The Past Week in Action 15 March 2021: Estrada Edges Chocolatito; Benavides Stop Ellis to Keep Canelo on Target
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Mar 2021
Estrada (L) avenges defeat against Chocolatito.
Highlights:
-Juan Estrada retains the WBC and WBA super fly titles with controversial victory against Roman Gonzalez
-Hiroto Kyoguchi remains WBA light flyweight champion when challenger Axel is unable to continue after suffering an injury to his right hand.
-David Benavides stops Ronald Ellis in eleven rounds to keep his name in the frame for a 2021 shot at Saul Alvarez
-Isaac Cruz outpoints Jose Romero in WBA lightweight title eliminator
-Michael Zerafa brings down the curtain on the career of Anthony Mundine as he blasts him out in one round
-Terrell Gausha revitalises his career with second round stoppage of Jamontay Clark
-Thai Srisaket keeps busy whilst waiting for his shot at Juan Estrada with stoppage of Kwanthai
-Ryno Liebenberg shows there is plenty of life left in his career as he stops unbeaten Rowan Campbell
World Title/Major Shows
13 March
Dallas, TX, USA: Super Fly: Juan Estrada (42-3) W PTS 12 Roman Gonzalez (50-3). Light Fly: Hiroto Kyoguchi (15-0) W TKO 5 Axel Vega (14-4-1). Middle: Austin Williams (8-0) W PTS 8 Denis Douglin (22-8). Feather: Ray Ford (8-0-1) DREW 8 Aaron Perez (10-0-1): Super Welter: Souleymane Cissokho (12-0) W TKO 6 Daniel Echevarria (21-11).
Estrada vs. Gonzalez
Estrada retains the WBC and WBA titles with very controversial split decision over Gonzalez
Round 1
Good opener for Estrada. He was firing jabs and left hooks to the body with Gonzalez on the back foot. Gonzalez tried a short spell of aggression but Estrada was soon back in charge with his jabs, left hooks and straight rights.
Score: 10-9 Estrada
Round : 2
Estrada also made a quick start in this one landing his jabs and putting Gonzalez under pressure. Finally Gonzalez came to life and he was marching in firing hooks and uppercuts. Estrada was on the bock foot countering well but Gonzalez was outworking him inside.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez TIED 19-19
Round 3
Already the pace was hot with the promise of a classic battle in front of us. Gonzalez continued to rumble forward pumping out hooks and uppercuts. He scored with three rights in succession and continued to outscore Estrada who was under pressure for the three minutes.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 29-28
Round 4
Estrada had abandoned his jab as he was not able to keep Gonzalez out with it. It was a big round for Gonzalez he was showering Estrada with punches rocking him with right hooks to the head and raking him with body punches. Estrada landed some good shots before the bell but it was Gonzalez’s round.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 39-37
Official Scores: Judge Jesse Reyes 39-37 Gonzalez, Judge Carlos Sucre 39-37 Estrada, Judge David Sutherland 39-37 Estrada
Round 5
This was a close one. Estrada went back to his jab and was taking the fight to Gonzalez who continued to find the target with his right hooks and worked hard inside. Estrada was connecting with left hooks to the body but Gonzalez was having that bit more success.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 49-46
Round 6
Good round for Estrada. He was moving more and using his jab to set himself up for barrages of counters. For a period Gonzalez seemed to shut down just standing in front of Estrada getting caught with punches. He then sprung to life wading in with hooks and uppercuts but it was Estrada’s round.
Score: 10-9 Estrada Gonzalez 58-56
Round 7
Estrada was moving well and scoring then backing off instead of standing and trading, He connected with a right that was the best punch in the fight so far. He then began to put together some combinations of five and six punches that were rattling off Gonzalez but the Nicaraguan responded even though being outlanded. The fight was living up to its promise and then some.
Score: 10-9 Estrada Gonzalez 67-66
Round 8
Gonzalez got back in the groove. He was pressurising Estrada staying in close and raking Estrada with hooks and straight rights. Now it was Gonzalez putting together some impressive sequences and outworking Estrada.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 77-75
Official Scores: Judge Jesse Reyes 77-75 Gonzalez, Judge Carlos Sucre 77-75 Estrada, Judge David Sutherland 76-76 TIED
Round 9
Gonzalez work rate was phenomenal he just kept walking forward with bursts of punches. He was particularly effective with a straight left straight right paring that consistently found the target. Estrada was connecting with left hooks to the body and clubbing rights but being outworked and outlanded.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 87-84
Round 10
Gonzalez was relentless. He was rolling forward firing punch after punch. Straight rights and hooks from both hand. He seemed to find the target with every punch he threw. Estrada fought back hard but the snap seemed to have gone out of his punches.
Score: 10-9 Gonzalez Gonzalez 97-93
Round 11
A great round of action all the way. Estrada was moving more and more accurate with his punches. He was the one scoring with rights to the head. When he did stand and trade. Over the second half of the round they just traded punches after punch with Estrada forcing Gonzalez onto the back foot with an array of shots. They had bumped heads a few times and some punches strayed low but other than that the referee could have taken the night off as there had not been a single clinch is any round.
Score: 10-9 Estrada Gonzalez 106-103
Round 12:
These two had given everything in every round and they continued to do that to the final bell. Gonzalez just had that little bit more left and he outlanded a tiring Estrada.
Score; 10-9 Gonzalez. Gonzalez 116-112
Official Scores: Judge Jesse Reyes 115-113 Gonzalez, Judge Carlos Sucre 117-111 Estrada, Judge David Sutherland 115-113 Estrada
The judges saw it differently with the WBA saying they were going to suspend Judge Sucre for his 117-111 score for Estrada. Irrespective of that Estrada remains champion. It will be interesting to see what comes next. Srisaket is No 1 with the WBC and is 1-1 in fights with Estrada so the WBC will have to decided whether Srisaket should get his chance or they order an Estrada vs. Gonzalez rematch. The WBA No 1 by some miracle I am not sure even the WBA understand is another Thai Yodmongkol CP Freshmart (Sirichai Thaiyen) who somehow in the last 29 months has reached No 1 with those clowns at the WBA by scoring eight consecutive wins against fighters with combined records of 16-9 with 15 of those wins scored by one of the of the losers, six never having won a fight and the most recent having a 1-3 record. What a farce. Third defence for Estrada who played his part in a great contest. Hopefully Gonzalez will get a return. He was being written off after back-to-back losses to Srisaket in 2017 but has shown what a great little fighter he is.
