighter throwing anything else and Ramos clearly outscored Lubin. For me that wrapped up the result with Lubin needing a knockout to win. He took the last round  again on the back foot but firing plenty of jabs with Ramos stalking him but now it was Ramos not letting his punches flow. Lubin won on scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 a decision that was greeted with boos and disbelief. The official score cards indicated how, for the judges, after a good start Ramos faded out of the fight. One judge gave Lubin seven of the last eight rounds and another eight of the last nine so Lubin wins this WBA eliminator. He lost a big fight when being beaten on a ninth round retirement by Sebastian Fundora in a fight for the WBC interim title in April last year but had clawed back some prestige with a stoppage of Luis Arias in June. Ramos had been rated IBF 3/WBC 4/WBO 5 so a huge blow to him but at 22 he can rebound.

Barrios vs. Ugas

Barrios scores two knockdowns on the way to a wide unanimous decision over Ugas. After a fairly even first with both very cautious start prodding with their jabs but not following though. Barrios scored with a couple of counters as Ugas came forward and landed a stiff jab to take the round. Barrios showed the quicker hands connecting with a right at the start of the second and then piercing the guard of Ugas regularly with jabs. He showed good defensive work in dodging Ugas’ punches then with just a few seconds remaining in the round banged home a strong jab that sent Ugas down. He was up at eight and as the bell had gone returned to his corner. Ugas attacked strongly in the third hurting Barrios with a body shot. Ugas scored with a big right cross in the fourth but then Barrios controlled the round with plenty of jabs and putting together some impressive combinations. In the fifth it was Ugas scoring with jabs as he walked Barrios down. Both connected with rights with Ugas just doing enough to take the round. Barrios stabbed home a couple of jabs at the start of the sixth and then sent Ugas stumbling back with a right. Barrios continued to land the jab and went to the body with a hook. At the end of the sixth I had it 57-56 for Barrios.  The seventh saw Barrios in full flow as he outscored Ugas and his punches had raised a swelling around Ugas’ right eye. They traded punches in the eighth and although both connected Barrios was scoring with his jab throughout the round. Barrios also took the ninth as Ugas’ vision was being hampered by the swelling around his right eye. He was seeking to protect it and having problems judging distance. Th doctor examined Ugas at the start of the tenth and allowed the fight to continue. Barrios was in control over the tenth landing jabs and left hooks and targeting the injury. The doctor again examined Ugas before the twelfth and the fight continued. A right seemed to daze Ugas and as he tried to come forward Barrios nailed him with a right which dropped him to his knees. Ugas made it to his feel then twice dislodged his mouthguard and was deducted a point but made it to the final bell.  Barrios won on scores of 118-107 twice and 117-108 and he collects the vacant WBC interim title. Barrios lost his secondary WBA title on an eleventh round kayo against Gervonta Davis in June 2021 and was outpointed by Keith Thurman in February 2022. An interim title can often turn out to be a blind alley and the welterweight division will have to wait to see what Terence Crawford decides to do before there is any clarity. Ugas reached a peak when he outpointed Manny Pacquiao in a WBA welterweight title defence in 2021 then lost to Errol Spence in April 2022 with the IBF, WBA and WBC belts on the line. At 37 his best days are behind him .

Garcia vs. Resendiz

Garcia adds another impressive win as he halts Resendiz in the eighth. Garcia immediately took charge in the first firing a burst of light jabs and then snapping Resendiz’s head back with an uppercut before staggering him with a left. Resendiz rebounded with a good second scoring with some heavy punches. An exciting third saw both letting the punches fly. Resendiz was going for quantity with Garcia scoring with some slashing hooks and straight lefts to take the round. The action was still hot in the fourth with Resendiz still pouring on the punches with Garcia almost matching him punch for punch but landing the heavier shots. The pace dropped a little in the fifth with Garcia on the back foot boxing more and he connected with a savage combination late in the round. Garcia landed heavily in the sixth but Resendiz took the punches and kept coming. There was more brutal punishment for Resendiz in the seventh but he was also dishing out some hurt. In the eighth a body punch from Garcia sent Resendiz down. Resendiz beat the count but when the action resumed Garcia drove Resendiz to a corner and bombarded him with punches until the referee moved in and stopped the fight. The 20-year-old southpaw from Arizona makes it thirteen wins by KO/TKO having beaten good level opponents in unbeaten Amilcar Vidal and Kevin Salgado already this year. Mexican Resendiz, 24, had beaten 20-1 Heber Rondon and stopped former IBF/IBO/WBA super welter champion Jarrett Hurd in March.

