The Past Week in Action 21 February 2022

By Eric Armit

Highlights:
-Jaime Munguia remains unbeaten as he stops D’Mitrius Ballard in the third round and lightweight William Espinoza (25-0) has to overcome a knockdown to beat Luis Viedas in the third
-Zaur Abdullaev comes from behind to floor Jorge Linares twice for a last round stoppage and Angel Rodriguez outpoints Mark Urvanov in a WBA super featherweight eliminator
-Kell Brook outclasses Amir Khan and stops him in six rounds and Natasha Jonas wins the vacant WBC Female super welterweight title as she beats Chris Namus in two rounds 
-Arslan Makhmudov stops Mariusz Wach in the sixth for win No 14 by KO/TKO and Simon Kean climbs off the canvas to halt Shawndell Winters in nine rounds

World Title/Major Shows

February 19

Tijuana, Mexico: Middle: Jaime Munguia (39-0) W TKO 3 D’Mitrius Ballard (21-1-1,2ND). Light: William Zepeda (25-0) W KO 3 Luis Viedas (29-12-1). Super Light: Diego Torres (14-0) W PTS 10 Jonathan Martinez (8-3-1). Feather: Rafael Espinoza (18-0) W KO 1 Alie Laurel (18-7-1). Fly: Arely Mucino (31-3-2) W TKO 2 Marisol Sanchez (12-10). Feather: Christian Olivo (19-0-1) W PTS 6 Miguel Mateos (12-5). Super Welter: Jorge Garcia (23-3) W KO 3 Jesus Rodriguez (19-9-2). Super Fly: Argi Cortes (22-2-2) W PTS 6 Mario Andrade (16-15-7).
Munguia vs. Ballard
Munguia makes a slow start and then floors and stops Ballard in the third. Both just stuck with probing jabs in the first with neither committing themselves to a punch until Ballard landed a couple of rights and Munguia countered with one of his own. A left hook from Munguia in the second caused Ballard to blink. The action heated up with a couple of exchanges but Munguia started to let his punches go. He scored with a left to the body and a right to the head but Ballard picked him off with a series of jabs and also landed right to the head. Munguia finally launched a big attack in the third landing a left hook to the body that hurt Ballard and another to the head but again Ballard boxed his way out of trouble. A left hook to the body and another to the head staggered Ballard into a corner and a series of punches sent him face down on the canvas. He was up at six but when another left to the head rocked him the referee stopped the fight. Win No 31 by KO/TKO for Munguia. He has worked hard on his boxing skills and is a much better boxer than he was when he first burst on the scene. He is WBC1/WBO 1/WBA 2/IBF 12(10) and a fight with Jermall Charlo for the WBC title would be a big seller. Ballard goes back to basics. He just did not have the punch to deal with Munguia but showed some good skills. 
Zepeda vs. Viedas
Zepeda suffers his first knockdown as a pro but makes it fifteen consecutive wins by KO/TKO as he beat Viedas in three rounds. Viedas was down in the first but from a slip and he seemed to injury his knee as he went down. He was given recovery time but had to soak up some heavy lefts from Zepeda. In the second Zepeda forced Viedas to the ropes and Viedas dropped to one knee after a right from Zepeda. After the count they stood and traded punches with Viedas connecting with two good rights. Zepeda chased Viedas to the ropes but ran onto the left counter that dropped him to his knees. Zepeda was up at six and when Viedas rushed in to try to capitalise on the knockdown he was met by a flying elbow from Zepeda and went down. There was no count and Zepeda was deducted a point for the elbow smash. It was all over in the third as Zepeda battered Viedas to the canvas twice. Zepeda landed two punches after Viedas was on his knees for the second knockdown and Viedas was counted out. The 25-year-old southpaw has only been taken the distance twice. He is rated WBC 2 and WBO 6 at super lightweight but Josh Taylor has a busy dance card. Viedas came in as a very late substitute and suffered his seventh inside the distance defeat.
Torres vs. Escobedo
Torres holds off a strong second half effort from Escobedo to take the unanimous decision. Torres dominated early and Escobedo suffered a cut over his left eye from a punch and had swelling around his right. Escobedo survived two inspections of his injuries and the thought of a stoppage loss fired him up and he fought hard with an exhausted and cut Torres losing a point for spitting out his mouthguard in the ninth but fighting hard enough to be a clear winner. Scores 97-92 twice and 98-91 for Torres. This is the first time Torres has gone past the sixth round for a win. Escobedo is 2-2-1 in his last five fights all of which have been against unbeaten nighters.
Espinoza vs. Laurel
The 7” taller Espinoza demolishes Laurel inside a round. A right to the head sent Laurel down early in the round. He beat the count but was pawing at his right eye and when he dived in trying to land on Espinoza he slipped and a left to the temple put him down and he was counted out. Ten inside the distance victories in his last eleven fights for the 6’1” Espinoza. Third loss in a row for Laurel.
Mucino vs. Sanchez
Mucino extends her current unbeaten run to ten with a second round stoppage of Sanchez. The referee halted the fight in the second round with Sanchez taking too much punishment. The 32-year-old Mucino is a former IBF, WBC and WBO flyweight champion. Sanchez was a replacement and suffers her fifth defeat in her last six bouts.
Olivo vs. Mateos 
Fourteen wins in a row for Olivo as he tales the decision over Mateos who was yet another late change. Olivo was in charge in every round and came close to halting Mateos in the last. Scores 60-54 on the three cards. Olivo celebrated his twenty-third birthday on Friday.
Garcia vs. Rodriguez
In a battle of boxers from Los Mochis Garcia stopped Rodriguez in the third round Garcia put Rodriguez down and when Rodriguez tried to rise he tumbled to the canvas again and the fight was over. Nineteen wins by KO/TKO for Garcia. Rodriguez is 2-6-1 in his most recent action.
Cortes vs. Andrade
Ignacio Beristan trained Cortes extended his unbeaten run to 22 fights as he outboxed experienced Andrade on the way to a win on scores of 59-55 twice and 60-54.

