By Eric Armit
With Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II only just over three weeks away Wilder has emerged as the slight favourite. The odds currently sit at 11/10 on Wilder and a spread of between 8/11 and 10/11 on Fury. Very close but Wilder’s punch seems to be pushing the smart money his way. Boxing continues to be the mover and shaker right now. There is no clarity over who Saul Alvarez or Manny Pacquiao will fight next and although there is talk of Floyd Mayweather vs. McGregor II surely there can’t be enough idiots to be conned by that a second time so the heavyweights have the stage. Anthony Joshua and Kubrat Pulev have been given an extension to 14 February for the parties to come to a mutual agreement over terms for Joshua to defend the IBF and WBA titles. The likely date for the fight is end May early June in the UK. The position with the WBO is not clear but there is a strong possibility they will strip Joshua even though their No 1 Oleg Usyk looks set to fight Dereck Chisora in London on 28 March. That looks a sensible second heavyweight fight for Usyk. Joshua was to have defended against Pulev in 2017 but the Bulgarian had to pull out due to an injury and Joshua stopped substitute Carlos Takam. In the WBO ratings for December Joseph Parker was No 2 and Adam Kownacki No 3. They will both be in action soon. Parker is scheduled to fight on the 29 February in Frisco, Texas on the undercard to the Mikey Garcia vs. Jessie Vargas/Khalid Yafai vs. Roman Gonzalez show but no opponent confirmed at this time and unbeaten Kownacki faces Robert Helenius on 7 March. Both Parker and Kownacki will be trying to position themselves in case the WBO strip Joshua. If the WBO do that then either Parker or Kownacki would look to fight Usyk for the vacant title-or each other if Usyk decides to pass up on the WBO belt. Frank Warren has had a long working relationship with the WBO and is very much a man with influence with them so it was no surprise to see in the WBO ratings for January that Daniel Dubois had hurdled over Kownacki and is now No 3. Quite a promotion for beating No 15 Kyotaro Fujimoto and with Joe Joyce not having fought since July but suddenly jumping into the WBO ratings at No 12 that makes the Dubois vs. Joyce fight being talked about for 18 April being another contest that could be for the vacant WBO title with Parker already having said he would love to fight Dubois. In the current EBU ratings Joyce is listed as co-challenger with Marco Huck for the vacant title but Huck is unavailable due to a hand injury. The EBU would have jumped at Joyce vs. Dubois as a great fight for them but with Dubois not yet out of a period of suspension from the EBU ratings for fighting for the WBO European title they had to pass on it. The EBU had nominated Filip Hrgovic and Joyce to contest the vacant title, another excellent fight, and given a date of 12 February for the sides to agree terms but now if Joyce vs. Dubois goes ahead, and not for the EBU title, then the EBU will have to find someone else to fight Hrgovic and the winner will have to fight Huck In other heavyweight news French heavyweight hope Tony Yoka has joined Top Rank. I can remember the days when Bob Arum shunned heavyweights. It was a smart decision. For many years Don King had a stranglehold on the division and had a good claim to be the No 1 promoter in the world with Bob Arum his only real competition. Well in a recent edition Boxing News listed the 50 most powerful and influential people in boxing today and No 1 was Bob Arum. King was not in the top 50. King put all of his eggs in the heavyweight basket whilst Arum diversified. Along came the Klitschko brothers who totally took over the heavyweight division and turned King into a boxing dinosaur. Finally on the heavyweights, and the Klitschko’s, EC Boxing in Germany has just unveiled the “new Klitschko” in Victor Vykhryst. The 27-year-old 6’5” 242lbs –introduced as Victor Faust I guess to make his name easier for us to remember-has twice won the European title and is a four-time Ukrainian champion as well as putting together a 6-0 score in the German Bundesliga. The crowded dance floor just got more crowded. On 31 January the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. That has some consequences for UK fighters in that to be eligible to take part in a European Union (EU) title bout UK boxers must have a passport or ID of one of the EU member Countries and also be in possession of a license issued by the corresponding Federation. That means that according to EBU rules as from 31t January British boxers cannot be rated in EU list. Instead in February they will be moved to the EE-EU ratings (EE-EU titles are for countries that are European but not part of the EU such as Russia, Moldova etc.). As at 30 January UK fighter s Mark Heffron at middleweight and Jason Cunningham at super bantamweight were listed as co-challengers for the vacant EU titles but I guess that they will not now get that opportunity. It does not affect British boxers fighting for the European Boxing Union (EBU) tiles. So for instance the EBU title fights involving Callum Johnson challenging Igor Mikhalkin in Manchester on 7 March for the cruiserweight title and Andrew Selby meeting Mohammed Obbadi in April for the vacant flyweight title are unaffected. In another change which could affect boxers the WBC has decided that in future all WBC affiliated title fights will be held over ten rounds with an option for them to be over eight rounds. This only affects WBC title such as the WBC International, WBC Latino, WBC United Sates etc but not those of the OPBF, NABF, EBU, and Commonwealth etc. which are entities in their own right. A joint effort between TGB and Golden Boy came up with the winning bid for Nordine Oubaali’s WBC title defence against Nonito Donaire. The bid was for $401,000. Oubaali will get $216,540 and Donaire $144,360. That does not add up to $401, 00 because the new WBC “incentive payment” approach is being used whereby 10% of the total purse will be put into an escrow account and will go to the winner of the fight. That’s a much better approach than the British Navy took to encourage fighting spirit during the Napoleonic Wars. Admiral John Byng failed, though a perceived lack of fighting spirit, to relieve the siege of Minorca they shot him-to encourage the others! It was a surprise that Top Rank were outbid for the Josh Taylor vs. Apinan Sakkreerin fight by Samson Lewkowicz’s Sampson Boxing. Taylor’s share of the $1.32 million winning bid will be approximately$860,000 and Sakkreerin’s $460,000 How long should a fighter have to wait to get paid for a fight? Well in the case of former WBC featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa last December made it 22 years and he had still not paid in full for a title defence against Carlos Rios in the Philippines in December 1997. Espinosa was guaranteed $150,000 plus $10,000 for training expenses by promoter Rod Nazario. Under the contract by October 31Espinosa would get $50,000 of his purse and the $10,000 training expenses. That did not happen. On the eve of the fight he was paid just under $30,000 and given a letter of guarantee for the balance. He did not get that money either. Nazario died in 2009 and when Espinosa took legal action to claim the outstanding money from the estate of Nazario a regional court dismissed his claim. A Court of Appeals overturned that and ruled for Espinosa but Nazario’s beneficiaries contested that decision. Finally late last year the Supreme Court found for Espinosa and has ordered the beneficiaries to pay Espinosa $130,000 plus interest at 6% dating back to 1998 Still on money. Michal Cieslak is getting $150,000 for fighting Ilunga Makabu for the vacant WBC cruiser title in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Friday night. You have wonder if that is enough “danger money” The Polish party was given an armed escort from the