The Past Week in Action 16 August 2021: Casimero Retains Title Over Rigondeaux in a Fight to Forget
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Aug 2021
Highlights:
- John Riel Casimero retains the WBO bantamweight title with split decision over Guillermo Rigondeaux in a fight to forget
-Virgil Ortiz records an important and impressive win as he floors Egidijus Kavaliauskas five times
-Joshua Franco stages a strong finish to outpoint Andrew Moloney and retain the secondary WBA super flyweight title but twin brother Jason Moloney outpoints Michael Greer at bantamweight and Arnold Barboza goes to 26-0 with decision over Antonio Moran
-Roger Gutierrez retains the secondary WBA super featherweight title with points victory over former champion Rene Alvarado
-Bantam eliminator between Gary Antonio Russell and Emmanuel Rodriguez ends after just sixteen seconds as Rodriguez is cut in a clash of heads in the first round resulting in a No Decision.
-Joshua Buatsi knocks out Ricards Bolotniks in eleven rounds to move close to a shot at a version of the light heavyweight title
-Karim Guerfi wins the European featherweight title with victory over champion Andoni Gago
World Title/Major Shows
14 August
Frisco, EX, USA: Welter: Vergil Ortiz (18-0) W KO 8 Egidijus Kavaliauskas (22-2-1). Super Feather: Roger Gutierrez (26-3-1) W PTS 12 Rene Alvarado (32-10). Super Light: Alex Martin (17-3) W PTS 10 Josec Ruiz (23-5-3). Light Fly: Felix Alvarado (37-2) W TKO 1 Israel Vazquez (10-5-2). Super Light: George Rincon (12-0) W PTS 8 Nikolai Buzolin (8-4-1). Super Welter: Alex Rincon (9-0) W PTS 8 Sanny Duversonne (11-4-2).
Ortiz vs. Kavaliauskas
Staggered early Ortiz goes on to floor Kavaliauskas five times. Both used plenty of jabs in the opening round with Ortiz just that bit sharper and Kavaliauskas looking to counter with rights. They both scored with sharp rights in the second with Ortiz bringing his left hook to the body into play. As they traded punches a right from Kavaliauskas suddenly had Ortiz staggered and hurt. He held on desperately with Kavaliauskas throwing punches in a frenzy trying to put Ortiz away. Ortiz looked to be in deep trouble holding desperately and he went down but it was rightly ruled a slip. When he got up Ortiz turned things around with sweeping hooks driving Kavaliauskas back and now it was Kavaliauskas under fire at the bell to end a dramatic round. Kavaliauskas took the fight to Ortiz in the third getting through with jabs and rights. Ortiz weathered the storm and then just before the bell he landed a straight right followed by a left hook that dropped Kavaliauskas. The Lithuanian was up at five and when the eight count was completed the bell went before Ortiz could do any more damage. Ortiz took the fourth and fifth with some strong jabbing on the back foot. Kavaliauskas attacked fiercely in the sixth getting through with some powerful rights but Ortiz went onto the front foot in the seventh scoring with quick jabs and landing two hefty rights just before the bell as Kavaliauskas showed signs of tiring. It was all Ortiz in the eighth. Kavaliauskas was trying to stay inside but he was driven back and dropped to one knee after a stiff jab to the body from Ortiz. Kavaliauskas was up at eight but looked a beaten fighter and a left hook from Ortiz saw Kavaliauskas drop to one knee and bounce up again. After the count Ortiz put Kavaliauskas down twice more and the fight was stopped. Impressive performance by Ortiz against a very tough opponent. Ortiz retains the WBO International title and is their No 1 so a mandatory challenger to Terence Crawford. The only fight the Lithuanian had lost was a ninth round stoppage against Crawford for the WBO title in December 2019.
Gutierrez vs. Alvarado
Venezuelan Gutierrez holds on to the secondary WBA title with unanimous decision over former champion Alvarado. This was the third meeting of the two Latin Americans and familiarity led to caution as neither wanted to commit himself too much too soon. Gutierrez came to life in the fourth scoring well with counters and he also took the fifth with the same tactics. Alvarado found his fighting spirit in the sixth connecting with a good left hook and some overhand rights and they traded heavy punches in the seventh. Gutierrez swung the fight back his way in the eighth catching Alvarado with series of rights and landed a heavy right in the ninth. A cut and tiring Gutierrez then faded allowing Alvarado to close the points gap but then after opening a bad cut on Alvarado’s left eyebrow Gutierrez just did enough to win the last round. Scores 116-112 twice and 115-113 for Gutierrez. He had been knocked out in seven rounds by Alvarado in 2017 but gained revenge when a fight-saving last round knockdown saw him win on scores of 113-112 to lift the secondary WBA from Alvarado in January. It took eleven years for Alvarado to win a title then he lost it in his first defence. He will be looking to work his way back to another title shot but hopefully he won’t have to wait eleven years.