Sanchez vs. Alexander

Sanchez clubs Alexander to defeat in four rounds. In the first Sanchez was stalking Alexander and hurt Alexander with a left hook to the body and a right to the head and looked to be in control. As they traded punches an overhand right from Alexander staggered Sanchez. He was in deep trouble and held on desperately to survive but was rocked again at the end of the round. Alexader was looking to repeat his success in the second but after just fifteen seconds  a right from Sanchez sent Alexander stumbling back and down but he was also off balance from Sanchez stepping on and trapping his foot. Alexander was up early and Sanchez scored with right hooks and uppercuts. Because of that shock in the first round Sanchez took a cautious approach just shadowing Alexander and then firing burst of punches and Alexander dodged any further trouble. Alexander was shaken at the start of the third but then circled the ring with Sanchez chasing him down but missing with some big shots. Sanchez stalked in vain until the end of the fourth when he trapped Alexander against the ropes and landed a series of heavy hooks and uppercuts that had Alexander ready to drop just as the bell. Alexnader retired at the end of the round. The 6’4” Cuban was making the fourth defence of the WBC Continental Americas belt and gets win No 16 by KO/TKO. He is No 3 with the WBO, No 4 with the WBC and 5 (4) with the IBF so very much in the picture. Alexander had been knocked out in one round by Zhilei Zhang in May last year.

Gvozdyk vs. Rodrigues

Gvozdyk knocks out Rodrigues in the second round. The 6’2” Gvozdyk used his longer reach, hand speed and sharp movement to boss the fight in the first. He was spearing Rodrigues with jabs and slotting home right crosses. Brazilian Rodrigues was slow of both hand and foot and only tried an occasional right. In the second a right from Gvozdyk sent Rodrigues down on his side and he was counted out just as he got to his feet. The 36-year-old Ukrainian, a former WBC light heavyweight champion, lost his title on a tenth round stoppage against IBF champion Artur Beterbiev in October 2019. He was then out of the ring until returning with a win in February this year. This is his third victory since returning. Rodrigues, 38, suffers his fourth loss by KO/TKO and loses whenever he meets any quality opposition.

Valenzuela vs. Solano

Mexican Valenzuela floored Colombian Solano in the first and fourth rounds then scored the knockout in the sixth. Valenzuela lost a narrow decision to Montana Love in May 2022 but had made a strong recovery with a first round stoppage of Yves Ulysse and a split decision over Steve Spark. Third tough fight in a row for Solano and third loss in a row.

Gausha vs. Leatherwood

Gausha gets his second win of the year as he outpoints Leatherwood. This was a close, competitive fight with both fighters looking to dominate inside with Gausha getting a majority decision on scores of 78-74 twice for Gausha and 76-76. Gausha, 36, took a year out after losing a close decision against Tim Tszyu in March 2022. Leatherwood has lost 4 of his last 6 fights but all against good quality opposition.

Moton vs. Flores

Highly touted prospect Moton gets a quick win as he floors Flores early in the first. Flores made it to his feet but was trapped against the ropes as Moton banged away at him until the referee stopped then fight. The 17-year-old is managed by Floyd Mayweather Jr and “reportedly” scored 130 victories and won 18 titles (Box Rec have him as 48-2) so he looks to be one for the future but at 5’2” he is small for a super feather.

 

London, England: Cruiser: Jai Opetaia (23-0) W TKO 4 Jordan Thompson (15-1). Super Bantam: Ellie Scotney (8-0) W PTS 10 Laura Griffa (20-8). Cruiser: Cheavon Clarke (7-0) W PTS 10 Vasil Ducar (14-7-2). Light: Rhiannon Dixon (9-0) W PTS 10 Katharina Thanderz (16-2).

Opetaia vs. Thompson

Opetaia demolishes overmatched Thompson in IBF title defence.

Round 1

Opetaia was looking to come forward and get past the longer reach of the 6’6” Thompson. He was having success with southpaw lefts with Thompson too tentative with his jabs. Thompson connected a couple of times but at the end of the round he was pinned against the ropes with Opetaia unloading punches from both hands.

Score: 10-9 Opetaia

Round 2

Opetaia continued to dart past Thompson’s jab and connect with straight lefts with very little coming back from Thompson. He wasn’t moving enough and when he did move he was going back in a straight line making it easy for Opetaia follow him and take him to the ropes and land punches. Thompson came alive at the end of the round letting fly with a couple of jabs and rights but Opetaia was again on target with lefts.

Score: 10-9 Opetaia                          Opetaia 20-18

Round 3

A better start from Thompson. He stood his ground and fired jabs and straight rights. Opetaia came forward and landed some head punches then gave the retreating Thompson a push that sent him down. The referee considered that the punches had contributed to Thompson going down and applied a count. After the count Opetaia drove Thompson to the ropes firing punches. Thompson worked his way off the ropes but Opetaia was landing lefts to the head and a left at the bell sent Thompson stumbling to his corner.

Score:10-8 Opetaia                           Opetaia 30-26

Round 4

Just 20 seconds into the round a left to the head sent Thompson stumbling to the ropes on unsteady legs. Opetaia  scored with a left and a right and the referee stepped in as  Thompson slid to the canvas clutching at Opetaia as he went down and the referee stopped the fight.

First fight for Opetaia since he suffered a broken jaw in beating Mairis Breidis for the IBF title in July last year. This fight came too early for Thompson who had never faced a rated opponent.