airport to their hotel and the show is being promoted by Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo who as the General in charge of the Congolese anti-riot body known as the National Intervention Legion was sanctioned by both the USA and the European Union (including travel bans and freezing of assets) for his part in suppressing opposition to the then President Joseph Kabila. Should be no trouble with crowd control at the fight that’s for sure. Incidentally this will be the first world title fight in the DRC since Muhammed Ali knocked out George Foreman in October 1974. Naoya Inoue is back in training for his unification fight with John Riel Casimero in the USA on 25 April. Whoever wins that one will hold three versions of the bantamweight title. Inoue holds the IBF and WBA titles and Casimero the WBO. That should be a short and exciting battle between two punches. It must have resembled an Emergency in the home fighter’s dressing room in Hamburg last weekend. Artem Harutyunyan stopped Miguel Antin but fought from the first round with a broken right thumb and German-based Cuban Jose Larduet lost to Mariano Strunz when he injured his left knee and the torn ligaments he suffered will keep him out of the ring for at least four months. A death in the family is a tragedy at any time but two in the space of just a few days is more than any family should have to suffer. The first was the death after a long illness of Peter “Terror “Mathebula at the age of 67. Peter made history when in December 1980 he outpointed Korean Tae-Shik Kim in Los Angeles to win the WBA flyweight title becoming South Africa’s first black world champion. He only held the title for three months but he put down a marker for other black African fighters to follow. He retired in 1983 and fell on hard times having to sell off his boxing trophies. Whilst preparations were being made for Peter’s funeral his newly widowed wife Emma Gabaitsiwe Mathebula collapsed and died. A double tragedy. There are a couple of fights coming up for South African boxers. Kevin Lerena will defend his IBO cruiser title against Firat Arslan in Goppingen, Germany on 8 February. Lerena will be making the sixth defence of his title. Arslan, won the secondary WBA cruiser title back in November 2007 and if he is successful against Lerena then at 49 he must be one of the oldest guys to win a title. There is also talk of super middleweight Rowan Campbell fighting for the IBO title but not yet confirmed.
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By Eric Armit
The Past Week in Action 27 January 2020 Highlights: -Danny Garcia scores comfortable win over Ivan Redkach to preserve his WBO No 1 rating -Stephen Fulton gets wide unanimous decision over Arnold Khegai in WBO super bantam eliminator -Jarrett Hurd eases his way back into action with decision over Francisco Santana -Caleb Truax needs the help of two point deductions against David Kitooke to scrape by with a majority decision -Top German prospects Abass Baraou and Artem Harutyunyan score inside the distance wins on historic first joint promotion by Team Sauerland and reconstituted Universum - Montreal-based Kazak Batyrzhan Jukembayev and Russian Artur Ziyatdinov both score quick wins -Irish hope Jason Quigley continues to rebuild with a win 23 January Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Middle: Jason Quigley (18-1) W KO 3 Fernando Marin (16-5-3). Super Welter: Ferdinand Kerobyan (14-1) W KO 2 Azael Cosio (21-9-2,1ND).Heavy: Mihai Nistor (2-0) W KO 1 Jaime Solorio (12-4-2,1ND). 1 Quigley vs. Marin Quigley beats down a gutsy Marin over three rounds. Quigley went to work quickly in the opener connecting with a left hook and knocking Marin off balance with a right. He was driving Marin to the ropes and landing overhand rights and shook Marin a couple of times before the bell. Quigley adopted more of a counter-punchers role early in the second but then launched a ferocious attack drilling Marin with straight rights. He drove Marin along the ropes with Marin reeling and rocking and a stoppage looked possible but Marin took the punishment and was fighting back hard at the bell. Marin was walking forward in the third signalling for Quigley to stand and fight. Quigley clipped Marin with a left hook but Marin returned to the attack. As he came forward Quigley landed a straight right that landed on Marin’s right cheek and had Marin going backwards across the ring and down with the referee immediately seeing Marin was in some distress and stopping the fight. Another brick in the wall as Irish hope Quigley continues his rebuilding after a stoppage loss against Tureano Johnson in July. The former European Youth and Senior champion has fourteen inside the distance victories. Mexican Marin had started his career by going 13-0-3 but has fallen away badly with only three wins in his last eight fights. Kerobyan vs. Cosio Kerobyan blows away Panamanian veteran Cosio inside two rounds. A sharp looking Kerobyan put Cosio down twice in the first. Cosio was up quickly on both occasions with poor balance seemingly an element in the two knockdowns. In the second Cosio was under pressure but just could not keep his footing as his boots kept slipping on the canvas. He lunged forward and fell bringing Kerobyan down with him. Kerobyan was connecting with heavy rights but twice Cosio’s feet just slid out under him when Kerobyan was nowhere near him. Kerobyan then scored with a succession of punches that had Cosio trapped on the ropes. As Cosio slid down the ropes to the canvas the referee stopped the fight but he too slipped as he stepped in and bumped Kerobyan who also went over so that all three of them were on the canvas at the same time. The 22-year-old Armenian-born Kerobyan gets his ninth win by KO/TKO and his third quick win since losing a close decision to unbeaten Blair Cobbs in March. Kerobyan won US titles at Under-17 and Junior levels and competed at the US Olympic Trials for Rio. He is quick and punches hard so bears watching. Cosio, 38, was a useful fighter at one time but is 1-6 in his 7 most recent outings with 5 of his 6 losses by KO/TKO. Nistor vs. Solorio In a piece of absolute rubbish Nistor halts a pathetic Solorio in the opening round. Inside the first minute Romanian Nistor pushed Solorio back to the ropes and the Mexican went down from a left to the body. He was up at five and Nistor huffed and puffed trying to land more body punches and suffered the indignity of a nose bleed from a Solorio right. Late in the round an innocuous straight right to the head saw Solorio drop to his knees. The referee had counted to eight by which time Solorio’s second had climbed on the ring apron and the referee waived the fight off. The 29-year-old Nistor has won both of his fights by KO/TKO but against terrible opposition. He is saleable on the basis of a stoppage win over Anthony Joshua back in 2011. He also beat guys such as Tony Yoka and Filip Hrgovic but came up short in the big events. At 5’11” and 244 ¼ lbs (17 ½ stones/111kilos) He is more in the Andy Ruiz mould than the Joshua one. He was positively svelte by comparison with Solorio. He was 5’9” and 234 ¼ lbs, was having his first fight for nineteen months and was 51lbs heavier than in that last fight. He had even been as low as 152lbs early in his career 24 January Rosario, Argentina: Super Fly: Kevin Munoz (10-0) W PTS 12 Ramon Averanga (9-2). Light Heavy: Braian Suarez (11-0) W KO 3 Esteban Lopez (7-8-1). Munoz vs. Averanga Munoz wins the vacant South American title but in a flat performance. A heavy favourite Munoz just was not able to put his punches together even though dominating the action. He scored a knockdown in the third round with a left to the head but Averanga was able to survive. In the eighth Munoz was in some trouble. He was hurt by a left and as he ducked to avoid the following right his knee touched the canvas but the referee let the action continue with a shaky Munoz