The Past Week in Action 4 October 2021

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

Highlights:

-David Avanesyan  overwhelms Liam Taylor in two rounds in a European welterweight title defence

-Francesco Patera and Daniele Scardina score inside the distance wins in Milan

-South African Nhlanhia Tyirha gets off the floor in the first round to outpoint Filipino Jaysever Abcede to win the vacant WBO Global light flyweight title

– Nehomar Cermeno, Ray Beltran and Richard Riakporhe return to action with wins and former IBF lightweight title holder Miguel Vazquez outpoints Nicaraguan Oliver Flores

 

World Title/Major Shows:

 

October 1

 

Milan, Italy: Light: Francesco Patera (25-3) W TKO 3 Devis Boschiero (49-7-2). Super Middle: Daniele Scardina (20-0) W RTD 4 Juergen Doberstein (26-5-1). Welter: Nicholas Esposito (15-0) W PTS 10 Emanuele Cavallucci (12-5-1). Super Welter: Samuel Nmomah (16-0) W TKO 4 Craig O’Brien (12-3). Super Bantam: Vincenzo La Femina (10-0) W TKO 6 Oleksandr Yegorov (20-7-1). Welter: Reshat Mati (11-0) W PTS 8 Vladyslav Baranov (7-11-2).

Patera vs. Boschiero

A classy display of box/punching from Patera proves too much for veteran Boschiero who is ruled out by the doctor in the third round. Hostilities broke out early in this one as Boschiero, the smaller man, took the fight to Patera in the first driving forward pumping out punches. Patera stayed cool scoring with hurtful jabs and digging in left hooks to the body. Patera boxed beautifully in the second. He took charge firing jabs and straight rights through Boschiero’s guard adding in hooks and uppercuts to the mix with Boschiero unable to get on the front foot. By the end of the round Boschiero was bleeding from a cut by his right eye caused by a punch and was also bleeding from the nose. Patera continued to pound on Boschiero in the third and with the cut over his left eye continuing to bleed the referee asked the doctor to examine the cut and it was ruled too severe for Boschiero to continue. The 28-year-old Belgian wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental belt. The former undefeated European champion has put together a run of impressive victories over 17-0 Lewis Ritson, 24-1-1 Marvin Petit, 20-1 Paul Hyland and unbeaten former amateur star Domenico Valentino but with his only rating being WBC 13 he has not had the credit he deserves for that run. Boschiero, 40, may be at the end of the road. The former Italian and European champion lost a split decision to Takahiro Ao in Tokyo in a challenge for the WBC super feather title in 2011but never landed the return match his performance merited.

Scardina vs. Doberstein

Scardina wins on a fourth round retirement after an exhausted Doberstein is unable to continue. Doberstein spent the first round visiting every corner of the ring at high speed and flicking out light Jabs with Scardina trying to cut him off and having limited success. Doberstein continued to speed around in the second with Scardina doing a better job of cutting off the ring. By the end of the round Doberstein had slowed and was holding regularly but then he scored with three uppercuts which were the biggest punches landed by any fighter so far. Doberstein slowed dramatically in the third with Scardina  able to catch him with jabs and get through with long rights and body punches and a nasty punch to the back of the head. Doberstein’s punch output dropped. Doberstein went for broke in the fourth throwing punch after punch but being caught by counters. To his credit he just kept punching to the bell but was totally exhausted and retired at the end of the round. “King Toretto” Scardina, the former undefeated European Union champion, wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title in only his second fight in two years so he will be hoping to be more active. Kazak-born German Doberstein showed some good skills but poor conditioning. He was 7-2 going into this one with the losses being a very close decision against Robin Krasniqi and a seventh round kayo against Juergen Brahmer and this was also his second fight in two years.

Esposito vs. Cavallucci

Esposito retains the national with a points win over former champion Cavallucci. After a slow start that favours Cavallucci Esposito took over and despite solid resistance from the challenger Esposito emerged a good winner. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Esposito who was making his first defence. Only one win in his last five outings for Cavallucci.

Nmomah vs. O’Brien

The opening round saw two well-matched boxers testing their jab and both scored with hard rights. Most of the action was on the inside in the second with O’Brien just getting the better of the exchanges. Nmomah just edged the third but O’Brien was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads. Nmomah drove O’Brien to the ropes in the fourth and landed a series of punches but O’Brien did not seem in trouble and he was angry when his corner threw in the towel. Italian-based Nigerian Nmomah has done all of his fighting in Italy and showed some good touches. O’Brien had won 4 of his last 5 fights and complained bitterly about the  stoppage.