Manchester, England: Welter: Kell Brook (40-3) W TKO 6 Amir Khan (34-6). Super Welter: Natasha Jonas (11-2-1) W TKO 2 Chris Namus (25-7). Super Middle: Germaine Brown (12-0) W PTS 10 Charlie Schofield (17-2). Light: Adam Azim W TKO 3 Jordan Ellison (13-34-2). Middle: Bradley Rea (12-0) W TKO 1 Craig McCarthy (89-1-1).Heavy: Frazer Clarke (1-0) W TKO 1 Jake Darnell (0-1).
Brook vs. Khan
Brook destroys Khan in a disappointingly one-sided bout.
An ominous start for Khan. He was flitting about throwing lots of light punches with Brook just patiently tracking him around the ring. When Brook did let go he rocked Khan badly twice with rights and with a left late in the round. The story was similar in the second with Khan throwing lots of punches without much accuracy. Brook always looked dangerous and again looked to stagger Khan with a right to the head. Khan had most success when he jabbed and moved and landed a couple of nice shots early in the round but he could not get away from Brook’s pressure and over the closing minute Brook handed out some fierce punishment with Khan holding to survive. The fourth was a messy round without much scoring from either boxer with Brook doing what good work there was connecting with a solid right to the head and Khan clinching more. The fifth was a dominant round for Brook. He connected with a right to the head and then drove Khan around the ropes landing more rights. Khan was just moving trying to stay out of trouble but still being caught with more rights and a stoppage looked close. Khan was staggered by a left jab at the start of the sixth and as Brook piled on the pressure with Khan not punching back the referee made a good stoppage. Brook was having his first fight since losing to Terrence Crawford in November 2020. It is possible that this win may encourage him to try for another run at the top fighters and already there have been challenges thrown his way. For Khan on this non-showing retirement has to be the sensible choice.
Jonas vs. Namus
Jonas wins the vacant WBO Female title with stoppage of Namus. Jonas put her stamp on the fight early in the first round putting Namus down heavily with a right hook. Namus made it to the bell but was badly shaken. In the second Jonas stormed into Namus who tried to stand and trade punches but was sent down again from a left and although she was up quickly her corner threw in the towel. Jonas, 37, had drawn with Terri Harper for the WBC and IBF featherweight titles and lost a very close unanimous decision (95-96 twice and 94-96) to Katie Taylor in May last year for the IBF,WBA,WBC and WBO lightweight titles so third time and third division saw her successful. Uruguayan Namus, 34, is a former IBF title holder.
Brown vs. Schofield 
Brown wins the English title with points victory over defending champion Schofield. Brown’s aggression overcame the reach advantage of the 6’3” Schofield. Brown bobbed and weaved his way inside banging away to Schofield’s body. Schofield just could not get the range and quickly fell behind. He tried to take the fight to Brown more over the second half of the bout but was outlanded and faded out of the fight. Scores 99-92 twice and 98-92 for Brown.
Azim vs. Ellison
Highly touted hope Azim stops experienced journeyman Ellison in three rounds. Azim floored Ellison with a body shot in the first and ended the fight with a left hook in the third. The former British Junior and English Youth champion is trained by Shane McGuigan. 
Rea vs. McCarthy
Rea wipes out McCarthy in the first round. After shaking McCarthy with a couple of rights to the head Rea ended the fight with a stunning left hook that sent McCarthy down with McCarthy’s corner throwing in the towel. Five wins by KO/TKO for Rea.
Clarke vs. Darnell
A waste of ring space and time as Clarke stops Darnell in the first round. Darnell had never had a pro fight in fact his experience consisted of a bare knuckle fight and white collar bouts. Clarke was scoring with thudding body shots and to his credit Darnell took the punishment and tried an occasional jab. Clarke quickly brought blood from Darnell’s nose with a right and when another right snapped Darnell’s head back his corner threw' in the towel. Darnell was only approached to take part in this dangerous farce on Thursday but hey! The show must go on. Clarke is 30 and a winner of a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and silver at the Tokyo Olympics so adds another interesting ingredient to the heavyweight mix but boxing should be ashamed at putting the interests of a TV company above the interests of the sport. The world would not have ended if Clarke did not fight on the show.

