The Past Week in Action 22 May 2018
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 May 2018
Highlights:
-Adonis Stevenson retains the WBC light heavy title with draw against Badou Jack
-Josh Warrington outpoints Lee Selby to win the IBF feather title
-Gary Russell retains WBC feather title with decision over Joseph Diaz
-Juan Carlos Paz ruins comeback party for Omar Chavez with points victory
- European featherweight title fight in Spain ends in technical draw between Marc Vidal and Kiko Martinez
-Twins Jason and Andrew Moloney march on with victories
-Devis Boschiero regains the EU super feather title
May 17
Indio, CA, USA: Light: Romero Duno (17-1) W PTS 10 Gilberto Gonzalez (26-5). Light: Oscar Duarte (14-0-1) W PTS 10 Rey Perez (22-9).
Duno vs. Gonzalez
Filipino Duno takes unanimous decision over Gonzalez. Duno outworked the much taller Gonzalez over the early rounds and it did not help the Mexican?s cause that he was cut over the left eye in a clash of heads in the second round and also had a growing swelling under his right eye. Both fighters had a good spell in the sixth with Gonzalez badly hurt by a right to the body but then banging back to shake Duno. The Filipino had built a good lead by outworking Gonzalez but although he seemed to hurt Gonzalez a few times he failed to sustain his attacks letting Gonzalez off the hook. Gonzalez had the harder punch and tried switching guard but that made no difference. He was rocked again in the tenth but landed some heavy stuff of his own. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92. The 22-year-old ?Ruthless? Duno has won his last eight fights including victories over Christian Gonzalez and Yardley Armenta. Gonzalez had a run of eight wins in a row by KO/TKO before flooring but losing to Mercito Gesta in April last year.
Duarte vs. Perez
Duarte floors and outpoints experienced Filipino Perez. Duarte made a slow start and Perez was able to fight on the outside working well with his jab and slotting through rights. Once Duarte started to roll he pressed hard cutting down the space Perez needed forcing Perez to the ropes and scoring with combinations. Duarte almost finished the fight in the eighth. A left to the body put Perez down and after the count a series of head punches drove him down again but Perez survived but a punch had opened a cut over his right eye and although he made it to the final bell he was never a threat. Scores 99-89 twice and 98-90. Twelve wins in a row for 22-year-old Mexican Duarte. Former Philippines super fly champion Perez is 2-4 in his last 6 fights which includes losses to Jesse Magdaleno and Lamont Roach.
May 18
Villaguay, Argentina: Middle: Marcelo Coceres (23-0-1) W TKO 2 Mirko Manquecoy (8-671). Coceres wins the vacant WBC Latino title with stoppage of Chilean Manquecoy. The visitor did manage to land one good right in the first but then a right from Coceres stunned him in the first and a wicked left hook to the body in the second saw Manquecoy rolling in agony and unable to continue. ?El Terible? Coceres, 27, the Argentinian No 2 has won his last 21 fights and has 13 wins by KO/TKO. He had about 70 amateur fights and as a pro has useful wins over Sebastian Lujan and Mateo Veron. Former Chilean champion Manquecoy falls to six losses by KO/TKO.
Quilmes. Argentina: Super Fly: Fernando Martinez (4-0) W KO 2 Fabian Claro (4-10-5). Former top amateur Martinez wins the vacant national title in his fourth fight. After taking the first round Martinez bombarded Claro with thudding rights to the head driving Claro back until he slumped in a corner and was counted out. The 26-year-old Martinez competed at the 2009, 2011 and 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Olympics. Claro is now 0-5-4 in his last 9
Potsdam, Germany: Middle: Patrick Wojcicki (11-0-1) W PTS 12 Ronny Mittag (30-3-2). Super Middle: Denis Radovan (9-0) W TKO 1 Ferenc Albert (26-14).
Wojcicki vs. Mittag
Prospect Wojcicki picks up his first pro titles as he outpoints Mittag. Superior skills gave Wojcicki the edge. Mittag forced the fight early but the speed and movement of Wojcicki blunted Mittag?s attacks and Wojcicki piled up the points with sharp jabs and accurate counters. Mittag did better over the middle rounds cutting off the ring and scoring well with left hooks to the body. Wojcicki was back in control over the closing rounds and finished strongly to put the fight well out of the reach of Mittag. Scores 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112 for Wojcicki. The 26-year-old from Wolfsburg wins the vacant BDB German title and takes Mittag?s IBF Inter-Continental crown. He was German amateur champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and competed at the 2012 Olympics. Mittag, 29, has spent most of his time building impressive looking statistics against mainly moderate opposition.
Radovan vs. Albert
Radovan, another former star amateur destroys poor Albert inside a round. Too easy for Radovan. He hurt Albert early with a right to the body. Albert tried to go forward but walked onto a vicious left hook that dropped him to his hands and knees. He was up at seven but when the action resumed Radovan landed a heavy combination and then a left to the head that floored Albert and the fight was over. Four wins by KO/TKO for Radovan a five-time German champion as an amateur. Hungarian Albert also lost in the first round against Jamie Cox and Anthony Yarde.
Bangkok, Thailand: Fly: Jaysever Abcede (16-8) W KO 2 Yutthana Kaensa (19-2). Fly: Sarawut (19-1) W KO 2 Michael Camelion (10-9-1).
Abcede vs. Kaensa
Big upset as Filipino Abcede puts away home boxer and world rated Kaensa. The first round was fairly even but in the second southpaw Abcede landed a wicked left to the body and Kaensa dropped and was doubled up in pain on the canvas and was counted out. The 23-year-old Abcede has scored eleven wins by KO/TKO but was rated a modest No 8 light fly in the Philippines. He was 5-5 in his last 10 fights but in Thailand in 2015 he halted world rated Pigmy Kokietgym in eleven rounds. Kaensa, 20, he turned pro at 15, was defending the WBA Asia title. His only other loss was a stoppage by Kazuto Ioka for the secondary WBA title in 2016 and he was rated WBA 7.
Sarawut vs. Camelion
Bit of rubbish matching sees WBA No 3 Sarawut land a right to the body in the second with Filipino Camelion stopped in his tracks and then go down and be counted out. After losing his first pro fight Sarawut has won 19 in a row. He entered the WBA ratings in 2016 at No 12 by beating a guy with a 13-14-2 record and since then has beaten three fighters with combined records of 0-4 and two opponents with combined records of 21-32-1. Good enough to elevate him to No 3 says the WBA!! Four losses by KO/TKO for Camelion
New York, NY, USA: Bantam: Elton Dharry (23-5-1) W PTS 10 Oscar Mojica (11-5). Super Middle: Marquis Moore (7-0) W PTS 6 Troy Artis (5-8-1)
Dharry vs. Mojica
Dharry continues his unbeaten run with points victory over Mojica. The Brooklyn-based Guyanan Dharry made the better start but the rounds were fiercely contested and close. He had his nose in front but Mojica had a big fifth with a left that made Dharry?s legs quiver. Dharry recovered and by the end of the seventh it was Mojica who was in trouble. Dharry made the fight closer when he landed one too many low punches in the eighth and lost a point. The action continued to the final bell and it looked as though Dharry had just done enough and that was reflected in two scores for Dharry of 96-93 and 95-94 but a 98-91also for Dharry didn?t reflect Mojica?s efforts. The 32-year-old Dharry now has 20 in a row but his career does not seem to be going anywhere. Mojica, from Dallas, is now 3-5 in his last 8 fights.