 La Femina vs. Yegorov

La Femina gets his fifth inside the distance victory with stoppage of seasoned Ukrainian pro Yegorov in six rounds . Yegorov was 20-1-1 at the start of his career but has fallen away with this his sixth consecutive defeat.

Mati vs. Baranov

Staten Island’s Mati takes a unanimous verdict over Ukrainian Baranov. Mati was able to use his height and reach to outbox a willing but limited Baranov. Scores 80-72 twice and 78-74 for “The Albanian Bear” Mati. Baranov is 1-7 in his recent activity.

 

October 2

 

London, England: Welter: David Avanesyan (28-3-1) W TKO 2 Liam Taylor (23-1-1). Super Middle: Germaine Brown (10-0) W PTS 10 Jamal Le Doux (8-2) . Cruiser: Richard Riakporhe (12-0) W PTS 8 Krzys Twardowski (9-3). Cruiser: Mikael Lawal (14-0) W TKO 3 Benoit Huber (7-1). Middle: Linus Udona (17-0) W TKO 3 Xhuljo Vrenozi (17-4).Super Welter: Joe Pigford (18-0) W KO 5 Isaac Aryee (26-10). 18

Avanesyan vs. Taylor

Avanesyan retains the European title with second round stoppage of Taylor. Taylor scored well with his jab and straight rights determined not to let Avanesyan dictate the fight. Avanesyan was coming forward behind a high guard looking to get close to force Taylor onto the back foot and land hooks and uppercuts. Taylor kept jabbing but Avanesyan was snapping Taylor’s head back with uppercuts and slamming hooks to the body. A right to the head saw Taylor go down on one knee. He was up swiftly and punched with Avanesyan for the remaining seconds of the round. Taylor threw everything at Avanesyan in the second but Avanesyan was relentless and constantly got passed Taylor’s guard with left uppercuts. A series of head punches had Taylor reeling and the referee stopped the fight. Fourth successful defence of the European title for the British-based Russian. He won the title with an inside the distance victory and has finished all four of his defences by KO/TKO. He is rated WBO 6/WBC 7/WBA 9/IBF 12 in a very tough division but it would be nice to think he might land a title shot next year. Taylor was 12-0, 1 TD  going in and landed punches that would have won him most fights but Avanesyan just steam-hollered him.

Brown vs. Le Doux

Impressive performance from Brown as he takes the referee’s decision over a combative Le Doux. Brown outscored and out outworked Le Doux taking control from the outset with flashing combinations that rocked Le Doux a few times. It was the sixth before Le Doux made any real impression looking to have won that round and the seventh. Brown took over again in the eighth and finished strongly to emerge the clear winner. Referee’s score 99-92 for Brown who outpointed Dmitri Chudinov in Belarus in his last fight in October. Le Doux had been victorious in his last five fights but had been inactive for two years.

Riakporhe vs. Twardowski

Riakporhe gets in some much needed ring time against Pole Twardowski. Riakporhe spent the first two rounds just finding the range for his jab and landing a couple of cracking rights. Twardowski did enough to keep Riakporhe busy without really being threatening. Riakporhe’s timing was off and Twardowski’s jabs brought blood from Riakporhe’s nose but the Pole was stunned by a right late in the seventh. In the eighth Twardowski suffered a nose bleed when heads bumped together with Twardowski claiming it was a butt and blatantly trying to butt Riakporhe. He rushed Riakporhe and ran onto a heavy right that floored him but he was up quickly and Riakporhe just boxed his way to the bell. Referee’s score 79-72. This is Riakporhe’s first fight since December 2019 and the pandemic has hurt his career as he was high in the ratings with wins over Jack Massey, Tommy McCarthy and Chris Billam-Smith before the shut down. Twardowski had won his last four fights and did his job well here.

Lawal vs. Huber

Lawal stops Huber in three rounds. Both were firing heavy punches over the first two rounds but Huber was rocked by a right late in the second. When Lawal landed another booming right in the third the referee stopped the fight over strong protests from Huber and it did look an early halt. London-based Nigerian Lawal has eight victories by KO/TKO. Swiss Huber came in as a late substitute but certainly gave it a try.

