The Past Week in Action 21 August 2023: Mauricio Lara, Luis Nery win by knockouts
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
Highlights:
- Mauricio Lara wins the secondary WBA featherweight title as he comes from behind to floor and stop Leigh Wood in the seventh round
-Luis Nery wins WBC super bantamweight eliminator stopping Armenian Azat Hovhannisyan in the eleventh round of a savage “Fight of the Year” contender and there are wins for Shane Mosley Jr and Ricardo Sandoval
-Dalton Smith retains the British super lightweight title with a points decision over Billy Allington and there are wins for Gary Cully and Cheavon Clarke but Gamal Yafai is floored three times and outpointed by Diego Ruiz
-Felix Sturm gets a hotly disputed points win over light heavyweight Sukru Altay and Tyron Zuege returns to action with a first round victory over Michal Ryba
World Title/Major Shows
FEBRUARY 18
Nottingham, England: Feather: Mauricio Lara (26-2-1) W TKO 7 Leigh Wood (26-3). Super Light: Dalton Smith (14-0) W PTS 12 Billy Allington (10-2). Light: Gary Cully (16-0) W TKO 2 Wilfredo Flores (10-1-1). Cruiser: Cheavon Clarke (5-0) W PTS 10 Israel Duffus (20-9). Super Bantam: Diego Ruiz (24-6-1) W PTS 10 Gamal Yafai (19-3) W. Super Middle: Kieron Conway (19-3-1) Wb PTS 8 Jorge Silva (21-8). Super Light Sam Maxwell (17-1) W PTS 6 Shaun Cooper (13-5).
Lara vs. Wood
Lara comes from behind to win the secondary WBA belt. Lara scored a heavy knockdown at the end of the seventh and although Wood beat the count, he was unsteady and his corner threw in the towel
Round 1
A cautious first round from both with neither having much success. The action finally came over the last thirty seconds as Lara leapt forward behind his jab scoring with a straight left and then with hooks from both hands. A clash of heads saw Wood cut over his left eye.
Score: 10-9 Lara
Round 2
Good start to the round from Wood as he was coming in behind his jab and scoring with straight lefts and a pair of hooks to the body. Lara really cut loose over the closing 40 seconds hammering Wood with hooks to the body and rocking him with a long right.
Score: 10-9 LaraLara 20-18
Round 3
A too cautious opening to this round with neither boxer throwing a punch in the first minute. Wood then began to pierce Lara’s guard with jabs and fire straight rights. Brilliant boxing from Wood. He was getting his jab off, avoiding Lara’s counters and then connecting with straight rights or little bunches of punches. Wood landed three straight rights to the head in a row.
Score: 10-9 WoodLara 29-28
Round 4
Lara launched a fierce attack at the start of the round but Wood rode the storm and then took over. It was again left jab followed by a straight right and an occasional right hand lead. Lara was stopped in his tracks by a right and forced to back off and regroup but after recovering was too slow to land anything.
Score: 10-9 WoodTIED 38-38
Official Scores: Judge Howard Foster 38-38 TIED, Judge Guillermo Perez 38-38 TIED, Judge Oliver Brien 39-37 Wood
Round 5
Wood stood and traded punches at the start and they both landed good left hooks. Wood landed a wicked right to the ribs that had Lara backing off visibly hurt. Wood followed up with straight rights and a left hook with Lara having some success as they swopped punches at the bell.
Score: 10-9 WoodWood 48-47
Round 6
Lara was waiting to counter Wood’s lead but Wood was too quick. He was sliding home his jab to the body then switching to jab to the head landing a straight right and stepping out of range before Lara could react. Lara was swinging wildly in frustration but landed a good left hook at the end of the round. The cut over Wood’s left eye had dripped blood in every round but the blood was not hampering his vision
Score: 10-9 WoodWood 58-56
Round 7
Lara upped his pace. Instead of looking to counter he was now coming forward letting his hands go more. Both were scoring but a couple of left hooks looked to have stung Wood. He was still boxing well but suddenly Laran stepped in with a cracking left hook that put Wood down on his back. He was up at six but his legs wobbled. The referee completed the eight count and had wiped Wood’s gloves and Wood had followed the request to lift his gloves but the towel came in from Wood’s corner with just six seconds remaining in the round. It was a controversial decision by his team. Wood was angry at towel being thrown as he might have lasted those few remaining seconds and recovered but he had been on shaky legs at the end and it looked just about the right decision from his corner. Lara shot to prominence with a ninth round stoppage od Josh Warrington. A return fight ended in a technical draw after two rounds due a cut suffered by Lara in a clash of heads. He is now unbeaten in his last sixteen fights winning twelve of those by KO/TKO. Wood was making the second defence of his title.