Moore v. Artis
Colorado Springs prospect Moore moves to seven wins with decision over Bronx boxer Artis. Moore was always in control in this one but Artis gave him some problems along the way with his longer reach. Moore used speed and clever movement to get inside and there was never any doubt about the final outcome but Artis fought hard to the end. Scores 59-55 for Moore from all three judges. Moore was an outstanding amateur winning the National Golden Gloves in 2013 and 2014 and also getting gold at the National Police Athletic League Championships and the US World Golden Gloves Tournament. Artis 38 had won his last two fights.
May 19
Toronto, Canada: Light Heavy: Adonis Stevenson (29-1-1) DREW 12 Badou Jack (22-1-3).Welter: Mikael Zewski (31-1) W PTS 10 Diego Luque (21-6-1). Heavy: Oscar Rivas (24-0) W PTS 10 Herve Hubeaux (29-).Middle: Christian Mbilli (10-0) W TKO 3 Marcos Cornejo (19-3). Super Welter: Sebastien Bouchard (16-1) W TKO 2 Sladan Janjanin (24-3). Middle: Patrice Volny (11-0) W TKO 1 Janks Trotter (10-5-2).
Stevenson vs. Jack
Stevenson retains the WBC title with majority draw against Jack in a close contest.
Round 1
Very cautious opener. Stevenson was on the front foot probing with his jab and Jack was circling not looking to engage. They both opened out a little in the last 30 seconds and Stevenson just did a little bit more but neither did much.
Score 10-9 Stevenson
Round 2
Not much action. Stevenson was adding straight lefts to his right jab and Jack was just looking to counter but not really throwing much at all. Stevenson landed a couple of lefts and did enough to win the round.
Score10-9 Stevenson 20-18
Round 3
Both let their hands go a little more in this round but only a little. Stevenson was throwing his left hooks to the body and slipping home the occasional jab but Jack only threw two or three punches as was just not working enough saving his energy for the late rounds when the 40-year-old Stevenson would tire but he was giving rounds away.
Score 10-9 Stevenson 30-27
Round 4
A closer round as Jack began to let his jab go with intent instead of just probing and scored with some rights including one to the body which was the best punch landed so far. Stevenson continued to be more active and scored with a sharp left at the bell but Jack?s early work just gave him the round
Scores 10-9 Jack 39-37
Round 5
A bit more action in this as both scored with hooks in close. There was too much holding with Stevenson again the one doing the better work and Jack letting rounds slip away with his low work rate as they mauled and brawled inside.
Score 10-9 Stevenson 49-46
Round 6
Stevenson started the round in confident fashion. He was walking forward stabbing out his jab and firing left hooks dropping his hands and taunting Jack with little coming back from Jack. Stevenson dominated the action until late when Jack landed a couple of shots and Stevenson looked to be tiring.
Score 10-9 Stevenson 59-55
Round 7
Bog round for Jack. He was snapping home his jab and scored with a series of rights driving Stevenson back and Stevenson?s work rate dropped dramatically.
Score 10-9 Jack 68-65
Round 8
Stevenson was coming forward in this one until a low punch from Jack saw the action stopped and Stevenson given some recovery time. From that point Jack strode forward getting home with rights to the head and left hooks to the body and finally he was throwing combinations instead of single shots.
Score 10-9 Jack 77-75
Round 9
Another round for Jack. He was just too quick for a clearly tired Stevenson. He was now letting his punches go. After landing two rights to the head Jack shook Stevenson with an uppercut and Stevenson looked to be in trouble at the bell.
Score 10-9 Jack 86-85
Round 10
Stevenson was in danger of losing his title here and needed to do something to turn the fight back into his favour. He took a big step back into contention by hurting Jack badly with a body punch and then having Jack backing off under a series of hard lefts.
Score 10-9 Stevenson 96-94
Round 11
Stevenson went after Jack from the bell banging to the body with Jack still feeling the effects. Again Stevenson was driving Jack back with Jack not relishing the punishing lefts to the body. Stevenson punched himself out and Jack came back into the picture late in the round but it was Stevenson?s round.
Score 10-9 Stevenson 106-103
Round 12
Jack had more left in the tank in the last. He outworked a tiring Stevenson and had him floundering and holding to the bell.
Score 10-9 Jack Stevenson 115-113
Official Scores 114-114, 114-114, 115-113 for Jack
This one could have been scored either way with Stevenson winning the early rounds and Jack getting the better of the second half of the fight. Stevenson?s 40 years caught up with him in the late rounds but that body punch in the eleventh was a saver for him. Jack had his tactics right of saving his energy over the early rounds and the finishing strongly but for me he stepped up the pace a round too late. A return looks to be on the cards and Jack would probably be the favourite. Haitian-born ?Superman? Stevenson was making the eighth defence of his WBC title but seems now to have let what would have been a career defining fight against either Sergey Kovalev or Andre Ward slip away. Swede Jack, 34, gets his second draw in two of his last three fights with a win over Nathan Cleverly for the secondary WBA title sandwich between his IBF title draw with James DeGale and this draw here. He could and should have won this one but his slow start cost him too many rounds.
Zewski vs. Luque
Zewski continues his rebuilding with easy but frustrating win over Argentinian Luque. It looked as though Zewski might end it early when he put Luque down with a left to the body in the second round but Luque survived. From there Zewski won a dull fight. Zewski is basically a counter ?puncher and it needed a more aggressive Luque to make the fight interesting. That did not happen with Luque only launching spasmodic attacks and defending in depth with Zewski having trouble finding gaps in Luque?s guard. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-89 all for Zewski. The 29-year-old from Trois-Rivieres won his first 26 fights before losing a wide decision to Konstantin Ponomarev in 2015. After a win in October 2015 he did not fight again until March last year. This victory gives him possession of the prestigious WBC International title which will help him climb back up the ratings. In two of his last three fights Luque lost on points to Jack Catterall and Diego Ramirez.
Rivas vs. Hubeaux
Colombian ?Kaboom? Rivas settles for decision win over useful Belgian Hubeaux. Rivas was using a strong jab to keep Hubeaux on the back foot over the first two rounds. He was landing heavy body thumps in the third but when he blocked a punch from Hubeaux he suffered an injury to his right bicep. From that point he had difficulty with his jab and mainly focused on taking Hubeaux to the ropes and punching to the body. The pace of the fight slowed over the late rounds with the attacking options for Rivas greatly reduced and Hubeaux not being quick enough or strong enough to really trouble Rivas. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for WBC No 12 Rivas. He had won 11 of his last 12 fights by KO/TKO with the opposition not being too hot. The injury will side-line him for a while and when he returns hopefully it will be against a rated opponent. Going in 26-year-old Belgian Hubeaux had lost only one of his last nineteen fights the loss being to Agit Kabayel for the vacant European title in February last year. He is No 8 with the EBU and has never lost by KO/TKO.
Mbilli vs. Cornejo
Mbilli continues to impress as he brutally brushes aside Argentinian Cornejo. Mbilli battered Cornejo with jabs, hooks and uppercuts and Cornejo was too busy trying to survive to fire back with any meaningful punches. No knockdowns but Cornejo?s corner threw in the towel half way through the third round to save their man from too much pain. Mbilli has won all ten of his fights by KO/TKO taking less than 28 rounds in the process. He was born in Cameroons but moved to France with his parents when he was eleven. He was European Junior champion in 2013 and beat England?s Anthony Fowler on his way to winning the gold medal at the European Olympics Qualifier but in Rio lost to Cuban Arlen Lopez, the World and Olympic champion. Cornejo had a 16 bout winning streak snapped in his last fight when he lost every round against 39-0-1 Pole Damian Jonak.