Martin vs. Ruiz
Southpaw Martin boxes his way to winning every round against Ruiz. Ruiz hunted in vain for the quick and elusive Martin. Ruiz never stopped coming forward but Martin fed him a diet of right jabs and straight lefts and used clever footwork to stay off the ropes and out of trouble. When Martin chose to trade his quicker hand speed and upper body movement gave him the edge and he was getting his punches off and blocking or slipping those from Ruiz and the 100-90 scores from the three judges showed his dominance. Three losses in a row in 2017 and a blank 2018 set Martin’s career back but he is on track again with four victories on the trot. Honduran Ruiz had a 16-bout unbeaten streak ended by a loss to Gabriel Flores last year but had scored two wins over reasonable level opposituion this year.
Alvarado vs. Vazquez
Alvarado gives another punch-power demonstration as he demolishes Vazquez in the first round. A sustained body attack had Vazquez wincing in pain. He tried to fight back but a left hook to the body sent him back to the ropes and a right to the head sent him down. He made it to his feet but after the eight count the referee saved him from further punishment by stopping the fight. Some consolation for the Alvarado twins after Rene lost to Gutierrez. Felix, the IBF light flyweight champion has scored 32 of his 37 wins by KO/TKO. He is on a 19 fight winning run with 17 of those wins coming inside the distance. Fifth loss in his last six fights for Puerto Rican Vazquez.
Rincon vs. Buzolin
On a good night for the Rincon brothers elder brother George had trouble in making his fight with awkward Russian Buzolin entertaining but Rincon was busier and worked well with his jab to score at distance on the brawling Buzolin. Scores 80-72 on the cards for Rincon. The Texan southpaw is a former National Golden Gloves champion. Buzolin was having his first fight in almost two years.
Rincon vs. Duversonne
Brother Alex also recorded a win but one of the judges actually found a round to give to Floridian Duversonne. This was a more entertaining contest with plenty of fiery exchanges as Duversonne took the fight inside to counter the reach advantage of the 6’2” Rincon but had limited success. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 for Rincon. As with George Alex is a southpaw and a former top level amateur. Fourth defeat in a row for Duversonne
Tulsa, OK, USA: Super Fly: Joshua Franco (18-1-2,1ND) W PTS 12 Andrew Moloney (21-2). Super Light: Arnold Barboza (26-0) W PTS 10 Antonio Moran (26-4-1). Bantam: Jason Moloney (22-2) W PTS 10 Joshua Greer (22-3-2). Super Feather: Andres Cortes (15-0) W KO 1 Genisis Servania (34-3). Super Feather: Abraham Nova (19-0) W PTS 8 Richard Pumicpic (22-12-2). Super Feather: Albert Bell (19-0) W PTS 8 Julio Cortez (15-3). Super Feather: Carlos Balderas (10-1) W TKO 2 Fidel Cervantes (9-2-1). Heavy: Trey Lippe Morrison (18-0) W PTS 6 Don Haynesworth (16-7-1). Super Middle: Nico Ali Walsh (1-0) W TKO 1 Jordan Weeks (4-2).
Franco vs. Moloney
The pace in this fight was fast from the start. In the first Franco was advancing behind a high guard spearing Moloney with jabs and putting together some flashy combinations with Moloney countering but it was Franco’s round. Moloney was rocked by a right at the start of the second but then took over. He boxed cleverly on the back foot raking the oncoming Franco with counters and outworking Franco inside. Franco did a bit better in the third landing some clubbing rights but once again it was Moloney’s round. He was controlling the fight with his jab and getting off his punches and moving before Franco could counter. Despite constant pressure from Franco Moloney boxed coolly to pocket the fourth. Franco got back into the fight in the fifth. He upped his tempo and Moloney seemed to slow as Franco worked to the body and forced Moloney to stand and trade more. The sixth was close and a better round for Moloney. He scored well at distance and was given a warning as held on the inside to smother Franco’s attacks. After six rounds I had Moloney in front 58-56. Franco was on top in the seventh and then Moloney looked to have made it a big round for him. He threw a right and Franco went down. Franco protested that he had slipped but the referee gave Franco a count and Franco dominated the rest of the round. In the interval the referee asked for a reply of the knockdown and it was clear that Franco had slipped so what might have been a 10-8 round for Moloney turned into a 10-9 for Franco. That was a turning point in the fight as Franco got stronger and Moloney slowed. Franco was landing punches that Moloney would have slipped earlier and Franco upped the pressure in round after round. Moloney was able to find gaps for his jab but the combinations he had been throwing earlier were absent. Moloney did enough to make the eighth a close round and put in a big effort in the eleventh but Franco won both rounds sweeping the last six rounds to take the decision. Franco retains the secondary WBA title and goes 2-0, 1ND ahead in his three-bout series with Moloney. Former WBA interim champion Moloney will be back fighting for a title in 2022.