Smith vs. Allington
Smith retains the British title as he floors and outpoints Allington in a disappointing fight. There was not much action in the first or second round with both carrying caution too far just probing with jabs and firing the occasional right. Smith let his punches go a bit more in the third and landed some good shots in the fourth but Allington was proving an awkward if non-threatening opponent. Smith did what useful scoring there was but he was priming himself to launch an attack and too rarely following through. Allington probably did enough to edge a low action sixth but it was irritating seeing Smith show too much respect to the power of an opponent who had not won a fight inside the distance. Two left hooks sent Allington down in the eighth but he was moving away from the punches and was not badly shaken and Smith did not go looking for the knockout. Smith shook Allington a couple of times in the ninth but was also cut over his left eye by a clash of heads. A frustrated Smith hoisted Allington in the tenth and body slammed him to the canvas but was not penalised. Smith tried hard to find a finisher but over the last two rounds Allington bobbed, weaved, ducked and held and it went the distance. Smith won on scores of 119-108 twice and 120-107 but this was a disappointing performance. Admittedly Allington was a clever and difficult opponent but Smith’s own performance lack fire and he is so much better than this. Allington was 2-0-2 in modest level fights before this title chance.
Cully vs. Flores
Cully blows away Flores in two rounds. In the first the 6’2” Cully towered over Flores and forced him back around the ring stabbing out right jabs and firing heavy lefts looking to end the fight quickly. In the second landed a leaping right but Cully sent him stumbling back and down with a left to the head. Flores made it to his feet but stumbled. When the action restarted a volley of shots from Cully was enough for the referee to stop the fight. Sixth inside the distance win in his seven fights for Cully including a fifth round kayo of former IBF lightweight champion Manuel Vazquez. Puerto Rican-born Flores was just too small and low on power to be a threat.
Clarke vs. Duffus
Clarke drops Duffus four times but has to settle for a points win. Duffus shot out of his corner going straight after Clarke firing lefts and rights and putting Clarke under pressure. Clarke found it hard to get any punching room and although he was eventually able to fire back Duffus took the round. The second was much more even as Clarke warmed-up and began to land with his own bombs. Duffus worked hard to make the third and fourth close. Clarke’s harder punching made the difference in the fifth and late in the round a right hook followed by a left hook had Duffus staggering and only the bell saved him. A left hook from Clarke dropped Duffus at the start of the sixth. Duffus beat the count and was then given some recovery time after a right from Clarke landed low. Duffus was down again late in the round but survived. A couple of hefty hooks sent Duffus sprawling on the canvas at the end of the seventh but there was not enough time remaining for Clarke to apply the finish. Duffus made it through the eighth and the ninth but was down again with just seconds left in the tenth. Clarke won on scores of 98-88 twice and 98-90. Clarke’s first four fights had been over in just eleven rounds so Duffus did a very useful job and Clarke is ready for stiffer test. Panamanian Duffus suffers his fifth defeat in his last six fights.
Ruiz vs. Yafai
In a surprise result Ruiz outpoints Yafai scoring three knockdowns on his way to victory. Yafai was on the front shooting left jabs and then moving in quickly with left hooks. Ruiz was trying to dodge or block Yafai’s punches then darting forward throwing hooks. Ruiz switched to southpaw in the second and clipped Yafai with a right to the head and Yafai stumbled and put his glove on the canvas to steady himself resulting in a count. When the action restarted Ruiz tried hard to finish Yafai but he ducked and held to the bell. Ruiz constantly switched guards in the third and late in the round as Yafai ducked under a right his gloves hit the floor and there was another count. Yafai fought hard trying to claw back those two 10-8 rounds and as he pressed hard Ruiz was tiring. Yafai had closed much of the gap by the end of the eighth but Ruiz rallied and had a good ninth. Yafai need a kayo but was sent down by a right to the head in the tenth and from there Yafai was under constant fire to the last bell. Scores 98-89, 97-90 and 97-91 for Ruiz. The experienced Argentinian was 0-1-3 in previous bouts in the UK including a loss to Michael Conlan and a draw with Lee McGregor. Former European and Commonwealth champion Yafai had lost only to Gavin McDonnell and Jason Cunningham.
