The Past Week in Action 4 February 2025: Benavidez Beats Morrell; Fulton Outpoints Figueroa; Shields Defeats Perkins
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Feb 2025
Highlights:
-David Benavidez decisions David Morrell to retain the secondary WBA light heavyweight title and WBC interim/temporary title
-Stephen Fulton outpoints Brandon Figueroa to regain the WBC featherweight title
-There are wins for Yoenil Hernandez, Isaac Cruz, Mirco Cuello and Jesus Ramos Jr
-Adam Azim wins the vacant IBO super light title with stoppage of Sergey Lipinets and Callum Simpson retains the Commonwealth super middleweight title as he halts Ghanaian Elvis Ahorgah
- Clarissa Shields vacuums up a set of heavyweight titles
-In Canadian action there are wins for Mazium Akdeniz, Shakeel Finn and Mathieu Germain.
-Former WBA featherweight champion Mauricio Lara gets an inside the distance win
-Russians Muslim Gadzhimagomedov and Artem Suslenkov score points victories over imports in Moscow
Major Shows
FEBRUARY 1
Las Vegas, NV, USA: Light Heavy: David Benavidez (30-0) W PTS 12 David Morrell (11-1). Feather: Stephen Fulton (23-1) W PTS 12 Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1). Super Light: Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) W PS 10 Angel Fierro (23-3-2). Super Welter: Jesus Ramos Jr (22-1) W TKO 8 Jeison Rosario( 24-5-2). Feather: Mirco Cuello (15-0) W TKO 10 Christian Olivo (22-2-1). Middle: Yoenil Hernandez (7-0) W TKO 5 Angel Ruiz (18-4-1,1ND). Middle: Jose Benavidez Jr (29-3-1) W TKO 8 Danny Rosenberger (20-10-4,1ND). Light: Curmel Moton (7-0) W TKO 3 Frank Zaldivar (5-2).
Benavidez vs. Morrell
Benavidez retains the secondary WBA and WBC
temporary/interim belts with a unanimous decision over Morrell.
Round 1
Plenty of jabs from both early on with Benavidez also adding in right’s. Benavidez landed a three-punch combination. Morrell came forward firing punches but was short. It was a fast pace and Benavidez curved a couple of rights around Morrell’s guard
Score: 10-9 Benavidez
Round 2
Benavidez had been on the front foot for most of the first round and he continue to force Morrell back to the ropes with jabs. Morrell scored with a left to the body and Benavidez a right to the head. Benavidez pinned Morrell against the ropes and landed some heavy shots again curving a right around Morrell’s guard. Nice boxing from Morrell as he danced away from Benavidez landing some accurate counters and they traded punches in a close round.
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 20-18
Round 3
Morrell started the round with a burst of punches twice driving Benavidez to the ropes. Smart defensive work when against the ropes from Morrell. He was coming forward more and throwing more unsettling Benavidez but Benavidez banged back with uppercuts before Morrell again fired a bunch of punches. A clear round for Morrell and Benavidez had a small cut over his left eye,.
Score: 10-9 MorrellBenavidez 29-28
Round 4
Benavidez went straight after Morrell and they stood and traded firing hooks from both hands with Benavidez just getting the better of the exchanges. Benavidez then launched a sustained attack again scoring heavily. Benavidez connected with three uppercuts then a left hook and a right to the head. They exchanged heavy shots late in the round with Benavidez landing more and heavier punches.
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 39-37
Official Scores: Judge Tim Cheatham 40-36 Benavidez, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 39-37 Benavidez. ,Judge Steve Weisfeld 39-37 Benavidez.
Round 5
A calmer start with Benavidez stabbing out jabs and Morrell short with his right jabs. Benavidez was tracking Morrell but the Cuban was slick. Benavidez went onto the back foot retreating into the ropes and Morrell was able to get through with hooks and he finished the round with bursts of punches
Score: 10-9 MorrellBenavidez 48-47
Round 6
Benavidez was hunting down Morrell taking him to the ropes and banging home body punches with both hands. He kept Morrell against the ropes landing more body shots with Morrel defending well but not throwing much and he was hurt by a left hook. Benavidez landed a spectacular right uppercut. Morrell then turned aggressor forcing Benavidez to the ropes but he did not have much success and Benavidez was unloading punches at the bell
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 58-56
Round 7
Benavidez bossed the early action with his jab in a slower round. When Morrell did open up he was leaving gaps and Benavidez landed some hard hooks and uppercuts and his power edge was helping him dominate the exchanges.
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 68-65
Round 8
Benavidez weas using his jab to keep Morrell on the back foot. Morrell was pecking with his own jab but Benavidez connected with hooks to the body. The pace had dropped. Benavidez banged home some more hooks before Morrell fired a bunch of punches, Benavidez kept coming and ended the round landing rights to the head. Benavidez now had cut a cut over his right eye,
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 78-74
Official Scores: Judge Tim Cheatham 80-72 Benavidez, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 79-73 Benavidez, 78-74 Judge Steve Weisfeld 78-74 Benavidez.
Round 9
As in the eighth Benavidez was coming forward jabbing banging away at Morrell’s body. Morrell was occasionally stopping to throw a bunch of punches but most were blocked. Morrell just stood in front of Benavidez with a high guard allowing Benavidez to pick his spot and Benavidez was landing to head and body. Morrell eventually responded with some hurtful hooks and uppercuts before going back into his shell letting Benavidez end the round strongly but bothn fighters had slowed.
