The Past Week in Action 21 March 2023: Michael Eifert Upsets Jean Pascal; Charly Suzrez Stops Paul Fleming
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Mar 2023
Highlights:
-German light heavyweight Michael Eifert pulls off a huge upset as he takes the unanimous verdict over Jean Pascal
-Filipino Charly Suarez scores a dramatic come from behind win as he stops previously unbeaten (28-0-1) Paul Fleming in the last round
Jarrell Miller returns to action and stops Lucas Browne in the sixth round. On the same show Jono Carroll outpoints Miguel Marriaga
-Mercito Gesta outpoints Joseph Diaz and Oscar Duarte stops Alex martin
-Cyrus Pattinson wins the WBA International title with a ninth round stoppage of Chris Jenkins and there are wins for prospects Hopey Price, Solomon Dacres, Pat McCormack, Callum French and Mark Dickinson
MARCH 15
Sydney, Australia: Super Feather: Charly Suarez (15-0) W TKO 12 Paul Fleming (28-1-1). Light Heavy: Clay Waterman (10-0) W TKO 5 Mark Lucas (10-5).
Suarez vs. Fleming
Filipino Suarez scores dramatic last round stoppage victory over Australian Fleming. Suarez’s all-out aggression gave Fleming problems as the visitor made a good start and opened a cut over Fleming’s left eye in the second round. Fleming took control when he started to use his longer reach and accurate counter punching and built a winning lead. Suarez kept pressing and a tiring Fleming was being forced to stand and trade as the Filipino cut into his lead on the cards. At the end of the eleventh, a round Suarez had dominated, Fleming was still in front on scores of 108-101, 107-102 and 106-103 and Suarez needed a stoppage to win. Fleming had nothing left in the tank in the twelfth and Suarez was hunting him down. Fleming was just pushing out punches but as he lunged forward, he was nailed with a left hook that sent him down on his back. Fleming tried to get up but almost dropped again. When he made it to his feet, he was unsteady and after the eight count Suarez pounded a defenceless Fleming along the ropes until the referee stopped the fight. Former Olympian Suarez, 34, won a number of minor titles in this fight one of which counted as an eliminator for the IBO title so he is hoping the get a shot at Anthony Cacece. Fleming, also 34, had been unbeaten for over 14 years now he has to decide whether to continue or not.
Waterman vs. Lucas
Waterman wins the vacant Australian title.Waterman floored Lucas with a right to the head in the fifth and although Lucas made it to his feet, he was being battered by head punches and the towel was thrown in to save Lucas. Eighth win by KO/TKO for “The Weapon” but local fighter Lucas has won only one of his last six fights.
March 16
Laval, Canada: Light Heavy: Michael Eifert (12-1) PTS 12 Jean Pascal (36-7-1,1ND) W. Super Light: Mathieu Germain (22-2-1) W PTS 10 Steven Wilcox (24-4-1). Super Light: Karia Ramos (10-9-1) W TKO 4 Jessica Camara (10-4). Light Heavy: Joe Ward (9-1) W TKO 1 Mario Andrade (7-1).
Eifert vs. Pascal
German prospect Eifert takes unanimous decision over a far from impressive Pascal. Eifert made a confident start. A bit upright and stiff but already much quicker than Pascal and ignoring Pascal’s attempts to lure him to counters with Pascal off on his timing and distance. Eifert looked comfortable on both taking the fight to Pascal and boxing on the back foot and feeding Pascal right counters. Too often Pascal was hiding behind a high guard allowing Eifert to pick his shots and by the third a confident Eifert was putting together some sharp combinations. He nearly paid the price for that confidence as Pascal landed a couple of heavy rights at the end of the round. Pascal upped his pace in the fourth finally putting Eifert under pressure but then slowed again and let Eifert back into the round. Eifert outboxed Pascal in the fifth but Pascal attacked hard in the sixth slinging wide, wild shots that unsettled Eifert and allowed Pascal to score with a series of body punches. Pascal marched forward in the seventh but Eifert was countering him and easily evading Pascal’s increasingly wild swipes until Pascal again scored heavily to the body. Eifert took the eight as Pascal tried to crowd Eifert from behind a leaky guard with Eifert finding gaps for his jabs and straight rights. Pascal was a step behind all the way and was rocked by a left hook. Eifert continued to outscore Pascal, over the ninth with Pascal having some success with his swipes in the tenth but not real troubling Eifert who was able to stand in front of Pascal and use his quicker hands to pierce Pascal’s guard. At times it was target practice in the eleventh as a static Pascal stood in front of Eifert behind a high guard waiting too long for the chance to throw a roundhouse swing. A desperate Pascal needed a knockout in the twelfth but Eifert did most of the scoring and Pascal was just too slow and too wild and was sent staggering by a right. Before the bell Pascal just put his head down and swung punch after punch but Eifert was never trouble and took the round. Scores 118-110. 117-111 and 115-113. A big upset as Eifert, 25, had fought only moderate opposition and was rated No 39 by Box Rec. He showed a strong jab and good movement and stuck to a winning game plan but this fight probably said more about Pascal than Eifert. At 40 and in only his second fight in three years he was slow and fought only in short bursts. He has said he will talk to his team about his future but retirement might be the right option.
