The Past Week in Action Sep 6, 2022: Andy Ruiz Floor Luis Ortiz Three Times; Juan Francisco Estrada Wins; Isaac Cruz Gets Another KO Victory
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 Sep 2022
Highlights:
-Andy Ruiz floors Luis Ortiz three times on the way to a unanimous decision in their WBC heavyweight title eliminator
-Juan Francisco Estrada outpoints Argi Cortes after twelve rounds with only the Ring super flyweight belt on the line
-South African Sivenathi Nontshinga outpoints Hector Flores In a war to win the vacant IBF light flyweight belt.
-Isaac Cruz impresses in second round stoppage of Eduardo Ramirez
-Former three-division title holder Abner Mares fights to a draw with Miguel Flores in his first fight for four years
-Erika Cruz retains the WBA Female featherweight title with win over Canadian legend Jelena Mrdjenovich.
-Super Welterweight Liam Smith stops Hassan Mwakinyo in messy confused fourth round finish whilst Natasha Jones unifies the WBC and WBO female super welter belts with win over Patricia Berghult and Dan Azeez outpoints Shakan Pitters in British light heavyweight title defence
World Title/Major Shows
September 3
Hermosillo, Mexico: Super Fly: Juan Estrada (43-3) W PTS 12 Argi Cortes (23-3-2).Light Fly: Sivenathi Nontshinga (10-0) W PTS 12 Hector Flores (20-1-4, 1 ND). Super Feather: Eduardo Hernandez (33-1) W TKO 5 Jorge Mata (15-1-2). Feather: Erika Cruz (15-1) W PTS 10 Jelena Mrdjenovich (41-12-2).
Estrada vs. Cortes
Estrada takes unanimous decision over relatively unknown Cortes in a great competitive contest. Estrada made a confident start in the first firing sharp jabs and putting his punches together well but Cortes also had a degree of success with straight rights. In the second Estrada built on his effective start as he rocked Cortes with a right hook and then with a left hook. Estrada continued to dominate the action in the third marching forward and putting pressure on Cortes hurting him with body shots but Cortes was willing to stand and trade. He was able to land some useful counters but it was beginning to look as though Estrada was too strong for him. Cortes finally came through in the fourth. He outpunched Estrada landing with cracking jabs and rights to the head and stopping Estrada in his tracks with a hard right. Estrada looked to have won three of those first four rounds and had a better fifth when, after an attacking start from Cortes, Estrada fought his way off the ropes and scored with scything hooks. Cortes was really rolling in the sixth. He was scoring with his jab and left hooks working well to the body and letting fly with cracking combinations with Estrada under heavy pressure and Cortes seeming turning the fight his way. Estrada had Cortes backing up in the seventh and after landing a good combination he then connected with a series of punches that had Cortes reeling only for Cortes to fight back hard. A right to the head rocked Cortes then a three-punch combination ending with a left hook to the body saw him go down on one knee. He beat the count and saw out the round. Estrada banged through with body punches to take the eighth with Cortes fighting hard every inch of the way. Despite relentless pressure and never having gone twelve rounds before Cortes was pumping out punches outworking Estrada to take the ninth, tenth and eleventh. They battered each other throughout the last round of a great fight with Estrada winning on scores of 115-112 twice and 114-113. Now we can look forward to Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez III on 3 December. Estrada’s WBC and WBA titles were not on the line. Instead this was advertised as for the “linear” title and the abomination being called the WBC “Franchise “title but this fight did not need either of those labels. Cortes was something of a revelation as he had never fought anyone even remotely close to being world rated but he showed grit, determination and lots of fire and it will be interesting to see where is career goes from here.
