The Past Week in Action 14 March 2022: Leigh Wood Rallies to Stop Michael Conlan in the Last Round
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 Mar 2022
Highlights:
- Leigh Wood climbs off the floor and comes from behind on points to stop Michael Conlan in the last round of his defence of his secondary WBA featherweight title
-Unbeaten fighters Gabriel Maestre and Taras Shelestyuk fight to a draw in WBA welterweight eliminator
-Former champions Jezreel Corrales and Anselmo Moreno win in Panama
-Jon Miguez wins vacant European Union welterweight title with points victory over Aitor Nieto
-Marc Leach outpoints unbeaten Chris Bourke to win the vacant British super bantamweight title
-Charly Suarez and Carl Jammes Martin maintain their 100% records with wins in Manila
-Gary Cully KO’s former IBF title holder Miguel Vazquez
World Title/Major Shows
March 12
Nottingham, England: Feather: Leigh Wood (26-2) W TKO 12 Michael Conlan (16-1). Light: Gary Cully (14-0) W KO 5 Miguel Vazquez (44-10). Light: Terri Harper (12-1-1) W PTS 10 Abellaneda (13-5-1). Middle: Caolmhin Agyarko (11-0) W PTS 10 Juan Rubio (18-1).
Wood vs. Conlan
Wood comes off the floor and behind on points to score dramatic last round victory
Round 1
Wood was taking the fight to Conlan who was on the back foot with his left hand resting on his thigh and shooting jabs upwards and looking to counter. After one minute Conlan switched to southpaw. Wood landed some good body punches but over the last minute Conlan landed some sharp single shots before nailing Wood with a long left which put Wood down on his back. He was up at three and as the bell had gone during the count when the eight was reached Wood went back to his corner.
Score: 10-8 Conlan
Round 2
Conlan attacked fiercely in the second staggering Wood again with a left and Wood was just looking to clinch as Conlan pounded him with hooks. Conlan continued to blaze away with hooks and Wood was looking to buy time and it worked as he was the one throwing punches at the end of the round
Score: 10-9 Conlan Conlan 20-17
Round 3
This was a close round. Wood was coming forward with Conlan on the back foot sliding jabs through Wood’s guard. When Wood did get inside he was firing bunches of hooks but was knocked sideways by a right hook late in the round.
Score: 10-9 Conlan Conlan 30-26
Round 4
A round for Wood. He hustled Conlan driving him to the ropes and pounding away with body punches. He was getting past Conlan’s jab now and putting Conlan under steady pressure. Conlan ended the round with a right to the head that again shook Wood.
Score: 10-9 Wood Conlan 39-36
Official Scores: Judge Leszek Jankowiak 40-35 Conlan, Judge Guillermo Perez-Pineda 39-36 Conlan, Judge Bob Williams 39-36 Conlan.
Round 5
Conlan was becoming over reliant on long swiping lefts and did better when he settled and used his right jab finding gaps. Wood was more effective with hooks inside and it was a close round with the cleaner work from Conlan giving him a slight edge.
Score: 10-9 Conlan Conlan 49-45
Round 6
Conlan outboxed Wood in this round. He was getting through with long lefts to the body and bobbing and weaving around Wood’s punches and clipped Wood with a sharp right hook. When Wood managed to take the fight inside Conlan was doing most of the scoring with hooks to the body.
Score: 10-9 Conlan Conlan 59-54
Round 7
For most of the three minutes this was an untidy low scoring round. Wood worked steadily being more accurate than Conlan. Over the final thirty seconds they both left fly with hooks and uppercuts with Wood just connecting enough to take the round.
Score: 10-9 Wood Conlan 68-64
Round 8
Wood’s best round so far. He was driving forward pumping out punches with Conlan unable to stop Wood getting inside where he was landing thumping hooks to the body. Conlan’s output dropped and with the exception of a hard right hook he was wild when he did throw punches.
Score: 10-9 Wood Conlan 77-74
Official Scores: Judge Leszek Jankowiak 78-73 Conlan, Judge Guillermo Perez-Pineda 77-74 Conlan, Judge Bob Williams 77-74 Conlan.
Round 9
Conlan boxed on the retreat make good use of his jab. That and some good defensive work made the difference. Wood continued to come forward but found Conlan an elusive target and had little success
Score: 10-9 Conlan Conlan 87-83
Round 10
Big round for Wood. He piled forward taking Conlan to the ropes and scoring with hooks and uppercuts. Conlan had some success with hooks in the middle of the round but for the last minute he was often pinned to the ropes as Wood unloaded on him.
