The Past Week in Action 7 November 2022: Bivol Defeats Ramirez; Cameron, Morrell Win
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Nov 2022
Highlights:
-Dmitri Bivol retains the WBA light heavyweight title with a points victory Gilberto Ramirez
-Chantelle Cameron outpoints Jessica McCaskill and now holds all five versions of the female belts at super lightweight
-David Morell stops Aidos Yerbossynuly in defence of his secondary WBA super middleweight title
-Argentinian heavyweight Marcos Ahumada shocks German fans as he knocks out previously unbeaten hot prospect Peter Kadiru in the first round
World Title/Major Shows
November 5
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Light Heavy: Dmitri Bivol (21-0) WPTS 12 Gilberto Ramirez (44-1). Super Light: Chantelle Cameron (16-0) W PTS 10 Jessica McCaskill (12-2). Super Feather: Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-0-1) W TKO 9 Zelfa Barrett (28-2). Fly: Galal Yafai (3-0) W PTS 10 Gohan Rodriguez (12-2-1). Bantam: Khalid Yafai (27-1) W PTS 10 Jerald Paclar (16-6-3). Super Light: Campbell Hatton (9-0) W TKO 1 Denis Bartos (9-6).
Bivol vs. Ramirez
Bivol successfully defends his WBA title with a unanimous decision over Ramirez in a fight that had few highlights and only really came to life over the late rounds.
Round 1
Lots of probing as both stabbed out with their jab. Bivol was coming forward and quickly slid some jabs through Ramirez’s guard and then followed with straight rights. Ramirez was out of distance whereas Bivol was standing close then swaying back from Ramirez leads then leaning in to score with rights. There was a sudden exchange of punches just before the bell with Bivol landing good head shots.
Score: 10-9 Bivol
Round 2
Bivol was again on the front foot but Ramirez weas livelier throwing more punches than in the first. It looked as though he was going to take the round but again Bivol connected with a burst of punches late to have the edge.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 20-18
Round 3
Not a lot of action in this one. Ramirez worked behind a long right jab and straight lefts but was being careful not to over extend himself and be open to counters. Bivol never really did a great deal and was unable to land when he fired his usual late flurry.
Score: 10-9 RamirezBivol 29-28
Round 4
A nothing round. Bivol was coming forward and landed a few punches early in the round but was not putting Ramirez under any pressure. Ramirez was throwing more punches but not committing to them being wary of Bivol’s counters. The early burst was just enough to give Bivol the round but the fight was very short on entertainment.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 39-37
Round 5
Ramirez was again throwing plenty of punches but they were either coming up short or being blocked. Bivol landed a good right early and Ramiez clipped Bivol with a left hook. Bivol sprang to life before the bell driving Ramirez to the ropes and connecting with a series of rights.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 49-46
Round 6
Bivol was waiting to counter and Ramirez was reluctant to do more that poke out his punches and not following in behind his jab. The result is that the only real punch trading came when Ramirez over-extended and Bivol made him pay with quick countering shots. Not much but more than Ramirez was managing.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 59-55
Round 7
Finally, a fight broke out. Ramirez showed some aggression plunging forward throwing punches with both hands and landing some good shots. Bivol fired back and he had the better of that exchange but Ramirez came back again with another series of punches and took the round.
Score: 10-9 RamirezBivol 68-65
Round 8
It was back to the retreating Ramirez just prodding punches and Bivol waiting too long before launching his own. That changed when Bivol turned Ramirez onto the ropes and bombarded him with punches from both hands. Ramirez manged to get off the ropes and launched a short bunch of counters but then the round petered out.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 78-74
Round 9
A round with some real action mainly because Ramirez went onto the attack. He took Bivol to the ropes and trapped him there whist bombarding him with punches to head and body. That changed when Bivol burst off the ropes letting fly with a volley of punches sending Ramirez stumbling back. Bivol continued to get through with his shots with Ramirez regrouping and fighting back.
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 88-83
Round 10
Ramirez won the round although it was more a case of Bivol losing it. He threw very few punches and Ramirez was able to pump out light but scoring shots. Bivol threatened to come to life a couple of times but never did and Ramirez kept pecking away to earn the points.
Score: 10-9 RamirezBivol 97-93
Round 11
Plenty of action in this round with Ramirez pressing and letting his hands go and Bivol firing fast, accurate counters. Both had some success and it was a case of quantity from Ramirez against accuracy from Bivol and for me Ramirez just did enough to have the edge.
Score: 10-9 RamirezBivol 106-103
Round 12
Good action again. This time Bivol was adding quantity to his accuracy and putting together some impressive series of punches. Ramirez was fighting back but being out-landed as Bivol close out the fight
Score: 10-9 BivolBivol 116-112
Official Scores: 117-111 twice and 118-110 for Bivol.
Fourth defence of his title by Bivol who has plenty of options with either a return with Saul Alvarez or a unification fight with Artur Beterbiev being what the fans want and since Ramirez was his mandatory challenger he can choose what he wants to do next. Ramirez was a disappointment showing little fire until the fight was already lost so he will have to rebuild.