Germain vs. Wilcox
Germain wins this clash of Canada’s senior pros as he takes a unanimous verdict over Wilcox. Germain used faster hands and better mobility to overcome the height and reach edges of Wilcox, and generally outworked a sluggish Wilcox. Germain was cut over his right eye in a bumping of heads in the ninth as Wilcox finished strongly but Germain was a good winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94. Fourth win for Germain since losing to Yves Ulysse in 2020 and he collects the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title. Wilcox, 34, was on a six-bout winning streak going into this one.
Ramos vs. Camara
Mexican Ramos was brought in to play the role of victim but turned the table stopping Camara in the fourth. Camara just could not handle the pressure applied by Ramos. The Canadian tried to hide behind a high guard but Ramos constantly found gaps and after connecting with a big right in the fourth she piled on the punches until the referee came in to save Camara. Third victory by KO/TKO for Ramos who wins the vacant IBF International belt. Camara had lost a split decision against Kali Reis for the IBO, WBA and WBO titles in 2021.
Ward vs. Rodriguez
Irish southpaw Ward finishes Mexican Andrade in the first round. Ward dropped Andrade with a left hook and although Andrade made it to his feet, he was shipping more punishment and the referee stopped the fight. All over in 91 seconds. Ward left it until he was 26 to turn pro and then injured his knee causing him to lose his first fight and suffer a year of inactivity. He gets his ninth win in a row and his fifth by KO/TKO. Andrade was moving up to eight rounds for the first time.
Boston, MA, USA: Super Welter: Callum Walsh (6-0) W TKO 2 Wesley Tucker (15-5). Welter: Danny O’Connor (31-3) W TKO 4 Luis Garcia (13-1-1). Middle: Francis Hogan (14-0) W RTD 5 Jimmy Williams (18-11-2,1ND). Feather: Hegly Mosqueda (24-0) W PTS 8 Jose Garcia (13-4-3). Light Heavy Kendrick Ball (20-1-3,1ND) W PTS 6 Miko Stegall (7-1-3).
Walsh vs. Tucker
Irish hope Walsh gets another quick win as he stops Tucker in the second round. A body shot hurt Tucker in the first and Walsh went for the finish in the second. He put Tucker down early with a left. Tucker beat the count but was down twice more. He did make it to his feet but the doctor climbed onto the ring apron waiving for the fight to be stopped. The 22-year-old southpaw already has three first round wins on his ledger. Five losses in his last six outings for Tucker.
O’Connor vs. Garcia
Big local favourite O’Connor returns for one more try and beats Garcia in four rounds. In his first fight in five years O’Connor showed no signs of rust as he had his southpaw jab on target from the start. Those jabs had Garcia bleeding heavily from a cut on his nose in the second and increased the damage over the third. Garcia was pulled out of the fight in the fourth as the cut worsened. Now 38 and a pro for over 14 years, O’Connor tended to lose just as he was on the point of stepping up. Garcia had a seven-bout winning run but this was his first fight since February 2020
Hogan vs. Williams
Hogan dominates all the way until Williams retires after the sixth. The 6’2” southpaw took the first two rounds and rocked Williams a couple of times in the third. Williams spent much of the fourth round pinned against the ropes and was cut under his left eye. Williams was deducted a point in the fifth for holding and after a one-sided sixth he retired in his corner. Thirteenth inside the distance win for Hogan but no real test yet as Wiliams is now is on a 0-6 streak.
Mosqueda vs. Garcia
Venezuelan Mosqueda holds off a strong finish from Honduran-born Texan Garcia to get the split decision. Mosqueda had won his last nine fights inside the distance but never looked likely to stop Garcia. Mosqueda’s better skills saw him outbox the taller Garcia and build a strong lead over the first five rounds but then he began to fade and was shaken by a right in the last. He recovered to win on scores of 77-75 twice against 77-75 for Garcia. Mosqueda has impressive looking numbers but his first 11 opponents had only 13 wins between them. He has met some better opposition since those early days but was not impressive in this one. Garcia is without a win in his last six fights going 0-4-2.
Ball vs. Stegall
Ball extends his unbeaten run to thirteen with a points victory over Stegal. The 6’2” Ball was six inches taller and had a much longer reach but a determined Stegall cause Ball some problems over the first two rounds. From the third Ball finally settled into a groove using his physical advantages to blunt Segal’s attacks and eased his way to the win on scores of 60--54 twice and 59-55. Ball is 11-0-1, 1ND in his current spell with the ND being a stoppage loss against Mike Guy with the decision changed when Guy tested positive for a banned substance.
