Check out Eric Armit’s comprehensive report in The Week In Boxing – May 1, 2018!

 

Highlights

-Isaac Dogboe halts Jesse Magdaleno to win the WBO title giving Ghana its ninth world champion and its youngest

-Daniel Jacobs and Jarrell Miller win points decisions in New York

-Kevin Lejarraga crushes Bradley Skeete in two rounds to win vacant European title

-Jesse Hart and Bryant Jennings score wins in Philadelphia

– Fernando Santana, Chris van Heerden, Frederick Lawson and Brad Solomon win through to the semi-finals of the Jose Sulaiman International tournament- –Arthur Abraham gets controversial points win over Patrick Nielson

– Vicente Legrand wins the vacant European flyweight title

-Liam Cameron retains Commonwealth title with stoppage of Nicky Jenman

 

April 26

 

Sarcelles, France: Middle: Bilel Jkitou (10-0) W PTS 10 Christian Arvelo Segura (11-3). Jkitou wins the vacant WBC Mediterranean title with wide unanimous decision over Segura. Jkitou, who won the WBC ABU title in February, took this incident filled fight on scores of 97-90 twice and 95-92. Bilel is the younger brother of unbeaten Rachid Jkitou.  Italian-based Dominican boxer Segura had won his last six fights

 

Tokyo, Japan: Super Welter: Takeshi Inoue (13-0-1) W PTS 12 Yuki Nonaka (31-10-3).  Inoue keeps on track with victory over veteran Nonaka in a bloody and exciting scrap. Southpaw Nonaka used his longer reach to take the first round but Inoue stepped up the pace and managed to get inside and work the body to be in front by the end of the third. Nonaka used good footwork to open some space over the middle rounds and scored well with his left but a punch from Inoue opened a cut over his right eye in the eighth. A clash of heads saw Inoue cut over his left eye in the ninth as they kept up the frantic pace with Inoue having built a good lead. Nonaka took the tenth and had a good eleventh to make it close but the younger man had more left and clearly won the last and the decision. Scores 116-112, 116-113 and 115-113 all for the 28-year-old OPBF champion Inoue.  Julian Williams fills the No 1 spot in the IBF ratings with the No 2 spot vacant. The winner of this fight was reportedly going to rise to No 2 in the ratings so although Inoue was only rated No 9 (8) and Nonaka No 11(9) Inoue will now jump over fighters such as Kanat Islam, Erislandy Lara, Kell Brook and Dennis Hogan. The 40-year-old Nonaka, a former OPBF champion, and twice Japanese champion was 12-1-1 in his last 14 fights but had lost to Dennis Hogan in his last fight. He will probably now retire.

 

Dallas, TX, USA: Light Heavy: Sam Clarkson (21-4) W RTD 3 Milton Nunez (35-19-1). Clarkson beats a very much abused Nunez. In the opening round Texan Clarkson hurt Nunez early with a body punch and then floored him later in the round. Clarkson continued to clobber Nunez in the second and third and the Colombian’s corner retired their man at the end of the round. Clarkson is 14 -2 in his last16 fights with the defeats coming against Jesse Hart and Dmitry Bivol. This is win No 14 by KO/TKO. The 30-year-old Nunez was at one time 21-1-1 but was then blown away in 58 seconds by Gennady Golovkin in a 2010 challenge for the interim WBA middle title and this is his fifteenth loss by KO/TKO.

 

April 27

 

Buenos Aires: Argentina: Welter: Luis Veron (14-0) W PTS 10 Gabriel Ledesma (12-2). Veron relieves Ledesma of the WBC Latino title with a majority decision that should have been unanimous. From the outset Veron was quicker and more accurate using his longer reach to set Ledesma up for some powerful right crosses. Ledesma pressed hard over the fourth and fifth but was having trouble getting past Veron’s jab. Ledesma was marked up with a swelling around his right eye and was being hurt by left hooks to the body from Veron. The challenger looked to have won comfortably. He was the winner on two cards by 99-91 and 96-94 with the third judges scoring it 95-95. The 25-year-old Veron, the Argentinian No 6, was moving up to ten rounds for the first time. “Pitbull” Ledesma, 24, had been rated No 2 and had won his last two fights by KO/TKO.

 

Hobart, Australia: Feather: Luke Jackson (16-0) W KO 2 Surachet Thongmala (7-9). “Action” Jackson marches on. The local hero overpowered late substitute Thongmala to register his seventh win by KO/TKO. The 33-year-old Olympian, the WBO No 9, will have to move up to tougher opposition soon. He suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder but says that in fact it gives him an edge when it comes to his focus on defence. Thongmala came in as a very late substitute after Argentinian Javier Herrera had visa problems. Seven losses by KO/TKO now for Thongmala.

 

Barranquilla, Colombia: Bantam: Yenifel Vincent (30-3-2,1ND) W TKO 4 Walberto Ramos (24-9-2). Feather: Luis Lebron (11-0-1) W PTS 10 Luis Ruiz (9-2) . Bantam: Jeyvier Cintron (5-0) W TKO 4 Jonathan Burgos (13-4-1).

