The Past Week in Action 8 April 2019
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 Apr 2019
Leo dominates Tabanao in Las Vegas.
Highlights:
- In a clash of former world champions Francisco Rodriguez decisions Oswaldo Novoa in a war in Cancun and on the same show Omar Chavez gets a win
-In Hermosillo Ram?n Alvarez gets split decision over Jose Carlos Paz and Pedro Campa draws with Abner Lopez.
-On a big show in Poland England?s Andrew Robinson outpoints 41-0-1 Damian Jonak, Scottish-based Martin Bakole Ilunga stops Maurice Wach and Poles Robert Talarek and Patryk Szymanski share ten knockdown in less the 14 minutes of action!
-Marcelo Caceres 27-0-1 and Zac Dunn 29-1 score wins
- A show in Dubai sees Nigerian Aliu Bamidele Lasisi and former Irish amateur star David Oliver Joyce record victories
-Canadian Ryan Ford springs an upset as he knocks out unbeaten German hope Serge Michel
-Ricardo Mayorga 46 is stopped in two rounds by Lester Martinez in Guatemala
April 5
Melbourne, Australia: Super Middle: Zac Dunn (28-1) W TKO 2 Patrick Rokhol (16-1). Middle: Tej Pratap Singh (15-4-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Viktor Agateljan (7-1).
Dunn vs. Rokhol
Former Commonwealth champion Dunn gets his fifth inside the distance win in a row with stoppage of German Rokhol. After Dunn floored Rokhol twice in the second round the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. It is win No 23 by KO/TKO for Dunn who retains the WBA Oceania title. For winning their European title on a split decision over a guy with a 10-0-1 record who had never been in a ten round contest Rokhol was gifted a No 13 rating by the WBO and was outclassed here.
Singh vs. Agateljan
It was expected that Armenian-born Agateljan would prove a tough challenger for Australian champion Singh but in the end it was a one-sided contest with Singh winning 99-91 on all three cards. The Indian-born Singh was making the first defence of the National title and is now 6-0,1ND in his last 7 fights. The No Decision was originally ruled a loss against Sam Soliman but on review fouls by Soliman and a couple of overlooked knockdowns scored by Singh were sufficient grounds for the decision to be changed to a No Decision. Agateljan was going past six rounds for the first time but he had an extensive amateur background under the Czech banner.
Las Vegas, NV, USA: Feather: Angelo Leo (17-0) W PTS 10 Neil John Tabanao (17-4). Super Feather: Xavier Martinez (14-0) W TKO 3 John Vincent Moralde (21-3).
Leo vs. Tabanao
Leo continues to show improvement as he takes wide unanimous verdict over useful Filipino Tabano. Leo was moving up to ten rounds for the first time and showed maturity in the way he paced the fight. He outboxed Tabano early scoring well with jabs and landing plenty of body punches. He cranked up the pressure over the second half of the fight and really put in a tremendous effort over the last three rounds with Tabamo spending most of the time pinned to the ropes and Leo banging away to head and body of an exhausted Tabano. Scores 100-90 twice and 100-89 for Leo. Although never winning a major tournament Leo was 65-10 as an amateur and is developing impressively. Tabano had won his last four fights against reasonable level opposition and is yet to lose inside the distance.
Martinez vs. Moralde
Martinez shows power as he punches too hard for the more experienced Moralde. From the opening round Martinez was landing accurate and heavy punches. He kept the pressure going through the second and ended the fight in style in the third. Moralde was gamely trying to take the fight to Martinez but was nailed with a spectacular short left hook that put him on the canvas. Moralde was up at five but still looked rocky. The referee had a look at him and let the fight continue but when Martinez forced Moralde to the ropes and landed some head punches the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Sixth win on the bounce by KO/TKO for the 21-year-old from Sacramento and tenth in all. Moralde went 19-0 at the start of his career but suffered losses in tough matches against Toka Kahn Clary and Jamel Herring and with this loss he is 2-3 in his last 5.
Blagnac, France: Super Welter: Tomi Silvennoinen (9-1) W KO 4 Sirak Hakobyan (17-4-1).This was not supposed to happen. Young Finn Silvennoinen was supposed to lose so that home town fighter Hakobyan could add the WBC Youth title to the WBC Mediterranean title he already holds. Silvennoinen boxed neatly behind a sharp jab and countering Hakobyan who was driving forward looking to overwhelm Silvennoinen. Hakobyan did better in the second connecting with rights but in the third he was wild with his punches and Silvennoinen was scoring with stiff jabs and right counters. Hakobyan looked to be getting on top in the fourth when a straight right from Silvennoinen put him down heavily. He staggered to his feet at seven but then tumbled back and down again and the referee waived the fight over. Good away win for the 23-year-old Finn and his fifth victory in a row Hakobyan, a cousin of WBA cruiserweight Gold champion Arsen Goulamirian, had won his last ten fights.