Scotney vs. Griffa

Scotney makes a successful first defence of her IBF title with unanimous decision over Griffa. Scotney made a good start against the strong and aggressive Griffa jabbing quickly and with precision using clever foot work to dodge Griffa’s attacks and connecting with right hooks inside. She continued to dominate over the second and third with those same strengths. Griffa was walking forward in a straight line into counters in the fourth and Scotney was switching her attack from head to body with Griffa forced to hold. Griffa put in a huge effort in the fifth just marching forward throwing punches. She was able to force Scotney to stand and exchanges punches and managed to score with some shots before Scotney closed the round with a strong attack of her own. Scotney outboxed Griffa in the sixth rocking her with a powerful right late in the round and again in the seventh once again countering the advancing Argentinian and landing hooks inside. There was too much holding and brawling in the eighth as both fighters felt the pace. Griffa scored with a right uppercut in the ninth but was then nailed by two left hooks. Scotney cleverly boxed her way through the tenth to emerge a clear winner on scores of 100-90, 100-91 and 99-91. At 25 there is more to come from the Londoner. South American champion Griffa had lost on previous shots at the IBF and IBO titles.

Clarke vs. Ducar

Clarke collects his first professional title in his seventh fight as he outpoints Ducar to win the vacant IBF International title.

After the customary exchange of jabs Clarke made his power tell forcing Ducar onto the back foot and stepping in with some meaty hooks. Ducar had shown a decent jab but by the second it was obvious he lacked the power to hold off Clarke who was coming forward with left hooks and overhand rights. A sneaky uppercut from Ducar upset Clarke in the third and he drove forward landing with hooks and uppercuts but Ducar weathered the storm. Clarke continued to put Ducar undern pressure but there was a brief moment of concern in the sixth when an uppercut from Ducar seemed to have Clarke hurt but he banged back at the end of the round. Ducar has a solid chin and for Clarke it was now a case of breaking the Czech down. Although Clarke got the better of the exchanges Ducar was willing to come forward and apply some pressure of his own. A clash of heads in the ninth had Ducar walking away from the action but there was no damage so hostilities recommenced. Clarke went after an inside the distance win in the tenth firing hooks and uppercuts from both hands but Ducar fought back and they stood and blasted each other at the bell. Clarke won on scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92. A good testing fight for the 32-year-old Jamaican-born Britisher. Ducar lost on points to Chris Billiam-Smith and had Jordan Thompson down before losing the decision.

Dixon vs. Thanderz

Southpaw Dixon lifts the vacant European title as she wins every round against Thanderz. Dixon set a fast pace from the start. She was nipping in and scoring with right jabs and firing bursts of hooks from both hands. Thanderz came forward but was being stopped in her tracks by solid jabs and Dixon was getting her punches off first and connecting with hard lefts. With the speed and acracy of Dixon’s punches Thanderz was finding it hard to make any impression too often being too busy defending to launch any substantial offence. It was one-way traffic with Thanderz scoring a few counters but really looking to survive. Thanderz had shown a good chin so Dixon piled on the body punches over the last two rounds looking for a stoppage but a brave but outclassed Thanderz made it to the final bell. All three judges scored it 100-90 for Dixon Dixon adds the European title to her Commonwealth title and will be looking to challenge for a world title next year. Norwegian Thanderz had won European, WBC International and WBC interim titles but was stopped in nine rounds by Terri Harper in 2020 in a challenge for the IBO and WBC super-feather titles. Since then, she had scored three wins in English rings against very modest opposition.

 

London, England: Light: Caroline Dubois (8-0) W PTS 10 Magali Rodriguez (22-7-4). Cruiser: Viddal Riley (10-0) W PTS 10 Nathan Quarless (12-1). Super Middle: Callum Simpson (13) W PTS 10 Jose de Jesus Macias (28-12-4). Welter: Stephen McKenna (14-0) W RTD 8 Darren Tetley (22-5).

Dubois vs. Rodriguez

Most impressive showing so far for Dubois as she outclasses experienced Rodriguez, She dominated from the start stabbing right jabs through Rodriguez defence and landing with long lefts and then stepping back quickly to leave Rodriguez swishing air. She upped her pace round by round having success time and again with straight lefts and adding in body punches. Rodrigues became more and more frustrated in her failure to land on the quicker Dubois. Rodriguez connected with a couple of hooks in the sixth but was then staggered by a right to the head and went down. She got up but had lost her mouthguard and that gave her a few seconds respite and there was not enough time for Dubois to build on the knockdown. Dubois continued to boss the action over the seventh and eighth showing some excellent defensive work in avoiding Rodriguez’s wild attacks. A lovely short right hook floored Rodriguez in the ninth but she made it to her feet only to go down again under a burst of punches but survived to the bell. Rodriguez just put her head down and threw punches in the last and might just have done enough to win the round. Scores 99-88, 98-89 and 97-90 for Dubois who wins the vacant IBO title perhaps the first of many titles. Mexican Rodriguez, a former WBA bantam title challenger and current WBC Silver title holder, had retained her WBC Silver title with a draw against unbeaten French star Estelle  Mossley in April.

