The Past Week in Action 23 August 2022: Usyk Repeats Over Joshua
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Aug 2022
Highlights:
-Oleksandr Usyk wins split decision over Anthony Joshua to retain the IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO heavyweight titles
-Filip Hrgovic comes off the floor to outpoint Zhilei Zhang in IBF heavyweight eliminator
-Callum Smith knocks out Mathieu Bauderlique in WBC light-heavyweight eliminator
-Badou Jack gets controversial split decision over Richard Rivera in cruiserweight clash
-Ramia Ali knocks out Crystal Garcia in one round in the first female professional fight held in Saudi Arabia
-Emanuel Navarrete knocks out Eduardo Baez in the fifth round in WBO featherweight title defence
-There are wins for Giovani Santillan and Luis Alberto Lopez
-Alberto Puello wins the vacant WBA super lightweight title with decision over Botirzhon Akhmedov
-Hector Garcia outpoints title holder Roger Gutierrez to win the WBA super featherweight title
-There were wins for Brandun Lee and Cuban heavyweight Lenier Pero
World Title/Major Shows
August 20
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Heavy: Oleksandr Usyk (20-0) W PTS 12 Anthony Joshua (24-3). Heavy: Filip Hrgovic (15-0) W PTS 12 Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1). Light Heavy: Callum Smith (29-1) WKO 4 Mathieu Bauderlique (21-2). Cruiser: Badou Jack (27-3-3) W PTS 10 Richard Rivera (21-1,1ND). Heavy: Andrew Tabiti (20-1) W RTD 5 James Wilson (7-1-1). Light Heavy: Ben Whittaker (2-0) W PTS 6 Peter Nosic (6-1). Super Bantam: Ramia Ali (7-0) W KO 1 Crystal Garcia (10-3).
Usyk vs. Joshua
Usyk stages a strong finish to retain the IBF, WBA and WBO belts with a unanimous decision over Joshua
Round 1
Slow opening with both just probing with jabs until Usyk scored with a straight left. After more probing Joshua was short with a couple of rights and Usyk jerked Joshua’s head back with two right jabs.
Score: 10-9 Usyk
Round 2
A more positive round from Joshua. He was throwing his jab and firing straight rights. Usyk stuck to his jab but was short with them and Joshua connected with a right to the head and a long right to the body with Usyk unable to find the target.
Score: 10-9 JoshuaTIED 19-19
Round 3
Joshua opened the round scoring with a straight left and followed that with a right to the head. Joshua got through with a combination then Usyk scored with a left and right to the head but Joshua fire back with a left and a right before the bell.
Score: 10-9 JoshuaJoshua 29-28
Round 4
Usyk more active in this one firing jabs and straight lefts. Joshua scored with a right cross. Joshua too static and Usyk flitting around him pinging him with jabs and getting out of range before Joshua can counter. Usyk banged a left though the middle of Joshua’s guard.
Score: 10-9 UsykTIED 38-38
Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 39-37 Usyk, Judge Glenn Feldman 39-37 Joshua, Judge Steve Gray 38-38 Tied
Round 5
Usyk circling Joshua slotting home jabs and jumping in with hard lefts with Joshua too slow to counter. A low punch from Joshua halts the proceedings whilst a limping Usyk gets some recovery time. Usyk constantly changing angles firing little bunches of punches with Joshua hardly throwing anything.
Score: 10-9 UsykUsyk 48-47
Round 6
A faster pace in this round as Joshua let his hands go again. Both land with rights to the head. Lots of punches from Usyk but they are just probes and not scoring shots. Joshua got through with two straight rights then forced Usyk to the ropes and scored to the body. Usyk landed a couple of head punches and Joshua responded with long rights.
Score: 10-9 JoshuaTIED 57-57
Round 7
Usyk too quick for Joshua. He scored with a right to the head and then landed a combination jarring Joshua’s head. Joshua just following Usyk around the ring and Usyk picking his moment to dart in and score.
Score: 10-9 UsykUsyk 67-66
Round 8
A lively round and a better round for Joshua. Usyk started with some impressive jabbing but Joshua connected with a couple of combinations to the head. Both then traded a series of punches in the best exchange so far with the punches flying back and forth with Joshua just having the edge.
Score: 10-9 JoshuaTIED 76-76
Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 77-75 Usyk, Judge Glenn Feldman 76-75 Joshua, Judge Steve Gray 76-76 tied
Round 9
Joshua pressed hard and scored with a right to the head then briefly pinned Usyk to the ropes and landed to the body. Joshua scored with a burst of punches and was not giving Usyk the space he allowed him earlier. Joshua continued to drive a stumbling Usyk around the ring and Usyk was forced to hold.
Score: 10-9 JoshuaJoshua 86-85
Round 10
Usyk greeted Joshua with a sequence of hooks to the head and then scored with another burst of short punches again landing lefts and rights to the head. Joshua finds himself in the middle of a storm of punches and although he lands a couple of hefty body punches Usyk is catching him with hooks and straight shots with Joshua looking lost and not fighting back.
