Check out Eric Armit’s comprehensive report in The Week In Boxing – September 19, 2017!

Highlights

-Gennady Golovkin and Saul Alvarez finish all even and may do it all over again

-Billy Joe Saunders retains WBO title with unanimous decision over Willie Monroe Jr

-Milan Melindo retains IBF title with split decision over unlucky Hekkie Budler

-Jesus Rojas knocks out Claudio Marrero to win interim WBA title

-Callum Smith moves into semi-finals of the World Super Series of Boxing with points victory over Erik Skoglund in the best fight of the weekend

-John Riel suffers upset loss against fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan

-Diego De La Hoya shows championship potential with easy win over former champion Randy Caballero

-Anthony Yarde and Daniel Dubois again put on impressive power shows

 

September 15

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Feather: Jesus M Rojas (26-1-2,1ND) W KO 7Claudio Marrero (22-2). Light: Ryan Garcia (11-0) W TKO 1 Miguel Carrizoza (10-3). Feather: Horacio Garcia (33-3-1) W TKO 4 Diuhl Olguin (12-7-3).

Rojas vs. Marrero

Marrero loses his interim WBA title as Rojas simply grinds Marrero down and finishes the fight with a spectacular left hook. Rojas tried to press the action early but Marrero showed fast hands and fired home some combinations. The fight was not even a minute old and Marrero was already taunting Rojas and he threw the Puerto Rican to the canvas for good measure. Rojas was warned for a few low punches and Marrero ended the opening round with another array of flashy but light punches-and some more arrogant taunting. Marrero’s combinations were lightning quick but he was sacrificing power for speed and Rojas kept rolling forward taking Marrero to the ropes and roughing him up inside. When he had room Marrero’s hands blurred with speed but as the fight progressed he was spending more and more time trapped on the ropes. Marrero tried to stay on the outside in the fourth. He needed it to be a trial of skill but Rojas was turning it into a trial of strength and soon Marrero was  fighting with his backs to the ropes again. Rojas had to walk through a storm of punches in the fifth. They were coming thick and fast and his head was being jarred time and again. However he was now landing some heavy if crude punches of his own. In the sixth Rojas suddenly stepped back from the action complaining about a butt. Marrero saw an opening and then stormed forward driving Rojas across the ring. He was now chasing Rojas and throwing those quick shots then dropping his hands and taunting Rojas who was on the back foot for the rest of the round. Previously Marrero had been throwing burst of punches and then moving. Now in the seventh his arrogance hit its high point. He was standing in front of Rojas throwing punches and leaving himself open to counters. Rojas suckered him into continuing down that track by backing off and inviting Marrero to bring it on. Marrero began showboating and taunting Rojas again. As they came out of some action on the ropes and with only seconds left in the round Rojas landed a thunderous left hook and Marrero went down on his back. He immediately sat up shaking his head looking like he was about to get up but instead just turned and sat on his heels and the referee counted out the ten seconds. Puerto Rican Rojas, 30, won this one on strength and determination. He ground Marrero down with remorseless pressure. There was a Grand Canyon-wide difference in skills but Rojas just keep rolling forward wearing down Marrero and he took his chance with a real power punch.  Dominican Marrero, 28, was making the first defence of his title. At times it seemed as though he was putting on an exhibition but in the end he paid the price for not giving the tough Riojas the respect he deserved so lost his title and suffered his first inside the distance defeat.

Garcia vs. Carrizoza

Garcia wipes out Carrizoza in quick time. After a couple of probing jabs Garcia fired a right down the middle and Carrizoza was on the floor just ten seconds into the round. He was up at four and after the eight count the referee actually asked Carrizoza what’s my name? He passed that test and was allowed to fight on. He walked forward a couple of paces and a stunning left hook to the chin put him on his backside and the referee stopped the fight with just 28 seconds gone in the round. Garcia, 19, gets his tenth win by KO/TKO including five first round finishes. He also wins the vacant NABF Junior title.  The 5’10 ½” Californian  turned pro at 17 reportedly with a 215-15 record and was National Police Athletic League Junior champion. He competed at the 2013 US Junior National Selection Tournament where he lost to Shakur Stevenson in the semi-finals. It is difficult to judge how far he can go but he certainly impressed here. Mexican Carrizoza never knew what hit him as he suffers his first inside the distance loss.

Garcia vs. Olguin

Garcia gains revenge with stoppage of Olguin. When these two clashed in an eight round bout in July Olguin scored an upset victory flooring Garcia twice and winning the unanimous decision.  “Violento” Garcia turned the tables completely flooring Olguin twice in the fourth round to force the stoppage. Garcia was loading up on his punches from the start with Olguin on the back foot and looking to counter. Garcia boxed in a more controlled manner in the second but was overreaching himself allowing the smaller Olguin to find gaps. A clash of heads saw Olguin cut over the left eye. Garcia continued to force the fight in the third and was landing some heavy rights but Olguin was sneaking home counters. Early in the fourth a sweeping left hook clipped Olguin on the temple and he tumbled sideward and down on one knee. He was up quickly but looked shaky. When the action resumed a series of hooks to the head from Garcia had Olguin dropping forward to his knees and the referee stopped the fight. Garcia, 27, has 24 wins by KO/TKO. His other two losses before the one to Olguin were against Hozumi Hasegawa and Joseph Diaz. He won his first 29 fights, 21 of them by KO/TKO so he has power but his technical skills let him down when he takes on quality opponents. Third loss by KO/TKO for Olguin.

 

Mashantucket, CT, USA: Heavy: Niall Kennedy (9-0) W PTS 10 Alexis Santos (18-2). Middle: Ievgen Khytrov (15-1) W PTS 8 Derrick Findley (27-22-1,1ND). Super Light: Ray Moylette (6-0) W PTS 6 Donte Bryant (1-3).

Kennedy vs. Santos

Kennedy gets split verdict over Santos but the decision was not popular with all. Kennedy was upright and using his jab well and scoring with impressive body punches. Santos was quicker and more mobile and preferred short hooks inside. It was a close, quite fast-paced, fight for heavyweights. Neither fighter was seriously shaken and both had good spells. Kennedy seemed to build a lead early only for Santos to up his pace in the middle rounds. Santos was strong early in the seventh then  looked to tire as Kennedy finished the round strongly. The eighth could have gone either way but in the ninth Santos paid the price for having gone low once too often and was deducted a point. Santos put in a frantic effort in the last and won that one but in the end it was not enough. Scores 96-93 twice for Kennedy and 96-93 for Santos. Irishman Kennedy, 33, wins the New England title as he moves up to ten rounds for the first time. He was pretty ordinary in his time as an amateur but has made good progress under Paschal Collins. Some of his thoughts must have been of his prematurely-born son who is in hospital.  The 28-year-old Santos will feel more than disappointed as this one could have been scored for him as it was that close. He has reversed his only other loss so will be hoping to get in the ring with Kennedy for a return.

