THE WEEK IN BOXING — Check out Eric Armit’s comprehensive report below!
Highlights:
-Ryan Burnett wins the IBF title as he floors Lee Haskins twice on his way to victory
-Regis Prograis remains unbeaten as he crushes 23-0 Joel Diaz in two rounds
-Simphiwe Khonco retains IBF title
-Thabiso Mchunu returns with a win
-Spanish hope Sergio Garcia extends his winning record to 24-0
-Mike Perez returns to action as a cruiser
-In a world title fight an IBF judge put the scores under the wrong fighters causing confusion, consternation and questions
June 8
Barranquilla, Colombia: Bantam: Yonfrez Parejo (20-2-1) W PTS 10 Lorenzo Parra II (14-1). Welter: Jeovanis Barraza (13-0) W PTS 10 Segundo Herrera (8-31-3).
Parejo vs. Parra
In a battle between two Venezuelans Former WBA interim champion Parejo climbs off the canvas to outpoint unbeaten prospect Parra. After feeling each other out in the first round Parra floored Parejo in the second. The more experienced Parejo fired back in the third and put Parra down. The excitement continued in the fifth when Parra again floored Parejo. That gave Parra a good lead but Parejo then took over. He scored time and again with uppercuts staggering the younger man a couple of times and swept the late rounds to get the decision. Scores 95-92 twice and 96-91 all for Parejo. Now 9 wins in his last 10 fights for Parejo with the loss being to Zhanat Zhakiyanov on a split verdict in 2015 which cost him his interim title. This is his third win since then and he is No 1 with the WBA. The 22-year-old Parra will do better with a little more experience.
Barraza vs. Herrera
Barraza remains unbeaten and retains the national title with a win over Herrera. Despite his poor record Herrera forced the fight all of the way. Barraza decided early to box on the outside and he was on the back foot for much of the fight. His better skills gave him the edge and he counter punched his way to victory but had to fight hard to get there. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 all for 21-year-old local Barraza. Herrera, 40, was having his second shot at winning the Colombian title.
Tokyo, Japan: Feather: Sa Myung Noh (11-3) W TKO 10 Ryo Takenaka (16-4-1). Super Light: Koichi Aso (22-7-1) W TKO 10 Yusuke Konno (11-4).
Noh vs. Takenaka
Korean Noh springs a huge surprise as he halts world rated Takenaka to win the OPBF title. With Noh being strong but limited it was expected that the more skilful Takenaka would outbox the challenger and perhaps get a late stoppage. It worked to that script over the first four rounds with Takenaka using clever movement and a strong defence and being up 40-36 and 40-37 on two cards. The third judge had it 38-38. The awkward crouching style of Noh gave Takenaka some problems and he was cut over the left eye in the sixth but after eight rounds he looked on his way to victory being in front on all three cards at 78-73, 78-74 and 77-74. Takenaka had seemed to lose some snap in the eighth and was now also cut on his upper lip. Noh just kept coming and Takenaka began to unravel. Noh had the local fighter in trouble on the ropes in the tenth and Takenaka had to go down on one knee. He got up but as Noh pressed Takenaka again went down and his corner threw in the towel. Big win for the 25-year-old Korean champion who was only rated No 13 by the OPBF but had won 6 of his last 7 fights. Takenaka, 32, was rated No 6 by the IBF and was making the fourth defence of his OPBF title.
Aso vs. Konno
Aso retains the national title with late stoppage of gutsy Konno but only after a war that will be in the reckoning for Japanese Fight of the Year. Aso is an aggressive pressure fight and Konno decided to match him punch for punch. Neither fighter held anything back or attempted to pace himself and Konno built a slight lead being up 48-47on two card with Aso up by the same score on the third. Konno was actually the one forcing the other guy on to the back foot but Aso countered well and shook Konno badly in the eighth. At the end of that round the fight was even closer with two cards having it 76-76 and the third having Konno in front 77-75. They batted toe-to-toe right down to the last round where Aso’s experience just gave him the edge. The brave Konno had punched himself out and the referee stepped in to save the exhausted challenger with just 42 second left in the fight. It took the 31-year-old Aso, the OPBF No 14, three attempts to win the national title but he won’t want many more defences as tough as this first one. Konno, 32, the Japanese No 1, was going ten rounds for the first time.
June 9
Papeete, French Polynesia: Light Heavy: Cedric Bellais (19-8-3) W PTS 10 Farouk Daku (21-14-1). Bellais wins something called the Royal Boxing Organisation title with unanimous decision over Ugandan-born Daku. After the first two rounds were close Bellais then took over. He found plenty of gaps in the Dutch-based fighters guard and boxed his way to a comfortable victory. Scores 117-111 twice and 120-108 all for Bellais. The 28-year-old local was having his first fight since April last year. He has failed in two shots at the French super middle title but is still rated No 3 so could go for a third try but was talking about defending his RBO title. Former African Boxing Union champion Daku, 32, has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights.
Thonex, Switzerland: Super Feather: Patrick Kinigamazi (27-2) W PTS 12 Juan Jose Farias (18-10-1). Fighting in his adopted home town Rwanda-born Kinigamazi wins the vacant WBFederation title with points victory over Argentinian Farias in a fight filled with knockdowns and fortune swings. After a slow start the fight caught fire in the fourth as Kinigamazi floored Farias with a body punch. In the sixth a left hook put Farias down again but he got recovery time as Kinigamazi was deducted a point for hitting Farias when the Argentinian had one knee on the floor. Farias fought back hard to have Kinigamazi in trouble in the seventh but missed his chance and paid for it. Kinigamazi took control again and scored knockdowns in the ninth, tenth and eleventh. Farias just kept getting up and fighting back and staged a strong finish. Scores 116-107 twice and 117-106 all for Kinigamazi. The 34-year-old Swiss-based African, the ABU champion, has won his last nine fights but the opposition has been very modest. Farias had rebounded from three inside the distance losses to high quality opposituion with two wins and showed plenty of guts and determination here.
Miami, FL, USA: Super Feather: Hairon Socarras (16-0-2) W TKO 2 Luis Hinojosa (30-12,1ND). Middle: Idel Torriente (5-0) W PTS 4 Romon Barber (7-16). Super Bantam: Yampier Hernandez (1-0) W PTS 4 Luis Paredes (3-2-1).