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 88-83
Round 10
Again it was a case of Benavidez using his jab to keep Morrell going back then Morrell just hiding behind his high guard. From the midpoint of the round Morrell came alive. He was advancing behind his own jab and landing straight lefts and Juist did enough to edge a close round.
Score: 10-9 MorrellBenavidez 97-93
Round 11
A more confident Morrell took the fight to Benavidez
who countered with a couple of rights to the body. Morrell continued to press and was getting through with hooks to the head and for a change a tired looking Benavidez was the one against the ropes whilst Morrell unloaded. Morrell landed a series of punches with Benavidez urging him to keep coming but Benavidez looked near to exhaustion and he stumbled under a punch that seemed to land on his shoulder pitching him forward and Benavidez put his gloves on the canvas resulting in a count. There were only a few seconds remaining in the round and Benavidez drove Morrell to a corner firing punches. The bell went and after the referee had already pushed his arm between the fighters Morrell landed a punch. It had come after the bell and the referee instructed the judges deduct a point* from Morrell.
Score: 9*-8 MorrellBenavidez 105-102
Round 12
Morrell launched a frenzied attack looking to build on the knockdown but Benavidez had not been shaken in the eleventh and he fired back with heavy hooks from both hands. Benavidez used his jab and left hooks to take control and stayed in control.
Score: 10-9 BenavidezBenavidez 115-111
Official Scores: Judge Tim Cheatham 118-108 Benavidez, Judge Patricia Morse Jarman 115-111 Benavidez, Judge Steve Weisfeld 115-111 Benavidez.
Dominant victory for Benavidez as he retains his two minor and meaningless titles. His power and strength were too much for a very skilful Morrell in a good paced entertaining fight. Benavidez seems to have given up any hope of a fight with Saul Alvarez but hopefully he will get a shot at the real light heavyweight champion the winner of the 22 February fight Beterbiev vs. Bivol II or against WBO temporary/interim champion Joshua Buatsi. Other than the four B’s: Beterbiev, Bivol, Benavidez and Buatsi the light heavyweight division is a bit threadbare. Morrell has the skill to come again&hellip.
Fulton vs. Figueroa
Fulton retains the WBC title with a second win over former WBC/WBO super bantamweight champion Figueroa.
Round 1
Both were probing with their jab without committing and Figueroa was already switching guards. There was no real action until the last ten seconds when Fulton landed a couple of light punches.
Score: 10-9 Fulton
Round 2
Fulton connected with a right to the head as Figueroa lunged forward. Figueroa got inside but they did little work. Figueroa landed a right and Fulton countered him with a right and scored with another right.
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 20-18
Round 3
Figueroa was trying rushing attacks but Fulton was sliding away and countering. Fulton landed a right to the head. Figueroa connected with a straight left but was again caught by a counter and Fulton landed a couple of punches at distance.
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 30-27
Round 4
There was very little clean work in this fight and not much to, excited about. Figueroa was constantly changing guards but when he tried to get inside Fulton was meeting him with countering rights and clinching.
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 40-36
Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 40-36 Fulton. Judge David Sutherland 40-36 Fulton, Judge Zachary Young 40-36 Fulton
Round 5
Finally Figueroa had a good round. He stayed on top of Fulton bobbing and weaving his way inside and pumping out punches. He ignored Fulton’s attempts to keep him out forcing Faulkton into a brawl and doing most of the scoring
Score: 10-9 FigueroaFulton 49-46
Round 6
Figueroa set off at a fast pace firing jabs and overhand rights and refusing to let Fulton clinch. It became messy as Fulton tried to, smother Figueroa’s work inside. Fulton began to outscore Figueroa with hooks and uppercuts as he kept pounding Figueroa’s body.
Score: 10-9 Fulton Fulton 59-55
Round 7
Figueroa was letting punches fly until Fulton took the fight inside to turn it into a brawl. It was low quality stuff. Fulton had switched to southpaw and was blocking most of Figueroa’s punches but just pumping his arms with no leverage. Figueroa finished the round strongly but it was not enough to cancel out the early work by Fulton.
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 69-64
Round 8
Once again Figueroa came out strongly forcing Fulton to the ropes but his work was not very effective and it was soon an inside battle with little clean work and too much clinching. Fulton weas stepping back then catching Figueroa with straight shots and then battering the oncoming Figueroa with a series of hooks. Although pinned against the ropes for the last 40 seconds of the round Fulton was doing what clean scoring there was,
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 79-73
Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 79 73 Fulton. Judge David Sutherland 78-74 Fulton, Judge Zachary Young 78-74 Fulton
Round 9
Figueroa stormed into the attack with overhand shots and hooks. He was able to work inside despite Fulton’s attempts to hold but Fulton was making it more of a maul than a brawl. Figueroa kept Fulton trapped against the ropes and kept belting him to the body. Figueroa’s best round so far.
Score: 10-9 FigueroaFulton 88-83
Round 10
Figueroa set off at the same pace as in the ninth but Fultonn was stepping back to get some room and then spearing Figueroa with straight shots. Figueroa just kept coming but again Fulton was holding inside and doing most of the scoring as Figueroa was punching without purpose.
Score: 10-9 FultonFulton 98-92
Round 11
Figueroa’s pressure was more effective in this round as he landed long rights and left hooks. Fulton was clinching to stop Figueroa working inside but not scoring himself. Fulton landed some sharp counters when he created room but Figueroa just kept pumping out punches as Fulton’s output dropped.
