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Not every bout we cover on Closet Classics will be an historic bout of the highest significance, and we're sure our regular readers will be well aware of that by now, so with that in mind we want to share a relatively low key, but thoroughly action packed bout from 2008. A bout that was little more than an incredible shoot out, and had intense, but short lived, action, with both men trying to behead the other from the opening bell. This Closet Classic is boxing's equivalent of wanting to get, ahem, shit faced for the night and not caring too much about the consequences of the drinks you're throwing down your throat. The fight Akinori Watanabe (16-1, 15) Vs Tsuyoshi Kamiishi (8-6-3, 6) Coming in to the fight Akinori Watanabe was seen as a huge puncher on the Japanese scene. The 22 year old had only been beaten once, in a Japanese Welterweight title fight to Tadashi Yuba. He was looking to bounce back from that loss in a bout against Kamiishi, who looked like a limited opponent on paper and to score his 16th win. During his first 17 bouts he had already scored scored 15 straight knockouts, between going the distance for a win on his debut and the loss to Yuba, with 8 in the opening round. When he got in the ring we knew dynamite would be thrown. As for Kamiishi he was a limited fighter, but someone who rarely seemed to hear the bell. He had scored 6 KO's from his 8 wins, including 3 in the opening round, but also suffered 3 opening round losses himself from his 6 losses, 4 of which had been stoppages. He came for the knockouts, and win or lose he was always looking for a short night, making him a must watch fighter. Given the fact both men seemed to be offended by the bell, we knew we were in for something special here. From the opening seconds Kamiishi was on the front foot, pressing Watanabe who tried to dissuade his foe with power shots. Kamishii seemed hurt about 30 seconds in but never looked back and began to push his man once again, looking to get inside. When he did that all hell broke loose with Watanabe hurting hurting him, hunting him and then we got incredible fireworks with both being hurt. This was a 2 and a half minute shoot out, and for the modern age this is a bout worth every second.
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Fighters rarely provide thriller after thriller after thriller. Where they do they tend to lose, due to accumulation of damage from wars adding up. Thankfully though we have had fighters who seemed to realise that boxing was part of the entertainment game and realised they needed to do more than just win. They needed to put on a show. They needed to excite fans. They needed to capture the imagination of those watching. In recent years there has been one particular fighter from Hong Kong who did just that. In fact that he put Hong Kong boxing on the map, before deciding to chase an Olympic dream, fighting for his country, rather than fighting for a professional world title and personal glory. Of course that fighter was Rex Tso, and in we're being honest we could, and we will, go through a number of his great fights during this "Closet Classic" series, though today we start with one where he took on an unbeaten man, who attempted to win and put his name on the proverbial boxing map, giving us something amazing and giving his everything. The Fight Rex Tso (19-0, 12) vs Ryuto Maekawa (11-0-1, 7) By late 2016 Rex Tso had become the face of the Hong Kong boxing movement, he was a local star with the appeal, style and look to become much, much bigger than just the figure for Hong Kong. His all action fighting style meant he was potentially a figure head for Asian boxing in the coming years. He had marched up the world rankings on the back of 19 straight wins, picking up regional titles along the way and was looking like a world title fight was just around the corner. Like him or loathe him he was must watch TV, and DEF Promotions knew they had someone with star potential on their hands. The Wonder Kid was a made for TV fighter, and was a fighter who was attracting buzz from outside of just the boxing world. Even prior to this fight Tso had been in amazing battles with Mako Matsuyama, Ratchasak KKP, Michael Enriquez, and would later go on to have sensational bouts with Hirofumi Mukai and Kohei Kono. Whilst Rex Tso was already a star Ryuto Maekawa really wasn't. He was a relative unknown outside of the true hardcore fans of the Japanese scene, and even then he was hardly known by local fans. He had been on a few televised cards, though his most notable results were hardly footnotes on those cards, such as a draw with Cris Alfante and a blow out over Bimbo Nacionales. Despite being relatively unknown Maekawa was regarded as a hard hitting 20 year old prospect, who knew a win here of Tso would see his stock fly through the roof and leave him on the verge of a potential world title eliminator. All he had to do was get past Tso on October 8th 2016. The fight started with a bit of a feeling out round, albeit a busier and more active one than your typical opening round, it was as if they started in second gear, rather than the typical slow paced start we see with fighters easing themselves into the fight. From then on things got better and better, with the fighters upping their output round by round. By the time we got into round 6 and 7 the bout was becoming a fight, with Tso pressing and Maekawa responding with shots of his own between Tso's combinations. Both fighters were taking clean shots, both were letting punches go and both were willing to stand and trade at mid and close range. Amazingly things never really slowed down from there with both continuing to fire off combinations. Although one man was getting the better of it, round after round, the will of both was incredible and the action was fantastic. Even with swelling on his face and whilst in a huge hole Maekawa refused to just lose and gave all he had, right through to the final bell. This was great, and even though Maekawa had to spend time in hospital after the bout, the fight is something every fight fan should give a watch to, and don't worry we will have more Rex Tso fights featred in our Close Classic in the future, We don't see many unification bouts in boxing, sadly, though when we do they are always worth extra atrention as two world class fighters share the ring, each looking to prove they are the better man. Sometimes things don't really go as planned, and in 2013 we saw a unification go awry after one of the fighters missed weight for the bout. Technically it was still a unification bout, if the fighter who made weigh won, though due to a technicality with the IBF rules if their champion, who had made weight, lost they would remain the champion. That would later become a huge issue for all involved, and sadly left a nasty taste in the mouth following what was an incredible bout, a bout that is still over shadowed by boxing politics. The Fight Daiki Kameda (29-3, 18) Vs Liborio Solis (15-3-1, 7) It was December 2013 and Daiki Kameda, the middle child of the Kameda boxing family, was the IBF Super Flyweight champion. In the opposite corner was WBA former champion Liborio Solis who had been stripped on the scales the previous day for coming in at 117.5lbs for the bout. The IBF rules dictated that win or lose Kameda would remain the champion, rules that weren't well explained to the fans or TBS, the broadcaster. Despite Solis being stripped of his title the WBA belt was still up for grabs for Kameda, who could become a double champion. Up to this point Kameda had been a hugely controversial figure in Japanese boxing, with his 2007 performance against Daisuke Naito still leaving a bitter taste in the memory of fans. That bout, for those unaware, saw Kameda repeatedly foul Naito, throw him around and state he would commit harakiri if he lost, despite the loss Kameda, thankfully, didn't go through with the suicide. He would have a 12 month ban for that performance, though on to rebuild his name. Kameda would become a world champion in 2010 and 2-weight in 2013, thanks to a fantastic win over Rodrigue Guerrero. Solis had long been a criminally under-rated Venezuelan warrior. He had suffered 3 losses in his first 13 bouts but had rebuilt well with 6 straight wins including notable wins against Rafael Concepcion, Jose Salgado and Kohei Kono, with the win over Kono coming in a thriller in Tokyo where both men were dropped. It was that win over Kono that saw Solis become the WBA champion, and saw him being welcomed back to Japan for the Kameda fight. On paper Solis had the chance to have a decent fan support against the decisive Kameda, had he made weight. By failing to make weight however he had turned those who had wanted to see him win against him, enhancing the pro-Kameda fan base. Despite the fans being well against him Solis didn't let that affect him, and instead he took a composed mentality into the ring, launching attacks with hooks and big right hands as Kameda tried to apply pressure. Kameda managed to back up Solis, but in the early going Solis ate up the pressure and tagged Kameda with hard counter shots. By the mid way point the style of the fight had changed slightly, with Solis pressing forward more, trying to back Kameda off with his power shots and volume. It seemed as if Kameda's resilience was wearing down as we got through the middle section of the fight, with round 8 being a particularly tough one for the Japanese fight, who was dragged into a toe-to-toe war in the round of the fight. To his credit Kameda gritted out a few hard rounds and tried to turn it all around late on. He knew he had to do something big in the final rounds and he failed, losing in an entertaining bout, but not one that was never in contention as a FOTY contender. It was just a solid, hard hitting and pulsating contest. Sadly for Kameda the IBF's decision not to strip him later lead to the JBC stripping the Kameda gym of their licenses and incensed Japanese fans who felt they had been lied to. This essentially ended the Kameda family as a major force in Japanese boxing, and it took years before any of the clan would fight in Japan. It would also be close to 2 years until Daiki fought again, retiring after an upset loss in his return to Victor Ruiz in 2015. By Eric Armit
Highlights -Mairis Breidis gets controversial stoppage victory over Krzys Glowacki to win the vacant WBO cruiser title and advances to the finals of the WBSS -Yuniel Dorticos knocks out Andrew Tabiti in ten round for the vacant IBF cruiser title and will meet Breidis in the WBSS final -Josh Warrington takes split decision over Kid Galahad in IBF feather title defence -Tyson Fury halts Tom Schwarz in two rounds -Artem Dalakian retains the WBA flyweight title with stoppage of Thai Sarawut -Jesses Hart moves up to light heavyweight and outpoints Sullivan Barrera -Ilunga Makabu stops Dmitry Kudryashov in clash of big punchers -Tyrone Zeuge, Jack Culcay and Juergen Brahmer win in Schwerin -The Moloney twins Andrew and Jason get quick wins -McWilliams Arroyo overcomes two knockdowns to decision Carlos Buitrago in a clash of top class flyweights -In a collision between Canadian heavyweights Simon Kean stops Dillon Carman in a revenge win WORLD TITLE SHOWS/ MAJOR SHOWS June 15 Riga, Latvia: Cruiser: Mairis Breidis (26-1) W TKO 3 Krzys Glowacki (31-2). Cruiser: Yuniel Dorticos (24-1) W KO 10 Andrew Tabiti (17-0).Cruiser: Noel Gevor (23-2) W Iossa Mondo (7-19). Breidis vs. Glowacki Breidis wins the WBO and title and moves to the final of the WBSS Tournament with very controversial stoppage of WBO champion Glowacki. Round 1 Glowacki was coming forward probing with his right jab and trying some long lefts. Breidis was on the back foot just staying out of range. Glowacki continued to try to land his left but Breidis was quicker and although neither fighter landed anything of consequence Breidis just did enough to take the round Score: 10-9 Breidis Round 2 Glowacki continued to advance behind his jab throwing long lefts but was coming up short. Breidis was quicker and more accurate with a couple of counters. As they tangled late in the round Glowacki landed a punch to the back of Breidis’s head and Breidis responded by banging Glowacki on the side of his jaw with an elbow. Glowacki went face down on the canvas rubbing at his left eye. Glowacki got up and the referee deducted a point from Breidis for the elbow infringement. There were only 35 seconds left when the action resumed and Breidis landed two rights to the head that sent Glowacki down on his hands and knees. Glowacki made it to his feet but was unsteady and backed to a corner. The referee gave Glowacki an eight count and when he signalled for them to box on there were just five seconds remaining in the round. The bell went with the referee starting to move forward to split them as Briedis landed a right uppercut and a left to the head that sent Glowacki down heavily at what was effectively five seconds over the tree minutes. Glowacki climbed unsteadily to his feet and walked to his own corner with the referee giving him a standing count with Glowacki’s seconds on the ring apron protesting the round had finished before the knockdown. The referee completed the count and signalled for the action to continue with ringside officials waiving frantically to tell the referee the round was finished. Glowacki’s team complained to the referee that the round had gone over time but the referee pushed their complaints aside. Score: 10-7 Breidis 20-16 Round 3 Glowacki landed a good left but then lurched off balance. Breidis followed him and connected with two right uppercuts that had Glowacki reeling and then a right to the head that saw Glowacki plunge face first down to the canvas. He staggered to his feet then stumbled back to the ropes and the referee waived the fight over. Glowacki’s team immediately stated they would make an official protests and they certainly have grounds. The vicious elbow from Breidis was a blatant foul and some of the heavy punches at the end of the second round came after the bell. The referee claimed he did not hear the bell but he was already moving forward and was too far from the fighters and too slow to get between them. The Latvian showed he had the power and was the quicker man but this was a tainted win. Glowacki had had the WBO title bestowed upon him only a few days before the fight so his reign has been a very short one. Dorticos vs. Tabiti Dorticos wins the vacant IBF title and moves on to face Mairis Breidis in the WBSS final with crushing kayo of Tabiti. Round 1 Very cagey opening from Tabiti. He was constantly moving and stabbing out with his jab. He connected a few times whereas Dorticos was stalking Tabiti but only threw one right and missed with that. Score: 10-9 Tabiti Round 2 Dorticos came out with purpose with this one. He was letting his punches go closing down Tabiti’s space and Tabiti slipped to the floor trying to avoid the bombs from Dorticos who landed enough to take the round. Score: 10-9 Dorticos Tied 19-19 Round 3 Tabiti boxed his way to the points in this one. His quick movement was frustrating the attempts by Dorticos to land any of his heavy swings. Tabiti was stopping his movement then darting in and landing three or four punches, including a hard right to the jaw, and getting away before Dorticos could react. The referee brought them together and warned them both to be careful with their heads. Score: 10-9 Tabiti Tabiti 29-28 Round 4 Another round for Tabiti but this was closer. Once again Tabiti was circling the ring with the menacing Dorticos trying to line Tabiti up for powerful rights. Tabiti was quicker with his punches diving inside, landing and getting out or tying up Dorticos. Dorticos was dangerous but not on target. Score: 10-9 Tabiti Tabiti 39-37 Official Scores: Judge Benny Decroos 39-37 Tabiti, Judge Joerg Milke 39-37 Tabiti, Judge Jesus Garcia 38-38 Round 5 A better round for Dorticos. He was throwing stiff jabs and left hooks to the body. He was also wise to Tabiti’s tactics of diving inside and was using his jab to stop Tabiti coming forward or covering up and countering Tabiti. He was loading up on his punches including the jabs with all of them qualifying as a power punch. Score: 10-9 Dorticos Tabiti 48-47 Round 6 Dorticos was hunting again in this one. A clash of heads saw Dorticos suffer a serious cut on his right eyelid. The