Score: 10-9 Wood Conlan 96-93
Round 11
Conlan boxed well early in this round. He was getting through with right jabs and landing heavy lefts to the body with Wood not able to exert enough pressure. Finally they just stood and traded punches. With less than ten seconds remaining in the round Wood broke through with a left hook that staggered Conlan and then landed another left hook that swept Conlan’s feet from under him and sent Conlan down on his knees. Conlan jumped up claiming he had slipped on water on the ring surface but it looked a genuine knockdown. After the count as the round was already over Conlan went back to his corner with his team protesting violently that it had not been a knockdown.
Score: 10-8 Wood Conlan 104-103
Round 12
Wood was taking the fight to Conlan looking to capitalise on that knockdown. He drove Conlan to the ropes connecting with a series of hooks and uppercuts. Suddenly after a right from Wood Conlan sagged, dropped both arms and collapsed at the knees going backwards out of the ring through the ropes off the ring apron and down to the stadium floor with the referee immediately waiving the fight over.
Official Scores after eleven rounds: Official Scores: Judge Leszek Jankowiak 105-102 Conlan, Judge Guillermo Perez-Pineda 104-103 Conlan, And Judge Bob Williams 104-103 Conlan.
Wood retains the secondary WBBA title with a dramatic last round win that will move him to a much higher profile. At 33 he is a late bloomer but this was a deserved win as he overcame that shock first round knockdown, never stopped taking the fight to Conlan and outlasted the younger man in dramatic fashion. Conlan was taken to hospital but messaged that he was fine. Conlan already has a profile that can get him another title shot and he wants a return with Wood but Wood may have other plans to capitalise on this dramatic win.
Cully drops Vazquez.
Cully vs. Vazquez
Cully gets a career best win as he knocks out Vazquez in the fifth round. The 6’2” Irish southpaw was just too big and too strong for Vazquez. After an even first round Cully began to find then target with his long lefts and opened a cut over Vazquez’s left eye in the second. Vazquez was down in the third but it was not a heavy knockdown and he continued but just found Cully’s height and reach too much to combat. Cully ended it in style in the fifth shaking Vazquez with a left hook and then putting him down for the count with a flashing combination. Eighth victory by KO/TKO for the 26-year-old Cully. This is only the third time that former IBF lightweight champion Vazquez has been stopped.
Harper vs. Abellaneda
Harper returns with a win as she outboxes Abellaneda. Harper boxed skilfully on the back foot spearing the Argentinian with jabs and slotting home straight rights. She used good foot work and plenty of upper body movement to avoid Abellaneda’s attacks and controlled the action over the first two rounds . From the third she stood and traded more getting the better of the exchanges. Harper switched to southpaw over the ninth and tenth and landed some strong lefts but to her credit Abellaneda never stopped walking forward and Harper had to work hard. Scores 99-91 for Harper from the three judges. Former WBC and IBO Female title holder Harper was having her first fight since losing her titles to Alycia Baumgardner in November. She won the vacant WBA Female Inter-Continental title here. Argentinian champion Abellaneda was 7-0-1 in her last eight fights.
Agyarko vs. Rubio
Agyarko goes ten rounds for the first time as he outpoints durable but limited Rubio. Agyarko took a round to sort out Rubio’s southpaw style but then shook Rubio with a right in the second and again in the fourth. Rubio did not roll over and although losing the rounds he stayed competitive. Agyarko broke though heavily again with rights in the eighth but Rubio took the shots and never looked to be in any serious trouble but not really posing a threat to 25-year-old Agyarko who won on scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92 in defending his WBA International belt. He is a former Irish amateur champion and competed in the WSB. He is showing good progress. Rubio’s record has been put together against very modest opposition and in his last fight in August was stopped in three rounds by Charles Conwell.
March 11
Montreal, Canada: Welter: Gabriel Maestre (4-0-1) DREW 10 Taras Shelestyuk (19-0-1). Light Fly: Kim Clavel (15-0) W RTD 4 Mariela Valverde (11-7). Super Light: Mathieu Germain (20-2-1) W TKO 8 Erick Inzunza (8-3).