making it to the bell to end the round. Munoz won the rest of the way. Scores 118-108, 118-109, and 118-110 for Munoz. “The Diamond”, 21, is trained by former world champion Pablo Chacon. Bolivian Averanga suffers his second loss in a row. Suarez vs. Lopez Suarez gets another inside the distance victory. Fighting at heavyweight for the first time Suarez dug in some hurtful body shots in the first with Lopez dropping to one knee to survive. Suarez continued to pound Lopez in the second and then put Lopez down with a left to the body in the third with the towel then coming in from Lopez’s corner. The former top level amateur and WBS fighter jumped from light heavy to heavy for this one and gets his tenth win by KO/TKO. Lopez dips to 1-5-1 in his last seven contests. Pomezia, Italy: Cruiser: Francesco Versaci (21-3) W PTS 10 Francesco Cataldo (7-7).Versaci lifts the vacant Italian cruiser title at the second attempt with a unanimous decision in a close fight. Cataldo was able to get close and work well with hooks inside over the first three rounds with a static Versaci struggling to make space to use his longer reach. From the fourth Versaci became more mobile using good footwork to blunt Cataldo’s attacks and finding the range with his jab and rights. Versaci built a lead but after a close eighth Cataldo had a good ninth rocking Versaci with hard right hooks. Versaci took no risks after that and boxed with caution in the tenth. Scores 97-93, 97-94 and 96-95 for 34-year-old Versaci a former holder of the national light heavy title. He turned pro back in 2005 at the age of twenty at which time he was the Youngest professional boxer in Italy but was inactive in 2014 and 2015 and in 2017 and 2018. Cataldo, 38, lost in a shot at this title in 2017 and was 1-4 in his last 5 going into this one. Bangkok, Thailand: Super Bantam: Kongfah (31-1) W PTS 10 Edison Berwela (-44-8). Bantam: Petch Sor Chitpattana (54-1) W TKO 6 Hicham Boulahri (0-1). Super Fly: Yodmongkol (57-4) W PTS 6 Ali Mortazavi (0-2). Kongfah vs. Berwela Kongfah (Jakkrawut Majoogoen) outpoints Filipino travelling opponent Berwela. Scores 97-93 for Kongfah on all three cards. The 24-year-old Thai has won 17 in a row since being stopped in seven rounds by future champion Daigo Higa in 2015. Berwela is no 2-7 in his last nine fights but that includes contests in Japan, Thailand twice, Russia, Indonesia and Taipei. Sor Chitpattana vs. Boulahri Just some paid sparring for Sor Chitpattana (Tasana Salapat) as he stops a guy with no traceable record. Sor Chitpattana’s only loss was on points against Takuma Inoue for the interim WBC bantamweight title in December 2018. Yodmongkol vs. Mortazavi More paid sparring as former two-time WBA title challenger Yodmongkol decisions total novice Mortazavi. Yodmongkol has lost inside the distance in challenges against Juan Carlos Rivera for the secondary WBA title and to Artem Dalakian for the full title. Poor Iranian Mortazavi, 22, has gone the distance against two fighters with combined records of 126-9. Only in Thailand does this happen. 25 January Montreal, Canada: Super Light: Batyrzhan Jukembayev (18-0) W KO 2 Ricardo Lara (22-8). Light Heavy: Artur Ziyatdinov (12-0) W KO 5 Cesar Reynoso (16-14-4). Super Middle: Vince Thibault (10-0) W TKO 2 Genaro Ortiz (10-8-2). Middle: Mponda Kalunga (8-2) W PTS 8 Clovis Drolet (11-1). Jukembayev vs. Lara Jukembayev brutalises Lara in destructive second round win. A wicked straight left followed by some heavy right hooks to the body dropped Lara in the first and he spat out his mouthguard to get some additional recovery time. It was a futile gesture as Jukembayev pounded Lara to the floor twice in the second. The 28-year-old Kazak southpaw has fourteen inside the distance wins and decisioned former IBF champion Manuel Vazquez in September. He looked sharp and vicious in his work here and the plan is to take him across the border into the USA to heighten his profile. Lara had lost a close decision to Tony Luis in October but was brushed aside in this one. Ziyatdinov vs. Reynoso Russian Ziyatdinov chalks up another victory as he halts Reynoso in five rounds. Ziyatdinov dominated this one all the way scoring three knockdowns before ending the fight with a left uppercut in the fifth. The 23-year-old 6’2” tall fighter from the Crimea started out as a cruiserweight but has now moved down to light heavy and has only had to go the distance three times in his twelve wins. Argentinian Reynoso, a former victim of Callum Smith is now 0-3 in visits to Canada. Thibault vs. Ortiz Former Elite level amateur Thibault returns after injury with quick victory over Ortiz. Thibault floored Ortiz twice in the first with head punches and after another knockdown in the second the referee just waived the fight off. A back injury sidelined the Quebec southpaw who was moving up to eight rounds for the first time. Ortiz has won only two of his last twelve fights and had been beaten on first round stoppage in each of his last two visits to Canada. Kalunga vs. Drolin Toronto-based Kalunga springs a surprise with split decision over unbeaten former Canadian amateur champion Drolin. It was Drolin who took the lead early with some strong attacks. He was coming forward in the third when he walked onto a left hook that put him on the floor. Drolin climbed up quickly but after a signal from his corn dropped again. He recovered well but in the fourth was sent to the canvas by a counter left hook and had to crawl to the ropes to pull himself up. He beat the count and fought back hard but the four points lost in the knockdowns was too much for him to claw back. Scores 76-74 twice for Kalunga and 76-74 for Drolin but not sure how Drolin could get 76 points after suffering two clean knockdowns. Sixth win in a row for Kalunga. Drolet was Canadian amateur champion in 2014 and 205 and competed at the Pan American Games. He had strong backing so will be given plenty of chance to get his career back on track. Orleans, France: Middle: Rachid Achoul (15-0) W PTS 10 Michel Mothmora (31-29-2) W. Bantam: Loic Tajan (5-1) W TEC DEC 6 Anthony Chapat (5-3-1). Achoul vs. Mothmora Achoul outpoints champion Mothmora to win the national title. Achoul was taller with a longer reach and Mothmora never came to terms with that. The veteran is used to having edges in those departments but with Achoul the one enjoying those assets Mothmora just never really managed to get onto the fight. Achoul was on the front foot for all ten rounds. Mothmora used his experience to create some counters but was never able to get on the front foot and struggled all the way against a stronger opponent. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for Achoul. The 28-year –old winner was in his first ten round fight. He looked strong but a bit stilted in his style. Mothmora was disappointed as it took him seven tries before he finally won a French title and he lost has lost it in his first defence. At 39 he has not yet announced his retirement and says he will wait until June before deciding as that will mark his 40th birthday. Tajan vs. Chapat Southpaw Tajan wins the vacant French title with technical decision over Chapat in an entertaining scrap. Tajan went out in front early flooring Chapat with a body punch in the first. Chapat fought back strongly bombarding Tajan with punches in the third and Tajan was cut over the left eye in a clash of heads. The third fourth and fifth saw both have some success in a fierce battle and I felt Chapat had moved into the lead. The cut over Tajan’s eye was bleeding heavily in the sixth and Chapat worsened it with some straight rights until the referee stopped the fight and the doctor ruled the cut was too bad for Tajan to continue. Scores 58-52, 58-53 and 57-53 for Tajan. His only loss was in September when he challenged unbeaten Elie Koki for the national title and lost a close decision. Former French flyweight champion Chapat battled hard but has now lost