Nontshinga vs. Flores
Unheralded South African Sivenathi Nontshinga won the vacant IBF title after a titanic battle against Mexican Flores with Nontshinga taking a split decision. In the first Flores was taking the fight to Nontshinga applying plenty of pressure and coming in behind his jab to score with body punches. In the second Flores continued to march forward with jabs and sweeping hooks attacking the body. Nontshinga looked to have rocked Flores with a right and he suddenly fired a straight right to the head that sent Flores flying back and down. Flores was up immediately with Nontshinga testing him with more rights as they traded punches to the Bell. Flores had recovered and they swapped punches frantically in the third and fourth. Whereas Nontshinga had been boxing on the back foot now he was more often standing and punching with Flores but Flores was getting the better of the exchanges on a relentless work rate alone. Nontshinga took the fifth as they just stood toe-to-toe digging home body punches. Inevitably a clash of heads saw Flores cut in the middle his forehead but they continued to fire punches at a furious pace with Nontshinga matching Flores and landing some heavy rights. Nontshinga connected with a strong right at the start of the sixth and dominated early then withstood a rally from Flores before outpunching Flores in the seventh. The pace was still fierce and although Flores was still coming forward in the eighth Nontshinga was scoring with the harder better directed shots. The snap had gone out of both sets of punches in the ninth as the pace told but they were both somehow dredging up their reserves of strength to keep going. Nontshinga looked to have nothing left at the end of the ninth but words of encouragement from Nontshinga’s trainer Colin Nathan seemed to help Nontshinga find something extra. Flores was still just walking forward churning out shots trying to overwhelm Nontshinga but the South African was placing his punches better and landed a couple of heavy rights in the eleventh before they fought their way through to the end of an epic battle. Scores 116-112 and 114-113 to Nontshinga and 115-112 to Flores. Remarkable achievement by the 23-year-old Nontshinga winning a world title in his eleventh fight and in the other guy’s backyard. Flores had shown his quality in a sixth round kayo of Welshman Jay Harris and he fought his heart out here with the knockdown costing him the decision.
Hernandez vs. Mata
Hernandez stops fellow-Mexican Mata in the fifth round. As usual with Hernandez he was looking to end this one early and took the fight to Mata who was willing to stand and swop punches. There was a lot more offence than defence on show in the first and second. Both were rocked but with Hernandez having heavier power. Mata tried to box more in the third but also nailed Hernandez with a great left hook. Hernandez seemed to ease up a little in the fourth but hurt Mata with an uppercut just before the end of the round. Hernandez floored Mata with a left in the fifth and although Mata made it to his feet he was again under fire when the referee came in to stop the fight. Hernandez, 24, was making the first defence of the WBC International Silver belt and gets win No 30 by KO/TKO. He suffered a shock first round kayo loss against Roger Gutierrez in July 2019 but this is his fifth inside the distance victory in a row. He is No 5 with the WBC and No 9 with the IBF so some way to go to a title shot. Mata had won his last four fights but Hernandez was too big a leap for him.
Cruz vs. Mrdjenovich
Cruz retains the WBA female title with wide unanimous decision over former champion Mrdjenovich. Canadian Mrdjenovich scored early to make the first round close but Mexican Cruz ended the round strongly. From there Mrdjenovich was never really in the fight. Cruz was busier and had the harder punch. She was able to bustle her way past the slightly longer reach of Mrdjenovich to score with hooks inside and although Mrdjenovich landed some good counters Cruz was winning the rounds. She shook Mrdjenovich in the seventh and both scored well in the eighth but again Cruz had the edge and she took both of the closing rounds. Scores 100-90 for Cruz from all three judges. Cruz had won the title with a technical decision over Mrdjenovich in April last year and this is her second defence. Mrdjenovich, 40, a pro for over nineteen years has probably been Canada’s most successful female boxer having won various WBC, IBF and WBA titles so it remains to be seen whether she will continue.
Liverpool. England: Super Welter: Liam Smith (32-3-1) W TKO 4 Hassan Mwakinyo (20-3). Light Heavy: Dan Azeez (17-0) W PTS 12 Shakan Pitters (17-2). Super Welter: Natasha Jonas (12-2-1) W PTS 10 Patricia Berghult (15-0). Heavy: Frazer Clarke (3-0) W TKO 1 Pencho Tsvetkov (7-1). Welter: Adam Azim (6-0) W KO 1 Michel Cabral (5-4).