Bouchard vs. Janjanin
Bouchard rolls over Bosnian Janjanin. Bouchard spent the first seeing what Janjanin had to offer and when he realised how little Janjanin brought he ended the fight in the second. Janjanin was down three times from body punches before the fight was stopped. Bouchard?s only loss came in his only fight outside Quebec when in 2014 he was decisioned by Frank Galarza and he has run up eight wins since then. Janjanin?s record is heavy seeded with low level opposition and in his only other visit to Canada he was stopped in three rounds by Steven Butler
Volny vs. Trotter
Volny retains the WBA-NABA Canadian title with one round win over more experienced Trotter. A thumping left hook to the chin at the end of the first round finished this one. Volny was making the first defence of the title and gets his eighth win by KO/TKO. Former Canadian champion Trotter had only one fight last year but that was a creditable draw with the 21-1 Albert Onolunose in October.
Leeds, England: Feather: Josh Warrington (27-0) W PTS 12 Lee Selby (26-2). Super Light: Jack Catterall (21-0) W TKO 1 Chris Sebire (26-10-1). Welter: Darren Tetley (16-0) W TKO 9 Mason Cartwright (13-1-1). Super Light: Ohara Davies (17-1) W PTS 6 Ahmed Ibrahim (6-2-1). Super Middle: Mark Heffron(19-0) W TKO 4 Adam Grabiec (5-21). Middle: Fred Evans (5-0) W PTS 6 Darryl Sharp (5-34). Bantam: Jack Bateson (6-0) W PTS 4 Jose Hernandez (4-23-1,1ND)
Warrington vs. Selby
Home town hero Warrington wins the IBF title with fighting victory over champion Selby ion a great title contest which was a credit to both champion and challenger.
Round 1
There was furious action from the start as they both tried to establish early supremacy. Selby had height and reach and was taking the lead but Warrington was tigerish with his attacks and affective with his left hooks
Score 10-9 Warrington
Round 2
An action packed round but one in which a clash of heads opens a bad cut over the left eye of Selby. Selby again started on the front foot but Warrington quickly changed that with a fusillade of punches from both hands as the fight became more of an educated brawl than a classic boxing match. Warrington?s round
Score 10-9 Warrington 18-20
Round 3
Selby boxed beautifully in this one. He was snapping jabs through the guard of Warrington banging home hooks and straight rights with Warrington just too slow to counter effectively but the blood flowed from Selby?s cut for the whole three minutes.
Score 10-9 Selby 28-29
Round 4
Another round to Selby as he managed to score from distance and avoid the rushing attacks of Warrington. Selby was too quick he was getting the punches off and then skipping away. Warrington pressed but could not close the gap.
Score 10-9 Selby 38-38
Round 5
Selby took this one but it was a much closer round. Again Selby was working well with the jab and landing hooks to the body. Warrington was chasing hard and was getting inside more with Selby only just doing enough.
Score 10-9 Selby 48-47
Round 6
Good round for Warrington. He was forcing Selby to stand and trade and scoring with hooks to the head from both hands. A clash of heads caused a cut to open over the right eye of Selby. The referee stopped the action and took Selby back to his own corner to get the ringside physician to look at his cuts particularly the old one. It was decided that Selby could continue but because the discussion was in Selby?s corner his second was able to be in there arguing Selby be allowed to continue which the referee rightly waived away. A fired up Warrington continued to get through with short punches inside.
Score 10-9 Warrington 57-57
Round 7
A close round with Selby doing well early and Warrington?s pressure getting him inside where he could bang home his hooks and uppercuts. Selby scored with some great body punches and I thought he edged the round.
Score 10-9 Selby 67-66
Round 8
Selby just took this one. Warrington continued to surge forward looking to get close and he landed a heavy overhand right. Selby was more accurate and caught Warrington with some classic left hooks to take the round.
Score 10-9 Selby 77-75
Round 9
Warrington needed to win this one and he did. Selby looked to be slowing and Warrington was firing salvos of punches inside and finished the round with a couple of clubbing rights to the head.
Score 10-9 Warrington 86-85
Round 10
Warrington?s round. He seemed the stronger of the two and although Selby was still boxing with real class he was finding it harder and harder to keep Warrington out and the punches Warrington was landing on the two eye injuries did not help.
Score 10-9 Warrington 95-95
Round 11
They gave everything in this one trading quality punches all the way. Selby did well early but Warrington finished round stronger to take it.
Score 10-9 Warrington 104-105
Rounds 12
Warrington had that bit more left and that made the difference in this round. Selby was having to stand and trade to swing things his way and that suited Warrington who landed some good rights to win the round and the fight.
Score 10-9 Warrington 113-115
Official Scores: 116-112 and 115-113 for Warrington 115-113 for Selby
Warrington wins the IBF title in what had been an epic battle. His tigerish attacking more than compensated for the exquisite skills of Selby and he was a worthy winner as he completes the collection by adding a world title to the European Commonwealth and WBC International titles he has already won. It was a fighting performance from the Leeds man. Selby was brave in defeat. It did not help his cause that he was cut so early in the fight and he battled to the last bell like a champion and it is now likely he will move up to super feather and seek a title there.
Catterall vs. Sebire
Catterall gets unsatisfactory win. Catterall made a confidents start slotting home right jabs and scoring with straight lefts. Catterall landed a straight left and Sebire went down on his rump. When he got up he tried to indicate he had a problem with his right arm. The fight continued with Catterall driving Sebire back and landing more lefts. As the referee broke a clinch Sebire turned away clutching his right arm and after examining him the referee stopped the fight as Sebire had suffered a dislocated shoulder. Catterall was was defending his WBO Inter-Continental title. He is No 4 with the WBO. Sebire was a late choice as opponent and is now 2-6 in fights in the UK.
Tetley vs. Cartwright
This was an excellent contest between two well matched boxers. Tetley the taller southpaw trying to mainly work at distance the quick aggressive Cartwright hunting him down and darting in with flurries of hooks. Both had good spells with Tetley landing left crosses and Cartwright right hooks and the rounds were hard-fought and close. Cartwright?s aggression had taken him into a lead as he seemed to edge the first four rounds. Tetley closed the points gap on the fifth and sixth as he moved well and timed his counters. There were some fiery exchanges in the seventh with Tetley getting through with rights to the body but Cartwright doing enough attacking to take the round. In the eighth Cartwright slipped after missing a punch and as his gloves touched the canvas he was given a count. Tetley took over then driving Cartwright back and scoring with hard hooks to the body with Cartwright on the retreat for the first time in the fight and glad to hear the bell. That 10-8 round had made the scores very close but Cartwright had taken a lot of punishment in the eighth. Tetley began to get through with left crosses in the ninth and the referee stopped the fight to have the ringside physician examine a gash on the lip of Cartwright. It was an ugly would much to serious for the fight to continue so the fight was stopped and Tetley declared the winner. With the win came the vacant WBO European title so an important victory for 24-year-old Tetley as it could lead to a world rating. Cartwright played his part in making this such an outstanding domestic scrap and it would be good to think they could clash again further down the line.