Socarras vs. Hinojosa
Socarras gets his second win since returning to the ring with stoppage of Hinojosa. The Cuban floored Hinojosa twice in the first round and once more in the second. Hinojosa got up but was absorbing a beating and the referee stopped the fight as Hinojosa’s corner threw in the towel. The 24-year-old Socarras, a four-time Florida Golden Gloves champion, was inactive for 14 months before returning with a win in February. Six losses by KO/TKO for Dominican Hinojosa.
Torriente vs. Barber
Cuban Torriente remains unbeaten but not before finding himself on the floor. Torriente was cruising this one but got a wake-up call when Barber put him down in the second. Torriente avoided further embarrassment and boxed his way to the win. The 30-year-old was a star member of the Cuban boxing team. He was Cuban champion, won gold medals at the Pan American Games, Pan American Championships and World Cup and was a quarter-finalist at both the Olympic Games and the World Championships. On his way to the Pan American Games title he beat Jesus Cuellar and Nicholas Walters but like so many top Cubans he has only turned pro after being elbowed aside by younger fighters.
Hernandez vs. Paredes
Hernandez, another former star of the Cuban boxing team eases his way into the pro ranks with a points win. As with Torriente the 32-year-old Hernandez was a successful Cuban amateur champion. He won a bronze medal at the Olympics, a silver medal at the World Cup and a gold medal at the Pan American Championships as well as getting to the quarter-finals of the World Championships. He has also been edged out by younger boxers so allowed to turn pro. Only the second fight in two years for Puerto Rican Paredes.
Verona, NY, USA: Super Light: Regis Prograis (20-0) W TKO 2 Joel Diaz Jr (23-1). Welter: Kerman Lejarraga (22-0) W TKO 2 Jose A Abreu (13-2). Middle: Steve Rolls (16-0) W PTS 8 Demond Nicholson (17-2-1). Light: Jon Fernandez (13-0) W KO 2 Juan Reyes (14-4-3).Light Heavy: Francy Ntetu (17-1) W TKO 4 Brian Holstein (12-7-1,1ND). Middle: Nick Brinson (19-4-2) W TKO 6 Jamie Barboza (19-11). Super Welter: Charles Conwell (3-0) W TKO 2 Jeff Wright (4-7-1).
Prograis vs. Diaz
Prograis blows away Diaz in battle of unbeaten fighters. Diaz made an aggressive start firing straight rights at southpaw Prograis who was cautious and looking for opportunities to counter. When Prograis opened up he was driving Diaz back with lefts. Diaz fired with some combinations before the bell. Early in the second a straight left from Prograis sent Diaz down. He was up immediately and after the eight count took the fight to Prograis firing punches from both hands but another left from Prograis rocked him. Prograis forced Diaz to the ropes and landed another left that staggered Diaz. Diaz managed to get off the ropes but yet another straight left sent him down. Diaz did a somersault back to his feet. After the count he tried to punch his way out of trouble. Prograis just walked through Diaz’s punches landed three lefts. Another one sent Diaz down and although he rolled straight back to his feet the referee stopped the fight with no complaint from Diaz. Twenty-eight-year-old Prograis, the WBC No 4, retains his NABF title. The Houston-based banger now has 16 wins by KO/TKO including 13 quick-time wins in his last 14 fights . He just failed to get through the final US Olympic Trials but is making up for that disappointment as a pro. Diaz, 25, the IBF No 13, was facing his first real test so it is back to the drawing board for him.
Lejarraga vs. Abreu
Spanish hope Lejarraga added another inside the distance win as he overwhelmed late substitute Abreu. Lejarraga pressed hard in the first round and ended it in the second. A right had Abreu badly shaken and then Lejarraga opened up with both hands driving Abreu back and taking him to the ropes where another series of hard shots brought the referee’s intervention. The tall 25-year-old “Basque Revolver” has 18 wins by KO/TKO and has beaten 11 of his last 12 opponents inside the distance. No big tests yet but he is rated WBA 5/WBC 14. Abreu from the Dominican Republic had built his record mainly against abysmal opposition but was coming of a reasonable level victory over Euri Gonzalez.
Rolls vs. Nicholson
A good match-up provides an exciting close fight as Rolls takes the split decision. Canadian Rolls got the perfect start by flooring Nicholson with a left in the first round. It took until the third round before Nicholson really started to spark. He had Rolls hurt and went on to take the fourth rocking Rolls with a left. Over the last four rounds both had their moments of dominance in the exchanges. It was a case of Rolls landing the harder shots and Nicholson busier and more accurate and he looked to have done enough to have clawed back the points dropped with that poor start but two of the judges saw Rolls the winner. Scores 77-74 twice for Rolls and 77-75 for Nicholson. Rolls, 33, the Canadian No 1, was Canadian amateur champion in 2009 and 2010. He claims an 83-14 amateur record and competed at the World Championships but at 33 may not rise beyond this level. Nicholson, 24, will rebound from this loss. A bronze medal winner at the US National Championships and the National PAL Tournament he was 7-0-1 in his last 8 fights and coming off a very good draw against unbeaten Immanuwel Aleem.
Fernandez vs. Reyes
Fernandez made it a double for Basque battlers as he effectively flattened Mexican Reyes inside two rounds. No study time here as these two swapped a pile of punches from the start. Reyes marched forward but Fernandez had big edges in height and reach and banged home powerful rights so that by the end of the opening round Reyes was already showing damage around his left eye. Fernandez continued to score heavily in the second. He landed a straight right then a left jab before finishing the fight with a downward chopping right. Reyes fell back to the canvas out before he hit the floor and the referee did not bother with the count. It was a while before Reyes could even sit up. The 21-year-old “Jonfer” won his first two fights on points so now has a run of 11 wins on the bounce by KO/TKO. He is promoted by Sergio Martinez. First loss by KO/TKO for Reyes.
Ntetu vs. Holstein
Ntetu starts his rebuilding with a stoppage of Holstein. Ntetu put Holstein down in the third and after another knockdown in the fourth the referee stopped the fight. The 34-year-old DCR-born Ntetu won his first 16 fights including an early career victory over Schiller Hyppolite but found hot prospect David Benavidez too much for him in their fight in June last year and was halted in seven rounds. Third loss by KO/TKO for Holstein.
Brinson vs. Barboza
Brinson breaks down shop-worn Barboza for stoppage. Brinson was always in control and had Barboza hurt in the second and third rounds. He continued to pile on the punishment and the doctor examined Barboza before the start of the sixth but allowed the fight to continue. Brinson raked Barboza with a series of punches in the sixth and the referee had seen enough and stopped the fight. The 29-year-old neighbourhood fighter was 16-1-2 in his first 19 fights but when he tried to step up suffered losses against Dominic Wade, Andre Dirrell and Ievgen Khytrov. Costa Rica Barboza, 39, had two shots at the interim WBA title way back but is now 2-8 in his last 10 fights.