Smith vs. Mwakinyo
Smith gets fourth round stoppage win in a confused ending. Smith started brightly getting through with a left hook to the body and forcing Mwakinyo onto the back foot with some crisp double jabbing. Mwakinyo showed he could be dangerous as he caught Smith coming in with a thumping right to the head. In the second once again Smith was coming forward behind his jab and landed a good overhand right. Mwakinyo was livelier also jabbing well and trying some rights and both missed with big shots at the end of the round. A good opening to the third for Mwakinyo as he stopped Smith in his tracks with a right uppercut. Smith drove Mwakinyo back and suddenly although no punch was thrown Mwakinyo’s right leg went out from under him and he dropped down with one knee on the canvas. The referee stopped the fight whilst Mwakinyo’s second examined his ankle. Only the most cursory examination could be done so the fight continued with Mwakinyo storming to the attack forcing Smith to the ropes and firing punches with a heavy left landing after the bell. Smith went to remonstrate with Mwakinyo but was restrained by the referee and appeared to settle for spitting towards the Tanzanian instead. Both landed heavily in the fourth but Smith connected with a thumping right that sent Mwakinyo back into a corner and he went down on one knee with Smith landing three cuffing shots whilst Mwakinyo was technically down. Mwakinyo made it to his feet and lost his gumshield. He was given a count he aimed as if to advance on Smith but then without a punch from Smith Mwakinyo backed into a corner and went down with Smith following up and again landing cuffing punches. Mwakinyo got up but was gesticulating at his ankle and the referee decided he could not continue and stopped the fight. A confusing and bad tempered fight. After good wins over Anthony Fowler and Jessie Vargas Smith is up to No 2 with the WBO so hopefully a title fight will come his way next year. Mwakinyo showed some very useful touches and it is a pity this one did not gone further.
Azeez vs. Pitters
Azeez outscores Pitters to retain the British title. With big edges in height and reach the 6’6” Pitters was able to box on the outside in the first with Azeez trying to find a way inside. Pitters scored with a good right and in the second started to catch the oncoming Azeez with uppercuts. The third saw Azeez getting past Pitters long left and able to work to the body and find the target with overhand rights whilst denying Pitters any punching room. Pitters stuck to his jab but was less effective than before with his uppercuts and most of the scoring was being done by Azeez. Over the middle rounds Azeez was bobbing and weaving under the jab of Pitters and working hard inside. Pitters was putting in plenty of work with his jab and straight rights but for very little reward. Pitters was starting to mark up from the attentions of Azeez’s punches but he found the target again with uppercuts in the ninth. Knowing he must be behind Pitters put in a big effort over the tenth and eleventh but Azeez put the result beyond any doubt with a strong twelfth. Scorers 117-111, 117-112 and 115-113 all for Azeez. He is No. 3 with the WBA and has worked his way through the British B+ list fighters and now needs to go for an international title or one of the other rated fighters. Pitters only other loss is a ninth round stoppage by Craig Richards in 2020 but there are plenty of good fights around for him in a strong division.
Jonas vs. Berghult
Jonas unifies the WBC and WBO female titles as she dominates Berghult from the start and wins on a wide unanimous decision. The local southpaw marched into Swede Berghult in the firsts two rounds with Berghult having some success with counters but Jonas was relentless. She was banging home body punches and Berghult could neither keep her out or match her work rate. Jones was on top of the Swede denying her punching room and building a big lead and then being strong down the home straight as Berghult tried to turn things her way. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Jonas who is now looking to unify all four major versions of the super welterweight title. Berghult had beaten Hannah Rankin for the interim WBC title in 2019 and become holder of the full title with a win over Olivia Belkacem August last year.
Frazer vs. Tsvetkov
What a waste of a good ring. Frazer stops an inept Tsvetkov in 65 seconds. Frazer tracked a fragile looking Tsvetkov around the ropes before landing a left to the body with Tsvetkov dropping to one knee. He got up but backed along the ropes to a corner and went down from the wind of a couple of punches from Frazer and a caring referee just waived the fight over to save the fans from any more of the farce. No one was angrier over this debacle than silver medallist Clarke. Clarke.
Azim vs. Cabral
Farcically easy for Azim. He was testing Argentinian Cabral with jabs and it was obvious Cabral was seriously over matched. Azim reached him with the jabs and then dug a left hook to the body. Cabral stepped back and then went down and was counted out after 114 seconds-and this was scheduled for ten rounds!! Some hope. The 20-year-old former English Youth champion and European Youth Silver medallist has won his last five fights by KO/TKO with the last three all ending inside the first round. Cabral just an inexperienced six and four round fighter.
