The Week in Boxing – June 26. Check out Eric Armit’s comprehensive report of all the past week’s fights below!

 

Highlights

-French fighters Guillame Frenois and Yvon Mendy get convincing wins in their campaign to land a world title shot

-Javier Fortuna blows away Mario Beltre

-Miguel Roman batters Nery Saguilan for a last round kayo win

-Tomasz Adamek returns at heavyweight with a win and on the same show Mateusz Masternak gets off the floor to take very close decision over Ismayl Sillah and former WBO cruiser champion Krzys Glowacki returns with a win

-Ty Brunson gets off the canvas twice to floor Kermit Cintron three times for a win

June 23

 

Newcastle, England: Feather: Stuart Hall (21-5-2) W PTS 6 Jose Aguilar (16-36-4). Super Light: Bradley Saunders (13-1) W TKO 1 Casey Blair (4-29). Super Welter: Anthony Fowler (2-0) W TKO 4 Nikoloz Gvajava (9-7-1). Welter: Josh Kelly (3-0) W TKO 1 Tom Whitfield (4-2). Cruiser: Simon Vallily (12-1) W PTS 6 Blaise Mendouo (3-2). Cruiser: Warren Baister (7-0) W TKO 2 Imantas Davidaitis (5-22-1).

Hall vs. Aguilar

Hall returns to the ring with a comfortable decision over Nicaraguan Aguilar. The former IBF bantam champion paced himself taking the early rounds with accurate jabs but struggled a bit later although doing enough to win every round. Referee’s score 60-54. The 37-year-old Hall was having his first fight since losing on points to Lee Haskins in a challenge for the IBF bantam title last September so he had some rust to shed. Now 20 losses in a row for Spanish-based Aguilar one of the band of losers for hire regularly foisted upon British fans.

Saunders vs. Blair

Saunders blasts his way back with stoppage of Blair. The former Olympian was having his first fight for 22 months and might have appreciated more ring time but he overwhelmed Blair. Saunders had Blair under pressure from the start before stunning Blair with a big right. He then cut loose with a barrage of punches that saw the referee stop the fight just as the towel came in from Blair’s corner. The 31-year-old local now has 9 wins by KO/TKO. His loss was on a disqualification in his last fight in September 2015. In the same fight he ruptured the ligament tendons in both hands and had to undergo a virtual rebuilding of his hands  which involved taking bone from his hips to graft to his hands. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the European Union Championships, a silver at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the World Championships. Let’s hope that he can go on to fulfil the promise he showed as an amateur. Ten losses in a row for Blair.

Fowler vs. Gvajava

Another Olympian made progress here as Fowler punched too hard for Gvajava. The Liverpool prospect used a focused body attack to wear down and stop the Georgian. Fowler had Gvajava down twice in the  third round and there was some debate in Gvajava’s corner as to whether he would come out for the fourth. He did but was floored again and the fight was stopped. Fowler, 26, the cousin of one of Liverpool’s great footballers Robbie Fowler, won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze medal at the World Championships, where injury prevented him from going through with his semi-final bout, and competed at the 2016 Olympics. He did not have a good Olympics. He was eliminated in the first series and then disciplined by the IOC for placing bets on the boxing matches at the Olympics. I think he can bet on having a successful pro career. Five losses in a row for Gvajava who at least gave Fowler some ring time as Fowler had won his first fight inside the first round.

Kelly vs. Whitfield

Kelly showcases his talent as he halts Whitfield in 79 second. Dancing about with his hands below waist level Kelly was for too quick for Whitfield. When he opened up he drove Whitfield to the ropes and used a series of successive left hooks to send Whitfield to the floor and the referee stopped the fight. The showy 23-year-old Olympian “Pretty Boy” certainly has oodles of talent. His flashing skills will get him plenty of fans and at 23 there is no need to rush him. In fact the difficult part might be holding him back. Second inside the distance loss in a row for Whitfield.

Vallily vs. Mendouo

Vallily gets win but has to climb off the floor. The Middlesbrough fighter’s original opponent dropped out. Mendouo came in as a late substitute and had a weight advantage as he was not required to meet the original contract weight. Vallily scored well with overhand rights and looked to be on his way to a comfortable win until the fifth when he was floored heavily. He made it to his feet and survived the rest of the round and rebounded to take the last. Referee’s score 58-57. The 31-year-old Vallily was making good progress until he was matched with Mairis Breidis in October last year and was floored and stopped. He has rebounded with three wins since then. His amateur credentials include winning both the ABA and British titles and getting gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Championships. British-based Cameroon-born Mendouo was halted in two rounds by Daniel Dubois in April.

Baister vs. Davidaitis

When Baister’s original opponent was changed he found himself facing Davidaitis for the second time in a month. Baister came out firing in the first and had Davidaitis hurt. In the interval his team advised him to pace himself and get in some rounds but early in the second the doctor examined a cut under the left eye of Davidaitis that had been opened by a punch and the doctor advised the fight be stopped. When the met last month Baister had won on points. The 31-year-old Baister is another boxer from the North East of England who has moved into the pros after a successful time as an amateur, he won both the ABA and British titles and competed at both the World and European Championships. Baister is tall at 6’4” (193cm) but Lithuanian “Giant” Davidaitis towered over him at 6’8 ½” (205cm), but this is his eighth loss in a row.

