The Past Week in Action 17 October 2023: Alimkhanuly Unifies IBF/WBO Middle Titles; Tszyu Wins Over Mendoza; Takeshi Inoue Wins
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Oct 2023
Alimkhanuly staggers Gualtieri.
Highlights:
-Zhanibek Alimkhanuly unifies the IBF and WBO middleweight title with stoppage of Vincenzo Galtieri and there are wins for Keyshawn Davis, Duke Ragan and Guido Vianello
-Tim Tszyu successfully defends the WBO super welter title with win over Brian Mendoza and Sam Goodman decisions Miguel Flores
- Takeshi Inoue, wins and John Riel Casimero settles for a technical draw in Tokyo
-Former WBC super-feather champion Miguel Berchelt returns with a win as Diego Ruiz retires at the end of the second round and flyweight Angel Ayala outpoints Felix Alvarado
-Canadian super middle Erik Bazinyan knocks out Ronald Ellis for win No 31
-Fekke Hermans outpoints Mary Spencer to defend her IBO super welter title and win the vacant IBF
-German super welter Slawa Spomer stops Frenchman Milan Prat in the tenth round of a clash of unbeaten fighters and Cuban Mike Perez and Austin Trout score wins
-Argentinian hope Jose Rosa retains the WBA Fedelatin and WBC Latino super light titles with stoppage of Elysson Marquez. Rosa’s win No 23
Armando Casamonica wins the vacant Italian super lightweight title with stoppage of Patrizio Santini
Mexican bantam David Cuellar halts Luis Concepcion to go to 26-0
World Title/Major Shows
OCTOBER 14
Rosenberg, TX, USA: Middle Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (15-0) W TKO 6 Vincenzo Galtieri (21-1-1). Light: Keyshawn Davis (10-0) W PTS 10 Nahir Albright (16-3). Feather: Duke Ragan (9-0) W PTS 8 Jose Perez (11-3-2). Heavy: Guido Vianello (11-1-1) W PTS 8 Curtis Harper (14-10). Super Light: Kelvin Davis (10-0) W PTS 8 Narciso Carmona (11-2-1). Light: Humberto Galindo DREW 8 Oscar Bravo (25-14). Heavy: Richard Torrez (7-0) W TKO 2 Tyrell Herndon (21-).Heavy: Jakhongir Zokirov (1-0) W TKO 4 Guillermo Del Rio (4-5-1). Super Light: Giovanni Marquez (7-0) W TKO 2 Donte Strayhorn (12-4-1).
Alimkhanuly vs. Galtieri
Alimkhanuly brushes aside a clownish Galtieri and unifies the IBF and WBO versions of the title.
Round 1
Fastb start by Alimkhanuly. He used his right jab to put Galtieri on the defensive and landed a couple of body punches, Galtieri kept dropping nis hands to hip level which just made it easier for Alimkhanuly to land his jabs. Galtieri was lunging forward and Alimkhanuly caught him with a right hook then Galtieri backed himself into a corner allowing Alimkhanuly to land a long left.
Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly
Round 2
Galtieri decided to stay on the front foot but Alimkhanuly found him easily with jabs and when Galtieri moved in Alimkhanuly met him with a right and a left and then did it again. Galtieri landed a right but Alimkhanuly connected with two right jabs. Galtieri was dancing around with his hands down, constantly threatening to attack and switched guard but it was all show with no substance.
Score: 10-9 AlimkhanulyAlimkhanuly 20-18
Round 3
Alimkhanuly pierced Galtieri’s guard with jabs. Galtieri drove forward and lands a left and right nut Alimkhanuly countered with a left. Galtieri stood in distance with his hands down and Alimkhanuly hit him with a right and a left. When Galtieri lunged forward Alimkhanuly met him with two lefts. Galtieri’s tactics of dropping his hands could only succeed if he was quicker then Alimkhanuly but he wasn’t. This was an easy night for Alimkhanuly.
Score: 10-9 AlimkhanulyAlimkhanuly 30-27
Round 4
Galtieri tried to be more aggressive but as he came forward Alimkhanuly met him with two left hooks. Galtieri back himself to the ropes and Alimkhanuly was able to land a series of hooks. Once again Galtieri was posing whilst Alimkhanuly was punching. Galtieri forced Alimkhanuly to the ropes and landed a right but then Alimkhanuly turned off the ropes and landed a pair of jabs and a left. Alimkhanuly threw a dozen jabs not all landed but Galtieri did not throw a single punch during that spell
Score: 10-9 AlimkhanulyAlimkhanuly 40-36
Round 5
After piecing Galtieri guard with jabs Alimkhanuly landed an uppercut that made Galtieri sag at the knees that had Galtieri hurt and backing off. He drove Galtieri along the ropes landing hooks. When Galtieri escaped he did some fancy footwork but did not throw a punch so a wated effort. Galtieri landed a left but was then posing threatening an attack to draw a punch so that he counter but he was way too slow to counter.
Score: 10-9Alimkhanuly 50-45
Round 6
A left hook staggered Galtieri who backed to the ropes. Alimkhanuly stepped in and landed two lefts to the head that Galtieri stumbling back as Alimkhanuly stepped in to land more punches Galtieri was sitting on the ropes the referee moved in and stopped the fight. I
t looked a bit premature but Galtieri had never been in the fight. Alimkhanuly has talent and power but has had a comparatively easy run to winning two titles. Galtieri never threaten in fact he never threatened to threaten. He has to be better than he showed in this fight but now he has to start again.
