The Past Week in Action 6 September 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:

-Kazuto Ioka retains the WBO super fly title with points win over Francisco Rodriguez

-A clash of heads sees the return fight between Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington end in a NO Decision after just two rounds

-Maxi Hughes wins the IBO lightweight title as he outclasses champion Jovanni Straffon over twelve rounds

-Katie Taylor successfully defends her IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO female lightweight titles as she outpoints Jennifer Han

-Connor Benn marches on with a points victory over Adrian Granados

– Tanzanian Hassan Mwakinyo stops former super light title holder Julius Indongo in four rounds

 

World Title/Major Shows

 

September 1

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Fly: Kazuto Ioka (27-2) W PTS 12 Francisco Rodriguez (34-5-1).

Ioka retains the WBO title with a unanimous decision over Rodriguez. The challenger made a good start finding a home for some hefty rights to the head. Ioka was using a long term strategy attacking the Mexican’s body to slow the quicker man and pave the way to a strong finish. Both had their moments and the rounds were close with the scores after four rounds at 39-37 for Ioka, 39-37 for Rodriguez and 38-38 and the three judges had not all agreed on  the score for a single round. Rodriguez landed the better punches in the fifth but Ioka took over from the sixth. He was countering heavily and Rodriguez seemed to lose some of his steam as Ioka pocketed the next three rounds to move in front on all three cards with two judges having him 77-75 in front and one 78-74. Rodriguez rallied briefly in the ninth rocking Ioka with some hard rights but the earlier body attacks by Ioka paid there dividend and if Rodriguez did try to raise his game Ioka was able to hold and smother his attacks. Ioka swept the last three rounds on all three cards and came out on top with the judges turning in identical cards of 116-112 . Ioka, 32, was making the third defence of the title. His two losses were both on split decisions against Amnat Ruenroeng and Donnie Nietes. Rodriguez, 29, is a former undefeated IBF and WBO minimumweight champion and had a 15-bout winning streak before this fight.

 

September 4

 

Leeds, England: Feather: Mauricio Lara (23-2-1) TEC DRAW 2 Josh Warrington (30-1-1). Light: Maxi Hughes (24-5-2) W PTS 12 Jovanni Straffon (24-4-1). Welter: Connor Benn (19-0) W PTS 10 Adrian Granados (21-9-3,1ND). Light: Katie Taylor (19-0) W PTS 10 Jennifer Han (18-5-1,3ND). Super Bantam: Hopey Price (6-0) W TKO 2 Zahid Hussain (16-2). Super Bantam: Jack Bateson (14-0) W PTS 6 Felix Garcia (7-3-1). Bantam: Ebanie Bridges (7-1) W PTS 8 Mailys Gangloff (5-3).

Lara vs. Warrington

A clash of heads in the second round sees Lara suffer a cut that the doctor rules too serious for the fight to continue. Warrington was coming forward behind a high guard and stabbing out fast jabs. When Lara came forward throwing punches unlike in the first fight instead of standing and trading Warrington was backing off out of range. Both landed good rights and Warrington took Lara to the ropes and fired a salvo of punches at Lara at the end of the round. Their heads clashed in the second and Lara backed off. The referee stopped the fight and gave Warrington a warning. There was swelling around Lara’s left eye and a small cut but the fight continued. Blood began to leak from that cut on Lara’s left eyelid and he attacked fiercely to the bell. In the interval the doctor examined the cut and decided it was too serious for the fight to continue. A frustrating NO Decision ending for both fighters and it is confirmed there will be a third meeting.