Khytrov vs. Findley

Khytrov returns with a win. Khytrov was controlling the early action with a stiff jab and momentarily shook Findley in the first with a short right. Findley landed some good rights when he was able to get on the front foot but Khytrov was busier and more accurate. Findley was always competitive but the stiff jab and the high work rate of the Ukrainian meant Findley was under continuous pressure. Both traded hard punches in the sixth with Findley on top early and then Khytrov taking over and landing a combination of head punches and a right just before the bell that caused Findley’s legs to quiver. Khytrov landed some more thudding rights in the seventh and it looked as though a tiring Findley was ready to go but each time he covered up then punched back. Khytrov tried hard to finish it in the eighth again landing heavy rights but Findley was still there at the bell. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 all for Khytrov. The 29-year-old Ukrainian “Lion” was having his first fight since being put down twice and stopped in six rounds by Immanuwel Aleem for the vacant WBC Silver title in January. A former World Championship gold medal winner and Olympian gave a workman-like performance here and got in some useful ring time. Findley,33, has lost to a whole raft of top level boxers but had won his last three fights including a kayo of Donovan George in a fight for bragging rights in Illinois.

Moylette vs. Bryant

Irish prospect Moylette just avoids an embarrassing defeat as he gets off the floor to take split verdict over Michigan novice Bryant. Moylette edged the first but a right to the head put him down in the second. Moylette managed to last to the bell. Bryant probably took the third to build a good lead but Moylette fought back hard over the closing three rounds and just deserved his win. Scores 57-56 twice for Moylette and 58-55 for Bryant. The 27-year-old from County Mayo was the first Irish boxer to win a gold medal at the World Youth Championships and later added both the Irish title and a gold at the World Championships but Bryant gave him a score here. Three losses in a row for luckless Bryant with all three losses being split decisions.

 

Rosemont, IL, USA: Light Heavy: Mike Lee (20-0) W TKO 1 Aaron Quattrocchi (10-2-1). Too easy for Lee as he dismantles Quattrocchi inside a round. Lee was loading up on his punches and throwing big stuff from the start. A couple of rights landed to the side of Quattrocchi’s head and just on the one minute mark as they traded punches a straight right from Lee put Quattrocchi down heavily. He made it to his feet and after the eight count tried to box and move but Lee was again catching him with head punches. Quattrocchi stood and tried some punches of his own but a series of head punches put him down again. He made it to the vertical and when the action resumed Lee stormed forward throwing punches and with Quattrocchi covering up on the ropes the referee stopped the fight. All over in 2:30 of the round. The 30-year-old Lee moves to 11 wins by KO/TKO. No names on his record yet but he won a majority verdict over 18-1 Justin Thomas in February. He is rated WBO 11/IBF 12(11)/WBA 13. It is time for some stiffer opposition. Two inside the distance losses in a row for Quattrocchi

 

Panabo City, Philippines: Super Bantam: Glenn Porras (30-6) W RTD 1 Dingdong Quinones (6-19-1). Southpaw Porras floors Quinones twice in the first and at the end of the round Quinones retires. Quinones was much the bigger man but Porras managed to drive him to the ropes and pounded him with hooks from both hands. Quinones tried to escape but each time Porras pushed him back to the ropes and a series of hooks and uppercuts saw Quinones drop to the canvas. He was up at seven but when the action resumed Porras again took him to the ropes and a hail of punches rounded off with left to the body saw Quinones down for the second time. He made it to his feet but the bell rang as the eight count was completed and Quinones wanted no more. Win No 18 by KO/TKO for the 31-year-old “Rock” and much needed after back-to-back losses. Porras climbed into the world ratings after a run of 15 wins but 3 losses in 4 fights has seen him drop to No 14 in the Philippines ratings.  Now 17 losses by KO/TKO for Quinones. His real first names are Billy John but Dingdong is much more fun.

 

September 16

 

Las Vegas, NV, USA: Middle: Gennady Golovkin (37-0-1) DREW 12 Saul Alvarez (49-1-2). Super Bantam: Diego De La Hoya (20-0) W PTS 10 Randy Caballero (24-1). Feather: Joseph Diaz (25-0) W PTS 12 Rafael Rivera (25-1-2). Light: Ryan Martin (20-0) W PTS 10 Francisco Rojo (20-3).

Golovkin vs. Alvarez

Golovkin retains his four world titles with draw against Alvarez in a fight that did not really come alight until the closing rounds. I saw Golovkin as the winner but there were howls of anger in the professional media and the social media over one judge seeing Alvarez the winner by eight points. Alvarez had a guarantee of a return bout clause in his contract and his promoters Golden Boy say they will enforce it.

Round 1

Golovkin was walking after Alvarez who circled the perimeter of the ring. Golovkin landed a couple of shots but Alvarez was sharper and countered well to take a low action opener.

Score 10-9 Alvarez

Round 2

Golovkin started the round with some sharp jabs and landed a long right to the head. Alvarez came off the back foot and scored with some stiff jabs and left hooks. He slipped some hard shots from Golovkin and just did enough to edge the round.

Score 10-9 Alvarez                                                                                     18-20

Round 3

Golovkin’s round by a long way. He controlled the action with his jab, got through with right crosses and landed left hooks to the body. Alvarez tried to stay in the ring centre and got through with a sharp left uppercut but the jabs from Golovkin had him on the back foot and circling the perimeter again.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   28-29

Round 4

Once again Golovkin was getting through with his jabs. He was working hard for the three minutes constantly taking the fight to Alvarez and doing the scoring. He had Alvarez trapped on the ropes and landed a hard right with Alvarez shaking his head to show he was not hurt, but that only emphasised how good the punch was. Golovkin dropped in another right later in the round with Alvarez throwing nothing in return.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   38-38

Round 5

Another round for Golovkin. He was taking the fight to Alvarez who was rarely leading ad instead looking to counter. He spent too much time on the ropes allowing Golovkin to bombard him with punches including a big right that crashed onto the chin of Alvarez. Alvarez was too slow with his counters which Golovkin evaded easily.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   48-47

Round 6

Alvarez made a more positive start to this round using his jab and vaunted left hooks but then he went onto the back foot handing the initiative to Golovkin who dominated the last two minutes tracking Alvarez around the ring and scoring with jabs and rights.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   58-56

Round 7

Golovkin’s round. After exchanging punches early without much success Alvarez again went into retreat. Golovkin was consistently getting through with his jabs and landing some long rights with Alvarez throwing too little and mostly missing.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   68-65

Round 8

Alvarez was more competitive in this round landing some power punches early but he was being outworked. Golovkin continued to find gaps for his jab and cracked home some rights and a peach of an uppercut. It is difficult to understand Alvarez’s tactics of spending so much time on the ropes. If there was a criticism of Golovkin’s work was that he was head hunting and rarely going to the body.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   78-74

Round 9

This was probably the best round of the fight so far. Alvarez threw more punches. He was loading up with every punch and matching Golovkin. Then he went in retreat again allowing Golovkin to take control. Two rights to the head from Alvarez were the best punches of the round but he was spending too much time on the ropes just covering up and allowing Golovkin to tee-off on him.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   88-83

Round 10

It was late but the fight had come alive. Alvarez stormed out throwing hooks and uppercuts in his most sustained attack so far momentarily shaking Golovkin with a right to the temple. Over the late part of the round Alvarez went on the back foot again and to the ropes but now he was throwing counters when he was there.

