The Past Week In Action 7 May 2013

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 sport.

 

May 2

 

Corona, USA: Light Welter: Mauricio Herrera (19-3) W PTS 10 Ji-Hoon Kim (24-9). Light: Miguel Gonzalez (21-3) W PTS 10 Miguel Acosta (29-7-2). Light Middle: Taras Shelestyuk (2-0) W TKO 4 Brandon Adams (0-1).

Herrera vs. Kim

Predictable win for Herrera. He has too much skill for the tough, face-first, Korean and boxes his way to victory. Kim’s constant aggression makes for plenty of action, but his skills are basic at best and he was never really in with a chance other than a kayo. Herrera worked behind his jab, used good movement and fast combinations to befuddle the “Volcano”. Kim had some success when he could get to Gonzalez on the ropes but that rarely happened. Herrera rocked Kim on numerous occasions in the sixth and seventh. He was leaking blood from a cut under his left eye in the eighth and Kim had his best round in the ninth as they stood and traded. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. Herrera, 32, had scored wins over Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Dallas Jr in 2011, but was in need of a win after losing to Mike Alvarado and Karim Mayfield in 2012. Former IBO super feather champion Kim suffered a bad finish to 2010 losing on points to Miguel Vazquez for the vacant IBF light title and then being halted in just 101 seconds by Lenny Zappavigna. The seesaw swung up again when he scored good wins over Yakubu Amidu (20-2-1) and Alisher Rahimov (23-0), but in his last fight in December he was floored and outpointed by Ray Beltran.

Gonzalez vs. Acosta

Big win for Gonzalez over former secondary WBA light champion Acosta. The fight did not start well for Gonzalez who was having his first fight in nearly 15 months. He was floored by a right in the second round. He survived, and switched to boxing southpaw. With the knockdown Acosta had built an early lead, but Gonzales evened things up when he floored the 35-year-old Panamanian with a left in the fifth. Despite a cut over his left eye as the result of a clash of heads in the eighth Gonzalez showed more aggression in a tough exciting fight, and with Acosta showing swellings around both eyes, Gonzalez swept the late rounds to win a unanimous decision. Scores 97-91, 96-92 and 95-93. “Silky Smooth” Gonzalez , 27, was rebuilding after losing a wide unanimous decision to Mike Dallas Jr in his last fight in February 2012. A loss that snapped a 14 bout winning streak. Acosta had lost three of his last four going in , but the losses had been to Brandon Rios for the WBA title, Richard Abril for the vacant interim WBA title and unbeaten Art Hovhannisyan.

Shelestyuk vs. Adams

Rude shock for Olympic bronze medallist from Ukraine as he is floored by a left in the second round. He did not seem too shaken and from then on he pummeled Adams with both hands until the referee stopped the fight in the fourth. Shelestyuk,27, won a bronze medal at the 2010 European Championships, a gold medal at the 2011 World Championships and a bronze at the London Olympics where he lost by one point to Fred Evans in the semifinals.

 

Beccar, Argentina: Heavy: Walter Masseroni (25-9,1ND) W TKO 1 Gustavo Ariel Dos Santos (0-5). A ten round fight that lasted 43 seconds. Veteran Masseroni, 49, having his first fight since November 2011, and in his home town, floored the inept Brazilian twice for a stoppage win. The former Argentinian and South American champion makes it 20 wins by KO/TKO. Curiously, as Argentinian heavyweights have proved popular fodder for the home fighter on the road, he has never fought outside Argentina.

 

May 3

 

Si Sa Ket, Thailand: Super Fly: Srisaket (19-3-1) W TKO 8 Yota Sato (26-3-1). Bantam: Yodchanchai (20-3) W PTS 6 Yodpichai (9-11). Bantam: Suriyan (26-5-1) W PTS 10 Jilko Merlin (13-16-2). Super Fly: Nawaphon (14-0) W KO 2 Rodel Tejares (20-27-4).

Srisaket vs. Sato

Thai Srisaket wins WBC title and gains revenge for stable mate Suriyan with stoppage of Sato. The elongated Sato had height and reach over Srisaket but was never able to use those advantages. The 26-year-old Thai, fighting in his home town, was the aggressor from the start and had Sato on the back foot for most of the fight. Sato stemmed the tide for a short while in the second but after that had no option but to mix it with Srisaket and was wilting under a furious body attack. The Japanese fighter showed courage, but was under fire and close to exhaustion when the fight was stopped. After going 1-3-1 in his first five fights (Thai reports do not allocated these fights to Srisaket) the new champion has won 17 bouts by KO/TKO and one on a technical decision. Statistics look good, but despite his No 8 rating by the WBC he had never faced a fighter in the WBC top 40. At almost 5’8” it cannot have been easy for Sato to make the weight. The Thai promoter had an option on Sato’s services which allowed the promoter to select the opponent and the venue, but Sato, 29, insisted the fight be outside and not in a stifling hot indoor arena. In the end the strength of the Thai proved decisive and Sato lost the title in his third defence. Maybe now 26-year-old Srisaket will be able to give up his job at a gas station.

