THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Dec 2025
Gassiev flattens Pulev.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Murat Gassiev knocks out Kubrat Pulev to win the secondary (Regular) WBA heavyweight title on massive show in Dubai and there are wins for Bakhodur Usmanov, Khariton Agrba, Vadim Musaev, Yoel Finol, Faizan Anwar, Daud Alaev, Artem Suslenko, Estelle Mossley and Samuel Carmona
-Norair Mikaeljan beats Badou Jack to regain the WBC cruiserweight title
-Diego Pacheco is floored but gets up to outpoints Kevin Lele Sadjo and in other fights in Los Angeles Joe Cordina, Ernesto Mercado, Skye Nicholson, Arturo Popoca and Cheavon Clarke score wins
- Jose Salas wins the vacant IBF bantamweight title with victory over South African Landile Ngxeke
MAJOR SHOWS:
DECEMBER 12
DUBAI, UAE: HEAVY: MURAT GASSIEV (33-2) W KO 6 KUBRAT PULEV (32-4). LIGHT: BAKHODUR USMONOV (12-0) W PTS 12 MAXI HUGHES (29-8-2). SUPER LIGHT: KHARITON AGRBA (17-1) W PTS 12 RUBEN NERI (18-3). WELTER: VADIM MUSAEV (14-0) W KO 3 TULANI MBENGE (22-3). MINIMUM: YOEL FINOL (3-0) W PTS 10 SHAKHOBIDIN ZOIROV (1-2). WELTER: FAIZAN ANWAR (21-0) W PTS 10 KHUSEYN BAYSANGUROV (25-2). LIGHT: DAUD ALAEV (14-1) W RTD 6 DAVE PENALOSA (20-1). HEAVY: ARTEM SUSLENKOV (14-0) W KO 6 STANLEY WRIGHT (14-2). BANTAM: SAMUEL CARMONA (14-1) W PTS 8 IMMANUEL JOSEF (17-5-1). LIGHT: ESTELLE MOSSLEY (12-0-1) W PTS 8 ELLEN SIMWAKA (13-8-2)
Gassiev vs. Pulev
GASSIEV scores a dramatic kayo victory over champion PULEV to win the WBA secondary heavyweight title. Pulev, 44, had slight edges in height, weight and reach over 32-year-old Gassiev and started confidently over the first two rounds taking the centre of the ring and probing with his jab. He was threading jabs through Gassiev’s defence and throwing occasional rights with very little coming back from Gassiev who just could not get past Pulev’s jab. Gassiev was livelier at the start of the third jabbing and moving in behind his jab but then again became stuck on the end of Pulev’s jab and was forced to retreat. Pulev mixed in more rights and Gassiev finally let some punches go at the end of the round. Pulev had taken the first three rounds as Gassiev was doing so little. Pulev was again dominating the action with his jab in the fourth and connected with a good right. Gassiev was coming forward but not really putting Pulev under any pressure until he stepped past the jab and landed a combination. Pulev then forced Gassiev back and curved a right around Gassiev’s guard then landed a straight right. Gassiev was coming forward slowly in a straight line making it easy for Pulev to pick him off. Gassiev came forward with more purpose in the fifth letting his hand go more but still having problems getting past Pulev’s jab. Pulev fired a succession of rights but Gassiev had picked up his pace and Pulev was being forced to retreat. It was a better round for Gassiev but Pulev’s jabs and straight rights were winning the rounds. Pulev was sticking with his jab/straight right tactics when the roof fell in on him. Gassiev stepped inside and landed a short left hook to the head that sent Pulev down flat on his back. Pulev struggled the rise but only got as far as kneeling on the canvas when the referee’s count reached ten. Gassiev was behind on all three cards before the knockout. He is not really a two-division champion as Oleksandr Usyk is the real WBA champion. Until he produced that left hook thunderbolt Gassiev looked very ordinary adding fire to rumours that if Moses Itauma, the WBA No 1, beats Jermaine Franklin in January then he should get a shot at Gassiev. Pulev has said he wants a return and Gassiev wants to fight Usyk (although when they fought in 2018 Usyk won by 10,10 and 12 points)so an interesting time ahead.