Vincent vs. Ramos

Vincent wins the vacant WBO Latino title as he massacres poor Ramos. The WBO No 12 almost finished it in the first as he put Ramos down twice. Vincent continued to land heavily in the second flooring Ramos again and a fourth knock down came in round four. Ramos was shipping punishment in the fifth when the fight was stopped. The 31-year-old Miami-based Dominican Vincent makes it 23 wins by KO/TKO including five on the bounce. His losses have been against Chris Avalos, Juan Antonio Rodriguez and Eric Hunter so he stumbles when the hurdles are higher. Ramos came in as a very late replacement and was having his first fight in 21 months.

Lebron vs. Ruiz

Lebron powers to victory with a unanimous verdict over local fighter Ruiz to win the vacant WBO Latino title. Ruiz made a good start showing plenty of speed and getting through with a serious uppercut. In the second Lebron hunted Ruiz down and a vicious body shot saw Ruiz take a count. Ruiz then went off the plan and mixed it with Lebron and the fight really caught fire. Lebron was hunting Ruiz down and Ruiz was boxing skilfully and countering hard and picking up rounds but the fight turned again in the ninth when another body punch forced Ruiz to go down on one knee. Ruiz fought back and took the last but could not overcome the two knockdowns. Scores 95-93 twice for Lebron and a way out 99-91. Good win for the 24-year-old Puerto Rican “Popeye” and his third victory in a row over good level opposition. Ruiz, also 24, had won his last three fights by KO/TKO.

Cintron vs. Burgos

Hot prospect Cintron makes it five in a row with stoppage of Burgos. The talented 23-year-old Puerto Rican looks likely to make quite a splash. He broke into the Puerto Rican national team at 17ans scored two wins over Emmanuel Rodriguez who fights Paul Butler for the vacant IBF bantam title on May 5. Now trained by former champion Ivan Calderon he is the only Puerto Rican to have fought at two Olympics, the 2012 and 2016, and was a silver medal winner at the World Youth Championships. Too good for guys like Colombian Burgos although he had won 4 of his last 5 fights.

Massy, France: Middle: Anderson Prestot (21-1) W RTD 5 Kamel Abdesselam (16-12-1). Super Bantam: Adel Hadjouis (10-6-1) W PTS 10 Sofian Bellahcene (8-14-3).

Prestot vs. Abdesselam

Prestot delights his home fans as he wins the vacant French title against useful Abdesselam. Prestot was scoring heavily with hooks and uppercuts with Abdesselam lacking the power to match him. Abdesselam showed some good defensive work to keep himself in the fight but a series of hard, accurate body punches in the fourth effectively ended the fight, Abdesselam lasted to the bell then complained of a pain in his side and when his coach asked if he wanted out he nodded. Prestot lost to the very experienced Frank Haroche for the French super welter title in 2015 but since moving up to middle has won six in a row. He is No 21 in the European Union ratings and presumably he will now work towards a shot at the EU title. Former champion Abdesselam was No 16 with the EU due to an unexpected win Davy Armand at the end of 2016.

Hadjouis vs. Bellahcene

The super bantam division is not very strong in France and although only really a  journeymen  Bellahcene was making the third defence of the national title. Unfortunately the dream came to an end here for him as Hadjouis won a clear unanimous decision. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Hadjouis. Neither of these fighters will get past domestic standard but this was a big night for them both.

 

Accra, Ghana: Light: George Ashie (28-4-1) W PTS 12 Michael Mokoena (12-2). Super Bantam: Isaac Sackey (20-0-1) W PTS 12 Ray Commey (18-6). Middle: Obodai Sai (34-3) W TKO 1 Richard Ashong (0-12).

Ashie vs. Mokoena

Ashie makes one of his rare appearances and wins the interim WBO African title with a majority decision over South African. It was the visitor who took the eye early using his long jab and some accurate rights to edge ahead. In the fourth a clash of heads saw Ashie cut over his left eye and that acted as a wake-up call. He then went to the body heavily in the fourth and rocked Mokoena with an uppercut in the fifth. The next three rounds were close with Ashie having a slight edge but Mokoena went back to his jab in the ninth and they both fought hard over the last three rounds with first one and then the other getting home hard punches as they traded to the last bell. Scores a reported 117-105 for Ashie which just not seem possible but that was as it was reported, 117-113 for Ashie and 116-116. Ashie, a former Commonwealth champion has lost only one of his last 18 fights and that was to the 28-1current IBO champion Emmanuel Tagoe. However he had only one fight each in years 2013 and 2014 was inactive in 2015 and had only one fight in 2016 and 2017. Mokoena had won his last five fights and this one was much closer than even the 117-113 score indicates.