Barboza vs. Moran
Barboza outclasses Moran in defence of his WBO International belt. Barboza controlled this one from the start. He boxed with real skill opening up Moran with jabs and then landing strongly to head and body. A punch in the second saw Moran nursing a heavy nose bleed and it was subsequently confirmed his nose was broken. Barboza rocked Moran in the third and fifth rounds. Despite the nose injury Moran fought back hard but the speed, accuracy and power of Barboza was joist too much for him. Moran was in trouble in the ninth as Barboza landed a huge right but he survived and held out against strong attacks from Barboza in the last. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Barboza. He is rated WBO 3/WBC 5 so in the queue for a shot at Josh Taylor. Mexican Moran had drawn with unbeaten Yomar Alamo and won his last two fights but Barboza was at a different level.
Moloney vs. Greer
Jason Moloney made sure one of the Moloney twins came away with a win as he outboxed Greer. As with Andrew Jason was content fighting on the back foot countering Greer’s attacks and scoring with hurtful body shots. Greer looked to have taken the first two rounds and the third was close but Moloney had a big fourth as he dazed Greer with a right and then had Greer pinned to the ropes and was unloading punches for the last minute of the round. Greer was showing a swelling by his right eye. Moloney built on that success in the fifth and by the sixth Greer’s right eye began to close due to the swelling. Moloney took over outscoring Greer and despite an attempt by Greer to claw his way into the fight over the closing rounds Moloney was a clear winner. Scores 98-92 twice and 96-94 for Moloney. This is Moloney’s first fight since being knocked out in seven rounds by Naoya Inoue in October. He is still in the ratings so will be hoping to work his way into another title shot-but not against Inoue.
Cortes vs. Servania
Unbeaten Las Vegas fighter Cortes gets a big win as he stops Servania. The more experienced Servania was confident in the first taking the fight to Cortes and landing some crisp shots. Cortes was relying heavily on his jab but with less than ten seconds to go in the round Cortes landed a solid right to the head that saw Servania half turn away and Cortes dropped him with a fearsome left hook. Servania was lying on his side half way out under the ropes and after starting the count the referee wisely waived the fight over. No names on Cortes’ record and he had won three of his last four fights on points making this a surprise ending. Filipino Servania had gone the full twelve rounds when losing to Oscar Valdez in a challenge for the WBO feather title in 2017 and had rebuilt solidly since then
Nova vs. Pumicpic
Nova gets back into action with unanimous decision over Filipino Pumicpic. It looked as though Nova might make it an early night as he staggered Pumicpic in the first round. Pumicpic has never lost inside the distance and he showed his resilience here by staying on his feet and then giving the 5-inch taller Nova some useful ring time. Scores 79-73 twice and 78-74 for Nova. First fight for Nova since June last year due to both the pandemic and a torn Achilles. Pumicpic has done most of his fighting in Japan recently and in an early bout there he scored a win over current WBO No 5 Joe Noynay.
Bell vs. Cortez
Bell just too big and too good for Ecuadorian Cortez. Bell used his 7-inch height advantage and 8-inch longer reach to control the fight. There was already swelling around Cortez ‘s right eye in the second round and as Bell constantly raked Cortez with punches Cortez left eye also showed damage. Bell tried to finish the fight over the sixth and seventh but Cortez has a good chin and Bell settled for boxing his way through the eighth to earn scores of 80-72 from the three judges. The 28-year-old from Toledo already has wins over Andy Vences and Frank De Alba and is coming along strongly under the radar. Not surprisingly Cortez never managed to get even a toe-hold in the fight.
Balderas vs. Cervantes
Balderas impresses as he stops Cervantes in his return to the ring. Cervantes made a busy start in the first throwing plenty of punches as he drove forward. Balderas was scoring with stiff jabs, short rights and left hooks to the body. As Cervantes went to throw a right Balderas beat him to it was a brutal left hook that sent Cervantes down on his back. He made it to his feet and was exchanging punches until another left hook turned his legs to rubber. He was staggering and stumbling but the bell went before Balderas could finish the job. To his credit Cervantes took the fight to Balderas again in the second until Balderas unleashed a series of head punches that staggered Cervantes and the referee made a good stoppage. Balderas was a member if the USA team for the 2016 Olympics and showed real promise in winning his first nine fights. He then suffered a shock kayo defeat against Juan Tellez in December 2019. He is re-launching his career under the Top Rank banner and he showed real power in this fight. Cervantes was brave but outclassed.