Davies vs. Ibrahim
First fight for Davies under new promotional banner and it is not a test but six rounds of work with Davies winning every round. Referee?s score 60-54. The 26-year-old from Hackney getting sharp for important fight with unbeaten Josh Leather next month. Ibrahim came in as a late substitute.
Heffron vs. Grabiec
Heffron keeps on winning and gets another inside the distance victory. The 26-year-old ?Kid Dynamite? makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO as he stops Grabiec in four rounds. Heffron is rated No 17 by the EBU and should be ready to move up to ten rounds. Poor Grabiec gets his eighth loss in a row, seven of them in the UK.
Evans vs. Ambomo
Welsh prospect Evans gets another win under his belt as he eases his way into the pro ranks. He was much too good for experienced survivor Sharp who did his job of getting Evans some useful experience. Referee?s score 60-54 for Evans. The 27-yaer-old from Cardiff won gold medals at the Commonwealth Championships and the European Championships and was a silver medallist at the 2012 Olympics. He scored wins over Callum Smith, Taras Shelestyuk and Egidijus Kavaliauskas before turning pro. Sharp has lost only once by KO/TKO and did his allotted job here.
Bateson vs. Hernandez
Local fighter Bateson faces his third Nicaraguan in a row and gets his third points win in a row. Referee?s score 40-36 for Bateson. The 23-year-old from Leeds is another graduate from successful British amateur ranks. He won gold medals at British Junior, British Youth, Commonwealth Youth, English Senior and Great British Championships and a bronze medal at the European Championships so good pedigree. Hernandez is an accomplished loser which makes him popular and he has lost his last 12 fights 6 of them in the UK.
Oxon Hill, MD, USA: Feather: Gary Russell (29-1) W PTS 12 Joseph Diaz (26-1). Middle: Immanuwel Aleem (18-1-1) W RTD 6 Juan De Angel (20-9-1). Feather: Coby Breedy (11-0) W PTS 6 Chris Martin (31-10-3). Super Light: Gary Antuanne Russell (6-0) W KO 1 Wilmer Rodriguez (9-3,1ND).
Russell vs. Diaz
Russell retains the WBC title with unanimous decision over Diaz in a fight of contrasting styles with the speed, accuracy and punch output of Russell set against the slower but harder punching Diaz.
Round 1
The opening round of this clash of southpaws was all Russell. From the outset he was threading sharp right jabs through the guard of Diaz and scoring with thumping hooks to the body. Diaz landed a couple of rights late but had been outboxed.
Score 10-9 Russell
Round 2
Russell opened up with some blazing combinations and briefly it looked as though he might overwhelm Diaz. The challenger waited for the storm to blow over and then he went to work. Diaz was banging home right hooks to the body and scoring with hooks and uppercuts inside and clearly won the round.
Score 10-9 Diaz ` 19-19
Round 3
This one was taken by Russell, he showed amazing hand speed and accuracy as he threaded home jabs and right hooks to the body. Russell was going for quality and quantity. Diaz was loading up on ever punch particularly his rights to the body so it was rapier versus cudgel
Score 10-9 Russell 29-28
Round 4
Diaz was marching forward behind a high guard willing to take the jabs and hooks from Russell in order to land big hooks and uppercuts and clubbing shots to the head. Russell?s hand speed was giving him the edge but Diaz ?s power shots earned him this one.
Score 10-9 Diaz 38-38
Round 5
Close rounds as Diaz pressed hard for the whole three minutes never giving Russell a moments rest. Russell was still throwing quick clusters of punches but he was unable to keep Diaz out and was having to absorb heavy body punches
Score 10-9 Diaz 47-48
Round 6
Russell upped his pace in this one. His punches were flowing and Diaz although still walking through them was landing less. Russell kept moving looking to get in land some punches and get out with Diaz not quick enough to counter
Score 10-9 Russell 57-57
Round 7
More of the same from Russell in this one. He is constantly threading jabs through Diaz?s high guard and then following with hooks from both hands. Diaz just unable to pin Russell down long enough to have an impact.
Score 10-9 Russell
Round 8 67-66
Russell seems to be getting faster and Diaz slower. It is a fast-paced entertaining fight but when Russell cuts loose and moves slickly Diaz just can?t get close enough to do much damage and those body punches are not landing as often.
Score 10-9 Russell 77-75
Round 9
Russell?s skills have turned the fight his way over these middle rounds. He is still throwing and landing a wide array of punches to head and body. They are not shaking Diaz but again he is landing very little just a few thumping body hooks now and then as Russell looks to be in cruise control.
Score 10-9 Russell 87-84
Round 10
Diaz is much more active in this one making it a close round. He is doing a better job of cutting the ring down and finding the body with left hooks. Russell is also scoring with hooks but he is not working as hard as he has in the last four rounds and this one goes to Diaz
Score 10-9 Diaz 96-94
Round 11
Best round of the fight as they stand and trade. Suits Diaz but Russell is still throwing more and quicker in the round of nonstop action. Very close round could be scored for either fighter but for me Russell just has the edge.
Score 10-9 Russell 106-103
Round 12
Great last round. Initially Russell jabbing and staying out of trouble until a body punch makes Russell sag. Diaz takes over trying to repeat the success of that body shot with Russell hurt and pinned to the ropes Diaz pounds away looking for a stoppage but Russell stays in the fight to the bell.
Score 10-9 Diaz 115-113
Official Scores; 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113 all for Russell.
Third successful defence of his WBC title by the speedy Russell. His only loss was a majority decision against Vasyl Lomachenko for the vacant WBO feather title in 2014. With Lomachenko now up at lightweight a return is very unlikely so having met his mandatory challenger Russell ha plenty of freedom to select his next challenger but with Leo Santa Cruz fighting Abner Mares, Josh Warrington having won the IBF title this week and Oscar Valdez injured his options are not that exciting. Diaz showed good controlled aggression and some choice body punching but was just outworked by Russell. He will regroup and come again.
Aleem vs. De Angel
After a nine month break Aleem returns with a win. He was taking the fight to De Angel from the start landing heavily in each round with what was coming back from De Angel no real threat. He floored De Angel in the fourth and punished De Angel though the sixth with De Angel retiring at the end of the round. A win over unbeaten Ievgen Khytrov last January boosted Aleem?s standing but in August he suffered a surprise kayo at the hands of Hector Centeno which pushed him way down the ratings. Still only 24 he is looking to climb the ladder again. Colombian De Angel has been in tough matches and it is reflected in his 2-6 record in his last 8 fights as he has been in with Kanat Islam. Caleb Plant, Antoine Douglas and Austin Trout.
Breedy vs. Martin
Former elite level amateur Breedy gets past his stiffest test so far as he scored a points win over a fading Chris Martin. The aggressive Breedy kept Martin on the back foot for much of the fight on the way to winning every round. Scores 60-54 for Breedy from all three judges. The 26-year-old from Barbados competed at the World junior and Senior Championships, the World Military Championships and at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games. Californian Martin slips to 2-7 in his last nine but two of the losses were against Gary Russell and Jhonny Gonzalez so had competed at a much higher level than Breedy.
