The Past Week in Action 1 November 2021

By Eric Armit

Highlights:
-Radzhab Butaev stops Jamal James in nine rounds to win the secondary WBA welterweight title
-Jose Zepeda destroys Jose Vargas in one round at super lightweight
-Jaron Ennis wipes out Thomas Dulorme in one round at welterweight
-Chantelle Cameron unifies the WBC and IBF Female super light titles with victory over IBF title holder Mary McGee
-Jackie Nava outpoints Mariana Juarez in a clash of Mexican Female legends 
-Carlos Canizales, Archie Sharp, Alen Babic and Craig Richards score wins

World Title/Major Shows

October 30

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Welter: Radzhab Butaev (14-0,1ND) W TKO 10 Jamal James (27-2). Welter: Jaron Ennis (28-0,1ND) W TKO 1 Thomas Delorme (25-6-1). Light: Michel Rivera (22-0) W PTS 10 Jose Romero (24-2). Welter: Alberto Palmetta (17-1) W PTS 8 Yeis Solano (15-2). Super Light: Darwin Price (18-1) RTD 6 Jean Torres (19-1).
Butaev vs. James 
Butaev wins the secondary WBA welterweight title at the second attempt as he grinds down and stops James. The first round saw James boxing well making good use of his height, longer reach and smart movement against the slower Butaev. The third and fourth were close. Butaev was managing to get inside and work the body. James was scoring with some good counters but letting himself be dragged into too much close quarters stuff. The accuracy of the James left jab was marking up Butaev but James was too often finding himself fighting with the ropes to his back. Butaev continued to target the body but lost a point in the fourth for a punch to the back of James head. The continual pressure and the body punches were having a cumulative effect on James who was slowing. They fought hard over the seventh and eighth with Butaev marching forward putting James under pressure and scoring with thumping shots to the body. At the end of the round Butaev was coming on strong and in front 77-74 on two cards with James ahead 76-75 on the third but looking weary and unsteady at times. James was popping Butaev with light jabs at the start of the ninth but was looking exhausted. Butaev kept marching forward throwing clubbing shots and James was boxing with his mouth open gasping for breath. Butaev launched an attack and with Jones not punching back the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. It looked a little premature but James made no protest. Russian Butaev, 27, lost to Alexander Besputin for this title in November 2019 but Besputin tested positive for a banned substance. James won the vacant interim title in August 2020 and was upped to secondary title holder in February.
Ennis vs. Delorme
Ennis annihilates Dulorme with two knockdown in the first round. Ennis seemed to stagger Dulorme with a left to the head then connected with a chopping right to the side of Delorme’s head. The Puerto Rican went down but managed to get up at the count of seven. When the action resumed Ennis jumped on Dulorme firing punches. Dulorme scored with a couple of counters but a straight right dropped him on his back and he was counted just as he made it to his feet. Towering performance from Ennis who has won 26 of his 28 fights by KO/TKO. A sliding Dulorme has won only one of his last six fights. Dulorme’s team has officially lodged a protest with the WBA claiming the first knockdown punch landed on the back of Dulorme’s head. It looked to have landed by Dulorme’s ear but not flush on the back of the head.
Rivera vs. Romero
Dominican hope Rivera remains unbeaten with points win over Argentinian Romero. Rivera’s jab gave Romero problems throughout the ten rounds. Rivera used his jab both to score at distance and to prevent Romero getting inside to work. Romero tried to apply some pressure early but just could not find his way past the jab with any consistency. Rivera on the other hand was on target with both his jab and some powerful body punches which slowed Romero as the fight went on. Although he had a slightly longer reach Romero’s jab was never a factor in the fight and Rivera was a comfortable winner. Scores 100-90 three times for Rivera. He has scored useful wins over Fidel Maldonado, Ladarius Miller and Jon Fernandez but even with those wins is too high at No 2 with the WBA. Former Argentinian champion Romero had mainly faced modest domestic opposition and lost on points against Isaac Cruz in March.
Palmetta vs. Solano
Palmetta takes a split decision over Solano in a fast-paced close fight. Both showed effective body attacks and both had periods of dominance. Palmetta had his best round in the fourth in which he shook Solano with a right to the head. Solano came back strongly in the fifth and Palmetta was just the stronger over the closing rounds to take the verdict. Scores 79-73 and 78-74 for Palmetta and 77-75 for Solano. Some useful ring time for Palmetta who had won his last ten fights inside the distance. Colombian Solano lost a decision against Mykquan Williams in January.
Price vs. Torres 
Price beats Torres who retires at the end of the sixth round in their contest. Price used his longer reach and heavier punching and floored Torres on the way to victory. The doctor passed Torres as able to continue after an examination at the end of the fifth but after Price handed out more punishment Torres was ruled out at the end of the sixth. The lanky Price was out of the ring in 2018 and 2020 so needs to be more active. His lone loss came against 17-0 Malik Hawkins when he was forced to retire with a knee injury. Puerto Rican Torres had a streak of eight inside the distance wins going but was well beaten in this fight.