Riley vs. Quarless

Riley wins his first title as he outpoints unbeaten Quarless for the vacant English title.  Riley boxed his way to victory in this fight. He was faster and technically better than Quarless, It was expected that Quarless would be a test and would force the fight. As it turned out Quarless had no answer to the speed, accuracy and timing of Riley’s punches  and spent the majority of the fight on the back foot looking for opportunities to score with counters and finding very few as Riley won ever round with all three judges carding it 100-90 for Londoner Riley in his first ten round fight. Quarless was also going ten rounds for the first times but never established a foothold in the fight.

Simpson vs. Macias

Simpson captures the vacant WBA Continental title as he floors and outpoints Macias. The visitor has made a habit of fighting in the other guy’s back yard and occasionally causing a shock. No whiff of that this time as Simpson outboxed Macias using a spearing jab and plenty of counters and body punches to build a lead. Macias piled forward looking to overwhelm Simpson but Simpson handled the pressure well having to fight hard in every round but slowly breaking Macias down. Macias was cut over the left eye in the sixth shaken by punches in the seventh and floored by a left hook in the eighth. Macias has only lost inside the distance once and that was back in 2017 so he rallied and fought hard to the bell with Simpson winning 100-89 on the three cards. Macias came in as a substitute but with away performances such as his fifth round stoppage of 28-2-1 Steven Butler and a draw against 19-2-1 Andrii Velikovskyi  making him a good test for Simpson.

McKenna vs. Tetley

McKenna wears down and stops Tetley in the sixth. The first round saw  McKenna scoring with lead rights against southpaw Tetley and firing punches at a high rate forcing Tetley onto the back foot. Tetley was finding holes in McKenna’s guard and getting through with jabs and left counters but was under constant pressure. McKenna kept walking forward throwing punches and shook off Tetley’s counters digging to head and body with both hands and by the end of the third Tetley’s was already slowing from the hectic pace. Tetley went on the offensive in the fourth and had some success but the sheer volume of punches from McKenna was winning him the rounds. Both were exhausted in the fifth just pushing out punches in a gruelling battle and in the end Tetley just had no more to give and retired at the end of the sixth round. Fourteenth win by KO/TKO for the Irish prospect but he will have to pace fights better as he was utterly exhausted at the end and had too many gaps in his defence. At one time Tetley was 20-0 but he has had a tough road to travel since then including a loss against Ekow Essuman for the British and Commonwealth titles.

 

Antalya, Turkey: Heavy: Otto Wallin (26-1,1ND) W PTS 12 Murat Gassiev (30-2). Super Welter: Khuseyn Baysangurov (22-1) W PTS 10 Fatih Keles (17-2-1). Super Welter: Albert Khamkhoev (9-0) W KO 4 Meshaack Mwankemwa (24-15-2).

Wallin vs. Gassiev

Wallin scores an important victory as he take a split decision over Gassiev. Southpaw Wallin worked entirely on the back foot stabbing out jabs and an occasional left. Gassiev shadowed Wallin around the ring and had success early when he pressed hard and could pin Wallin down. That pretty well set the pattern for the fight. The lack of sustained exchanges made the rounds difficult to score. Gassiev’s pressure won him the third but movement and jabbing captured the fourth for Wallin as he teed-off on a sometimes static Gassiev. Wallin continued to score with his jab in the fifth but Gassiev was able to get past the jab and score to the body. Wallin was as usual working hard with his jab in the sixth but then nailed Gassiev with a left hook. Gassiev sagged at the knees badly shaken. Wallin tried to land another big shot but failed to do so and let Gassiev recover. Gassiev worked hard to make the seventh and eighth close but Wallin took over from there. Gassiev slowed and Wallin  was able to keep him on the end of his jab and knock him back with straight lefts. He swept the ninth, and tenth rounds with Gassiev struggling to get past Wallin’s jab and not as effective in cutting down the ring. Wallin had a good eleventh confident enough to get on the front foot forcing Gassiev back and bringing his right into play. Gassiev found something extra for the last round but even then he only just edged the round as Wallin continued to jab and counter well. Wallin won on scores of 115-113 on two cards with the third judge turning in a ridiculous 117—111 for Gassiev.  I can’t see this win advancing Wallin’s chances of a title shot. He was No 8 with the WBO, 9(8) with the IBF and No 14 with the WBC. Gassiev’s only rating was 12 (11) with the IBF. Wallin  boxed in a controlled and clever style. Gassiev was a big step up from his last two opponents-42-year-old Rydell Booker and 9-4-1 Helaman Olguin so it might lead to a fight with some of the higher rated boxers and he will have to take risks to get a seat at the top table. Gassiev was disappointing. He was out of action for two years after losing to Olek Usyk in 2018 and had only one fight in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and was carrying almost 40lbs more than in his cruiserweight days so needs more work.