Cameron vs. McCaskill
Cameron becomes the holder of five sanctioning body titles as she outpoints McCaskill. McCaskill came out looking to put Cameron under pressure but Cameron met her with stuff jabs and accurate rights to take the round. Mcaskill still advanced in the second but without accuracy and with Cameron boxing coolly and scoring well to the body. In the third McCaskill found the target with some clubbing rights but over the fourth and fifth Cameron re-establishes control with her better skills. More pressure from McCaskill in the seventh and Cameron was cut on the bridge of her nose which looked serious and inspired McCaskill to edge the eighth and the ninth but the last was close enough to be scored either way. The strong finish was not enough to overturn Cameron’s early dominance. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Cameron. She retains the IBF and WBC titles and wins the vacant IBO, WBA and WBO titles and remains undefeated. Chicago’s McCaskill holds the same five titles at welter and had dropped weight to face Cameron.
Rakhimov vs. Barrett
Rakhimov wins the vacant IBF belt at the second attempt as he comes back from a count and wears down and floors Barrett twice to force the stoppage.
Round 1
Rakhimov was moving forward trying to drive Barrett to the ropes. Barrett was showing lots of quick movement probing with his jab and then firing hooks. Rakhimov was having trouble hunting Barrett down with Barrett doing most of the scoring until the last minute in which Rakhimov had more success and connected with some short burst of punches
Score: 10-9 Barrett
Round 2
Rakhimov upped the pace in the second chasing Barrett so hard it almost became a foot race. Rakhimov was relying on left hooks to the body to slow Barrett who was flitting around the perimeter of the ring countering the advancing Rakhimov then stopping to fire bundles of hooks from both hands before setting off again with Rakhimov not quick enough to cut off the ring.
Score: 10-9 BarrettBarrett 20-18
Round 3
A right from Barrett sent Rakhimov back on his heels and Barrett fired a series of punches before Rakhimov recovered and again began to chase Barrett around the ring. Barrett then hurt Rakhimov with a body punch that had Rakhimov backing to the ropes. Barrett pummelled Rakhimov with punches until Rakhimov fought his way off the ropes. As he dived in, he was caught with a short right and dipped at the knee and grabbed a rope to stop going all the way down and was rightly given a count.
Score: 10-8 BarrettBarrett 30-26
Round 4
Beautiful boxing from Barrett. He was still circling the ring rarely far from the ropes but he was throwing quick little bursts of punches and sliding away from Rakhimov’s lunging attacks and then making Rakhimov pay with quick accurate counters from both hands.
Score: 10-9 BarrettBarrett 40-35
Round 5
A similar pattern as Rakhimov constantly tried to hunt down Barrett. Excellent movement and quick hands were giving Barrett the edge. He was confident enough to take the fight to Barrett in the middle of the round driving Rakhimov back to the ropes with a series of punches until Rakhimov regrouped and stormed forward landing a heavy left before the bell but it was Barrett’s round.
Score: 10-9 BarrettBarrett 50-44
Round 6
Some improvement from Rakhimov. He was doing a better job of cutting off the ring. Barrett was still moving and countering but Rakhimov managed to trap Barrett in a corner and get home some solid shots and also connected with some hard lefts at the end of the round.
Score: 10-9 RakhimovBarrett 59-54
Round 7
Barrett slowed noticeably in this round. That allowed Rakhimov to force Barrett to stand and exchange punches more. Barrett was scoring with some fast counters but Rakhimov was getting the better of the trading landing the heavier punches and scoring with hurtful body shots.
Score: 10-9 RakhimovBarrett 68-64
Round 8
Best round so far for Rakhimov. Barrett had slowed under the constant pressure and Rakhimov was getting more opportunities to rake Barrett with lefts to head and body. He was walking through Barrett’s punches and breaking Barrett down.
Score: 10-9 RakhimovBarrett 77-74
Round 9
Rakhimov was able to drive Barrett around the ring scoring with head snapping punches until Barrett was caught in a corner and went down to his hands and knees under a barrage of shots. He made it to his feet and tried to punch with Rakhimov but a series of punches saw him slump to the canvas and the referee waived the fight over.
Tajik southpaw Rakhimov wins the IBF title at the second attempt having drawn with Joseph Diaz in February last year for the vacant title as Diaz lost his title when he failed to make the weight. Barrett showed his skill but just did not have the power to blunt the relentless pressure from Rakhimov.
Yafai vs. Rodriguez
Yafai faces his first tough test as he has to settle for a split decision over Rodriguez. Yafai was taking the fight to Rodriguez in the first moving in behind a strong right jab and firing straight lefts. Rodriguez was on the back foot choosing his moment to step in and exchange punches. Yafai continued to add pressure over the second and third but Rodriguiez was staying inside and trading hooks with some success. Yafai was not using his superior skills but trying to wear Rodriguez with shots inside giving Rodriguez the chance to fight on more equal terms. It became untidy at times and Yafai was getting the better of the exchanges but he could not subdue Rodriguez although the Mexican seemed to be tiring. By the eighth the gruelling inside work had both tiring with plenty of clinching. Yafai picked up the pace again in the ninth and tried hard to end it in the tenth but an exhausted Rodriguez just kept pushing out punches. Scores 96-94 twice for Yafai and 96-95 for Rodriguez but despite the best efforts from Rodriguez Yafai looked a clear if unimpressive winner. Rodriguez was strong and game and exceeded expectations.