Davis vs. Albright
Davis gets a majority decision over Albright although he looked to have won this one comfortably. Not much action in a close first round. Well not much until after the bell when they both fought on. Davis’s hand speed and movement gave him the edge over the second and third which were both close. Clever movement from Davis in the fourth had Albright reaching in with his punches and Davis shook Albright with a right late in the round. Those right hand counters earned Davis the fifth and he outscored Albright in the sixth with Albright warned after lifting Davis off his feet and spinning him around. Hand speed and quick, clever movement was giving Davis the edge and things got no better for Albright in the seventh when he was cut over his right eye. The cut was in a difficult place and in his corner Albright said it was affecting his vision. Both scored with good shoots in the eighth with Davis targeting the cut and Davis seemed to coast through the ninth. They both went at it hard in the tenth with Albright just doing enough to take the round. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Davis and 95-95 although I saw the scores for Davis wider than that. Davis is rated WBA 7/WBO 8/ IBF 8(7)/ WBC 12 so perhaps a title fight next year. Albright was a genuine test having beaten Michael Dutchover and Carlos Balderas but Davis was too slick and too quick.
Ragan vs. Perez
Ragan take a split decision over Perez. In his first fight for a year the superior skills of Ragan saw him outbox the taller Perez over the early rounds. He seemed to have things well in hand until he was floored by a sharp left hook in the fifth. That encouraged Perez who came on strong in the sixth and seventh but Ragan did enough to take the eighth. Scores 76-75 twice for Ragan and 76-75 for Perez. Olympic siler medal winner Ragan has taken time to settle as a pro but a return to activity should help him. Perez was a tough choice for Ragan’s return as he was unbeaten in his last eleven fights.
Vianello vs. Harper
Vianello outpoints Harter. Not many highlights in this one. Vianello returns with a win. The big Italian prospect found the slow and ponderous Harper an ideal opponent and was rarely troubled. Harper might have edged the third but other than that Vianello was in charge and he got through eight rounds of work winning on scores of 79-73 twice and 80-72. This his first time back in the ring since losing on a cut caused by a punch against Jonathan Rica in January when he was in front on all three card. The 6’2” Harper outweighed the 6’6” Vianello by 34lbs which tells what sort of condition Harper is in.
Davis vs. Carmona
Southpaw Davis takes a unanimous decision over Spaniard Carmona in this duel of southpaws. Davis made this a little tougher then it needed to be. He used his better skills to outbox Carmona over the first half of the fight. Carmona turned up the pressure in the second half and Davis let himself be drawn into an inside fight. He was still doing the better scoring but was rocked a couple of times late begore winning on scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 77-75. He is the older brother of Keyshawn and a former National Golden Glover silver medallist but just failed to qualify for then Tokyo Olympics at the US Trials. Carmona has done most of his fighting in the USA and was coming off a sixth round stoppage loss against unbeaten Kurt Scoby in August.
Galindo vs. Bravo
Galindo this one it could just as easily be said Bravo should have won it. The first two rounds were fairly even but Bravo lost a point in the third for low punches and another in the fourth for holding. He recovered well to outscore Galindo in the fifth. The sixth and seventh were close but Bravo put up the stronger finish but fell short and had to settle for a draw. Scores 75-75 twice and 76-74 for Galindo. Both fighters badly needed a win. Galindo had lost his last two fights, both against unbeaten fighters, and Bravo was coming off four losses in a row.
Torrez vs. Herndon
Anther short order win for Olympic Silver medallist Torrez. As usual Torrez attacked hard from the first driving Herndon back with right jabs and left hooks with Herndon struggling tom survive. In the second a bunch of head punches dropped Herndon to his knees. After the count a thumping straight left and a right to the head sent Herndon collapsing into the ropes. Torrez has only had to go past the second round once for a win and has taken less than twelve rounds in his seven wins. Herndon had won his last nine fights against modest opposition .Zokirov vs. Del Rio
Zokirov floors Del Rio and gets a fourth round stoppage. Zokirov who? Well, it might be as well to make a note of the name. The Uzbek southpaw is 20-years-old, 6’7” was World Youth champion in 2021, Asian Under-22 and Under-23 champion and reportedly won seven Uzbek titles in various categories. At 5’8” Mexican Del Rio would have found it hard not to his Zakirov below the belt.
Marquez vs, Strayhorn
Marquez floors Strayhorn twice in the second for a stopped win. The 22-ywaer-old Texan has five inside then distance wins. He is the son of former IBF light middleweight title holder Raul Marquez and was National Golden Gloves champion in 2021
OCTOBER 15
Braoadbeach, Australia: Super Welter: Tim Tszyu (24-0) W PTS 12 Brian Mendoza (22-3). Feather: Sam Goodman (16-1) W PTS 10 Miguel Flores (25-5-1). Super Feather: Jackson Jon England (15-2) W PTS 10 Nathaniel May (22-4). Super Welter: Wade Ryan (21-11) W PTS 10 Sergei Vorobev (19-2).
Tszyu vs. Mendoza
Tszyu overcomes a slow start to outscore Mendoza over the second half of the fight and retain his WBO title on a unanimous decision.
Round 1
Tszyu let his hands go quickly landing a left hook and followed up with a couple of nice shots as the action got underway. Mendoza came back with a right but Tszyu scored with a combination to take the round.
Score: 10-9 Tszyu
Round 2
Mendoza landed an uppercut with Tszyu having success with a right. Mendoza scored with a right to the head and snuck home an uppercut and just did enough to win the round.
Score: 10-9 MendozaTIED 19-19
Round 3
Mendoza opened the round with some strong jabs and a right to the head. Tszyu was stalking Mendoza and landed some nice body punches then a straight right to the head. Mendoza impressive as he landed a three-punch combination but then landed a low shot but no warning.
Score: 10-9 MendozaMendoza 29-28
Round 4
Mendoza has fast hands and he used that speed to pierce Tszyu’s guard with jabs and he countered the advancing Tszyu with a body punch. Tszyu connected with a right and seemed to rock Mendoza with another one but as he came forward Mendoza landed a good counter and then a heavy right.
