THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Mar 2026
HIGHLIGHTS
-Emanuel Navarrete stops Eduardo Nunez to unify the WBO and IBF super featherweight titles and there are wins for Emiliano Vargas, and Abel Ramos and Jordan Martinez and Arturo Cardenas fight to a split draw
-Constantin Ursu outpoints Owen Cooper to win the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
-Lorenzo Parra Jr scores a points win over Elijah Pierce
-Ruben Aguilar extends his unbeaten record to 25 fights as he beats Luis Lopez.
FEBRUARY 27
CAVE, ITALY: FLY: RAKYB RADJI (11-1) W TKO 5 MANUEL RIZZIERI (12-3). SUPER FEATHER: MICHAEL MAGNESI (26-2 W PTS 8 MARCOS MARTINEZ (23-7).
Rizzieri vs. Radji
Frenchman RADJI wins the vacant EBU silver title with a victory over Rome’s RIZZIERI as the fight is stopped after Rizzieri was floored four timers. Less than a minute into the fight a left hook from Radji dumped Rizzieri on the floor. He made it to his feet and looked shaken but boxed and clinched his way to the bell. Rizzieri decided to brawl with Radji and by the fourth had Radji under heavy pressure but was caught by a series of heavy punches. He fell forwards grabbing Radji and sliding down Radji’s body to clutch his ankles. They stumbled into the ropes with Radji falling through the bottom rope with Rizzieri flat on the canvas still holing Radji around the ankles. Rizzieri made it to his feet and you then had the unusual sight of a referee giving a count to a standing Rizzieri inside the ropes whilst Radji was still sitting half way out of the ring on the bottom rope. Radji made it to his feet and Rizzieri seemed to have recovered from the series of punches. They both came out firing in the fifth and a volley of hooks from Radji saw Rizzieri drop to a knee. He beat the count but after he dropped to sit on the canvas under hooks from Radji the referee stopped the fight. Only the second inside the distance win for former French champion Radji. Rizzieri, also a former national champion, suffers his second inside the distance defeat.
Magnesi vs. Martinez
MAGNESI returns to action with a workman-like performance as he outpoints Argentinian MARTINEZ.
Both fighters had rust to shed with this the first fight for Magnesi since March and Martinez since April. Despite being labelled orthodox Martinez fought southpaw for the whole fight. Magnesi pressed forward from the start forcing Martinez onto the back foot and banging away to the body with hooks from both hands. Martinez retreated throughout the fight but he showed some useful defensive work and occasionally fired back with short bursts of counters. Magnesi bossed every round but never had Martinez in any trouble and seemed happy to get in some rounds. No scores available but it looked as though Magnesi won every round. Magnesi’s two losses have come against Anthony Cacace on split decision, which cost Magnesi his IBO super feather title, and a twelfth round stoppage by Japan’s Masanori Rikiishi for the WBC Silver title in 2024. Martinez had been kayoed in one round by Jaouad Belmehdi in 2024.
LONG BEACH, CA, USA: LIGHT FLY: TERRY WASHINGTON (7-0) W TKO 2 EDUARDO REYES (18-5). SUPER MIDDLE: RUBEN CAZALES 14-0) W KO 3 JOAQUIN MURRIETA (14-16-3).
Washington vs. Reyes
Southpaw prospect WASHINGTON destroys REYES in two rounds. Washington caught the advancing Reyes with a right hook late in the first round and then put him down with a series of lefts. Reyes was up but shaky and did well to survive. A lightning combination in the second had Reyes badly hurt and backing off. Washington followed up and connected with a series of lefts and rights that had Reyes pitching forward and clutching Washington to avoid going down but Washington shook him off and as Reyes collapsed to the canvas the referee stopped the night just as the towel came in. Washington, 21, gets his sixth inside the distance finish and collects the vacant NABF and WBO NABO belts. Washington showed dazzling speed and savage power with his combinations. Third inside the distance loss for Reyes
Cazales vs. Murrieta
CAZALES stops MURRIETA in the third. Cazales was walking Murrieta down from the start firing hard single shots. A left hook dropped Murrieta in the second and a left hook to the body in the third visibly hurt him. Cazales followed the retreating Murrieta across the ring and a solid right to the head had Murrieta pitching into the ropes and almost out of the ring with the referee immediately waiving the fight over. Now 12 wins by KO/TKO for 24-year-old Cazales. Only one win in his last five tights for Murrieta.