Lippe vs. Haynesworth
Lippe scores a points win over Haynesworth. Although both fighters are 6’3” Haynesworth was 59lbs heavier than the 229lbs Lippe. The pace was slow with Lippe showing what skill there was. Haynesworth used his weight advantage to force Lippe back at times but was clumsy with his punches. Haynesworth suffered a gash on his forehead in the third round and shook Lippe at the end of the fourth but other than that Lippe was the one doing the scoring and he was a clear winner with all three judges scoring for him at 60-54. Lippe is the son of the late former heavyweight champion Tommy Morrison but is unlikely to reach the heights his father did. Haynesworth, 38, just too fat and too slow.
Walsh vs. Weeks
Walsh, 21, the grandson of Muhammad Ali floors and stops Weeks in just 109 seconds . Walsh will be under the limelight whenever he fights so plenty of pressure but he got the job done here.
Carson, CA, USA: Bantam: John Riel Casimero(31-4) W PTS 12 Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-2). Bantam: Gary Antonio Russell (18-0,1ND) ND 1 Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-2,1ND). Bantam: Rau’shee Warren (19-3,1ND) W KO 2 Damien Vazquez (16-3-1). Super Light: Brandun Lee (23-0) W KO 1 Ezequiel Fernandez (28-5-1,1ND). Bantam: Jonas Sultan (17-5) W TKO 7 Sharone Carter (12-5). Bantam: Juan Carlos Payano (23-5) W RTD 5 Ray Tabugon (22-13-1). Alan Castano (14-1) W TKO 3 Christian Aguirre (8-8).
Casimero vs. Rigondeaux
Casimero retains the WBO bantam title with split decision over Rigondeaux. This was a terrible fight with very little in the way of highlights and which set a new CompuBox record for the least punches landed in a fight. From the first it was evident that if there was going to be a fight Casimero was going to have to make it. In his too familiar style Rigondeaux spent twelve rounds trying to avoid trading punches with Casimero and Casimero was not quick enough to close Rigondeaux down. Casimero’s irritation showed early as he was warned twice in the opening round. The crowd was already booing over the lack of action by the third round as Casimero pursued Rigondeaux in vain. Rigondeaux was able to spear Casimero with right jabs and skip away before Casimero could counter. Casimero managed to score on the occasions when he caught up with Rigondeaux but the CompuBox statistics showed that neither fighter managed to land fifty punches over the twelve rounds. Casimero threw more and showed what aggression there was and that was enough to get him the decision. Scores 117-111 and 116-112 for Casimero and 115-113 for Rigondeaux. Casimero will now be looking to face either Nonito Donaire or Naoya Inoue. Rigondeaux felt he won this one and in response to the criticism of his tactics not unreasonable said that is the way he fights and he can’t change. So much talent and so little entertainment value. Rigondeaux did not just lose this fight but also made it harder to sell him in other big match.
Russell vs. Rodriguez
Disappointing end to what looked to be a very good fight on paper as a cut caused by a clash of heads sees the fight end after just 16 seconds. The clash sent a dazed Rodriguez to the floor and the cut was too bad for him to continue. This fight was for the WBA interim title which remains vacant.
Warren vs. Vazquez
Unusual show of power from Warren as he floors and stops Vazquez. Warren came close to ending it in the first as he sent Vazquez down twice. Vazquez made it to the bell but a powerful straight left in the second sent Vazquez staggering back and he dropped to his haunches with a glove on the canvas to stop himself going down but the referee immediately stopped the uneven contest. Only the fifth win by KO/TKO for former IBO and WBA bantam champion Warren. Vazquez had lost on a tenth round stoppage against Brandon Figueroa for the secondary WBA super bantam title last September.
Lee vs. Fernandez
Lee annihilates Argentinian Fernandez. Lee blasted Fernandez to the floor three times in the 100 seconds the fight lasted. The tall 22-year-old Californian has put together some impressive looking statistics with twenty-one wins by KO/TKO including a current run of fourteen in a row and has eight first round finishes. There are a couple of creditable opponents in his list of victims and this is the first time Fernandez has been stopped but Lee needs to step up before we can really judge his worth.
Sultan vs. Carter
Filipino Sultan overcomes some tough resistance from Carter before stopping him in the seventh round. Sultan was the one coming forward with Carter holding his left low and shooting sharp jabs and they both landed with strong punches. As Sultan increased the pressure and was connecting with left hooks to the body Carter started to fade and was deducted a point for holding in the fourth. Sultan continued to break Carter down over the fifth and sixth and in the seventh under an array of punches from Sultan Carter slumped to a sitting position against the ropes and he was counted out. Sultan’s biggest achievement to date is a points win over John Riel Casimero in 2017, the last time Casimero lost a fight, but Sultan lost a wide unanimous verdict to Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF super fly title in 2018. First inside the distance loss for Carter who dropped a decision against Rau’shee Warren in February.