Campsie, Australia: Super Light: Youssef Dib (19-0) W PTS 10 Kye Mackenzie (21-4).
Dib outpoints former Australian champion Mackenzie to take unanimous decision. Mackenzie marched forward throughout the fight. Dib let him come and speared him with counter rights. Mackenzie best efforts were blunted by some classy defensive work from Dib and Dib could not miss him with jarring jabs. Dib was putting together some flashing combinations and by the end was happy to stand and trade with Mackenzie unable to do anything to turn the fight around. No scores available but Dib a good winner
MARCH 17
Dudley, England: Super Fly: Ijaz Ahmed (10-2-3) DREW 12 Marcel Braithwaite (14-3-1).
After a stirring battle Ahmed and Braithwaite had to settle for a draw leaving the British and Commonwealth titles still vacant. This was a hard fought, fast-paced close fight all the way. With neither being heavy punchers, both were willing to take chances and trade punches in fierce exchanges making for an entertaining contest. The opening rounds saw both having good spells with Braithwaite just doing enough to edge in front over the middle rounds. There was some controversy when Ahmed thought he had scored a knockdown in the eighth but the referee ruled it a slip. That left Ahmed with work to do over the closing rounds to claw back the small lead the clever boxing Braithwaite had built. Ahmed pressed hard over those closing rounds making it very hard to call and the draw looked the right result although one card was somewhat adrift. Scores 117-111 for Ahmed, 115-114 for Braithwaite and 114-114. Ahmed has had three shots at winning the British title and they have all ended in a draw. Two of those draws were against Quaise Khademi and they were to meet on this bill but Khademi was injured and Brithwaite came in at three weeks’ notice. Ahmed will probably have a fourth try and another shot at the Commonwealth title against Braithwaite or Khademi.
Monterrey, Mexico: Super Welter: Julio Luna (20-1-2) W KO 3 Hassam Valenzuela (20-4-2).
Durango’s Luna bounces back from his first pro loss with a third round victory over useful Valenzuela. Luna scored with heavy shots in the first and second before putting Valenzuela down with a left hook to the body in the third. Valenzuela was counted out giving Luna his eleventh inside the distance win. He had lost on points against 29-0 Giovani Santillan in San Diego in August. Valenzuela was 10-1-1 in his last twelve fights.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA: Super Bantam: Oleh Dovhun (15-0) W PTS 10 Juan Centeno (8-7-3).
Ukrainian southpaw Dovhun outclasses Nicaraguan Centeno winning every round and successfully defending the NABA title for the second time. Scores 100-90 on all three cards. The NABA title has gifted Dovhun a No 10 rating with the WBA but there will be stiffer tests to come. Centeno had found some form being 4-1-1 in his last 6 fights.
MARCH 18
Newcastle, England: Welter: Cyrus Pattinson (6-0) W TKO 9 Chris Jenkins (23-7-3). Super Bantam: Hopey Price (10-0) W PTS 10 Thomas Masson (20-6-1). Heavy: Solomon Dacres (5-0) W Robert Ismay (11-0). Welter: Pat McCormack (4-0) W TKO 8 Dario Socci (15-8-2,1ND). Middle: Mark Dickinson (5-0) W PTS 8 Ben Riddings (5-4). Light: Calum French (4-0) W PTS 8 Jordan Ellison (14-45-3).
Pattinson vs. Jenkins
Pattinson wears down and stops Jenkins in the ninth round of a battle of attrition. This fight was all-action from bell to bell. With only the briefest of study time they went toe-to-toe in the first round as each aimed to take control. Both were investing heavily in body shots as they pumped out punch after punch. It was phone-booth stuff for three minutes in every round. The pace was frantic with neither willing to back down as they stood and swapped punches with Pattinson’s left hooks and more power looking to be giving him a slight edge. Jenkins was also working the body probably with the thought that Pattinson had never fought beyond the sixth round as an amateur or a professional and the younger man might fade. Jenkins never got the chance to find out if those tactics would have worked. The tremendous pace at which they fought finally started to have its effect on the older boxer. Pattinson’s strength sapping body punches saw Jenkins finally begin to wilt in the eighth. He continued to stand and exchange shots with Pattinson but was taking a beating. In the ninth it was still toe-to-toe action but Jenkins was arm weary and there was no longer any snap in his punches. Pattison drove him back with a barrage of short shots inside and although Jenkins had not been down and was still firing back, he was finally being forced to retreat. As Pattinson continued to pour on the punches the towel came in from Jenkin’s trainer and an epic battle was over. Pattinson wins the vacant WBA International title and will now be looking to add further trophies. Jenkins is never in a bad fight or an easy one but too many wars may be starting to leave the well dry.