Yafai vs. Paclar
As with his brother Gamal former WBA super fly title holder Khalid Yafai had a much harder than expected time against Filipino Paclar. Yafai was floored in the first and took a couple of rounds to settle and had to fight hard to emerge with a close unanimous decision on scores of 96-93 twice and 95-94. First fight for Yafai since losing his WBA title to Roman Gonzalez in February 2020. Paclar was in useful form being 8-1-1 in his last ten fights.
Hatton vs. Bartos
A real Hatton family performance here as Ricky’s son floors Czech Bartos twice with body punches for a first round stoppage in just 104 seconds. Third win by KO/TKO for Hatton. Bartos had been knocked out in one round in a fight in Germany in September.
Minneapolis, MN, USA: Super Middle: David Morrell (8-0) W TKO 12 Aidos Yerbossynuly (16-1). Middle: Brian Mendoza (21-2) W KO 5 Jeison Rosario (23-4-1). Middle: Fidor Czerkaszyn (21-0) W PTS 10 Nathaniel Gallimore (22-6-1). Light Heavy: Andre Dirrell (29-3-0) W TKO 10 Yunieski Gonzalez (21-5). Super Welter: Julian Williams (28-3-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Rolando Mansilla (18-12-1).
Morrell vs. Yerbossynuly
Cuban Morrell retained the secondary WBA belt with a brutal last round stoppage of Yerbossynuly. Morrell established control from the first round. His quicker hands had him finding gaps in Yerbossynuly’s guard and he connected with some sharp hooks and uppercuts with Yerbossynuly too slow to block them or counter. Morrell continued to landed heavily in the second bringing blood from Yerbossynuly’s nose. He piled on the punishment in the third and fourth being just too quick for Yerbossynuly and he dug home some vicious body punches. Yerbossynuly finally had some success with body punches in the fifth but was finding Morrell a slippery target and as his nose continued to drip blood so he looked a sorry sight. Morrell was in control again in the sixth but his work rate dropped in the seventh allowing Yerbossynuly some success. Morrell picked up the pace in the eighth and sent Yerbossynuly backwards with a heavy left and Yerbossynuly was forced to hold after being hurt by a body punch late in the round. After Yerbossynuly scored well to the body early in the ninth Morrell banged back with vicious uppercuts and a tiring Yerbossynuly was glad to hold to see out the round. Morrell looked close to ending the fight in the tenth when he pinned Yerbossynuly against the ropes and unloaded on him with heavy punches from both hands but Yerbossynuly somehow found the strength to fight back at the bell. There was more punishment for a tiring Yerbossynuly in the eleventh and although he looked to have nothing left he refused to crumble. At the end of the eleventh Morrell was ahead 110-99 twice and 108-101. Morrell ended he fight in the twelfth. He floored Yerbossynuly early in the round with a left but Yerbossynuly made it to his feet. Yerbossynuly staggered about and clinched desperately to survive and the referee deducted a point for holding. Morrell drove Yerbossynuly across the ring and as they came off the ropes Morrell exploded with a booming right uppercut that sent Yerbossynuly down and the referee immediately waived the fight over. Yerbossynuly was helped to his feet and was being held up by the referee. When Morrell saw Yerbossynuly sliding out of the referee’s hold and about to fall in a nice gesture he broke off his celebrations to help the referee get Yerbossynuly to his corner. There was concern over Yerbossynuly condition and he received medical attention in his corner. Eventually he left the ring and walked unaided back to his dressing room interacting with people along the way. Subsequently he was rushed to hospital suffering from a bleed to the brain and was placed in a medically-induced coma with further news awaited.
Mendoza vs. Rosario
Mendoza brings down the curtain on Rosario’s career with a fifth round kayo. Mendoza found the target early and rocked Rosario in the first. He shook Rosario again in the second before a hurtful body shot had Rosario down and he only just beat the count. Rosario took the fight to Mendoza in the third with both landing heavily. They were both on the floor in the fourth but from tripping over each other and not from a punch. Rosario was still very much in the fight as they swapped punches in a fairly equal round. In the fifth Mendoza connected with short but powerful left hook that dropped Rosario. He struggled trying to rise. He got off the canvas but could not make it all the way up and as he tumbled back down the referee stopped the count and waived the fight over. Mendoza came into this fight as a substitute so the risk worked for him as he garnered his fifteenth victory by KO/TKO. Rosario, a former holder of the IBF, IBO and WBA super welterweight titles, had rebounded from back to back kayo losses against Jermell Charlo and Erickson Lubin with three inside the distance wins but he announced his retirement after this crushing loss.
Czerkaszyn vs. Gallimore
Polish-based Ukrainian Czerkaszyn pounds Gallimore for ten rounds and walks away with a wide unanimous decision. Czerkaszyn was much the bigger man and he bullied Gallimore from the start with Gallimore having his mouthguard dislodge in the first from a punch. Czerkaszyn forced Gallimore to fight the bout on the back foot with strong jabs and some impressive combination punching. Gallimore was taking fierce punishment as he tried to get inside and struggled to make any impression in the fight. Czerkaszyn showed good power in both hands but although he had Gallimore hurt on numerous occasions Gallimore stuck around to the final bell. Scores 99-91 twice and 98-92 for 26-year-old Czerkaszyn who looked very useful. Jamaican-born Gallimore falls to 2-5 in his last 7 fights.