Score: 10-9 MendozaMendoza 39-37
Round 5
Tszyu scored with two hurtful shots at the start of the round. Tszyu was starting to motor. He was using powerful jabs to take control and raked Mendoza with combinations and landed a heavy body punch. His power was beginning to tell and Mendoza had a swelling around his right eye as Tszyu won the round clearly.
Score: 10-9 TszyuMendoza 48-47
Round 6
Mendoza rebounded from losing the last round bylanding acouple of rights and a useful body shot. Tszyu connected with jabs putting Mendoza on the back food and was stalking him along the ropes. Mendoza scored with counters. The swelling around Mendoza’s right eye was growing. Both had good spells but I felt Mendoza just did enough to win a close round.
Score: 10-9 MendozaMendoza 58-56
Round 7
Tszyu had a good round. He shook Mendoza early being on target with a series of teeth-rattling uppercuts. He then landed a clubbing left. Mendoza banged back but Tszyu landed some more heavy punches and Mendoza was under severe pressure against the ropes but escaped. Good round for Tszyu
Score: 10-9 TszyuMendoza 67-66
Round 8
Strong jabbing from Tszyu had Mendoza on the back foot and Tszyu was scoring to head and body. They traded heavy punches and Tszyu landed some thumping shots and then went to the body with a left. Mendoza countered but he was now showing damage around both eyes.
Score: 10-9 TszyuTIES 76-76
Round 9
Another dominant round for Tszyu. He again put Mendoza on the back foot and against the ropes with a right . He then landed a series of body punches and went to the body again with a jab and then switched the attack to score with a left hook to the head. Mendoza scored with a couple of counters but it was Tszyu’s round.
Score: 10-9 TszyuTszyu 86-85
Round 10
Pressure from Tszyu had Mendoza trapped against the ropes again but Mendoza was countering well. Mendoza had to take a hard right and then Tszyu added more rights and yet another right had Mendoza badly shaken at the bell. Mendoza now had a bad cut over his left eye.
Score: 10-9 TszyuTszyu 96-94.
Round 11
Tszyu opened up with uppercuts coming close to overwhelming Mendoza with pressure and power punches but Mendoza was still in the fight and landed a couple of good counters. A right from Tszyu had Mendoza backing off badly shaken and Tszyu walked him down piling on the punches with the bell coming just in time for Mendoza.
Score:. 10-9 TszyuTszyu 106-103
Round 12
The doctor examined the cut over Mendoza’s left eye but the fight continued. Mendoza landed two rights but Tszyu was landing more and heavier punches hurting Mendoza with a powerful left hook and keeping up the pressure to the bell.
Score: 10-9 TszyuTszyu 116-112
Official Scores: Judge Katsuhiko Nakamura 117-111 Tszyu, Judge Adam Height 116-111 Tszyu,
Judge Steve Gray 116-112 Tszyu
Tszyu showed his power and stamina inn overcoming then tough Mendoza who proved a strong challenger. Tszyu threw out a challenge to Jermell Charlo who was stripped off the title for going through with the fight with Saul Alvarez instead of defending against Tszyu. It could be that Tszyu did not win the title he was awarded it and in beating Mendoza he won over a fighter who was not even in the WBO top 15! Tszyu showed inn this fight and in his wins over Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison and Carlos Ocampo that he can be a good champion and now since Mendoza was unrated there will be understandable pressure for Tszyu to defend against No 1 Josh Kelly. Mendoza suffered defeats against Lerry Gomez and Jesus Ramos but had reestablished himself with a kayo win over Sebastian Fundora in April which makes the WBO’s failure to rate him even more strange.
Goodman vs. Flores
Goodman wins by a wide margin on the three cards after Flores is floored and also deducted two points for low punches. Goodman had his jabbing working well in the first and with Flores overreaching with his jabs he provided Goodman with an easy target for counters over both the first and second rounds. Flores did better in the third and fourth scoring with combinations. It was toe-to-toe in the fifth with Flores scoring well in the torrid exchanges which suited Flores style better. Goodman went back to his jab in the sixth and seventh using his better skills and accuracy to offset the aggression from Flores. In the eighth Goodman landed a flashing combination and then put Flores down on his hands and knees with a left hook to the body. Flores only just beat the count and then landed a punch below the belt which gave him an extra few seconds respite as the referee deducted a point. Goodman continued to outland Flores in the ninth but with Flores more competitive than the last few rounds. Flores made a good start to the tenth but then ruined it by a low punch which cost him another point deduction. The pace dropped a little in the eleventh as Goodman was not looking to take any chances and he landed some great punches in the twelfth to wrap up the decision on scores of 120-105 twice and 118-107. Goodman is the mandatory challenger for IBF champion Marlon Tapales however Tapales will meet Naoya Inoue in a unifier on Boxing Day so Goodman should get a shot at the winner-or the vacant title. Flores has suffered consecutive defeats against Leo Santa Cruz in a fight for the vacant WBA super feather title and against Eduardo Ramirez but had restored some prestiege with a draw against Abner Mares.
England vs. May
England and May stage the fight of the night with ten rounds of action. There was action from the start in this one with both Jackson and May letting the punches fly in a too close to call first round. Jackson looked to have taken the second as they traded inside but this was going to be a fight where every round was tight. May’s power dominated the third with the pace slowing just a little. England rebounded in a hectic fourth. Both were still trading shot for shot and England’s punches had started a swelling on May’s cheek but Mayn landed a couple of heavy punches at the bell. The fifth was another close round to call as both were finding gaps and scoring heavily. May scored with a series of shots at the start of the sixth. England countered well but was hurt by a solid body shot. It was punch for punch in the seventh with England getting through early but Mayn scoring with a blistering left hook late. England had his best round so far in the eighth. He rocked May with a right hook to the head and land a sharp combination at the end of the round. England had the better of the exchanges at the start of the ninth but was shaken by a right to the head before landing a big right as the round closed. It was punch for punch again in the twelfth and like so many of the rounds the fight was hard to call with England getting the split decision with two scores of 96-94 and one for May again 96-94. A great all-action fight. Jackson wins the vacant IBF Australasian belt. England has won eleven of his last twelve fights with the loss coming against the then 27-0-1 Paul Fleming. May had won 17 in a row before losing to James Dickens and Bruno Tarimo and then had periods of inactivity with this only his second fight in almost four years.