Merida, Mexico: Middle: Elias Espadas (18-4) W TKO 2 Gabriel Lopez (10-3). Local fighter Espadas halts Lopez in two rounds. Lopez came in 5lbs over the middleweight limit and weighed nearly 176lbs by fight time so the vacant WBC Latino title was only on the line for Espadas. Lopez tired to make his weight advantage tell and forced the fight in the first. Late in the second a straight left from Espadas sent Lopez reeling and a lighter punch saw Lopez drop down in a delayed reaction to the heavier initial left. There was blood pouring from Lopez nose splashing across his chest. He made it to his feet but with the blood still flooding down the referee stopped the fight. Thirteenth win by KO/TKO for Espadas and his eighth win in his last nine fights with the loss being against unbeaten Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao in July last year. Lopez was to have fought Omar Chavez in Cancun on 6th April but opted to take this fight instead
Malaybalay City, Philippines: Minimumweight: Robert Paradero (18-0) W TKO 1 Jonathan Almacen (5-3-2).Light Fly: Jerry Tomogdan (27-10-4) W TKO 8 Dexter Alimento (13-6).
Paradero vs. Almacen
In a WBO Asia Pacific title defence Paradero ended this one quickly with a body punch enough to put novice Almacen down and out. The 22-year-old from Valencia City has twelve wins by KO/TKO. Typical of the sanctioning body ratings measurement Paradero is the No 1 minimum in the WBO ratings for winning their Asia Pacific title with a victory over a fighter with a 5-2-1 record. Paradero’s home body, the Philippines Games and Amusement Board have him at No 4 in their minimumweight ratings! Almacen, 19, never in with a chance.
Tomogdan vs. Alimento
Southpaw Tomogdan wins the hard way-the very hard way. Alimento almost ended it in the first when he put Tomogdan down twice but failed to find the additional knockdown he needed. Tomogdan battled his way back into the fight only to find himself on the floor again in the sixth. Alimento had punched himself out and Tomogdan took control in the seventh and stopped Alimento in the eighth. Fifteenth win by KO/TKO for former Philippines minimumweight champion Tomogdan who was defending the WBO Asia Pacific title. Alimento had lost 4 of his last 5 in fights abroad in the other guy’s back yard.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Super Fly: Aliu Bamidele Lasisi (13-0) W PTS 12 Ricardo Blandon (10-2,1ND). Feather: David Oliver Joyce (10-0) W TKO 7 Stephen Tiffney (10-2). Super Bantam: Shakhobidin Zoirov (1-0) W KO 1 Anthony Holt (5-5-1).
Lasisi vs. Blandon
Locally-based Nigerian Lasisi remains unbeaten but has to climb off the floor in a tough scrap. Lasisi was the more stylish fighter and he opened well outboxing the aggressive Nicaraguan over the opening two rounds. Lasisi looked on his way to winning the third until a right put him down. He beat the count but in the fourth lost a point when Blandon was cut over the right eye in a clash of heads. Lasisi boxed his way back into the fight and used his better skills to handle the brawling approach by Blandon. Lasisi made a decisive move in the tenth putting Blandon on the floor with a light hook but Blandon staged a strong finish to make a close one to call. Acores 114-111 for Lasisi from all three judges. “Lucky Boy” wins the vacant WBC International title having previously held the International Silver title. Blandon had won his last three fights by KO/TKO,
Joyce vs. Tiffney
Irish Olympian Joyce wins the vacant WBO European title over a game Tiffney. Englishman Tiffany was very much in the fight over the first three rounds. Joyce was landing some hard body punches but Tiffany was countering well. A clash of heads in the second saw both fighters cut over their right eye and although Tiffany continued to counter well Joyce was focusing on the body with hefty hooks. Joyce was taking control with his body attacks and even though Tiffney continued to bang back he was starting to wilt. A right from Joyce floored Tiffany in the seventh and although he made it to his feet Joyce battered him around the ring and the fight was stopped just as the bell went. First professional title for the 32-year-old Joyce. In the amateurs he was European Union champion three times and competed at the 2016 Olympics and scored wins over Luke Campbell and Carl Frampton. Scot Tiffany had won his last two fights.