Conwell vs. Wright
Olympian Conwell has to go into the second round for a win but only just. Conwell tried hard to end it in the first but failed. He put that right in the second as he floored Wright twice to force the stoppage just 57 seconds into the round. The 19-year-old from Cleveland competed at both the 2016 Olympics and the World Youth Championships. One of nine children he was National Golden Gloves champion in 2015 and the youngest member of the US Boxing Team in Rio. Worth watching. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Wright.
Lincoln, RI, USA: Super Welter: Mark DeLuca (19-0) W PTS 8 Chris Chatman (14-7-1). Super Welter: Greg Vendetta (15-2-1) W PTS 8 Khiary Gray (14-3).
DeLuca vs. Chatman
DeLuca continues unbeaten with unanimous decision over a competitive Chatman. DeLuca built an early lead and then floored Chatman in the sixth. Chatman was far from finished and fought back hard over the last two rounds as DeLuca tired a little. The 29-year-old “Bazooka” DeLuca is meeting a reasonable level of opposition but is going to have to take a risk if he is to move up. Southpaw Chatman,32, has been in tough matches against opponents such as Jarrett Hurd and Jermell Charlo.
Vendetta vs. Gray
Vendetta extends his winning run to 11 as he outpoints Gray but has to settle for a majority decision. Vendetta used strength and constant pressure in this one. He outworked Gray but Gray had enough success when he could create some space to be competitive and keep the fight close. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Vendetta and 76-76. Vendetta retains his New England title. Gray has lost 3 of his last 4 fights but the win was a seventh round kayo of Chatman.
June 10
Mar del Plata, Argentina : Light Heavy: Ruben Acosta (34-15-5) W PTS 10 Juan Juarez (19-4). Super Middle: Ezequiel Maderna (25-4) W PTS 6 Jorge Caraballo (13-8-1).
Acosta vs. Juarez
Acosta wins the vacant WBO Latino title with comfortable unanimous decision over less experienced Juarez. Over the early rounds Juarez kept advancing but found Acosta an elusive target. The South American champion was able to outscore Acosta with his longer reach and greater accuracy. When Juarez did get inside Acosta was more than a match for him. Acosta looked to capture all of the rounds over the first half of the fight and then paced himself over the sixth and seventh before taking the eighth. Juarez made a big effort in the ninth but Acosta had something left in the tank and ended the stronger. Scores 99-94 ½ ,98 ½ -95 ½ and 98 ½-96 ½mall for Acosta. The 38-year-old “Siri” makes a good living as a travelling loser and he usually goes the distance with only Anthony Mundine, Robert Stieglitz , Callum Smith and Max Vlasov beating him by KO/TKO. After winning his first 16 fights Juarez is now 3-4 in his last 7.
Maderna vs. Caraballo
“El Olympico” Maderna returns to the winning column with a routine points victory over Caraballo. This was a slow boring fight and it was not an impressive performance from the former Argentinian champion and IBO title challenger. Scores 60-53,59-58 and 58-57 ½ don’t look very good when you realise that Caraballo lost a point in the fifth for a low blow. The 30-year-old Maderna suffered losses to Edwin Rodriguez, Thomas Oosthuizen and Artur Beterbiev but in his last fight in February suffered his first domestic defeat when the was decisioned by Martin Fidel Rios for the vacant national title. Five losses in a row for Caraballo
Montreal, Canada: Middle: Francois Lafreniere (16-5-2) W TKO 4 Oscar Cortez (26-3). Super Middle: Erik Bazinyan (16-0) W TKO 4 Rolando Paredes (13-5-2).
5
Lafreniere vs. Cortez
“The People’s Champion” Lafreniere retains his WBO-NABO title with stoppage of Mexican Cortez. The Mexican was to have fought welterweight Custio Clayton last week but arrived 21lbs over the agreed contract weight. No need to waste a travel ticket so Cortez stayed on, took off a bit of weight and fought Lafreniere instead (he made 161.8lbs for this fight which is a loss of 9lbs on his weight last week). The only real danger to Lafreniere came from Cortez’s head which opened a cut over the Quebec fighter’s left eye in the third round. Apart from that Lafreniere was just too strong having Cortez bust up and bleeding by the end of the second round and handed out a steady beating until the fight was stopped. The 29-year-old Canadian No 2 and WBO No 7 was making the first defence of his WBO-NABO title and has now won his last 13 fights. Cortez’s record has been built on unimpressive opposition and gets his third loss by KO/TKO.
Bazinyan vs. Paredes
Bazinyan continues to win as he punches too hard for aggressive Paredes. The upright Bazinyan with a reach advantage was using his jab to score with Paredes trying to come in under the jab but he was wild with his hooks. Bazinyan was finding a home for his straight rights and in the second began to mix in hooks and uppercuts. Paredes was stuck on the end of the jab and taking punishment. Paredes pressed hard in the third pinning Bazinyan to the ropes for much of the round but was badly shaken by two rights late in the round. Bazinyan switched to southpaw in the fourth and dropped Paredes with a series of head punches. Paredes got up only to have his head snapped back by some more head punches and he went down again. He made it to his feet but the referee waived the fight off. The 22-year-old Armenian-born Bazinyan, who moved to Canada when he was 16, makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO including 8 inside the distance wins in his last 10 fights. He is No 1 in the Canadian ratings. He looks a little slow but he has power. Mexican Paredes had won 4 of his last 5 fights.
Deauville, France: Welter: Karim Aliliche (10-6-2) W PTS 10 Souleymane M’baye (42-6-1). Welter: Jordy Weiss (17-0) W TKO 4 Sebastien Allais (16-12-5). Super Welter: Maxime Beaussire (24-1-1) W RTD 4 Ambrosi Sutidze (11-11-5).
Aliliche vs. M’baye
Aliliche holds off former WBA and European super light champion M’baye to retain the French title on a split decision. The fight started badly for the defending champion when a clash of heads opened a cut on his right eyebrow in the first round. Undeterred Aliliche took the fight to M’baye. The veteran showed flashes of his old skills as he held off many of the attacks from Aliliche and scored with accurate counters. After an exciting fifth round the relative youth of Aliliche began to tell and he was scoring well to head and body with M’baye forced to stand and trade which suited Aliliche. In the seventh Aliliche was totally in control but another head clash saw him suffer a nose injury. It was the strength and aggression of Aliliche against the accuracy of M’Baye and the judges were split although Aliliche certainly seemed to have done enough to win. Scores 96-94 twice for Aliliche and 96-94 for M’baye. The 33-year-old “Lion of the Atlas” Aliliche had a 2-6 spell but has found some form and this is his third win in a row. For M’baye, 42, this was a last throw of the dice. After losing to Khabib Allakhverdiev in a challenge for the secondary WBA title and the IBO title in 2013 he was inactive until returning with two wins last year. His aim was to retire as French champion but it was not to be.