Ekaterinburg, Russia: Light: Zaur Abdullaev (15-1) W TKO 12 Jorge Linares (47-7). Super Feather: Angel Rodriguez (20-1) W PTS 12 Mark Urvanov (20-3-1). Super Light: Ivan Kozlovsky (5-0) W PTS 10 Zoravor Petrosian (12-2).
Abdullaev vs. Linares
Abdullaev pulls of a dramatic last round victory. Both started cautiously just probing with jabs and hiding behind tight guards. Good second round from Linares as he was shooting jabs through the guard of Abdullaev and cracking home shots to the body with both hands. The third and fourth also went to Linares. He was stabbing stiff jabs home and letting fly with bursts of punches with Abdullaev too slow to counter. Abdullaev did a bit better in the fifth getting through with some body punches. He was always advancing but not throwing enough punches to put Linares under pressure. Abdullaev let his hands go more in the sixth and cracked Linares with a couple of rights to the head but Linares consistently pierced Abduallaev’s guard with jabs. Both scored with jabs and body punches in an even seventh. Linares boxed beautifully on the back foot early in the eighth but Abdullaev connected with two heavy rights over the closing seconds. Abdullaev had his best round so far in the ninth. He was forcing Linares to the ropes and working him over with both hands and Linares was moving slower and not throwing as punches. Abdullaev maintained the pressure in the tenth connecting with a series of head punches. Linares regrouped and outboxed Abdullaev over the second half of the round. Linares worked his jab hard in the eleven but there was no snap in it and Abdullaev was finding the target persistently with rights to the head. Linares was forced to stand and trade with Abdullaev in the twelfth and was nailed by a big left hook that sent him down on his back. He was up; early but then was dropped again by another strong left hook. He made it to his feet and indicated he wanted to continue but he was pinned to the ropes with Abdullaev unloading heavy punches and the fight was stopped with just over thirty seconds remaining in the round.  Huge win for the 27-year-old Russian. He was No 4 in the WBC ratings but lost in four rounds against current title holder Devin Haney in September 2019 and Vasyl Lomachenko and Ryan Garcia are in front of him in the queue. With his only other ranking No 10 with the IBF there is no clear path to a title shot. Linares had given Haney a tough night in a title challenge in May last year. This the first time in the last nine years that Linares has lost successive fights. He stills has great skills but at 36 things are not going to get any easier so retirement has to be considered.
Rodriguez vs. Urvanov
Rodriguez gets split decision over Urvanov in WBA eliminator.  There was a contrast in styles with Rodriguez very orthodox and Urvanov with hands low and punching from a variety of angles. Rodriguez had a good second round when he shook Urvanov badly with a right to the head and although Urvanov recovered quickly Rodriguez connected a couple more times with his right and rattled Urvanov with some sweeping hooks in the third. Urvanov upped his output in the fourth and it developed into a fast-paced entertaining contest. Urvanov was quicker and busier with Rodriguez picking his shots well and landing the harder punches. It was difficult to separate them with both having dominant spells. Urvanov pressed hard throughout the fight but Rodriguez had him shaken again with a left hook in the eighth. Relentless aggression from Urvanov made Rodriguez work hard for three minutes in every round but he had a good eleventh as Urvanov tired from the pace he had set and outlanded Urvanov in the last. Scores 116-112 and 115-113 for Rodriguez and 115-113 for Urvanov. Important win for seasoned pro Rodriguez who with Urvanov being rated No 3 moves into line for a shot at the WBA title and therefore a blow for Urvanov but at 25 be can and will climb back again.
 Kozlovsky vs. Petrosian
Southpaw Kozlovsky retains the WBC Asian Boxing Council belt with split decision over Ukrainian Petrosian. The silkier skills of Kozlovsky saw him outboxing Petrosian getting his punches off first and using good defensive work to pocket the opening rounds. Petrosian was switching guards and landing crisp body punches to start to eat into Zalovsky’s early lead and with Kozlovsky suffering a cut over his right eye the gap narrowed. Kozlovsky then produced a stronger finish to restore his advantage and just did enough to finish in front. Scores 96-94 twice for Kozlovsky and a strange 99-91 for Petrosian. Kozlovsky, 24, is a former World Youth gold medallist 