 

Ontario, CA, USA: Feather: Rafael Rivera (25-0-2,1ND) W KO 2 Ruben Tamayo (26-10-4). Heavy: Sergey Kuzmin (11-0) W TKO 4 Malcolm Tann (24-5). Super Light: Mohamed Rodriguez (10-4) W TKO 4 Manuel Mendez (15-2-2). Welter: Jessie Roman (22-3) W RTD 4 Erick Daniel Martinez (13-8-1). Super Feather: Michael Dutchover (5-0) W PTS 6 Miguel Carrizoza ((10-2).

Rivera vs. Tamayo

Rivera continues unbeaten with another assured performance against experienced Tamayo. Neither Tamayo’s reach nor his southpaw stance bothered Rivera. After a slow first round he youngster from Tijuana was scoring heavily with rights in the second and Tamayo caved in under the pressure went down and was counted out. The 23-year-old “Big Bang” has 16 wins by KO/TKO and already has the scalps of Wilfredo Vasquez Jr and seasoned pro Giovanni Caro. Former interim WBA feather title challenger Tamayo has been walking a tough road lately with six losses in a row against fighters with combined records of 128-2 including Jesus Cuellar, Oscar Valdez and Joseph Diaz.

Kuzmin vs. Tann

Russian Kuzmin steamrollers Tann. Kuzmin came close to ending it in the first as he put Tann down twice. Tann survived but was down again in the second and although he made it through the third a big right in the fourth ended the fight. The 29-year-old Kuzmin makes it eight wins by KO/TKO. He was Russian champion twice as an amateur and won a gold and a silver medal at the European championships and a gold at the world Combat Games. He is big and strong but far from speedy. The 38-year-old Tann was a National Golden Gloves champion way back in 2002. He turned pro but retired after back-to-back losses in 2007 to Chris Arreola and Alex Dimitrenko and was out until returning with a low level win in October.

Rodriguez vs. Mendez

In an all-Mexican clash Rodriguez fails to read the script and dominates and halts favourite Mendez. Rodriguez had height and reach over Mendez and put them to good use slotting home jabs and scoring with long rights as he fought at a distance. Mendez just could not get inside to do any damage and was floored in the third by a right . He beat the count and survived to the bell but it was a temporary reprieve. In the fourth Rodriguez landed a series of punches punctuated by a right which put Mendez down again and the referee stopped the fight. The 20-year-old Rodriguez gets a big win after losing on points to Fidel Maldonado in his last fight in April. After losing his first fight Mendez had an unbeaten streak of 15-0-2 going in and had a win over experienced Luis Arceo in April so was heavily favoured. Back to basics now.

Roman vs. Martinez

Roman too good for Mexican Martinez. Roman used a relentless body attack to undermine Martinez’s resistance and after four rounds of punishment Martinez’s corner pulled him out of the fight. The 26-year-old from Santa Ana has 11 wins by KO/TKO. Martinez is 2-8 in his last 10 fights.

Dutchover vs. Carrizoza

Exciting prospect Dutchover has to fight hard to get unanimous verdict over aggressive Carrizoza. Dutchover was busier and more accurate but had to go the distance for the first time after taking only 8 rounds to register his four previous win. Scores 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 all for Dutchover. The 19-year-old Dutchover a silver medallist at the 2016 National Golden Gloves is worth watching. Carrizoza had won his last 4 fights.

 

Rosemont, IL, USA: Super Middle: Mike Jimenez (21-1-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Aaron Pryor Jr (19-11-2). Light Heavy: Derrick Findley (26-21-1,1ND) W RSF 5 Donovan George (25-7-2,1ND).

Jimenez vs. Pryor

After these two fought to a draw in May last year Jimenez gets split decision over Pryor in the return in fight that could have gone to either man. Local favourite Jimenez made the better start rocking Pryor with a right in the first and pounding away to the bell with Pryor having to fight hard to get out of the round. Pryor steadied the ship in the second starting to use the height and reach advantages that he enjoys in most fights and he looked to have evened things up by the end of the fourth. The next three rounds were close but Pryor had a big eighth as Jimenez went down under a series of punches. He beat the count but it was a 10-8 round for Pryor. Jimenez fought back hard in the ninth doing well early only for Pryor to rock Jimenez late in the round. Jimenez rebounded and outworked Pryor in the last. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Jimenez and 96-93 for Pryor. The 30-year-old “Hollywood “Jimenez wins the vacant WBC Continental Americas title. He is now 4-0-1 in his 5 fights since suffering a crushing stoppage loss against Jesse Hart in May 2015. The 39-year-old Pryor is heading in the other direction being 0-3-2 in his last 5 but he looked worth a draw here.