Price vs. Masson
Southpaw Price wins the vacant WBA Continental title as he outpoints experienced Frenchman Masson. Price was so dominant in this that it was a fight that never looked likely to catch alight. Price used his longer reach to box on the outside with Masson really just following Price around the ring soaking up jabs and long rights. Masson manged to get close enough to share or edge a couple of rounds but other than that it was one-way traffic with Price in the driving seat. Scorers 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92 for Price. Ten rounds of work and a title for Price. Masson is a former WBC flyweight title challenger and former French and European champion.
Dacres vs. Ismay
Local Ismay was 26lbs heavier than the 6’5” Dacres but all that did was slow him down. Dacres was scoring well in the first with Ismay causing a few problems. Dacres ended it in the second. He pounded Ismay with a succession of head punches until the referee came in to save Ismay. Dacres gets his first pro title as this was for the vacant English belt. Ismay was having his first fight for a year and he was 24lbs heavier than in that fight
McCormack vs. Socci
McCormack adds another win. The former amateur star outboxed a brave but limited Italian Socci. The visitor tried hard to put McCormack under pressure but the classy skills of McCormack saw him outscoring Socci in every round. It looked as though Socci might last the distance but a series of head punches had Socci’s head jerking back and forth and the referee stopped the fight. Socci protested violently but it was a good stoppage. The Sunderland fighter is a platinum prospect. Socci had been stopped in the tenth round by Troy Wiliamson in his other fight in Britain in 2019.
Dickinson vs. Riddings
Former European and Commonwealth Youth champion Dickinson moved up to eight rounds for the first time. Dickinson has plenty of talent. He has fast hands, great mobility and great reflexes. He spent most of this fight with his hands at hip level throwing punches from a variety of angle and using upper body movement to dodge Riddings punches. He was caught with the occasional punch but very few. The downside is despite his dominance he never came near to stopping Riddings but the referee scored it 80-72 giving Dickinson every round. Third loss in a row for Riddings, all against unbeaten fighters.
French vs. Ellison
French gets eight rounds of useful work against experienced Ellison. Southpaw French showed some quality defensive work and mixed his punches well being particularly impressive with right uppercuts which shook Ellison a couple of times. He made the job harder than it needed to be and paid the price in the shape of a swelling under his left eye but looks a promising pro. In the amateurs he was English champion at every level from Junior to Elite and won bronze medals at the World and European Championships. Ellison was coming off a win against unbeaten Dylan Cheema and made French fight hard for his win.
Long Beach, CA, USA: Light: Mercito Gesta (34-3-3) W PTS 10 Joseph Diaz (32-4-1). Light: Oscar Duarte (25-1-1) W TKO 8 Alex Martin (18-5).
Gesta vs. Diaz
Gesta boxes his way to victory as he takes a split verdict over Diaz. Gesta made a lively start in this clash of southpaws. He was bouncing on his toes circling Diaz spearing him with jabs then firing home quick hooks with Diaz too slow to counter. Diaz dialled up the pressure in the second managing to pin Gesta against the ropes occasionally but Gesta was pumping out punches and outscoring Diaz. The third was a good round for Diaz he was doing a better job of closing Gesta down and was able to work to the body with hooks from both hands. Gesta’s movement helped him take the fourth and fifth. He was on his toes again circling the ring and sliding away from Diaz’s attacks whilst consistently popping Diaz with light but accurate counters and scoring with solid hooks to the body. Diaz increased the pressure over the sixth and seventh to get back into the fight. He was coming forward quicker and anticipating and blocking Gesta’s escape with quick side steps. Gesta was being forced to stand and exchange punches more allowing Diaz to dig hard to the body. Gesta was back in charge over the eighth and ninth, He was again circling Diaz feeding him jabs and landing some sharp left hand counters. Diaz just could not pin Gesta down as the Filipino was too mobile as he showered Diaz with light but on target punches. Diaz pressed hard throughout the tenth with a tiring Gesta willing to trade punches and just getting the better of the exchanges to emerge a clear winner. Scores 99-91 and 98-92 for Gesta and 97-93 for Diaz. Gesta, 35, was having only his second fight in over three years and his first for almost twelve months but showed no signs of rust. He lost to Miguel Vazquez in a challenge for the IBF lightweight belt in 2012and to Jorge Linares for the secondary WBA title in 2018. He is in a talent-rich division so will have a lot to do to land a title shot. Former IBF super featherweight champion Diaz was coming off consecutive losses against Devin Haney and William Zepeda so with this third loss will slip a long way down the pecking order.