Montreal, Canada: Heavy: Arslanbek Makhmudov (14-0) W TKO 6 Mariusz Wach (36-8). Heavy: Simon Kean (21-1) W TKO 9 Shawndell Winters (13-7).
Makhmudov vs. Wach
Makhmudov given a tough test by Wach but in the end the strength of the Russian “Lion” proves too much for the Pole and the fight is stopped in the sixth round. From the first bell Makhmudov marched forward throwing punches as usual. Wach tried to use his jab to keep Makhmudov out but Makhmudov marched past the jab forcing Wach to the ropes and landing clubbing rights to the head. Makhmudov has very little in the way of a guard and Wach was able to halt his march in the second with a series of left jabs and straight rights. He did even better in the third scoring with hard rights and backing Makhmudov up with Makhmudov losing his mouthguard. Makhmudov rebounded and landed overhand rights in the fourth and fifth with Wach looking exhausted at the end of the round. Makhmudov launched a ferocious attack in the sixth connecting with a series of clubbing rights to the head-three of which landed on the back of Wach’s head-and the big Pole collapsed to the canvas. He arose but after the eight count the referee waived the fight over with no protest from Wach. Fourteen inside the distance victories in fourteen fights for Makhmudov who has only once had to go past the sixth round for a win. He is immensely strong but also very crude and really needs to step up against some rated opposition. Wach, 42-rated No 48 in the BoxRec rankings-has lost every time he has tried to move up but tested Makhmudov’s chin a few times.
Kean vs. Winters
Kean gets off the floor to stop Winters.  Kean made an uncertain start. His jabbing has improved but his defence is still leaky. He shook Winters with a right to the head in the second and made use of his longer reach to outscore Winters over the next three rounds. In the sixth Winters moved in with a beautiful left hook that put Kean down. Kean went head over heels and then climbed up and floored Winters with a ramrod of a jab. Winters got up and both landed heavily in the seventh and Kean dropped Winters twice with rights in the ninth and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’5” “Grizzly” gets win No 20 by KO/TKO but his handlers are careful to avoid any risky fights as he is very vulnerable. Fifth consecutive loss for Winters