in two shots at the title. Hamburg, Germany: Super Light: Artem Harutyunyan (9-0) W RTD 5 Miguel Antin (19-5). Super Welter: Abass Baraou (9-0) W RTD 5 Abraham Juarez (16-5). Light Heavy: James Kraft (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Nicolas Holcapfel (11-3). Heavy: Kem Ljungquist (10-0) W PTS 8 German Skobenko (5-5-2). Heavy: Mariano Strunz (14-15-1) W TKO 2 Jose Larduet (2-1). Harutyunyan vs. Antin On the first show co-promoted by Universum and Team Sauerland Olympic bronze medallist Harutyunyan dismantles Argentinian Antin. Harutyunyan was a few classes above Antin and was in full control from the first bell. He put Antin down in the third. Antin was already just looking to last the distance but as Harutyunyan came forward throwing punches Antin actually managed to drop before any of them landed. Harutyunyan continued to pound on Antin in the fourth and Antin declined to come out for the fifth. The Armenian-born Harutyunyan retains the IBO International title with win No 6 by KO/TKO but Antin was awful. With the help of some spectacularly judicious matching Antin was 17-0 at one time but is now 2-5 with three of those losses by KO/TKO. Baraou vs. Juarez Baraou has no trouble disposing of Juarez in four rounds. Baraou, one of the top prospects in German boxing was rocking Juarez with wicked combinations over the first three rounds. In the fourth Juarez took the fight to Baraou driving him to the ropes and firing some looping punches. That left him wide open and Baraou connected with a blazing left hook and straight right that had Juarez backing up on shaky legs. Baraou followed-up with more hooks as Juarez tumbled back to the floor. Juarez beat the count and made it to the bell but retired in his corner. The 25-year-old German of Togolese descent holds the WBC International title but that was not on the line here. He was one of Germany’s most successful amateur boxers winning gold at the European Championships and bronze at the World Championships. Additionally he was German champion in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and also won a gold medal in 2014. 2015 and 2016 at the prestigious Chemistry Cup Tournament. For the first time he was without his usual trainer, the almost legendary Ulli Wegner who is recovering from a broken neck bone. This is the third inside the distance loss for Juarez but they have all been against unbeaten European prospects. Kraft vs. Holcapfel Lanky “Baby Boy” Kraft eases to victory over late substitute Holcapfel. Kraft scored a knockdown in the fourth on his way to a unanimous points win. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-72 for Kraft. The 23-year-old 6’3” Kraft is of Kosovon descent with his real name being Musa Avdimetaj. He is being carefully matched but at 23 has plenty of time. Slovakian Holcapfel, 19, turned pro at 17 and has now lost three of his last four fights. He was given a 30 day suspension by the Swiss Commission that ended on the day of this fight. Ljungquist vs. Skobenko Danish heavyweight hope Ljungquist outpoints Ukrainian Skobenko but in a flat performance. The 6’6 ½” southpaw used his big edges in height and reach against the 6’0 ½” Skobenko and made a bright enough start. He never really kicked on from there with the fight being one-paced with few highlights. Skobenko never looked like turning the fight his way and Ljungquist never looked like winning inside the distance. Scores 80-72, 80-74 and 79-73 for Ljungquist. A former Danish amateur champion Ljungquist competed at the European championships where he decisioned Peter Kadiru but lost to Frazer Clarke. Four losses on the trot for Skobenko. Larduet vs. Strunz Huge disappointment for experienced Cuban Larduet. What should have been a comfortable win for Larduet ended in the second round with Larduet suffering a knee injury. He was unable to continue and Argentinian Strunz was crowned the winner. The 6’ 4 ½” 29-year-old Larduet only turned pro in September last year after winning a substantial number of gold medals in compiling a 118-39 record. No idea yet of the seriousness of the injury. Strunz was 1-6 going in so he gets a very unexpected victory. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Super Middle: Caleb Truax (31-4-2,1ND) W PTS 10 David Kitooke (16-5-1). Disappointing performance by former IBF champion Truax as he relies on two point deductions against Kitooke (Basajjamivule) to get the majority division. With less than five rounds of activity over the last seventeen months at least he got in some ring time. Truax actually started well scoring with some heavy rights and opening a bad cut over the right eye of the Ugandan in the third round. Kitooke was deducted a point in the fourth for as punch to the back of the head but came on strong over the middle rounds. Truax rallied in the seventh and eighth only for Kitooke to finish strongly and then lose another point in the tenth again for a punch to the back of the neck. Scores 97-91 and 95-93 for Truax and 94-94. The 36-year-old local was having his first fight since his contest with Peter Quillin in April last year. That lasted less than two rounds when Truax was cut in a head clash leading to a No Decision verdict. He is scheduled to fight Ghanaian Ernest Amuzu in Nashville on 15 February. Kenyan-based Kitooke was having his first fight since losing to Russian Ruslan Fayfer in June 2017 but showed no rust and his losses have all come against quality fighters. New York, NY, USA: Welter: Danny Garcia (36-2) W PTS 12 Ivan Redkach (23-5-1,1ND). Super bantam: Stephen Fulton (18-0) W PTS 12 Arnold Khegai (16-1-1).Super Welter: Jarrett Hurd (24-1) W PTS 10 Francisco Santana (25-8-1). Garcia vs. Redkach Garcia protects his WBO No 1 ranking with untesting victory over Redkach. Garcia just had too much of everything for Redkach and dominated the action in every round in a slow-paced fight without any real high points-apart from a biting incident. Redkach was taking the fight to Garcia in the early rounds which suited Garcia who was able to find the range with his jab and score well with body punches. Redkach kept pressing but as early as the fourth he was already showing some slowing from Garcia’s body punches. Garcia began to go on the front foot more over the fifth and six and rocked Redkach with an uppercut in the seventh. He looked close to forcing a stoppage as he bombarded Redkach with punches in the eighth with Redkach taking a bite out of Garcia in frustration but the referee missed the incident so no punishment for that sin. The doctor checked on Redkach before the start of the ninth and let him continue. In the ninth and tenth Garcia continued to get through with jabs and hooks to the body with very little coming back from Redkach. A step-up in output from Garcia might have had Redkach ready to go but that step-up did not come and Redkach actually held his own in the eleventh to take the round and he did enough against a slowing Garcia to make the last round close. Scores 117-111 twice and 118-110 for Garcia. Naturally Garcia is looking for a fight with either Manny Pacquiao for the WBA title or with IBF/WBC champion Errol Spencer but right now he is mandatory challenger to Terence Crawford. Ukrainian southpaw Redkach was coming off a sixth round kayo of Devon Alexander in June so the pendulum swings back to negative again for him. As for the biting I am not the kind to make silly jokes about hungry fighters or that Redkach would have fought tooth and nail if he had not been wearing gloves-oops I just did so, Fulton vs. Khegai Masterful performance from Fulton as gets wide decision over Khegai. Fulton was the first to settle into his stride as he slotted home jabs and worked well to the body with left hooks over the opening rounds but Khegai did enough to make both rounds close. Khegai was much more in the fight in the third and fourth as found the range with his jab. He earned a rebuke from the referee after slamming