Yodchanchai vs. Yodpichai

Just a keep busy payday for 34-year-old WBC No 12 Yodchanchai who fails to halt soft-chinned Yodpichai. Yodchanchai starting over after losing in six rounds to Nobuo Nashiro 26 days before this fight. Yodpichai 2-8 in his last 10 fights.

Suriyan vs. Merlin

Six wins for Suriyan since losing his WBC title to Sato in March 2012, but game late sub Merlin made him work hard for the win. With stable mate Srisaket holding the WBC title the 24-year-old Suriyan may have to look to the WBO title as he is No 6 with them. Merlin, the 24-year-old GAB No 10 feather, has lost 3 of his last 4, but against hard opposition.

Nawaphon vs. Tejares

Hard punching prospect Nawaphon had little trouble with Filipino Tejares putting him down and out early in the second round. The 21-year-old WBC Asian Boxing Council champion has 11 wins by KO/TKO including 6 in his last 7 fights. Tejares has lost 7 of his last 8 fights.

 

Las Vegas, USA: Welter: Antonio Orozco (17-0) W TKO 7 Jose Reynoso (16-5-1).Light Heavy: Anthony Dirrell (25-0) W PTS 8 Don Mouton (12-7-1). Super Bantam: Joseph Diaz (4-0) W TKO 3 Eric Gotay (3-2). Light Middle: Errol Spence (5-0) W TKO 1 Brandon Hoskins (16-5-1). Heavy: Dominic Breazeale (5-0) W TKO 2 Lance Gauch (3-7-2). Super Feather: Carlos Velasquez (15-0) W PTS 6 Giorgi Mtchedlishvili (8-5-1).

Orozco vs. Reynoso

Once again the 25-year-old Mexican lives up to his “Relentless” nickname. Despite giving away height and reach to southpaw Reynoso, Orozco dominates from the start and halts Reynoso in the seventh. A body punch has Reynosa down in the fifth and another body punch ends the fight in the seventh. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for Orozco and his eighth quick win in his last nine fights. Southpaw Reynoso, 28, had won seven in a row, including victories over unbeaten Aris Ambriz and Hector Serrano, before being kayoed in two rounds by Ruslan Provodnikov in his last fight in June. This fight was moved up to main event after Jose Aguiniga collapsed with dehydration the day before the fight and his bout with Francisco Vargas was cancelled.

Dirrell vs. Mouton

Dirrell showed plenty of ring rust in his first fight since December 2011. Texan Mouton has been matched tough and fights tough. Dirrell had all he could handle with Mouton and although the decision was unanimous two judges had it very close at 77-75 and the third had it 78-74. Dirrell has ground to make up as he has dropped out of the ratings due to that period of inactivity. In his last fight he had beaten Canadian Renan St Juste on an injury in a WBC eliminator at super middle. Mouton is no pushover. He has lost to Brandon Gonzalez, Badou Jack and now Dirrell, three unbeaten fights with combined records of 52-0, all on points in close decisions, and has wins over Josiah Jacobs, Jerson Ravelo and Jesse Lara.

Diaz vs. Gotay

Olympian “Jo Jo”, 20, is a different class to novice Gotay. After winning the first two rounds Diaz put Dominican Gotay down with a three-punch combination topped off with a hard left. Gotay made it to his feet, but the fight was stopped. Diaz has two wins by KO/TKO. He was US amateur champion in 2010 and 2011 and competed in the London Olympics but was eliminated by Cuban Lorenzo Aragon.

Spence vs. Hoskins

Spence continues to look a class act. The Olympian put Hoskins down twice, the second time with a right and a left uppercut. The 23-year-old Texan makes it four by KO/TKO, two in the first round. Twice US amateur champion, and a National Golden Gloves winner, southpaw Spence represented USA at both the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics, just missing out on a medal in each. Five losses in a row for Hoskins so no real test.

Breazeale vs. Gauch

Olympian Breazeale keeps his 100% record as he floors poor Gauch in the first and stops him in the second. Five wins by KO/TKO for the 6’6” Californian who was trained by Henry Tillman as an amateur. Now two draws and three losses in his last five fights for Gauch.

Velasquez vs. Mtchedlishvili

Puerto Rican hope Velasquez boxes his way to a wide unanimous decision over game Georgian. Mtchedlishvili never gave up trying, but was always a step behind the classy Velasquez who wrapped up the win by flooring the Georgian in the last. Scores 59-54 twice and 60-53. Carlos, 29, is one of twins and he represented Puerto Rico at the 2004 Olympic Games and beat Yuriorkis Gamboa on his way to a gold medal at the 2006 Central American & Caribbean Games. He has eleven wins by KO/TKO.

 

Martinez, Argentina: Heavy: Marcelo Dominguez (42-7-1) W TKO 7 Martin D Islas (12-29-1). “El Toro” (or El Gordo” depending how generous you feel) returns. In his first fight since December 2006 the former WBC cruiser champion was just too strong for modest opponent Islas. After taking two rounds to get in his stride Dominguez was soon scoring with hard hooks to the body and crosses to the head. In the sixth a left hook followed by a right cross staggered Islas and the referee applied a standing count. It was over in the seventh when two right crosses had Islas reeling and the fight was halted. Dominguez, 43, won the interim WBC cruiser title in 1995 and made two defences of the interim title and three of the full title, losing the crown to Juan Carlos Gomez in 1998 in his third defence. He lost to Gomez in a return fight and to Johnny Nelson for the WBO title and later to Enzo Maccarinelli for the interim WBO title. He won both the Argentinian and South American titles at heavyweight and retired in 2006 after retaining both of those titles with a win over Fabio Moli. Since he has three wins over current Argentinian champion Moli you have to feel he can win his titles back easily. Only one win in his last ten fights for Islas

 

Altona North, Australia: Welter: Tim Hunt (16-3) W TKO 3 Sapapetch (29-12). Middle: Dwight Ritchie (7-0) W PTS 10 Kiatchai (32-10). Light: Luke Jackson (1-0) W TKO 2 Baikon Lokromklao (1-2).