Kyoguchi vs. Vega
Kyoguchi retains the WBA light fly title after Vega is forced out of the fight due to an injury to his right hand.
Round 1
Kyoguchi was quickly into his stride jabbing well and scoring with straight rights and left hooks to the body. Vega just could not get onto the front foot due to the strength of Kyoguchi jab and the champion connect with a hard overhand right.
Score: 10-9 Kyoguchi
Round 2
A totally different round. Vega closed the space and never took a backward step. He was working inside with hooks denying Kyoguchi any chance to use his jab. For the whole three minutes they went toe-to-toe. Kyoguchi was digging in hooks and uppercuts but Vega was outworking him and scored with two hard rights.
Score: 10-9 Vega TIED 19-19
Round 3
A close round. Vega did not press as much over the first half of the round and Kyoguchi was able to score with his jab and straight rights. Over the second half Vega went on the war path again getting inside to land hooks and uppercuts and he just did enough to take the round.
Score:10-9 Vega Vega 29-28
Round 4
Kyoguchi was able to work at distance in this one. He was jabbing well and hooking to the body. Vega closed the space late in the round but Kyoguchi matched him inside.
Score: 10-9 Kyoguchi TIED 38-38
Official Scores: Judge Gloria Martinez Rizzo 39-37 Vega, Judge Lawrence Cole 38-38, Judge Gregorio Alvarez 38-38
Round 5
Kyoguchi was again scoring well with his jab with Vega standing off and allowing Kyoguchi the space to work. Vega stepped in and landed a right to Kyoguchi’s head and then immediately turned away from the action retreating across the ring clutching his right wrist. Kyoguchi chased after Vega and with Vega doubled up in agony landed a punch before the referee was able to jump between them. Vega was unable to continue giving Kyoguchi the win on a stoppage. Kyoguchi, a former undefeated IBF minimum title holder, was making the third defence of the WBA light fly title and now 7 of his 15 fights have been world title fights. At 4’9 ½” Mexican Vega has to take his fights inside to win. This one was poised. It could be that Vega’s body punching might have worn down Kyoguchi or that walking into Kyoguchi’s punches might have eventually broken Vega down. The 20-year-old challenger deserves another shot to answer those questions.
Williams vs. Douglin
Houston southpaw Williams moves forward with unanimous decision over experienced Douglin. Plenty of action in this one. Douglin looked dangerous in the first scoring well with hooks and they traded hard shots in the second with Williams winning the exchanges. Body punches from Williams had Douglin in some trouble in the third but Douglin rebounded getting through with southpaw lefts in the fifth. From there Williams took over. He handed out a steady beating to Douglin over the sixth and seventh before slowing in the last. Scores 79-73 twice and 77-75 for Williams. The 24-year-old from Houston was facing a genuine test and came throught it. Douglin, 32, has been in with Jermell Charlo, Geroge Groves, David Benavidez and Anthony Dirrell but last time in November 2019 lost on points against Mike Guy.
Ford vs. Perez
Two very different styles here with Ford the upright boxing southpaw and Perez a crude lunging scrapper. Ford was trying to box at distant but Perez was hustling him out of his comfort zone and had Ford under heavy fire in the first. Ford steadied himself and connected with good counters in the second. The pattern of the fight did not change; Ford was scoring well at distance and catching Perez on the way in but Perez was walking through the counters and pumping out punches in a steady stream once he was inside. Accuracy did not enter the equation for Perez but the sheer volume of the punches he was throwing almost overwhelmed Ford. It was a case of going for quality or quantity and the judges were split on it with one going 78-74 for Perez, one 77-75 for Ford and the third seeing it 75-75. Neither fighter was happy with the result. Strangely considering their styles Ford was the one nicknamed “Savage”.
Cissokho vs. Echevarria
French hope Cissokho returns after 18 months of inactivity with stoppage of Mexican southpaw Echevarria. After a slow start Cissokho built his pace putting Echevarria under more and more pressure. A right floored Echevarria in the fifth. Echevarria was down again late in the round but it was a slip so no count. Cissokho ended it in the sixth with another knockdown after which the referee halted the fight. The Senegal-born Cissokho, a bronze medal winner at the Rio Olympics, has wins over useful opponents in Carlos Moreno and Dmitry Mikhaylenko. Echevarria came in 7lbs over the contract weight. He was 18-0 with 16 wins by KO/TKO early in his career but 3-11 since then shows he has slipped away badly
Uncasville, CT, USA: Super Middle: David Benavidez (24-0) W TKO 11 Ronald Ellis (18-2-2). Light: Isaac Cruz (21-1-1) W PTS 12 Jose Romero (24-1). Super Welter: Terrell Gausha (22-2-1) W TKO 2 Jamontay Clark (15-2-1).Welter: Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-0) W RTD 8 Javier Flores (15-3,1ND).
Benavides vs. Ellis
Benavidez proves just too strong and too big for a game Ellis. Benavides was working behind his jab in the first using his longer reach to slot punches home. Ellis staged some quick attacks and showed good hand speed and landed enough to take the round. Benavides looked a bit mechanical and slow in the second until he fired a couple of eye-catching bursts of punches. Ellis started the third with a fierce attack and they traded punches until Benavides launched a rapid combination to shake Ellis. Benavides then dominated the rest of the round with his longer reach and had Ellis under fire at the bell. Benavides walked Ellis down over the fourth and fifth. He was able to keep Ellis on the back foot and bombarded him with punches when he trapped Ellis against the ropes. Ellis was countering when he could but Benavides was just taking a step back and then coming forward behind his jab again. Benavides upped his output in the sixth punishing Ellis with there being little Ellis could do except try to counter when he could-which was not very often. Benavides rocked Ellis with two big rights in the seventh and there was less and less coming back from Ellis. Benavides pounded on Ellis in the eighth and ninth and the doctor came to the ringside to check that Ellis was able continue after each round. Benavides worked away in the tenth with hooks to the body from both hands and clubbing rights to the head. Ellis was able to score with the occasional counter but it was a very one-sided fight now. Benavides drove Ellis around the ring in the eleventh landing with heavy single shots and short burst of lighter punches. He had Ellis pinned against the ropes and clouted him with punch after punch until the referee jumped in to save Ellis. Benavidez was in front 98-92 on two cards and 99-91 on the third at the stoppage. The 24-year-old “Red Flag “was stripped of the WBC super middle title when he failed to make the weight for a defence against Roamer Angulo in August last year. He won the fight but losing his WBC title took his name off the board when they were looking for an opponent for Saul Alvarez. He is back at No 1 in the WBC rankings but Alvarez has a pretty full dance card for this year but he could be No 1 on the list for 2022 if he stays unbeaten. Ellis gave it a shot but just could not deal with the physical advantages or the power of Benavides. His other loss was on a majority decision against DeAndre Ware but he had put himself back in the picture with a points win over Immanuwel Aleem and a fortunate win over matt Korobov on an injury.