Duarte vs. Martin
Duarte floors Martin twice and stops him in the eighth. Southpaw Martin looked to have just had the edge in a close first round but the heavy-handed Duarte shook him with a right late in the second. Duarte took the fight to Martin in the third banging home left hooks to the body and short hooks to the head. Martin boxed well in the fourth but the relentless pressure from Duarte was getting to him and Duarte landed heavily in the fifth. Martin survived a torrid sixth being badly rocked by a right but fighting back at the bell. Duarte continued to dominated the action in the seventh but was cut over his right eye by a punch. Duarte ended it in some style in the eighth. As they traded punches Duarte exploded with a right uppercut that sent Martin down heavily. Martin climbed to his feet and weas cleared to continue. Duarte moved in and drilled Martin with two rights that sent him down again and the referee waived the fight over, That makes it twenty wins by KO/TKO for Duarte including ten in his last ten fights. Martin had won five of his last six fights all against good level opponents with the loss coming on points against Michael McKinson
Dubai, UAR: Heavy: Jarrell Miller (26-0-1) W TKO 6 Lucas Browne (31-4). Feather: Jono Carroll (24-2-1) W PTS 10 Miguel Marriaga (30-7). Cruiser: Sosian Asbarov (4-0) W PTS 10 Brandon Glanton (17-2), Feather: Dana Coolwell (11-2) W PTS 8 Hasibullah Ahmadi (15-2). Heavy: Ruslan Fayer (28-4-1) W PTS 8 German Garcia (8-5). Cruiser: Kureysh Sagov (8-2-1) DREW 8 Ali Baloyev (12-1-1). Light: Djamel Dahou (18-0) W TKO 2 Allan Kamote (29-14-5).
Miller vs. Browne
Miller batters Browne to defeat in six rounds. Browne took a slow first round as he found the target with some jabs and landed to the body, Miller connected with a right late in the round but did little else. Miller came to life in the second. He was brushing aside Browne’s jab, scoring with his own jab and landing clubbing punches. Browne was throwing more and landing more and scored with some uppercuts but his punches were just bouncing off Miller. Miller stayed inside in the third walking through Brown’s punches and cudgelling him with short shots and Browne was quickly tiring from the pressure. Miller handed out cruel punishment throughout the fourth battering Browne with solid jabs and banging home hooks and uppercuts inside. Brown was punching back but having no effect on Miller and they just stood and teed off on each other at the end of the round. Browne continued to battle in the fifth but could hardly hold up his arms. He was shipping heavy shots from Miller and was cut and bleeding from his nose and under heavy fire at the bell. Miller was also tiring and the fight was proceeding at a plodding speed in the sixth when a series of head punches drove Browne to the canvas. He made it to his feet and showed willingness to continue but more head punches saw the referee stop the fight just as the towel came in. Miller was out for almost four years After being caught using banned substances. This is his third win since returning. He weighed an obese 333lbs (24st / 151kgs) and was so slow and exhausted after so few rounds that he will struggle against any mobile heavyweight who sets a fast pace but he has a good chin and a hard punch. Browne, 43, showed plenty of guts but little else.
Carroll vs. Marriaga
Southpaw Carroll a comfortable victor over Marriaga on a unanimous decision. Carroll dictated this one from the first bell. Over the first and second rounds he was letting Marriaga come forward drawing the Colombian’s lead and the scoring with left hand counters. In the second Carroll, continued to find Marriaga with a persistent jab and as Marriage was forced to lunge forward trying to close the distance but Carroll was catching the Colombian with short hooks and shook him with one of those hooks late in the round. The third round was more even but although still coming forward Marriaha was not putting Carroll under enough pressure or throwing enough punches. Carroll continued to set the pace and dominate the action in the fourth but was but suffered a cut to the side of his left eye. The action heated up over the fifth and six as Marriaga was marching forward trying desperately to force Carroll to swap punches but Carroll chose his moments to do that and Marriage ended up swishing empty spaces. Carroll now had a second cut over his left eye and Marriage a swelling over his right. The constant movement and changing of angles by Carroll was blunting Marriaga’s attacks and the accuracy of Carroll’s counters were winning him the rounds. Marriaga had some success as a tiring Carroll with blood trickling down his face was forced to stand and trade more. Caroll wrapped up the nights work as he whirled and twirled around a frustrated Marriaga in the tenth pinging him with punches from assorted angles and holding off Marriaga’s increasingly frantic attacks to the bell. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Carroll was well beaten by Tevin Farmer in a challenge for the IBF super featherweight belt in 2019 and lost a very close decision over ten rounds to Maxi Hughes in August 2020. This is his sixth win on the bounce and he should improve on his current ratings of WBA 5/IBF 11 (9)/WBC 13. Marriaga, 36, has been beaten in title fights by Nicholas Walters, Oscar Valdez and Vasyl Lomachenko and was floored three times in losing the decision against Michael Conlan in his last fight in August 2022.