Score 10-9 Alvarez                                                                                     97-93

Round 11

Golovkin took this one by working hard for three minutes He was slotting home jabs and overhand rights. Alvarez was throwing some big punches but was on the back foot and only fighting in short bursts.

Score 10-9 Golovkin                                                                                   107-102

Round 12

Alvarez had his best round of the fight as he fired hooks and uppercuts, stayed off the ropes and although tiring clearly outpunched Golovkin landing more scoring punches than in any other round.

Score 10-9 Alvarez                                                                                     117-112

Official scores: 115-113 Golovkin, 118-110 Alvarez and 114-114

Golovkin retains his IBF/WBA/WBC/IBO titles and his unbeaten record and in my view was a clear winner. He pressed the fight from the first bell and Alvarez spent too long on the ropes and did not throw or land enough punches or match the accuracy and work rate of Golovkin. This was an interesting rather than an exciting fight. Both fighters want a return and it is obviously the biggest payday out there for both of them with Miguel Cotto as the only other attractive option. The 118-110 scorecard from Adalaide Byrd has seen her stood down by the Nevada Commission. She has judged over 400 contests including many world title fights. I don’t believe there was any dishonesty involved and it is not the worst scoring I have ever seen. No one is going to endorse computer scoring except as an unofficial record of what occurred so because scoring is totally subjective these blips are always going to turn up.

Caballero vs. De La Hoya

De La Hoya outboxed Caballero in this one and came away with a wide unanimous decision. Caballero was constantly coming forward but De La Hoya was boxing well on the outside and more accurate with his punches. He rocked Caballero with an overhand right in the second and was raking Caballero with combination and getting out again before Caballero could counter. Those combinations were a big factor. De La Hoyas was putting together bunches of punches mainly hooks and uppercuts with Caballero rarely throwing more than two punches at a time. De La Hoya had the much quicker and more accurate jab and was going to the body more than Caballero. Despite that Caballero kept rumbling forward and had some success inside but had trouble with the constant moving and switching of angles by De La Hoya. Past the half way mark De La Hoya was standing and trading more and work the body digging in hooks from both hands and using his superior strength to push Caballero back. Caballero continued to try to keep the fight inside where the brawl at least meant De La Hoya was right in front of him. Caballero was hurt by a low punch in the seventh which saw him bent double and turn away but the referee had been unsighted so De La Hoya got away with it. De La Hoya’s work rate dropped a bit in the eighth which helped Caballero but De La Hoya came back with a vengeance in the ninth bombarding Caballero with left hooks to the body and whole series of rights crosses. De La Hoya was not looking to take any chances in the last. He boxed on the outside. Caballero landed two heavy rights but it was too late to make any difference. Scores 98-92 twice and 100-90 for De La Hoya, The 23-year-old Mexican has been carefully matched and is showing the benefits. He totally dominated Caballero and could be challenging for a title late next year. Poor Caballero, after winning the vacant IBF bantam title in 2014 nothing has gone right for him but he has not helped himself. He failed to make the weight for his defence against Lee Haskins in November 2015 and was stripped off the title. He had just one fight in 2016 in February and then did not fight again until March this year. The lack of activity showed but he is only 26 so hopefully he can find some form again.

Diaz vs. Rivera

After a slow start Diaz outscores late substitute Rivera. A cagey, cautious first round saw both fighters just prodding out their jab. In the only real action Rivera drew Diaz’s southpaw lead and then darted forward scoring with lefts hooks a straight right and did enough to take the round. That was almost as good as it got for Rivera. From there Diaz was spearing Rivera with southpaw jabs and following with straight lefts. He was able to anticipate the lunging attacks of Rivera and step back and then counter. With Rivera waiting to counter and Diaz not wanting to waste a punch  It took the fight a while to heat up  Diaz stepped up the pace in the fifth both leading and countering with lefts . Rivera was just relying on bursting forward flailing punches with no accuracy. That was the pattern the rest of the way. Diaz had the much superior skill set and had no trouble dealing with the wild attacks of Rivera who was too slow to get out of the way of Diaz’s jabs and straight rights and only having occasional success in close as Diaz boxed his way to an easy victory. Scores 119-109 twice and 120-108 for Diaz. The 24-year-old Californian southpaw is No 1 with the WBO so the mandatory challenger to Oscar Valdez but if that fight can’t be made for any reason then he sits at No 2 behind Carl Frampton in the WBC rankings and is the third highest rated fighter in the IBF list with the No 1 slot vacant and Scott Quigg and Frampton in front of him. One way or another a title fight in 2018 looks certain. Rivera was a late replacement and failed to make the weight. The 23-year-old Mexican had been fighting a good level of opposition with his best win being a points victory over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.

Martin vs. Rojo

A contrast in styles here splits the judges as Martin struggles to get past the small, aggressive Rojo. The Tall, 5’11” (180cm) quick-stepping Martin used his reach advantage and speed to keep Rojo on the outside. Rojo kept barrelling forward not trying to match jabs but throwing wide rights around Martin’s guard and left hooks to the body. Over the early rounds Martin was spearing Rojo with jabs and then firing straight rights and left hooks to the body. The problem was that although he was doing most of the scoring he did not seem to have the power to keep Rojo out and the tough Mexican was able to get close and bang some crunching left hooks downstairs. Martin’s skills helped him build an lead over the first half of the fight but over the second half Rojo was continually walking through whatever Martin threw and clubbing away with body punches and swings to the head. Martin did have a good seventh but the pressure was building. He was warned twice for low punches in the eighth and when he repeated the offence in the ninth he was finally deducted a point. Martin fired off some impressive combinations and did enough to have won the round so that instead of a 10-8 round for Rojo it was in effect a 9-9 round. They traded punches throughout the last and it was a microcosm of the fight with Martin landing more but lighter punches and Rojo loading up and getting in some heavy licks. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Martin and 98-91 for Rojo. A big difference in how the officials viewed the fight something that goes without serious questioning in a less important ten round fight but gets magnified in a huge main event. The 24-year-old “Blue Chip” Martin was making the second defence of his WBC Continental Americas title and wins the vacant WBA International title. He is rated IBF 9(8)/WBO 14. Rojo had won eight in a row going in including a kayo of world rated Dante Jardon.