New York, NY, USA: Super Light: Jose Zepeda (35-2) W TKO 1 Jose Vargas (19-2). Bantam: Jonas Sultan (18-5) W PTS 10 Carlos Caraballo (14-1). Super Bantam: Carlos Jackson (18-1) W PTS 10 Jonathan Guzman (24-1). 
Zepeda vs. Vargas
Zepeda wipes out Vargas in the opening round. Zepeda drove a southpaw straight left to the head of Vargas and he went down heavily. He struggled to rise and then toppled over and nearly fell out of the ring. He managed to get up and was allowed to continue . Zepeda hunted him down and trapped him against the ropes and unloaded punches until Vargas slumped to the canvas and the referee pulled Zepeda off. The 32-year-old Zepeda reinforces his “dangerman” reputation with his twenty-seventh victory by KO/TKO. He lost a majority decision to Jose Ramirez for the WBC title in 2019 but has scored wins over Jose Pedraza, Kendo Castaneda and Ivan Baranchyk since then and is No 2 with the WBC. Vargas had won his last 13 fights.
Sultan vs. Caraballo
Filipino Sultan gets a close unanimous victory over Caraballo but needed four knockdowns to get the win. Caraballo made a good start edging the first round but paid his first visit to the floor in the second courtesy of a right uppercut from Sultan. The Filipino was fired up by that knockdown and put Caraballo down again in the third. Caraballo recovered enough to take the fourth and the fifth and had Sultan wobbling. The fight swung back to Sultan in the sixth as he caught Caraballo with a right that put Caraballo down for the third time. Caraballo took the fight to Sultan and both were shaken in the seventh and eighth but Caraballo took them both levelling the scores. Sultan had a decisive ninth as he connected with a combination to the head that sent Caraballo down for the fourth time and although Caraballo won the last round it was not enough and Sultan won on scores of 94-93 on all three cards. Exciting fight and a candidate for Fight of the Year. Sultan was the last fighter to beat John Riel Casimero having outpointed him in 2017 but was then outclassed by Jerwin Ancajas in a challenge for the IBF super fly title. It was no surprise that Puerto Rican Caraballo tried to punch his way out of trouble as he had won all 14 of his fights by KO/TKO including five first round finishes. 
Jackson vs. Guzman 
Jackson gets a split decision victory over Guzman. Over the early rounds Guzman built a lead being more accurate and landing the heavier punches. Jackson kept plugging away but the fight changed from the fifth when it slowly became apparent that Guzman had a problem with his right hand. From there Jackson grew in confidence and overcame the early lead of Guzman to move in front and strong last round from Guzman was not enough to save the day. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Jackson and   77-75 for Guzman. Second straight win for Jackson after losing his unbeaten tag when outpointed by 18-1 José Durantes Vivas in July 2020. Guzman lost a close decision to Yukinori Oguni for the IBF title in December 2016 and his only fights since then had been a win in November 2018 and in January 2021.

London, England: Super Light: Chantelle Cameron (15-0) W PTS 10 Mary McGee (27-4). Light Heavy: Craig Richards (17-2-1) W TKO 6 Marek Matyja (20-3-2). Super Feather: Jorge Castaneda (15-1) W PTS 10 Youssef Khoumari (13-1-1). Heavy: Alen Babic (9-0) W TKO 2 Eric Molina (28-8).
Cameron vs. McGee
Cameron unifies the WBC and IBF titles with comprehensive win over McGee. Cameron was taking the fight to McGee from the start. She was outworking her and was more accurate when they stood and traded punches. By the second Cameron was on the front foot and following her stiff jabs with straight rights but was given a warning for sending McGee tumbling to the canvas at the end of the round. Cameron was getting her punches off first and when McGee did pile forward Cameron was getting the better of the exchanges. McGee did better over the third and fourth but Cameron outworked her over the fifth and sixth. McGee attack the body well in the seventh but again Cameron did the better work over the eighth and ninth before a huge effort from McGee saw her take the last round. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92 for Cameron who retains the WBC title and wins the IBF title. She clearly outfought a tough opponent who had won her last seven fights. 
Richards vs. Matyja
Richards returns to the ring for the first time since losing a close decision against Dmitry Bivol for the secondary WBA title in May. He dominated the action with some strong jabbing and powerful hooks from both hands. Pole Matyja landed some stiff shots of his own but Richards had the edge in the exchanges and again his jab was the dominant punch. In the sixth a series of hooks and uppercuts had Matyja staggering and holding desperately and a few more clubbing head shots brought the referee’s intervention. His display in the Bivol fight has shown Richards is up there with the best and he will be looking to work his way to another title chance. First inside the distance defeat for former Polish champion Matyja.
Castaneda vs. Khoumari 
Castaneda takes a majority verdict against previously unbeaten Khoumari. This was an interesting tactical fight rather than a tear up. Both are good technical fighters. Castaneda pressed hard early on with Khoumari looking to box rather than stand and trade and he was outscoring Castaneda. The second half of the fight saw Castaneda continue to come forward but Khoumari took the sixth before Castaneda landed hard shots in the seventh and shook Khoumari badly in the eighth. The last two rounds were close with Castaneda just looking to take them which earned him the decision. Scores 97-94 and 96-94 for Castaneda and 95-95. Castaneda wins the vacant WBC International Silver title. Khoumari can learn from this and come back stronger. 
Babic vs. Molina
Babic blows away a badly faded Molina. Babic came out throwing punches and put Molina down with a right less than ten seconds into the round. Molina was up quickly and moved and held until his head cleared. Babic continued to plough forward throwing punches. He was wide open and Molina landed three heavy counters but they just bounced off Babic who tried in vain to land a big bomb. Babic stormed out in the second and put Molina down on his back. Molina climbed to his feet but was floored twice more and the fight was stopped. Nine fights and nine inside the distance wins for the hard punching Croat but Molina is way past his best and had earlier been knocked out by Filip Hrgovic and Fabio Wardley.