Hunt vs. Sapapetch

Dominating display by 25-year-old Hunt. The current PABA and former undefeated Australian champion took the first two rounds and then put experienced Thai Sapapetch down three times for a stoppage win. Now six wins by KO/TKO for ANBF No 2 rated Hunt who has won 15 of his last 16 fights. Eleven losses by KO/TKO for 32-year-old Thai southpaw Sapapetch.

Ritchie vs. Kiatchai

Ritchie wins vacant WBFoundation Asia Pacific title, but looks lucky to take majority decision. The 21-year-old “Fighting Cowboy”, rated No 4 by the ANBF, has only one win inside the distance. “Ice Jellybaby” Kiatchai, another a southpaw, manages to go the distance for the first time in seven fights in Australia.

Jackson vs. Lokromklao

Easy start for Olympian Jackson as he halts Thai novice in two rounds. Tasmanian Jackson, 28, represented Australia at the 2005 and 2011 World Championships, competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, where he beat current WBA champion Nicholas Walters and Sharif Bogere on his way to a bronze medal, and the 2010 Games where he captained the Australian team but lost to Tom Stalker in the quarter finals. He also competed at the London Olympics. One to watch.

 

Chicoutimi, Canada: Super Middle: Francy Ntetu (10-0) W PTS 8 Jaudiel Zepeda (12-8-1,1ND). Comfortable win for Ntetu over Mexican. With his usual hands down, lots of movement style Ntetu dominates from the centre of the ring and with his fast hands comfortable outboxes Zepeda. The Mexican presses hard in the third and fifth and they exchange bombs in the sixth. After that Ntetu seems content to box over the last two rounds. Scores 80-72 twice and 77-75. The 30-year-old DCR-born Ntetu, who represented Canada at the 2007 World Championships, has plenty of skill, but just three wins by KO/TKO. Now 5 losses and one No Decision in his last six fights for 30-year-old Zepeda

 

Accra, Ghana: Light Welter: Albert Mensah (27-4-1) W TKO 6 Ben Odamattey (14-12-2). Cruiser: Braimah Kamoko (26-0) W TKO 6 George Tevdorashvili (13-8-3,1ND). Light Middle: Issah Samir (13-0) W TKO 3 Robinson Omsarashvili (11-5-3). Light Middle: Joshua Okine (28-4-1) W TKO 2 Alaba Okusote (0-3). Light: Sam Amoako (20-4) W TKO 4 Richard Amenfu (9-2). Super Middle: Bastie Samir (13-0-1) W TKO 1 Ademola Faniyi (1-2).

Mensah vs. Odamattey

The tall “Tornado” is just too much for local rival Odamattey. The talented Ghanaian wore Odamattey down and halted him in the seventh. Mensah, 30, has not really cashed-in on his points win over Mike Katsidis in April last year and blew his big chance when losing by 10 points on all three cards against Denis Shafikov in December in an IBF eliminator. This is third win since then and he collects the IBF Inter Continental title. Odamattey retired in 2008 after seven losses in a row.

Kamoko vs. Tevdorashvili

Kamoko had trouble with the elusive style of the Georgian in the early rounds and had some catching up to do. From the fourth he went to the body and the fight changed. Kamoko got through with heavy body shots in the fifth and sixth rounds and Tevdorashvili retired at the end of the round. Now 20 wins by KO/TKO for WBO No 7 “Bukom Banku” but his eye problems will limit how far he can go. First loss inside the distance for 27-year-old Tevdorashvili.

I. Samir vs. Omsarashvili

Former top amateur Samir wins the vacant IBF Youth title. He outclassed the modest Georgian opponent. Samir had too much hand speed and power. He floored Omsarashvili in the second and floored him again with a right in the third and the fight was stopped. He is Ghanaian champion and represented Ghana at the 2007 World Championships at 57kg, the 2008 Olympics at 54kg and 2009 World Championships at 60kg, so he has moved up in weight quite a bit as a pro. He has won 12 by KO/TKO but only one of his previous twelve opponents had positive records, and seven had never won a fight. As is usual with Georgian fighters Omsarashvili has never won a fight outside Georgia.

Okine vs. Okusote

Former Commonwealth champion and Dennie Mancini trophy winner Okine disposes of Nigerian novice in two rounds. Southpaw Okine had Okusote down in the first rounds and again in the second and the Nigerian retired at the end of the round. The 33-year-old southpaw tried his luck in the USA but after being halted in nine rounds by Joe Greene in 2008 has settled for domestic success.