Score: 10-9 UsykTIED 95-95
Round 11
Usyk was dazzling Joshua with constant movement and threading home punches from both hands with Joshua again unable to counter. When the storm subsided Joshua landed a couple of body punches and a right to the head. The respite proved brief as Usyk was again catching Joshua with quick if light punches and clever upper body movement had Joshua swishing air.
Score: 10-9 UsykUsyk 105-104
Round 12
Joshua tried to put Usyk under pressure but the speed and accuracy of Usyk’s punching gave him an early edge. Joshua managed to land a couple of body shots but Usyk was doing most of the scoring and clearly won the round.
Score: 10-9 UsykUsyk 115-113
Official Scores: Judge Viktor Fesechko 116-112 Usyk, Judge Glenn Feldman 115-113 Joshua, Judge Steve Gray 115-113 Usyk
Brilliant boxing won this for Usyk as he outsmarted Joshua who fought much better than in their first fight and came so close to victory. Not surprisingly Tyson Fury is suddenly no longer retired with the vision of a huge purse there for the taking in a unification match against Usyk-or maybe not. No one now believes anything Fury says about his future. Joshua must now decide what he wants to do with his career. He was distraught over this loss so may not want to go out this way and he is still a huge name so there will be plenty offers for future fights.
Hrgovic vs. Zhang
Hrgovic wins IBF eliminator on a close unanimous decision over Zhang. Speed is not a trait of either of these fighters but although ponderous at times they put on an entertaining fight. Hrgovic was trying some long rights in the first with southpaw Zhang just pawing with an occasional jab but late in the round Zhang scored with a cuffing right to the side of the head knocking Hrgovic off balance and he went down on a knee. Hrgovic was up quickly and Zhang was too slow to put him under any great pressure before the bell. Hrgovic scored well as they enthusiastically exchanged shots in the second. A clash of heads in the third saw Hrgovic suffer a cut high on his forehead in a round won by Zhang. Hrgovic had the better of the exchanges in a close fourth but Zhang rocked Hrgovic with head punches in the fifth. Zhang had a big sixth marching Hrgovic around the ring scoring with clubbing hooks and uppercuts. Hrgovic had blood dripping from his nose but was punching back at the end of the round. With the 10-8 first round Zhang looked to have built a substantial lead but at 39 was slowing even more than Hrgovic and in the seventh Hrgovic started to punch his way back into the fight. He outscored Zhang in the seventh and eighth with Zhang finding the energy to connect with left hooks to take the ninth. Zhang was exhausted and Hrgovic then took over the fight staging a strong finish over the closing rounds to get the decision. Scores 115-112 twice and 114-113 for Hrgovic. The No 1 spot in the IBF ratings was vacant and in the crazy world of sanctioning bodies with Hrgovic No 3 and Zhang No 15 Hrgovic can claim a win over a rated opponent and jump over Luis Ortiz to become the mandatory challenger to Olek Usyk-for beating No 15! Zhang made this one close and ten years ago he might have had the stamina to hold on to his early lead but despite losing he did earn some respect.
Smith vs. Bauderlique
Smith blasts out Bauderlique with a trade mark left hook in the fourth. A lively start as both jabbed initially and then began to trade punches with both landing heavily and Smith just having a slight edge. They stood and exchanged punches at the start of the second with Smith forcing Bauderlique onto the back foot until Bauderlique found the range with his right jab and was getting through with lefts to make it a close round. Smith began to focus on the body in the third and connected with a couple of body punches before Bauderlique forced Smith across the ring to the ropes and showered Smith with punches. In the fourth an overconfident Bauderlique again made a positive start driving Smith back with lefts. With Smith in a corner Bauderlique walked onto a left hook counter from Smith and went down. He was up quickly but shaken. He recovered but later in the round he was the one pinned to the ropes and as they traded shots a fearsome left hook from Smith crashed on Bauderlique’s jaw and he went down heavily with his head resting on the bottom rope and the referee immediately stopped the fight. This was a WBC eliminator and with Smith No 1 and Bauderlique No 2 Smith must now be in line for a shot at Artur Beterbiev. Big set-back for Bauderlique with a loss mirroring his only other loss against Dragan Lepei in 2017 when with Lepei hurt and cornered Bauderlique left himself wide open and was caught by a counter and stopped.
Jack vs. Rivera
Jack gets split decision over Rivera with both the decision and an eighth round that overran by almost a minute proving controversial. Rivera connected with some solid head punches in the first as Jack had problems sorting Rivera’s unconventional style. Jack attacked the body trying to slow Rivera who showed plenty of movement and a fast jab but his low guard allowed Jack to score with some stiff rights. Rivera had quicker hands and periodically switched guards tending to leap in with his attacks and fire short bursts of punches. Jack was solid if unspectacular throwing less but wasting less punches so to an extent it was style vs. substance. Rivera looked to have won three of the first four rounds with the fifth and sixth close enough to score either way. Jack was strong in the seventh. There was controversy over the eighth round. Jack was attacking hard and it was a round where Rivera would be glad to hear the bell to get a chance to reset himself. After three minutes the bell had not sounded so they fought for almost another minute with Jack getting the better of the exchanges taking that round and carrying the impetus into the ninth with the tenth being close. Jack took the decision on scores of 96-94 twice with the third judge going 96-94 for Rivera and I felt Rivera had just done enough to get the verdict. Jack, a former holder of the WBC super middleweight and secondary WBA light heavyweight titles has put on an extra 20lbs recently and will now aim for a shot at the cruiserweight title with his highest ranking currently being No 2 with the WBO and No 3 with the WBA so a title shots is certainly possible. Rivera had weighed 175 ½ lbs for his last fight in April but has been as high as 195lbs so could compete in either division and hope to be luckier when he does.