Maestre vs. Shelestyuk
Maestre and Shelestyuk fight to a split draw in a WBA eliminator. Venezuelan Maestre was the aggressor from the start coming forward firing hooks with Ukrainian southpaw Shelestyuk choosing to box on the back foot and counter. Maestre looked to have swept the first three rounds with his aggression but Shelestyuk took a more positive approach in the fourth finding the target with straight lefts. Shelestyuk grew in confidence jabbing well and outscoring Maestre inside in the fifth and sixth to move in front. Maestre swung things his way over the seventh and eighth with some solid body work and it was hard to separate them over the last two rounds as both fought hard to clinch the verdict. Scores 96-94 Maestre, 97-93 Shelestyuk and 95-95. A draw suits neither fighter and although this was an eliminator with Maestre No 6 and Shelestyuk No 10 in the WBA ratings there is already a queue awaiting the outcome of the Errol Spence vs. Yordenis Ugas unification bout so whoever won this fight would not be looking at getting a title fight anytime soon.
Clavel vs. Valverde
Clavel outclasses Bolivian Valverde. This was an easy night for Clavel. She jabbed strongly and showered Valverde with flashing combinations. Valverde was out of her depth and shaken in every round but refused to go down before retiring after the fourth round. Clavel was making the first defence of the WBC Silver Female title and gets her fourth inside the distance win. She now hopes to go ahead and challenge WBC champion Yesenia Gomez. A good performance but none of Valverde’s eleven victims had won a fight.
Germaine vs. Inzunza
Germain returns with a win but at a cost. Germain was cut over his right eye in the second round, the first time he has been cut as an amateur or a professional. In addition he was having his first fight for ten months and late replacement Inzunza proved tougher than expected. The visitor was slow and limited but willing. Germain finally ended it in the eighth sending Inzunza down under a shower of punches. Inzunza made it to his feet but was trapped against the ropes and under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Germain had slipped from 17-0-1 to 2-2 so a welcome win but not an impressive showing. Third loss in his last four fights for Mexican Inzunza
Berlin, Germany: Middle: Vincenzo Gualtieri (19-0-1) W PTS 12 Dario Socci (14-7-2,1ND). Super Welter: Haro Matevosyan (15-0) W PTS 12 Johan Perez (27-10-2,1ND). Super Welter: Jack Culcay (30-4) W PTS 10 Khalil El Harraz (14-3-1). Heavy: Granit Shala (11-0) W PTS 10 Sine Eddine Benmakhlouf (23-7-1). Middle: Thomas Piccirillo (10-0-3) W KO 6 Leonard Carrillo (15-3). Middle: Bjoern Schicke (19-1-1) W TKO 1 Jakob Winter (5-2).
Gualtieri vs. Socci
Gualtieri makes a successful defence of his IBF Inter-Continental belt with a wide points win over Italian Socci. Gualtieri had the better skills and was busier. He outscored Socci with a selection of accurate counters to head and body and by the end was looking for a stoppage of the tiring Socci but just lacks the power. Scores 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 for Gualtieri the European No 13. Socci had won his last two fights and he had another “win” here as he proposed to his girlfriend after the fight and was successful.
Matevosyan vs. Perez
Matevosyan
Armenian-born German Matevosyan gave the home team another win as he comprehensively outboxed experienced Venezuelan Perez. Matevosyan took the fight to Perez throughout the contest scoring strongly to the body and outworking Perez but Perez boxed cleverly and was never in any real trouble with Matevosyan looking to have another unused gear. Scores 118-110 twice and 120-108 for southpaw Matevosyan. He is IBF No 7 due to his holding their Inter-Continental belt but a more realistic No 13 with the EBU. Perez, 38, a former holder of the WBA interim super lightweight title but is 3-5 in his most recent activity.
Culcay vs. El Harraz
Just a good workout for Culcay as he shakes the dust accumulated through eighteen months of inactivity. Culcay just had too much skill for Italian El Harraz but was made to fight hard all the way as El Harraz was more than willing to stand and trade. Much of the fight took place inside with Culcay scoring consistently and using good defensive work to blunt El Harraz’s attacks without ever looking likely to stop El Harraz. Scores 100-89 twice and 97-93 for Culcay who despite that long period of inactivity is still No 2 with the IBF and is waiting for a date for a final eliminator against No 1 Bakhram Murtazaliev
Shala vs. Benmakhlouf
Shala scores two knockdowns but has to go the distance to beat Benmakhlouf. The Algerian had been inactive in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and spent most of his career fighting at cruiserweight. He was up to 237lbs for this fight against 277lbs Shala who has been as high as 326lbs. Really Benmakhlouf was in with very little chance of winning but showed real grit to go the distance despite the knockdowns. Scores 100-89 twice and 98-91 for 25-year-old Shala.