September 4
Los Angeles, CA, USA: Heavy: Andy Ruiz (35-2) W PTS 12 Luis Ortiz (33-3). Light: Isaac Cruz (24-2-1) W TKO 2 Eduardo Ramirez (27-3-3,1ND). Light: Abner Mares (31-3-2) DREW 10 Miguel Flores (25-4). Light: Edwin De Los Santos (15-1) W TKO 3 Jose Valenzuela 12-1). Middle: Joey Spencer (16-0) W PTS 10 Kevin Salgado (14-1-1). Super Bantam: Ra’eese Aleem (20-0) W PTS 10 Mike Plania (26-2). Heavy: Charles Martin (29-3-1) W KO 4 Devin Vargas (22-8).
Ruiz vs. Ortiz
Ruiz floors Ortiz three times on his way to a unanimous decision over the Cuban. Both were cautious at the start until late in the first when Ortiz connected with a straight left. Ruiz scored with a right early in the second and when Ortiz pushed out a lazy left Ruiz came over the top with a right which crashed into the side of Ortiz’s head and dropped him to one knee. Ortiz took the eight count before getting up and when the action resumed slipped to the floor under an attack from Ruiz and was given another count. Both scored with big punches before the round ended. From there Ortiz marched forward behind his jab and occasionally connecting with solid lefts with Ruiz looking to counter. Ortiz gradually began to outscore Ruiz and after six rounds only that 10-7 second round gave Ruiz the edge and the crowd was beginning to demand more action. That came late in the seventh when a right to the head from Ruiz dropped Ortiz. He was up quickly and there was not enough time for Ruiz to capitalise on the knockdown but Ortiz had a hill to climb. The pace continued slow with Ortiz again working his way into the fight but he was shaken again by a straight right from Ruiz in the eleventh. Ortiz did all of the work in the last with the knockdowns probably giving Ruiz the impression he had the fight won. Scores 114-111 twice and 113-112 for Ruiz. This was a WBC eliminator but with Ruiz No. 5 and Ortiz No. 8 and Tyson Fury changing his mind every day who knows what importance there is in an eliminator. Again Ruiz showed what quick hands he has and Ortiz showed that at 43 that his time is almost up.
Cruz vs. Ramirez
Cruz obliterates Ramirez in two rounds. Cruz was hunting Ramirez down in the first with Ramirez just pawing ineffectively with his jab and Cruz able to land hooks head and body. Cruz continued to track Ramirez down in the second and dropped Ramirez with a left hook. Ramirez beat the count but was shaken and Cruz chased him to a corner and landed a left and a right to the head that sent Ramirez down against the ropes and the referee stopped the fight. Cruz lost a close decision against Gervonta Davis for the secondary WBA title in December but put himself back in the mix with a fifth round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa in April. Cruz is No 2 with the WBC and No 3 with the WBO so in a good position to get another title shot next year.
Mares vs. Flores
Disappointing result for Mares as his comeback fight against Miguel Flores ends in a majority draw. Mares was flying at the start as he swept the first two rounds and had Flores rocking in the third. Flores came through that and Mares seemed to go off the boil and let some of that early aggression fade. Flores was the one forcing things over the second half of the fight and a draw looked about right. Scores 95-95 twice and 96-94 for Mares. The former-three division title holder was having his first fight for over four years and made it clear he intends to continue. First fight for fourteen months for Flores.
De Los Santos vs. Valenzuela
Despite their similar records this counts as an upset as De Los Santos floors unbeaten Valenzuela twice and stops him in the third round. They traded punches with abandon in the first with De Los Santos landing the heavier shots. A wild second saw both fighters on the floor with De Los Santos losing a point for hitting Valenzuela after he was down. De Los Santos ended it in the third. He put Valenzuela on the floor early and although Valenzuela managed to make it to his feet he was taking punishment and the fight was stopped. Dominican De Los Santos gets win No. 14 by KO/TKO and lifts the WBC Continental Americas belt held by Valenzuela.
Spencer vs. Salgado
Spencer goes ten rounds for the first time and wins a unanimous decision over Mexican Salgado. Spencer controlled the action with his jab as an aggressive Salgado took a while to get into the action. Over the middle rounds Salgado managed to get past Spencer’s jab enough to make Spencer work hard but Spencer had a tight guard and a much higher work rate. The downside was the lack of any real highlights but it was a useful exercise for Spencer. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Spencer and at 22 he has time for more testing fights before aiming too high. Salgado had fought a split draw with useful Bryant Perrella in April.