Score: 10-9 FigueroaFulton 107-102
Round 12
Fulton must have felt he had a winning lead as he was moving more not looking to get involved in any fierce exchange. Figueroa was relentless just pumping out punches and taking the round by sheer volume over the more accurate Fulton
Score: 10-9 FigueroaFulton 116-112
Official Scores: Judge Max DeLuca 117-111 Fulton. Judge David Sutherland 116-112 Fulton, Judge Zachary Young 116-112 Fulton
Fulton had beaten Figueroa for the WBC and WBO super bantamweight belts in 2021 but lost them to Naoya Inoue in 2023. Figuero won the temporary/ interim WBC featherweight title March 2023 and was upgraded to “champion” in 2024 (real champion Rey Varga was shifted sidewards in 2024 and made champion in recess).
Cruz vs. Fierro
Cruz gets a unanimous decision over Fierro after a savage battle that has to be a candidate for Fight of the Year. Cruz came flying out of his corner in the first piling into Fierro firing rights to the head then switching to the body. Fierro was backed up but was throwing plenty of shots of his own as the pattern was set for a savage fire fight. Cruz continued the pressure into the second trying to steamroller Fierro under the sheer ferocity of his attacks. Fierro tried to hold Cruz off with jabs but was having to absorb some vicious treatment. Fierro had a good third. He caught Cruz with
a big right counter that shook Cruz and hurt him with a body punch. Late in the round a right sent Cruz staggering. Cruz shook off the punches and came back to the attack but it was Fierro’s round. Both landed heavily in the fourth but Fierro looked to be in trouble when a right to the head almost knocked him off his feet. Cruz was warned for a butt at the start of the fifth. Fierro was making Cruz pay for his all-out aggression with counters from both hands but was again shaken by a right. Fierro forced his way in to the fight over the sixth and seventh. Cruz looked to be slowing and Fierro was putting together some hurtful combinations. Both had slowed by the eighth but they continued to slug it out with Fierro moving and jabbing and Cruz staying on top of him. Cruz caught the eye with savage left hooks in the ninth but Fierro ended the round strongly. He started the tenth impressively with a series of left hooks but Cruz took over after the mid-point of the round and it was him connecting with left hooks late. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for Cruz. A much-needed win for Cruz after he lost his WBA title on a split decision against Jose Valenzuela in August. He is No 4 with the WBA but not currently ranked by the other three bodies. Fierro had lost on points against Alfredo Santiago in June so this loss is a set-back for him.
Ramos vs. Rosario
Ramos wins every round before stopping Rosario in the eighth. Ramos made a cautious start in the first but by the end of the round was already finding the target with some good body punches. Ramos continued to outscore Rosario in the second and Rosario was struggling to compete. Both had strayed low with punches in the second and the referee warned them at the start of the third with Rosario really just following Ramos around the ring without success. Ramos was finding Rosario an easy target and was winning the rounds without too much effort. In round after round Rosario kept trying to walk through the punches from Ramos. He was finding occasional gaps but also leaving gaps Ramos could exploit. He was shaken buy a counter in the fifth and sent tumbling into the ropes with an uppercut in the sixth. A combination from Ramos floored Rosario in the seventh but he survived to the bell. The doctor examined Rosario at the start of the eighth but the fight continued until a series of punches from Ramos rocked Rosario and the referee stopped the fight. The 23-year-old southpaw from Arizona now has 18 inside the distance wins. His loss was on points in a competitive match with Erickson Lubin in 2023 but he was coming off a stoppage win over 34-2 Johan Gonzalez in May. Rosario, a former IBF/WBA/WBC super-welter champion, suffered kayo losses against Jermell Charlo, Erickson Lubin and Brian Mendoza but although looking very vulnerable here he had recorded a split draws with Jarrett Hurd in August so probably rule out retirement.
Cuello vs. Olivo
Cuello scorers a dramatic last round stoppage victory. Olivo was quickest into his stride and edged the first round. In the second he floored Cuello first landing a thudding combination then a beautifully timed right to the head that shook Cuello and made him drop to put a knee on the canvas. Cuello was up immediately and quickly recovered to outscore Olivo in a busy third but Olivo did the better work during some fiery exchanges in the fourth and landed some cracking punches in the fifth. It was Cuello’s turn to do most of the scoring in the sixth taking the fight to Olivo getting through with a left uppercut and accurate rights. The action continued at a high pace in the seventh with Olivo landing well to head and body and he carried that impetus into the eighth countering the oncoming Cuello with rights both early and late in the round. Cuello turned the tables in the ninth as he forced Olivo onto the back foot as he connected with shots from both hands. Despite an impressive ninth Cuello was 6, 4 and 2 rounds behind on the cards. He needed to produce something special and he did. He forced Olivo to the ropes with a right and then banged home a wicked left hook to the body sending Olivo down to his hands and knees. He was up at eight but Cuello just walked in and landed an identical left hook and Olivo again dropped to his knees. Cuello marched away celebrating. Olivo made it to his feet but after the eight count the referee stopped the fight despite a protest from Olivo.
The fight was a WBA eliminator which puts Cuello in line to fight England’s Nick Ball. Although only rated No 15 by them before this fight Cuello might decide to chase a fight with WBC champion Stephen Fulton who regained the WBC title on this show. Olivo was 20-0-1 but dropped a wide unanimous decision against unbeaten Dominican Luis Nunez in 2023 and had won only two low level tests since then.