Usmonov vs. Hughes
USMONOV wins a WBA eliminator with a majority decision over HUGHES. It was Hughes who went ahead early. He settled into his stride having his right jab working well and threading punches though the Tajikistani’s guard and scoring solidly to the body. He was outworking Usmonov who was having trouble getting close enough often enough to put Hughes under any sustained pressure. Hughes looked to be winning the early rounds and had a good fifth. Realising he was behind Usmonov upped his pace over the second half of the fight forcing Hughes to the ropes and working on his body. The pressure and body punching slowed Hughes and Usmonov started eating into the points gap Hughes had established scoring heavily in the tenth. Hughes was far from finished and he turned in a strong eleventh and looked to have edged the last but the judges scored it 116-112 and 115-113 for Usmonov and 114-114. The seeming disparity in their experience hides the fact that Usmonov was an elite level amateur and competed at the Paris Olympics. Winning the eliminator might move him a step closer to a fight with Gervonta Davis but don’t hold your breath as he would be a hard sell as a viable challenger. Former IBO champion Hughes is now 35 and was unlucky not to get at least a draw so can still be a force.
Agrba vs. Neri
Georgian-born Russian AGRBA gets revenge as he scores a unanimous decision over Argentinian NERI. With a shock second round kayo loss to Neri in July on his mind Agrba boxed with extreme caution leading to a lacklustre contest with few highlights. Neri kept looking for the punch that had given him that kayo victory and was taking the fight to Agrtba but Agrba was not about to make the same mistake again. Agrba began to take some chances late in the fight and won a wide unanimous decision on scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 117-111 in a dull and drab fight. With Neri as No 2 and Agrba No 12 this was advertised as a fight to determine the mandatory challenger for WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell.
Musaev vs. Mbenge
Russian southpaws MUSAEV sweeps aside IBO champion MBENGE in three rounds. Musaev looked sharper from the start scoring well to the body in the first and flooring Mbenge in the second. Mbenge tried to pick up the pace in the third but was again put down and this time stayed there for the count. Musaev wins the IBO title. He was No 12 in the IBF ratings and Mbenge No 13 but stupid as it may seem Musaev could jump to fill the vacant No 2 spot-for beating No 13!
Finol vs. Zoirov
FINOL takes a split decision over fellow-southpaw ZOIROV to retain the IBA Pro title. There was a considerable difference in styles in this fight. Zoirov, a strong fighter was working solidly for three minutes in each round behind stiff right jabs and firing hard lefts as he tracked Finol. The Venezuela was flashy with fast hands firing rapid combinations showing lots of fancy footwork and clever upper body movement. Zoirov was on the front foot in round after round keeping Finol under pressure but Finol’s speed of hand and foot had him showering Zoirov with shots from all angles. For the judges it was a case of preferring either that solidity of Zoirov or the fluidity of Finol. By the end of the ninth Finol looked to be front but had a swelling under his right eye that almost closed the eye. Although Zoirov landed heavily in the tenth it was just not enough to win over the more spectacular work of Finol who took the split decision. No scores available. Uzbek Zoirov, a gold medal winner at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, had scored wins over Finol at the 2016 Olympics and in the World Series of Boxing but Finol had outpointed Zoirov for the IBA title in December last year. The result of this fight will only show on their IBA records and not in the BoxRec “Box-pro” records.
Mossely vs. Simwaka
MOSSLEY has too much skill and experience for the strong but limited Malawian SIMWAKA. The French former Olympic champion spent the whole fight on the back foot countering the constantly aggressive Simwaka. Mossley used her longer reach and stuck to her jab and straight rights and only had any trouble when she let herself be drawn into trading inside. Both showed facial damage Mossley with a swelling under her left eye and Simwaka a cut over her left eye. No scores announced. Mossely had a win over Katie Taylor in the amateurs and she dipped back into the amateurs in 2023 looking to win a medal in Paris but was eliminated in the preliminary round.
Anwar vs. Baysangurov
Dubai-based Indian ANWAR takes a split decision over Russian BAYSANGUROV. This one was close all the way. Anwar had the better skills but Baysangurov the higher work rate. It looked even after four rounds but pressure from Baysangurov and a busier approach saw him sweep rounds 5,6 and 7 to take the lead. Anwar rallied and staged a strong finish over the last three rounds and the result could have gone either way. The judges scored it 97-93 and 96-94 to Anwar and 96-94 to Baysangurov. Southpaw Anwar wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title. Baysangurov had an eleven-bout winning streak going into the fight.