Dirrell vs. Gonzalez
Dirrell dominates Gonzalez and stops him in the last round. Gonzalez hustled the taller Dirrell out of his stride in the first but Dirrell settled down and edged the second. Dirrell’s class began to tell from the third as he outboxed Gonzalez and rocked him a couple of times. That pattern continued as Dirrell’s accurate punching was wearing down Gonzalez who began to fade out of the fight. Gonzalez rallied briefly in the seventh but Dirrell was back in control over the eighth and he had Gonzalez pinned against the ropes and unloaded on him with Gonzalez looking unsteady as the bell sounded and the referee gave him an eight count after the bell. A strong attack from Dirrell in the tenth saw the referee stop the fight. First fight for Dirrell for almost sixteen months. He had only one fight in each of years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was inactive in 2020 so is desperate to be more active in the hope of landing a title shot but at 39 that will probably be beyond him. Cuban Gonzalez has lost his big fights and was halted in ten rounds by Gilberto Ramirez in his last fight in December.
Williams vs. Mansilla
In his first fight for thirteen months Williams gets in eight rounds of work against Argentinian Mansilla. William towered over Mansilla who accentuated the height difference by fighting in a crouch. Williams was able to score well at a distance and counter Mansilla who never stopped coming forward. Mansilla’s tactics consisted of marching in with lots of wild roundhouse swings. The only problem for Williams was that with Mansilla crouching down he did not leave much of a target. Mansilla spat out his mouthguard a few times and was finally deducted a point for that in the fifth. It was messy fight but Williams will have benefitted from the work. Scores 79-72 twice and 80-71 for Williams. He lost his IBF, IBO and WBA super welter titles to Jeison Rosario and suffered a shock loss to Vladimir Hernandez and is now campaigning at middleweight. Mansilla suffers his third loss in a row.
November 3
Montebello, CA, USA: Super Welter: Serhii Bohachuk (21-1) W KO 2 Aaron Coley (16-5-1).
Bohachuk gets a quick win as he proves too strong for Cooley. Bohachuk was stalking Cooley in the first. Cooley was stabbing out his jab and firing some quick bursts of punches. He was getting past Bohachuk’s guard but there was no power in his punches. Coley decided to punch with Bohachuk just before the bell and again landed some fast but light shots. Bohachuk began to find the target in the second until he was badly rocked by a left from Coley. Bohachuk banged back scoring with a series of head punches and Coley went down on one knee. He watched the count and arose but too late and was counted out. First fight for thirteen months for the Ukrainian Bohachuk and third victory since a stoppage defeat against Brandon Adams in March 2021. Southpaw Coley was quick but lacked power and caved in under pressure.
November 4
Nathan, Australia: Heavy: Justis Huni (7-0) W PTS 10 Kiki Toa Leutele (8-2-2). Light Heavy: Jerome Pampellone (15-0) W PTS 10 Faris Chevalier 13-3).
Huni vs. Leutele
Huni retains the IBF Pan Pacific, OPBF and WBO Oriental belts with a unanimous decision over Leutele but has to fight hard for his win. Although much quicker and with much better skills Huni chose to stand and trade with Leutele. He had Leutele bleeding from the nose in the second round and landed plenty of body shots but Leutele was strong and shook Huni in the fourth and sixth with solid rights. It was action all the way with Huni injuring his right hand in the fifth and Leutele staging a strong finish. Huni won on scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 but the scores do not reflect how hard Huni had to fight to win this entertaining scrap. He missed the Tokyo Olympics due to a hand injury so will be hoping this injury does not hinder his progress. New Zealander Leutele’s other loss came on points against unbeaten Demsey McKean by very similar margins.
Pampellone vs. Chevalier
London-born New Zealand hope Pampellone comprehensively outpointed French-born Australia Chevalier. It was a tactical fight most of the way with the higher work rate and accuracy of Pampellone getting him the decision against a clever defensively-minded southpaw Chevalier. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Pampellone who holds on to his IBF Australasian belt. Former Australian super middleweight champion Chevalier was coming off a split decision defeat against Conor Wallace in July.
Brantford, Canada: Super Welter Jessie Wilcox (16-0-3) DREW 10 Ivan Alvarez (31-15-3). Super Light: Steven Wilcox (24-3-1) W TKO 4 Francesco Ramirez (11-4). Super Light: Bradley Wilcox (10-0) W KO 3 Carlos Diaz (8-3-1). Light: Spencer Wilcox (5-0) W PTS 6 Isaac Castan (5-5-1).
Wilcox vs. Alvarez
Jessie, the second eldest of the fighting Wilcox brothers on this show had the hardest task on the night against seasoned Mexican pro Alvarez and they finished up even on scores of 95-93 for Wilcox,95-93 for Alvarez and 94-94. That snapped a seven fight winning streak for 31-year-old Wilcox and marked the second draw in a row for Alvarez
Wilcox vs. Ramirez
Eldest brother Steven, 32, stopped Mexican Francisco Ramirez in the fourth round as he gets back into the swing of things. This is his secondvictory this year but he was inactive in 2020 and 2021. Third loss in his last four fights for Ramirez.