Keles vs. Baysangurov

Baysangurov gets well merited win over strong Keles. This was a contrast of styles with Baysangurov firing a stream of light jabs to head and body and mixing in left hooks whilst Keles was slower but launched big attacks throwing heavy punches in short bursts. Both upped their pace in the second with plenty of fierce exchanges. Baysangurov used jabs to put Kepes on the back foot but he did not seem to have the power to keep Keles out. The sheer volume of Baysangurov’s punches gave him the third but Keles was scoring fewer but heavier punches and he seemed to edge the fifth. Hooks and uppercuts from Baysangurov stopped Keles in his tracks in the sixth and he landed some spectacular shots in the seventh and eighth with Keles punch output dropping in each round. He outpunched a tiring Keles in the ninth scoring with quick, accurate punches and was able to dance away from Keles when he tried to come forward and he comprehensively outboxed and out landed Keles in the tenth. Baysangurov a clear winner but no scores available. Russian Baysangurov had won his last seven fights by KO/TKO. Keles had lost on points against Australian Liam Paro in 2019 and he had scored six wins since then.

Khamkhoev vs. Mwankemwa

Khamkhoev beats Mwankemwa in four rounds. Khamkhoev was tracking the rapidly retreating Mwankemwa around the perimeter of the ring over the first two rounds occasionally landing southpaw left hooks with Mwankemwa showing very little aggression. Mwankemwa was a bit more adventurous in the third which allowed Khamkhoev to get though with some useful body shots. In the fourth a right to the body sent Mwankemwa to a kneeling position and he was counted out. After six points victories Khamkhoev has now won three in a row by KO/TKO. Mwankemwa had performed well in only losing a majority decision against 22-0 Aslambek Idigov less than four weeks ago.

 

SEPTEMBER 29

 

Bahia Blanca, Argentina: Middle: Gerardo Vergara (19-0) W TKO 3 Diego Martinez (9-5). Super Light: Ruben Munoz (15-1) W TKO 2 Elias Haedo (13-5,1ND).

Vergara vs. Martinez

Vergara wins on an injury. Martinez gave Vergara more trouble than was anticipated. He took the fight to Vergara in the first and in the second a straight right sent Vergara tumbling back and he had to put his gloves on the canvas to stop from going down resulting in a count. Later in the round Martinez drove Vergara to the roped but was caught with a series of counters and was dropped. As they traded in the third punches from Vergara had Martinez backing off limping and he dropped to the canvas clutching his left thigh and was unable to continue due to the leg injury. Vergara was making the fourth defence of the Argentinian title. Martinez had failed in a previous attempt to win the national super welter title.

Munoz vs. Haedo

Munoz scored well with jabs and right crosses in the first. In the second a devastation right from Munoz sent Haedo down heavily and although he stumbled to his feet the fight was stopped. Tenth win by KO/TKO for Munoz. First inside the distance defeat for Munoz.

 

Siena, Italy: Super Middle: Leonardo Baili (7-1-2) W TKO 1 Simoen Bicchi (10-2).

Baili wins the vacant Italian title with first round disposal of home town fighter Bicchi. Bicchi tried to use his longer reach to box with Baili looking dangerous with southpaw left hooks. After some messy clinches Baili floored Bicchi with a left hook, Bicchi beat the count but stumbled across the ring into the ropes facing out into the audience. As the referee counted Bicchi tottered back into a corner. After the eight count the referee waived for the fight to continue and as he had not check Baili’s position Baili only had to step around him to get to Biacchi. He fired punches with Bicchi tumbling forward grasping Baili around the waist and the referee stopped the fight. Spectacular first inside the distance win for Baili. Both of Bicchi’s losses have come early.

 

Radomsko, Poland: light Heavy: Robert Parzeczewski (21-2) W KO 2 Kasim Gashi (20-4).

Parzeczewski beats Gashi in two rounds. Parzeczewski used his 5” height edge and longer reach to keep the advancing Gasha out with jabs and slotted rights though Gashi’s high guard. A left that landed low had Gashi backing to a corner bent in half claiming a low punch. He was going to put a knee on the canvas but Parzeczewski got to him first and Gashi was forced to straighten up. He was trapped in a corner but with Parzeczewski failing to land heavily Gashi stayed upright until the bell. In the second a right to the head and a push had Gashi staggering back and going down by the ropes and he just knelt on one knee watching the referee toll the count without making any attempt to get up. Nineteenth inside the distance finish for Parzeczewski. Gashi had won his last five fights.

 

Hollywood, FL, USA: Super Bantam: Ariel Perez (11-1) W PTS 10 Victor Abreu (3-1). Fly: Billy Rodriguez (3-0) W PTS 10 Cristofer Rios (10-1). Heavy: Lenier Pero (10-0) W KO 1 Guillermo Andino (17-9).