Alaev vs. Penalosa
Dubai-based Russian ALAEV beats Filipino southpaw PENALOSA who is floored before retiring in his corner at the end of the sixth round. Penalosa showed some good hand speed firing right jabs and quick lefts in the first but from the outset was hurt by body punches from Alaev. The second and third were close rounds but Alaev’s body punches were still getting through and he shook Penalosa with a right at the end of the fourth. Penalosa was fading fast and took punishment in the fifth with a punch dislodging his mouthguard before being dropped by a right hook early in the sixth. Penalosa made it to his feet and fought back hard enough to have Alaev backing up and they traded punches furiously at the bell. Despite that show of defiance from Penalosa he retired at the end of the round. Alaev wins the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title with his eighth victory by KO/TKO. Penalosa, the son of former IBF light flyweight and flyweight champion Dodie Boy, had won his last 5 contests.
Suslenkov vs. Wright
Russian SUSLENKO wins the IBA Pro Inter-Continental title with a sixth round kayo of WRIGHT. This was an entertaining clash over the first three rounds. Although rocked a couple of times Wright was willing to stand and trade with Suslenko. From the fourth Wright was showing signs of tiring and he was put down and out in the sixth. Now 9 inside the distance finishes for Suslenko, a former World Military Championships gold medal winner, he has already won the IBF European and WBA Continental titles this year. Second loss by KO/TKO for Wright but if you are going to drape 280 lbs on a 6’0” frame these things are going to happen.
Carmona vs. Josef
Spain’s CARMONA outpoints Namibian JOSEF. Carmona boxed his way to victory over a willing Joszef. Some of the early rounds were close with Carmona having the edge. From the fifth as Carmona’s earlier body punching took their effect Carmona took control and he swept the last three rounds to win comfortably. No scores announced. Carmona’s only loss as a professional is a majority decision against Julio Cesar Martinez for the WBC fly title in 2022 and this is his sixth win since then. Josef was 8-0-1 in his previous 9 bouts
DECEMBER 13
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA: CRUISER: NORAIR MIKAELJAN (28-3) W PTS 12 BADOU JACK (29-4-3). LIGHT FLY: BROOK SIBRIAN (9-2) W PTS 10 GLORIA MUNGUILLA (8-3).
Mikaeljan vs. Jack
MIKAELIAN regains the WBC title with a unanimous decision over JACK who had beaten Mikaelian for the title in May. This was a close fight until Old Father Time caught up with Jack. Mikaelian had his jab on target in the first but Jack responded well landing the better punches in the second including a hefty left hook. In the first of many incidents in the fight both landed heavily after the bell and had to be separated. Both had success with their jab in the third and fourth and also found the target with some hard shots and right from Jack seemed to hurt Mikaelian. The fighters were warned Mikaelian for punches to the back of the head and Jack for hitting after the bell. After four rounds the three judges all had it 38-38. Mikaelian picked up the pace in the fifth and sixth scoring well with left hooks to the body and putting together some impressive combinations as they battled inside. Jack banged back landing some powerful rights in the seventh and as a bonus for Jack Mikaelian was warned for holding and punches to the back of the head and later in the round the referee deducted a point from Mikaelian for another punch to the back of the head. Jack had won the round and the point deduction made it a 10-8 round. Jack was visibly tiring and Mikaelian was getting the better of the exchanges as they brawled inside. Things went haywire in the eighth as Jack lost a point for hitting on the break and they continued to fight after the bell and had to be separated by their corners and officials. A 10-8 round for Mikaelian and of the judges two had it 76-74 for Mikaelian and the third 75-75. From there it was all downhill for Jack. Mikaelian was on the front foot outscoring Jack in the exchanges with Jack fading out of the fight as Mikaelian swept the last four rounds on all three cards to win 116-110 twice and 115-111. Mikaelian will now look to land a unifying fight against IBF’s Jai Opetaia or the winner of WBA/WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez’s defence against David Benavidez. Jack, 42, has talked retirement which would be a sensible choice for the two-division champion (his WBA title was a the secondary one).
