THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 AUGUST 2025
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Aug 2025
Cuello drops Rios.
HIGHLIGHTS
-Miguel Cuello wins the vacant WBA interim featherweight title with second round kayo of Sergio Rios
-Albert Ramirez stops Jerome Pampellone to win the vacant WBA interim light heavyweight title
-Francisco Fonseca gets a split decision over previously unbeaten Sofiane Oumiha, Josue Aguero outpoints Diego Ortiz and Mike Perez vs. Christian Luis ends in a No Decision after Ortiz is floored by a punch after the bell.
-Ricardo Malajika stops Jason Mama in five rounds in IBO super fly title defence
-Otar Eranosyan returns to action and beats Dannis Aguero who is disqualified in the sixth round for holding.
-Ricardo Salas gets off the floor twice to outpoint Jesus Estrada
-John Mannu stops unbeaten Alexander Devyatov
MAJOR SHOWS:
AUGUST 8
BENGHAZI, LIBYA: FEATHER: MIRCO CUELLO (16-0) W KO 2 SERGIO RIOS (19-1). LIGHT HEAVY: ALBERT RAMIREZ (22-0) W TKO 7 JEROME PAMPELLONE (19-3). LIGHT: FRANCISCO FONSECA (37-4-2) W PTS 10 SOFIANE OUMIHA (6-1). SUPER FEATHER: JOSUE AGUERO (14-0) W PTS 10 DIEGO ORTIZ (20-4-1). CRUISER: MIKE PEREZ (31-3-1,1ND) ND 4 CHRISTIAN LUIS (12-4-1ND).
Cuello vs. Rios
Cuello blows away overmatched Rios to win the vacant WBA interim/temporary title. Cuello was hunting down a fragile Rios from the start and dropped with a straight right late in the first round. Rios was up quickly and there was not enough time remaining in the round for Cuello to finish it. In the second Cuello landed a left hook which sent Rios down on one knee. Again he was up quickly but a left hook to the body put him down and he was counted out. Cuello will now be looking to get a shot at champion Nick Ball. Rios had no right being rated let alone fighting for one of the WBA “world” titles and as usual the WBA indulged in some blatant manipulation to make it seem like an acceptable match(see Observations).
Ramirez vs. Pampellone
Another interim/temporary title fight saw Venezuelan Ramirez halt England’s Pampellone in the seventh. Both fighters made a cautious start but the action picked up in the third with Pampellone rocking Ramirez with a left. Things went quiet again in the fourth and fifth with no sustained exchanges. A right from Ramirez put Pampellone down in the sixth and only the bell saved Pampellone. Two more knockdowns in the seventh saw Pampellone’s corner throw in the towel. Ramirez, 33, has won 19 of his fights by KO/TKO. London-born Pampellone had seen his title hopes dented by back-to-back losses against Malik Zinad and Conor Wallace.
Fonseca vs. Oumiha
Experience pays off for Fonseca. The Nicaraguan-born Costa Rican had a more professional style built on pressure with Oumiha, France’s most decorated amateur boxer, relying on speed and skill that had served him so well in winning medals at the Olympics, World championships, European Games and European championships. The first two rounds were close enough to be scored either way. Late in the third Oumiha was down for a flash knockdown. Fonseca built on that and was in front after the fifth. Oumiha began eating into that lead over the second half of the fight making it close and only a strong finish by Fonseca winning the last round got him the decision on scores of 97-92 and 95-94 to 95-94 for Oumiha so that flash knockdown was the decider. Fonseca wins the vacant WBA Gold title. Fonseca had lost in IBF title fights against Gervonta Davis and Tevin Farmer but had won his last 5 fights. Oumiha has dipped in and out of professional boxing in-between the major amateur tournaments.
Aguero vs. Ortiz
Argentinian Aguero wins the vacant WBA Gold title with a wide unanimous decision over Mexican Ortiz. South American champion Aguero dominated this from the start. His strong jabbing and accurate right hand punching were too much for Ortiz who looked more concerned with survival than victory. No highlights as Aguero won on 100-90 on all three cards.
Perez vs. Luis
This slow-paced low-skilled bout ended in controversy. Perez generally took the fight to Luis and they both threw clubbing but ineffective punchers. Perez looked every one of his 39 years and Luis was doing as much holding as punching. Luis already looked to be tiring in the fourth and Perez launched a punch just as the bell went and the referee stepped in. The punch did land after the bell and Luis collapsed dramatically and was obviously looking for a disqualification win but after some discussion in was ruled No Decision so the WBA Inter-Continental title remains vacant.