Sackey vs. Commey

Ghanaian champion Sackey wins this domestic battle for the WBO African title with victory over Commey, It was one-way traffic with Commey struggling to get a foothold in the fight. Sackey dominated the action and won on wide margins on all three cards. Scores 120-109 twice and 117-111 for Sackey. The new champion has impressive looking statistics but Commey is the first test of any kind he has faced and hopefully he will now move up to more competitive matches. Former Ghanaian champion Commey was 3-3 going into this but the losses included overseas assignment against tough opposition in China and Philippines

Sai vs. Ashong

A disgraceful piece of rubbish here as Sai halts pathetic Ashong inside the first round.  Former Commonwealth title challenger Sai goes to 26 wins by KO/TKO and poor Ashong gets his eighth loss by KO/TKO in his last nine fights and the records say this was his first fight since March 2014.

 

San Marzano al Sarno, Italy: Light: Gianluca Ceglia (14-3-1) DREW 10 Pasquale Di Silvio (21-10-2). Light: Domenico Valentino (4-0) W Milan Delic (6-13).

Ceglia vs. Di Silvio

The EU title remains vacant as these two fight to a split draw. Ceglia was the younger boxer by ten years and it was expected Di Silvio would pace the fight. However Di Silvio came out fast working behind his jab and Ceglia took a while to settle allowing Di Silvio to build a good lead despite suffering a cut in a clash of heads in the fourth. The fight eventually changed when Di Silvio started to try to slow the pace partially due to tiredness but also to an injury to his right hand. That led to a lot of clinching and also to heads banging together and Ceglia took control of some back-and –forth action over the closing rounds. Scores 116-113 for Ceglia, 115-114 for Di Silvio and 114-114. Local fighter Ceglia, a former undefeated Italian champion was 5-1 in his last 6 fights with the loss being to Swedish star Anthony Yigit. The 38-year-old Roman Di Silvio, also an undefeated former Italian champion, had failed in an earlier challenge for the European title.

Valentino vs. Delic

It still pains me that Valentino has waited too long to turn pro. He breezed through this fight almost finishing it when scoring two knockdowns in the fourth only for the game young Serbian to survive and go the distance. The 33-year-old Valentino is a supreme stylist. As an amateur he took time out from his role as a policeman to medal at every World Championships between 2005 and 2013 winning a gold, a silver and three bronze medals. He was three times European Union champion ,and Italian champion in 2003/04/05/06 and 2007 and scored wins over Jose Pedraza, Robinson Conceicao,  Jose Ramirez, Josh Taylor and many others. The 20-year-old Delic turned pro at 17 and has been a busy loser.

 

Guadalajara, Mexico: Super Middle: Zac Dunn (26-1) W RTD 5 Enrique Rubio (2-3). Super Welter: Luis Pina (20-1) W KO 5 Miguel Angel Vazquez (10-4-2).

Dunn vs. Rubio

Australian Dunn turns up on a small show in Guadalajara (I love typing that place. When spelling it if in doubt just put another A) and beats Rubio who retires after five one-sided rounds. Dunn launched a focused body attack from the opening bell with Rubio just being trapped on the ropes all the way and taking on board some wicked hooks. At the end of the fifth his corner retired their man. The 27-year-old former Commonwealth champion from Melbourne gets his third win since losing the Commonwealth title to Dave Brophy in March last year. He wins the vacant WBC Fecarbox title. My old geography teacher would be spinning in his grave at the absurdity of an Australian winning a Caribbean title!   Poor Rubio, only really a super welter was to have fought Luis Pina but stepped up to face Dunn when the Australian’s original opponent dropped out.

Pina vs. Vazquez

Pina returns to the winning column with a fifth round victory over substitute Vazquez. A crunching left to the body put Vazquez down in the fifth and he was counted out. Pina, 24 suffered his first career loss in October to a fighter with a 6-2 record so has some work to do to restore his reputation. Vazquez was 4-1-2 going in but all four of his losses have been by KO/TKO.

 

Sheffield, England: Middle: Liam Cameron (21-5) W RSC 3 Nicky Jenman (20-11 Home town fighter Cameron retains the Commonwealth title in a one-sided bout after Jenman failed to make the weight being 2lbs over the limit. The title was only on the line for Cameron and the result was never in doubt. Cameron had big edges in height and reach and was using the jab to set Jenman up for the right cross. Cameron landed with a couple of those and a strong left hook with Jenman trying to fire back but having trouble getting past the jab and Cameron rocked him with a right late in the first. Cameron continued to work with the jab in the second and also mixed in some sharp right uppercuts. Jenman tried hard but there was no way into the fight for him and late in the third he was hurt by a couple of left hooks to the body and then felled by a straight right. He made it to his feet but staggered into the ropes and the referee ended the fight. The 27-year-old champion was making the first defence of the title he won at the third attempt with an upset stoppage of Sam Sheedy in October, He gets his ninth win by KO/TKO. Southpaw Jenman just never got into the fight and suffers his sixth loss by KO/TKO.
Ontario, CA, USA: Welter: Giovanni Santillan (24-0) W KO 2 Alejandro Barboza (11-2). In a defence of his WBO NABO title Santillan gets this one over quickly. The San Diego southpaw took the fight too Barboza immediately and was landing heavily to head and body in the first. He continued to dominate in the second and ended things with a left to the body that dropped Barboza who never looked like beating the count.  The 26-year-old “Gallo de Oro” was making the second defence of the title and now has 14 wins by KO/TKO. Although born in San Diego Santillan went down to try out for the Mexican Junior Olympic team before finally turning pro. Mexican “Bad Boy” Barboza failed to make the weight and suffers his second loss in a row by KO/TKO.