 February 18

Ontario, CA, USA: Feather: Horacio Garcia (35-5-1) W PTS 8 Isaac Zarate (16-6-4) W. Light: Ruben Torres (18-0) W TKO 6 Cristian Mino (20-5-2). 
Garcia vs. Zarate 
Garcia gets a majority verdict over Zarate in his first fight since September 2018-when he lost a split decision to Zarate. The fight was close over the opening four rounds with Zarate just having a slight edge. From the fifth Garcia started to pull away and he finished much the stronger and looked a clear winner but one judge disagreed. Scores 80-72 and 79-73 for Garcia and 76-76. Mexican Garcia won his first 29 fights but has been a patchy 6-5-1 since then including a points loss to Carl Frampton in 2017 in which Frampton took a count in the seventh round. Californian southpaw Zarate was having his first fight for 29 months.
Torres vs. Mino
“Ace” Torres is just too big and punches too hard for little Mino. The 5’11” Torres towered over Mina forcing the Argentinian to take punishment to get inside. There was more punishment for the Mino inside but he stuck to his task. Torres slowly broke Mina down and in the sixth put him on the canvas with a right. Mina managed to get up but a body shot put him down again and the referee halted the fight without a count. Eight inside the distance wins in his last nine fights for the Santa Monica boxer. Mina gets easy fights at home and tough ones away-but the away money is better.

Orlando, FL, USA: Light: Jamaine Ortiz (15-0-1) W PTS 10 Nahir Albright (14-2). Super Welter: Paul Kroll (9-0-1) DREW 8 Marquis Taylor (12-1-2,1ND).
Ortiz vs. Albright
Ortiz remains unbeaten as he outpoints Albright. Ortiz went into the lead early as he was on the front foot taking the fight to Albright. He continued to boss the action building on his early aggression and looked to have swept the first six rounds. Albright finally had some success over the seventh and eighth but Ortiz had a good ninth and then settled for staying out of trouble in the tenth. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Ortiz. In his last fight in APRIL 2021 Ortiz climbed off the floor twice to get a draw against unbeaten Joseph Adorno. He was an elite level amateur but just failed to make it through the US Trials for the 2016 Olympics. Albright lost his first pro fight but then won 14 in a row including a victory over prospect Michael Dutchover in September.
Kroll vs. Taylor
When two scores are close and the third a long way different there might be a tendency to assume the different score is the controversial one but not here. Taylor looked to dominated all the way. He was quicker and more accurate than Kroll made good use of his longer reach and lasted the distance better. It was close early but then Taylor got the better of the exchanges and by the sixth Kroll was already showing signs of tiring and Taylor looked to have won the seventh and eighth. One judge gave it to Taylor 80-72 which seemed a fair reflection of the fight but one judge had it 77-75 for Kroll and the third scored it 76-76 for a split draw. Taylor is unbeaten in his last twelve fights. Kroll won his way through the US Trials for the Rio Olympics but failed to qualify losing at the Americas, World and APB/WBS qualifiers.

Bolton, England: Welter: Jack Rafferty (18-0) W TKO 3 Evgenii Vazem (9-23).
Rafferty stops an overmatched Vazem in three rounds. Rafferty was controlling the fight with his jab in the first digging in hurtful body punches and clubbing rights to the head. There was not much coming back from Vazem. A right to the temple shook Vazem in the second and when still under fire he took a knee later in the round. Rafferty battered Vazem around the ring in the third until the referee stepped in to save Vazem who was just taking too much punishment. Tenth win by KO/TKO for Rafferty, 25, who is ready for stiffer tests. Thirteen consecutive losses for British-based Russian Vazem 

