A huge thank you to out good friend Eric Armit once again for his weekly review
June 19 Ciudad Del Carmen, Mexico: Super Feather: Cris Mijares (52-8-2) W PTS 10 Vergel Nebran (13-9-1).Super Feather: Luis May (17-8-1) W PTS 10 Oscar Moran (9-6). Super Light: Robert Manzanarez (31-1) W KO 2 Daniel Valenzuela (34-26-2). Super Light: Ivan Alvarez (20-5) W KO 6 Nestor Garcia (20-9). Mijares vs. Nebran Mijares has to climb off the floor for win. After a feeling-out first round Mijares was pressing hard in the second already going to the Filipino’s body. However the crowd was silenced late in the round when a right from Nebran put Mijares on the deck. The Mexican recovered but it did not get much better in the third as Mijares ended the round bleeding from a cut on his right eyebrow and leaking blood from his nose. Mijares did not back down but was circumspect in his approach slamming home body punches without opening himself to counters. The fifth saw blood coming from the Filipino’s nose and whilst the better shots were being landed by Mijares Nebran was still willing to stand and exchange hard shots. Mijares was in total control in the seventh and eighth belabouring Nebran to head and body as the less experienced fighter tired. In the ninth Mijares got revenge for that second round embarrassment as he put Nebran down with a southpaw left hook. Mijares went all out trying to end it but despite having blood smeared all over his face and absorbing brutal body punches Nebran made it to the bell. In the temth Mijares settled for boxing his way to the win. Scores 98-90 twice and 97-91. The 33-year-old former IBF/WBA/WBC super fly champion is rated No 8 feather by the WBC and has not given up on the chance of another title shot. Nebran, 25, exceeded expectations. He was not listed in the GAB top 15 and was 3-5 in his last 8 fights going in but he fought well and gave the local fans a scare. May vs. Moran May retains the NABF title with split verdict over Moran. “Duro” May was favourite and the local fighter and he took the fight to Moran from the opening session. However Moran matched him and the action was fast and furious in every round as the traded punches from bell to bell. It was hard to score some rounds but May probably just did enough. Scores 96-94 and 96-95 for May and 96-94 for Moran. The 31-year-old May is 6-1-1 in his last 8 fights with the loss coming on a trip to Japan. After going 4-5 in his first 9 fights Moran had won his last 5. Manzanarez vs. Valenzuela Youngster Manzanarez gets his tenth win in a row with second round knockout of experienced Valenzuela. Win No 25 by KO/TKO for the Phoenix-born Manzanarez who suffered and upset loss to Alejandro Barrera in 2012 but knocked Barrera out in a return match in 2013. He is now 20 having turned pro at 15. Valenzuela loses by KO/TKO for the 22nd time. Alvarez vs. Garcia Southpaw Alvarez continues his good run with stoppage of Garcia. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO for Alvarez. He has won his last 7 fights with 5 of those victories by KO/TKO. Garcia is 5-4 in his last 9 bouts. Ostrowiec Świętokrzysk, Poland: Heavy: Mariusz Wach (31-1) W TKO 6 Konstantin Airich (21-11-2). Light Heavy: Jessy Luxembourger (7-0) W PTS 8 Robert Parzeczewski (8-1). Light Heavy: Michal Gerlecki (11-0) W PTS 8 Pablo Sosa (4-5-3). Wach vs. Airich Wach gets his fourth win in a row as he beats a well-worn Airich. Not too much action in the opener. Airich started the second going to the body but the Pole ended the round well staggering Airich with a punch and Airich was glad to hear the bell. The gigantic “Viking” Wach is a slow fighter and sometimes take a time to warm-up but he had Airich shaky again in the third. The fourth was another round with little activity but Wach started getting through with good punches in a more active fifth and Airich did his share scoring a couple of times with jab/hook/jab combinations. The sixth saw a tired Airich under constant pressure with Wach banging home burst of head punches and Airich in deep water. He spat out his gumshield to get a breather but was being rocked by Wach’s clubbing rights and it was no surprise when Airich’s corner threw in the towel with less than 20 seconds left in the round. The 35-year-old 6’7 ½” (202cm) New Bergen-based Wach was outclassed by Wlad Klitschko in a challenge for the IBF/WBA/WBO titles in 2012 but showed a strong chin. He was then inactive for almost two years. Since returning he has beaten Samir Kurtagic, Travis Walker, Gbenga Oluokun and now Airich. There was confusion after this fight with talk of another fight in Poland and a fight with Anthony Joshua in September which came as a surprise to Wach and they can’t both be right. “Sandman” Airich, 36, is on the downward slope being 2-7 in his last 9 fights including being stopped in three rounds by Joshua in September. Luxembourger vs. Parzeczewski Local fighter Parzeczewski loses his unbeaten tag as he is outpointed by Frenchman Luxembourger. It was by no means a stirring battle but the cleaner scoring and higher work rate was coming from the visitor who was particularly effective with right hooks. Parzeczewski was trying to force the fight but Luxembourger was able to slot home punches through the poor defence of the Pole and leaving him with a heavy nose bleed. Over the closing rounds there was too much clinching and Luxembourger was able to box his was to the unanimous decision. Scores 79-73, 78-76 and 77-75. Good away win for the 25-year-old Frenchman in his first fight outside France. “Arab” Parzeczewski, 21, was a disappointment as this is the type of fight he has to win if he is going to get anywhere. Gerlecki vs. Sosa Best fight of the night sees Gerlecki pushed hard to get past tenacious Argentinian Sosa. Despite his very modest record Sosa is no pushover. He comes to fight and fights hard. Gerlecki was picking and placing his punches better with Sosa rumbling forward forcing the more accomplished Gerlecki to stand and trade. The Pole was particularly effective with his right hooks and Sosa with body punches and the crowd was treated to an open exciting fight with Gerlecki’s better technique just allowing him to take the deserved majority decision. Scores 80-72!!, 77-75 and 76-76. Good win for the 27-year-old Pole as he is forced to go the full eight rounds for the first time. As an amateur he won silver and bronze medals at the Polish championships at 91kg before moving down to 81kgs where he again collected silver. Spanish-based Sosa, 27, has been in with Erik Skoglund, Enrico Koelling and Eduard Gutknecht where he held the local fighter to a draw and was coming off a fourth round kayo of previously unbeaten Hungarian Richard Baranyi. Bilbao, Spain: Feather: Andoni Gago (11-1-2) W TKO 10 Sergio Romero (8-5-4). Welter: Kerman Lejarraga (10-0) W PTS 6 Jair Cortez (0-20-3). Feather: Mikael Mkrtchyan (14-0) W PTS 6 Edwin Tellez (9-17-5). Gago vs. Romero After overcoming some early rough stuff Gago retains Spanish title with late stoppage of Romero. Gago just had the edge in the first but was lucky to escape an injury from the first of Romero’s butts. In the second there was another clash of heads and this time the champion suffered a bad cut on his right eyebrow. Romero was warned about being careless with his head and in the third the referee took away a point. Gago was coming forward throwing punches in his usual style and Romero just could not match him and only the bell prevented Gago ending it in the fourth. Gago survived a doctor’s inspection of his cut and continued to put pressure on Romero who was in trouble again in the eighth. Romero survived the ninth and it looked as though the fight would go to the scorecards but with a minute left in the fight he put Romero down and the challenger was unable to continue. The 30-year-old local was making the second defence of his national title and has won his last 5 fights. Romero, 30, was a curious 4-1-4 in his previous 9 fights including two draws in other attempts at winning the Spanish title Lejarraga vs. Cortez Disappointment all round here as Lejarraga original opponent was turned down because he was still under suspension from a previous inside the distance loss and Lejarraga failed to finish late substitute Cortez inside the distance. It was probably hard for the Spanish prospect to get himself up for this fight. It looked over the first four rounds as though Lejarraga was going to get that quick win but Cortes is a good survivor and he gutted it out to the end of the six rounds, losing every round. Lejarraga, 23, the Spanish No 6, had won his last 4 fights by KO/TKO, two of those in the first round, so the fans were not happy. In fairness Ecuadorian Cortez has only lost by KO/TKO three times and took Lejarraga the full four rounds in the Spaniard’s first pro fight in 2013. Mkrtchyan vs. Tellez Spanish-based Armenian Mkrtchyan was just too skilled and quick for Tellez. He outboxed the Nicaraguan who stood up to the punishment well but could only offer some wide, wild swings in reply. Mkrtchyan, 22, looks a nice boxer but without a great deal of power. Tellez was game but never in the fight. Newport, Wales: Cruiser: Craig Kennedy (12-0) W PTS 10 Courtney Fry (19-7). Super Feather: Gary Buckland (30-6) W TKO 3 George Gachechiladze (17-19-1) Kennedy vs. Fry Kennedy just squeezes past veteran Fry. Fry pushed the local fighter hard All the way. A knockdown scored by Kennedy in the fourth made all the difference in a close fight. Scores 95-93, 96-94 and 95-94. Good win for the 30-year-old 6’3” (191cm) from Cardiff. Fry , 40, a former Commonwealth gold medal winner and Olympian, suffered losses to Enzo Maccarinelli and Roy Jones but was coming off a good win over Jon-Lewis Dickinson. Buckland vs. Gachechiladze “Dynamo” Buckland a former British champion dominated the first two rounds using an array of hooks and uppercuts. He had the Georgian trapped on the ropes and a battery of unanswered punches saw the referee stop the fight. Buckland suffered consecutive losses to Gavin Rees and Richard Commey in 2014 and ended a poor year by losing in December in the Prizefighter Tournament so this a welcome return to the ring and a welcome win. Gachechiladze falls to 2-8 in his last 10 fights. Huntington, NY, USA: Super Light: Cletus Seldin (17-0,1ND) W TKO 4 Ranee Ganoy (36-12-2). Local favourite Seldin floors Ganoy twice to retain his WBC International Silver title. “The Hebrew Hammer” put Ganoy down in the second round and the fight was stopped when Seldin put the experienced Filipino down again in the fourth. The Brooklyn 24-year-old, a former body builder, has shown his power with 14 wins by KO/TKO. The no decision was due to a cut suffered by Bayan Jargal in their fight in July last year but Seldin floored Jargal twice and halted him in seven rounds in a return in December. Ganoy, 35, won a number of important bouts when based in Australia and also collected the WBFound title. Apodaca, Mexico: Welter: Adrian Torres (7-2) W TKO 1 Victor Rangel (11-2-3). Torres win the Nuevo Leon State title with controversial stoppage of Rangel. These two were exchanging bombs from the start and at the end of the first round just as the bell sounded Torres exploded a left to the chin that put Rangel down. The referee was counting and Rangel made it to his feet but was unable to continue. Rangel’s corner and much of the crowd felt the punch landed after the bell but the decision stood. Torres, 35, turned pro back in 1998 but after 4 wins was out of the ring for almost 15 years. He had 6 wins by KO/TKO. Rangel loses inside the distance for the first time. June 20 Montreal, Canada: Middle: David Lemieux (34-2) W PTS 12 Hassan N’Dam (N’Jikam) (31-2). Super Middle: Schiller Hyppolite (16-1) W PTS 10 Kevin Thomas Cojean (16-7-1). Light: Dierry Jean (29-1) W PTS 10 Jerry Belmontes (19-7).Light: Ghislain Maduma (17-1) W TKO 2 Michele Focosi (20-4-2). Super Welter: Steve Butler (12-0-1) DREW 8 Jaime Herrera (12-3-1). Welter: Mian Hussain (12-0) W PTS 8 Ivan Pereyra (19-5). Heavy: Luis Ortiz (22-0,2 ND) W TKo 1 Byron Polley (27-19-1,2ND). Lemieux scores four knockdowns on his way to winning the vacant IBF title. The Canadian was giving away height and reach but his relentless aggression was enough to get him inside where he was deadly. Lemieux just edged the first by scoring with some good left jabs and whilst N’Dam was settling into his stride by boxing on the outside. Lemieux had N’Dam on the ropes in the second and landing punches to the body when N’Dam was propelled forward off the ropes and as he toppled forward he grasped Lemieux around the waist and the both tumbled heavily to the floor. It was not a knockdown. Lemieux took N’Dam to the ropes again and landed a series of shots to head and body. N’Dam was swaying to avoid the punches but a brutal left hook saw him slump down kneeling on the canvas and there was no doubt that this was a genuine knockdown. N’Dam got up and survived the round with some difficulty. Lemieux was still pressing in the third but with his corner anxious that he was going to punch himself out and N’Dam finishing the round strongly. N’Jikam had his jab working and was getting through with jabs and using his superior skills to edge the fourth with Lemieux head hunting and not as accurate. The roof fell again on the Cameroon-born Frenchman in the fifth. A Lemieux left hook put him down and after he got up and took the eight count he was put down again by yet another left hook. He was up and shaky but the bell prevented Lemieux capitalising on that success. Lemieux was landing heavy punches again in the sixth as N’Dam recovered from the trauma of the fifth but N’Dam turned the tables for a while trapping Lemieux in a corner and unloading on the Canadian to edge the round. The action slowed at the start of the seventh with Lemieux trying to follow orders to not waste energy with wild shots and N’Dam boxing at a distance. In the last half minute of the round Lemieux landed a jab/short left hook which did not look powerful but N’Dam went down for a fourth and last time in the fight. Lemieux did the better work in the eight with his body punches but N’Dam took the ninth and the tenth was close. N’Dam had a big eleventh round as he twice shook the Canadian with clean shots. In the last N’Dam again looked to have Lemieux in trouble but failed to follow through and by the end of the round strangely it was Lemieux fighting as though he needed a knockout and N’Dam trying to avoid getting dragged into exchanges. Scores 115-109 twice and 114-110. If you assume that N’Dam would have lost the three rounds in which he was knocked down anyway (9-10 becoming 8-10) then those knockdowns would have cost the Frenchman at least three points (four if the judges saw the fifth round as 7-10) it shows how close the fight was outside of the knockdowns. Lemieux, 26, did not look like a future world champion in 2011 when being crushed in seven rounds by Marco Antonio Rubio and outpointed by Joachim Alcine but a run of eight wins including victories over Fernando Guerrero and Gabriel Rosado got him this chance and he took it in exciting style. Lemieux vs. Golovkin? Why not, just get there early although he will pressed to meet his mandatory challenger-if the IBF can sort out who that is!. N’Dam (how he was described on the programme and on TTV rather than N’Jikam) a former interim champion showed his classy skills and amazing resilience. He was on the floor six times against Peter Quillin and four times here. Putting him down in one thing, keeping him down is another. Hyppolite vs. Cojean Hyppolite wins clearly but shows a lack of stamina over the late rounds. The Haitian-born Canadian boxed up to his usual standard over the first five rounds outboxing the strong but limited Frenchman and looking like the world rated fighter he is. Cojean is not good enough to get into the EBU or EU ratings and was coming down from light heavy but he was getting stronger as Hyppolite showed worrying signs of tiredness. In the fifth Hyppolite was on the floor. The referee ruled it was a slip but the effect on Hyppolite indicated it could have been a punch as Hyppolite seemed shaky. For a couple of rounds there was suddenly the possibility of an inside the distance win for light-punching Cojean as Hyppolite looked unsteady and took a lot of punishment in a rocky eighth. However, the Canadian gutted it out and recovered in the last round to get the decision and save his world rating. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92. Not an impressive performance for 29-year-old “Batman” Hyppolite who adds the new WBC Francophone title to his WBC International Silver crown. He is rated WBC 10/IBF 14 (13) and he showed he could win even on an off night. The 26-year-old Cojean had moved down to super middle after failing to win the French title at light heavy and was 6-3 in his previous nine fights. Jean vs. Belmontes Jean shows he is back to top form as he gets wide unanimous decision over tough Texan Belmontes. The former IBF title challenger made a strong start taking the fight to Belmontes and getting through with some stinging punches. At the end of the second an overhand right to the side of the head had Belmontes stumbling forward and touching the canvas with his right glove which was counted as a knockdown but the Texan fought back hard in the next two rounds. Jean was in total command in the fourth and fifth landing quick combinations with Belmontes unable to match Jean for pace or power. The fight was less one-sided over the next three rounds but Jean had Belmontes in some distress in the ninth and took the tenth to win comfortably. Scores 99-89, 99-90,98-91. Jean retains the NABF tile in his second defence. Good to see the Haitian-born 33-year-old put his personal problems from 2014 behind him. He is rated WBO 6/IBF 12(11) and there is every chance he will get the opportunity to fight again for a title after his loss to Lamont Peterson for the IBF title in January last year. “The Corpus Christi Kid” Belmontes, 26, won his first 17 fights but is now 2-7 in his last nine. The losses have been to top drawer opposition such as Eric Hunter, Francisco Vargas, Abner Cotto and Miguel Vazquez and to Omar Figueroa for the WBC light title. He made Jean work harder in this one than the scores indicate. Maduma vs. Focosi Maduma back and looking sharp. In his first fight since losing to Kevin Mitchell in an IBF eliminator in May last year he floors Italian Focosi twice and halts him early in the second round. A left uppercut pierced Focosi guard and put him down the first time and a left hook followed by a right to the head put Focosi down again and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Now up at super light the 30-year-old DRC fighter makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. Maduma’s long layoff was due to a shoulder injury suffered in the Mitchell fight and stress fractures in both shins. Focosi, 32, has had three shots at the Italian title with two losses and a draw the outcome. He had won his last two fights. Butler vs. Herrera Butler remains unbeaten but lucky to do so. It started out looking as though it would be just another quick win for the Canadian youngster as he caught the aggressive Herrera with a right cross at the end of the first round and deposited the Illinois fighter on the deck. Herrera made it out of the round and in the second was trading shots with Butler. He landed a good right of but Butler countered with a left/right combination which put Herrera down for the second time. Instead of losing heart Herrera showed real heart and fought his way back into the contest remaining aggressive and forcing Butler to fight at a high pace in each round. It could be that Butler had difficulty adjusting from looking as though he was in for an easy night to suddenly having to scrap desperately to preserve his unbeaten record but his work rate dropped dramatically and Herrera just kept coming. Both fighters were exhausted and the last round was untidy with Butler stumbling after a hard punch from Herrera and pulling Herrera down to the canvas with him. Herrera had the better of the exchanges easily piercing Butler’s guard. Scores 75-75 twice and 77-74 for Herrera with Butler needing those two knockdowns to preserve his unbeaten tag. Butler suffered a fracture to his right hand in the second round which could explain why he struggled in this one but his defence was very porous at times and the 19-year-old prospect needs to take the lessons away from this near thing and put them into practice. Herrera was a difficult fighter to assess going in. He had a big win last August when he beat Mike Jones inside the distance but in his last fight in December had been knocked out in two rounds by unbeaten Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Hussain vs. Pereyra Hussein remain unbeaten with points victory over Mexican Pereyra. Not many highlights in this one as Hussein was able to outbox Pereyra in every round but there was not much action for the crowd to enjoy in a fight which never caught alight. Southpaw Hussein wins every round but failed to add to his six wins by KO/TKO. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Hussein, 24, has good amateur credentials including a bronze medal; at the PanAmerican Games. Pereyra had lost inside the distance to Silverio Ortiz and Antonin Decarie in his two fights last year. Ortiz vs. Polley Cuban veteran Ortiz gets a win which did nothing for him or for boxing. In his first fight since returning from suspension he halted poor Polley inside a round in a pathetic excuse for a fight. Ortiz towered over the fat Polley and just kept prodding out long southpaw jabs with Polley trying a couple of head down rushes. Ortiz eventually began to throw shots to Polley’s ample body. He caught Polley with some body shots as Polley tried to move in and Polley stepped back and was on his way down when Ortiz added a left to his chest. Polley was up at six and when the fight resumed another quick series of punches from Ortiz saw Polley slump forward on his hands and knees. A straight left put Polley down again and the referee waived the fight off without a count. The 36-year-old former amateur star was given a suspension after testing positive when beating Lateef Kayode inside a round in September. Derisory suspension for a guy who has gone eight months without a fight in the past anyway. Now 16 losses by KO/TKO for Polley who weighed 273lbs (124kg) with most of it around his waist. Even Ortiz looked disgusted. Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Shawn Porter (26-1-1) W PTS 12 Adrien Broner (30-2). Welter: Errol Spence (17-0) W TKO 3 Phil Lo Greco (26-2). Light: Robert Easter (14-0) W KO 2 Miguel A Mendoza (21-6-2). Middle: Terrell Gausha (15-0) W PTS 8 Luis Grajeda (18-5-2). Heavy: Mike Hunter (8-0) W TKO 4 Deon Elam (14-3). Porter vs. Broner Porter gets unanimous decision over Broner. Both fighters started cautiously with hardly a punch thrown in the first half of the round. Porter had been retreating but he suddenly launched himself forward driving Broner back to the ropes and landing a few punches. Porter returned to his back foot boxing and apart from another couple of rushes from Porter there was little action with Broner not landing a single punch in the round. Porter was the one coming forward in the second. There was too much wrestling and clinching but what scoring there was came from Porter with Broner still not letting his punches go. In the third Porter was again busier working inside with Broner holding and getting a stern warning from the referee. Porter scored with hard left hook which again had Broner holding on. In the fourth Broner was caught off balance by a Porter attack and his gloves briefly brushed the canvas. The referee stopped the action to clean Broner’s gloves but there was no knockdown. Broner was throwing the fight away not scoring on the outside and just holding and wrestling on the inside whilst Porter was getting through with hooks to the body. Broner was finally throwing punches in the sixth his best round of the fight to that point. Broner was also more active in the seventh trying to counter Porter’s rushes with a left hook but Porter was much the stronger off the two and was just walking through Broner’s punches. Broner had a better eighth round even managing to put Porter on the back foot and was countering Porter’s rushes with left hooks and straight rights in the ninth. Porter was relentless in the early stages of the tenth pursuing Broner around the ring with Broner under pressure and again not being able to keep Porter out. Porter was trying to walk Broner down in the eleventh in fact sometimes increasing from a walk to a jog as Broner showed plenty of fancy footwork as he avoided Porter’s attempts to trap him. When Porter did get inside Broner was again holding and holding and finally the referee deducted a point from Broner which was long overdue. By the last Broner knew he needed a knockout. Ten seconds into the round a short left hook from Broner put Porter down. He was up at the count of four and did not look too shaken. Even now Broner was not letting his pinches flow and the fight dribbled away with too much holding and wrestling until the final bell. Scores 118-108, 115-111 and 114-112. The first score seemed too wide and the third too close with even the middle one being generous to Broner. Former IBF welter champion Porter, 27, was having his second fight since losing his title to Kell Brook in August last year. He was just too strong and aggressive for Broner even at catchweight and this win will set him up for more big money fights. Broner was never able to keep Porter out and was lucky not to have been thrown out for the clinching and wrestling he did. He showed no more than brief glimpses of the talent that had won titles in two divisions. He is still only 25 and perhaps a move down to super light is called for. Spence vs. Lo Greco Spence continues to look the best of the bunch from the unsuccessful US Olympic team of 2012 and from what he has shown is not flattered by the WBC No 8 rating. He found Lo Greco a tough unorthodox opponent but adjusted and got the job done. The first round was untidy with Lo Greco rushing in head first and throwing short quick punches. Spence was blocking most of them but Lo Greco was roughing the young southpaw up and Spence did little scoring. In the second Spence was targeting the body of Lo Greco with great success every time Lo Greco came forward he was being punished with left and right hooks to the body and Spence also landed a crunching left to the head. The Canadian was taking his lumps and trying to force Spence back but was more dangerous with his head than with any punch. Lo Greco came in as a very late sub when Roberto Garcia pulled out and he was already looking tired after two rounds. Lo Greco started the third with two long rights to the body and then Spence thumped in three body punches and a right to the side of the head which sent Lo Greco slumping side wards down to his knees. Lo Greco was up at four and at the end of the eight count he tried to force Spence back only to be caught with some more body punches and a straight shot to the head that had him stumbling back. Again Lo Greco rumbled forward trying to put Spence on the back foot but for every step back Spence took he was hammering home thudding punches to Lo Greco’s head and body. Finally Spence forced Lo Greco to the ropes and bombarded him with punches until the referee ended the fight. Now 13 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old Texan. He has good wins over Ronald Cruz and Samuel Vargas (20-1-1) and in order to get to London had to beat now unbeaten pros Samuel Vasquez, Bryant Perrella and Amir Imam. Canadian/Italian Lo Greco, 30, won his first 25 fights before losing to Shawn Porter in May 2013 and was then inactive until returning to the ring with a win last March. Spence would probably still have been too good for him but coming in at such short notice gave him no chance. Easter vs. Mendoza Toledo’s Easter remains unbeaten as he floors Mexican Mendoza twice on the way to his 11th win by KO/TKO. The tall 24-year-old was an Alternate for the US Olympic Team. Now 4 losses in a row for Mendoza Gausha vs. Grajeda Gausha continues to progress with points win over useful Grajeda. Gausha took the early rounds thanks to some great work with his jab but with Grajeda also showing good skills and not being out of the fight. Gausha had a big round in the third when he put Grajeda on the floor with a left/right combination. Grajeda got up and despite the knockdown and a blood smeared visage he fought his way to the bell as Gausha was wild in his attempts to end the fight. From then on it was a close, competitive fight with Gausha’s jab again prominent and he showed good defence when Grajeda tried hard to claw back the lost points from the knockdown. Scores 79-72 twice and 78-73. The 27-year-old 2012 Olympian from Cleveland has good wins over experienced fighters in Charles Whittaker and Norberto Gonzalez and tackling a tough battler like Grajeda just adds to his experience. Grajeda, 28, is 1-4-1 in a sequence of tough fights with the loss to Austin Trout in December the only time he has been beaten inside the distance. Hunter vs. Elam Hunter brushes aside Elam in four rounds. The unbeaten heavy hope just hit too hard for the fragile Elam. Hunter had Elam down for the first time in the second round and then proceeded to floor Elam twice more in each of the following two rounds before the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old, twice US National Champion and a NGG Champion fought Artur Beterbiev at the 2012 Olympics and they finished all square at 10-10 but the five judges all went for Beterbiev in the tie-breaker. Elam has moved up from cruiser. He nearly made a big breakthrough in that division when he floored former champion Victor Ramirez twice in the first round only to be knocked out in the second. Oakland, CA, USA: Super Middle: Andre Ward (28-0) W TKO 9 Paul Smith (35-6). Super Bantam: Antonio Nieves (12-0-1) W Stephon Young (13-0-2). Middle: Luis Arias (11-0) W TKO 3 Tony Brinson (4-3). Ward vs. Smith Ward returns with stoppage of Brit Smith. This one might not have happened after Smith failed to make the contract weight of 172lbs (he weighed 176.4lbs) and then failed to make the adjusted rehydrated weight of 181lbs (he weighed 184.4). Once the fight did start Ward was quickly using his left jab to keep a defensive minded Smith on the back foot. Smith was mainly hiding behind a high guard and looking to score with counters. Smith had been doing a good job of blocking many of Ward’s punches but from the third Ward was throwing more combinations and piercing Smiths guard time and again. Smith was trying to get on the front foot but was leaving openings that Ward exploited. The pattern was the same in the fourth, fifth and sixth with Smith again trying to get on the front foot but with Ward using the jab and straight rights to force Smith back. A clash of heads at the end of the fifth round luckily did not see either fighter cut although both came out with bruises high on their forehead. Ward had been exclusively head hunting and fighting in spurts and Smith’s face was marking up badly with swelling over his right eye. Ward was loading up more on his rights in the seventh and opened a cut over Smiths left eye although Smith did get home with a good clubbing right. The eighth was totally one-sided with Ward almost exclusively using the jab/straight right and getting through Smith’s guard time and