Payano vs. Tabugon
In his second fight in five weeks Payano stops Filipino Tabugon in five rounds. Payano was finding the target with southpaw lefts from the first bell. Tabugon was lunging forward with his attacks and when he went down it was ruled a slip but just seconds before the bell a left from Payano put him down for a legitimate knockdown. The fighters had been warned to watch their heads in the first and as their heads banged together in the second Payano was cut over his right eye. Payano handed out punishment to Tabugon over the third and fourth. In the fifth it was one-way traffic with Tabugon being driven around the ring as Payano connected with hooks and uppercuts and when Tabugon returned to his corner they promptly retired their man. Consecutive losses to Luis Nery, Daniel Roman and Gary Antonio Russell put question marks over 37-year-old Payano’s future but he looked in good form here. Tabugon falls to 2-6 in his last 8 fights.
Castano vs. Aguirre
Castano stops Aguirre in three rounds. Castano just punched too hard for Aguirre. He scored with scorching body shots in the first and second rounds and had Aguirre hurt in the third when the referee hated the fight. First fight since February 2019 for Castano who is the younger brother of WBO super welter champion Brian Castano. He gets win No 9 by KO/TKO. Five consecutive inside the distance defeats for Aguirre.
Brentwood, England: Light Heavy: Joshua Buatsi (15-0) W TKO 11Ricards Bolotniks (18-6-1). Welter: Michael McKinson (21-0) W PTS 10 Przemyslaw Runowski (19-2). Bantam: Ukashir Farooq (16-1) W PTS 10 Luis Castillo (28-3). Feather: Ray Ford (9-0-1) W TKO 3 Reece Bellotti (14-5). Super Feather: Joe Cordina (13-0) W KO 1 Joshua Hernandez (10-4). Super Feather: Zelfa Barrett (25-1) W RTD 4 Viorel Simion (22-7). Feather: Hopey Price (5-0) W PTS 6 Claudio Grande (5-1).
Buatsi vs. Bolotniks
Buatsi floors brave Bolotniks twice and stops him in the eleventh round. Buatsi quickly took control in the first. He was finding gaps in Bolotniks guard for his jab and landing rights. Bolotniks was not looking to engage but he showed he could be a danger landing a heavy right to the head. There was real power behind Buatsi’s jab in the second and he had Bolotniks backing up although again Bolotniks got through with a sneaky right. Buatsi was putting his punches together well in the third and although Bolotniks was more adventurous than in the opening rounds it was Buatsi doing the scoring particularly with his potent jab. Buatsi really let his punches flow in the fourth with Bolotniks under heavy fire and being rocked by a right but doing some clowning on his way back to his corner to show he was not hurt. Buatsi kept up the pressure in the fifth and then floored Bolotniks with a sizzling left hook. After the count Buatsi drove Bolotniks around the ring bombarding him with punches. He then seemed to back off and Bolotniks scored with a good uppercut before the bell. Surviving the sixth seemed to put more heart into Bolotniks and he came forward throughout the seventh and eighth with the snap gone from Buatsi’s jab and Buatsi was deducted a point for a low punch in the ninth. Buatsi handed out some savage punishment to head and body in the tenth with a brave Bolotniks taking it and trying to fire back when he could. A huge right hand from Buatsi floored Bolotniks heavily in the eleventh and the fight was stopped. Buatsi is No 2 with the WBA and the second highest ranked fighter with the IBF so a title shot next year has to be on the agenda. Latvian Bolotniks came to prominence by beating Steven Ward, Hosea Burton and Serge Michel in the MTK tournament and put up a resolute fight here but Buatsi was just too good for him.
McKinson vs. Runowski
McKinson easily outpoints Pole Runowski in a WBO Gold title defence. McKinson has an unusual and awkward style but is very quick with his hands and his wide stride helps him step back from his opponents attacks. Runowski never came near to working out how to fight McKinson. A straight left from McKinson almost put Runowski down at the end of the fourth round. For the remaining rounds McKinson’s right jabs and straight lefts kept Runowski on the back foot and when he did attack he was often swinging wildly. Luckily for Runowski McKinson is not much of a puncher-only two wins by KO/TKO- so apart from that time at the end of the fourth he was never in any serious trouble. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for McKinson. The Gold title has given McKinson a No. 4 rating with the WBO. Runowski won his first 17 fights against very modest opposition and when he stepped up against in April 2019 against Josh Kelly he lost every round and was counted three times.
Farooq vs. Castillo
Another brilliant display of boxing skills from Farooq as he out classes Mexican Castillo. Over the early rounds Farooq was just too quick for the mechanical Castillo. Farooq was slotting jabs through Castillo’s guard and moving inside to score with hooks. Castillo was just too slow to block Farooq’s jabs and too slow to land counters. From the fourth Farooq chose to stand and trade with Castillo which allowed Castillo some success but Farooq was scoring with crunching rights to the head which Castillo took well. To his credit Castillo marched forward relentlessly and Farooq had to fight hard for three minutes in every round and in the end Farooq seemed to be the tired one. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Farooq. He wins the vacant WBC International title and hopefully he will get the chance to gain revenge for the split decision loss to Lee McGregor on November 2019. Castillo was raw and strong and never took a backward step.