Cruz vs. Romero
Cruz wins WBA eliminator with a points decision over Romero in a messy, disappointing fight. Romero used smart tactics against the ever aggressive Cruz. The Argentinian had a fast, accurate jab and he used that to good effect over the early rounds showing good mobility and connecting with quick counters. Cruz kept chugging forward to work inside but Romero did a lot of clinching to smother Cruz’s work. It was a frustrating fight for the smaller Cruz. Romero was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads in the fourth but was cleared to continue by the doctor. A low punch in the sixth cost Cruz a point but Romero was clinching less which gave Cruz a chance to work. Romero’s early work made the fight close but Cruz was the stronger and he came on late in the fight and was a worthy winner. Scores a too wide 118-109, 115-112 and 114-113 all for Cruz. He will now go to No 1 with the WBA but there are Teo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Yvan Mendy all holding versions of the title and Cruz is not ready for Lopez yet. Former undefeated Argentinian champion Romero was No 6 with the WBA but he will struggle against any top line opponent.
Gausha vs. Clark
Gausha gets his career back on track with an early stoppage of Clark. A very cautious first round with lots of probing from both men but no real commitment to a punch. The second opened with more pawing and probing. The 6’2” Clark was firing straight lefts but Gausha was moving back and evading them. As Clark threw another straight left Gausha dated in and connected with a left to the head that put Clark down. He got up but did not seem to know where he was and was unsteady on his feet , The referee had a quick look and decided he was able to continue but as Gausha rushed forward Clark stumbled back across the ring and the referee realised Clark was in a bad way and jumped between Gausha and Clark before Gausha could do more damage. After losses Erislandy and Erickson Lubin Gausha had fallen out of the ratings and at 33 times is running out so he needed to win this one. Although losing to Jeison Rosario back in 2018 Clark had rebounded with a draw against unbeaten Sebastian Fundora and was No 9 with the WBA. At 26 he has time to regroup and come again.
Abdukakhorov vs. Flores
Uzbek Abdukakhorov was putting his IBF No 1 position at risk here but he kept himself in line for a shot at Errol, Spence with an eighth round stoppage of Flores. Victories over Keita Obara and Luis Collazo had been enough to get him to No 1 now he has to wait for the IBF to force Spence to fight him or vacate. Puerto Rican Flores lost almost every round against Ron Cruz in April 2019 but he had come back with a kayo of 16-0 Angel Ruiz in October 2019.
Melbourne, Australia: Middle: Michael Zerafa (28-4) W TKO 1 Anthony Mundine (48-11). Light Heavy: Faris Chevalier (12-1) W PTS 10 Blake Caparello (30-4-1).
Zerafa vs. Mundine
Zerafa blitzes Mundine inside a round. Mundine was coming forward when Zerafa suddenly connected with a left which staggered Mundine and Zerafa then cut loose with a series of rights to the head that sent Mundine into the ropes and then down on his hands and knees. Mundine looked more angry than hurt and was up quickly. Zerafa came forward looking for an opening and then connected with a heavy right to the head that sent Mundine crashing to the canvas and the fight was immediately waived off. Huge win for Zerafa who lost to Kell Brook and won then lost in fights with Jeff Horn. He immediately called out Tim Tszyu. Mundine had already said this was his last fight no matter what the result and conformed his retirement at 45. He has been a hugely successful and hugely controversial figure in Australian boxing with his strong support of the rights of his own indigenous people.
Chevalier vs. Caparello
I feel real sympathy for Chevalier. He gives up boxing due to the difficulty in getting fights then returns after almost five years and in his first fight outpoints WBA No 3 Caparello only to have his achievement swamped by Zerafa’s stoppage of Mundine. It was not a great fight but Chevalier was a clear winner with Caparello outboxed and perhaps looking the end of career. The three judges all gave it to Chevalier 97-93. The Paris-born Australian, a former Australian super middleweight champion lifts the WBA Oceania title. He lost his first pro fight so is on a twelve-bout winning streak. Caparello, 34, was stopped in two rounds by Sergey Kovalev in a challenge for the WBO light heavyweight title in 2014 and then suffered losses against Andre Dirrell and Isaac Chilemba. He had partially recovered with four domestic wins but now faces choices about his future.
10 March
Uncasville, CT, USA: Super Light: Brandun Lee (22-0) W KO 3 Samuel Teah (17-4-1). Light: Steven Ortiz (12-0) W PTS 8 Jeremy Hill (14-1). Welter: Brian Norman (19-0,1ND 10 1st) W Ben Whitaker (15-5). Light Vic Padilla (9-0) W TKO 5 Thomas Velasquez (10-1-1).Super Feather: Jordan White (11-1) W TKO 5 Misael Lopez (11-1,1ND).
Lee vs. Teah
Lee continues his destructive way as he blasts out Teah in the third. Leah had his jab working from the bell and was connecting with long rights and left hooks. Teah landed a useful left hook but was not quick enough. Teah made a bright start in the second but once Lee started to put his punches together he was rocking Teah with quick accurate shots. A burst of head punches floored Teah in the third. Teah made it to his feet but Lee bombarded him with punches until a booming right sent Teah down on his back and the fight was immediately stopped. Twenty wins by KO/TKO for 21-year-old Lee who wins the vacant IBO Inter-Continental belt. It has taken Lee less than 41 rounds for his 22 victories. Liberian-born “Tsunami” Teah had wins over Kenneth Sims and Sonny Frederickson so a reasonable test on paper
Ortiz vs. Hill
Ortiz builds an early lead and then holds off a strong finish from Hill to win a close unanimous decision. Ortiz’s better skills saw him move ahead over the first four rounds. He was jabbing well and outboxing the less skilled Hill. Hill was crude at times and walked into plenty of counters but kept pressing and made the fifth and sixth rounds too close to call and might have just edged them on the cards. Ortiz opened a gap again as he outboxed Hill over the seventh. Hill put in a good last round but it wasn’t enough. Scores 77-75 twice and 79-73 for Ortiz. Good win for the 27-year-old Philadelphian but a lack of power may hold him back. Hill came in as a late substitute and let the fight get away from him over those opening rounds.