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Aleem vs. Plania
Impressive display from Aleem as he floors and widely outpoints Filipino hope Plania. This looked a fairly equal match on paper but Aleem took an early lead and Plania just could not get a foothold in the fight. Aleem took the first and was then credited with a knockdown in the second. A punch sent Plania back off balance and his glove touched the canvas as he righted himself resulting in a count. Aleem kept Plania under pressure scoring heavily with left hooks shaking Plania in the third and fourth. Plania game fought back but the quality and quantity of Aleem’s punches were too much for him and Aleem kept up the pressure unleashing a storm of punches in the last that had Plania reeling. All three judges carded it 100-89 for Aleem who retains the WBO/NABO belt. Important win for Aleem as Plania was No.2 with the WBO and No. 4(3) with the IBF. Plania had an eleven-bout winning streak going.
Martin vs. Vargas
Southpaw Martin wins this clash of overage heavies with stoppage of Vargas. Martin outboxed the slow Vargas over the opening two rounds but was then badly shaken in the third and had to hold to survive. Vargas was cut and his face a mess and when in the fourth a punch sent him reeling to the ropes the referee stopped the fight. Former IBF title holder Martin had come close to an upset when he floored Luis Ortiz twice in January but in the end was stopped in the sixth round. Another title shot is very unlikely but his name is still one that will attract younger climbers looking to make a name for themselves. Vargas was on the US Olympic team back in 2004.
September 1
Solin, Croatia: Super Middle: Luka Plantic (3-0) W KO 4 Ryno Liebenberg 22-10-1).
In an impressive performance local star Plantic wipes out experienced Liebenberg in four rounds. Plantic was throwing bombs from the start and had the South African on the floor in the opening round. Plantic scored two more knockdowns in the second but Liebenberg got up and fought his way through the third before being floored again with an uppercut in the fourth and being counted out. The 25-year-old from Solin won Gold at the European Youth, Silver at the World Youth, Bronze at the Youth Olympics, was five times Croatian champion and competed at the Tokyo Games so some potential there. Never smart to write Liebenberg off 38 or not.
September 2
Capitan Bermudez, Argentina: Welter: Jose Rosa (16-0) W TKO 5 Anderson Dener (6-2). Fly: Junior Zarate (17-4) W PTS 10 Mauro Liendro (7-8).
Rosa vs. Dener
Argentinian champion Rosa retains the WBC Latino title with stoppage of Brazilian Dener. Rosa took a round to warm up but then he was firing southpaw straight lefts through Dener’s guard and scoring with sweeping hooks. He handed out some severe punishment over the second and third and opened a cut on Dener’s left eyelid with a punch in the fourth. In the fifth with the cut dripping blood into Dener’s eye and the Brazilian shipping some heavy lefts the referee stopped the fight. The 22-year-old flamboyant Rosa has thirteen wins by KO/TKO. Dener very overmatched.
Zarate vs. Liendro
Zarate outpoints Liendro for the vacant Argentinian title. Former champion Zarate was the master outside and inside. He was feeding Liendro fast, accurate counters as Liendo came forward and pumping home hooks when they traded inside. Liendo had a couple of good spells particularly in the eighth but Zarate took the ninth and tenth. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93 for Zarate. Second win over Liendro and third consecutive victory for Zarate, 32, who beat Charlie Edwards in the World Amateur Championships way back in 2011.
Mazatlan, Mexico: Welter: Alejandro Silva (20-0-1) W TKO 4 Jesus Pina (22-6-1). Super Bantam: Andres Sosa (14-1) W PTS 8 Jose Valdes (10-7-1).
Silva vs. Pina
Another inside the distance win for Silva. The unbeaten Argentinian stopped seasoned pro Pina in the fourth round for his fourteenth victory by KO/TKO and his eighteenth win in a row. Pina on a downward spiral going from 21-1 to 5-5-1 in his last eleven contests.
Sosa vs. Valdez
Sosa makes it an Argentinian double as he outpoints Valdez over eight rounds. A unanimous verdict but no scores available. Second loss in a row for Sosa who lost on points against Rafael Pedroza in Panama in April. Mexican Valdes is 1-3 in recent activity.
Czestochowa, Poland: Nikodem Jezewski (22-2-1) W RTD 6 Serge Michel (13-3). Heavy: Marcin Siwy (25-0-1) DREW 8 Kamil Sokolowski (11-26-3).