Sibrian vs. Munguilla
SIBRIAN gets revenge and a title as she takes a majority verdict over MUNGUILLA. When these two fought in January Munguilla won a close unanimous decision. This one was also close and a great advert for female boxing. They went to war from the first bell. Sibrian was connecting with heavy punches and was just edging the early rounds but with Munguilla also doing some damage. The pace never slackened as they exchanged solid power shots in every round. Sibrian’s heavier punch helped her build a lead. Munguilla came on strong over the closing rounds as Sibrian seemed to tire but it was too late to overcome the lead Sibrian had built and she won on scores of 97-93 and 96-94 with the other judge scoring it 95-95. The win sees Sibrian collect the vacant WBC International title. Second loss in a row for Munguilla.
STOCKTON, CA, USA: SUPER MIDDLE: DIEGO PACHECO (25-0) W PTS 12 KEVIN LELE SADJO (26-1). LIGHT: JOE CORDINA (19-1) W PTS 10 GABRIEL FLORES (27-3). SUPER LIGHT: ERNESTO MERCADO (18-0) W KO 6 ANTONIO MORAN (31-8-1). SUPER BANTAM: SKYE NICOLSON (15-1) W PTS 10 YULIAHN LUNA (28-5-1). SUPER BANTAM: ARTURO POPOCA (17-0-1) W PTS 10 CESAR VACA (19-3-1). CRUISER: CHEAVON CLARKE (11-2) W RTD 4 ANTHONY HOLLAWAY (9-10-3).
Pacheco vs. Sadjo
PACHECO suffers a knockdown but rallies and wins a unanimous decision over SADJO. With Pacheco being eight inches taller and having an eleven inch reach advantage those differences set the tactics with Sadjo forced to constantly advance through counters from Pacheco to get inside and work to Pacheco’s body to slow him. Pacheco made good use of those advantages working hard with his jab controlling the fight at distance. Sadjo never stopped coming forward and had success when he could get inside but Pacheco countered that by clinching and smothering Sadjo’s work. Pacheco looked to have pocketed the first four rounds but Sadjo is strong and he worked his way into the fight in the fifth and was having success with overhand rights. The sixth saw Pacheco suffer a small cut by his right eye and the seventh was close. Sadjo had a big eighth where he dropped Pacheco with a left hook. It was not a heavy knockdown and Pacheco recovered quickly and even seemed to have rocked Sadjo later in the round. With Pacheco holding to nullify Sadjo’s work inside and Sadjo looking to stay inside and brawl it was not a thrilling affair with too much clinching. In addition to his other advantages Pacheco was eleven years younger than Sadjo and that started to tell over the closing rounds. Pacheco found space to score well in the ninth and although Sadjo had a good tenth Pacheco put in a strong finish. He bombarded Sadjo with punches in the eleventh and outscored him in the twelfth to seal the victory. Scores 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 for Pacheco. Pacheco was defending the WBC Silver and WBO International titles. His aim is a fight with Jaime Munguia early next year and a title shot. Difficult to see a way back for Sadjo but he would be a test for any of the rated boxers.
Cordina vs. Flores
In his first fight in the USA CORDINA takes a unanimous decision over home town favourite FLORES. Cordina was pressing the fight from the start but Flores had a good first round and went ahead when Cordina lost a point in the second for hitting Flores behind the head. From the third Cordina controlled the action. He was relentless with his pressure and his focused body attack. Flores lacked the power to keep Cordina out but he was quick and used some clever boxing to make the fight competitive over the first six rounds and even shook Cordina with an uppercut in the seventh. Cordina was throwing more punches and was more accurate and Flores began to fade as Cordina took the fight inside. Cordina’s body punching weakened Flores who was looking tired over the last three rounds. Flores had never gone past ten rounds and Cordina’s greater experienced helped him to pace the fight better outpunching Flores over the eleventh and twelfth shaking Flores in the eleventh and outscoring him in the last. Scores 117-110, 115-112 and 114-113. Since moving up to lightweight former IBF super feather champion Cordina has now won both the WBO Global and, in this fight, the WBO International titles. Before this fight Flores was No 4 with the WBO and Cordina No 6. The No 1 spot was vacant so Cordina might have a chance of moving up to the No 1 spot. Flores had lost wide decisions against Luis A Lopez and Giovanni Cabrera but then scored six wins over modest opposition.