Hughes vs. Straffon

Hughes boxes his way to victory in this clash of southpaws. Hughes was boxing cleverly on the back foot. He was threading jabs though the guard of Straffon and then banging straight lefts which Straffon was too slow to block. Straffon’s footwork was terrible and he couldn’t close Hughes down. He landed a brace of good shots in the second but Hughes fired back with more and better. Saffron was walking in in a straight line with very little head movement and he paid for that in the third when Hughes connected with a thumping straight left. Hughes came close to victory in the fifth when a clubbing left unhinged Straffon’s legs. He was in deep trouble and Hughes drove him around the ring. Straffon was staggering and stumbling and there for the taking but Hughes was over anxious to finish it and was wild with his punches. The referee looked poised to step in but Straffon somehow managed to push out a punch at a vital moment and lasted to the bell. Hughes had Straffon reeling again in the seventh and eighth but somehow Straffon stayed up. Those rounds had taken a lot out of both boxers and the pace slowed with Hughes standing and trading more but with his better skills always giving him the edge. Straffon never stopped rolling forward but he was too predictable and not quick enough to put Hughes under pressure and Hughes won by a mile. Scores 120-107 twice and 119-109. Good to see an experienced battler such as Hughes get a big win. He has only lost to the very best of the domestic opposition and scored recent good victories over Jono Carroll, unbeaten Viktor Kotochigov and Paul Hyland Jr. He wins the IBO title and the talk is now of a fight with Devin Haney which would be a just reward for a battler such as Hughes.Mexican Straffon had won the IBO title with a first round blast out of James Tennyson in May. That fight showed his strengths as a puncher this showed his weaknesses as a boxer.

Benn vs. Granados

Benn wins a wide unanimous verdict. Benn was forced to chase a quick moving Granados who was circling the ring and pushing out jabs. Benn had trouble pinning Granados down and was often off target but was throwing more and landing more than Granados. As the fight developed Granados chose to strand and exchange punches more but Benn was getting the better of the exchanges sending Granados on the retreat again. Benn kept up the pressure in every round scoring well with hooks to the body. Granados had a good sixth when he took the fight inside and the seventh was close but Benn was the one doing the scoring in the eighth and ninth. The tenth saw Granados fighting hard for two minutes and then taunting Benn to the bell. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 for Benn. A frustrating night for Benn who had to chase the fight but he was a clear winner against a fighter with good credentials. Fifth defence of the WBA Continental title for Benn who is rated WBC 11/WBA 12/IBF 13. Granados has been in with Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter with Garcia the only one to stop him but he was coming off a disappointing draw with 11-1 Jose Luis Sanchez in May.

Taylor vs. Han

Taylor scores a knockdown on the way to winning every round against challenger Han. Taylor was tracking a retreating Han in the first. Taylor was scoring well to the body with Han quick but looking to lack power. Taylor continued to hunt Han down over the second and third and was getting through with strong jabs and uppercuts. Han shows a useful jab but was being outlanded. Han chose to stand and trade in the fourth and it was a messy round with both fighters landing punches to the back of the head. Han was the one coming forward over the sixth and seventh but Taylor was landing the harder and cleaner punches. Han was down in the eighth from a series of punches from Taylor but Han strenuously argued that it had been from a push and it did not look to have been from a punch. Taylor put together a strong finish over the ninth and tenth but Han fought hard to the bell. All three judges had Taylor winning 100-89. Taylor retains the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Texan Han had won her last eight fights but was having her first outing since February 2020.

Price vs. Hussain

Price wins his first pro title as he floors Hussain twice and stops him in the second round. A right from Price dropped Hussain just before the bell in the first. Hussain was badly hurt and only just staggered to his feet. By then the bell had gone which saved Hussain. Both fighters were cut when their heads clashed in the second. Price then attacked strongly and floored Hussain and although he made it to his feet the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old Leeds southpaw collects the vacant IBO International title and continues to shine. Hussain never in with a chance.

Bateson vs. Garcia

Bateson was much too quick for Garcia and staggered him with a right hook on the first. He began to put his punches together well in the second but as he was backing away a right to the chest knocked him off balance and down. He was up immediately and the bell had rung. Bateson switched guards often, found plenty of gaps for his jabs and landed straight shots and hooks to the body. Garcia pressed hard but Bateson was too slippery and Garcia was often left swishing air. Referee’s score 58-56 for Bateson. In the amateurs Bateson won a bronze medal at the European Championships and was a successful member of the British Lions team in the WSB. Third loss in a row for Spanish-based Nicaraguan Garcia.

Bridges vs. Gangloff

Australian Bridges just squeezes past French champion Gangloff on the referee’s card who saw it 77-76 for Bridges. The only loss on the record of Bridges is a decision in a challenge to Shannon Courtenay for the WBA Female bantam title in April. Gangloff was 3-1 in her last 4 fights and looked unlucky to lose here.

 

September 3

 

Budapest, Hungary: Super Welter: Balazs Bacskai (15-0) W PTS 10 Guido Pitto (27-9-2). Middle: Peter Kramer (11-3-3) DREW 10 Gabor Gorbics (26-20-2). Super Welter: Laszlo Toth (30-5-2) W PTS 8 Francesco Lezzi (14-19-2).