Weiss vs. Allais
“Gypsy” Weiss gets rare stoppage win. The fighter from Laval broke former French title challenger Allais down over three rounds and wrapped things up in the fourth. He stunned Allais with an uppercut and had him rocking on the ropes with a succession of lefts and the referee stopped the fight. The 24-year-old Weiss, the French No 2, is in line for a shot at Aliliche. This is only his second win by KO/TKO. The 36-year-old Allais is 0-2-1 in French title fights.
Beaussire vs. Sutidze
Beaussire gets straight back into action with a win over Georgian Sutidze just nine weeks after losing his unbeaten tag. Boxing with a little more caution than usual Beaussire scored well with hooks to the body and sharp uppercuts. Sutidze managed to get through with some crisp counters but body punches were quickly draining his resolve. A clash of heads saw Beaussire marked by his right eye so he turned up the gas and punished Sutidze in the fourth with the Georgian retiring in his corner at the end of the round. The 25-year-old local “Conqueror” Beaussire lost a very close split decision to Zakaria Attou for the European Union title in April but was determined to get in the ring quickly and went ahead with this fight despite suffering a cut to his cheekbone which severely restricted his training. The French No 2 is rated No 8 by the EBU and will be hoping to get another shot at fellow-Frenchman Attou later this year. Sutidze is now 1-6-1 in his last 8 fights
Hyeres, France: Super Bantam: Jeremy Parodi (39-4-1) W PTS 8 Thomas Barbier (7-19-1). Parodi keeps busy as he waits for a title shot. The 30-year-old from Toulon won the unanimous decision but had to fight harder than expected against an improving Barbier. Scores 77-74 twice and 78-73 all for Parodi. The Frenchman was 35-1-1 until suffering losses to Carl Frampton and Gavin McDonnell in European title fights. Last year he won and then lost the European Union title but he is still No 2 with the EBU so could get another title shot later this year. The resilient Barbier had won his last three fights.
Budakalasz, Hungary: Middle: Balazs Bacskai (1-0) W PTS 10 Norbert Harcsa (8-1). Super Welter: Laszlo Fazekas (31-27-1,1ND) W PTS 10 Zoltan Kispal (7-2). Cruiser: Jozsef Darmos (6-1-1) W TKO 2 Tibor Varga (2-2). Light: Denys Berinchyk (6-0) W PTS 8 Lorenzo Parra (32-11-2). Super Feather: Zoltan Kovacs (20-5-1) W PTS 8 Dato Nanava (8-1).
Bacskai vs. Harcsa
Bacskai wins this contest between former Hungarian amateur team members and sets a record by winning the Hungarian title in his first pro fight. The first two rounds were fairly even but then Bacskai moved ahead. He was busier outpunching Harcsa who although the harder puncher just could not match Bacskai’s work rate. Bacskai was cut early in the fight in a clash of heads but his corner did some good work and it was never a factor and despite a late charge by Harcsa Bacskai was a clear winner. Scores 98-92 twice and 96-94 all for Bacskai. The 29-year-old “Benji” won a gold medal at the World Youth Championships and European Junior Championships, won both the European Union and the European Elite Championships and competed at the 2016 Olympics. He was to have had his first fight against an imported opponent but when offered the chance to fight Harcsa decided at 30 he had no time to waste so took the fight. Harcsa, 29, collected his share of gold medals but had been inconsistent as a pro.
Fazekas vs. Kispal
Fazekas wins the vacant national title with split decision over southpaw Kispal. Fazekas has accepted the role of travelling loser and Kispal may eventually follow the same lucrative road but here they put on a great little scarp. It was close all the way with Fazekas pacing the fight better and running out the winner. Scores 96-94 twice for Fazekas and 96-94 for Kispal. Fazekas, 27, has been a busy boxer with 60 fights in 6 years and he has fought in 9 different countries. It will good for him to be a national champion but it will soon be have gloves will travel again. Kispal, 26, had only 26 pro rounds under his belt and had never gone past six rounds so he did well here. Both of his losses have been split decisions.
Darmos vs. Varga
Darmos continues to settle in as a pro after a shaky start. The veteran Hungarian champion floored and halted novice Varga in a non-title fight for his sixth win by KO/TKO. The multi-titled former member of the Hungarian amateur team, an eight-time national champion, has won his last four by KO/TKO but has left it too late to turn pro. Varga, 21, just used as cannon fodder.
Berinchyk vs. Parra
Olympian Berinchyk too young too strong and too aggressive for former champion Parra. Berinchyk was his usual tigerish self constantly advancing occasionally changing guards and throwing bunches of punches. Venezuelan Parra is much slower these days but still has good skills but the Ukrainian southpaw, a natural lightweight, was by far the stronger man and bullied the former champion around the ring throwing him to the floor a couple of time. Parra was slotting home some quality counters but Berinchyk was relentless and Parra went down in the fourth under a barrage from Berinchyk. He got up and dodged, ducked and danced his way to the bell. Berinchyk chased Parra throughout the fifth which saw the Venezuelan lose a point for a low punch then floored again and also spit out his mouthguard to get a break. Parra was down again for a count in the sixth although complaining he had been pushed down. He was down again in the seventh and this time there was the suggestion of a push but the referee applied a count. Berinchyk went all out to finish it in the last but Parra clinched and ran, being on the floor three more times with no counts applied and made it to the bell. Scores 80-67 from all three judges for Berinchyk. The 29-year-old Ukrainian has great potential but six fights in two years is not enough and he needs to do something to raise his profile. As an amateur he won silver medals at the World Championships (beating Roniel Iglesias and Tom Stalker) and the 2012 Olympics (beating Anthony Yigit and Jeff Horn) and was World Universities’ champion. His all out attacking style is a crowd-pleaser so it is surprising that this was his first fight outside the Ukraine and he needs to go to the USA to get more exposure. Former WBA flyweight champion Parra, 38, now based in Spain, was a good WBA champion making six title defences, but is way over the crest and this in his seventh loss in a row.