Wilcox vs. Diaz
Bradley, 27, halted Chilean Diaz in the fourth round. The former Canadian Youth champion gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. Diaz is a former Chilean lightweight champion.
Wilcox vs. Castan
Spencer, 22, won every round against yet another Mexican in Castan. Spencer is a former Canadian amateur champion and won a silver medal at the Pan American Youth Championships. Castan is 0-4 in fights in Canada.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light: Agustin Quintana (18-1-1) W KO 1 Yoni Blanco (14-2).
Quintana wipes out Blanco in the first round. Quintana scored with some stiff straight rights but then Blanco fired back and had Quintana on the back foot. A right from Quintana shook Blanco and Quintana then drove Blanco across the ring with a series of head shots. With Blanco pinned against the ropes Quintana landed a right that opened a cut on the left cheek of Blanco and put him down with a left hook to the body. Blanco managed to get to his feet but then doubled over from the pain caused by the body punch and the referee signalled the stoppage. Thirteen inside the distance win for Quintana who was defending the South American title. Blanco was a good level amateur competing at the World Championship and in the World Series of Boxing but his pro record was heavily embellished with twelve of his victims either never having won a fight or never previously had a fight.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Light Fly: Wilfredo Mendez (18-2) W PTS 10 Moises Caro (10-2-3,1ND).
Puerto Rican southpaw Mendez floors and outboxes Mexican Caro. Mendez used his skills to deal with the lunging attacks from Caro and hurt him in the first with a body punch. Mendez then forced Caro to a corner and fired a burst of punches with Caro dropping to the canvas. The referee handed Mendez a warning for some kidney punches in that burst before giving Caro a count. Caro was up at eight and when the action resumed Mendez landed two low punches and an angered Caro burst forward throwing punches at the bell. Caro continued to throw himself forward in wild attacks with Mendez either slipping the punches or moving inside and clinching. Both were warned for low punches in the fourth. Caro never stopped his forward motion and he outworked Mendez in a couple of rounds but the slick skills of Mendez and his accurate punching won him most of the rounds and he was allowed to do too much holding effective smothering Caro inside. Scores 97-91 twice and 99-89 for the former WBO minimumweight title holder who will now be looking to land a title shot at light flyweight. Caro lacked the experience to really trouble Mendez but he made up for that in some rounds by his ceaseless aggression.
Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania: Bantam Fadhili Majiah (29-14-4) W PTS 8 Manyo Plange (22-1-1). Cruiser: Musa Ntenge (8-2) WTKO 7 Shaban Jongo (10-3-2). Feather: Nasibu Ramadhani (33-17-2) W RTD 7 Toto Hlebe (20-9). Super Feather: Saleh Kassim (9-2-2) W PTS 8 Patrick Ayi Aryee (22-2-1).
Majiah vs. Plange
Local fighter Majiah scores an upset victory as he takes a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Ghanaian Plange. The pace was fast and furious in this one as they traded heavy punches over the first four rounds. Majiah was cut over his right eye in the second and it looked about even after four rounds. From the fifth Majiah chose to box and he proved too quick for Plange whose work rate slowed. They exchanged punches in an exciting seventh and Majiah outboxed a tiring Plange in the eighth to win on scores of 78-74 twice and 80-72 with the 80-72 very questionable but Majiah deserved the verdict. He had shown he could be a danger with his fourth round stoppage of unbeaten Harvey Horn in London in November. Plange had dropped out of the ratings due to inactivity and much was made of his not having had a fight for almost two years. That is not correct. In 10 October 2021 he successfully defended his West African title with a win over a fighter from Benin but because the information was not provided to Box Rec for them to validate the result it does not appear on his record which cost him his rating.
Ntenge vs. Jongo
Ugandan Ntenge had to get off the floor for his win over Tanzanian Jongo. Ntenge was down in the second but banged back to beat Jongo who retired in the seventh. Fifth consecutive victory for Ntenge. Big punching Jongo had won 8 of his last 9 fights
Ramadhani vs. Hlebe
Former South African champion Hlebe was a slight favourite here but Ramadhani was the heavier puncher and that proved decisive with Ramadhani well ahead when Hlebe retired after the seventh round. Twentieth inside the distance win for Ramadhani. At 37 time is catching up with Hlebe.
Kassim vs. Aryee
Another blow to Ghanaian boxing saw local fighter Kassim take a wide unanimous decision over a disappointing Aryee. Kassim won on scores of 79-73 twice and 80-72. Huge upset as Kassim was coming of a four round points loss against a domestic opponent. After being unbeaten in his first 22 fights it is now two losses in his last three fights for Aryee having been stopped by Jono Carroll in four rounds in March.
Plant City, FL, USA: Light: Miguel Madueno (28-1) W KO 5 Juan Huertas (16-4-1). Super Light: Antoni Moran (29-5-1) W TKO 10 Kendo Castaneda (19-6).