again but he added some variety with a head-snapping left uppercut. Ward began to taunt Smith by wind-milling his right before throwing it and Smith hard a few words for Ward at the end of the round. In the ninth Ward was walking in slamming home straight rights. Smith was bravely trying to punch back but with the rights thudding home and Smith looking to have a badly injured nose (fractured) Smith’s corner threw in the towel and the fight was over. First fight for 31-year-old Ward in 19 months and only the second in 33 months. He was much too good for Smith but there is a queue of tougher opposition lining up for a shot at “Son of God”. Smith gave it a shot but Ward was a class above the 32-year-old Liverpuddlian. He was selected as an opponent at relatively short notice so that may have affected his preparation and he found this a much more difficult task than his two losing fights to Arthur Abraham. Nieves vs. Young Nieves said goodbye to his 100% record as he is held to a draw by Young. Nieves looked to have done enough to take this one despite a strong finish from Young but the judges were divided on it. Scores 77-75 for Nieves 78-74 for Young and 76-76. Nieves, 28, is a former NGG silver medallist and a University Graduate. Southpaw Young, 26, was also a top line amateur getting a silver medal at the NGG’s and just missing out at the final US Olympic Trials. Arias vs. Brinson “Cuba” Arias is yet another former star amateur who preserved his unbeaten record on the show. The Eddie Mustafa Muhammad trained fighter put Brinson down in both the second and third rounds to force the stoppage. “Cuba” , born in Milwaukee not Havana, the 25-year-old has very impressive amateur credentials winning a silver medal at the World Cadet Championships, a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships and twice being US National champion. He has wins as an amateur over Shawn Porter and Marcus Browne and on his way to winning the 2010 National Championships he beat Tony Harrison, D’Mitrius Ballard and Jesse Hart but lost to Hart at the last stage of the US Olympic Trials. Great but no guarantee of pro success. Brinson no real test. Milan, Italy: Middle: Michel Soro (27-1-1) W KO 8 Emanuele Blandamura (23-2). Super Light: Andrea Scarpa (18-2) W KO 1 Emanuele De Prophetis (16-8) Soro vs. Blandamura Soro wins vacant European title with impressive crushing of Blandamura. The first round saw little action but in the second Soro was making good use of his left jab to pierce the guard of the Italian. Blandamura went over during the round but it was correctly ruled a slip. Blandamura had a good third and had his best round in the fourth taking the fight to Soro and scoring with straight punches and hooks. The tide began to turn in the fifth. Both fighters were trading punches and both getting through. A chopping right from Soro forced Blandamura to back off. The Italian then scored with a couple of body punches but was caught by a hard right hook. Soro drove Blandamura across the ring to the ropes but Blandamura scored with a right to the chin only for Soro to score with two clubbing head shots. In the sixth it was obvious that Soro now felt he could win this and soon. Blandamura was moving round the perimeter of the ring trying to stay out of trouble but Soro was banging home some vicious hooks to the body. Blandamura tried to keep Soro out with his jab but he had a haunted look and Soro was tracking him around the ring. Blandamura used lots of movement, his jab and some quick flurries of light punches to stop Soro launching any more big punches. Blandamura was again boxing sensible in the seventh stabbing out the jab but he was spending too long on the ropes and holding his left down at belt level. He paid for that when Soro cracked home a right hook. Blandamura escaped only to be caught with another right and the Italian “lost” his gumshield. He got a small respite whilst it was recovered and placed in his mouth and he survived the round. Blandamura decided to stand and trade with Soro in the eighth and was getting the better of the exchanges and forcing Soro back. As Blandamura came forward Soro feinted a left jab and then slammed home a straight right to the head of Blandamura. The Italian landed flat on his back with his arms outstretched. Somehow he made it to his feet but was on tottering legs and the fight was rightly stopped. Two big wins in a row for the hard-punching Ivory Coast- born 27-year-old Soro following his impressive fourth round stoppage of Glen Tapia last month. His only loss is on points against Zaurbek Baysangurov for the WBO title in 2012 and he has scored 9 wins and fought a draw with unbeaten Antoine Douglas since then. He was not in the world ratings prior to this fight but he should be. Blandamura, 35, a former EU champion was trying to win the European title for the second time having been knocked out by Billy Joe Saunders in a fight for the vacant title in July last year. He is a talented boxer but made the mistake of trying to trade with a harder puncher. Scarpa vs. De Prophetis Scarpa bombs out veteran De Prophetis in the first round to retain the Italian title. Scarpa was much taller and used his jab to keep De Prophetis on the outside. De Prophetis was moving forward trying to get past the jab and Scarpa nailed him with a left hook. De Prophetis went down and jumped up too quickly, was on wobbly legs and the referee stopped the fight. First defence of his national title for the 28-year-old from Turin who is EBU No 12 and has won his last 17 fights. De Prophetis, 39, a former undefeated Italian champion has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights. Comitan, Mexico: Super Feather: Emanuel Lopez (19-4-1) W TKO 10 Roland Giono (17-6,1ND). Super Feather: Miguel Berchelt (26-1) W TKO 5 Sergio Puente (22-2). Super Feather: Julio Barraza (11-0) W TKO 1 Oscar Arjona (9-3). Lopez vs. Giono Lopez retains the WBA interim title with stoppage of Panamanian Giono. Lopez made a confident start using a stiff jab to set up Giono for body punches. Giono was coming forward strongly in the third scoring with stiff jabs and slashing hooks to the body but late in the round he was hurt by a body punch from Lopez and was reeling from head punches as the round ended. The challenger recovered and over the next three round he continued to come forward concentrating on landing to the body. Unfortunately he was leaving his guard in the corner and was wide open to counters from Lopez who was also throwing 4/5 five punch combinations to every punch Giono landed. The action slowed in the seventh but Lopez was methodically beating Giono down and opened a cut on the left eyebrow of the Panamanian. In the ninth Giono began to fall apart under the bombardment from Lopez and instead of trying to regroup he was standing in the pocket and trying to turn the fight. He lacked the power and in the tenth Lopez was landing head shot after head shot. A left hook sent Giono tumbling back to the ropes where Lopez bombarded him with more punches and when Giono staggered forward trying to grab Lopez he was sent reeling back to the ropes and Lopez was unloading again when the referee stopped the fight. Successful first defence for 25-year-old Lopez and eighth win by KO/TKO. He was lucky to get the shot at the interim WBA title in the first place so it remains to be seen how he will cope with better opposition. Giono, 28, gave it his best try here he never backed down from an exchange and matched Lopez in the early trading but he just presented too easy a target for the head punches of Lopez and in the end courage was not enough. He leaped into the WBA ratings for winning their Fedecaribe title against a guy win a 5-0-1 record so lucky to be getting this shot but put up a brave effort. Berchelt vs. Puente Berchelt uses a relentless body attack to force Puente out of the fight. The “Scorpion” was ripping punches to the body over the first two rounds draining away Puente’s strength and stamina. In the third Berchelt had Puente pinned on the ropes for much of the round and when Puente managed to get clear of the ropes Berchelt scored with a vicious left uppercut that drove Puente across the ring to the opposite corner where he threw a whole series of 30-40 short cuffing punches with Puente just covering up under the storm and the referee keeping a close eye to see whether a stoppage was justified but Puente made it to the bell. In the fourth Berchelt seemed to have punched himself out and Puente was able score with some stiff jabs and force Berchelt to the ropes. Puente did not follow-up and Berchelt was able to get to centre ring where they again traded punches with Berchelt lacking the fire of the third round. Over the closing minute of the round Berchelt again had Puente on the ropes sending in scorching left hooks to the body and straight rights to the head but this time Puente banged back scoring with head shots. Both looked tired in the fifth but a left hook to the body from Berchelt saw Puente momentarily drop his hands and then back to the ropes. This time it was Berchelt who did not press his advantage and Puente came forward with Berchelt avoiding trading. With just seconds left in the round Berchelt had Puente on the ropes again and landed four left hooks to the body and a right to the chin. Puente returned to his corner at the bell and told his seconds he was finished for the night. The 23-year-old Merida fighter makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO. He has put the shocking one round loss to Luis Eduardo Flores in March last year behind him and is up at No 2 with the WBO and No 6 with the WBC. “Dandy” Puente was considered to be a trough test. His only loss had been on points against Fernando Montiel in August and he had a good win over Nery Saguilan earlier. Barraza vs. Arjona Zanfer prospect Barraza blasts out late sub Arjona inside a round. Barraza stunned Arjona early with a left hook to the chin. The Yucatan fighter fell into the ropes and down on the canvas. He made it to the vertical and although still unsteady he tried to fight back only to be put down again by a three punch combination. Somehow he again climbed to his feet but another left put him down for the third time and the fight was over. The Sonora prospect has 9 wins by KO/TKO. First loss inside the distance for Arjona. Ballerup, Denmark: Super Middle: Patrick Nielsen (26-1) W PTS 12 Charles Adamu (23-7). Cruiser: Micki Nielsen (18-0) W PTS 8 Ismail Abdoul (56-35-2). Super Light: Anthony Yigit (14-0-1) W TKO 7 Tony Owen (16-4). Feather: Dennis Ceylan (15-0-1) W PTS 10 Sergio Prado (11-5-1). Super Middle: Tim Robin Lihaug (13-1) W KO 4 Arne Ernstsen (7-1). Heavy: Otto Wallin (12-0) W KO 2 Olek Mazikin (14-12-2). Light: Rashid Kassem (9-0) W TKO 6 Rey Mora (7-2-1). Light Heavy: Deion Jumah (5-0) W TKO 4 Karel Horejsek (3-3-1). Nielsen vs. Adamu Nielsen gets predictable win as he takes every round against tough, durable but limited Adamu. In the first round a southpaw left from Nielsen shook Adamu but the Ghanaian survived and avoided any trouble in the second which was again dominated by the Dane. Adamu was in survival mode in the third but Nielsen suffered a cut on his forehead in a clash of heads and the fight became untidy for a while. As the rounds passed Nielsen found it easy to penetrate Adamu’s guard but could not shake the Ghanaian again as he had in the first. With Nielsen dominating and Adamu showing his resilience the entertainment value was low. Nielsen won every round but this was by no means a tough test. Scores 120-108 from all three judges. Now up at super middle 24-year-old Nielsen makes it 4 wins since losing on points to Dmitry Chudinov for the interim WBA middle title in June last year. He retains the WBA International super middle title but the sanctioning bodies still have him rated at middle and he is WBO 4/WBA 6(5)/IBF 8. Adamu, 37, a former CBC champion, has only lost once by KO/TKO and that was to George Groves. Nielsen vs. Abdoul This one was as predictable as it gets you could bet your house on Nielsen winning every round and Abdoul still being there at the end of the fight. The Dane had height and reach on his side as well as youth and was able to outbox and out manoeuvre the older and slower Belgian but unable to cause him any serious trouble. Abdoul showed his usual determination to fight hard and ignore punishment but never really threaten. It was eight rounds of work for Nielsen with little chance for him to shine. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. The 22-year-old Dane is rated IBF 5(3) which is too high for the standard of opposition he has beaten. Abdoul, 38, has only lost once by KO/TKO and that was to Krzys Wlodarczyk way back in 2002. Yigit vs. Owen Yigit comes out on top in this all-southpaw battle but with Owen giving the Swede a few problems. Yigit continues to look one of the best Nordic prospects and he was looking to overpower Owen early. The Brit was not about to fold and they traded hard punches. Yigit was getting the better of the exchanges but also getting hit a lot more than he had in previous fights. Luckily Owen is not a power puncher so the risk to Yigit was manageable and after Owen had a good fourth round Yigit was in total control. By the seventh the speed and accuracy of Yigit’s attacks had worn Owen down and the referee stopped the fight. Now 6 wins by KO/TKO for the brilliant 23-year-old Swede a former Nordic amateur champion who represented Sweden at the 2012 Olympics and at the European and World Championships. Owen, 28, a former Southern Area champion put up a very creditable performance against the man ranked No 7 by the EBU. Ceylan vs. Prado Ceylan wins every round but game Prado never stops trying. There were some heated exchanges in the first and also a clash heads which luckily saw no one cut. From the second Ceylan was the one pressing the fight with Prado too often pinned to the ropes as Ceylan worked him over. The Spaniard showed some good defensive work but that was not winning rounds and by the third he was also fighting with the handicap of a cut over his left eye. Ceylan kept the pressure on in the fourth and fifth with Prado launching a big attack in the sixth but Ceylan still being the one doing the more effective work. The Dane continued to outbox the Spaniard but to his credit Prado never looked like folding and although always second best he fought hard to the last bell. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. The 26-year-old Ceylan, a four-time Danish amateur champion and 2012 Olympian, was in his second ten round bout having scored a win over experienced former IBF super fly champion Dmitry Kirilov in March. Spaniard Prado, 32, a former undefeated EU and Spanish champion, was 7-1-1 in his previous 9 fights with the loss being to Kid Galahad for the vacant European super bantam title. Lihaug vs. Ernstsen Lihaug wins this battle for Norwegian bragging rights with stoppage of Ernstsen. This was shaping up to be a good close fight. Ernstsen was making use of a reach advantage to thread punches through the guard of Lihaug but Lihaug was scoring with the harder punches. Both fighters were looking to establish dominance with the exchanges fierce and balanced. For most of the fourth round Ernstsen was using that pesky jab again but suddenly Lihaug unleashed a crunching left hook that sent Ernstsen crashing to the canvas. He somehow made it to his feet but his legs were not behaving themselves and the referee rightly stopped the fight with one second remaining in the round. Now 10 wins in a row for Lihaug since an upset kayo loss to Oscar Ahlin in 2013. He has 8 wins by KO/TKO. Ernstsen, 24 was trying to move up from six rounds for the first time. He showed some neat skills until struck by that thunderbolt. Wallin vs. Mazikin Wallin halts veteran Mazikin in two rounds. In the first round the visitor from the Ukraine showed some of the skills that made him a top class amateur but that was a brief glimpse. Wallin went to work in the second flooring Mazikin twice with the Ukrainian being counted out on the second knockdown. Tall, slim southpaw Swede Wallin, has won 7 in a row by KO/TKO and has 10 inside the distance wins in total. He is still working his way through the usual East European travelling losers but shows promise. Mazikin, 40, was a World Championships silver medal winner and competed at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games losing to Audley Harrison in those Sydney Olympics. He did not turn pro until he was 30 and has now lost his last 6 fights. Kassem vs. Mora Kassem gets another stoppage win when Mora does not come out for the seventh round. The Danish prospect was giving Mora some difficult angles to cover and flashing home punches that the Nicaraguan probably never saw coming. Mora stuck with it trying to counter Kassem but was floored by a hard right in the third round and only the bell saved him. Kassem continued his attacks over the next three rounds with a brave Mora soaking up the punishment until his corner pulled him out of the fight at the end of the sixth round. Kassem was another top notch amateur representing Denmark at two World Championships and the world championships. He takes time off from his work as a bricklayer to train and fight. Mora, 21, was having his first fight for a year and his first fight in Europe. Jumah vs. Horejsek Jumah unimpressive in win over Czech. This fight was on then off then on again with the problem being that Jumah came in way over the agreed 79kgs. Eventually Horejsek agreed to go on with the fight despite the discrepancy. The fight was devoid of any real highlights over the first three rounds with Jumah doing what clean scoring there was. It livened up in the third when a right from Jumah put Horejsek on the floor but the Czech retired at the end of the round with an injured shoulder. The 25-year-old Londoner Jumah has talent but this was only his second fight in 18 months. At 33 Horejsek is a 4/6 round trier and nothing more. Rumilly, France: Super Welter: Islam Teffahi (16-5-2,1ND) W PTS 12 Sebastien Madani (35-3-1). Major disappointment for the local fans as Belgian-based Tunisian Teffahi wins majority decision over Madani to win the vacant WBC Francophone title (WBCFRA). Scores 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114. Teffahi, 32, now has 5 wins and one draw in his last 6 fights including a victory over useful Ayoub Nefzi. Madani, 34, a former undefeated French champion lost only one of his first 34 fights but after going 1-2-1 in his most recent 4 fights, including a loss and draw against Brazilian Anderson Clayton for the WBFed title, has announced his retirement. Lohbruegge, Germany: Super Welter: Sebastian Formella (9-0) W PTS 10 Mazen Girke (13-62-2). Heavy: Senad Gashi (8-0) W TKO 2 Ratko Draskovic (33-12-2). Formella vs. Girke Formella wins every round against trial horse Girke to retain the German International and GBC Intercontinental titles. The 28-year-old local was just too quick for Girke. He has fast hands and slick footwork and good upper body movement. Girke made Formella look better by trundling forward in every round soaking up punishment but being persistent. The big problem for Formella was his lack of power and even when he was landing punches flush on the chin of Girke he could not shake him or stop Girke’s forward march and he seemed to tire in the last round. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Formella is tall and slim and looks fragile and that lack of power could be a big drawback. Girke, also German, is supposed to be a southpaw but he fought this one orthodox for all ten rounds. He has now lost his last 5 fights. Gashi vs. Draskovic Gashi was throwing bombs from the start and finding the target with a left jab right cross combination working well for him. Draskovic had the edge in height and reach and was trying to use his jab to keep Gashi out. As the opening round progressed Gashi began to get ragged with his work leading with rights and leaving gaps in his defence. Gashi was looking to end this quickly and he floored Draskovic with two right hooks to the body just after the bell to start the second round. Draskovic went down on one knee then climbed to his feet at the count of five. After the eight count Gashi landed two more rights to the body and Draskovic again took a knee. When he got up the fight was stopped. Kosovan “GachineGun” Gashi, 25, wins the vacant GBC Intercontinental title. All eight of his wins have come early, 6 in the first round and now two in the 2nd. He looks strong and hits hard but is hittable. Montenegrin Draskovic, 49, had won 5 of his last 6 fights but has earlier defeats against Audley Harrison, Matt Skelton and Danny Williams. San Pedro Suls, Honduras: Feather: Josec Ruiz (13-2) W Emmanuel Dominguez (14-3-1). Ruiz retains WBC Fecarbox title with draw against Mexican Dominguez. It was “Scorpion” Ruiz vs. “Poison” Dominguez and they cancelled each other out. This was all-out war with very little defence on show. Both fighters were rocked as they simply stood toe-to-toe exchanging hooks and uppercuts. Dominguez came close to victory in the third when he landed three hooks to the body that put Ruiz down. The local fighter got up but two more wicked body punches put him down again. Ruiz survived the round and then was the one coming forward. He shook Dominguez time and again with rights to the head and Dominguez continued to bang away to the body of Ruiz. It was just one continuous slugfest with Ruiz just doing enough to claw back the points lost in the third round to retain his title. Ruiz, 20, complained of an injury to his left arm after the fight and Dominguez-well he complained about the result. Giyani, South Africa: Feather: Oscar Chauke (34-9-3) W PTS 12 Prince Ndlovu (8-2-4). Chauke holds on to his national title with wide unanimous decision over newcomer Ndlovu. The challenger was competitive over the first four rounds as Chauke seemed lethargic and Ndlovu had even built a slight lead. The champion woke up in the fifth flooring Ndlovu and taking over the fight. Chauke had Ndlovu down again in the ninth although a slippery ring surface may have played a part in that but there was no mistake in the last round when Chauke scored his third knockdown. Scores 118-108, 116-106 and 117-109. The 34-year-old Chauke turned pro at 19 and he is a former South African and WBFound feather champion. Hometown fighter Ndlovu was 3-0-3 in his last 6 fights going into this one and his lack of experience was evident in the way he faded out of the fight. Manchester, England: Super Welter: Jimmy Kilrain Kelly (15-0) W KO 3 Isaac Aryee (19-8). Kelly wins the vacant WBC Youth title with victory over Ghanaian. Kelly decided early that the way to beat Aryee was to attack the body. As a result the African was subjected to an array of strength sapping body punches over the first two rounds. No need to change a winning formula so Kelly continued the tactics into the third and after yet more vicious body punches Aryee went down on one knee in agony and stayed there until the referee tolled the ten. Now 7 wins by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old local fighter who had held the Youth Silver title. The lanky Aryee is 4-3 in his last 7 fights with the three losses all on his travels. Valley Forge, PA, USA: Cruiser: Garrett Wilson (14-9-1) W TKO 3 Anthony Caputo Smith (15-5). Super Light: Milton Santiago (11-0) W PTS 6 Jose M Castro (4-5). Wilson wins Pennsylvania State title with kayo of Smith. Competitive first round sees Wilson come on strong at the end to just edge the round. In the second a left hook from Wilson puts Smith down and Smith does well to survive to the bell. All over in the third as a vicious right uppercut sends Smith down with his head thudding on the canvas. He made a brave attempt to get up but the referee waived the fight over. Wilson, 32, gets back to winning ways after four losses, three on points, against world rated fighters in Alex Alekseev, Vyacheslav Glazkov and Thabiso Mchunu and a stoppage loss in January against unbeaten Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. He has good inside the distance wins over Chuck Mussachio and Andres Taylor. Smith had lost 3 out of 4 going in but again top opposition in Sean Monaghan, BJ Flores and Ola Afolabi Santiago vs. Castro Teenage prospect Santiago makes it eleven wins with points victory over Castro The 18-year-old from Philadelphia had Castro under pressure in every round. Castro had brief success in the second when he floored Santiago with a right but Santiago dominated the round so much that it was scored only 9-10 against him. After that Castro was really just trying to survive and doing so. Scores 59-55 from all three judges for El Santo. Four losses in a row now for Puerto Rican Castro. Riverdale, GA, USA: Super Light: Randall Bailey (45-8,1ND) W TKO 2 Gundrick King (18-15). Bailey returns to the ring with a win. The former WBO super light and IBF welter champion was much too good for King and floored him with a right in the second. King made to his feet but Bailey landed a few more shots and the referee stopped the fight. First fight since November 2013 for 40-year-old Bailey but he will need stiffer tests than this to find out how far he can go on this comeback. Seventh loss in a row and tenth loss by KO/TKO for 36-year-old King. Malvinas Argentinas, Argentina: Welter: Ricardo R Villalba (14-2-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Victor H Velazquez (17-7). Super Fly: Juan Jose Jurado (12-0) W PTS 10 Elias D Coronel (5-9). Villalba vs. Velazquez Villalba gets unanimous decision after tough scrap with Velasquez. Villalba had the better skills but this was a war rather than a tactical battle. Villalba took the first with some choice body punches and worked Velazquez over on the ropes in the second. Velazquez was having the better of the third round when he was nailed by a right from Villalba and put down. Velazquez was not badly hurt and he was back on the attack by the end of the round. Both had moments of domination in the fourth but the pace slackened in the fifth. Villalba was scoring hard to the body in the sixth with Velasquez under pressure but dangerous with counters. Villalba seemed to be tiring in the seventh allowing Velazquez to score with some good head shots. Villalba came to life again in the ninth opening up Velazquez with his jab and banging home thumping hooks to the body. Both fighters were exhausted in the last and both were wobbled on occasion but Villalba kept his act together and was the more accurate with his punches. Scores 98-91, 98-92 and 98 ½ -92 ½ . This was to have been a defence of his Argentinian title for Velazquez but both fighters came in over the weight (quite fashionable these days). The 25-year-old Villalba was unbeaten in his first 13 fights but had stuttered and gone 2-2 in his next 4 before this win. He was rated FAB No 7. Velazquez, 33, had won his last three fights including a revenge victory over former WBO and IBO title challenger Sebastian Lujan. Jurado vs. Coronel “Harry” Jurado wins the vacant national title with close unanimous decision over Coronel. Jurado withstood a fast start from Coronel to build a lead by the half way point in the fight. Southpaw Coronel then began to pick up rounds taking the sixth with some useful work to the body. Jurado fought back to make the seventh a round that could have been scored either way. Coronel again used his southpaw jab to edge the eighth and ninth and despite the best efforts of Jurado in the last Coronel staged a strong finish. Good effort but not just enough to convince the judges who scored it 97-96, 97 ½-97 and 96 ½-94 ½ for Jurado. The 28-year-old new champion, the FAB No 2, had beaten Coronel by a wide margin in an eight round fight last year but this time it was much tougher. Coronel, 25, was rated No 3 by FAB. June 21 Las Vegas, NV: Super Light: Rances Barthelemy (23-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Antonio DeMarco (31-5-1). Welter: Sammy Vasquez (19-0) W PTS 10 Wale Omotoso (25-2). Super Middle: J’Leon Love (20-1, 1 ND) W TKO 7 Jason Escalera (15-4-1). Super Middle: Ronald Gavril (13-1) W PTS 8 Jessie Nicklow (24-7-3). Welter: Haskell Rhodes (24-0) W PTS 8 Jared Robinson (15-3). Barthelemy vs. DeMarco Barthelemy gets wide unanimous decision over DeMarco. The tall Cuban was just too slick for the former WBC light champion. Barthelemy was able to use his jab to keep DeMarco on the outside and also mixed in a few switches of his guard. De Marco had no choice but to keep pressing forward and paid the price being caught time and again with counters. Barthelemy floored DeMarco with a straight left late in the fourth and the Mexican southpaw just could not catch Barthelemy for long enough to do any useful work of his own. Barthelemy had been straying low with his punches and the referee deducted a point for that infringement in the ninth but he outboxed DeMarco in the last again switching guards frequently. Scores 99-89 from all three judges. The 28-year-old former undefeated IBF super feather champion will be a force at this poundage. First time in his career that 29-year-old DeMarco has suffered back-to-back losses after being outpointed by Jesse Vargas for the WBA secondary title in December. Vasquez vs. Omotoso Vasquez passes his toughest test to date as he takes unanimous decision over dangerous Omotoso. Southpaw Vasquez was just that bit too quick for the Nigerian scoring continually with sharp accurate combinations. Vasquez was blooded in head clashes in the fourth and sixth rounds and again by an accidental elbow from Omotoso in the seventh. Omotoso got into the fight over the late rounds but despite the cuts above both eyes and a nosebleed Vasquez stuck to his boxing and was a clear winner. Scores 98-92 from all three judges. Impressive performance from 29-year-old former US Army and Inter-Forces champion who should be but isn’t currently in the world ratings. Omotoso, 30, has lost his two big fights as he was also outpointed by Jesse Vargas in 2013 but he remains a good quality fighter and a dangerous one. Love vs. Escalera Love rebounds from a first round knockdown to halt Escalera. In a wild first round Love shook Escalera and Escalera fired back a left hook to put Love on the floor. Love got up and was not seriously hurt. In the succeeding rounds it was Love who was landing the bigger and better punches and a sustained barrage by Love in the seventh saw the fight stopped. Love climbing back to contention with his second win since kayo by Rogelio Medina in March. Escalera had scored wins over unbeaten fighters Naim Terbunja and Norbert Nemesapati but in his last fight in August lost a wide unanimous decision to Badou Jack. Rhodes vs. Robinson Rhodes only just holds on to his unbeaten tag with split draw against Robinson. Rhodes built a lead over the early rounds but faded badly and had to fight hard in the last to get the draw. Scores 77-75 for Rhodes, 77-75 for Robinson and 76-76. The 27-year-old “Hackman” Rhodes has been carefully protected so we might be finding his real level is much less than his record might indicate. Robinson’s two losses have been to unbeaten prospect Amir Imam and Michael Perez (20-1-2) so no disgrace in those losses. On the plus side “The Quiet Storm” won plenty of local amateur titles and took bronze medals at both the US National and National PAL tournaments.
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This coming Saturday is set to be a hectic day for American boxing fans who get treat to 3 separate shows, split across 3 channels.