Ryan vs. Vorobev
Some surprise as Ryan wins unanimous by big margin on all three cards. Ryan looked to have edged a close first round as some ring rust from 13 months of inactivity affected Vorobev. The Russian-born Vorobev livened up in the second round and might have taken that but the strength and experience of Ryan then saw him dominant and he built a good lead with Vorobev cut in the sixth. They scraped hard in the seventh eighth and ninth which again went to Ryan and although Vorobev came through to take the tenth it made no difference to the outcome. Sores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for Ryan. The tough southpaw “Bogeyman” Ryan is No 7 in the ANBF ratings so this was a good effort from him and he collected both the IBF Pan Pacific and WBO Oriental belts. Vorobev was having his first fight in Australia and had won his last ten contests.
OCTOBER 11
Montreal, Canada: Super Middle: Erik Bazinyan (31-0) W KO 6 Ronald Ellis (18-4-2) . Super Welter: Fekke Hermans (17-4) W PTS 10 Mary Spencer (7-2). Super Light: Christopher Guerrero (9-0) W TKO 4 Jose Lopez (30-9-2). Light Heavy: Imam Khataev (4-0) W TKO 3 David Benitez (9-8). Light Heavy: Mehmet Unal (6-0) W RTD 1 Luca Spadaccini (9-6-3).
Bazinyan vs. Ellis
Bazinyan drops and stops Ellis in the sixth round. Ellis made a good start scoring well in the first. The heavier punching of Bazinyan saw him take charge over the second and third. Ellis battled back and landed some good shots when had Bazinyan in a corner in the fourth. Bazinyan was back in charge in the fifth but Ellis was still very much in the fight. In the sixth as Ellis moved in Bazinyan stopped him in his tracks with a right and then dropped him with another right. Ellis made it to his feet but the referee was not satisfied with his response and stopped the fight. Now 22 wins by KO/TKO for Bazinyan who was defending his NABF and NABA belts. He is No 3 with both the WBA and WBC. Third loss in a row for Ellis but no shame there as the other two losses came against David Benavidez and Christian Mbilli.
Hermans vs. Spencer
Hermans gets second win over Spencer. Hermans beaten Spencer on a unanimous decision when they clashed in December in a fight for the vacant IBO title but this time she had to be satisfied with a majority verdict. Spencer changed her tactics for this return match boxing more but still came up short. Hermans was given more room and used it as Spencer whilst, having good spells, seemed hesitant in forcing her attacks and Herman’s was a good winner on scores of 97-93 and 96-94 and 95-95. Hermans wins the vacant IBF title . At 38 there may not be too many title chances for Spencer but she has come close twice so it may be third time lucky.
Guerrero vs. Lopez
Mexican-born Canadian Guerrero too skilful and too powerful for experienced Lopez. The visitor attacked hard but paid the price as Guerrero dropped him twice with counters before the fight was stopped. An impressive performance from 22-year-old Guerrero as he makes it five inside the distance wins in a row. Lopez had gone the distance against Mathieu Germain in a previous fight in Montreal.
Khataev vs. Benitez
Khataev scores two knockdowns on the way to a third round victory over Benitez. Khataev almost knocked Benitez out through the ropes for the first knockdown and after the second knockdown from a body punch the fight was stopped as Benitez’s corner waived the towel. Russian Khataev lost a split decision against Ben Whittaker in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics. Argentinian Benitez no test.
Unal vs. Spadaccini
Unsatisfactory win for Unal. The victory came through Spadaccini suffering a shoulder injury in the first round. The Montral based-based Turk makes it five wins inside the distance. Only one win in his last six fights for unlucky Italian Spadaccini.
OCTOBER 12
Tokyo, Japan: Super Welter: Takeshi Inoue (20-2-2) W TKO 6 Saenganan (27-3). Super Bantam: John Riel Casimero (33-4-1) TEC DRAW 4 Yukinori Oguni (21-2-3). Feather: Kenji Fujita (5-0) W PTS 8 Jeo Santisima (22-7). Fly: Vince Paras (20-2-1) W PTS 8 Kai Ishizawa (11-3). Bantam: Saul Sanchez (20-2) W PTS 8 R V Deniega (9-1). Bantam: Froilan Saludar (34-7-1) W TKO 1 Keita Kurihara (17-8-1).
Inoue vs. Thiranan
Inoue stops Thai Thiranan in the sixth round. Really Thiranan was never in with a chance here. He was giving away six inches in height and a comparable amount in reach plus he started his career as a light flyweight and was fighting a natural super welterweight. Inoue was able to keep the fight at distance scoring with jabs and straight rights with Thiranan forced to look in vain for chances to counter. Inoue took his time breaking Thiranan down before dropping him with a combination in the fifth. Thiranan got up but was down from a body punch later in the round and again beat the count. Inoue ended in the sixth putting Thiranan down twice more with the fight being stopped. Inoue was making the fifth defence of the WBO Asia Pacific belt. His two losses have been against Jaime Munguia for the WBO super welter title in 2019 and Tim Tszyu in 2021. Thiranan (Saenganan) was just too small to be a threat.