ARLINGTON TEXAS: WELTER: RUBEN AGUILAR (24-0-1) W RTD 8 LUIS LOPEZ (16-3-4). SUPER FEATHER: EDWARD VAZQUEZ (19-3) W RTD 5 GRIMARDI MACHUCA (17-4).
Aguilar vs. Lopez
Tall Mexican puncher AGUILAR beats Californian LOPEZ on an eighth round retirement. Lopez was competitive early firing rights over Aguilar’s jabs but those same jabs from the 6’0” tall Aguilar were consistently piercing Lopez’s guard and opening him up for straight rights, A left/right combination floored Lopez heavily in the second and things worsened for him when in the fourth he was cut over his left eye in a clash of heads. Aguilar was in control from the fifth. He was firing long jabs and curving hooks at distance and landing sharp counters as Lopez walked in. A brave Lopez soaked up punishment and the fight could have been stopped. After more brutal punishment in the eighth Lopez’s corner retired their man. Aguilar makes it 21 wins by KO/TKO and he is ready for higher level opposition. Lopez was 3-0-3 in his last 6 fights.
Vazquez vs. Machuca
In front of his home fans Texan VAZQUEZ crushes MACHUCA in six rounds. Vazquez was quicker than the stiff, upright Machuca and constantly bobbed and weaved his way forward easily getting past Machuca’s weak jabs and low power punching. Vazquez pressed relentlessly scoring with hooks from both hands and slowing Machuca with body punches. When Machuca stood his ground there were some sustained exchanges but hooks and uppercuts from Vazquez usually forced him to retreat again. It was one-sided and the only question was how long Machuca could last. By the fifth Machuca hardly had the strength to hold his arms up and he just managed to punch back enough to avoid the referee stepping in but he weas retired at the end of the round. Two of Vazquez’s losses have come in title fights as he was beaten on a majority decision by Joe Cordina in a challenge for the IBF super feather title in 2023 and halted in seven rounds by Rafael Espinoza in a challenge for the WBO feather title in May last year. Fourth defeat in a row for Venezuelan Machuca.
BECCAR, ARGENTINA: SUPER WELTER: PAUL WALL (11-0) W KO 7 PLACIDO RAMIREZ (28-7,1ND).
German champion Wall wins the vacant WBA Continental Americas title with a seventh round kayo win over Colombian Ramirez. Wall had built a wide lead before finishing Ramirez with a body punch in the seventh. First international title for the former amateur stand out Wall. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Ramirez.
FEBRUARY 28
GUERNICA, ARGENTINA: LIGHT: NAHUEL ESPINDOLA (12-0) W TKO 6 CLAUDIO DANEFF (24-5-1). MIDDLE: LUCAS BASTIDAS (24-4-1) W PTS 10 BRIAN ARREGUI (12-8).
Espindola vs. Daneff
ESPINDOLA climbs off the floor to win the vacant Argentinian title with a sixth round, five knockdown, stoppage of more experienced DANEFF. This was a fierce battle with brutal exchanges in every round. Hometown fighter Espindola was down in the first but put Daneff down twice in the second and again in the fifth. Daneff kept fighting back. In the sixth a right to the body from Espindola dropped an exhausted Daneff. He made it to his feet but Espindola battered Daneff around the ring until he fell to his knees. The referee started the count but Espindola’s fans were already climbing into the ring and the referee stopped counting and just waived the fight over. Espindola was in his first ten round fight and makes it 7 wins inside the distance. Former Argentinian super light champion Daneff had won 6 of his last 7 fights.
Bastidas vs. Arregui
In another fight for a vacant national title “El Tornado” BASTIDAS outpoints ARREGUI. The 6’1” Bastidas had his jab working well from the start and his superior power and greater experience were just too much for the smaller Arregui. Bastidas, a former super middleweight champion, won on scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94. Only two wins in his last nine fights for Arregui.
TAGBILARAN, PHILIPPINES: LIGHT FLY: REGIE SUGANOB (18-1) W TKO 8 SIPHAMANDLA BALENI (21-9-2). MINIMUM: JOSEPH SUMABONG (10-1) W TKO 6 ROLAND TOYOGON (8-3-1).