Norman vs. Whitaker
In theory Norman was moving up to ten rounds but instead registered win No 16 by KO/TKO as he halted Whitaker in the fifth. The 20-year-old from Georgia is being sensibly matched. Texan Whitaker, 36, had won 4 of his previous 5 fights and scored wins over two unbeaten opponents in succession before this loss.
Padilla vs. Velasquez
Padilla overcomes a flash knockdown in the first to break down and stop Velasquez. Good start for Velasquez as connects with a right counter to the body and an off balance Padilla went down. Not a heavy knockdown and Padilla in no real trouble. Padilla had problems with the style of Velasquez in a the second and third but did enough to edge the rounds. Padilla began to put his punches together in the fourth and was taking control. In the fifth Padilla had Velasquez on rubber legs with a hook and floored him with a left. Velasquez made it to his feet but was shaky and floundered as Padilla unloaded on him so the referee halted the fight. Eighth early win for the 22-year-old Puerto Rican Padilla but he struggled early. Velasquez, 25, was in his first eight round fight.
White vs. Lopez
After a slow start White’s power proves too much for Lopez. Over the first two rounds Lopez took the fight to White despite being rocked in the opener. He was still in charge in the third until a body shot late in the round gave White the edge. Lopez rallied and outworked White in the fourth and fifth. Lopez lost focus in the sixth and White connected with a heavy right to send Lopez down. He got up too early and when the action resumed White trapped him on the ropes and put him down again. Lopez was up but wobbly and the referee halted the contest. Seven wins on the bounce for White,23, and ninth win by KO/TKO. Denver-based Mexican Lopez just did not have the power to match White.
12 March
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Super Feather: Edwin de los Santos (9-0) W KO 1 Luis Montano (16-8). Super Welter: Carlos Adames (19-1) W TKO 6 Bryan Medina (14-2). Light Heavy: Bryan Perez (14-1) W PTS 10 Felix Varela (18-4). Light Heavy: Juan Carrillo (5-0) W TKO 3 Reinaldo Gonzalez (16-3). Minimum: Eric Rosa (3-0) W KO 3 Kenny Cano (14-3). Heavy: Alexis Garcia (10-0) W TKO 3 Amron Sands (11-1).
de los Santos vs. Montano
Promising southpaw de los Santos impressively dismantles Montano inside a round. de los Santos was firing hooks from the start and a left to the head dropped Montano with just 40 seconds gone. He beat the count and in his anxiety to end it de los Santos was a bit wild. With 20 seconds left in the round de los Santos fired home two body shots that put Montano down again. He just about made at the count of nine but the referee waived to signal the fight was finished. The 21-year-old southpaw makes it eight early wins and collects the vacant WBC Latino title. He looked sharp and has power. Mexican Montano was 5-1 in his last six outings.
Adames vs. Medina
Adames hands of plenty of punishment and scores two knockdowns before Medina’s corner pulls their man out of the fight. Adames almost ended this in the first. He connected with a couple of strong body punches and then a blistering right uppercut put Medina down with less than ten seconds left in the round. Medina was unsteady when he got up and his second hustled him back to his corner. Adames took his foot off the pedal in the second and paid for it as Medina landed a good left hook. Medina chose to stand and exchange punches in the third making for some thrilling action but this time he paid the price being dropped by a heavy left hook and again he was saved by the lateness of the knockdown and got up and made it to his corner. Things slowed in the fourth with Adames content to box in a lower gear. It looked as though Adames was going to coast through the fifth but a series of hooks and uppercuts had Medina staggering across the ring. His mouthguard had come out so he got a few seconds respite and survived. Adames was getting through with hefty head shots in the sixth and finally Medina’s corner threw the towel in to save their man. First fight for Adames since losing a very close verdict to Patrick Teixeira for the WBO title when a knockdown made the difference between winning the fight and losing it. He had dropped out of the ratings but should return now and is capable of winning a title. Fellow-Dominican Medina gave it a good shot and at 26 will come again.
Perez vs. Varela
Perez gets close unanimous points victory over Varela in entertaining and incident filled scrap. Not sure why Varela chose to wear a gorilla mask into the ring but he did. It obviously did not frighten Perez as with just one minute gone in the fight he floored Varela with a hard right. Varela was up at four but when the action resumed he was floundering and holding to survive. The referee stepped in to break them and pushed them apart which sent Varela to the floor again. He was given time to recover from being floored by then referee and that proved important as he was put down again by a right to the side of the head. Varela was up quickly but under pressure and he tumbled to the floor but was not give a count and the bell went. The end of a very eventful round and a 10-7 start for Perez. Valera used his longer reach and better skills to outbox Perez over the next three rounds although he slipped and nearly took a header through the ropes. Varela wasted his three good rounds by his stupidity in the fifth. With just seconds to go and with Varela clowning dropping his gloves and winding up his right arm a left hook from Perez sent him hurtling into the ropes and down. When he made it up and the referee completed the eight count he was able to walk back to his corner. Varela boxed well in the sixth and had Perez badly rocked by a left hook in the seventh. Varela boxed well in the eighth and ninth with an exhausted Perez being docked a point for continually spitting out his gumshield. Valera had Perez hurt at the start of the tenth until a big left hook from Perez changed that and Varela was staggering and stumbling and then Perez went down but it was a slip and Varela had lost a round he needed to win and the fight. Scores 96-94 for Perez on all three scorecards. Perez, also a Dominican, reverses his only defeat and wins both the vacant WBC Latino and WBA Fedecaribe titles. Varela a former WBA interim title holder, was having his first fight since being disqualified for low blows against Vyacheslav Shabranskyy in September 2019.
Carrillo vs. Gonzalez
Impressive showing from Colombian Carrillo as he stops Gonzalez in three rounds to win the vacant WBA Fedecentro title. The heavy-handed Carrillo landed hard shots over the first and in the second a series of hooks saw Gonzalez in trouble and he was given a standing count. A straight left sent Gonzalez down on one knee in the third and as he started to rise he was obviously finished and the referee stopped the fight. Carrillo is a former Colombian champion at 81 and 91kgs. He won bronze medals at the Pan American Games and Pan American Championships and competed at the World Championships and Rio Olympics. Third loss on KO/TKO for 37-year-old Venezuelan Gonzalez.