Casimero vs. Oguni
A cut suffered by Oguni sees this fight end as a technical draw. Casimero came flying out in the first round with a fierce attack hoping to catch Oguni cold but the home fighter boxed well using his longer reach to hold Casimero off and the storm passed. Casimero had a good second round caching Oguni with heavy rights. The third saw Oguni on top scoring to head and body with Casimero seeming to tire. Early in the fourth as heads banged together Oguni suffered a gash on the right side of his head. Casimero then landed a hard right and the referee stopped the action The injury was too serious for Oguni to continue so it ended as a technical draw. Already a three division title winner Casimero was hoping a win here might have led to a shot at a version of the super bantam title. He is No 3 with the WBO so like the rest of the division will be waiting to see what happens in the unification fight between Naoya Inoue and Marlon Tapales which will see all four version of the title on the line. Former IBF champion Oguni was having only his fourth fight in almost five years and his second technical draw in a row
Fujita vs. Santisima
Fujita takes unanimous defence over former WBO title challenger Santisima. Fujita sent Santisima down in the first with a southpaw left and dominated after that. He outfought Santisima on the inside working well with body punches and picked him off at distance. Santisima rocked Fujita in the last but too late to make any difference. Fujita won on scores of 79-72 twice and 78-73. Ignore the short pro record he won ten amateur titles before turning professional after failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Filipino Santisima lost on an eleventh round kayo against Emanuel Navarrete in a challenge for the WBO super bantam title in 2020 but has slid since then with just one win in his last five fights now.
Paras vs. Ishizawa
Filipino Paras won a split decision over Ishizawa. Both made a cautious start but Paras upped the pace in the second landing with body punches. He outscored Ishizawa in the third and then edged ahead with Ishizawa having trouble breaking through. Paras tired in the sixth but still fought hard stifling Ishizawa’s attacks and held out to win on scores of 78-74 and 77-75 with the third judge seeing it 77-75 for Ishizawa. That decision allowed Paras to celebrate his birthday on the following day. He lost in a shot at the IBF minimumweight title in 2018 but is now 7-0-1 in his last eight fights. Former Japanese minimum champion Ishizawa came in overweight for a shot at the WBO minimum champion Masataka Taniguchi in April last year so could not win the title and was stopped in the eleventh round.
Sanchez vs. Deniega
Californian Sanchez wins comfortable decision over unbeaten Filipino Deniega. Sanchez took the fight to Deniega from the first scoring with jabs and hard rights with under constant pressure and too often pinned against the ropes, Sanchez drove Deniega to a corner in the sixth and landed heavily. Deniega banged back hard but Sanchez took the seventh and eighth . Scores 79-73 twice and 78-74 for Sanchez. Eighth win in his last nine fights for Sanchez the WBO No 10. The step up in opposition was too much for Deniega
Saludar vs. Kurihara
Saludar shocks the locals as he destroys Kurihara in just sixty seconds. As Kurihar aimed to throw a left hook an over hand right from Saludar put Kurihara just seconds into the fight. Kurihara only just made it to his feet and was dropped twice more and the fight was stopped. Saludar wins the OPBF title. Saludar has been stopped in two rounds by Luis Nery in July so a good rebound win. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Kurihara.
OCTOBER 13
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Light: Jose Rosa (23-0) W TKO 3 Elysson Marquez (12-4-2). Light Fly: Maria Sol Baumstarh (9-6-1) W TKO 1 Yoselin Fernandez (12-5).Super Light: Alan Crenz (10-1) W TKO 2 Carlos Zabaleta (11-2).
Rosa vs. Marquez
Rosa demolishes Marquez in three rounds. After a low action first round Rosa began to find the target with solid punches in the second. It was all over late in the third. Just before the bell to end the round Rosa landed a right that put Marquez down heavily and the fight was stopped. Now 17 wins by KO/TKO for 23-year-old southpaw Rosa who was defending the WBA Fedelatin and WBC Latino belts. Rosa’s father is a Dominican who eventually based himself in Argentina and knocked out Raul Balbi a former WBA lightweight title holder. Rosa is one of the top prospects in Argentina and is No 10 with the WBC but he needs to move to a better class of opponent as he had beaten Marqez easily on points in March.
Baumstarh vs. Fernandez
Baumstarh continues her run of victories as she stops Fernandez in the first round to collect the vacant WBC Latino title. A series of hard, accurate punches saw the referee come in to save Fernandez after just 90 seconds. Baumstarh looked to be on the skids when she went 1-7 in a series of bouts but this is her seventh consecutive victory six by KO/TKO. Venezuelan Fernandez falls to 2-5 in her last 7 bouts.
Crenz vs. Zabaleta
Crenz wrecks Zabaleta in two rounds. He had Zabaleta down twice in the opening round with Zabaleta only just surviving. Another knockdown in the third saw the referee stop the massacre. Crenz, 23, wins the vacant WBO Youth title with his seventh inside the distance win in a row. Venezuelan teenager Zabaleta had won his last seven fights.
Montreal, Canada: Middle: Jan Poulin (8-1-3) W TKO 7 Kevin Menoche (7-1). Heavy: Alex Barriere (11-0) W TKO 1 Guillermo Casas (10-4-1).
Poulin vs. Menoche
Poulin wins the vacant Canadian title as he halts Menoche in the seventh round. The 40-year-old Poulin ended it in the seventh as he landed two bludgeoning rights to the head that sent Menoche into the ropes. Poulin then just kept throwing punches and with Menoche just covering up and not firing back the referee stepped in. Poulin did not turn pro until he was 31 and after a shaky start is now 7-0-2 in his last 9 fights. Neither fighter is likely to get past domestic level.
Barriere vs. Casas
Barriere obliterates Casas in the first round. Two lefts to the head sent the obese Casas down in a corner. He beat the count but a left again sent him into a corner and a series of punches had Casas lurching forward into more punches and he dropped to his knees with the fight being stopped. The 6’4” southpaw gets win No 9 by KO/TKO. Mexican Casas started out at 223lbs but has weighed as high as 275lbs and was just a punchbag. He had lost over ten rounds again China’s Junlong Zhang in his last fight in May 2022.
Rome, Italy: Super Light: Armando Casamonica (12-0) W TKO 6 Patrizio Santini (10-2).