Kovacs vs. Nanava
Kovacs gets a keep busy win but it turns out a harder match than expected. The 5’10 ½” (179cm) Kovacs was able to use his physical advantages to keep the Georgian novice out but Nanava fought hard and made Kovacs struggle at times and gave a creditable attempt here. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75 all for Kovacs. The 24-year-old WBO European champion, he somehow won his title by beating a Tanzanian who was having his first fight in Europe, is now 9-0-1 in his last 10 fights. When he first turned pro he went 3-4 in his first 7 fights including a crushing one round loss to Philip Sutcliff. Since then he hast lost only one of his 19 fights but has been carefully protected. Nanava, 21, will eventually fall to the lure of better purses and more losses by travelling.
Rome. Italy: Super Welter: Vincenzo Bevilacqua (12-0) W PTS 10 Francesco Lezzi (9-8-1). Bevilacqua makes a successful first defence of the Italian title but in a fight that takes a long time to warm up and lacks any real highlights. Neither fighter committed himself early. Bevilacqua was a bit busier and looked to have built an early lead but over the middle rounds there was too much clinching and not enough work from either fighter. Lezzi edged his way into the fight over those slow rounds and pressed hard over the ninth and tenth but Bevilacqua boxed well and took no chances. Scores 98-93 and 96-94 for Bevilacqua and 97-94 for Lezzi who bitterly protested the result. Bevilacqua remains unbeaten but seems unlikely to progress beyond domestic level. Second shot at this title this year for Lezzi.
Guaymas, Mexico: Super Light: Pedro Campa (26-0) W PTS 10 Juan Antonio Rodriguez (29-7). Campa gets another win but is pushed hard by a rusty Rodriguez. Campa had southpaw Rodriguez on the back foot in the first pressing hard and scoring with long hooks. Rodriguez was still under pressure in the second but showing some good defensive work until a long right shook him late in the round. The third saw Rodriguez often pinned on the ropes with Campa banging swinging hooks to the head. The fourth, fifth and six were all close rounds. Rodriguez was showing his experience in smothering and blocking much of Campa’s work. He managed to stay in ring centre and banged home good counters often driving Campa back. Campa rebounded to take the seventh by a small margin and outworked Rodriguez in the eighth. Rodriguez was cut over the left eye in a clash of heads and Campa just outlanded the experienced southpaw over the last two rounds. Scores 100-90,100-90 and 98-92 all for Campa. Those looked a little too wide. The 25-year-old “Rock” already has good wins over Jose Alfaro and Marvin Quintero. He has power but his defence is leaky. Rodriguez, 29, lost to Jezreel Corrales for the interim WBA super feather title in 2015 and was having his first fight for 15 months. He looked a bit fleshy here but he made Campa work hard.
Mandaue City, Philippines: Fly: Froilan Saludar (25-2-1) W TKO 9 Salatiel Amit (10-3-2). Light Fly: Vince Paras (11-0) W PTS 10 Jimboy Haya (10-4-2). Minimum: Roberto Toto Landero (9-1-2) W PTS 10 Vic Saludar (14-3). Light Fly: Robert Paradero (14-0) W KO 4 Charlie Malupangue (5-3-3).
Saludar vs. Amit
Saludar proves too powerful and too experienced for a brave Amit. The first round was a disaster for Amit as he was down twice and only just made it out of the round. His nickname is “Fearless” and so he proved as he took the fight to Saludar. The fifth saw Amit down again but he battled back willing to stand and trade with Saludar. Even bravery can only take you so far and Saludar was handing out some stiff punishment. By the ninth Amit was bruised and battered and when the referee asked the doctor to have a look at the damage the doctor recommended the fight be stopped. The 28-year-old “Sniper” Saludar, 28, has 16 wins by KO/TKO. His two losses have been against world class opposition in McWilliams Arroyo and Takuma Inoue. Former WBC International title challenger Amit, 25 had won 4 of his last 5 fights but this was a step too far for him.
Paras vs. Haya
Paras comes through a tough test in the other fighter’s neighbourhood as he continues to build his career. The teenager prospect floored Haya with a couple of heavy shots in the second. Haya only just beat the count and survived to the bell. Haya took the fight to Paras with the youngster forced to show some good defensive work and sharp counters. Haya’s aim was to taker Paras into the late rounds as Paras had not gone beyond the sixth round previously. That seemed to work as Paras began to tire but his power came into play again when he rocked Haya with a left in the ninth and took the last round to get the unanimous decision. Scores 96-93 for Paras from all three judges. The 18-year-old from General Santos City, The Philippines No 10 flyweight, wins the vacant WBO Asian Pacific title. Haya, 22, is 3-2-1 in his last 6 fights now.
Landero vs. Saludar
Landero gets split decision win in a minor upset. The unheralded young fighter won this one with grit and determination. Former WBO title challenger Saludar was expected to dominate the action but he failed to do so. Landero kept pressing and over the late rounds Saludar faded out of the fight paving the way for Landero’s victory. Scores 97-93 twice for Landero and 96-94 for Saludar. What made the surprise even bigger was that the 21-year-old “Toto” had been stopped in six rounds in his last fight in September. Saludar lost on a sixth round kayo against Kosei Tanaka for the WBO title in 2015 but had rebounded with three wins
Paradero vs. Malupangue
Paradero continues to impress as he halts southpaw Malupangue in four rounds. Paradero had the power but Malupangue showed plenty of guts over the first three rounds. He was put down by a hard combination in the fourth and was unable to beat the count. The 20-year-old Paradero, The Philippines No 1, gets his ninth win by KO/TKO. First loss by KO/TKO for Malupangue.
General Santos City, Philippines: Bantam: Aston Palicte (23-2) W TKO 8 John Mark Apolinario (18-10-3). Light: Romero Duno (14-1) W TKO 2 Jason Tinampay (8-5-1).
Palicte vs. Apolinario
Palicte wins scrap between two experienced battlers. These two exchanged hard punches from the first round both working in close and pounding the body. The fight suited Palicte who is the harder puncher but it took six rounds before Apolinario started to wilt. Palicte put Apolinario down early in the eighth and although Apolinario beat the count he was floored again and the fight was halted. The 26-year-old “Mighty” Palicte has 19 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss in his last 14 fights was a split decision against Junior Granados in Mexico in March last year. This is his third win since then including a victory over Oscar Cantu in December which garnered him the NABF title and he is now on his way to more fights in the USA.. “Iceman” Apolinario is 2-7-2 in his last 11 fights but has been put in with some strong opposition.