Bacskai vs. Pitto

Bacskai continues victorious with a unanimous decision over experienced Pitto. No scores given but Bacskai dominated every round in this WBO Inter-Continental belt defence. Bacskai is now 33. It is a pity that the 8-time Hungarian champion and European gold medallist left it so late to turn pro. Spanish-based Argentinian Pitto hit his peak when he outpointed Jack Culcay back in 2013.

Kramer vs. Gorbics

These two are very well matched with the result that as in their first fight in June this fight also ended up as a draw so the national title remains vacant with a third fight to follow.

Toth vs. Lezzi

Like others before him Toth found Italian Lezzi a difficult, awkward opponent and had to settle for a narrow points victory. Toth was 19-0-1 at the start of his career but has lost fights on the road since then. Two wins in his last seven fights for Lezzi

 

Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: Super Welter: Hassan Mwakinyo (20-2) W TKO 4 Julius Indongo (23-4). Super Bantam: Bongani Mahlangu (23-8) W TKO 12 Tony Rashid (12-2-2).

Mwakinyo vs. Indongo

Mwakinyo’s power proves too much for Indongo. In the first Indongo’s hand speed and movement saw him scoring easily but one left from Mwakinyo rocked Indongo. Indongo again controlled the action in the second until a left caused Indongo to touch the canvas with both gloves. The referee was too slow to move in and Mwakinyo landed more punches on the rising Indongo and almost sent him through the ropes. Indongo outboxed Mwakinyo in the third but was wrongly given a count in the fourth when he slipped avoiding Mwakinyo’s punches. Indongo stupidly then tried to swap punches with Mwakinyo and was badly shaken by a right and Mwakinyo cut loose with an array of punches and with Indongo reeling the referee stopped the fight. Mwakinyo retains the ABU title with his tenth win in a row and thirteenth victory by KO/TKO with Indongo his biggest scalp so far. Now 38 Indongo looked fragile but the former holder of the IBF,WBO and IBO super light titles had only previously lost to Terrence Crawford, Regis Prograis and unbeaten Daniyar Yeleussinov

Mahlangu vs. Rashid

South African Mahlangu comes through  with a very late stoppage of local fighter Rashid to win the ABU title. As Rashid was giving away 4” in height and a lot in reach for eleven rounds Rashid pursued and Mahlangu ran. Mahlangu showed plenty of skill but was under relentless pressure. He rocked Rashid a couple of times early but then Rashid had no trouble walking through Mahlangu’s punches. Mahlangu was cut over his left eye in the tenth and it looked as though the home fighter’s pressure would get him the win. He continued to come forward in the twelfth but an uppercut from Mahlangu stunned Rashid and a series of punches floored him. He beat the count but was trapped in a corner and taking heavy punishment and the referee stopped the fight. As he is 42 and had not fought since December 2019 it was amazing that Mahlangu stood the pace as he been constantly on the run and it looked a lost cause for him until he connected with that uppercut. “AK 47” Rashid was 8-0-2 in his last 10 fights.

 

Belle Ville, Argentina: Light: Juan Carrasco (11-1) W PTS 10 Gerardo Perez (9-2). Super Bantam: Diego Ruiz (22-3) W TKO 1 Miguel Salazar (8-12-2).

Carrasco vs. Perez

Carrasco puts in a solid workman-like performance as he outboxes and outpunches Perez in an IBF Latina title defence. Carrasco constantly found the target with strong rights but Perez showed a good chin. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Carrasco who is trained by former WBO featherweight title holder Julio Pablo Chacon. Perez had won his last 5 fights.

Ruiz vs. Salazar

“Prophet” Ruiz returns to action with a first round destruction of Salazar. Three knockdowns in the first round brought the stoppage. This is the first fight for Ruiz since a ninth round stoppage defeat against Michael Conlan in August 2019. Poor Salazar has won only one of his last eleven fights.

 

Hermosillo, Mexico: Light Fly: Daniel Valladares (25-3-1) W PTS 10 Jose Javier Torres (15-2).