Rosa vs. Cano
Dominican “Mini Pacman” Rosa gets his first inside the distance win as he knocks out Cano in the third. Rosa showed some good southpaw skills and quick hands putting together some flashy combinations and he had Cano hurt at the end of the opening round. He scored well with southpaw lefts in the second and dealt easily with the attacks of the bigger Cano. Rosa was breaking Cano down in the third when one of his punches went low. Cano hesitated and looked at the referee but when he saw Rosa was not going to be penalised he drove forward throwing loose punches seeking retribution but instead a left and right to the head sent him to the canvas and he was counted out. Rosa, 20, he will be 21 this month, was Dominican champion at schools and Youth level and picked up medals with the national side. He turned professional in October and went straight into tem round fights winning the WBC Latino and WBA Fedelatin titles in his first paid fight. He defended those title over ten rounds in December so his three fights have all been scheduled for ten rounds and all been title fights. Cano had won 4 of his last 5 and lost on points over eleven rounds against current WBA interim light flyweight champion Daniel Matellon in 2017.
Garcia vs. Sands
No fancy footwork or snappy jabs from these 250lbs fighters as Garcia blasts out Sands in the third. The 6’6” Sands just could not keep Garcia out and was rocked by a right at the end of the first round. Garcia landed heavily again in the second with Sands banging back late in the round. In the third Garcia launched a vicious attack driving Sands to the ropes and pounding him with punches until Sands went down with his head resting on the bottom rope. He pulled himself up but was wobbling and the referee stopped the fight. Sixth inside the distance win for the 5’11” Garcia who weighed 250lbs. Florida-based Bahamian Sands, 257 lbs, just could not match Garcia for power and was never able to make his longer reach count.
Bolton, England: Welter: Lewis Crocker (13-0) W PTS 10 Deniz Ilbay (22-3). Light: Gary Cully (12-0) W TKO 2 Viktor Kotochigov (12-2). Super Feather: Isaac Lowe (21-0-3) W PTS 6 Ed Harrison (2-6). Jordan Reynolds (1-0) W PTS 6 Robbie Chapman (6-7).
Crocker vs. Ilbay
Crocker floors and outpoints a combative Ilbay. In the first round Ilbay outworked Crocker and was able to slot straight rights through the centre of Crocker’s guard. Crocker upped his pace in the second and started to use his longer reach as a range finder and dug in some hurtful body punches. Crocker landed a series of left hooks to the body at the start of the third that had Ilbay backing off. Ilbay fought his way back into the round but an evil left to the body had him backing away and going down on one knee. He was up at eight and survived an onslaught from Crocker. Ilbay rebounded and although outworked by Crocker in the fourth he landed a big right hand with 30 seconds to go in the round that had Crocker’s legs doing a dance and if Ilbay had landed that punch earlier Crocker would have been in deep trouble. From there Crocker dominated the fight with sharp jabbing and hurtful left hook to the body. He rocked Ilbay with a right in the sixth and a left hook in the eighth saw Ilbay briefly touch the canvas to stay upright but it was seen as a knockdown. He was shaken again in the tenth but still fighting back. Scores for Crocker 99-90, 97-92 and 97-93. Crocker, 24, was making the first defence of his WBO European title. German Ilbay had boxed past some reasonable level opponents but in the end was well beaten here.
Cully vs. Kotochigov
Cully flattens Kotochigov in the second round. The 6’2” Cully towered over the 5’7” Kotochigov and made good use of his physical advantages to score at distance with Kotochigov unable to get past Cully’s southpaw jabs. When Cully let his punches flow late in the opener Kotochigov had to soak up some hard lefts. Cully continued to ram home punches in the second until a straight left dropped Kotochigov on his back. The Kazak tried to rise but collapsed back to the canvas and the fight was stopped. Cully, the Irish champion, wins the vacant WBO European title. Kotochigov was expected to do better after losing a close decision to Maxi Hughes in Dubai in October.
Lowe vs. Harrison
Lowe decisions substitute Harrison but pays a price in the shape of a bad cut. Lowe was just too quick and too busy for Harrison and easily controlled the first two rounds. In the third Lowe turned away from a clash of heads showing a bad cut over his left eye. That sparked Harrison who used his longer reach to score and traded punches more than he had over the first two rounds. Harrison was competitive over the fourth and fifth landing some good rights but Lowe was the one doing most of the scoring. A dominant sixth for Lowe saw Harrison looking to trade early but then being forced to defend as Lowe banged home hooks and uppercuts. Referee’s score 60-55 for Lowe giving him his seventh win in a row. He is rated WBO 9/WBC 11/IBF 12(11). This is his first contest for thirteen months and he would have been looking to move into some big fights but that bad cut will delay his programme. Thai-born Brit Harrison turned pro in February last year and fitted in seven fights in less than ten months.
Reynolds vs. Chapman
Top amateur Reynolds shows plenty of talent in his first pro fight. Chapman was his usual awkward and willing self but had no answer to the speed and accuracy of Reynolds. Chapman was badly shaken in the second but despite soaking up a lot of punishment was never really troubled after that. Plenty of flashy stuff from Reynolds but he has the ability to back it up. Referee’s score 60-54 for Reynolds. He was ABA and British champion and is reported to have won 90 of his 102 amateur fights. Sixth consecutive loss for Chapman.
Neuquén, Argentina: Cruiser: Yamil Peralta (9-0) W TKO 6 Dario Balmaceda (19-20-2). Light: Damian Rojas (14-2) W PTS 10Walter Leiva (5-3-1).
Peralta vs. Balmaceda
Peralta lifts the Argentinian title with stoppage of former victim Balmaceda. Peralta was more measured in his approach in this one outboxing the slower Balmaceda scoring with thudding jabs and rights to the head, In the sixth a left hook sent Balmaceda stumbling into the ropes and he went down under a succession of punches. He managed to get up and carry on until a right to the temple made his legs tremble and he dropped to one knee. The referee completed the eight count and as Balmaceda got up his corner chucked in the towel. Peralta had stopped Balmaceda in nine rounds in February last year to win the South American title. An Elite level amateur Peralta, 29, is aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Balmaceda, 36, now has balance in his record with 13 wins by KO/TKO and 13 Losses by KO/TKO.
Rojas vs. Leiva
Rojas collects the vacant WBA Fedebol title on a majority decision after a war between two southpaws. It was Leiva who came out on top in the first three rounds but that changed when a solid right to the body in the fourth saw Leiva down in agony. He made it to his feet and survived the round but that knockdown cost him the fight. They knocked lumps off each other for the remaining rounds of nonstop action with Rojas getting the decision. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Rojas and 95-95. Rojas, 25, the Argentinian No 5 made it five consecutive victories. Leiva, 26, unranked was in his first ten round fight and deserved a draw here.