Hernandez vs. Ruiz
Scintillating display from Cuban Hernandez as he halts Ruiz in the fifth round. Hernandez was much too good for the limited Ruiz. He was putting together some flashing combinations in the first landing to head and body and constantly changing angles. Ruiz tried to fight back in the second and third but found himself back driven to the ropes as Hernandez landed an array of hooks and uppercuts. As Hernandez unloaded on Ruiz in the fourth it was just a case of how much punishment the referee would let Ruiz take and the fight could have and probably should have been halted in the fourth. It was over in the fifth as once again Ruiz was pinned against the ropes under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Hernandez has won all seven of his fights inside the distance. Competition is tough in Cuba and uniquely Hernandez won a gold medal at the 2021 World Championships but had not been able to win the Cuban title. He was World champion again in 2023. Ruiz game but in way over his head.
Benavidez vs. Rosenberger
Jose, the older brother of David, returned with a win. He stopped Rosenberger in the fifth round after dominating the fight to that point. First fight for Benavidez since losing on points to Jermall Charlo in November 2023. Jose was 27-0 until losing on a twelfth round stoppage against Terence Crawford in a challenge for the WBO welter title in 2018. Second loss by KO/TKO for Rosenberger.
Moton v s. Zaldivar
Moton stops an outclassed Zaldivar in three rounds. Moton was letting Zaldivar walk forward in the first spearing him with jabs and then landing straight rights. He then fired a series of shots to head and body too quickly for Zaldivar to block. Zaldivar tried hard to put Moton under pressure but was just not quick enough as Moton chose his moment to go from single shots to blazing bursts. Moton went onto the front foot in the second forcing Zaldivar back with left hooks to the body. Zaldivar tried to fire back but there were just too many punches coming at him from too many angles. Zaldivar drove forward throwing punches at the start of the third but Moton quickly took over and was landing vicious shots to head and body until Zaldivar banged back to force Moton to back off. Moton came back again driving Zaldivar to the ropes and he was showering the unresponsive Zaldivar with punches when the referee stopped the fight. It is going to be hard to find the right balance between learning fights and roll overs as Moton is much too talented for this level of opponent.
London, England: Super Light: Adam Azim (13-0) W TKO 9 Sergey Lipinets (18-4-1). Super Middle: Callum Simpson (17-0) W TKO 5 Elvis Ahorgah (13-3). Heavy: Jeamie Tshikeva (8-1) W TKO 9 Michael Webster (10-3). Cruiser: Aurel Ignat (9-0) W TKO 1 Scott Forrest (7-1) .
Azim vs. Lipinets
Azim wins the vacant IBO title as he outclasses a war worn Lipinets. Both started cautiously with Azim just prodding with range finding jabs and Lipinets bobbing looking for a way inside. Azim kept moving skipping away from Lipinets and then firing home a combination before drilling Lipinets with a couple, more shots. Azim was landing left hooks and getting through with body punches in the second. Lipinets tried to close Azim down but was too slow and had to soak up a couple of rights. As Lipinets tried to chase Azim down in the third he left himself open and Azim dropped the advancing Lipinets on his back with a left hook. Lipinets was up at five and when the action resumed Azim connected with a couple of chopping rights and left hooks to the body before the bell. Azim was boxing on the back foot in the fourth scoring with jabs and left hooks as Lipinets paced forward behind a high guard. Azim was firing plenty of body punches but was warned for going low. Lipinets upped his pace and connected with a couple, of rights but was walking onto counters. Azim landed a low left hook that had Lipinets walking away from the action. He was given some recovery time and the referee deducted a point from Azim. Lipinets continued to walk forward over the fifth and sixth looking to closed Azim down but Azim was feeding him jabs and scoring with quick combinations and sneaky uppercuts just too quick for Lipinets to block or counter. Azim stood and traded punches at the start of the seventh and that allowed Lipinets some success but Azim was forcing Lipinets back and still digging in solid body punches. Once again he went low and lost another point. Azim had controlled the fight at distance and was bossing the exchanges inside and hurting Lipinets with hooks and uppercuts to the body. Azim again took the fight inside in the ninth scoring with bursts of punches to the body of Lipinets and mixing in uppercuts to the head. This time it was Lipinets who went low and was given a warning. It was a lost cause now for Lipinets as he was taking a beating inside as Asim rocked him with a series of uppercuts before a right to, the head sent him stumbling across the ring. Lipinets was bleeding heavily from the nosed in the ninth and when another uppercut snapped his head back the referee stopped the fight. Assured performance from Azim against the former IBF super light champion. Lipinets had shown there was still some life in him when he floored Robbie Davies three times in May on the way to a wide unanimous decision. Azim was a totally different case and he beat Lipinets both at distance and inside and is ready to crash into the ratings.
Simpson vs. Ahorgah
Simpson makes a successful defence of his Commonwealth title with a fifth round win over Ghanaian Ahorgah. Simpson set a fast pace from the start finding gaps for his jabs and connecting with some good rights whilst easily sliding away from some wild shots from Ahorgah. Simpson continued to find the target with rights over the second and third with Ahorgah occasionally dangerous. Simpson mixed his punches well in the fourth hurting Ahorgah with a left to the body. A combination rocked Ahorgah in the fifth and Simpson then sent Ahorgah down with right. Ahorgah only just beat the count but the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight despite Ahorgah’s protests. Simpson came into this fight at short notice having defended his Commonwealth only 21 days ago. Ghanaian Ahorgah had won his last three fights inside the distance.
Tshikeva vs. Webster
In the clash of the big guys Tshikeva beats Webster on a late retirement. This was a tough, gruelling contests ruined by too much clinching. Tshikeva was just that much more accurate with his jab but they both landed some clubbing shots. Tshikeva lasted the pace better and Webster began to fall apart in the eighth and his team pulled him out at the end of the ninth. Third win in a row for Tshikeva. Second consecutive inside the distance loss for Webster having been stopped by Solomon Dacres in July.