referee stopped the action so the doctor could examine the cut. The blood was trickling into the right eye of Dorticos making him blink. There was a long discussion between the referee, the doctor and Dorticos and the action restarted. Dorticos was landing long jabs and lefts and doing a better job of cutting off the ring with Tabiti spending time trapped on the ropes. He was holding trying to smother the attacks from Dorticos and was deducted a point*. Score: 10-8* Dorticos Dorticos 57-56 Round 7 Tabiti made this closer by throwing more punches early in the round. A low left hook from Dorticos led to a long recovery period for Tabiti but from there it was Dorticos doing the scoring with thumping body punches. Score: 10-9 Dorticos Dorticos 67-65 Round 8 Tabiti flared briefly into life at the start of this round but then Dorticos took control again. He was the one landing jabs and they were heavy. He was pinning Tabiti to the ropes and landing hooks to the body. Tabiti was holding again and lucky not to get a warning. Tabiti’s punch output had dropped as he was now more interested in not getting nailed with a big right than scoring himself. Score: 10-9 Dorticos Dorticos 77-74 Official scores without the deduction: Decroos 77-76 Dorticos, Milke 77-75 Dorticos, Garcia 77-75 Dorticos Round 9 Dorticos again was jabbing strongly and forcing Tabiti to the ropes and landing heavily to the body. Tabiti was throwing very few punches and when he did land he lacked the power to stop Dorticos marching forward behind his jab to again work the body. Score 10-9 Dorticos Dorticos 87-83 Round 10 Tabiti decided to try to stand and exchange with Dorticos and was throwing a lot more punches. The big punches were still coming from Dorticos and suddenly he threw a booming right cross to the head that dropped Tabiti on his back. There was no way he was getting up from that thunderbolt and the referee did not even bother to count. The 33-year-old Cuban is a fearsome puncher and now has 22 wins by KO/TKO. The former holder of the secondary WBA title only scooted past Mateusz Masternak in the quarter-final on a very close decision and although Breidis is more skilful Dorticos is a danger to any cruiserweight so Breidis vs. Dorticos should make a great final. Tabiti just did not have the power to compete against the Cuban. He had scored wins over Steve Cunningham, Lateef Kayode and Ruslan Fayfer but from the fifth round in this one just could not cope with the power of Dorticos. Gevor vs. Mondo Gevor keeps his name in the frame with a win. He floored and outpointed the elderly Mondo winning every round. Scores 80-71 from the three judges. Armenian-born Gevor’s losses have been against Krzys Wlodarczyk and Mairis Breidis in the WBSS quarter-final. I assume he is keeping busy as a stand-by in case one of the WBSS contests has to drop out. Poor Mondo has lost his last eleven fights, all on points. Leeds, England: Feather: Josh Warrington (29-0) W PTS 12 Kid Galahad (26-1). Super Welter: James Metcalf (20-0) W TKO 8 Jason Welborn (24-8). Super Feather: Zelfa Barrett (22-1) W PTS 12 Leon Woodstock (12-2). Warrington vs. Galahad Warrington holds on to his IBF title with split decision over Galahad. Either fighter could have had his hand held up here but a strong finish won the fight for Warrington. Round 1 It was fast fist vs. fast reflexes here as both fighters were quick on their feet and firing flashing jabs and hooks. Galahad was constantly switching guards . Inside the first minute Galahad was warned to watch his head work but he was just a bit more accurate and took a close round. Score: 10-9 Galahad Round 2 Warrington was throwing more punches in the second but also missing a lot due to clever defensive work from Galahad. The challenger was warned for holding but was quicker with his jabs and more accurate and took the round. Score: 10-9 Galahad Galahad 20-18 Round 3 A better round for Warrington. He was letting Galahad come to him then ducking past Galahad’s lead and scoring inside. His jab was working better and after drawing the lead he drove forward landing three straight punches to the head. Score: 10-9 Warrington Galahad 29-28 Round 4 Galahad was boxing on the outside in this. He was sliding home quick jabs from both hands and connecting with straight rights. Warrington was trying to get inside but Galahad was holding and smothering his work. Score: 10-9 Galahad Galahad 39-37 Official Scores: Judge Michael Alexander 39-37 Warrington, Judge Howard John Foster 38-38 tied, Judge Steve Gray 38-38 tied Round 5 All of the rounds had been close and this one continued that sequence. After a cautious start Warring launched a quick attack and landed a series of punches. Galahad was throwing one punch at a time and was not as accurate. Score: 10-9 Warrington Galahad 48-47 Round 6 After a quiet start to the round Warrington started to find gaps for his jab and rights. He continued to force the fight. Galahad was not interested in fighting inside and was holding and was given another warning Warrington continued to be the one landing punches. Score: 10-9 Warrington TIED 57-57 Round 7 A low scoring round. Galahad was sliding right jabs through Warrington’s defence and also getting home with some straight lefts. Warring was tracking Galahad but just not finding the target. Score: 10-9 Galahad Galahad 67-66 Round 8 Galahad boxed cleverly over the early part of the round but again there were too many clinches for the fight to be entertaining. Warrington came on strongly with hooks over the last minute and took the round. Score: 10-9 Warrington TIED 76-76 Official Scores: Alexander 77-75 Warrington, Judge Foster 76-76 tied, Judge Gray 76-76 tied Round 9 Warrington forced for the whole three minutes in this round. Galahad was blocking or dodging many of the punches but enough were landing for it to be Warrington’s round and Galahad received his third warning for holding. Score: 10-9 Warrington Warrington 86-85 Round 10 Warrington took the action to Galahad in this one but Galahad was catching him with quick hooks as he moved in. Warrington connected with a right uppercut one of his best punches so far. Warrington was waiting too long to let his punches go and Galahad was snapping home a jab and then tying Warrington up inside. Score: 10-9 Galahad TIED 95-95 Round 11 Warrington put everything into this round. He was coming forward pumping punches and staying on top of Galahad. The challenger landed some counters but Warrington was stronger and was getting through with hooks as Galahad seemed to fade just before the bell. Score: 10-9 Warrington Warrington 105-104 Round 12 Warrington put in a storming last round hunting Galahad down and never giving him any space. A lot of Warrington’s punches were going astray but Galahad looked too tired to throw any and Warrington took the round. Score: 10-9 Warrington Warrington 115-113 Official Scores: Alexander 116-113 Warrington, Foster 115-113 Galahad, Gray 116-112 Warrington Warrington retains the IBF title on a split decision. The rounds were so close this one could easily have gone to Galahad or ended as a draw. It was not a great or an entertaining fight but it was an important one and the victory over his mandatory challenger now leaves Warrington free to seek a big unification fight in the USA. And he can go in confidence with wins over Carl Frampton and Galahad behind him. Fights with Leo Santa Cruz or Oscar Valdez would be career defining opportunities for Warrington. Galahad came so close here and would deserve a return but that is unlikely so he will have to find another route to a title fight. Metcalf vs. Welborn Important win for Metcalf as he stops former world title challenger Welborn to win the vacant Commonwealth title..This was an entertaining and very tactical fight but with plenty of action. Welborn forced the fight early behind a strong jab forcing Metcalf onto the back foot. Metcalf was boxing cleverly slotting home jabs, changing angles and scoring with hooks. Welborn launched a furious attack in the second looking to overwhelm Metcalf but seemed to have been momentarily shaken by a counter. Over the next three rounds the pattern remained the same with Welborn marching forward behind a high guard and raking Metcalf with lefts and rights in close. Metcalf was moving well spearing the oncoming Welborn with jabs and hooks to the body. Welborn hurt Metcalf with a left to the body in the sixth and Metcalf was having trouble keeping Welborn out. Metcalf had strayed low with a couple of punches and then a low one from Welborn saw the referee give Welborn a warning and Metcalf some recovery time. In the same round it was Welborn given a recovery break and Metcalf a warning with the referee giving them both a lecture at the bell. Metcalf looked to be taking control in the seventh but Welborn fired back at the end of the round. The fight had changed. Now it was Metcalf on the front foot controlling the action with his jab. Metcalf once again went low with full power right and again Welborn needed time to recover and the referee rightly took a point from Metcalf. When the action resumed they just stood and exchanged wild punches until a left hook to the body sent Welborn down on one knee. He ejected his mouthguard and got up at nine but shook his head and the referee stopped the fight . The 30-year-old “Kid Shamrock” gets his sixth inside the distance win on the bounce. First fight for Welborn since his defeat by Jarrett Hurd for the IBF and WBA title in December Barrett vs. Woodstock The superior skills of Barrett were just too much for a determined Woodstock and the “Brown Flash” from Manchester finished a winner by a clear margin on all three cards. Barnett was much quicker with his jab and his footwork and when he went onto the attack he was getting past Woodstock’s defence and connecting with hooks to the body with Woodstock too slow to counter. Barrett was comfortable on both the back foot and the front foot and showed smart upper body movement. Woodstock had a good jab of his own but did his best work when he could cut off the ring and work to the body but Barrett was a clever and quick opponent. If there was any danger to Barnett it was in overconfidence as he often dropped his hands leaving himself open to counters. It was a fast-paced and entertaining fight as Woodstock kept rolling forward hoping to exert enough pressure for Barrett to tire but the pace did not slow and although Woodstock put in a big effort in the twelfth Barrett was still moving slickly and punching quickly to the final bell. Scores 117-111 twice and 118-110 for Barrett. A useful victory as Barrett climbs back after a shock loss to Ronnie Clark in February last year. Woodstock, a former WBO European champion, is 25 and will quick bounce back from this loss. Las Vegas, NV, USA: Heavy: Tyson Fury (28-0-1) W TKO 2 Tom Schwarz (24-1). Light Heavy: Jesse Hart (25-2) W PTS 10 Sullivan Barrera (22-3). Feather: Isaac Lowe (18-0-3) W PTS 10 Duran Vue (14-2-2). Super Feather: Albert Bell (15-0) W PTS 10 Andy Vences (22-1-1) W. Super Middle: Cem Kilic (13-0) W Martez McGregor (8-1). Heavy: Guido Vianello (4-0) W TKO 2 Keenan Hickmon (6-4-1). Heavy: Peter Kadiru (4-0) W PTS 4 Juan Torres (3-2-1). Fury vs. Schwarz A gift for Fury as he predictably dismantles a too slow too inexperienced and badly overmatched Schwarz Round 1 As usual Fury was circling the perimeter of the ring constantly moving and threading jabs through Schwarz’s guard. Schwarz using a typically German high guard but it was not leak-proof and Tyson was also landing some bruising rights. Schwarz was not cutting off Tyson’s routes and was too slow to get close although he did land one good jab late in the round. Fury chose to start the second round boxing southpaw . Schwarz tried to step up the pressure but Fury was dodging his attacks and feeding him jabs and hard lefts. Fury was enjoying himself dropping both hands, changing guards threading home punches. Fury stood against the ropes and let Schwarz throw punches with Fury bobbing and weaving and every punch missed. Fury then walked Schwarz back across the ring to the ropes and pierced Schwarz’s guard with three straight punches which did not look too hard but Schwarz dropped to his knees. He was up quickly backed himself into a corner and just covered up as Fury threw punches with Schwarz showing no attempt or intention of fighting back and the referee stopped the fight. Once again Fury showcased his eccentric but outstanding talent. He was able to play with Schwarz and end the fight whenever he chose. He put on a show for his new American fans but with no American fighter in the ring and a easily identifiable mismatch it did not draw as well as expected. Fury aims to have another fight and then go after Wilder and with Fury you can see that happening as he has already shown it is a fight he could win. At 25 time is on Schwarz’s side but careful management will get him so far and it will take some very hard work to build him again as a fighter capable of competing at world level. Hart vs. Barrera Hart moves up to light heavy and immediately announces his arrival with an important and impressive win over world rated Barrera. After an unpromising start when Hart was warned for holding less then two minutes in to the fight things improved greatly from there. Barrera was on the floor in the second but that was a slip with Hart nevertheless using that as an impetus to give Barrera a torrid time for the rest of the round. Hart had the better of the exchanges in the third and shook Barrera with a right early in the fourth, Barrera regrouped and scored with some hard punches of his own later in the round. Barrera had a good fifth but was rocked time and again by rights from Hart in the sixth and Hart also did enough to take the seventh. Hart was in front at this point and widened the points gap by scoring a questionable knockdown in the eighth. Hart later revealed he had injured his right hand in the seventh and over the ninth and tenth he really was just looking to protect his lead which he did successfully. Scores 99-90, 97-92 and 96-93. After two losses to Gilbert Ramirez in WBO super middle title fights it makes sense for the 6’3” Hart to try his luck at light heavy where Ramirez is now campaigning. There might yet be a third world title fight between these two but at light heavy. Cuban Barrera was No 2 with the WBA. He lost on a twelfth round stoppage against Dmitry Bivol for the secondary WBA title in March last year but will now drop down the ratings and at 37 he may have lost his chance for another title shot. Lowe vs. Vue Lancashire’s Lowe, a former undefeated Commonwealth champion, makes a winning start in the USA with a clear unanimous decision over Vue. The fighter from Wisconsin made Lowe work hard for his win but it was a fine first showing as Lowe fought from the fourth round with an injured right hand. At just 5’3” Vue was always going to struggle against the 5’7” Lowe who retained the WBC International title for the first time and the scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Lowe show his dominance. Vue was a viable test having outpointed the former holder of the secondary WBA super bantam title Nehomar Cermeno over twelve rounds last year. Bell vs. Vences We are into serious upset territory here as unbeaten but unsung Bell gets a well deserved unanimous verdict over world rated Vences. The fight was close early with both Bell and Vences connecting with thumping punches. Bell had Vences hurt with a couple of rights in the third but then went down after a clash of heads and was given some recuperation time. From the fourth Bell was the one landing the cleaner and more impressive punches. Vences kept banging back but Bell’s right hands were landing regularly. They both had good spells in the fifth and sixth but Bell rocked Vences badly with a right in the seventh and landed the better shots in the eighth. The fight was beyond him by then but Vences sent Bell’s mouthguard flying in the ninth and they fought hard throughout the tenth. Scores 97-93 for Bell from all of the judges. The 26-year-old from Toledo has crept in under the radar despite winning gold medals at the National Police Athletic League and National Golden Gloves tournaments. This was his first ten round fight and Vences was a class or two above his previous opposition. Bell also collects the WBC Continental Americas title his first as a pro. I guess “The Shark” met his Roy Scheider in Bell. Vences had drawn with Erick De Leon and beaten Casey Ramos and Frank Alba. He was No 11 with the WBO and No 12 with the WBC but only turned 28 last month so has time to rebound. Kilic vs. McGregor Kilic halts McGregor in the last round of their fight. The young German of Turkish antecedents records his ninth win by KO/TKO. Now based in California Kilic won amateur titles in both Turkish and German national tournaments McGregor had won his last five fights. Vianello vs. Hickmon Vianello bombs out Hickmon in two rounds. Vianello almost ended it in the first with the bell coming just in time for Hickmon. Vianello jumped on Hickmon in the second and sent the Baton Rouge fighter down three times to force the stoppage. The 25-year-old 6’6” “Gladiator” has four wins by KO/TKO. No glory here as Hickmon was having only his second fight in two years. Kadiru vs. Torres It could be that the occasion got to young German Kadiru as he was a clear winner here but really did not shine against very mediocre opposition. Scores 40-36 from the three judges for 21-year-old Kadiru. In the amateurs he scored wins over now unbeaten pros Darmani Rock and Daniel Dubois so may just need time to settle. Two points losses in a row for Texan Torres. Kiev, Ukraine: Fly: Artem Dalakian (19-0) W KO 10 Sarawut (20-2). Dalakian outclasses Thai challenger Sarawut to retain the WBA title. Round 1 Dalakian was much too slick for Sarawut. He was darting in landing with lefts and rights to the body and then bobbing and weaving under the Thai’s punches and landing more hooks. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Round 2 Already Dalakian was hardly bothering to lift his gloves above waist height. He was holding his left at thigh level and shooting jabs from there and then connecting with straight rights. Sarawut pressed harder but he was short with his southpaw jab and leaning forward with his lefts leaving himself open to Dalakian’s counters. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 20-18 Round 3 Dalakian was scoring regularly with lead rights. On a couple of occasions he suddenly launched a furious attack. The first after sending Sarawut back with a left hook and the second after a full-blooded uppercut had Sarawut hurt. On both occasions Dalakian was scoring with lefts and rights and then just backed off. Sarawut was too slow and methodical to get anywhere near the speedy Dalakian. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 30-27 Round 4 Sarawut chased in vain in this one. He kept plodding forward but was bemused by the speed and tricky footwork of Dalakian. The champion hardly ever uses his arms to block punches relying of fast foot work and tricky upper body movement leaving his hands free and he caught Sarawut constantly with rights. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 40-36 Official Scores: Judge David Singh 40-36 Dalakian, Judge Stefano Carroza 40-36 Dalakian, Judge Andriy Balyasaov 40-36 Dalakian Round 5 Dalakian was fired-up at the start of this one driving Sarawut to the ropes and firing hooks and uppercuts from both hands before backing off again. Sarawut kept walking forward onto counters and lacked the footwork or hand speed to catch Dalakian who was content to land one punch then dance away and then repeat the exercise. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 50-45 Round 6 Sarawut came out with fresh resolve here. He managed to catch Dalakian on the ropes a couple of times and land lefts. He was almost running after Dalakian at times but he was able to get closer and land more than he had in any other round. He almost took this one but Dalakian connected with five consecutive straight rights before the bell. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 60-54 Round 7 It looked as though Dalakian was trying to end this one in the seventh. From the bell he was driving Sarawut back. He wobbled Sarawut with a straight right and then connected with heavy rights and lefts and Sarawut was badly shaken but Dalakian then dropped down a gear. He went on to the back foot hitting the advancing Thai with almost every punch he threw but not pressing his attack. Score:10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 70-63 Round 8 It was business as usual in the eighth with Dalakian just too quick and too mobile and Sarawut walking onto punches, Late in the round Sarawut walked onto three consecutive rights but after each he went forward again. Dalakian then landed a fierce right uppercut that wobbled Sarawut badly. He staggered back with Dalakian after him landing more rights but Sarawut made it to the bell. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 80-72. Round 9 Dalakian took Sarawut to the ropes and pounded him again at the start of the ninth before reverting to exhibition mode and spent the rest of the round on the back foot bobbing, ducking and weaving and raking the advancing Sarawut with lefts and rights. Score: 10-9 Dalakian Dalakian 90-81 Round 10 It seemed as though Dalakian was just content to box his way through this one until a right to the temple sent Sarawut staggering back, Dalakian drove Sarawut along the ropes connecting with punches to the head. Sarawut was trying to duck out of the punches but was being caught with rights and the referee stepped in a halted the fight. The 31-year-old Azeri-born Ukrainian Dalakian gets his fourteenth inside the distance win in his third title defence. With his foot and hand speed and eccentric style he will be very difficult to beat but in the frustrating way that he rarely sustains his attacks he is almost as frustrating to watch. Sarawut’s record is padded with very low quality opposition-8 of his opponents had never previously had a fight and 5 had never won a fight- and he was way out of his depth here. June 14 Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Zac Dunn (29-1) W TKO 8 Rafael Sosa Pintos (58-15). Dunn continues his campaign to climb the ratings with stoppage of experienced Uruguayan Pintos. Dunn had Pintos down in the first but Pintos survived until the eighth. Dunn retains the WBA Oceania title with his sixth win in a row by KO/TKO. He is rated No 7(6) by the WBO and No 11 with the WBA but will climb higher. Pinto, 38, has seven losses by KO/TKO. San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile: Super Middle: Julio Alamos (12-0) W TKO 2 Juan Rizo Patron (8-2). Alamos returns from a period of activity forced by an injury to his right arm. Argentinian Rizo had some success at the start of the opening round but with the injury to his right Alamos had been forced to work hard on strengthening his left and he used that hand to put Rizo down late in the first. He ended it early in the second with another left that put Rizo down and out. Sixth win by KO/TKO for Alamos and successful first defence of the WBA Fedelatin title. For winning that minor title Alamos was gifted a No 14 rating by the WBA. Second loss in a row for Rizo. Chareville-Mezieres, France: Super Feather: Sofiane Takoucht (35-3-1) W PTS 8 Yesner Talavera (15-7-1,1ND). Fighting in his home town former European champion Takoucht extends his run of wins to eight with unanimous verdict over Nicaraguan Talavera. The 33-year-old southpaw’s campaign has been low key so he has not managed to work his way into the EBU ratings and needs to face better opposition. Talavera, yet another member of the Nicaraguan losers for hire club in Spain. Servian, France: Super Light: Bastien Ballesta (19-0-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Houchang Habib (9-5-1).Young southpaw hope Ballesta is now unbeaten in 21 fights. He retained the national title for the first time with a unanimous decision over Habib. Scores 98-90 twice and 98-91. The 24-year-old seems to lack the power to progress far in a tough division. Habib had found some form and was 7-2-1 in his last 10 fights. Cherbourg, France: Welter: Yannick Dehez (20-1-1) W PTS 8 Bibi Ondoua (15-11-1).Just some paid sparring for former French champion Dehez. He was content to dance around the ring slotting home jabs and quick rights but not really putting any power into his punches with Ondoua just following Dehez around the ring but rarely getting close enough to do any damages. A loss against unfancied Yahya Tlaouziti cost him his French title and ended his unbeaten run at 18 and this is his third win as he rebuilds. Fourth loss in a row for Ondoua. Grumello, Italy: Light: Domenico Valentino (8-0) W PTS 10 Ciprian Albert (7-6). Valentino has no trouble defending his national title against a willing but limited Albert. Valentino’s slick skills, speed and accuracy had him in the driving seat but Albert piled forward throwing hooks and had enough success to pick up a round here and there. Luckily for Albert Valentino is not a power puncher but he is an excellent craftsman. Albert kept pressing and had a good ninth but Valentino, 35, was in control again in the last. Scores 97-93 for Valentino from all three judges. Valentino achieved great things as an amateur but did not turn pro until he was 33 which is far too late. Italian-based Romanian Albert had won his last two fights. Worcester, MA, USA: Middle: Jose Antonio Rivera (43-6-1) W PTS 8 Travis Scott 19-6). Rivera signs off with a win but has to settle for a split verdict. Rivera seemed to have built a good lead with his higher work rate but that was jeopardised by a knockdown scored by Scott in the fifth. Rivers did not seem badly shaken and he was able to see out the round and hold on to his lead on two cards to take the decision. Scores 77-74 and 76-75 for Rivera and 76-75 for Scott. Now 46 the former WBA welter and super welter champion was inactive for seven years before returning with a win in August last year and he has now said this is his last fight. Scott, 38, from Baton Rouge suffers his fifth loss in a row, four of them to unbeaten fighters. June 15 Schwerin, Germany: Super Middle: Tyrone Zeuge (24-1-1) W TKO 10 Adan Silvera (11-2). Super Welter: Jack Culcay (26-4) W PTS 8 Stefano Castellucci (32-9). Light Heavy: Juergen Brahmer (51-3) W KO 2 Erdogan Kadrija (11-2). Zeuge vs. Silvera Zeuge given a tougher fight than expected by Spanish champion Silvera. Initially it looked like an early night for Zeuge as floored Silvera late in the opening round. Silvera has a strange style where his left hand is usually hanging out there almost inviting a right cross and Zeuge connected with two, one of which landed on the back of Silvera’s head and put Silvera down. He beat the count and the bell went before Zeuge could follow up on his success. Silvera tightened his guard but was on the floor again in the second when they both shaped to throw left hooks but Zeuge was quickest and sent Silvera down on his rump. Silvera did not look badly shaken and he scored with some good rights of his own before the bell. Zeuge dominated the third but then seemed to go off the boil. He had gone down a gear and was standing and trading instead of working his openings and slowly Silvera got a foothold in the fight getting in close and firing bunches of hooks. From the seventh Zeuge went back to using his superior skills but again did not seem to be operating at full throttle. He was winning the rounds and scoring with some good body punches but lost a point in the ninth. When Silvera ducked trying to avoid a punch Zeuge landed a shot to the back of the Spaniard’s head. The referee gave Silver plenty of recovery time but Silvera was a very tired fighter and was being battered with hooks to the head. The referee had Silvera examined by the doctor before the start of the tenth and he was cleared to continue. Zeuge took his time in the tenth tracking Silvera for the first minute of the round. He landed a couple of hooks to the head and then a left to the body. The body punch had Silver backing off and he then went down on one knee. He was up five but the referee stopped the fight. The former holder of the secondary WBA belt Zeuge wins the vacant European Union title. Second win for Zeuge since suffering the upset stoppage loss to Rocky Fielding in July last year. In the crazy world of the WBA even though Zeuge won a fight in September he went from world champion in July to out of the top 15 altogether by January! He is not currently rated by any of the four organisations but will be back and will probably fight for a world title again. Silvera had knocked out former EU champion Mariano Hilario in October but other than that his credentials were meagre but he showed a rugged strength after such a poor start and made Zeuge fight hard. Culcay vs. Castellucci Culcay stays sharp with eight rounds of work against Italian oldie Castellucci. Culcay was scoring easily from the outset varying his attacks and accurate with his punches. He rocked Castellucci with a left hook in the first and a counter right in both the second and the third. . Castellucci stuck to his task. He has a good chin and came through some more punishment in the fifth and sixth and was still there at the final bell with Culcay the winner on a unanimous decision at 80-72 from the three judges. Culcay gave Sergiy Derevyanchenko a good fight in April and although "Golden Jack” has slipped down the ratings a title shot for the former European and interim WBA champion is not impossible. Castellucci, 37, is still a rough if limited opponent. Braehmer vs. Kadrija Kosovon Kadrija was way out of his depth here. Braehmer connected with some sharp punches in the first with Kadrija willing to stand and exchanged punches but Braehmer took the round. The veteran former champion went to work in earnest in the second. He had Kadrija reeling with a right to the head and then a left hook to the body sent Kadrija to the boards and he was unable to beat the count. The 40-year-old former holder of the WBO and secondary WBA light heavy titles scored a wide unanimous decision over Rob Brant in a quarter final of the WBSS super middle Tournament in October 2017 but then had to withdraw with injury and was inactive until returning with a modest victory in December last year. He is still rated super middle by the IBF, WBC and WBO but also has a stable of boxers he is training so not sure where his ambitions lie. Kadrija had won his last six fights against very modest opponents. Caguas, Puerto Rico: Fly: McWilliams Arroyo (19-4) W PTS 10 Carlos Buitrago (31-5-1). Arroyo overcomes a near disaster in the fifth round to win unanimous verdict over Buitrago in a quality fight. Both of these fighters are good boxers with solid technique so apart from the fifth round it was an interesting, intelligent contest with not much difference between them in, size, style or work rate. Over the early rounds Arroyo was taking the fight to Buitrago and was connecting with straight rights to the head. Buitrago was quick with his jab and left hooks to the body and there were some fiery exchanges. It looked as though Arroyo took three of the first four rounds and he launched a strong attack at the start of the fifth. He was coming forward when a right from Buitrago sent him tumbling into the ropes and he needed to put his glove on the canvas to avoid going down. The referee gave him an eight count. Arroyo looked to have recovered but another right to the head rattled him. Arroyo was jabbing and throwing straight rights but Buitrago shook him a couple more times with rights. Just before the bell Arroyo decided to stand and trade punches and a beauty of a left hook knocked him back. His legs shook and he again touched the canvas to avoid going down and was given another eight count and the bell went when the count was completed. Any lead Arroyo had built was gone. Arroyo boxed well in the sixth and Buitrago was more aggressive and more successful in the seventh. Arroyo edged back into the lead with some strong jabbing and strong rights in the eighth and ninth and that jab plus some flashing combinations in the tenth saw him a clear winner. Scores 96-92 twice and 95-93 all for Arroyo. The 33-year-old Puerto Rican wins the vacant WBO Latino title but that is small comfort compared to losses in world title fights to Amnat Ruenroeng, Roman Gonzalez and Kazuto Ioka. In the amateurs he was the star boxer in the family but it is brother McJoe who has won a world title. From the time he was fourteen Nicaraguans were confident Buitrago would win a world title. He turned pro at 16 and went 27-0 at the start of his career, but drew with Merlito Sabillo, and