Jezewski vs. Michel
Jezewski overcomes an early knockdown to beat Michel. Both scored with useful jabs in the first before Michel put Jezewski down with a combination in the second. Jezewski survived and after an even third Jezewski took charge. He put Michel under pressure pinning him to the ropes for much of the fifth and sixth and with Michel’s left eye almost closed he did not come out for the seventh. Jezewski’s losses have come against Lawrence Okolie for the vacant WBO title in December 2020 and Artur Mann last February. This is his second win since then. Michel was stopped in ten rounds by Ricards Bolotniks for the WBO European title in December 2020.
Siwy vs. Sokolowski
Siwy and Sokolowski fight to a draw over eight hotly contested rounds. Siwy attacked from the start focusing on Sokolowski’s body. Sokolowski landed the better shots in the second with Siwy more accurate in the third. It was a trial of strength, a gruelling contest and although Sokolowski pressed hard Siwy‘s better boxing also saw him edge the fourth and fifth. Sokolowski’s strength told and he outmuscled a tiring Siwa in the six and seventh and the eighth was close enough to be called either way. Scores 77-75 Siwa, 77-75 Sokolowski and 76-76. A well received and well deserved sharing of the spoils.
September 3
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Feather: Mirco Cuello (9-0) W TKO 1 Michel Da Silva (13-1).
Some consider Cuello the No. 1 prospect in Argentina. Not much chance to test that theory here as he blows away Brazilian Da Silva in the first round. He hunted Da Silva down before connecting with a vicious left hook to the body which sent Da Silva to the floor on his back in agony with the referee dispensing with the count. The 21-year-old southpaw moves to eight inside the distance finishes. He represented Argentina at the World Championships and the Tokyo Olympic Games. Brazilian champion Da Silva had won his last ten fights by KO/TKO.
Osaka, Japan: Fly: Riku Kano (20-4-1) W PTS 10 Yuga Inoue (13-3-1). Bantam: Sho Ishida (31-3) W PTS 8 Alvin Medura (10-7).
Kano vs. Inoue
Kano battles his way to victory in an exciting clash which is very much a candidate for Fight of the Week. Their styles produced plenty of frantic exchanges with Inoue the more stylish firing strong left jabs and straight rights and southpaw Kano switching angles landing well to the body and putting together some flashing combinations. The pace was fast and neither man was willing to back down. Kano had a strong eighth but Inoue shook that off and fought back hard as they continued to trade in furious exchanges to the final bell with the variety in Kano’s work giving him a very slight edge but it was close. Scores 115-113 twice and 116-112 for Kano. He gets his seventh win in a row and picks up the vacant WBO Asia Pacific belt. He is No. 5 with the WBO. Inoue, the former undefeated Japanese champion, had won his last three fights.
Ishida vs. Medura
Ishida keeps busy with a points victory against brave Filipino Medura. Ishida floored Medura with a body punch in the second but the Filipino was far from finished and proceeded to stay in contention to the last bell although losing clearly. Scores 80-71 on all three cards. Ishida, who lost to Khalid Yafai for the WBA belt in 2017, has gone on to lose split decisions against Israel Gonzalez and Kosei Tanaka.
Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Ryo Akaho (39-2-2) W KO 1 Edrin Dapudong (35-8-1).Middle: Kazuto Takesako (14-0-1) W KO 3 Niwat Kongkan (11-9,1ND).
Akaho vs. Dapudong
Akaho demolishes experienced Dapudong in the first round. They traded punches early with Akaho’s power advantage clear. A right had Dapudong retreating before a left hook put him on the canvas and he was counted out. Akaho, 36, has lost in shots at the WBC super fly and WBO bantam titles and with his run of 13 wins will be hoping to land a title shot at featherweight. Former IBO super fly titleholder Dapudong suffers only his second loss by KO/TKO.
Takesako vs. Kongkan
Returning to the ring for the first time for sixteen months Takesako punches too hard for Thai. He had Kongkan on the floor in the first and again in the second. He ended it in the third sending Kongkan to the canvas with a left/right combination and the referee stopped the fight. Thirteen wins inside the distance for the former Japanese and OPBF title holder. Kongkan is a former OPBF super welter title holder.
Bialystok, Poland: Super Middle: Gino Kanters (10-4-2) W PTS 10 Przemyslaw Gorgon (15-10-1).
