April 14th

2017-Kyrgyzstan born Light Heavyweight Dmitry Bivol claimed the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight title in 2016, when he beat Felix Varela. Hissecond defense came on this day the following year, as he took on Samuel Clarkson in the US and impressed, dropping Clarkson in round 1 and in round 4, as he scored a 4th round stoppage. Although the win wasn't a big one it did help begin Bivol's rise, which has seen him go from strength to strength.

2013-Indonesian boxing has lacked stars, though it's fair to say that Chris John is one of the country's few real stand outs. Back in 2013 he made his last successful defense of the WBA Featherweight title, as he fought to a 3rd round Technical Decision against Satoshi Hosono. The bout promised a lot but was probably the start of the end for both men. John would fight just once more, losing the WBA title to Simpiwe Vetyeka whilst Hosono would go 10-2 but never score another win above Japanese domestic level. Hosono hasn't officially retired yet, but the Bazooka is now 34 and not the fighter he once was.

2007-Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao went through a number of years in his prime without fighting for a world title, and that was despite going through an insane level of competition at 130lsb. Back in 2007 that run included a win over the then unbeaten Jorge Solis. The bout wasn't for a world title but did see Pacquiao retain the WBC International Super Featherweight title. This was Pacquiao's 4th defense of the title, which he had also defended against Erik Morales, twice, and Oscar Larios.

2000-Filipino fighter Luisito Espinosa had won the WBA Bantamweight title way back in 1990 and despite losing the title in 1991 he remained a factor in the world title scene for over a decade, even having a WBC title run in the mid to late 1990's. After losing the WBC title in 1999 Espinosa attempted to regain it the following year as he took on Guty Espadas Jr for the vacant title. The Filipino would suffer an 11th round technical decision loss to Espadas and would then never really manage toput a good performance together afterwards, going 3-4 (3) before retiring. Sadly for Espinosa all 4 of his post Espadas losses were by stoppage.

1997-Fans in Osaka were disappointed as local star Joichiro Tatsuyoshi failed to recapture the WBC Bantamweight title, losing a decision to Daniel Zaragoza in their second bout. Tatsuyoshi had lost a previous meeting to Zaragoza, losing by 11th round TKO in 1996, and had looked to gain some revenge here, but came up short. Despite losing he was competitive here and would actually capture the title later in 1997 when he shocked Sirimongkol Singwancha, in what was a sensational bout.