Valladares comes out on top in an entertaining scrap with Torres. Valladares applied constant pressure with Torres trying to box at distance and connecting with some choice uppercuts when Valladares made it inside. Valladares was just edging the exchanges but Torres kept it close. Torres lost a point in the ninth for hitting on the break and Valladares was helped by that in a close fight. Scores 97-94, 96-94 and 95-94 for Valladares who wins the vacant NABF title. Torres sees his four-bout winning streak ended.

 

Bialystok, Poland: Super Middle: Przemyslaw Gorgon (14-7-1) W PTS 10 Karol Welter (8-1).

This was a close fight all the way and difficult to score but even that hardly explains the judge’s cards. Two had Gorgon winning 96-94 which looked about right but the other gave it 99-91 for Welter. Gorgon wins the vacant Polish title. A rematch is on the cards.

 

Nolda, India: Super Welter: Sagar Narwat (13-1-1) W PTS 8 Rahul Kumar (7-5-1).

Narwat gets his fourth consecutive victory and collects his first pro title as he wins unanimous decision over Kumar on scores of 80-72, 79-74 and 78-73 to lift the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title. Kumar falls to 2-4 in his last six contests.

 

September 4

 

Hurlingham, Argentina: Welter: Christian Andino (16-1-1) DREW 10 Yoel Peralta (8-2). Light Fly: Ayelen Granadino (6-1-3) DREW 10 Jazmin Villarino (4-1-2).

Andino vs. Peralta

Andino looks fortunate to get a draw out of this fight. Although Andino seemed to build an early lead he was floored by a right to the head in the fourth. Peralta dominated from there and was unlucky to have what looked like a genuine knockdown in the last rules a slip. Scores varying greatly at 96-93 Andino, 98-91 for Peralta and 94-94. The WBC Latino title remains vacant.

Granadino vs. Villarino

Another title fight and another draw. Granadino had a slight advantage in reach and made use of it to box cleverly on the outside. Villarino pressed hard but Granadino jabbed accurately and scored with strong body punches and despite a late effort from Villarino Granadino looked to have won clearly. Scores 95-95 twice and 97-93 for Granadino who retains her national title.

 

Inngeniero Maschwitz, Argentina: Super Light: Nicolas Demario (15-4-3) DREW 10 Emiliano Dominguez (25-9-1).

A great little contests ends in a draw. It was the rugged aggression of Dominguez against the accurate jabbing and fast combination punching from Demario. It was close all the way and the draw looked the right call. No scores available and no title at stake but a good fight does not need one.

 

Oncativo, Argentina: Super Welter: Rodrigo Coria (10-3) W PTS 10 Adrian Sasso (16-3).

Something of an upset as in a clash of local southpaws Coria outpoints Sasso. Scores 95 ½-94 and 96 ½ -95 for Coria and 95-94 for Sasso. Coria collects the South American title with his fifth win in a row. Champion Sasso was rated No 1 in the Argentinian ratings so a double blow for him.

 

Ostrava, Czech Republic: Declan Geraghty (19-5) W RTD 5 Richard Walter (9-20-1).

Geraghty has his first fight for two years as he beats Walter in five rounds. Geraghty was to have fought South African David Rajulli for the vacant UBO title but just before the fight was due to start Rajulli reportedly did not like the gloves that were to be used and refused to fight. Czech Walter was to have fought a four round bout on the card but instead stepped up to face Geraghty. The fight ended in the fifth round with Walter’s team retiring their man after a one-sided contest. Dublin southpaw Geraghty lost his WBO European belt and his world rating when he was stopped by Archie Sharp in September 2019. Walter suffers his fourteenth loss by KO/TKO but saved the show.

 

Luebeck, Germany: Light Heavy: Shefat Isufi (32-4-2) W PTS 10 Tomas Adamek (29-20-2).

Isufi floors and outpoints ageing Czech Adamek. Isufi pressed the fight from the start. Adamek went onto the back foot and stayed there for the full ten rounds. Isufi was scoring with clubbing shots to head and body but the pace was slow. A clash of heads in the fifth saw Adamek cut over his right eye but he was allowed to continue after a doctor’s inspection. Adamek was down late in the tenth but made it to the final bell. No scores available but Isufi won every round. Fifth low level win for Isufi who lost on points to Billy Joe Saunders for the vacant WBO super middle title in May 2019. Adamek, 41, was having his first fight since December 2019.