Perez vs. Abreu

Perez wins this all-Cuban fight as he outpoints Abreu. Perez pressed hard in every round with Abreu on the back foot showing lots of style but little power. Perez was particularly effective scoring with bursts of punches and digging home shots to the body from both hands. He did a good job of cutting down the ring and scored with short hooks from both hands. Perez won on scores of 96-94 twice and 98-92.Third win in a row for Perez. In his three fights, all against reasonable level opposition, Abreu had gone from six rounds to eighth and now ten.

Rodriguez vs. Rios

Cuban Rodriguez was also moving up to ten rounds. He found unbeaten Californian Rios a tougher than expected opponent and had to settle for a split decision. This was a great little fast-paced entertaining scrap between two young and talented fighters.  Each had periods of domination with Rios always looking to take the fight to Rodriguez who boxed cleverly on the back foot but also showed some flashing combinations when they traded. As they tired Rios looked close to stopping Rodrigues in the last and looked unlucky to not get at least a draw. Rodriguez’s defection was a big blow to the Cuban team and once he settles he will be a threat at flyweight. On this showing Rios also looks one to follow.

Pero vs. Andino

Southpaw Pero has an early night as he beats Andino in the opening round. Pero floored Andino three times with the referee stopping the fight on the third knockdown. Cuban Pero won a gold medal at the Pan American Games. He scored five wins over currently unbeaten Frank Sanchez but lost to Joe Joyce and Olek Usyk. Eighth loss by KO/TKO for very substandard opponent Andino.

 

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Branden Pizarro (19-1-1) W TKO 8  Esteban Garcia (16-3).

Philadelphia’s Pizarro stops southpaw Garcia in eight rounds to win the WBC Continental Americas title. Pizarro is now unbeaten in his last 17 fights. Garcia is 2-3 in his last 5 contests.

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Light: Tevin Farmer (31-5-1,1ND) W TKO 6 Oscar Barajas (7-9-1). Super Welter: Oluwafemi Oyeleye (14-0) W TKO 3 Jimmy Williams (18-13-2).

Farmer vs. Barajas

Farmer continues his lightweight campaign with a spectacular stoppage of fellow southpaw Barajas. He floored Barajas with a stiff jab in the second and slowly wore down the Mexican before ending the fight in the sixth. He hurt Barajas with body punches and as Barajas tried to come forward met him with a thunderous left hook that sent Barajas down heavily and the referee quickly waived the fight over. Second win this year for the former IBF super featherweight champion who returned from three years of inactivity with a win in June. Barajas had won his last three fights all held in Pennsylvania.

Oyeleye vs. Williams

Nigerian southpaw Oyeleye stops Williams in three rounds. Fourth win in a row by KO/TKO for Oyeleye but eighth consecutive defeat for Williams.

 

SEPTEMBER 30

 

Hamilton. Canada: Cruiser: Ryan Rozicki (19-1) W KO 10 Alante Green (10-2-1). Super Middle: John Bianco (6-0) W TKO 7 Samuel Moses (6-1,1ND). Super Middle: Antonio Napolitano (8-0-1) W KO 3 Edwin Villareal (3-2-1).

Rozicki vs. Green

Rozicki scores last round kayo over Green in a gruelling battle. Rozicki applied relentless pressure in every round. He was driving Green to the ropes and keeping him there. Green showed some good defensive moves and stood up to a constant bombardment of body punches but even when under fire he was finding gaps for clever, sneaky counters. There were times when it look as though Rozicki was going to overwhelm Green but Green survived. The  big effort Rozicki was putting in began to tell and his work became sloppy leaving Green openings for some heavy rights but Green was also slowing and lost his mouthguard a couple of times. It was a gruelling trial of strength and just when it looked as though for all of his effort Rozicki was going to have to settle for a points win when he was head down just flinging out punches he connected with a left hook that sent Green backwards into the ropes and down and he was counted out. Rozicki gets his eighteenth win by KO/TKO but he won’t have many fights tougher than this. Green was having his first fight since losing a split decision against 17-0 George Arias in June last year and put up a great fight here.

Bianco vs. Moses

Blanco wins the vacant Canadian title with a seventh round stoppage of Moses. Third win by KO/TKO for Blanco. Ivory Coast-born Canadian Moses had scored three inside the distance victories.

Napolitano vs. Villareal

Napolitano builds on his very creditable draw with Brandn Brewer with a third round kayo of Mexican novice Villareal

 

Fourmies, France: Heavy: David Spilmont (14-8-1) W PTS 10 Karim Berredjem (11-10).

Fighting in his home town Spilmont makes a successful first defence of the French title with a points victory over perennial challenger Berredjem. Scores 100-90 for Spilmont on all three cards. Fourth unsuccessful tilt at a national title for Berredjem.

 

Goslar, Germany: Light Heavy: Adam Deines (23-2-1) W TKO 1 Ondrej Budera (18-34-2). Light Heavy: Patrick Rokhol (23-4) W TKO 2 Istvan Kiss (25-39).