Findley vs. George

Some fighters have padded records that are deceptively good some have records that are deceptively bad. Findley is a much better fighter than his record might make you think. The “Superman” from Gary was just too strong and too tough for George.  He soaked up whatever George threw and kept coming finally breaking George down and scoring two knockdowns in the fifth to force the referee to stop the fight. The 33-year-old Findley usually fights in the other guy’s backyard. He went the distance with Andre Ward early in Ward’s career and has lost decisions to J’Leon Love, Curtis Stevens, Gilberto Ramirez and Jesse Hart and only lost on a split decision against Zac Dunn. He has now won three fights in a row for the first time since 2010. “Da Bomb” George, 32, has now lost four in a row and his career may be over.

 

Detroit, MI, USA: Super Welter: Winfred Harris Jr (14-0) W PTS 8 Lanardo Tyner (32-11-2,2ND).

Harris remains a winner and collects the vacant UBF All American title with points win over seasoned pro Tyner. The younger man won this one by working hard in every round whereas Tyner only worked sporadically. Tyner looked to have hurt Harris late in the second but other than that Harris seemed to dominate the action and was a clear winner. Scores 79-73, 78-73 and 77-74 all for Harris. The 21-year-old from Detroit is making progress and Tyner was a good test for him at this point in his career. The 41-year-old Tyner, who has twice tested positive for banned substances, has a win over Charles Hatley and had Antonio DeMarco on the floor before losing on points. He had won his last two fights.

 

San Juan, Argentina: Super Feather: Ezequiel Fernandez (27-1-1) W TEC DEC 4 Hugo Santillan (13-2-1).

Fernandez keeps his national title as he wins a majority technical decision over Santillan. A much anticipated contest came to an early conclusion as Fernandez was cut in a clash of heads and the decision was decided on the judge’s cards. Scores 39-37and 39 ½-38 for Fernandez and 39-39. “Pac Man” Fernandez, 26, was making the third defence of his Argentinian title and is 10-0-1 in his last 11 fights. The 21-year-old Santillan a former South American champion was crushed in three rounds by Mexican Eduardo Hernandez in April.

 

June 24

 

Pont-Sainte-Maxence, France: Super Feather: Guillame Frenois (44-1) W PTS 12 Ruddy Encarnacion (37-26-4). Light: Yvan Mendy (38-4-1,1ND) W PTS 12 Javier Jose Clavero (21-3). Middle: Karim Achour (24-4-3) W PTS 10 Kamel Abdesselam (16-10-1). Light Heavy: Dragan Lepei (11-1-2) W TKO 1Mathieu Bauderlique (12-1).

Frenois vs. Encarnacion

Frenois retains the European title with wide unanimous verdict over Encarnacion. The champion was just too slick and too quick for the veteran Encarnacion. He was able to get his punches off first and with a solid defence and although Encarnacion tried to take the fight to Frenois he had few chances to score. Frenois had Encarnacion hurt in the second and third rounds but there was never a chance of an inside the distance wins as Frenois boxed coolly taking no chances. Encarnacion concentrated on the body trying to slow the French stylist. Frenois was really controlling the fight with his southpaw jab with Encarnacion limited to bursts of body punches which earned a couple of rounds but generally Frenois was able to block or counter . Frenois had a good sixth where he again seemed to shake Encarnacion but the challenger worked the body well in the ninth but Frenois finished the fight the stronger. The Frenchman showed again what an excellent technician he is but there was some disappointment that he never really cut loose. Scores 119-109, 118-110 and 117-113The 33-year-old “L’Expert” was making the second defence of his European title and is No 13(11) with the IBF. Dominican-born Spaniard Encarnacion, 38, known as “The Black Wolf” is a former European Union champion and tried hard here but was just not quick enough to give Frenois any concerns.

Mendy Vs. Clavero

Mendy wins the important WBC Silver title as he outclasses game Clavero. The visitor from Argentina came out full of aggression but Mendy was the one doing the effective scoring. “The Lion” was landing some fast accurate combinations to head and body banging home body. Clavero kept pressing but his punches lacked power and Mendy would sit behind a tight guard and then explode with more combinations. After four rounds the scores were 40-36, 39-37, 39-37 for Mendy. By the fifth Clavero was already showing signs of tiring. He continued to advance but his work rate dropped and he was being rocked by big rights. To his credit Clavero never gave in. Mendy was slotting home fast accurate punches through the middle rounds finding Clavero and easy target and after eight rounds the gap had widened to 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73 for Mendy. Despite v being rocked at distance with rights and suffering hooks and uppercuts inside Clavero kept coming but in straight lines and straight into counters from Mendy as the Frenchman controlled the fight to the final bell. Scores 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 all for Mendy. The 32-year-old Mendy, a former undefeated WBC International and European Union champion, makes it 8 wins on the bounce including a victory over Luke Campbell who is now the WBC No 1 whilst Mendy is down in 8^th. He is No 4 with the IBF and is hoping to get a shot at a title later this year or early next. Clavero, 23, the Argentinian and South American champion had lost only one of his last twenty fights but was out of his league here. He showed plenty of guts but lacked power and skill to compete at this level.