lost twice to CP Freshmart and also lost against Hiroto Kyoguchi and Angel Acosta in title fights. He is just 27 so could yet fulfil that destiny all of Nicaragua including Alexis Arguello saw for him. Sydney, Australia: Super Middle: Mose Auimatagi Jr (13-1-2) W TKO 6 Kerry Foley (19-5-1). Light Heavy: Reagan Dessaix (17-2) W TKO 7 Mitchell Whitelaw (5-2-1). Super Fly: Andrew Moloney (20-0) W TKO 3Selemani Bangaiza (15-6). Bantam: Jason Moloney (19-1) W TKO 2 Goodluck Mrema (23-5). Auimatagi vs. Foley New Zealander Auimatagi wins the vacant OPBF with brutal beat-down of experienced Foley. Although taller and with a longer reach Auimatagi fought out of a crouch and was looking to fight inside. He scored with plenty of meaty body punches in the first with Foley countering well and willing to stand and trade. Auimatagi’s footwork is almost non-existent but he is tremendously strong and in the second despite Foley firing back when he could a series of clubbing punches to the head had Foley badly shaken and his right glove touched the canvas and the referee gave him a standing count. Auimatagi handed out more punishment but Foley fired back with a hard right to the head that momentarily halted Auimatagi in his tracks. Auimatagi was walking through some good punches from Foley over the next three rounds and scoring with punishing hooks and straight rights and stringing together some hurtful combinations. In the sixth Auimatagi landed a right hook to the body and two lefts to the head and Foley dropped forward to the floor. The referee started to count but saw Foley was not going to get up and waived to end the fight. Fourth inside the distance victory in a row for the 24-year-old from New Zealand and his twelfth win on the bounce. He is tremendously strong, loads up on all of his punches and seems to have a great chin but is a bit slow-footed. Third loss by KO/TKO for former Australian light heavy champion Foley. Dessaix vs. Whitelaw Dessaix wins the vacant Australian title with stoppage of inexperienced but combative Whitelaw. Dessaix has a busy style with lots of jerky movement. He was quicker and more accurate with his jab and although Whitelaw was competitive the tighter defence and the jabs of Dessaix gave him the edge. Whitelaw was leaving too many gaps when he came forward and Dessaix was making him pay with strong counters. Dessaix upped the pace and the pressure and by the end of the fifth Whitelaw was bleeding from the mouth and had a bump over his left eye. Dessaix piled on the punches in the sixth and although Whitelaw fought hard in the seventh a series of rights to the head forced him to go down on one knee. The referee had seen enough a stopped the fight. The 22-year-old 6’3” from Brisbane has twelve wins by KO/TKO and will be looking to revenge a controversial loss to Blake Caparello in February. State champion Whitelaw will improve with experience. Moloney vs. Bangaiza Moloney blows away fragile Tanzanian inside two rounds. Bangaiza looked confident at the start of the first stabbing out jabs and trying some rights. Moloney switched guards a couple of time and out of the southpaw stance was connecting with lefts to the body. Bangaiza stood and traded hooks with Moloney in the second until a left to the body had him backing off. He then raised his right arm and walked away from the action. The referee seemed to ask him if he wanted to continue and Bangaiza nodded. Bangaiza tried to punch with Moloney but was forced to the ropes and went down. The referee ruled it a slip but when Moloney again began landing punches Bangaiza dropped his hands and spit out his mouthguard and quit. “The Monster “gets win No 13 by KO/TKO. He won a WBA eliminator in March and will move into the No 1 spot with the WBA after Khalid Yafai defends against No 1 Norberto Jimenez on 29 June. Since that is a mandatory defence Moloney will have to wait a while for his title shot. Bangaiza lacked the power to pose any problems for Moloney. Moloney vs. Mrema Moloney too strong for Mrema who is counted out in the third round. In the opening round Mrema was moving and jabbing and occasionally coming forward with hooks. Moloney was tracking the retreating Mrema around the ring but only really let fly with some punches just before the end of the first round. Mrema was jabbing and moving again in the second but Moloney started finding a home for his left hooks to the body. Mrema was still going back and countering but he lacked the power to keep Moloney out and was under pressure at the bell. It was the same pattern in the third until Mrema threw a weak right and Moloney cracked him with a left hook to the head. Mrema took a step back, turned away and dropped to his hands and knees and was counted out. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for Moloney and his second victory since losing a split decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez for the IBF title in a WBSS quarter-final in October. He is No 3 with both the WBC and WBA. Mrema showed some good skills but the body punches slowed him and the knockout punch was a beauty. Villa Canas, Argentina: Super Light: Jorge Barrios (52-4-1) W PTS 10 Esteban Stodulski (8-11-3) Barrios gets a win but makes it harder for himself that it needed to be. The former WBO super feather champion buzzed Stodulski in the first with a left hook that sent Stodulski into the ropes but Barrera failed to press his advantage and Stodulski survived. He had another chance in the third when he put Stodulski down with a straight left but it was more a case of Stodulski running onto the punch and being unbalanced. After Stodulski beat the count Barrera just could not find a punch to get the early win. He paid for that as Stodulski got into the fight and a clash of heads in the sixth opened a cut on Barrera’s eyebrow and in the eighth a punch worsened the injury. Barrera’s corner controlled the injury and Barrera took the ninth and tenth rounds. Scores 100-91 ½, 100-92 ½ and 99 ½ -93 ½. Second win for the 42-year-old Barrera since returning from an eight year sentence for killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in a hit-and-run incident. Stodulski, a former South American title challenger, gets his second loss in a row, Shawinigan, Canada: Heavy: Simon Kean (17-1) W TKO 3 Dillon Carman (14-5). Feather: Andranik Grigoryan (10-0) W KO 2 Jorge Garcia (14-3-1). Heavy: Adam Braidwood (14-2) W TKO 2 Andrew Satterfield (5-3). Super Middle: Lennox Mathieu (4-0) W KO 2 Fernando Galvan (4-4) Kean vs. Carman Sweet revenge for Kean as he stops Carman in three rounds. When they met in October Carman snapped Kean’s unbeaten record with a third round KO but this time the outcome was reversed. In the first round Carman pressed hard but Kean kept him out with some good jabbing and it looked like this one could go either way. In the second Carman landed a heavy right that staggered Kean but Kean recovered and had Carman under pressure at the bell. In the third a punch opened a cut over Carman’s right eye and as they both shaped to throw a left hook Kean got his off first and Carman went down heavily. He was up but shaky and Kean forced him to the ropes and kept throwing punches until the referee threw his arms around a floundering Carman and stopped the fight. The fifteenth win by KO/TKO for the 30-year-old “Grizzly” Kean and probably his most satisfying but he is still a vulnerable boxer. To put this into context Carman, 33, was coming off a 113 second stoppage loss against Russian Evgeny Romanov in February. Grigoryan vs. Garcia Armenian-born Grigoryan gets a rare inside the distance win as he puts Mexican Garcia down and out with a right late in the second round. The 5’4” Grigoryan wins the vacant NABA title with only his second win by KO/TKO. Grigoryan boxed for the Russian Boxing Team in the World Series of Boxing. First inside the distance loss for Garcia who was 8-0-1 in his last 9 fights. Braidwood vs. Satterfield In another heavyweight fight Braidwood gets back into the ranks of winners with a second round stoppage of Satterfield. Braidwood was more restrained than usual working well with his jab before flooring Satterfield with a couple of strong punches late in the first. He went back to work early in the second and had Satterfield in trouble until the referee stopped the action. First fight for the 6’4” from British Colombia since suffering a third round stoppage defeat at the hands of Simon Kean in June last year. Third early loss for Satterfield Mathieu vs. Galvan For the first time Canadian prospect Mathieu has to go more than three minutes for a win as he halts Galvan in the second. Mathieu had Galvan down twice in the first round and put him down and out with a head punch in the second. The 20-year-old from Quebec is too good for this level of opposition but there is no need to rush him. Mexican Galvan is 1-3 in 4 fights in Canada all against unbeaten opponents. Randers, Denmark: Super Light: Enock Poulsen (11-0) W PTS 12 Michal Syrowatka (20-3). Light Heavy: Jeppe Morell (10-2) W PTS 10 Dayron Lester (11-3). Cruiser: Ditlev Rossing (12-0) W TKO 8 Demetrius Banks (10-8-1,1ND). Poulsen vs. Syrowatka This looked a risky outing for Mogens Palle’s prospect but he sailed through it. The young Zambian-born hope outboxed the aggressive Syrowatka to win the vacant European Union title. He was too slick for the forward marching Pole. He kept finding gaps for his jab and swift counters and dazzled Syrowatka with his constant lateral shifts. His pressure earned Syrowatka a couple of rounds but he lacked the speed to cut off the ring and never really posed a serious threat to Poulsen. Scores 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 all for the 26-year-old Poulsen. With Syrowatka being 1-1 in two fights with the current European champion Robbie Davies it was an impressive performance from Poulsen and Davies is definitely the target. Davies defends the European title against Sandor Martin at the end of July and there are a batch of potential domestic opponents lining up for shots at Davies so no certainty Palle will get his way. Syrowatka’s losses have been to fellow-Pole Rafal Jackiewicz and Davies. Morell vs. Lester Danish southpaw Morell comes through his biggest test to date but only by a split decision with the fight close enough to have gone to either fighter. Morell found it hard to land much over the early rounds with Lester showing plenty of skill and finding a home for some excellent rights. Morell got into the fight in the fourth. A clash of heads seemed to momentarily throw Lester off and he was floored later in the round. He was able to claw that back by putting Morell down with a right in the sixth and although Morell made it to his feet he was lucky the punch did not land earlier in the round and he was able to hold out to the bell. The rounds continued to be close with Morello the busier and Lester the more accurate with Morell just having a very slight edge. Scores 97-92 and 95-94 for Morell and 96-92 for Lester. Morell wins the vacant IBF Baltic title at the second attempt. He faced Sven Fornling for this title in January last year losing on a third round retirement. He is 3-2 in his last 5 fights. Finnish-based Cuban Lester was coming off a good performance where he lost a split decision to world rated cruiser Noel Gevor. Rossing vs. Banks A win for Rossing but not a very satisfactory night. Banks used all his well honed survival instincts in this one. He settled behind a deep defence which Rossing found difficult to penetrate. Banks was not looking to win by fighting but tried very hard by complaining. Rossing found enough gaps to be winning the fight but his frustration led to him going low trying to bring the American’s defence down and that cost him a point in the fifth. Banks continued to complain about low punches. An additional irritation to Rossing was a cut over his left eye. In the eighth Banks went down from what he claimed was a punch to the back of the head but he was rightly ignored and the fight was stopped. Another inside the distance win, his fourth in a row, for the 24-year-old Dane who retains the WBC Youth title. Banks, 38, is now 1-8-1 in his last 10 fights. Amiens, France: Cruiser: Herve Lofidi (12-3) W PTS 12 Taylor Mabika (19-4-1). Lofidi wins the WBC Francophone title with split verdict over champion Mabika. The champion used some excellent work inside to nullify the huge edges in height and reach of Lofidi and was in front on the cards at the end of the fourth round. Lofidi decided he was not going to win this by boxing on the outside so began to stand and trade more. He gradually cut into Mabika’s lead and it was very close after eight. From there both fighters had good spells and the result was in doubt to the final bell. Lofidi just scraped home on scores of 115-113 twice for him with one judge seeing Mabika the winner 116-112. The 6’5” local boxer has hit a spell of good form with 7 wins in his last 8 fight and his fourth win this year. He will be hoping to land another shot at the national title. Gabonese Mabika is now 40 but he had put together a run of 10-0-1 before losing to Ilunga Makabu in August last year. He was making the first defence of the WBC title and with the scores so close deserves a return. Hamburg, Germany: Super Middle: Toni Kraft (16-0-1) W PTS 10 Sasha Yengoyan (44-7-1). Light Heavy: James Kraft (16-0-1) W PTS 10 Prince Oko Nartey (6-1). Super light: Artem Harutyunyan (7-0) W PTS 10 Hugo Santillan (19-6-1). Super Welter: Antonio Hoffmann (22-1) W TKO 3 Sebastian Deda (11-1). Kraft vs. Yengoyan Kraft wins the vacant IBO Continental title with unanimous points verdict over Armenian-born Yengoyan. Although the 34-year-old Yengoyan is not the force he was he had won his last three fights and was the nearest thing so far to a test for the 26-year-old Kraft. It proved no real test as Kraft walked away with a wide unanimous decision . Scores 99-91 twice and 99-90 for the 26-year-old Kraft. Kraft vs. Nartey James Kraft keeps in step with older brother Toni as he also wins a vacant IBO Continental title with a unanimous decision. One big difference is that James ended up in hospital being treated for a broken right hand. Scores 97-91, 97-92 and 96-92 for Kraft. First fight outside of Ghana for southpaw Nartey. Harutyunyan vs. Santillan Olympian Harutyunyan also gets his hands on an IBO Continental title as he breaks Santillan’s nose on the way to a unanimous decision. This is the first pro title for Harutyunyan a bronze medallist in both Rio and at the European Championships. The 25-year-old Armenian-born German is expected to be a high achiever as a pro. Santillan, 23, is a former South American super feather champion and came in on the back of four wins in his last five fights. Hoffmann vs. Deda A sickening body punch from Hoffmann was enough to finish this one in the third. The 25-year-old Angolan-born Hoffmann had built his record against strictly third tier opposition. When he did step up he lost a wide points decision against Steven Butler in Canada in 2016. He is 9-0 since then with 7 wins by KO/TKO. German Deda found this too big a test and gets his second defeat by KO/TKO. This was the first show by the new Universum. Seven years after the original Universum went bankrupt the Hamburg-based Ismail Özen-Otto, son-in-law of the mail-order billionaire Michael Otto has acquired the name and the brand and "re-launched” Universum. Wlad and Vitali Klitschko were stars of the old Universum. Bedford, Canada: Light: Tyson Cave (34-3) W TKO 11 Kyle McNeil (10-4). Cave finally wins a world title. In a battle of local fighters Cave halted McNeil in the eleventh round to collect the vacant International Boxing Union title. Cave had too much experience and too eccentric a\ style for McNeill to be able to seriously threaten Cave. In the eleventh McNeill was floundering under Cave’s punches when McNeill’s corner threw in the towel. Cave realised the towel had come but McNeill had not so when Cave stepped back end jogged of to do a victory lap McNeill was chasing after him until he saw the towel and he raged at his corner over the surrender. The closest the 37-year-old local has been to a recognised title was a split decision loss against Oscar Escandon for the interim WBA super bantam title in 2014. Since then he has fought only in Canada with ten mostly inconsequential wins. McNeil was strictly a four and six round fighter before this scheduled twelve