Deines vs. Budera

Deines disposes of a reluctant Budera in the first round. Deines dropped Budera with a body punch just 30 seconds into the fight. After the count Deines bombarded Budera with punches until Budera went down on one knee. Budera made it to his feet but was quickly bundled down again and although he was up quickly the referee gave him an eight count then stopped the fight. Fourth win against sub-standard opposition for Deines since losing on a  tenth round stoppage against Artur Beterbiev in March 2021. Budera falls to 0-8-1in his last 9 fights,

Rokhol vs. Kiss

Rokhol stops Kiss in a ridiculously extended second round. The lanky Rokhol had big edges inn height and reach forcing Kiss to lunge forward onto hard right hand counters and he was shaken a couple of times in the first. Kiss continued to drive forward head down in the second with Rokhol landing rights. The three minutes of the round ended without the bell being rung and the round continued for another 40 seconds when Rokhol dropped Kiss with a left. Kiss made it to his feet at the count of seven but the referee continued to ten and it was over. Rokhol needed a win after losing 3 of his last 4 fights. Fifteenth loss in a row for Kiss-13 inside the distance.

 

Espelkamp, Germany: Cruiser: Christian Pawlak (44-8-1) W TKO3 Andreas Masold (10-10). Heavy: Riza Baydilli (9-0) W KO 2 Enes Kirmizitoprak (13-5).

Pawlak vs. Masold

Pawlak wins the vacant Global Boxing Council title with a third round kayo of Masold. Pawlak won the first two rounds before ending this in the third. He shook Masold with rights to the head and then put him down heavily with another right and Masold was counted out. Pawlak, 44, has won a variety of titles for various obscure sanctioning bodies from super middleweight upwards and has won his last 24 bouts. Ninth loss by KO/TKO for Masold.

Baydilli vs. Kirmizitoprak

Baydilli, 42, retains the GBU International belt and wins the vacant UBO Inter-Continental title as he knocks out Turk Kirmizitoprak in two rounds. The 5’9” 224lbs Baydilli has taken less than 16 rounds to dispose of some abysmal opposition.

 

Isenburg. Germany: Heavy: Mourad Aliev (8-0) W PTS 10 Evgenios Lazaridis (18-5). Light Heavy: Serhat Guler (4-0) W KO 6  Rostam Ibrahim (11-1-2). Heavy: Jose Larduet (11-0) W TKO 2 Awadh Tamim (16-8).

Aliev vs. Lazaridis

Aliev boxes his way to a points decision over Lazaridis. The first round saw both fighters just probing with their jab until they traded punches briefly at the end of the round. Southpaw Aliev was quicker and more mobile than Lazaridis and was on the front foot forcing Lazaridis back with jabs and often leading with his left. He put Lazaridis down in the second with Lazaridis protesting he had slipped and a left shook Lazaridis in the third. The fourth saw Aliev banging home some useful body punches and he knocked Lazaridis back on his heels with a left in the fifth. Lazaridis was fighting purely on the defensive but took the punches well. The pattern did not change. Aliev kept coming forward prodding with his right jab and then firing straight lefts and hooks to the body with a very passive Lazaridis backing up and covering up. Aliev was one-paced with little variety in his work but that was still too much for Lazaridis who from first to last looked only to survive. Aliev won on scores of 99-90 twice and 100-89. The 6’ 7 ½” Aliev represented France at the Tokyo Olympics where he lost on a disqualification to Frazer Clark. He will have better nights than this against less defensively minded opponents. German-based Greek Lazaridis was a disappointment.

Guler vs. Ibrahim

Guler score spectacular kayo victory over Ibrahim. The first round saw Guler advancing behind a high guard with Ibrahim on the back foot stabbing out jabs and throwing rights. Guler worked his way forward and when he let his hands go he was firing quick combinations and looked dangerous. Guler continued to force the fight in the second. They were both standing and trading punches in some wild exchanges and both landed well but this time  the better work came from Ibrahim. As the fists flew in the third both again connected with hard shots but Ibrahim was busy for the whole three minutes with Guler only fighting in bursts. They banged their heads together but luckily there was no cut. Plenty of action in the fourth. Ibrahim was still throwing more and landing more but he could not keep Guler out and Guler was blocking or dodging many of the punches and connecting with some hurtful shots. After the fourth two judges had Guler in front 39-37 and the third had it 38-38. Guler’s pressure began to tell in the fifth. Ibrahim was still firing punches but not as many and not with as much snap and was visibly slowing. In the sixth Ibrahim was again throwing plenty of punches but Guler stepped in and staggered him with a right to the head then landed a bunch of punches before connecting with a fearsome left hook that sent Ibrahim down on his back and the  referee waived the fight over. Second impressive win for Guler after his ninth round kayo of 19-1 Leon Bunn in June. He was making the first defence of the WBC International Silver belt he won in his victory over Bunn. Ibrahim had won his last four fights and gave Guler plenty of trouble before the knockout.