Conway vs. Silva
Conway much too good for Silva in a low key contest. Conway boxed his way through this one without having to get into high gear. He was too quick and too accurate and Silva struggle to get into the fight. Skill is Conway’s speciality rather than power and although he rocked Silva a few times and Silva slowed and tired late Silva was able to stay to hear the final bell. The referee had it 80-72 for Conway. After wins over James Metcalf and Gregoryn Trenel he was floored and outpointed by Austin Williams so a welcome victory. Silva had won his last five fights against mediocre opponents in his native Portugal.
Maxwell vs. Cooper
Maxwell starts his rebuilding project with win over Cooper. Maxwell used his longer reach and faster hands to control this one. Copper fought hard to make the rounds close and had a good fourth but then tired as Maxwell dominated the rest of the way. Referee’s score 60-54 for Maxwell. First fight for Maxwell since suffering a shock ninth round stoppage loss against Alejandro Meneses In April last year. Good effort from Cooper who did the job he was there for.
Pomona, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Luis Nery (34-1) W TKO 11 Azat Hovhannisyan (21-4). Super Middle: Shane Mosley Jr (19-4) W PTS 10 Mario Lozano (33-11). Fly: Ricardo Sandoval (21-2) W KO 2 Jerson Ortiz (17-7,1ND)
Nery vs. Hovhannisyan
Nery stops Hovhannisyan in the eleventh round of an epic battle. A sure contender for Fight of the Year with every round between the second and tenth a contender for Round of the Year. Nery set the pace early as he connected with a right and a left to the head in the opening round. He then somehow managed to slip on the canvas and go down when not under any pressure but no count of course. Nery then fired a series of punches driving Hovhannisyan across the ring and Hovhannisyan landed a couple of shots later in the round but it had been Nery’s round. Hovhannisyan took the second. He began to fire lead rights at southpaw Nery and then moved to left jabs and straight rights keeping Nery under pressure. War broke just before the bell as they just stood in the centre of the ring letting fly with both hands. A case of offence with no defence and Hovhannisyan seemed to rock Nery with a right to the head. Hovhannisyan piled into Nery at the start of the third and when Nery stood his ground and responded with shots of his own that set the pattern for the rest of the round. They traded punch after punch with both landing heavily with powerful straight lefts from Nery just giving him the edge. Hovhannisyan was cut under his right eye and that seeped blood for the rest of the fight. In the fourth they alternated between single accurate shots and all guns blazing exchanges with Hovhannisyan pumping out a non-stop succession of punches landing jarring shots. A combination of head punches from Nery sent him back on his heels at the bell but it was Hovhannisyan’s round. Nery dominated the fifth raking Hovhannisyan with straight shots driving him to the ropes and jolting his head around. Hovhannisyan banged back and again it was bombs away from both. The sixth saw them standing in the centre of the ring within punching distance of each other with neither backing down but just firing punch after punch- quality shots all. It was just Nery’s round and Hovhannisyan was now cut on his right eye lid. Hovhannisyan marched forward in the seventh pumping out punches. Nery was forced to come forward trying to re-take control but Hovhannisyan met him with cracking counters and yet again the round ended with a terrific exchange of shots. The pace dropped a little in the eighth as the battle of attrition took its toll on both fighters. Between them these two had accumulated forty-one wins by KO/TKO so it was some serious power being traded in the exchanges, and although lower in intensity, they were still brutal. Nery was coming forward behind a high guard in the ninth and blasting Hovhannisyan with brutal straight lefts and hooks and uppercuts from both hands. Hovhannisyan was firing back fiercely but some of the power had leaked out of his punches and he looked drained at the bell. Despite that Hovhannisyan came out firing bundles of punches in the tenth. He walked into a left hook that snapped his head back and Nery then exploded with a series of punishing shots. Somehow Hovhannisyan dredged up a reserve of strength. He was still looking to rumble and not ready to crumble and he piled forward with a stream of punches and although they lacked his earlier power Nery was forced to back off and re-set himself. He then connected with a booming left hook. Hovhannisyan staggered back and when he hit the ropes he was impelled forward and down on the canvas on his side. He was up at eight and looked in a bad shape but he followed the referee’s instruction to take a few paces from side to side and the referee let the fight continue. There were only twenty seconds remaining in the round. Nery hammered home head punches but the bell went just as the referee looked poised to jump in and save Hovhannisyan. Nery must have thought the fight was over-it nearly was but not quite. Nery drove Hovhannisyan around the ring under a hail of punches only to walk onto a left hook from Hovhannisyan which had Nery backing off. Hovhannisyan dredged up one last effort lunging forward peppering Nery with hooks and uppercuts. It was a magnificent effort but it used up the last of his resistance and when Nery landed a couple of shots that had Hovhannisyan stumbling the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. The scores at the end of the tenth were 96-93 twice and 95-94 for Nery which when you take account of the 10-8 in the tenth for Nery shows how close the fight was. This was a WBC Eliminator so now Nery will either get a shot at Stephen Fulton or if Fulton vs. Naoya Inoue is made, then against the winner, and he would be a real threat to either Fulton or Inoue. Armenian Hovhannisyan had lost on points to Rey Vargas in a shot at the WBC title in 2018 and this is the first time he has been beaten inside the distance. His work rate and punch resistance were incredible and his courage was tested to the limit here and will have given his profile a huge lift but just as a fight like this can lift a man it can also destroy him.