Ignat vs. Forrest
Unbeaten Scot Forrest suffers a shock first round defeat. Forrest was piling forward landing right hooks but walked onto a left hook that staggered him. Ignat followed up driving the retreating Forrest across the ring to the ropes. Ignat then blasted Forrest with punches. A right sent Forrest tumbling back into a corner and Ignat kept punching until the referee came in to stop the fight. Moldovan-born Brit Ignat had won 7 of his 8 fights by KO/TKO so deserved more respect than a rash Forrest paid him.
JANUARY 30
Montreal, Canada: Super Light: Mazlum Akdeniz (21-0) W PTS 10 Gabriel Coffie (11-3-2).
Southpaw Akdeniz breezes past Ghanaian Coffie but fails to find the inside the distance win he was looking for. He landed well in every round but Coffie showed a good chin and did plenty of clinching over the late rounds. Akdeniz was cut over his left eye when heads bumped in the third but that was never a factor and he had Coffie badly shaken in the fourth but had to settle for winning on scores of 99-91 twice and 100-90. He has beaten some respectable level opposition but is not yet rated. Cofie, also a southpaw, was coming off a creditable split decision loss against Steven Wilcox in Toronto in December.
Sioux City, SD, USA: Welter: Deonte Walker (18-1) W TKO 2 Eduardo Reis (25-13). Light: Stevie Morgan (15-2) W PTS 8 Marisa Portillo (21-20-3).
Walker vs. Reis
Walker wins the UBO International title with a second round stoppage of Reiss. Walker scored a couple of knockdowns in the first and ended it the second. He had Brazilian Reiss trapped in a corner and was unloading heavy punches when the referee stopped the fight. Now 16 wins in a row for Walker the last 14 inside the distance but his opposition has been abysmal. Reiss was coming off a reasonable win over Brandon Berry but that snapped a six-fight losing streak and this was his ninth loss by KO/TKO.
Morgan vs. Portillo
Floridian “Sledgehammer” Morgan outpoints Argentinian Portillo. Former UBO title holder Morgan had plenty of hight and reach over the experienced Portillo and took the unanimous decision. First fight for Morgan since suffering a second round loss against Amanda Serrano in a non-title fight in July. Portillo has been unsuccessful in title shots at light fly and super fly.
JANUARY 31
Montreal, Canada: Light Heavy: Shakeel Phinn (27-3-2) W PTS 10 Facundo Galovar (15-13-2). Welter: Mathieu Germain (26-2-1) W TKO 7 Carlos Aquino ( 22-18-2).
Phinn vs. Galovar
In his first fight since drawing with Erik Bazinyan in May Phinn cruised to a unanimous decision over Argentinian Galovar. Phinn used a focused body attack but Galovar took the punishment without crumbling and Phinn had to settle for a points win with all three judges scoring it 100-90. Phinn is 6-0-1 in his last 7 fights and the draw with Bazinyan saw him enter the WBC super middle ratings at No 14. Galovar has only lost inside the distance once.
Germain vs. Aquino
Germain adds another win as he stops Argentinian Aquino. Germain gradually wore downs the taller Aquino until the visitors corner called for the fight to be stopped. Eighth victory in a row for Germain including domestic victories over Steve Claggett and Steven Wilcox. He is No 12 super lightweight with the IBF. Tenth inside the distance loss for Aquino.
Accra, Ghana: Heavy: Haruna Osumanu (16-3) W TKO 7 Idris Afinni (15-8-2). Super Middle: Delali Miledzi (26-1-1) W TKO ? Naimou Aziz Samson (7-5). Bantam: Daniel Gorsh (14-0) W TKO 2 Isaac Netty (28-21-1). Light: Samuel Takyi (8-0) W TKO ? Komlangan Hounkpatin (4-12-1). Super Light: Africanus Neequaye (9-0) W KO ? Odalai Lamptey (4-17).
Osumanu vbs. Afinni
Osumanu, 41, retains the WBO African title with a seventh round stoppage of previous victim Nigerian Afinni. Osumanu dominated the contests before flooring Afinni twice in the seventh to force the stoppage. Eleventh inside the distance victory for “Saabooo” Osumanu who was defending the title he won with a victory over Afinni, 40, for the vacant title in 2023.
Miledzi vs. Samson
No real test for Miledzi as he beats Samson inside the distance. Now 19 wins by KO/TYKO for the 33-year-old Miledzi whose sole loss was in Namibia in 2023 when he was knocked out by Paulinus Ndjolonimu. Samson from Benin had won his last 4 fights.
Gorsh vs. Netty
In a non-title fight WBO African champion Gorsh, 24, gets another inside the distance win as he halts veteran Netty in two rounds. Gorsh has already won Ghanaian and UBO belts and has ten victories by KO/TKO. Netty, 42, has lost his last five fights inside the distance.
Takyi vs. Hounkpatin
All eight of Takyi’ s win have come by KO/TKO. Takyi had his first pro fight in April 2022 in Ghana where he stopped Kamrudin Buyei in two rounds. It does not appear on his BoxRec record as the promoter did not report it in line with BoxRec’s required proof of validity but it did take place under Ghanaian Boxing Authority regulations. Takyi, 24, won a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics and a gold medal at the African Games in 2023. Togolese Hounkpatin is 1-11-1 in his last 13 fights.
Neequaye vs. Lamptey
Teenage southpaws Neequaye makes it seven wins by KO with a victory over Lamptey who has lost his last 11 fights 10 by KO/TKO.