Achour vs. Abdesselam

Achour regains the French title with unanimous decision over Abdesselam. Achour was giving away a lot of height and reach but his usual style is to bustle forward to work inside with hooks and uppercuts. Abdesselam tried to use his jab to make some space but he lacked the power to keep Achour out. Achour was relentless and Abdesselam was rarely able to get on the front foot or away from the ropes. He had some success with counters as Achour bored in but he almost went down in the seventh from exhaustion and was down in the eighth and ninth but somehow survived to the final bell. Scores 98-90, 97-91 and 96-92 all for Achour but those looked very generous to Abdesselam. Local fighter Achour, a former undefeated French and European Union champion, is now 10-0-1 in his last 11 fights and is European No 5. Abdesselam was making the first defence of his national title. He had lost on points to Achour in 2011 but had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Lepei vs. Bauderlique

A big oops! This was supposed to be one more win for the French prospect as he built his career but he paid the price for carelessness. With his advantages in height and reach the tall Frenchman made a confident start jabbing strongly and forcing Lepei on to the back foot. As the end of the round was approaching Bauderlique was looking to finish it early. He forced Lepei to the ropes pushed out a few punches but left himself open with his chin in the air and a driven right from Lepei put Bauderlique flat on his back. He struggled to his feet at five but when the eight count was completed instead of walking forward he staggered to the side and the referee stopped the fight. Huge win for the Italian-based Romanian Lepei, 27, as he gets his seventh victory by KO/TKO. He had been stopped in two rounds by unbeaten Catalin Paraschiveanu for the WBC Mediterranean title in October and was considered a safe opponent. Olympic bronze medallist Bauderlique was looked upon as a can’t miss prospect with his promoter the former WBF flyweight champion Brahim Asloum already planning more fights and a TV deal. The words from the song come to mind “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again” and that has to be the plan.

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Light: Javier Fortuna (32-1-1,1ND) W TKO 2 Mario Beltre (16-3). Bantam: Norberto Jimenez (27-8-4) W TKO 9 Donny Garcia (16-2). Cruiser: Felix Valera (15-1) W TKO 3 Andy Perez (20-6).

Fortuna vs. Beltre

Fortuna brushes aside fellow Dominican Beltre. Fortuna soft-peddled over the early exchanges in the first round before cutting loose and flooring Beltre with a left hook. Beltre was up at seven and after the eight count was completed Fortuna went for the finish but the bell saved Beltre. Fortuna put Beltre down with a body punch early in the second and although Beltre beat the count he was shipping more punishment and the referee stopped the fight. The 27-year-old former holder of the secondary WBA title is rebuilding after losing his title to Jason Sosa in June last year. Beltre is now 2-3 in his last 5 fights with all three losses by KO/TKO.

Jimenez vs. Garcia

Jimenez makes it six wins in a row as he halts oldie Garcia in nine rounds. Jimenez outboxed Garcia all the way and slowly broke him down. Garcia went down three times in the ninth round and the referee stopped the fight. The 26-year-old Dominican fought a split draw with Kohei Kono in a challenge for the secondary WBA super fly title in 2015 and is rated No 4 by the WBA. After going 2-8-1 in his first 11 fights Jimenez is unbeaten in his last 28 fights but with the exception of Kono there is very little in the way of quality opposition on his record. Garcia, 26, also from the Dominican Republic, loses by KO/TKO for the first time but this was his first fight since November 2014.

Valera vs. Perez

Former WBA interim champion Valera gets his second win on his rebuilding path as he halts Andy Perez in three rounds. Valera, 29, lost his title on a points verdict against Dmitry Bivol in May last year. Dominican Perez, another oldie at 40, has lost 5 of his last 6 fights.

 

Gdansk, Poland: Heavy: Tomasz Adamek (51-5) W PTS 10 Solomon Haumono (24-4-2). Cruiser: Mateusz Masternak (39-4) W PTS 10 Ismayl Sillah (25-4). Cruiser: Krzys Glowacki (27-1) W RTD 5 Hizni Altunkaya (29-1). Super Welter: Maciej Sulecki (25-0) W TKO 3 Damian Bonelli (24-2).Super Light: Lukasz Wierzbicki (13-0) W PTS 8 Robert Tlatlik (20-1). Super Middle: Robert Tlatlik (18-12-2) W PTS 8 Norbert Dabrowski (20-7-1).

Adamek vs. Haumono

Adamek gives it yet another shot as he resumes and resurrects his career with win over Haumono. The fight’s pattern was set from the first bell and rarely varied. Adamek used good footwork and quicker hands to pepper Haumono with quick jab and 3, 4, 5 punch combinations. Haumono kept advancing trying to get Adamek to the ropes where he could work the body. Although he had some success generally he was too slow and Adamek was able to stay away from the ropes and the corners. On the downside for Adamek he was not punching hard enough to keep Haumono permanently at bay and the New Zealand-born fighter had some success with beefy body punches and kept trundling forward throughout the fight. The only real question to be answered was the stamina of Adamek but because Haumono was so relatively slow the Pole had been able to set the pace of the fight and he was still moving around Haumono, changing angles and banging home punches to head and body to the final bell. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90 all for Adamek. The 40-year-old former WBC light heavy and IBF cruiser champion was having his first fight since being knocked out in ten rounds by Eric Molina in April last year. Many though that would be the end of his career but he is back again and the 41-year-Haumono, was a clever choice of opponent with a style that suited Adamek. Haumono was having his first fight since being stopped in four rounds by Joseph Parker in July last year.