Amoako vs. Amenfu

FormerCommonwealth title challenger Amoako just too experienced and too strong for fellow-countryman Amenfu. Amoako hands out a beating for four rounds and Amenfu’s corner pull him out at the end of the fourth. “Bruno”, the WBO African champion, is strong but limited. He has won his last 12 fights, 10 by KO/TKO. Amenfu’s record is deceptive as his opposition has been abysmal.

B Samir vs. Faniyi

Awful mismatch sees Samir floor Nigerian Faniyi in the first round and the visitor retired at the end of the round. Bastie, the brother of Issah, ran up ten successive wins inside the distance in the USA but then drew with Lester Gonzalez in April 2011and tested positive for a banned substance after that fight. He returned to action in Ghana in January this year and has scored three wins over poor opposition. The captain of the Ghana National team, he competed at the 2008 Olympics at 81kgs.

 

Dublin, Ireland: Light: Stephen Ormond (13-1) W TKO 2 Laszlo R Balogh (17-15-1). Middle: Gary O’Sullivan (16-0) W TKO 3 Tadas Jonkus (8-15-1).

Ormond vs. Balogh

Ormond has no trouble with late replacement Balogh. Ormond dominated the first and then floored Balogh three times in the second with the referee stopping the fight after the third knockdown. “The Rock” , 30, wins the vacant WBU title and makes it six victories by KO/TKO. His only loss was a razor thin unanimous verdict against Paul Appleby in March last year. Now 13 losses by KO/TKO for Hungarian Balogh.

O’Sullivan vs. Jonkus

The “Celtic Rebel” controlled the first two rounds with his jab whilst looking for an opening. The chance came in the third and a wicked body shot put Jonkus down in agony and ended the fight. Ten wins by KO/TKO for Irish champion 28-year-old O’Sullivan who was coming off an impressive win over Matt Hall in July. Five losses in  a row for Lithuanian Jonkus who lost in four rounds to George Groves and three to Chris Eubank Jr.

 

Granada, Nicaragua: Light Fly: Carlos Buitrago (25-0,1ND) W TKO 1 Yader Escobar (25-5-1). WBO No 2 strawweight destroys experience Escobar in 84 seconds. There had been bad blood before the fight and Buitrago came out throwing heavy shots. A jab, a hard right and an uppercut put Escobar down. The badly hurt Escobar tried to fight his way out of trouble, but was floored again. Escobar again made it to his feet, but had nothing left and was floored again and the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old“Chocorroncito” has 16 wins by KO/TKO. The WBO have played yo-yo with his rating dropping him from No 1 to No 4 one month and up to No 2 the next. Nicaraguan Escobar,27, had a run of 15 wins but is now 3-2-1 in his last seven fights.

 

California, PA, USA: Light: Rod Salka (17-2) W PTS 8 Osnel Charles (9-6-1). The superior skills of Salka were the difference. The Pittsburg fighter boxed tidily behind a strong jab and took the early rounds by effective countering against an aggressive but wild Charles. In the late rounds Charles has some success but Salka was always boxing well within himself. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73. “Lightning Rod”, 30, is 6-1 in his last seven fights with a win over experienced Emmanuel Lucero and the loss being a majority decision against Dorin Spivey. Salka had Paul Spadafora working his corner. Haitian Charles has only lost once inside the distance.

 

 

May 4

 

Las Vegas, USA: Welter: Floyd Mayweather Jr (44-0) W PTS 12 Robert Guerrero (31-2-1,2ND). Feather: Abner Mares (26-0-1) W TKO 9 Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-5). Super Bantam: Leo Santa Cruz (24-0-1) W TKO 5 Alex Munoz (36-5). Middle: J’Leon Love (16-0) W PTS 10 Gabriel Rosado (21-7). Super Middle: Badou Jack (14-0) W TKO 3 Mike Gbenga (16-8). Super Middle: Luis Arias (5-0) W PTS 6 DonYil Livingston (8-3-1). Super Middle: Ronald Gavril (4-0) W TKO 3 Roberto Young (5-7-2),

Mayweather vs. Guerrero

The genius shines through again. Guerrero came out for the first firing and probably took the opening round. After that slow start Mayweather had seen what he needed to see and then set about establishing his game plan of making Guerrero miss and banging through counter rights. Mayweather scored constantly with those lead rights and was just too fast for southpaw Guerrero who could not match the speed or movement of “Pretty Boy”. Guerrero tried another frenzied attack in the third, but Mayweather was avoiding being hit and threading right through Guerrero’s guard. The shots from Mayweather had Guerrero leaking blood in the middle rounds and although Guerrero tried to keep pressing, Mayweather was in a different class, and that is the problem. Mayweather makes it look so easy and when no one can take him out of his comfort zone the fights lack that edge that uncertainty brings. As the bout progressed Guerrero’s was cut by the left eye and his face was marking up and Mayweather was showing his bag of tricks. The crowd was becoming restive and by the eighth there were boos ringing out over the “matador” not going for the finale. Mayweather injured his right hand in the ninth and breezed through the last three rounds with the crowd again booing in the tenth and eleventh. At the end Mayweather had retained his WBC title on scores of 117-111 from all three judges. A masterly display of boxing but wasted when the crowed are baying for the matador’s sword and not the artistry of the cloak. At 36 Mayweather still seems heads and shoulders above all of his potential opponents, but hope springs eternal. There were those that thought Guerrero was the man, now the drums will beat to convince the public to again pay out to watch the “Mayweather Master Class” against someone else. Guerrero, 30, is still a good fighter. He just came up against a great fighter. There are plenty of good pay days for him against lesser mortals.