Mercado vs. Moran
MERCADO stops reigning champion MORAN in six rounds to win the WBO International title. Another successful seek and destroy performance from hard-punching Mercado. A right from Mercado late in the first had Moran stumbling back on rubber legs and down. He was up at eight and looked unsteady but saw out the remaining 30 seconds. A left hook early in the third sent Moran sprawling on the canvas and again he beat the count with an overanxious Mercado missing the chance to end the fight. Although under pressure throughout the fourth and fifth Moran showed some useful skills but was rocked a couple of times. He was determined to take the fight to Mercado in the sixth but a left hook had him stumbling and a burst of hook dropped him. Moran was up quickly and was allowed to continue but when a lightning-quick combination dropped him again the referee waived the fight over. Mercado, 24, has wins over some experienced opposition including Jose Pedraza and has won 17 of his 18 fights by KO/TKO. He looks a real dangerman in this division. Moran had outpointed unbeaten 22-0-2 Mykquan Williams in April but was never in with a chance against the speed and power of Mercado
Nicolson vs. Luna
Australian southpaw NICHOLSON outclasses Mexican LUNA. Luna had no answer to the southpaw style of Nicholson. The Australian’s clever movement and quicker hands together with her constant changing of angles and her ability to slide outside or under Luna’s attacks saw her dominate the action. Luna tried to put Nicholson under pressure but Nicholson’s constant feints had Luna flummoxed and hesitant. She did manage to land some hard rights and did enough to make a few rounds close but the gap in class was there in every round. It was an assured performance by Nicholson as she showcased her skills on the way to winning. Scores 98-92 twice and 97-93. Nicholson wins the WBC interim title. Third win for Nicholson since losing her WBC featherweight title to Tiara Brown in March. Former WBC bantamweight champion Luna had won 12 of her last 13 fights but just did not have the tools to be competitive in this fight.
Popoca vs. Vaca
POPOCA floors and outpoints a competitive VACA. Popoca used some solid jabbing as he took the fight to Vaca from the start. He was following the jab with straight rights, left hooks to the body and overhand rights. Vaca was on the back foot countering and showed quick hands when he let fly with combinations. Vaca changed tactics in the fourth and fifth getting onto the front foot and letting his hands go. It was now Popoca on the retreat but he was constantly sliding jabs through Vaca’s guard and connected with some smart hooks. Popoca was back in charge in the sixth getting the better of the exchanges with rapid jabs and short hooks. The seventh was close until just before the bell when a right from Popoca sent Vaca flying back and down. He was up quickly and boxed his way through the remaining 20 seconds. Popoca built on that success and he outboxed Vaca over closing rounds to emerge a good winner. Scores 98-91 twice and 97-92 for Popoca, 25, who was defending the WBC Continental Americas title and make it 15 wins in a row. Second loss in a row for Vaca who dropped a decision against Australian Sam Goodman in May.
Clarke vs. Hollaway
CLARKE gets a much needed win as HOLLOWAY retires at the end of the fourth round. Holloway then collapsed and was taken from the ring on a stretcher.
Lots of flashy work from Holloway in the first but Clarke just padded forward behind a solid jab keeping Holloway on the back foot with Holloway clinching to prevent Clarke working inside. Clarke continued to force the fight in the second and Holloway was unable to stop Clarke getting inside so resorted to more holding. A frustrated Clarke was firing sweeping rights at distance and jabbing to the body with Holloway just chancing an occasional right as he retreated around the ring. Frustration saw tempers fraying and they exchanged punches after the bell. The pattern did not change over the third Clarke began to land heavily in the fourth and the refereed deducted a point as Holloway continued to hold. Clarke was unloading on Holloway at the bell and the referee went over to Holloway’s corner and asked him if he wanted to continue. Holloway said no and then collapsed off his stool to the canvas. He was treated in the ring given oxygen and then removed on a stretcher but I have no information on his condition. Clarke had lost his last two fights against Leonardo Mosquea for the vacant European title and Vidal Riley in April for the British title. Holloway had scored a shock points win over unbeaten 18-0-1 Granit Stein in December but had lost his two previous fight in 2025 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk and 3-0 Jamar Talley,
DECEMBER 12
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA) WELTER: VLAD PANIN (23-2) W TKO 1 ROGELIO DOLIGUEZ (25-7-2).