Masternak vs. Sillah

Masternak gets off the floor to win but a draw would have been fairer. Sillah took the first two rounds. He was quicker with his punches, used good footwork and switched guards. Masternak was waiting too long to throw his punches and was throwing one at a time. Near the end of the second round a right opened a cut over the left eye of Masternak and it looked serious with the blood trickling down Masternak’s face. The Pole did a little better in the third but Sillah looked sharp often boxing with both hands low, showing good footwork, plenty of upper body movement and quicker hands. After ceding the first three rounds Masternak caught up with the Ukrainian in the fourth putting him down with a left followed by a straight right. From there Masternak got into the fight more and over the next three rounds he did enough to edge into the lead. That changed in the eighth when a counter right from Sillah put Masternak down. That knockdown put the fight into the balance again and as they fought hard over the last two close rounds the decision could have gone either way. Scores 95-93 twice and 96-92 all for Masternak. For me a draw would have been a better reflection of the fight. Masternak, 30, gets his third win since losing a very narrow verdict to Tony Bellew in December 2015 for the European title. He is rated WBA 3/WBC 10/WBO 10/IBF 11(10). It would be good to see him get a world title shot but in the past he has lost the big fights. Sillah, 32, was being tipped as a possible world champion after winning his first 17 fights. A loss to Denis Grachev was a set-back. He landed a fight with Sergey Kovalev for the WBO title in 2013 but was knockout in two rounds and lost to Maksim Vlasov in June last year so he needed a win here and came might close.

Glowacki vs. Altunkaya

Glowacki beats Altunkaya who retires after three knockdowns in five one-sided rounds. Glowacki was walking Altunkaya down in the first scoring with southpaw right hooks and straight lefts. He had Altunkaya staggering back from a left and also landed a solid body punch with Altunkaya on the defensive. In the second a series of lefts saw Altunkaya drop to his knees in a corner and he was in trouble in a corner again at the bell. Altunkaya was really just looking to survive in the third and fourth. He was floored twice late in the fifth and cornered and taking punishment at the bell and it was no surprise that he chose to retire before the start of the sixth. Former WBO champion Glowacki was having his first fight since losing his title to Olek Usyk in September. German-based Turk Altunkaya was never in this fight. His record was deceptive as his opposition had been weak and it was obvious from the first bell that he had stepped out of his class.

Sulecki vs. Bonelli

Sulecki dismisses Argentinian Bonelli inside three rounds. The unbeaten Pole had Bonelli on the retreat in the first and then put him down in the second. Bonelli survived to the bell but was floored twice in the third and with his corner throwing in the towel the referee stopped the fight. The tall Pole has won seven in a row by KO/TKO and is No 6 with the WBC. After winning his first 21 fights against very moderate local opposition the 39-year-old Bonelli has now lost 2 of his last 3 fights having been outpointed by Australian Rohan Murdock in October.

Wierzbicki vs. Tlatlik

Impressive win for Polish southpaw Wierzbicki. He made good use of his longer reach to slot home jabs and scored well with rights to the head. Tlatlik tried to walk Wierzbicki down behind a high guard but the local fighter made good use of the ring moving constantly and countering Tlatlik’s attacks. Wierzbicki slowed in the late rounds being forced to stand and trade more but he already had the fight won by then. Scores 80-72, 79-74 and 78-74 all for Wierzbicki. He showed good skills and is being intelligently matched. German-based Pole Tlatlik had built his record against a very mediocre bunch of opponents and could not handle the combination of the reach and southpaw style of Wierzbicki.

Tlatlik vs. Dabrowski

Tlatlik saves the night for the Tlatlik family and revenges a previous defeat as he takes unanimous decision over Dabrowski. Tlatlik forced the fight from the off with Dabrowski on the back foot and not able to use his southpaw jab to establish himself in the fight. Tlatlik continued to press and Dabrowski tried to bang back so there were plenty of hard exchanges for the crowd to enjoy. As they both tired Tlatlik put the fight beyond Dabrowski’s reach with a knockdown in the seventh and although hampered by a cut on his left eyebrow he emerged a clear winner. Scores 79-72, 79-73 and 77-74 all for Tlatlik. The elder of the fighting brothers at 34 Robert gained revenge for a majority decision loss to Dabrowski in 2015. He is in good form with 8 wins in his last 9 fights with the loss being to John Ryder. Dabrowski falls to 3-5-1 in his last 9 fights.

 

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: Super Feather: Miguel Roman (57-12) W KO 12 Nery Saguilan (38-9-1). Super Feather: Eduardo Hernandez (23-0-3) W KO 1 Rolando Magbanua (26-6).