round outing. June 16 Ekaterinburg, Russia: Cruiser: Ilunga Makabu (25-2) W TKO 5 Dmitry Kudryashov (23-3). Cruiser: Alexsei Egorov (9-0) W TKO 3 Roman Golovashchenko (20-4). Cruiser: Evgeny Tishchenko (5-0) W TKO 1 Abraham Tabul (16-2-1).Heavy: Evgeny Romanov (13-0 W PTS 10 Ariel Bracamonte (9-3). Makabu vs. Kudryashov Neither of these fighters does distance fights so this was always going to end early. Kudryashov tried to blow Makabu with a big attack in the second but was nailed by a left hook that put him down. He made it to his feet and tried to trade with Makabu but another left hook sent him down into the ropes and as he bounced up the bell went. Makabu had Kudryashov pinned to the ropes in the third round and was pounding away at him. Kudryashov took a lot of punishment and was under fire at the bell. Makabu dominated the fourth connecting with southpaw jabs and straight lefts. Kudryashov was trying to punch with Makabu and landed two goods left hooks but he was now cut on his face above the bridge of his nose and had to pass a doctor’s inspection. Kudryashov marched forward throwing punches in the fifth but Makabu saw out the storm and then it was his turn. He bounced left after left against Kudryashov’s head forcing him back and as he continued to land those heavy punches Kudryashov slumped against the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. The 31-year-old from the DRC wins the vacant WBC Silver title. He is No 4 with the WBC but with No 2 Tabiti losing to Dorticos and No 3 Dorticos now the IBF champion there is a good chance he could land a title shot later this year, He is 25-1 in his last 26 fights with the loss being to Tony Bellew for the vacant WBC title in2016. Kudryashov was stopped in two rounds by Dorticos for the secondary WBA title in 2017and has lost his three big fights. Only one of Makabu’s 27 fights has gone the distance and everyone of Kudryashov 26 fights have ended by KO/TKO. Egorov vs. Golovashchenko Egorov too powerful for Ukrainian Golovashchenko. Egorov is a strong fighter with a powerful jab and that kept Golovashchenko on the back foot and often against the ropes. Near the end of the second round a right made Golovashchenko dip at the knees. He did not go down but as he straightened up a right from Egorov saw him drop to one knee. Golovashchenko beat the count and there was not enough time left in the round for Egorov to end things. In the third he dropped Golovashchenko with a right and the referee stopped the fight. Egorov, a former European and Russian amateur champion, has seven wins by KO/TKO. He decisioned South African Thomas Oosthuizen in March. Golovashchenko lost to Kevin Lerena for the IBO title in June last year. Tischenko vs. Tabul Too easy for Tischenko. He towered over Tabul and was content initially to just poke a few southpaw jabs and throw long lefts without any power behind them. Late in the round Tabul tried to come forward and a couple of lefts from Tischenko sent him down heavily. He staggered to his feet and was allowed to continue but Tischenko trapped him in a corner and pounded away until the referee stopped the fight. Tabul was way out of his depth here Romanov vs. Bracamonte Romanov floors Argentinian Bracamonte early but then has to go the distance for victory. Bracamonte outweighed Romanov by 46lbs and was slow but strong. A right to the head dropped Bracamonte in the first but he was up quickly and easily saw out the round. After that Romanov had trouble making a dent in the bulk of the Argentinian but was able to outbox the lumbering Bracamonte over the ten rounds. Scores 99-90 for Romanov from the judges. The 33-year-old Romanov is a former World and European Junior champion . He also won the Russian Senior title but his biggest claim to fame is a third round kayo of Deontay Wilder in a Russia vs. USA match back in 2008. Bracamonte lost to Dave Allen on a seventh round retirement in November Fight of the week (Significance): Both the Mairis Breidis vs. Krzys Glowacki and Yuniel Dorticos vs. Andrew Tabiti involved world title and puts Breidis and Dorticos into the WBSS final. Fight of the week (Entertainment) Albert Bell vs. Andy Vences was a hard, competitive match Fighter of the week: Yuniel Dorticos who looked an animal in destroying Andrew Tabiti Punch of the week: The right from Dorticos that put Tabiti down and out was monstrous and Jason Moloney’s left hook that ended his fight with Goodluck Mrema was bad luck for Mrema Upset of the week: Bell was not expected to beat world rated Vences Prospect watch: Former top amateur Artem Harutyunyan 7-0 is worth noting  By - George Delis (@Delisketo)
Strawweight: -Samuel Salva (17-0): IBF #1 / WBO #1 / WBA #7 Salva defeated Rene Mark Cuarto (16-2), on March 23rd, to secure a future IBF world title shot. -Lito Dante (16-10): WBC #10 / IBF #12 In a shocking turn of events, Dante managed to TKO top contender Tsubasa Koura (14-1) and not only become the OPBF champion but also place himself in the world rankings. - Rhenrob Andales (10-0): WBA #5 / WBO #15 ”ArAr” captured the vacant WBA Asia title earlier this year and defended it for the first time on April 13 against Cris Ganoza (17-3). -Melvin Jerusalem (14-2): WBC #2 / IBF #8 / WBO #12 Jerusalem got a unanimous decision victory over 2 time world title challenger Toto Landero (10-4) this past November. -Robert Paradero (18-0): WBO #2 Paradero beat Jonathan Almacen (5-3) on April 5th. -Pedro Taduran (13-2): IBF #4 / WBC #6 / WBO #9 Taduran hasn’t competed since last year. -Rene Mark Cuarto (16-2): IBF #7 As mentioned above, Cuarto lost to Samuel Salva (17-0) in Manila. -Mark Anthony Barriga (9-1): IBF #3 / WBC #8 Barriga failed to capture the vacant IBF World Championship in December. Light Flyweight: -Jonathan Taconing (28-3): WBC #1 / WBA #3 / WBO #3 / IBF #12 The WBC International champion Taconing will be challenging the WBC World champion Ken Shiro (15-0) on July 12. -Tanawat Nakoon (11-0): WBA #10 Muay Thai phenom turned pro boxer, the former Lumpinee & Rajadamnern Stadium champion challenges Hiroto Kyoguchi (12-0) for the WBA Super World championship, on June 19. -Jing Xiang (16-4): WBA #5 / WBC #8 Xiang successfully defended his WBC Silver title against 2 division World champion Suriyan Satorn (60-7), on January 5th, in China. -Edward Heno (14-0): WBO #2 / WBC #2 / WBA #2 Heno made his third successful OPBF title defense, in February, against Koji Itagaki (18-14). -Andika Fredikson Ha'e (16-0): WBA #4 “Sabu” became the WBA Asia champion on April 6. -Randy Petalcorin (29-3): IBF #9 / WBA #15 The former interim WBA World champion will return to the ring, on June 9, as he takes on Worawatchai Boonjan (14-21). -Christian Araneta (17-0): IBF #3 / WBA #7 / WBO #9 / WBC #11 Araneta added 3 more wins to his perfect record, in 2018. -Ivan Soriano (20-2): IBF #10 / WBO #10 Soriano has won twice since losing to Wenfeng Ge (11-1) in 2018. Flyweight: -Sarawut Thawornkham (20-1): WBA #1 Undefeated since September of 2014, Thawornkham will go on to challenge Artem Dalakian (18-0) for the WBA World championship on June 15. -Wulan Tuolehazi (12-3): WBA #4 The WBC Silver champion fought Japanese standout Ryota Yamauchi (4-1) in March, to win the vacant WBA International title. He marked his first WBA defense against former OPBF champion Ardin Diale (35-14) on May 26. -Jayson Mama (13-0): IBF #9 / WBO #10 The undefeated Filipino prospect earned a major victory over the former WBA Strawweight World champion Ekkawit Songnui (49-7) on June 9. -Giemel Magramo (23-1): WBO #2 / WBC #4 / IBF #4 / WBA #7 Magramo defeated Wenfeng Ge (11-1) for the WBO International title on January 5th. -Nare Yianleang (70-5): WBA #2 / WBC #7 Since losing to Kazuto Ioka in 2017, Yianleang has won 8 fights in a row. -Komgrich Nantapech (25-5): IBF #3 No news yet on what’s next for the former IBF Pan Pacific champion. -Sirichai Thaiyen (54-4): WBA #6 / WBC #15 The former WBA interim World champion has been 4-0 since losing to Dalakian. Super Flyweight: -Aston Palicte (25-2): WBO #1 / WBC #7 Palicte stopped Jose Martinez (20-1) on January 31st, in a WBO world title eliminator. He is set to meet Kazuto Ioka (23-2) for the vacant championship, on June 19. -Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (47-5): WBC #1 / WBA #3 The former WBC, The Ring & Lineal champion already finds himself again at the top of the world rankings. -Donnie Nietes (42-1): IBF #4 / WBC #4 The 4 division world champion decided to relinquish his WBO strap. No news on his return yet. Bantamweight: -Arthur Villanueva (32-3): WBO #4 / WBC #15 Villanueva will challenge Nordine Oubaali (15-0), on July 6, for the WBC World title. -Michael Dasmarinas (29-2): IBF #1 / WBC #12 Dasmarinas picked up a unanimous decision over Kenny Demecillo (14-5), on March 23rd, to become the #1 contender for the IBF World title. -Tasana Salapat (49-1): WBC #8 / WBA #8 After failing to capture the interim WBC title in December, Salapat returned to the ring on April 24 and became the OPBF Silver champion. -Reymart Gaballo (21-0): WBA #10 The former interim WBA World champion made short work of Yuya Nakamura (9-3) in February. -Sukpraserd Ponpitak (22-10): IBF #5 “Sukkasem Kietyongyuth’s” suffered a defeat at the hands of the former IBF Super Bantamweight World champion Yukinori Oguni (21-2) on May 8. - Ben Mananquil (17-2): WBO #7 / IBF #9 The Filipino lost the WBO Asia Pacific championship to Yuki Strong Kobayashi (15-8), on May 26. -Kenny Demecillo (14-5): IBF #10 Demecillo lost to Michael Dasmarinas (29-2) in Singapore, as mentioned above. Super Bantamweight: -Juan Miguel Elorde (28-1): WBO #2 Elorde has been the WBO Asia Pacific champion since 2015 and has defended it successfully 4 times, most recently against Shohei Kawashima (17-3). -Marlon Tapales (33-2): IBF #3 / WBO #4 The former WBO Bantamweight World champion has 3 stoppage wins since moving up a weight class. -Albert Pagara (31-1): WBO #1 / IBF #7 The WBO Intercontinental champion hasn’t been active close to 6 months now. -Jeo Santisima (17-2): WBO #9 The Filipino won the vacant WBO Oriental title this past summer and has defended it only once. Featherweight: -Jhack Tepora (23-0): IBF #4 The former interim WBA World champion earned a unanimous decision victory over Jose Luis Gallegos (16-7), on June 1st. -Dave Penalosa (15-0): WBO #10 Penalosa stopped Marcos Cardenas (19-7) this past February, to become the new WBO Oriental champion. Super Featherweight: -Joe Noynay (17-2): WBO #7 Noynay TKOed Kosuke Saka (18-5) this past April, to earn the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title. His inaugural defense will take place in Japan, on July 12, against Olympic Bronze Medalist Satoshi Shimizu (8-0). Super Lightweight: -Apinun Khongsong (15-0): IBF #1 The undefeated Thai fighter stopped former WBO Asia Pacific champion Akihiro Kondo (31-8) with a thunderous uppercut, to become the #1 contender for the IBF World title. Light Heavyweight: -Meng Fanlong (15-0): IBF #1 / WBA #12 / WBO #12 Meng won an IBF world title eliminator, on June 1st, against Adam Deines (17-1) and he’s now next in line to challenge Artur Beterbiev (14-0). Heavyweight: -Zhilei Zhang (20-0): WBO #5 The 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist has signed with Matchroom. Later this week we'll see Japan's Kazuto Ioka battle against Aston Palicte for the WBO Super Flyweight title. With that bout coming up it seems like this is a perfect time to talk about Kazuto Ioka's most notable bout to date, his 2012 battle with Akira Yaegashi, a true Closet Classic and a major bout in Japanese boxing history. The bout holds a unique status in Japan, and despite being relatively recent the bout has notable sub-story behind it, regarding the mentors of the two men involved. As well all the stories surrounding it, the bout also managed to deliver, in a big way. The Fight: Kazuto Ioka (9-0, 6) vs Akira Yaegashi (15-2, 8) In the late 1980's Japanese boxing had a number of notable fighters making their way to the top of the sport. They included Hideyuki Ohashi and Hiroki Ioka, who both debuted in the mid 1980's and has success in the 1990's, with Ioka becoming a 2-weight champion and Ohashi becoming a 2-time Minimumweight champion. When they were both professionals Ioka and Ohashi both held Minimumweight world titles, though not the same time, and a bout between the two would have been huge for Japan, pitting Osaka against Kanagawa. When both Ohashi and Ioka ended their careers they set up gyms, and have had a lot of success as gym owners. Among their star hopefuls were Akira Yaegashi, the big hope of the Ohashi gym, and Kazuto Ioka, Hiroki Ioka's nephew. Both were former stand out amateurs, both were tipped to be stars and in 2011 both held world titles at the same weight, Minimumweight. Kazuto Ioka, then 23 years old, had raced away to the WBC Minimumweight title, winning the belt in early 2011 when he stopped Oleydong Sithsamerchai, in what was just his 7th professional bout. He had managed to make a couple of defenses, including one over future Flyweight title holder Juan Hernandez. With those wins he had already a star in the Japanese scene, and a man who was starting to get spoken about the hardcore fans, who were impressed by the fact he had ended the reign of Oleydong, who was 35-0-1 when Ioka dethroned him. Akira Yaegashi on the other hand was 15-2, he had held OPBF and Japanese titles before winning the WBA title in an incredible bout with Pornsawan Porpramook in July 2011. For what it's worth that bout will be covered in a future Closet Classic article. He hadn't managed to make a defense of the title since beating Pornsawan but was was well regarded by those in the know in Japan, and had himself challenged for a world title in his 7th bout, losing to Eagle Den Junlaphan in that title effort due in part to a nasty injury to his temporomandibular join. With the two men holding world titles the bout was made, it was the first, and still only, time two world titles, from different bodies, were unified in a bout between two Japanese fighters, and it was an incredible bout. It mixed skills, excitement, heart, determination and two different styles. In one corner we had Ioka, a brilliant young boxer-puncher who had a sensational array of shots and fantastic ring craft. In the other we had Yaegashi, an aggressive, swarming fighter, who picked his spots and launched 2-handed flurries, using his speed to get shots off and try to get away. The bout started quickly but really grew and grew as it went on, taking on a personality of it's own and pushing both fighters all the way. Ioka, for the first time, was being pushed hard by a fighter determined to upset him, Yaegashi on the other hand was forced to fight with some horrific facial swelling around his left eye. As they began to tire their footwork began to slow whilst their output remained high and the bout really was something incredibly special. It's not an all out war but it's a thrilling, highly skilled battle that every fight fan deserves to watch before Ioka's up coming contest. Amazingly since this bout both men have become 3-weight champions, picking up titles at Light Flyweight and Flyweight, and both are looking to add Super Flyweight titles to their collections. Ioka get his second shot at a Super Flyweight title when he faces Palicte, whilst Yaegashi is hoping to get his first shot at 115lb title later in the year.  By - George Delis (@Delisketo)