Russell vs. Rodriguez
(Gary) Antuanne makes it a family double as he obliterates Rodriguez inside a round. Russell put Rodriguez down twice to end the fight with six seconds remaining in the opening round. The 21-year-old Russell has won all six of his pro fights by KO/TKO including four in the first round. Antuanne is a former National Golden Gloves champion and as with elder brighter Gary he won his way through the US Olympic Trials and competed in the Olympics in Rio. Those Russell?s are some boxing family with four being boxers and all four having won National Golden Gloves titles. Dominican Rodriguez no kind of test. He was inactive for almost eleven years before returning to the ring in January last year and is 1-2 since returning.
Melbourne, Australia: Bantam: Jason Moloney (17-0) W RTD 6 Kohei Kono (33-12-1). Super Fly: Andrew Moloney (17-0) W PTS 10 Richard Claveras (18-4-2). Super Light: Terry Tzouramanis (20-3-3) W PTS 8 Jacob McBride (10-6).
Moloney vs. Kono
Good night for the Moloney twins as they both score wins over very competitive, quality opposition. In this fight Jason ?The Smooth One? Moloney scored a career best victory over former WBA champion Kono. In the Initial action the longer reach of Kono gave him a small edge but Moloney quickly adapted and was scoring with strong jabs. Early in the third one of those powerful jabs floored Kono and Moloney bossed the action from there although Kono was fighting hard as he always does. In the fourth a right to the head from Moloney opened a cut over Kono?s left eye. The Australian continued to force the fight targeting the injury with the cut continuing to bleed heavily. After the end of the sixth round the ringside physician ruled the cut too serious for Kono to continue. Commonwealth champion Moloney was defending the WBA Oceania title for the second time. He is rated WBA 4/WBO 5/IBF 11(9)/WBC 13 and the short-term aim is to get the 27-year-old Moloney a spot on the WBSS bantam tournament. A win over former champion Kono could be enough to get Moloney that invitation and having an Australian in the line-up would certainly give the tournament a wider appeal. Kono, 37, twice a WBA champion, has been in eleven title fights so had vastly more experience than Moloney and although he has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights two of those losses were in world title fights and the third was a close technical decision against unbeaten Rex Tso.
Moloney vs. Claveras
Moloney gets wide unanimous verdict over Filipino Claveras but has to climb off the floor to win. Claveras came to fight but Moloney was just too good for him. The Australian controlled the action with his jab and worked the body with hooks from both hands. Claveras was getting the worst of the exchanges but he stayed competitive also targeting the body. After taking the first five rounds the body punching from Moloney was slowing Claveras and Moloney was attacking hard in the seventh until a right from Claveras put him down. He was not badly hurt but the knockdown seemed to spur Claveras and he stepped up his attacks. Moloney quickly regained control but was a little more cautious and settled for boxing his way to victory. Scores 98-91 twice and 99-91 for Moloney. He was defending the WBA Oceania title for the third time and is now rated WBC 5/WBA 5/IBF 9/WBO 10. Claveras, 28 is a former OPBF champion who lost to Pedro Guevara for the WBA light fly title in 2015 and had won 4 of his last 5 fights.
Tzouramanis vs. McBride
Local fighter Tzouramanis continues his run of good form with win over fellow-Australian McBride. Victorian State champion Tzouramanis outboxed McBride all the way. Scores 80-72 for Tzouramanis from all three judges. The 32-year-old Australian No 3 has won 8 of his last 9 fights and his next fight is planned for the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse show in Kuala Lumpur on 15 July. McBride had won his last five fights.
Milan, Italy: Super Feather: Devis Boschiero (46-5-1) W PTS 12 Faroukh Kourbanov (15-1). Super Welter: Orlando Fiordigiglio (28-2) W TKO 3 Ferenc Hafner (26-16).
Boschiero vs. Kourbanov
At 36 Boschiero becomes the European Union champion. Kourbanov was ten years younger , a better boxer and had a longer reach so a big task for Boschiero. His tactics were to attack from the start and he set such a furious pace over the first two rounds that Kourbanov was too busy defending himself to throw much. In the third Kourbanov was finally working on the outside with his jab. Boschiero took control again in the fourth and looked to have Kourbanov badly shaken. Kourbanov rebounded in the fifth to edge that one but Boschiero landed some heavy rights in the sixth. Kourbanov fought back hard with hooks and uppercuts to edge the seventh. The eighth and ninth were close and could have been scored either way and Kourbanov had a good tenth. From there the constant aggression of Boschiero opened a gap as he swept to victory. Scores 116-112, 116-113 and 115-113 for Boschiero. A close, competitive twelve rounds with Boschiero the deserving winner. Boschiero was 29-0-1 before losing a split decision to Takahiro Ao in a challenge for the WBC title in 2011. He won the European title in 2012 but lost back-to-back decisions to Romain Jacob in 2014 that cost him the title and losses to Stephen Smith and Mario Barrios seemed to indicate his career was nearing its end. Instead he has seven in a row and is European Union champion. Belgian-based Kyrgyzstan fighter Kourbanov was making the second defence of his EU title. He was unbeaten but against opposition a few levels below Boschiero.
Fiordigiglio vs. Hafner
Just a keep busy fight for Fiordigiglio as he brutalises poor Hafner over three rounds. A right in the first put Hafner on the floor but he beat the count and went into the second round. More punishment until an uppercut to the body put Hefner down again. He made it to round three but a series of punches rounded off by a left to the head forced a standing count and the referee waived the fight over. The 31-year-old former EU champion has lost in two shots at the European title against to Cedric Vitu in 2015 and in his last fight in December last year on a split decision against Zakaria Attou. He is EBU No 7 so hoping for a another title shot. Hafner, 42, has lost six on the bounce.
Durango, Mexico: Super Welter: Jose Carlos Paz (22-7-1) W PTS 10 Omar Chavez (36-5-1). Feather: Carlos Ornelas (20-0) W TKO 4 Juan Jimenez (25-14-1).
Paz vs. Chavez
Paz ruins the party as he takes unanimous decision over Chavez in a fight that was to re-launch Chavez?s career. Chavez probably did enough to edge the first round but after that the Argentinian was marching forward confidently. He was using a stiff left jab to keep Chavez on the back foot and walking through Chavez?s jabs to land hooks to the body with both hands. Chavez was under constant pressure and there was no snap in his jab or counter hooks. He tried to use his advantages in height and reach and was able to be competitive when he did that but too often Paz was just ignoring the jab and getting inside and working away at the ribs of Chavez and winning round after round. In the eighth Chavez changed his tactics and stood and punched with Paz who looked to be tiring. The ninth was close but Paz bossed the last. He was on the march again with Chavez retreating under fire from jabs hooks and uppercuts and unable to throw or land anything of any consequence. Scores 97-94 twice and 98-93 all for Paz and they looked generous to Chavez. Good win for Paz. He already has victories over Gumersindo Carrasco and Jorge Paez but was knocked in three rounds by Jamie Munguia. With the Chavez name in his wins column he can look forward to some good paydays. Chavez, 28, looked a shell of the fighter who beat Charlie Navarro, Joachim Alcine and Ramon Alvarez. He can only get better after this performance.