Mosley vs. Lozano
In his first fight for ten months Mosley outboxes Mexican veteran Lozano. The 5” taller Mosley used his longer reach to put a rusty Lozano on the back foot over the first three rounds and scored well with left hooks to the body. He put Lozano under sustained pressure in the fourth driving Lozano along the ropes and easily dodging Lozano’s counters. A big left hook shook Lozano in the fifth and Mosley pounded on him in the sixth but he took the punishment and banged back. The seventh and eighth were painful rounds for Lozano but he declined a question of opting out before the start of the ninth. Both were coming back after periods of inactivity and both were feeling then pace. Lozano put in a strong effort over the last two rounds and Mosley dialled his attacks back a bit not wanting to take any chances in a fight he knew he had won. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 for Mosley. He was due a not too taxing outing after losing a majority decision to Jason Quigley and winning a majority verdict against Gabriel Rosado. First fight for Lozano since being stopped in seven rounds by Liam Smith in August 2019
Sandova vs. Ortiz
Sandoval returns with a win as he finishes Ortiz with a body punch in the second. They traded punches for much of the opening round with Ortiz throwing more but the harder punches coming from Sandoval. In the second Sandoval took the fight to Ortiz and they traded punches with Sandoval landing heavily. Ortiz tried to match him but was constantly backing out of the exchanges. Sandoval stepped inside and fired a left hook to the body. Ortiz went down on his hands and knees and stayed there in obvious agony until the referee counted to ten. First fight for Sandoval since losing on a majority decision against David Jimenez in July last year and sixteenth win by KO/TKO. Only one win in his last six fights for Ortiz.
FEBRUARY 16
Tokyo, Japan: Super Bantam: Kazuki Nakajima (14-1-1) W TKO 8 Kenny Demecillo (16-6-2). Super Light: Koki Inoue (16-1) W TKO 2 Phakorn Alemyod (4-1).
Nakajima vs. Demecillo
Nakajima wins the vacant WBO Asia Pacific belt as he halts Filipino Demecillo in the eighth round. Both were cautious early with southpaw Nakajima making the better start outscoring Demecillo in the first. Demecillo clawed back that early lead over the next three rounds with two judges having them equal at 38-38 and the third seeing Nakajima in front 39-37. Demecillo attacked hard in the fifth but the harder punching of Nakajima took over in the sixth and seventh and he had Demecillo wilting. In the eighth a series of shots from Nakajima sent Demecillo to the floor. He beat the count but as Nakajima poured on the punches the towel came in from Demecillo’s corner. Former OPBF champion Nakajima gets his fourth consecutive inside the distance win. “Big Heart” Demecillo had won 4 of his last 5 fights.
Inoue vs. Alemyod
Southpaw Inoue stops Thai novice Alemyod in the second round. Inoue floored Alemyod with a pair of lefts late in the opening round. As Alemyod plunged forward in the second Inoue connected with a left that put Alemyod down and the fight was over. Inoue, a cousin of Naoya Inoue, and former Japanese champion, had retired after a seventh round stoppage loss to Daishi Nagata in a title defence in July last year. Alemyod’s four victims had only six wins between them and was seriously overmatched
FEBRUARY 17
London, England: Heavy: David Adeleye (11-0) W TKO 2 Dmytro Bezus (10-1). Light: Mark Chamberlain (12-0) W TKO 5 Vairo Lentil (10-5-1). Super Light: Henry Turner (10-0) W KO 7 Zues de Armas (15-3-1).