Udona vs. Vrenozi

Udona forces a third round stoppage against Vrenozi. A close first round saw a punch from Udona open a cut over Vrenoz’s right eye. Udona pressed hard in the second with a competitive Vrenozi punching with him. In the third a right uppercut had Vrenozi taking a knee and Udona pounds on him until Vrenoz’s corner throw in the towel. Ninth win by KO/TKO for the Nigerian-born English champion. Italian-based Albanian Vrenozi suffers his first inside the distance loss . His good looking record is padded with sub-standard victims.

Pigford vs. Aryee

Pigford marches on with yet another inside the distance win as he halts Aryee in the fifth. That makes it 15 inside the distance victories in a row and 17 in total but his opponents have been low level performers. Ghanaian Aryee was having only his second fight in four years and his victims have been mainly inept.

 

September 30

 

Dallas, TX, USA: Welter: Charles Hatley (30-2-1) W TKO 10 Frederick Lawson (28-3). Light Heavy: Deon Nicholson (15-1) PTS 8 Craig Baker (21-3)

Hatley vs. Lawson

Hatley grinds down and stops Lawson. The Dallas southpaw was taking the fight to Lawson early with the Ghanaian competitive enough to be very much in the fight. Slowly Hatley increased his work rate and by the eighth Lawson was fading out of the fight. Lawson was badly rocked in the ninth only just surviving to the bell but was shipping heavy punishment in the tenth when the fight was stopped. First fight for eleven months for 35-year-old Hatley and win No 21 by KO/TKO. He was knocked out in six rounds by Jermell Charlo in a WBC title challenge in 2017 but then had just one fight in each of years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Lawson was having his first outing for two years and suffers his third inside the distance defeat

Nicholson vs. Baker

Nicholson returns for the first time since being stopped by Efe Apochi in April and outboxes local hero Baker. Nicholson worked hard to get inside the much longer breach of Baker and won the fight there. Baker just could not keep Nicholson out and was rocked a couple of times as Nicholson showed superior power on his way to the unanimous verdict. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 for Nicholson as he returns to the winning column. Third loss by KO/TKO for Baker who had been stopped in tough matches by Edwin Rodriguez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk.

 

October 1

 

East London, South Africa: Light Fly: Nhlanhia Tyirha (6-1) W PTS 12 Jaysever Abcede (20-10). Light Fly: Siphamandla Baleni (18-3-2) W PTS 12 Mpumeleto Tshabalala (5-1).

Tyirha vs. Abcede

South African southpaw Tyirha climbs off the floor to win the vacant WBO Global title with unanimous decision over fellow southpaw Filipino Abcede. There was plenty of discussion over whether Tyirha was ready for a title fight and the questions looked valid when Tyirha was put down heavily in the first round by a thunderous straight left. He was up early and from then used his speed and skill to outbox Abcede. The Filipino walked Tyirha down throughout the fight but Tyirha showed some excellent defensive skills. He put together some rattling combinations but lacks power which meant Abcede was able to keep pressing. He scored heavily to the body when he could pin down Tyirha but too often Tyirha slipped out of danger and banged home more combinations and deservedly won on scores of 117-110 twice and 116-111 which would have been wider but for the 10-8 first round. Tyirha, 21, had won the South African title in his fourth fight and suffered his only loss when being outpointed by former IBF minimumweight title holder Nkosinathi Joyi in 2019. Abcede was having his first fight since November 2019 and was 4-1 in his previous 5 contests.

Baleni vs. Tshabalala

Baleni makes a successful first defence of the South African title with majority verdict over Tshabalala. The fight was dull by comparison with the WBO title fight with too much holding and mauling with Baleni having to deal with the longer reach of the taller Tshabalala but winning on scores of 116-112, 116-113 and 114-114. Baleni, 30, is a former undefeated South African minimumweight and WBO Global light flyweight title holder. Tshabalala had never been past the sixth round before.

 

Glendale, AZ, USA: Super Light: Ray Beltran (37-9-1,1ND) W RTD 6 Edgar Ramirez (18-19-1).

Beltran returns to action after 28 months away and gets a win as Ramirez retires after the sixth round. The former WBO lightweight champion was 142lbs for this one so could go up to super light or down to light as he tries to fight his way to another title shot but at 40 time is against him. Just a single victory in his previous eight fights for Ramirez.

 

Villa Mercedes, Argentina: Welter: Luis Veron (19-3-2) W Leonardo Amitrano (17-6).