For us the most exciting bout of the day, at least on paper, comes from Canada and is aired on USA Fox where we get Puncher Vs Boxer for the IBF Middleweight title. The puncher, is Canada's very own David Lemieux (33-2, 31), who is a very popular and heavy handed puncher with a pretty boy face. The boxer is former WBO champion Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (31-1, 18), a Cameroonian based in France, a very talented boxer-mover with shaky chin. This bout really does have the hall marks of a must watch and looks like to be thoroughly entertaining. The chief under-card bout here is also an interesting looking contest, as former world title challengers collide. The bout will see the exciting Dierry Jean (28-1, 20) take on the under-rated Jerry Belmontes (19-6, 5) in what is really a must win bout for both men if they are looking to get themselves another world title fight in the foreseeable future. In Oakland we'll see a show featuring one of the sports most talented, but least exciting, fighters. The bout in question is the return to the ring of unbeaten American Andre Ward (27-0, 14) who takes on former world title challenger Paul Smith (35-5, 20) of the UK. It's hard to be too excited about this one considering Smith has lost his last two bouts to Arthur Abraham and Ward has been in active for more than 18 months, in fact Ward has only fought twice in the last 3 years. Despite that it's good to see Ward back in action and the sport has missed someone of his his ability. Notably this show will be aired on BET in America. The third show is in Las Vegas with a bout that has really excited some American fans. The contest that stands out here will see former world champions colliding as the enigmatic Adrien Broner (30-1, 22) takes on the strong and rough Shawn Porter (25-1, 16) in a catchweight bout. The catchweight, and subsequent rehydration limit, are expected to favour Broner, however the 3-weight former world champion hasn't looked great recently and Porter will know that his career really depends on a good performance here. We suspect Broner will win but we don't expect this to be a thriller as many fans seem to be hoping for. June 10
Tokyo, Japan: Super Bantam: Shingo Wake (19-4-2) W PTS 12 Mike Tawatchai (35-8-1). Feather: Hisashi Amagasa (29-5-2) W PTS 10 Patomsith (12-3). Wake vs. Tawatchai Wake wins IBF eliminator with wide decision over Tawatchai. The Japanese southpaw was just too quick for his slower Thai opponent. Wake had the physical advantages to box on the outside and Tawatchai was always a step behind the much quicker local fighter. The movement and hand speed of Wake allowed him to build a commanding lead. He opened a cut over the left eye of Tawatchai in the third and had him ready to go in the seventh but just could close the fight out. Tawatchai fought hard and did a bit better over the late rounds but was in deep trouble in the last. A left floored the Thai just before the last bell and the referee counted to the eight and the bell went. Scores 119-110 twice and 118-109. Nine wins in a row for Wake, 27, who is now the mandatory challenger for Carl Frampton. Tawatchai was the highest rated challenger in the IBF ratings at No 3 as the No 1 and 2 spots were vacant. How the 29-year-old got to be that high only the IBF know. Amagasa vs. Patomsith Amagasa towered over Thai Patomsith and handy out a steady beating to his game opponent. The 5’10 ½” (179cm) Japanese fight floored southpaw Patomsith in the fifth with a left to the body but the Thai showed grit by getting up and having a good sixth round and was still there at the final bell. Scores 99-91, 98-91 and 98-92. Amagasa came near to fame when he floored Guillermo Rigondeaux twice in a challenge for the WBA/WBO super bantam titles in December only to be halted in the eleventh. This is his first fight since then and he is rated WBO 12. Patomsith retained his record of not being stopped but is an uninspiring 4-4 in his last 8 fights. Khon Kaen, Thailand: Bantam: Suriyan (43-6-1) W TKO 2 Jomar Fajardo (14-8-2). Super Fly: Kongfah (22-0) W TKO 5 Wilbur Andogan (10-20-4) Suriyan vs. Fajardo Suriyan gets fortunate win over Filipino Fajardo. Suriyan was his usual implacable self coming forward behind a stiff jab and throwing straight rights. Fajardo was boxing cleverly with good movement and looking to counter, Suriyan got through with some good shots but Fajardo was ducking under the rights and staying out of trouble. In the second Suriyan was following his rights with left hooks which were catching Fajardo as he ducked away from the rights. The fight was warming up when Suriyan landed a left and as Fajardo was backing away from another punch he fell backwards to the canvas. At first the referee waived his hands to say no knockdown but Fajardo was sitting on the canvas indicating a problem with his right shoulder and the fight was stopped with Suriyan the winner. The former WBC super fly champion has lost only one of his last 22 fights. Fajardo, 23, is 0-4-1 in his last 5 fights and the draw was a shock draw with Francisco Rodriguez the undefeated IBF/WBO champion. Kongfah vs. Andogan Kongfah moves to 22 wins and shows both his strengths and weaknesses. For the local the good part was his stalking of Andogan following him around the ring and when he had Andogan on the ropes firing bunches of hooks to the body. The bad part was how wide open he was with Andogan scoring time and again with straight rights in centre ring and with head-jerking uppercuts when on the ropes. Luckily for Kongfah Andogan is no puncher so the Thai was able to keep pressing and pressing. Despite scoring with those uppercuts in the fifth at the end of the round Andogan indicated a problem with his left hand and was unable to continue. The 23-year-old Kongfah is exciting to watch and has won 6 of his last 7 by KO/TKO but his defence is very porous. Andogan, 25, fought hard but did not have the power to get Kongfah’s respect. June 12 Chicago, IL, USA: Super Welter: Erislandy Lara (21-2-2) W PTS 12 Delvin Rodriguez (28-8-4). Light Heavy: Artur Beterbiev (9-0) W TKO 7 Alex Johnson (16-3). Heavy: Artur Szpilka (19-1) W TKO 3 Manuel Quezada (29-10).Middle: Domonique Dolton (17-0) W TKO 5 Victor Fonesca (9-6-1). Cruiser: Eleider Alvarez (17-0) W TKO 2 Anatoliy Dudchenko (19-4). Lara vs. Rodriguez Lara hands out a beating to brave but limited Rodriguez to retain his WBA secondary title. The Cuban southpaw was too quick and accurate and just could not miss Rodriguez with his right or the straight lefts. The pattern changed little in the one-sided bout with Rodriguez trying to get inside only to be caught time and again with that Lara jab and rocked by hard lefts. In the fifth a perfect right jab/straight right sent Rodriguez back and down to the canvas. He was up easily enough and the bell went before Lara could capitalise on that success. It seemed at times as though Lara was content to cruise along in second gear. He hurt Rodriguez again at the end of the eighth and outboxed the slower man over the ninth and tenth. Lara landed a left in the eleventh which had Rodriguez tumbling backwards and down but this time it was due to their legs becoming tangled and no count was applied. Lara had Rodriguez wobbling in the last but failed to press and settled for a wide decision. Scores 120-107 from all three judges. First defence of his WBA title for 32-year-old Lara and he also wins the vacant IBO title. His only losses have been a majority decision to Paul Williams and a split decision against Saul Alvarez. Wins over Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout and Ishe Smith are not the ingredients of legendary status and Lara must be careful not to end up bracketed with Guillermo Rigondeaux as talented but not exciting. Talent itself is not enough. Dominican-born 35-year-old Rodriguez was having his third world title shot having drawn and lost to Isaac Hlatshwayo in previous fights for the IBF welterweight title. He is now 4-6-2 in his last 12 fights and without a win since May 2013. He had been inactive for exactly a year when he suddenly was popped into the WBA ratings issued on 16 May at No 12 . Beterbiev vs. Johnson Bererbiev finally goes beyond the fourth round as substitute Johnson holds out until the seventh. Southpaw Johnson got throught the first round without damage as he used his jab on the outside and stifled Beterbiev’s attempts to work inside. Beterbiev had more success in the second putting Johnson under pressure and scoring with combinations to head and body and working Johnson over on the ropes in the third. The fourth saw the Russian getting into his stride with Johnson having to soak up some hurtful head shots but staying there to the end of the round to be the first fighter to make Beterbiev answer the bell for the fifth round. Beterbiev made him pay for that as he floored Johnson for the first time with a sharp left hook. Johnson was up early but again under pressure and later in the round a left/right combination sent Johnson tumbling into the ropes for a second count. Beterbiev eased the pressure a bit in the sixth allowing Johnson to stay on his feet but the Russian ended it in the seventh. He floored Johnson for the first time with a left hook and when he registered the second knockdown of the round with right hook the referee promptly halted the action. No real test for 30-year-old Beterbiev and he maintains his 100% score of wins by KO/TKO. Johnson, 33, was having his first fight for almost nine months and although he had halted one-time prospect Henry Buchanan in his last fight he had lost wide points decisions to Luis Garcia and Eleider Alvarez. Szpilka vs. Quezada “The Pin” gets easy win over a rapidly fading Quezada. The tall Pole boxed well. He was too quick for the plodding Quezada and worked the angles slamming home his southpaw jabs and scoring with fast, accurate combinations. Quezada, who was having his first fight for over a year never really got started and Szpilka was able to use his longer reach to slot home punches for all three rounds with Quezada deciding to retire at the end of the third. The 26-year-old Szpilka took ten months out after being halted in ten rounds by Bryant Jennings in January 2014 but got a big win in November when outpointing Tomasz Adamek and added a win over Ty Cobb in April. He has 14 wins by KO/TKO and is rated WBC 9/WBO 9/IBF 10(9). Mexican Quezada, 37, has lost six in a row now and this was his first fight since being crushed in two rounds by Andy Ruiz in May last year. Dolton vs. Fonesca Detroiter Dolton goes to 17 wins with victory over outclassed Fonesca. Dolton had too much of everything for Fonesca who was outpunched and outboxed in each of the five completed rounds. The Kronk trained Dolton worked the body continually and at the end of the fifth Fonesca retired. The tall 25-year-old Dolton won a gold medal at the Ringside World Championships and the US Blue & Gold Tournament but lost to Keith Thurman at the US Olympic Trial for the 2008 Olympics. He has 9 wins by KO/TKO. Mexican Fonesca, 22, was having his first fight for seven months and had lost his last two but both to unbeaten fighters. Alvarez vs. Dudchenko “Storm” Alvarez is a real force at cruiser and is ready for bigger fish. He had Dudchenko under pressure in the first and finished it with one thunderous left hook early in the second. Dudchenko made it to his feet but the legs attached to those feet were going in different directions and the referee stopped the fight. The 31-year-old Colombian has 10 wins by KO/TKO. He had to go the full ten rounds to outpoint Alex Johnson in May last year but scored a crushing victory over South African Ryno Liebenberg in October. Hand injuries have plagued him but he is a high class fighter. Ukrainian Dudchenko, 36, was having his first fight in just under a year following a seventh round stoppage loss against current IBF No 1 light heavy Nadjib Mohammedi Rio Turbio, Argentina: Welter: Adrian L Veron (14-0) W TKO 3 Juan Pablo La Cuadra (18-2-2). This looked competitive on paper but “Chucky” Veron just brushed La Cuadra aside. La Cuadra was on the defensive from the start with Veron forcing him to the ropes and in control. He floored La Cuadra in the second and was bombarding him in the third when the fight was stopped after La Cuadra’s corner threw in the towel. The 26-year-old southpaw, an international class amateur, wins the vacant WBO Latino title and has 10 victories by KO/TKO. He is the FAB No 6. La Cuadra, 36, has a very heavily padded record built against very poor opposition outside the FAB sphere. Edmonton, Canada: Light: Cam O'Connell (7-0-1) W PTS 8 Mike Perez (17-7-4). Super Welter: Sammy Vargas (21-2-1) W TKO 3 Cesar Chavez (26-9). O'Connell vs. Perez Good win for O’Connell as he floors and outpoints Mexican Perez. O’Connell had Perez on the back foot from the outset with the Mexican in survival mode early. O’Connell did a patient job of tracking Perez bossing the fight with his jab and slamming home body punches as Perez tried to cover up on the ropes. Perez fought back well enough with counters to pick up a round or two but was never a force. The hard work almost paid off for O’Connell in the last round as he floored Perez with a right but there was just too little time remaining for him to finish the job and Perez survived. Scores 79-72, 79-73 and 78-73. First time at eight rounds for the Red Deer fighter, a former Canadian amateur champion, who had won his last four fight by KO/TKO. Toronto-based Perez, 30, is 2-2-2 in six fights in Canada. Vargas vs. Chavez Colombian Vargas rebounds from defeat to halt Chavez. Vargas pressurised the Mexican over the first two rounds before dropping Chavez with a left hook. Chavez managed to get up but was in no condition to continue and the fight was stopped. After winning his first16 fights the 26-year-old Vargas suffered an upset loss to Mexican Pablo Munguia. He then won his next five before being halted in four rounds by Errol Spence in April. Now 9 losses by KO/TKO for Chavez. Tartu, Estonia: Middle: Artur Akavov (13-1) W Michel Mothmora 27-23). Akavov retains the WBO European title with points victory over Frenchman Mothmora. The fight was a very staid affair over the first six rounds with Akavov generally edging things and having good rounds in the second and fourth but then the fight heated up. In the seventh a left from Akavov floored Mothmora who beat the count but was still shaky and bleeding heavily from the nose at the end of the round. Akavov looked on his way to an inside the distance victory when he again put Mothmora down in the eighth. The Frenchman has quite a few KO/TKO losses early in his career but has improved and he banged back in the ninth to put Akavov down. The remaining rounds were hard fought and close but Akavov got the unanimous decision. The 27-year-old Russian “ Wolverine” was making the second defence of his WBO title and has won his last 8 fights. Mothmora, 34, had turned his career around being 12-2 in his last 14 fight with the losses both being to Karim Achour for the French title. Villeneuve sur Lot, France: Super Feather: Samir Ziani (20-2-1) W TKO 8 Sebastien Cornu (13-14-3). Ziani delights his local fans as he halts Cornu in eight to retain the French title. Cornu had the reach to box on the outside against the aggressive Ziani but instead chose to trade with the champion Ziani slowly broke down the challenger with hooks to head and body and fast left/right/left combinations. Cornu was already tiring by the fifth and was hurt and on shaky pins in the round. He made it through the sixth and seventh although taking heavy punishment. In the eighth two head punches put Cornu down. The challenger got up and seemed to want to continue but his trainer threw in the towel which should have happened earlier. Southpaw Ziani, 24, was making the first defence of his national title and gets only his fourth win by KO/TKO. He was unbeaten in his first 16 fights but in 2013 lost to Samir Kasmi for the vacant EU title and in December last year lost a close decision to Richard Commey. This is his second win since then. “Scorpion” Cornu, 31, fails at the third attempt to win the French title and has now lost his last 5 fights. Calais, France: Middle: Joffrey Jacob (10-0) W PTS 8 Artur Sankowski (3-7) Joffrey keeps the Jacob family tradition going by winning his tenth bout. The 23-year-old youngest member of the Calais fighting family spent the first round seeing what the Pole brought to the table and then went to work. He was quicker, more accurate and stronger scoring with quick combinations to head and body. Fortunately for Sankowski Jacob is a light puncher and the Pole was around to put in a big effort in the seventh but was still outboxed. The 23-year-old Jacob, the brother of European champion Romain Jacob, was up at eight rounds for the first time and topping a show for the first time. Sankowski is 3-5 in his last 8 fights. Lichtenberg, Germany: Welter: Rico Mueller (19-1-1) W PTS 12 Rey Labao (27-7). Welter: Robert Maess (14-0) W RTD 9 Fernando Ferreira da Silva (33-5-1). Cruiser: Isa Akberbayev (16-0,1ND) W PTS 12 Julio Cesar Dos Santos (27-5). Mueller vs. Labao Mueller retains IBO Inter-Continental title with clear points win over Labao. The German was hard pushed at the start as Filipino Labao was quickly into his stride working inside and scoring to the body. After three rounds Mueller was finding a home time and again for well placed counters on the aggressive visitor and blocking the Filipino’s hooks. Mueller was hampered by a cut from a clash of heads but he boxed carefully and took the well deserved decision. The 27-year-old German was making the third defence of his title and had won his last 10 fights. Labao, the GAB light champion, is now 3-3 in his last 6 fights but in there are two wins in Japan against reasonable level opposition. Maess vs. da Silva Maess had to make the fight as da Silva spent most of the time circling the ring perimeter and just prodding right jabs. When he did come forward throwing punches sharp hooks and uppercuts from Maess quickly had him on his bike again. da Silva nailed Maess with a right cross in the second but it was the only punch he threw. Maess was moving in throwing 3 or 4 punches but then strangely backing off. However by the third he was following through with his attacks hammering home body punches with da Silva standing and trading more. The next four rounds showed little variation with Maess continuing to stride forward taking da Silva to the ropes and banging in left hooks and da Silva standing and trading in short bursts and rapidly tiring. Through the eighth and ninth da Silva was just soaking up hooks to the body and straight rights to the head and it was no surprise when he retired at the end of the ninth. The 24-year-ol Berliner has won all 14 fights by KO/TKO and collects the Global Boxing Council title. He is strong but limited and needs to cure himself of the habit of throwing 3 or 4 punches and then retreating instead of following through. da Silva, 37, has a typical Brazilian record heavily padded with home wins against poor opposition but he took Australian hope Jeff Horn the distance in July last year. Akberbayev vs. Dos Santos Akberbayev retains his GBC title in his first defence with hard fought decision over Brazilian Dos Santos. This was the most competitive of the three fights with Dos Santos getting through with his share of hard punches and the Kazak fighter forced to dig deep to get the close unanimous decision but looking lucky to do so. The 31-year-old Kazak has been a traveller with his first 7 fights taking place in 6 different countries. The no decision on his record was a stoppage loss to Anthony Ferrante in New York which was changed to no decision when Ferrante tested positive for a banned substance. Dos Santos, 37, has mixed in good company such as Dymtro Kucher, Tony Bellew and Micki Nielsen in those five losses of his. Pathum Thani, Thailand: Super Feather: Terdsak (57-5-1) W KO 4 Roldan Aldea (9-2-1). Easy win for veteran Terdsak as he halts overmatched Filipino in five rounds. The 33-year-old Thai “Pit Bull” has only lost to the very best in Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Steve Luevano, Takahiro Ao and Orlando Salido. His bout with Salido was an epic with Salido down three times and Terdsak four but he has dropped out of the ratings so another shot at a title may never come. Aldea, 21, had won his last 7 fights but is a novice, brave but in over his head. London, England: Light Heavy: Mike Shinkwin (11-0) W TKO 3 Bela Juhasz (9-5). Cruiser: Tony Conquest (15-2) W PTS 8 Jiri Svacina (12-15). Shinkwin vs. Juhasz Shinkwin extends his winning run to eleven with stoppage of Hungarian. The Southern Area champion had the fight well in hand and ended it in style in the third with a body punch that left Juhasz unable to continue. The Bushey 27-year-old gets his fourth win by KO/TKO and is ready to move up. Juhasz, 28, loses inside the distance for the third time and is now 6-3 in his last 9 fights. Conquest vs. Svacina Former CBC champion Conquest gets what he needs from tough Czech veteran Svacina-eight rounds of work. “The Conqueror” found himself up against a tricky opponent who did what he needed to stay there for the whole eight rounds without winning or sharing one. Referee’s score 80-72. Second win for Conquest since losing his CBC title to Ovill McKenzie in April last year. Svacina , 38, has lost his last 8 fights but has only lost twice by KO/TKO in his 27fights. Glasgow, Scotland: Super Middle: David Brophy (13-0-1) WPTS 8 Darren McKenna (5-15-3). Super Welter: John Thain (12-2) W PTS 6 Chris Jenkinson (8-20-2). Brophy vs. McKenna Prospect Brophy shakes some rust with points win over McKenna. The up side was that he looked sharp and outboxed and outpunched the competitive McKenna who did enough to win a round and share another. The downside was Brophy being cut in a clash of heads but once that heals he will be looking to continue his march to a title. Referee’s score 79-73. The 25-year-old Scot was having his first fight for 8 months. McKenna, 30, was having his first fight since losing to the now CBC champion Luke Blackledge. Thain vs. Jenkinson Former Scottish amateur champion Thain was also returning after a period of inactivity and as with Brophy he got the type of return bout he needed with experienced Jenkinson. The tall Edinburgh fighter showcased his talent with Jenkinson doing enough to take a round and share a round even though losing clearly. Referee’s score 59-55. The 27-year-old Thain was starting his rebuilding process after losses last year to Ronnie Heffron and Kris Carslaw and is said to be considering going back down to welter. Five points losses in a row for Jenkinson but only three losses by KO/TKO in his 30 fights. New York, NY, USA: Bantam: Elton Dharry (19-5-1) W TKO 3 Miguel Robles (12-5-2). Brooklyn-based Guyanan Dharry breaks down Puerto Rican Robles and after a dominant second round hands out more punishment and late in the third the referee had seen enough and halted the fight. Dharry, 29, has 12 wins by KO/TKO. He has turned his record round with correct preparation for bouts. He was 3-5-1 in his fight 9 fights and has now won 16 on the bounce. Reportedly he promoted this show. Robles, 33, was having his first fight for 15 months and has lost his last 4 including a seventh round kayo by Randy Caballero. No real test Dharry needs to push the promoter to get him better matches. June 13 New York, NY, USA: Feather: Nicholas Walters (26-0) W PTS 12 Miguel Marriaga (20-1 ). Light: Felix Verdejo (18-0) W PTS 10 Ivan Najera (16-1). Light Heavy: Sean Monaghan (25-0) W TKO 10 Fulgencio Zuniga (27-11-1). Super Light: Mike Reed (15-0) W PTS 8 Luis Joel Gonzalez (11-2-1). Super Feather: Jason Sosa (16-1-3) W TKO 5 Santiago Bustos (7-7-1). Walters vs. Marriaga Walters failing to make the weight was a huge disappointment for the fans, HBO and the fighter. The odds were already against the less talented Marriaga and giving away a lot of weight to the much heavier Walters just made his job impossible.- The Jamaican showcased his ample skills against a limited opponent. Marriaga tried hard but Walters was in a different class. The first two rounds were edged by Walters as he scored with hooks from both hands with Marriaga countering with shots of his own but his punch output was low. Marriaga increased his work rate in the third and slammed home some good shots in the fourth but Walters was doing most of the scoring. They traded heavy punches in the fifth, sixth and seventh with Walters again taking the rounds and he shook Marriaga badly with a right in the eighth. In the ninth as Marriaga moved in behind a left/right combination Walters countered with a right to the head which sent Marriaga tumbling backwards. The Colombian fell into the ropes and ended up sitting on the bottom rope and the referee rightly counted it as a knockdown. The bell came before Walters could capitalise on that. The Colombian then seemed to go into survival mode for a while as Walters dominated the action with Marriaga under too much pressure to force the much stronger Walters back. Marriaga woke up in the last round but by then he needed a knockout and that was never on the cards and Walters took the wide unanimous decision. Scores 119-108, 118-109 and 117-110. Where the 29-year-old “Axe Man” heads now I don’t know. There was talk of a fight with Vasyl Lomachenko but initially the Ukrainian seemed to ruling that out although with better discipline Walters may still make feather and try to regain his title. At super feather there is not a great deal to be offered. Japanese fighters Takashi Miura and Takashi Uchiyama hold the WBC and WBA titles respectively, Jose Pedraza is the new IBF champion and Roman Martinez is WBO champion. Walters would start favourite against any of those four but it depends on whether the fights can be made. It’s a case of wait and see. There is a conspicuous lack of quality wins on the 28-year-old Marriaga’s record so he will probably head back to Colombia and run up a sequence of home wins then hope to get another title shot. It’s very much a possibility. Verdejo vs. Najera With each fight Verdejo looks more and more like a future star of Puerto Rican boxing. Texan Najera had not come to be a sacrificial offering and he competed well over the first two rounds with Verdejo just edging them. From the third Verdejo moved up a gear and from that point any chance Najera had disappeared. The young Puerto Rican was slotting home jabs and fast combinations and had Najera trapped on the ropes and hammered away at him until the bell. Verdejo found yet another gear in the fourth and despite desperate efforts by Najera to counter or block the punches coming his way Verdejo was also increasing the power. In the fifth they were trading shots in centre ring when Verdejo landed a stunning left hook which knocked Najera backwards and down on the seat of his pants. Verdejo tried to finish it then but a gritty Najera survived and Verdejo seemed to take his foot of the gas in the sixth. In the seventh as Najera barrelled forward a short left hook put him on the floor again. Najera got up and continued to try to take the fight to Verdejo. The Puerto Rican hope continued to land heavy punches over the next three rounds rocking Najera with a hard right in the tenth but the Texan did not crumble and was still there at the finish. Scores 100-88 twice and 99-89. The 22-year-old Verdejo retains the WBO Latino title. His opposition has not been top drawer but Oscar Bravo, Sergio Villanueva,and Marco Antonio Lopez are useful building blocks in his road to experience. Right now he is rated WBA 3/WBO 8 but the standard of opposition does not merit those ratings so it is style over substance but he looks capable of going all the way to a world title. Najera, also 22, was moving up to ten rounds for the first time and also facing a much higher level of opponent than at any other time. He showed a good chin and plenty of guts but he will need more than that to progress further. Monaghan vs. Zuniga Monaghan overcomes the resistance of Zuniga to get a late win. After a cautious opening the fight came alive in the second as both fighters stood and traded looking to take control of the fight. Monaghan came out on top but Zuniga continued to look to trade. Monaghan was landing the better placed and more powerful shots but Zuniga was not ready to back down and although rapidly marking up due Monaghan’s head punches he stayed competitive over rounds three to five. It was a fast paced bout and both began to tire and the fight became messy for a while with too much clinching. It looked as though Zuniga was going to last the full route but in the ninth his work rate had dropped to almost nothing and he went down from what looked like a push but after climbing off the floor he went straight back down and the referee stopped the fight. Monaghan, 33, makes it 16 wins by KO/TKO. There are no “names” on his record but he is rated WBA 5(4)/IBF7/WBC7/WBO8 and any thought of putting him in with Sergey Kovalev or Adonis Stevenson should be resisted but I am sure he would take the chance if it came along. Colombian Zuniga, 37, fought for the WBO super welter title in 2003 and has also had shots at the WBO,IBF and IBO super middle titles and the IBF light heavy crown. He is 3-7 in his last 10 fights with three wins being easy victories back in Colombia Reed vs. Gonzalez Reed remains unbeaten with unanimous decision over Gonzalez in an all-southpaw match. Although making a measured start Reed took the fight to Gonzalez for all eight rounds and was able to unload fast hard combinations that prevented the Puerto Rican from getting a foothold in the fight. Gonzalez never gave up trying but the class gap was too wide and the only downer for Reed is that for all his dominance he could not put Gonzalez down or out. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-73. The 22-year-old “Yes Indeed” a former NGG champion is making steady progress. He is in the eight rounds category at the moment and should be ready to move up after 2 or 3 more fight. Gonzalez, 25, was moving up to eight rounds for the first time and did well to last the full distance. Sosa vs. Bustos Sasa makes it 12 wins in a row as he batters away at Spaniard Bustos before stopping him in the fifth. Sosa almost took Bustos out in the second but the Mallorcan had not lost inside the distance and survived. The punishment wore the little Spaniard down and in the fifth he was forced to take a knee after Sosa landed a hard combination. Bustos made it to his feet but was put down again and the fight was stopped. Sosa, 27, was 4-1-3 in his first eight fights with the loss being a short notice fight against a much heavier opponent. Since then he accumulated 11 wins by KO/TKO in his run of 12 victories. Bustos, 32, has now lost his last 3 fights . he is 1-3 in fights in Britain with an upset win over Ben Jones as his best result. Birmingham, AL, USA: Heavy: Deontay Wilder (34-0) W KO 9 Eric Molina (23-3). Super Feather: Jose Pedraza (20-0) W PTS 12 Andrey Klimov (19-2). Light: Dejan Zlaticanin (21-0) W TKO 4 Ivan Redkach (18-1). Super Welter: Julian Williams (20-0-1,1ND ) W TKO 6 Armen Ovsepyan (14-5). Welter: Bryant Perrella (9-0) W TKO 1 Abraham Alvarez (20-9-1). Light Heavy: Ahmed Elbiali (11-0 ) W KO 1 Donta Woods (8-5 ). Super Middle: Juan Ubaldo Cabrera (23-0) W PTS 8 Tim Hall (9-21). Wilder vs. Molina Predictable end to Wilder’s first defence of his WBC title as he knocks out a dogged Molina. With the exception of one brief moment in the third Wilder was in control throughout. He was stalking Molina using his big edge in reach to spear Molina with long lefts and banging home straight rights. After two rounds of this, both won by Wilder, Molina had his big moment in the third when a hard left hook saw Wilder’s legs stiffen but the champion recovered although Molina had pocketed his one and only winning round. The breaking down got underway in earnest in the fourth when Wilder floored Molina with a left late in the round. Molina made it to his feet and did not seem badly hurt and the bell went before Wilder could add to his troubles. Wilder registered two more knockdowns in the fifth. After sending Molina to the ropes with a couple of hard rights Wilder moved in just as Molina was turning his back and a Wilder left put the challenger down. When he got up Molina was shaky and Wilder stunned him with a right and again Molina was turning away when a right put him on the canvas. He got up and survived the round. Wilder seemed to go off the boil and show signs of tiring as he dictated in the sixth, seventh and eight without looking like putting Molina down again. Molina was finding the target with an occasional right and one of those shots in the eighth seemed again to stagger Wilder. By that time the crowd was getting restive over Wilder’s failure to close out the fight. He provided the finish in the ninth. He pulled his upper body back from two prodding jabs from Molina then stepped forward with a right cross that crashed into Molina’s head. Molina stumbled away again turning his back but this time he tumbled into the ropes and down to the canvas lying spread-eagled with the referee promptly waiving his hands and stopping the fight without a count. The 29-year-old “Bronze Bomber” is taken past the fourth round for only the second time as he gets win No 33 by KO/TKO. He is allowed one easy defence now he will be expected to face a more formidable challenger next time. Molina, 33, lost his first pro fight on a first round kayo but then won his next 18 before Chris Arreola also stopped him inside a round in 2012. He had then scored five more wins over very modest opposition and done nothing to merit a title shot. Pedraza vs. Klimov Pedraza wins the vacant IBF title as he outclasses Russian Klimov. Pedraza bossed this one from first bell to last. His hand speed, movement and use of angles were too much for Klimov to handle and he never got a foothold in the fight. It did not help that the first punch from Pedraza in the opening round broke Klimov’s nose and that injury spilt blood for the rest of the fight. Pedraza’s nickname is “The Sniper” but a sniper tends to fire single bullets. Pedraza was more like a machine gun as he threw his punches in bunches. To show how easy it was for Pedraza he fought the first six rounds as orthodox and the second half of the fight as a southpaw. Klimov lacked the speed, skill and power to be competitive and all he had to offer was grit as the Puerto Rican’s punches left him with cuts and bruises to go with the broken nose but he stayed there to the end. Scores 120-108 twice and a generous to Klimov 119-109. The 26-year-old Pedraza will face tougher tests than this but he showed classy skills and good punch power and a unification match with WBO champion Roman Martinez would be a big fight for Puerto Rican bragging rights. Klimov, 32, had past wins over Matias Gomez and John Molina but was outclassed by Terrence Crawford in 2013 losing every round and had done little since then to deserve a rating let alone a shot at the vacant title. Zlaticanin vs. Redkach Zlaticanin springs his second upset as he stops previously unbeaten Redkach in this all-southpaw fight. The little Montenegrin always gives away lots in height and reach but is a hustling, bustling little ball of aggression. The fast start by Zlaticanin caught Redkach off guard as Zlaticanin denied him space to punch and just kept rumbling forward. There is nothing fancy about Zlaticanin and his style is ugly but effective and he took the first two rounds. Redkach started to open up a bit in the third trying to stay off the ropes and get his jab working and got a short break after a low punch from Zlaticanin saw the fight paused whilst the Ukrainian recovered. Zlaticanin was rumbling forward in the fourth and drove Redkach to the ropes. He landed clubbing shots to head and body and as Redkach tried to fight his way off the ropes he nailed the Ukrainian with an overhand left which sent Redkach down on one knee. He was up quickly and took the rest of the eight count. Zlaticanin came storming in trapping Redkach on the ropes and launching punch after punch. Redkach fired a couple of punches back but was then overwhelmed by Zlaticanin punches and sagging against the ropes when the referee stopped the fight. Redkach queried the stoppage but he looked in deep trouble and was not punching back. The 31-year-old 5’4” (163cm) Zlaticanin had shown in his win over Ricky Burns in June last year just what a handful he was. Perhaps in the long run Redkach may have been able to outbox him but Zlaticanin never gave Redkach a chance to find out. He was rated WBC No 1which in this crazy sanctioning body world means that the other bodies did not include him in their ratings but with Redkach being WBC No 2 effectively this was a final eliminator so next to face the little Montenegrin could be champion Jorge Linares. Redkach, 29, blew his chances of a world title fight and has a big rebuilding job to do before he gets back into consideration Williams vs. Ovsepyan Williams stays unbeaten, gets an inside the distance win, retains his WBC Continental Americas title and continues to impress. “J-Rock” had Ovsepyan on the floor in the first with a right and that set the pattern for the fight. Williams was unloading to head and body of Ovsepyan in each of the subsequent rounds with the Armenian showing guts by standing up under the punishment. It got too much for him in the sixth. Williams landed a big left which had Ovsepyan on dodgy pins and when another right crashed home the referee stopped the fight. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for the lanky Williams. He has scored wins over useful opposition in Orlando Lara, Freddy Hernandez and Joey Hernandez . Although he came up short in the big tournaments as an amateur he is rated WBC 9/WBA 11and has an impressive combination of skill and power. Armenian Ovsepyan was having his first fight since being outpointed by Brad Solomon in May last year and was never in with a chance after that first knockdown. Perrella vs. Alvarez Perrella makes it 8 wins by KO/TKO as he halts the more experienced Alvarez in the first round. The tall southpaw has won his last 6 by KO/TKO and has a total of 4 first round wins. The 26-year-old Floridian was a good class amateur but lost out to Errol Spence and Sammy Vasquez at the US Olympic Trials. No real tests so far but he is a good prospect. Mexican Alvarez was 17-1-1 in his first 19 fights but is 3-11 in his last 14 with all of his losses being by KO/TKO. Elbiali vs. Woods Egyptian-born Elbiali did not hang around but blasted out Woods in just 64 seconds. The 24-year-old Miami-based fighter must have been upset at being taken the distance in his last fight after 9 wins in a row by KO/TKO. He has 6 first round finishes. Woods is heading in the other direction. After winning his first 8 fights he has now lost 5 in a row with all of the losses to unbeaten fighters. Cabrera vs. Hall In his first fight for a year Dominican Cabrera has to work hard to take unanimous decision over Hall. Cabrera was a clear winner but Hall did enough to be competitive all the way and gave Cabrera a tough test on his return. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. The 36-year-old Cabrera won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games beating Jean Pascal and Yordanis Despaigne and also scored a win over Alfredo Angulo in the Central American and Caribbean Games but failed to medal at the 200 and 2004 Olympics before turning pro. He has spent 10 years as a pro getting nowhere much. Hall is 2-7 in his last 9 fights but usually goes the distance. Bristol, England: Bantam: Lee Haskins (31-4) W TKO 6 Ryosuke Iwasa (19-2). Light Heavy: Bob Ajisafe (16-2) W KO 4 Daniel Wanyonyi (21-7-2). Haskins vs. Iwasa Justice prevails as Lee Haskins finally gets the chance to win a version of a world title and takes it literally with both hands. In the first round Iwasa showed a neat accurate jab but Haskins was using quick reflexes and upper body movement to avoid Iwasa’s punches and countering landing a hard left and catching Iwasa flush on the chin to give the local fighter the first round. Haskins also took the second clearly. He very rarely blocks punches using upper body movement to make his opponent miss and he then has both hands free to counter and he shook Iwasa with big left and following right and scored with the same combination later in the round and had opened a small cut on the bridge of Iwasa’s nose. The third was more even as Haskins was wild with his counters but over the last minute he got his timing back and caught Iwasa with quick shots from both hands. Iwasa had his best round so far in the fourth as he landed a hard left to Haskin’s head and later caught the Bristol fighter with right and straight southpaw left with Haskins off target with his counters. The fifth was close but Haskins was no longer slinging wide punches but much shorter straighter ones and doing the cleaner scoring. The end when it came in the sixth was dramatic. Haskins stepped inside Iwasa’s lead and landed a thunderbolt of a left cross and suddenly Iwasa was all at sea. Haskins tried to land more punches but Iwasa was already on his way down. He climbed up at the count of six and when the eight count was finished Haskins drilled home another left which sent Iwasa into the ropes and the local hero was landing thudding head shots with nothing coming back from Iwasa when the referee stopped the fight. Haskins, 31, wins the interim IBF title with champion Randy Caballero being sidelined for an extensive period with an injury. The scenes of jubilation were understandable as the road to the title has been a long one for the talented Haskins and those that have supported and believed in him over the years particularly Chris Sanigar. He had watched whilst fighters he had beaten such as Stuart Hall and Martin Ward fought for titles but now the frustration is over. Iwasa, 25, had nice skills and looked to be finding a way to deal with the unique style of Haskins until that bolt from the blue turned his dreams to ashes. Ajisafe vs. Wanyonyi Ajisafe wins the vacant CBC title with fourth round win over Kenyan Wanyonyi. Southpaw Ajisafe had height and reach over Wanyonyi and did what clean scoring there was in the first round with Wanyonyi trying ineffective head first rushes to get inside. In the second Ajisafe landed two straight lefts which knocked Wanyonyi over. He got up slowly and when the fight resumed gained some respite by rushing forward launching swinging punches which had Ajisafe on the back foot but by the end of the round Wanyonyi was again under fire. Ajisafe took the third as he was able to land cuffing shots with Wanyonyi limited to wild rushes which were telegraphed with Ajisafe easily able to counter them. In the fourth Ajisafe unleashed a storm of punches which drove Wanyonyi across the ring and the Kenyan slumped down in the corner and stayed there as the referee initially counted and then just waived the fight over. The 32-year-old “Lionheart” has emerged as a real force after years of being overlooked. He had just one fight in 2010,2011,2012 and 2013 but is now getting regular fights and good exposure and improving as a fighter because of it. The 26-year-old Wanyonyi, who started out as a middleweight, had decent looking statistics but there was no substance and he looked crude and limited Vaasa, Sweden: Heavy; Robert Helenius (21-0) W KO 3 Beka Lobjanidze (12-3). Light Heavy: Sami Enbom (9-0) W TKO 5 Beqa Aduashvili (12-1). Light Heavy: Janne Forsman (19-1) W PTS 6 Shalva Meleksishvili (7-3-1). Super Welter: Jussi Koivula (18-2) W PTS 6 Michael Obin (5-4). Helenius vs. Lobjanidze Helenius continues his comeback with easy win over inexperienced Lobjanidze. He had the Georgian down with a body punch early in the first round and put him on the floor again in the second. “The Nordic Nightmare ended it in the third with a body punch with the referee counting out the Georgian. The 31-year-old Swedish-born Finn was having his second fight after two years out through injury. He was high in the ratings before the injury but has now dropped out so has some rebuilding to do. Lobjanidze is 2-3 in his last 5 fights with inside the distance losses to Dillian Whyte and Otto Wallin. Enbom vs. Aduashvili Enbom remains unbeaten with stoppage of Georgian. The first round was about even but after that the Finnish southpaw dominated with the fight finally being stopped in the fifth round. The 27-year-old “Boom Boom”, twice a runner-up and once a champion at the Finnish National Championships, has 5 wins by KO/TKO. Aduashvili, 23, was venturing outside Georgia for the first time and moving up to eight rounds for the first time. Forsman vs. Meleksishvili Forsman makes it Finland 3 Georgia 0 with wide unanimous decision over Meleksishvili. The Finnish boxer handed out steady punishment but Meleksishvili stood up too it and fought back hard and did enough to take a couple of rounds on one card and make it an entertaining fight. Scores 60-55, 60-56 and 58-56. Most of the 32-year-old Forsman’s victims have been low quality and he was knocked out by Hungarian Tamas Lodi for the WBO European title in 2013. This is his seventh win since then but all 4 and 6 rounds against undistinguished foes. Meleksishvili’s second fight outside Georgia and second loss. Koivula vs. Obin Koivula eases his way back into the winning column with comfortable points victory over Swedish-based Ugandan Obin. The Finn took every round on all three card so 60-54 from all three judges. First fight for 31-year-old Koivula since a disappointing effort in losing wide unanimous decision to Italian Marcello in February. The tall African has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights, all on points Aix-en-Provence, France: Bantam: Karim Guerfi (22-3,1ND) W PTS 8 Arnoldo Solano (14-9). Guerfi gets back into action with eight rounds of work with Nicaraguan Solano. The former European and interim WBA title challenger was forced to work hard by Solano and although the judges all saw the fight as 80-72 for Guerfi that did not reflect the good work put in by Solano. Guerfi won clearly to keep his hopes of another shot the European title alive. With champion Lee Haskins’s win at the weekend the European title will be vacant and the EBU No 4 will be hoping to get a shot but the official challenger is Zhanat Zhakiyanov who knocked out Guerfi in five rounds in April last year to take the Frenchman’s title. Five losses in a row for Solano who also went the full eight rounds with Gamal Yafai last month. Paris, France: Super Middle: Samy Anouche (17-2-1) W PTS 10 Hakim Zoulikha (21-7). Super Light: Franck Petitjean (14-4-3) DREW 10 Chris Sebire (23-9-1). Heavy: Carlos Takam (32-2-1) W KO 5 Michael Sprott (42-24). Light: Marvin Petit (15-1-1) W PTS 6 Remy Nguema (4-3). Super Light: Yvan Mendy (31-4-1,1ND) W PTS 6 Felix Lora (18-16-5). Bantam: Nordine Oubaali (6-0) W KO 1 Artur Moysesyan (6-1). Light: Daouda Sow (17-0) W PTS 6 Sylvain Chapelle (14-19-2). Anouche vs. Zoulikha Anouche gets the decision in this non-title fight but only just. Zoulikha was the smaller man and got off to a great start as he floored French champion Anouche with a left hook in the first round. Anouche got up and with his better southpaw skills gradually worked his way into the fight although the aggressive Zoulikha kept rumbling forward and held on to his lead until he began to tire in the later rounds. A punch from Anouche opened a cut over the left eyebrow of Zoulikha in the eighth and Anouche finished the stronger to just deserve the decision. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Anouche and 95-94 for Zoulikha. The 29-year-old Anouche lost his first pro fight but then went 15-0-1 in his next 16 before being halted by Spaniard Mariano Hilario for the EU title in February last year. He was out for nine months and this is his second win since his return and he rated No 15 by the EBU. Former French light heavy champion Zoulikha, 28, has now lost his last three, all tough fights. Petitjean vs. Sebire Petitjean holds onto his national title but by the smallest margin. This one was close all the way with the fight swinging one way and then the other. Sebire looked just a shade unlucky not to get the verdict but it was so close that Petitjean probably did not deserve to lose his title. Hopefully they will have a return as Sebire deserves another chance. Scores 96-94 to Petitjean, 96-95 to Sebire and 95-95. Petitjean, 27, was making the second defence of his title. He has some good results and some poor ones so a bit unpredictable. Former champion Sebire took Brits Chris Jenkins and Bradley Skeete the full distance in two fights in two weeks last year. Takam vs. Sprott Takam kayos Sprott in a keep busy fight. The hard-punching Cameroon fighter was just too strong for Sprott who showed his usual cagey survival skills for a few rounds. Unfortunately Sprott took the bout at just two weeks notice and began to tire. Sprott was shaken but also shook Takam with a left hook in the fourth but Takam closed the bout in the fifth with another left hook which put the Brit down for the count. Second win for the 34-year-old Takam since his tenth round crushing by Alex Povetkin for the WBC Silver title in October and win No 25 by KO/TKO. Sprott, 40, had lost inside a round to Kali Meehan and Anthony Joshua in his last two fights but gave a better account of himself here despite the handicap of little preparation. Petit vs. Nguema Former French champion Petit gets unanimous verdict over French-based Gabon fighter Nguema. The Gabonese fighter makes a bright start forcing Petit to the ropes in the first and scoring with some clean shots. Petit gets into his stride in the second levelling things up and his busy work rate soon finds Nguema concentrating on defence and he tires over the last two rounds. Scores 59-55 twice and 58-56. The 24-year-old Petit was 14-0-1 in his first 15 fights including a victory over Joel Durand for the vacant French title. He lost the title in his first defence to Yvan Mendy in June 2013 and did not return to action until getting a win in February. Nguema, 35, found this too big a step after only very modest opposition in the past. Mendy vs. Lora The above mentioned Mendy handed out a beating to Spanish-based Lora but had to settle for a points victory. The former French champion had Lora down twice from left hooks once in the first round and again in the second. Lora is an accomplished survivor and despite the best efforts of the hard-punching Frenchman he managed to see out the remaining four rounds without too much trouble. Scores 60-52, 60-53 and 59-52. “The Lion” Mendy, 30, was having his first fight after losing on points to Finn Edis Tatli for the vacant European title in April. Dominican Republic-born Lora, 31, has lost his last six fights. He has lost only once by KO/TKO but this was nearly No 2. Oubaali vs. Moysesyan Oubaali again shows power and class as he disposes of unbeaten Moysesyan inside a round. A left hook to the head brings the first knockdown. Moysesyan goes down twice more and the fight is over. The 28-year-old former star amateur won the French title in his fifth fight and gets his third win inside a round. Don’t know how far he can go but he is certainly one to watch. Moysesyan was actually coming off a win outside Georgia which is pretty rare. Sow vs. Chapelle Sow returns from WBS action but gets a tougher than expected fight from Chapelle. Sow had to climb off the floor in the fourth and stage a strong finish to get the controversial split decision and remain undefeated. Scores 59-53 and 58-53 for Sow and 57-56 for Chapelle. The 32-year-old southpaw won the French title in 2012 but did not defend it and has been fighting only six round fights ever since. Chapelle, 28, has failed in three attempts at winning a French title. He has never won a fight by KO/TKO so surprising he put Sow down. Brescia, Italy: Super Welter: Cedric Vitu (42-2) W TKO 11 Orlando Fiordigiglio (21-1). Heavy: Salvatore Erittu (27-2) W PTS 10 Fabio Tuiachi (27-4). Vitu vs. Fiordigiglio From being a beaten fighter Vitu finds the strength to beat down and stop Fiordigiglio to win the vacant European title. After three close rounds the home fighter took the lead. He was simply outboxing the more experienced Frenchman using a quick, accurate jab and sound defensive work to pile up the points. By the end of the seventh it was looking bad for Vitu. He was letting Fiordigiglio dictate the fight and his corner was frantically trying to get Vitu to increase his work rate. In the ninth for the first time Fiordigiglio showed signs of tiring whereas Vitu still looked strong and the Frenchman took the tenth so that at the end of the round he had clawed his way back into the fight being level with Fiordigiglio on two cards but still a point behind on the third. The eleventh brought a dramatic finish. Fiordigiglio was stalking Vitu with both men now looking tired. As Fiordigiglio came forward Vitu landed a hard left hook to the head. Fiordigiglio looked shaken but continued to press his attack. As they exchanged punches Vitu cracked home a right cross and suddenly everything just drained out of Fiordigiglio and he staggered backwards across the ring to the ropes. Vitu literally ran across the ring and started pounding the Italian with head shots with Fiordigiglio trapped on the ropes The Italian was defenceless and taking hard punches and the fight should have been stopped then. Instead the referee let it continue and Vitu again had Fiordigiglio on the ropes landing punch after punch with Fiordigiglio not even able to raise his hands. It was finally stopped making Vitu the new champion. The 29-year-old French southpaw had lost a split decision to Sergey Rabchenko in Manchester in 2012 for this title and for a while it looked as though it was going to slip out of hands again before that sensational eleventh round. The 30-year-old Fiordigiglio showed enough to say that he will return again to try for this title. Reportedly 45 days before the fight he came off a scooter and cracked his collarbone but his team felt he was fully recovered. It was great little fight shown by both French and Italian TV and a good advert for the sport. Erittu vs. Tuiachi Erittu wins the Italian title with wide unanimous verdict over champion Tuiachi. After a cautious start(Erittu’s two losses both came within the first two rounds) Erittu was able to box behind his jab with Tuiachi trying to press the action but rarely letting his punches go. Erittu has a habit of holding his left hand very low but Tuiachi never really threatened to take advantage of that. The champion was warned for hitting on the break in the second when he landed a shot to Erittu’s head. Erittu made more of it than seemed necessary and was given a minute to recover. Tuiachi lost a point in the seventh for spitting out his gumshield. Other than those mild incidents Erittu was content to box his way to victor. Scores 99-90 from all three judges. Erittu,34, a former national cruiser champion, moved up after being knocked out in 30 seconds by Maurizio Loviglio for the Italian cruiser title in February last year. Tuiachi, also a former Italian cruiser champion, was making the first defence of his title. Palmerston, New Zealand: Heavy: Joseph Parker (14-0) W TKO 2 Yakup Saglam (34-4,1ND). Welter: Jeff Horn (10-0-1) W TKO 3 Richmond Djarbeng (19-3-1). Heavy: Izuagbe Ugonoh (12-0) W PTS 8 Julius Long (16-18). Parker vs. Saglam Parker started just prodding out his jab. Saglam was letting go wild right swings which the big New Zealander easily evaded. Parker got serious then landing a right cross to the head and two left hooks to the body. He took Saglam to the ropes and landed a thudding right on the side of Saglam’s head which had the Turk staggering away. Parker cut loose punching Saglam across the ring and landing more hard shots with Saglam lurching forward and clinching. Saglam threw a couple more wild swings and managed to avoid further trouble to the bell. Saglam started the second trying to bore in head down to put Parker on the back foot. Instead Parker drove Saglam back with his jab and then scored with two hard rights which sent Saglam down on his back. He was up at seven but the towel came flying in from his corner. The 23-year-old Parker was making the fourth defence of his WBO Oriental title and the PABA title. He has 12 wins by KO/TKO and has won 8 of his last 9 fights that way but has yet to face a real test. There is time for that and he does not need to be rushed. I still feel he leaves his chin vulnerable with his too upright stance but he is certainly a good prospect. The 38-year-old Saglam’s record is heavily padded with poor to at best moderate victims. He has lost inside the distance to Manuel Charr and Odlanier Solis which is understandable but losing to six fight prospect Mike Wallisch is probably a better measure. Horn vs. Djarbeng Australian Hall destroys Ghanaian Djarbeng inside three rounds. Horn had Djarbeng shaken twice in the opening round. First with a right to the head and later with a left hook. Just when it looked as Djarbeng might get through the second round safely a left hook right cross had him down and he only just made it to the bell. Horn ended it with two more knockdowns in the third with the fight being stopped. The Brisbane 27-year-old has 8 wins by KO/TKO and he was defending his WBO Oriental and PABA title and wins the (ridiculous) WBA Pan African title. Horn was a two-time Australian amateur champion and represented Australia at the World Championships and 2012 Olympics. Like Parker he is one to watch. He is rated WBO 13/WBA 15. Ghanaian Djarbeng had won 19 fights in a row which is not difficult they way they make matches in Ghana. He was rated WBA 11 for winning the Pan African title by beating a guy with a 12-11-1 record(farcical). Ugonoh vs. Long Nigerian Ugonoh easily beats Long. The Polish-based fighter was working hard to get inside the reach of the 6’9” (206cm) Long who was busier taunting Ugonoh than fighting. He floored Long with an overhand right in the fourth and won the unanimous decision. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-73. The 28-year-old 6’4” (193cm) Ugonoh has gained valuable experience from acting as a sparring partner for Wlad Klitschko and this was his first fight over eight rounds. New Zealand-based Long, 38, has now lost 10 of his lat 11 fights. Budivelnik, Ukraine: Light Heavy: Umar Salamov (13-0) W KO 4 Tomas Adamek (23-11-2 ). Cruiser: Iago Kiladze (24-1) W PTS 8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (19-20). Cruiser: Ismayl Sillah (22-2) W PTS 8 Arturs Kulikauskis (16-25-5 ). Salamov vs. Adamek Salamov beats experienced Adamek with perfect body punch. Salamov was forcing the fight making use of a sharp jab to open up Adamek for right crosses but Adamek was firing back in a good first round. Early in the second Salamov landed a chopping right to the side of the head which put Adamek down on his knees. He was up at five and did not seem badly hurt and although he shipped some more heavy rights was banging back by the end of the round. The third was more even with Adamek staying off the ropes and establishing his jab. Salamov was on the back foot for much of the round but still dangerous with his right. Early in the fourth a right to the head and a wicked left hook to the body from Salamov put Adamek down on his hands and knees in agony. He was counted out and needed some time to recover. The 20-year-old 6’3” (191cm) Kiev-based Russian makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO and wins the WBO European title. Adamek is his best opponent so far. He has a good jab, fast hands and a hard punch but has little head movement and just comes forward in a straight line. Czech Adamek , 34, had won his last three fights but against modest opposition. Kiladze vs. Rusiewicz Kiladze just too big and quick and outpoints game Pole. The 6’3 ½” (192cm) Georgian-born Kiladze had huge advantages in height and reach over the beefy, bulky Rusiewicz and was able to stay on the outside using quick footwork and fast hands to pile up the points. Rusiewicz did his best to get inside but was wild with his rushes and Kiladze tied him up on the inside. Kiladze rarely got involved in trading and used a prodded jab, fast right cross and footwork to constantly frustrate Rusiewicz who was reduced to wild swings. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-73. Kiladze, 29, won his first 20 bouts before being knocked out in two rounds by Youri Kayembre Kalenga in 2013. He was out of the ring for ten months and this is his fourth win since his return. Rusiewicz, 33, had won 5 of his last 6 fights but against low level opposition. Sillah vs. Kulikauskis Sillah returns with an easy win over southpaw Kulikauskis. Sillah treated this one as paid sparring. He was almost too casual as he switched guards and when boxing orthodox never lifted his left off his thigh and stood right in front of the Latvian just using head movement to avoid the punches. He was able to thread hard punches from both hands through the porous guard of Kulikauskis rocking the Latvian’s head. In the sixth as Kulikauskis came off the ropes with his arms low Sillah crashed home a thunderous right to the chin. Kulikauskis tumbled back into the ropes with his eyes glassy and as the ropes propelled him forward he sagged at the knees with his gloves brushing the canvas before he staggered upright. The referee gave him an eight count and the bell sounded as the count was completed. Sillah tried to finish it in the seventh hurting Kulikauskis with a right cross, slamming through a punch flush on the Latvian’s jaw and digging in a wicked left hook to the body. But Kulikauskis has a solid chin and plenty of guts and made it to the last bell. Scores 80-71 from all three judges. The 30-year-old Californian-based Ukrainian looked on his way to a title shot before being stopped in eight rounds by Denis Grachev in 2012. He was out for ten months and then did some rebuilding in 2013 before getting an undeserved shot at Sergey Kovalev’s WBO title in November 2013 and being knocked out in two rounds. This was his first fight since then. Kulikauskis has fought in 11 different countries but only been beaten by KO/TKO three times. Have chin will travel. Hollywood, CA, USA: Light: Jose Felix (30-1-1) W PTS 10 Yakubu Amidu (21-7-2). Cruiser: Murat Gassiev (22-0) W KO 2 Rodney Moore (17-10-2). Feather: Carlos Carson (18-1) W TKO 4 Heriberto Delgado (11-3). Felix vs. Amidu Felix had a good grip on this fight for eight rounds then it got hairy. The young Mexican was able to outboxed the Ghanaian using plenty of movement and quick combinations to keep the strong but limited Amidu at bay. The Ghanaian needed to cut down Felix’s space but despite constantly marching forward he was always a step behind and the occasional punch he landed did not trouble Felix. It could be that Felix became careless as he went for an inside the distance victory. In the ninth he put Amidu down with a right to the head but the Ghanaian was up quickly and later in the round he floored Felix with a right uppercut. Felix got up but was badly shaken and the bell went before Amidu could do any more damage. The Ghanaian was trying desperately to nail Felix again in the last and in his frustration pushed Felix out through the ropes which earned Amidu a warning and gave Felix some respite from the pressure. He boxed his way to the bell and the unanimous decision. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92. The 23-year-old Josesito Jr. lost the big one when he was outpointed by Bryan Vazquez for the interim WBA super feather title in April last year. He has scored four wins. since that defeat and is up at lightweight where he is rated No 10(9) by the IBF. Amidu’s best result was a draw with Juan Carlos Burgos but he has now lost three in a row. Gassiev vs. Moore Gassiev served up a soft one in Moore and stops him in two rounds. The Russian had all the physical advantages and spent the first round stalking Moore without really doing more than probing with his jab and trying an occasional right cross. He was all business in the second adding left hooks behind the jab. Moore tried to come forward but instead was marched across the ring to the ropes where Gassiev slammed home some thumping left hooks to the body and rights to the head. A clubbing right put Moore down on one knee. He was up at seven but a left to the body and two rights to the head put him down on one knee again and he knelt there whilst being counted out. The 21-year-old 6’3 ½” (192cm) Russian “Iron” has 16 wins by KO/TKO including 7 in his last 7 fights. He is big and hits hard but looked a tad mechanical in his approach. Texan Moore, 39, was having only his second fight in two years and has now lost 8 in a row but this is the first time he has lost by KO/TKO. Carson vs. Delgado Carson wins war against fellow Mexican but again has to overcome a cut. These two were exchanging hard punches form the sound of the first bell with Carson the more accurate as Delgado was winging wide but dangerous shots and had blood coming from Carson’s nose by the end of the round. In the second a hard right from Carson put Delgado down but his fellow-Mexican got up and blasted back with some power punches of his own. A clash of heads in the third saw Carson cut for the third time in his last four fights. Carson ended the contest in the fourth flooring Delgado twice with left hooks and the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old from Tijuana lost his first pro fight so this win takes him to 18 on the bounce 12 by KO/TKO but the cuts must be a worry. Delgado, 21, also from Tijuana won his first 11 fights down in Mexico and has now lost three in a row in the USA. This coming Saturday may not have a lot of Asian action but there is plenty of action Stateside with two genuinely notable cards in the US. On paper the most notable takes place in Alabama where fans will get a pair of world title bouts as well as an excellent support bout. The main event will see WBC Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (33-0, 32) defending his title against the heavy handed but limited Eric Molina (23-2, 17) in what will be Wilder's first defense of the title. The bout has been slated due to the apparent gulf in ability of the two men and we do need to wonder how Molina has got a world ranking, despite that it is good to see Wilder as active as he is and we suspect he'll fight a more serious contender later in the year. The other title fight will see unbeaten Super Featherweight hopeful Jose Pedraza (19-0, 12) battle against once beaten Andrey Klimov (19-1, 9) for the IBF title. Pedraza has looked really good recently, including his dominant display against Michael Farrenas and should be too good for Pedraza however the Russian hasn't come to lie down. Interestingly Klimov is best known for losing on American soil to Terrence Crawford, that proved he was tough but fundamentally he shouldn't be good enough here. Arguably the fight of the card comes at Lightweight as Dejan Zlaticanin (20-0, 13) takes on Ivan Redkach (18-0-0-1, 14) in a really good looking and well matched bout. It's a hard one to pick and promises to be very competitive, not much more we can ask here. From what we understand the winner will be heading towards a world title fight in the coming 12 months or so. The other American card is in New York where we get another world title fight as well as another bout between unbeaten hopefuls. The world title bout is a bout between unbeaten punchers as Jamaica's Nicholas Walters (25-0, 21) defends his WBA Featherweight “super” title against Colombian Miguel Marriaga (20-0, 18). To say this looks explosive is little more than stating the obvious though we do need to favour the more proven Walters. The chief support here will see the mega-touted Felix Verdejo (17-0, 13) face his stiffest test to date as he goes up against Ivan Najera (16-0, 8). We're expecting this bout to tell us a lot about Verdejo who is really highly regarded though lacks a stand out win so far. Saying that however Najera has also got this far without a real win of note. The one big show this coming Friday comes from Illinois and features a host of notable fights. The most significant of the bouts will see WBA Light Middleweight champion Erislandy Lara (20-2-2, 12) defending his title against the popular, but fundamentally limited, Delvin Rodriguez (28-7-4, 16). Lara, who was widely criticised for his style against Canelo Alvarez, is likely to try and make a statement here and may well set off with bad intentions against Rodriguez who is exciting but several levels below Lara. There is guaranteed excitement at Light Heavyweight as the big punching Artur Beterbiev (8-0, 8) takes on Alexander Johnson (16-2, 7). Johnson may not be a big name but he has gone the distance with Luis Garcia and Eleider Alvarez and may well be the toughest test that Beterbiev has faced so far. Saying that we do expect the Russian destroyer to get his 9th straight stoppage win. Another Light Heavyweight bout will see rising contender Eleider Alvarez (16-0, 9) take on Anatoliy Dudchenko (19-3, 13) in what should be a straight forward win for the Canadian based Colombian. An interesting Heavyweight bout will see Poland's popular Artur Szpilka (18-1, 13) battle against veteran Manuel Quezada (29-9, 18). Szpilka is continuing his rebuilding following a loss to the talented Bryant Jennings and although the win here should be a formality it's still a good step in the right direction for the exciting Polish fighter. The Past Week in Action 9 June 2015