Duno vs. Tinampay
Duno tried hard to end this in the first but Tinampay survived. No chance of that in the second as Duno floored Tinampay four times before the fight was stopped. The 21-year-old lived up to his “Ruthless” nickname. The Philippines No 1 super feather has 13 wins by KO/TKO and like Palicte is heading to the USA for fights. Tinampay is 1-4-1 in his last 6 fights with all four losses by way of KO/TKO.
Zhukovka, Russia: Cruiser: Ruslan Fayfer (20-0) W TKO 4 David Basajjamivule (16-4-1). Heavy: Rotislav Plechko (11-0) W TKO 1 Vladimir Goncharov (5-6).
Fayfer vs. Basajjamivule
Fayfer retains the IBF International title with stoppage of Basajjamivule. Fayfer was tracking Basajjamivule around the ring in the first. Late in the round a clash of heads angered Fayfer and he responded with a right that put Basajjamivule down. The Kenyan boxer made it to his feet and the bell came shortly after. A right/left combination put Basajjamivule down in the second. He beat the count but went down again under pressure from Fayfer but got up and made it to the bell. Basajjamivule survived the third round due to Fayfer doing a poor job of cutting off the ring and being too right hand happy. The Kenyan also got a couple of breathers as his gumshield kept coming out. Fayfer ended the fight in the fourth as he cornered Basajjamivule and threw some wild rights with Basajjamivule slumping down against the ropes and being counted out. The 26-year-old Russian has won 10 of his last 11 fights by KO/TKO. There was no way he could look good against an awkward, inferior opponent so it was difficult to assess his potential and he is yet to face anything even resembling a real test. Basajjamivule had gone twelve rounds with Isaac Chilemba and won his last three fights so is probably better than he showed here.
Plechko vs. Goncharov
Plechko wins inside a round and collects the vacant Russian title in a terrible mismatch featuring some abysmal refereeing. From the bell southpaw Plechko was landing straight lefts and drove Goncharov to the ropes. He landed 5 or 6 lefts to the head and Goncharov propped up by the ropes was out on his feet. The referee was too far from the action and behind Plechko so could not see what was happening. Plechko stepped back seeing the Goncharov was finished but the referee finally moved in and just waived for Plechko to continue. With Goncharov held up by the ropes Plechko landed more lefts to the head before the referee who was again nowhere near the action finally stepped in. Goncharov was so out of it that he staggered off the ropes careered right across the ring fell over the top rope and lay balanced over the ropes and nearly tumbled out of the ring. The 28-year-old Plechko makes it 11 wins by KO/TKO. He won his first pro fight on a second round stoppage and has won his last ten in the first round including one which was over in six seconds! Not bad for a guy who when he was born his parents were told he would never be able walk without aid. Outside of the ring he has become very wealthy as a financial analyst and investment manager. As a boxer he needs stiffer tests before his ability can be assessed. Six losses in a row for Goncharov who was allowed to take too much punishment
Kempton Park, South Africa: Minimum: Simphiwe Khonco (18-5) W PTS 12 Lito Dante (13-8-4). Cruiser: Thabiso Mchunu (18-3) W PTS 12 Johnny Muller (20-8-2), Super Middle: Lee Dyer (7-3-2) DREW 12 Alfonzo Tissen (10-1-2). Welter: Thulani Mbenge (11-0) W PTS 8 Jayar Inson (13-1).
Khonco vs. Dante
“Chain Reaction” Khonco outclasses Filipino to retain his IBO title. The little South African was better than Dante in every phase of boxing. He was too quick, too accurate and too strong. Dante must have known his only chance was to try to turn the fight into a brawl but Khonco outfought him inside and out and the fight was very one-sided. Khonco commanded with his jab and Dante had difficulty finding any gaps in the defence of the champion. Despite the beating Dante refused to fold and Khonco just kept piling up the points and won by a wide margin on all three cards which reflected his dominance. Scores 119-109 twice and 118-110 all for Khonco. The 30-year-old South African was making the second defence of his IBO title. His only loss in his last 13 fights was to Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO titles in 2015. In winning the IBO title with a victory over unbeaten Siyabonga Siyo and retaining it against former IBF champion Nkosinathi Joyi he has shown considerable improvement and is growing into the role of champion. Dante, 27, has an unimpressive record but came into the fight as IBO No 12 and having won the WBC International title in March.
Mchunu vs. Muller
Mchunu works his way back into the cruiser picture with wide unanimous decision over Muller to win the vacant South African and WBC African Boxing Union titles. The talented southpaw went straight to work moving easily past Muller’s longer reach and working to head and body inside. Mchunu’s speed and skills negated Muller’s reach and “The Rock” was too quick and too clever for the South African No 1. Mchunu just never allowed Muller to get a foothold in the fight outboxing him on the outside and outfighting him in close. Muller had no plan B –in fact no plan A either –and although the open scoring showed Muller he needed to do something drastic to turn the fight around Mchunu really coated through this one to put down a marker on his return. Scores 120-108 for Mchunu from all three judges. The 29-year-old Mchunu had worked himself into a high rating with a run of victories including wins over Eddie Chambers and Olanrewaju Durodola but a stoppage loss to Illunga Makabu in 2015 and another to Olek Usyk for the WBO title in December last year left him with some rebuilding to do and this was a good start. Not sure where Muller goes from here. The former South African champion has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights. The other three losses have been to quality opposition in Usyk, Kevin Lerena and unbeaten Micki Nielsen. He is only 26 and has shown an ability to bounce back from losses but the hill gets a little steeper every time.
Dyer vs. Tissen
Dyer and Tissen put on great contest with both having to fight through rough spells to get to the last bell only for the outcome to settle nothing and a return is on everyone’s mind. For a while in the second round it looked as though Tissen was going to get an early win as he shocked Dyer with crunching body punches. Dyer was badly hurt and in deep trouble but as a free-range motorcyclist competitor pain is a regular companion and although he admitted afterwards the pain was extreme he was able to deal with it to the bell. He made a quick recovery and was back into the fight in the third. From there the fight ebbed and flowed with first one and then the other handing out punishment. They kept up the pace and the punishment through all twelve rounds with Tissen perhaps just a smidgen in front but so many rounds were so close that they could have been scored to either fighter and with that narrow a margin on each round it was not surprising that the scores should differ but the width of the differences between the cards was puzzling. Scores 117-109 for Dyer, 116-112 for Tissen and 114-114. After returning in 2015 from almost three years of inactivity Dyer has won the South African title and is 2-0-2 in his four fights. Local fighter Tissen is 10-0-2 in his last 12 fights.
