The Past Week in Action 6 April 2024: Murtazaliev Stops Culcay to Win IBF Welter Title; Skye Nicolson Outpoints Mahfoud, is the New WBC Feather Champ
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 Apr 2024
Murtazaliev corners Culcay.
Highlights:
- Bakhram Murtazaliev stops Jack Culcay in the eleventh round to win the vacant IBF super welterweight title
-Skye Nicolson outpoints Sarah Mahfoud and wins the vacant WBC feather title
-Richardson Hitchins take a unanimous verdict over Gustavo Lemus in IBF super light eliminator
-Diego Pacheco and Galal Yafai score wins
-Ricardo Malajika retains the IBO Super Flyweight title as he outpoints Marcel Braithwaite.
-Oscar Diaz decisions Ezequiel Gurria in EBU Silver super welterweight defence
- Jackson Jon England scores split decision over former champion Jamel Herring
World Title/Major Shows
April 6
Falkensee, Germany: Super Welter: Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0) W TKO 11 Jack Culcay (33-5). Middle: Edin Avdic (8-0) W PTS 8 Omir Rodriguez (14-16-1). Middle: Etinosa Oliha (20-0) W PTS 10 Ismael Seck (12-8-2). Super Welter: Uisma Lima(12-1) W RTD 11 Haro Matevosyan (18-0).
Murtazaliev wins the vacant IBF title with an eleventh round stoppage of local fighter Culcay in a dramatic and entertaining battle.
Round 1
Murtazaliev had edges in height and reach and Culcay was obliged to box on the back foot looking for chances to counter. As Culcay lunged forward he missed and went down on one knee but it was not ruled a knockdown. Murtazaliev was doing the scoring looking dangerous with long rights and short hooks. Culcay was boxing cleverly but it was defensive work.
Score: 10-9 Murtazaliev
Round 2
As in the first Culcay was dancing around Murtazaliev looking for a chance to nip in and score. Murtazaliev is flat-footed and slow. He worked well with his jab and Culcay was waiting too long to throw his punches so not throwing much. At the end of the round Culcay dived inside and they traded hooks but Murtazaliev’s early work with his jab took the round
Score: 10-9 MurtazalievMurtazaliev 20-18
Round 3
Culcay took more chances in this round ducking inside and throwing quick jabs and hooks. Murtazaliev was off target with his jabs and short with his hooks. Culcay upped his pace staying close and firing hooks with his hand speed and Murtazaliev’s poor footwork giving him the edge.
Score: 10-9 CulcayMurtazaliev 29-28
Round 4
Murtazaliev was walking Culcay down with his jabs with Culcay again waiting too long to counter. They then went toe-to-toe with both landing hooks as the fight turned into a war. Culcay was getting through with hooks but staying in front of Murtazaliev who just seemed to get the best of the exchanges in a very close round rocking Culcay late with a couple of hooks.
Score: 10-9 MurtazalievMurtazaliev 39-37
Round 5
Culcay was continuing to take the fight to Murtazaliev but was being caught by hooks. Culcay exploded with a series of hooks and uppercuts driving Murtazaliev back to the ropes. Murtazaliev escaped and found the target with long rights. Culcay continued to come forward but Murtazaliev met him with a series of jabs and hooks and Culcay could not get inside.
Score:10-9 MurtazalievMurtazaliev 49-46
Round 6
Culcay bobbed and weaved around Murtazaliev’s punches and was able to get close and score wiht hooks from both hands. He kept rumbling forward giving Murtazaliev very little punching room and connecting with short punches inside. A confident Culcay dropped his hands and stood right in front of Murtazaliev scoring with sweeping shots and kept up the pressure for the rest of the round. Murtazaliev did not have any answer to the hands-down approach of Culcay.
Score: 10-9 CulcayMurtazaliev 58-56
Round 7
Murtazaliev tried to wrest back control marching forward throwing heavy shots but Culcay was dodging them easily. Culcay then came alive and began to connect with hooks from forcing Murtazaliev back outworking and out landing him. At the end of the round Culcay exploded with a burst of punches forcing Murtazaliev to the ropes and connected with lefts and rights.