Lo Barnechea, Chile: Fly: Andres Campos (10-0) W Ramon Velasquez (7-4).
Campos makes it a double over Velasquez as he breezes to a clear decision victory. The tiny Velasquez set a fast pace in the first going after Campos throwing plenty of punches but not landing many. Campos took charge from the second boxing well behind his jab and scoring with hooks inside. Campos continued to boss the fight coming close to putting Velasquez down in the sixth. He controlled the action in the seventh, eighth and ninth with a wild Velasquez being deducted a point in the ninth for a butt and then Campos eased his way through the tenth. All three judges scored it 98-91 for Campos who had beaten Velasquez on a sixth round retirement in 2019. Campos is looking to get some fights in the USA in 2021. At 4’11” Velasquez always gives away height and reach and this is his fourth loss in a row.
Culiacan, Mexico: Super Bantam: Kevin Gonzalez (22-0-1) W PTS 10 Ivan Morales (33-4).
Home town fighter Gonzalez gets a career best win as he takes unanimous decision over more experienced southpaw Morales. This was only the third fight in over three years for Morales and he made a slow start. Gonzalez raked Morales with body punches and a clash of heads made life even harder for Morales as he was cut on his left eyebrow. Gonzalez had pocketed a winning lead and held off a strong finish from Morale to take the decision. Toughest test yet for the 23-year-old “Jackal”. Morales, 29, the younger brother of Erik Morales lost to Lee Haskins for the IBF bantamweight title in 2016.
Cape Town, South Africa: Super Welter: Cristiano Ndombassy (12-4) W PTS 10 Jami Webb (6-1). Cruiser: Mohammed Ali Bayat Farid (17-2-1) W TKO 3 Mussa Ajibu (28-17-5).
Ndombassy vs. Webb
South African-based Angolan Ndombassy gets a controversial split decision over Webb. The fight was close enough to have gone either way with one judge going for Ndombassy 96-94 and another seeing him the winner by a strange 94-92 and the third seeing Webb the winner at 97-93. Ndombassy has improved his record recently being 8-2 in his last 10 outings and claims the World Boxing Federation International title. Webb had only 18 rounds of experience going into this fight.
Farid vs. Ajibu
Iranian Ali Bayal Farid does not do points wins. He handed out a steady load of punishment to Malawian Ajibu who decided not to come out for the fourth round. The Dubai-based Ali Bayal Farid has scored all of his wins by KO/TKO with his loss coming on points against UK’s Jack Massey on points in London in November. He has fought in Abu Dhabi, Germany, Spain and Bosnia as well as the UK and now South Africa. Poor Ajibu has lost ten in a row nine of them inside the distance.
Plant City, FL, USA: Feather: Dennis Contreras (24-10-1) W TKO 10 Hairon Socarras (23-2-3).
Contreras steamrollers Socarras to defeat. Socarras boxed cleverly in the first letting the taller Contreras bring the fight to him and countering with quick bursts of hooks. Contreras did a better job of cutting off the ring in the second and despite some slick bobbing and weaving from Socarras Contreras took the round. Contreras attacked relentlessly in the third. He trapped Socarras in a corner and piled on the punches until Socarras slipped to the canvas. He fought back over the rest of the round but was constantly under pressure. Socarras stopped Contreras in his tracks with a left hook in the fourth but was forced to defend desperately as Contreras again forged forward in the fifth and sixth. Socarras connected with some powerful counters in the seventh and eight but Contreras just shrugged them off and kept coming unloading on Socarras with hooks and uppercuts. Late in the ninth Contreras had Socarras pinned to the ropes and just fired punch after punch with very little coming back from Socarras. A big attack in the tenth saw him drive Socarras along the ropes until Socarras pitched face down on the canvas. Socarras got up but the referee had seen enough to convince him Socarras was finished for the night. Contreras seems to have moved his career up a level lately. This is his second defence of the WBA Fedecentro title and win No 22 by KO/TKO. In succession the 28-year-old Mexican has beaten 20-2-1 Belmar Preciado, 20-0 Carlos Flores and now 23-1-3 Socarras but despite the Fedecentro title and his impressive wins he is still unrated by the WBA. Cuban Socarras has good skills but has found his ceiling.
13 March
Bang Phun, Thailand: Super Fly: Srisaket (50-5-1) W RTD 3 Kwanthai (50-8-1). Super Bantam: Chainoi (14-0-1 ) W PTS 10 Pungluang (54-10). Super Fly: Phongsaphon (12-1) W PTS 10 Petchbarngborn (44-11).
Srisaket vs. Kwanthai
Really just a bit of glorified paid sparring as Srisaket bludgeons a faded Kwanthai to defeat in three rounds. Srisaket worked Kwanthai over in the first cracking him with sharp hooks and uppercuts. Kwanthai was hiding behind a high guard and getting in the odd sneaky shot but did not look to be really trying very hard. Srisaket moved up a gear in the second. He was clouting Kwanthai with southpaw right hooks and digging to the body with both hands. He put together some impressive combinations with Kwanthai just hiding and then throwing an occasional punch. Srisaket went to work in earnest in the third. He pounded Kwanthai with left hooks and right uppercuts until Kwanthai took a knee in a corner. He was up at eight but shaking his head. Srisaket pounded on him some more and Kwanthai only just made it the bell and then did not come out for the fourth. Srisaket (Wisaksil Wangek) has managed to keep fairly active despite the pandemic and this was really just a routine run out whilst he waits for his chance to meet Juan Francisco Estrada. He has beaten both Estrada and Gonzalez but lost a very narrow decision to Estrada in a return match. Former WBA Minimumweight champion Kwanthai (Ekkawit Songnui), 38, is a spent force. He is 3-5 in his last 8 fights with two of the losses and all three wins against novices.
Chainoi vs. Pungluang
Chainoi retains the WBC Asian Boxing Council title with unanimous decision over seasoned ex-champion Pungluang. The younger Chainoi was quicker with his hands and nifty on his feet and outboxed the slower Pungluang. Over the third and fourth Pungluang began to find the target with some solid rights but Chainoi stuck to his strengths and outworked Pungluang without ever really looking close to a stoppage. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for Chainoi (Thattana Luangphon) in his third defence of the WBC ABC title. Former WBC bantamweight champion Pungluang (Panya Uthok), 31, is on the slippery downward slope now being 2-7 in his last 9 fights.