Adeleye vs. Bezus
Adeleye wipes out Bezus with a crushing left hook. The taller Ukrainian tried to use his longer reach to force Adeleye back but things looked ominous when Adeleye dropped Bezus with a solid jab early in the first round. Bezus beat the count but Adeleye landed some good punches as the round progressed. In the second Bezus came forward forcing Adeleye to the ropes. Adeleye landed a right to the body and a booming left to the chin that floored Bezus. He made it to his feet but looked unsteady and the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-oldLondoner wins the vacant WBO European title with his tenth win by KO/TKO. Bezus, 33, was unbeaten but had only previously fought in 4 and 6 round bouts against very modest opposition.
Chamberlain vs. Lentil
Chamberlain beats a competitive Lentil in the fifth. From the start Chamberlain was controlling the action with sharp, accurate right jabs and landing lefts to the body. With Chamberlian having the longer reach Lentil was forced to continually come forward and had some success but was being stopped in his tracks by some blazing uppercuts and hooks. Lentil was rocked by burst of punches in the fourth but managed to land a right to the head in the fifth. However just as Lentil’s right landed a left cross from Chamberlain was sent on its way and crashed against Lentil’s chin. That sent Lentin staggering back and down heavily and no count was needed. Eighth victory by KO/TKO for the Portsmouth southpaw, a former English Youth and Senior champion, who was defending the IBF European belt. Former Italian title holder Lentil suffers his second loss by KO/TKO.
Turner vs. de Armas
Turner stops Spaniard de Armas in the seventh. An impressive display from Turner saw him floor de Armas in the third and then with body punches in in the fourth and seventh rounds to force the stoppage. Southpaw Turner was making the first defence of the WBC International Silver belt. He was an English, British and European champion as a Junior. Third inside the distance defeat for de Armas
Topeka, KS, USA: Super Welter: Ardreal Holmes (13-0) W PTS 10 Ismael Villarreal (12-1). Super Feather: Edward Vazquez (14-1,1ND) PTS 10 Misael Lopez (14-1).
Holmes vs. Villarreal
Holmes wins this clash of unbeaten fighter as he squeezes past Bronx-born Villareal. The 6’2” southpaw Holmes managed to box on the outside over the first three rounds with Villareal struggling to get inside to work. Villareal managed to close. Holmes down over the fourth, fifth and sixth scoring with same tasty hooks inside. Holmes reversed the trend taking the fight to Villareal coming forward behind his jab and scoring well to the body and he looked to have a winning lead. Villareal staged a strong finish but Holmes looked a good winner. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Holmes and 96-94 for Villareal 94-96. Holmes was inactive in 2020 and 2021 and this is his second win since returning to action in March 2022. Villareal had won his last five fights by KO/TKO including a victory over unbeaten LeShawn Rodriguez in July last year.
Vazquez vs. Lopez
Vazquez edges out Lopez on a razor-thin split decision. After a first where Vazquez just did enough to take it, he put Lopez down with a left to the head in the second. Vazquez out-landed Lopez in the third with Lopez facing steep climb to get into the fight. Lopez scored well with right in the fourth but Vazquez blasted back to take the fifth. Lover the second half of the fight Lopez used his better skills and more mobile style landing well with jabs and gradually eating on to the lead Vazquez had accumulated but Vazquez attacked all the way to take the tenth. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Vazquez and 95-94 for Lopez so that second round knockdown was costly for Lopez. Texan Vazquez’s loss was a split decision against unbeaten Ray Ford. Lopez had won his last three fights. The No Decision was a fight he won which was overturned by the Texan Commission due to a “rules Violation”
win since 96-93, 95-94, 94-95
Paris, France: Light: Estelle Mossely W PTS 10 Anisha Basheel (11-9).