Score: 10-9 CulcayMurtazaliev 67-66
Round 8
The fight was slipping away from Murtazaliev and in this round he went back to basics. He ignored Culcay’s hands down tactics and marched forward focused on plenty of left jabs and straight rights. Culcay came to life half way through the round with a volley of hooks and put Murtazaliev under pressure but Murtazaliev stayed cool and matched Culcay’s late surge.
Score: 10-9 MurtazalievMurtazaliev 77-75
Round 9
The fight had been entertaining and a close battle in which Culcay’s 38 years might become a factor. Murtazaliev started the round marching forward jabbing strongly and firing rights. Culcay abandoned his hands-down tactics but instead took the fight to Murtazaliev forcing him back with volleys of punches from all angles and unloaded on Murtazaliev until Murtazaliev worked his way off the ropes. It was two tired fighters thumping each other with hard, quality shots neither wanting to take a step back and Culcay had done enough to take the round.
Score: 10-9 CulcayMurtazaliev 86-85
Round 10
Murtazaliev was on the front foot jabbing strongly and reaching Culcay with straight rights. Culcay was moving about in front of Murtazaliev but being caught by hard, straight shots and could not sustain his attacks. Murtazaliev was picking him off at distance and Culcay was walking onto some bludgeoning counters. He summoned up some last reserves for an attack but Murtazaliev pounded him with rights and Culcay was noticeably weakening.
Score: 10-9 MurtazalievMurtazaliev 96-94
Round 11
Murtazaliev shook Culcay with a left hook and then poured on the punches. Culcay was floundering but trying to fire back. Another Murtazaliev onslaught had Culcay on the verge of defeat but he showed great guts until a left hook snapped his head back and a series of punches sent him down in a heap with the referee stopping the fight.
Murtazaliev wins the vacant IBF belt with his sixteenth inside the distance victory. He had made it to mandatory challenger without ever facing a rated fighter and his strengths-power and a great chin-and weaknesses -slow with poor foot work-were both on show. Culcay was No 2 and the super welterweight division is not very strong right now with Erickson Lubin and Josh Kelly at 3 and 4 so it will be interesting to see where Murtazaliev goes from here. Culcay should retire. He has had a good career and played his part in making this a great fight but the time is right for Golden Jack to ride off into the sunset for a very well deserved retirement.
Avdic vs. Rodriguez
Avdic gets split decision over Panamanian Rodriguez. Avdic dominated the early rounds using his edges in height and reach to outscore Rodriguez and landing well to the body. Rodriguez relied on some wild attacking lunges but Avdic tired late and Rodriguez came on strong and made it close. Scores 77-75 and 77-76 for Avdic and 76-76. Disappointing performance by the unbeaten Austrian. A busy Rodriguez was 1-10 in fights in 2023 and was coming off a loss. That plus Rodrigue being a very late substitute should have made it an easy night for Avdic
Oliha vs. Seck
IBO champion Oliha fills in time by winning the IBF International title. The Italian had no problems with the limited Seck. His constant pressure nullified Seck’s longer reach and Oliha scored heavily to the body in every round. Seck was badly shaken in the fifth but survived and spent much of the later rounds trapped on the ropes shipping punishment but luckily Oliha is not a big puncher and Seck lasted the full ten rounds with all three cards reading 100-90. The aim now should be for Oliha to make a third defence of the IBO title or take a chance and try to get a name opponent so that he can break into the upper reaches of the IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO ratings. Frenchman Seck had won his last six fights and preserved his record of never failing to last the distance.
Lima vs. Matevosyan
Lima scores his second upset win in Germany as he beats Matevosyan on an eleventh round retirement in an all-southpaw clash. Matevosyan made a good start finding gaps in the Angolan’s defence and edging in front. Lima boxed cleverly and had Matevosyan on the back foot with some sharp jabbing and Matevosyan’s work rate dropped. Lima found plenty of gaps in Matevosyan’s defence and was dominating the action scoring heavily. After a one-sided eleventh round Matevosyan’s corner threw in the towel. Lima wins the IBF Inter-Continental belt. His first pro title. He had lost on points to 16-0 Aaron McKenna in June but then outpointed Olympian Araik Marutjan in November. Two good wins in Germany might see him asked back to face another German hope. Unbeaten Matevosyan was making the seventh defence of the IBF Inter-Continental belt.