Tabiti vs. Wilson
Tabiti floors and halts Wilson. In a low key fight Tabiti outboxed Wilson early and by the third Wilson was already using negative tactics and Tabiti was seemed content to get in some rounds. Wilson came to life briefly in the fourth but was punished heavily and was on the floor late in the fifth and did not come out for the sixth. Tabiti, 32, lost to Yuniel Dorticos in a challenge for the IBF title in June 2019 and this is his third win after returning to the ring in December 2021. First fight for overmatched Wilson since Match 2019.
Whittaker vs. Nosic
Whittaker again showcases his prodigious talent as he easily outpoints Croatian Nosic. Whittaker was able find the target throughout the fight with jarring jabs and solid right crosses. To his credit Nosic never stopped trying to take the fight to Whittaker and applied plenty of pressure but Whittaker swayed away from or blocked the Croatian’s punches and then banged home counters but I missed the scores. It is going to be hard to find anyone to test 25-year-old Whittaker without pushing too far too fast.
Ali vs. Garcia
Somalia-born Brit Ali Knocks out Dominican Garcia in the first round. Ali brushed aside Garcia’s punches and forced her to the ropes with a series of rights the last of which sent Garcia’s mouthguard flying out of her mouth. Garcia dropped to a knee and sat out the count. An Elite level amateur Ali gets her second win by KO/TKO. Garcia had lost on a fifth round retirement in a challenge for the IBF Female super bantam title in May. This fight made history as this was the first fight between two female professional boxers in Saudi Arabia. As an amateur Ali was the first Muslim female to win an amateur title in Britain.
San Diego, CA, USA: Feather: Emanuel Navarrete (36-1) W KO 6 Eduardo Baez (21-2-2). Feather: Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2) W TKO 2 Yeison Vargas (20-11). Welter: Giovanni Santillan 29-0) W PTS 10 Julio Luna (19-0-2. Light: Xavier Martinez (17-1) W TKO 5 Alejandro Guerrero (12-3). Welter: Lindolfo Delgado (16-0) W PTS 8 Omar Aguilar (24-0). Middle: Nico Ali Walsh (6-0) W KO 2 Reyes Sanchez (7-3). Heavy: Antonio Mireles (5-0) W KO 2 Kaleel Carter (2-2)
Navarrete vs. Baez
Navarrete scores a fifth round kayo over Baez as with the fight in the balance and Baez in front on two cards Navarrete’s power proves the difference and he retains the WBO title..
Round 1
Baez did all of the work in the round coming forward throwing jabs and straight rights. Navarrete was content to retreat letting fly with an occasional jab but doing little else. Navarrete scored with a useful right to the head late in the round but Baez banged back with a couple of good punches.
Score: 10-9 Baez
Round 2
Baez made a fast start throwing lots of punches and forcing Navarrete back. Things changed when Navarrete began to let his hands go scoring with his trade mark long arcing lefts and rights and he did the scoring in the second half of the round.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteTIED 19-19
Round 3
Navarrete began to use his jab more and was constantly finding the target and following with swipes from both hands. Baez had stopped using his jab and instead was diving forward throwing punches and getting caught with counters but Baez finished the round strongly with a series of body punches and edged it.
Score: 10-9 BaezBaez 29-28
Round 4
Baez took the fight to Navarrete and landed some good jabs and body punches with Navarrete wild with his punches. Eventually Navarrete began to find the target with his right and landed a right that had Baez hurt and Navarrete scored with more rights at the end of the round.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteTIED 38-38
Official Scores: Judge Lou Moret 38-37 Baez, Judge Pat Russell 39-36 Navarrete, Judge Zachary Young 40-35 Baez.
Round 5
Baez connected with a series of jabs and rights but all that did was anger Navarrete but his response was some wildly inaccurate punches. Navarrete then connected with some hooks but Baez walked through them taking the fight to Navarrete and he was the one doing the scoring and it was a good round for Baez.
Score: 10-9 BaezBaez 48-47
Round 6
Navarrete came out with a real sense of purpose letting fly with long clubbing rights and swinging left hooks. When Baez went to trade punches a left hook to the body stopped him in his tracks and Baez took a step back and in delayed reaction went down on one knee. Baez was paralysed with pain and just watched the referee count the ten but could not climb off his knee and dropped forward to the canvas and rolled on to his back.
Once again Navarrete is a trainer’s nightmare as does everything wrong but his punching power makes any mistakes irrelevant. He is now talking about moving up to super featherweight where hopefully he will find the big fight he needs. After his loss last year against Ra’eese Aleem expectations were not high for Baez but he was going well until that body punch.