Suganob vs. Baleni
SUGANOB gets his fifth win in a row as he halts South African BALENI in the eighth round. Suganob was much the bigger fighter than the 5’1 ½” Baleni who had twice challenged unsuccessfully for the IBO minimum title. Suganob, fighting at distance, was spearing Baleni with jabs and banging home rights and catching Baleni with counters as the little South African came forward. Baleni had some success as he kept lunging forward flinging punches with both hands but he took heavy punishment over the fifth, sixth and seven and was exhausted and holding to try to stifle Suganob’s attacks. A right stunned Baleni in the eighth and he took a couple of steps back and knelt on one knee. Baleni signalled to his corner to throw in the towel but when that did not happen Baleni got up and walked away and the referee signalled the fight was over. A fifth consecutive victory for Suganob who lost to Sivenathi Nontshinga for the IBF title in 2023. Former South African champion Baleni suffers his fourth loss in a row.
Sumabong vs. Toyogon
SUMABONG stops TOYOGON in the sixth round of an all-southpaw clash. Sumabong was boxing on the back foot and catching the aggressive Toyogon with left hooks. Sumabong change tactics in the fourth going onto the front foot and forcing Toyogon back. Toyogon tried to stand his ground but clubling rights to the head and left hooks to the body sent him on the retreat. Topyogon rallied briefly at the start of the sixth but Sumabong drove him into a corner and fired punches until Topyogon collapsed to his knees and was counted out. Sumabong going onwards and upwards with 4 consecutive wins and Toyogon downward with his third loss on the trot.
PARANAQUE CITY, PHILIPPINES: BANTAM: REX TSO (24-0-1) W TKO 3 GENISIS LIBRANZA (22-6).
Tso vs. Libranza
Hong Kong southpaw TSO continues his comeback with a third round victory over Filipino LIBRANZA. Tso’s power quickly had Libranza struggling. Tso scored heavily in the first and second and floored Libranza twice in the third to force the finish. Tso wins the IBF Pan Pacific title. Now 38, Tso turned professional in 2011 he won his first 22 fights and was world rated. Although he was winning there were real concerns about the amount of punishment he was taking in fights and when he suffered a large hematoma in a fight in 2017 there were attempts to get him to retire. He was inactive from October 2017 until returning with a win in August last year. Former Philippines flyweight champion Libranza is 2-5 in his last 7 bouts.
DERBY, ENGLAND: WELTER: CONSTANTIN URSU (15-0) W PTS 12 OWEN COOPER (11-2). SUPER LIGHT: LUKE McCORMACK (5-0) W PTS 10 KANE GARDNER (18-6). SUPER WELTER: BEN FAIL (11-0) W TKO 7 MASON CARTRIGHT 23-5-1). FEATHER: CHARLIE SENIOR (4-0) W TKO 5 JESUS CARRASCO (2-3-1). HEAVY: LEWIS WILLIAMS (4-0) W PTS 6 BEN VICKERS (3-3-1). SUPER LIGHT: REESE LYNCH (3-0) W PTS 6 DAN BOOTH (6-20). FLY: TONY CURTIS (13-1) W PTS 8 JEMSI KIBAZANGE (21-15-4).
Ursu vs. Cooper
Moldovan-born southpaw URSU wins the British and defends the Commonwealth belts with a wide unanimous decision over COOPER. Ursu swept the first two rounds being quicker than Cooper finding gaps for his fast right jabs and strong rights. Coopere finally found a way into the fight upping his aggression but that suited Ursu who fed the marching Cooper plenty of left hand counters. Ursu was dominating the exchanges but Cooper had success when he was able to force Ursu to stand and trade. Ursu built a good lead over the first half of the fight but Cooper had shown resilience and Ursu, seeing Cooper was not going to crumble, chose to sit on his lead and box his way through the closing rounds to win on scores of 118-110 twice and 116-112. Good win over a well-respected Cooper and Ursu, now a British citizen, will be looking to move on to higher profile fights. Coopper’s other defeat came in 2024 when he was stopped in ten rounds by Ekow Essuman in a fight that saw them both on the canvas.