 

Accra, Ghana: Super Feather: Alfred Lamptey (9-0) W TKO 10 Iddi Kayumba (13-4-2). Super Fly: John Chuwa (21-5) W TKO 7Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (14-1-1

Lamptey vs. Kayumba

Ghana’s teenage prospect Lamptey adds another belt to his collection with win over Tanzanian southpaw Kayumba. Lamptey floored Kayumba with a left hook in the second and dominated the fight. In the tenth he blasted Kayumba with a torrent of punches driving him across the ring to the ropes and with Kayumba’s head being snapped about by hooks and uppercuts the referee came in to save Kayumba. The 19-year-old Lamptey gets his seventh victory by KO/TKO and collects the vacant WBO Youth and WBC Youth Silver titles to go with the West African and UBO African titles he already holds-all meaningless and although Lamptey has impressive talent he is yet to face a real test. Fourth inside the distance defeat for Kayumba.

Chuwa vs. Lasisi

Tanzanian Chuwa springs an upset as he stops unbeaten Lasisi in seven rounds. Win No 11 by KO?TKO for Chuwa. In his last fight in July in London he was stopped in two rounds by unbeaten Dennis McCann so it looked a sure win for Lasisi who had drawn with world rated Norberto Jimenez in his last fight in March 2020

 

Sora, Italy: Heavy: Ivan D’Adamo (8-1-1) W PTS 10 Paolo Iannucci (4-6).

D’Adamo retains the Italian title with a unanimous verdict over Iannucci. The champion was bigger, heavier and slower. The challenger made the better start and built a lead. D’Adamo picked up rounds over the middle sessions and then just did enough to earn the decision over the late rounds but it was close. Scores 97-93, 97-94 and 96-94 for the champion. The 41-year-old D’Adamo gets his sixth consecutive win in his first title defence. The scores were a bit harsh on Iannucci who is 1-6 in his last 7 outings.

 

Urdaneta City, Super Feather: Charly Suarez (8-0) W KO 4 Lorence Rosas (9-6-2).

Suarez brushes aside Rosas. He dropped Rosas in the first and then had him in pain in the second-but from a low punch. Rosas was given some recovery time. Suarez scored well in the third and then used another body punch to put Rosas down for the count in the fourth. The 33-year-old “King’s Warrior” gets his sixth quick win. An Olympian he won a bag full of medals but did not turn pro until he was 31. Fifth loss in a row for Rosas.

 

Birmingham, England: Light: Tion Gibbs (8-0) W PTS 10 Jack O’Keeffe (10-1).

In a battle for Birmingham bragging rights Gibbs wins the BBB of C Central Area title with hair’s breadth victory over O’Keeffe. The defining moment came early when Gibbs floored O’Keeffe in the first. O’Keefe fought back strongly and looked worth a share of the decision but that knockdown cost him the fight with the referee scoring it 96-95 for Gibbs. First fight since June 2019 for Gibbs. O’Keeffe was defending the Area title for the second time.

 

September 5

 

Minneapolis, MN, USA: Super Welter: Jesus Ramos (17-0) W PTS 10 Brian Mendoza (19-2). Middle: Mark Hernandez (15-4-2) W PTS 10 Jose Resendiz (12-1). Light: Sparkinson Castillo (16-0) W PTS 10 Juan Burgos (34-6-2). Heavy: Iago Kiladze (27-5-1) W TKO 2 Matt McKinney (8-4-2). Super Middle: Kyrone Davis (16-2-1) W PTS 8 Martez McGregor (8-5).

Ramos vs. Mendoza

Dominant victory for southpaw Ramos. He was outlanding Mendoza who started well but then faded with Ramos having him in trouble in the eighth and easing his way to the unanimous decision on scores of 98-92 on all three cards. The 20-year-old from Arizona had beaten 24-2 Jesus Bojorquez and former Olympian 22-4 Javier Molina. After going 18-0 Mendoza has now lost two of his last three fights.

Hernandez vs. Resendiz

Hernandez takes decision over previously unbeaten Resendiz. Hernandez scored a flash knockdown in the first and outlanded Resendiz over the first six rounds. Resendiz finished strongly but Hernandez’s early work earned him the decision. Scores 96-93 twice and 97-92 for Hernandez. A much needed win as he was 1-3-1 going in. Mexican Resendiz at 22 can rebound from this loss.