Madueno vs. Huertas
Mexican Madueno lives up to his “Explosivo” nickname with a fifth round kayo of Huertas. He just could not handle the power of Maduena with 89.66 % of his fights having have ended inside the distance (26 in 29 bouts). Madueno scored with accurate jabs over the first two rounds and then began to connect with power shots. After a slow fourth Madueno ended it in the fifth. He forced Huertas to the ropes and landed two left hooks that sent Huertas down and he took the count on one knee without trying to rise. A bounce back for Madueno who had lost a wide points decision against Jezzrel Corrales in March. Panamanian Huertas, who lost to Feliz Verdejo at the London Olympics, was coming off two low level wins.
Moran vs. Castaneda
Moran wins a tournament touted as the “Last Chance Tournament” with a late stoppage of Castaneda. Moran won by simply outboxing and finally outpunching Castaneda. Moran controlled the action from the start. He was boxing cleverly on the back foot landing good counters and frustrating Castaneda’ attacks with good movement. Castaneda kept pressing but Moran stuck to his boxing and built a big lead. Castaneda put in a big effort in the ninth but had nothing left and was floored in the tenth. Moran flirted with disqualification hitting Castaneda when he was down. Castaneda made it to his feet but dropped to one knee a couple of times under pressure and the fight was stopped. Mexican Moran had been outpointed by Jose Pedraza and Arnold Barboza and kayoed by Devin Haney but had scored two wins to reach the final of the Tournament. Texan Castaneda had rebounded from three consecutive losses with two wins in the Tournament. Moran walked away with a $50,000 prize and Castaneda $25,000.
November 5
Junin, Argentina: Super Middle: Nahuel Gonzalo Garcia (13-0) W TKO 4 Javier Maciel (34-19). Super Fly: Carla Merino (10-2) W PTS 10 Roxana Ayelen (4-7-2).
Garcia vs. Maciel
Southpaw Garcia makes it twelve inside the distance victories in thirteen fights with stoppage of a badly faded Maciel. In a short and wild scrap Garcia was down twice in the second round and Maciel also hit the floor in the same round. Garcia recovered and floored Maciel in the fourth to get the win. None of Garcia’s fights have gone beyond the fourth round. Now 38 Maciel has won only one of his last fourteen fights.
Merino vs. Ayelen
Merino holds on to her South American title as she gets the decision on scores of 100-90. 99-91 and 96-94 in her third title defence and marks up her seventh consecutive victory.
Fortitude Vally, Australia: Light Heavy: Conor Wallace (10-1) WTKO 6 Leti Leti (16-2).
Fighting in front of his home town fans Wallace gets a revenge win as he overcomes early knockdown to stop Leti. Wallace was given a count in the third and struggled to get into the fight. He was down on all three cards but came through to floor and stop Leti in the sixth. Wallace, born in Newry, Northern Ireland, had lost a majority decision against Leti in April last year but with this win retained the WBA Oceania belt. Samoan-born Leti is a former Australian champion and had won his last eight fights.
Halifax, Canada: Light Heavy: Brandon Brewer (26-2-2) W PTS 8 Juan Raygosa (17-22-3)
Brewer outpoints experienced Mexican Raygosa. No scores available but the 5” taller Brewer was able to use his longer reach to keep Raygosa on the back foot and was rarely troubled. First fight for Brewer since losing on points against Steven Butler in June. Raygosa is still looking for his first win in Canada being 0-3-1 so far.
Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada: Cruiser: Ruben Acosta (40-18-5) W PTS 10 Yan Pellerin (13-2). Heavy: Alexis Barriere (8-0) W TKO 2 Adam Braidwood (14-3).
Acosta vs. Pellerin
Argentinian Acost gets a wide unanimous decision over local Pellerin. Acosta won all the way and took the decision on scores of 98-92 twice and 99-91. Acosta is in his twentieth year as a pro. He was South American super middle weight champion but those days are behind him and he was 198 ½ lb for this win which nets him the WBO NABO belt and his first win in a fight outside of Argentina. Pellerin was making the first defence of the title.
Barrier vs. Braidwood
Barrier disposes of Braidwood in one round. Braidwood came forward from the start with southpaw Barrier on the back foot and catching Braidwood with counters. Braidwood’s guard was leaky and Barrier landed a series of left hands. Braidwood was shaken but kept coming until Barrier put him down with a left hook. Braidwood made it to his feet but was staggering around the ring and after the eight count the referee waived the fight over. Seven wins by KO/TKO for 27-year-old 6’4” Barrier a two-time Canadian amateur champion. Braidwood was having his first fight for three years. He won 13 of his first 14 fights but was stopped in three rounds by Simon Kean in 2018.
Hamburg, Germany: Heavy: Marcos Ahumada (24-11) W KO 1 Peter Kadiru (14-0). Feather: Nina Meinke (15-3) WPTS 10 Edith Matthysse (17-13-1). Heavy: Felix Langberg (11-0) W TKO 1 Anil Can Yildiz (10-1). Middle: Simon Zachenhuber (18-0) W TKO 1 Ali Hussan Zadeh (10-14). Light: Dilar Kisikyol (8-0) W PTS 10 Eva Hubmayer (5-3).