McCormack vs. Gardner
McCORMACK moves up to ten rounds and scores a unanimous decision over always tough GARDNER. This was the first hint of a test for McCormack who had met only mediocre opposition so far. In fact this also turned out to be a comfortable night for McCormack as Gardner was on the defensive from the first. It was difficult for McCormack to impress and he took the win on scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92. McCormack represented GB at the 2020 Olympics and took medals at the European Games-a gold- and at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. Let’s hope that under the Queensberry banner he will be more active.
Fail vs. Cartwright
FAIL grinds down and stops CARTWRIGHT in the seventh. This was a gruelling inside battle where the strength of Fail told in the end. The 6’1” Fall forged forward using his longer reach to set Cartwright up for strong straight lefts but Cartwright was reluctant to back up. Fail’s youth and strength gave him a big edge and the southpaw lefts he was firing were finding lots of gaps in Cartwright’s defence. He continued to get the better of the exchanges but although Cartwright’s face was showing the bloody effects pf the punishment Fail was handing out Cartwright still stood and traded punches. He was being broken down bit by bit as Fail poured on the pressure over the fifth and sixth. The fight was one-sided and after a left shook Cartwright in the seventh and Fail trapped him against the ropes and bombarded him with punches the referee came in and stopped the fight. This was Fail’s first fight scheduled for ten rounds and he impressed in stopping the experienced Cartwright who came in on the back of four wins.
Senior vs. Carrasco
SENIOR floors CARRASCO twice and wins on a fifth round stoppage. Senior sent Carrasco down with a right to the head in the first but Carrasco proved a fiery opponent relentlessly waking forward and Senior was forced to work hard. Carrasco was being punished by counters and had to survive a furious assault from Senior in the fourth. A booming right cross floored Carrasco heavily in the sixth and then Senior pounded him with a bunch of punches until the referee stopped the fight . Senior won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics representing Australia .
Williams vs. Vickers
WILLIAMS wins every round against VICKERS. The 6’7” Williams used his quicker hand speed to feed Vickers plenty of jabs and long rights over the low held left of Vickers. He put together some nice combinations and worked well to the body. Vickers kept trundling forward but had very little success. Williams looked to lack the power to take Vickers out and had to settle for a points win by 60-54 on the referee’s card. Williams was another Commonwealth Games gold medallist. Vickers’ losses have all been on points.
Lynch vs. Booth
Tall southpaw LYNCH gets in six rounds of work against journeyman loser BOOTH. Lynch dominated as Booth circled the perimeter of the ring occasionally leaping in to fire punches. What Lynch did not need was a gash on his right cheek caused by a clash of heads at the start of the second round. Lynch scored in each round with right jabs and straight lefts but the cagey Booth was never in any trouble. The fight was easy enough for Lynch to be tempted to do some clowning but Booth stayed the course with Lynch winning 60-54 on the referees card. Scot Lynch, 24, won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 beating Canadian Wes Sandford on the way to his gold medal. Now 18 losses in a row for Booth
Curtis vs. Kibazange
Teenager CURTIS wins every round over Tanzanian KIBAZANGE with the referee seeing it 80-72 for Curtis. The Woolwich youngster is trained by Roy Jones Jr. He was 16 when he had his first fight, which he lost, but now has a 13-bout winning streak. Kibazange is 0-8-1 in his last 9 outings,.
LONDON, ENGLAND: FLY: SEAN BRUCE (7-2) W PTS 12 ALFIE CLEGG (12-1-1) . SUPER WELTER: SPIRIDHON YMERI (16-0) W PTS 6 NATHAN DARBY (2-37-3).
Bruce vs. Clegg
A bit of an upset as southpaw BRUCE wins the vacant British flyweight title with a unanimous decision over CLEGG.Scores 116-112 twice and 116-113. These two staged a war in an action-filled scrap with Bruce’s aggression and higher work rate the differential
Ymeri vs. Darby
Greek-born Albanian YMERI remains unbeaten as he cruises to victory over Darby. Ymeri had to make the fight as Darby, with three more fights already pencilled-in, was there to show why only one of his thirty-six losses has come inside the distance. Referee’s score 60-54. Ymeri is 3-0 in fights in the UK and has also fought in Ukraine, Turkey and North Macedonia.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: FLY: BRANDON DAORD (12-0) W PTS 10 KEYVIN LARA( 32-8-1).