Zoirov vs. Holt
Olympic gold medallist Zoirov got this one over quickly. He pressed hard with Indonesian Holt throwing light jabs. Zoirov brushed them aside and landed a straight left that put Holt down on his back and he was counted out. The 26-year-old Uzbek beat American Antonio Vargas and Russian Misha Aloyan in Rio so is one to follow. Poor Holt was stopped in 89 seconds in his last fight.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Middle: Marcelo Coceres (27-0-1) W RTD 7 Carmelito De Jesus (18-7). Coceres remains unbeaten with a win over Brazilian De Jesus. The fight was one-sided with De Jesus mainly focusing on survival making for some monotonous rounds. Coceres scored heavily with rights over the first three rounds with De Jesus briefly coming to life in the fourth. Coceres piled on the punishment in the fifth and sixth and De Jesus retired at the end of the sixth. The was to have been a defence of the WBO Latino middleweight title for Coceres but De Jesus weighed in at 168lbs. Fifteenth win by KO/TKO for the 28-year-old “El Terrible”. De Jesus, 35, was inactive in 2017 and was knocked out in three rounds by Artem Chebotarev in his only fight last year.
April 6
Unterschiebheim, Germany: Light Heavy: Ryan Ford (16-4) W KO 8
Serge Michel (8-1). Heavy: Petar Milas (14-0) W TKO 6 Denis Bakhtov (39-15). Light Heavy: Konni Konrad (24-2-1) W TKO 7 Vartan Avetisyan (18-2-1). Super Feather: Edgar Walth (7-0) W KO 3 Attila Csareklye (10-17)
Ford vs. Michel
After four points losses in tough twelve round title fights, two in Russia and two in Germany, Canadian “The Real Deal” Ford made no mistake here and took the outcome into his own hands with the kayo of unbeaten Germany prospect Michel. Ford made a storming start but Michel was willing to punch with him and they traded punches over the first two rounds. In the third a blatant low punch from Michel put Ford down in agony. Ford was given some recovery time and Michel was deducted a point. Ford looked to be the harder puncher as they continued to battle hard over the next four rounds. Both fighters were tiring by the eighth but Michel was leaving too many gaps in his defence and a huge left from Ford sent Michel down spread-eagled on the canvas and he was counted out. Ford, 37, wins the vacant WBC International Silver title. Michel had won the full WBC International title in October but relinquished it in January. Ford then lost to German Nick Hannig for the International title in February but has rebounded in style with his eleventh win by KO/TKO and ownership of the Silver title. “The Bavarian Sniper” Michel a former top level amateur, had been carefully matched. He had his weaknesses exposed here by Ford and will have a rebuilding task ahead.
Milas vs. Werwejko
Croatian heavyweight hope Milas too young, too big and too talented for Russian oldie Bakhtov. Bakhtov pressed hard trying to get past the jab of Milas to work the body but Milas was blocking most of the punches and scoring with counters. The tall Croat began to up his pace from the third and Bakhtov was soon being caught with heavy shots from both hands. Milas rocked Bakhtov with a right uppercut in the fifth. Bakhtov was cut over his left eye and soaking up punishment in the sixth and the fight was stopped. The 23-year-old 6’4 ½” Milas makes it eleven wins by KO/TKO. He did not have a great deal of success as an amateur but as a pro he has stopped Kirk Johnson and outpointed Francesco Pianeta and is in line to fight for the vacant EU title once an opponent is named. Bakhtov, 39, suffers his fifth loss in a row,
Konrad vs. Avetisyan
Montenegrin “Koko” Konrad returns after a long time out of the ring and wins the vacant German title with seventh round stoppage of Munich-based Armenian Avetisyan. The 33-year-old Konrad (real name Mevludin Cokovic) turned pro in 2002 but has had two long periods of inactivity, once even taking a job collecting dustbins. After returning from his first spell out he worked his way to a fight against Juergen Brahmer for the secondary WBA light heavy title but lost on a seventh round retirement and eventually was inactive again. This is his first fight since February 2016. Second loss in a row for Avetisyan having dropped a majority verdict to Yusuf Kanguel for the WBC Mediterranean title in February.