Mares vs. De Leon

Mares wins the WBC title to become a three division champion. His speed, work rate and accuracy gave him the edge over De Leon who is more renowned as a puncher than a boxer. After out boxing De Leon in the first Mares had De Leon down in the second from a left hook and a right. De Leon got up, but his legs were unsteady and lucky for him the bell sounded shortly after. De Leon was having trouble letting his punches go but had a better third as he used his strength to push Mares back. Mares was back in control with his speed and skill in the fifth and sixth and although being nailed by a big right he fired back with a right of his own. De Leon got back into the fight in the seventh round with Mares briefly on the floor from a low blow and De Leon had a good eighth as Mares seemed to slow. At the end of the eighth two judges had Mares by just 76-75 and the third had Mares 77-74 in front. It looked as though De Leon might be able to turn the fight around, but a huge right dropped him in the ninth. He got up, but a series of rights from Mares had the referee jumping in and stopping the fight. De Leon protested the stoppage and it was controversial, but it looked about right. De Leon was seen as the puncher here, but it was the 27-year-old Mares who showed that speed and accuracy can give added potency to a punch. It remains to be seen whether Mares stays at featherweight or seeks a fourth title at super feather. At 32 De Leon was a surprise champion when he showed previously unanticipated skills in out boxing Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBC title in September. He may now find himself the target for youngster trying to break into the ratings so there are still fights out there for him.

Santa Cruz vs. Munoz

The former undefeated IBF bantam champion handed out a one-sided beating to the Venezuelan veteran. Santa Cruz floored the Venezuelan in the third and fifth rounds and it was a relief when Munoz’s corner stopped the fight with Santa Cruz unloading on their man yet again. The 24-year-old “Teremoto” has 14 wins by KO/TKO and wins the vacant IBF USBA title. Now No 4 with the IBF he may beat Carl Frampton to a shot at IBF champion Jhonatan Romero. It has been some time since the 34-year-old Munoz was a force. “El Explosivo” set a record by winning his first 23 fights by KO/TKO which saw him winning the WBA super fly title in 2002. After losing the title in his fourth defence he regained the title in 2007 and made three more defences. He retired after losing to Koki Kameda for the WBA bantam title and this was only his second fight in over two years.

Love vs. Rosado

A fight of two halves sees Love gets a hotly disputed split decision over Rosado. Over the opening rounds the superior speed and advantage in reach saw Love boxing well and building a lead. The fight lacked sustained action with neither fighter looking to get involved in long exchanges. Love was scoring more, but the power was coming from Rosado. Love solidified his slight lead with a good fifth round and Rosado needed to change the game. He did that to some extent with a right that put Love down in the sixth. From then Rosado was able to rock Love with rights, but Love stayed busy and scored well with quick combinations. It was a hard fight to score with many rounds very close. Scores 97-92, 95-94, 94-95, but the decision was not popular. Big win for Dearborn Heights fighter Love. The 25-year-old wins the vacant NABF title. “King” Rosado must feel someone stole his crown. This was his first fight since putting up a gutsy effort against Gennady Golovkin in losing in seven rounds for the WBA/IBO titles in January. At 27, and with wins over Jesus Soto Karass, Sechew Powell and Charles Whittaker, Rosado is still a factor in the division.

Jack vs. Gbenga

“The Ripper” has little trouble with limited Nigerian Gbenga. The Swedish boxer had Gbenga badly hurt at the end of the  first. The punishment continued in the second and a body punch in the third ended the fight. Gbenga complained that it was low, but it was legitimate. Now ten wins by KO/TKO for the 2008 Olympian. Second loss inside the distance for Gbenga who challenged for the Commonwealth light heavyweight and super middleweight titles in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Arias vs. Livingston

“Cuba” Arias remains unbeaten but has a tough night with Livingston. Arias, the bigger and stronger fighter, dominated the first two rounds scoring with hard body shots. Arias rocked Livingston with a big right in the third only for Livingston to get home with a cracking right of his own later in the round. From the fourth Livingston used speed and movement to get into the fight and suddenly Arias looked ordinary. The last three rounds were close but Arias was given the majority decision on scores of 58-55, 58-56 and 57-57 with the first two looking unkind to Livingston’s efforts. Despite his nickname the 22-year-old Arias was born in Milwaukee. The former 2008 & 2010 American amateur champion is a good prospect but this fight showed he had work to do. Livingston, 28, has failed to live up to the promise he showed as an amateur when he was US Under-19 champion and this was his third loss in a row.

Gavril vs. Young

Romanian prospect Gavril easily overwhelmed a game Young. The writing was on the wall when Gavril scored with heavy body punches in the second. The barrage continued in the third and with Young wilting the fight was stopped. The 26-year-old Gavril, a former Romanian amateur champion who represented his country at both the 2005 and 2009 World Championships, has three wins by KO/TKO. First loss inside the distance for young

 

Mannheim, Germany: Heavy: Wladimir Klitschko (60-3) W TKO 6 Francesco Pianeta (28-1-1). Heavy: Mike Perez (19-0) W PTS 10 Travis Walker (39-10-1).