Classy boxing from Mossely overcomes the height and reach of Basheel. Mossely used her superior speed to get in and land her punches and get out again before Basheel could counter. Basheel pressed hard but Mossely was blocking her shots or using slick upper body movement to slide awa from them. Mossely was finding plenty of gaps for her own punches thrown singularly or in bursts and eased to victory on scores of 99-91 twice and 100-90. When she won gold at the 2016 Olympics, she became the first French female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal and she also won gold at the World Championships in the same year. She was making the fourth defence of her IBO title. She intends to have two more pro fights this near but her main aim is to succeed at the European Championships this year with a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris in 2024. She promoted this fight. Malawian Basheel is a former Commonwealth Boxing Council champion who rebounded from losing her first five fights.
Massa, Italy: Bantam: Claudio Grande (10-2) W PTS 10 Jonathan Sannino (15-4-1). Feather: Davide Tassi (15-0) W KO 10 Jose Sanchez 15-1-1).
Grande vs. Sannino
Grande gets a win for the locals as he becomes the new Italian champion with a hard-fought points victory over Sannino for the vacant title. Neither of these are punchers so had no fear of going to war and they provided an entertaining and close contest. The early rounds were very even but Grande looked to have moved ahead over the middle rounds. The ninth was close and Sannino looked to have edged the tenth but the lead Grande built over the middle rounds was enough to get him over the line. Scores 97-93 and 97-94 for Grande and 96-94 for Sannino. Grande wins the national title at the second attempt. Sannino is a former Italian super bantam champion.
Tassi vs. Sanchez
Tassi makes it a double for home town boxers as he wins the vacant WBC International Silver belt with a late kayo Sanchez. Lots of skills on show from southpaw Tassi as an aggressive and as Sanchez drove forward over the first two rounds Tassi scored with hard counters. From the fourth Tassi was finding the target with jarring lefts and raking Sanchez with punches building a big lead. Sanchez tried to keep marching forward but there was no variety in his work and he was gradually being beaten down. Tassi was ramming home punches in the ninth with Sanchez badly shaken and Tassi ended it in the tenth putting Sanchez down and out with a wicked left hook. Impressive performance from the former undefeated Italian featherweight champion. Finnish-based Spaniard Sanchez weas in his first ten round contest.
Krasnogorsk, Rusia: Super Middle: Magomed Madiev (16-1-3) W Emiliano Pucheta (17-6-1).
Argentinians don’t always travel well but despite giving away height and reach Pucheta turned in a good performance in holding Madiev to a draw. Scores 77-75 Pucheta, 77-76 Madiev and 76-76. Second fight for Madiev since losing on points against Felix Cash for the vacant WBC International title in a year ago. Pucheta, a former Argentinian middleweight champion was having his first fight outside of Argentina.
FEBRUARY 18
Stuttgart, Germany: Light Heavy: Felix Sturm (43-6-31ND) W PTS 10 Sukru Altay (15-3). Light Heavy: Tyrone Zeuge (25-1-1) W TKO 1 Michal Ryba (12-10-1). Heavy: Daniel Dietz (8-0) W TKO 1 Marko Vucevic (5-3). Cruiser: Tahir Kahrovic (20-0) W RTD 2 Slavisa Simeunovic (40-62).
Sturm v s. Altay
Sturm returns after a year out and gets a very questionable victory over Altay. Sturm was streets ahead in skill but just did not work hard enough. He was waiting too long to let his punches go and his low work rate handed the initiative to Altay. The Turkish boxer kept marching forward throwing punches and although Sturm was blocking many, he was too passive. Altay landed a good uppercut in the third and Sturm found the target with some accurate counters in the fourth. Sturm tried to control the action from the centre of the ring in the fifth but Altay kept barrelling forward throwing more and landing more. Perhaps Sturm had been keeping something in reserve for the closing rounds and he staged a stronger finish but did not look to have done enough to off-set the lead Altay had built. The judges scored it 99-91, 97-95 and 96-94 for Sturm. None of those scores loo9ked anywhere near right and the 99-91 was disgraceful. Sturm, 44, has said he is aiming for another three or four fights with interest being drummed up for a match against Arthur Abraham, now 43 and inactive for almost five years. Altay’s other two losses were on points in 2021 against an opponent with a 6-0-1 record and in May last year when he was stopped on a cut against a fighter with a 3-7 record so looked harmless enough as an opponent for Sturm. Altay joins Miguel Vazquez in Suffering at the hands of judging in Germany this month.
Zeuge v s. Ryba
Zeuge returns with a win. The former holder of the secondary WBA super middleweight title floored Ryba three times and the fight was stopped just 2:40 into the first round. First fight for Zeuge since September 2019. No value from a fight like this for Zeuge who was badly in need of some ring time. Czech Ryba had won his last four bouts but against low grade opposition.