Walth vs. Csareklye
Former leading amateur Walth moves up to ten round class and wins his first pro title as he knocks out Hungarian Csareklye. The win, Walth’s fourth by KO/TKO, nets him the German International title. The 27-year-old Moldovan-born German won plenty of titles as an amateur being German champion in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and took a gold medal at the European Military Championships. He also competed at the 2011 European championships and was a member of the Leipzig Leopards team in the World Series of Boxing ending his time as an amateur with a claimed record 170 wins in 218 fights. Tenth loss by KO/TKO for Csareklye.
Cancun, Mexico: Super Fly: Francisco Rodriguez (30-4-1) W PTS 10
Oswaldo Novoa (14-9-4). Omar Chavez (38-5-1) W KO 7 Andres Villaman (15-2-1).
Rodriguez vs. Novoa
Rodriguez takes the unanimous decision in a war between two former world champions. In a fight that is a candidate for Mexican Fight of the Year these two knocked lumps of each other for ten rounds. From the opening ball to the bell to end the tenth they just stood and traded punches. If Rodriguez was forcing Novoa to the ropes for a spell Novoa would bang back and Rodriguez would be the one pinned to the ropes. In the end despite losing a point for a foul; in the seventh Rodriguez, the younger and physically stronger, just had the edge and came out the winner. Scores 95-92 from all three judges. Still only 25 Rodriguez retains the WBC Latino Silver title. He is a former WBO and IBF minimumweight champion. He relinquished both titles but lost to Donnie Nietes in a challenge for the WBO light flyweight title in 2015. He has now won eleven on the spin and is No 2 flyweight with the WBO. Former WBC minimumweight champion Novoa, 37, is going down the slope and now 0-5-3 in his last eight fights but he had been fighting at light flyweight before this.
Chavez vs. Villaman
Chavez keeps his career alive with win over less experienced “Engineer” Villaman. Chavez was the boss from the first bell dropping Villaman with a right in the opening round. Villaman survived but was never really in the fight after that. Chavez continued to press with Villaman too busy defending to be a threat. A left hook floored Villaman in the fifth and Chavez continued to hand out punishment in the sixth. Stamina had been a problem for Chavez in the past but he was still in high gear in the seventh before a left hook to the body saw Villaman drop to his knees and get counted out. Now 25 wins by KO/TKO for “Businessman” Chavez but he was 1-2 going into this one so could not afford to lose. Villaman’s other loss was a third round stoppage against 21-0 Alessandro Riguccini in October
Hermosillo, Mexico: Super Light: Pedro Campa (30-1-1) DREW 10 Abner Lopez (27-10). Super Welter: Ramon Alvarez (28-7-3,1ND) W PTS 10 Jose Carlos Paz (23-9-1). Fly: Joselito Velasquez (9-0) W TKO 5 Angel Guevara (15-11-4).
Campa vs. Lopez
Home town fighter Campa overcomes the handicap of a bad cut to get a split draw against tough Lopez in a war This one was a toe-to-toe brawl from the start with both wanting to stay inside and trade body punches. The hooks were thudding home when the taller Lopez might have done better to box on the outside. Campa seemed to be getting the better of the exchanges in the third and fourth but Campa’s face was beginning to swell by the fifth. Lopez was the one bossing the inside work in the sixth and Campa was cut over his left eye with Lopez dominating the seventh. Campa bounced back to rock Lopez with two hooks in the eighth but both fighters were showing tiredness after the hectic pace of the fight. They went toe-to-toe in the ninth and tenth with Campa just finishing the stronger. Scores 96-94 Campa, 96-94 Lopez and 95-95 which looked about right. After a shock seventh round loss to Carlos Jimenez which snapped a 27-bout winning run for Campa he had laid down some bricks in his rebuilding project with three wins in 2018 so this draw is a minor setback for him. Lopez had a rocky 2-5 run but against good level opposition such as Jose Zepeda and Alex Saucedo and had scored two low level wins before this fight.
Alvarez vs. Paz
Alvarez edges out Paz in a fight where the decision could have gone either way. In a lively opening round both were letting their punches go with Alvarez connecting with overhand rights and Paz left hooks to the body. Alvarez seemed to rock Paz with a right in the second but as he was marching forward he was wide open and Paz was finding the target too easily. Alvarez used his strength to force Paz back in the third and fourth and landed thudding rights to the body but was still wide open to counters. This was a terribly slow-paced fight with very little defence on show and his harder punch was giving Alvarez a slight edge in the fifth but his wide open defence saw Paz scoring well in the sixth and seventh. Both looked exhausted over the closing rounds and in the end it was whether you preferred the heavier punches of Alvarez or the lighter but more accurate ones from Paz. It was close but the split decision went to Alvarez. Scores 96-94 twice for Alvarez and 96-94 for Paz. Alvarez, 32, the elder brother of Saul, loses the big fights and is going nowhere now. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Paz recently. In 2018 he lost on a third round kayo to Jaime Munguia then beat Omar Chavez and Jorge Paez Jr but was knocked out by Anthony Fowler in 93 seconds in December.