June 2 Bangkok, Thailand: Minimumweight: Wanheng (38-0) W KO 9 Jerry Tomogdan (17-6-3). Bantam: Petch Sor Chitpattana (31-0) W KO 2 Jayar Estremos (10-11). Fly: Noknoi (54-4) W TKO 4 Petchchumpol (5-6). Wanheng vs. Tomogdan Wanheng retains his WBC title with ninth round kayo of too game challenger Tomogdan. Some question immediately over the challengers corner. The Filipino had touched gloves and they were about to get to the punching when Tomogdan realised he had no gumshield and had to go back to his corner to get it. The first round had to go to Tomogdan who landed a few jabs whereas Wanheng just stalked and hardly threw and never landed a punch. The Filipino southpaw had height and reach over Wanheng but in the second Wanheng was pressing and letting his punches go. Tomogdan showed good movement and scored with some quick counters but was tagged with a hard left late in the round. Wanheng was hunting Tomogdan in every round from here on. Scoring with straight rights to the head and hooks to the body. The challenger was being forced to trade more and although he managed to get through with some sharp counters Wanheng’s shots carried much more power. In the fifth Tomogdan was shaken by a series of rights to the head and he was down off his toes and the pressure from Wanheng was relentless. In the sixth Wanheng banged in four straight rights to the head and Tomogdan was in trouble. Wanheng landed another right which drove Tomogdan across the ring and then landed a body punch which drove the Filipino down on his hands and knees. The referee ruled it a slip which meant no eight count so Wanheng was on Tomogdan immediately and landed more headshots with the bell saving Tomogdan from a possible stoppage. Wanheng was merciless in the seventh and eighth chasing Tomogdan slamming home rights to the head time and again with Tomogdan trying to counter/run/hold but by the end of each of the rounds he was again in deep water and must have been glad to hear the bell. The points at that stage were 80-72 twice and 79-73 but were irrelevant (well apart from how two judges gave Wanheng the first round when he never landed a punch). Early in the ninth a sweeping left hook to the body put Tomogdan down in agony on his hands and knees with his forehead resting on the canvas. The referee counted the ten and it was over. The 29-year-old champion has 13 wins by KO/TKO but with the aggression and power he showed here it is surprising he does not have more. Tomogdan, 21, showed good skills and real courage but did not have the punch to keep Wanheng out and paid the price. Chitpattana vs. Estremos Chitpattana takes two rounds to dismiss Filipino Estremos. The much taller Thai southpaw was stalking the retreating Filipino who was looking to counter punch. Estremos threw a couple of light flurries and Chitpattana landed a long left to the body in what an otherwise tame first round. In the second Estremos launched a wild two-fisted attack landing hooks to head and body and forcing Chitpattana to cover-up. Many of the punches were wide of the mark but the attack stung Chitpattana into action and he threw a left to the solar plexus which saw Estremos go down on his knees and then flat on the canvas face down and he was counted out. The 21-year-old Thai turned pro at 17 and has 20 wins by KO/TKO. He retains his WBC Youth Silver title for the seventh time and is rated WBC No 7 but his opposition has been low-grade. Estremos, 22, now has 6 losses in a row 5 of them by KO/TKO. Noknoi vs. Petchchumpol In the first Petchchumpol, a tall thin southpaw, showed in the first he was quick on his feet and threw fast flurries but there was obviously no power and Noknoi stalked him unsuccessfully. Noknoi got more serious in the second but Petchchumpol was racing around the ring stopping to throw 3 of 4 light swats, you could not describe them as punches, and then off again and a frustrated Noknoi wrestled him to the floor. Noknoi was chasing hard in the third and landed two lefts to the head that saw Petchchumpol stagger but he escaped and was soon sprinting round the ring again with Noknoi in pursuit. Noknoi caught him at the end of the round and a left to the head saw Petchchumpol drop to the canvas but he actually managed to throw a punch on the way down. Early in the third a short left to the chin put him down again and the referee stopped the fight without a count. Noknoi the 28-year-old WBC No 6 has 53 wins in a row but there is not one genuine opponent in there. His last 4 opponents before this fight had not registered a single win between them. Petchchumpol has lost 5 of his last 6. June 3 Kingston, Jamaica: Middle: Devon Moncrieffe (12-4) W PTS 6 Jermaine Brown (1-3). Moncrieffe wins his way into the semi-final of the Wray and Nephew tournament with a unanimous decision over Brown. Over the early rounds Brown put his big edge in reach to some use as he stayed outside and tried to box Moncrieffe but over the closing three rounds he faded out of the fight and was well beaten in the end. Scores 58-56 from all three judges. Jamaican champion “Concrete” Moncrieffe, 38, made this harder than expected and looked jaded. He is a previous winner of this tournament and is 8-2 in his last 10 fights with the losses coming in bouts in Florida. Fellow Jamaican Brown came in at short notice for this one and had to shed 7lbs to make the weight June 4 Los Angeles, CA, USA: Super Feather: Jayson Velez (23-0-1) W PTS 10 Daniel Ramirez (11-3). Light: Carlos Morales (9-1-3) W PTS 8 Emanuel Gonzalez (14-2). Velez vs. Ramirez Puerto Rican Velez floors and outpoints Ramirez in a competent but not outstanding victory. Velez took the first round and then dropped Ramirez with left hook in the second. The young Mexican was hurt but far from finished. He stormed back into the fight which then turned into a full-on trading match. Velez was pressing but Ramirez was throwing plenty of leather of his own. Velez was quicker to the punch, more accurate and busier but Ramirez stayed with him until he began to tire in the late rounds when earlier body punches from Velez began to have their effect. Ramirez was getting through with more punches than he should have as he found holes in the Puerto Rican’s defence but luckily the Mexican is not a hard puncher. Velez a clear winner in an entertaining fight. Scores 98-91 twice and 99-90. “La Maravilla” Velez, 27, looked unlucky not to get more than a split draw in his IBF title challenge to Evgeny Gradovich for the IBF feather title in November. He is rated IBF 3(4)/WBC 4/WBA 9/WBO 9 so a title shot later this year or in 2016 looks a good bet. “Huracan” Ramirez, 25, has lost to good quality opposition in Guy Robb and Eric Hunter but also scored a win over former top amateur Aaron Garcia last year. Morales vs. Gonzalez Morales gets unanimous verdict over Gonzalez. Over the first two rounds Mexican Morales was forcing the fight with Gonzalez showing some good skills and countering well. Morales increased the pace in the third and fourth outpunching Gonzalez only for the New York fighter to rebound and edge the fifth. Morales took over from the sixth and his aggression, higher work rate and some hard rights allowed him to build a lead that he held to the end of the fight. Scores show how close some of the rounds were with the three officials all seeing a different fight. Morales wins by 80-72, 78-74 and 77-75 with the first score not crediting Gonzalez for some of his higher skills and effective counters. “The Solution” Morales, 25, had the answer here. After being 0-1-3 in his first 4 fights he has now won 9 in a row. Gonzalez ,27, a former New York Golden Gloves champion and NGG bronze medallist lost on points to useful Tevin Farmer over ten rounds in his last fight in June 2014. NY, NY, USA: Heavy: Jarrell Miller (13-0-1) W TKO 2 Damon McCreary (15-5). Miller fails to fulfil his promise to end this in the first-but only just. The big guy from Brooklyn waited out an initial surge from McCreary and then landed a series of body punches which put McCreary down twice and McCreary barely made it out of the first round. Miller continued his body attack in the second and once again a combination to the body put McCreary down with the referee stopping the fight. Too easy for 26-year-old “Big Baby” Miller who now has 10 wins by KO/TKO. At 6’4” (193cm) to McCreary’s 5’11” (180cm) and with a 20lbs advantage in weight and 15 years younger he was too big and punched too hard for McCreary. The draw on Miller’s record was with Joey Dawejko when two point deductions cost him the decision. Miller started out in kickboxing and K-1before going over to boxing and he just failed to qualify at the US Trials for the 2008 Olympics. McCreary, 41, has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights. He has brave management that has put him in with Deontay Wilder, Jordan Shimmell, Ali Mansour and Charles Martin. He either needs a new job or a new manager. Clermont-Ferrand, France: Light Heavy: Hugo Kasperski (26-5-1) W PTS 10 Patrick Bois (14-4-1). Kasperski wins French title with very narrow decision over champion Patrick Bois. In a fight of two halves Kasperski built an early lead being quicker and more accurate than Bois, boxing well at a distance. Bois came into the fight from the sixth having Kasperski in trouble in that round and finishing strongly but the judges felt he had not done enough to overcome his slow start. Scores 96-94 from all three judges. Kasperski, 27 had failed in two shots at the national title at super middle losing to Chris Rebrasse and new European champion Hadillah Mohoumadi. Kasperski promoted this show himself. Bois, 24, felt he deserved at least a draw. He was making the second defence of his title in his second reign as champion. He was 8-2 in his last 10 fights with the losses being close decisions to current IBF No 1 Nadjib Mohammedi and unbeaten German Enrico Koelling. Moscow, Russia: Light: Vage Sarukhanyan (10-1-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Carlos R Rodriguez (30-11). The slick boxing of Armenian Sarukhanyan proved too much for Rodriguez who never really got into the fight. Sarukhanyan was just too quick of both hand and foot for the plodding Argentinian veteran and effectively won every round without being troubled but again he showed a lack of punch power. Scores 100-90 twice and 100-91. The Russian-based 24-year-old, a former World Youth Championships bronze medal winner, stuttered in 2014 with technical draw and a loss to Igor Ivanov but has won twice this year. He turned pro in California and the no decision on his record came about when at the end of the second round of his fight with Ramon Flores it was realised that there were no paramedics available so the fight had to be abandoned. “Buby” Rodriguez, 35, is now 6-3 in his last 9 fights but the other two losses were against good opposition. June 5 General Rodriguez, Argentina: Light Heavy: Jorge D Caraballo (13-4-1) W KO 2 Nicolas D Lopez (11-2,1ND). Caraballo finally finds a punch as he knocks out Lopez in two rounds. The first round went badly for Caraballo as he was cut on the forehead from a clash of heads. That became immaterial in the second when Caraballo first busted open Lopez’s nose and then landed a left to the body and a straight right that put Lopez down for the count. Only the third win by KO/TKO for Caraballo. He has lost in challenges for the Argentinian and South American titles and is yet to climb back into the ratings. Lopez was unbeaten in his first 11 fights but is now 1-2 in his last three with the other loss being a late stoppage against Julius Jackson in 2013. He was moving up from super middle where he is FAB No 8(7). Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Blake Caparello (21-1-1) W PTS 10 Affif Belghecham (21-8-1). Welter: Tim Hunt (17-4-1) W PTS 6 Matt Te Paa (3-17-3). Fly: Omari Kimweri (14-3) W KO 2 Morakote (9-6). Super Bantam: Ibrahim Balla (7-0) W KO 2 Alvin Bais (15-6). Caparello vs. Belghecham Caparello moves down to super middle and gets a win in all-southpaw clash. The tall Australian took charge from the start and went looking for a quick win. However Belghecham has mixed with top class opposition and he rode out the storm and took the fight to Caparello. The Australian had big edges in height, reach, skill and age and he finished strongly to win the unanimous decision. Scores 97-93 twice and 99-92. The 28-year-old “El Capo” Caparello’s only loss was a two round stoppage against Sergey Kovalev in a WBO title fight in August and as he was making light heavy so easily felt that a step down to super middle would be a good idea. Frenchman Belghecham, 40, a former French and EU champion at middleweight, has been the distance with Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, Andy Lee and Darren Barker. After being stopped by Anthony Fitzgerald in March 2011 he took three years out and got a couple of wins in New Caledonia last year. Hunt vs. Paa Hunt returns to the winning column after a couple of disappointing results. The former undefeated Australian champion won every round against New Zealander Paa. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The 27-year-old from Melbourne had a good run of just one loss in 15 fights but was then stopped in 5 rounds by Yoshihiro Kamegai (22-1-1) for the OPBF title and was out for a year returning in December last year surviving two standing counts to get a draw with Amor Tino (14-20-4). He is No 5 with the ANBF. Paa is 2-16-3 in his last 21 fights. Kimweri vs. Morakote Kimweri returns to action for the first time for almost two years with kayo of Thai. The diminutive 4’ 11” (150cm) 32-year-old Tanzanian “Lion Boy” has lost only one of his last thirteen fights and that was a split decision against Shin Ono in Japan. Thai Morakote has lost 3 of his last 4 fights but went the distance with world rated Noknoi in 2013. Balla vs. Bais In his first fight for tenth months Victorian State champion Bella makes it five wins by KO/TKO. Those 5 wins have all come in either the first or second round so it looks as though if you can get to the third round you should be OK. The 24-year-old Balla was an outstanding amateur representing Australia at World Cadet, Junior and Senior levels, won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games and competed at both the Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Olympics. Worth keeping an eye on. Filipino Bais has lost 6 of his last 7 fights. Pont-Audemer, France: Welter: Maxime Beaussire (19-0-1) W PTS 10 Steven Bloyer (16-15). Heavy: Cyril Leonet (9-8-2) W TKO 7 Fabrice Aurieng (10-7). Beaussire vs. Bloyer Beaussire wins vacant French title with majority decision over Steven Bloyer. “The Conqueror” looked a clear winner and two judges scored it that way but not the third. The fight failed to live up to expectations with neither boxer showing well. They both started the bout at a fast rate trading punches. Bloyer was relying mainly on hooks on the inside with Beaussire more varied in his work. Usually Beaussire smothers his opponent’s style with a furious work rate but the spark was not there. He was busier and more accurate than Bloyer who faded badly over the last two rounds but Beaussire lacked the punch to provide an early finish. Scores 98-92 twice and 95-95. Despite his impressive statistics this was the first time 23-year-old Beaussire had been in a ten round bout and he has now gone the distance for the win in 8 of his last 9 fights. Bloyer, 30, is 3-8 in his last 11 fights. Leonet vs. Aurieng Leonet retains the French title with a win over old adversary Aurieng. Leonet had to work his way inside as the 6’3” (191cm) Aurieng had height and reach over him. It was shaping up to be a good fight with Leonet’s aggression and neat southpaw boxing from Aurieng. However in the fourth round Aurieng indicated a problem with his left arm. A doctor examined him but Aurieng insisted on continuing the fight but at the end of the seventh round he could no longer use his left arm and retired due to the injury. First defence for 31-year-old Leonet who finally won the French title at his third attempt. He had outpointed Aurieng twice before and has now won 4 of his last 5 fights. “Big Boy” Aurieng, 22, had won his last three fights picking up the UBO title by outpointing Raphael Zumbano and also outpointing Brit Larry Olubamiwo. NOTE: This was a tribute show paying homage to the outstanding French amateur boxer Alexis Vastine who so tragically died in a helicopter crash in Argentina in March. His brother Adriani and sister Cindy fought in bouts on the show which was attended by the French Sports Minister. It was also to mark the eve of D Day. Catolica, Italy: Light Heavy: Orial Kolaj (15-5) W PTS 10 Stefano Abatangelo (18-4-1). Cruiser: Mirko Larghetti (23-1) W TKO 2 Gyorgy Novak (6-4). Super Middle: Luca Podda (6-0) W KO 1 Sandor Feka (3-2). Super Welter: Diego Di Luisa (3-0) W KO 1 Gabor Ambrus (3-2-1). Kolaj vs. Abatangelo Kolaj wins the battle of two former national champions to lift the vacant Italian title. Abatangelo is small for a light heavy at 5’7” (170cm) so was giving away height and reach and followed his usual tactics of forcing his way inside to score with hooks and uppercuts. This worked for the first two rounds before Kolaj finally began to get his jab working and was catching Abatangelo on the way in with right uppercuts to take the next two rounds. Abatangelo was boring in head first and in the fourth round that cost him the first of two point deductions for careless use of the head. Abatangelo was not discouraged and his aggression and work rate saw him take the fifth. Kolaj took the sixth as he managed to keep Abatangelo on the outside but ferocious attack from Abatangelo saw him bounce back by taking the seventh. He also had the better of the eighth but lost a second point for a butt. Kolaj had his best round of the fight in the ninth as he totally out boxed Abatangelo slotting home jabs and counters and he edge the last with blood flowing from a nose injury incurred by Abatangelo. Scores 97-91, 96-93 and 96-94 all for Kolaj. The first score did not do justice to Abatangelo but even without the two point deductions Kolaj would still have won but only on a majority decision. The Rome-based, Albanian-born “Eagle” Kolaj, 31, who was undefeated Italian and EU champion, has turned his career around. He was 5-5 in his first 10 fights but has now won ten in a row. He was inactive from July 2013 until February this year. “Hammer” Abatangelo, 33, was having only his second fight in 13 months. He had a good unbeaten run of 12 fights but then lost to Juergen Braehmer for the European title and Erik Skoglund for the EU crown. This one was close enough to merit a return. Larghetti vs. Novak Easy night’s work for Larghetti. Novak started brightly landing one or two shots but by the end of the first round Larghetti was the one landing the hard punches. The Italian opened up fully in the second slamming home hard punches to head and body and Novak was badly shaken and taking punishment when the referee stopped the fight. The 32-year-old former undefeated Italian and EU champion goes to 15 wins by KO/TKO. He is working his way back after putting up a good performance when losing on points to Marco Huck for the WBO title in August last year. Novak does not do long fights. He is 4-3 in his last 7 fights all of which ended in either the first or second round. Podda vs. Feka Former top amateur Podda makes it an early night. A series of hooks put Feka down and when he arose another salvo put him down for the second time and he stayed there. The 27-year-old Podda has 3 wins by KO/TKO. A former Italian national amateur champion he represented Italy at two World Championships and the European Championships. Hungarian Feka in way over his head here. Di Luisa vs. Ambrus Di Luisa, another prospect emerging from the amateur ranks gets a quick win. A shot to the body put poor Ambrus down and he was unable to get up. Now two first round wins in a row for the 29-year-old former Italian amateur champion. Hungarian Ambrus gets his second loss both first round finishes. Pasay City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Joe Noyna (9-0) W PTS 12 Edison Berwela (13-30-8). Minimumweight: Rudy Sumalpong (8-0-1) W PTS 12 JC Francisco (6-10-4). Fly: Renan Trongco (17-4) W KO 2 Rolio Golez (15-14-1). 11 Noyna vs. Berwela Teenager Noyna wins the vacant WBC EPBC title with wide unanimous decision over southpaw Berwela. Noyna was in control all the way and floored a tiring Berwela in the last. Scores 120-110, 118-109 and 117-110. The 19-year-old from Manila was jumping straight from 8 round supports to twelve rounds top of the bill. He has yet to face an opponent with a positive record. Berwela, 32, no real test as he is 2-11-4 in his last 17 fights. Sumalpong vs. Francisco Sumalpong also lifts a vacant WBC EPBC title but with a very close unanimous decision. Indiscipline cost Francisco the chance of a draw. Constant low punches saw Francisco lose a point in the sixth round and that made the difference between a draw and a loss. Scores 114-113 twice and 117-111. The 21-year-old “Bomba” had won his last three fights by KO/TKO but was pressed hard by Francisco, also 21, who was 0-4-2 in his last 6 fights. A return seems justified. Trongco vs. Golez WBC International champion Trongco continued his winning run as he knocked out Golez just before the bell at the end of the second round in a non-title fight. The 26-year-old “Little Pacquiao” lost to Sammy Gutierrez for the interim WBA minimumweight title in 2011. The hard-punching southpaw has won 9 of his last 10 fights losing only to Hekkie Budler for the IBO title in 2013 and winning his last 5 fights. Golez “The Filipino Mexican” is 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights. Madrid, Spain: Super Light: Nicolas Gonzalez (13-0) W TKO 3 Ignacio Mendoza (40-11-2). Light: Cristian Morales (13-1-1) W PTS 10 Pablo Fuego (8-1). Gonzalez vs. Mendoza Gonzalez wins the Spanish title and confirms his status as one of the best prospect in Spain. Over the first two rounds champion Mendoza used his superior experience to outbox the challenger without too many problems. However there was a menace about Gonzalez that promised fireworks and he delivered in the third round. He drove Mendoza to the ropes and hammered home a right that put Mendoza down. He made it to his feet but was unsteady on his legs and the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old from Madrid makes it 9 wins by KO/TKO. Colombian-born Mendoza, 31, was making the first defence of his Spanish title. He has been in with good class opposition such as Kevin Mitchell. Petr Petrov and Viktor Postol. Morales vs. Fuego Another Spanish title fight sees Morales take a wafer thin unanimous verdict over previously unbeaten Fuego in an exciting scrap. Fuego made the better start he outworked Morales over the first two rounds but then the fight swung towards Morales. Despite giving away height and reach he was quicker, more accurate and smarter and collected the next four rounds and seemed on his way to a comfortable win. That changed in the seventh with Fuego launching furious attacks banging home punches to head and body and he also dominated the eighth. Both fighters put everything into the last two rounds knowing the fight was in the balance and it was Morales who finished the stronger with Fuego just hanging on to the bell in the last. Scores 96-95 twice and 97-95 but really both fighters were winners here. The 29-year-old Morales, managed by Sergio Martinez, took the vacant title and is unbeaten in his last 13 fights but Fuego, 28, put up a great effort and enhanced his reputation with this showing. Pathum Thani, Thailand: Feather: Chonlatarn (55-2) W TKO 8 Fred Sayuni (13-6-6). Super Fly: Kwanpichit (30-1-2) W KO 2 Chansaknoi (2-6). Chonlatarn vs. Sayuni Former world title challenger Chonlatarn wins but not before the Tanzanian had shown just how porous the Thai’s defence is. Chonlatarn made a slow start just probing with jabs as Sayuni threw quick but light combinations. Sayuni found the static Chonlatarn an easy target but the Thai was just ignoring the Tanzanian’s punches due to their lack of power and firing occasion hard shots to head and body. Chonlatarn began to get serious in the third and fourth stepping inside and landing vicious hooks to the body and head. Sayuni was still finding Chonlatarn an easy target but he was firing arm punches which had nuisance value but little else but he was also standing up well to the Thai’s thumping body shots and always responded by firing back. The end of the sixth saw Sayuni staggered by two clubbing head shots but the bell went before Chonlatarn could land again. Amazingly in the seventh an upset looked possible as the Tanzanian landed six shots in a row to the chin of Chonlatarn who was trapped on the ropes. The Thai was not as hurt as he looked and suddenly he cut loose driving Sayuni across the ring with a series of head and body punches. Sayuni did not come out for the eighth. Chonlatarn, 30, has lost in shots at the WBA title –to Chris John-and the WBO title-Vasyl Lomachenko-but has dropped out of the ratings and may not get another chance. Sayuni had an awkward loose-limbed style and no power but he was quick and showed punch resistance unexpected in such a slight figure. Kwanpichit vs. Chansaknoi This was an easy one for Kwanpichit against a novice who fought like one. Even then he was able to catch Kwanpichit with a sharp uppercut in the first but had o power and looked fragile. He embarrassed Kwanpichit in the second with a volley of punches which pierced Kwanpichit's guard and drove him back. That only angered Kwanpichit and he ended the fight with a right to the body and a left to the chin. Chansaknoi was down for quite a while and needed assistance to get back to his corner. The 33-year-old 5’2” (158cm) Onesongchaigym fighter Kwanpichit is too good for this level of opposition. His only loss was in November to Zou Shiming for the WBO International title and this is his third win by KO/TKO since then. June 6 New York, NY, USA: Middle: Miguel Cotto (40-4) W TKO 4 Daniel Geale (31-4). Feather: Fernando Vargas (28-9-3) W PTS 8 Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (24-5-1). Super Middle: Junior Younan (7-0) W TKO 2 Mike Sawyer (6-4,1ND). Super Bantam: Angel Luna (11-1-1) W PTs 6 Jose Lopez (15-1-1). Heavy: Zhang Zhilei (4-0) W PTS 4 Glenn Thomas (1-4). Cotto vs. Geale Cotto retains the WBC title with stoppage of Geale. No wait and see here as both fighters made a fast start probing with jabs and trying rights. Geale was on the front foot showing plenty of upper body movement but a bit wild with his rights. Cotto was on the back foot but with a very tight defence and looking to hook to the body. Cotto looked sharp in the second getting through with quick left hooks to the body with Geale still working his jab but not finding the target with his right whilst Cotto was liked a coiled spring firing off quick punches to the body. The third round saw Geale still on the front foot but Cotto was showing classy movement in bobbing and ducking under the Australian’s punches. Both were moving around quickly firing off 2 or 3 punches at a time but there was no extensive trading. Cotto finished the round with a burst of body punches. Cotto came out for the fourth taking the fight to Geale and as the Australian retreated Cotto stepped in with a perfectly delivered left hook that sent Geale crashing down with his body half way out of the ring under the bottom rope. Geale got up at eight and Cotto moved in and staggered him with a right to the head. Geale escaped from the ropes but was hounded across the ring to a corner where Cotto unloaded punches to head and body. Again Geale escaped but Cotto kept punching and Geale went down again although he was only clipped by a couple of shots and was up at three. The referee was counting but before he reached the eight Geale shook his head to show he was finished for the night. The 34-year-old Puerto Rican star was making the first defence of his WBC title but the insistence on a catchweight bout at 157lbs was very questionable. Having said that Cotto looked sharp and focused and that first left hook would have felled a horse The talked about clash with Saul Alvarez could be the fight of the year. Geale, also 34, looked drained but the former IBF champion showed skill and determination but was outgunned and his decision not to continue the fight was a sensible one. Vargas vs. Vazquez A disappointing fight sees Mexican Vargas take the unanimous decision over Vazquez in a mild upset. There was very little action in this one over the first three rounds and only sporadic action after that with some sections of the crowd booing the lack of action. Vargas had a good fourth round as he scored with some heavy hooks and had the better of the fifth being busier and more accurate. Vazquez did better in the seventh but by the eighth Vargas was in control shaking Vazquez with a left hook and putting the decision beyond doubt. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75. Vargas should not have been a difficult test for Vazquez. The 26-year-old Mexican was 5-4 in his previous 9 fights losing the last in April to Andres Tapia a 7-4-2 fighter. This win will get Vargas steady work. Vazquez, 30, was unbeaten in his first 21 fights including a WBO title winning kayo over Marvin Sonsona and defences against unbeaten Zsolt Bedak and Ivan Hernandez. He is now 4-5 in his last 9 including only scraping by Jonathan Arellano on a majority verdict in his last fight in November. Where he goes from here is difficult to say as he seems to be on his way to mediocracy. Younan vs. Sawyer Teenager Younan is one to watch, and he won’t hesitate to tell you that himself. He lived up to some of the hype here as he brushed aside Sawyer in two rounds. A burst of punches punctuated by a left hook put Sawyer down in the first and he only just survived the round. Younan liked the left hook so much he landed more in the second putting Sawyer down again. He gamely got to his feet but Younan was unloading again when the doctor climbed to the ring apron and the fight was over. The Brooklyn 19-year-old won a mess of National Golden Gloves and PAL titles at Junior level and is a real talent. Five of his fights have ended in the first round so 38-year-old Sawyer did better than most of his victims. Sawyer had won his last two fights by first round stoppage but against guys who both had 0-1 records. Luna vs. Lopez Luna gets minor upset as he outpoints hot Puerto Rican prospect Lopez. Luna took the fight to Lopez from the outset and floored Lopez with a right in the second. Lopez made it to his feet but was unsteady on his legs but luckily for him the bell sounded at the end of the standing count before Luna could strike again. In the third in his eagerness to get the job over Luna was looping punches which were landing on the back of the head of Lopez. After getting a warning he did it again and was docked a point. Lopez looked to be getting into the fight as he had a good fourth but in the fifth he was floored by another right. Lopez tried to pull the fight out of the fire in the last but he needed a knockout and never came near it. Scores 58-53 twice and 57-54. Luna, “Dominican Cat” had only managed a draw with Victor Serrano (4-7) in November and lost last time out to Tevin Farmer. He was also a late replacement and all of these factors should have added up to a win for 21-year-old “Wonder Boy” Lopez but he had not been in sparkling form only getting by Roberto Castaneda on a majority verdict and had drawn with Josean Figueroa (8-3-1) in his last fight so some of the gloss had already been peeling off. Zhilei vs. Thomas Giant Chinese heavyweight Zhilei gets an easy win. He had Thomas down with a right in the first and with another right in the third and Thomas was down on one knee in the fourth. Scores 40-33 from all three judges. The 32-year-old 6’6” (198cm) southpaw won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and bronze medals at both the 2007 and 2009 World Championships and beat New Zealand prospect Joseph Parker at the 2011 World Championships but he is being matched as if he was a raw novice. At this rate he will still be fighting four round fights when he is 50. If you think that’s harsh just consider that Thomas had not fought for 13 months and in his last fight was stopped in 95 seconds by someone with a 2-0 record. Carson, CA, USA: Feather: Jesus M A Cuellar (27-1) W TKO 8 Vic Darchinyan (40-8-1). Welter: Robert Guerrero (33-3-1,2ND) W PTS 10 Aaron Martinez (19-4-1). Heavy: Dominic Breazeale (15-0) WKO 3 Yasmany Consuegra (17-1). Middle: Alfredo Angulo (23-5) W KO 5 Delray Raines (19-11-1,3ND).Feather: Marvin Sonsona (20-1-1) W PTS 10 Jonathan Arrellano (15-6-2).Super Welter: Oscar Molina (13-0) W PTS 8 Todd Manuel (10-6-1). Light: Alejandro Luna (18-0) W PTS 8 Cristobal Cruz (40-17-4). Welter: Fabian A Maidana (7-0) W KO 1 David Nelson (3-4). Feather: Victor Betancourt (19-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Juan Ruiz (24-18). Cuellar vs. Darchinyan Cuellar retains his WBA secondary title as he floors and halts veteran Darchinyan. Cuellar took the fight to Darchinyan in the first round with the Armenian boxing on the back foot. Near the end of the round Darchinyan scored with an over hand left and as Cuellar ducked under another one he slipped to the floor. That fired-up Darchinyan who came forward throwing that left again until the bell. The pattern was the same for the next three rounds as Cuellar prowled around after a retreating Darchinyan scoring with swinging hooks to head and body with Darchinyan firing off quick jabs and trying to connect again with that overhand left. Cuellar was throwing more but Darchinyan was more accurate although constantly on the retreat. Darchinyan had a big fourth as a right/left combination had Cuellar staggering back on unsteady legs. Cuellar recovered quickly. Darchinyan was now coming forward but he was wild with his left as he tried to repeat his success. The fifth saw Cuellar again taking the fight to Darchinyan and scoring with hooks and Darchinyan boxing on the back foot firing quick jabs and still trying that overhand left but missing the target. Cuellar stepped up the pace in the sixth and seventh throwing chopping lefts with Darchinyan under constant pressure but showing good evasive skills and countering when he could. Early in the eighth as they traded punches a right hook from Cuellar thudded into Darchinyan’s jaw and the Armenian crashed to the floor. He was up at five but very unsteady and tottered to a corner. On completion of the eight the referee checked him and let the fight continue. A couple of left crosses landed and drove Darchinyan to a corner and as Cuellar landed a series of shots Darchinyan’s hands dropped and his head was being rocked with heavy punches from both hands when the referee stopped the fight. There is nothing pretty about the style of the 28-year-old Argentinian but he relentlessly rumbles forward applying pressure and he has power in both hands. A run of ten wins including victories over Claudio Marrero, Rico Ramos, Juan Manuel Lopez and Ruben Tamayo have put him in the mix with Gary Russell, Lee Selby, Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters which is tough company but his immediate aim is a fight with former champion Abner Mares. This was his 21st win by KO/TKO. At 39 there are naturally questions over whether the Armenian/Australian should retire. He still looked sharp in this fight and had kept it close until that thunderbolt hook but it is difficult to see where he goes now as he will not want to slip below the top level into meaningless fights and it would be good to think he will walk away with a record to be proud of. Guerrero vs. Martinez The first round looked even with southpaw Guerrero taking ring centre and tracking Martinez using his jab well and Martinez countering with rights and taking Guerrero to the ropes where he could work the body. In the second Martinez trapped Guerrero in a corner and whaled away to the body until Guerrero landed a sharp right uppercut which staggered Martinez and allowed Guerrero to get out of the corner but now the fight was a brawl which suited Martinez. Guerrero chose to continue the infighting in the third and paid for it as Martinez scored with sharp hooks and uppercuts on the inside working the body and getting the better of the exchanges. Guerrero started the fourth using his jab but was quickly back to the toe-to-toe brawl with Martinez scoring with a series of left hooks in close. A sustained attack at the end of the round saw Martinez score with a series of uppercuts and suddenly Guerrero’s hands were down and he sank to the canvas. He was up at seven and the bell went as the count was completed. There is little doubt that Guerrero was badly hurt and if the knockdown and come earlier round he would have had trouble surviving. Martinez took Guerrero to the ropes in the fifth working the body and Guerrero continued to let himself be dragged into a brawl. Finally in the sixth Guerrero started to box on the outside using his right jab to control the action and avoiding getting taken to the ropes and Martinez’s work rate dropped. He was letting the fight slip away and did not seem able to rekindle his early fire. In the seventh Guerrero was taking a step back as Martinez