AUGUST 9
KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA: SUPER FLY: RICARDO MALAJIKA (16-2) W TKO 5 JAYSON MAMA (20-3-1). SUPER WELTER: ROARKE KNAPP (18-3-1) W KO 3 JHUN CARCEDO (11-4)
Malajika vs. Mama
MALAJIKA marches on as he successfully defends the IBO title with a fifth round stoppage of MAMA. Malajika outboxed Mama over the first two rounds. He was scoring well with jabs and hooks putting Mama under pressure and Mama just could not find the distance. Malajika scored two knockdowns in the third round. Mama got through the round and had some success fighting inside early in the fourth but was put down again late in the round. Another knockdown in the fifth had Mama’s corner chucking in the towel. Fourth defence of the title for Malajika. He seems to continue to improve and this is his fifth inside the distance victory in a row. Filipino Mama lost to Sunny Edwards in a challenge for the IBF flyweight title in 2021 and this is his first loss by KO/TKO.
Knapp vs. Carcedo
KNAPP rebounds with a win. The South African used a focused body attack to dispose of southpaw CARCEDO. Knapp had lost in challenging fights against Jorge Garcia for the vacant IBO and against unbeaten Frenchman Bakary Samake for the WBC Siver title. This, his thirteenth win by KO/TKO marks his first step on the road back. Second loss by KO/TKO for Carcedo.
AUGUST 8
ROSARIO, ARGENTINA: MIDDLE: ERIC MILOC (10-0) W TKO 3 DIEGO RAMIREZ (27-14-1). WELTER: Joel Mafauad (13-1) W TKO 7 JOSE ACEVEDO (17-7-3).
Miloc vs. Ramirez
MILOC scores another win and picks up the South American title with a third round stoppage of experienced RAMIREZ. Miloc showed his power by flooring Ramirez in the first. Ramirez got through the round and kept trying to take the fight to Miloc but was down again from a counter at the start of the third. He made it to his feet but another knockdown saw the fight stopped. Former kickboxing champion “Battleship” Miloc. 6’3”. gets his ninth win in a row by KO/TKO, six of those wins coming in the first round. Champion Ramirez, was defending the title for the first time and is 3-9 in his last 12 fights.
Mafauad vs. Acevedo
Mafauad stops Acevedo in the seventh. It was almost all over in the first as Mafauad floored Acevedo twice. Acevedo was docked a point in the fourth and taking a beating in the seventh until his corner threw in the towel. Mafauad retains the WBA Fedelatin and WBO Latino titles with his fourth consecutive victory. Now four inside the distance defeats for Acevedo.
AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO: WELTER: RICARDO SALAS (22-2-2) W PTS 10 JESUS ESTRADA (12-1-1). FLY: DAMIAN ARCE (8-2 W PTS 10 MARIO GUTIERREZ (12-5-2).LIGHT: EDWING DAVILA (23-3) W PTS 8 MIGUEL PEDRAZA (11-3).
Salas vs. Estrada
SALAS has to get off the floor twice to win the majority verdict over ESTRADA and lift the vacant WBC FECOMBOX title. Salas was walking forward pumping out punches with the taller Estrada using his longer reach to box and he found Salas an easy target. Salas kept switching guards and walking through Estrada’s punches and collecting the rounds with his relentless aggression. A left to the body sent Salas down in the seventh and he was down again from a left in the eighth and only just survived the round. Salas staged a strong finish winning the ninth and tenth and took the decision on scores of 95-93 twice and 94-94. Salas , the IBF No 5, was coming off wins over Roiman Villa and Kent Cruz. With the two 10-8 rounds and other close rounds Estrada looked worth at least a draw.
Arce vs. Gutierrez
Cuban ARCE wins the vacant WBC FECOMBOX title with a unanimous decision over Mario GUTIERREZ. The judges came up with a menu of scores from 98-92 through 97-93 to 96-94 all for Arce. Twice Cuban champion Arce has disappointed as a professional. Gutierrez had found some form being 5-0-2 in his last 7 fights.
Davila vs. Pedraza
Canadian-based local DAVILA wins the vacant WBC FECOMBOX belt with a unanimous decision over PEDRAZA. Scores 78-75, 77-73 and 76-75. Davila had won 5 of his last 6 fights with the loss coming against Mauricio Laras in January.
Periban vs. Urrutia
PERIBAN suffers an early knockdown but finished strongly to win the WBC FECOMBOX title. Periban made a confident start using his height and longer reach to establish his jab over the first two rounds. URRUTIA broke through in a big way in the third flooring Periban with a right and rocking him again later in the round. Periban then outworked Urrutia over the fourth, fifth and sixth before Urrutia landed heavily in the seventh. Periban was cut in the eighth but also dished out some heavy punishment as they both tired. All three judges gave it to Periban 77-73. Now 40, Periban turned professional in 2008 and won his first 20 fights before losing to Sakio Bika for the Vacant WBC super-middle title. He went on to draw with Badou Jack and lose to James DeGale, Joshua Buatsi and Padraig McCrory. Urrutia had won his seven fights inside the distance and his 25 rounds compared to 191 for Periban showed the gap in experience.