Ahumada vs. Kadiru
Huge shock as Argentinian Ahumada knocks out previously unbeaten Kadiru. Kadiru was dropped heavily by a right uppercut early in the opening round. He struggled to his feet but went down again under a hail of punches and was counted out. This was supposed to just be a warm-up for Kadiru who was nominated to fight for the vacant European title against Agit Kabayel with purse offers due this month. The EBU will have to find another co-challenger. There was some sign that this could be a risky fight as Ahumada had won 18 of his fights by KO/TKO. He had suffered five straight losses, three inside the distance, before recovering this year with two wins against very moderate opposition. He won both of those in the first round so that is three in a row for him. He can now expect some good paydays as others look to capitalise on the boost this win will have given Ahumada.
Meinke vs. Matthysse
Southpaw Meinke scores a unanimous decision over Argentinian Matthysse. Meinke’s quickness and superior power saw her sweep the rounds in the first half of the fight. Matthysse had a good sixth scoring heavily but Meinke took back control over the last two rounds and won on scores of 99-91,98-92 and 97-93. The former EBU champion collects the vacant IBF and GBU female titles. Matthysse, 42, a former holder of the WBA and WBC featherweight titles, is the sister of Lukas and Walter.
Langberg vs. Yildiz
in a clash of unbeaten heavyweights Langberg puts away Yildiz in the first. That’s ten inside the distance wins for the 6’5” Langberg including six first round endings. Yildiz had won all ten of his fights by KO/TKO but had not faced any fighter with a positive record.
Zachenhuber vs. Zadeh
Middleweight hope Zachenhuber floored over-matched Zadeh three times in the first round for his tenth victory by KO/TKO. Iranian-born Zadeh is 1-7 in his last 8 fights.
Kisikyol vs. Hubmayer
In an all-German battle Kisikyol wins the IBF and GBU female titles with unanimous verdict over Hubmayer. The 5’8” Kisikyol had a five inch edge over the 5’3” Hubmayer and was able to use her longer reach to dictate the tactics and Hubmayer just could not get a toe-hold in the fight. Being desperate to get inside left Hubmayer open to counters and she was rocked by right hands as Kisikyol won every round. The judges all scored it 100-90 for Kisikyol.
Oberhausen, Germany: Heavy: Zhan Kossobutskiy (19-0) W TKO 3 Hussein Muhamed (17-1). Light Heavy: Rostam Ibrahim (11-0-2) W PTS 10 Armenak Hovhannisyan (13-2-1). Heavy: Mourad Aliev (6-0) W TKO 5 Yakup Saglam (46-8). Light: Dzmitry Asanau (5-0) W PTS 8 Ramiro Blanco (18-16-3)
Kossobutskiy vs. Muhamed
Kossobutskiy demolishes Muhamed. After a feeling out first round southpaw Kossobutskiy floored Mohamed with a body punch in the second. Mohamed survived but was sent to the canvas again in the third. He beat the count but was down twice more and the fight was stopped. The 33-year-old 6’3” Kazakh southpaw has won 18 of his 19 fights by KO/TKO including a current run of twelve straight. German Muhamed tested positive for a banned substance and his win over Senad Gashi in June 2021 was changed to a No Decision leading him to be inactive for 15 months before returning with a win in September.
Ibrahim vs. Hovhannisyan
Stablemates Ibrahim and Hovhannisyan faced each other with the vacant WBC International Silver belt on the line. It was expected to be a closed fight but Ibrahim emerged a clear winner taking the decision on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93. Hovhannesyan had been unbeaten in his last ten fights but was having his first contest for fourteen months.
Aliev vs. Saglam
Russian-born French southpaw Aliev stopped veteran Saglam in the fifth. Aliev was just too strong for experienced Saglam. He decked Saglam in the second and Saglam was also cut in the same round. Aliev continued to score regularly with hard head shots and although Saglam got through with an occasional counter the fight was finally stopped in the fifth. The 6’7” Aliev beat Frazer Clarke in the European qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics but was disqualified when fighting Clarke in Tokyo. Saglam, 42, suffers his sixth defeat by KO/TKO.
Asanau vs, Blanco
Former top amateur Asanau outpoints Blanco. No real problems for Asanau who took the decision on scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73, The 26-year-old from Belarus was European Under-22 champion and won a gold at the European championships as well as competing at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics. Nicaraguan Blanco is on a thirteen bout losing streak
Guidonia Montecelio, Italy: Cruiser: Luca D’Ortenzi (17-2) W PTS 10 Eddy Lacrosse (13-9-2).
Former Italian champion D’Ortenzi wins the vacant IBF International title with a close unanimous verdict over Lacrosse. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. Ninth win in his last ten fights for former Italian champion D’Ortenzi. Lacrosse, who has had two spells as French champion, has been on a switchback ride being 4-5 in his last 9 fights.
Tokyo, Japan: Super Welter: Takeshi Inoue (19-2-1) W TKO 6 Ryosuke Maruki (18-8-2(). Middle: Kazuto Takesako (15-0-1) W TKO 3 Gyung Mo Yuh (8-8-3).
Inoue vs. Maruki
Inoue stops Maruki in six rounds. Inoue establish control early with a strong jab and hurt Maruki with a shot to the body in the second A bumping of heads saw a swelling developing around Maruki’s right eye. Inoue continued to boss the action and Maruki was cut over his left eye in the fourth. Maruki was taking steady punishment and when he was trapped in a corner under heavy fire in the sixth the fight was stopped. Inoue, 32, wins the vacant OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific belts. His losses have come against Jaime Munguia and Tim Tszyu. Maruki suffers his second loss by KO/TKO.