Piccirillo vs. Carrillo
Italian-born German Piccirillo kayos Carrillo in the sixth. Piccirillo scored consistently with counters against the taller Colombian and worked well with his jab to create openings for some crisp rights. Piccirillo ended the fight in style in the sixth. He shook Carrillo with a left hook and then connected with a right to the chin to send Carrillo down and he was counted out. German champion Piccirillo, ranked No 12 by the EBU, gets his fourth victory by KO/TKO. First fight for 15 months and second successive defeat for Carrillo.
Schicke vs. Winter
Schicke ended this all-German early as just 66 seconds into the fight he put Winter down and out with a left hook. Tenth win by KO/TKO for the European No 8. Second quick defeat for Winter and the five fighters he had beaten had not won a single fight.
Panama City, Panama: Light Fly: Jessica Nery (28-2) W PTS 10 Yesica Yolanda Bopp (37-3).
Argentinian Nery ends the reign of Bopp with a split decision in a close hard-fought contest. The challenger used a focused body attack early coming forward and letting her punches fly. Bopp used good movement and landed the harder punches rocking Nery on occasion but Nery just kept coming and firing hooks to the body of the ten years older Bopp’s body. It was her constant aggression and higher output that gave Nery the edge but many rounds were close and then fight in general was close. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Nery and 97-93 for Bopp. Nery, 27, a former interim WBA title holder scored her seventh consecutive win. Bopp was unbeaten in 22 WBA title fights going back to 2009 and was also unbeaten in her reign as WBO champion before relinquishing that title. She definitely wants a return fight.
Konin, Poland: Feather: Kamil Laszczyk (29-0) W PTS 10 Ismail Gallatano (10-3-3).Super Middle: Karol Welter (10-0-1) W TKO 7 Patryk Szymanski (21-5). Super Welter: Tomasz Nowicki (11-0) W KO 2 Juan Ruiz (27-7,1ND). Welter: Lukasz Wierzbicki (21-1) W PTS 6 Edmond Zefi (9-2).
Laszczyk vs. Gallatano
In his first fight since June 2020 Laszczyk is given a tougher than expected night by Tanzanian Gallatano and had to undergo a count before winning. Laszczyk edge the first round but was shaken by a left hook. Another left knocked Laszczyk off balance in the second and he had to touch the canvas to stay upright and was given a count. He had difficulty getting through Gallatano’s guard and the visitor connected with a heavy right in the fourth. Laszczyk switched his attacks to the body from the fifth and built a small lead with a tired Gallatano letting the fight slip away. Scores 97-93, 96-94 and 96-95 for Laszczyk. The European No 9 will hope to be sharper in future fights. Gallatano was 6-0-2 in his most recent action going into this fight.
Welter vs. Szymanski
Minor upset as Welter pushes Szymanski down the road to retirement with a seventh round victory. Welter rocked Szymanski in the opening rough with a hard combination and had him bleeding heavily from the nose in the second. There was plenty of action in a close third but Szymanski was shaken again in the fourth and only just survived a painful fifth. He was floored by a body punch in the sixth and taking punishment when the fight was halted. Big win for Welter and Szymanski announced his retirement.
Nowicki vs. Ruiz
Nowicki gets second round win over Ruiz but rides his luck. After an even first round Nowicki scored with a left hook that sent Ruiz down on one knee. The local boxer then clearly landed another punch after Ruiz had his knee on the floor. Ruiz was counted out but Nowicki should have been disqualified. Fourth KO/TKO victory for Nowicki. Venezuelan Ruiz is 0-2 in consecutive fight is Poland
Wierzbicki vs. Zefi
Southpaw Wierzbicki continues his rebuild with a unanimous decision over Kosovon Zefi. A ridiculous confusion saw Wierzbicki wearing 8oz gloves and Zefi 10oz. Once that was sorted out Wierzbicki used his southpaw jab to deal with the wild attacks of Zefi to take the decision on scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55. Third win for Wierzbicki since being crushed in two rounds by Brit Louis Green. Zefi is 1-2 in his last 3 bouts.