 

London, England: Middle: Billy Joe Saunders (25-0) W PTS 12 Willie Monroe Jr (21-2). Light Heavy: Anthony Yarde (13-0) W RTD 3 Norbert Nemesapati (25-7). Heavy: Daniel Dubois (5-0) W TKO 1 A J Carter (8-4).

Saunders vs. Monroe

Saunders retains his WBO title with unanimous decision over Monroe in a fight that never really caught alight but allowed Saunders to get in to some serious action and back into winning ways as he hopes to move into bigger fights.

Round 1

Good opening round for Saunders. He was getting his right jab through to the body and landed a couple of good lefts. Monroe was just that bit slower.

Score 10-9 Saunders

Round 2

The second round was cagier than the first. After starting to use his jab Monroe spent the rest of the round just feinting punches and throwing nothing with Saunders landing a few jabs and again taking the round.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 20-18

Round 3

By feinting and feinting without actually throwing punches Monroe was handing the initiative to Saunders and after another cagey start Saunders attacked hard at the end of the round. He scored with a number of chopping lefts and sent Monroe scrambling along the ropes with a right.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 30-27

Round 4

Monroe finally woke up and started throwing punches. He was darting out his jab and scoring with quick lefts and this time it was Saunders being too hesitant. When Saunders did let his punches flow he caught Monroe with some chopping lefts to the head but Monroe just edged the round. Saunders was showing a small cut over his right eye.

Score 10-9 Monroe                                                                                    39-37

Round 5

Monroe started the fifth brightly jabbing away but then he closed down again and went into a holding pattern doing nothing much. Saunders worked him over on the ropes and although Monroe came alive again late in the round Sunders had taken it.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 49-46

Round 6

If you were looking for a thrill-a-minute fight you were in the wrong place. This was very much a tactical battle. The side-on leaning forward style of Monroe together with his preference to counter punch was limiting action from both fighters. They were still playing cat and mouse even after five rounds. There was very little action in this one but Monroe worked his jab a little better.

Score 10-9 Monroe                                                                                    58-56

Round 7

Saunders brought some fire into this round. He attacked from the start. He was able to score well with his jab and a few lefts with Monroe just looking to defend. One of the problems for Saunders is that as Monroe stands very side on leaning this body to his left and whenever he bent over he was almost presenting his back to Saunders and making it difficult for Saunders to make use of his left to deliver power punches.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 68-65

Round 8

There was a lot more action in this one because Saunders made it that way. He was landing jolting jabs and throwing long rights and lefts and finished the round strongly with Monroe trapped on the ropes.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 78-74

Round 9

Monroe looked as though he was auditioning for Strictly Come Dancing in this one. He showed some slick quick footwork. The only problem was that he was not throwing punches. Saunders was and was scoring with them.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 88-83

Round 10

Saunders took this round by default as once again Monroe did almost no offensive work at all. Saunders did not land much himself but he was throwing some punches and landing a few. There was no sign that Monroe felt he had to put in a big effort. Even if he thought he was in front he should not have been giving away rounds this way.

Score 10-9 Saunders                                                                                 98-92

Round 11

Finally Monroe seemed to realise he needed to put in some effort. He took the fight to Saunders scored well with his right jabbed and landed some good left hooks to take the round.

Score 10-9 Monroe                                                                                    107-102

Round 12

Monroe took this one. He threw more and landed more including a hard long left cross but even now he was at times standing motionless trying to draw the lead instead of storming forward trying to swing things his way.

Score 10-9 Monroe                                                                                   117-112

Official scores: 117-111, 117-112 and 115-113 all for Saunders.

Saunders retains his WBO title and importantly gets in some ring time. This was the first fight for nine months for Saunders and only the second in almost two years. With Gennady Golovkin holding the three other versions of the middleweight title and a return with Saul Alvarez a strong possibility that route seems closed. It all depends on the view that the WBO take. Since winning the title from Andy Lee in December 2015 Saunders has yet to make a mandatory defence. His No 1 challenger is David Lemieux and by rights he should be the next opponent for Saunders but who knows with the WBO. Monroe did not win and did not deserve to win. He did not fight like a challenger desperate to become a champion and after being stopped by Golovkin for the WBA and interim WBC in 2015 it is going to be difficult to sell him as a challenger again.

Yarde vs. Nemesapati

Yarde brutalises a game Nemesapati for another quick win. Nemesapati was quite willing to take the fight to Yarde in the opener but had a taste of things to come when a sharp right uppercut had him backing off. Nemesapati showed a nice jab but once Yarde began to let his punches go the Hungarian was getting caught with some powerful shots and his confidence drained away. Yarde boxed patiently at the start of the second stalking the retreating Nemesapati and using his stiff jab as a range finder for straight rights. Yarde landed a couple of sharp right uppercuts to take Nemesapati to a corner and then unleashed six consecutive rights to the head that saw Nemesapati drop to his knees. He was up quickly but when the action resumed he just tried to cover up and then dropped to his knees after three thudding rights from Yarde. Again Nemesapati was up quickly and after the count Yarde was looking to finish it but the bell went. Nemesapati’s corner should have retired their man then but instead he came out for the third. He was in total survival mode going backwards at speed and holding when he could. He looked to be on the point of going down a couple of times under heavy rights from Yarde and sensible retired in his corner at the end of the round. The 26-year-old Yarde was making the first defence of his WBO European title and wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title. This is victory No 12 by KO/TKO and he is already rated WBO No 8. He looks awesome in these fights and really needs to move up to tackling some of the fringe contenders where he hopefully will find someone able to take his power. Nemesapati is being thrown away. He is now 22. He turned pro at 16 and won his first 14 fights but is being thrown in way over his head. He was no match for Yarde just as he was no match for Callum Smith, Umar Salamov and Anthony Dirrell

Dubois vs. Carter

Dubois destroys Carter inside a minute. After a couple of probing jabs from Dubois a short right to the side of the head put Carter down within the first ten seconds of the fight. Carter climbed up immediately and marched forward when the eight count was completed. Dubois met him with a shower of punches and Carter fell forward to the floor again. Carter listened to the count whilst kneeling on both knees and got up ready to continue. A short right from Dubois saw him pitch face first to the canvas with the referee immediately ending the fight. All over in 48 seconds. Carter was down for quite some time and was given oxygen to aid his recovery and taken to hospital as a precaution. The 20-year-old 6’5” powerhouse Dubois collects the vacant BBB of C Southern Area title. He has taken less than seven rounds to register his five wins. He needs more ring time but it is difficult balancing act with someone as destructive as Dubois to find an opponent to give him that experience without overmatching him. Third loss by KO/TKO for Carter.

 

Liverpool, England: Super Middle: Callum Smith (23-0) W PTS 12 Erik Skoglund (26-1). Super Middle: Martin Murray (36-4-1) W KO 4 Arman Torosyan (18-4-1).Super Middle: Zach Parker (13-0) W TKO 1 Luke Blackledge (23-5-2). Super Light: Adam Little (18-2) W TKO 4 Reece MacMillan (7-0).