Ornelas vs. Lopez
After three rounds of war Ornelas finally grinds down Jimenez and halts him in the fourth. These two were firing bombs from the start. Southpaw Ornelas was more accurate and late in the first he hurt Jimenez with a right to the body and staggered him with a left to the head. Ornelas was again landing heavily in the second but Jimenez was matching him. Just before the bell Ornelas landed a left way below the belt line. Jimenez went face down on the canvas but eventually got up and was given some recovery time but Ornelas was lucky not to be disqualified. The third was another even round with Ornelas pressing hard but getting caught with counters. Ornelas came out firing in the fourth jumping on Jimenez immediately stunning him and driving him to the ropes. Ornelas pounded away until the referee stepped in to save Jimenez. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old from Tijuana. Experienced Jimenez falls to twelve losses by KO./TKO.
Coronel Moldes. Argentina: Super Feather: Matias Rueda (30-1) W KO 3 Fabian Orozco (27-8-3). Feather: Kevin Acevedo (15-1-2) W PTS 10 Luis Mato (6-11-5).
Rueda vs. Orozco
Rueda again shows his power as he finishes overmatched Orozco. In fact it was Orozco who made the better start taking the fight to Rueda. In the second Rueda began to find the target and he finished things in the third. Two rights to the head hurt Orozco and then a booming left hook to the body sent him down to the canvas rolling in agony and he was counted out. ?Little Cobra? Rueda, 30, now has 27 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss was a second round stoppage by Oscar Valdez for the vacant WBO feather title in 2016. He gets his fourth win by KO/TKO since then including blowing away Daniel Brizuela with a similar punch. Only three of Rueda?s 31 fights have gone the distance. Argentinian No 4 feather and former Argentinian super bantam champion Orozco falls to 1-4-1 in his last 6 fights.
Acevedo vs. Mato
Local hope Acevedo is given a harder than expected time by Mato who came in as a very late choice. Acevedo had the edge in skills and was much quicker. Those elements plus constant aggression saw him take the decision but Mato stayed competitive. Scores 100-91 ?-, 98-93 and 96-94 for Acevedo. He was 12-0-2 before losing to Cristian Palma in August but here he gets his third win on the bounce. He is the Argentinian No 5. Mato has lost 5 of his last 7 fights.
Charleroi, Belgium: Light Heavy: Timur Nikarkhoev (18-2) W TEC DEC 8 Serhiy Demchenko (18-12-1). Light: Abraham Nova (12-0) W KO 7 Hassan Nourdine (9-3).
Nikarkhoev vs. Demchenko
Belgian-based Russian Nikarkhoev wins the vacant IBO International title with technical decision over Demchenko. Nikarkhoev went into an early lead being quicker and more accurate. He took the early rounds using his better mobility, his high quality jab and straight rights to head and body. It was the fourth before Demchenko had any notable success. In that round Nikarkhoev chose to stand and trade and he was badly shaken by a left hook from Demchenko. It was a rocky round and Demchenko was in the fight more after that clawing at Nikarkhoev?s early lead. It was building into a very interesting fight when a clash of heads in the eighth saw Nikarkhoev emerge with a gash over his right eye. The injury was too severe for the fight to continue and it went to the scorecards with the faster start from Nikarkhoev saw him come out the winner. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Nikarkhoev and 76-76. The 25-year-old Nikarkhoev, the Belgian champion, has won 8 of his last 9 fights with Demchenko, rated No 5 by the EBU, his biggest scalp so far. Italian-based Ukrainian Demchenko,38,a former EU champion, has good wins over Mirco Ricci and Hakim Zoulikha but lost on points to Dominic Boesel in march for the European title. He was EBU No 5 and given a few more rounds his greater strength might have turned this fight around,
Nova vs. Nourdine
Puerto Rican-born Nova produces a much needed fight-ending punch to kayo Nourdine in the seventh of a fight that was poised on a knife?s edge. After six rounds the score were 58-56 for Nova, 58-57 for Nourdine and 57-57 so the win was very much up for grabs until that punch. The 24-year-old is following a strange path. The former US National Champion has fought in The USA, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Uruguay and Belgium so twelve fight in five different countries. This is his tenth win by KO/TKO with this fight being the furthest he has had to go for victory. Italian-based Moroccan Nourdine had won his last five fights.
Herstal, Belgium: Super Light: Florin Cardos (19-1) W KO 1 Steve Jamoye (24-5-1). Huge disappointment for his home town fans as Jamoye loses inside a round in a fight for the vacant European Union title. Jamoye was storming forward as usual until one wicked shot to the body put him down and he could not beat the count. Romanian southpaw Cardos has been flying very much under the radar and a stoppage loss to journeyman Innocent Anyanwu in 2016 made him look a safe opponent but his two fights last year both produced quick wins. Jamoye, the EBU No 18 had won 5 of his last 6 fights with victories over Jean Pierre Bauwens and Hedi Slimani so it was a surprise that this one ended so quickly.
Sydney, Canada: Cruiser: Ryan Rozicki (8-0) W TKO 2 Victor Correa (16-6-1).
Neighbourhood fighter Rozicki, 23, keeps his small knockout run going as he disposes of Mexican Correa inside two rounds with a vicious left to the body . In theory he was moving up to ten rounds but he has now won all six of his fights by KO/TKO taking less than twelve rounds for the six wins. Although he won a bronze medal at super heavy in the Canadian Championship Rozicki is down at his right weight as a pro. Correa is now 6-2-1 in his last 9 fights.
Paranaque City, Philippines: Super Feather: Allan Vallespin (12-2) W KO 5 Warren Mambuanag (11-10-2). Super Bantam: Mugicha Nakagawa (23-5-1) W TKO 5 Ricky Manufoe (27-33-3). Super Fly: Eranio Semillano (16-8-3) W PTS 12 Wilbert Berondo (12-3-2).
Vallespin vs. Mambuanag
?El Matador? Vallespin has no trouble holding on to his national title as he puts away previous victim Mambuanag in five rounds. Vallespin floored Mambuanag in the first but just failed to finish the fight then. A focused body attack wore Mambuanag down and when he was floored again in the fifth he stayed down for the full count. Ninth win by KO/TKO for Vallespin. He had won the title with a points victory over Mambuanag in 2016 but last year lost inside the distance in two away fights against Masaru Sueyoshi in Tokyo and Denys Berinchyk in the Ukraine.?Braveheart? Mambuanag, the Philippines No 10, drops to six losses by KO/TKO
Nakagawa vs. Manufoe
Predictable but unsatisfactory win for Nakagawa. He had controlled the fight all the way and Manufoe was wilting badly after seven rounds. In the eighth a body punch from Nakagawa landed behind the guard of Manufoe who dropped to the canvas holding his back and complaining of a kidney punch. When he showed no sign of continuing the fight the referee declared Nakagawa the winner. The 29-year-old Japanese fighter wins the WBA Asia title in what was to be his move up from eight round fights. He is now 13-1-1 in his last 15 fights. Indonesian Manufoe now has 18 losses by KO/TKO.
Semillano vs. Berondo
In a Philippines title fight champion Semillano retains the title as he comprehensively outboxes Berondo. The challenger tried to bundle Semillano out of his cool stylish southpaw boxing but had little success and Semillano was a clear winner. Scores 118-110 twice and 117-111 for Semillano. The 26-year-old Semillano is now 6-1-3 in his last 10 fights. Berondo, the Philippines No 9 was 2-0-2 in his last four going into this one.
Polomolok, Philippines: light Fly: Randy Petalcorin (29-2-1) W KO 1 Jade Yagahon (7-10-2). Bantam: Mike Plania (15-1) W TKO 1 John Rey Lauza (13-18-4).