Klitschko vs. Pianeta

Once more Klitschko shows his complete domination of the heavyweight scene. The big Ukrainian bossed the first three rounds with his heavy jab and straight rights. Pianeta was swinging but not connecting. A wide swing in the fourth saw Pianeta miss and end up on the canvas. Later in the round Klitschko showed Pianeta his left jab which was followed by a right straight through the Italian’s guard and Pianeta landed on his backside. He was up at three and took the eight count. With Klitschko seemingly in no hurry to finish things he survived. In the fifth he was caught by a cuffing left hook and went down. He was up immediately and again Klitschko did not pick up the pace or try to get the challenger out of there. Klitschko went for the finish in the sixth landing with jolting jabs and rights. Two left-right combinations put Pianeta down on his knees. He made it to his feet but the fight was rightly stopped. Klitschko retains his IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO titles in his 23^rd title fight. He has 51 wins by KO/TKO. Now 37, he is unbeaten in the last nine years. This was a one-sided, repetitive fight, with Klitschko content to stick out the jab and throw straight rights. Pianeta’s only attacks were lunging swings which Klitschko easily avoided and the entertainment value was nil. Now for a massive (unbelievable $23 million) pay day against Alex Povetkin. German-based Italian Pianeta, 28, almost matched Klitschko in physique, but lacked both the power and skill and eventually the will to trouble the champion.

Perez vs. Walker

Difficult for Perez to ,look good in this one as Walker seemed to be content with just surviving and showed little aggression. Cuban Perez was trying to get an early win, and had Walker hurt on occasions. However, when those attempts failed he settled for getting in some much needed rounds to shed the rust in his first fight since December 2011. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. The 27-year-old Cork-based southpaw won the heavyweight Prizefighter in 2011 outpointing Kertson Manswell and beating both Tony Gregory and Ty Fields inside a minute. He looks a very good prospect but now needs to be much more active. “Freight Train” Walker, 33, had his best win in March 2012 when he halted Kali Meehan but has since lost in five round to Tomasz Adamek and on points to Derric Rossy in the February Prizefighter.

German heavyweight Mike Wallisch was prevented from fighting due to an injunction regarding a contract dispute being served before his bout.

 

Malvinas Argentinas, Argentine: Welter: Ramon de la Cruz Sena (12-7-2) W KO 9 Elias L Vallejos (13-2-1). Vallejo was the favourite, but the right cross of Sena was the winner as Sena collected the WBC Latino title. In the first round Vallejos was on the back foot with Sena taking centre ring and forcing the action. Vallejos was holding his left at hip level and paid for it. Late in the round Sena crashed home a right cross over that low left and the champion hit the floor hard. He survived and was more aggressive in the second, but had not learned his lesson. At the end of the round another right hand bomb from Sena put Vallejos down. He got up quickly but was hurt and the bell went before Sena could follow-up. From that point on Vallejos used his greater hand speed to get back into the fight and good upper body movement had him ducking the rights from Sena. A glancing left knocked out Vallejos’ mouthpiece in the six and although he was eating into the points deficit he always looked vulnerable when Sena got through with a right. The end came in the ninth when Sena drove Vallejos back with a strong jab and then nailed him with a right cross. Vallejos was up quickly and tried to take the fight to Sena only to be forced back with another jab and driven to the floor by yet another right cross. Vallejos made it to his feet but was walking away from the referee and starting to push out his mouth piece and the referee completed the count. Big win for unranked Sena as he wins the WBC Latino crown and beats the FAB No 5 rated Vallejos. He also gains revenge for a loss to Vallejos in  2011. Win No 6 by KO/TKO and win No 6 in a row. Vallejos had been unbeaten in his last 14 and won the WBC Latino title with a victory over Gumersindo Carrasco in February.

 

Schwechat, Austria: Light Middle: Gogi Knezevic (25-4-1) W PTS 12 Jozsef Matolcis (32-20-1). Light Heavy: Timy Shala (16-0) W PTS 12  Tomas Adamek (19-8-1). Welter: Laszlo Toth (16-0-1) W KO 2 Zoran Cvek (7-24-3).

Knezevic vs. Matolcis

Austrian “Lionheart” Knezevic just had the edge over Hungarian veteran Matolcis. Knezevic was that bit quicker and letting his hands go more than Matolcis. The Hungarian had the advantage in experience and made it a close fight probably deserving a draw. Scores 115-114, 114-113 and a very strange 117-112. Knezevic, 33, the GBU champion, wins the WBFederation Intercontinental title. He is ok at this level, but loses whenever he tries to step up. Matolcis, 37, a former WBFoundation champion at light middle, lost in Britain to James Hare, Ted Bami, Marcus Portman and Paul Smith, but showed he is still a force at this level.

Shala vs. Adamek

Shala also won a very close majority decision that could have gone either way with Adamek also deserving to walk away with a draw. Scores 117-113,115-113 and 114-114. The 27-year-old Serbian-born Austrian champion adds the WBFoundation Intercontinental title. Czech Adamek, 32, has been in some tough matches and was unlucky to lose this one.