Smith vs. Skoglund

Smith gets unanimous decision in a fight that shows the best of the sport in both skill and the mutual respect between the two boxers. Skoglund was very much in the fight most of the way until Smith surged over the last third to get the deserved victory and move on to the next round of the World Boxing Super Series.

Smith vs. Skoglund

Round 1

As they started with the usual exchange of jabs Skoglund scored with a sharp right to the chin. After that there were some quality punches thrown by both fighters with Smith using his longer reach to score with his jab and looking dangerous with rights and Skoglund countering well. Smith just took it.

Score 10-9 Smith

Round 2

Smith’s jab and the danger from his right hand kept Skoglund on the back foot. Smith was able to slot the jab home and land with a left hooks to the body with Skoglund boxing intelligently and countering when he saw a chance to do so but again it was Smith’s round

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       20-18

Round 3

This was a much closer round. Both scored heavily in early exchanges and Skoglund used plenty of movement and quick attacks and just outworked Smith

Score 10-9 Skoglund                                                                                  29-28

Round 4

This was turning into a great fight. Both were trying to take centre ring by out-jabbing the other. Smith’s reach gave him the advantage and he landed a cracking right to the chin and was able to trap Skoglund on the ropes and score inside. Skoglund fought back late in the round but it was Smith’s.

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       39-37

Round 5

Skoglund’s round. The Swede worked his jab on overtime for the whole three minutes. He out jabbed Smith and slotted home some hurtful rights with Smith looking uncomfortable and on the back foot for the entire round. Smith was bleeding from the nose.

Score 10-9 Skoglund                                                                                  48-47

Round 6

Skoglund did the better work in this one as well. Again he was quicker to the jab and was darting in scoring and getting out before Smith could unload his heavy rights.

Score 10-9 Skoglund                                                                                  57-57

Round 7

This one was much closer and Smith just edged it. Skoglund again showed his quick jabbing early but Smith began to throw some heavier stuff later in the round and just took it.

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       67-66

Round 8

Another close round. Skoglund started well using plenty of movement and hand speed to put Smith on the back foot. From the middle of the round Smith was on the front foot scoring with his jab and landing some good rights to take the round.

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       77-75

Round 9

Another round for Smith. He started the round on the back foot with his jab more accurate than Skoglund’s and ended with a right/left to the head in a series of good head punches.

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       87-84

Round 10

Another round for Smith this one more decisive. He was scoring freely with a strong jab and long rights and also digging in some hurtful body punches. Skoglund was still very mobile but his punches were falling short as he could not get past Smith’s jab. Smith seemed to have paced the fight well.

Score 10-9 Smith                                                                                       97-93

Round 11

Smith upped his work rate and let some heavy stuff fly. A big right cross to the head saw Skoglund badly shaken and as Smith followed up on that success with a couple more head punches Skoglund dropped to one knee. He was up at four and after the eight count Smith strode forward scoring with rights and left hooks. Skoglund used good movement to frustrate Smith’s efforts to put him away and was even firing back at the bell but it was a huge round for Smith.

Score 10-8 Smith                                                                                       107-101

Round 12

Skoglund outworked Smith in the last round. He was quick and throwing lots of jabs with Smith mainly on the back foot and firing an occasional power shot but it looked as though Smith knew he had the win and was coasting and taking no chance.

Score 10-9 Skoglund                                                                                  116-111

Official scores: 117-110, 117-111 and 116-112 all for Smith

Smith, 27, now goes on to the semi-finals of an incredibly tough super middle Worlds Boxing Super Series tournament where he will meet the winner of the Juergen Brahmer vs. Rob Bryant. You would not expect Smith and Skoglund to fight each other unless there was a world title to be won but this tournament is breaking down these barriers as the ultimate prize in money and prestige is worth taking the risk. There were times when the hand and foot speed of Skoglund had Smith looking hesitant and apprehensive and it was strange to see him out-jabbed. However he had a big edge in power, was more accurate and paced the fight better. Skoglund, 28, gained many admirers after this display of classy boxing-me for one-and it said everything about his skill that he constantly out-jabbed Smith and was very much in the fight until the late rounds when he flagged a bit and Smith took over. Really boxing was also a winner here as this was a fast-paced action filled high quality fight between two excellent boxers with the referee almost surplus to requirements and the mutual respect was illustrated in the way that the embraced before the bell to start the last round.

Murray vs. Torosyan

Murray too strong and hits too hard for Armenian Torosyan. Murray had the more powerful jab and had Torosyan on the back foot in the first He landed some good body punches and a hard right just before the bell. Torosyan showed quick hands but very little power. He tried to get on the front foot in the second but again Murray’s jab was too strong. Murray was able to crowd Torosyan and score well to the body and Torosyan was hurt by a body punch just before the bell. Murray was stalking Torosyan throughout the third. He was landing meaty hooks to the body from both hands and clubbing rights to the head. Torosyan landed a hard counter that momentarily had Murray backing off but the British fighter again took control. Murray was landing some vicious body punches in the fourth. He drove Torosyan to a corner with two of them and then landed a right to the body and Torosyan went down showing considerable pain and he stayed there and was counted out. The 34-year-old from St Helens has had four world title shots looking unlucky not to get something out of three of them and taking Gennady Golovkin into the eleventh round. He is rated No 6 with the WBA but a fifth title shot looks unlikely. German-based Torosyan was coming off an upset victory over Danish hope Abdul Khattab in January but he had no answer to the power of Murray.

Parker vs. Blackledge

Parker blasts out the more experienced Blackledge in the first round. Parker had height and reach over Blackledge who struggled to find a way past Parker’s jab. He was darting in but getting caught with counters. Parker scored a lovely double hook to body then head and then switched to southpaw. At first he did not look comfortable but after missing with a couple of punches he landed a left to the chin that sent Blackledge flying back and down heavily. He struggled to get up and when he did he staggered into a corner and the referee stopped the fight. The 23-year-old from Derbyshire now has 10 wins by KO/TKO including 7 in his last 8 fights. This was supposed to be his first ten round fight and Blackledge was a much higher class of opponent than he had met previously but he showed impressive power and is one to watch. Blackledge, 27 a former undefeated Commonwealth champion has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights with Callum Smith and Lolenga Mock beating him but he gave Mock a tough fight in Denmark in June.