Casamonica halts Santini. Casamonica was conceding four inches in height and having to combat the longer reach of Santini. In the first Casamonica was quicker darting past Santini’s reach to score with hooks inside and overhand rights . Santini scored with some sharp hooks but could not keep Casamonica out. Santini then changed his tactics coming forward behind his jab and forcing Casamonica onto the back foot. Casamonica boxed cleverly luring Santini in and basting him with hooks, Santini continued on the back foot but shook Santini with a right in the fifth. Two rights from Casamonica in the sixth had Santini reeling back and Casamonica piled forward pumping out punches. The referee stepped in and gave Santini a standing count. Santini made it tom his feet but was under heavy fire against the ropes and the referee jumped in and pulled Casamonica off. Casamonica wins the vacant IBF Youth title. He was Italian amateur champion in 2019. Santini had an eight-bout winning streak broken.
Cancun, Mexico: Bantam: David Cueller (26-0) W RSF 8 Luis Concepcion (40-11). Super Bantam: Calex Castro (15-0) W KO 2 Kevin Villanueva (21-5-3). Super Bantam: Yesenia Gomez (20-6-4,1ND) W TKO 1 Lorena Cruz (4-5)
Cuellar vs. Concepcion
Cuellar stops Concepcion in the eighth round. Cueller boxed well over the first two round using his physical advantages but in the third a left from Concepcion opened a cut on Cuellar’s left eyebrow. There was another incident in the third with Cuellar flooring Concepcion with a booming left hook. Over the fourth and fifth Cuellar went back to his boxing with Concepcion attacking hard and forcing Cuellar onto the back foot. Accurate punches from Cuellar turned the fight his way and an exhausted Concepcion lost a point in the seventh for twice spitting out his mouthguard. Cuellar landed a jab and a body punch then a right that snapped back Concepcion’s head the referee decided Concepion had taken enough punishment. Eighteenth inside the distance victory for Cuellar. Panamanian Concepcion, 38 a former WBA flyweight and superb flyweight title holder had been in too many hard fights and it is catching up on him.
Castro vs. Villanueva
Local hope Castro continues his impressive run as he knocks out Villanueva in the second round. Now 9 inside the distance wins in his last 10 bouts. Villanueva had been stopped in six rounds by unbeaten Alan Picasso in March.
Gomez vs. Cruz
In a non-title bout WBC light fly title holder Gomez stops overmatched Cruz in the first round. All done and dusted in 67 seconds as Gomez gets her seventh inside the distance win.
Culiacan, Mexico: Super Bantam: Israel Rodriguez (29-5) W PTS 10 Hector Escobar (18-1,1ND). Bantam: Alexis Molina (9-0-1) DREW 10 Luis Robles (15-2-1).
Rodriguez vs. Escobar
Rodriguez snaps Escobar’s unbeaten record with a unanimous points victory. Rodriguez put Escobar down in the third with a wicked left hook to the body. It looked all over but somehow Escobar made it his feet and survived the round with the help of some precious seconds whilst his mouthguard was recovered and put in his mouth. Rodriguez built on the success and then held off a strong effort from Escobar over the late round to win on scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93. Thirteen wins in a row for Rodriguez eleven of those inside the distance and he picks up the WBA International title. Setback for home town fighter Escobar but at 24 he has time tom take on board the lessons from this loss.
Molina vs. Robles
Excellent fight between two well-matched young fighters. The WBC Continental Americas fight was up for grabs but the title remains vacant after the fight finished as a draw with two scores of 95-95 and 96-94 for Panamanian Robles
Nowy Sacz. Poland: Heavy: Mariusz Wach (38-10) W PTS 10 Michal Boloz (5-6-2).
A glorified-or not so glorified-sparring session for Wach. These two knew each other well from Bolz actually being Wach’s sparring partner in the past. No problems for Wach and he scored five knockdowns and won 99-86 from all three judges. Wach had his world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2012 now he comes home to get a win then spends the rest of the time giving ten rounds of work to better fighters in their own country and had lost every round against Frazer Clarke in June. A bit unkind to knockdown poor Boloz five times in front of his home fans.
OCTOBER 14
Oberhausen, Germany: Super Welter Slawa Spomer (19-0) W TKO 10 Milan Prat (20-1,1ND). Super Middle: Cruiser: Mike Perez (28-3-1) W Rashad Karimov (36-3). Super Welter: Austin Trout (37-5-1) W PTS 8 Steve Suppan (13-3-1).
Spomer vs. Prat
Spomer proves too much of a handful and stops Prat in the tenth round of this clash of unbeaten fighters. Spomer connected with a good right hook un the opener taking advantage of Prat’s low held left and having no trouble dealing with Prat’s physical advantages inn height and reach. There were some fierce exchanges in the second but Spomer again landed heavily in the third catching Prat with uppercuts. Just before the bell to end the fourth Spomer landed booming left hook which sent Prat down. Prat beat the count but had spat out his mouthguard and the time to replace that help Prat make it to the bell. Prat’s corner wanted him to box more but Prat insisted in going toe-to-toe with Spomer in the fifth and was down again. He beat the count and showed resilience by scoring well in the sixth and landing a hard left hook in the seventh, Both had some success in the eighth but Prat was down again from a right to the head in the ninth. He made it to his feet but was taking punishment whilst trapper against the ropes and the referee applied a standing count. A left hook sent Prat down again in the tenth and although he managed to climb to his feet the referee stopped the fight. Huge won for Spomer as the French had high hopes for Prat but this was a crushing defeat for their man. Although he was European champion before this fight only Prat’s WBA Inter-Continental belt was on the line and the European title has been declared vacant after this result. Spomer, 31, was making the second defence of the WBO Global title.