Velasquez vs. Guevara
Precision and power show from hot prospect “El Huracan” Velasquez as he batters poor Guevara to defeat in five rounds. The 25-year-old from Cancun twice took the gold medal at the Pan American Games and competed at the 2016 Olympics. Eight of his wins have come by KO/TKO. Guevara now a dismal 1-7-2 in his last 10 fights.
Katowice, Poland: Super Middle: Robert Parzeczewski (23-1) W KO 2 Dmitri Chudinov (21-5-2). Heavy: Martin Bakole Ilunga (12-1) W TKO 8 Mariusz Wach (33-5). Middle: Andrew Robinson (23-4-1) W PTS 8 Damian Jonak (41-1-1). Middle: Robert Talarek (24-13-2) W TKO 5 Patryk Szymanski (19-2). Super Light: Damian Wrzesinski (17-1-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Kamil Modzinski (11-3-4).
Parzeczewski vs. Chudinov
Parzeczewski “The Arab” adds the Polish International title to the Polish title he already holds with stoppage of Chudinov who definitely looks to be fading. In the first round the Pole boxed on the back foot countering Chudinov’s attacks and staggered Chudinov with a left hook. In the second a right from Parzeczewski sent Chudinov down heavily. He beat the count but was unsteady. Parzeczewski pinned Chudinov to the ropes but Chudinov escaped only to be put down again by a right hook. Chudinov arose again but the referee rightly stopped the fight. Now 16 wins by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old Parzeczewski and his fifteenth win in a row, Former interim WBA middleweight champion Chudinov, 32, suffers his fourth defeat in his last five fights
Wach vs. Ilunga
Important win for Scottish-based Congolese fighter Ilunga. Wach boxed on the back foot in the first scoring with right counters but just before the bell Ilunga staged a strong attack. After that strong finish to the opener Ilunga took control of the fight. He was finding gaps for his jab and connecting with heavy rights. Wach’s work rate dropped away until he rallied briefly in the sixth when it looked as though Ilunga eased up pacing himself to stay strong over the last few rounds. That proved unnecessary. Ilunga was back in control in the seventh and in the eighth Ilunga launched a fierce attack landing punch after punch and with Wach not fighting back the referee halted the fight. Last time out in October 2018Ilunga had set too fast a pace and was exhausted and then stopped by Mike Hunter in the tenth round. Ilunga is the younger brother of world rated cruiserweight Ilunga Makabu and this is a career best win for him. At 39 it is difficult to see a future for Wach who suffers his third loss in a row having been stopped by Jarrell Miller and outpointed by Artur Szpilka.
Robinson vs. Jonak
Impressive win on the road for Englishman Robertson as he takes unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jonak and snaps one of the longest unbeaten streaks in boxing today. Jonak was getting caught by counters from Robinson in the first round but trapped Robinson in a corner just before the bell and landed a series of punches. Jonak continued to attack over the second and third but some clever defensive work and accurate counters from Robinson were giving the Pole problems. Jonak started to go to the body more from the fourth but Robinson was gradually taking control. He was outboxing Jonak and constantly piecing the Poles guard with quick, accurate counters with Jonak throwing plenty but with little accuracy as Robinson eased his way to victory. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Robinson and 77-75 for Jonak but Robinson was a clear winner. “DAnimal” Robinson, 34, had lost big fights to Frank Buglioni and Mark Heffron but this is a career best win. Jonak, 35, was inactive in 2016 and 207 but last year scored wins over 19-1 Marcos Cornejo and 21-0-1 Sherzod Husanov so was in good form.