Little vs. MacMillan

No feeling out here these two went at it hammer and tongs from the bell. Both were landing some choice punches. MacMillan was coming forward for much of the round with Little scoring with left hooks to the body and rights to the head and both landing uppercuts. MacMillan shook Little with a sharp combination but Little just had the edge in accuracy. They set off at the same fast pace in the second. Both fighters were firing quality shots inside and at a distance. MacMillan’s mouthguard came out twice as Little continued to dig to the body and the referee warned MacMillan not to let it happen again. Despite that a body punch from Little in the third saw the mouthguard pop out again and it was obvious they were hurting MacMillan badly. MacMillan continued to plough forward but yet another body punch saw MacMillan’s mouthguard out and this time the referee deducted a point. MacMillan continued to take the fight to Little in the fourth but he was receiving more than he was giving and a crunching right to the body saw him drop to one knee. He got up but after the eight count a left to the body saw him go down on both knees. MacMillan’s corner threw in the towel and the referee stopped the fight when he completed the eight count. The 26-year-old Little, a former undefeated English champion, had scored a big win with a kayo of Martin Gethin in September last year but then lost to Glenn Foot in December. MacMillan came in as a very late replacement and did his bit in making this a stirring scrap.

 

Cebu City, Philippines: Light Fly: Milan Melindo (37-2) W PTS 12 Hekkie Budler (31-3). Super Fly: Jonas Sultan (14-3) W PTS 12 John Riel Casimero (24-4). Bantam: Arthur Villanueva (31-2) W RTD 4 Richie Mepranum (31-7-1). Welter: Jason Pagara (40-2-1) DREW 10 James Onyango (23-11-2).

10

Melindo vs. Budler

Melindo retains the IBF title with a split decision over South African Budler, Melindo was hampered by a cut from the fifth and a much worse one from the tenth but it was the speed and precision of Budler’s work that for me gave him the verdict. The judges decreed otherwise and a gutsy Melindo remains champion

Round 1

Both were throwing jabs early. Budler was showing good movement and hand speed. Melindo scored with a couple of hooks inside. He switched to southpaw a couple of time but Budler scored well with a couple of quick combinations and darted away from Melindo’s attack to take the round

Score 10-9 Budler

Round 2

Budler was again much quicker. He was fast and accurate with his jab and threw his right whenever he saw an opening. Melindo was going for hooks to the body. He scored with a couple and then just before the bell landed a disgracefully low punch put Budler down in agony. He was given time to recover and the bell went before the action could recommence but there should have been at least a warning to Melindo but it did not happen.

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      18-20

Round 3

Budler was snapping out his jab and finding the target. Melindo landed a solid left hook that looked to have Budler hurt but the South African stuck with his clever boxing and did enough to take this one.

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      27-30

Round 4

Melindo had a better round. He was finally letting his punches go particularly his trade mark left hook. Budler was sill sticking and moving but Melindo just did enough to pocket this one.

Score 10-9 Melindo                                                                                    37-39

Round 5

Melindo was slowly warming to the task. He was letting his left hook loose and scoring with short powerful counters. Budler was showing some class movement and throwing plenty of quick combination but the power from Melindo won out.

Score 10-9 Melindo                                                                                    47-48

Round 6

Budler maintained his frantic pace zipping around Melindo and slotting home jabs and quick rights. Melindo landed a couple of hooks but was waiting too long to fire off his shots. Melindo was now showing a cut over his left eye

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      56-58

Round 7

I could not believe what happened at the start of this round. After the fighters had left their corners for the start of the round the referee took Melindo back to his corner so that the doctor could examine the cut over Melindo’s left eye. The doctor cleaned away the blood and seemed satisfied Melindo could continue. Nothing wrong with that except that Melindo’s corner man then began to treat Melindo’s cut using a swab and putting ointment on it which he should never have been allowed to do. The referee should have stopped it happening. How can a second be allowed to treat a cut once his man has left the corner. It was an untidy round with more missing than connecting from both fighters. Budler was bit more accurate and Melindo landed fewer but harder punches so I did what I don’t like to do and made this one level.

Score 10-10 Even                                                                                      66-68

Round 8

Budler’s round. The speed and precision of his punches saw jab after jab pierce Melindo’s guard and he scored with a couple of cracking rights. Melindo also landed a hard right but was too slow with his counters and left swishing air.

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      75-78

Round 9

Incredibly once again the referee escorted Melindo back to his corner. The doctor said it was OK to continue and Melindo’s corner man treated the cut. What’s going on here? Don’t the officials know you can’t allow this? Once a boxer has left his corner only the doctor should be allowed near the cut. Melindo took this one but only just. He was countering well, landing his left hook and although busier Budler was not as accurate as he had been in other rounds.

Score 10-9 Melindo                                                                                    85-87

Round 10

Budler’s speed again took this one. Melindo had no answer to the jab Budler was constantly sliding past his leaky guard. The South African was also getting home rights. Melindo landed a good right and a left hook and as they traded a clash of heads sent Melindo staggering backwards. Blood was now running from a cut over the right eye of Melindo. He complained to the referee that is was a deliberate butt. The referee saw nothing wrong and in fact only warned Budler about a punch to the back of the head. Budler finished the round strongly to take it.

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      94-97

Round 11

The cut on the right eyelid was a bad one and for a third time when the round began the referee took Melindo back to his corner and after the doctor had stopped examining the cut Melindo’s second used a swab and ointment on the cut. This was Budler’s round Melindo scored early with his best combination of punches in the fight but then Budler took over. He was banging jab after jab through Melindo’s guard and following that with straight rights as Melindo fired desperate counters which missed

Score 10-9 Budler                                                                                      103-107

Round 12

Yet again the referee took Melindo back to his corner and once again when the doctor had finished his examination Melindo’s second treated the cut and the referee actually pulled Melindo away with the second still smearing ointment on the cut. It was streaming blood down the side of Melindo’s face and the two cuts must have been affecting Melindo’s vision. As they traded punches Melindo landed a couple of head shots and sent Budler sprawling to the canvas. The South African was up immediately and not hurt. Melindo let go some hard hooks and piled forward but Budler met him half way and they exchanged punches on level terms to the bell.

Score 10-8 Melindo                                                                         113-115

Official scores 117-110 and 115-112 for Melindo and 115-113 for Budler.

Melindo had struggled to make the weight for this one. He failed on the first try and had to strip naked to make it on attempt No 2 and appeared sluggish at times. The 29-year-old “Method Man” had won the IBF title with a spectacular one round win over Akira Yaegashi in Japan and was making the first defence of his title. Melindo does not have a mandatory challenger as the top two positions in the IBF ratings are both vacant but it will be quite some time before these two cuts heal so he will be on the sidelines for a while. I though the Budler won this one. His hand speed and accuracy gave him the edge in most rounds but you get no favours on the road even with neutral officials. He is unlikely to want or get a return but he has the skills to challenge any of the other three title holders.

On the matter of the cuts being treated. Even if the bell to start a new round had not sounded you cannot allow a fighter’s corner to take advantage of the doctor’s inspection to work on a cut. Their one minute is up-the referee can get them to wipe excess ointment off yes-but swab the cut and put on more ointment-no.