Lanky welterweight PANIN destroys Filipino southpaw DOLIGUEZ. Panin took just 94 seconds to get this one over as he rebuilds after a shock loss against 10-5 Brian Arregui in March. Now three inside the distance defeats in a row for Doliguez.
DECEMBER 13
ORLANDO, FL, USA: SUPER LIGHT: KEVIN HAYLER BROWN (9-0) W PTS 10 AMOS COWART (13-2-1). BANTAM: JORDAN OROZCO (15-0) W TKO 8 KARLO RODRIGUEZ (9-1-1). SUPER FLY: JASMINE ARTIGA (15-0-1) W PTS 10 STEHANIE SILVA(10-2). LIGHT HEAVY: ARIEL PEREZ (9-0) W PTS 8 KEVIN BRIZUELA (8-3). SUPER WELTER : YOENIS TELLEZ (11-1) W RTD 5 KENDO CASTANEDA (21-13).
Brown vs. Cowart
Cuban BROWN wins every round against late substitute COWART. Brown was to have faced Cletus Seldin in a fight for the interim WBA title but Seldin tested positive for accelerated levels of testosterone and Cowart, who was slated to fight on the show anyway, came in as a substitute. Brown dominated the action from the start. He was too quick and too skilful for Cowart who was inactive for nine years before returning with a win in a six round fight in June. Cowart forged forward for the whole fight but found Brown an elusive target and had to soak up lots of punishment. Brown had Cowart cut and hurt in the last but Cowart made to the bell. Brown won on scores of 100-90 from all three judges. Brown retained the WBA Inter-Continental title. He was No 7 with the WBA but a better reflection of the quality of his opposition is his No 56 with BoxRec. Southpaw Cowart, BoxRec No 490, did his job and earned his money .
Orozco vs. Rodriguez
Nicaraguan hope OROZCO floors and stops Puerto Rican RODRIGUEZ. An aggressive start from Orozco saw him drop Rodriguez with left hook to the body in the second. Rodriguez recovered and they fought on equal terms over the third and fourth. Orozco took charge again in the fifth but Rodriguez stayed strong as they traded punches through the sixth. A right from Orozco floored Rodriguez at the end of the seventh and although Rodriguez made it to the bell he was badly shaken. A fierce attack from Orozco in the eighth was enough for the referee to step in and stop the fight. The 21-year-old Orozco has won all of his fights inside the distance and Rodriguez is the first to take him past the seventh round. Rodriguez was jumping from six rounds to ten and found Orozco too powerful.
Artiga vs. Silva
Tampa’s ARTIGA retains the WBA title with unanimous decision over Italian SILVA. The challenger failed to make the weight so could not have won the title. The 5’4” Artiga had height and reach over Silva but to balance that was conceding 6 lbs. Artiga, boxing mainly southpaw and built a good lead using her superior skills and better mobility. The additional weight helped Silva late as she forced the fight but Artiga boxed cleverly and countered well and was a good winner. Scores 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93 for Artiga who was defending the title for the second time. Former European champion Silva had lost in a previous shot at the IBF title.
Perez vs. Brizuela
PEREZ makes it a double for Tampa as he outpoints BRIZUELA. Argentinian No 9 Brizuela made a promising start but the heavier punching from Perez proved decisive over the second half of the fight and the local won on scores of 79-73, 78-74 and a too close 77-75. First eight round fight for Perez. Brizuela had been halted in two rounds last year in a fight for the vacant national title.
Tellez vs. Castaneda
Cuban TELLEZ returns with a win as he beats Texan CASTANEDA on a retirement. Tellez had Castaneda down and nearly out in the third. Castaneda managed to beat the count but absorbed a beating in the fourth and fifth and retired before the start of the sixth. Tellez was floored and outpointed by Abass Baraou when defending the WBA interim belt. An important defeat as Baraou was promoted to full champion in September when Terence Crawford relinquished the title. Seven consecutive losses for Castaneda. He was 17-0 at one time.