Heavyweight: -Alexander Povetkin (34-2): WBC #7 / WBA #11 The former Olympic & World champion has started training for his next match. (Opponent TBA) -Evgeny Romanov (12-0): WBO #10 Romanov knocked Dillon Carman (14-4) out this past February in order to become the inaugural WBO Global champion. He will now face Ariel Esteban Bracamonte (9-2) on June 16. -Sergey Kuzmin (14-0): WBA #7 / IBF 10 / WBC #15 Kuzmin won the WBA Intercontinental title last year, after he defeated David Price (24-6), and defended it for the first time against LaRon Mitchell (16-2). He marked his second one on March 9 against Joey Dawejko (19-7). Cruiserweight: -Dmitry Kudryashov (23-2): WBC #5 A clash of former WBC Silver champions will take place in Russia, as Kudryashov meets Ilunga Makabu (24-2), on June 16, for the now vacant Silver crown. -Aleksei Egorov (8-0): WBA #7 The 2013 European champion will go head to head with Roman Golovashchenko (20-3) on June 16, for the vacant WBA Gold belt. -Maxim Vlasov (44-3): WBO #8 Vlasov stopped Lenin Castillo (20-3) on May 19. -Yury Kashinsky (17-0): IBF #4 / WBA #4 / WBO #5 / WBC #8 Kashinsky will compete for the vacant IBF Intercontinental title, on June 16, against Olivier Vautrain (14-1). -Ruslan Fayfer (23-1): IBF #7 / WBC #13 Ruslan defeated Serhiy Radchenko (7-4) on May 19. Light Heavyweight: -Umar Salamov (24-1): WBO #4 / WBA #6 Salamov successfully defended the WBO International title against Norbert Dabrowski (22-8) on April 18. -Igor Mikhalkin (22-2): WBC # Mikhalkin returns to the ring after almost an entire year of absence and faces Timur Nikarkhoev (21-2) for the interim IBO title, on July 6. Super Middleweight: -Fedor Chudinov (20-2): WBA #3 / IBF #6 / WBC #6 The former WBA World champion has already fought twice in 2019, earning victories over Wuzhati Nuerlang (11-3) & Rafael Bejaran (26-4), while also winning the vacant WBA Continental title. He is aiming to compete again around July 20-July 22. -Aidos Yerbossynuly (11-0): WBA #8 / WBO #11 The Kazakh defeated Lukas Ndafoluma (16-2) on March 24, to become the WBA International champion. Aidos already holds the WBO Global & WBC Asia Continental titles. -Aslambek Idigov (16-0): WBO #9 Idigov picked up a majority decision victory over Ronny Landaeta (16-2), on April 18, to become the WBO & IBF European champion. -Vladimir Shishkin (8-0): WBC #10 / WBA #15 No news yet on what’s next for the Russian prospect. -Azizbek Abdugofurov (12-0): WBC #4 Abdugofurov won the WBC Silver title last year. Middleweight: -Gennady Golovkin (39-1): WBO #1 / WBA #1 / WBC #1 / IBF #3 Triple G stopped Steve Rolls (19-1) on June 8. -Magomed Madiev (12-0): WBA #6 Madiev remained undefeated in 2018 while also winning the WBA Asia title. Super Welterweight: -Bakhram Murtazaliev (16-0): WBO #4 / IBF #7 Murtazaliev successfully defended his WBC United States championship against Elvin Ayala (29-13) this past February. He then scored a first round finish of Bruno Leonardo Romay (21-7) on April 18. -Aram Amirkhanyan (12-0): WBO #7 / WBA #8 Amirkhanyan earned his biggest victory to date against Khuseyn Baysangurov (14-1), this past December, to become the unified WBO International, WBA Continental & IBF International champion. -Magomed Kurbanov (17-0): IBF #3 / WBA #7 / WBC #11 The former WBO International & Intercontinental champion earned a unanimous decision victory over Damian Ezequiel Bonelli (23-6) on February 22nd. -Israil Madrimov (3-0): WBA #6 Accomplished amateur Uzbek boxer Madrimov knocked Frank Rojas (24-3) out in just 2 rounds, to defend the WBA Intercontinental title this past March. He made his successful Madison Square Garden debut, on June 8, against Norberto Gonzalez (24-13). Welterweight: -Kudratillo Abduqaxorov (16-0): IBF #1 / WBC #4 / WBO #9 The undefeated former WBC Silver champion earned a decision win over the 2 time WBO Asia Pacific champion Keita Obara (20-4), in an IBF world title eliminator, on March 30. -Sergey Lipinets (15-1): WBC #3 / WBO #4 / IBF #7 Lipinets earned a significant victory this March, against 2 division World champion Lamont Peterson (35-5), after he stopped him in the 10th round. He now goes up against John Molina Jr. (30-8) on July 20. -David Avanesyan (24-3): WBC #8 The former interim WBA World title holder TKOed Kerman Lejarraga (27-1), to become the EBU European champion, on March 30. -Alexander Besputin (13-0): WBA #1 / IBF #5 The 2013 European champion defended his USBA title for the second time against Alfredo Blanco (20-8) on April 12. -Radzhab Butaev (11-0): WBA #6 Butaev knocked out 50 plus fight veteran Lanardo Tyner (35-16) on March 8. His latest win took place on May 3rd against Sliverio Ortiz (37-25). -Nursultan Zhangabayev (7-0): WBA #10 Zhangabayev won the vacant WBA Intercontinental championship after defeating Matute (28-2) on March 24. Super Lightweight: -Batyr Akhmedov (7-0): WBA #2 After stopping former interim WBA World Lightweight champion Ismael Barroso (21-3), Akhmedov successfully kicked 2019 off, with victories over Viktor Plotnikov (33-6) as well as Francisco Gabriel Pina (14-15). -Shohjahon Ergashev (16-0): WBA #4 / IBF #7 The former WBA International champion returned to the ring on February 15, defeating Mykal Fox (20-1). -Maxim Dadashev (13-0): IBF #3 / WBC #3 Unbeaten Top Rank fighter Dadashev earned his 11th stoppage win over Ricky Sismundo (35-13) on March 23rd. His next opponent will be fellow undefeated boxer Subriel Matias (13-0) as both collide on July 19. -Georgi Chelokhsaev (16-1): WBO #9 Chelokhsaev won the Eurasian title in 2018. -Eduard Troyanovsky (27-2): WBC #6 The former World champion failed to capture the WBA title last year. Lightweight -Roman Andreev (23-0): WBO #3 / IBF #11 Top Russian contender defeated Jesus Cuadro (17-5) on May 16. -Zaur Abdullaev (11-0): WBC #2 The WBC Silver title holder stopped Humberto Martinez (33-9) on February 22nd. Super Featherweight: -Shavkat Rakhimov (14-0): WBC #5 / IBF #6 Rakhimov marked his 3rd IBO title defense, against Rofhiwa Maemu (18-8), on March 23rd. -Akzhol Sulaimanbek Uulu (14-0): WBA #4 Sulaimanbek stopped Pipat Chaiporn (46-13) in Russia, to defend his WBA Asia championship. -Denis Shafikov (40-4): IBF #9 Shafikov fought Gaybatulla Gadzhialiev (6-2), this past February, to a draw. Featherweight: -Tugstsogt Nyambayar (11-0): WBC #1 / IBF #8 The 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist recently defeated Claudio Marrero (23-3) to earn the vacant IBO belt. Prior to that, Nyambayar stopped 2 division champion Oscar Escandon (25-5). He’s now next in to challenge Gary Russell (30-1) for the WBC title. Super Bantamweight: -Murodjon Akhmadaliev (6-0): WBA #2 The 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist made his pro debut last year and has already amassed 6 victories (5 stoppages) as well as the WBA Intercontinental title. He is now targeting the unified WBA & IBF World champion Daniel Roman (27-2). Bantamweight: -Nikolai Potapov (20-1): WBO #3 / IBF #12 Potapov fought on March 30, scoring another win, this time against Adam Mbega (9-2). (Image courtesy of the WBSS)  By - George Delis (@Delisketo)
Strawweight: -Norihito Tanaka (18-7): IBF #6 / WBC #7 / WBO #10 / WBA #13 Tanaka won the Japanese title, this past January, and will defend it on June 13 against Naoya Haruguchi (15-10). -Tatsuya Fukuhara (21-7): WBC #4 The former World champion came up short at his second shot against Chayaphon Moonsri (53-0) for the WBC title on May 31st. -Masataka Taniguchi (11-3): WBO #7 Taniguchi unsuccessfully challenged the WBO World champion Vic Saludar (19-3) this past February. Light Flyweight: -Tetsuya Hisada (34-9): WBA #1 / WBO #1 / WBC #3 / IBF #7 Hisada is rumored to be challenging Angel Acosta (19-1) for the WBO title, potentially this Summer. -Kenichi Horikawa (40-18): WBC #5 / IBF #6 Horikawa won the Japanese title, on February 14, for the second time in his career. He made his inaugural defense on May 19 against Masashi Tada (13-6). -Ryoichi Taguchi (27-4): WBC #6 The former WBA & IBF champion failed to win the World championship against the WBO title holder Kosei Tanaka (13-0) on March 16. -Reiya Konishi (17-2): IBF #8 Konishi didn’t manage to capture the IBF title from Felix Alvarado (35-2) when they clashed in Japan. -Sho Kimura (18-3): WBA #8 The former WBO Flyweight World champion lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Canizales (22-0) for the WBA (Regular) World title, this May, in China. Flyweight: -Junto Nakatani (19-0): WBC #3 / WBO #4 / IBF #11 / WBA #14 Nakatani stopped Naoki Mochizuki (15-4) in February, for the vacant Japanese crown and scored a stay busy win on June 1st, against Philip Luis Cuerdo (11-7). -Masayuki Kuroda (30-8): IBF #10 Kuroda went to war with Moruti Mthalane (38-2) for the IBF World title, on May 13, but couldn’t bring the belt back home. Super Flyweight: -Kazuto Ioka (23-2): WBO #2 The 3 division world champion will meet Aston Palicte (25-2) at the Makuhari Messe arena in Japan, for the vacant WBO World championship. -Akira Yaegashi (28-6): WBA #10 / WBO #10 / WBC #14 Yaegashi moved up to Super Flyweight in 2018 and has since been undefeated in the division with 3 consecutive TKO victories. He finally makes it back into the world rankings as he aims to become a 4 division champion. -Koki Eto (24-4): WBO #4 / WBA #7 / IBF #8 Eto’s KO win over Jeyvier Cintron (10-0) on May 25th for the WBO International title got overturned, due to an accidental headbutt. -Sho Ishida (28-1): WBO #3 / IBF #5 / WBA #6 / WBC #10 Since losing to Khalid Yafai (25-0) in 2017, Ishida has earned 4 victories over the likes of Ratchanon Sawangsoda (12-3), Richard Claveras (18-6), world title contender Warlito Parrenas (26-10) as well as Ikuro Sadatsune (9-4). Super Bantamweight: -Ryosuke Iwasa (26-3): IBF #1 Iwasa won an IBF title eliminator against Cesar Juarez (23-7), on February 16. -Shingo Wake (26-5): WBC #2 / IBF #3 The former Japanese & OPBF champion has been on a 6 fight winning streak since losing to Jonathan Guzman (23-1) in 2016. -Hiroaki Teshigawara (19-2): IBF #9 / WBO #15 Teshigawara made his Super Bantamweight debut last year, stopping Glenn Suminguit (21-4) to win the OPBF championship. He marked his first successful title defense on February 14, against Yuki Iriguchi (10-3). -Yukinori Oguni (20-2): WBA #4 The former IBF World champion defeated Sukpraserd Ponpitak (22-10) on May 8. Featherweight: -Satoshi Shimizu (8-0): IBF #9 The 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist won the OPBF title back in 2017 and has successfully defended it 4 times. He will now challenge the WBO Asia Pacific Super Featherweight champion Joe Noynay (17-2) on July 12. -Musashi Mori (9-0): WBO #9 Mori defended his WBO Asia Pacific title against the former champion Richard Pumicpic (21-10) on April 14. -Hiroshige Osawa (35-5): WBA #1 / IBF #13 The former OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion finds himself once again in the world rankings, since losing to WBO World champion Oscar Valdez (24-0) in 2016. He fought Indonesian journeyman Ahmad Lahizab (4-8) on April 7. -Reiya Abe (19-2): IBF #5 / WBC #13 Abe fought the Japanese champion Taiki Minamoto (16-5), on May 1st, to a draw. Super Featherweight: -Masaru Sueyoshi (19-1): WBO #3 Sueyoshi defended his Japanese championship for the 4th time, against Ken Osato (15-3), on May 4th. -Kenichi Ogawa (23-1): IBF #4 The former Japanese champion returned to ring, after his one year suspension, and defeated Roldan Aldea (12-7) this past February. Ogawa will face the undefeated IBF Intercontinental champion Azinga Fuzile (14-0) in an IBF world title eliminator, on July 6, at the Korakuen Hall in Japan. Lightweight: -Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0): IBF #3 / WBC #8 / WBO #10 Nakatani marked his 11th successful OPBF title defense this past December, by stopping former WBC International champion Hurricane Futa (25-8). He takes on Teofimo Lopez (13-0), on July 6, for a future shot at the IBF World championship. -Nihito Arakawa (32-7): WBO #8 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion failed to obtain the WBO International title from Denys Berinchyk (11-0) on April 20. Super Welterweight: -Takeshi Inoue (13-1): WBO #9 The former Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific champion unsuccessfully challenged Jaime Munguia (32-0) for the WBO World title this January. He is scheduled to return to the ring on August 3rd. Middleweight: -Ryota Murata (14-2): WBA #4 The 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist will get his chance for revenge on July 12 as he goes up against Rob Brant (25-1) in Osaka for the WBA (Regular) World championship. Heavyweight: -Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1): WBO #9 / WBA #12 The former K-1 champion has unified the Japanese, OPBF & WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight titles. He is now looking for a World championship fight before he retires from the sport. (Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp) By Eric Armit
Highlights: -Gennady Golovkin crushes Steve Rolls in four rounds -Oscar Valdez retains the WBO feather title with win over Jason Sanchez -Kevin Lerena retains the IBO cruiser title with victory over Vasil Ducar -Antonio Gago wins the European featherweight title with split verdict over Jesus Sanchez and Kerman Lejarraga returns with an inside the distance victory -Olympians Robinson Conceicao and Charles Conwell extended their winning starts as pros -Unbeaten Australian hopes Liam Paro, Steve Ng and Demsey McKean all win WORLD TITLE SHOWS June 8 Reno, NV, USA: Feather: Oscar Valdez (26-0) W PTS 12 Jason Sanchez (14-1). Light Heavy: Michael Seals (23-2) W KO 2 Chris Brooker (14-7). Feather: Robinson Conceicao (13-0) W PTS 8 Carlos Ruiz (16-7-2). Light: Gabriel Flores (14-0) W PTS 8 Salvador Briceno (15-4). Valdez vs. Sanchez Valdez outpoints a competitive but out of his depth Sanchez to retain the WBO title Round 1 Valdez used a snappy jab to put Sanchez on the back foot. Sanchez was looking draw the jab and then move in quickly throw a couple of punches and get out. Valdez jab was on target and he connected with a sharp left hook as he took the round. Score: 10-9 Valdez Round 2 Valdez again took this round with strong, accurate jabbing. He also connected with some left hooks and overhand rights but the jab was the main weapon. Sanchez tried to get inside but Valdez was anticipating the attacks and stepping back out of range. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 20-18 Round 3 Sanchez was more aggressive in this one and landed a heavy right early. That led to a much better round for Sanchez. He was still on the back foot but was launching more attacks and throwing more punches. Valdez landed a sharp left hook late but was not using his jab so much and it was Sanchez’s round. Score: 10-9 Sanchez Valdez 29-28 Round 4 Valdez worked well with the jab and threw more left hooks than in the early rounds. Sanchez was not coming forward so much and although he connected with a couple of right the round belonged to Valdez. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 39-37 Round 5: Inside the first five seconds of the round after throwing a jab Valdez landed a classic left hook that sent Sanchez down. He bounced up and did not look shaky. After the count he traded punches with Valdez for the rest of the round. He threw more but Valdez was more accurate but Sanchez saw made it to the bell without any further discomfort. Score: 10-8 Valdez Valdez 49-45 Round 6 This was a close round. Sanchez was again throwing lots of punches but good defensive work from Valdez plus his jabs and left hooks which were more accurate both giving him the edge. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 59-54 Round 7 There seemed to be more purpose behind Valdez’s work in this one and he landed a stinging right to the head and a left hook that had Sanchez backing up. Sanchez then changed tactics and came lunging forward throwing punches. He kept coming forcing Valdez back across the ring and pinning Valdez to the ropes. Valdez was ducking, bobbing and weaving and Sanchez just could not land anything significant. When the storm blew over once again it was Valdez landing left hooks and straight rights. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 69-63 Round 8 Valdez was working the jab again and Sanchez really had no answer to it. Valdez rocked Sanchez with a right/left combination and then went back to the jab to clearly take the round. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 79-72 Round 9 Jab, jab, jab that was winning the fight for Valdez. He was quicker and more mobile getting through with the jab. He was either side-stepping or taking a couple of steps back to frustrate Sanchez’s attacks and then going back to the jab and banging home some left hooks. Sanchez now had a bloody bruise under his right eye. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 89-81 Round 10 A close round. Sanchez was taking the fight to Valdez. His accuracy level was not high but he was making up for that in quantity and Valdez output dropped accordingly with Sanchez just doing enough to take the round. Score: 10-9 Sanchez Valdez 98-91 Round 11 A champion’s performance from Valdez in this one. The jab was working well but now he was hooking off the jab and also landing with clubbing rights and uppercuts inside. Sanchez was under fire all the way. He kept trying to punch back but had to absorb a lot of punishment. Score: 10-9 Valdez Valdez 108-100 Round 12 Sanchez started the last aggressively but a big right from Valdez rocked him badly and he retreated with Valdez in pursuit. Sanchez moved and held until his head cleared and then punched back. Valdez scored with some more heavy head punches and had Sanchez on the ropes under fire when the bell went. Score 10-9 Valdez Valdez 118-109 The 28-year-old from Nogales was making the sixth defence of the WBO belt. This win, together with his victory over Carmine Tommasone in January, makes it two outings since returning from an injury which kept him out of the ring for almost a year. I felt he never really moved into top gear in this one but he is hoping to get Leo Santa Cruz in a unification match and if that comes off he will be in top form for that. Sanchez was not ready for a fight at this level. He found his way into the WBO ratings for a win over unbeaten Jean Carlos Rivera for their Youth title and just that one ten round fight did not prepaid him for facing Valdez. At 24 he can regroup and take a couple of steps then rebuild. Seals vs. Brooker Seals may not be the most fleet-footed of boxers but he has power and ended this one with a brutal kayo. Seals had the longer reach but Brooker caught him with a sneaky long right in the early action. Seals was tracking Brooker but only pawing with his left and it was Brooker who did the scoring in quick in-and-out attacks. In the second Seals was still tracking Brooker but throwing a few more punches. He has quick hands but his footwork is pedestrian. He took Brooker to the ropes and landed a left to the body. As Brooker ducked to cover his body a chopping right from Seals seemed to land on the back of Brooker’s head. He dropped down and hung suspended over the bottom rope with half of his body outside the ropes. The referee immediately waived off the action and it was some time before Brooker recovered. The 36-year-old 6’3” Seals makes it 17 wins by KO/TKO. Seals won his first 19 fights before losing on a stoppage against Edwin Rodriguez in 2015 in a fight that saw both contestants on the floor. His only other defeat was against Michael Gbenga in May last year when he was disqualified for hitting on the break. A former linebacker for Alabama A & M University Seals only turned to boxing late and had only five amateur fights. Third loss by KO/TKO for Booker. Conceicao vs. Ruiz Brazilian Conceicao stacks up another win. Conceicao was much quicker and in the first was using his longer reach and jabbing well to head and body and connected with a couple of rights but still has a tendency to slap with the right. The action picked up in the second and third with some fierce exchanges with Conceicao getting the better of the trading but Ruiz connecting with hooks inside. Over the fourth and fifth they continued to provide entertainment as they both threw some wild shots with Conceicao firing combinations and Ruiz largely single shots. Conceicao continued to out throw and outland Ruiz over the sixth and seventh but never seemed to land with enough power to shake the Mexican. Conceicao pressed hard in the eighth forcing Ruiz back and letting fly with hooks from both hands with Ruiz scoring with an occasional counter and never looking in any trouble. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 for Conceicao. The30-year-old Rio gold medallist has some very good skills and is steadily adjusting to the pro side of the sport but just does not seem to have the power he should have and tends to be wild with his attacks. He will have to tighten his work if he is to progress further. Ruiz keeps his record of not losing inside the distance but is now 1-5-1 in his last 7 fights. Flores vs. Briceno Flores negotiates an important test as he decisions Briceno over eight rounds. Movement, hand speed sharp reflexes Flores has them all. He was beating the bigger man to the punch and outjabbing him before stepping inside with four and five punch combinations. Briceno kept marching forward behind his jab and throwing straight rights but Flores was quick enough to slip the jab and connect with rights over the top. Briceno attacked hard enough with left hooks to the body to take the fourth and fifth but Flores was back in control in the sixth moving and countering and had opened a cut over Briceno’s right eye. Briceno was still strong and still coming forward over the last two rounds but the quality work of Flores was frustrating his attacks and making him pay with flashing jabs and counters and connecting with some neck-snapping rights and lefts. Briceno was tiring and his work rate dropped but he kept pressing and was giving Flores a real test but Flores boxed and countered slickly in the last. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73 for Flores. The 19-year-old Flores, the youngest fighter ever to be signed-up by Top Rank, was going eight rounds for the first time and paced the fight well. He oozes talent but Top Rank will build him sensibly as they did in getting a tough determined Briceno for this fight. New York, NY, USA: Super Middle: Gennady Golovkin (39-1-1) W KO 4 Steve Rolls (19-1). Super Welter: Israil Madrimov (3-0) W TKO 6 Norberto Gonzalez (24-13). Super Middle: Ali Akhmedov (15-0) W TKO 3 Marcus McDaniel (15-1). Super Welter: Charles Conwell (10-0) W PTS 10 Courtney Pennington (12-4-3). Welter: Brian Ceballo (9-0) W PTS 8 Bakhtiyar Eyubov (14-1-1,1ND). Golovkin vs. Rolls This one did not look likely to last long so it was no surprise when Golovkin put Rolls down and out with a brutal left hook in the fourth. Round 1 After the usual prodding with jabs Golovkin began to fire hooks to the body. Rolls was on the back foot jabbing without conviction and in a late spurt Golovkin connected with some hard left hooks to the body. Score: 10-9 Golovkin Round 2 Rolls tried some jabs and straight rights but was short. Golovkin began to put together sets of hooks and uppercuts. Rolls threw some good combinations and landed a couple of good head punches but they lacked power and Golovkin was finding gaps for hooks and uppercuts. Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 20-18 Round 3 Golovkin continued to apply pressure walking forward connecting with hooks and uppercuts. Rolls was trying to hide behind a high guard but Golovkin was finding gaps and a right looked to have shaken Rolls for a second but he was still trying to punch back and landed a good right counter. Score: 10-9 Golovkin Golovkin 30-27 Round 4 Rolls was forced to stand and trade but did not have the power to do that. Golovkin drove him to the ropes with left hooks and landed a looping left to the head and then a right to the head. Rolls came off the ropes but Golovkin sensed Rolls was badly shaken and forced him back. Rolls tried to fight his way off the ropes but was pressed back and a pulverising left hook to the head put his lights out and he went down on the canvas face first. Somehow he managed to get to his knees then to one knee but as he groped for the ropes he missed and tumbled into the ropes and was counted out. First outing for Golovkin after his majority decision loss to Saul Alvarez in September. Both Golovkin-163lbs-and Rolls-163 ¾ lbs came in a few pounds over the middleweight limit but whichever weight Alvarez wants to be in Golovkin will be right there ready to accommodate him. Rolls lacked both the punch and the experience to trouble a focused and fired-up Golovkin. Madrimov vs. Gonzalez Uzbek Madrimov break down and halts Mexican veteran Gonzalez. Madrimov was just too strong for Gonzalez. He had Gonzalez under heavy pressure in the first and although Gonzalez had a good spell in the second again it was Madrimov landing the heavier stuff in that round and the third. Madrimov had Gonzalez shaken and in trouble from a left hook early in the fourth and then hammered him with a right hook just before the round ended. The fifth was a painful round for Gonzalez as Madrimov pounded him with hooks to head and body and early in the sixth with Gonzalez under fire the referee halted the fight. The 24-year-old “The Dream” was a top ranked amateur before turning pro in November. He won the WBA Inter-Continental title with a stoppage of 24-2 Frank Rojas in only his second pro fight. He looks a real danger. Now 38 Gonzalez gets only his third inside the distance loss. He had fought and won a fight in Nuevo Laredo on 30 May and was given a standard suspension between bouts. That would have led to him fighting here whilst under suspension but the local Commission reduced the suspension time to eliminate the problem. Akhmedov vs. McDaniel Akhmedov’s relentless aggression proves too much for McDaniel and the fight is stopped in the third round. In the first McDaniel was fitting around the ring poking out jabs with Akhmedov shadowing him but not throwing punches. When Akhmedov did start to let his hands go McDaniel slipped to the floor trying to avoid a right but no count was applied as it was rightly ruled a slip. Akhmedov continued to hunt McDaniel in the second with McDaniel moving, ducking and holding to survive. Akhmedov drove forward in the third forcing McDaniel to the ropes and kept punching until McDaniel dropped to his knees. He beat the count but when the referee indicated them to continue the action instead of walking forward McDaniel walked away along the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. The 23-year-old Kazak now has 11 wins by KO/TKO and is the owner of the WBC International Silver title. He has extensive amateur experience behind him and is ready to move up. McDaniel showed some good skills but was overwhelmed by the power of Akhmedov. Conwell vs. Pennington Conwell comes through his first ten round fight with flying colours as he outpoints Pennington. After an even start in the first Conwell began to move into the driver’s seat with some vicious body punches. Pennington connected with some right counters as the aggressive Conwell forced the pace over the middle rounds and Pennington lost a point in the fifth for holding. Conwell continued to go to the body and was also connecting with left hooks to the head. A clash of heads saw Pennington cut over his right eye in the eighth and he was rocked by a couple of rights in the ninth. Both landed with some heavy shots in the last but the final word came from Conwell as he shook Pennington with a left hook on his way to a clear victory. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-93 all for Conwell. The 21-year-old from Cleveland, a 2016 Olympian, is a former National Golden Gloves champion. One of nine children in his family he was still at High Scholl when he qualified for the Rio Olympics but lost there to Indian Vikas Krishnan. Pennington was 4-0-1 going into this fight. Ceballo vs. Eyubov A risky fight this for former top level amateur Ceballo as he took on unbeaten Kazak Eyubov and registered a wide unanimous decision. Scores 80-72, 79-73 and 78-74 for Ceballo. The tall New Yorker won gold medals at the three major US Championships: the National Golden Gloves, the US National Championships and the National Police Athletic League. He also competed at the 2015 Pan American Games but fell short at the US Olympic Trials. Definitely one to follow. Eyubov has stumbled lately having to settle for a draw against experienced Jose Luis Rodriguez and now losing this one. 7 June Verona, NY, USA: Super Light: Cletus Seldin (23-1) W TKO 11 Zab Judah (44-10,2ND). Middle: James McGirt (27-3-2,1ND) DREW 10 David Papot (22-0-1). Seldin vs. Judah Seldin too young and strong for an ageing Judah. After a fairly even first round Seldin was taking the fight to Judah getting close and working the body. Judah was showing some good defensive work but late in the third he was shaken by a right and a left hook. Seldin kept up the body punching in the fourth as they traded hard shots. In the fifth Judah was already showing signs of slowing and he was rocked by a big right. Judah was using his vast experience to stay in the fight and land some counters but Seldin was relentless. Judah put in a big effort in the eighth but he could not keep Seldin out. An exhausted Judah survived the tenth but in the eleventh Seldin landed a series of head punches wobbling Judah and the referee stepped in and halted the fight. Big win for Seldin. He had gone 21-0 before losing to Yves Ulysse in December. He had scored two first round wins in 2018 against low grade opposition so needed a significant win to get back into the ratings. At 41 it is unfortunately the end of the road as a boxer for Judah. After the fight he felt unwell and went to the hospital but was released. He then felt unwell and returned to the hospital where the doctor’s reportedly found a bleed on the brain. He has recovered well and left the hospital today. McGirt vs. Papot McGirt and Papot end up all even as the judges rule this one a split draw. This all-southpaw scrap was a slow burner but exciting once it warmed up. McGirt made good use of his longer reach and it took a few rounds for Papot to find his confidence and start to roll. From the fifth Papot was getting past McGirt’s jab and working him over inside and on the ropes. McGirt was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads in the sixth and in response to the pressure from Papot McGirt upped his own output and it was war from there. The ninth was a great round as first Papot pounded McGirt and then McGirt pounded Papot. They continued to trade punches fiercely in the tenth and eleventh with Papot just seeming to have more left in the last to make up for McGirt’s better start. Scores 117-111 for Papot, 115-113 for McGirt and 114-114. A good showing in his first fight in the USA and his first fight for 13 months for Papot. If he intends to continue to campaign in the USA then this was a good start. McGirt is now 36. He has talent but had only one fight in 2015, was inactive in 2016and had only one fight in 2017 and his only fight in 2018 was in February so had been out of the ring foe 16 months. He needs to decide if he has a career. It was a nice touch having McGirt Jr fighting in Verona, just down the road from Canastota, in the same week that his father was being inaugurated into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Quilmes, Argentina: Bantam: Fernando Martinez (10-0) W PTS 10 Abel Silva (5-5-3). Former leading amateur Martinez suffers a hand injury in the fourth round but it makes no difference to the outcome as he outpoints Silva for the second time this year. The “Little Lion” had won the first two rounds connecting with hooks from both hands. Silva attacked hard in the third and edged that round but from there it was Martinez’s fight. He kept Silva under pressure with those hooks and showed some good defensive work when Silva banged back and Silva was competitive to the end. Scores 99-91 for Martinez. In the amateurs Martinez, 27, competed in both the World Junior and Senior Championships and also fought in the World Series of Boxing and the AIBA Pro Boxing. Silva suffers his fifth loss in a row in his first ten round fight. Cutral Co, Argentina: Welter: Luis Veron (17-0-2) DREW 10 Max Veron (11-3-1,1ND).This battle of the unrelated “Verons” ended in a highly controversial draw. Max V had a good first round connecting early with a hard right to the head. Luis V took over in the second round. His better boxing a greater accuracy saw him sweep the next four rounds to build a good lead. Max V struggled to get into the fight. He was strong and attacked hard but was being outboxed. Luis V continued to boss the fight in the sixth and seventh with a strong left hook probably just enough to give Max V the eighth. Luis V was back in charge over the ninth and tenth and looked to have won by a wide margin-but no. Scores 97-93 Luis V, 96-94 Max V and 95-95 so the vacant WBC Latino title remains vacant. That makes it two split draws in consecutive fights for Luis V a former amateur international and member of the Argentina Condors in the WSB. There were high hopes for him as a pro so possible these will just be two bumps on the road to the top. Max V snaps a three-bout losing run. Athens, Greece: Light: George Kambosos (17-0) W TKO 6 Richard Pena (11-3-1). Australian Kambosos has his first fight in the land of his parents and stops Venezuelan Pena in six rounds. Kambosos was in charge from the start and floored Pena with left hooks in the fourth and sixth rounds before the referee stopped he fight. In his last four fights the 25-year-old from Sydney has fought and won in America twice, Malaysia and now Greece. He is rated 5 (3) by the IBF and No 9 by the WBO. Pena’s record a typical Venezuelan farce with the eleven guys he has beaten having just two wins between them. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico: Super Fly: Jonathan Rodriguez (21-1) W TKO 10 Felipe Orucuta (36-6). Rodriguez wins this one but the result is overshadowed by the injury sustained by Orucuta. The fight was stopped in the tenth round with Rodriguez the winner but Orucuta collapsed. He was given immediate medical attention with the doctors performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the ring. Orucuta was stabilised and then taken to hospital. He was operated on to remove a clot from his brain and then put into an induced coma with the next 48 hours being critical to his recovery. Rotterdam, Holland: Super Welter: Stephen Danyo (16-3-3) W PTS 8 Alex Benidez (13-26-3). Fighting in his home city Danyo comfortably outpoints Georgian Benidez. The referee scored the fight 80-72. The 30-year-old “Chosen One”, has had a tough twelve months losing to Custio Clayton in Canada, Felix Cash in England and in April on a split decision to Orlando Fiordigiglio in Italy. Danyo represented Holland at the European and World Championships but has had to fight abroad in most of his pro fights. Poor Benidez is 0-13-1 in his last 14 fights. Oviedo, Spain: Middle: Sergio Fernandez (9-0-1) W PTS 10 Javier Garcia Roche (19-6-1). Neighbourhood fighter Fernandez retains the Spanish title with a unanimous verdict over Roche. In an entertaining contests Fernandez used his reach to build a lead but Roche just kept pressing and was throwing more punches. Fernandez’s accuracy was the factor which saw him take the early rounds but then the fierce attacks from Roche slowed Fernandez. Roche continued to march forward throwing punches and although not throwing as much once again the precision of Fernandez’s counter punches was what impressed the judges. Scores 97-93 twice and 99-91 for “Kaiser” Fernandez. The Oviedo Policeman is now hoping to move up to challenge for the EU title. Garcia, 37, a former Spanish super welter champion, was having his first fight since November 2017. Detroit, MI, USA: Cruiser: Taylor Duerr (9-0-2) DREW 10 Lyubomyr Pinchuk (10-1-1). Middle: Darryl Cunningham (42-9) W KO 3 Raul Casarez (22-10,1ND). Heavy: Rydell Booker (26-3) W TKO 3 Dieuly Aristilde (9-10). Duerr vs. Pinchuk Duerr and Pinchuk starred in an entertaining match here. The early pressure came from Pinchuk but with Duerr connecting with solid counters. The rounds and the fight were close. Pinchuk was cut below his left eye in the fifth but looked to be in front. Despite Pinchuk’s early lead Duerr continued to land hard counters and finished strongly to put the decision in doubt with quite a spread in the how the judges saw the fight. Scores 98-92 Pinchuk, 96-94 Duerr and 95-95. The WBC United States title was up for grabs but remains vacant. Detroit’s “Machine Gun” Duerr had won his last nine fights. He skipped straight past eight rounds and moved from six to ten for this fight. Pittsburg-based Ukrainian Pinchuk had won six on the bounce and was also in his first tenner. Cunningham vs. Casarez Southpaw Cunningham kayos Casarez for the second time but this time takes almost two minutes longer to get the job done. Early in the third a big punch from Cunningham put Casarez down and out with his leg folding painfully under him. Cunningham had stopped Casarez in two rounds in October. Now 44 Cunningham has won nine in a row by playing the big fish in the little pond. Nine of the ten losses suffered by Texan Casarez have been by KO/TKO. Booker vs. Aristilde Booker rebounds from a points loss to 17-0 Jermaine Franklin with a stoppage of Aristilde in the third round. Booker ended it was just a couple of seconds to go in the round. Now 38 he is keeping busy after being released from a long prison sentence in February last year. US-based Haitian Aristilde, 42, hardly counts as active as this is was his first fight for over two years and only his third in six years. June 8 South Africa: Cruiser: Kevin Lerena (23-1) W PTS 12 Vasil Ducar (7-1-1). Lerena has no trouble in holding onto his IBO title against Czech novice Ducar. It was a slow-paced gruelling fight with the greater strength and experience of Lerena giving him big edges. He attacked Ducar’s body throughout the fight with some hefty shots but Ducar absorbed them well without ever looking in trouble. The challenger showed a useful jab but naturally tired over the late rounds. Although Lerena tried hard he could not get the tough Ducar out of there so had to settle for twelve useful if not too testing rounds of work. Scores 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111.for Lerena. This is his fourth defence of the IBO title and his eleventh win in a row. It is hard to chart a course through the cruiserweight division right now with Olek Usyk out of the picture. The WBSS is tying up Krzys Glowacki, Mairis Breidis, Yuniel Dorticos and Andrew Tabiti and a re-instated Dennis Lebedev is defending the WBA title against Arsen Goulamirian but when the smoke clears there should be an opportunity in there for Lerena who is rated in the top 10 by the IBF, WBC and WBO. Ducar did better than might have been expected considering his lack of pro experience but he was Czech champion as an amateur and up until recently also competed in MMA and professional kickboxing. He is also as a member of the Czech equivalent of a US SWAT team so was never likely to fold easily. He lost but he won as after the fight and whilst still in the ring he dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend who accepted his proposal. Bilbao, Spain: Feather: Andoni Gago (22-3-3) W PTS 12 Jesus Sanchez (10-2). Super Welter: Kerman Lejarraga (28-1) W KO 4 Luis Solis (25-10-4). Feather: Oleg Malynovskyi (24-0) W PTS 8 Alex Mora (10-12-6), Super Welter: Isaac Real (19-3-1) W David Makaradze (18-10-1). Gago vs. Sanchez Gago wins the vacant European title with a split verdict over Sanchez. Fighting in front of his home fans Gago was his usual strong aggressive self. Sanchez had the better technique so it went with the script with Gago barrelling forward and Sanchez boxing cleverly and countering. It was a close contest which warmed into a real war over the second half of the fight as neither had the power to end the fight so were able to trade regularly. As hard as Gago pressed Sanchez always found an answer until the closing rounds when he was almost overwhelmed by Gago’s late push. Overall it was Gago’s aggression that won out. Scores 115-113 and 115-114 for Gago and 116-112 for Sanchez. Gago, 34, a former EU champion, is now 6-0-1 since losing to Lee Selby in 2017. He wins the title relinquished by Kiko Martinez when he chose to challenge Gary Russell for the WBC title. Madrid’s Sanchez earned his right to be in the opposite corner with a stoppage of former European champion Denis Ceylan in January and hopefully will get another shot at the EBU title. Lejarraga vs. Solis Lejarraga gets back into winning ways with stoppage of Solis. “Revolver” took a more measured approach than in the past but was still producing hurtful lefts to the body The taller Solis countered when he could but in the fourth a left to the body dropped Solis to his knees and the fight was over. Lejarraga wins the vacant WBC Latino title. This is the first fight for Lejarraga since losing inside the distance to David Avanesyan which cost him his European title. Avanesyan was there on this night and climbed into the ring to congratulate Lejarraga so there might be a return in the air. Mexican Solis was 9-2 in his last 11 fight including a win over Nery Saguilan and losses to Antonio DeMarco and unbeaten Antonio Barboza. Malynovskyi vs. Mora Ukrainian southpaw Malynovskyi floors Mora on the way to a wide unanimous victory. Scores 79-71 for Malynovskyi from all three judges. Malynovskyi, 31, won a gold and three bronze medals in the Ukrainian championships but since turning pro has avoided anything remotely like a test. Madrid-based Dominican Mora drops to 2-5-1 in his last 8 bouts. Real vs. Makaradze In his first fight for almost a year Real gets stoppage win over Georgian Makaradze. Real was comfortably in front but the cause of the stoppage was a cut on the left eyebrow of Makaradze. Real 37, suffered defeats in high level fights against Cedric Vitu and Sergio Garcia and injury has kept him out of the ring. As for Makaradze this is his first fight for three years. Broadbeach, Australia: Super Light: Liam Paro (17-0) W PTS 10 Fatih Keles (11-1-1,1ND). Light: Jacob Ng (11-0) W PTS 10 Ricardo Lara (19-6). Heavy: Demsey McKean (15-0) W KO 2 Dominic Musil (3-3). Paro vs. Keles Paro continues to make progress and is rapidly becoming one of the best prospects in Australian boxing. He outboxed unbeaten Turk Keles to win the vacant IBF International title. Paro was a comfortable winner over the former Olympian Keles and looks ready for sterner tests. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 for Paro. The 23-year-old southpaw has beaten good level opposition in Robert Tlatlik, Massimiliano Ballisai and now Keles. The German-based Keles was European Champion as an amateur and competed at the 2012 Olympics but has struggled so far as a pro. Ng vs. Lara Queenslander Ng was much too good for useful Mexican Lara and lifts the vacant IBF International title with wide unanimous decision but was unable to continue his run of inside the distance victories. The local boxer took the verdict on scores of 99-91 twice and 100-90. The 24-year-old 5’11 ½” Ng is making steady progress and had won his last five by KO/TKO. His father was also a pro. Lara had won 7 of his last 8 fights. McKean vs. Musil McKean puts away late substitute Musil in the second round. Musil was a poor opponent but McKean got the job done in style. In the second round as Musil advanced McKean bombed him with a heavy southpaw left to the head that put Musil down and out. Fifth win in a row by KO/TKO and ninth inside the distance win in total. The 28-year-old 6’6” “Machine”, a former MMA competitor, has done all that has been asked of him but is yet to face a test of any substance. Third loss in a row for Czech Musil. All against unbeaten opponents and his first loss by KO/TKO. Montreal, Canada: Super Middle: Shakeel Phinn (21-2-1) W TKO 10 Elio German Rafael (15-3). Phinn “The Jamaican Juggernaut” rolls over Argentinian southpaw Rafael. Phinn was going to the body early but Rafael was competitive. The body punching started to pay dividends and a body punch from Phinn dropped Rafael in the sixth. Phinn’s only loss had been on a majority decision so he kept pressing trying to get this over inside the distance. It looked as though Rafael was going to make it to the final bell but Phinn floored him again in the tenth and although Rafael arose a couple more punches from Phinn saw the referee stop the fight with 26 seconds to go. The 28-year-old Phinn gets his nickname from his Jamaican parents. This is his fifteenth win by KO/TKO and he lifts both the IBF North American and NABF titles which were vacant. Mexican-based Argentinian Rafael suffers his first loss by KO/TKO. He had won 4 of his last 5 fights with the loss coming on points against then unbeaten Adam Deines in Germany in 2017 Garin, Argentina: Welter: Walter Castillo (14-4) W PTS 10 Adolfo Moreschi (11-4). Super Light: German Benitez (22-4,1ND) W TKO 2 Jonathan Leyes (6-7). Castillo vs. Moreschi Castillo comes in at very short notice and outpoints Moreschi. Castillo took the place of Moreschi’s original opponent who just two days before the fight suffered a leg injury. Southpaw Moreschi built an early lead aided by a point deduction from Castillo in the sixth for a butt. Castillo staged a strong finish over the last four rounds to swing the fight his way. Scores 95-94 twice and 97-92 for Castillo. He had lost 4 of his last 5 fights including a first round stoppage by Josh Kelly in November. Moreschi drops to 3 losses in his last 4 fights. Benitez vs. Leyes Home town fighter Benitez stops poor Leyes in two rounds. Benitez did not shine in the first round being careless with his head and having to absorb a couple of hard rights. In the second a short left hook inside suddenly turned the legs of Leyes into spaghetti and as he stumbled to the ropes catching the top one to keep him up the towel came in from his corner. Tenth win by KO/TKO for Benitez who was coming off a points loss to Lewis Ritson in London in March. Leyes really just a prelim fighter who has now won only 2 of his last 8 fights Fight of the week (Significance): The wins for both Gennady Golovkin and Oscar Valdez could lead to more big fights down the line. Fight of the week (Entertainment): Buddy McGirt vs. David Papot provided plenty to enjoy. Fighter of the week: Can’t choose between Golovkin and Valdez. Both outclassed modest opposition Punch of the week: The left hook from Oscar Valdez that floored Jason Sanchez in the fifth was a peach and Golovkin’s left hook that put Steve Rolls out of the fight had real power. Demsey McKean’s thunderbolt straight left that dumped Dominic Musil on the floor was spectacular Upset of the week: None Prospect watch: Super Welter Israil Madrimov is only 3-0 as a pro but is already up at ten round level and welterweight Brian Ceballo 9-0 will go far Closet Classics will typically feature fights that hardcore fans might be aware of, or at least have a fighter that fans know about. Today however we look at a genuinely obscure fight that we were lucky to find recently, and immediately decided that it would be featured in an upcoming Closet Classic. It will, probably, hold a unique role in this series as being the only all debutant bout to be featured, and one of the very few 4 rounds, but the reality is that it is something special, and was dubbed in Japan as the greatest 4 rounder ever. Coming from a country that gives us an annual Rookie of the Year event that praise is indeed very, very high, and may well be very accurate. The only down point regarding the contest was the way one fighters out of the ring activity marred any hope of him having a notable career, The Fight Ieyasu Yashiro (0-0) vs Ricardo Arredondo Jr (0-0) The date was November 25th 1996, fans were heading to the Korakuen Hall to see OPBF Middleweight champion Kevin Palmer defending his title against Armando Andales, and former world champion Manny Melchor take on the enigmatic Masamori Tokuyama. Those who arrived at the Hall early got a few preliminary bouts, including an all debutant bout between Ieyasu Yashiro and Ricardo Arredondo Jr. Both men were 19 years old and there was little to really say about either, with Arredondo being the more notable due to the fact his father, and uncle, were a former world champions. His father was popular in Japan with 7 of his bouts taking place there whilst his uncle Rene Arrdeondo, had twice fought in Japan. With neither having much attention the two fight fought like they had a point to prove, and straight from the opening bell bombs were beign thrown, the crowd were ultra loud and the fighters, who showed a lot of technical flaws, just went at it. It was a fight, a true fight between novices each looking to leave a lasting impression, each looking to prove their machismo and each chasing the win. Although the pace wasn't hectic for all 4 rounds it seemed like the bout just got better and better and round 4 was just as entertaining as round 1, with defense continually taking a back seat to long straights, hard hooks and crazy and back forth action as we some how went to the bell. Sadly in the years that followed neither fighter would go on to have particularly memorable careers. Yashiro technically had the better career. He went 8-1 (1) fighting through to 1999. He wouldn't get a title fight before ending his career. Arredondo however had the more "interesting" career. Arredondo had actually fought this fight under the name Ricardo Chiba and in 1998 he was arrested for killing a man in Chiba with a kitchen knife. Arredondo would essentially be sent packing from Japan follow his sentence and would fight again until 2006. He managed to fight 8 times in 2006, running up a 7-2 (7) record before leaving the sport himself at the age of 29. |
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