Dietz vs. Vucevic
Giant Dietz makes it eight wins by KO/TKO as he scores three knockdowns to bring the finish in the first round. His seventh first round finish so his total ring time is less than nine rounds. The 6’8 ½” Dietz was a German champion in K1 Martial Art and had no amateur career so some care needed but a gym sparring session would be more beneficial than a fight like this. Croat Vucevic had scored four first round wins but again very inferior standard of opponents
Kahrovic vs. Simeunovic
“Tommy Punch” Kahrovic gets a win as Bosnia Simeunovic retires after the second round. Now fourteen wins by KO/TKO for Kahrovic with anything faintly like a test being carefully avoided as Simeunovic suffers inside the distance loss No 49 including 9 in his last 10 fights
San Lorenzo, Argentina: Bantam: Kevin Munoz (16-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Isaac Arias (11-1). Cruiser: Franco Acosta (13-0) W TKO 2 Deivis Casseres (28-18-2).
Munoz vs. Arias
Munoz picks up the vacant IBF Latino title as he outboxes Venezuelan Arias. Munoz fought on the back foot using smart footwork and accurate countering. Arias pressed hard but lacked accuracy and had a leaky guard. Ther Venezuelan had some success particularly with a right in the fourth and when he rebounded from punishment in the seventh to rock Munoz in the eighth. Apart from that Munoz controlled the action and won by 97-93 on all three cards. Fourth win in a row for Munoz the IBF No 11(10). Arias had lost on a majority decision against Dewayne Beamon in September.
Acosta vs. Casseres
Acosta stops Casseres in two rounds. The 6’3 ½” Acosta used his longer reach to boss the action in the first and dropped Casseres with a left hook to the body in the second. Casseres made it to his feet but another body punch put him down and the fight was stopped. Argentinian champion Acosta was defending the WBA Fedelatin belt and gets his tenth inside the distance victory. Colombian Casseres, who came in 9lbs heavier than Acosta, has won only one of his last eight fights.
Kuringen, Belgium: Super Light: Hovhannes Martirosyan (14-0) WKO 6 Jan Marsalek (10-5).
Belgian Martirosyan wins the vacant WBC Francophone title with a sixth round kayo of Czech Marsalek. Martirosyan dropped Marsalek in the fifth before putting him down and out in the sixth. Ninth win by KO/TKO for Martirosyan but only his second fight in nineteen months so he needs to be more active. Fourth defeat by KO/TKO for Marsalek.
Cordoba, Spain: Super Middle: Ronny Landaeta (20-4) W TKO 6 Jose Navarro (7-1).
Landaeta comes from behind to stop home town fighter Navarro and win the vacant Spanish title. Navarro was in the ascendancy from the start. At 6’3” he had a 5” height advantage and a much longer reach. He was jabbing strongly and getting through with hooks to the body. Landaeta landed some hooks of his own late in the second but that had also been Navarro’s round. He continued to outscore Landaeta over the third, fourth and fifth taking the fight to Landaeta with Landaeta firing few but dangerous looking counters. An overconfident Navarro landed a hard right in the sixth but was then nailed by a right from Landaeta that sent him into the ropes badly shaken. Landaeta drove Navarro to a corner and bombarded him with punches until the referee came in to save Navarro. Venezuelan-born Landaeta. A former European Union champion, Landaeta regains the national title at the age of 40. Navarro was on the way to victory until the sixth and will want a return.
Daly City, CA, USA: Light Heavy: Ronald Gavril (23-3) W PTS 8 Khainell Wheeler (7-3). Super Feather: Andy Vences (23-4-1,1ND) ND 1 Cristian Mino (23-7-2,1ND).
Gavril vs. Wheeler
Gavril makes it six consecutive wins with points victory over Wheeler. Gavril used his experience to work around Wheeler’s jab getting inside and scoring with lefts to the body and clubbing rights to the head. He kept Wheeler on the back foot. Wheeler showed a useful jab and good movement but was outworked by Gavril. Wheeler did not have the power to control the fight and fought in bursts. Gavril had Wheeler in trouble in the fourth with a series of body punches and rights to the head but the bell prevented Gavril finishing Wheeler. The sixth saw Wheeler land a burst of body punches but Gavril banged back and Wheeler faded. It was the same in the seventh with Wheeler unloading as Gavril was pinned to the ropes but hard shots from Gavril turned the tables and it was Wheeler under fire. Gavril finished the fight strongly as Wheeler tired in the eighth. Gavril won the unanimous decision and picks up the WBC Continental Americas title that was vacant. No scores available. Gavril, 36, lost twice on points against David Benavidez. The first fight was for the vacant WBC super middle belt which he lost on a split decision but Benavidez won easily in the return. Gavril was inactive in 2019 and 2021 and has won his last six fights. Second loss in a row for Wheeler.