October 28

Santiago de Tolu, Colombia: Super Bantam: Bryan De Gracia (27-2-1) W TKO 2 Luis de la Rosa (26-18-2).
Panamanian De Gracia moves down to super bantam and takes his power with him as he halts Colombian de la Rosa in the second round. Now 7 wins in his last 8 fights for Gracia with all 7 wins by KO/TKO. de la Rosa just too small to compete and going in the opposite direction being 1-10-1 in his last outings.

October 29

London, England: Super Feather: Archie Sharp (21) W PTS 10 Alexis Kabore (28-5).Super Welter: Juan Abreu (24-6-1,1ND) W TKO 7 Tursynbay Kulakhmet (4-1). Super Light: Pierce O’Leary (8-0) W TKO 7 Siar Ozgul (15-7). Middle: Jordan Reynolds (3-0) W TKO 1 Rodolfo Paterno (2-4-2). 
Sharp vs. Kabore
Sharp retains the WBO Global belt with comfortable victory over limited Kabore from Burkina Faso. Sharp outboxed the slower Kabore all the way. Sharp was dealing with Kabore’s attempts at pressure with sharp, accurate counters and bobbed and weaved his way around Kabore’s punches and stepped up the pace gradually. Kabore was never able to get into the fight. Sharp was confident enough to switch guards a few times and put together some impressive combinations late in the fight but it was all too easy for Sharp. Scores 100-90 for Sharp on the three cards. Sharp is No m1 with the WBO but is nowhere near ready to challenge Shakur Stevenson. Kabore, 38, way out of his class.
Kulakhmet vs. Abreu
This was set to be an easy defence of the WBC International title for unbeaten Kazak Kulakhmet until Argentinian  Abreu stuck around and spoiled the party. It looked as though Kulakhmet was going to get another early win. Abreu has had more fights than Kulakhmet has had rounds  and a left to the head rocked Abreu in the first. The second saw Abreu down but he did not look too shaken. Things continued to go Kulakhmet’s way as a punch opened a cut over Abreu’s right eyebrow in the fourth and looked to have won every round at the half way point. However Abreu was still there and still fighting and he stunned Kulakhmet with a right late in the sixth. Abreu carried that success over into the seventh putting Kulakhmet down with a right early in the round and then connected with another right that deposited Kulakhmet face down on the canvas and the referee waived the fight over without bothering to count.  Of his 24 wins Abreu has 22 by KO/TKO so the danger was always there. He was stopped in six rounds in September last year by Jaron Ennis, the only time he has lost by KO/TKO, and has also lost to Jamal James, Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Alexander Besputin all on points so had experience at top level. Back to the drawing board for Kulakhmet who had won the WBC International title in only his second pro fight.
O’Leary vs. Ozgul
O’Leary was moving up to eight rounds for the first time but he did not have to wait that long for the win. He floored Ozgul in the fourth staggered him and opened a cut below his left eye in the sixth and had Ozgul rocking when it was stopped in the seventh. Fourth inside the distance win for the 21-year-old Dubliner. Just one win in his last eight contests for British-based Turk Ozgul.
Reynolds vs. Paterno
Reynolds gets this one over quickly as a left to the body saw Paterno unable to continue. The former British and English gold medal winner is one to follow.  Late substitute Paterno was badly mover-matched.

Mexico City, Mexico: Light Fly: Carlos Canizales (23-1-1) W PTS 10German Valenzuela (16-3).
Former WBA secondary title holder Canizales gets back into the winning column after losing his title five months ago. Canizales went into the lead early with his usual high work rate as Valenzuela took a time to settle into the fight not really giving Canizales any problems until the fourth round. Canizales was comfortable fighting at distance and countering the Mexican with Valenzuela not making use of his longer reach. Canizales continued to get the better of the exchanges and was a comfortable winner. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for “CCC” who wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe belt.  Canizales lost his light flyweight title in Mexico City in May with an un upset stoppage by unfancied Esteban Bermudez. Venezuelan Canizales was just too good for the 22-year-old  Valenzuela.