Gonzalez
Las Vegas, NV, USA: Feather: Skye Nicolson (10-0) W PTS 10 Sarah Mahfoud (14-2). Super Middle: Diego Pacheco (21-0) W PTS 10 Shawn McCalman (15-1). Super Light: Richardson Hitchins (18-0) W PTS 12 Gustavo Daniel Lemos (29-1). Fly: Galal; Yafai (7-0) W TKO 8 Augustin Gauto (21-2). Super Feather: Marc Castro (12-0) W PTS 10 Abraham Montoya (22-6-1).
Nicolson vs. Mahfoud
Australian southpaw Nicholson wins the vacant WBC title as she comfortably outboxes Faroe Islander Mahfoud. After a slow first round Nicolson consistently found openings for her right jab and straight lefts and scored well with counters in the third brining blood from Mahfoud’s nose. Nicolson used her longer reach to control the fight with Mahfoud struggling to get past the jab and gain any momentum. Nicolson upped her pace over the second half taking the fight to Mahfoud more but over the closing rounds she was content to box rings around Mahfoud not looking to improve on her record of just one inside the distance finish. A fight with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO title holder Amando Serrano would be a huge fight for Nicolson but Serrano would probably insist on three minute rounds which would be a road block as the WBC would not agree to their title being contested over three minute rounds. Mahfoud had lost to Serrano in a title challenge in 2022 but in October had outclassed Marcel Acuna.
Pacheco vs. McCalman
Pacheco take a unanimous decision over a better than expected McCalman. A slow opening round saw both boxer prodding and pawing to get their jab working. It was close with McCalman using his longer reach to keep some distance in the action. Pacheco took the fight to McCalman in the second but McCalman scored with a left hook to the head that was the best punch landed so far. Pacheo was struggling to get inside due to some clever jabbing from McCalman but he began to roll from the fourth. He kept McCalman on the back foot and began to find the target with short hooks inside. McCalman was having trouble matching the pace set by Pacheco and the fight was slipping away from him. McCalman already looked to be tiring in the sixth as he held to smother Pacheco’s work. They both scored well in an exciting seventh but now the impetus was with Pacheco slipping counters inside the wilder slung punches of McCalman. Although McCalman had scored a couple of useful wins he had never gone ten rounds and that became a factor as he tired and his work rate dropped. He was warned for holding in the ninth and again in the tenth as a strong finish from Pacheco made him a clear winner. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Pacheco with the middle score looking a fair reflection.
Hitchins vs. Lemus
Hitchins takes close unanimous verdict over Lemus in IBF eliminator. With Hitchin’s having big edges in height and reach Lemos piled forward from the start trying to force Hitchins to the ropes where he could work on his body. Lemos was using a high guard but not much head movement with Hitchin’s spearing him with jabs as he came forward. Lemus put Hitchins under plenty of pressure over the first two rounds as he worked his way inside. Lemus was relentless slinging wild punches and Hitchins found it hard to launch any attacks of his own. Hitchins began to get into the fight in the third and connected with some crisp rights in the fourth. The wild attacks of Lemus provided Hitchins with plenty of opportunity for counters but the ferocity of the Argentinian kept Hitchins busy defending himself in the fifth. Lemus continued to apply pressure over the sixth and seventh but the clever movement and combination punching of Hitchins saw him edge the rounds. Lemus had Hitchins hurt a few times with sweeping hooks in the eighth. Hitchins held desperately to stem the attacks of Lemus but then came back to finish the round strongly hurting a tiring Lemus with uppercuts. Lemus was fired up again in the ninth with Hitchins under constant pressure but he stayed cool and edged the round and the tenth. Lemus landed some useful lefts at the start of the eleventh to keep the fight close. Hitchins just tried to box and stay out of trouble in the last. With the fight close those were risky tactics but Hitchins got the win on scores of 115-113 twice and 117-111. This was an IBF eliminator. Positions 1 and 2 were vacant and with Hitchins No 3 beating another rated fighter Lemos No 7 this win should see Hitchins go to No 1 and in line for a shot at the winner of Subriel Matias’ defence against Liam Paro on 15 June. Lemus will now hopefully land some good paydays after this performance in his first fight outside of Argentina.