Turnberry, Scotland: Cruiser: David Jamieson (8-1) W PTS 10 Samo Jangirov (7-3-1). Super Welter: Kieran Smith (17-1) W PTS 8 Gabor Gorbics (26-24-2). Super Welter: Michael McGurk (13-0) W KO 2 Jan Balog (15-54-1). Feather: Nathaniel Collins (10-0) W RTD 3 Uriel Lopez (13-18-1).
Jamieson vs. Jangirov
Scot Jamieson wins his first pro title as he moves up to ten rounds and takes a unanimous decision over Sweden’s Jangirov. Jamieson dominated the action with the exception for a short period in the sixth when Sangirov’s counters had him dialling back on his aggression. He adjusted and then eased his way to the win. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for Jamieson. He collects the IBO International title. Azeri-born Jangirov won the Swedish title last year. 
Smith vs. Gorbics
Just a keep busy night for prospect Smith. He won every round against a survival specialist in Gorbics. Smith tried hard to finish it early but just could not find a punch to put Gorbics away. The referee scored it 80-72 for three-time Scottish amateur champion Smith whose only loss has come against unbeaten Troy Williamson. Hungarian Gorbics drops to 0-12-2 in his last 14 appearances.
McGurk vs. Balog
In his first fight since March 2019 McGurk got the job done quickly. After putting Balog under heavy pressure in the first he floored Balog twice in the second with body punches with Balog being counted on the second knockdown. Fourth inside the distance victory for McGurk a former Scottish Youth champion. Czech Balog, 40, had been beaten in five rounds by Kieran Smith in 2019.
Collins vs. Lopez
Commonwealth champion Collins far too good for Mexican Lopez who retires after three one-sided rounds. Fifth victory by KO/TKO for Collins and third consecutive loss against British opposition in his last three fights for Lopez.

Hinckley, MN, USA: Cruiser: Al Sands (22-4-1) W KO 2 Marcus Oliveira (28-7-1).
In his first fight for two years Sands kayos Oliveira in two rounds. He rattled Oliviera with a left hook in the first and then ended the fight in the second. Sands floored Oliveira with a right and although Oliveira managed to get to his feet another right put him down and he was counted out. Nineteenth inside the distance victory for Sands. Sixth defeat in his last eight bouts for Oliveira who was 25-0-1 before losing to Juergen Braehmer for the secondary WBA cruiser title way back in 2013.

February 19

Monte Hermoso, Argentina: Super Feather: Kevin Acevedo (21-4-3) W PTS 10 Javier Herrera (17-6-1). Middle: Jonathan Sanchez (20-5-1) W KO 1Gabriel Diaz (11-23).
Acevedo vs. Herrera
Acevedo retains the Argentinian title with repeat victory over Herrera. Acevedo was giving away 6” in height but he was able to get past the longer reach of Herrera and score inside. A punch from Herrera in third started a swelling over Acevedo’s left eye. Further punches added to the swelling but the aggression and body punching from Acevedo slowed Herrera and Acevedo dominated the closing rounds. Acevedo was a clear winner but had to settle for a majority decision on scores of 99-93 and 97-93 with the third judge scoring it 95-95; Acevedo had beaten Herrera on a tight unanimous decision to win the national title in March 2020.
Sanchez vs. Diaz 
Sanchez overwhelms Diaz. Sanchez was marching forward from the outset ignoring Diaz’s attempts to counter and landing heavily to head and body. Diaz tried to punch with him but was soon wilting under the onslaught and a solid left hook to the body dumped him writhing in agony on the canvas and he was counted out. Fifth victory in his last six contests for Sanchez who having lost in two attempts at the national title will be hoping this win will get him a third shot. Diaz also on a good run winning 7 of his last 8 fights.

Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina: Super Welter: Adrian Sasso (18-3) W TKO 5 Nicolas Veron (8-8-1).
The power and accuracy of Sasso too much for a gritty Veron and he wins in the fifth round. Veron made an aggressive start rolling forward taking the fight to the taller southpaw Sasso and connecting with rights. In the second and third Sasso took over battering Veron to the body and using hooks and uppercuts when Veron tried to get inside. Both fighters showed signs of tiring in the fourth with Sasso scoring with powerful lefts but also getting caught with rights from Veron. In the fifth a series of lefts from Sasso saw the referee give Veron a standing count. After the count Sasso bombarded Veron with punches and the referee stopped the fight. Both Veron and his corner protested strongly over the stoppage. Sasso wins the vacant South American title and is now 11-1 in his last 12 contests. Second inside the distance defeat for Veron.

Les Mureaux, France: Feather: Christ Esabe (11-0) W TKO 8 Nicolas Botelli (10-6). Light: Rima Ayadi (7-0) W PTS 10 Olena Medvedenko (11-9).
Esabe vs. Botelli
Home town fighter Esabe retains the WBC Francophone title with stoppage of Argentinian Botelli. Esabe used his superior skills to win this one until the fight was stopped in the eighth with a huge swelling closing Botelli’s left eye.
Ayadi vs. Medvedenko
French champion Ayadi outclasses Ukrainian Medvedenko taking every round on scores of 100-90 twice and 100-89. Ayadi did not take up boxing until she was 26 and is now hoping to get a shot at the European title. Medvedenko had won her last four fights and holds the European super light title but that was not on the line here. 