In his first fight for a year southpaw DAORD returns in style with a comprehensive victory over former WBA title challenger LARA to win the WBC International title. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90. Good win for the former British super fly champion but with only 12 fights in 9 years he needs to be more active. Nicaraguan Lara has lost to Kazuto Ioka for the WBA flyweight title and in his last fight in March last year was outpointed by David Jimenez for the interim WBA super flyweight title.
GLENDALE, AZ, USA: SUPER FEATHER: EMANUEL NAVARRETE (40-2-1,1ND) W TKO 11 EDUARDO NUNEZ (29-2). WELTER ABEL RAMOS (29-6-3) W PTS 10 TAHMIR SMALLS (16-1). SUPER LIGHT: EMILIANO VARGAS (17-0) W RTD 9 AGUSTIN QUINTANA (22-3-1). SUPER BANTAM: ARTURO CARDENAS (17-0-2) DREW 10 JORDAN MARTINEZ (16-0-1). SUPER LIGHT: OSCAR ALVAREZ (15-2) W PTS 8 TRINI OCHOA (21-1). 78-74 X 2 79-732
Navarrete vs. Nunez
NAVARRETE successfully defends the WBO title and wins NUNEZ’S IBF title.
Round 1
Navarrete immediately on the front foot with Nunez orbiting the ring. Navarrete landed a jab and a short right. They stood and swapped hooks before Nunez backed off with Navarrete connecting with a couple of rights.
Score: 10-9 Navarrete
Round 2
Navarrete pacing fortward as Nunez continues to circle. Navarrete landing a couple of long sweeping punches. Navarrete scores with a series of lefts. Plenty of movement from Nunez-all backwards and he is not throwing punches. Navarrete lands a left hook at the bell.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 20-18
Round 3
Nunez tries a rushing attack but Navarrete dodges back and then is walking down the retreating Nunez again. Right hook to the body from Navarrete. Nunez still circling and not punching. Left to the body from Navarrete. Two rights from Navarrete then he dances away from a couple of Nunez’s jabs. Navarrete drives Nunez across the ring connecting with hooks.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 30-27
Round 4
Navarrete continuing to walk down the retreating Nunez. Navarrete lands a couple of hooks and then slips away from wild swings from Nunez. Nunez trying to take position in the centre of the ring but Navarrete scores with curving hooks. Nunez trying to stand and trade punches but punches from Navarrete send him back again. Navarrete ends the round with a series of hooks.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 40-36
Round 5
Suddenly Nunez is the one coming forward throwing punches. Navarrete on the back foot as Nunez taking Navarrete to the ropes letting fly with hooks. Navarrete moves off the ropes and connects with a left and right.
Score: 10-9 Nunez Navarrete 49-46
Round 6
Again an aggressive start from Nunez as he drives forward scoring with hooks, First really extended exchanges with both scoring inside. Navarrete the more accurate landing the cleaner punches.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 59-55
Round 7
Furious attack from Nunez to start the round as he piles forward throwing punches. Navarrete firing jabs at distance to break up Nunez’s attacks. Nunez just can’t get past the jabs. Navarrete explodes with a series of six or seven hooks and uppercuts from both hands. Nunez wades in but is met with another series of punches. He continues to drive forward showing guts and a great chin.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 69-64
Round 8
Nunez piling in throwing hooks to the body. Navarrete feeding the oncoming Nunez with jabs and hooks but Nunez just walking through them and scoring to the body. Navarrete has slowed and Nunez is attacking the body relentlessly. He traps Navarrete against the ropes and lands two rights to the head-his best punches so far. If Nunez had fought like this over the first four rounds it might have been a very different fight.
Score: 10-9 NunezNavarrete 78-74
Round 9
Navarrete crashes home a stream of uppercuts and hooks as Nunez tries to get inside. Navarrete jabbing strongly and not looking to stand and trade but picking off Nunez with single hard shots. Some of the fire has one out of Nunez and Navarrete snaps his head back with a brutal uppercut. Navarrete is moving around Nunez and bombard Nunez with punches as the round ends.