Oviedo, Spain : Welter: Jon Miguez (16-0) W PTS 10 Aitor Nieto (25-8-1). Super Light: Luis Romero (10-5-1) W PTS 8 Jonathan Alonso (21-2).
Miguez vs. Nieto
In a fast-paced entertaining fight in Nieto’s home city Miguez wins the vacant European Union title with majority decision over Nieto. Miguez caused Nieto some problems early as he boxed southpaw taking the first round but Nieto boxed cleverly to take the next two as the action had the crowd on their feet. They battled on equal terms with first one another the other winning rounds. It was anyone’s fight after eight rounds but Miguez provided the stronger finish to earn the decision. Scores 118-111, 116-112 for Miguez and 114-114. Nieto was a big step up in quality of opposition for Miguez but he was a deserving winner. Second consecutive majority decision loss for Nieto who had been outpointed by Jordy Weiss in November.
Romero vs. Fernandez
Venezuelan Romero pulls off a shock win as he outpoints Fernandez. No scores given but a disputed outcome. Dominican-born Fernandez’s only other loss was against Alberto Puello for the interim WBA super light title and he is co-challenger for the vacant EU title. Romero, 36, had lost his last three fights.
London, England: Super Bantam: Marc Leach (18-1-1) W PTS 12 Chris Bourke (10-1).
This looked an even fight on paper but the classier skills from Leach saw him take the unanimous decision and the vacant British title in this clash of southpaws. Bourke attacked hard at the start but Leach boxed cleverly on the retreat slotting jabs home and taking the first two rounds. Bourke continued to press in the third and scored the beat punch of the fight so far with a straight left. The fourth and fifth were close but Leach’s jab was staring to cause damage to Bourke’s visage. Bourke did well in the sixth and seventh as he continued to press the fight b although Leach’s slick movement and accurate jabbing came back into play and by the end of the seventh Bourke had a swelling under his right eye and had blood trickling from his nose. Bourke got through with some heavy punches in the eighth but Leach fought back to take the ninth and tenth with Bourke more marked up and with a swelling around his left eye. Leach produced the stronger finish and was a good winner. Scores 117-111, 116-112, and 116-113 for Leach who lost his first pro fight. He is No 4 with the EBU so might turn his attention to the European title. Bourke, the European No 5, has some rebuilding to do.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light Heavy: Albert Ramirez (12-0) W PTS 10 Facundo Galovar (13-6-2). Welter: Cristian Ayala (8-1-1) W PTS 10 Guido Schramm (13-1-1).
Ramirez v. Galovar
Venezuelan southpaw Ramirez proves too hot for local fighter Galovar. Ramirez made a fast start scoring with accurate jabs and straight rights. Galovar managed to get a foot hold in the fight in the fourth and fifth but then Ramirez again took control and had Galovar in trouble in the ninth with Galovar completing hard in the last to still be there at the bell. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for Ramirez who wins the WBA Fedelatin title. Ramirez won a silver medal at the Pam American Games and competed at the 2016 Olympics and 2015 and 2017 World Championships
Ayala vs. Schramm
Ayala wins the vacant WBO Latino title with a unanimous verdict over Schramm. Ayala controlled the fight from the centre of the ring slowly winding up the pressure on Schramm with some hard body shots. His sharp, accurate jabs had Schramm’s left eye swollen and nearly shut. Ayala was a clear winner more so than the scores indicated with the judges scoring it 97-93 twice and 96-94 for Ayala. He has won his last six fights and reversed his only loss. Schramm had put together a ten-bout winning streak.
Aberdeen, Scotland: Welter: Dean Sutherland (13-0) W PTS 10 Corey McCulloch (4-2-1).
Fighting in his home city, one of my old haunts, Sutherland scored a victory over late substitute McCullough. Sutherland led all the way. He rattled McCullough with a punch in the fourth and put him on the floor with a right in the fifth. McCullough rebounded enough to have Sutherland’s right eye affected by a swelling but Sutherland remained in control to the final bell. Referee’s score 98-90 for Sutherland who is making steady progress. Third bout in a row against an unbeaten opponent for McCullough who is 0-2-1 in those three fights.