Toth vs. Cvek

Tall Hungarian Toth makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO by putting away Croat Cvek in the second. The 25-year-old former top amateur has won 9 of his last 10 fights inside the distance, but all against very poor opposition. Cvek has won only one of his last 15 fights.

 

Villeurbanne, France: Light Middle: Michel Soro (21-1) W PTS 10 Frederic Serre (14-9). Light Heavy: Hakim Zoulikha (19-4) W PTS 8 Abdel Benzinia (14-15). Heavy: Newfel Ouatah (11-0) W TKO 1 Simeon Loschi (9-6).

Soro vs. Serre

Soro wins the vacant French title in front of his home fans. After a tentative start which sees Serre pressing the action Soro takes control from the halfway mark and using his advantages in height and reach and faster hand speed boxes his way to a unanimous decision. Scores 97-93 twice and 97-94. The only loss suffered by the lanky 25-year-old WBO European champion was against Zaurbek Baysangurov for the WBO/IBO titles in May last year. He is No 7 with the WBO. Serre never stopped trying but was too often a static target for the fists of Soro. Serre was to have fought Jimmy Colas for the title last year, but Colas failed to make the weight. He has lost 3 of his last 4 fights, but the other losses were to good opposition in Jack Culcay and a very close decision to Erick Ochieng.

Zoulikha vs. Benzinia

Zoulikha was in charge in this one from the first to the last bell and walked away with a wide unanimous decision. The 26-year-old home town fighter is 16-2 in his last 18 fights with the losses coming inside the distance against Robert Krasniqi and in his last fight in February against Robert Woge. Benzinia, a former French title challenger, was having only his second fight since December 2011.

Ouatah vs. Loschi

A terribly mis match sees Ouatah massacre poor Italian Loschi inside a round. The French champion was able to land at will against the small, out of condition Loschi. A barrage finished off by a right put Loschi down. He was up at eight but looked unsteady. Another right had him on his way down. As he sagged his backside hit the middle rope which helped him stumble back to his feet, but mercifully the fight was stopped. The 6’6 ½” , 27-year-old Ouatah was returning after injury and now has seven wins by KO/TKO. Poor Loschi, 38, was having his first fight since 2008

 

Aulnay-sous-Bois, France: Cruiser: Jeremy Ouanna (14-7) W PTS 10 Gabriel Lecrosnier (15-19-2). Middle: Julien Marie Sainte (35-3) W TKO 4 David Tlashadze (8-11-1).

Ouanna vs. Lecrosnier

Ouanna wins the vacant French title with a unanimous decision over Lecrosnier.  The underdog surprised Ouanna with a barrage of left hooks over the first couple of rounds and took Ouanna out of his stride. From the third Ouanna worked out his response and as Lecrosnier tired over the second half of the fight he built a big lead. In an open fight with plenty of action Ouanna rocked Lecrosnier in the eighth and ninth, but the champion is not a power puncher and a game Lecrosnier was still there at the end. Scores 98-91, 98-92 and 97-93. The 31-year-old Fireman, EBU No 10, has turned his career around and is 10-1 in his last 11 fights, and reversed that loss. French No 6 Lecrosnier is durable with only 2 of his 19 losses coming inside the distance.

Sainte vs. Tlashadze

“The Brigadier” returned with a win in front of his home fans as he put away Georgian in the third round. After seeing what Tlashadze had to offer in the first round Sainte floored the Georgian with a left hook to the body and a straight right. The Georgian survived but in the third a devastating body shot left Tlashadze on his knees with his head pressed against the canvas and he was counted out. The 32-year-old Sainte has 24 wins by KO/TKO but it will be difficult for him to climb back from the three round beating he took in losing to Max Bursak for the vacant European title in February. Only the third loss inside the distance for Tlashadze who has never won a fight outside Georgia.

The show was promoted by Jean-Marc Mormeck, his first show.

 

Tokyo, Japan: Middle: Akio Shibata (21-7-1) W TEC DEC 9 Makoto Fuchigami (20-8). Light: Yoshitaka Kato (25-4-1) W PTS 12 Motoki Sasaki (39-10-1). Light: Nihito Arakawa (24-2-1) W KO 2 Pakphum (0-2).

Shibata vs. Fuchigami

No 1 contender Shibata lifts OPBF crown with technical verdict over champion. Fuchigami suffers a cut over his right eye in the third. Shibata well in front on all cards when the fight is stopped. Scores 89-81, 89-82 and 87-83. The 31-year-old  Japanese light middleweight champion and former OBPF champion successfully moves up to middle and makes it five wins in a row. Southpaw Fuchigami, 29, was making his first defence in his second reign as OPBF champ. He was halted in three rounds by Gennady Golovkin in a challenge for the WBA title in May last year.

Kato vs. Sasaki

Kato retains his Japanese title and wins the vacant OPBF title with a unanimous decision over former OPBF light welter and welter champion Sasaki. Scores 116-110 twice and 116-111. Now eight wins in a row for Kato who lost and won in early career fights against current WBC No 1 Nihito Arakawa. Sasaki, 37, lost on points to Vyacheslav Senchenko for the WBA welter title in 2009 and on a technical decision against Humberto Soto for the WBC light title in 2011.