Mbenge vs. Inson
Hot prospect Mbenge given some useful ring time by Filipino southpaw Inson as he has to go the distance for the first time. The fight gave Mbenge a chance to showcase his skills as well as his power. “Hitman” Inson found himself the target instead of the shooter and had to absorb a good measure of punishment but did his job and stayed to the final bell. Scores 80-71 twice and 79-72 all for Mbenge. The South African champion from Eastern Cape reportedly was 121-20-8 as an amateur with 93 wins by KO/TKO. He scored five first round wins in his first six pro fights and is surely one of the top prospects in South Africa. Inson had four first round wins of his own but lasting the distance was his big achievement here.
Barcelona, Spain: Super Welter: Sergio Garcia (24-0) W PTS 12 Isaac Real (17-2-1) .Middle: Ruben Diaz (24-1-2) W RTD 4 Nikoloz Gvajava (9-6-1). Super Light: Sandor Martin (28-1) W TKO 4 Chaquib Fadli (13-10).
Garcia vs. Real
Garcia comes out on top in a huge domestic fight with the important WBC Silver title up for grabs. Garcia, a tall super welter had his tactics set. He was going to box on the outside and avoid getting dragged into a brawl by the smaller and more experienced Real. Those tactics worked well and Real struggled to get inside for much of the fight but he has mixed in much better company and managed to find ways to get past the jab often enough to be competitive. Over the late rounds Real came into the fight more pressing hard but Garcia kept his cool and continued to slot home counters and was a clear winner. Scores 117-111,117-111 and 115-113 all for Garcia. The 24-year-old “El Nino” is a child no longer as he passes by far his biggest test as a pro. He has held both the Spanish and WBC International titles but it is tough at the top in this division in Europe with Cedric Vitu as champion and Jack Culcay, Liam Smith and Michele Soro in the ratings so it might be wise for |Gracia seek another route. Former European champion Real, 35, showed his quality in a win over Emanuele Della Rosa and had both Culcay and Vitu on the floor before losing close decisions to them in European title fights.
Diaz vs. Gvajava
Diaz brushes aside Gvajava with ease. The Georgian visitor tried hard but was out of his class. Diaz had Gvajava down twice and it was no surprise when the Georgian retired at the end of the fourth round. The 37-year-old “El Destructor” from Pamplona goes to 16 wins by KO/TKO. He is EU champion and No 4 in the European ratings with a 23 bout unbeaten streak going back to 2002.Four losses in a row for Gvajava.
Martin vs. Fadli
Martin takes warm-up fight before his challenge to Anthony Yigit for the European title. Martin put more power into this performance looking for a quick win and a battered Fadli had no complaints when the fight was stopped in the fourth round. The 23-year-old southpaw, a former undefeated European Union champion, has won his last 13 fights. European champion Yigit (19-0-1) has a voluntary defence first and then will have to meet Martin in one of the most anticipated fights for all European boxing fans and particularly for those in Spain and Sweden. Seven losses in a row for Frenchman Fadli.
Belfast, Northern Ireland: Bantam: Ryan Burnett (17-0) W PTS 12 Lee Haskins (34-4). Light: Paul Hyland Jr (16-0) W TKO 1 Adam Dingsdale (16-4-1). Super Feather: James Tennyson (19-2) W RTD 6 Ryan Doyle (14-2-1). Cruiser: Luke Watkins (11-0) W TKO 4 Ian Tims (13-4). Cruiser: Mike Perez (22-2-1) W KO 1Viktor Biscak (10-1). 13
Burnett vs. Haskins
Burnett lifts the IBF title with one-sided unanimous decision over Haskins. The younger fighter was too quick and tactically clever in an impressive victory.
Round 1
Boxing with a hands down style Burnett was just that bit quicker in the first jumping in landing a punch and getting out. Haskins landed some nice counters but it was Burnett’s round
Score 10-9 Burnett
Round 2
Both were feinting trying to draw the lead from the other. Burnett was usually the one initiating the exchanges and the round was close again but Haskins did enough in the way of counters and hooks inside to take it. Unfortunately a clash of heads saw both fighters cut with Burnett’s cut a vertical slash over his right eye looking worst and he was hampered by blood running into his eye.
Score 10-9 Haskins 19-19
Round 3
In the third Burnett was coming forward hands down and Haskins on the back foot looking to counter. Both were warned for hitting on the break and with Burnett lunging in with his attacks heads were clashing and Haskins was cut for the second time. The Belfast man was getting his punches off first. He wasn’t using his left jab to come forward and instead was throwing straight rights and for once Haskins was facing someone quicker and being beaten to the punch.
Scores 10-9 Burnett 29-28
Round 4
Haskins had a better start to the fourth. He was on the front foot taking the fight to Burnett but the eye-catching shots were the straight right leads from Burnett. It was a close round but Burnett just edged it.
Score 10-9 Haskins 39-37
Round 5
With his hands-down, excessive movement speedy rushes and excellent reflexes Burnett was doing a Haskins on Haskins. Despite this the champion was landing the cleaner punches in this round and took it keep himself very much in the fight
Score 10-9 Haskins 48-47
Round 6
Haskins started the round by storming into Burnett but was given a warning for carless use of his head. Burnett then dominated the round. He continually showed Haskins his left but then led with his right. He scored with a series of these lead rights before finally bringing his left into play landing a hard body punch and a straight left forcing Haskins to the ropes and landed an overhand right that saw Haskins drop down on one knee. Haskins was up at eighth and managed to clinch and box his way through the few seconds left in the round. A huge round for Burnett.
Score 10-8 Burnett 58-55
Round 7
Burnett continued to come forward in the seventh. He was getting through with right leads with Haskins clinching more and being outworked and when he did try to go on the attack Burnett showed great defensive work before jump in with quick punches.
Score 10-9 Burnett 68-64
Round 8
Neither fighter landed much for the first two minutes of the round but then Burnett stepped closer and scored with two head-jarring rights with Haskins too late with his counters and the strong finish gave the round to Burnett.
Score 10-9 78-73
Round 9
Burnett’s round. He was using his left more and was proving too quick for Haskins. He was jumping in and landing a couple of punches then out before Haskins could counter and repeating the tactics throughout the round. Burnett was given a stern lecture about his careless head work in the round.
Score 10-9 Burnett 88-82
Round 10
Haskins scored with a sharp right hook at the start of the round but he needed more than that to turn the fight around and from then it was all Burnett. He drove Haskins to the ropes and landed some heavy rights but a clash of heads opened a cut over his left eye. He then landed more rights before ending the round with a jarring uppercut.