Ford vs. Bellotti
Ford stops Bellotti in three rounds. Bellotti was storming forward blazing away with punches from both hands. He forced Ford onto the back foot but despite the pressure Ford stayed cool and fired back. When the storm subsided in the third Ford was the one bombarding Bellotti with punches and as Bellotti floundered under the barrage the fight was stopped. Southpaw Ford from Newark New Jersey wins the vacant WBA Continental title. He was US National Golden Gloves champion in 2018 and was having his first fight in the UK. Former Commonwealth champion Bellotti made a good start to his career but is now 2-5 in his last 7 fights.
Cordina vs. Hernandez
Cordina blasts out Hernandez in less than one minute. Cordina scored with a sharp right early in the first round. He followed that with a couple more rights to the head and as Hernandez tried to move inside Cordina connected with a savage straight right that put Hernandez down heavily. He struggled to rise but was counted out. All over in 53 seconds. Eighth inside the distance win for Cordina who looked very sharp. Second loss by KO/TKO for Hernandez
Barrett vs. Simion
Barrett much too slick and quick for timeworn Romanian Simion. Barrett sent Simion down in the first with a series of body punches but Simion got up and fought on. It was target practice at times as Barrett danced around Simion jarring him with jabs and flashing combinations. Simon was just following Barrett around the ring and launching wild attacks that Barrett skipped away from. Barrett really began to string together some classy combinations in the third and although Simion showed some fire in the fourth he was taking a beating and wisely retired. Just a keep busy fight for Barrett with talk of a return with Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez over whom Barrett took a controversial decision in February. Now 39 Simion competed at the Olympic Games in Athens 17 years ago.
Price vs. Grande
Southpaw prospect Hope is made to work hard against unbeaten Italian Grande. Price had a much longer reach and used his southpaw jab and straight lefts to pile up the points. Grande kept taking the fight to Price who had to use his skills to avoid the Italian’s attack. Price put the verdict beyond doubt as he floored Grande with a perfectly timed left counter. Perfectly timed in its delivery and also as it was the last punch of the fight. Grande made it to his feet. The referee scored the fight 58-55 for the 21-year-old from Leeds who in 2018 won a silver medal at the Youth World Boxing Championships and gold at the European Youth Championships and the Youth Olympics .
13 August
Dubai, UAE: Super Middle: Anthony Sims Jr (21-1) W TKO 9 Hernan Perez (8-4). Cruiser: Mike Perez (25-3-1) W TKO 3 Tony Salam (14-3). Super Welter: Austin Trout (34-5-1) W PTS 10 Alejandro Davila (22-3-2). Super Feather: Ramiro Cesena (14-0-1) W PTS 8 Bekman Soylybayev (12-1). Super Fly: Fernando Martinez (13-0) W TKO 4 Gonzalo Garcia (18-22-2).
Sims vs. Perez
Sims gets back in the ring for the first time since losing his unbeaten record against Romero Angulo in January 2020. Sims staggered Perez in the second and third and then floored Perez with a left in the fourth. Perez was down again in the fifth and was bleeding heavily from the nose. Sims continued to pound on Perez until the ninth when he put Perez down for the third time and the fight was stopped. Sims gets his nineteenth inside the distance victory and wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title. South American champion Perez had won his last three fights.
Perez vs. Salam
Cuban southpaw Perez re-launches his career with a third round stoppage of Tony Salam in a fight for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental belt. Perez was just too big and strong for Salam whom is really just a beefed up light heavyweight. Perez pounded Salam over the first two rounds and then trapped Salam in a corner and sent him down and out with a clubbing right to the head in the third. A first round loss to Alexander Povetkin and a points defeat to Mairis Breidis for the WBC cruiser title derailed Perez. He had started his recovery with two wins in 2018 but this fight is first in almost three years. Nigerian southpaw Salam was coming off three inside the distance victories.
Trout vs. Davila
Seasoned pro Trout keeps his faint hope of a title shot alive as he decisions Davila. It was Davila who made the better start taking control from the centre of the ring against a static Trout. From the fourth Trout began to put his skill and experience to use. He was finding the target with jabs and long rights and constantly switching guards to bemuse Davila and boxed his way to a comfortable victory. The scores from the three German judges differed ridiculously at 100-92, 97-94 and 96-95.After losses to both Jermall and Jermell Charlo and Jarrett Hurd Trout, 35,has scored three wins and fought a draw with Terrell Gausha. He is No 6 with the IBF. Mexican Davila went 19-0-2 at the start of his career but with losses to Mikael Zewski and Serhii Bohachuk and now Trout he is having a tough time.