MEXICALI, MEXICO: SUPER FEATHER: LUIS LOPEZ (32-3) W TKO 3 MIGUEL AREVALO (22-6-1).
LOPEZ Continues his super featherweight campaign with a third round stoppage of AREVALO. Lopez shook Arevalo with a right in the first and then put him down under a series of punches. Arevalo made it to his feet and saw out the round. Lopez took his time in the second working Arevalo over with accurate combinations and he continued to land heavily in the third until the referee came in to save Arevalo. Second win for the former IBF feather champion as he adjusts to the heavier division. Second defeat by KO/TKO for Arevalo.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: BANTAM: JOSE SALAS (17-0) W TKO 7 LANDILE NGXEKE (16-2-1).
SALAS wins the vacant IBF title with a questionable stoppage of South African NGXEKE in the seventh. This was a very low profile title fight with neither Salas or Ngxeke having met any notable opponents. Ngxeke posed some problems for Salas with his longer reach but Salas took the fight inside pressurising Ngxeke and banging to the body. Salas shook Ngxeke with a right in the third and then worked him over on the ropes. Ngxeke connected with some smart counters and worked well with body punches in the fourth but Salas had the upper hand in the fifth and landed some savage body shots. A body punch looked to have Ngxeke hurt in the sixth and Salas bombarded Ngxeke with punches in the seventh. Ngxeke was trapped in a corner and under fire but not looking to be in serious trouble. However he was not punching back and the referee took that as the time to step in. Ngxeke protested but the result stood. The ridiculous situation had the No 1 and 2 positions in the IBF ratings vacant as no one in the ratings had beaten another rated fighter so no one could fill the 1 or 2 spots. With Junto Nakatani relinquishing the IBF and WBC titles to chase a fight with Naoya Inoue the bantam division is very weak.
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA: LIGHT JAIME ARBOLEDA (21-4-1) W TEC DEC 10 ORLANDO MOSQUERA (15-5-1).
Arboleda vs. Mosquera
ARBOLEDA wins the vacant Panamanian title with a technical decision over MOSQUERA. Arboleda was the only one who could win the title as Mosquera came in 2 lbs over the lightweight limit. Mosquera lost a point for punches below the belt in the fifth. The fight ended during the tenth round. Arboleda was unable to continue after suffering a cut in a clash of heads and won on scores of 88-82 twice and 86-84. First fight in his home country for three years for Arboleda. Mosquera had failed in two previous national title fights.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY: HEAVY: UMUT CAMKIRAN (25-0) W TKO 3 ABEL PESUT (17-2).
German-born Turk CAMKIRAN stops Croat PESUT in the third round. Camkiran found Pesut an easy target and had the Croat ready to go in the third. Camkiran landed punches that had Pesut out on his feet but the referees allowed the fight to continue despite pleas from Camkiran to stop the fight. Pesut took unnecessary punishment before the refereed finally did his job. Camkiran wins the vacant WBC Asian title. It is now 23 win by KO/TKO for 36-year-old Camkiran who has studiously avoided any real tests. Pesut, also 36, was a halted in three rounds by Albanian Nelson Hysa in October.
SOPOT, POLAND: HEAVY: MARKO CALIC (17-2) W PTS 10 NIKODEM JEZEWSKI (26-3-1). LIGHT HEAVY: KAJETAN KALINOWSKI 12-1) W TKO 8 PAWEL STEPIEN (20-2-2). HEAVY: KACPER MEYNA (16-1) W KO 1 MACIEJ SMOKOWSKI (7-1).
Calic vs. Jezewski
CALIC wins a unanimous decision over Pole JEZEWSKI. The victor used a high work rate to win this one. He threw lots of punches with many blocked and many missed but he simply out worked Jezewski. The local fighter scored with some heavy shots in the sixth and ninth and made many rounds close. Calic won on scores of 99-92, 98-92 and 96-94 with the first two scores too wide. Cilic’s two losses have come against Joshua Buatsi and Albert Ramirez. Jezewski was stopped by Lawrence Okolie and outpointed by Arthur Mann but had won his last six fights. Calic wins the vacant WBC International Silver Bridgerweight belt.