Sultan Casimero

Sultan gets massive win as he take well deserved unanimous decision over former undefeated IBF flyweight champion Casimero. Sultan bossed the bout most of the way. He used some sharp jabbing and hefty hooks and Casimero was having trouble finding his range and getting into gear. Sultan swept the early rounds and rocked Casimero with a strong combination in the fifth. That seemed to awaken Casimero who attacked hard in the sixth and seventh but Sultan showed some classy defensive work and he dictated the pace of the fight over the following rounds to build a winning lead. Casimero tried hard for a knockout in the last but to no avail and Sultan was a clear winner. Scores 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 all for Sultan. The 25-year-old “Zorro” from the ALA Gym and a former undefeated Philippines title holder has turned his career around with 10 wins in his last 11 fights. Casimero was rated No 3 by the IBF but position No 1 was vacant and Rau’shee Warren was No 2. Since Warren has not beaten a fighter in the current IBF ratings he cannot go to No 1 but as Sultan, rated No 7, beat No 3 Casimero he can go to that top spot. A fight with champion Jerwin Ancajas would be the first world title fight between two Filipino’s since 1925 when Pancho Villa defended the flyweight title against Clever Sencio. The fly in the ointment could be WBO champion Naoya Inoue who may be eyeing a unification fight with Ancajas. As for Casimero he had looked imperious in defeating British challenger Charlie Edwards in September but has some hard work to do after being a clear loser here.

Villanueva vs. Mepranum

Villanueva returns to the winning column as Mepranum has had enough after four rounds. A focused body attack proved too much for the clever but light punching Mepranum. although Villanueva also landed some excellent straight rights and lefts to the head through the first three rounds it was the barrage of hooks to the body from both hands that undid Mepranum. He showed some classy skills but by the fourth he was fighting out of a half crouch trying to protect his body from Villanueva’s body punches. He did not look like a finished fighter but at the end of the fourth he retired. “King Arthur” was having his first fight since being floored and losing a very wide unanimous decision against Zolani Tete for the interim WBO bantam title in April. His other loss was also in a fight for a vacant title when he was beaten on a technical decision by McJoe Arroyo for the IBF super fly title in 2015. He is rated WBC 10 so another title shot is a distant hope. As with Villanueva Mepranum has been beaten twice in world title fights with his losses coming against Julio Cesar Miranda and Juan Francisco Estrada. This loss to Villanueva is his third inside the distance defeat in a row but you don’t get much tougher opposition than Carlos Cuadras, Luis Nery and Villanueva

Pagara vs. Onyango

Pagara almost steps on a banana skin here as he only just scrapes a split draw where a loss would have cost him his WBO No 3 rating. It was very much a fight of two halves. Pagara swept the first five rounds and floored Onyango in the second and fifth rounds. However the Kenyan stayed in the fight and Pagara faded badly over the last five rounds. Pagara was being caught with hard punches from both hands and looked close to going down a couple of times. A cut over his left eye suffered in the eighth just added to his problems and he had to fight hard to still be there to the last bell. Scores 95-93 Pagara, 94-93 for Onyango and 94-94. When you realise that Pagara had the benefit in his scoring of two 10-8 rounds it shows how close Onyango came to a major upset. Home town fighter Pagara, 29, was having his first fight for 10 months and there were questions before the fight about his preparation and those fears were confirmed. He may also have seen Onyango as an easy opponent. The 34-year-old Kenyan has been in with some high class opposition in David Avanesyan, Denis Shafikov and Julius Indongo and ten of his losses have been in the other guy’s town and he can feel unlucky that he did not get the win here.

 

Escobar, Argentina: Light: Elias Araujo (17-0) W PTS 10 German Benitez (19-2,1ND). Araujo wins the interim WBC Latino title with split verdict over Benitez. There was a complete difference in styles here. Araujo lived up to his “Macho” nickname with constant wild attacks with Benitez forced to box on the back foot and counter. They both had enough success for this to be a tough one to call. The first three rounds were fairly even but Benitez boxed better over the middle round. He looked to have built a lead by the end of the eighth but threw that away when he was deducted a point for a number of low punches in the ninth. Araujo just did enough to edge the last to take the division. Scores 96-93 and 95-94 for Araujo and 96-93 for Benitez so the deduction cost Benitez a draw. The 30-year-old Araujo is the Argentinian No 5. Benitez who was rated No 4 had won his last three fights.

 

Hobart, Australia: Feather: Luke Jackson (15-0) W PTS 10 Humberto de Santiago (14-4-1). Jackson moves on with unanimous verdict over Mexican de Santiago. After a couple of even rounds Jackson got into his stride in the third with some stiff jabs and a right to the head of de Santiago. He also had the better of the fourth with a succession of good hooks. de Santiago had a better fifth bringing blood from Jackson’s nose with a hook but Jackson was back in control from the seventh shaking the Mexican with a big right and taking the eighth and ninth and also opening a cut on de Santiago’s lip. They both finished strongly in the last. Scores 100-91, 98-92 and 97-94 with the first two scores a little harsh on de Santiago. “Action” Jackson, 32, retains his WBO Oriental title in his first defence and protects his WBO No 10 rating. de Santiago was a very live opponent. He had won 13 of his last 14 fights, 10 of those wins by KO/TKO admittedly against very modest opposition.

 

Vaasa, Finland: Heavy: Johann Duhaupas (36-4) W TKO 4 Evgeny Orlov (17-16-1). Just a keep busy fight for Duhaupas. He had outpointed Orlov way back in 2009 and has come far since then. This time the fight did not go the distance. After spearing Orlov with jabs over the first two rounds Duhaupas ended it in the third. He had Orlov in a corner and just unloaded with both hands until the referee halted the action. The 36-year-old Frenchman, the WBC No 10, won two big fights beating Manuel Charr and knocking out Robert Helenius but lost three biggies to Erkan Teper, Deontay Wilder for the WBC title and Alex Povetkin. He will try to keep busy hoping to get another chance at the world title. The 39-year-old 6’9 ¾” (207cm) Orlov weighed 307lbs (139kgs) and was every bit as slow as that indicates.

 

Kiev, Ukraine: Welter: Karen Chukhadzhyan (10-1) W KO 5 Steve Suppan (7-1-1). Super Light: Viktor Postol (29-1) W PTS 10 Jamshidbek Najmiddinov (14-1). Light: Denys Berinchyk (7-0) W TKO 6 Ismael Garcia (8-2). Feather: Oleg Malynovskyi (21-0) W PTS 8 Alex Cazares (15-10). Welter: Mishiko Beselia (16-0) W PTS 8 Aristides Quintero (20-9-1).