Talarek vs. Szymanski
This clash between two Poles almost defied description and was packed with drama with Szymanski down six times and Talarek on the floor four times-ten knockdowns in under fourteen minutes. It looked as though it would be over in less than three minutes as rights from Szymanski dropped Talarek twice (1 and 2) in the opening round. Talarek made it to the bell and landed a series of punches in the second to put Szymanski on the floor only for Szymanski to battle back and put Talarek down twice(3,4 and 5). That was as good as it got for Szymanski. He had punched himself out and in the third, Talarek toughed by his past work as a miner, sent Szymanski down twice late in the round (6 and 7). Szymanski fought hard in the fourth but twice dropped to his knees under attacks from Talarek (8 and 9). It was over in the fifth when a right from Talarek again sent Szymanski to the canvas (10). Szymanski somehow made it to his feet but the referee stopped the fight. Sixteen wins by KO/TKO for Talarek, 35, who is 11-1 in his last 12 fights. He seems to do well as long as he avoids the UK where he has lost to Conrad Cummings, Liam Smith and John Ryder. Szymanski, 25, lost in October on a fourth round stoppage to Fouad El Massoudi who had lost 6 of his previous 7 fights. That plus this defeat were enough for Szymanski to announce his retirement but at 25 he may change his mind later.
Wrzesinski vs. Mlodzinski
Wrzesinski gets a split decision over Mlodzinski in a national title fight. After two even rounds champion Wrzesinski proceeded to build a lead scoring with some sharp left hooks and a knockdown of Mlodzinski in the fourth put Wrzesinski well in front. Mlodzinski bounced back in the sixth but the accuracy of Wrzesinski’s work gave him the seventh and eighth and a strong finish by Mlodzinski was not enough to claw back Wrzesinski’s lead. Scores 97-93 and 96-93 for Wrzesinski and 96-93 for Mlodzinski. First title defence for Wrzesinski who is 6-0-1,1ND in his last 8 fights. His only loss is a split decision against Belgian Jean Pierre Bauwens in Ghent in 2017. Mlodzinski had won his last three fights and was having his second shot at the national title.
Wolfsburg, Germany: Middle: Patrick Wojcicki (12-0-1) W Marcelo Caceres (18-3). Middle: Denis Radovan (12-0-1) W PTS 10 Ronny Mittag (30-4-3). Super Middle: Leon Bauer (16-0-1) W PTS 8 Mateo Veron (28-23-3,2ND).
Wojcicki vs. Caceres
Wojcicki retains the IBF Inter-Continental title with a points victory over Argentinian Caceres. The fight was not without incidents. Wojcicki made a confident start and looked to have taken the first three rounds. Two heavy rights from Caceres in the fourth looked to have Wojcicki in deep water but the referee considered that Caceres needed to be given a lecture for infringements of the rules and Wojcicki recovered. Caceres looked to have taken the fifth but was down in the seventh and given a standing count in the ninth before the visitor staged a strong finish to make the fight close. Scores 117-109, 115-111 and 114-112 with the last score looking the best reflection of the action. The 27-year-old German is No 7 with the IBF but as the level of his opposition has not been high does not make it into the EBU top 15. South American champion Caceres had won his last eleven fights.
Radovan vs. Mittag
These two could fight each other a dozen times and they would never be separated by much. When they fought in December it finished as a split draw and this one was every bit as close. Radovan made the better start and built a lead. He seemed to fade after the half way point and a better conditioned Mittag eat into that lead and looked to have done enough to merit at least a draw but the split decision went to Radovan who wins the IBF European title. Scores 96-94 twice for Radovan and 96-94 for Mittag. The 26-year-old winner from Cologne, a former elite level amateur, will not be keen to go through a third fight with Mittag but will look to try to edge his way into the world ratings. After being 30-2-1 it has been a rough ride for Mittag who is now 0-2-2 in his last four fights including a loss to Wojcicki.
Bauer vs. Veron
Bauer gets unanimous decision over Veron but an uncomfortable night for the young German. Bauer had edges in height and reach but Veron used a whole variety of tricks to unsettle Bauer and it worked with many of the rounds close. Bauer’s case was not helped by a cut on the bridge of his nose which he suffered in the second round and which bled from then on. Bauer’s higher work rate was just enough to see him through but only just. Scores 76-75 twice and a too wide 78-73 all for Bauer. Still only 20 Bauer has time to work on his deficiencies but he has made hard work of winning his last two fights. Veron, a former Argentinian super welter champion who has taken his gloves to seven different countries, had shocked Danish fans with a win over Lolenga Mock in January but was stopped in six rounds by unbeaten Anthony Sims in February.