Lopez vs. Vargas
Lopez finishes Vargas in the second round. They traded plenty of punches in the first but Lopez overwhelmed Vargas in the second. He drove Vargas across the ring and down with a shower of punches. Vargas beat the count and exchanged some heavy punches with Lopez until a left to the body sent Vargas to his knees in pain and he was counted out. Fifteenth win by KO/TKO for Lopez and he has racked up impressive victories over unbeaten fighters Gabriel Flores and Isaac Lowe. He is No 1 with the IBF so mandatory challenger to Josh Warrington. Eighth inside the distance defeat for Colombian Vargas.
Santillan vs. Luna
Santillan takes a unanimous verdict over a competitive Luna. Fromm the first bell it was pressure, pressure and more pressure from southpaw Santillan as he bobbed and weaved under Luna’s punches then pinned him against the ropes and cut loose with punches to the head and body. Luna showed good movement and had some success when they traded punches but had little room for any effective attacks of his own. Santillan was cut on his forehead in a clash of heads in the second round but it was not a factor at that time. Luna tried to get away from the ropes and on the front foot but he found the bobbing Santillan a difficult target and Santillan was pounding away at Luna’s body. Luna connected with a good left hook in the fifth and despite a busy work rate he could not stop Santillan getting side. Blood began to seep from a cut on Santillan’s right eyelid in the seventh with the referee indicating it was caused by a clash of heads. In the eighth both showed signs of tiring from the hectic pace Santillan was setting but they just stood and exchanged punch after punch at the end of the round. Neither seemed to want to engage in the ninth and Santillan staged a strong finish with some good left hooks in the last. Scores 100-90 twice and a very different 96-94 all for Santillan.
Martinez vs. Guerrero
Martinez beats down and halts Guerrero in the fifth.
Guerrero came flying out of his corner in the first firing volleys of punches trying to blow Martinez away. Martinez let the storm blow out and then took control driving Guerrero back with strong jabs and accurate rights. Guerrero took the fight to Martinez in the second and third. He was throwing lots of punches and having some success but Martinez was covering well and countering well and hurting Guerrero with body punches and uppercuts. Martinez took control in the fourth sapping Guerreros strength with hooks to the body and rocked Guerrero with a jab and straight right at the bell. Guerrero bravely went toe-to-toe with Martinez in the fifth but a steady stream of accurate punches from Martinez had him in trouble and when a left hook to the head sent him stumbling into the ropes the referee stopped the fight. Martinez, 24, lost on points to Robson Conceicao in January but was back in form here with his twelfth win by KO/TKO. Texan Guerrero fought hard but suffers his third loss in a row,
Walsh vs. Sanchez
Walsh adds another win with kayo of Sanchez. Walsh dominated the first with strong jabs and crisp rights to the head. Walsh and then ended the fight with a left hook to the body in the second that sent Sanchez to his knees and he was counted out. Fifth inside the distance win for the 22-year-old grandson of the great Muhammad. All three of Sanchez’s losses have come against unbeaten opponents.
Delgado vs. Aguilar
Delgado wins this clash of unbeaten Mexicans in a tremendous scrap. Delgado had the better skills and Aguilar the power. Delgado boxed well on the outside and matched Aguilar on the inside where Aguilar was expected to do his best work. It was a close fight with Delgado almost ending it in the fourth. A right uppercut to the chin staggered Aguilar and he went down. It was ruled a slip but Delgado hammed a brave Aguilar for the rest of the round. Both scored with quality punches throughout the fight and it was the accuracy of his jab and better defensive work that gave Delgado the edge and he came out the winner on scores of 79-73 twice and 77-75. Delgado represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympics. Aguilar has scored 23 inside the distance wins in his 24 fights going in and he improved his profile with his performance here.
Mireles vs. Carter
Mireles has to rebound from near disaster in this one. The 6’9” from Iowa was using his jab to score against the 6’1” Carter but made the mistake of leaving himself open after throwing a jab. Carter stepped in and landed a big left to the head. Mireles sagged at the knees and Carter followed up with a series of head shots and Mireles went down. He was up quickly and looked unsteady but survived. Mireles took his revenge in the second jarring Carter with jabs and rocking him with right crosses. Cater retreated to a corner and Mireles continued to bombard him with punches until Carter turned away in surrender. The 25-year-old from Mireles won the 2019 National Golden Gloves and the US Olympic Trials for Tokyo but eventual silver medal winner Richard Torrez was picked instead. Carter looked no threat.
Hollywood, FL, USA: Super Light: Alberto Puello (21-0) W PTS 12 Bobirzhan Akhmedov (9-2). Super Light: Sergey Lipinets (17-2-1) W RTD 8 Omar Figueroa (28-3-1). Super Feather: Hector Garcia (16-0,3ND) W PTS 12 Roger Gutierrez (26-4-1). Super Light: Brandun Lee (26-0) W PTS 10 Will Madera (17-2-3). Heavy: Lenier Pero (8-0) W KO 1 Joel Caudle (9-7-2,1ND). Middle: Fiodor Czerkaszyn (20-0) W TKO 4 Gilbert Venegas (11-2). Super Light: Ismael Barroso (24-3-2) W TKO 4 Fernando Saucedo (63-10-3). Bantam: Francisco Pedroza (18-11-2) W PTS 6 Rau’shee Warren (19-4,1ND).