March 12
Panama City, Panama: Light: Jezzrel Corrales (26-4) W PTS 12 Miguel Madueno (27-1). Feather: Anselmo Moreno (41-6-1) W TKO 10 Gustavo Pina (10-4-2). Super Fly: Felix Montenegro (11-9-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Leosdan Nunez (12-3). Super Welter: Johan Gonzalez (30-1) W KO 5 Elvin Ganbarov (16-1). Bantam: Liborio Solis (33-6-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Alejandro Gonzalez (10-4-2).
Corrales vs. Madueno
Corrales takes decision over previously unbeaten Madueno. Corrales was too quick and too slick for the limited Mexican but this was also a typical Corrales effort featuring his skill, lots of questionable tactics and not a lot of entertainment. Corrales was on the floor in the first but it was of the flash variety so not too badly shaken. Corrales was just too fast for Madueno but the rough stuff saw both fighters deducted a point in the third for infractions of the rules and Corrales lose another point for fouls in the eighth. Corrales dominated the action with Madueno, despite having scored 25 wins by KO/TKO, never able to apply enough pressure to threaten Corrales who took a wide unanimous decision on scores of 117-108, 116-108 and 115-109. This victory was said to make Corrales the mandatory challenger to either George Kambosos or Gervonta Davis but only the WBA know how a fight between someone rated No 7 (Corrales) and unrated Madueno qualifies as a final eliminator.
Moreno vs. Pina
No problems for Moreno as he outboxes and then stops Mexican novice Pina in the tenth round. Moreno retains the WBA Fedelatin belt. At 36 the former WBA champion is a bit long in the tooth. He is No 3 with the WBA behind Michael Conlan and Brandon Figueroa and with Conlan losing to Wood a title shot is not impossible. Pina just a modest prelim fighter.
Montenegro vs. Nunez
Panamanian Montenegro gets a majority verdict over Cuban Nunez to collect the vacant WBA Continental Americas title on scores of 98-92 and 95-94 for Montenegro and 95-95. Fifth win for Montenegro in successive fights. Only one win in his last four fights for Nunez.
Gonzalez vs. Ganbarov
Gonzalez crushes Ganbarov in five rounds. The Venezuelan has scored all thirty of his wins by KO/TKO with his only loss a split decision against Charlie Navarro in July 2019. This is only the third time he has had to go past the fourth round for a win. He collects the NABA title and will probably get a promotion from his No 8 WBA rating. Azeri Ganbarov was No 6 with the WBA thanks to winning their NABA title. He has done his fighting in Colombia and the USA.
Solis vs. Gonzalez
Veteran Solis has to get up after a knockdown in the second round and then fight hard to get a very close verdict against Mexican Gonzalez. Scores 95-94 twice and 96-93 for Solis. He was defending his WBA Fedelatin belt and is No 5 with the WBA. Former WBA super flyweight title holder Solis lost a split decision to Guillermo Rigondeaux for the vacant secondary WBA bantam title in February 2020 but at 39 poses no threat to Naoya Inoue. Gonzalez, 22, pulled off an upset when he outpointed unbeaten Scot Billy Stuart last July.
Manila, Philippines: Super Feather: Charly Suarez (10-0) W TKO 12 Tomjune Mangubat (15-3-1). Super Bantam: Carl Jammes Martin (19-0) W TKO 11 Ronnie Baldonado (15-3-1). Fly: Bienvenido Ligas (14-2-2) W PTS 12 Roland Jay Biendima (15-11). Super Bantam: Michael Dasmarinas (31-3-2) W TKO 3 Danny Tampipi (9-15-2). Feather: Jon Jon Estrada (15-8-1)W KO 4 Jess Rhey Waminal (14-5-1).
Suarez vs. Mangubat
After a slow start Suarez stops Mangubat in the last round. Over the first four rounds Mangubat was using his height and longer reach to score on the outside and looked to have taken a lead. From the fifth the superior skill and experience of Suarez put him in control. He outboxed Mangubat at distance picking his time to fire fast, accurate combinations and his defensive skills to block Mangubat’s punches. Suarez was in control and that’s how it stayed. Suarez finished the job early in the twelfth. Mangubat came forward trying to put Suarez under pressure but Suarez exploded with a huge right uppercut flooring Mangubat. When Mangubat made it to his feet Suarez drove him along the ropes landed a series of and the referee stopped the fight. The “King’s Warrior” wins the WBA Asian title. He was a top level amateur competing at the 2007, 2009 and 2011 World Champions and lost to Joe Cordina at the 2016 Olympics. At 33 he needs to move up soon. Mangubat had won his last four fights.