Yafai vs. Gauto
Yafai has too much class for a gutsy Gauto and stops him in the eighth round. Yafai stunned Gauto with a straight southpaw right in the first and then showered Gauto with sizzling shots from both hands constantly changing angles with Gauto not knowing where the next punch was coming from. It looked likely that Yafai would blow Gauto away but he was going for quantity and not loading up on his punches. Gauto gradually worked a toe-hold in the fight rocking Yafai with a left late in the fifth. From the sixth Yafai again landed with bursts of straight shots and hooks with Gauto too slow to block or counter. Yafai ended it in the eighth sending Gauto reeling across the ring under a burst of punches with the referee jumping in to stop the fight. Yafai would be wishing the referee had stopped the fight a few seconds earlier as Yafai was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads before the ending. The Olympic gold medal winner is already No 7 with the IBF, WBC and WBO and a fight with former IBF champion Sunny Edwards would be a big attraction.
Castro vs. Montoya
Castro gets a unanimous decision over Montoya who makes the former top amateur fight hard all the way. Castro was bobbing and weaving his way inside and clattering Montoya with left hooks and uppercuts and adding in overhand rights. Montoya was often forced back but just regrouped and returned to the fray. Sheer persistence from Montoya saw him win a couple of late rounds but Castro had him under heavy fire at the final bell. Castro won on scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. In the amateurs Castro was US Youth and National champion and World Youth champion. He scored wins over Duke Ragan, Keyshawn Davis (twice) and Raymond Ford. Mexican Montoya was 18-1-1 at the start of his career. Higher quality opposition has dented that record but he is yet to lose inside the distance.
APRIL 3
Adelaide, Australia: Super Feather: Jackson Jon England (16-3) W PTS 10 Jamel Herring (24-4). Middle Joel Camilleri (28-8-1) W RTD 4 Joel Pavlides (5-3-1). Middle: Sergei Vorobev (20-2-1) DREW 8 Wes Capper (22-5-2). Super Welter: Jack Brubaker (18-5-2) W PTS 8 In Duk Seo (15-4-2).
England vs. Herring
England springs a surprise as he takes deserved split decision over Herring to win the vacant WBO Global belt. The rounds were close with England’s higher work rate giving him the edge. The action went back and forth and there was never a great deal in it. Jackson looked to have taken the sixth and seventh with plenty of pressure but Herring rebounded to edge the eighth and Jacson was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads in the ninth. Jackson put in the stronger finish and that was just enough to give him the decision on scores of 96-94 twice and 97-94 for Herring. Big win for Jackson,26, He had outpointed Nathaniel May and dropped a very close decision to Liam Wilson (96-94, 96-94 and 97-93) in December. He was No 55 in the Box Rec ratings. Now 38, Herring was rebuilding after losses to Shakur Stevenson in 2021 and Jamaine Ortiz in 2022. His lone fight in 2023 ended with a first round stoppage of Nick Molina so he had less than three minutes ring time in almost two years.
Camilleri vs. Pavlides
Camilleri floors overmatched Pavlides in the first and fourth rounds and Pavlides does not come out for the fifth. Sixth win in a row for Secondary School Teacher and former Australian super welter champion Camilleri now No 4 middle with the ANBF. Pavlides had won his last three fights but was out of his depth here.
Vorobev vs. Capper
A close, competitive fights sees this one end as a majority draw. Vorobev boxed cleverly in the first scoring with quick, accurate jabs with not enough upper body movement from Capper. Both scored well in the second with a strong finish from Vorobev enough to edge the round. Strong attacks from Capper has Vorobev on the back foot and winning the rounds. Vorobov gets back into it with some smart boxing in the fifth and rocks Capper with a right. The sixth was close and could have gone either way but Capper finished strongly. He looked to have just done enough to win but it was scored 76-76 twice and 79-73. Russian-born, but now an Australian, Vorobev, reportedly one of eleven children in his family, has lost only one of his last 13 fights with the loss coming in Queensland in October against Wade Ryan. Former Australian champion Capper was having his first fight in almost three years.