Dutchman Kanters wins the Polish International title with a majority decision over title holder Gorgon. With the home fans behind him Gorgon fought an attacking fight but Kanters boxed cleverly and was more accurate with his shots. It was close all the way but Kanters was a deserved winner. Scores 96-94 twice and 95-95.
Toledo, Ohio, USA: Super Feather: Albert Bell (22-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Nicolas Polanco (20-3-1). Heavy: Roney Hines (12-0) W DISQ 4 Craig Lewis (14-5-1,1ND). Super Feather: Thomas Mattice (19-3-1) W TKO 6 Eduardo Pereira Dos Reis (24-10).
Bell vs. Polanco
Fighting in his hometown Bell rings up another victory as he outclasses Dominican Polanco to win on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. Bell has plenty of talent but is low on punch power with only six inside the distance victories. Polanco lost on a majority decision against Jaime Arboleda in Panama in January so very much a live opponent for Bell.
Hines vs. Lewis
Hines gets disqualification win over Lewis. Hines outboxed Lewis in the first but the action was broken up twice in the second as Lewis lost his mouthguard. Under pressure in the third Lewis again twice lost his mouthguard and was deducted two points. Lewis had a better fourth but when in the fifth his mouthguard was again on the canvas the referee disqualified Lewis. Hines, 6’6” was National Golden Gloves champion in 2018. Sixth defeat in his last seven fights for Lewis.
Mattice vs. Dos Reis
Mattice makes it four wins in his last five fights and fifteen in total as he stops Brazilian Dos Reis in the sixth round. Mattice’s losses have been against good level opposition in Will Madera, Isaac Cruz on a majority decision, and Luis Melendez. Only two domestic wins in his last nine fights for Dos Reis
Fight of the week (Significance): Juan Francisco Estrada’s win over Argi Cortes means he will now go on to fulfil his role in the much anticipated third fight with Roman Gonzalez
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Spoilt for choice. Any other week Estrada vs. Cortes would be the pick or Riku Kano vs. Yuga Inoue but the fight between Sivenathi Nontshinga and Hector Flores was an epic battle and gets my vote.
Fighter of the week: Sivenathi Nontshinga South Africa’s only current world title holder.
Punch of the week: The left hook to the body from Mirco Cuello that finished Brazilian Michel Da Silva was special with honourable mention to the right from Andy Ruiz that dropped Luis Ortiz in the second round.
Upset of the week: No biggies.
Prospect watch: Argentinian welterweight Jose Angel Gabriel Rosa Argentinian welterweight 16-0 (13) impressed at the weekend
Observations
Rosette: To the show in Hermosillo. Any night you can see fights such as both Sivenathi Nontshinga vs. Hector Flores and Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Argi Cortes for the price of one ticket is real value
Red Card: OK former top amateurs Frazer Clarke and Adam Azim had only had seven professional fights between them but to put them in dreadful mismatches against inept opposition such as Pencho Tsvetkov and Michel Cabral was an insult to the boxers and the fans and all credit to Clarke for apologising to the fans.
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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By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 03 May 2024May 18: Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk UNDISPUTED Heavyweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank on ESPN+ PPV
Fri, 03 May 2024JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST CODY CROWLEY AT WELLS FARGO CENTER ON JULY 13
Fri, 03 May 2024Sanman to help Samal Paddlers in dragon boat
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 03 May 20242024 Kiddies Chess Championships today
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 03 May 2024Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs Jaimie Mungia (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 03 May 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA AND GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO RETURN TO TURNING STONE FOR INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 03 May 2024“Redemption Road: The Path Back to Glory” Debuts SUNDAY Ahead of Lomachenko-Kambosos Lightweight Title Showdown
Fri, 03 May 2024Star Boxing’s super welterweight contender Wendy Toussaint will travel to the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa to take on Shervantaigh Koopman
Fri, 03 May 2024Labor Lakers play Kickstarter MLCG in Sanman on May 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 03 May 2024DENNY VS. CASH LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Thu, 02 May 2024Nattapong Jankaew Prepares for Career-Defining Match Against Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales in WBC Regional Title Showdown
Thu, 02 May 2024Boston Routs Miami Anew, 118-84 to End Series at 4-1; Dallas Demolishes LA Clippers, Moves Ahead 3-2
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 02 May 2024GOLDEN BOY STATEMENT ON RYAN GARCIA'S POSITIVE TEST FOR BANNED SUBSTANCE
Thu, 02 May 2024