 

Louisville, KY, USA: Welter: Francisco Santana (25-6-1) W PTS 10 Felix Diaz (19-3). Welter: Chris van Heerden (26-2-1) W PTS 10 Timo Schwarzkopf (18-2). Welter: Frederic Lawson (27-1) W PTS 10 Baishanbo Nasiyiwula (13-2-1). Welter: Brad Solomon (28-1) W PTS 10 Paddy Gallagher (13-4). Welter: Sergey Lubkovich (8-0) W PTS 10 Karim Mayfield (21-5-1).

Santana vs. Diaz

Santana comes in as a replacement and upsets the favourite and moves into the semi-finals in this Jose Sulaiman World Invitation tournament with majority decision over southpaw Diaz. Santana won this one by outworking Diaz but it was close. Santana took the first round but Diaz settled down and took the second. Santana was working harder but Diaz was more accurate and looked to have the harder punch. The fight swung one way and then the other with Santana having a good sixth and Diaz close to getting a knockdown in the seventh. Over the last three rounds the pressure and higher work rate saw Santana pull away and take the decision. Scores 98-92 and 96-94 for Santana and 95-95. Two other judges were also scoring every fight and they had it 98-92 for Santana. Good win for the 31-year-old Californian as he had lost his last two fights to Jose Benavidez and Mahonry Montes and was having his first contest since the Montes loss in April last year. Dominican Diaz won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and was paid a signing bonus of $100,000 when he turned pro. His losses have been a majority decision against Lamont Peterson and a stoppage defeat by Terrence Crawford in a challenge for the WBC and WBO super light titles. Santana will meet Brad Solomon in the semi-final.

van Heerden vs. Schwarzkopf

South African van Heerden won this one clearly as he used his deeper experience to outbox German-based Kosovon Schwarzkopf and then survived some rocky moments later in the fight. Southpaw van Heerden swept the early rounds with better movement and more accuracy and looked to be in cruise control.  . However the strong Schwarzkopf broke through with some heavy shots in the seventh and eighth which had van Heerden holding on until he recovered and controlled the last two rounds. Scores 98-92 for van Heerden from the three deciding judges with the other two both scoring it 97-93 for van Heerden. The 30-year-old “Heat” had a nine bout winning streak which took him into the world ratings but he was stopped in seven rounds by Errol Spence in 2015. He had a couple of good level wins in 2016 but this was his first fight since October 2016. Schwarzkopf had scored wins over some useful European opposition in Junior Witter, Gianluca Frezza and Massimiliano Ballisai with his only loss being to Swedish star Anthony Yigit. van Heerden will face Frederic Lawson in the semi final.

Lawson vs. Nasiyiwula

Lawson set it up to be a good weekend for Ghana with a victory over China’s Nasiyiwula. Lawson was a clear winner and controlled most of the fight but Nasiyiwula had enough good moments to make it competitive and entertaining with the scores diverging greatly from the three judges at 99-91, 98-92 and 96-94 for Lawson with the other two judges both scoring it 97-93 for Lawson. A broken jaw suffered in his loss to Kevin Bizier in 2015 saw Lawson inactive until march last year when he returned with a majority decision over Sakima Mullings and he is going to be a tough one to beat. Nasiyiwula, 23, an ethnic Kazak born and raised in China, suffered his only loss on a split decision to Rikki Naito in Tokyo but had won the WBA Asia and WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental titles in January. He is tall for the weight. He started as a bantam in the amateur and could grow to middleweight where he might be stronger.

Solomon vs. Gallagher

Solomon wins the only fight in these quarter-finals that ended in a split decision. He made a very rocky start as Belfast’s aggressive Gallagher put Solomon down with a body punch at the end of the first round. Solomon beat the count but was under pressure in the second. He finally got into the fight from the third but at the half way point Gallagher was ahead on two cards. Solomon clawed himself into contention over the second half of the fight just edging the close rounds but it could have gone either way. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Solomon and 96-93 for Gallagher with the other two judges both seeing it 95-94 for Solomon. The talented Solomon has underachieved and a less than entertaining style has not helped him. As an amateur he scored wins over Demetrius Andrade, Jesse Vargas and Danny Garcia and as a pro has beaten Kenny Galarza, Demetrius Hopkins, Freddy Hernandez and Ray Serrano but lost a split decision to unbeaten Konstantin Ponomarev in 2016 and needs to win this tournament to make any kind of statement.BBB of C Celtic champion Gallagher had lost only one of his last nine fights and will consider himself an unlucky loser here.