Petalcorin vs. Yagahon
A rubbish match sees world rated Petalcorin dispose of poor Yagahon inside a round. They are both southpaws and there the resemblance ends. The former WBA interim light fly champion is rated No 3 by the IBF-effectively No 2 as the No 2 position is vacant, so he will be hoping to land a shot at new IBF/WBA champion Hekkie Budler. Nine losses in a row for Yagahon eight of them by KO/TKO and all eight inside three rounds.
Plania vs. Lauza
Another quick finish as prospect Plania stops Lauza in the first round. The 21-year-old US-based Filipino moves to eight wins by KO/TKO. His only defeat came in March when he floored former WBA bantam champion Juan Carlos Payano but lost on points. Poor Lauza is 0-8-1 in his last nine fights.
Nadarzyn, Poland: Super Middle: Mateusz Rzadkosz (8-0-1 W RTD 8 Levan Lukhutashvili (8-3). Light Heavy: Robert Parzeczewski (21-1) W TKO 1 Jackson Junior (21-10,1ND).
Rzadkosz vs. Lukhutashvili
Rzadkosz wins the vacant Polish International title as Georgian Lukhutashvili retires after eight rounds with an injury. Rzadkosz shook the visitor with a right in the first but the Georgian recovered and the fight was still close after four rounds. In the fifth Lukhutashvili stopped fighting and indicated he had injured his elbow but he was instructed to box on and was floored by a right. He survived but was not as effective and retired at the end of the eighth round. The 25-year-old Rzadkosz was in front on all three cards by a big margin and remains unbeaten. Lukhutashvili,22, is 1-3 in fights outside Georgia.
Parzeczewski vs. Junior
This one was over quickly. In the first 30 seconds Parzeczewski was jabbing well and as Junior tried to move inside the Brazilian walked onto a right cross and went down heavily. He was up quickly but stumbled into a corner being held up by the ropes. The referee counted to two and then decided to see if Junior could take a step forward but he was beyond achieving that and the fight was waived off after just 47 seconds. The 24-year-old ?Arab? now has 14 wins by KO/TKO and is on a run of 13 wins in a row 10 of them by KO/TKO. He is rated No 15 in the EU. Junior does registered an occasional win outside Brazil but this is his eighth loss by KO/TKO. He was beaten inside the distance by Umberto Savigne but that was changed to No Decision when Savigne tested positive for a banned substance.
Catano, Puerto Rico: Super Light: Subriel Matias (10-0) W TKO 5 Adrian Estrella (28-2). Welter: Derrieck Cuevas (17-0-1) W TKO 7 Jesus Alvarez (15-6): Light: Nestor Bravo (13-0) W TKO 1 Jean Javier Sotelo (26-16-2)
Matias vs. Estrella
Matias gets his biggest win so far as he halts Mexican Estrella in five rounds. Estrella had a good first round moving, boxing and jabbing well but after that it was one-way traffic. Matias began by using some hard accurate jabs but then his unorthodox approach kicked in,. He was dropping both hands using upper body movement to dodge the punches from Estrella and landing hooks, uppercuts and other punches from other angles . The power in those punches had Estrella pinned to the ropes for much of each round. He fired back but Matias either ducked the punches and countered or just walked through the punches and landed shots from both hands. Estrella shipped lots of heavy punishment in the fifth before dropping forward to the floor. He got up but the referee rightly waived the fight off. ?Browny? Matias, 26, is certainly unorthodox but also clever and powerful and all ten of his fights have ended by KO/TKO including victories over useful opposition in Patrick Lopez and Daulis Prescott. At one time Estrella was seen as a coming star as he ran up 22 wins, 20 of them by KO/TKO. That run was ended in 2015 when he was floored and stopped by Eden Sonsona. He had won seven fights since then but there were worrying signs that he is already past his best at just 26.
Cuevas vs. Alvarez
Cuevas remains unbeaten with seventh round stoppage of Alvarez now 12 wins in a row for Cuevas, 11 of them by KO/TKO. Alvarez a late substitute drops to five losses by KO/TKO
Bravo vs. Sotelo
Bravo makes quick work of what was to be his first eight round fight as he halts Colombian Sotelo in the first round. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican has nine wins by KO/TKO. Sotelo had won his last nine fights but against very low level opposition and this is his thirteenth loss by KO/TKO.
Elche, Spain: Feather: Marc Vidal (11-1-5) TEC DRAW 3 Kiko Martinez (38-8-2). Feather: Aram Avagyan (8-0) W PTS 10 Emanuel Lopez (28-9-1).
Vidal vs. Martinez
A much anticipated fight is ruined by a cut. In the first Martinez came out punching taking the fight to Vidal with all-out aggression. Vidal was close to being overwhelmed and a clash of heads saw him badly cut on his right eyelid. Just before the bell their heads banged together again and another cut opened up this time over the right eye of Vidal. They continued to trade punches in the second with Vidal drawn into a brawl by the swarming attacks of Martinez and the two cuts continued to bleed. The one over the eye was the worse and at the start of the third round it was ruled that Vidal could not continue and the fight was declared a technical draw. Vidal retains the European title in his first defence. Former European and IBF champion Martinez was looking to win this fight and hoped to get back into the world picture but now they will probably have to do this all over again.
Avagyan vs. Lopez
Russian-based Armenian Avagyan wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with unanimous decision over experienced Mexican Lopez. Scores 98-93 twice and 97-94.The 27-year-old Avagyan was going ten rounds for the first time and paced the fight well. Lopez, a former interim WBA super feather champion was 5-2 in fights last year with the losses being to Russian Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov for the vacant IBO super feather title and the 24-0 Carlos Diaz but had started this year well with victory over 16-2 Diego Eligio.
Zug, Switzerland: Super Middle: Emil Markic (28-2) W TKO 11Denis Liebau (23-2). Bosnian-born Markic wins the vacant WBFederation title with stoppage of Liebau. The fight was very much there for the taking after ten rounds with the scores at 97-93 for Markic, 96-94 for Liebau and 95-95.It was Markic who came out on top stopping Liebau in the eleventh. Markic, 35, now has 23 wins by KO/TKO and has lost only one for his last twenty-one fights and that loss was to world rated Umar Salamov in May last year. He has been very carefully matched against very poor opposition so his impressive statistics are misleading, German Liebau?s victims have been about the same level with his loss being a late stoppage against Dominic Boesel in 2016.
Bang Phun, Thailand: Super Light: Atchariya (10-0) W PTS 10 Kaewfah (27-4).
Atchariya wins the interim WBC Asian Boxing Council title with split decision over Kaewfah. It was close all the way with the more skilled and quicker Atchariya outboxing Kaewfah who focused his attacks on the body to try to slow Atchariya but came up short. Scores 97-93 twice for Atchariya and 95-95. The 28-year-old Atchariya had considerable experience as an amateur before turning pro but this was his first ten round fight. His real last name is Wirojanasunobol but I will stick with Atchariya. Kaewfah won his first 23 fights but losses to Czar Amonsot, Masayoshi Nakatani and George Kambosos have put his ability in a more accurate light.
Trabazon, Turkey: Super Light: Fatih Keles (10-0-1,1ND) ND 2 Max Churbanov (8-3-1,1ND). Cruiser: Firat Arslan (42-8-2) W KO 1 Isaac Ankrah (14-8).Cruiser: Huseyin Cinkara (12-0) W KO 5 Yury Bykhautsou (10-16-3).
