In a night dominated by world cup football it was easy to overlook the boxing that took place around the world. Thankfully the fighters themselves didn't forget about their jobs and a number of them put on genuinely sensational performances as they showed that, even when boxing takes a back seat, it's still the live action theatre of dreams, excitement and action.

Of course not all dreams end with a fairytale ending and for Englishman Brian Rose (25-2-1, 7) he got a very painful lesson as he fought in his long awaited WBO Light Middleweight world title fight against the unbeaten Demetrius Andrade (21-0, 14). Rose was made to look like one of the weakest mandatory challengers in a long time as he was battered from pillar to post. Although brave Rose had nothing to trouble the American who teed off at will with power shots before referee Michael Griffin stepped in to save the out matched Brit.

Although Rose failed in his dream of becoming a world champion the fight was on the same show as Chris Algieri's fight with Ruslan Provodnikov which saw Algieri's dream of becoming a world champion and, with the performance he gave, becoming one of the few guys who is must watch despite lacking real power. 

Staying on the subject of WBO title fights there was also one in Mexico as Alejandro Hernandez (28-10-2, 15) upset the much touted and highly entertaining Daniel Rosas (17-2-1, 11) to claim a WBO title at Bantamweight. Sadly we're confused as to what what title Hernandez actually won as it appears to have been the "vacant" WBO Bantamweight title, according to the WBO's own website, yet the WBO have also got a listed mandatory title fight between Tomoki Kameda and Pungluang Sor Singyu. Tomoki is still listed on the WBO's "our champions" page though that's little help to us given that Provodnikov is also listed. We were assuming that the bout was an interim title fight but will be awaiting verification one way or another from the WBO. As for the actual bout it was Rosas's second loss in succession, having previously been stopped in a thrilling encounter with Rodrigo Guerrero in what is still one of the best fights of the year so far. Sadly that fight appears to have left Rosas looking like half the fighter he once was. As for Hernandez this was a great win and his second notable win this year having previously beaten Marvin Mabait.

On the same show as Hernandez's win there was also a foul filled victory for Mexican legend Jorge Arce (64-7-2-1, 48) who defeated Jorge Lacierva (41-10-6, 27). From what we understand Lacierva damaged his clavicle and was forced to retire in the corner, prior to that the bout was a street fight and looked more like pub brawl than a boxing contest. The victory for Arce should lead him to a fight with WBC Featherweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez and if that fight is made it really won't be a tough one for Gonzalez who should flatten Arce with ease.

The best performance on the same Mexican show wasn't a title fight but was instead an IBF Super Flyweight title eliminator between former world champion Hernan "Tyson" Marquez (37-5, 26) and former world amateur champion McJoe Arroyo (15-0, 8). Arroyo, stepping up in a big way, dominated Marquez who was dropped 4 times before eventually being stopped in round 11 as Arroyo confirmed his potential in a big way. This was MArquez's 3rd stoppage loss in 5 fights and it appears his wars have caught up with him.

Arroyo's next assignment will be watching his twin brother McWilliams Arroyo battle against unbeaten Filipino Froilan Saludar. Following that McJoe will be turning his attention too Japan ahead of Teiru Kinoshita's bout with Zolani Tete for the vacant IBF Super Flyweight title. The winner of that bout, at the Portopia Hotel, will have McJoe as their mandatory challenger and that's a daunting proposition for which ever man wins the title on July 18th.

One other bout of note took place on a second Mexico card and saw former multi-weight world champion Humberto Soto (64-8-2, 35) out point Wilfrido Buelvas (15-2, 9). Buelvas was dropped in the opening round and never really managed to make the bout look competitive as Soto took a clear decision victory. To go full circle Soto continues to chase his dream of claiming a world title at Light Welterweight and appears likely to get an opportunity sooner rather than later.

(Image courtesy of notifight.com)

Whilst the highlight of the weekend is clearly the WBO Light Welterweight bout in New York between Ruslan Provodnikov and Chris Algieri we do actually get several very interesting bouts in Mexico and the US

The most exciting looking of the Mexican bouts will see the always fun to watch Hernan Marquez (37-4, 26) battling against the unbeaten, but untested, McJoe Arroyo (14-0, 7) in an IBF Super Flyweight title eliminator. Effectively the winner of this bout becomes the top contender to the excellent match up between Teiru Kinoshita and Zolani Tete on July 18th and would make for another very interesting match up no matter who wins.

On the same show as the Marquez/Arroyo bout we get another interesting looking bout as Alejandro Hernandez (27-10-2, 15) battles against Daniel Rosas (17-1-1, 11) in a bout that looks likely to be very entertaining. Rosas will be looking for a bounce back win following his loss to Rodrigo Guerrero in what was one of the best fights of the year whilst Hernandez will be looking to build on his victory, last time out, against Marvin Mabait. This has the potential to be the fight of the weekend. There are conflicting reports as to how significant this bout is with reports that it's a bout for the WBO Interim Bantamweight title, whilst the poster it's self states it's only a 10 round contest. If it's a WBO interim title bout then the winner will be set to face the winner of the upcoming Tomoki Kameda/Pungluang Sor Singyu contest.

This same Mexican card also features the return to the ring of the always entertaining Jorge Arce (63-7-2-1, 48) who will be fighting against Jorge Lacierva (41-9-6, 27). Although not a great bout it is one with real star power courtesy of Arce and, as is always the case when "Travieso" steps in the ring, this should be entertaining.

On a separate show in Mexico fans will get the chance to see the highly regarded Humberto Soto (63-8-2, 35) battle against Wilfrido Buelvas (15-1, 9) in what will be Soto's 3rd defence of the WBC International Silver Light Welterweight title.

Over in the US, on the same show the Provodnikov/Algieri bout we get another world title contest as WBO Light Middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (20-0, 13) defends his belt against mandatory challenger Brian Rose (25-1-1, 7). We'll admit it's hard to see Rose winning but we've also got to concede we don't rate "Boo Boo" Andrade particularly highly and think this is a "second tier" world title bout due to the fact the WBO want a champion at the weight. Should be a decent contest but nothing compared to the Provodnikov which has the potential to be a really fun to watch contest.

(Image courtesy of notifight.com)