Asbarov vs. Glanton
In his first fight outside of Moscow Asbarov takes the majority decision over Glanton. Asbarov took the first round with some good movement and sharp, accurate jabbing. Glanton’s aggression offset Asbarov better boxing in a close second. Asbarov swung it back his way with a busier third. The fourth again saw pressure from Glanton the bigger puncher giving him edge but he was just not busy enough and was throwing away rounds being outscored in the fifth and sixth. Glanton managed to pin the light-punching Asbarov against the ropes often enough to earn the seventh but the rounds were close. Glanton walked through Asbarov’s punches and was in control in the eighth and ninth with the tenth too close to call. Two judges saw Asbarov winning 98-92 and 97-93 and the third carding it a more realistic 95-95. Last time out Glanton floored David Light but lost the split decision.
Coolwell vs. Ahmadi
Australian Coolwell pulls off a surprise victory as he outpoints previously undefeated Ahmadi. In a fast-paced fight the strength of Coolwell and his higher work rate put him in charge. He attacked the body over the first two rounds with Ahmadi perhaps edge the third but from there, although making the rounds close, Amadi was outscored and tired over the remaining rounds. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72 for Coolwell who gets his third consecutive win. Afghan-born Ahmadi was facing his first real test.
Fayer vs. Garcia
Fayer gets the split decision but only just. Fayer made a promising start rolling forward scoring well and looking too strong for Garcia. The Mexican hung in there and from the mid-point Fayer began to fade and Garcia was the one picking up the rounds. By the seventh Fayer was looking tired and despite a bad cut Garcia finished strongly only to come up short on two of the cards. Fayer won on scores of 77-75 twice with the third judge going for Garcia 77-75. There was a suggestion Fayer may have injured his ankle. At one time Fayer was 25-1 but has found life a lot tougher since then. Garcia had scored a big win in October beating 19-0 Junlong Zhang in a fight where, despite the doctor indicating a cut suffered by Zhang was not serious enough for the fight to be stopped, Zhang refused to continue.
Sagov vs. Baloyev
This clash between two Russians ended as a majority draw. Sagov had the better of the exchanges over the two opening rounds but Baloyev landed heavily in the third. A wild fourth saw some fierce exchanges with Sagov’s harder punching swinging it his way and he carried that momentum in winning the fifth. Some excellent body punching helped Baloyev get back into the fight but his output dropped allowing Sagov to bounce back. Sagov boxed conservatively in the eighth protecting a cut and trying to protect his lead handing the round to Baloyev. One judge gave it to Baloyev 78-75 but the other two had it 76-76 each. When these two fought in September Sagov won on a seventh round stoppage ending a twelve-fight winning streak for Baloyev.
Dahou vs. Kamote
Las Vegas-based Algerian Dahou shakes some dust with a second round stoppage of Tanzanian Kamote. Sixteenth inside the distance win for Dahou. This was his first fight since October 2021. Kamote, 40, a pro since 1998 has fought in seven different countries. This is his eight KO/TKO defeat.
Kempton Park, South Africa: Super Welter: Shervantaigh Koopman (11-0) W TKO 8 Jackson Kaptein (6-2-1). Super Welter: Roarke Knapp (16-1-1) W PTS 10 Ahmed El Mousaoui (34-5-1). Super Fly: Ricardo Malajika (11-2) W TKO 5 Adrian Lersan (12-5).
Koopman vs. Kaptein
Koopman overcomes a slow start to stop Kaptein. Over the first three rounds the strong, aggressive Kaptein made the running as Koopman struggled to find his range and his timing. From the fourth Koopman was using his longer reach to land jarring jabs and hurtful straight rights. Kaptein faded under the pressure and was dropped twice in the eighth bringing the stoppage. Koopman was defending the national title for the first time and registers his eighth victory by KO/TKO. Kaptein was in his first main event but Koopman was just too good for him.
Knapp vs. El Mousaoui
In an entertaining scrap Knapp comes through a testing and a good leaning fight with a unanimous verdict over Frenchman El Mousaoui. The visitor came to fight and there were fierce exchanges from the start. Knapp rocked El Mousaoui with a right uppercut in the third but El Mousaoui has a great chin and that was the only time he looked in deep trouble. Knapp boxed with real maturity with the pace and entertainment value remaining high until both fighters slowed over the last two rounds with El Mousaoui warned a couple of times for holding as Knapp emerged a good winner. Scores 99-91, 98-93 and 95-94 for Knapp. Seventh win in a row for 24-year-old constantly improving Knapp. El Mousaoui was 10-1 going into this one with the loss being a split decision against unbeaten David Papot for the IBA title.
Malajika vs. Lersan
The power and aggression of Malajika prove too much for Filipino Lersan. Malajika had Lersan under pressure from the start and finished it in the fifth. He drove Lersan across the ring with a fierce attack before sending him to the canvas with a left. Lersan beat the count but was shaken by a right then put down with a left hook. he got up and was under fire when he just turned away and walked to his corner. The 24-year-old Malajika was in his first main event and gets his ninth KO/TKO victory. Lersan had won his last five fights.