Score 10-9 Burnett 98-81
Round 11
Burnett for the first time in the fight suddenly switched his attack to the body and drove a disorganised Haskins towards the ropes then switching the attack to the head landing clubbing punches from both hands. Haskins managed to get off the ropes but Burnett again forced him back and landed a left/right/left combination which put Haskins down. Haskins complained that the last two punches were accompanied by a push and that it should not be a knockdown but the right landed flush on the chin. Haskins made it to his feet and after the eight count rushed at Burnett to show he was OK but Burnett scored with some more rights before the bell.
Score 10-8 Burnett 108-89
Round 12
Haskins needed a knockout but he was too wild with his big punches and instead Burnett was the one forcing the fight landing clean and hard punches and emerging the winner.
Score 10-9 Burnett 118-108
Official scores; 119-107, 119-107 and 118-110 all for Burnett.
The 25-year-old local fighter Burnett, 25, was brilliant in this and after a couple of the early rounds were close he dominated the fight. His movement, speed and power were too much for Haskins. He was rated No 12 (10) by the IBF but on their ratings they said this 10 June fight was a mandatory defence. Not sure how a fight with No 12 counts as a mandatory but these days as Cole Porter would say anything goes. Haskins, 33, came to the title late and it was a just reward for a long career. He came up against a younger and quicker fighter here who employed the perfect tactics but there is no talk so far of a retirement. Biggest controversy was the IBF judge who got the fighters mixed up and put the scoring under the wrong names so he showed Haskins the winner by 118-110. That’s how it was announced but later corrected. The IBF were not particularly contrite about the incompetence of their appointed judge. Their explanation added up to-these things happen! If the judge had been with the WBA he would be probably manning an oar on a galley somewhere.
Hyland vs. Dingsdale
Hyland impresses as he blows away good level opponent Dingsdale in 109 seconds. Hyland was fired-up for this one. He took the fight to Dingsdale letting his punches flow. Dingsdale was trying to stay cool and box but Hyland was throwing bombs. A series of head punches had Dingsdale’s legs fluttering and after another head punch he tumbled to the canvas taking Hyland with him. Hyland was up immediately and sent to a neutral corner. Dingsdale was up quickly but looked unsteady and after the eight count Hyland jumped on him and landed another bunch of punches punctuated by a thunderous right to the chin that put Dingsdale down on his back and the referee waived the fight over. The 26-year-old from Belfast wins the vacant IBF East/West European title and gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. First loss by KO/TKO for Dingsdale who had won 5 of his last 6 fights and was considered a real test for Hyland.
Tennyson vs. Doyle
Tennyson gets good win as Doyle retires after six rounds of a real war. Tennyson made the better start firing home jabs and left hooks to the body. He was tracking Doyle around the ring landing good combinations. Doyle tried switching guards but took the pressure well. Doyle had a better second round,. He stayed in the ring centre scoring with his jab and quick hooks with Tennyson finishing the round strongly by scoring with a couple of choice uppercuts. For the whole of the third round they just went at it trading punch after punch exchanging hooks and uppercuts. Doyle had his best spell so far as he battered away at Tennyson just before the bell. It was toe-to-toe stuff again in both the third and the fourth. Doyle was again switching to southpaw as they tried to punch each other’s lights out. In both rounds Doyle looked to be taking the fight over. Instead it was Tennyson who took the fight over in the fifth. Solid hooks and uppercuts saw him forcing Doyle back and although Doyle tried to fire back he looked to be fading under the pressure. Tennyson continued the beat down in the sixth. Doyle tried a couple of rallies but the body punches from Tennyson had him holding for the first time in the fight which was becoming one-sided and a battered and bloodied Doyle was pulled out by his corner in the interval. Belfast’s Irish champion Tennyson, 23, wins the vacant WBA International title and makers it 15 wins by KO/TKO. His only loss in his last 21 fights was against Ryan Walsh for the British title in April last year. Doyle, 25, played his part in a memorable scrap. He was 5-0-1 in his last 6 fights and in that sequence had beaten Ian Bailey the only man to have a win over him at that point.
Watkins vs. Tims
Watkins with spectacular finish. Watkins controlled the bout in the first round with a stiff jab that rocked Tims back on heels a couple of times and he also added some clubbing rights. Tims had a better second round getting close enough to work inside with bursts of hooks and shaking Watkins with an overhand right. Watkins was on the front foot for all of the third round. Again he used his jab to keep Tims out and scored with straight rights and hooks but Tims kept rumbling forward throwing hooks to make it a close round. Watkins was forcing the fight in the fourth. He was pressing Tims back to the ropes. with Tims covering up and looking to counter. When they moved to the ring centre Watkins threw a three-punch combination with last punch a straight right sending Tims down spread-eagled on the canvas. Tims was unmoving for a couple of seconds and the referee waived the fight off. Although born in England the 27-year-old “Duke” Watkins wins the vacant Irish title. He was moving up to ten rounds for the first time but this quick finish, his seventh victory by KO/TKO, made that an irrelevance. Tims, 37, had won his last three fights but suffered his third loss by KO/TKO.
Perez vs. Biscak
Cuban Perez moves down to cruiser and gets a quick win but no real value to him as it is over ridiculously early. The Slovak tried a couple of tentative jabs and Perez stepped forward with a cuffing right jab and Biscak seemed to already be on his way down and a straight left from Perez just helped him on his way. Biscak dragged himself up but was in pain from an injury to his right ankle which he twisted when he went down and the referee counted the full ten. First fight for the 31-year-old southpaw since his first round stoppage loss against Alex Povetkin for the WBC Silver title in May 2015. His lowest previous weight was 222lbs. His weight for this one was 198lbs so it remains to be seen how he will fare at the lower weight. It looked as though Slovakian champion Biscak damaged his ankle trying to get out of the way of the Cuban’s first right jab so he was probably a bit unlucky but with the class difference it was unlikely to be a much longer fight even without the injury.
Fight of the week: James Tennyson vs. Ryan Doyle a good old fashion punch up
Fighter of the week: Ryan Burnett as he outclasses Lee Haskins to win the IBF title.
Punch of the week: The straight right from Luke Watkins that floored Ian Tims with honourable mention to the chopping right from Spaniard Jon Fernandez that had Juan Reyes out cold before he hit the floor.
Upset of the week: None
One to watch: Regis Prograis who crushed unbeaten Joel Diaz and Paul Hyland who stopped Adam Dingsdale inside a round.