Martin vs. Baldonado
Martin wins but Baldonado puts a dent in the Wonder Boy’s image. Baldonado took the first round connecting with some useful rights and then floored Martin with a heavy counter right hook early in the second for Martin’s first knockdown of his career. The third and fourth were close but Baldonado seemed to have the edge. Martin won the fifth with some fierce attacks but Baldonado was back on top in the sixth and seventh with Martin looking to be struggling. Martin finally started to take control from the eighth with some heavy body punches and Baldonado faded rapidly absorbing plenty of punishment in the ninth and tenth. Baldonado could hardly stand in the eleventh as Martin teed-off on him with a series of head shots the referee stopped the fight. Martin, 22, retains the Philippines title and wins the vacant WBA Asian title. He is No 14 (12) with the IBF and has now signed up with Probellum. First fight for Baldonado under his new trained two-time world title holder Luisito Espinoza.
Ligas vs. Biendima
Ligas has much too much skill for “The Bull” Biendima. It was too easy for Ligas. Biendima lived up to his nickname boring forward trying to get inside. Ligas was able to connect with jabs and straight rights as Biendima came forward and then score with and hooks and uppercuts and back out quickly before Biendima could get off his punches. Ligas sent Biendima down with a wicked left hook to the body in the fifth but could not finish it although he continued to dominate every round. Scores 118-109 twice and 120-107 for Ligas who was defending the Philippines title. Sixth successive defeat for Biendima who showed persistence but little else.
Dasmarinas vs. Tampipi
Dasmarinas punches too hard for Tampipi. Dasmarinas was walking Tampipi down landing with cracking southpaw lefts. By the third there was heavy bruising on the right cheekbone of Tampipi. He walked away from the action to his corner and indicated he did not want to continue. Dasmarinas was knocked out in three rounds by Naoya Inoue in a challenge for the IBF and WBA bantam titles in June last year. The only loss in his last 14 bouts. Tampipi slides to 1-7 in his last 8 fights.
Estrada vs. Waminal
“Wild Man” Estrada knocks out Waminal in four rounds. Waminal was doing the boxing here with Estrada rumbling forward often head down throwing hooks. Estrada looked dangerous with ridiculously wild rights that had the whole audience ducking. It worked for him in the end as a haymaker dropped Waminal in the fourth. He beat the count and tried to punch with Estrada but a left hook put him down again and he was counted out. Fourteen of Estrada’s fifteen wins have come inside the distance. Second loss in a row by KO/TKO for Waminal.
Cardiff, Wales: Light: Craig Woodruff (12-6) W PTS 10 Ronnie Clark (21-8-2).
Woodruff gets convincing win over Scot Clark. The visitor was his usual aggressive self but Woodruff used his height and longer reach to blunt Clark’s attacks. The fight became heated at times with almost as much talk as punching and things were rough inside but Woodruff stayed focused as Clark desperately looked for a big punch to pull the fight his way and Woodruff was a good winner. Scores 100-91,99-92 and 99-91 for Woodruff who wins the vacant BBB of Celtic title and hopes to challenge for the British title later in the year. Fourth loss in a row for Clark since his highlight decision victory over Zelfa Barrett in 2018.
(99-92, 99-91, 100-91),
Woodruff 29yo Wales, 4 wins id 1 loss id, won 4 of 5
Clark 37yo SPW, 10 wins id 1 loss id, w pts Zelfa Barrett lost last 3
Philadelphia, USA: Super Feather: Christian Tapia (14-0) W PTS 10 Luis Lebron (18-3-1). Welter: Branden Pizarro (17-1-1) W KO 4 Vitor Jones (16-7,1ND).
Tapia vs. Lebron
Tapia gets unanimous decision over fellow Puerto Rican Lebron. Tapia was conceding height and reach to Lebron but continually found his way past Lebron’s jab to work inside. Lebron looked to have Tapia badly shaken in the first round but Tapia regrouped and slowly took control with a strong body attack. He built a good lead and then held off Lebron’s late attempts to swing things his way. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Tapia who collects the WBC Continental Americas belt. Tapia had won his previous eight fights by KO/TKO including victories over Mason Menard, and Iron Alvarez. Puerto Rican Lebron has tumbled from 16-0-1 to 2-3.