Lubkovich vs. Mayfield

This was a fight to establish the reserve fighter should any of the semi-finalists drop out. It was the poorest fight of the night with the respective styles not making for an entertaining ten rounds. There was too much clinching and Russian Lubkovich was docked a point in the fourth for holding. Nevertheless he emerged winner with four judges giving him the verdict and one going for Mayfield. The 22-year-old Lubkovich, managed by former IBF super light champion Eduard Troyanovsky, was coming off a good win over Viktor Plotnykov in November. Mayfield at 37 and 3-5 in his last 8 fights is going nowhere now.

 

Rangsit, Thailand: Fly: Kongfah (21-1) W PTS 10 Renz Rosia (14-6). Light Fly: Palangpol (15-2) W TKO 5 Gauray Singh (0-3). Fly: Noknoi (65-5) W TKO 3 Abdul Gulomov (0-1)

Kongfah vs. Rosia

Thai Kongfah (Jakkrawut Majoogoen) wins the vacant OPBF Silver title with unanimous decision over Filipino southpaw Rosia. The first half of the fight saw Rosia giving Kongfah all the trouble he could handle but the local fighter controlled the second half of the contest to run out a clear winner. Scores 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Kongfah. Now seven wins on the bounce for Kongfah whose only loss is a seventh round kayo by then future and now former WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa. “Jaguar” Rosia came to fight but has lost tough fights out of a suitcase against Makazole Tete and Moruti Mthalane in South Africa.

Palangpol vs. Singh

In his first fight since losing to Kosei Tanaka for the WBO light fly title in September Palangpol (Rangsan Chayanram) stopped Indian novice Singh in five rounds. Ninth win by KO/TKO for the 32-year-old Palangpol and a typically disgraceful match for a Thai undercard.

Noknoi vs. Gulomov

Another piece of undercard rubbish as former WBA secondary title challenger Noknoi (Nare Yianleang) stops a Tajik with two names given for his opponent. He beat either Abdul Gulomov or Abdul Rusmov-take your pick with the only thing certain is that it was disgraceful to find a 65-4 Noknoi facing a guy having his first pro fight.

 

Harare, Zimbabwe: Heavy: Elvis Moyo (8-5-2) W TKO 1 Maksym Pedyura (14-13-1). Moyo floors Ukrainian oldie Pedyura twice and the referee stops the fight in the first round. The 34-year-old “Bulawayo Bomber” was calling out Zimbabwe-born Dereck Chisora after this win but he is 6’1” and weighed just under 280lbs for his last fight so he should be more careful over what he wishes for. Poor 40-year-old Pedyura has now lost his last 10 fights, 8 of them by KO/TKO with those 8 fights all ending inside 4 rounds.

 

April 28

 

Villa Mercedes, Argentina: Feather: Alan Luques Castillo (25-7) W PTS 12 Esteban Stodulski (6-7-3). Super Feather: Fabricio Bea (9-0-1 W TKO 1 Augustin Leiton (15-13-1).

Luques vs. Stodulski

Luques retains the South American title with split decision over novice Stodulski. Experience won this one for Luques. Stodulski made a good start and built a lead after six rounds. From there Luques greater experience in pacing fights over distance saw him come from behind to just edge out the San Luis fighter. Scores 118-111 which was way out of court and 117 ½-116 for Luques and 117-116 ½ for Stodulski. Luques, the Argentinian No 3, was making the second defence of the title. He has now won 6 of his last 7 fights with the loss being to Diego De La Hoya last year. Stodulski, 25, had never gone past six rounds and was not in the Argentinian ratings so put up an impressive show.

Bea vs. Leiton

Hot local hope Bea blows away more experience Leiton inside a round. Bea went straight to work taking Leiton to the ropes and landed a series of booming rights in the first minute that put Leiton down. He beat the count but more clubbing rights floored him again and the fight was stopped as the towel came in from Leiton’s corner. The 20-year-old Bea has scored all of his nine victories by KO/TKO including four first round finishes. Eighth loss by KO/TKO for Leiton.

 

Edmonton, Canada: Heavy: Adam Braidwood (13-1) W TKO 4 Hugo Leon (5-2).

Braidwood gets this one out of the way so that he can focus on more important business. The Vancouver fighter handed out lots of punishment with young Mexican Leon managing to get through with some overhand rights. A vicious uppercut in the fourth which probably left Leon with a broken nose led to the stoppage. The 33-year-old Braidwood has won his last 12 fights the last 10 of those victories by KO/TKO. His next date will be against unbeaten fellow-Canadian Simon Kean on 16 June for the IBO International title one that has Canadian fight fans excited. Leon, 19, just a prelim fighter suffers his second loss by KOTKO

 

Douai, France: Fly: Vincent Legrand (27-0) W PTS 12 Juan Hinostroza (7-9-1). Light Heavy: Mathieu Bauderlique (14-1) W PTS 10 Eddy Lacrosse (9-5-2). Welter: Mehdi Mouhib (16-0) W TKO 2 Bogdan Mitic (21-10). Light: Guillame Frenois (46-1) W RTD 5 Michal Dufek (24-17-2).