Castillo vs. Burgos

Castillo gets decision over seasoned pro Burgos. Plenty of action as Burgos stormed forward and Castillo showed plenty of movement accurate jabbing and fast hands. Burgos kept up the pressure and Castillo stood and traded more over the late rounds to seal the win. Castillo took the verdict with the judges cards reading 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Dominican Castillo who shows promise. At 33 Burgos has seen better days drawing with Roman Martinez for the WBO super featherweight title in 20132

Kiladze vs. McKinney

Georgian Kiladze punches too hard for overmatched McKinney, Kiladze dropped McKinney twice in the second round and the fight was halted. Kiladze badly needed to win a fight as he had lost three and drawn one of his four fights before being inactive since December 2019. McKinney, 40, had won his last three fights by KO/TKO but against very mediocre opposition in Mexico.

Davis vs. McGregor

Davis scores unanimous decision over McGregor. This was a close, competitive fight more so than the scores show. Davis won on his higher work rate but was helped by McGregor being deducted two points for the use of an elbow in the sixth and another point for hitting on the break in the seventh. The judge’s cards read 75-74 twice and 77-72 for Davis. Davis fought a split draw with Anthony Dirrell over twelve rounds in February. Now four consecutive losses for McGregor.

 

Fight of the week (Significance): Kazuto Ioka’s win over Francisco Rodriguez could lead to a unification match with IBF title holder Jerwin Ancajas.

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Plenty of good quality but nothing that had me jumping up and down in excitement

Fighter of the week: Maxi Hughes-so good to see such an admired craftsman getting his rich reward. Honourable mention to Katie Taylor who again showed her dominance over the lightweights.

Punch of the week:  The uppercut from South African veteran Bongani Mahlangu that snatched a last gasp victory when a loss looked inevitable.

Upset of the week: Tanzanian John Chuwa was 4-4 in his last 8 fights and had fought at everything from 107 to 121lbs in those fights. He was a rank outsider against unbeaten Aliu Bamidele Lasisi but came away with a stoppage win.

Prospect watch: Ghana’s super featherweight Alfred Lamptey 9-0 with 7 wins by KO/TKO is the top prospect there.

 

Observations

Last week I reported that young Mexican female fighter Jeanette Zacarias Zapata had been stretchered out of the ring after being stopped in the fourth round of her fight in Montreal on 28 August. I had no update at that time but Jeanette did not recover and died on 2 September. Obviously the family of the eighteen-year-old Jeanette are devastated by her loss. The ripples from that tragedy have also affected deeply Yvon Michel and his team who promoted the fight and Marie Pier Houle who was Jeanette’s opponents that night. There was mention of Jeanette having been knocked out in six rounds on 4 May 2021 but she was suspended for sixty days after that loss and in fact had not fought for 106 days. There will be a full investigation and any findings will be shared with the whole sport to see if in any way the tragedy was avoidable but the tragic fact is that in a sport as dangerous as ours tragedy is inevitable and it is the duty of everyone involved in the sport to do all they can to minimise the risk. RIP Jeanette.

Debate about scoring and criticising the current method is a weekly pastime. As long as you have humans involved that debate will rattle on. In this week’s fights in Argentina we had one judge scoring a fight 96-93 and another scoring the same fight 91-98 and in Poland we had two judges scoring fight 96-94 and the third 91-99. It makes no sense but very little does when human beings are involved. You can’t cure it because judging in boxing is pure perception with no science involved and tinkering will not help. All any Board or Commission or Sanctioning body can do is ensure that any officials employed are trained, experienced and monitored and avoid any knee-jerk reaction to controversy from armchair experts.

Waiting for the result of a close fight must be stressful for any boxer so spare a bi of sympathy for Argentinian Female light flyweight champion Ayelen Granadino. So far Ayelen has had ten fights. She won her first two by unanimous decision. Seven of her other fights have produced three majority wins, two majority draws , one split decision win and one split draw and in the eighth which she lost two of the judges had her down 96-94 so just one round away from another majority draw. If she wasn’t wearing gloves when waiting for the referee to raise a hand her fingernails would be non-existent by now.

A foul is a foul whether committed by a male boxer or a female boxer. In the Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han fight both boxers repeatedly landed punches to the back of the head. We have already seen the effect these can have in the cases of Prichard Colon and Magomed Abdusalamov neither of whom will fully recover. The old saying –if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem- applies to every organisation that fails to take action to stamp out these fouls.