Brubaker vs. Seo
Brubaker needs a last round knockdown to get a close decision over Korean Seo. Brubaker started well out boxing Seo over the first three rounds. Seo was landing some hefty uppercuts and picking up points over the next four rounds to take the lead in what was a finely balanced, lively scrap. Brubaker dropped Seo with a left hook to the body in the eighth and won on scores of 76-75 twice and 78-74. Good win for Brubaker who has lost inside the distance to both Tim and Nikita Tszyu. First fight in Australia for former OPBF champion Seo since kayoing then unbeaten Tysinn Best in 2019.
APRIL 4
Montreal, Canada: Light Fly: Kim Clavel (18-2) W PTS 10 Fara El Bousairi (8-4). Super Light: Marie Pier Houle (10-1-1) W RTD 3 Marisa Joana Portillo (20-19-3). Middle: Derek Pomerieau (8-0) W KO 2 Carlos Rodriguez (15-13-1).
Clavel vs. Bousairi
Clavel returns to the winning column with a majority decision over Moroccan-born Spaniard El Bousairi. The visitor, the bigger boxer, failed to make the weight but despite giving away height and weight Clavel used her speed, experience and superior technique to box her way to victory. El Bousairi had a good first round and pressed Clavel hard all the way but Clavel was a deserving winner on scores of 98-92 and 96-94 with the third card reading 95-95. Clavel had lost a split decision to Evelin Nazarena Bermudez in a challenge for the IBF and WBO titles in October. El Bousairi came in at short notice and had never gone past eight rounds before. Clavel’s promoter Yvon Michel was not at ringside having been suspended for “
“verbally attacking and attempted to intimidate” a judge for the Bermudez fight.
Houle vs. Portillo
Houle continues her rebuilding process as she beats Portillo in three rounds. After dominating the first two rounds Houle battered Portillo in the third and the Argentinian did not come out for the fourth. Second victory for Houle since losing to Sandy Ryan in a fight for the vacant WBO welterweight title in April last year. First inside the distance defeat for Portillo who has challenged for five different titles.
Pomerirau vs. Rodriguez
Southpaw Pomerirau puts Rodriguez away in two rounds. Pomerirau was shaken in the first but a right to the body put Rodriguez down for the count at the end of the second round. Former Canadian Senior and Youth champion Pomerirau was hoping an impressive performance would get him an invitation to join Group Yvon Michel. Mexican Rodriguez matched tough with his last six losses against unbeaten opponents.
Indio, CA, USA: Super Bantam: Jose Tito Sanchez (13-0) W PTS 10 Erik Ruiz (17-11-1). Bantam: Manuel Flores (17-1) W KO 2 Alberto Guevara (27-7).
Sanchez vs. Ruiz
Sanchez starts slow then floors and outpoints Ruiz. Southpaw Ruiz made a good start outworking Sanchez over the first two rounds. That changed in the third when Sanchez broke through with right and floored Ruiz. Ruiz made it to his feet but was under heavy pressure and only just made it out of the round. From there Sanchez took control. He had Ruiz under constant pressure. Ruiz was scoring some counters but lacked the pop to keep Sanchez off. Sanchez upped the punishment and at the end of the seventh the referee indicated if he did not see more from Ruiz he might stop the fight. Ruiz rallied and edged the eighth but took more punishment over the ninth and tenth and Sanchez won 97-92 on all three cards. The 24-year-old fan-friendly Sanchez is making good progress. No easy nights for Ruiz. His last three opponents have had combined records of 53-0-1.
Flores vs. Guevara
Flores knocks out Guevara in two rounds. Southpaw Flores was on the front foot taking the fight to Guevara in the first and connected with a couple of good body punches. Flores was hunting Guevara down in the second and late in the round landed a right hook that dropped Guevara and he failed to beat the count. Flores lost a wide unanimous decision to Walter Santibanes in an upset in June last year but had bounced back with a second round kayo of Jerson Ortiz in September. Former WBC bantam title challenger Guevara was having his first fight for four years and suffers his fourth loss in a row.
APRIL 5
Kempton Park, South Africa: Super Fly: Ricardo Malajika (13-2) W PTS 12 Marcel Braithwaite (16-4-1). Heavy: Shaun Potgieter (9-1) W KO 11 Keaton Gomes (10-3). Super Welter: Brandon Thysse (16-4-1) W PTS 10 Darrin Rossouw (8-2).