Fontenay-sous-Bois, France: Welter: Yahya Tlaouziti (15-4-3) W TKO 7 Bruno Marcellin (11-4-3). Tlaouziti wins this clash of former team mates in defence of his French title. Marcellin was storming forward from the start of the fight letting fly with both hands and focusing on the body. Tlaouziti was under pressure but worked well with his jab and countered with some accurate uppercuts and shook Marcellin in the third with a left hook. By the fifth Tlaouziti was landing heavy counters as Marcellin was throwing himself forward and ignoring defence and Marcellin was deep trouble and saved by the bell at the end of the sixth. A sustained attack by Tlaouziti in the seventh was enough for the referee to step in and halt the fight. Sixth inside the distance win for Tlaouziti and a much needed win. At one time he was 13-2-3 but had fallen on hard times. Second stoppage loss for Marcellin who had won both of his fights in 2018.
General Arenales, Argentina: Middle: Francisco Torres (12-3) W PTS 10 Gonzalo Coria (15-3). Torres wins his way through to the final of the national middleweight tournament with unanimous decision over favoured Argentinian No 3 Coria. Torres made use of his height and reach to outbox southpaw Coria who never really managed to get inside often enough to be competitive. Torres picked up the points in the first three rounds with Coria coming into the fight over the fourth and fifth. Torres took over again and swept four of the last five rounds and the decision. Scores 98-92 twice and 96-94 all for Torres. He sprang an upset by outscoring unbeaten Alan Castano in the quarter-finals and he did the same here. Coria had lost only one of his last 13 fights. That loss was by just a single point on two cards against Artur Akavov who challenged Demetrius Andrade for the WBO title in his next fight.
Melbourne, Australia: Super Light: Terry Tzouramanis (22-4-3) W PTS 10 Gaige Ireland (6-3-2). In an all-Australian fight Tzouramanis keeps the WBC Asian Boxing Council belt with unanimous decision over former Australian champion Ireland. The 33-year-old Australian No 5 moves to 7 wins in his last 8 fights with the loss coming last July against Filipino southpaw prospect Jayar Inson. Ireland had won 3 of 4 going into this one.
Sluneta, Czech Republic: Heavy: Ali Eren Demirezen (11-0) W DISQ 6 Adnan Redzovic (19-3). Heavy: W Pavel Sour (11-1) W PTS 10 Tomasz Salek (9-1).
Demirezen vs. Redzovic
German-based Turk Demirezen too good for old Redzovic and makes a successful second defence of the WBO European title as Redzovic is disqualified. Demirezen could probably have ended this early but as this was his first fight in seven months and Redzovic was too old and too slow to pose any danger Demirezen settled for getting in some rounds. The hard straight punches from Demirezen were too much for Redzovic and when holding did not slow Demirezen’s attacks Redzovic resorted to spitting out his mouthguard to get some respite. He did that too often and after spitting in out again and turning away the referee disqualified him. The 29yo Demirezen was Turkish amateur champion and twice won gold medals at the prestigious Ahmet Comert Tournament beating England’s Joe Joyce in the final in 2013. He also represented Turkey at the World Championships and the 2016 Olympics. Poor Bosnian Redzovic, 42, was having his first fight since March 2018 and was knocked out in two rounds by Tom Schwarz in 2017.
Sour vs. Salek
Sour retains the national title in this clash between two former Czech amateur champions. Experience and tactics decided this one. Sour at 36 was 16 years older than challenger Salek and had more depth of experience. Against the younger and more aggressive Salek Sour boxed on the outside scoring with strong jabs connecting with quick counters and either moving or holding to stifle the attacks of Salek. In addition Salek fought from the second round with a bad cut over his left eye and that was one handicap too many for the young Salek. He tried hard under the urging from his corner by former European and interim WBO champion Lukas Konecny but came up short. Scores 99-90, 99-94 and 98-94. Sour will hold on to the Czech title and now look to challenge for an international belt. Salek was going past the sixth round for the first time. He is young enough to rebound. Sour was Czech super heavyweight champion in 2014 and 2015 and Salek followed him by winning the title in 2016,
Guatemala City, Guatemala: Light Heavy: Lester Martinez (1-0) W TKO 2 Ricardo Mayorga (32-12-1,1ND). Pitiful Mayorga takes a beating in the first round and despite efforts to fight back was being punished in the second until the referee stopped the fight. Third inside the distance loss in a row in only his third fight in sixteen months. Perhaps it will convince the 46-year-old Mayorga that he should put his gloves away. Although this was Martinez’s first pro fight he was a high level amateur winning gold medals at the 2011, 2012, 2013 Central American Championships, a silver at the World Youth Championships and competed for Guatemala at the World Championships.