Bella Vista, Panama: Middle: Sebastian Papeschi (18-3) W PTS 10 Hector Zepeda (20-3,1ND). Super Feather: Pablo Vicente (18-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Javier Herrera (17-5-1). 
Papeschi vs. Zepeda 
Papeschi outboxes and outscores Zepeda. The Argentinian southpaw was the outsider and was conceding height and reach to Zepeda but after a steady start he took control. He rocked Zepeda a couple of times and almost put him away in the seventh. Zepeda got through the round but was then in survival mode. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for Papeschi the Argentinian interim super middleweight title holder. Zepeda’s losses have come against Sebastian Fundora and Carlos Molina.  
Vicente vs. Herrera
Cuban Vicente almost finished this in the first three minutes but in the end had to go the full ten rounds for victory. Vicente dropped Herrera twice in the first round but the Argentinian has yet to lose inside the distance and he survived. In the fifth a punch from Herrera started a swelling on Vicente’s right eye which rapidly closed the eye and from there Herrera attacked hard and Vicente boxed cautiously to victory. Scores 98-90 twice and 99-89 for Vicente. His lone loss is a controversial split verdict against Marcos Villasana in 2018 and this is his sixth victory since then. Herrera, the Argentinian No 7 lightweight, drops to 2-4-1 in his 7 most recent contests. 

Manila, Philippines: Super Fly: Renz Rosia (17-9-1) W TKO 6 Cris Paulino (21-6), Feather: Jhon Gemino (22-12-1) W TKO 5 Danny Tampipi (9-13-2).
Rosia vs. Paulino
Second upset victory in a row for Rosia as he wins the Philippines title with sixth round stoppage of champion Paulino in an all-southpaw contest. Rosia drove Paulino to the ropes in sixth and battered him with head shots until Paulino dropped to the floor with the referee coming in to stop the fight. In his last fight in December 2019 Rosia had outpointed former WBA title challenger Aston Palicte. He was 1-4-1 before beating Palicte so at 33 he is experiencing some success. Paulino was making the first defence of the belt.
Gemino vs. Tampipi
Gemino collects the Philippines title after stopping Tampipi in five rounds. Gemino seem to have found a punch late in his career as he has won 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO. Unfortunately the odd one out of those six was a second kayo loss against WBO No1 feather Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov.

General Santos City, Philippines: Welter: Adam Diu Abdulhamid (17-9) W TKO 8 Jason Egera (24-23-2). Bantam: Aston Palicte (28-4-1) W PTS 10 Roland Jay Biendima (15-10-1). Fly: Mark Barriga (11-1) W PTS 8 Ramel Antaran (4-14-2).
Abdulhamid vs. Egera  
Abdulhamid batters Egera to defeat. Egera just rumbled forward throwing punches and trying to walk through Abdulhamid’s counters. A left staggered Egera in the first and Abdulhamid began to come forward from the second. He used his longer reach and better skills to pound Egera with punches but Egera was rumbling forward and scoring with meaty thumps. Abdulhamid dished out punishment over the fifth, sixth and seventh but it looked as though the constant pressure from Egera was wearing him down. In the seventh an arm weary Egera was coming apart. In the eighth the referee took Egera back to his corner for a costume adjustment as shorts were almost around his thighs and strangely when the action resumed Egera threw an arm in the air and just walked away from the fight in surrender. Third win by KO/TKO in a row for Abdulhamid. Egera falls to 1-6-2 in his last 9 BOUTS.
Palicte vs. Biendima
In his first fight for eleven months Palicte is given plenty of work by Biendima. He floored Biendima in the fourth and hammered home hooks and uppercuts. For Palicte it was almost exhibition stuff but despite taking heavy punishment Biendima just kept bouncing back and connecting with some powerful left hooks to the body. Amazing bravery but Palicte was in another class. Palicte went for broke over the last two rounds but Biendima deservedly was still there at the end. Scores 100-89 from the judges for Palicte who lost to Kazuto Ioka  for the vacant secondary WBA super fly title in 2019. Fifth loss in a row for Biendima.
Barriga vs. Antaran
Barriga gets in some needed work but is given All sorts of problems by the eccentric and naturally bigger Antaran and just gets by with a very close decision. Barriga had all the skills but is not a big puncher and Antaran kept him under pressure all the way and gave Barriga a rough ride. Scores 76-75 twice and 77-74 for Barriga. An ex-Olympian Barriga beat Paddy Barnes in the world championships. He lost a split decision against Carlos Licona for the vacant IBF minimum title in December 2018 and was then out of the ring before returning with a win in March. Antaran who has fight as big as bantam falls to 1-8- in disappointing recent form. 