Mexico City, Mexico: Feather: Mauricio Lara W TKO 8 Edwing Davila (21-3). Diego Andrade (15-15-3) W PTS 10 Kevin Crespo (15-2).
Lara vs. Davila
Lara breaks down and halts Davila in the eighth. Lara pressed hard from the start looking for a quick win. Davila used plenty of movement and sharp jabbing as he dodged Lara’s attacks. Davila’s problem was that he lacked the power to keep Lara out. Lara was landing hard left hooks to the body with Davila spending much of each round pinned against the ropes. He did try to force Lara back on occasion but hooks from Lara soon had Davila backing off again. Davila stood and traded in the sixth and had some success. He had an even better seventh as he landed heavily and shook Lara a couple of times driving him to a corner and Lara dropped to his knees with the referee ruling it a slip but Lara was hurt and shipped more heavy hooks. Lara ended it in the eighth as he exploded with a storm of punches with Davila forced to drop to one knee. He only just beat the count but again was forced to drop to a knee and the referee waived the fight over. The former WBA featherweight champion was held to a draw by Daniel Lugo in February last year but has scored two wins since then. Davila had been 17-0 at one time but he hit a few bumps in the road but had rebounded with three wins in a row.
Andrade vs. Crespo
Experienced Andrade pulls off a surprise win over prospect Crespo. Andrade floored Crespo in the second and bossed the fight forcing Crespo onto the back foot. Crespo staged a strong finish over the last three rounds but could not claw back Andrade’s lead. No scores available. Andrade was 0-9-1 in his last 10 fights so quite an upset. Crespo had been outpointed by then 20-1-1 Christian Olivo in an over ambitious fight in 2023 but had won him last three bouts.
Zyrardow, Poland: Light Heavy: Pawel Stepien (20-1-2) DREW 10 Lukasz Stanioch (9-2-2).
A mild upset as Stanioch holds favourite Stepien to a draw in a fight for the vacant WBC Francophone title. Stanioch made the better start hustling the more skilful Stepien out of his stride. Stepien was landing the quality punches but Stanioch weas landing more. Stepien’s greater experienced came into play but although he swept the last two rounds it was only enough to earn him a draw. Scores 96-94 Stepien, 96-94 Stanioch and 95-95. Stepien, the EBU No 12, suffered his only loss when he weas outpointed by Joshua Buatsi in 2023. Second draw in his last three fights for Stanioch.
Moscow, Russia: Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (6-0) W PTS 10 Thabiso Mchunu (23-8). Heavy: Artem Suslenkov (12-0) W PTS 10 Jack Mulowayi (15-4-1).
Gadzhimagomedov vs. Mchunu
Gadzhimagomedov wins again as he outpoints South African Mchunu. After a slow, close opening round Gadzhimagomedov took charge and never let Mchunu get a toe-hold in the fight. He used his 5” height advantage and longer reach to boss the exchanges. He shook Mchunu at the end of the second and again in the fifth but it was a slow-paced one-sided fight with Mchunu unable to find a solution to Gadzhimagomedov’s huge reach advantage. Gadzhimagomedov picked up the pace over the eighth and ninth but when Mchunu did not crumble Gadzhimagomedov took no chances and eased his way to victory. Scores 100-90 twice and 100-91 for Gadzhimagomedov. Although he turned professional in December 2021 Gadzhimagomedov regularly drops back into amateur boxing. An Olympic silver medallist in 2020 he won gold medals at the 2023 World Championships and 2024 European Championships. Southpaw Mchunu, 36, lost a split decision against Ilunga Makabu in a challenge the WBC cruiser title in January 2022 but was then inactive until dropping a split verdict to Yamil Peralta in March 2024 his last fight before this.
Suslenkov vs. Mulowayi
Suslenko gets a questionable majority decision over Mulowayi. “Big Jack” dominated the early rounds. He boxed on the back foot using his height and longer reach to score at distance and landed heavy counters when Suslenko drove forward. By the end of the first round Suslenko was already showing a swelling under his right eye. When Suslenko did get inside he was landing thumping shots to the body of Mulowayi but was wide open to Mulowayi’s jab and the big Belgian was particularly effective with overhand rights. Suslenko just kept coming looking to attack the body and slow Mulowayi. It was a gruelling contest and they both tired late with Mulowayi more than holding his own and looking a clear winner-but you get no favours on the road. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Suslenko and 95-95. Suslenko collects the vacant IBF European title. He is immensely strong but limited. Mulowayi was 8-1 in his last 9 fights with the loss being a kayo against unbeaten Bakhodir Jalolov.
Pattaya, Thailand: Light Heavy: Michael Flannery (13-0) W TKO 3 Rattyawut Thongaram (8-3).
Lancashire lad Flannery wins the WBC Asian title with stoppage of Thai Thongaram. This was a rock-em-sock-em scrap before Flannery landed a series of punches in the third that saw Thongaram drop to his knees. Thongaram got up and landed a pair of heavy punches before Flannery took over and topped off a fierce attack with an overhand right to the head which put Thongaram down again and the fight was halted. Flannery (Mikey Wileman) has 11 wins by KO/TKO. With the exception of one fight in Malaga he has done all of his fighting in Thailand
London, England: Middle: George Liddard (11-0) W PTS 10 Derrick Osaze (13-3). Super Welter: Junaid Bostan (10-0-1) DREW 10 Bilal Fawaz (9-1-1). Middle: Jimmy Sains (9-0) W TKO 7 Pierre Rosadini (6-7-2). Super Feather: Giogio Visioli (6-0-) W RTD 5 Francisco Lucero (16-7-4).