Puello vs. Akhmedov
In an all-southpaw Dominican Puello wins the vacant WBA title with split decision over Akhmedov after twelve rounds of nonstop action. In the opening round Puello was making use of his height, reach and quicker hands to box on the back foot stinging the advancing Akhmedov with counters and he cracked Akhmedov with a sharp uppercut. Akhmedov continued to trundle forward in the second trying to get inside to work to the body. Puello was spearing him with jabs and straight lefts and connected with a classy three-punch combination. The chase continued in the third with slick movement from Puello frustrating Akhmedov who had to take punches on the way forward and was being countered and tied-up when he was in close. Akhmedov upped his pace in the fourth doing a better job of cutting off the ring. He was digging punches to the body from both hands and it was his round. At that point Puello was in front 39-37 on two cards and 40-36 on the third.
No change in the pattern in the fifth or sixth but a change in the tempo as Akhmedov was putting Puello under even more pressure. Puello tried to use his height and longer reach to counter Akhmedov coming in but just could not keep Akhmedov out and Akhmedov continued to pound away at Puello’s body. Puello was again finding himself pinned against the ropes more in the seventh and Akhmedov was a punching machine churning out body shots and shaking off Puello’s counters. Akhmedov started the eighth with a savage barrage of body punches but then Puello used smart movement to find himself some punching room and began to score with combinations Akhmedov just could not apply enough pressure and Puello picked him off at distance but was cut over his right eye. After the eighth. Was still well in front 79-73-and 78-74 with the third card having them level 76-76. The ninth and tenth were brutal as they traded solid body punches with Puello looking arm weary. He was doing the cleaner work but the sheer volume of Akhmedov’s punches gave him the edge. Puello just did enough to edge the eleventh but Akhmedov banged back to take the last. Scores 117-111 twice for Puello and 115-113 for Akhmedov. I felt this was close and could make a case for either fighter winning but Puello’s was more eye-catching than the solid inside work from Akhmedov. Ismael Barroso who had a win on this card was No 3 with the WBA so will now be hoping to get first shot at the new champion.
Lipinets vs. Figueroa
Lipinets batters Figueroa to defeat in eight rounds to win the WBC Silver title and send Figueroa into retirement.
No feeling out here as Figueroa marched forward throwing punches with Lipinets standing and trading with him and landing some vicious body punches and rocking Figueroa with left hook. Figueroa continued to plough forward in the second but was walking into some hard hooks and uppercuts. Figueroa just kept coming and doing some scoring but was nailed by a right to the head and dipped with one knee touching the floor and was given a count. It was more of the same in the third and fourth with Figueroa walking forward pumping out punches but with Lipinets scoring with the harder shots. In the fifth Figueroa’s work rate was tremendous as he tried to overwhelm Lipinets but he did not have the power to hurt Lipinets. Figueroa was walking into counters again in the sixth and the pace and punishment began to tell on him. Lipinets scored heavily with hooks and uppercuts in the seventh and the snap ad gone out of Figueroa’s shots. Lipinets drove home a series of rights to the body in the eighth and Figueroa had nothing left as Lipinets pounded him against the ropes at the end of the round and Figueroa did not come out for the ninth. Kazak Lipinets was schedule to fight on this card and stepped up to face Figueroa when Adrien Broner pulled out stating mental health issues as his reason. Lipinets was knocked out in six rounds by Jaron Ennis in his last fight April 2021 and Figueroa had lost his last two fights so neither fighter was rated but this win should get Lipinets a listing. Former WBC lightweight champion Figueroa has been in too many hard fights-even when winning-and with this his third loss in a row the retirement decision was a good one.
Gutierrez vs. Garcia
Garcia wins the vacant WBA title with wide unanimous decision over champion Gutierrez. Southpaw Garcia was sharper and busier over in the first round and that was the way the fight went for most of the way. He fed Gutierrez jabs and straight rights in every round and constantly took the fight to Gutierrez whilst having no problem sliding away from Gutierrez’s attacks. Gutierrez was unable to put Garcia under any meaningful pressure and Garcia was too busy for him in round after round. Gutierrez seemed to have decided that all he needed was one big punch and neglected his defence and meanwhile Garcia was pocketing the points and his rights had blood dripping from Gutierrez’s left ear. Garcia continued his dominance up to the end of the ninth winning all nine rounds on all three cards. Gutierrez finally woke up in the tenth and finally began to land some good punches but although picking up the last three rounds on two of the cards he never really threatened to find the kayo punch he needed and Garcia who won on scores of 117-111 twice and 118-110. Dominican Garcia had largely flown under the radar until he outclassed unbeaten Chris Colbert in February but had been an Elite level amateur winning a silver medal at the PanAmerican Games and representing the Dominican Republic at the 2016 Olympics. Venezuelan Gutierrez was making the second defence of the WBA title but this was his first fight for a year.