Jaworzno, Poland: Super Middle: Lukasz Stanioch (7-0) W PTS 10 Ryan Ford (17-7). Middle Michal Syrowatka (23-5) W KO 5 Piotr Szmajda (5-1).
Stanioch vs. Ford
Stanioch takes a step up in quality opposition and gets the unanimous decision over Canadian hard man Ford. The Canadian put Stanioch under pressure from the opening bell and it was obvious this was going to be a big test for the local fighter. By the third Stanioch had found his way into the fight and over the middle rounds these two went to war which should have suited Ford but with Stanioch more than holding his own. Stanioch was throwing and landing more but Ford was relying heavily on big single shots. Stanioch tired late but stayed cool and despite a strong effort from Ford he was a good winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Stanioch who gets his best win in his short career. Ford always comes to fight but is now 1-3 in his last four bouts including a seventh round kayo loss against Joshua Buatsi in 2019
Syrowatka vs. Szmajda
A loss against novice Szmajda would have pushed Syrowatka way down the slippery slope. Szmajda gave Syrowatka some early problems but slowly Syrowatka’s experience and better skills put him in charge. He was briefly shaken by a right in the third but ended the fight in the fifth. He floored Szmajda twice before connecting with a body punch that put Szmajda on the floor in agony and he was counted out. Syrowatka had lost his last two fights to domestic opposition so needed to win this one. Szmajda lacked the experience to cause Syrowatka any problems.

Kalisz, Poland: Super Light: Kamil Mlodzinski (14-5-4) W PTS 8 Agustin Kucharski (7-4-1,1ND). Light: Damian Wrzesinski (23-2-2,1ND) W PTS 8 Victor Julio (16-1).Welter: Lukasz Wierzbicki (20-1) W PTS 8 Rodrigo Labre (6-6
Mlodzinski vs. Kucharski
Mlodzinski take a split decision over Argentinian Kucharski but is lucky to do so. Kucharski was the better boxer and more mobile. He used his longer reach to score at distance and although he lacked the power to hurt Mlodzinski he built a lead and look on his way to a win. That changed in the sixth round when Mlodzinski connected with a left hook that put Kucharski down. From there the rounds were close but the knockdown was the decider. Scores 76-75 twice to Mlodzinski and 76-75 for Kucharski. Third consecutive victory for Mlodzinski. Kucharski, who has Polish antecedents, is 0-2 in fights in Poland.
Wrzesinski vs. Julio
Wrzesinski eases his way to victory over a disappointing Julio. After a bright start Julio faded out of the fight. Wrzesinski commanded from the centre of the ring and Julio showed a reluctance to apply the pressure needed to unsettle to local fighter and failed to use his longer reach . That allowed Wrzesinski to set the pace and he was busier and more accurate and won easily but without fire. Scores 80-72 on the three cards for Wrzesinski who lost an upset decision to Mexican Erick Encinia in May. Colombian Julio was flattered by his unbeaten record.
Wierzbicki vs. Labre
Wierzbicki returns to action with a unanimous verdict over Labre. After a year out of the ring Wierzbicki displayed some rust and a few errors but was a clear winner. Wierzbicki was at his best when he boxed at distance and countered the aggressive Labre. He had his hands down too low in the sixth and was clattered by a left to the head. He was badly shaken and Labre tried desperately to find another big punch but failed. Wierzbicki rebounded by flooring Labre in the seventh but Labre frustrated Wierzbicki’s attempts to finish the fight in the eighth. Scores 78-73 twice and 80-71 for Wierzbicki. The Pole lost his unbeaten record in October 2019 on a second round stoppage by England’s Louis Greene and won a low level domestic fight in September last year. Second loss in a row for Spanish-based Ecuadorian Labre.

Washington, DC, USA: Feather: Cobia Breedy (15-1,1ND) ND 2 Sulaiman Segawa (13-3-1,1ND). 
Breedy vs. Segawa
This one ends early as a clash of heads in the second saw Segawa badly cut and the fight was stopped at the end of the round and ruled a No Decision Breedy scored well with rights against southpaw Segawa in the first but already heads were bumping dangerously. In the second as heads banged together again Segawa suffered a cut over his left eye. The doctor examined the cut and the fight was allowed to restart. Breedy scored with more rights and had won the two rounds. Unfortunately the doctor again inspected Segawa’s cut and it was decided Segawa could not continue. Both were coming off loses Breedy a split decision against Tugstsogt Nyambayar in September and Segawa a seventh round kayo by Jamaine Ortiz in November.