advanced creating some room to slam home body punches although Martinez finished the round strongly again dragging Guerrero into trading and was able to work Guerrero over on the ropes to edge ahead in the fight. Guerrero was taking that step back again in the eighth and refusing Martinez’s invitation to trade although Martinez got through with a hard right late in the round. The ninth saw Guerrero up on his toes moving around Martinez to create angles and working the jab and despite a frantic finish from Martinez Guerrero had taken the round to even up the fight. A low right from Guerrero led to a short break in the action in the last which also saw Martinez told off for ducking low. Guerrero took the last round with his cleaner work beating Martinez to the punch and doing enough to just edge the decision although it was not popular. Scores 97-92, 95-94 for Guerrero and 95-94 for Martinez. The first score was way out and the other two showed just how close this was. Breazeale vs. Consuegra Breazeale overcomes an indifferent start to finish Consegura in the third. Cuban Consegura had a good first round finding the target often with rights over the left of Breazeale. He had more success early in the second and seemed to be on his way to winning that round as well when Breazeale exploded a right on the side of Consegura’s head which sent the Cuban down. He made it to his feet just before the ten and the bell went immediately. Breazeale was getting caught by rights again in the third but ripped in a right uppercut which put Consegura down for the second time. When he got up he was on trembling pins and another right from Breazeale sent him to the canvas and although he beat the count the fight was stopped. The 29-year-old 6’6” (199cm) former Olympian and former University of North Colorado star quarterback has 14 wins by KO/TKO and is being matched sensibly and making good progress. Thirty-one-year-old Consegura “The Cuban Shark” was a good level amateur back in Cuba who did well but kept getting beaten by Osmay Acosta in the big events. As a pro he had run up some good statistics but against mainly low grade opposition Angulo vs. Raines Angulo’s power proves too much for Raines as the Mexican gets a needed win. Raines had a good first round scoring with his jab and some quick combinations. Angulo was giving away height and reach and trying to get inside but Raines was tying him up and not letting him work. Raines landed a right flush on Angulo’s chin and the Mexican did not even blink-a bad sign for Raines. Angulo was chasing harder in the second and although Raines was still finding gaps he was being forced to trade more and was caught with some good head punches. In the third Raines was being pursued relentlessly. He kept stabbing out his jab but Angulo had closed the distance and was scoring to head and body with Raines tiring. Angulo was getting home with hooks to the body and right crosses in the fourth as a desperate Raines banged back with right crosses of his own. Angulo landed a couple of clubbing shots to the head and Raines dropped to his knees. He was up at eight and walked into Angulo swinging punches and frustrating the Mexican’s efforts to end the fight. Raines tried to trade punches in the fifth but a straight right from Angulo bounced off Raines shoulder and carried on to his chin and put him down. He was up at nine and fought back landing some of the best punches he had landed in the fight but another straight right knocked him back and put him on his knees again. The count got to six but Raines was shaking his head and indicated he did not want to continue. The 32-year-old “Dog” had lost his last three fights to Erislandy Lara, Saul Alvarez and James De la Rosa and had been inactive for nine months but is back in the picture again. Raines, 29, showed some good skills and guts but his lack of power and lack of head movement were his undoing. He is 2-5-1 in his last 8 fights with all of the losses by KO/TKO but David Lemieux, Ronald Hearns, Erislandy Lara and Dominik Britsch is a tough line up and the draw was against Carson Jones. Sonsona vs. Arrellano Sonsona surprisingly struggles against Arellano and has to settle for a majority decision. The Filipino southpaw found himself under constant pressure from Arellano in a fight that was interesting rather than exciting. Arellano is not a power puncher but he ploughed forward in this one with Sonsona landing stinging counters but unable to keep Arellano out. Southpaw Sonsona reportedly injured his left hand in the fourth round and this may have hampered his work as he used quick hit and get out tactics rather than trading with Arellano. The fight was close with many rounds hard to score but in the end two of the judges just favoured Sonsona and the third had it even. Scores 96-94 twice and 95-95. Sonsona, 24, a former WBO super fly champion had discipline issues in the past as he lost his WBO title on the scales and then looked bad in being knocked in four rounds by Wilfredo Vazquez in a fight for the vacant WBO super bantam title. He took 20 months out after losing to Vazquez and had a stellar 2014 knocking out former champion Akifumi Shimoda and outpointing Vazquez. He just scraped through this one to preserve his WBC 3 rating. “Lil’ Thund’r Arellano, 27, had won his first 14 fights but coming in he was 2-6-1 against a much higher level of opposition including Jessie Magdaleno, Rico Ramos and Vazquez. He did a lot to re-establish himself here. Molina vs. Manuel Outstanding prospect Molina taken the distance by Manuel. The former amateur star had Manuel down in the first but despite that early success had to go the full eight rounds for victory. He won comfortably as the scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 show and got in some useful ring time. The 25-year-old has 10 wins by KO/TKO including 10 in his last 11 fights going into this one. Representing Mexico the Californian-born Molina was a World Junior gold medal winner and took silver medals at the Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games as well as competing at the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. Manuel was in against a much higher level of opponent than in any other fight and did well to take Molina the distance. Luna vs. Cruz Luna shakes some rust with eight rounds of boxing against former IBF champion Cruz. Luna started slowly but was soon dominating the rounds being too quick for the grizzled veteran. Cruz used his experience to stay competitive until he tired in the late rounds and Luna was able to box his way to the wide decision. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 23-year-old “El Charro” was having his first fight for 15 months but looked sharp and will bear watching Cruz, 38, a former IBF and IBO feather champion is 1-6-3 in his last 10 fights. Most of those losses have been to top drawer fighters but this was his first fight for a year. He is a “name” and there are fights for him but as a loser to young prospects if that is what he wants. Maidana vs. Nelson Maidana is yet to face anybody who could be called a test but he getting the inferior opposition out of the way quickly. A two-punch combination put Nelson down early in the round. Nelson got up but was being blitzed with more heavy shots and the referee stopped the fight. The 22-year-old younger brother of Marcos now has 6 wins by KO/TKO on the bounce with four of them first round finishes. Trained by Roberto Garcia Maidana was a silver medal winner at the World Youth Championships and took a bronze at the World Youth Olympics. Nelson has three losses by KO/TKO and was a late substitute. Betancourt vs. Ruiz Mexican Betancourt celebrates his first fight in the USA with a unanimous decision over local fighter Ruiz. Betancourt took every round. Scores 80-72 from all three judges. Betancourt was unbeaten in his first 17 fights (1 ND) before being floored three times and halted by Sergio Lopez last August and this is his third win since then. Ruiz 36 is going down on greased skis being 1-13 in his last 14 fights. Just before the skid started in 2008 he beat Wayne McCullough on a sixth round retirement. Kempton Park, South Africa: Light Heavy: Thomas Oosthuizen (25-0-2) W PTS 12 Robert Berridge (26-3-1).Light: Xolisani Ndongeni (18-0) W PTS 12 Mzonke Fana (34-8). Cruiser: Johnny Muller (19-4-2) W PTS 12 Mateusz Masternak (35-3). Welter: Roman Zhailauov (15-0) W TKO 1 Luyanda Jako (9-10-2) Oosthuizen vs. Berridge Once again Oosthuizen lets himself and his backers down as he fails to make the weight and loses his IBO title on the scales. A win for Berridge would make him the champion. Although it was still a title fight it was demoted down the order to a support as a mark of how disgusted his promoter was with the lack of discipline by the big South Africa. Oosthuizen won this all-southpaw clash simply because he was bigger and Berridge whilst tough is limited. The fight lacked any real highlights and Oosthuizen was able to use his physical advantages-6’4” (193cm) vs. 5’8” (173cm) and superior hand speed to dictate from a distance. The New Zealander never stopped pressing and landed a number of southpaw lefts to stay competitive and steal a few rounds and also opened a cut over the right of Oosthuizen with a left but it was a fight that never caught alight and fizzled out in the end to a unanimous decision for Oosthuizen. Scores 117-111 twice and 116-112. The 27-year-old former IBO super middle champion has wins over Ezequiel Maderna, Denis Grachev and Ryno Liebenberg and draws against Isaac Chilemba and Brandon Gonzalez but without a great improvement in discipline has gone as far as he is going and Rodney Berman seems to think the same way as he is said to have released Oosthuizen from his contract.. I feel sorry for Berridge as his team do not seem able to plot a path without sticking him into situations where he has huge physical disadvantages. A fight in August last year was to be his unveiling to the US audiences but he was matched with 6’3 ½” (192cm) Vasily Lepikhin and battered to defeat in five rounds. The 30-year-old “Butcher” has plenty of strength and stamina but needs to be kept away from the “giants”. Ndongeni vs. Fana Ndongeni is being built towards a world title fight and he could not have gotten any better preparation than this fight with Fana. The former IBF super feather champion showcased his still sharp skills to handle the speed, strength and youth of Ndongeni. It was a brilliant technical fight butalso an exciting one with many of the rounds hard to score and both having moments of dominance. In the end Ndongeni was just that bit busier and collecting a majority decision which was not popular with all. Scores 115-113 twice and 114-114. Ndongeni continues to improve and with Colin Nathan training him now can only get better with a world title fight a possibility for 2016. Fana, 41, showed what a disciplined approach can achieve he was sharp, focused and fit and made sure that this fight became a useful contribution to Ndongeni’s development. “The Rose of Khayelitsha” also delivered a lesson to Oosthuizen about the importance of discipline in a fighter’s career. Muller vs. Masternak Muller gets the win but only the judges saw it that way. “The Hurricane” showed some improvements in his technique but Masternak had superior skills, more power and looked to have won the bout clearly. Muller was boxing better than in previous fights but Masternak found gaps in the South African’s defence. Mueller was forcing the fight but suffered a cut over his left eye in the fourth round. He continued to press getting himself back into the fight but was floored in the fifth and took the mandatory count. Undeterred Muller again took the fight to Masternak only for the Pole to produce a big right counter in the seventh to put Muller down for the second time. Undeterred Muller banged back and survived a doctor’s inspection of the cut over his left eye in the eighth and provided a strong finish. Masternak had produced the cleaner work and with the two knockdowns looked a clear winner but the judges did not see it that way. Scores 95-93 twice for Muller and 95-93 for Masternak. Biggest career win for Harold Volbrecht-trained Muller. Losses twice to Ryno Liebenberg and to Doudou Ngumbu made it seem that Muller was not going to progress beyond domestic level but this win over a fighter rated as high as WBA4/WBO 5 will put him in the ratings and once there anything can happen although thoughts of the gutsy South African facing the guns of Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson is just a little scary. Obvious this was a big setback for 28-year-old Masternak. His only other losses have been to Grigory Drozd for the European title and a split decision against Youri Kayembre Kalenga for the interim WBA title. He had rebounded with a points win over Jean Marc Mormeck in the Frenchman’s home territory but came up against some questionable judging this time. Zhailauov vs. Luyanda Golovkin is not the only Kazak boxer who can punch. Zhailauov put Luyanda down with vicious rights. The second right saw Luyanda end up flat out on the canvas and the referee dispensed with the count. The 21-year-old has nine wins by KO/TKO and gets his second win since basing himself in South Africa. He is trained by Harold Volbrecht. Luyanda not much of a test as he is 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights and all ten of his losses have come by KO/TKO. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Middle: Yamaguchi Falcao (7-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Jose C Paz (17-2). Light: Everton Lopes (3-0) W PTS 8 Marcelo E Mesa (6-3-1,1ND). Light: Victor Jones Freitas (10-0,1ND) W PTS 6 Sidney Siqueira (26-9-1). Falcao vs. Paz Falcao moves up to ten rounds and takes the unanimous decision. Falcao dominated the first five rounds outboxing Paz but then he tried and Paz came back over the next three rounds. He had fought himself out and lost impetus when he was deducted a point in the ninth for repeatedly spitting out his gumshield and Falcao came back to take the last round. Scores 100-90, 97-93 and 96-94. The 27-year-old Brazilian southpaw’s first pro fight ended on a double disqualification. He is now showing the promise expected when he competed at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships and won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics. Argentinian Paz, the FAB No 7 super welter, had lost only one of his last 17 fights going in. Lopes vs. Mesa Lopes, another former top amateur, moves to three wins with the unanimous decision over Argentinian Mesa. The 26-year-old Brazilian turned pro in California in February where he scored his first two wins. As an 18-year-old he won a silver medal at the Pan American Games and in 2009 he won a gold medal at the World Championships, the first Brazilian to achieve that feat. He was also World Military Champion, competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and in the WSB tournaments. First time up at eight rounds also for Mesa. Freitas vs. Siqueira Freitas gets his tenth win as he outpoints fellow-Brazilian Siqueira. He is the nephew of former Brazilian great Acelino Freitas and shares his time between his homeland and the USA. He won his first pro fight inside a round but it was changed to a no decision and he did not fight again for 13 months. Siqueira, 37, has been in with Brunet Zamora, DeMarcus Corley, Paulus Moses and Terrence Crawford so very experienced. Divion, France: Bantam: Jeremy Beccu (8-1) W PTS 8 Georges Ory (5-1-1). Beccu gets back to winning ways with unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Ory. After a sterling amateur career Beccu was expected to march easily to the national title but in his last fight lost on points to Faycal Messaoudene (5-22-1) so has a lot to do to confirm that earlier promise. The 24-year-old local competed at the World Military and World Amateur Championships and the 2012 Olympics. Ory had won his last 5 fights. Muelheim-Kaerlich, Germany: Super Middle: Turgay Uzun (40-25-2) W PTS 12 Omar Jatta (16-10-1). Uzun gets revenge and a title as he takes majority decision over Jatta. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 114-114. There was nothing artistic in this scrap between two very limited fighters but the crowd enjoyed it. Jatta was bigger and tried to pressure Uzun and keep him on the ropes but Uzun was slightly the more skilful and did enough clean scoring to win the decision. He wins the Global Boxing Council title at the second attempt. The 40-year-old German had lost to Jatta on a split decision in February when he came in as a substitute at just three days’ notice. This time he was better prepared. After a run of 7 losses in a row by KO/TKO he has improved to 3-2 in his last 5 fights. Gambian-born, Austria-based Jetta, 36, had won his last 7 fights but against very low level opposition. Budapest, Hungary: Light Heavy: Norbert Nemesapati (18-2) W PTS 10 Michal Ludwiczak (11-0). Teenager Nemesapati retains the WBO Youth title with unanimous decision over Pole Ludwiczak. The young Hungarian made a slow start and the visitor looked to have taken the first round. Nemesapati picked up the pace from the third and was in control by the fourth. Now under constant pressure Ludwiczak lost a point in the fourth for a number of fouls and was floored in the fifth. Nemesapati had the Pole rocking a few more times but just could not put Ludwiczak away and had to settle for a points victory. Scores 99-89. 97-91 and 96-92. “Noble “Nemesapati, now 19, turned pro at 16 and won his first 15 fights but then in a couple of tough fights on the road lost to Jason Escalera and Schiller Hyppolite. This is his third win since the loss in December to Hyppolite. Ludwiczak had only once gone past the fourth round in a fight and his lack of experienced showed as he tired after the halfway mark. Surabaya, Indonesia: Light: Daud Yordan (34-3,1ND) W PTS 12 Maxwell Awuku (40-3-1). Yordan gets unanimous verdict over Ghanaian Awuku in a tough, fast-paced fight. Yordan was barrelling forward from the start in this one with southpaw Awuku showing good footwork and getting through with counters when he could but Yordan was working the body well. A right from Yordan in the second momentarily stunned Awuku and it was enough to allow Yordan to take the round. Yordan worked his way inside in the third trapping Awuku on the ropes working the body and then switching to clubbing blows to the head. Awuku was countering with hooks and upper cuts on the inside but Yordan had him trapped in a corner and was again hooking to the body by the end of the round. Awuku had a good fourth as he countered well scoring time and again with hooks and outworking Yordan inside. The fifth and sixth were back and forward rounds with Yordan relentlessly marching forward using his head as a battering ram and working inside with short shots and Awuku slotting home counters as he worked on the back foot. Awuku shook Yordan with a right in the seventh and followed with a series of head shots that had the home fighter briefly in trouble. He then ruined the good work by walking onto a right later in the round and was put down. He was up at six and although Yordan pinned him in a corner he ducked dived and held to the bell. Yordan rode on the crest of that knockdown over the next three rounds scoring with clubbing shots but Awuku had recovered and was again boxing and countering on the back foot. Awuku looked to have the best of the eleventh as they both tired from the frantic pace set by Yordan and the last saw more holding than hitting with Yordan edging it. Scores 117-110, 115-112 and 114-113. The last two scores were a reflection of the excellent countering and cleaner punching of Awuku but Yordan did enough work inside to deserve the decision. Yordan, 27, a former IBO champion, retains his interim WBO Asia Pacific title and wins the vacant WBO African title (what farcical titles). Awuku showed good skills. His record is heavily padded by some poor opposition in Ghana with his only loss in his last 38 fights being to Liam Walsh for the vacant CBC title in 2010, but he gave a very good account of himself here. Tokyo, Japan: Super Fly: Toshiyuki Igarashi (21-2-1) W PTS 10 Renerio Arizala (12-2-1). Feather: Akifumi Shimoda (29-4-2) W PTS 8 Gosuke Seki (16-2-2). Super Feather: Kenichi Ogawa (15-1) W KO 6 Ray Sermona (17-6-5). Igarashi vs. Arizala Experienced southpaw Igarashi has too much skill for game Filipino. The former WBC fly champion had height and reach edges as well as being far superior technically. That did not stop the visitor from fighting hard over the early rounds and doing enough to steal a couple of them. Igarashi’s class and experience told over the late rounds with Arizala in trouble in both the eighth and last rounds but he stayed the distance. Scores 99-92, 97-93 and 97-94. The 31-year-old Igarashi lost his title to Akira Yaegashi in April 2013. He managed only one fight in 2014 but has been more active as this is his second fight this year (Ed's note-Igarashi had been out with shoulder issues). He is rated WBC5/WBA 6/IBF 13(12) so is not totally out of the title picture. The 21-year-old Arizala came in as a late substitute. Shimoda vs. Seki Any loss now would be a huge blow to Shimoda after poor performances in drawing with Roli Gasca and being knocked out by Marvin Sonsona. Returning to action for the first time for 16 months the Japanese southpaw made sure there was no slip up here as he was too quick for fellow-countryman Seki and boxed his way to a unanimous decision. Scores 78-75 twice and 78-74. A former WBA secondary champion at super bantam Shimoda, 30, is hoping to fight his way to a title fight at feather. Seki, 29, also a southpaw and the JBC No 9, was unbeaten in his first 17 fights until halted in six rounds by world rated Satoshi Hosono in a challenge for the JBC title in June last year. He had returned with a win in December. Ogawa vs. Sermona Ogawa knocks out Filipino Sermona to extend his run of quick victories. Ogawa had to overcome a cut over his right eye but finally caught up with Sermona and finished it with a body punch in the sixth. The 27-year-old has 13 wins by KO/TKO including seven in a row since his lone loss back in 2012. Filipino Sermona, 30, is 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights and was coming off a first round stoppage loss to Jose Felix Jr in March. He is rated GAB No 7 Basel, Switzerland: Heavy: Arnold Gjergjaj (28-0) W PTS 12 Denis Bakhtov (39-11). Gjergjaj retains his EBU-EE title with unanimous decision over Bakhtov. This was probably the stiffest test yet for the Kosovan “Cobra”. Bakhtov came to win and had his chance when he floored Gjergjaj in the fifth round. He failed to capitalise on that and paid the price as Gjergjaj recovered and fought back hard. Bakhtov was hampered by cuts above and below his right eye whilst Gjergjaj claimed that a hand injury had stopped him from performing as well as he could. Scores 117-111, 116-111 and 115-112. Gjergjaj, 30, is the EBU No 10. “Darth Vader” Bakhtov, 35, the EBU No 18 was the mandatory challenger for this title for fighters from countries not part of the European Union. He had scored a win in November 28 days after being halted in two rounds by Anthony Joshua. Belfast, NI, Super Welter: Dee Walsh (12-0) W PTS 8 Patryk Litkiewicz (16-8). Feather: James Tennyson (13-1) W TKO 3 Krzys Rogowski (9-14). Walsh vs. Litkiewicz “Waldo” Walsh adds another victory as he wins every round against Polish trier Litkiewicz. The visitor just could not match the outstanding skills of the young Belfast hope and was outboxed all the way. Walsh was slamming and slotting home punches to head and body and Litkiewicz was never able to get into the fight. After six rounds of dazzling the Pole Walsh stood and traded over the last two rounds and Litkiewicz had to soak up the punishment and did well to stay in the fight to the bell. Referee’s score 80-72. The lanky 25-year-old Irish champion is making good progress and he dedicated this win to his close friend and sparmate Eammon Magee Jr. who was murdered on May 30. Litkiewicz, 23, was 3-4 in his last 7 fights but against a good level of opposition and had won his last two fight. Tennyson vs. Rogowski Tennyson keeps busy with win over Polish loser Rogowski with a third round stoppage. The 21-year-old “Baby-Faced Assassin”, the Celtic champion, a Kronk trainer boxer, and 5-time Irish amateur champion has ten wins by KO/TKO and is in line for a shot at the British title. Rogowski, 33, was a good level amateur but left it late to turn pro and is now 4-14 in his last 18 fights. Wolverhampton, England: Super Welter: Jason Welborn (17-3) W PTS10 Ryan Aston (15-2-2). Super Middle: Andrew Robinson (15-1) W TKO 9 Prince Davis (10-5). Feather: Bobby Jenkinson (8-1-1) W PTS 10 Paul Holt (4-1). Welborn vs. Aston Welborn comes from behind to just edge Aston in a dramatic Midland Area title fight. Aston was in control in the first round blunting Welborn’s attacks with sharp right jabs. The second and third rounds were even but Aston took the fourth as he again made good use of his jab and scored with right hooks to the body. In the fifth a right hook to the body put Welborn down and he did well to survive the round. Welborn had ground to make up and he swung things his way with some heavy right hooks in the sixth and seventh despite having the handicap of a cut on his left eyebrow in that sixth round. The eighth was again close. Aston continued to box stylishly but now Welborn was scoring with heavy rights and he swept those vital last two rounds. Referee’s score 96-94 but it could really have been scored the other way just as easily and neither fighter deserved to lose in this excellent scrap. Since losing in his second pro fight 29-year-old Welborn has climbed the domestic ratings losing only to world rated fighters in Frankie Gavin for the British welter title in 2013 and Liam Smith last July for the super welter title. This wins puts him back in with the possibility of another British title fight. Aston, 24, was 8-0-2 in his last 10 fights and many thought he won this one. The Dudley southpaw can also move into line for a title fight after a couple more wins. Robinson vs. Davis Robinson wins a real rock em’ sock em’ affair with late stoppage of Davis. These two parked their defence in the corner and went to war. After the first three rounds Robinson gradually got on top landing heavily with rights and bringing a swelling under the right eye of “Prince” Davis. In the ninth a right uppercut put Davis down and although he made it to his feet another volley of punches from Robinson saw the fight halted. The 30-year-old Redditch “D’Animal” wins the vacant BBB of C Midland Area title. His only loss was on points to Frank Buglioni for the vacant WBO European title in November. Davis, 28, a former Midlands Area middleweight champion, played his part in a stirring scrap but loses inside the distance for the second time. Jenkinson vs. Holt Jenkinson also wins a vacant Midlands Area title as he outpoints game southpaw Holt. Jenkinson got off to a good start dropping Holt with a right in the second round. Holt fell behind but put up a big effort to try and close the gap but failed. Referee’s score 98-92 got the right winner but understated Holt’s efforts. “Dazzler” Jenkinson, 23, has won four in a row. Holt came in as a late substitute and did well under the circumstances Eire, PA, USA: Super Bantam: Antonio Nieves (11-0) W KO 1 Gabor Molnar 16-8). Nieves gets a quick win over soft-chinned Molnar. The Cleveland fighter tracked Molnar around before stepping-in and landing a right that put Molnar down and out. The 28-year-old Nieves a six-time Cleveland Golden Gloves winner, US Championships bronze medallist and NGG bronze and silver medallist lost out at the final US Olympic Trials for London. He has 6 wins by KO/TKO. Hungarian champion Molnar has been beaten by KO/TKO in 7 of his 8 losses Dar-Es Salaam, Tanzania: Light: Allan Kamote (26-8-4) W TKO 10 Emilio Norfat (24-5). Kamote keeps his UBO title with stoppage of Norfat. The Tanzanian took the first four rounds and put fellow-countryman Norfat down in the fifth. Norfat continued to take punishment until his corner had seen enough and threw in the towel in the tenth round. First defence of the UBO title for the 33-year-old Kamote who has 15 wins by KO/TKO. Unfortunately he was a bit exposed in December being knocked out in two rounds by Ghanaian Geroge Ashie for the interim WBO Africa title. Norfat, 26, is 3-3 in his last 6 fights. June 8 Tokyo, Japan: Fly: Koki Eto (17-3-1) W TKO 8 Yuki Fukumoto (17-10). Super Feather: Rikki Naito (13-0) W PTS 10 Nihito Arakawa (25-6-1). Eto vs. Fukumoto Eto retains OPBF title with stoppage of Fukumoto. Eto made a stuttering start and Fukumoto cracked home two good left hooks to take the first with Eto pushing Fukumoto back and getting home with a straight right in the second to even things up. Fukumoto’s pressure saw Eto fighting with his back to the ropes for periods in the third only for Eto to again even things up by taking the fourth with the scoring then being 38-38 from all three judges. From there Eto made class tell. He opened a cut over the right eye of Fukumoto in the fifth and had Fukumoto hurt in the sixth. Fukumoto tried to swing things his way but it was in vain and a right from Eto put him down in the seventh and a right in the eighth put Fukumoto down again and the fight was stopped immediately. Second defence of his OPBF title for 27-year-old Eto a former Interim WBA champion. He lost his title to Thai Yodmongkol in November 2013 and this is his third win by KO/TKO since then. He is rated IBF 4(3)/WBC 7/WBO 11with him aiming to give up the OPBF title and try for a shot at IBF champion Amnat Ruenroeng. Fukumoto, 29 the OPBF No 14 was 2-4 in his last 6 fights going into this one. Naito vs. Arakawa Naito gets unanimous decision over experienced Arakawa but fails to impress. Arakawa’s work caught the eye in the first round but Naito increased the pace from the second and clever fast but light combinations put him in control. Arakawa had looked to be tiring but he was back in the fight in the seventh and eighth forcing Naito back and it was Naito’s work rate that was dropping. The younger fighter rallied to take the ninth with some sharp uppercuts and edged the tenth to take the decision. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 97-94. The 22-year-old Naito, the WBC No 13, seems to lack power with 7 of his last 8 wins coming on points. He is the son of Cassius Naito a former OPBF and Japanese middleweight champion. Arakawa, 33, the JBC No 6 at lightweight, has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights but two of those losses were to Omar Figueroa for the interim WBC light title and Jorge Linares in a WBC eliminator. In fairness to the lack of power of Naito Arakawa has never been stopped in any fight. Abbreviations ABC=Asian Boxing Council an affiliate of the WBC ABF=Asian Boxing Federation. I assume this is an affiliate of the IBF ABU=African Boxing Union an affiliate of the WBC ACC=WBC Asian Council Continental title ANBF=Australian National Boxing Federation who administer Australian titles BBB of C=British Boxing Board of Control BBB of C Southern/Central/Midlands/Scottish Area etc. British Area titles BDB= Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer one of the German boxing bodies B & H=Bosnia & Herzegovina BSA=Boxing South Africa responsible for administering boxing in South Africa CBC=Commonwealth Boxing Council a sanctioning body for titles competed for by citizens of Commonwealth countries CISBB-WBC title covering the rump of the USSR and the Slovenian Boxing Board DRC=Democratic Republic of the Congo EBU=European Boxing Union FAB=Argentinian Boxing Federation FFB=French Boxing Federation GAB=Philippines Games & Amusement Board responsible for administering boxing in the Philippines GBC= Global Boxing Council a sanctioning body IBA=International Boxing Association a sanctioning body IBF=International Boxing Federation a sanctioning body IBO=International Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body JBC =Japanese Boxing Commission NABA=North American Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate NABF=North American Boxing Federation a WBC affiliate NABO= North American Boxing Organisation, a WBO affiliate NCC=National Championships of Canada NGG=US National Golden Gloves NZPBF=New Zealand Professional Boxing Federation a national sanctioning body OPBF=Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation PABA=Pacific & Asian Boxing Association, a WBA affiliate PBF=Philippines Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body in the Philippines UBF=Universal Boxing Federation a sanctioning body UBO=Universal Boxing Organisation a sanctioning body USBA= United States Boxing Association, an IBF affiliate USBO=United States Boxing Organisation an WBO affiliate WBA=World Boxing Association a sanctioning body WBC=World Boxing Council a sanctioning body WBFed=World Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body WBFound=World Boxing Foundation, a sanctioning body WBU=World Boxing Union, a sanctioning body IBF WBA Rating=Both bodies leave vacancies in their ratings so when showing a IBF or WBA rating for a fighter where there is a vacant position ahead of them in the rankings which affects his rating I will put his numerical rating i.e. No 6 and in brackets and his rating based on the number of fighters ahead of him so IBF 6 (5) shows his numerical position is 6 but there are in fact only 5 fighters listed ahead of him due to one or more of the higher rating positions being vacant. This Saturday isn't a huge day for boxing internationally but there are some interesting match ups taking place in the US. The biggest bout of the night comes from New York as WBC Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32) defends his title against former WBA/IBF unified champion Daniel Geale (31-3, 16). This bout has been agreed at a catchweight of 157lbs, though Geale didn't look great on the scales whilst Cotto, strangely, weighed in under then Light Middleweight limit. The chief support bout here will see Wilfredo Vazquez Jr (24-4-1, 19) battle against Fernando Vargas (28-9-3, 20). Vvazquez, a former world champion, has looked to be on the slide in recent years and is 4-4 and as a result this may be an interesting bout but it's a weak supporting contest. In California we see another world title fight as the very fun to watch Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar (26-1, 20) attempts to finish the career of Armenian Vic Darchinyan (40-7-1, 29). Darchinyan, a former Super Flyweight champion, is up at Featherweight for the WBA title bout and we're actually thinking he could get seriously hurt. It's not a great match up and the WBA need to be questioned for sanctioning the bout considering Darchinyan is 3-4 in his last 7. On the same card will be several notable names. One of those is Robert Guerrero (32-3-1-2, 18), who battles the horrible over-matched Aaron Martinez (19-3-1, 4). An equally uninteresting mismatch will see Alfredo Angulo (22-5, 18) take on Delray Raines (19-10-1, 14). Whilst both Angilo and Guerrero were beaten last time out they should have far too much for the guys they are in with here. Possibly the best of the supporting bouts here is actually a Heavyweight bout as American Dominic Breazeale (14-0, 13) faces fellow unbeaten Yasmany Consuegra (17-0, 14). Both guys are relatively untested going in to this one but it's clear that this has the potential to be an explosive match up. We'd like to say a huge thank you to Eric Armit for his massive weekly report once again.