Liddard vs. Osaze
Liddard passes his toughest test so far as he takes a close unanimous decision over Osaze to win the vacant Commonwealth Silver title. Liddard took the fight to Osaze in the first but Osaze evened things up by outboxing Liddard in the second. Pressure from Liddard forced Osaze to stand and trade more over the third and Liddard rocked Osaze in the fourth. The middle rounds were close with Liddard’s power giving him the edge but Osaze was making the rounds close and had a good sixth. Liddard looked to be feeling the fast pace of the fight and Osaze took the seventh and eighth to close the points gap but Liddard fought hard over the ninth and tenth to just deserve the decision on scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93. Excellent learning fight for Liddard as he goes ten rounds for the first time. Osaze’s other losses have come in very tough assignments against Tyler Denny and Denzel Bentley.
Bostan vs. Fawaz
This main support fight saw another vacant title on the line and another entertaining fight. Bostan was the busier man over the early rounds and built a small lead. Fawaz cancelled out Bostan’s lead over the fifth, sixth and a big seventh in which he rocked Bostan. The eighth and ninth were close with Bostan probably doing enough to move in front again but a strong last round from Fawaz made it very close and the judges came up with scores of 97-93 for Fawaz, 96-94 for Bostan and 95-95. The English title remains vacant and there is already talk of a rematch.
Sains vs. Rosadini
Another power show from Sains. It looked as though he might end this in the first as he shook Rosadini with a thunderous right but Rosadini recovered and fought back. Sains was loading up on every punch and put together some flashing combinations. He was ignoring defence just looking to put Rosadini away. A crunching left/right saw Rosadini forced to drop to a knee in the fifth. A neck-snapping right sent Rosadini reeling in the seventh and a series of punches put him down. He made to his feet but the referee stopped the fight. Sains, 24, has won all of his fights by KO/TKO. Frenchman Rosadini showed plenty of guts but suffers his first inside the distance defeat.
Visioli vs. Lucero
Sparkling display from southpaws Visioli as he outclasses Mexican Lucero. Visioli 21, showed real class from the outset. He attacked with quick hands firing shots from a variety of angles. Lucero was under constant fire and was really in survival mode from the start. He took steady punishment in every round and his corner pulled him out at the end of the fifth. Visioli, English-born of Italian antecedents, was a top level amateur. Third straight loss for Lucero.
Glasgow, Scotland: Light: Regan Glackin (16-0) W PTS 10 Kyle Boyd (7-2).
Glackin retain the BBB of C Celtic title with a unanimous decision over Boyd. Glackin used his better skills to keep Boyd on the back foot and was a good winner. Third defence of the title for Glackin. Boyd had won his last 5 fights.
FEBRUARY 1
Vila Carlos Paz, Argentina: Middle: Diego Ramirez (27-12-1) W DISQ 5 Nahuel Garcia (17-2) . Bantam: Angel Arancibia (8-1-1) W TKO 8 Sergio Rosalez (9-5). Light Fly: Andrea Sanchez (11-4-1) W PTS 10 Erika Bolivar (7-4-1).
Ramirez vs. Garcia
Ramirez wins the vacant South American title with a disqualification win over Garcia. Garcia was taller with a longer reach and kept Ramiez on the back foot. Garcia was scoring with his right jab and then coming in with straight lefts and right hooks. Ramirez circled the ring stopping occasionally to fire bursts of counters. Garcia looked well in command and had Ramirez backed into a corner but landed a very low left. Ramirez slumped to his hands and knees and after three or four minutes when he indicated he could not continue Garcia was disqualified for the low blow.
Arancibia vs. Rosalez
Arancibia wins the vacant national title with a ninth round stoppage of Rosalez. This was a vicious battle with both landing heavily and both badly shaken at times. Arancibia was credited with a knockdown when he blasted Rosalez into the ropes in the eighth and dropped him heavily in the ninth with the refereed promptly waiving the fight over at the second knockdown. Sixth victory by KO/TKO for the 21-year-old southpaw Arancibia. First inside the distance loss for Rosalez.
Sanchez vs. Bolivar
Argentinian Sanchez collects the vacant WBO Gold title with a unanimous decision over Venezuelan Bolivar. Sanchez had previously lost against Maria Bautista in a challenge for the vacant IBF light flyweight belt.
Agde, France: Middle: Diego Natchoo (30-3-5, 1ND) W RTD 2 Florin Cardos (23-7).
Local boxer Natchoo makes it eight wins in a row as he beats a very disappointing Cardos on a second round retirement and picks up the vacant EBU Silver title. Natchoo shook Cardos with a right late in the first. He continued to press his attack in the second forcing Cardos to the ropes and connected with a heavy right. Cardos dropped to put a knee on the canvas then complained of a pain in his shoulder and was unable to continue. Natchoo was hoping to put on a good show for his fans so this was a disappointment for the Adge resident.
Tokyo, Japan: Super Bantam: Subaru Murata (9-0) W TKO 2 Joseph Ambo (14-5-1). Minimum: Ryusei Matsumoto (5-0) W TKO 4 Masatora Okada (9-6-1).
Murata vs. Ambo
Southpaw Murata retains the WBO Asia Pacific title as he blows away Filipino Ambo in two rounds. Ambo came out aggressively in the first but Murata stepped back from Ambo’s attacks and landed a counter left that sent Ambo down. He made it out of the round but in the second a left to the body first froze Ambo and then saw him collapse to the canvas. He climbed to his feet but was unable to continue and the fight was stopped. Murata, who represented Japan at the 2019 World Championships, has won 8 of his 9 fight by KO/TKO. Second inside the distance loss for Ambo.