Malajika vs. Braithwaite
Malajika retains the IBO title as he outclasses British and Commonwealth champion Braithwaite. It was a classy performance from Malajika as he won every round. Strong, accurate jabbing combined with solid punches from both hands put Malajika in control from the start. Braithwaite came forward behind a high guard trying to walk Malajika down but was never really able to exert any pressure as Malajika ghosted away with clever foot work. Malajika switched to southpaw in the fifth but remained in control then switched back spearing Braithwaite with jabs and pulling him up with uppercuts. Braithwaite had his best round in the ninth but was still outscored. Malajika busted open Braithwaite’s nose in the tenth and Braithwaite was rocked at the end of the round. The eleventh saw Braithwaite’s left eye closed with Malajika looking for a stoppage but Braithwaite gutted it out and Malajika eased up in the last. Scores 120-108 on all three cards. This was the first defence of the IBO title for former South African amateur champion Malajika who has shown considerable improvement over the past twelve months. After losing to Sunny Edwards and Jay Harris Braithwaite had gone 7-0-2 in a series of tough tests but was never in this fight.
Potgieter vs. Gomes
Potgieter wins the South African title and gets revenge for an early loss as he stops champion Gomes in the eleventh round. Gomes had stopped Potgieter in 80 seconds in a six round fight in March 2022 and scored three more inside the distance wins since then. Gomes dominated the early action. Potgieter had a 22lbs pull in the weights and used that to help him smother the attacks of Gomes but Gomes bult a good lead. From the sixth Potgieter started to trade more with Gomes but Gomes still seemed to have the edge. Both were tiring with Potgieter landing heavily in the ninth and the tenth a close round. Potgieter stormed forward in the eleventh throwing punches driving Gomes to the canvas. Gomes made it to his feet but was finished and the referee stopped the fight. Sixth win in a row for Potgieter and sixth inside the distance win in total. Gomes was making the second defence of the national title and suffers his first inside the distance loss.
Thysse vs. Rossouw
Thysse wins a split decision over Rossouw. This did not look to be any sort of test for Thysse as Rossouw had limited experience of 4,6 and 8 round fights with his loss coming against a guy with a 1-0 record. It looked as though this was going to go with the script as Thysse found plenty of gaps in Rossouw’s defence and had little trouble avoiding Rossouw’s punches. Thysse had won 12 of his fights by KO/TKO but despite the openings in Rossouw’s defence he could not stop Rossouw marching forward and Rossouw started to get through with some meaty body shots as Thysse seemed to tire. It looked to be too little too late but Rossouw’s strong finish was enough for one judge to see him the winner at 96-94 with the other two scoring it 96-94 for Thysse.
Zaragoza, Spain: Super Welter: Oscar Diaz (13-0) W PTS 12 Ezequiel Gurria (18-4).
Diaz retains the European Silver title with a split decision over Gurria in a war. Fighting in front of his home crowd Gurria attacked hard at the start bringing blood from Diaz’s nose in the first round and knocking Diaz into the ropes with a right in the second. Diaz stepped up his pace from the third as they traded punches in sustained action. Both were soon cut and bruised with Diaz having a slight edge. With the fight close they both dredged up the energy for a strong finish with Diaz holding on to that slight lead but only just as he retained his title on scores of 115-113 and 115-114 against 115-114 for Gurria. A great little scrap. Diaz had climbed off the floor to score a disputed stoppage victory over Gurria to win the vacant title in November and was making his first defence. Gurria will be hoping that with the fight so close he might get another shot.
Houston, TX, USA: Super Light: Ernesto Mercado (14-0) W RTD 3 Deiner Berrio (22-5-1),
Mercado blows away Berrio in three rounds. Berrio just came to survive but failed at that. Mercado was landing stiff jabs and a left hook to the body had Berrio hurt in the first with Berrio hardly firing anything back. The second and third were also one-sided with Berrio throwing only the occasional counter and spending most of the time trapped against the ropes. He was shaken by a right to the head and it was no surprise when did not come out for the fourth round. Mercado, 22, Californian-born with a Nicaragua father, won a bucket full Junior and Youth titles and qualified for the US Team Trials for Tokyo. Keyshawn Davis won the berth with Mercado choosing not to fight Davis but to go for representing Nicaragua but with the qualification rounds cut down due to COVID he was unable to qualify. This is his fourteenth win by KO/TKO and he already has victories over Xolisani Ndongeni and Jeremiah Nakathila. First fight since September 2021 for Berrio and first loss by KO/TKO for Berrio.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Light Fly: Eric Rosa (7-0) W PTS 12 Yudel Reyes (16-3).