Perez vs. Karimov
Perez drops a reluctant Kalimov three times and the fight is over. Lefts from Perez were too much for Karimov who put up no resistance so a paid but pointless night for Perez. Now 37 the hard-punching Cuban lost to Mairis Breidis in WBC cruiserweight title fight in 2017. Since then, there have been periods of inactivity and modest opposition but he is No 3 with the WBA so there is an outside chance of another title fight. Azeri-born German Karimov has an incredibly padded record as prior to this he had lost only one of his last thirty-three fights.
Trout vs. Rodriguez
Trout eases his way through eight rounds of work. Trout never seemed tom get out of third gear and Rodriguez never threatened. The crowd was dissatisfied with the lack of any highlights and Rodriguez only came into the fight over the last three rounds as Trout tired. Scores 78-75 twice and 79-73 for Trout. Now a pro for eighteen years his spell as holder of the WBA light middleweight title and his win over Miguel Cotto in a title defence are just distant memories. Sixth loss in a row for Rodriguez who was a late substitute.
Merida, Mexico: Light: Miguel Berchelt (39-3) W RTD 2 Diego Ruiz (24-8-1). Fly: Angel Ayala (17-0) W PTS 12 Felix Alvarado (39-4). Feather: Sebastian Hernandez (14-0) W TKO 5 Ivan Turrubiartes (25-1-1). Super Middle: Emiliano Aguillon (7-0-1) W PTS 10 Aaron Silva (14-1) .
Berchelt vs. Ruiz
Berchelt’s power proves too much for Ruiz who bows out after two rounds. Berchelt had his jab working early using bit t force Ruiz on to the back foot and then tracked Ruiz around the ropes looking to land power shots a\ns hurting Ruiz with body punches. Ruiz launched an occasional lunging attack but by the end of the round Berchelt had Ruiz against the ropes under fire. Berchelt started tom put together some hurtful combinations in the second. He was driving Ruiz back scoring with hooks from both hands and Ruiz was hiding behind a high guard just looking to survive. It was one-way traffic with Berchelt digging in his trademark lefts to the body. Ruiz managed to land two left hooks but was shaken by a Berchelt left hook and had had enough and did not come out for the second round. First fight for the former WBC super-feather champion since shock inside the distance loss against Namibian Jeremia Nakathila in March last year. He swept Ruiz aside with ease but there are tougher matches tom come. Only the second inside the distance loss for Ruiz but he has now won only one of his last seven fights.
Ayala vs. Alvarado
Alvarado made his customary explosive start trying overwhelm Ayala and put him down with a right hook in the first round. Ayala fared better in the second inn holding off the frantic attacks from Alvarado but was cut over his left eye in the third. Alvarado kept up them pressure in the fourth and Ayala survived a doctor’s inspection of the cut at the start of the fifth. Ayala scored well over the fifth and sixth but Alvarado was again swarming forward and scoring heavily in the seventh. Despite continuing attacks from Alvarado Ayala did better against a slowing Alvarado in the eighth and ninth and looked to have moved in front. Alvarado’s experience and stamina proved decisive as he finished strongly and looked to have swept the last three rounds but that was not quite enough for the judges who all scored it 114-113 fir Ayala. Now the WBC No 1 Ayala,23, had scored wins over experienced Juan Zuniga and Miguel Herrera and taken a wide unanimous decision over former WBC champion Cristofer Rosales. Former IBF light fly title holder Alvarado had lost a close decision against Sunny Edwards for the IBF fly title in November.
Hernandez vs. Turrubiartes
Hernandez springs a mild upset as he stops Turrubiartes inn the clash od unbeaten boxers. Hernandez marched forward behind a high guard taking punches tom get inside and then pounding away with hooks and uppercuts to the body. Turrubiartes scored plenty of counters but just could not stall Hernandez’s attacks. Hernandez was relentless shrugging off the punches from Turrubiartes and piling on the pressure raking Turrubiartes with hooks. He pounded on Turrubiartes for the whole three minutes of the fourth with Turrubiartes just responding enough for the referee to let the fight continue. Turrubiartes fired back bravely inn then fifth until a vicious left hook sent him down flat on his back and the referee stopped the fight. Hernandez, 22, has won 13 of his 14 fights by KO/TKO. Turrubiartes just simply had the fight beaten out of him.
Silva vs. Aguillon
Aguillon wins every round against an aggressive but limited Silva who does well to last the distance. Silva was the aggressor but Aguillon boxed comfortably on the back foot dodging Silva’s punches and countering. When he came forward Aguillon was scoring with some tasty hooks and was in control of the action. Silva upped the pace of his attacks and had some success when he could catch Aguillon along the ropes. The down side for Aguillon is that although he was outscoring Silva he packed the power tom take full advantage of him dominance. Too often Aguillon seemed content to just stick Silva with single jabs and straight rights targeting a cut over Silva’s left eye without launching any sustained attacks when at times it looked as though a bit more effort could have seen him stop Silva who never stopped walking into Aguillon’s counters. First ten round fight for Aguillon and the best opponent he has met so far and he handled Silva with ease.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Light Roman Reynoso (22-4-2) W PTS 10 Carlos Farias (14-33-4).
Reynoso continues his comeback with a unanimous decision over Farias, Reynoso was inactive for five years before returning with a win in May. Fourteen losses in a row for Farias.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Welter: Victor Rodriguez (12-0-1) DREW 10 Jose Acevedo (14-5-3).
The WBA Fedebol title remains vacant after Uruguayan Rodriguez and Argentinian Acevedo fought to a draw. The two fighters adopted different tactics with Rodriguez trying to dictate the fight from then centre of the ring opting for accuracy and Acevedo with plenty of movement and a higher but more wayward punch rate. Neither had the power to dominate and with the contrast in styles making the rounds hard to score the judges could not split them and all three cards 95-95. A return is being discussed.
Fredericton, Canada: Super Middle: Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle (11-1) W TKO 9 Brandon Brewer (27-3-2).