Matsumoto vs. Okada
Matsumoto much too good for fellow-southpaw Okada and wins inside four rounds. Matsumoto dropped Okada with a left in the first and was always in control before flooring Okada again in the fourth with Okada’s corner pulling their man out after the second knockdown. First defence of the Japanese title for Matsumoto. An overmatched Okada was in his first scheduled ten rounder.
Juitepec, Mexico: Welter: Layla McCarter (47-13-5) W RTD 4 Paulina Cardona (26-35-7). Super Light John Joe Nevin (16-0) W RTD 1 Gerson Escobar (8-13-3).
McCarter vs. Cardona
McCarter strolls to victory over a passive Cardona. McCarter came forward from the beginning and she was able to find the target with jabs and banged home body punches. Cardona just backed around the ring hardly throwing a meaningful punch. It was hard for McCarter to look good against as negative and slow an opponent. The only time Cardona put one foot in front of the other was when she was heading back to her corner after each round. Other than that she trundled back until her trainer leant through the ropes at the end of the fourth and just waived a towel through the ropes not even bothering to climb to the ring apron and the fight was over. Since turning professional in 1998 McCarter, 45, has won titles in five weight divisions but this is only her third fight since 2020. Colombian Cardona now has 16 defeats by KO/TKO.
Nevin vs. Escobar
Easy win for Nevin as Escobar does not come out for the second round. Nevin had no problems landing on the wide-open Escobar or avoiding the wild wide swipes of the crude Mexican. Nevin eased through the first round and Escobar indicated he had injured his arm and there was no second round. Nevin, one of Ireland’s most decorated boxers was an Olympic silver medallist, European championships gold medal winner and World Championships bronze medallist. He turned professional in 2014 but was inactive from November 2019 until returning to action in August last year. Seventh loss in a row for Escobar.
Newark, NJ. USA: Heavy: Damian Knyba (15-0) W TKO 3 Andrzej Wawrzyk (34-5). Middle: Fiodor Czerkaszyn (26-1) W TKO 2 Patrick Allotey (44-8).
Knyba vs. Wawrzyk
Knyba crushes Wawrzyk in three rounds. The 6’7” Knyba used his jab to dominate the action in the first looking to follow behind the jab with powerful rights and Wawrzyk was already in survival mode. In the second Knyba landed a hard left hook which shook Wawrzyk and Wawrzyk took refuge against the ropes and saw out the round. Knyba set Wawrzyk up with jabs in the third and then sent Wawrzyk down with a right hook. Wawrzyk beat the count but a follow-up attack from Knyba saw the referee stop the fight. Eighth win by KO/TKO for the giant Pole. First fight for over nine months for Wawrzyk and fourth loss in his last 5 fights
Czerkaszyn vs. Allotey
Czerkaszyn wasted no time in getting this non-title fight over. After controlling the opening round he floored Allotey three times in the second to end the fight. He won the WBC International title with a victory over Sebastian Papeschi and has 16 wins by KO/TKO. He is rated in the top 15 by the IBF, WBC and WBO. Allotey was knocked out in four rounds when he challenged Jaime Munguia for the WBO super welterweight title in 2019. All eight of Allotey’s losses have come outside his native Ghana.
FEBRUARY 2
Flint, Michigan, USA: Heavy: Claressa Shields (16-0) W PTS 10 Danielle Perkins (5-1). Heavy: Brandon Moore(17-1, 1 ND) W DISQ 8 Skylar Lacy (8-1-2). Welter: Joseph Hicks (12-0) W TKO 7 Keon Pappillion (10-1-1). Middle: Leon Lawson III (17-1) W TKO 4 Christopher Thompson (9-3). Light: Joshua Pagan (12-0) W PTS 8 Ronal Ron (16-8).
Shields vs. Perkins
Shields floors and outpoints novice Perkins as she adds the vacant IBF, WBA and WBO titles to the WBC and WBF she already holds. Scores 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92. Perkins was down in the tenth. Shields weighed 173 ¾ lbs and Perkins 177 ¼ which farcical as a heavyweight title fight. Perkins, 42, was 195 ¼ in her first fight in 2020. No glory for Shields in winning this title and the quality of her opposition has nosedived from earlier days with her last two victims being 7-1 and 5-0.
Moore vs. Lacy
Moore gets a win as Lacy is disqualified for pushing Moore out of the ring. A waist-high tackle from Lacy drove Moore back through the ropes and off the apron. Lacy had previously been deducted two points for holding and Moore one. Moore’s loss was a fifth round kayo by Richard Torrez May last year.
Hicks vs. Pappillion
Local fighter Hicks stops Pappillon in seven for his eighth victory by KO/TKO. Papillon had won his last 5 bouts.
Lawson vs. Thompson
6’5” middleweight Lawson makes it ten wins by KO/TKO as he stops 6’0” Thompson in four rounds. Lawson lost a majority decision to Nathaniel Gallimore June 2021 and was out until a win in April 2023. Third loss in a row for Thompson.
Pagan vs. Ron
Pagan took a unanimous decision over on. Scores 78-74 twice and 79-73. Pagan may be one to watch. He has a win over seasoned pro Haskell Rhodes and was US National, champion scoring victories over Terence Williams and Keon Davis, in the amateurs. Venezuelan Ron has been matched very tough.
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.”
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