Lee vs. Madera
Lee registers a wide unanimous decision over Madera but only after a shock knockdown. Lee scored well with rights in the first and Madera was cut on his right eyebrow by a left hook in the second. In the third it looked as though Lee was well on his way to yet another win until a right from Madera sent Lee down heavily 27 seconds from the end of the round. It was Lee’s first knockdown as a pro. Lee was still very shaken when he got up but Madera failed to capitalise on that and Lee made it through the few remaining seconds. From there Lee, with advantages in speed, reach and power, dominated winning every round on the cards. He pressured Madera all the way with blood from Madera’s eye injury affecting him through the fight. Lee connected regularly with solid rights in every round with Madera being occasionally dangerous with left hooks but being outlanded and Lee ran out a comfortable winner on scores of 98-91 on the three cards. Lee, rated No 12 super light by the IBF did well to survive what was a pretty brutal knockdown but it will have been a useful lesson for him. Madera had been stopped in one round by Felix Verdejo in July 2020 but had scored two wins in 2021.
Pero vs. Caudle
This was never likely to last long and Pero ended it with a right hook in just 2:20 of the opening round for his fifth KO/TKO victory. Pero’s team are following a no risks path with the 6’ 4 ½” southpaw and Caudle with six losses in his last seven fights certainly falls into the no risk category.
Czerkaszyn vs. Venegas
Ukrainian-born Pole Czerkaszyn stops Venegas in four rounds. The much taller Czerkaszyn was able to use his longer reach to outscore Venegas in the first round and landed some impressive shots to head and left hooks to the body in the second and third. When Venegas did get past Czerkaszyn ‘s jab Czerkaszyn was holding to prevent Venegas doing any useful work. Czerkaszyn scored with hooks, uppercuts and clubbing shots to the head in the fourth. After Czerkaszyn connected with more rights Venegas corner waived the towel to get the fight stopped. The 6’1” Czerkaszyn was having his first fight in the USA and now has 13 victories inside the distance. Second loss in a row for Venegas.
Barroso vs. Saucedo
Barroso gets some ring time-but not a lot-as he floors and then kayos Argentinian veteran Saucedo in the fourth round. As Barroso, 39, was inactive in 2020 and in his only fight in 2021 knocked out Nestor Paniagua in one round in January 20 so he had fought less than two minutes in the past thirty-two months but was still No 3 with the WBA so in line to challenge new champion Alberto Puello. Saucedo, 40, was having his first fight since December 2019.
Pedroza vs. Warren
Former WBA bantamweight title holder and three-time Olympian Warren may have reached the end of the road with this unanimous points defeat against Mexican journeyman Pedroza. Sores 57-56 twice and 58-56 . Pedroza had been outclassed in losing by a big margin on the cards against Jason Moloney in April. Warren, 35, had lost to Nordine Oubaali in a challenge for the WBC title in January 2019 but had then picked up three wins.
August 19
San Juan, Puerto Rico: Super Fly: Juan Camacho (14-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Fernando Diaz (11-2-1). Super Bantam: Carlos Buitrago (36-7-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Jose Martinez-Mercado (21-2-3).
Camacho vs. Diaz
Camacho boxes his way to victory over Diaz. Camacho was quicker and was continually on the front foot jabbing strongly and bobbing and weaving his way inside where he was particularly effective with left hooks to the body. Diaz had a good fourth scoring with counters on the advancing Camacho and might have edged the sixth and tenth but Camacho was sharper and busier. It was an interesting technical fight without many highlights with Camacho the clear winner. Scores 99-91 twice and 97-93 for Camacho who gets some much needed ring time having been inactive in 2020 and had only one fight in 2021. Diaz was unbeaten in his last eight outings.
Buitrago vs. Martinez
Buitrago floors Puerto Rican Martinez in the first round and goes on to take the split decision. Buitrago dropped Martinez with a short left hook in the first. Martinez was up at nine and moved and held to make it out of the round. Both landed heavily in a fierce second round with Buitrago just having the edge but Martinez used his longer reach to score with straight lefts and rights in the third. The pace and the passion slowed over the middle rounds but in the late rounds Buitrago exerted plenty of pressure with Martinez using his longer reach to score at distance. The rounds were close but Martinez just did not do enough to claw back the good start enjoyed by Buitrago. Scores 76-75 twice for Buitrago and 77-74 for Martinez. The Nicaraguan has had four shots at full titles and two at interim titles but is 0-5-1 and not likely to get another shot. Martinez, fighting on his thirtieth birthday, was wiped out in two rounds
Syktyvkar, Russia: Super Bantam: Vladimir Nikitin (7-1-1) W PTS 10 Ally Mwerangi (12-4). Heavy: Evgeny Romanov (17-0) W RTD 7 Vikapita Meroro (30-13). Light: Aleksei Mazur (4-0) W Tikhon Netesov (9-2). Feather: Andranik Grigoryan (15-1) W RTD 4 Evgeny Smelov (6-13-1).