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 88-83
Round 10
Nunez right eye is almost closed and he has to pass a doctor’s examination before the start of the round. Navarrete is throwing those wide sweeping punches that are his trade and Nunez is having trouble seeing them coming and there is now heavy bleeding around the damaged right eye. A brave Nunez marches inside firing hooks and pins Navarrete in a corner throwing hooks to the body but there is no power in them and Navarrete is landing short shots to the head. Somehow Nunez just continues to force Navarrete back along the ropes pumping out punches .
Score: 10-9 NavarreteNavarrete 98-92
The referee again examines the damage around the right eye of Nunez and the fight is stopped.
Navarret, a three-division champion, becomes a unified champion for the first time. He is 15-1-1,1ND in 18 title bouts. A further unification fight with IBF champion O’Shaquie might be next but WBO No 1 Charly Suarez has a case after his challenge to Navarrete ended in a No Decision and No 2 Liam Wilson had Navarrete down before being stopped. Nunez was disappointing., Despite his 27 wins by KO/TKO he never really threatened and his tactics in not fully engaging until the fifth round misfired.
Ramos vs. Smalls
RAMOS comes from behind to take a split decision over SMALLS. Smalls went into an early lead taking the first three rounds. He was sharper than Ramos jabbing with speed and accuracy outworking and outscoring Ramos who was having his first fight since a split draw against Marto Barrios for the WBC title in November 2024 and the rust showed. Ramos finally got into his stride over the fourth and fifth. He was targeting Smalls’ body and rocked Smalls with powerful rights to the head in the fifth. Ramos really needed to pick up rounds to compensate for his slow start and he just had the better of the exchanges in an exciting sixth. Even during his slow start over the first three rounds Ramos had been doing his best work with body punches and it was the same in the seventh and eighth. Smalls was scoring with sharp counters but the body punching was slowing him. A tiring Smalls was badly hurt by a right in the ninth and Ramos outpunched him in the tenth to wrap up a good win. Ramos seemed to have taken this one clearly (for me) but wins a split decision on scores of 98-92 and 97-93 for Ramos and 96-94 Smalls. Ramos wins the WBA Continental title and, taking account of his draw with Barros, will be hoping to get another title shot this year. Smalls is just 26 and the lessons he will take from this fight will help him rebound quickly.
Vargas vs. Quintana
VARGAS beats a gutsy QUINTANA to a ninth round retirement. A confident start from Vargas he showed much quicker hands and more mobility with Quintana jabbing at distance and not applying any pressure gifting the round to Vargas. Quintana asserted himself more in the second which was tight. The third saw Vargas fired up. He connected with three body punches then drove a right and a left through Quintana’s guard and banged home two left hooks to the body. Vargas continued to come forward in the fourth forcing Quintana to the ropes connecting with body punches and Quintana was too slow with his counters. Quintana rebounded in the fifth putting Vargas against the ropes and then pinned in a corner but Vargas got some respite as the action was paused after a punch from Quintana went low. It was a probably 3-2 to Vargas in rounds at that point but Vargas had a dominant sixth as he walked Quintana down forcing him to the ropes and keeping him there as he worked him over with body punches. To his credit Quintana did not buckle under the pressure and tried to fight back but the unrelenting attacks from Vargas were wearing him down and he was just fighting to survive. There was more punishment for Quintana over the seventh and eighth with blood now seeping from cuts around both eyes. An exhausted and bloodied Quinata made it through the ninth but was not allowed to come out for the tenth. Vargas now has 14 insides they distance finishes and he retained the NABF and WBO Latino titles. At 21 there is no need to rush him but with dad Fernando a former super welterweight champion there are expectations he has to deal with. The WBO has him a bit too high at No 5 and the WBA No 12. Former Argentinian champion Quintana had built his record against modest opposition but performed better than expected here.