Arakawa vs. Pakphum

Arakawa needed a win after his loss to Daniel Estrada in a fight for the WBC Silver title in November, but this was useless as a fight as it did not even add up to any reasonable sparring as Arakawa put away the unknown Thai early in the second round. Despite that loss to Estrada Arakawa in still WBC No 1 and Estrada No 2!

 

Puebla, Mexico: Super Fly: Efrain Perez (15-4) W TKO 2 Marco Chable (5-10-1).

Perez retains interim Mexican title with stoppage of Chable. Both were firing bombs from the start. At the end of the first Perez floored Chable who managed to make it to his feet and the bell went before Perez could apply the finish. Chable was under pressure immediately in the second and an overhand right put him down again. The referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. “Matador” Chavez, 24, has  ten wins by KO/TKO and this was his second defence of the interim title. Poor Chable has lost 10 of his last 11 now.

 

New York, USA: Super Bantam: Juan Dominguez (14-0) W TKO 3 Manuel de los Reyes Herrera (20-12-1). Light Heavy: Joe Smith Jr (12-1) W PTS 6 Hamid Abdul-Mateen (3-4-2). Light Middle: Frank Galarza (9-0-2) DREW 6 Jason Thompson (5-7-2).

Dominguez vs. Herrera

After a competitive first round the strength and punching power of Dominguez proved too much for Herrera. “Baby Tito” , 27, went to the body in the second and was hurting Herrera. The end came in the third when a series of body punches and a final left hook to the body put Herrera down and he was counted out. Ten wins by KO/TKO for the former Dominican amateur international who has won 5 of his last 6 fights that way. Colombian southpaw Herrera goes to eight losses by KO/TKO including losses to Tomas Rojas (KO 1) and Felipe Orucuta.

Smith vs. Mateen

The “Irish Bomber” makes it six wins in a row with wide unanimous decision over Mateen. Smith edged the first two rounds and then floored Mateen with a left hook in the second. The tall Brooklyn fighter fought back over the remaining four rounds but Smith showed good skills and body shots and took a deserved decision. Scores 58-55 twice and 59-54. After eleven wins by KO/TKO the 23-year-old Long Island fighter wins on points for the first time. Now two draws and two losses in his last four fights for Mateen.

Galarza vs. Thompson

Galarza tried to use his advantages in height and reach to keep Thompson out. He seemed to have been successful in those tactics although Thompson showed plenty of aggression and scored well with counters. Galarza looked to have edged it, but the judges scored it 58-56, 56-58 and 57-57 for a draw. The 27-year-old Brooklyn prospect, trained by Quito Bracero, the father of Gabriel Bracero, should have been able to wrap this one up but instead gets his second draw. Now three losses and three draws in his last six fights for Thompson with all six opponents being unbeaten.

 

Mandaue City, Philippines: Bantam: Melvin Gumban (14-0) W PTS 10 Fernando Ocon (10-5). Gumban was there to box and Ocon to brawl. Gumban had early success when he floored Ocon with a right in the second. Ocon is a light puncher but has a sound chin and he got back into the fight by pressurising the more skillful Gumban over the next six rounds. The fight was close, but Gumban earned the decision by finishing stronger over the last two rounds, Scores 97-92, 96-93 and 95-94. The 23-year-old from the ALA stable, rated No 3 by the GAB, is Philippines Boxing Federation champion. Southpaw Ocon, 22, has now lost his last four fights, but to fighters with combined records of 66-1 and has yet to lose inside the distance.

 

May 6

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Feather: Takashi Uchiyama (19-0-1) W KO 5 Jaider Parra (20-1-1). Super Fly: Liborio Solis (15-3-1) W PTS 12 Kohei Kono (28-8).

Uchiyama vs. Parra

Uchiyama makes easy work of kayoing No 10 rated Parra. Uchiyama dominates all the way. In the fifth he throws rights to the chin of Parra to get the Venezuelan to bring his guard up and then lands a left to the body. Parra goes down and stays down. Seventh defence of the WBA title for 33-year-old “KO Dynamite” and his 17^th win by KO/TKO. He is seen as the best in the division right now. An old injury to his right hand flared up during the fight so he may have to have a lay-off for a while, then he wants some unification matches. Parra, 30, the younger brother of former WBA fly champion Lorenzo Parra, had won 17 in a row after an early career draw, but his opposition had been weak.

Solis vs. Kono

The evening finished 1-1 between Japan and Venezuela as Solis sprang a minor surprise by outpointing Kono to win the WBA title. This was an even fight with plenty of action. Kono looked to be on the way to victory when he dropped Solis with a right in the second round. Solis fought his way back into the fight and evened the score by flooring Kono with a left in the eighth. That knockdown together with a points deduction from Kono for a low blow in the tenth proved the difference. Scores 115-111, 14-112 and 113-113. Interim champion Solis, 31, becomes full WBA champion. Big disappointment for Kono. He finally won a title at the third time of trying when he kayoed Thai Tepparith in December. The 32-year-old warrior had hopes of a big money fight with Koki Kameda but that went up in smoke. His team is appealing to the WBA for a return using the point reduction as a cause of his loss.