AUGUST 9
POMONA, CA, USA: SUPER FEATHER: OTAR ERANOSYAN (15-0) W DISQ 6 DANNIS AGUERO (20-4). SUPER MIDDLE: SAMUEL ARNOLD (13-0) W PTS 8 VAUGHAN ALEXANDER (19-14-2).
Eranosyan vs. Aguero
ERANOSYAN returns to action exactly two years since his last fight and wins on a disqualification against AGUERO. It was obvious early that Aguero had trouble dealing with the strength and aggression of the Georgian. Eranosyan was pounding Aguero’s body and the Dominican began holding to try to smother Eranosyan’s work. He took things too far and was deducted a point in the third. Eranosyan continued to target Aguero’s body inside and Aguero continued to hold. An exasperated referee gave Aguero a final warning in the sixth and when Aguero continued to hold he disqualified him. In another bit of ridiculous WBA rating wrangling they continued to list Eranosyan as No 1 until as recently as February 2025 by which time he had been inactive for eighteen months and only dropped him out of the rings on 31 May. Aguero was having his first fight since being knocked out in one rounds by Guillermo Rigondeaux in November.
Arnold vs. Alexander
ARNOLD maintained his 100% record with a unanimous decision over veteran ALEXANDER. The 6’3” Arnold, 22, used his skill, speed and longer reach to outbox the 39-year-old Alexander and won with all three judges scoring it 80-72. Some useful rounds for Arnold as he has scored five first round wins. Only one win in his last ten fights for Alexander.
FLEMINGTON, AUSTRALIA: SUPER LIGHT: JOHN MANNU (16-1-1) W TKO 7 ALEXANDER DEVYATOV (16-1).
Southpaw MANNU extends his winning run to nine with a seventh round stoppage of previously unbeaten DEVYATOV. Career best win so far for Mannu. Russian-born Australian Devyatov had won 12 of his last 13 fights by KO/TKO.
SOZOPOL, BULGARIA: SUPER WELTER: PETAR DRAGANOV (12-0) W PTS 10 RODRIGO CORIA (14-7).
Bulgarian DRAGANOV wins the vacant WBC CISBB belt with a points victory over Argentinian CORIA. It was a close fight with Draganov controlling from the centre of the ring with a mobile Coria constantly circling and looking for openings. The solid and more accurate work from Draganov gave him the edge . No scores available.
NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA: SUPER LIGHT: JOSHUA LUPIA (17-0) W RTD 6 RAY MOYLETTE (14-3-1). SUPER LIGHT: HELMAND ALEKOZAL( 15-1) W TKO 2 GUILLERMO CROCCO (20-5-1).
Lupia vs. Moylette
Local boxer LUPIA beats MOYLETTE. Lupia swept the first two rounds and belted the Irishman with some hurtful body punches in the third. Moylette rebounded in the fourth with some accurate jabbing but could not keep Lupia out. Lupia again scored heavily to the body in the fifth and sixth and Moylette did not come out for the seventh. Fifteenth inside the distance win for Lupia and eighth victory in a row. Second defeat by KO/TKO for former amateur stand-out Moylette having been stopped in the tenth round by Dalton Smith in 2022.
Alekozali vs. Crocco
ALEKOZALI made a double for Ontario as he halted Argentinian CROCCO in the second. A left hook to the body did the trick giving Alekozali his seventh short route victory in his first fight since losing on points against Mark Smither in October. Fourth defeat in a row for Crocco.
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA: SUPER BANTAM: FILLIPUS NGHITUMBWA (17-2) W KO 6 MXOLISI ZUMA (10-1).
NGHITUMBWA knocked out South African ZUMA in the sixth round to win the vacant WBO Global title. Zuma was under constant pressure and was gradually holding more and more. The referee gave Zuma a severe warning in the sixth and when the action restarted Nghitumbwa connected with a solid right to the head that sent Zuma pitching face down to the floor. Fifteenth win by KO/TKO for Nghitumbwa. He lost his first professional fight but his only loss since then was on points over twelve rounds against John Riel Casimero in 2023 for this same title. Zuma had won all ten of his fight by KO/TKO.
OBSERVATIONS :
Surely one of the slowest weekend ever with only one IBO world title and three interim title fights with the only “major” show in Libya. There was a 46 year break between 1978 and 2024 with no professional boxing shows in Libya. The show on Friday in Benghazi was the third since boxing returned.
The main fight in Benghazi was between Mirco Cuello and Sergio Rios and it was a farce with Rios lasting less than two rounds. Looked a reasonable match with both unbeaten Cuello at 15-0 and Rios 19-0 but behind the scenes was another piece of blatant WBA manipulation. Rios was parachuted into their 30 June ratings at No 15 featherweight having not previously been rated. He had not fought from June 2024 until he beat Gustavo Molina on 30 May this year and was put in the June ratings for beating Molina who had a 24-27 record and had lost his last 13 fights by KO/TKO!!
I thought the WBA had hit bottom but they are still digging with a golden shovel bought by sanctioning fees.
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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