Roldan, Argentina: Super Middle: Pablo Ezequiel Corzo (14-0) W PTS 10 Facundo Galovar (15-9-2). Super Light: Jose Rosa (19-0) W Elysson Marquez (12-2-2). Light: Juan Carrasco (7-1) W TKO 3 Daniel Combi (10-9).
Corzo vs. Galovar
In a national title fight Corzo outboxed a limited Galvan over the first three rounds fighting on the back foot and finding the target with sharp counters. The heat and a reluctant opponent saw the pace drop over the middle rounds. Corzo still dominated but the fight became untidy with both ignoring the rules at times. Corzo picked up the pace again in the ninth and tenth as he eased to victory on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. The tall 22-year-old, the WBA No 7, wins the vacant Argentinian title as he goes the distance for only the second time. Corzo had taken a unanimous verdict over Galvan in August.
Rosa vs. Marquez
Classy southpaw Rosa gets wide unanimous decision over Marquez but has a tougher time than expected. Rosa, a natural super light, was facing a natural super bantam in Marquez and although he won well, he was caught too often with counters and slowed badly over the last two rounds. Scores 99-91 twice and 99-90 as he retains the WBC Latino title and wins the vacant WBA Fedelatin. He is No 15 with the WBC. Nicaraguan Marquez was 6-0-2 in his most recent contests.
Carrasco vs. Combi
Carrasco makes a successful first defence of the South American belt with a third round stoppage of Combi. After taking charge and winning the first two rounds Carrasco floored Combi twice in the third to get the stoppage. Twelfth win in a row for Carrasco and his tenth inside the distance finish. He had outpointed Combi in 2021. Combi is 1-5 in his last 6 fights.
Gagny, France: Super Welter: Bakary Samake (11-0) W PTS 10 Lucas Bastida (19-3-1).
Parisian teenager Samake picks up his third belt as he wins the vacant IBF Youth title with points victory against Argentinian Bastidas. The visitor was competitive early but from the third round Samake’s speed and skill puts him in control. By the seventh Bautista was tiring and he was deducted a point in the ninth for holding. Scores 99-90 twice and 97-92 for Samake. The 19-year-old shows great potential. He turned pro with a Luxemburg licence as he was too young to be licensed in France and has previously won the Luxemburg and IBO Mediterranean belts. South American champion Bastidas had lost only one of his last twenty contests.
Tempelhof, Germany: Super Welter: Mike Jaede (19-0) W TKO 3 Paata Varduashvili (32-25-2).
Jaede wins the vacant Global Boxing Union super middleweight title in unsatisfactory manner. Elderly Georgian Varduashvili was giving Jaeda a hard time in the first two rounds but early in the third he stopped fighting indicating an injury to his right hand leaving Jaeda as the winner. Jaeda was to be defending his GBU middleweight title but came at 165lbs so it was changed to a fight for the vacant GBU super middleweight title. Jaeda has also held the GBU super welter title. Varduashvili, 42, weighed 153 lbs really got screwed.
Rome, Italy: Welter: Michael McKinson (24-1) W TKO 5 Sergio Carvalho (13-1).
McKinson halts overmatched Carvalho in five rounds. McKinson was hounding Carvalho from the first bell to the end of the fight. He bombarded Carvalho with punches with very little coming back and only McKinson’s lack of a big punch allowed then fight to go into the fifth round. A body shot floored Carvalho for the first time and when he went down for the second time the fight was over. Second victory for McKinson as he rebuilds after loss to Vergil Ortiz in August. Carvalho was having his first fight since August 2021.
Moncalleri, Italy: Super Light: Andrea Scarpa (28-6) W TKO 7 Cristian Malvitano (12-5).
Experienced Scarpa wins the vacant IBF Mediterranean title with victory over fellow Italian Malvitano. Scarpa had bossed the action and looked on the way to victory when Malvitano was forced to retire due an elbow injury. Scarpa has lost to Joe Huges and Sandor Martin in shots at the European title but ticks off a fourth win in a row. Malvitano was 4-1 in his last 5 fights
Auckland, New Zealand: Super Fly: Maribel Ramirez (14-10-3) W PTS 10 Michelle Preston (11-9-1).
Mexican Ramirez proves too good for local favourite Preston. The former WBA super flyweight title holder won a unanimous decision on scores of 98-92 from all three judges. This was the first fight for Ramirez,36, since losing her WBA title on a split decision against Clara Lescurat in Argentina in June. Manchester-born New Zealander Preston, 44, was defending her WBA International title for the first time.