Hamburg, Germany: Heavy: Jose Larduet (8-0,1ND) W RTD 7 Dusan Veletic (5-1-1). Welter: Freddy Kiwitt (21-3) W KO 2 Merab Turkadze (6-14-1) (12-0).
Larduet vs. Veletic
Larduet wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with victory over Veletic. The Cuban pressed the fight from the start. Veletic was able to use his longer reach to land some jabs but Larduet just kept stepping up the pressure with a focused body attack. Veletic landed a strong right cross at the end of the second and had Larduet bleeding from his nose but gradually Larduet found his way inside more and more. He hounded Veletic in the third connecting with overhand rights with Veletic flagging and not having the power to keep Larduet out. The Cuban was carrying too much weight and was slow but kept plugging away and it was Veletic who was exhausted in the seventh hardly able to even hold up his gloves and he retired at the end of the round. Larduet was 178lbs when he won a gold medal at the World Youth Championships but now he weighs around 260lbs so saying he is slow is being kind to him but he is strong. Serbian Veletic had scored an upset victory over German hope 17-1 Albon Pervizaj but did not have the power to trouble Larduet.
Kiwitt vs. Turkadze
Easy job for Kiwitt as he disposes of substitute Turkadze in two rounds. Kiwitt chased down the skitter Georgian in the first hurting him late in the with a body punch. Kiwitt continued to attack the body in the second and a left to the ribs sent Turkadze down on his hands and knees and he was counted. Liberian-born German Kiwitt gets his twelfth inside the distance victory and his fourth win in a row. Eighth defeat by KO/TKO for Turkadze.

Wroclaw, Poland: Cruiser: Artur Mann (18-2) W PTS 10 Nikodem Jezewski (20-2-1,1ND). Super Middle: Osley Iglesias (5-0) W TKO 1 Robert Racz (25-3).
Mann vs. Jezewski 
Mann outboxes Jezewski on  his way to a unanimous decision. Mann was content to box on the back foot letting the taller Jezewski walk forward and countering him. Mann was quicker and busier finding gaps for his jabs and putting together some quick combinations. Jezewski marched forward for the whole ten rounds and had some good spells but Mann’s better skills and quicker hands always gave him the edge and he won convincingly. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Mann. The 31-year-old Kazakh-born German has lost to Kevin Lerena for the IBO title and Mairis Breidis for the IBF belt. Jezewski lost on a second round stoppage against Lawrence Okolie in December 2020 when he came in as a short-notice substitute.
Iglesias vs. Racz
Iglesias massacres Racz. Flashy southpaw Iglesias shook Racz with a left to the head in the first minute then landed a series of slashing hooks before flooring Racz with a right uppercut. Racz was up quickly but promptly floored by another right hook. When Racz got up Iglesias jumped on him and when Racz went down for the third time the fight was waived off. The five wins by Iglesias have taken less than seven rounds to accomplish and he is ready for much higher level opposition. You might say Racz’s record is remarkable-remarkable they found 25 people he could beat.

Melrose, MA, USA: Super Middle: Yamaguchi Falcao (20-1-1) W KO 2 Fernando Farias (10-2-2). Super Light: Gonzalo Dallera (10-15) W TKO 1 Joseph Fernandez (14-4-3). Middle: Connor Coyle (15-0) W RTD 5 Rodrigo Lopes (8-2).
Falcao vs. Farias
Falcao takes another step along recovery road as he gets a second round kayo of Argentinian Farias. Fourth win on the trot for Falcao since stumbling with a loss to Chris Pearson and a draw with D’Mitrius Ballard in 2019. Falcao is the brother of Esquiva Falcao and won a bronze medal at the London Olympics where he beat Meng Fanlong and Julio Cesar De La Cruz. Two quick kayo losses in succession for Farias.
Dallera vs. Fernandez 
Dallera registers a win for Argentina as he halts Fernandez in the first round. Much needed win for Dallera who had been beaten in 5 of his last 6 fights. Southpaw Fernandez had a seven-bout winning streak snapped.
Coyle vs. Lopes
Ireland’s Coyle stays busy with a win over Rodrigo Lopes who retired at the end of the fifth round. Coyle is scheduled to fight for the NABA title on 19 March and he is hoping a win there will get him a rating. First fight in three years for Brazilian Lopes who was knocked out in nineteen seconds in that last fight.