Rosa wins WBA Gold belt. He had previously relinquished the WBA minimumweight title
APRIL 6
Aschaffenburg, Germany: Super Middle: Luka Plantic (8-0) W TKO 5 Jack Cullen 22-6-1).
Plantic pounds Cullen to defeat in five rounds to win the vacant WBC International title. The pace was fast in the first as Plantic drove forward looking to force the taller Cullen back and get in close. Cullen tried to keep Plantic off with his longer reach and although connecting with some good counters was unable to stop the stronger Plantic from putting him under pressure. Plantic was connecting with hooks to heads and body and Cullen was looking unhappy at the end of the second round. Cullen did some good work in the centre of the ring but Plantic’s solid shots were wearing him down. Cullen was badly shaken by two rights in the fifth and then sent down by a left hook to the body. Cullen managed to get up but was finished and the referee made a good stoppage. Plantic, 27, was undefeated WBC International Silver champion but relinquished that title and he now holds the full title. He was talking about a fight with Saul Alvarez but his profile is nowhere near big enough for a fight that big. Cullen has been through a series of very testing fights. He beat Avni Yildirim, lost to Kevin Lele Sadjo for the vacant EBU title, was stopped by Diego Pacheco stopped Mark Heffron in a defence of the British and Commonwealth titles then lost the titles on a close points decision to Zak Chelli. He had said he had retired and will probably do so now.
Osaka, Japan: Super Middle: Yuki Nonaka (38-12-3) W PTS 12 Sam Soliman (49-19-1).
Nonaka, 46, wins the vacant OPBF title with a points victory over Soliman, 50, in a clash of two senior citizens of boxing. Nonaka made use of his edges in height and reach to score well to head and body. Soliman is experienced and an awkward fighter to tackle. He hustled forward head down and bustled Nonaka out of his comfort zone over the middle rounds. It was close and Nonaka just produced a strong last round to win. Scores 115-113, 115-114 and 118-110 for Nonaka. He turned professional after only two amateur fights and this is the sixth title Nonata has won-a mixture of Japanese and OPBF belts. He is the oldest active boxer in Japan and with this win set a national record for the oldest male fighter to win a title at 46 years and 3 months beating the previous mark of 41 years and 76 days- set by Nonaka himself (the oldest Japanese boxer to win a title is female boxer Nao Ikeyama at 47 years and two months). He is looking to meet a rated opponent next with a view to getting a world title shot but is unrated at the moment and No 153 with BoxRec. Former IBF middleweight champion Soliman will celebrate 27 years as a pro on 20 April. He came in as a substitute for this fight after Rohan Murdock was injured.
Tokyo, Japan: Super Fly: Tetsuro Ohashi (12-3-1) W TKO 10 Kenta Nakagawa (24-5-1). Fly: Jukiya Limura (6-1) W TKO 9 Yuga Inoue (15-3-1) .
Ohashi vs. Nakagawa
Ohashi bursts Nakagawa’s bubble with a tenth round stoppage to win the WBO Asia Pacific title. . Ohashi was a big outsider but Nakagawa was grossly overrated with his No 2 ranking by the WBA and WBC. Ohashi forced the ace hard and it was dee-saw contest with neither dominating. After eight rounds two judges had Ohashi up 87-84 and 86-85 with Nakagawa ahead 87-84 on the third. Nakagawa was tiring and Ohashi put him down with a left to the head. Nakagawa made it to his feet but was shipping heavy punches and the referee stopped the fight. Huge win for Ohashi but he has a very ordinary record and had lost in a shot at the WBO Asia Pacific bantam title in 2012. Nakagawa’s No 2 rating was farcical and he talked retirement.