Martinez vs. Cardenas
MARTINEZ VS. POPOCA/CARDENAS
Local fighter MARTINEZ and CARDENAS (Birth name Popoca) fight to a split draw. Martinez made a fast start firing batches of jabs and outworking Cardenas over the first two rounds. Cardenas picked up his pace in the third. Martinez was still throwing lots of punches but Cardenas was more accurate and landing the heavier punches rocking Martinez with a right in the third. Cardenas again found the target with power shots in the fourth forcing Martinez onto the back foot with jarring combinations. Martinez took the fifth as he returned to working at the high rate that had given him the edge in the first and second. Cardenas swung the fight back his way in the sixth as he pierced Martinez’s guard with uppercuts and some hurtful body punches. Martinez rallied in the seventh and eighth and again his higher work rate was giving him the edge over the more accurate and harder punching Cardenas. The ninth was close. Martinez was landing heavily to the body and had Cardenas on the back foot and scored with an eye-catching right late in the round. The action was frantic in the tenth as the fight was in the balance and Martinez looked to have done enough to take the round and the decision but it was close between the higher punch output of Martinez and the quality punching of Cardenas. The judges scored it 98-92 for Martinez 96-94 for Cardenas and 95-95. Cardenas was making the fifth defence of the WBC Continental title and that should allow him to hold on to his No 14 rating with the WBC. Cardenas was a big step up in the quality of opposition for Martinez which will boost his confidence.
Ochoa vs. Alvarez
Disappointment for the locals as in an upset OCHOA had his winning streak broken by young Mexican ALVAREZ. It was a tough, competitive match with Alvarez making use of his 7” edge in height to builds a lead and then holding off a strong finish from Ochoa to win on scores of 79-73 twice and 78-74. Alvarez had won his last 5 fights by KO/TKO but against poor level opposition and he did not look to be a danger to Ochoa but in the end it is a serious set-back for Ochoa.
CLEARWATER, FL, USA: CRUISER: IMRAN HADDABAH (18-0, 1 ND) W KO 1 ALAN CAMPA (20-15).
Haddabah vs. Campa
Tall Floridian HADDABAH crushes a fading CAMPA in the first round. The 6’4” Haddabah put Campa down and out after just 131 seconds. Sixth first round finish for Haddabah. Ninth defeat by KO/TKO for Mexican Campa.
BALTIMORE, MD, USA: LIGHT: MACK ALISON IV (24-4-1) W TKO 1 RAUL CHIRINO (24-20). MIDDLE: TYRELL BOYD (19-0) W KO 1 MONRECO GOLDSTON (5-3-1).
Alison vs. Chirino
ALISON disposes off CHIRINO in quick time. A left to the head followed by a right to the body dropped Chirino. He beat the count but a follow-up attack ending with a right to the head sent Chirino down again and although he made it to his feet the fight was stopped. All over in 106 seconds. Alison is on a good run with 15 wins in his last 16 bouts and picked up the NABC and UBF All American titles. Sixteenth inside distance loss for Chirino.
Boyd vs. Goldston
BOYD took only ten seconds longer to finish GOLDSTON. He walked Goldston to the ropes and connected with a right to the head and dug a left into Goldston’s body that put Goldston on the floor and he was counted out. Only four of Boyd’s opponents have lasted the distance. Like fellow native of Baltimore Boyd he wins the same NABC and UBF belts. Three losses in a row four inexperienced Goldston
VERONA, NY, USA: FEATHER: LORENZO PARRA (24-1-1) W TKO 2 ELIJAH PIERCE (21-2). SUPER LIGHT: BRYCE MILLS (21-1) W TKO 4 TOBIAS GREEN (12-4-1). SUPER LIGHT: CURMEL MOTON (9-0) W RTD 2 WILFREDO FLORES (12-7-1).
Parra vs. Pierce
Southpaw PARRA springs a surprise as he snaps the 12-bout winning streak of highly rated PIERCE. Pierce made a confident start finding the range with his southpaw jabs and straight rights. Parra was coming forward trying to cut off the ring and force Pierce to stand and trade. In the second Parra was taking that extra pace forward and backed Pierce against the ropes and into a corner. Parra then unleashed a series of lefts and rights until a stunned Pierce slumped down to sit on the bottom rope. The referee jumped in to stop the fight and when Pierce tried to stand he tumbled to the canvas. Huge victory for Parra. He was unrated by the WBA but Pierce was No 2 with that body. The No 1 slot was vacant so Parra should now take the mandatory No 1 place. Parra had fought a draw with 19-0-1 Omar Trinidad in August but this victory is No 18 by KO/TKO. Parra went ahead with this fight despite his father, former WBA flyweight champion Lorenzo “Lencho” Parra, dying last week. Pierce has a rebuilding job on his hands.