Cesena vs. Soylybayev
Young Mexican Cesena extends his winning run to thirteen as he gets a close majority decision over Kazak Soylybayev. Scores 78-76, 77-76 and 76-76. Good win for 22-year-old from Baja California but this was Soylybayev’s first fight almost four years.
Martinez vs. Garcia
Argentinian Martinez adds another win as he stops Mexican Garcia in four rounds. WBC Silver super fly champion Martinez used a focused body attack to break down Garcia and the referee stopped the one-sided beating in the fourth. A 2016 Olympian Martinez gets his eight inside the distance victory. Garcia has won only 2 of his last 10 fights.
Kissimmee, FL, USA: Super Light: Yomar Alamo (20-0-1) W PTS 10 Adrian Yung (28-7-2). Super Feather: Otar Eranosyan (9-0) W TKO 4 Juan Pena (32-4). Welter: Mekhrubon Sanginov (12-0-1) W KO 4 Jesus Beltran (17-5-2). Super Bantam: Jorge De Jesus Romero (21-0-1) W PTS 8 Jesus Martinez (30-14-1).
Alamo vs. Yung
Alamo retains the WBO Latino title with comprehensive victory over Yung. Alamo had been taken the distance in his last five fights but he looked as though he might be on his way an early finish when he floored Yung in the first. Yung managed to get up and stay up and tried to put Alamo under pressure. Alamo boxed skilfully and countered well with his accurate shots almost closing Yung’s left eye by the middle rounds. Yung just could not catch the elusive Alamo and tired from his efforts but Alamo did not have the power to end the fight early. Scores 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 for Alamo. After a disappointing draw against Antonio Moran Alamo has registered wins against acceptable level opposition in Kendo Castaneda and Jesus Beltran. Mexican Yung (Young)was stopped in five rounds by Luke Campbell in 2019.
Eranosyan vs. Pena
Georgian Eranosyan made it six wins so far in 2021 with a stoppage of former victim Pena. Eranosyan put Pena down twice in the third before the fight was stopped in the fourth. Eranosyan had knocked out Pen in four rounds in January.
Sanginov vs. Beltran
Tajik Sanginov not really tested by Beltran and stops the tall Mexican in four rounds for his ninth inside the distance finish. Sanginov turned pro in 2016 after failing to win his way through the World Qualifier for the Rio Games. Beltran had put up a good performance when being outpointed by Alamo in March.
Romero vs. Martinez
The last time Cuban Romero fought in Kissimmee he felt he was given a bad deal when his fight with Daniel Lozano ended as a majority draw. He had made a slow start in the Lozano fight and was determined that would not happen this time and went out and dominate every round on his way to a unanimous verdict over Martinez. Despite his impressive looking statistics Romero, 27, has yet to move up to ten rounds or meet a real test. Martinez, 40, had won three easy fights back home in Colombia
Marbella, Spain: Feather: Karim Guerfi (30-5,1ND) W PTS 12 Andoni Gago (24-4-4). Super Middle: Ronny Landaeta W PTS 6 Nizar Trimech (8-2).
Frenchman Guerfi wins the European title with a split decision over champion Gago. The fight started badly for the champion as he was cut over his left eye in the first round. From there Gago applied his usual aggressive approach but Guerfi was moving cleverly and connecting with hard, accurate counters. Gago continued to force the fight all of the way but Guerfi managed to score at distance and with enough counters to deserve the split verdict. Scores 116-112 and 115-113 for Guerfi and 115-113 for Gago. Guerfi rebounds well from a first round loss to Lee McGregor in March which cost him his European bantamweight title. Gago was making the second defence of the title
Landaeta vs. Trimech
Experienced former European Union champion Landaeta outpointed Frenchman Trimech. After a lively start Body punches slowed Trimech but the visitor was always competitive. Landaeta took the decision but a draw would have been no more than Trimech deserved. Scores 58-56 twice and 58-57 all for Landaeta. Trimech fought for the French Roosters in the WSB where he beat Filipino Olympian Eumir Marcial a bronze medallist in Tokyo.
Moscow, Russia: Heavy: Vitaly Kudukhov (5-0) W PTS 8Guillermo Jones (41-4-2,1ND).
Kudukhov hustles and bustles his way to victory over Jones. The 18-year-younger Kudukhov bulled his way inside from the start roughing Jones up and using his head literally. Jones managed to work on the outside in the second and also tried turning southpaw but Kudukhov was doing most of the scoring. Jones did enough to edge the seventh but was a clear loser. Kudukhov, 31, had his first three pro fights on the same night winning a heavyweight competition in June last year and then scored a very modest win in November. Former WBA cruiser title holder Jones, 49, was having his first fight since November 2017.
14 August
Corona, CA, USA: Super Light: Ruben Torres (16-0) W TKO 5 Richard Zamora (19-5).