Veron retains the South American title with narrow unanimous decision over home town fighter Amitrano. Despite his indifferent record Amitrano is a tough man to beat and it was the better skills of Veron that gave him the edge. His accurate jabbing and well placed combinations offset the aggression and constant switching of guard by Amitrano. Veron was bleeding heavily from the nose over the late rounds but was a good winner. Scores 96 ½-94 ½, 98-97 and 96-95 for Veron. He was 17-0-2 at one point but suffered losses to Michael McKinson, Tara Shelestyuk and Elvis Rodriguez. Amitrano, the Argentinian No 1, took IBF No 1 Jeremiah Ponce to a split decision and is a former South American champion at super light.

 

Panama City, Panama: Light Fly: Azael Villar (17-1-3) W PTS 10 David Martinez (10-5-1). Bantam: Felix Montenegro (10-9-1) W PTS 10 Alejandro Espinoza (17-2). Super Feather: Nehomar Cermeno (27-8-1) W TKO 1 John Valencia (4-2-4,1ND). Feather: Jhonatan Arenas (19-1) W KO 5 Samuel Moreno (9-4-1).

Villar vs. Martinez

Villar picks-up the WBC Fecarbox belt with unanimous decision over  Mexican Martinez on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-94. Villar’s only loss was an upset first round stoppage against Nicaraguan Jerson Ortiz in 2018. Martinez had scored two inside the distance victories this year.

Montenegro vs. Espinoza

Local fighter Montenegro continues a small run of good form as he wins on a split verdict over favoured Mexican Espinoza. The early rounds saw Espinoza using his longer reach to outbox Montenegro but Montenegro changed his tactics and dominated the second half of the fight. Scores 96-94 twice for Montenegro and 96-94 for Espinoza. Montenegro collects the vacant WBC Continental Americas title and gets his fourth win in a row something he has not previously achieved in his career. Espinoza had been 5-0 in his most recent fights.

Cermeno vs. Valencia

Too easy for Cermeno as he stops overmatched Valencia late in the first round. Now 42 the former holder of the secondary WBA super bantamweight title was having his first outing since April 2018. Panamanian Valencia in way over his head.

Arenas vs. Moreno

Panamanian Arenas comes out of retirement and knocks out fellow-countryman Moreno in the fifth round. Arenas lost his first pro fight and then scored eighteen straight wins, twelve by KO/TKO before retiring in October 2016. Moreno was having his first fight for six years.

 

October 2

 

Argentina: Middle: Lucas Bastida (17-1-1) DREW 10 Juan Taborda (16-0-1). Welter: Juan Leal (14-1) W PTS 10 Christian Andino (16-2-1).

Bastida vs. Taborda

Bastida holds on to his South American title and Taborda to his WBO Latino one as they fought to a split draw. Taborda settled quickest and working inside against the taller Bastida and he built a good lead. It was only over the second half of the fight that the 6’1” Bastida managed to work efficiently at distance and also scored with some scorching left hooks to the body. They both put in a huge effort in the last knowing the fight was close but they had to share the points as the judges scored it 97-93 for Taborda 96-94 for Bastida and 95-95. Both were making their first defence with Bastida Argentinian No 1 and Taborda No 2.

Leal vs. Andino

Leal is still Argentinian champion due to a majority decision over No 2 Andin0. Leal attacked hard at the first relying on his better hand speed with Andino getting into the fight in the second with his left jab and right crosses. That’s how the fight developed with the champion coming forward and Andino boxing and countering. The rounds were close with Andino’s clever boxing taking him in front and by the end of the seventh he had a good lead. Leal staged a storming finish sweeping the closing rounds to take the decision. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Leal and 95-95 which gives Leal his ninth consecutive victory. Second unsuccessful shot at a national title for Andino.

 

Santa Rosa, Argentina: Bantam: Angel Aquino (8-4-1) W PTS 10 Luciano Baldor (16-23.

Somewhat of an upset as Argentinian No 5 Aquino outpoints No 1 Baldor to lift the vacant national title. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 98 ½ -95 for Aquino who was 2-4 going into this one against Baldor who had won his last ten fights.

 

Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic: Heavy: Tomas Salek (16-3) W PTS 10 Michal Reissinger (2-1). Super Middle: Robert Racz (25-2) W TKO 1 Ondrej Budera (15-22-1). Fly: Fabiana Bytyqi (18-0-1) W PTS 6 Farah El Bousairi (3-1).