Roman vs. Saguilan

Fighting in his hometown Roman batters Saguilan to defeat with a sustained body attack. These two were rarely out of punching distance as Roman marched forward working the body with punches from both hands. Saguilan tried to match him but usually was the one to break off the exchanges and try to keep Roman off with his jab. Roman just kept rolling forward. Saguilan enjoyed some success inside flailing away with both hands and forcing Roman to back up but that was always a temporary spell and Roman would wait out the storm and then get rolling again standing in front of Saguilan and hammering away at Saguilan’s ribs. Being Saguilan he found time to clown and play to the crowd and talk to Roman. He would then explode with a burst of short, quick punches but they had no effect on Roman who just kept forcing Saguilan back and pumping home body punches. Roman was going for quantity not really loading up on his punches but he was relentless with his attacks. Santillan continued to taunt Roman and it felt as though he was hoping Roman would punch himself out. As the rounds passed Saguilan was spending more and more time with his back to the ropes, just hiding behind a high guard and letting Roman punch away before either skipping away or releasing another short bunch of punches. The referee stopped the fight at the start of the tenth to warn both to cut out the rough stuff with Saguilan taking time to complain about Roman using his elbow and landing punches to the back of the head. At this point Roman had won every round and there was no sign of that changing. With both fighters tired Roman threw Saguilan to the canvas in the tenth and when Saguilan got up Roman took him to the ropes and kept him there almost until the bell. Roman pounded on Saguilan for all three minutes of the eleventh with Saguilan holding more and punching even less. In the last round Saguilan just stood in a corner and let Roman bang away until a left to the body saw Saguilan drop to his knees in a delayed action. He was up and after the count Roma drove Saguilan to the ropes and a left hook put Saguilan down and he was counted out. Roman was having his first fight since being knocked out in twelve rounds by Takashi Miura in January. Although Roman won the vacant WBC Latino title this was not a significant fight in terms of the ratings but the dances of joy Roman did over Saguilan each time he was on the floor showed how much the antics of Saguilan had angered Roman. Saguilan has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

Hernandez vs. Magbanua

Hernandez marches on. The Mexican teenager held off early lunging attacks from the Filipino. Hernandez showed some nice moves doubling up on his left hooks but Magbanua landed a couple rights. Suddenly Hernandez dug a left hook into the body of Magbanua and the Filipino went down on one knee in agony and he was counted out. The 19-year-old “Young Bomber” who turned pro at 15 moves to 16 wins in a row by KO/TKO and retains his WBC Youth title. He already has a stoppage win over former WBC champion Victor Terrazas and is rated WBC 9. Magbanua, the Philippines No 7 feather is on the slide with four losses by KO/TKO in his last 5 fights.

 

Guadalajara, Mexico: Super Feather: Carlos Diaz R. (24-0) W PTS 10 Sergio Puente (25-4). Super Bantam: Emanuel Navarrete (20-1) W TKO 2 Luis Bedolla (19-3).

Diaz vs. Puente

Diaz decisions Puente and protects his WBO No 2 featherweight spot. The taller fighter Diaz was on the back foot countering the ever advancing Puente. Over the first three rounds Diaz was slotting his jab home and landing quick counters. Puente was having trouble getting close but had some success with lead rights. Diaz looked to be taking charge as he came forward more in the third but after a similar pattern early in the fourth over the last minute Puente was on top driving Diaz back and scoring with those long rights and body punches inside. Puente switched to southpaw in the fifth and rocked Diaz early with a big left and for a few moments Diaz was in real trouble. He survived that and by the sixth was back in command. He continued to box on the outside in the seventh scoring with his jab and hooks to the head and although Puente continued to press he was not able to repeat the success of the fourth and fifth and Diaz staged a storming finish to be the clear winner. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91 for Diaz. The 22-year-old “Chuko” from Guadalajara is tall at the weight but too easy to hit and I can’t see him as a threat to WBO champion Oscar Valdez or any of the other three champions. Puente won his first 21 fights but is now 4-5 in his last 9 as the opposition has been tougher over this phase.

Navarrete vs. Bedolla

Navarrete destroys Bedolla inside two rounds. He towered over Bedolla and was able to score with long lopping punches. When Magbanua came forward he was running onto hooks and uppercuts as Hernandez dominated the opening round. Navarrete handed out more punishment in the second before scoring with a scorching left uppercut that sent Bedolla down in a corner and perhaps broke his nose. He made it to his feet but after the eight count clearly had no interest in continuing. The 22-year-old “Cowboy” has 16 wins by KO/TKO and has won his last 14 fights. He has beaten some useful but not outstanding opposition so has yet to be tested. He can punch but his defence looked loose. First loss by KO/TKO for Bedolla who was stepping up to ten rounds for the first time.

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Super Welter: Tyrone Brunson (25-6-2) W TKO 5 Kermit Cintron (39-6-3). Brunson gets off the floor to beat Cintron. The more experienced Cintron took an early lead but Brunson had a good second round.  The third was even and things were warming up. In the fourth Cintron looked on his way to an inside the distance win. He floored Brunson with a left hook. Brunson beat the count but Cintron jumped on him looking to end things and Brunson went down again. He got up and was still there at the bell but the betting was that Cintron would kick on from there and get the win. Instead early in the fifth Brunson floored Cintron with a left. Cintron made it to his feet but the heavy-handed Brinson bombarded Cintron with punches and scored two more knockdowns with the fight being stopped. Biggest career win for the 32-year-old Brunson. He holds the record for consecutive first round knockout wins at the start of a career at 19 but against improved opposition was 5-6-2 in his last 13 fights going into this one. Former IBF welter champion Citron, 37, had gone 6-0-2 in eight fights since losing to Saul Alvarez for the WBC title in 2011but this loss has ended any hopes of getting back to the top table.