Fulton the floor with a wrestling hold late in the third but he clearly took the fourth with some good body punching that had Fulton backing up signalling for Khegai to do his best-never a good sign in a boxer. Fulton was in the driving seat over the middle rounds. He was outworking Khegai and was more accurate with his shots. Khegai had occasional success when he was able to back Fulton up but Fulton was winning the rounds. The fight was messy for a while with Khegai trying to hustle Fulton out of his control but he was warned for some questionable tactics as the fight slipped away from him. Fulton had swept rounds five to ten but Khegai rallied in the eleventh having Fulton backing up under some powerful hooking. Fulton boxed his way through the last finding plenty of openings as Khegai looked for a big punch to save the fight. Scores 117-112 twice and 116-112 for Fulton. The 25-year-old Philadelphian wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title. He was IBO champion but had to relinquish that title to get the WBO to approve this fight as an eliminator. Filipino Albert Pagara is No 1 so Fulton will probably have to wait until the second half of the year before he gets a title shot. Philadelphia-based Ukrainian Khegai, a former World and European champion at Muay Thai boxing, was No 2 with the WBO but has blown that now along with his high IBF ranking so he starts again Hurd vs. Santana With Santana’s poor recent record it was thought possible that Hurd might blow him away early but Hurd was more restrained than in the past and seemed to be intent on boxing his way to victory. He controlled the fight with his jab over the first two rounds with Santana having difficulty in adjusting to these unexpected tactics. Santana pushed hard over the third and fourth but just could get past the strong jabs of Hurd and was also having to take incoming hooks to the body. Briefly in the fifth Hurd upped his attacks standing and trading close with Santana and using his right more but then he went on the back foot again in the sixth and seventh. The fight was too one sided to be entertaining and there was some booing as the crowd was not getting the usual fireworks from Hurd. The situation was not helped by Hurd allowing his pace to drop in the eighth but he woke up again in the ninth connecting with some hard rights and he finished the fight strongly dropping Santana with a series of left hooks. Santana made it to his feet just as the bell went. Scores 99-90 twice and 97-92 for Hurd. The former IBF/WBA/IBO champion was having his first fight since being floored and outpointed when losing his title to Julian Williams in May. He has set a high standard of power and aggression and his more measured approach in this fight disappointed the fans and it remains to be seen whether this will be the Hurd we see in the future or he reverts to his more exciting but riskier style. Santana was 1-3 going into this one but had been matched tough and not active enough with just one fight in 2017, one in 2018 and his last against Abel Ramos in March 2019. Fight of the week (Significance): Danny Garcia’s win over Ivan Redkach keeps him in the lucrative welterweight title hunt Fight of the week (Entertainment): Nothing really stood out. Fighter of the week: Danny Garcia not at his best but found a way to win Punch of the week: Driven straight left from Batyrzhan Jukembayev that was the beginning of the end for Ricardo Lara. Honourable mention to the left from Abass Baraou that led to the Mexican’s downfall Upset of the week: Mponda Kalunga was just meant to be another step along the road for unbeaten Clovis Drolet but proved to be a disguised trip wire. Prospect watch: Twenty-three-year-old Russian light heavyweight Artur Ziyatdinov 12-0, 9 wins by KO/TKO is progressing well By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Zhilei Zhang (21-0): WBO #10 / IBF #14 The 2008 Olympic Silver medalist defended his WBO Oriental title against Andriy Rudenko (32-5) in Monaco. Cruiserweight: -Muhamad Farkhan (11-0): WBA #13 Malaysian knockout artist Muhamad Farkhan stopped Pascal Abel Ndomba (24-10), on December 29th, to capture the WBA & WBC Asia championships. Light Heavyweight: -Meng Fanlong (16-0): IBF #1 / WBC #15 Meng will challenge Artur Beterbiev (15-0) for the IBF title, on March 28th, in Canada. Welterweight: -Manny Pacquiao (62-7): WBA (Super) World champion Pacman’s looks to former World champions Danny Garcia (36-2) and Shawn Porter (30-3) as his potential opponents for 2020. Super Lightweight: -Apinun Khongsong (16-0): IBF #1 Apinun is set to clash with the IBF champion Josh Taylor (16-0) possibly in May. -Daud Yordan (40-4): WBO #11 The former world title contender earned his 28th KO victory last November, over Michael Mokoena (15-5), back in his home country of Indonesia. Yordan has resumed training while waiting for his next fight. Lightweight: -Xiangxiang Sun (16-0): IBF #13 Sun defended his IBF Asia title against Monico Laurente (30-17) last year. Super Featherweight: -Joe Noynay (18-2): WBO #4 Noynay earned the biggest win of his career last summer as he dominated 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist Satoshi Shimizu (8-1) to retain his WBO Asia Pacific crown. His defense over Kenichi Ogawa (24-1) ended in a technical draw. -Xiao Tao Su (11-1): WBO #14 The Chinese fighter dispatched Shota Yukawa (11-6) in one round to win the vacant WBO Oriental title. Featherweight: -Can Xu (18-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The Chinese star defended his belt in a one sided affair against Manny Robles III (18-1) on November 23rd. His next goal is to fight Josh Warrington (30-0). -Mark Magsayo (20-0): WBC #6 / WBA #11 / IBF #15 Magsayo beat the former 2 time World champion Panya Uthok (53-8) back in August. The unbeaten Filipino will now be training under legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach. Super Bantamweight: -Jeo Santisima (19-2): WBO #4 Santisima challenges Emanuel Navarrete (30-1) for the WBO World championship on February 22nd. -Albert Pagara (32-1): WBO #6 The former WBO & IBF Intercontinental champion made short work of Ratchanon Sawangsoda (12-4) last summer. -Mike Plania (23-1): IBF #13 Plania earned a unanimous decision over Giovanni Gutierrez (10-1), winning the IBF North American title in the process. -Thattana Luangphon (9-0): WBC #14 The undefeated Thai fighter had an impressive 2019, winning 6 fights as well as the WBC Asia championship. -Alie Laurel (17-4): WBO #14 Laurel defeated Ernesto Saulong (22-6) for the WBO Oriental title. -Jhunriel Ramonal (17-8): WBC #13 In a surprising turn of events, Ramonal knocked out Yusaku Kuga (19-4) on New Year’s Eve, becoming the new WBO Asia Pacific champion. -Marlon Tapales (33-3): IBF #5 Tapales lost to Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3), on December 7th, in an interim IBF title match. Bantamweight: -John Riel Casimero (29-4): WBO World champion Casimero dispatched Zolani Tete (28-4) within 3 rounds, becoming a 3 division World champion in the process. A unification fight with the WBA (Super) & IBF title holder Naoya Inoue (19-0) will take place on April 25th. -Nawaphon Kaikanha (48-1): WBC #2 Nawaphon has been undefeated in his last 12 bouts, including KO victories over former World champions Sonny Boy Jaro (45-15) as well as Amnat Ruenroeng (20-3). -Nonito Donaire (40-6): WBC #1 / WBO #4 The 4 division World champion will meet Nordine Oubaali (17-0) for the WBC title, probably before summer. -Tasana Salapat (54-1): WBC #8 / WBA #9 Salapat scored his 39th knockout a few weeks ago in Thailand. -Michael Dasmarinas (30-2): IBF #1 / WBO #7 / WBC #12 No word on what’s next for Dasmarinas, who has been the IBF mandatory challenger since March of last year. -Reymart Gaballo (23-0): WBA #4 / IBF #6 / WBO #15 The former interim WBA champion outclassed Chaiwat Buatkrathok (32-3) in his most recent fight. -Karoon Jarupianlerd (44-9): WBA #13 Karoon earned a unanimous decision over Renz Rosia (16-9) this past September. -Vincent Astrolabio (15-3): WBO #11 Astrolabio defended his WBO Oriental title against Wilbert Berondo (14-5). -Jun Zhao (13-2): WBA #14 After making short work of Jay Francis Buray (11-2) this January, Zhao put his WBA Asia title on the line once again on March 30th against Kai Chiba (12-1). Super Flyweight: -Jerwin Ancajas (32-1): IBF World champion Ancajas will mark his 9th title defense, against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez (21-1), in April. -Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-5): WBC #1 / WBO #7 The former 2 time WBC champion is expected to return in the ring soon. -Donnie Nietes (42-1): WBC #5 After missing 2019 due to a shoulder injury, the 4 division World champion is planning on making a comeback this year. -Sirichai Thaiyen (57-4): WBA #3 The former interim WBA titlist has been 7-0 since losing to Artem Dalakian. -Jade Bornea (15-0): IBF #6 / WBA #15 Bornea fought and beat fellow unbeaten prospect Ernesto Delgadillo (11-1) on January 30th and also captured the NABF title. -Froilan Saludar (31-3): WBO #9 Saludar defends his WBO Asia Pacific title, against Ryoji Fukunaga (11-4), on February 14th. -Komgrich Nantapech (27-5): IBF #13 The former world title challenger fought 2 back to back matches last year, stopping both of his opponents. - KJ Cataraja (11-0): WBO #12 Cataraja stopped Crison Omayao (24-22) a few months ago. -Sarawut Thawornkham (21-2): WBA #13 Thawornkham TKOed Samuel Tehuayo (21-46) winning the WBA Asia title as well. Flyweight: -Giemel Magramo (24-1): WBO #1 / IBF #3 / WBC #4 / WBA #5 Magramo and Angel Acosta (21-1) might be squaring off in the near future for the vacant WBO World title. -Jayson Mama (14-0): IBF #4 / WBO #8 The undefeated Filipino had an impressive 2019, with victories over Teeraphong Utaida (39-7) and former World champion Ekkawit Songnui (49-7). -Wenfeng Ge (12-1): WBO #7 Wenfeng earned the biggest victory of his career when he outboxed 2 division World champion Suriyan Satorn (60-8) to capture the WBO Global title. -Dave Apolinario (13-0): WBA #14 Apolinario added 4 more wins to his record in 2019. -Jayr Raquinel (12-1): WBC #12 / IBF #15 Raquinel returned after almost an entire year of inactivity this past summer, and stopped former world title challenger Takuya Kogawa (30-6) as well as Indonesian journeyman Jack Amisa (21-47) -Genisis Libranza (19-1): IBF #8 / WBC #15 Libranza has been 8-0 since losing to Moruti Mthalane. Light Flyweight: -Tibo Monabesa (20-1): WBC #7 / IBF #14 Monabesa wants a shot at the WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji (17-0). -Panya Pradabsri (30-1): WBO #3 / WBA #5 / WBC #14 Pradabsri knocked out former world title challenger Jerry Tomogdan (29-11) on December 20th in less than 2 minutes. -Andika Fredikson Ha'e (17-0): WBA #2 / WBO #9 “D’Golden Boy” defended his WBA Asia title against Richard Rosales (14-11). -Thanongsak Simsri (13-0): WBA #12 Undefeated Thai fighter Simsri won a very close decision over Christian Bacolod (12-1) in Japan. -Edward Heno (14-1): WBO #10 Heno unsuccessfully challenged the WBO World champion Elwin Soto (16-1). -Mark Vicelles (11-0): WBO #11 / WBC #15 Vicelles defeated Jesse Espinas (20-4) last summer. -Christian Araneta (17-1): IBF #9 Araneta lost an IBF eliminator to Daniel Valladares (22-1). -John Michael Zulueta (11-0): WBA #14 Zulueta captured the IBF Asia title last September. Strawweight: -Thammanoon Niyomtrong (20-0): WBA World champion The undefeated Thai champion has defended his belt 7 times. -Pedro Taduran (14-2): IBF World champion Taduran fought Daniel Valladares (22-1) to a technical draw. -Chayaphon Moonsri (54-0): WBC World champion Moonsri beat Simpiwe Konkco (19-6) back in October to mark his 12th successful defense. -Jing Xiang (17-4): WBO #1 / WBC #8 / WBA #11 Xiang won the WBO International title on his Strawweight debut. -Lito Dante (16-11): IBF #9 The OPBF champion will face Sulis Barrera (4-7) on February 8th and then has a date with former world title challenger Masataka Taniguchi (12-3) on March 17th. -Rene Mark Cuarto (18-2): IBF #4 / WBO #9 Cuarto defeated Jayson Francisco (5-2) 2 months ago. -Vic Saludar (20-4): WBO #2 / WBA #10 The former WBO World champion knocked out Mike Kinaadman (7-13) on December 21st. -Robert Paradero (18-0): WBO #3 / IBF #7 / WBA #15 Paradero hasn’t fought since April of 2019. -Melvin Jerusalem (15-2): WBC #1 / IBF #5 / WBO #6 Jerusalem defeated Reymark Taday (10-11) last summer. -Samuel Salva (18-1): IBF #8 Salva suffered an injury in his match with Pedro Taduran (14-2), costing him the opportunity to become the IBF champion. He bounced back with a win over Donny Mabao (23-43) on January 19th By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Heavyweight: -Alexander Povetkin (35-2): WBA #7 / WBC #9 / IBF #10 The former Olympic & World champion might be facing Dillian Whyte (27-1) on April 18th. -Evgeny Romanov (14-0): WBO #8 Romanov kept his undefeated record intact throughout 2019 and also became the inaugural WBO Global Heavyweight champion. -Sergey Kuzmin (15-1): WBA #12 Kuzmin’s fight with Zhang Zhilei (21-0) was cancelled due to the Russian suffering an injury during training. He will step into a US ring again later this month. (Date & opponent TBA) Cruiserweight: -Aleksei Egorov (10-0): WBA Gold champion Egorov bested Roman Golovashchenko (20-5) within 3 rounds to be declared the new WBA Gold champion. He defended his belt on December 7th against Serhiy Radchenko (7-5). Egorov now stands next in line for Arsen Goulamirian’s Super title. -Evgeny Tishchenko (6-0): WBO #7 / IBF #13 The 2016 Olympic champion won the vacant WBO Intercontinental title after knocking out Abraham Tabul (16-3) in the opening round and defended it against Issa Akberbayev (20-1). Tishchenko will put his belt on the line again on March 7th. (Opponent TBA) -Ruslan Fayfer (25-1): IBF #1 / WBC #5 / WBO #6 / WBA #11 Fayfer defeated Yury Kashinsky (18-1) to become the #1 contender for the IBF championship. He will now clash with former world title challenger Dmitry Kudryashov (24-3), on May 8th, in a WBC eliminator. -Aleksei Papin (11-1): WBC #9 The former kickboxing star & 2 time IBF International champion wants a revenge match with Ilunga Makabu (27-2). -Dmitry Kudryashov (24-3): WBC #11 / IBF #15 The former WBC Silver & WBA International champion won a controversial decision over Vaclav Pejsar (14-9) on December 21st. As mentioned above, he meets Ruslan Fayfer next in Russia. Light Heavyweight: -Artur Beterbiev (15-0): IBF & WBC World champion The unified WBC & IBF champion defends his belts against mandatory challenger Fanlong Meng (16-0), on March 28th, in Canada. It’s also worth mentioning that, according to a representative of the Russian Boxing federation, a major event will take place at the Gazprom Arena (67K capacity), this coming August, which will be headlined by Beterbiev. -Dmitry Bivol (17-0): WBA (Super) World champion Bivol’s 7th defense is rumored to be against either the undefeated former WBO Super Middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (40-0) or Badou Jack (22-3) in April. -Maksim Vlasov (45-3): WBO #3 / IBF #10 Vlasov defended his WBO Global title twice last year, over Isaac Chilemba (26-7) as well as Emmanuel Martey (15-1). It’s very likely that he and Umar Salamov square off for the vacant WBO World championship in the near future. -Igor Mikhalkin (23-2): WBC #8 / IBF #11 / WBO #14 / WBA #14 Mikhalkin will have the opportunity to become a 2 time European champion, when he meets Callum Johnson (18-1) in Manchester, for the vacant EBU title, on March 7th. -Umar Salamov (25-1): WBO #2 / IBF #4 / WBA #9 Salamov successfully retained the WBO International title for the 3rd time after knocking out Emmanuel Danso (31-5) in September. As aforementioned, a fight with Vlasov for the WBO World title could take place soon. -Sergey Kovalev (34-4): WBO #6 / WBC #6 The former WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF World champion aims to continue his career in 2020. Super Middleweight: -Fedor Chudinov (22-2): WBA Gold champion Fedor fought 4 times in 2019. He most recently bested Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (37-5) in Vladikavkaz, to capture the WBA Gold championship. Chudinov will return to the ring this coming March. -Aidos Yerbossynuly (13-0): WBA #2 / WBO #7 The unified WBA International, WBO Global & WBC Asia Continental champion defended his belts this past December, against Omar Garcia (15-3), whom he knocked out in the 8th round. According to his manager, Aidos has already started training for his next bout. The details will be revealed soon. -Azizbek Abdugofurov (13-0): WBC #2 Azizbek will put his WBC Silver title on the line against the WBO International champion Lerrone Richards (13-0) on April 18th. -Aslambek Idigov (17-0): WBO #6 The WBO & IBF European champion will face former MMA fighter Ryan Ford (17-5) on February 21st. -Bektemir Melikuziev (4-0): WBA #15 The 2016 Olympic Silver medalist made his pro debut in 2019, winning 4 fights in a row and also capturing the WBA Continental Americas title. His next opponent will be former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban (25-5). The match takes place next week. -Vladimir Shishkin (10-0): WBC #15 Shishkin remained undefeated on January 17th while also ruining Ulises Sierra’s (15-1) perfect record in the process. -Ali Akhmedov (16-0): WBC #14 Akhmedov defended his WBC International Silver title against Andrew Hernandez (20-8) 3 months ago. -Evgeny Shvedenko (13-0): IBF #9 Shvedenko earned 2 unanimous decision victories over Nadjib Mohammedi (42-8) and Nuhu Lawal (27-6) last year. Middleweight: -Gennady Golovkin (40-1): IBF World champion Triple G will mark his inaugural IBF title defense against the unbeaten Kamil Szeremeta (21-0) on March 28th. -Kanat Islam (27-0): WBO #4 The 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist made his triumphant return after a 2 year hiatus and demolished Julio De Jesus (27-2) in 14 seconds to become the new WBO International champion. He then defeated former world title challenger Walter Kautondokwa (18-2) last October. -Magomed Madiev (14-0): WBA #2 Madiev won a hard fought battle with Evgeny Terentiev (15-2) to defend his Eurasian title. -Janibek Alimkhanuly (8-0): WBO #5 / WBC #10 / IBF #12 The 2013 AIBA World champion knocked out Albert Onolunose (24-3) in November to successfully defend his WBO Global & WBC Continental Americas titles. His next fight will be this coming March. The exact date and opponent will be announced soon. -Meiirim Nursultanov (13-0): IBF #8 Nursultanov took a unanimous decision over Christian Olivas (18-6) to win the WBC US title this past November. Super Welterweight: -Bakhram Murtazaliev (17-0): IBF #1 / WBO #3 / WBC #11 Murtazaliev has scored victories over Elvin Ayala (29-13), Bruno Leonardo Romay (21-8) and Jorge Fortea (20-2) in 2019. -Israil Madrimov (4-0): WBA #3 The WBA Intercontinental champion will fight 15 year veteran Charlie Navarro (29-9) on February 29th. -Magomed Kurbanov (18-0): WBA #4 / WBO #7 / WBC #7 Kurbanov defeated former interim WBA World titlist Diego Gabriel Chaves (27-6) to become a 2 time WBO International champion. His first defense will be on March 7th. (Opponent TBA) -Artem Oganesyan (11-0): WBO #14 The Russian rising star will face Fouad El Massoudi (17-12) on February 21st. Welterweight: -Alexander Besputin (14-0): WBA (Regular) World champion Besputin tested positive for a banned substance and could be stripped of his title. -Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0): IBF #1 / WBC #5 / WBO #9 Kudratillo might face Lipinets for the interim IBF championship on February 22nd. -David Avanesyan (26-3): WBC #4 / IBF #6 / WBA #6 / WBO #10 Avanesyan will put his European title on the line, against the former WBA International champion Josh Kelly (10-0), on March 24th. -Sergey Lipinets (16-1): WBO #3 / IBF #3 / WBC #7 The former IBF Super Lightweight World champion could be locking horns with the undefeated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov really soon. -Nursultan Zhangabayev (8-0): WBA #7 / IBF #7 / WBO #15 Zhangabayev was supposed to defend his WBA Intercontinental title against Ernesto Espana (30-2) on December 21st but the match was cancelled due to injury. He will make his return next month. It’s not known yet if Espana will be his opponent. Super Lightweight: -Shakhram Giyasov (9-0): WBA #7 / IBF #15 The 2016 Olympic Silver medalist knocked out the former interim WBA World champion Darleys Perez (34-5), in less than a minute, to defend his WBA International title. -Shohjahon Ergashev (18-0): WBA #6 / IBF #6 / WBO #13 The undefeated Ergashev stopped Adrian Estrella (29-5) in the opening round of their contest, with a nasty body shot, a few weeks ago. -Zhankosh Turarov (24-0) WBO #9 Turarov made short work of Mauro Maximiliano Godoy (32-5) last summer, thus becoming the new WBO Intercontinental champion. -Eduard Troyanovsky (28-2): WBC #7 / IBF #13 The former IBF World champion defeated Josef Zahradnik (11-4) in his comeback match. -Batyrzhan Jukembayev (18-0): IBF #8 / WBC #12 / WBA #15 Jukembayev scored a major victory, this past September, defeating longtime World Lightweight title holder Miguel Vazquez (42-9) to become the WBA Continental & IBF Intercontinental champion. He then knocked out Ricardo Lara (22-8) on January 25th. -Batyr Akhmedov (7-1): WBA #5 Akhmedov and Mario Barrios (25-0) are very likely to meet again for the WBA (Regular) title in 2020. Lightweight: -Roman Andreev (23-0): WBO #3 / IBF #12 The former WBO European & Intercontinental champion has signed with Top Rank and will be making his US debut in the coming months. -Pavel Malikov (16-1): IBF #8 / WBO #14 Malikov earned a majority decision against former world title challenger Isa Chaniev (13-3). -Zapir Rasulov (34-1): WBA #15 The Russian knockout artist will face Augusto Pinilla (16-14) on April 21st. Viktor Kotochigov (11-0): WBC #13 Kotochigov defended his WBC International title against Javier Jose Clavero (27-6) this past December. -Zaur Abdullaev (11-1): WBC #6 Zaur suffered an injury during his interim WBC title fight with Devin Haney (24-0) and couldn’t capture the gold. Super Featherweight: -Shavkat Rakhimov (15-0): IBF #1 / WBC #4 Rakhimov knocked out Azinga Fuzile (14-1) to become the number 1 contender for the IBF World championship. -Akzhol Sulaimanbek Uulu (15-0): WBA #6 Sulaimanbek stopped both Pipat Chaiporn (47-13) and Milner Marcano (21-9) in 2019 to defend his WBA Asia title. He now challenges Mark Urvanov for the WBO International title, on March 7th. -Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (15-0): WBC #7 / WBO #8 / IBF #15 The undefeated WBC International champion marked his inaugural title defense against former interim WBA World titlist Emanuel Lopez (30-12) and his second one against Abraham Montoya (18-2). He will compete again on March 7th. (Opponent TBA) -Mark Urvanov (17-2): WBO #10 Urvanov earned the biggest win of his career last year, when he knocked out former world title challenger Evgeny Chuprakov (21-2) to capture the WBO International championship. As said above, he will mark his inaugural defense against Akzhol Sulaimanbek Uulu. Featherweight: -Tugstsogt Nyambayar (11-0): WBC #1 The 2012 Olympic Silver medalist will challenge Gary Russell Jr. (30-1) for the WBC World championship on February 8th. Super Bantamweight: -Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0): WBA & IBF World champion. The 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist edged Daniel Roman (27-3) to become a World champion at the age of 25. His next opponent could be the interim IBF title holder Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3). Bantamweight: -Nikolai Potapov (21-2): WBO #10 / IBF #10 Potapov got the DQ victory over Nasibu Ramadhani (29-15) in October. Super Flyweight: -Mikhail Aloyan (5-1): WBA Gold champion The 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist made a successful in ring comeback on December 10th, besting Ronal Batista (12-2) to capture the WBA Gold championship. Flyweight: -Olimjon Nazarov (21-5): WBO #9 Nazarov has been on an impressive 8 fight winning streak since 2018. His latest victory was over Chaiwat Buadkratok (32-3) in Vietnam. Nazarov will square off with Orlie Silvestre (15-5) on February 29th for the vacant WBO Oriental title. By - George Delis (@Delisketo) Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (16-2): WBA (Regular) World champion The Olympic champion knocked out Steven Butler (28-2) in his inaugural WBA title defence on New Year’s Eve. A match with Canelo could be realised in Fall. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (16-1): WBO #10 / IBF #14 / WBC #15 Inoue made short work of Thai veteran Komsan Polsan (39-12) to become the WBO Asia Pacific champion for the second time. He also dominated Chinese fighter Cheng Su (14-3) on January 18th. Welterweight: -Keita Obara (23-4): IBF #4 Obara successfully challenged Yuki Nagano (17-3) on February 1st, winning the Japanese strap once more, this time in a different weight class. -Yuki Beppu (21-1): WBO #14 In what was an absolute thriller, Yuki Beppu came back from 5 knockdowns and stopped Ryota Yada (19-6), capturing the WBO Asia Pacific title in the process. Super Lightweight: -Koki Inoue (15-0): WBO #15 The unified Japanese & WBO Asia Pacific champion will put his national title on the line, against Daishi Nagata (14-2) on March 16th. -Andy Hiraoka (15-0): IBF #14 / WBC #20 The Japanese youngster earned the biggest win of his career, this past summer, over former world title challenger Akihiro Kondo (32-9). He also made a successful US debut against Rogelio Casarez (13-9) on November 30th. Lightweight: -Shuichiro Yoshino (11-0): WBO #13 / WBC #15 Yoshino knocked out Harmonito Dela Torre (20-3) in just one round to unify the Japanese, OBPF & WBO Asia Pacific belts. He now meets Izuki Tomioka (7-2) on February 13th. Super Featherweight: -Masayuki Ito (26-2): WBO #5 / WBC #13 The former World titlist was supposed to be involved in a WBO final eliminator, on February 2nd, but due to an injury, he’s out of the match. -Kenichi Ogawa (24-1): IBF #3 / WBA #4 / WBO #7 / WBC #18 Ogawa’s fight with Joe Noynay (18-2), from this past December, ended with a technical draw. -Kazuhiro Nishitani (21-4): IBF #9 Nishitani beat Monico Laurente (30-16) 2 months ago. Featherweight: -Tomoki Kameda (36-3): WBA #4 / WBC #15 The former WBO Bantamweight & interim WBC Super Bantamweight champion is planning his Featherweight debut. -Musashi Mori (11-0): WBO #6 / WBC #22 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title twice in 2019, against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) as well as Takuya Mizuno (17-2). -Hiroshige Osawa (36-5): WBA #1 / IBF #10 / WBC #19 Osawa defeated Jason Butar Butar (32-27) back in October. -Ryo Sagawa (9-1): WBC #9 / IBF #14 / WBO #15 Sagawa earned a unanimous decision over Ryo Hino (13-2) to retain his Japanese title. Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3): interim IBF World champion Iwasa secured the interim IBF title, after stopping Marlon Tapales (33-3), this past December. He is expected to unify with the new WBA/IBF champion & Olympic Bronze medalist Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0) later this year. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (21-2): IBF #7 Teshigawara has defended his OPBF championship 3 times in 2019, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3), Shohei Kawashima (18-4) and former world title challenger Shohei Omori (21-3). All knockout victories. -Yukinori Oguni (21-2): WBA #4 The former IBF champion hasn’t competed since last May. Bantamweight -Naoya Inoue (19-0): WBA (Super) & IBF World champion The Monster will be involved in another unification match, on April 25th, this time with the WBO champion John Riel Casimero (29-4). -Daigo Higa (15-1): WBC #7 The former WBC Flyweight World champion will make his Bantamweight debut on February 13th against Jason Buenaobra (7-4). -Keita Kurihara (15-5): IBF #5 Kurihara scored 2 knockout victories in 2019 over former world title challenger Warlito Parrenas (26-10) and the IBF Pan Pacific champion Sukpraserd Ponpitak (24-11). -Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8): IBF #12 / WBO #14 / WBC #21 Kobayashi defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against Ki Chang Go (8-4) on December 22nd. -Takuma Inoue (13-1): WBC #6 The former interim WBC champion will resume his career in 2020. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (24-2): WBO World champion. Japan’s first ever 4 division World champion broke the undefeated streak of Jeyvier Cintron (11-1) to successfully retain his WBO crown on New Year’s Eve. Ioka hopes to face the WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada (40-3) next. Flyweight: -Kosei Tanaka (15-0): WBO World champion Tanaka obliterated Wulan Tuolehazi (13-4), on New Year’s Eve, in just a few rounds. The 3 division World champion has expressed his wish to move up to Super Flyweight and challenge Kazuto Ioka. -Junto Nakatani (20-0): WBA #1 / WBC #3 / WBO #3 / IBF #7 Nakatani scored the biggest win of his career last October, when he outclassed former IBF World champion Milan Melindo (37-5). -Ryota Yamauchi (5-1): WBA #3 Yamauchi beat the WBA Asia champion Alphoe Dagayloan (14-3) last year. He now takes on MJ Bo (8-3) on February 14th. -Akira Yaegashi (28-7): IBF #12 The former 3 division champion came up short in his quest to recapture the IBF title. Light Flyweight: -Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0): WBA (Super) World champion. Kyoguchi will return to action either in April or in May. -Kenshiro Teraji (17-0): WBC World champion. The unstoppable Kenshiro marked his 7th title defense, on December 23rd, over former interim WBA champion Randy Petalcorin (31-4). -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBO #7 / WBA #10 Former World champions collide on February 15th, as Sho Kimura squares off with Merlito Sabillo (27-7) in the Philippines. -Daiki Tomita (14-1): WBO #13 Tomita returned the WBO Asia Pacific title and will now be fighting Kenichi Horikawa (40-16) for the vacant OPBF championship, on March 1st. -Yuto Takahashi (11-4): IBF #6 The Japanese champion defends against Masamichi Yabuki (10-3) on March 15th. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 / WBC #16 Konishi failed to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2). -Masamichi Yabuki (10-3): WBC #12 Yabuki challenges Yuto Takahashi for the Japanese belt as aforementioned. -Tetsuya Hisada (34-10): WBC #3 / IBF #4 Hisada’s impressive 13 fight winning streak came to an end, when he challenged Hiroto Kyoguchi for the WBA (Super) title. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-16): WBC #5 / IBF #13 As mentioned above, Horikawa and Daiki Tomita will face each other for the OPBF strap. Strawweight: -Ginjiro Shigeoka (5-0): WBA #8 / WBO #14 / WBC #14 Shigeoka knocked out former world title challenger Rey Loreto (25-15) on December 31st to retain his WBO Asia Pacific championship. -Norihito Tanaka (19-7): WBC #3 / IBF #3 / WBO #5 / WBA #13 Tanaka vacated the Japanese title, as he aims at a world championship fight in 2020. -Masataka Taniguchi (12-3): WBO #4 / WBC #11 The former WBO Asia Pacific champion Taniguchi will clash with the OPBF champion Lito Dante (16-11) on March 17th, for both the OPBF & the vacant Japanese titles. -Takumi Sakae (22-3): WBO #11 / IBF #13 / WBC #40 Sakae fought thrice last year, knocking out all of his opponents. -Tsubasa Koura (14-1): WBC #9 / IBF #14 Koura is scheduled to return on February 27th, against Yujie Zeng (14-10). |
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