Salek vs. Reissinger

Salek wins the Czech title at the second attempt as he takes unanimous decision over Reissinger. The fight was close early with former martial arts competitor Reissinger just edging in front over the first two rounds but Salek was stronger and took charge of the fight after that and earned the unanimous decision. Scores 100-90, 99-92 and 98-92 for Salek. He had lost to Pavel Sour in a fight for the title in 2019 and was coming off a third round stoppage loss to Kash Ali in May. Reissinger had won his two previous fights in the first round.

Racz vs. Budera

Former undefeated champion Racz regains the Czech title with first round stoppage of Budera. Racz floored Budera twice with Budera’s corner throwing the towel in the ring after just 2:50 of the opening round. The 26-year-old Racz has scored 21 victories by KO/TKO. Budera had won the Czech light heavy title in July.

Bytyqi vs. El Bousairi

WBC Atomweight champion Bytyqi returns to action but struggles to get past inexperienced El Bousairi on a split verdict. First fight for eight months for Bytyqi who was out with a fractured elbow. Spanish-based Moroccan El Bousairi was having only her second fight in over three years and came in as a late replacement.

 

Munich, Germany : Light Heavy: Serge Michel (12-2) W TKO 3 Stephane Tchamba (3-8-1).

Predictable outcome as “Sniper” Michel stops Tchamba in three. Michel was scoring with heavy uppercuts in the first and floored Tchamba in the second. Tchamba only just survived the round but was dropped again in the third and the towel came in from Tchamba’s corner. First fight for Michel since losing on a tenth round stoppage against Ricards Bolotniks in the final of the MTK tournament in December. Seven losses and a draw is Tchamba’s recent form.

 

Tokyo Japan: Super Fly: Ryoji Fukunaga (15-4) W PTS 12 Hayate Kaji (15-1

Fukunaga holds on to the OPBF, Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific belts with very controversial majority decision victory over the younger unbeaten Kaji. The challenger seemed to edge the first round but Fukunaga scored with some blistering body punches in the second. Kaji rebounded to take the third hurting Fukunaga with left hooks. The fourth was close with Fukunaga just doing enough to take it but again Kaji landed heavily in the fifth with Fukunaga forced to hold to survive. After the fifth the scores were 48-47 twice for Fukunaga and 48-47 for Kaji which seemed very generous to Fukunaga. The champion outscored Kaji in the sixth but took heavy punishment in the eighth and ninth with a stoppage looking possible and also seemed to outscore Fukunaga in the tenth. Kaji had never been passed the eighth round before and Fukunaga did enough to take the last two rounds. Scores 115-113 twice and 114-114 whereas Kaji looked to have been the clear winner. Southpaw Fukunaga, 35, was a modest 10-3 until he hit a good run scoring wins over opposition such as Froilan Saludar and Kenta Nakazawa but he was lucky here.

 

Monterrey, Mexico: Super Light: Miguel Vazquez (44-10) W PTS 10 Oliver Flores (30-4-2). Heavy: Brandon Moore (10-0) W KO 1 Jesus Nerio (15-10-1). Super Light: Jimmer Espinosa (11-0) W TKO 5 Jorge Melendez (14-8-2). Super Bantam: Neslan Machado (18-0) W PTS 8 Alan Salazar (11-9-1). Super Bantam: Christian Uruzquieta (20-4-2,1ND) W PTS 8 Juan Ocura (13-16-2,1ND).

Vazquez vs. Flores

Former IBF lightweight champion Vazquez scores a unanimous decision over Nicaraguan Flores. It was southpaw Flores who went out in front over the first three rounds. Vazquez began to roil from the third a round in which Flores was cut on his left eyebrow in a clash of heads. Vazquez gradually took over and with his better skills and higher work rate did enough to get the decision although the fight was harder for Vazquez than the scores of 99-91, 98-92 indicate and a better reflection was the third score of. 96-94. After losing a very controversial decision to Lewis Ritson in England in October Vazquez picked up his second win this year back in Mexico. Former WBA super feather title challenger Flores was having his first outing for two years.

Moore vs. Nerio

Floridian heavyweight Moore at 6’6” much too big for and punches too hard for 5’11” Nerio. Moore retains the WBC USNBC belt with first round kayo delivered by a left hook. Sixth inside the distance finish for Moore and seventh loss by KO/TKO for Mexican Nerio.

Espinosa vs. Melendez

Mexico City’s Espinosa remains unbeaten after stoppage of Melendez. Espinosa floored Melendez with a right uppercut in the fifth and although Melendez arose he was being heavily punished and the fight was halted. Tenth quick win for the promising 23-year-old. Melendez had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Machado vs. Salazar

Miami-based Cuban hope Machado keeps his 100% record but has to work hard to take the verdict over Salazar on scores of 78-73, 77-74 and 78-76. Then 25-year-old Machado impressed with three wins in the UK but had only one fight in 2019 and one in 2020. Salazar falls to 3-5 in his last 8 contests.