Hanover, MD, USA: Super Middle: Demond Nicholson (25-4-1) W KO 5 Gabriel Pham (15-2). Super Feather: Jordan White (13-1) W PTS 10 Brandon Valdes (14-3).
Nicholson vs. Pham
Nicholson proves too strong for lanky southpaw Pham. Nicholson floored Pham in the first and Pham only just made it to his feet at nine. Pham recovered and made it to the bell. The 6’2” Pham then made good use of his longer reach to keep Nicholson out and was tying up when he made it past the jab. Pham slowed and in the fifth Nicholson was able to connect with a burst of hooks and uppercuts inside which sent Pham down on his knees. Pham managed to stagger to his feet but just too late to beat the count. Nicholson was stopped in two rounds by Jesse Hart but is the only fighter to have gone the distance with Edgar Berlanga and is a good test for any fighter aspiring to a rating. Pham had been 9-1 in his last 10 fights. 
White vs. Valdes
White wins the vacant WBC US belt with split decision over Valdes. White had Valdes down in the fourth but then had to fight hard all the way to come away with the decision. Scores 97-92 and 96-93 for White and 95-94 for Valdes. Ninth win in a row for White. Valdes was a late replacement and made White work hard for his win.

February 20

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Light: Javier Fortuna (37-3-1) W TKO 1 Rafael Hernandez (32-15-3). Middle: Jeison Rosario (22-3-1) W TKO 5 Jesus Perez (12-6-1).
Fortuna vs. Hernandez
Fortuna wins this all-southpaw clash in the opening round. A right to the head staggered Hernandez early in the fight then Fortuna blitzed him with lefts. Hernandez was turning side-on away from Fortuna’s lefts but Fortuna drove Hernandez down by swinging his left wide and the last punch was a full blooded one to the back of Hernandez’s head. Hernandez got up but was again sent to the canvas under a barrage of rights and the refereed stopped the contest. First outing for the former holder of the secondary WBA lightweight title since losing on points against Joseph Diaz for the interim WBC belt in July. Tenth inside the distance defeat for Venezuelan Hernandez.
Rosario vs. Perez
Rosario floors and stops Perez. Rosario led all the way before flooring Perez late in the third. Perez made it to the bell but was taking a beating in the fifth and the fight was stopped. Second victory for Rosario who is putting his career back on track after losing his IBF and WBO super welter titles against WBC champion Jermell Charlo in a unification fight and then being knocked out by Erickson Lubin. Third defeat in four months for Venezuelan Perez.

Fight of the week (Significance): The win for Jamie Munguia means he is there as a threat to all of the belt holders.
Fight of the week (Entertainment) Angel Rodriguez vs. Mark Urvanov gave plenty of entertainment and honourable mention to Zaur Abdullaev vs. Jorge Linares which provgided such an a franmatic finishUrvanov vs. Rodriguez
Fighter of the week: Zaur Abdullaev for his come from behind win over Jorge Linares
Punch of the week: Both left hooks from Abdullaev in the twelfth were memorable.
Upset of the week: None this week
Prospect watch: None at this time

Observations 
Rosette: Jorge Linares showing even at 36 he is still a class boxer with exquisite skills and a great heart. 
Red Card: SKY for putting on Frazer Clarke vs. Jack Darnell a fighter whose reported experience amounted to a bare knuckle fight and reputedly some white collar shows. It seems the guy didn’t even have a licence on Wednesday but fights a world class amateur on a major TV show on Saturday-if true disgraceful and where would those involved have hidden if something had gone horribly wrong.
Some strange scoring at the weekend:
One judge had Kevin Acevedo beating Javier Herrera 99-93 and another had it a draw
One judge had Horacio Garcia beating Isaac Zarate 80-72 and one judge had it 76-76
Best or worst of all two judges had Ivan Kozlovsky beating Zoravor Petrosian 96-94 and the third had Petrosian winning 99-91.
Only in boxing!

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