10A

Chukhadzhyan vs. Suppan

Kiev boxer Chukhadzhyan wins the vacant WBO Youth title with savage kayo of Dutchman Suppan. The taller Chukhadzhyan bossed most of the rounds but Suppan showed some nice skills and was competitive all the way. The end came in the fifth. Chukhadzhyan landed a heavy right to the chin that sent Suppan into the ropes. Chukhadzhyan forced Suppan off the ropes with a right to the body and the sent him staggering back with another right before landing a crushing left hook that put Suppan down flat on his back and it was some time before he recovered. The 21-year-old Chukhadzhyan lost his first pro fight so that is now 10 wins in a row, 5 by KO/TKO. Suppan came into this fight with only two week’s notice and did well considering that handicap

Postol vs. Najmiddinov

Postol was too experienced and too big for the Uzbek novice but had a couple of shaky moments on the way to the win. He was outboxing Najmiddinov in the first but when a punch brushed across his chin and landed on his shoulder Postol staggered back and put his right glove on the canvas to stop himself going over which was technically a knockdown but it was ignored. Later in the opening round even more clearly a left hook landed on Postol’s chin and again he tumbled back and put his glove firmly on the floor so two knockdowns but no count and no points lost. Postol had no trouble outboxing the crude Uzbek southpaw over the next three rounds but was having trouble landing anything heavy and still getting caught on occasion by some wild lefts. In the fifth Najmiddinov finally got a knockdown that was registered. He launched a rushing attack and landed what did not look a heavy left but Postol went down. When he got up his legs were wobbling. After the count a frantic Najmiddinov threw Postol to the canvas which gave Postol some small respite. Najmiddinov was too wild in his attacks and Postol managed to hold and wrestle to the bell.  It had been a near thing but Najmiddinov’s chance had gone. Postol controlled the rest of the fight with his jab and straight rights. Najmiddinov was still dangerous with occasional wild lefts but he tired badly and Postol was a clear winner. Scores 97-92 twice and 98-92 all for Postol. First fight for Postol since losing his WBC title to Terrence Crawford in July last year and he did not impress in a messy fight with a relative novice. This was a huge step up in the level of opposition for the Uzbek but he gave Postol a very uncomfortable ride.

Berinchyk vs. Garcia

Berinchyk is just too quick and too skilful for brave Spaniard Garcia. The local fighter confused Garcia with constant movement and as the Spaniard continued to roll bravely forward Berinchyk was catching him with jabs and stinging counters. Garcia kept coming but Berinchyk was making him pay and landed a scorching tight uppercut in the second. As Garcia pressed hard Berinchyk went down in the third but it was ruled a slip and Berinchyk went back to banging home shots from both hands and not being there when Garcia tried to land his own punches. Hooks, uppercuts, right crosses Berinchyk used them all and Garcia took them all and punched back. It was exhibition stuff from Berinchyk and by the end of the fifth Garcia’s face was heavily smeared with blood. In the sixth the referee had the doctor examine Garcia’s nose which was pouring blood. He survived that examinations but more punishment from Berinchyk had Garcia’s face a mask of blood and the as the referee asked the doctor to examine him again the towel had come in from Garcia’s corner. The 29-year-old Berinchyk came into the ring in a prison jump suit with shackles on both his hands and feet but I have no idea what that was about. As an amateur he won silver medals for Ukraine at the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics with a win over Jeff Horn in the London games. He is brilliant boxer but at 29 he needs to start working his way up to top level opponents. Garcia showed guts, almost too much and he lacked the skill and experience to match someone as good as Berinchyk.

Malynovskyi vs. Cazares

Southpaw Malynovskyi had a good deal of height and reach over Mexican Cazares but found the little Mexican a difficult opponent. Malynovskyi was able to slot home jabs and straight rights with Cazares looking to draw the lead and then dart forward head down throwing punches and by the end of the second round Malynovskyi was showing a swelling over his left eye from a punch. From the third Malynovskyi had figured Cazares out and was dropping in his own punches and anticipating the Mexican’s rushes. Malynovskyi kept up the pressure and Cazares indulged in some clowning which Malynovskyi just ignored and got on with the job but the little Mexican was never an easy target and was never in trouble. Scores 79-73 twice and 80-72 all for Malynovskyi. The 29-year-old from Kiev has an inflated No 6 rating with the WBO due having won their European title (over a guy with 11-5 record). He is a very orthodox stand up stylish fighter but lacks any real power. Cazares has never lost by KO/TKO and has gone the distance in fights in Europe against Karim Guerfi, Paul Butler and Sofiane Takoucht.

Beselia vs. Quintero

Beselia gets comfortable victory over Spanish-based Panamanian Quintero. This time it was the visitor who had height and reach on his side. Luckily for Beselia Quintero had no idea of how to put those to use. In the second Beselia landed a right cross to the chin. Quintero took a couple of steps back and then went down on one knee. After the eight count he just covered up until late in the round when he suddenly rocked Beselia with a big left hook. From there Quintero decided to just walk forward behind a high guard allowing Beselia to score with hooks and uppercuts and too often when he got close Quintero was swishing air. He improved in the fourth and fifth firing home some hard head punches and some swinging hooks but was being outpunched. Beselia was cut over his left eye and during a time out for tape on Quintero’s gloves to be fixed Beselia was allowed to go back to his corner where his corner worked on the cut-no way that should have been allowed. Quintero continued to march forward with Beselia picking him off with body punches but the Panamanian remained competitive to the end. Scores 80-71, 80-72 and 79-72 all for Beselia. The 25-year-old Georgian-born Beselia had won 8 of his last 10 fights by KO/TKO but despite the knockdown he never looked like putting Quintero away. Now four losses in a row for Quintero.

 

Lincoln, RI, USA: Welter: Jimmy Williams (15-0-1) W PTS 10 Juan Rodriguez (13-5). Williams scores an early knockdown but has to work hard for ten rounds to finally get the Verdict. Williams was off to a flying start putting Rodriguez down with a right in the second round. Southpaw Rodriguez did not fold but got up and fought back hard over the middle rounds. Williams stuck to his boxing and ran out a deserving winner. Scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93 for Williams who was making the second defence of his WBC USNBC title. He gets his second win in three weeks having knocked out Issouf Kinda in four rounds in another WBC USNBC title defence on 26 August. Now 4 losses in his last 5 fights for Rodriguez.

 

Fight of the week:  Callum Smith vs. Erik Skoglund. Golovkin vs. Alvarez was a bigger event but hot a great fight

Fighter of the week: Gennady Golovkin-for me he won the fight

Punch of the week: .The Jesus Rojas left hook that ended his fight with Claudio Marrero with honourable mentions to Karen Chukhadzhyan’s left hook that flattened Steve Suppan and Daniel Dubois right that ended the fight with AJ Carter

Upset of the week: Jonas Sultan’s win over John Riel Casimero with honourable mentions to Jesus Rojas who was the underdog against Claudio Marrero and Zach Parker’s one round win over Luke Blackledge and James Onyango was brought to the Philippines just to give Jason Pagara some work but instead nearly ruined Pagara’s world title hopes.

One to watch:   Has to be Anthony Yarde

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