Tokyo, Japan: Super Light: Koko Inoue (13-0) W PTS 10 Valentine Hosokawa (24-7-3). Those Inoue’s just can’t seem to stop winning. Southpaw Koki, a cousin of Naoya and Takuma Inoue, collects the Japanese title with a unanimous verdict over champion Hosokawa. Being 5 ½”" taller and much quicker than Hosokawa Inoue was looking to box on the outside. Hosokawa’s aggression kept him, in the fight and it was close after five rounds with the judges all giving Inoue a slight edge with scores of 48-47. From there Inoue took total control outboxing and outscoring Hosokawa and easing his way to victory. Scores 98-92, 98-93 and 97-93 for Inoue. Inoue, 26, had won 7 of his last 8 fights by KO/TKO but the 37-year-old Hosokawa, who was making the third defence of the title, never looked like folding.
Elvissa, Balearic Islands Spain: Super Feather: John Carter (10-0-1) W TKO 6 Victor Bonet (10-1-1). Carter invades Bonet’s back yard and retains the Spanish title with a stoppage victory. Carter attacked strongly from the start and by the end of the fifth was in front on the cards by 5, 3 and 1 points. Bonet was having problems with injuries to his hands and just could not hold off the champion. Carter was unloading heavily and the referee stopped the fight just as the towel came in from Bonet’s corner. The 24-year-old from Granada was making his first defence of the Spanish title. Bonet was gutsy but not quite good enough.
April 7
Port Elizabeth, South Africa: Super Feather: Azinga Fuzile (14-0) W PTS 12 Romulo Koasicha (27-7-0). Super Feather: Mila Mpontshana (15-1) W PTS 12 Koos Sibiya (21-13-4. Super bantam: Ayabonga Sonjica (8-0) W TKO 8 Asiphe Ntshili (8-5-1).
Fuzile vs. Koasicha
Local hero Fuzile continues his march towards a shot at IBF champion Tevin Farmer as he outclasses seasoned Mexican Koasicha to retain the IBF Inter-Continental title. Southpaw Fuzile dropped Koasicha with a left in the first round but Koasicha survived and took the fight to Fuzile. The South African “Golden Boy” was much too smart for Koasicha and despite the Mexican’s pressure he boxed and countered and eased his way to a one-sided victory. Scores 118-109 twice and 119-108 for Fuzile. The 22-year-old former African Youth champion is No 5 with the IBF but as the top two places are vacant he is much closer to a title fight than that would indicate. Koasicha was knocked out in ten rounds by Vasyl Lomachenko for the WBO featherweight title in 2015 but had won his last two fights.
Mpontshana vs. Sibiya
Mpontshana makes a successful fourth defence of his South African title with repeat victory over Koos Sibiya. The bout produced a strange range of scores with the judges turning in cards of 119-110, 116-112 and 115-113 which might lead you to think they all watched different fights. When Mpontshana retained the title with a points win over Sibiya in July the scores were much closer at 116-113, 115-113 and 114-113 which were more understandable. Now ten wins in a row for Mpontshana. Sibiya, 37, the South African No 4, was turned back for the fourth time in a challenge for the South African title.
Sonjica vs. Ntshili
Former top amateur Sonjica continues to show his power. He was much too good for Ntshili who took a pounding in round after round until the referee stepped in to save him in the eighth round. Southpaw Sonjica, 27, the brother of former IBO champion Thabo has won each of his eight fights inside the fifth round. As an amateur he competed at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games, twice won gold at the African Cup of Nations and was a quarter-finalist at the Commonwealth Games. First loss inside th4e distance for South African No 8 Ntshili.
Fight of the week (Significance): No high profile fights this week
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Francisco Rodriguez vs. Oswaldo Novoa was exciting but Robert Talarek vs. Patryk Szymanski with ten knockdowns takes pride of place.
Fighter of the week : Ryan Ford for his away win against unbeaten Serge Michel with honourable mention to England’s Andrew Robinson for ending the 42 bout unbeaten streak of Pole Damian Jonak in Poland,
Punch of the week: The left hook from Xavier Martinez that destroyed John Vincent Moralde
Upset of the week: Both Ryan Ford and Andrew Robinson were brought over to lose but tore up the script
Prospect watch: No one I have not already tagged really stood out this week
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eric Armit.
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