Kissimmee, FL, USA: Light Heavy: Fanlong Meng (17-0) W PTS 10 Israel Duffus (20-7). Light: Miguel Marrero (10-1-2) W PTS 10 Victor Betancourt (27-4,1ND). 
Meng vs. Duffus
Meng sheds two years of dust with a unanimous decision over Duffus. Meng took a while to find his form but then outboxed Duffus. Meng looked to have scored a knockdown in the last with a series of punches sending Duffus into the ropes which held him up. It made no difference as Meng already had the fight won. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94 for Meng The 33-year-old Chinese southpaw was sitting at No 1 with a title shot guaranteed but the COVID-19 pandemic ended that hope and only the WBC still have him rated and then down at No 8 so he is a long way from that title fight. Panamanian Duffus suffered losses against unbeaten fighters Charles Foster and Richard Rivera but had a win in his last fight in March 2020.
Marrero vs. Betancourt 
Marrero takes a tight unanimous verdict over Betancourt. It was Betancourt who moved in front early with some accurate jabbing and left hooks. It was the third before Marrero made an impact in his first fight September 2019. He worked well to the body and although the rounds were close he edged in front over the middle rounds. Betancourt boxed well to get back in the fight in the seventh but Marrero was stronger over the closing rounds being denied what looked a genuine knockdown in the ninth and took the decision on scores of 97-93 96-94 and 96-95. Marrero’s lone defeat came on a unanimous verdict in an eight round fight against Alberto Mercado in 2018 and he collects the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. Betancourt had been stopped in one round by Jaime Arboleda in 2019  but returned with a low level win in July this year

Melrose. MA, USA: Super Welter: Jeovanis Barraza (23-1) W PTS 8 Jorge Garcia (13-8-1).
Barraza hits too hard for Argentinian Garcia. Colombian Barraza targeted Garcia’s body  and although Garcia was competitive  the effect of the body punches caught up with him eventually. He was down twice in the sixth and once in the seventh but despite the three knockdowns he made it the end of the fight. Scores 80-69 twice and 79-70 for Barraza. His loss came in a two round stoppage against former top level amateur Gabriel Maestre in 2019 but he has rebounded with three victories. Garcia was having his first fight for two years.

October 30

Tijuana, Mexico: Super Bantam: Jackie Nava (39-4-4) W PTS 10 Mariana Juarez (55-11-4). Super Bantam: Bryan Mercado (20-1) W PTS 8 Gabino Hernandez (8-9-4). Fly: Carlos Mejia (7-2-1) W PTS 8 Brian Mosinos (21-3). Super Welter: Ruben Aguilar (17-0) W TKO 1 David Bustamante (4-4).
Nava vs. Juarez
“Aztec Princess” Nava comes out on top in a battle of two forty-year-old legends of female boxing as she outclasses “Barbie” Juarez to win the WBC Diamond super bantamweight belt. From the opening round Nava boxed quite beautifully. She was finding gaps for quick burst of punches with Juarez coming forward throwing harder single shots but missing the target and being made to pay as Nava hit her with accurate and quick counters. Nava picked up the pace and by the sixth Juarez had to pass a doctors examination due to a large swelling under her left eye. By the seventh it was Nava coming forward and in total control as she whipped quick lefts and rights through the guard of Juarez. Nava seemed to take a break the ninth but she took the fight to Juarez again in the tenth and outfought her inside. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and a generous 97-93. Nava, 41, won her first major title in 2005 collecting both the WBA and WBC titles that year. She is currently 14-0-1 and in great form. Juarez, also 41, turned pro in 1998. She is a former WBC fly and bantam champion and is 18-1 in title fights.
Mercado vs. Hernandez
Mercado boxes his way to victory. Mercado made good use of his better skills and longer reach to keep an aggressive Hernandez out and won every round. Scores 80-72 all for Mercado who registers his nineteenth win in a row. 
Mejia vs. Mosinos 
Mejia upset the odds makers in this one. He simply outfought the favoured Mosinos with a much higher work rate and beat the better technical boxer. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75 for Mejia who has improved his record by going 5-1-1 in recent fights. Mosinos had a nine-bout winning streak. 
Aguilar vs. Bustamante
Aguilar comes out throwing bombs and blast out Bustamante in the first round. A series of shots to head and body dropped Bustamante and the fight was stopped. Tenth first round finish for the 20-year-old from Ensenada. Second stoppage loss in succession for Bustamante.