Nikitin vs. Mwerangi
Nikitin outpoints tiny Tanzanian Mwerangi. Nikitin was just too big and too experienced for Mwerangi and wins on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Nikitin. The scores are harsh on the 5’0 ½” southpaw who fought hard to counter the six inch height advantage enjoyed by Nikitin. The Russian has struggled to make an impression as a professional. Mwerangi had been stopped in three rounds by Thomas Patrick Ward in July.
Romanov vs. Meroro
Romanov bludgeons Meroro to defeat. No science behind this as Romanov just kept rumbling forward launching single big shots. Meroro found plenty of gaps and scored with some heavy punches of his own but Romanov just walked through them and snapped Meroro’s head back time and again. Romanov shook Meroro with heavy punches in the third but Meroro survived. Meroro finally fell from a left hook in the seventh. He made it to his feet and to the bell but did not come out for the eighth. First fight for fifteen months for Romanov the former undefeated WBO Gold title holder who has flirted with MMA and is best known for having knocked out Deontay Wilder in an amateur competition in 2008. Namibian Meroro, who started out as a super middleweight is now 1-6 in his last 7 bouts.
Mazur vs. Netesov
Mazur wins the vacant Russian title with win over fellow-southpaw Netesov. Mazur dominated the action but Netesov stayed competitive and had some success over the closing rounds. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 for Mazur who was Russian champion in 2018 and represented Russia at the 2019 European Championships. Netesov had won 5 of his last 6 contests.
Grigoryan vs. Smelov
Armenian-born Russian Grigoryan rebounds from his first pro loss with victory over Smelov. After a close first round Grigoryan’s better skills saw him in charge in the second and third. Smelov injured his right arm in the fourth and made it to the bell but then retired. Only one victory in his last seven fights for Smelov
Commerce, CA, USA: Super Light: Luis Feliciano (16-0) W PTS 10 Alejandro Frias (14-7-2). Welter: Vlad Panin (15-1) W TKO 6 Reggie Harris (7-2).
Feliciano vs. Frias
Feliciano gets off the canvas to win a majority verdict against Frias. A bad start saw Feliciano on the floor in the first. He battled back but was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads in the third. He rebounded tom floor Frias in the fourth and then worked his way to victory on scores of 77-73 twice and 75-75 for the former US National champion. Six of the losses suffered by Frias have come against unbeaten fighters.
Panin vs. Harris
Belarus-born Panin extends his winning run to eight as he stops Reggie Harris in the sixth. Panin used his longer reach to outbox Harris had won every round before the referee stopped the bout in the sixth. Second loss in a row for Harris.
Carmena de Areco, Argentina: Super Middle: Marcelo Coceres (31-4-1) W TKO 4 Javier Maciel (34-17). Feather: Nicolas Paz (8-7-2) W PTS 10 Federico Pedraza (13-2-1).
Coceres vs. Maciel
Coceres handed out a beating for three rounds against Maciel before the fight was stopped in the fourth. Maciel tried to put Coceres under pressure but he was being caught with left and right counters and by the end of the third he was bleeding heavily from the nose. In the fourth a big left hook from Coceres staggered Maciel and the referee asked the doctor to look at the damage to Maciel’s nose and the doctor indicated the fight should be stopped. Seventeenth win by KO/TKO for Coceres who lost on an eleventh round kayo when challenging Billy Joe Saunders for the WBO title in 2019 and was coming off consecutive losses against Edgar Berlanga and Erik Bazinyan. Maciel, 37, lost to Dmitry Pirog for the WBO middle title in 2011 but is now 1-10 in his last 11 fights.
Paz vs. Pedraza
Paz gets a much needed win as he outpoints southpaw Pedraza. Paz came forward for the whole fight against Pedraza using pressure and a high work rate to outscores the better boxer and emerge a clear winner on scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. Of Paz’s losses three have been on a split decision and two on majority decisions. After being unbeaten in his first 14 fights it is now back-to-back losses for Pedraza.
August 20
Mexico: Light Fly: Carlos Canizales (25-1-1) W TKO 1 Armando Torres (26-22).
Venezuelan Canizales continues his campaign for a shot at regaining his WBA light-fly title with one round victory over Mexican Torres. A right from Torres set Canizales back on his heels but Canizales responded with a left that put Torres down. Torres bounced up but then dropped down into a crouch and the referee stopped the fight. Canizales was defending his WBA Fedecaribe belt and gets his third win since losing his WBA light fly title to Esteban Bermudez in May 2021. Tenth inside the distance defeat for Torres.
Corona, CA, USA: Light: Ruben Torres (19-0) W KO 7 Cristian Baez (18-2). Welter: Luis Lopez (12-1-1) W PTS 8 Elias Diaz (11-1).