Legrand vs. Hinostroza

Local southpaw Legrand remains unbeaten and wins the vacant European title with one-sided victory over Hinostroza. Although it was an east win for the French southpaw who towered over Hinostroza (5’8 ½”-174cm to 5’3” 160cm) it was not without its problems as he fought from the fourth round with an injured left hand and he counted it as a disappointing performance. Scores 120-108, 120-109 and 119-109 with Hinostroza falling below the standard of the usual EBU challenger. The 26-year-old Legrand held this title before but relinquished it hoping for a world title shot . He is rated No 11 super flyweight by both the WBA and WBO and is now under orders to defend his European title against the WBC No 1 Andrew Selby. Spanish-based Peruvian Hinostroza was a poor challenger.

Bauderlique vs. Lacrosse

Southpaw Bauderlique wins the vacant French title with unanimous decision over Lacrosse. Bauderlique had to climb off the floor in the second round but was not really threatened after that. The former top level amateur had the longer reach and superior skills and outboxed Lacrosse but was never comfortable and had to be careful as Lacrosse forced the fight and was dangerous with his wide slung hooks. Scores 99-92, 97-92 and 96-93. The 28-year-old local fighter suffered his only loss when he recklessly charged a badly shaken Dragan Lepei and was knocked down and out in the first round by a counter. A former Olympic bronze medallist, he lost to Julio Cesar Cruz in Rio, he was French champion and a AIBA pro champion. Lacrosse, the French No 3 has yet to lose inside the distance.

Mouhib vs. Mitic

Despite giving away height and reach French No 1 Mouhib had no trouble halting Serbian Mitic. The neighbourhood favourite gets his tenth win by KO/TKO as he tries to break into the European ratings. Fourth loss by KO/TKO for Mitic.

Frenois vs. Dufek

Frenois wins a keep busy fight as he hopes to land a world title shot. Frenois had height, reach and an abundance of skill which Dufek could not hope to match. Frenois was looking to get the full six rounds of practice and was disappointed when Dufek’s corner pulled their man out at the end of the fifth. The 34-year-old from St Quentin (That’s the French one not the Californian prison one)  has won his last 15 fights but his highest rating is No 6 (4) with the IBF and with Billy Dib, Tevin Farmer and Gervonta Davis in front of him he may never land that shot. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Dufek who was a late choice as opponent.

 

Offenburg, Germany: Super Middle: Arthur Abraham (47-6) W PTS 12 Patrick Nielsen (29-2). Super Middle: Nieky Holzken (14-1) W TKO 3 Bernard Donfack (23-19-4). Light Heavy: Leon Bunn (9-0) W PTS 8 Tomasz Adamek (26-1562). Cruiser: Kai Robin Havnaa (13-0) W KO 2 Frank Bluemle (15-6-2). Super Welter: Abass Barou (1-0) W TKO 4 Artur Mueller (5-01).

Abraham vs. Nielsen

Five words seem to come together too often.  They are Arthur Abraham, controversial decision and Germany and once again against Dane Nielsen “King Arthur” gets a much criticised win over in Germany. As usual the early rounds saw Nielsen taking the lead as he pounded away at the slow starting Abraham who used his familiar tactics of walking in behind a high guard and throwing few but accurate punches. He was blocking many of the Danes punches but Nielsen was throwing a lot more and subsequently landing more. Abraham stepped up the pace and staged his traditional strong finish over the last four rounds but it did not seem enough to overtake the lead Nielsen had built as the Dane did enough to make those rounds close. Scores 116-111 twice for Abraham and a more accurate looking 114-113 for Nielsen. It was difficult to w see where a five point advantage for Abraham came from but these decisions have happened too often in Abraham’s career for anyone to be really surprised. The 38-year-old former two-division world champion has had a great career with plenty of wins that have not been disputable so it is a pity that the controversial wins cast a shadow over his outstanding achievements. He wins the vacant WBO International title here and is aiming for another world title shot before retiring this year. He was beaten so comprehensively by Gilberto Ramirez and Chris Eubank Jr that this seems unlikely but he could get one huge last payday against the holder of the secondary WBA title Tyron Zeuge or young Vincent Feigenbutz in a non-title fight. Nielsen, 27, was coming off a crushing kayo loss to John Ryder in October and had said he would retire if he lost to Abraham but he will not want to walk away after losing a fight he will most certainly feel he won.