May 28 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand: Super Fly: Srisaket (34-4-1) W TKO 4 Jose Salgado (34-3-2). Srisaket just too strong and aggressive for Mexican Salgado The visitor had the edge in height and reach but in the first round it was evident his jab was not strong enough to keep Srisaket out and the Thai was ducking under it and scoring with southpaw lefts. The second again saw Salgado forced onto the back foot with no room to work. The Mexican stood and traded later in the round with quick 4/5 punch combinations but Srisaket just walked through them and worked the body. Both fighters were warned about low blows. Salgado used quick foot work to find some space and box smartly at the start of the third but by the end of the round a series of lefts to head and body stung the Mexican into standing and exchanging shots and it was clear Srisaket had the power. Srisaket stepped inside in the fourth and was blasting away at the body of Salgado forcing the Mexican to retreat but following him all the way and cracking home more lefts. The Thai trapped Salgado on the ropes scoring to the body and suddenly a left to the head saw Salgado stagger sideward into a corner holding on to the ropes to stay up. He did not go down and managed to manoeuvre his way out of the corned but on wobbly legs. Srisaket trapped him on the ropes again and landed three tremendous punches which jerked Salgado’s head back and a final right saw the Mexican slump down to the canvas with the referee immediately stopping the fight. The 28-year-old Srisaket wins the vacant WBC Silver title and with him also being rated No 1 by the WBC assures himself of a shot at the title against Carlos Cuadras who took his title from him on technical decision in May last year. The Thai has won 7 in a row now 6 by KO/TKO and has 31 wins in total by KO/TKO. “Sugar” Salgado was rated No 2 by the WBC. He lost a split verdict to Liborio Solis for the interim WBA super fly title in 2011 and his challenge to Cuadras for the WBC title in September last year ended in a technical draw. For someone with 27 wins by KO/TKO he showed a surprising lack of power in this one. Clermont-Ferrand, France: Welter: Kamal Mohamed (17-2) W PTS 10 Kevin Bertogal (5-13-3). Mohamed wins the final of the French League cup over Bertogal as he takes the unanimous decision in a hard fought contest which never really caught fire. The 26-year-old local is now hoping this win will lead to a shot at the national title. Bertogal showed a determination to take the fight to Mohamed but lacked the skills to trouble the local and he drops to 2-13-2 in his 17 fights. Panama City, Panama: Super Fly: Luis A Rios (20-2-1) W PTS 8 Israel Hidrogo (10-6-1). “White Bread” Rios wins vacant Panamanian title with majority decision over Hidrogo. The verdict was unpopular with some of the crowd. After a strong start Rios found Hidrogo getting better as the fight progressed and it was a question over whether the early lead and the harder punches were enough to hold off the cleaner shots and the strong finish. Scores 78-74, 77-75 and 76-76. After losing a wide decision to John Riel Casimero for the IBF fly title in March 2013 Rios took 18 months out and this is his second win since returning. The 22-year-olld Hidrogo, “The Panamanian Ricky Hatton”, is a former national champion and had won 5 of his last 6 fight. London, England: Welter: Tamuka Mucha (11-0) W TKO 6 Erick Ochieng (16-5-1). Mucha vs. Ochieng Sheer power and a strong chin won this one. The more experienced Ochieng was able to land regularly with hard shots but Mucha just walked through them to keep Ochieng under pressure with his back to the ropes. Ochieng was still landing heavy punches until the sixth when the power of Mucha beat him down and he was in trouble and shipping punches on the ropes when the fight was stopped. Big win for the 22-year-old Zimbabwe-born Mucha as he wins the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title. This was his highest quality opponent so far and his first fight scheduled for ten rounds. Kenyan-born “The Eagle” Ochieng loses inside the distance for the first time. The former British title challenger in now 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights. May 29 New York, NY, USA: Welter: Amir Khan (31-3) W PTS 12 Chris Algieri (20-2). Super Feather: Javier Fortuna (28-0-1) W PTS 12 Bryan Vasquez (34-2). Light Heavy: Marcus Browne (15-0) W PTS 10 Cornelius White (21-4). Heavy: Keith Tapia (15-0) W TKO 8 Leo Pla (5-5-2). Feather: Luis Franco (13-1-1) W TEC DEC 5 Guillermo Sanchez (15-16-1). Khan vs. Algieri The opening round was fast-paced and competitive. Khan was first to the punch but Algieri got through with a good combination and a right cross that seemed to stagger Khan but Khan’s early work just edged the round. In the second Algieri seemed the stronger fighter bulling his way inside and although Khan was scoring with quick, light counters Algieri banged back with a right that visibly shook Khan. In the third Algieri was walking Khan down and trying to drag the Bolton fighter into a brawl. Algieri was not very accurate with his punching. It was a close round but Algieri seemed to have done enough to nick the round despite Khan again countering well. In the fourth Algieri had his best round so far. Khan start with a couple of good combinations but Algieri banged back with a hard left hook and a right hook to the chin. Good punches but their lack of effect puts a question over Algieri’s power. Algieri also seemed to pocket the fifth as he pressured Khan denying him room and attacking the body but again Khan was countering well enough to make it close. Khan needed to do something to take back control and he did landing a series of flashing combinations with Algieri looking static. Khan also does the effective scoring in the seventh with a swelling developing under his eye. Two rights from Algieri snapped Khan’s head back but the Brit was still landing so another close round with Algieri landing the harder punches but Khan ahead on quantity. So far it had been a hard, exciting fast-paced fight but Khan started to pull away firing fast hard combinations to head and body with Algieri trying to close him down but getting caught again and again and although Algieri finished the round with a hard left it was Khan in control. He continued that control into the tenth scoring with searing shots to head and body with Algieri having to soak up a lot of punishment and a right that Algieri landed at the end of the round was shrugged off by Khan. Algieri was still moving forward at the start of the eleventh and firing off punches landing a hard shot to the head but by the end of the round Khan was coming forward and again flashing out his fist in fast combination to make it a close round. They both put in a big closing effort finding energy despite the fast pace of the previous eleven rounds and it is close but probably Khan’s round. Scores 117-111 twice and 115-113 all for Khan. He retains the WBC Silver title and of course feels he has done enough to deserve the fight with Floyd Mayweather and as the WBC No 1 in theory the WBC should insist on a Mayweather vs. Khan fight but it is “Money” who dictates to them and not the other way around. Algieri only increased his reputation in this fight and he showed that the win over Ruslan Provodnikov was not an aberration but a genuine win by a fighter who is competitive against top class fighters but perhaps not a winner. Fortuna vs. Vasquez Fortuna wins the vacant WBA secondary title with unanimous decision over Vasquez but with a wide differential between the scoring. The showy Dominican southpaw was too quick for the Costa Rican as he out-threw and out-landed Vasquez in round after round. He had Vasquez hurt in a couple of the early rounds and his movement was giving the slower Costa Rican very little to aim at. Fortuna was not looking to make it an exciting fight just a winning fight so he took few chances Vasquez just could not match the pace set by Fortuna and he tired badly over the late rounds whereas before the fight it was Fortuna’s stamina that was supposed to be suspect. His hands down flashy style is not to everyone’s liking but Fortuna fights his way and it worked as a frustrated Vasquez worked hard plodding forward and scoring when he could but he never really got into the fight or looked like winning it. A clash of heads left Fortuna with swelling around his eye but that was about the only real damage he suffered and he was confident enough to dance his way through the last round almost taunting Vasquez. Scores 117-111 twice and 116-112 for Fortuna. The only blemish on the 28-year-old winners card is a split draw with Luis Franco in 2013 and this is his sixth win since then including climbing off the floor to knock out Abner Cotto in five rounds in November. Vasquez, 27, a former WBA interim champion at this weight has good wins over Rene Gonzalez, Jose Felix and Sergio Thompson and suffered his only other loss when he was stopped in eight rounds by Takashi Uchiyama in a challenge for the full title in 2012. Browne vs. White Local southpaw Browne goes ten rounds for the first time and comfortably outpoints White. Browne had a ring rusty White hurt in the first but let him off the hook. He settled down to out box White without coming close to finishing the fight early. The fight never really caught fire and was untidy at times but with southpaw Browne generally in control. White was on the floor in the sixth but from a low blow which gave him a needed rest. White landed his best punch of the fight in the ninth but it was not serious enough to trouble Browne who boxed cautiously through the tenth. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92. Staten Islander Browne, 24, is already rated No 9 by the WBA which flatters the 2012 Olympian on the basis of his opposition Browne has dedicated his career to a friend N’Wachi Hartley who introduced him to boxing but was killed in a car accident in 2008, the same year Browne won the National PAL tournament, his first major achievement. Texan White had lost his last two fights going into this one being halted in three rounds by Sergey Kovalev in 2013 and in one round by Thomas Williams in his last fight in January 2014. Tapia vs. Pla Puerto Rican “Machine Gun” Tapia slowly breaks down game Pla before ending things in the last round. Tapia was on top all the way with Pla doing well to stay in the fight despite absorbing head shots in every round. In the eighth Tapia found a left hook to end things as the punch dropped Pla heavily and the referee stopped the fight immediately. The 24-year-old former World Cadet bronze medal winner and National PAL champion has ten wins by KO/TKO. Pla, 33 was inactive for 5 years before returning to the ring in July last year and is 1-2-1 since coming back. Franco vs. Sanchez Cuban Franco gets his second win since returning from inactivity. The classy Cuban was in charge all the way before forcing the stoppage in the fifth. “La Estrella”, 33, had been inactive 18 months after drawing with Javier Fortuna in August 2013. He has 8 wins by KO/TKO. Buffalo-based Puerto Rican southpaw Sanchez is 2-14 in his last 16 fights. Lanus, Argentina: Middle: Cristian F Rios (20-6-2) W PTS 10 Cesar H Reynoso (11-8-3). Argentinian champion Rios wins unanimous decision in non-title fight. Reynoso was competitive over the first half of the fight but then southpaw Rios took control. He was able to land continually as Reynoso faded and handed out a steady beating over the last three rounds but just could not get Reynoso out of there and had to be content with a points win. Scores 98 ½-94, 98 ½-94 ½, 96-95 all for “El Tuco” Rios (he hails from Tucuman). The 32-year-old champion is 14-1-1 in his last 16 fights. ”The Savage” Reynoso, 28, did not live up to his nickname. The FAB No 9 was 7-2-1 in his last 10 fights but well beaten here. Beijing, China: Heavy: Zhang Junlong (11-0) W KO 2 Shawn Cox (18-6). Zhang again shows his power as he crushes Guyana’s Cox in two rounds. The 34-year-old 6’3 ½” “Dragon King” had stopped Jason Gavern in his last fight and his record is nearer to 18-0 with some fights not getting recorded. He has yet to be taken past the fifth round in any fight. Cox, 34, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights including a two round defeat against Denis Lebedev for the interim WBA cruiser tile in 2012. However he was coming off an upset inside the distance victory over Colombian Santander Silgado (25-1) in December. Fuenlabrada, Spain: Super Middle: Hadillah Mohoumadi (19-3-1) W TKO 8 Mariano Hilario (12-3). Super Light: Ruben Nieto (16-1) W TKO 5 Zoltan Horvath (2-34). Feather: Sergio Prado (11-4-1) W PTS 6 Peter Mellar (4-17-2). Mohoumadi vs. Hilario Frenchman Mohoumadi wins the vacant EBU title with stoppage of Hilario. From the first bell Mohoumadi was forcing the fight in his usual forward marching all-action style. Hilario just did not seem to settle which was illustrated by his losing his mouthguard three times in the first three round. Mohoumadi took the first round clearly with Hilario just doing enough to take the second. He was trying to box getting in and out quickly but Mohoumadi was working in close and at the end of the third a left hook put Hilario down heavily and only the bell saved him. The local fighter just did not have the power to stop Mohoumadi’s forward march and he took a beating in the fourth and was on the canvas again in the fifth although it looked to be a slip it was counted. Mohoumadi took rounds six and seven and was hunting Hilario down and in the eighth. A right forced Hilario back to the ropes and two lefts had him defenceless when the referee stopped the fight. The 34-year-old new champion gave James DeGale a tough ten rounds in 2012 and this is his fifth win since then including a stoppage of Pawel Glazewski (20-1) in Poland. Dominican-born “ The Shark” Hilario, 28, had recovered from two poor loses to indifferent opposition in 2012 to win six fights and collect the Spanish and EU titles but just could not handle the limitless stamina of the aggressive Mohoumadi. Although born in the Dominican republic Hilario represented Spain at the World and European Championships and there were high hope for him here. Nieto vs. Horvath Nieto outboxes Hungarian travelling loser and halts him in the fifth. The tall Spaniard had Horvath in trouble a couple of time before ending the fight in the fifth. First fight for the 32-year-old former undefeated EU champion since climbing off the floor twice to lose a paper thin decision (1, 1 and 2 pts) to Michele Di Rocco for the EBU title in October. The 39-year-old Horvath actually won a fight this year his only win in his last 22 fights. Don’t get too excited-his opponent suffered a dislocated shoulder. Prado vs. Mellar “Schuster” Prado a class above Hungarian. The Spaniard dazzled but did not dent Mellar who has only lost three times by KO/TKO. Six rounds of work for Prado as he prepares for a big match against Dane Denis Ceylan on June 20. Scores 60-54 from all three judges. The 32-year-old former undefeated Spanish and EU champion has lost only one of his last nine fights and that was on points against Kid Galahad for the vacant EUB title. Mellar, 23, is 2-4 in his last 6 fights. Ontario, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Daniel Roman (15-2-1) W PTS 8 Chris Martin (28-6-3). Feather: Jose Haro (9-1-1) W PTS 8 Efrain Esquivias (17-4-1). Roman vs. Martin Best win so far for Roman as he outpoints the more experienced Martin. Roman was getting his punches off first and landing well to head and body over the first two rounds. Martin rallied in the third only for Roman to take over again in the fourth and he built an unassailable lead over the next three rounds. Martin needed to find a kayo punch in the last and landed a hard left but it was Roman who scored a knockdown with a stinging combination. Martin made it to his feet and battled to the bell but was a clear loser. Scores 80-71 from all three judges. The 22-year-old “Baby Faced Assassin” has won his last 6 fights including a points victory over IBF title challenger Giovanni Caro and has lost only one of his last 13. Twenty-eight-year-old Martin, “The SD Kid”, was considered a top prospect when he went unbeaten in his first 25 fights including wins over Chris Avalos and Charles Huerta but is now 5-6-1 in his last 12 fights. Haro vs. Esquivias Haro upsets the odd to win this one. This was the first fight in 13 months for Esquivias and it was a bad sign that he came in well over the contract weight. Haro was giving away too much weight to get into a close quarters fight so he boxed on the back foot and wrapped-up the decision with a strong last round. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 all for Haro. The 28-year-old from Salt Lake City had lost to unbeaten Toka Kahn Clary and drawn with Jorge Diaz so a welcome win. Esquivias had lost back-to-back fights to Rico Ramos and Jhonatan Romero but rebounded with an inside the distance win over former IBF and WBC super bantam Rafael Marquez only to then lose to Ruben Tamayo and take an 13 month break. Philadelphia, PA, USA: Super Feather: Frank Santos de Alba (16 -1-2) W KO 6 Bernardo Gomez (14-4). Light Heavy: Farah Ennis (22-2) W PTS 6 Mike Gbenga (20-20). Welter: Steve Usher Chambers (25-4-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Alejandro Rodriguez (24-17-1). Super Feather: Brandon Bennett (19-1) W RTD 3 Rondale Hubbert (10-2-1). de Alba vs. Gomez Local favourite de Alba is now unbeaten in 18 fights (16 wins and 2 draws) after this knockout of Gomez. de Alba dominated the first landing consistently with stiff southpaw jabs and accurate combinations. Gomez did a bit better in the second round but it was still de Alba doing the clean efficient job to take the round. Over the third and fourth Gomez was launching charges to get inside and de Alba was boxing coolly and catching Gomez with counters. The punishment was slowly breaking Gomez down and after a one-sided fifth de Alba ended it in the sixth. He shook Gomez with a right and put him down with a left and Gomez bounced off the ropes to the floor where he was counted out. Now 13 wins in a row for 27-year-old de Alba who is surely ready to move up to ten rounds and better opposition. Gomez, 25, had won his last six fights but against low level opposition and all of his losses have come by way of KO/TKO. Ennis vs. Gbenga Ennis returns with a win. In his first fight since July 2013 Ennis took a little time to warm up but he seemed to have the edge in a fight that never really caught alight. Ennis was the one forcing the fight with Gbenga boxing on the back foot and scoring enough counters to be competitive. It was in the balance until Gbenga faded over the last three rounds to allow Ennis to walk away with the split decision. Scores 59-55 and 58-56 for Ennis and 58-56 for Gbenga. The 32-year-old Ennis had walked away after losing on points to Badou Jack. Nigerian Gbenga , 36, has now lost 9 of his last 10 fights and has never won a fight that has gone the distance. Chambers vs. Rodriguez Chambers makes one of his rare appearances and after a sparking start has to settle for a points win. The tall Philadelphian made a great start scoring three knockdowns in the first two rounds. In fact in the first round he had Rodriguez down five times but only two were genuine knockdowns, the first and the last. He floored Rodriguez with a right to the head for the first knockdown but then the next two were ruled to be from punches to the back of the head with Chambers getting docked a point. He had Rodriguez on the floor for the fourth time just to include some variety it was a low punch that caused Rodriguez to go down. Chambers finally managed to hit Rodriguez legally with a right for genuine knockdown No 2. Chambers had Rodriguez down again early in the second round but that seemed to fire Rodriguez up and he began to score with some shots of his own. Chambers found himself in a scrap and had to fight hard for the remaining six rounds to get the decision. Scores 77-71, 76-72 and 76-73. Chambers, 30, lost only one of his first 27 fights but after losing to Luis Collazo in 2012 he had only one fight in 2013 losing to Eddie Gomez and one last year losing to Andre Berto. Rodriguez is 3-4 in his last 7 fights, 3 wins in Mexico and 4 losses in the USA. Bennett vs. Hubbert Cincinnati’s Bennett too much for late substitute Hubbert and the Minneapolis fighter retires at the end of the third round. “Untouchable” Bennett, 27, was having his second fight after an eleven month break and he goes to 8 wins by KO/TKO. The only loss for Bennett, who beat Diego Magdaleno and Eric Hunter as a Junior, is to Francisco Vargas in 2013. Minnesota State champion Hubbert had been meeting a lower level of the opposition. Memphis, TN, USA: Heavy: Lateef Kayode (20-0,2ND) W PTS 10 Nick Kisner (14-2-1).Light: Josh King (20-3) W PTS 10 Rogelio Casarez (9-4). Kayode vs. Kisner Kayode too strong for Kisner and slowly wore down the Baltimore fighter but could not find the punch to put “Slick” Kisner away. Kisner was competitive early making good use of his skills to stay outside but by the fourth round Kayode was closing him down and firing home hurtful body punches. Kayode’s dominance increased as Kisner tired and if he was disappointed over not getting an inside the distance win he got ten rounds of useful ring time after having less than three minutes action in 17 months. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. The 32-year-old Nigerian-born Kayode has lost twice with both losses-to Antonio Tarver and a one round stoppage against Luis Ortiz-now shown as ND after both Tarver and Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance. Kisner’s only other loss was on points against Junior Anthony Wright in 2013. King vs. Casarez Australian King gets a win in his first fight in the USA. It was an untidy fight at times but King’s hopes got a big boost when he landed a punch in the second which left Casarez with a broken nose that bled for the rest of the fight. With legs getting tangled and some head clashes it was not a classic but King was the quicker and more skilful and boxed his way to a wide unanimous decision. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Supposedly King’s WBO Oriental and interim WBO Asia Pacific titles were on the line-against an American but that’s the way of the WBO. After being 3-2 in his first 5 fights former Australian super light champion King, 30, has lost only one of his last 18 and that was a first round defeat against Jack Asis in 2011 when he went down from a punch and suffered a broken right leg. This is his eighth win since that mishap and the WBO have him rated at No 10. Casarez is 3-3 in his last 6 fights and this was the first fight he has been in that was scheduled for more than six rounds. May 30 London, England: Feather: Welter: Kell Brook (35-0) W TKO 6 Frankie Gavin (22-2). Feather: Lee Selby (21-1) W TEC DEC 8 Evgeny Gradovich (19-1-1). Light: Jorge Linares (39-3) W TKO 10 Kevin Mitchell (39-3). Super Light: Dave Ryan (17-8) W TKO 9 John Wayne Hibbert (15-3). Light: Scott Cardle (18-0) W PTS 12 Craig Evans (14-1). Middle: Nick Blackwell (17-3-1) W TKO 7 John Ryder (20-2). Heavy: Anthony Joshua (13-0) W TKO 2 Kevin Johnson (29-7-1). Light Heavy: Nathan Cleverly (29-2) W TKO 1 Tomas Man (13-9-1). Brook vs. Gavin Impressive display by Brook as he makes light work out of what could have been a tough night and retains his IBF title with stoppage of Gavin. The champion took command from the first round scoring well with jabs and fast combinations and forcing Gavin to the ropes where he could not use his skills. Gavin made the second round closer as he managed to get his southpaw jab working and used his reach advantage but Brook landed a hard right late in the round to gain the ascendency. Brook dominated the third with Gavin again finding himself fighting off the ropes as Brook scored with crisp punches. Gavin started the fourth on the front foot slotting home some stiff jabs but again Brook took over dominating the action scoring with hard head-jarring rights and taking the round. Brook was in full flow now in the fifth driving Gavin to the ropes and landing with both hands with Gavin finding it hard to get his own punches off under the pressure. An uppercut from Brook in the sixth had Gavin hurt and although Gavin fired off a counter another shot sent the challenger back into the ropes. Brook follow in and was landing heavily to head and body when the referee stepped in to save Gavin. Second title defence in just under two months for 29-year-old “Special One” Brook as he makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO. He has reached a point where an Amir Khan fight would be huge but has passed the point where he needs to chase it as his wins over Shawn Porter, Ionut Dan Ion and Gavin have raised his profile and he is now looking at opponents such as Brandon Rios to give his profile another boost in the USA. Gavin, 29, was well beaten and it is difficult to see where he goes now other than domestic fights. He was rated IBF 4(2) and was coming off a good win over Bradley Skeete (18-0). Selby vs. Gradovich Selby wins IBF title with technical decision over Gradovich. The brilliant boxing of the Welsh fighter lit up the first round as he speared the advancing Russian with jabs and hooks and avoided Gradovich’s effort with slick movement. He carried that impetus over into the second being too quick for Gradovich a known slow starter who tends to grind out his victories. Gradovich got into his stride in the third crowding Selby and working the body but again the speed and accuracy of Selby’s punching forced Gradovich to eat some hard right hand counters on the way in but with the champion landing his best punch so far in the shape of a left hook late in the round. Selby had probably taken the first three rounds but Gradovich was continuing to pressurise closing the distance and scoring well on the inside and with rights to the head and just did enough to take the fourth and fifth. Selby was in danger of letting Gradovich take control but he responded in spades in the sixth landing a right to the head that had Gradovich shaken and by the end of the round he was landing with quick bursts of punches with Gradovich forced to give ground. In the seventh Gradovich was troubled by a cut which had opened by his right eye and although he was walking through Selby’s punches it was the challenger who was picking up the points. In the eighth a clash of heads ended the fight as it caused a bad cut over Gradovich’s right eye. The blood was running down into his eye and hampering his vision and the fight was stopped and the cards decided the outcome with Selby being in front 79-73 twice and 80-72 all for the new champion Selby. The 28-year-old Welshman has been a champion in waiting clearly having the skills to win a world title once he landed a shot. He had already won the British, European, CBC and WBC International titles in a 16 bout unbeaten streak now he has the full set. He was the mandatory challenger so can pick his opponent for a couple of defences and then in a division with Nichols Walters, Vasyl Lomachenko and Gary Russell holding the other crowns any unifier would be a big fight and a big payday. Selby dedicated his victory to his brother Michael who died 7 years ago at the age of 23.Gradovich, 29, who was defending the IBF title for the fifth time, will feel he was unlucky as he tends to get stronger the longer a fight goes and will want a return but he may have to wait and get a big win to get that chance.. Linares vs. Mitchell Linares comes off the floor to stop Mitchell and retain his WBC title. The champion made the better start showing clever skills and beating Mitchell to the punch with quick light combinations. Mitchell was a step behind Linares in each of the first two rounds. Despite suffering a cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the third and the beginnings of puffiness showing under the same eye in the fourth Mitchell was timing and placing his shots better catching Linares as he tried to get inside and he took both rounds to even the scores. The fifth was a huge round for Mitchell. He floored Linares early in the round with a hard combination. All of the losses for Linares had come inside the distance and it briefly looked as though No 4 was on its way. A badly shaken Linares took full advantage of the eight count and Mitchell stormed forward throwing punch after punch trying to end the bout. He came close to it but Linares survived. Mitchell was looking the worse for wear as the left side of his face was swelling more but he still had the momentum in the sixth as Linares was concentrating on not getting nailed again. By the seventh the Venezuelan was in the fight again going back to the quick combinations that had served him so well in the first two rounds and he also bossed the eighth as Mitchell struggled to cope with the mess that the left side of his face had become. He battled hard in the ninth but his work rate had dropped and Linares was scoring often with rapid fire punches with the end looking near. In the tenth a right from Linares saw Mitchell retreat to a corner where Linares followed in unleashing shots from both hands. Mitchell tried to fire back but a hard combination floored him. He bravely made it to his feet but was shaky and the left side of his face with the swelling and a long cut under the eyebrow was a mess and the referee rightly stopped the fight with just three seconds left in the round. It was brave of Linares to come into the lion’s den for what promised to be a tough first defence of his WBA title and the 29-year-old “Golden Boy”, a three division champion, showed a champion’s resolve by coming from behind and climbing off the floor to win. In the end his 25 wins by KO/TKO proved more indicative than his three losses inside the distance. For Mitchell, 30, it is now three title shots and three losses by KO/TKO although he did much better in this one than in losing to Mike Katsidis and Ricky Burns and in the fifth was just one punch away from victory. It will take a massive rebuilding exercise to get Mitchell another world title fight so he will have to think long and hard about his future. Ryan vs. Hibbert This may not have been a world title fight but for entertainment it was right up there with all of the others. “Rocky” Ryan retained the CBC title and won the WBC International title by climbing off the floor to wear down and stop Hibbert. The first two rounds were close with both have good spells but neither dominating. In the third as Ryan was working his way inside he was nailed by a right and went down. He took the eight count and battled his way back into the round but it was a big one for Hibbert. On the downside a punch from Ryan had opened a cut on Hibbert’s right cheek. Ryan showed he had recovered by outscoring Hibbert in the fourth only to run into trouble again in the fifth. Yet again it was rights from Hibbert this time to the body that had Ryan down and in some distress. Ryan got up and survived the round and with Hibbert’s faced showing the marks of battle Ryan banged back to edge the sixth and seventh and it was Hibbert who looked to be tiring and under pressure. Ryan was the stronger in the eighth shaking Hibbert with a