Torres gets another inside the distance victory as he halts Zamora in five rounds. The hard-punching Torres was landing heavily from the start and wore Zamora down before finishing him with a body punch in the fifth. The tall 23-year-old from Santa Monica makes it 13 wins by KO/TKO and 6 in his last 7 fights. Mexican Zamora just could not figure out a way to combat the longer reach of Torres and suffers his second loss in a row by KO/TKO.
Orlando, FL, USA: Bantam: Ramon Cardenas (20-1) W TKO 3 Marvin Solano (24-7).
Texan Cardenas stops a sliding Marvin Solano in three rounds. Whilst Cardenas moves to nine wins in a row Nicaraguan Solano drops further with his fifth loss in his last eight fights.
Atlanta, GA, USA: Light: Noel Echevarria (19-7) W PTS 12 Rodrigo Guerrero (26-13-2).
Puerto Rican-born southpaw Echevarria wins the vacant UBO title with unanimous decision over veteran Guerrero. The fight was close with two points deductions for low blows costing a majority draw. Scores 114-112 twice and 116-111 for Echevarria. Now eight wins and a No Decision in his last nine fights for Echevarria. Former IBF super fly title holder Guerrero just failed to break a six bout losing streak.
Worcester, MA, Heavy: Cassius Chaney (21-0) W PTS 10 Shawndell Winters (13-5)
Unbeaten Chaney goes ten rounds for the first time in outpointing Winters. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Chaney. At 34 the 6’6” 260lbs Chaney will have to move up to better opposition soon. Winters, 40, was giving away around 50lbs. He was stopped in four rounds by Alen Babic last August
Portland, ME, USA: Light Heavy: Charles Foster (20-0) W KO 2 Jaime Barboza (21-18).
Southpaw Foster returns to action after two years out and knocks out Costa Rican Barboza in two rounds. Foster had scored wins in a series of fights against credible opposition before the pandemic curtailed his activity. After a run of nine losses Barboza, 43, had returned home to get two low level wins.
Savonlinna, Finland : Super Middle: Sanna Turunen (7-4-1) W PTS 10 Elene Sikmashvili (9-10). Welter: Oskari Metz (15-0) W PTS 8 Emanuele Cavallucci (12-4-1).
Turunen vs. Sikmashvili
Local fighter Turunen wins the vacant IBF female title with unanimous decisioin over Sikmashvili. An entertaining, competitive fight saw Turunen have early difficulties with the longer reach of Sikmashvili but by the third she was getting past the jab. She scored well in the fourth and fifth and took the sixth. Sikmashvili then got back into the fight but Turunen was stronger and boxed her way to a well deserved victory. Scores 98-92, 97-94 and 97-96 for Turunen. All four of Turunen’s loses have come in title fights for a variety of bodies so nice to finally have a belt at the age of forty-six. Georgian Sikmashvili has lost in shots at both WBC and IBO titles.
Metz vs. Cavallucci
Finn Metz remains undefeated but only just. Italian southpaw Cavallucci proved a clever boxer with plenty of movement. He was constantly changing angles and Metz did well to stay balanced and focused. Metz exerted heavy pressure over the sixth and seventh with Cavallucci strong in the eighth making it very close and Metz just edged it on a split decision. Scores 78-75 and 78-76 for Metz and 78-75 for Cavallucci. Good learning fight for Metz and former Italian champion Cavallucci will feel he was worth at least a draw.
Fight of the week (Significance): Virgil Ortiz win over Egidijus Kavaliauskas with fights against Terence Crawford or Errol Spence possibilities in 2022
Fight of the week (Entertainment); Plenty of action in Ortiz vs. Kavaliauskas
Fighter of the week: Virgil Ortiz for his blast out of Kavaliauskas
Punch of the week: The left hook from Joshua Buatsi that put Ricards Bolotniks down in the sixth was spectacular
Upset of the week: Andres Cortes first round stoppage of Genisis Servania was a re3al shock
Prospect watch: Early days but Leeds super bantamweight 5-0 Ivan “Hopey” Price was outstanding in International Youth tournaments
Observations
Once again Guillermo Rigondeaux loses and faces criticism for his jab and run, run style. I have some sympathy for him. He said that this is how he fights and he can’t change. He had 386 fights as an amateur and lost only 12. For almost 400 fights entertainment was not even in his dictionary and the only requirement was that he win for Cuba-boringly or not. Changing a style that deeply engraved in his psyche is never going to be easy and he will be 41 next month so he is never going to change.
It was interesting that in the Franco vs. Moloney fight after giving Franco a count in the seventh round the referee at the end of the round asked to see the replay of the incident and saw that Franco had slipped and no punch was landed so a 10-8 for Moloney ended up as a 10-9 for Franco so I guess the judges would have had to adjust their score cards even if they had already marked the round 10-8. Messy but a good call.
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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