Holzken vs. Donfack

Dutchman Holzken much too good for Donfack. Holzken took a couple of rounds to find his distance and then went to work in the third. A series of hooks and uppercuts put Donfack down and although he beat the count and the referee was willing to let the fight continue Donfack’s corner threw in the towel. Now 11 wins by KO/TKO for the 34-year-old Holzken who gave Callum Smith a good fight when he was drafted into the WBBS semi-final at short notice. Holzken’s reward was being taken on by Sauerland Promotions and will be guided by them in future. Cameroon-born Donfack is now 0-5-1 in his last six fights.

Bunn vs. Adamek

Bunn gets good test against experienced Adamek. The young Germany hope  made a fast start and landed well with punches from both hands over the first three rounds. After a slow start Adamek improved but Bunn continued to boss the exchanges with Adamek putting up stiff resistance Bunn decided to settle for going the distance and took the unanimous decision. In mainly domestic amateur competitions the Frankfurt 25-year-old collected a number of local titles in losing just three of 112 fights and is progressing well as a pro. The 37-year-old Adamek is 3-5 in his last 8 fights but a win last year in Norway against local fighter the 16-2 Tim Robin Lihaug shows he has to be respected.

Havnaa vs. Bluemle

Havnaa destroyed the over-matched Bluemle inside two rounds. The big Swedish cruiser used his strong jab to take control from the start and in the second a straight right to the temple put Bluemle down and out. The 29-year-old son of former WBO champion Magne Havnaa makes it eleven wins by KO/TKO in his last 12 fights. He is trained by Joey Gamache and is already the subject of a six-part TV documentary series covering his pro career. Now six losses by KO/TKO for Bluemle.

Barou vs. Mueller

Yet another former top amateur turns pro under the Sauerland banner. Barou had unbeaten Mueller under pressure from the start and had him in trouble and cut over his left eye in the second. Mueller was allowed to take too much punishment in a brutal third and slumped to his knees just before the bell. He should not have been allowed out for the fourth. Barou battered Mueller around the ring landing vicious uppercuts and left hooks to the body. Mueller tried to fight back but after another series of head snapping punches he went down again and although he bravely made it to his feet the referee finally came to his sense and stopped the fight but Mueller was allowed to take the sort of beating that can ruin a young fighter’s career. The 23-year-old Barou a German of Togolese parentage won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships losing to Cuban star Rosniel Iglesias but lifted the gold medal at the European Championships beating Brit Pat McCormack in the final. One to follow. Mueller had won a ten round decision in his most recent contest but was out of his league here.

 

Kobe, Japan: Feather: Shun Kubo (13-1) W PTS 10 Hiroshige Osawa (33-5-4).

This was a fight neither could afford to lose and in the end the younger local hero Kubo took the verdict on a split decision. Kubo forged ahead in the early action. He used fast footwork and sharp, accurate southpaw lefts to sweep the first three rounds and have blood leaking from Osawa’s nose. Despite losing a point for excessive holding in the fifth Osawa had built some momentum now and when Kubo was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads and then deducted a point for holding things were going Osawa’s way. Kubo decided to fight instead of box and got back into the contest forcing Osawa on to the back foot and just doing enough to hold on to his earlier lead and take the decision. Scores 96-93 and 97-95 for Kubo and 95-94 for Osawa. Kubo, 28, a former holder of the secondary WBA super bantam champion was having his first fight since losing his title on a ninth round stoppage against Daniel Roman in September. He is now No 7 feather with the WBA so casting his eyes at another title shot.. Osawa was stopped in seven rounds by Oscar Valdez for the WBO feather title in 2016 but had rebounded with three wins but at 32 this was a loss he could not afford.

 

Managua, Nicaragua: Bantam: Melvin Lopez (14-0) W PTS 10 Yonathan Padilla (18-4). Fly: Felix Alvarado (33-2) W RTD 3 Ivan Meneses (19-17-1). Super Fly: Keyvin Lara (25-2-1) W KO 6 Moises Mojica (5-4-2).

Lopez vs. Padilla

Lopez collects the vacant WBC Youth title with impressive win over Mexican Padilla. Lopez was much the bigger man and bullied Padilla over the opening rounds putting Padilla down twice. After three rounds he was 40-36 up on all three cards. Despite his dominance  he was not able to put Padilla away and although he won every round in the end it was a flat performance from one of the most promising young fighters in Nicaragua. He was youth champion nine times and turned pro in 2015 at 17. However his weight has ranged from the 108lbs when he turned pro to the 123lbs he weighed for a fight in January which has some experts sounding cautious about his preparation. After losing only one of his first nineteen fights Padilla has now lost three in a row.

Alvarado vs. Flores

Alvarado continues to blow away mediocre opposition as he waits for a shot at a title. He punched too hard for former world title challenger Meneses who was under pressure but competitive. Alvarado was on top in the third and Meneses had to soak up plenty of punishment with his corner pulling their man out at the end of the round. Since suffering consecutive points losses for the secondary WBA to Kazuto Ioka at light flyweight and Juan Carlos Reveco at flyweight  in 2013 and 2014 respectively he has won 15 on the bounce 14 of them by KO/TKO. He is rated IBF 1/WBO 3/WBC 4 and is in line to meet the winner of the Ryoichi Taguchi vs. Hekkie Budler fight where the South African will be challenging for the WBA and IBF titles. Mexican Meneses was stopped in four rounds by Roman Gonzalez in a challenge for the WBA minimumweight title in 2010 but is well over the hill now with this his seventh loss in his last eight fights.