Phongsaphon vs. Petchbarngborn
It seems as though the changing of the guards is going on in Thai boxing with some of the former top boxers fading out of the picture. That was the case here as Phongsaphon dominated veteran Petchbarngborn. Phongsaphon pounded on Petchbarngborn from the first bell driving Petchbarngborn to the ropes and unloading punches. It looked as though it would be an early finish but Petchbarngborn soaked up the punishment and came into the fight more over the later rounds exposing some flaws in Phongsaphon’s defence and lasting the distance. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for the 20-year-old Phongsaphon who makes it twelve consecutive victories in retaining the WBC Asian Boxing Council belt. Petchbarngborn (Karoon Jarupianlerd), 35, was kayoed in ten rounds by Naoya Inoue in a challenge for the WBO super fly title but has now suffered two losses in a row against relative novices.
Rio Cuarto, Argentina: Super Welter: Adrian Sasso (16-2) W TKO 3 Sergio Lopez (13-5).
Fighting in front of his home fans Sasso stops Lopez in the third round. Sasso is tall for a super welter and a southpaw and he used his long reach to slot punches home from distance. Lopez was walking forward throwing wild, wide punches to overcome the height disparity. He was taking punishment as he lunged forward. In the third a series of punches had Lopez off balance and sent him tumbling down against the ropes. He climbed up but after completing the eight count the referee waived the fight off. Lopez complained strongly and even did a little dance to show he was more than capable of continuing but the fight was over. Sasso, 25, retains the South American title with his ninth win in a row but he lacks the skills to go beyond domestic level. Lopez had been stopped inside a round by Lucas Bastida in a challenge for the South American middleweight title in December
Hamburg, Germany: Heavy: Ali Eren Demirezen (14-1) W TKO 2 Nikola Milacic (21-2). Heavy: Michael Wallisch (22-4) W TKO 6 Knife Didier (6-6). Heavy: Viktor Vykhryst (7-0) W PTS 8 Wilmer Vasquez (11-1-211
Demirezen vs. Milacic
Turk Demirezen wins the vacant WBO European title with stoppage of German Milacic. Demirezen had it easy he bounced late substitute Milacic off the canvas a couple of times in the second round and the fight was stopped. Third win for Demirezen after losing his unbeaten tag in a wide points defeat against Efe Ajagba in July last year. Milacic came in at 24 hours notice after original opponent Jacek Platek was arrested after the weigh-in on Friday. Milacic’s record looks good as long as you don’t examine it closely.
Wallisch vs. Didier
Wallisch too big and too strong for Congolese boxer Didier. Wallisch had won all the way before flooring and stopping Didier with a body punch in the sixth. It seems as though Wallisch is looking to reinvent himself as he was 219lbs for this fight down from 261lbs when he lost to Joe Joyce last July. Didier has lost his last four fights
Vykhryst vs. Vasquez
Ukrainian Vykhryst preserves his 100& record with unanimous decision over Vasquez. The Venezuelan did better than expected occasionally finding gaps for counters but Vykhryst stayed focused and used his longer reach to keep Vasquez from every really threatening and was a comfortable winner. Scores 80-72 from the judges. The 28-year-old 6’5” Vykhryst (boxing as Victor Faust in Germany as happened with the Klychko brothers boxing as Klitschko) certainly has the credentials from his time as an amateur although a second round kayo loss to Joe Joyce in the Worlds Series of Boxing is a blot he might like to erase. First fight in 20 months for Vasquez, 39. He was out of the ring for almost nine years before returning with a couple of easy jobs in 2019.
Dzuerzonlow, Poland: Light: Damian Wrzesinsk (22-1-2,1ND) W PTS 10 Julio Barraza (19-3-1). Welter: Michal Lesniak (13-1-1) W Rodrigo Labre (6-4). Middle: Lukasz Maciec (26-3-1) W Pablo Mendoza (9-7).
Wrzesinsk vs. Barraza
Wrzesinsk decisions Barraza in an entertaining ten rounder. Barraza landed a couple of useful lefts in the first round. Wrzesinsk then changed to southpaw and was more assured. He outboxed Barraza comfortably to collect the points over the second, third and fourth but then Barraza got back into the fight from the fifth and it was a hard-fought scrap from there with Wrzesinsk having the edge but the round being close. Wrzesinsk shook Barraza with a combination at the end of the ninth and boxed his way to victory through the tenth. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for the Pole. Wrzesinsk,33, was making the third defence of his Polish International title and registers his eighth win in a row. He is not in the EBU ratings as the EBU do not recognise the body he fights under. Mexican Barraza made Wrzesinsk work hard for the win.
Lesniak vs. Labre
Lesniak has to get off the canvas to take a close unanimous verdict over Labre. In the opening two rounds Lesniak let himself be dragged into a brawl by Labre. He settled down to box in the third and fourth using his longer reach. Late in the fifth a left hook to the body sent Lesniak down for a count. From there Lesniak boxed at distance under constant pressure from Labre and the fight was close. Scores 76-75 twice and 77-74 for Lesniak. After an early loss Lesniak is 10-0-1 in his eleven most recent outings. Spanish-based Ecuadorian Labre had won his last three fights.
Maciec vs. Mendoza
Usually the Latin American fighters based in Spain tend to be non-threatening, competitive losers but As with Labre Mendoza gave Maciec all the trouble he could handle and looked unlucky not to come away with a draw. Scores 76-75 twice and 77-74 for Maciec. Since losing an important fight to Hugo Centeno in 2015 Maciec downsized the quality of his opposition and had periods of inactivity. Nicaraguan Mendoza suffers his sixth loss in succession.
New Hampshire, USA: Light Heavy: Chris Traietti (29-4) W TKO 1 Alfredo Trevino (9-8-1).Welter: Brandon Berry (20-5-2) W PTS 8 Augustin Cicero (16-18-3). Cruiser: Tommy Karpency (30-7-1) WKO 1 Mickey Scarborough (6-14)
Traietti vs. Trevino
No upset here as Traietti floors Trevino three times and stops him in the first round. Eight wins in a row for Traietti against inferior level opposition and victory No 23 by KO/TKO. Traietti is improving as it took him two round to stop Trevino in 2017.A big local favourite Traietti loses when he tries to step up. To give you a picture of 37-year-old Mexican Trevino he is 5’9” , weighed 247lbs for this fight and is batting 1-7 in his last 8 fights.