Vences vs. Mino
This one was over in quick time. Late in the opening round Vences landed a chopping right that landed at the back of Mino’s head. He went down on his back with the referee indicating it was no knockout. From there it became confusing with Mino taking quite a while to get up and go to his corner and with no one having their hand raised when the Tele cut off it looked like a No Decision?
Melrose, MA, USA: Super Light: Mike Ohan Jr (17-2) W PTS 10 Daniel Sostre (13-23-1).
Ohan gets a repeat win as he outclasses Sostre winning on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. Ohan had beaten Sostre on points over six rounds in 2018. Ohan has won 8 of his last nine contests with the loss coming against Olympian Delante Johnson. Fourteen losses in a row for Puer4to Rican Sostre.
Chester, PA, USA: Bantam: Dylan Price (16-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Jobert Alvarez (20-4-2).
With Nonito Donaire in his corner Prospect Dylan Price continues his march to the top with a points victory over seasoned Filipino Alvarez. Price mixed his attacks well to head and body and rocked Alvarez a few times but Alvarez showed his toughness and Price had to go the distance for his victory. Scores 98-92 twice and 100-90 for Price and retained the WBO NABO title. Price, 24, rated No 14 by the WBO and 15 By the IBF, is a former US Junior and twice USA Youth champion and took bronze medals at the National Golden Gloves and World Youth Championships. Jobert is closing in on thirteen years as a pro.
Riga, Latvia: Super Feather: Artjoms Ramlavs (16-2) WPTS 10 Eduardo Costa do Nascimento (9-2).
Ramlavs was just quicker and busier than Brazilian Nascimento over the first four rounds but the rounds were close. Nascimento came on strong over the middle rounds but then faded and Ramlavs won on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-92. Ramlavs was floored and outpointed by Archie Sharp in 2019 and was coming off a loss against Pole Damian Wrzesinski in October.
Fight of the week (Significance): Luis Nery’s win over Azat Hovhannisyan sets up the possibility of a fight with WBC champion Steven Fulton or even down the line Naoya Inoue.
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Nery vs. Azat Hovhannisyan for sure
Fighter of the week: Luis Nery with honourable mention to Mauricio Lara
Punch of the week: Nery’s left hook in the tenth that effectively ended his war with Hovhannisyan with honourable mention to David Adeleye for his left hook that finished Dmytro Bezus
Upset of the week: Diego Ruiz’s win over Gamal Yafai was not supposed to happen
Prospect watch: British heavyweight David Adeleye 11-0 (10) has real power and growing maturity
Observations
Rosette to Luis Nery vs. Azat Hovhannisyan for their epic encounter
Red Card for the judge who saw Felix Sturm the winner by 99-91 against Sukru Altay when even the other two scores of 97-95 and 96-94 for Sturm were highly questionable
- There is a new German heavyweight prospect Daniel Dietz who is 6’8 ½” (204cm). I did a quick check and up to the time Floyd Patterson won the heavyweight title in 1956 only two boxer over 6’3” had won the title Jess Willard 6’6 ¼ and Primo Carnera 6’5 ¾,only two others had been over 6’2” and four had been under 6’0”. It seems we live in Triassic heavyweight era.
- Sweet Memories” That’s what South African Frans Botha might have been humming as he took part in a charity exhibition bout in Stuttgart at the week end. Back in 1995 in Stuttgart Botha outpointed Axel Schulz on a split decision to win the vacant IBF heavyweight title. Incensed German fans rioted. The police said six people were hospitalised having been hurt by flying glass (so not all Germans wear leather trousers and drink out of giant tankards-or is that only he women) beer and champaign bottles were thrown into the ring (obviously a higher class of drunk in those days) some tried to climb in the ring, officials and some fans climbed under the ring for safety. Shortly after the fight Frans tested positive for steroids and was stripped of the title. Happy returns Frans.
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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