Torres vs. Baez
Torres gets another inside the distance but is given a tough ride by Baez and suffers a knockdown on the way to victory. Then 5’11” Torres found the smaller Southpaw Baez an elusive target with his lunging attacks and clever feints. A left hook from Torres in the second knocked Baez off balance and he put his glove on the canvas to steady himself resulting in a count. Seconds later Baez connected with a left and a right and this time Torres had to touch the canvas and was also given a count. Torres outboxed Baez over the third and fourth but an aggressive Baez gave Torres a torrid time to take the fifth only for Torres to dominate the sixth. A right from Torres sent Baez back and down in the seventh with Baez complaining he had tripped. He ignored the golden rule and when told to box on continued to half turn towards the referee to continued his complain and put out a hand and touched glove with Torres who promptly nailed Baez with a left hook that put Baez down flat on his back with the fight immediately stopped. Torres now has 16 wins by KO/TKO including 9 in his last 10 contests. Venezuelan Baez was having his first fight since losing in five rounds against Luis Alberto Lopez in December 2019.
Lopez vs. Diaz
Lopez wins unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Diaz. Lopez was the one exerting pressure from the opening round. He was moving in behind his jab and working hard to the body with a rusty Diaz rarely able to get any punching room. Diaz realised he was behind in the fight and from the sixth rumbled forward belting Lopez to the body with Lopez’s work rate dropping. The strong finish was not quite enough to overcome Lopez’s early lead and he took the verdict on scores of 77-75 twice and 78-74. Fourth consecutive win for Lopez. First fight for a year for Diaz
Uncasville, CT, USA: Heavy: Cassius Chaney (22-1) W TKO 1 Mathew McKinney (9-6-3). Heavy: Joe Cusumano (21-4) W TKO 2 Dennis Ventura (4-2). Middle: Francis Hogan (12-0) WTKO 4 Cleotis Pendarvis (21-11-2).
Chaney vs. McKinney
Chaney ended this one early. Some solid shots forced McKinney to twice take a knee early and when he was put down again and the fight was stopped. Chaney coming back after losing his unbeaten record on a split decision against George Arias in December. Fifth defeat by KO/TKO for 41-year-old McKinney.
Cusumano vs. Ventura
No sort of test for Cusumano as he stops Ventura in the second. No knockdowns but Ventura was under heavy fire when the referee came in to save him. Nineteen wins by KO/TKO for Cusumano who was stopped in one round by Daniel Dubois August last year. Ventura in way over his head.
Hogan vs. Pendarvis
The 6’2” tall Hogan towered over 5'7” Pendarvis and this was never competitive. Hogan put Pendarvis down in the third and again in the fourth and the fight was stopped. Southpaw Hogan has won 11 of his 12 bouts by KO/TKO. Fellow-southpaw Pendarvis suffers his seventh loss in a row, five by KO/TKO.
Atlantic City, NJ, USA: Super Middle: Thomas LaManna (32-5-1) W PTS 8 Saul Roman (46-16). Bantam: Emmanuel Rodriguez (12-0) W HO 4 Frank Gonzalez (9-3).
LaManna vs. Roman
In his first fight for a year “Cornflake” LaManna having won a battle with depression scores a win inside the ring as he outpoints Mexican oldie Roman. A knockdown in the fourth widened the scores and Roman used his vast experience to be competitive but LaManna was a good winner in his first fight since a first round kayo loss to Erislandy Lara for the secondary WBA middle title in May 2021. Roman, 42, turned pro in 2000 and this is thirteenth loss by KO/TKO.
Rodriguez vs. Gonzalez
Newark-born Puerto Rican Rodriguez stops Floridian Gonzalez in four rounds. Rodriguez dominated the first two rounds before flooring Gonzalez twice in the third. Gonzalez made it out of the round but was put down and out in the fourth. Seventh win by KO/TKO for Rodriguez in his last 8 fights but second quick defeat in his last three fights for Gonzalez.
Villa Mercedes, Argentina: Super Fly: Micaela Milagros (11-1-1,4ND) W PTS 10 Irma Garcia (21-5-1).
Milagros retains the IBF Female title with very debatable majority decision over Garcia. Plenty of aggression from Milagros as she took the first two rounds. From the third Mexican southpaw Garcia boxed with real skill on the back foot catching the oncoming Milagros with counters and sliding out of the way of the local fighters punches. Milagros ended strongly over the last two rounds but Garcia looked a clear winner-until the scores were announced as 98-92 and 97-93 for Milagros and 95-95. Third defence of the title by 23-year-old Milagros but Garcia, 41, a former WBA bantam title holder, suffered an injustice
Fight of the week (Significance): Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua hopefully will bring a unified heavyweight title closer.
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Plenty to chose from but I go for Lindolfo Delgado vs. Omar Aguilar that was action all the way with two unbeaten Mexicans and so much pride at stake
Fighter of the week: Oleksandr Usyk
Punch of the week: The body punch from Emanuel Navarrete the finished Eduardo Baez with honourable mention to the right from Will Madera that floored Brandun Lee it was a thunderbolt and I still don’t know how Lee survived
Upset of the week: None this week
Prospect watch: British light heavyweight Ben Whittaker a silver medallist form Tokyo with so much talent
Observation
Rosette: To the whole weekend with so much for boxing fans to enjoy
Red Card To the timekeeper who let the eighth round of the Badou Jack vs. Richard Rivera fight go almost a minute too long. Come on guy you only had one job to do!
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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