An upset here as less experienced Frenchman Proton De la Chapelle stops hometown fighter Brewer inn the ninth round to win the WBC Francophone belt. De la Chapelle had won his last six fights but against mediocre opposition. Brewer had fought at a much higher level and was 23-0-1 in his first 24 fights but at 38 this may be the end for Brewer.
Frankfurt, Germany: Super Feather: Andreas Klein (6-0) W PTS 10 Kevin Trana(15-9-2). Heavy: Alexander Nedbei (17-1) W KO 2 Deivis Casseres (31-20-2). Super Welter: Artur Mamberger (10-0) W PTS 10 Sumbu Nsasi (13-3).
Klein vs. Trana
Klein has to work hard to get the decision over a competitive Trana. Scores 96-94 twice and 99-91! Klein, 40 was inactive for six years until getting a win in October last year. Seven losses in a row for Spanish-based Nicaraguan Trana.
Nedbei vs. Casseres
Swiss-based German Nedbei knocks out Colombian Casseres in the second round. Fourteenth inside the distance wins for 36-year-old Nedbei against opposition who would be flattered to be described as mediocre. Twelfth loss by KO/TKO for Casseres
Mamberger vs. Nsasi
Local fighter Mamberger gets a split decision over Nsasi. The fight was close over the first four rounds. Mamberger took over in the middle rounds but tired and Naasi swept the closing rounds. It could easily have ended as a draw or a win for German-based Congolese fighter Nsasi but no scores announced.
Belfast, NI, Fly: Conor Quinn (8-0-1) W Chris Liddell (5-2).
Quinn wins the vacant BBB of C Celtic title with stoppage of Liddell. This was a pitched battle between the better boxing and higher accuracy from Quinn and the high volume swarming tactics of Scot Liddell. That produced an entertaining scrap. Liddell was cut under his eft eye in the fourth but he continued to take the fight to Quinn eating counters but continuing to apply pressure. The cumulative effect of Quinn’s punches finally broke Liddell’s resistance in the seventh. He was down twice with the towel coming in from Liddell’s corner just as the referee stopped the fight. Fifth win in a row for the 25-year-old from Belfast. Liddell had won his last four fights.
Manchester, England: Cruiser: Tommy Fury (10-0) W PTS 6 Olajide Olatunji (1-1). Cruiser: Logan Paul (1-1) W DISQ 6 Dillon Danis (0-1).
Fury vs. Olatunji (KSI)
KSI scored with a right in the first and Fury lost a point fir punches to the back of the head. Every round had more holding than hitting and what clean work there was came from Tury who won on scores of 57-56 from all three judges.
Paul vs. Danis
Paul was attempting to box as well as he could but Danis was either blocking punches or taunting or clowning. Paul continued to land punches with two right hands in the fourth the only notable contribution from Danis who was deducted a point. Danis grabbed Paul in a choke hold in the sixth which had both corners invading the ring and a brawling with Danis disqualified.
RUBBISH
Fight of the week: (Significance): Zhanibek Alimkhanuly’s win over Vincenzo Galtieri unifies two more titles so a step in the right direction
Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Jackson Jon England vs. Nathaniel May was hotly contested over all ten rounds.
Fighter of the week: Zhanibek Alimkhanuly
Punch of the week: I go for the left hook from Sebastian Hernandez that flattened unbeaten Ivan Turrubiartes
Upset of the week: Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle (10-1) beating 27-2-2 Brandon Brewer was a shock.
Prospect watch: Japanese featherweight (6-0) was an outstanding amateur now we have to see if he can make as a pro.
Observations
Rosette: Packed shows in Rosenberg, Broadbeach, Montreal, Tokyo so congratulation to those often abused animals the promoters
Red Card: I am feeling generous this week so I will just settle for saying the farce in Manchester without commenting further.
Observations
-Alimkhanuly really needs to face a decent challenger as he has had an easy path to the top. He won the WBO interim title by beating Danny Dignum and was then upgraded to full champion and has defended the WBO title against Denzel Bailey and Steven Butler neither of whom posed a real threat . Although he now holds two versions of the title BoxRec only rate him No 5, He is very talented but untested, Chris Eubank Jr is No 1 with the WBO which would be more of a challenge than Galtieri but the situation with the IBF is a typical example of the sanctioning body sickness which pervades much of the sport. The first two slots in the IBF ratings are vacant because no one in the top 15(13) has beaten a rated fighter! No 3 is Denis Radovan who has had just one fight in 2020, one in 2021, one in 2022 and one in 2023 but forget his lack of activity and the quality of his opposition he holds the IBF European title (which he won by beating Nuhu Lawal who had lost his last two fights) and that alone gets a ridiculously undeserved No 3 place in the IBF ratings. BoxRec who take account of the level of opposition rate Radovan No 66!!!
-Mouthwatering is the word that springs to mind when I look at the dream fights for the lightweight division featuring : Devinn Haney, Vasyl Lomachenko, Gervonta Davis Shakur Stevenson, William Zepeda and possibly Emanuel Navarrete and Keyshawn Davis in the mix next year
- Dare I think there has been an epidemic of sense in the sanctioning bodies. There were a number of Youth titles this weekend and all them featured fighters within the age limits set down. No more Youth titles featuring 30, 40 or fifty year-olds. I guess it is too much to hope that they stop making the price for a rating the sanctioning fee for some obscure belt-never happen-Turkey’s voting for Christmas
- Love the name Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle for a boxer. Brandon Brewer must have been hoping he had left the three musketeers and their rapiers behind and did not fight in an iron mask.
- Do not mess with Japanese prospect Kenji Fujita. He is one of five children , three boys and two girls. All five have experience in Kyokushin Karate (no I don’t know what it is either but it sounds dangerous). Brother Kazunori is a former OPBF champion, Norioki is rated No 3 in the world at Kyokushin Karate and Shoko and Yamata are renowned MMA competitors. If Kenji says to an opponent t “even my sister could beat you” he is not kidding.
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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