Kalinowski vs. Stepien
KALINOWSKI beats fellow-Pole STEPIEN in the fight of the night. There were ferocious exchanges in every round with the advantage swinging one way and then the other. The decisive moment came in the sixth when a series of punches from Kalinowski forced Stepien to drop to one knee. Stepien recovered but gradually a swelling had his right eye closing. The referee stopped the action at the start of the eighth round and asked the doctor to examine Stepien and with Stepien’s right eye closed the fight was stopped. Kalinowski retains the WBC Baltic title and wins the WBC Francophone title.
Meyna vs. Smokowski
MEYNA demolishes previously unbeaten SMOKOWSKI in the first round. A right dropped Smokowski and although he managed to beat the count an uppercut and a short right put him down and out. All over in 88 seconds. Tenth inside the distance win for Meyna who was defending both the Polish and WBC Baltic titles.
DEOLS, FRANCE: SUPER LIGHT: VICTOIRE PITEAU (14-3) W PTS 10 ALYS SANCHEZ (18-10-1).
France’s PITEAU wins the WBA Gold title as she scores a unanimous decision over Venezuelan SANCHEZ. Piteau stuck to her boxing outscoring Sanchez at distance and refusing to be drawn into any wild exchanges. Sanchez kept pressing but was never really able to threaten Piteau’s dominance and the local won on scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93. Good bounce back by Piteau who had lost a majority decision against Samantha Worthington in Detroit in July in a fight for the WBA interim title. Sanchez was stopped in eight rounds by Argentinian Maira Moneo in a fight for the WBA interim lightweight title in 2023.
UZES, FRANCE: WELTER: EMILIE SONVICO (7-0) W KO 1 DEE ALLEN (7-1).
On a good night for French female fighters SONVICO knocks out England’s ALLEN in the first round to win the vacant WBC Silver title. Sonvico went onto the back foot looking for an opening and nailed Allen with a right hook. Allen tried to shake it off and kept coming only for Sonvico to connect with another right which put Allen down and she was counted out. Sonvico had scored a tenth round kayo win over England’s Jordan Barker Porter to win the European title in July. Allen is a former European champion in this division.
MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA: SUPER WELTER: LUCAS BASTIDA (23-4-1) W T KO 1 LUIS MIRANDA (9-1).
Bastida vs. Miranda
BASTIDA blows away Peruvian MIRANDA in one round. A right to the body had Miranda in dire trouble and a series of punches sent him down with the referee stopping the fight. Bastida had knocked out 18-0 Ukrainian Bohdan Sobol in eight rounds in October last year but was then stopped in nine rounds by unbeaten Russian Pavel Sosulin in April. Miranda just a 4 and 6 round novice.
JUNIN, ARGENTINA: SUPER LIGHT: MAXIMILIANO SEGURA (20-1-1 W KO 5 ALGERBIS GONZALEZ (12-4)
Junin’s SEGURA beats Venezuelan GONZALEZ in the fifth round to win the vacant South American title. This was Segura’s first fight for almost thirteen months and the rust showed as tall Venezuelan southpaw Gonzalez controlled the action over the first four rounds. Gonzalez was in front on two cards going into the fifth but Segura landed a booming right that had a badly shaken Gonzalez hanging on desperately. A right/left combination put Gonzalez down. He staggered to his feet but a body punch sent him down for the second time and the fight was over. Segura extends his unbeaten run to 14 fights. Second inside the distance loss this year for Gonzalez.
BOSTON, MA, USA: WELTER: JAHYAE BROWN (19-2) W TKO 3 MICHAEL OGUNDO (17-17). WELTER: JAMES PERELLA (21-0) W TKO ? ALFREDO BLANCO (24-16-1).
Brown vs. Ogundo
BROWN stays busy with a third round stoppage of OGUNDO. Fifth victory in
2025 and win No 13 by KO/TKO for Brown. Kenyan Ogundo, 43, had his last fight in January 2023 when he stopped former light welter and welterweight champion Lamont Peterson in four rounds .
Perella vs. Blanco
Local fighter PERELLA makes it 21 wins with stoppage of Argentinian BLANCO. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Blanco.
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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