Pizarro vs. Jones
Pizarro handles early pressure from Brazilian Jones before scoring a fourth round kayo. Jones tried to blow Pizarro away but Pizarro boxed coolly on the back foot slowing Jones with counters. In the fourth a body punch from Pizarro sent Jones down in pain and he was unable to beat the count. Philadelphian Pizarro gets his tenth inside the distance victory. Jones has lost 5 of his last 6 fights by KO/TKO and all within four rounds.
Montpellier, France: Light: Sabri Sediri (14-2-1) W PTS 10 Sylvain Chapelle (17-31-2).
10
Sediri ruins the hopes of the local fans as he outpoints Chapelle to win the vacant French championship. The local fighter made a good start but over the middle rounds Sediri took control. He had Chapelle under heavy pressure over the fifth, sixth and seventh before dialling back his attacks over the last three rounds and outboxing Chapelle. No scores announced but it was unanimous decision for Sediri. Tunisian-born Sediri had lost on a one round stoppage to Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant title in February 2021. Chapelle is now 0-6 in French title fights.
March 13
Toronto, Canada: Welter: Przemyslaw Runowski (20-2) W PTS 10 Samuel Vargas (31-8-2) W. Light Heavy: Pierre Dibombe (21-0-1) W TKO 5 Sladan Janjanin (31-10). Super Feather: Bryan Acosta (16-0,1ND) W PTS 8 Lamberto Macias (16-5-1).
Runowski vs. Vargas
Both fighters were coming off a loss so a win was a must for them. Runowski was the one who got his wish. In a tough gruelling fight which saw both fighters cut Runowski proved the stronger and floored Vargas with a left hook in the sixth on his way to victory on scores of 98-91 twice and 97-92. Runowski had won his first seventeen fights but was 2-2 in his most recent fight being floored three times in losing to Josh Kelly by a huge margin in 2019 and by a wide unanimous verdict against Michael McKinnon in August last year. Canadian-based Colombian Vargas had been knocked out by Vergil Ortiz and blasted out in 80 seconds by Conor Benn in April 2021.
Dibombe vs. Janjanin
Former undefeated European Union champion Dibombe halts Bosnian Janjanin. First pro fight outside France for Dibombe and he gets his eleventh inside the distance victory. Janjanin is a fight anyone anywhere type and he is now 0-3 in bouts in Canada with three stoppage defeats.
Acosta vs. Macias
An all-Mexican affair sees young hope Acosta box his way past more experienced Macias. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72 for 23-year-old Acosta.
Fight of the week (Significance): Leigh Wood’s victory over Michael Conlan adds another element to the featherweight division
Fight of the week (Entertainment) Wood vs. Conlan plenty of action and drama
Fighter of the week: Leigh Wood for his come from behind victory
Punch of the week: The left from Conlan that put Wood down in the first round was a beauty
Upset of the week: No biggies
Prospect watch: At 6’2” lightweight Gary Cully 14-0 is going to be a problem in the division
Observations
Rosette: to Wood and Conlan for a memorable fight
Red Card: No one blotted their copy book this week
-Strange how a first loss can affect a fighters confidence. It’s a bit like night and day. This week we had Venezuelan Juan Ruiz going from 21-0-0 to 6-7-0,1ND and Pole Patryk Szymanski 19-0 to 2-5
-Time catches up on all of us with the great Argentinian Yesica Bopp losing 2 of her last 3 fights after being 36-1 in her previous thirteen years as a pro. What a tremendous record going unbeaten in 21 WBA light flyweight title fights with many of those fights being unified as she was also WBO champion and five being for only the WBO title-and she is not finished yet as she wants a return with her conqueror Jessica Nery Plata. 37-years-old no problem!
- Persistence does not always win out. French veteran Sylvain Chapelle lost in a fight for the vacant French lightweight title on Saturday. That makes his score 0-6 title attempts. He must also be a leading member of the “powder puff punch” club as he has never won inside the distance in any of the 17 victories.
- It can be dangerous to take swipes as your future opponent on social media. Canadian middleweight Daniel Beaupre had been bad mouthing Derek Pomerleau who would be having his first fight against Beaupre in Montreal on Friday. When they met Beaupre rushed forward throwing punches only to run onto a punch that toppled him face down lying half way out of the ring suspended over the bottom rope. All over in just 14 seconds. Swop words or punches-don’t try to swap both.
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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