Takesako vs. Yuh
Takesako has no trouble defending his OPBF title as he stops overmatched Korean Yuh. Takesako scored with jolting jabs and left hooks to the body to dominate the action. Yuh showed fortitude but little else. Takesako stepped up his attacks over the second round and then put Yuh down with a blistering straight right in the third and the referee waived the fight over. Takesako was defending the OPBF title and makes it fourteen victories by KO/TKO. Third inside the distance loss for Yuh
Monterrey, Mexico: Super Welter: Juan Jose Rodriguez (17-0) W TKO 8 Nery Saguilan (39-19-1).
Local hero Rodrigez stops the ever eccentric Saguilan in eight rounds. From the beginning Saguilan set out to mess Rodriguez about take him out of his stride and disrupt his focus. Rodrigez stuck to the matter at hand and slowly broke Saguilan with body shots before flooring him with a combination in the eighth. Saguilan got up but at the end of the eight count the referee stopped the fight. The 25-year-old Rodriguez moves to twelve inside the distance victories in a row. Saguilan,34 is heading in the opposite direction with eleven losses in his last twelve fights.
Talisay City, Philippines: Super Feather: Albert Pagara (34-1) W RTD 4 Allan Villaneuva (11-4).
Pagara much too good for modest Villaneuva. Pagara made a steady start just pushing out his jab and the occasional right. He then stood against the ropes letting Villaneuva fire punches. Pagara rocked Villaneuva with an uppercut in the second and began to let his hands go laying on the punishment in the third but Villaneuva kept trying to stand and trade. By the fourth Villaneuva was bleeding heavily from the nose and had nothing left and he retired at the end of the round. Pagara looked on his way to a title fight after winning his first 26 fights but a stoppage defeat against Cesar Juarez derailed him. He has won his last seven fights but just one in 2019 and one in 2020 and none in 2021 and this his first fight in 2022 he needs to get active again. Fourth loss in a row for Villaneuva
Lubin, Poland: Light Heavy: Pawel Czyzyk (10-1) W PTS 10 Dragan Lepei (21-6-2). Super Middle: Ihosvany Garcia (9-0) W KO 1 Mirsad Cebo (17-3).
Czyzyk vs. Lepei
Czyzyk wins two titles with points victory over Lepei. Czyzyk made a good start taking the fight to Lepei and pocketing the first two rounds with his higher work rate and accuracy. He was winning the third until Lepei nailed him with some hefty counters that shook the home fighter. From there Czyzyk dialled back his aggression and boxed more. Lepei scored with a good left hook in the sixth and Czyzyk banged back with left hooks of his own in the seventh. Czyzyk was picking up the rounds with his jab and after Lepei had a good ninth Czyzyk closed the fight out with some good combination punching in the last. The judges all gave the fight to Czyzyk 98-92 and he wins the vacant IBO International and WBA Continental titles with his eighth consecutive victory. Former Italian champion Lepei lost only one of his first 19 fights but life has been tougher since then.
Garcia vs. Cebo
Polish-based Cuban Garcia disposes of Cebo in the first round. Garia dumped Cebo on the canvas wit a right hook. Cebo made it to his feet but a right to the body put him down again and he was counted out. Seven wins by KO/TKO now for the dangerous Cuban. Bosnian Cebo had won his last five fights but was no match for Garcia.
Fight of the week (Significance): Dmirti Bivol’s win over Gilberto Ramirez opens the door to a possible unification fight against Artur Beterbiev or a return with Saul Alvarez.
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Conor Wallace vs. Leti Leti was a war with honourable mention to Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs. Zelfa Barrett where the contrast in style worked to provide and entertaining match
Fighter of the week: Dmitri Bivol. Not a great fight but an important win
Punch of the week: The punch from David Morell which brough the second knockdown in the twelfth had great power but I go for the left hook from Brian Mendoza that finished Jeison Rosario
Upset of the week: Marcos Ahumada was just supposed to be keep busy opponent for Peter Kadiru but Ahumada put Kadiru down and out in the first round.
Prospect watch: Polish-based Ukrainian middleweight Fidor Czerkaszyn 21-0 impressed in his points win over Nathaniel Gallimore
Observations
Rosette; To both Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and David Morell who both showed compassion for their beaten opponents. Rakhimov crouched down by the still sitting on the canvas Zelfa Barrett and as they talked you could see the mutual respect shining out. Morrell also showed concern and compassion in breaking off his celebrations to quickly grasp the arm of Aidos Yerbossynuly and then help the referee half carry Yerbossynuly to his corner.
Red Card Dmitri Bivol and Gilberto Ramirez for turning a highly anticipated fight into a non-event.
-Some fighting family the Wilcox boys. Not too often you get four brothers fighting on the same show but there could have been five Wilcox brothers in action as Sheldon was scheduled to make his pro debut but had to pullout due to injury. The show is an annual event dedicated to the memory of Robbie Wilcox who died from brain cancer in 1995 at the age of seven.
- The pairing of Conor Wallace vs. Leti Leti did not look promising with Wallace being 6’3 ½” and Leti Leti 5’8” but somehow it worked and they put on a good fight
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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