Keles vs. Churbanoc
Keles retains his WBO European title when a clash of heads in the second round ends the fight. Both fighters were looking to trade from the bell with both stabbing jabs and trying long rights. The pace was quick and Churbanov was just the busier. The pattern was the same at the start of the second. The referee warned both to be careful with their heads and moments later their heads bang together. Churbanov immediately pawed at his forehead and the referee called time-out. He took Churbanov over to the ringside physician who indicated the cut was too bad for the fight to continue and since the stoppage was due to a clash of heads and only one round had been completed the result was a No Decision. Home town fighter Keles was making the third defence of his WBO European title. Churbanov had won 5 of his last 6 fights but against mediocre opposition.
Arslan vs. Ankrah
Arslan blows away Ankrah inside a round. The veteran marched forward behind a high guard allowing Ankrah to punch away trying to find gaps. The Ghanaian went to the body trying to bring Arslan?s guard down but Arslan landed some left hooks to the body and a sharp right uppercut. Arslan began to let fly with his punches landing left hooks and uppercuts. He hurt Ankrah with a body punch and then landed a chopping right to the head and another left hook to the body and Ankrah stepped away and went down on his hands and knees and was counted out. The 47-year-old southpaw, a former holder of the secondary WBA title, has come up short in three world title shots but he is currently No 2 with the WBO. His aim is to win a world title sometime after his 48th birthday in September so that he can eventually displace Bernard Hopkins as the eldest fighter to win a world title. Hopkins was 48 years, 1 month and 22 days when he beat Tavoris Cloud to win the IBF light heavy title.. Arslan wins the WBO Inter-Continental title with this victory and goes for the GBU ?World? title against Pascual Ndomba next month. Seventh loss by KO/TKO for the overmatched Ankrah.
Cinkara vs. Bykhautsou
Cinkara wins the vacant German International title with kayo of Belarusian Bykhautsou. The tall 33-year-old Cinkara gets his fifth win in a row by KO/TKO. Poor Bykhautsou is 1-9-1 in his last 11 fights but the other eight losses had been on points.
Mulvane, KS, USA: Fly: Nico Hernandez (5-0) W TKO 1 Szilveszter Kanalas (14-8). Heavy: Olek Teslenko (13-0) W TKO 2 Terrance Marbra (9-6).
Hernandez vs. Kanalas
Easy night for Hernandez wins the vacant IBA title with first round destruction of Kanalas. Hernandez was landing hurtful punches early and a left hook to the ribs sent the Hungarian down. He beat the count but Hernandez continued to land and another body punch followed by a shot to the head put Kanalas down and out. The 22-year-old Hernandez who hails from Wichita won the National Golden Gloves in 2013 and battled his way through the US Olympic Trials and the Americas Qualifier to get to Rio where he won a bronze medal. Kanalas, just 19 is 2-6 in his last 8 fights with all six losses by KO/TKO.
Teslenko vs. Marbra
Easy night also for Teslenko. The Toronto-based Ukrainian bossed the first round behind a strong jab trying to drop in some overhand rights. Marbra fought out of a crouch trying some rights of his own and ended the round coming forward punching. Teslenko rocked Marbra with a straight right and a left hook in the second and a right wobbled Marbra badly. Teslenko landed a series of punches and Marbra dropped to the canvas. He beat the count but when the action resumed Marbra just hid behind his guard as Teslenko landed hooks and uppercuts and the referee stopped the fight.. The 25-year-old 6?4? (193cm) Teslenko has eleven wins by KO/TKO with only one of those eleven victims making it to the third round. No real tests, slow but powerful so worth watching. Marbra, 41, was making one of his rare appearances as this is just his sixth fight in six years and his fourth loss by KO/TKO.
May 20
Tokyo, Japan
Light Fly: Hekkie Budler (32-3) W PTS 12 Ryoichi Taguchi (27-3-2). Minimumweight: Hiroto Kyoguchi (10-0) W PTS 12 Vince Paras (13-1).
Budler vs. Taguchi
South African ?Hexecutioner? Budler win the IBF and WBA titles as he goes into the other guy?s backyard and comes away with a well deserved win. Budler started this one quite brilliantly. He was too quick and too accurate for the champion. He constantly found gaps for his left jab and quick rights and used good movement to vary his angles. Taguchi just could not get into the fight and already things were looking bleak for him. After four rounds all three judges had it 40-36 for Budler giving him all four rounds. Taguchi finally managed to get into the fight over the middle rounds but Budler was still scoring with rapid combinations although Taguchi?s was having more success he was only really matching Budler round for round and not eating into the South Africans lead so that after eight rounds once again the three judges all had the same score and it was still, a four point advantage for Buckler at 78-74. Taguchi pressed hard over the ninth, tenth and eleventh finally eating into Budler?s lead but he was coming up short as Budler was still boxing well. At the end of the eleventh once again the vote was unanimous with all three judges having Budler in front 106-103. Taguchi needed a knockout and put everything into the last round and Budler went down. It was ruled a slip by the referee so Budler was the winner. There was then a review of the ?slip? and it was ruled a knockdown and the round scored 10-8 to Taguchi but even that was not enough to save his title and Budler won on all three cards by 114-113. Some justice here and a sense of d?j?-vu for Budler. Against Milan Melindo for the IBF title in September a very debatable knockdown in the last round saw a 10-8 score cost him the title. The IBF promised Budler a return but it looked as though he was going to be robbed off that when Melindo was allowed to fight Taguchi to unify the WBA and IBF titles. Taguchi won but justice prevailed and Taguchi agreed to put the titles on the line against Budler. Not knowing what the scores were Budler might have thought when the score in the last round here was changed to 10-8 oh here we go again but the 30-year-old South African is now the holder of two versions of the light fly title. Taguchi was 9-0-1 in his last 10 fights and he fought hard but his advantages in height and reach were no match for the speed of Budler and he had no complaint over the result
Kyoguchi vs. Paras
Kyoguchi retains the IBF title with wide unanimous decision over Filipino Paras. It was a very one-sided fight with Kyoguchi scoring well with hooks and uppercuts in the first two rounds and looking to repeat the pattern in third only to run into a left hook which put him down. He was not badly hurt and normal service was resumed in the fourth with Kyoguchi 38-37 in front on the cards. Kyoguchi dominated the middle rounds with an effective body attack and landed some hefty right crosses. After eight round Kyoguchi had a commanding lead of 78-73 on two cards and 77-74 on the third. Paras, really just a novice had only been ten rounds once and tired down the stretch. Kyoguchi tried hard for a knockout but Paras resisted well. Scores 117-110 for Kyoguchi from all three judges. Second title defence for 24-year-old Kyoguchi. The 19-year-old Paras was rated a very strange No 14 light fly by the IBF but only No 6 in the official Philippines ratings.
Fight of the week: Josh Warrington vs. Lee Selby with honourable mention to Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack and domestic scrap between Darren Tetley and Mason Cartwright
Fighter of the week: Josh Warrington with honourable mention to Hekkie Budler
Punch of the week: Body punch from Matias Rueda that finished Fabian Orozco
Upset of the week: Filipino Jaysever Abcede beating Thai Yuttana Kaensa was not supposed to happen and Juan Carlos Paz with his win over Omar Chavez in Mexico
One to watch: US flyweight Nico Hernandez with honourable mention to Marquis Moore
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eric Armit.
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