Mills vs. Green
MILLS wins the vacant WBC Silver title with a fourth round stoppage of GREEN. Mills was fired up from the start finding the target with shots to head and body over the first two rounds. Green did a bit better in the third but Mills ended it in the fourth. He shook Green with a vicious uppercut then forced him to the ropes and unleashed a volley of punches that had Green defenceless under the onslaught and the referee stopped the fight. Fifteenth win in a row for Mills. Green was 5-0-1 in his last 6 fights.
Moton vs. Flores
MOTON beats FLORES on a second round retirement. The first round saw Moton shadowing Flores stabbing out jabs with Flores constantly circling the ring. Southpaw Flores darted in and landed a couple of lefts but Moton drove him back. Moton then let his hands go trapping Flores against the ropes and scoring with solid punches from both hands. Plenty of pressure from Moton in the second as he hunted Flores down driving him around the ring from corner to corner. Just before the bell Moton trapped Flores in a corner and unloaded a whole series of punches with the bell saving Flores who retired when he went back to his corner. Sixth win by KO/TKO for teenage star Moton. Second inside the distance defeat for Puerto Rican Flores.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: CRUISER: YAMIL PERALTA (18-1-1) W KO 2 JUAN DIAZ (13-3): SUPER FEATHER: MOUSSA GHOLAM (25-1) W KO 3 ALAN RODRIGUEZ (12-4-1).
Peralta vs. Diaz
PERALTA returns to action after a long lay-off and beats Venezuelan DIAZ on a second round kayo. Peralta handed out steady punishment in the first and then sent Diaz down for the count with a left hook to the body in the second. Peralta’s first fight since fighting a controversial draw against Ryan Rozicki for the interim WBC cruiser title with the Canadian acknowledging it was a bad decision by raising Peralta’s hand in victory. All four of Diaz’s losses have come inside the distance.
Gholam vs. Rodriguez
Moroccan GHOLAM wins a fight labelled as a WBA eliminator with a third round knockout of Mexican RODRIGUEZ. Gholami put Rodriguez down in the second and then finished him with another knockdown in the third. Now 17 wins by KO/TKO for Gholam inholding seven in his last seven fights. Rodriguez out of his depth.
HUNTINGTON, NY, USA: MIDDLE: JAHI TUCKER 16-1-1) W TKO 6 SONA AKALE (10-5). HEAVY: PIOTR LACZ (15-0-1) W TKO 1 DOMINIQUE VALERA (9-1-2)
Tucker vs. Akale
TUCKER halts AKALE in the sixth. Tucker took command early landing some stiff jabs and beating on Nakala’s ribs. Tucker lost a point in the third for a low blow but continued to dominate the action. A series of punches in the sixth backed Akale to the ropes and as Ticker unloaded with some brutal lefts and rights the fight was stopped. Sixth victory in a row for Tucker. Only one win in his last five fights for Akale.
Lacz vs. Valera
Pole LACZ stops VALERA in the first. Both were letting their hands go and Valera connected with an uppercut that buzzed Lacz but the Pole responded with a right that sent Valera into a corner and a sustained barrage from Lacz had the referee stopping the fight. Lacz competed at the WBC Grand Prix and his fight ended in a draw but the Executive Panel awarded the bout to his opponent.
FIGHT OF THE WEEK(significance): Emanuel Navarrete now holds two versions of the super featherweight title and this win may lead to a third version for Emanuel.
FIGHT OF THE WEEK (entertainment): Nahuel Espindola vs. Claude FDaneff featured six knockdowns and garnered plenty of excitement.
FIGHTER OF THE WEEK: Emanuel Navarrete as he unifies the WBO and IBF super featherweight titles
PUNCH OF THE WEEK: Booming right cross from Charlie Senior that effectively ended his fight with Jesus Carrasco.
UPSET OF THE WEEK: None really
ONE TO WATCH: Light flyweight Terry Washington 8-0 has talent
OBSERVATION:
Red Card(s): To the WBC for letting someone who has never had a professional boxing match go straight into challenging for their heavyweight title. It is all about gimmick, cash, being desperate to be in the headlines and cash-and more cash. That really does cheapen their title and their organisation. This must have been approved by the Board of Governors. It seems hypocrisy. How many of their affiliates have allowed or would allow someone who had never had a professional fight contests their national or regional title.?
Next time you go to a fairground try the coconut shy you might win a WBC title!
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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