Villa Nueva, Argentina: Light: Maria Moneo (8-1) W PTS 10 Paola Benavidez (8-5-3). Welter: Victoria Bustos (22-6) W PTS 8 Yamil Reynoso (11-9-3). 
Moneo vs. Benavidez
Uruguayan Moneo wins the vacant IBF Female title with a wide unanimous decision over Argentinian Benavidez. Moneo’s aggression won this one as she constantly forced Benavidez to the ropes and worked her over to head and body. Benavidez lost a point in the fourth for holding and survived a crisis in the seventh but was well beaten. Scores 99-90, 99-91 and 97-92 for Moneo who also holds the WBA title. Third defeat in her last four fights for Benavidez.
Bustos vs. Reynoso
Bustos too experienced for Reynoso and gets the majority decision. The more stylish Bustos scored well boxing at distance with Reynoso having her success with body punches inside. Bustos looked to have clearly have landed more and heavier punches but one judge did not think she had done enough. Scores 78-74 ½ and 78-75 for Bustos and 77-77. A former IBF champion Bustos lost big fights against Katie Taylor and Cecilia Braekhus. Reynoso, a former Argentinian welterweight champion, suffers her fifth consecutive defeat. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Light: Jonathan Eniz (27-15-1,1NC) W PTS 10 Nicolas Demario (15-5-3).
Eniz needs a strong finish to get the decision over Demario. A poor run where he won only two of his last six fights left Eniz badly in need of a win. He set a fast pace and attacked hard over the first three rounds out working Demario who was too cautious. Demario came on in the second half of the fight cutting Eniz over his right eye and on his lip as he took the seventh and eighth. With his deeper experience Eniz had paced the fight better and took the last two rounds and the decision. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-95 for Eniz who is now aiming to challenge for the national title. Demario had gone 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights.

Sanvignes les mines, France: Super Welter: Mickael Lacombe (13-6-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Mirko Di Carlantonio (11-9-1).
Local fighter Lacombe just edges past Italian Di Carlantonio on a split decision to win the vacant IBO Mediterranean title. Scores 95-94 twice for Lacombe and 96-93 for Di Carlantonio. Lacombe, 35, has come into some late form as he is 9-1-1 in his last 11 fights. Di Carlantonio had draw and lost in shots at the Italian title this year.  

Les Mureaux, France: Bantam: Elie Konki (12-0) W PTS 10 Ricardo Blandon (15-4).
Unbeaten Konki has too much skill for Nicaraguan Blandon. The 29-year-old “Spider” was defending the WBA Inter-Continental title and took the decision on scores of 98-92 twice and a much closer 96-94. Blandon had lost only one of his last six fights going in.

Koenigs Wusterhausen, Germany: Super Welter: Ronny Gabel (39-6-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Achilles Szabo (25-28). Light: Ramona Kuehne (32-1) W PTS 6 Klaudia Vigh (3-33-1,1ND). 
Gabel vs. Szabo
Gabel gets another scalp as he outscores experienced Hungarian loser Szabo. The referee scored this 78-74 to give Gabel his seventeenth win in his last eighteen fights. His opposition has been very much second string but he has won the WBU (German) version belt-hooray! Another loss for Szabo but an improvement as he is now 1-9 in recent action with the other eight losses all by KO/TKO.
Kuehne vs. Vigh
Female star boxer Kuehne keeps busy as she floors and outpoints consistent loser Vigh. The referee’s card for this one was 60-53. Now 41 the former undefeated WBO and IBF title holder has won her last 15 bouts and her lone defeat came way back in 2010. Poor Vigh has won just one of her last 35 fights.

Managua, Nicaragua: Feather: Elysson Marquez (11-2-2) W TKO 6 Marcio Soza (21-7-2). Super Light: Israel Lopez (9-1,1ND) W TKO 6 Gabriel Escalante (14-2). 
Marquez vs. Soza 
Marquez wins a war of attrition against Soza. The better boxing came from Soza with Marquez loading up on every punch with not a lot of accuracy and he was leaving himself wide open to counters. Soza looked the likely winner as Marquez seemed arm weary in the fourth. Despite that Marquez landed heavily in the fifth with the referee asking the doctor to inspect Soza who was bleeding heavily from the nose. They pounded on each other in the sixth until the referee again called the doctor who decided Soza’s nose injury was too serious for the fight to continue. Marquez wins the vacant WBA Fedecaribe title and is unbeaten in his last seven fights. Soza had a ten-bout winning streak going before this loss.
Lopez vs. Escalante 
Lopez gets repeat win over Escalante. This was a mirror image of their previous fight in April. The lanky Escalante towered over Lopez and was able to score both at distant and as Lopez tried to fight his way inside. Escalante found Lopez an easy target but just could not keep him out. Eventually Escalate tired and in the sixth Lopez pinned him to the ropes and unloaded punches until Escalante was ready to drop and the referee stopped the fight. After losing on a disqualification in his second fight Lopez is now 8-0-1ND. Now consecutive losses to Lopez for Escalante.

Talisay City, Philippines: Fly: April Jay Abne (7-0) W PTS 10 Bienvenido Ligas (13-2-2). 
Minor surprise as inexperienced Abne beats Philippines champion Ligas to win the vacant OPBF Silver title on a split verdict. Abne looked sharp over the early rounds boxing cleverly on the back foot .Ligas was the stronger and the harder puncher and applied constant pressure with Abne often pinned to the ropes. Abne had quicker hands and was firing accurate counters but without power. Abne was cut in the sixth round in a clash of heads and Ligas chased Abne down and looked to have done enough to take the decision but it went to Abne for his early work. Scores 96-94 twice for Abne and 96-94 for Ligas. First time Abne has gone ten rounds so good experience for him and Ligas still has the Philippines title  if Abne wants a return.