 Larduet vs. Tamim

Larduet stops Tamim in two rounds. Larduet found Tamim an easy target scoring with solid jabs and bludgeoning head punches. Tamim fired back getting through with an occasional rights but Larduet continued to score with the single thumps. In the second Larduet landed a couple of head punches that saw Tamim’s legs shake then a series of rights dropped Tamim to his knees.  He made it to his feet but Larduet had left the neutral corner and was able to step past the referee and landed a left with the referee promptly stopping the fight. Eighth win by KO/TKO for 33-year-old Larduet. As an amateur he scored wins over Bakhodir Jalolov twice, Zhilei Zhang, Lenier Pero and Frank Sanchez but did not turn pro until he was 29 and is too fat and too slow now. Tanzanian Tamim, the Swedish champion, suffers his fifth inside the distance defeat.

Monserrato, Italy: Super Bantam: Matteo Lecca (12-2) W KO 7 Iuliano Gallo (11-4).

Lecca win the vacant Italian title with a seventh round victory over Gallo. Southpaw Lecca used his better skills against the ever aggressive Gallo. He landed well with jabs, hooks and uppercuts and handed out steady punishment to build a big lead. Gallo rallied but was in trouble at the end of the sixth and as he came forward in the seventh a counter from Lecca put him down and out. Eighth consecutive victory for southpaw Lecca and his fifth early finish in a row. Gallo, also a southpaw, had lost out in previous shots at the EU and Italian titles.

 

Showhegan, ME, USA: Welter: Brandon Berry (26-7-2) W TKO 5 Pablo Oliveto (13-13-1).

Berry promoted and fought on this show stopping Argentinian Oliveto in the fifth round. Berry weas coming off a loss but is 13-2 in his last 15 bouts. Oliveto has won only one of his last six fights.

 

Baltimore, MD, USA: Feather: Sulaiman Segawa (16-3-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Prince Danzie (23-3). Light: Mack Allison (18-3-1) W TKO 8 Luis Perez (8-8).

Segawa vs. Danzie

Segawa outboxes Ghanaian Danzie for a unanimous decision Southpaw Segawa was quicker and more mobile than Danzie. The speed and accuracy of Segawa’s punches saw Danzie rocked on numerous occasions but he took the punishment and kept trying to come forward. There were a couple of occasion when with Danzie trapped in a corner it looked as though Segawa was going to get a stoppage but Danzie fought his way out of trouble and was still there fighting hard at the final bell. Segawa won on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 32-year-old Ugandan’s losses have come against William Foster, Abraham Nova and Jamaine Ortiz and he has won his last three fights. He was making the first defence of his WBC USA title. Second wide points loss in a row for Danzie.

Allison vs. Perez

Neighbourhood favourite Allison moves to nine consecutive wins as he stops Mexican Perez in the last round for his twelfth inside the distance victory. Sixth loss in a row for Perez.

 

Fight of the week: (Significance): Alvarez has put Charlo behind him know and can look for another big and hopefully more competitive fight next year.

Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Two relative novices in the professional ranks Billy Rodriguez and Cristofer Rios put on a great show in a small hall fight as they went punch for punch for ten action filled rounds. The Serhat Guler vs. Rostam Ibrahim war gets an honourable mention.

Fighter of the week: Alvarez marches on. At 33 and after 64 fights he has already built a great legacy.

Punch of the week: Plenty to choose from including Ryan Rozicki’s left hook that put Alante Green down and out, the right hook from Caroline Dubois that dropped Magali Rodriguez in the ninth , the right from Ruben Munoz that floored Elias Haedo or the perfectly delivered left hook from Tevin Farmer that finished Oscar Barajas.  For me the punch of the week was the left hook from exciting prospect Guler that flattened unbeaten Ibrahim.

Upset of the week: No real shocks.

Prospect watch: Middleweight Elijah Garcia 16-0 (13) was very impressive in stopping Jose Recendez

 

Observations

Rosette: For the show in Vegas. Pity about the main event

Red Card:  To the IBF for their twisted ratings that saw Jordan Thompson in position to challenge Jai Opetaia. Thompson had never fought anyone remotely near the IBF ratings but was bumped up to No 5 for winning the IBF European title and then getting a title shot far too early in his career. Bad ratings lead to bad title fights and any rating awarded for a promoter paying a sanctioning fee and not for a boxers achievements is a bad rating. Another red card. This to the timekeeper in the fight between Patrick Rokhol vs. Istvan Kiss who let the second round overrun by more than 40 seconds.

Observations

This is the twenty-first century and yet we still have seconds flapping towels to cool a fighter between rounds and glove wrapping that wont stay stuck.

On a couple of occasions at the weekend referees were so focused on the count that they failed to keep a check on where the other boxer was. On both occasions the boxer had left the neutral corner and was almost at the referee’s shoulder so was able to jump on the recovering boxer.

 

WBC Bridgerweight Oscar Rivas

IBF Thompson won IBF European 8/22 not rated until 3/22 No 12 up to No 5

Flapping towels