 

Louisville, KY, USA: Heavy: Carlos Negron (20-1) W KO 4 Derric Rossy (31-13) W Super Feather: Toka Kahn Clary (22-1,1ND) W PTS 8 Angel Luna (11-3-1). Super Welter: Steve Martinez (18-3) W PTS 8 Anthony Lenk (14-4).

Negron vs. Rossy

Negron again shows his power as he floors and stops Rossy on the first of the Evander Holyfield promoted shows. The tall Puerto Rican was able to use his reach advantage to outscore Rossy in the first and then floored him in the second. Rossy got up and survived the third but he was taking too much punishment. He was down again in the fourth and although he made it to his feet he was again under fire and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’6” (198cm), 29-year-old Negron represented Puerto Rico at the 2008 Olympics at 81kgs and when he turned pro boxed at cruiser and still flirts with the lower division. This his seventh win in a row by KO/TKO. The 36-year-old Rossy is 3-8 in his last 11 fights and this is loss No 6 by KO/TKO.

Clary vs. Luna

Clary gets his third win in a row; The Liberian-born youngster won all the way and floored Luna in the seventh on his way to the decision. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73. The 25-year-old was National Golden Gloves champion in 2010 and won silver medals at the US National Championships and the National PAL Tournament but failed to get through the US Trials for the 2012 Olympics. Second loss by KO/TKO for Luna.

Martinez vs. Lenk

Bronx-based Puerto Rican Martinez has to settle for a split decision over a rusty Lenk. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Martinez and 76-76.Martinez is 7-2 in his last 9 fights with the defeats being against unbeaten opposition in Chris Pearson and Terrell Gausha. First fight for Lenk over three years.

 

Santa Rosa City, Philippines: Super Light: Al Rivera (18-3) W KO 4 Rusmin Kie Raha (15-13-3). Super bantam: Ernesto Saulong (21-2-1) W PTS 10 Michael Escobia (11-16-1).

Rivera vs. Raha

Rivera rebounds from a loss in his last fight as he knocks out Indonesian Raha in four rounds to go to 16 wins by KO/TKO. The Filipino “Machine Gun” a former undefeated OPBF champion has won 8 of his last 9 fight by KO/TKO with the loss coming in Moscow in March when he dropped a very close decision to Aik Shakhnazaryan for the vacant WBC International title. Poor Raha is 2-9-1 in his last 12 fights and gets his eighth loss by KO/TKO.

Saulong vs. Escobia

Saulong pleases his hometown fans as he wins unanimous decision over Escobia. Despite his poor form Escobia made Saulong work hard for this win before going down on scores of 97-92 twice and 96-93. The 28-year-old Saulong, a former undefeated WBC International champion, has won 7 of his last 8 fights but is surprisingly only rated down at No 8 in the Philippines ratings. Escobia has lost 13 of his last 14 fights.

 

Malvinas Argentinas, Argentina: Welter: Adrian Veron (21-1) W PTS 10 Victor Velazquez (17-9). Veron retains the WBO Latino title with wide points win over Velazquez.  Southpaw Veron controlled the fight from the outset and by the end of the third Velazquez was bleeding heavily from the nose. Veron also took the fourth but in the fifth he injured his left hand and used it sparingly from there. Despite the injury he was still able outscoring Velazquez although the challenger was able to press hard. In the tenth Velazquez slipped on a wet area of the canvas just as Veron landed a body punch and he went down but got up and lasted comfortably to the bell. Scores 99-90, 99-91 and 98-91 all for Veron. Fourth defence of his WBO Latino title for “Chucky”. Veron, 28, the Argentinian No 3 has won his last six fights including reversing the only loss he has suffered. Former Argentinian champion Velazquez has lost his last three fights.

 

Sydney, Australia: Super Light: Darragh Foley (12-2) W TEC DEC 5 Jeffrey Arienza (16-6-1). Foley keeps his WBA Oceania title on a technical decision. The fight was just really warming up when the visitor from the Philippines suffered a cut which was too bad for him to continue. The score cards saw Foley in front 40-36 and 39-37 with the Filipino judge seeing Arienza up 39-37 making it a split decision. The tall English born southpaw, a former Australian lightweight champion, has won his last four fights.  Arienza, also a southpaw, is 0-5 in fights on the road.

 

Milan, Italy: Giacobbe Fragomeni (35-5-2) W PTS 6 Vitailiy Neveslyy (13-3,1ND).