Uruzquieta vs. Ocura

Uruzquieta outpoints Ocura on a unanimous decision over eight but no scores given. Uruzquieta lost a point and Ocura two due to infringements of the rules. Uruzquieta is 6-1-1in his last 8 fights and was a popular visitor to Canada where he went 2-2-1 in his 5 fights. Both fighters have a ND on their records but for very different reasons. Uruzquieta’s was due to a cut but Ocura  tested positive for a banned substance after scoring a career best win by beating Alexander Miskirtchian in Belgium so the fight was ruled a No Decision and he has now won only of his last ten fights.

 

Koscierzyna, Poland: Middle: Adrian Szczypior (8-0) W PTS 10 Vladyslav Gela (11-4).

Szczypior wins the vacant Polish International title on a split decision over Ukrainian Gela. Szczypior’s right jabs helped him get off to a good start and he was more accurate than Gela who often relied on crude rushing attacks. Gela did better over the late rounds but was denied what looked a clear knockdown as Szczypior was the winner on scores of 97-93 and 94-96 and 96-94 for Gela.

 

Bang Phun, Thailand: Light: Apichet Petchmanee (11-0) W KO 2 Phutthiphong Rakoon (8-5). Super Fly: Adrian Lerasan (10-4) W KO 5 Suradech (6-5).

Apichet vs. Rakoon

No problems here for Apichet who beats fellow-Thai Rakoon in the second round. A body punch sent Rakoon down in the second and although he made it to his feet he was still doubled up in agony and was counted out. Not even any useful ring time for Apichet.

Lerasan vs. Suradech

Filipino Lerasan wins the WBC Asia Continental belt with kayo of Thai Suradech (Masuk Tor Buamas) in the fifth round. Lerasan scored a knockdown in the third and put Suradech down and out in the fifth. Lerasan won the WBA Asian belt in Thailand in his last fight in March 2020. Five losses on the bounce for Surachet.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): None of major significance

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Ryoji Fukunaga vs. Hayate was a clash of styles that provided plenty of action

Fighter of the week:  David Avanesyan for his crushing win over Liam Taylor in his fourth defence of the European welterweight title with honourable mention to South African Nhlanhia Tyirha for getting off the floor to win the WBO Global light flyweight title in only his seventh fight.

Punch of the week: Any one of the left uppercuts from David Avanesyan which broke Liam Taylor apart

Upset of the week:  No biggies

Prospect watch: Super Middleweight Germaine Brown looked good in beating Jamal Le Doux to go to 9-0

Red Card: In future I will use this to highlight any person or thing that in my opinion has harmed boxing over the past week

Rosette: For the good things that have happened in the fights for that week

 

Observations

-Different trainers-different reactions. Irish super welterweight Craig O’Brien was incensed when his corner threw in the towel in his fight with Samuel Nmomah.  When 44-year-old Rafal Jackiewicz, once an IBF welterweight title challenger but now fighting at 170lbs, told his trainer he was retiring after the fourth round of his fight with unbeaten Kewin Gruchala his trainer ranted and raved at him, slammed the water bottle on the canvas then climbed out of the ring shouting insults at Jackiewicz all the way to either the dressing rooms or even the venue exit.

-There was some question of whether the Nhlanhia Tyirha vs. Jaysever Abcede WBO Global title fight would take place. Boxing South Africa was less than pleased at the match and understandably. There were two South Africans in the WBO top ten-Sivenathi Nontshinga at No 6 and Hekkie Budler at No 8 with neither Tyirha or Abcede in the ratings at all. Additionally the national champion Siphamandla Baleni was overlooked so it was like a slap in the face to Boxing SA-and incidentally to the other fighters rated in the top 15. What’s the point of having ratings if you are just going to ignore them when it comes to fighting for your vacant high prestige title (well as viewed as high prestige by the WBO anyway).

– It was all set to be the return of boxing to Maracaibo. An outdoors show in honour of WBA super featherweight champion Roger Gutierrez. Nine fights including two WBA regional title fights and a huge crowd-then it bloody well rained on their parade. Luckily it is being rescheduled as Venezuelan boxing is at a very low ebb and it needs shows like this.