Preston 44yo born Manchester 2 wins id 0 losses id 2 shots IBF S Fly 1st defence WBA International
Ramirez 36yo Mexican 3 wins id 4 losses id former WBA super fly
Panama City, Panama: Super Bantam: Leonardo Carrillo (16-0-1) W PTS 10 Moises Garcia (10-9-1). Welter: Danielito Zorilla (17-1) W TKO1 Aristides Quintero (21-18-2). Super Feather: Jaime Munoz (14-1-1) W PTS 10 Nehomar Cermeno (27-9-1,1ND).
Carrillo vs. Garcia
Panamanian-based Colombian outpointed brave Nicaraguan Garcia. Carillo pounded Garcia with hooks to head and body from both hands. Garcia tried to box but lacked the power to keep Carillo out. Despite being shaken on numerous occasions Garcia stuck to his task and did well to last the distance but took a savage beating. Carrillo won on scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91 and retained the WBA Fedelatin belt.
Zorilla vs. Quintero
Puerto Rican Zorillo blows away Quintero in the first round. Less than two minutes into the fight Zorilla put over Quintero with a right to the head. Quintero was up quickly but Zorillo trapped him against the ropes and blasted him with rights until, with Quintero slumping down the ropes, the referee stopped the fight with just 95 seconds gone. First fight for Zorillo since losing his unbeaten tag being decisioned by Arnold Barboza in July. Panamanian Quintero has win only one of his last fifteen bouts.
Munoz vs. Cermeno
Local “Kid Lethal” Munoz gets a majority decision over an aging Cermeno. This was a close, tough fight between the youth of Muniz and the experience of Cermeno. A rusty Cermeno took a few rounds to get into the groove but finished strongly with Munoz just doing enough to deserve the decision. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Munoz and 95-95. Munoz wins the vacant Panamanian title and is unbeaten in his last nine fights. Venezuelan Cermeno, 43, a former holder of the WBA secondary super bantam title, had been inactive in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
West Palm Beach, FL, USA: Cruiser: Siarhei Novikau (14-0,1ND) W TKO 1 Scott Lampert (5-7).
Novikau stops an overmatched Lampert in the first round. The 6’5” Belarusian took just 89 seconds to blow away the nine inch smaller Lampert in retaining the ABF Inter-Continental belt. Twelfth consecutive inside the distance victory for Novikau but his opposition has been very substandard. All seven of Lamperts losses have come by way of KO/TKO and all inside three rounds
Fight of the week (Significance): No big shows this week so nothing very significant
Fight of the week (Entertainment): Cyrus Pattinson vs. Chris Jenkins was action all the way
Fighter of the week: Jarrell Miller-no only kidding. I go for Michael Eifert for his win over Jean Pascal with honourable mention to Mercito Gesta for his victory over Joseph Diaz
Punch of the week: The right from Oscar Duarte that put Alex Martin down was brutal but I go for the last gasp left hook from Charly Suarez that floored Paul Fleming in the last round.
Upset of the week: Michael Eifert’s win over Jean Pascal was unexpected.
Prospect watch: French super welterweight Bruno Samake 11-0 is progressing well.
Observations
Rosette: To Charly Suarez for his come from behind dramatic kayo of 28-0-1 Paul Fleming. It ain’t over until the fat lady sings
Red Card: Gilberto Ramirez. Saying sorry is all very well but he must have known for days at least that he was not going to make 175lbs and the right thing to do was admit it and not wait until the day before the fight for it to be revealed. The was disrespectful to the TV, Promoter and the fans.
-When Jarrell Miller turned pro in 2009, he weighed 252lbs, when he fought Lucas Browne, he was 333lbs. Since he had not grown any taller that means he was carrying an extra 81lbs into the ring. Browne was 277lbs so he had put on 16lbs since his last fight so between them they were carrying 97lbs of excess weight. They could almost calve an Atom Weight (102lbs) fighter out the spare weight in the Dubai ring. Between them they totalled 610lbs and I am not sure whether any rings are tested to take that much weight!
- You have to feel that Georgian super welterweight Paata Varduashvili got a raw deal in his fight against German Mike Jaeda. He signed to fight Jaeda for the vacant Global Boxing Council (GBC) middleweight title. Jaede failed to make the weight so they changed the fight to being for the vacant GBC super middleweight title. Poor Varduashvili had come in at 153 ¼ lbs and found himself facing Jaede who weighed 165lbs.
-If Varduashvili got a raw deal so did the fans at the show in West Palm Beach. A scheduled ten round fight lasted 89 seconds. No surprise there as the winner Siarhei Novikau was 6’5” and had won all thirteen of his fights by KO/TKO and the loser Scott Lampert was 5’8” and had a 5-6 record with all six losses coming by way of KO/TKO and all inside three rounds. I don’t know what amazes me-or saddens me-most is that someone made such a ludicrous match, that a Commission approved it or that someone paid to watch it.
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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