Berry vs. Cicero
Berry gets in some ring time and comes away with a comfortable win over another 37-year-old Mexican in Cicero. Scores 79-72. Seventh consecutive win for Berry against non-threatening opponents. Cicero has won just one of his last six fights.
Karpency vs. Scarborough
Another abysmal match sees Karpency put Scarborough down and out in just 52 seconds. The 35-year-old southpaw, a former WBC title challenger, has 19 victories by KO/TKO. Poor 44-year-old Scarborough has been beaten in all of his last ten fights failing to go the distance in nine of them.
14 March
Kempton Park, South Africa: Super Middle: Ryno Liebenberg (21-7-1) W TKO 8 Rowan Campbell (12-1). Super Fly: Sabelo Ngebinyana (13-4) W PTS 8 Ricardo Malajika (7-1). Super Bantam: Ludumo Lamati (17-0-1) W PTS 8 Said Mohammed Hassan (16-8-2).
Liebenberg vs. Campbell
Seasoned pro Liebenberg shows he is far from finished as he outclasses and stops a brave but inexperienced Campbell. It was clear from the first round how this fight was going to develop. Campbell seemed tentative but not Liebenberg who was targeting Campbell’s body. Campbell tried to smother Liebenberg’s attacks by clinching to survive and was deducted a point for holding. Heads were colliding frequently and Campbell was cut over the left eye in the second and put down later in the round. Liebenberg continued to dominate the fight in the fourth and Campbell was now also showing damage around his right eye. He survived a doctor’s examination in the fifth and displayed plenty of guts by continuing to try to take the fight to Liebenberg. Heads were still banging together and both fighters were deducted a point for a butt Liebenberg in the sixth and Campbell in the seventh. Campbell had to soak up more punishment in the seventh and was under fire in the eighth when the referee stopped the fight. Liebenberg, 37, took possession of three titles from Campbell lifting the South African, IBO All-African and WBA Pan African belts. Experience triumphed here. Liebenberg had lost a big fight he was winning when stopped on cuts against Vincent Feigenbutz so it was good to see this one go his way. In a lovely gesture he had pledged to donate his purse to a childs welfare charity. Campbell just was not ready with this fight against Liebenberg just being a step too far and now he needs to regroup
Ngebinyana vs. Malajika
A bit of an upset here as Ngebinyana takes split verdict over prospect Malajika. Southpaw Ngebinyana scored a knockdown with a body punch late in the opening round and built on that. Malajika has plenty of style but he did not help his cause by switching guards continually in some ways breaking his own rhythm. Ngebinyana was a worthy winner. Scores 77-74 twice for South African super flyweight champion Ngebinyana and 77-74 for Malajika.
Lamati vs. Hassan
First fight for 20 months for talented Lamati who easily decisions diminutive Tanzanian Hassan. The visitor had little chance against much more skilled Lamati and it did not help Hassan’s chances when Lamati’s punches caused a huge bruise over the Tanzanian’s left eye. Scores 80-72 twice and 80-73 for Lamati. A former undefeated South African super bantamweight champion he is rated No 5 by the WBC so will be hoping to work his way to a title fight. Hassan had lost to Lamati in 2018 when a shoulder injury forced him to concede defeat.
Santa’Elia Fiumerapido, Italy: Heavy: Ivan D’Adamo (7-1-1,1ND) W TKO 8Heavy: Eduardo Giustini (7-2).
Age proves no barrier as D’Adamo wins the vacant Italian title by halting Giustini in eight rounds. The 40-year-old neighbourhood boxer was in charge from the outset. He was able to use his longer reach to outscore southpaw Giustini. Much as he tried Giustini could not get past D’Adamo’s jab and he was badly rocked by a right late in the fifth. Giustini fought back hard but was put down by a right in the seventh. Again Giustini fought hard in the eighth until another right had him in a daze and the referee gave him a standing count. It was clear Giustini had not recovered at the end of the count and the referee stopped the fight. Five wins in a row for D’Adamo who did not turn pro until he was 37. Giustini had a run of five wins going into this title fight.
Fight of the week (Significance): Estrada’s win over Gonzalez might lead to a third fight which would be another big plus for the sport
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Estrada vs. Gonzalez a classic. Honourable mention to Damian Rojas vs. Walter Leiva
Fighter of the week: He may have lost the decision but Gonzalez gets my vote.
Punch of the week: Brandun Lee’s left hook that finished Samuel Teak was a smasher
Upset of the week: Faris Chevalier out of the ring for five years beating the WBA No 3 Blake Caparello was not on the cards.
Prospect watch: Dominican Republic’s super featherweight Edwin de los Santos 9-0 impressed.
Observations
RIP Marvin Hagler one of the greatest.
It doesn’t pay to look away when Brandun Lee or Brian Norman are fighting. Lee has scored 12 first round wins in 23 fights and Norman 11 in 20 so both over 50%
Spare a though for Malawian cruiserweight Mussa Ajibu he has now lost his last 10 fights, 9 by KO/TKO and been thrown in with opponents such as Olan Durodola, Max Vlasov and Ilunga Makabu. He needs a new job or a new manager.
Plenty of boxers looking to get back in action. On the weekend of 6/7 March there were two shows in Ghana with one having 14 schedule fights and the other 16 and on Friday in the Dominican Republic there were ten contests. Have pity on me.
If I ever harboured any thought of becoming a fight commentator they have long since disappeared. I mean how could I handle the IBF No 1 welterweight Qudratillo Xabibullo Ogli Abduqaxorov (Kudratillo Abdukakhorov).
About the Author
Born in Scotland, Eric Armit started working with Boxing News magazine in the UK in the late 1960’s initially doing records for their Boxing News Annual and compiling World, European and Commonwealth ratings for the magazine. He wrote his first feature article for Boxing News in 1973 and wrote a “World Scene” weekly column for the magazine from the late 1970’s until 2004. Armit wrote a monthly column for Boxing Digest in the USA and contributed pieces to magazines in Mexico, Italy, Australia, Spain, Argentina and other countries. Armit now writes a Weekly Report covering every major fight around the world and a bi-weekly Snips & Snipes column plus occasional general interest articles with these being taken up by boxing sites around the world. He was a member of the inaugural WBC Ratings Committee and a technical advisor to the EBU Ratings Committee and was consulted by John McCain’s research team when they were drafting the Ali Act. He is a Director and former Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council. Armit has been nominated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame the past two years (2019 and 2020) to which he said, “Being on the list is an unbelievably huge honour.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eric Armit.
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