No sign of retirement as Fragomeni rumbles on. The Italian veteran was given a hard time over the first couple of rounds by the Ukrainian but did enough to take them and then really got into his stride from the third. Neveslyy fought hard but has had little ring time recently and although Fragomeni tired he did enough to win the decision comfortably. The 47-year-old former WBC champion is 2-0 in fights this year. Neveslyy, 34, was having only his second fight in four years.

 

Lecce, Italy: Middle: Domenico Spada (42-6) W TEC DEC 8 Andrea Manco (14-1-2). Spada wins the Italian title with technical decision over champion Manco. As usual Spada wanted to brawl and Manco obliged. They stood and traded punches throughout the first with Spada just having the edge. Spada had a good second round getting the better of the exchanges and at the end of the round he landed an uppercut. Manco went down but it was more of a slip. The referee did not count it but it was a bad round for Manco. In the third Manco changed tactics and began to box more and that gave him that round and the fourth to even things up. Spada’s pressure told in the fifth as he swung things back his way and Manco was cut in a clash of heads. The pace slackened in the sixth which Manco looked to shade but in the seventh under pressure from Spada Manco spent much of the round pinned to the ropes. They started the eighth round but by now Manco’s face was covered in blood from the cut and the fight was stopped and the decision went to the judge’s cards. Scores 78-75, 77-78 and 77-76 all for Spada. Manco was the local fighter and after the decision was announced Manco’s supporters began to throw bottles and other stuff into the ring. Spada left the ring but Manco called him back and took the microphone and appealed to the locals to respect the decision and his opponent which quietened things down. In 2014 Spada, 36, lost to both Marco Antonio Rubio for the interim WBC title and Martin Murray for the WBC Silver title. He was then inactive for almost two years and this is his third win since returning. Manco, 25, was defending the national title for the first time and both of his losses have been on technical decisions.

 

Manchester, England: Middle: Jimmy Kilrain Kelly (22-1) W PTS 6 Kevin McCauley (13-145-11). Heavy: Con Sheehan (6-0) W PTS 6 Tomas Mrazek (10-65-6).

Kelly vs. McCauley

Kelly sees a testing fight fall through so has to settle for a points win over journeyman McCauley. The former WBO super welter title challenger had to adjust to the defensive/survival approach of the veteran from the West Midlands but he knuckled down and got the job done winning every round. Referee’s score 60-54. Six wins for the tall 24-year-old Kelly since losing to Liam Smith in a challenge for the WBO title in 2015. He was coming off a good win over Rick Godding 23-1-1 in April but just had to mark time here. McCauley, 37, was having his seventeenth fight of the year and his seventeenth loss on points. Only another 30 fights to the 200 mark

Sheehan vs. Mrazek

Sheehan gets a win but has a frustrating night and suffers a cut. The tall Irish fighter was too quick for the giant Czech but found Mrazek a difficult opponent. It did not help that a clash of heads in the second opened a serious cut on the left eyebrow of Sheehan and Sheehan just could not open southpaw Mrazek up often enough to make it look like a win inside the distance was on the cards. Referee’s score 60-54 for Sheehan. The 28-year-old, 6’5 ½” (197cm), Californian-based Sheehan was a six-time Irish champion, competed at four World Championships and ended with a 203-18 amateur record. Now 15 losses in a row for Mrazek.

 

June 25

 

Iligan City, Philippines: Bantam: John Riel Casimero (23-3) W Jecker Buhawe (16-14-1).

Casimero returns to the ring with a win. As a step towards looking for a third world title he was to have faced a good test in Richie Mepranum but Mepranum was injured so Buhawe came in as a replacement. Casimero floored Buhawe in the second round but could not finish there and Buhawe hung around for the six rounds giving Casimero some ring time. First fight for the former IBF light fly and fly champion since beating Charlie Edwards on a tenth round stoppage to retain his IBF fly title. Casimero has relinquished that title and is rated 4(2) at super fly by the IBF. The first two slots are vacant and with Jerwin Ancajas defending the title against No 3 Teiru Kinoshita on 2 July Casimero will be in line for a shot at that title. Four losses in a row for Filipino Buhawe.

 

Dearborn. MI, USA: Super Welter: Cornelius Bundrage (36-6) W PTS 6 Juan Carlos Rojas (8-21-2).

A second former IBF champion was in action on this night as Bundrage won every round against Mexican Rojas. The 44-year-old former IBF super welter champion was out for 16 months after losing his title to Jermall Charlo and gets his second win this year. Rojas just a six round prelim fighter who drew with unbeaten DeAndre Wear in Detroit in January one of the few bright spots in his current 1-10-1 run.

 

Fight of the week: Tyrone Brunson vs. Kermit Cintron supplied plenty of fireworks with honourable mention to Mateusz Masternak vs. Ismayl Sillah

Fighter of the week: Yvan Mendy who looks ready for a world title shot

Punch of the week: The straight right from Dragan Lepei that put French hot prospect Mathieu Bauderlique flat on his back with honourable mention to the wicked left uppercut from Eduardo Hernandez that dumped Luis Bedolla in a corner with his nose pouring blood

Upset of the week: Brunson’s win over Cintron and Dragan Lepei’s stoppage of Mathieu Bauderlique

One to watch: Pole Maciej Sulecki (25-0)

 

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