Santander, Spain: Welter: Jon Miguez (15-0) W KO 2 Jonathan Valero (10-7-1)
Miguez makes a successful first defence of the national title with second round kayo of Valero. Miguez looked to have scored a knockdown in the first but the referee ruled it a slip. There was no doubt over the finish in the second. Miguez connected with a series of punches ending with a left hook that put Valero down and out for Miguez’s seventh victory by KO/TKO. Valero is 0-2 in shots at the national title.

Madrid, Spain: Feather: Bernard Torres (15-0) W TKO 7 Jayro Duran (14-13,
Philippines-born Torres breaks down and halts Spanish-based Honduran Duran in the seventh round. Seven inside the distance wins for Norwegian southpaw Torres but ninth loss on the trot for Duran.

Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Welter: Shinard Bunch (17-1-1,1ND) W KO 1 Wilfrido Buelvas (22-15).
Another power punching displays from Queens-born Bunch. He dropped Buelvas twice finishing him on the second knockdown with a big right. Fifteen wins by KO/TKO for Bunch. He is unbeaten in his last fifteen fight with fourteen wins and a draw in February with 17-0 0 Janelson Figueroa Bocachica. Colombian Buelvas suffers loss No 12 by KO/TKO


Fight of the week (Significance): The wins scored by both Zepeda and Ennis are significant as they keep the door open and the interest up for title shots.
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Jonas Sultan vs. Carlos Caraballo had thrills enough to please anyone (another Top Rank show).
Fighter of the week: Ennis for his towering display in brushing aside Thomas Dulorme with honourable mention to the power show from Zepeda
Punch of the week: The straight left from Zepeda that put Vargas down was like a thunderbolt.
Upset of the week: Juan Abreu’s win over highly touted Kazak Tursynbay was not in the script. Honourable mention to Sebastian Papeschi who was supposed to lose to Hector Zepeda
Prospect watch: None I have not already mentioned.

Observations
Rosette: To Jackie Nava and Mariana Juarez two legendary female Mexican boxers facing each other perhaps when they are both past their best but a brave decision from both.
Red Card: Referees need to either stop signalling for a boxer who has just arisen from a knockdown to raise his gloves. On a number of occasions at the weekend the referee either ignored the fact the fighter did not raise his gloves-or raised them for him. What’s the point of issuing an instruction and then not caring whether the boxer follows the instruction or  not-a waste of breath. It is part of the safety process to ensure a boxer is able to continue. Either make sure he does raise his gloves or don’t even bother instructing him to do so. Different standards also. The feeling was that perhaps the Butaev vs. James fight was stopped a little hastily. Better that than when poor Jose Vargas started to get after being knocked down by Jose Zepeda.  He was so addled that he stumbled across the ring and almost fell out under the bottom rope. Somehow he made it to his feet but there was no way he had recovered literally seconds after being so jumbled he almost fell out of the ring.

-Christmas is coming and everybody needs some Christmas money. The show in Panama on October 29 featured 14 fights with 128 rounds scheduled. Luckily 16 ended early.

-Great to see boxers honoured in their own country. On Saturday night in Forli Italy Boxe Ring Web hosted the Italian Hall Of Fame dinner with the inductees being Dulio Loi, Loris Stecca, Massimiliano Duran, Patrizio Oliva, Sumbu Kalambay, Roberto Cammarelle and an Italian great from the past Cleto Locatelli. Some great names there.

 -A well deserved plug for International Boxing Hall of Fame promoter J Russell Peltz’s book “Thirty Dollars and a Cut Eye”. A great boxing story covering Russell’s early years promoting some of the greatest middleweights of the era and on through to the present time.

-There’s a song line that goes ”It was a very good year for…….Well 1980 was a very good year for female boxers as both Jackie Nava and Mariana Juarez were born in 1980 as was another female boxing legend  Germany’s Ramona Kuehne  with her 32-1 record  and unbeaten for eleven years. 

Let me introduce you to: Dulio Loi
Dulio Loi was inducted into the Italian Boxing Hall of Fame this week. He was one of the most successful boxers in Italian boxing history. Born in Trieste on 19 April 1929 Loi turned professional in November 1948.and won the Italian lightweight title in 1952. In the same year he lost in a challenge for the European title against Jorgen Johansen in front of over 16,000 spectators which gave Loi a 35-1-2 record. He fought a return with Johansen in 1954 and outpointed him to win the European lightweight title. He challenged Carlos Ortiz for the world lightweight title in 1960 but lost on points-only his second loss in 111 fights-but then beat Ortiz for the title and made two successful defences against him.  He suffered his third loss in a defence of the now WBA title against Eddie Perkins in September 1962 but then regained the WBA title with a points win over Perkins in December 1962. Loi retired after that fight with a record of 115-3-8 and he scored revenge wins over the three fighters who beat him. Dulio was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of fame in 2005- A true great.