Limura vs. Inoue
Limura makes a successful second defence of the national title with a ninth round stoppage of Inoue. The first saw Inoue connect with a strong combination but Limura retaliated in the second as a left hook sent Inoue down on one knee. Inoue recovered taking the fight to Limura but was being caught by counters. After five rounds the cards read 49-45 twice and 48-46 for Limura. Inoue landed a left hook in the sixth with Limura showing a right followed by a left hook in the seventh. Inoue had a good eighth but Limura shrugged off his punches and ended then fight in the ninth. He stopped Inoue in his tracks with a left to the body sending Inoue down with the referee immediately stopping the fight. Although relatively inexperienced as a pro Limura was 68-13 in the amateurs. Inoue had won 5 of his last 6 fights.
Oslo, Norway: Cruiser: Kevin Melhus (12-0) W TKO 6 Pascal Wouters (11-2).
Norwegian Melhus keeps busy with a sixth round stoppage of Pascal Wolters to retain the WBO Inter-Continental title. The former Norwegian amateur champion was inactive in 2020/2021/2022 but scored four wins last year. German Wolters is WBU champion.
Panama City, Panama: Light: Ricardo Nunez (24-6) W TKO 9 Pablo Vicente (23-3). Light Heavy: Yunior Menendez (10-0) W PTS 10 Bernardo Jimenez (9-3). Welter: Harvin Aguirre (11-0) W TKO 7 Anghel Rosa (11-2).
Vicente vs. Nunez
Nunez pulls off a surprise win as he climbs off the floor to stop Cuban Vicente in a fierce battle. After an equal first Vicente put Nunez down in the second. Panamanian Nunez made it to his feet and hit back hard in the third and dropped Vicente in the fourth. Nunez stormed forward over the next three rounds scoring with hooks and uppercuts and a tiring Vicente was deducted a point in the eighth. Nunez continued to land heavily and with nothing coming back from Vicente the referee stopped the fight. Nunez was stopped in two rounds by Gervonta Davis in a challenge for the WBA super feather title in 2019 and came into this fight on the back of three consecutive losses,
Menendez vs. Jimenez
Panama-based Cuban Menendez maintained his 100% record as he outclassed Dominican Jimenez. Menendez won 100-90 on all three cards in a slow and dull fight. Menendez, No 13 with the WBA, was defending the WBA Fedelatin belt. Jimenez is 1-3 in his last 4 fights.
Aguirre vs. Rosa
In a much better fight Nicaraguan Aguirre floored and stopped Dominican Rosa in the seventh round. Aguirre, who is based in Panama, outlasted Rosa in a tough scrap to win the vacant WBC Fecarbox title with his eighth inside the distance finish. Second TKO loss in a row for Rosa.
Madrid, Spain: Super Bantam: Jordan Camacho (9-0) W KO 10 Jacob Barreto (17-6).
Camacho wins the vacant Spanish title with tenth round kayo of Barreto. Peruvian-born Camacho pressed the action early and went into the lead. Barreto came on strong over the middle rounds but Camacho had a good ninth and floored Barreto with a series of punches to end the fight. Fifth inside the distance win for Camacho. Barreto was No 15 with the EBU so Camacho will be looking to get a rating and chase a title shot.
Uncasville, CT, USA: Light Heavy: Richard Rivera (26-2) W 10 Devaun Lee (11-12-1). Super Bantam: Travon Lawson (6-0)W PTS 8 Rajon Chance (8-0-1).
Rivera vs. Lee
Rivera rebounds from an upset loss against Luis Tejeda with a unanimous points win over Lee. The three judges scored it 97-93 twice and 100-90 for Rivera. His status climbed way up after he only lost on a split decision to Badou Jack in 2022 but the loss to Tejeda in March sent it tumbling. Lee is now 1-10 in his last eleven fights but only one inside the distance defeat.
Lawson vs. Chance
Lawson emerged the winner inn this clash of unbeaten fighters with a split decision over Chance. Neither boxer had been tested and there was not much between them but import Lawson from Alabama took the verdict on scores of 77-75 twice and 79-73 for Chance.
Fight of the week: (Significance): Bakhram Murtazaliev might rejuvenate a dull super welterweight division
Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Murtazaliev vs. Jack Culcay was a fight to savour
Fighter of the week: Bakhram Murtazaliev
Upset of the week: Tetsuro Ohashi was a big outsider against WBC/WBA No 2 Kenta Nakagawa
Prospect watch: Super Lightweight Ernesto Mercado 14-0 is certainly one to follow
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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