right and he went on to finish things in the ninth. Ryan walked forward landing heavily and Hibbert looked drained and beaten. A series of punches put him down and when he got up Ryan was there with more punches and Hibbert took a second count. Somehow he bravely got up again. Ryan was too eager and pushed Hibbert over with the referee rightly not counting it but Hibbert was finished and he was trapped on the ropes taking a beating when the referee stopped the fight. Ryan makes it two wins over Hibbert having just edged him out over ten rounds in 2013. Ryan’s career looked to have flat-lined when he went 2-4 in six fights giving him a modest 14-8 record but the losses were all to high quality domestic competition. He gave his career a big boost with a win over former WBA title challenger Paul McCloskey (24-2) at the end of 2013 and upset the odds in 2014 win a points victory over Tyrone Nurse (29-1) to win the CBC title and a new lease of life at 32. WBC International champion Hibbert, 30, had won 5 fights on the bounce after that earlier loss to Ryan and was making the second defence of his title. He can rebound from this. Cardle vs. Evans Cardle wins a unanimous decision over Evans to lift the vacant British title in a bout that had a nasty edge to it. These two had clashed at the weigh-in and they carried that bad feeling into the fight. Cardle built an early lead with southpaw Evans cut over the left eyebrow in the second round and not really getting into the fight until the fourth round. Already by then there had been plenty of rough stuff and Cardle was warned in the fifth for a low punch. Evans was having a good sixth round when a clash of heads saw the Welshman cut over his right eye. The seventh was close but Evans took the eighth with quick, accurate combinations and Cardle was caught by a flying elbow and cut over his left eye. Evans looked to have edged the ninth but Cardle came back to win the next two before having the best of the exchanges in the last to clinch the decision. Scores 116-112 from all three judges. Cardle, the EBU No 16, was an outstanding amateur winning a bronze medal at the European Championships, a gold at the European Cup and reaching the quarterfinals of the World Championships. He failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics and turned pro. Evans, also 25 was also a top amateur winning a bronze medal at the European Championships but ran into Vasyl Lomachenko at the World Championships. He will fight for the British title again I am sure. Ryder vs. Blackwell Yet another fight full of passion and with an upset as Blackwell comes from behind to stop Ryder and win the vacant British title. “Gorilla” Ryder was the favourite and that looked the right choice over the early rounds. He looked to be the better boxer and was able to score well both with southpaw jabs and shorter punches inside. By the end of the third Blackwell was three rounds behind and dripping blood from his nose. He had a better fourth landing well to the body and opening a cut on the left cheek of Ryder. The sixth saw Ryder back on his game as he outscored Blackwell to increase his lead. The fight changed and ended in the seventh when Blackwell, not a noted puncher, shook Ryder to his toes with a hard right/left combination. Ryder was in deep trouble and Blackwell took his chance cutting loose with both hands to send Ryder stumbling back to the ropes as the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Blackwell had lost three important fights as he was halted by Martin Murray in five rounds in 2007, put up a creditable showing in losing on points to Billy Joe Saunders in 2012 and also lost narrowly on points to Max Bursak in 2013 when he took the fight with the world rated middleweight at short notice. In October last year he fought a hard eight round draw with the dangerous Sergey Khomitsky. Ryder, 26, had only lost to Saunders and then only by 1, 2 and 2 pts and scored 5 victories since then including a tenth round stoppage of Argentinian Billi F Godoy in January. He will have to start again but is young enough to do so. Joshua vs. Johnson An awesome display of power from Joshua as he destroys experienced Johnson in two rounds. Over the first minute Joshua was prowling after Johnson twice trying right crosses but coming up short. Johnson was just going backwards and prodding out jabs. Just over a minute into the round Joshua landed an over hand right which sent Johnson backwards into the ropes badly shaken. Joshua followed Johnson along the rope landing hard punches from both hands. Johnson escaped and opened his guard wide as if to indicate he was not hurt, but no one believed him. Joshua showed patience stalking Johnson looking for another opening. Johnson was flicking out light jabs but with just under a minute to go another right from Joshua landed. Johnson decided to do a shortened version of the “Ali Shuffle” to show he was unhurt and put a bit more effort into his jab. With only 20 seconds to go in the round it looked as though Johnson would get through it without serious damage but Joshua drove him to the ropes and landed a series of lefts and rights to the head punctuated by a hard right/left hook combination that sent Johnson sprawling into the ropes. He almost went down but grabbed a rope and pulled himself up and the referee applied a standing eight count. Joshua leapt on Johnson slamming home right after right until Johnson slid down the ropes ending up sprawled across the bottom rope hanging half way out of the ring. The bell went with Johnson still lying prone and his seconds rushed into the ring to help him up and get him back to his corner. Johnson was in a bad way dazed and confused and that should have been the end of the fight there and then. However they sent Johnson out for the second round. Joshua took him to the ropes and was landing punch after punch to Johnson’s head and again the fight should have been stopped. Johnson managed to get off the ropes and retreat around the ring until Joshua trapped him again and a series of head shots with nothing coming back from Johnson saw the fight stopped. Johnson was supposed to be a “real test” for Joshua. He had never lost inside the distance and had gone twelve rounds with Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title. Joshua blasted him out inside five minutes.! The 25-year-old Olympian has yet to be taken past the third round and looked awesome. Johnson is 35 and this was his fourth loss in a row but the experienced spoiler had recently gone the distance with Dereck Chisora and Manuel Charr and it speaks volumes that Joshua brushed him aside so easily. Cleverly vs. Man Cleverly wastes no time on his return to the light heavyweight ranks as he halts Czech fighter in just 24 seconds. First fight for the 28-year-old former WBO light heavyweight champion since losing a split decision to Tony Bellew in November. Now he is seeking a fight with Juergen Braehmer the holder of the WBA secondary title. Man, the Czech super middle champion, had won his last 11 fights but all eleven opponents had negative records. Komaki, Japan: Minimumweight: Kosei Tanaka (5-0) W PTS 12 Julian Yedras (24-2). Japanese teenager Tanaka sets a new record as he wins the vacant WBA title in only his fifth fight. A remarkable achievement. Tanaka dazzled over the first three rounds showing good footwork and lightning fast hands. Boxing mainly in the back foot he was slotting home jabs and then stopping and throwing fast 4/5 punch combinations with Yedras trying vainly to walk his young opponent down. Although he was concentrating mainly on speed a right in the second sent Yedras stumbling to the ropes on wobbly legs. Yedras had a better fourth as Tanaka let the pace drop and was staying in the pocket and trading which suited Yedras. For some reason in the fifth Tanaka decided to stand toe-to-toe with Yedras for the whole three minutes swapping punches. Tanaka was landing spectacular uppercuts and hooks but also allowing Yedras to score to the body. Tanaka started the sixth boxing on the outside and was outclassing Yedras but then he went toe-to-toe again. The Japanese fighter was landing some fearsome uppercuts but Yedras was again walking through them and scoring on the inside and landed more punches than he had in any round so far as it seemed Tanaka might be tiring. The seventh and eighth were a copy of the sixth with Tanaka boxing brilliantly and then coming off his toes to trade punch for punch with Yedras with both slinging punches and ignoring any pretense of defence. The speed of Tanaka’s punching was alarming but so was the punishment he was choosing to take by trading. Tanaka boxed more on the outside in the ninth but it looked ominous when he drove Yedras across the ring throwing punch after punch too quick to count but when the storm was over Yedras was unhurt and walking forward scoring with clubbing shots. Tanaka ended the round with more flashing combinations. Tanaka hardly threw a punch in the first minute of the tenth but over the other two minutes he was back to his classy boxing and blazing combinations but with Yedras just walking through them but not being able to score himself. Tanaka was boxing brilliantly in the eleventh and twelfth ducking, bobbing, weaving, side-stepping and slamming punches through the guard of the forward marching Yedras and even finding time for some showboating. Scores 117-111 twice and 115-113. The 19-year-old new champion showed exquisite boxing skills. His fluid moving style and flashing fists were something to savour but his tactics of trading when he did not have to were questionable and he hit Yedras with so many flush shots without being able to stop the Mexican fighter’s forward march that it puts a question over his power. Yedras, 27, showed great determination and strength but a limited technique. His only other loss was to Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago so no disgrace there Ensenada, Mexico: Light Fly: Javier Mendoza (24-2-1) W TEC DEC 6 Milan Melindo (32-2). Welter: Carlos Ocampo (15-0) W TKO 4 Cruz Antonio Flores (16-6). Mendoza vs. Melindo Mendoza retains his IBF title with technical decision over Filipino Melindo. The fight was punctuated by head clashes and fouls. Mendoza started quickly scoring with fast jabs until a clash of heads momentarily stunned Mendoza and Melindo took advantage landing hooks and uppercuts to edge the round but also to get his first warning for low punches. Southpaw Mendoza got into his stride in the second bossing the exchanges taking Melindo to the ropes and scoring with hooks and uppercuts to the body. Mendoza also had the better of the third and fourth using the same tactics with an overhand right opening a small cut on the bridge of Melindo’s nose and with Melindo again getting a warning for his punches straying below the belt. Despite the warning Melindo kept going low with his punches and was finally deducted a point in the fifth. With the fighters both leaning in and working the body head clashes featured again in the sixth with first Melindo cut on his eyebrow but passing a doctor’s examination. Mendoza made the cut worse with a left hook and then came another clash of heads which saw Mendoza suffering a worse cut which was too bad for the fight to continue so the score cards came into play. Apart from the first round Mendoza had been in complete control of the fight and the decision rightly went his way with scores of 60-52 twice and 59-53. First defence of his title for 24-year-old “Cobra” Mendoza who gets his mandatory challenger out of the way. “Method Man” Melindo, 27, had lost a wide unanimous decision to Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA/WBO titles in 2013. He had returned with good wins over Jose Alfredo Rodriguez (29-2) and Saul Juarez (30-3) but was second best here. Ocampo vs. Flores “Chema” Ocampo makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. Ocampo opened the first with a stream of jabs and by the end of the round was punishing Flores with body punches. In the second Ocampo’s jab had blood flowing from the nose of Flores and a straight right sent him tumbling into the ropes. Flores tried to fire back but a left hook to the body from Ocampo had Flores hurt. The punishment continued in the third and after another series of stiff jabs a left to the body put Flores down. He made it to his feet and the ball went before Ocampo could finish thing. Ocampo ended it early in the fourth with a series of punches which had Flores turning away and indicating a shoulder injury and the fight was stopped. Now 6 wins by KO/TKO in his last 7 fights for the Ensenada hope. Flores loses inside the distance for the second time. After winning his first ten fights he is on the slide being 6-6 in his last 12. Milan, Italy: Super Light: Michele Di Rocco (40-1-1) W KO 8 Alex Lepelley (18-4-1). Heavy: Matteo Modugno (16-0) W PTS Jakoy Gospic (15-12). Di Rocco vs. Lepelley With edges in height and reach Di Rocco used his jab to pile up the points in the first round but Lepelley marked his presence with a couple of tasty uppercuts to the body. Di Rocco is on top again in the second and third but again being caught with some counters as he chooses to mix it more. A lecture from his corner gets him back to his boxing but also allows Lepelley to force the fight as the action heats up. The Frenchman is scoring well but his punches lack power and Di Rocco is building a big lead having won every round so far. Lepelley is pressing in the eighth trying to turn the fight around but instead a thunderous right from Di Rocco puts the challenger down and out with his seconds immediately entering the ring to treat him. There is some concern but Lepelley eventually makes it to his feet and back to his corner. Fourth successful defence for Di Rocco. This was a voluntary defence with his mandatory with Lenny Daws being negotiated. The 33-year-old “King” has 18 wins by KO/TKO and has 23 wins in a row including a victory over Giuseppe Lauri who beat him way back in 2001. Lepelley, 32, had good wins on his travels against Steve Claggett and Sandor Martin but has now lost 3 of his last 4 being beaten by Ricky Burns and also fellow Frenchman Franck Petitjean for the national title. Modugno vs. Gospic Former undefeated Italian champion Modugno returns with a comfortable points win over Gospic. The 6’6 ½” (200cm) Modugno was bigger in every way and was able to box his way to a comfortable win. The only thing really tested was the strength of the ring with Modugno coming in at 277lbs (126kg) and Gospic at 262lbs (119kgs). First fight for the EBU No 16 for ten months so he shed some rust but not much weight. Croatian Gospic, 33, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights Mexico City, Mexico: Super Light: Nery Saguilan (33-4-1) W KO 2 Wilfrido Buelvas (16-5). Fly: Saul Juarez (21-4) W TKO 8 Adrian Hernandez (30-4-1). Super Welter: Jose Lopez (25-3-1) W PTS 8 Jonathan Duran (13-10-1). Saguilan vs. Buelvas Saguilan crushes Colombian Buelvas in two rounds to win the vacant WBC Fecarbox title. The unpredictable, colourful “Pantera” was his usual self sometimes pressing Buelvas and exchanging hard punches and then dropping his guard and deliberately letting Buelvas take a couple of free punches. When he went to work in the second he quickly had Buelvas in trouble on the ropes and a brutal left hook put Buelvas down and the referee did not bother to count. With his fearsome mask and strange tactics the 27-year-old from Guadalajara is never boring. He has 12 wins by KO/TKO and this is seventh win in a row. After failing to make the weight for his fight with Marcos Villasana Saguilan did not repeat the mistake. Southpaw Buelvas, 26 did not live up to his nickname of “The Rock” although this is only his second loss by KO/TKO. He is now 1-4 in his last 5 fights. Juarez vs. Hernandez Important win for “Baby” Juarez as he gets off the canvas to halt former two-time WBC light fly champion but a controversial stoppage. Both fighters are good technical boxers and the fight was fairly even after four rounds. In the fifth a left from Hernandez put Juarez down and also opened a cut on his left eyebrow. Juarez survived and prospered getting back into the fight. In the eighth he turned the tables and landed a punch which left Hernandez with a bad cut on his eyelid. The doctor examined the cut and the fight was stopped. Hernandez protested that it was a clash of heads that caused the cut and the fight should be decided on the scorecards but it was ruled to have been caused by a punch so Juarez got the win. The 24-year-old local lost to Milan Melindo in an IBF light fly eliminator in November but with Hernandez being rated No 2 by the WBC at light fly and himself IBF 10(9) in the same division he will be hoping to land a title shot at either fly or light fly. “Confessor” Hernandez can feel unlucky as he was probably in front at the finish. He lost his WBC title to Naoya Inoue in April last year and in his last fight halted Armando Torres in two rounds in November. At 29 he can’t afford to drop too far in the ratings. Lopez vs. Duran With two noted punchers this was not expected to go the distance but it did with Lopez coming out on top. Not much skill on show but plenty of power punches with “Piston” Lopez doing enough to get the unanimous decision. The 24-year-old from Torreon has won 10 of his last eleven fights with the loss being to Humberto Soto on close decision for the WBFed title in 2012. He has won eight in a row since then. Duran heading in the other direction with 8 losses in his last 9 fights. Zapopan, Mexico: Fly: Omar Nino Romero (32-5-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Elfego Sierra (8-12). Romero returns to the ring and gets a unanimous decision over Sierra. In his first fight for three years Romero was out in his timing over the first three rounds but gradually worked his way back to sharpness. There was a wide gap in class and Romero was able to claw back Sierra’s early lead and fight his way to the decision. Scores 97-93 from all three judges. Now 39, the “Giant Killer had three significant fights with Brian Viloria. Back in August 2006 he decisioned Viloria to win the WBC light fly title. Three months later he fought a majority draw with Viloria in a title defence but lost his title when he tested positive for a banned substance. He regained the title with a win over Rodel Mayol in 2010 only to lose it to Viloria in May 2012, his last fight before this. Sierra a safe choice for Romero’s return as this is his sixth loss in a row. Managua, Nicaragua: Fly: Keyvin Lara (15-1-1) W TKO 5 Guillermo Ortiz (13-8-3,1ND). Prospect Lara retains the WBC Latino title with stoppage of fellow-Nicaraguan Ortiz. Despite giving away height and reach Lara controlled this from the start. He had Ortiz going backwards and having to fight off the ropes and Lara was able to get inside and fire hook to the body which slowed Ortiz down. Leyva had Ortiz on the floor in the fourth and when he scored another knockdown in the fifth the fight was stopped. The 20-year-old Lara lost then drew in his first two pro fights so now has 15 wins in a row. Ortiz, 21, gets his second loss by KO/TKO having won his last three fights. General Santos City, Philippines: Super Light: Adones Cabaquinto (20-0) W KO 1 Jonel Gadapan (9-8-2). Super Bantam: Jason Canoy (24-5-2) W TKO 1 Drian Francisco (27-3-1). Super Fly: Jerwin Ancajas (23-1-1) W KO 9 Juan Purisima (11-8-1). Cabaquinto vs. Gadapan Predictable win for hard punching southpaw Cabaquinto. He took just 108 seconds to end it sending Gadapan down and out with a right cross. Cabaquinto, 24, was making the fourth defence of his GAB title and gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO. He is rated No 10 by the WBO. Gadapan moves to 5 loses by KO/TKO and is now 2-5-2 in his last 9 fights. Canoy vs. Francisco This was supposed to be just another step towards a title fight for Francisco but Canoy ruined the plan. Both were sparring cautiously when Francisco threw a right and missed and slipped to the canvas. That seemed to unsettle him but not as much as the thunderous right that Canoy landed. Francisco backed away across the ring with Canoy in pursuit and a right to the side of the head sent Francisco sprawling down to the floor. He pulled himself up at 5 and took the eight count but looked shaken and the referee asked him to walk forward three times before he allowed the fight to continue. Francisco was on unsteady legs but tried to jab Canoy off only for Canoy to land a right hook that put Francisco down again. He got up too early and was again on unsteady legs and a chopping right from Canoy put him flat on the canvas with the referee immediately waiving the fight over. Canoy, 25 always had a punchers chance with his score of 17 wins by KO/TKO going into this fight bit it was still a huge upset. He has now won 8 of his last 9 fights and could crash the ratings with this win. Francisco, 32, a former interim WBA champion had lost only two of his 30 fights and those losses were on points against Thai Tepparith on a very close decision and to Chris Avalos in 2013 again on a close decision. He took 13 months out after the loss to Avalos but had returned with three wins. Ancajas vs. Purisima Ancajas gets another win by KO/TKO as he outlasts a game Purisima and scores a kayo late in the ninth round with a southpaw left to the chin. The 23-year-old “Pretty Boy” has now won his last 10 fights by KO/TKO since losing to Mark Anthony Geraldo in 2012 and is rated IBF 4(3)/WBO 13. Five losses in a row for Purisima but he has been match tough. Catano, Puerto Rico: Bantam: Emmanuel Rodriguez (12-0) W KO 3 Luis Hinojosa (27-9). Rodriguez overwhelms Dominican for win in third round. Hinojosa came out aggressively but the gifted Puerto Rican was scoring heavily to head and sinking in left hooks to the body over the first two rounds with Hinojosa never in the fight. In the third a straight right to the chin put Hinojosa down and out with no count needed. The 22-year-old was making the second defence of his WBO Latino title. Back in 2010 he had a great and then near tragic year. He won a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games and silver medal at the World Junior Champions but it all went horribly wrong when he almost died after being horribly burnt in a fire. He has made a truly remarkable and courageous recovery. Hinojosa had lost in a fight for the interim WBA bantamweight title in August so was supposed to be a stiff test. Rotherham, England: Bantam: Klaas Mboyane (17-10-2) W TKO 4 Ross Burkinshaw (14-6-2) W. Feather: Josh Wale (18-7-2) W PTS 10 Dai Davies (12-24-2). Mboyane vs. Burkinshaw South African Mboyane springs a huge upset with stoppage of local boxer Burkinshaw. The two factors that affected this fight were Burkinshaw ignoring orders from his corner and standing and trading with Mboyane but also a reoccurrence of an elbow injury. Burkinshaw could have stayed outside and out boxed the smaller southpaw but instead allowed himself to be dragged into a brawl. Mboyane’s inside work to the body wore Burkinshaw down and he was under heavy pressure in the fourth. He retired at the end of the round citing the return of an old sparring injury. The 33-year-old “Iron Man” Mboyane a former South African champion wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title. He has 9 wins by KO/TKO and is 4-3 in his last 7 fights including a points win over Simpiwe Vetyeka in 2012 . Vetyeka went on to beat Daud Yordan (30-2) for the IBO feather title and Chris John (48-0-3) for the WBA title in 2013. “The Boss” Burkinshaw, 28, the former undefeated CBC champion and current WBO Europe champion will probably have blown his WBO No 9 rating but with the WBO who knows. Wale vs. Davies Wale just edges out Davies in this CBC eliminator. Both fighters were hampered by cuts with a clash of heads seeing them both cut in the first round with Wale cut again in the sixth and Davies in the eighth. Despite the cuts they fought a hard, close battle with Wale getting the nod from the referee by 96-95. Good win for the 27-year-old “Outlaw” as he moves up to feather for the first time in his career. He has had tough opposition down at super bantam losing to Kid Galahad, Stuart Hall and Gavin McDonnell but in May last year he held McDonnell to a draw now McDonnell is the European champion so in retrospect that looks a good performance by Wale. Despite his unimpressive statistics the Welsh champion Davies had been enjoying a revival with three wins in a row. Hollywood, CA, USA: Cruiser: Dmytro Kucher (23-1) W TKO 1 Bobby Thomas (14-4-1). Welter: Alex Saucedo (18-0) W KO 4 Jake Giuriceo (17-4-1). Light: Saul Rodriguez (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Antonio Capulin (14-1). Kucher vs. Thomas Easy win for Kucher. The Ukrainian handed out some severe punishment in the first but it was a surprise when Thomas decided to retire at the end of the round without having been down. The 30-year-old WBC No 8 took 15 months out after losing to Illunga Makabu in July 2013 and this is his second win since returning. Saucedo vs. Giuriceo Another inside the distance win for promising Saucedo. He controlled the first round being quickest with his hands and busiest. Giuriceo came into the fight more in the second but in the third a stunning left hook from Saucedo put him down. Giuriceo make it to the bell but a left to the head early in the fourth had Giuriceo stumbling into the ropes on shaky legs and the referee halted the fight. The Oklahoma-based lanky 20-year-old makes it 12 wins by KO/TKO. Giuriceo, 30, was unbeaten in his first 17 fights but is 1-4 in his last 5. This is his first loss by KO/TKO. Rodriguez vs. Capulin Rodriguez finally goes the distance after a run of inside the distance victories. Capulin was determined to show he was not overawed and started aggressively only to be nailed by a left hook to the head. It got even worse for Capulin in the second as he was badly rocked by another left hook and although he made it to the bell he had also suffered a bad cut over his left eye in a clash of heads. To his credit Capulin did not fold but used a good jab and some movement to keep him in the fight and although he was rocked a couple more times he stayed there to the bell. Scores 80-71 twice and 79-72. The 22-year-old “Kid Dynamita” , trained by Roberto Garcia had won his last 8 fights by KO/TKO. Texan Capulin was in his first eight round fight and did his job here and more. Quilmes, Argentina: Light Heavy: Isidro Ranoni Prieto (24-0-3) W TKO 2 Edson Roberto Dos Santos Borges (33-3-2). Prieto destroys Brazilian in two rounds. Prieto took the first round and then went to work in the second. He started the rot with a right cross/left hook combination and then a right opened a cut over the right eye of Dos Santos. He then took Dos Santos to the ropes and almost floored him with a left hook to the body. Dos Santos managed to stay on his feet but a right had him badly shaken and the referee applied a standing count. When the action resumed a right uppercut from Prieto left Dos Santos spread-eagled on the canvas and the referee did not even bother to count. It was a while before Dos Santos recovered but he left the ring on his feet. The Paraguayan-born “Hero” Prieto, 28, was making the fifth defence of his WBO Latino title which has him at No 6 in their ratings. He has 20 wins by KO/TKO including 6 inside the distance wins in his last 7 fights. “Frazier” Dos Santos, 34, loses inside the distance for the second time. Mansfield, Australia: Light: Miles Zalewski (5-0) W TKO 2 Anthony Brownlie (10-7-1). Super Bantam: Jason Cooper (14-2-1) W PTS 10 Fernando Ocon (13-9-1). Zalewski vs. Brownlie Zalewski wins the vacant Australian title with stoppage of Brownlie. After a fairly even first round the second opened with Brownlie moving forward and Zalewski looking to catch him with overhand rights. Zalewski scored with a good right and a thumping body punch. As they traded Zalewski landed a thundering right cross that sent Brownlie down and the referee immediately stopped the fight without a count. “The Superstar” Zalewski moves to three wins by KO/TKO with this impressive showing. Brownlie was having his third try at winning the national title. Cooper vs. Ocon Cooper wins the vacant WBA Oceania title with unanimous decision over Filipino Ocon. Cooper was taller and with a longer reach but a too gutsy Ocon just kept boring in shrugging off hard counters and trying to take Cooper to the ropes. The local fighter handed out some serious punishment to the Filipino who looked close to going down on numerous occasions only to bang back just as the referee was about to step in. Cooper was willing to trade more often than he needed to but that made it an exciting fight. Scores 100-91, 98-92 and 97-93. The 23-year-old “Nugget”, the ANBF No 1, has won his last six fights. Ocon, 24, was too brave for his own good. He is 1-4-1 in his last six fight but was coming off a twelve round draw in Thailand in December Danbury, CT, USA: Feather: Tramaine Williams (9-0,1ND) W TKO 6 Josh Bowles (9-2). Local southpaw Williams outboxes and then halts Bowles. “The Mighty Midget” had eased his way through five rounds building a lead and ended it in the sixth flooring Bowles with a straight left and then pouring on more pressure after Bowles made it to his feet. The referee stopped the fight to save Bowles. The 22-year-old former NGG champion and final Olympic Trials competitor gets his second win by KO/TKO. Bowles was having his first fight since July last year. El Paso, TX, USA: Super Bantam: Joseph Agbeko (29-5) W Juanito Rubillar (49-22-7). Agbeko returns with a win due to a cut. The former IBF bantam champion was boxing his way to victory with southpaw Rubillar being hampered by a cut over his left eye caused by a punch in the second round.in the second round. By the fourth the cut was too serious for the fight to continue so Agbeko gets a stoppage win. First fight for 35-year-old Agbeko since losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBA/WBO super bantam titles in December 2013. Filipino Rubillar, 38, was having his first fight since August 2013 and this loss makes him 1-9 in his last ten fights. He had his best days as a light flyweight. Tacoma, WA, USA: Super Middle: Mike Gavronski (18-1-1) W KO 9 Tyrell Hendrix (11-7-2). Battle at the Boat favourite Gavronski delighted his fans by outlasting Hendrix in a tough slugging match. These two had fought to a draw back in 2011 which saw both fighters on the floor and they had taken a dislike to each other at the weigh-in for this fight so there was plenty of fire and passion on show. It was late in the fight before he managed it but Gavronski slowly broke down Hendrix before putting him on the canvas in the ninth to end the action. The 29-year-old “Imagine Me” Gavronski , 29, lost to world rated Tureano Johnson in July last year but has rebounded with four wins. “Hollywood” Hendrix, 31, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights but in there is a stoppage win over prospect Dennis Hasson so he can be dangerous. |
InternationalWe know that not every fight involves an Asian fighter but a lot of fights do affect Asian fighter. As a result we've decided to add this new section to Asian boxing where we look at selected International bouts. Archives
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