Lara vs. Mojica

Lara ended this one late. After winning every round as he furiously attacked the body he finally put novice Mojica down and out in the last. The 23-year-old Lara gets win No 9 by KO/TKO. After losing his first pro fight he has lost only one of his last 26 fights and that was an eleventh round kayo by Kazuto Ioka for the secondary WBA fly title in 2016. Seven wins since then but again mediocre opposition. Mojica just a 4 and 6 round fighter thrown in over his head.

 

Glan, Philippines: Super Fly: Jade Bornea (11-0) W PTS 10 Danrick Sumabong (5-1). Feather: Mark Bernaldez (16-1) W KO 1 JP Macadumpis (11-12-1).

Bornea vs. Sumabong

Former amateur star Bornea wins the vacant WBO Youth title to add to the IBF Youth title he already holds but it was a very close fight. Filipino teenager Sumabong proved a much tougher test than anticipated and Bornea only just edged him out. Scores 95-94 twice and 97-93 for Bornea. The 23-year-old from General Santos City won a bronze medal at the World Youth Championships and took gold at the Asian Junior Championships beating two-time world champion Kosei Tanaka in the tournament. Sumabong, 19, can certainly rebound from this and he was in his second ten round fight in his fledgling six bout career.

Bernaldez vs. Macadumpis

Bernaldez re-launches his career after almost three years away. Predictably he put away poor Macadumpis away inside a round. The 26-year-old Bernaldez had not fought since being stopped in seven rounds by useful Japanese fighter Tsuyoshi Tameda in Tokyo in August 2015. He has eleven wins by KO/TKO. Pathetic  Macadumpis has lost his last six fights all inside two rounds.

 

Bilbao, Spain: Welter: Kevin Lejarraga (25-0) W TKO 2 Bradley Skeete (27-2). Feather: Andoni Gago (19-3-3) W PTS 12 Geoffrey Dos Santos (11-1). Super Welter: Jorge Fortea (16-1-1) W PTS 10 Azael Cosio (21-7-2,1ND). Light: Boy Jones (16-1-1) W PTS 6 Stefan Nicolae (2-10).

Lejarraga vs. Skeete

Lejarraga wins the vacant European title as he crushes Skeete inside two rounds. A real “wow” results this one as Skeete is a very good boxer. The initial action saw Skeete moving well and stabbing out his strong jab. Lejarraga was walking forward behind a high guard throwing jabs of his own. Skeete was quicker and his jab already had Lejarraga’s face red but Lejarraga continued to walk forward showed a useful jab of his own and tried some big rights. Things seemed to have gone to plan for Skeete in the first but the second was a different story. Lejarraga stepped up the pace coming forward quicker and letting his hands go, Skeete continued to box on the back foot sliding home jabs but then he was caught with a heavy right to the side of his head which sent him down on his knees. Skeete was up at seven but when the action resumed Lejarraga was storming forward throwing punches with Skeete scrabbling to stay out of trouble. A left to the body saw Skeete take a step back and then go down. He was up at eighth and Lejarraga strode forward driving Skeete across the ring landing a couple of rights and another left to the body which saw Skeete drop to his knees and just as the referee took up the count the towel came in from Skeete’s corner. A huge win for the hard punching 26-year-old  “Revolver” from Bilbao and his twentieth win by KO/TKO. He was rated WBA 8/WBC 13 but this impressive crushing of the talented Skeete should give him a big boost. Skeete, 30, had won his last nine fights. After losing a close decision to Frankie Gavin in 2014 he had collected the British and Commonwealth titles and scored impressive wins over Brunet Zamora, Sam Eggington and Shayne Singleton. He was rated IBF 5(3)/WBC 10/WBO 11 so this is a huge blow to his world title aspirations.

Gago vs. Dos Santos

Gago makes it a good night for Basque fighters as he gets close verdict over Frenchman Dos Santos to win the vacant European Union title. The pattern of the fight saw Gago his usual aggressive self and Dos Santos with the better skills looking to box his way to victory. It started badly for Dos Santos when he emerged from a clash of heads in the first round with a cut on his right eyelid which forced him to trade punches more than he planned. Neither fighter is a puncher so they were able to exchange furiously without either being badly shaken except when Dios Santos had Gago hurt in the fifth and in trouble from a couple of body shots in the sixth. Things were evened up when Gago was also cut over his right eye. It was a fast-paced close fight all the way with Gago slightly ahead after ten rounds. Dos Santos ruined whatever chance he had of winning when after several warnings he lost a point in the eleventh and another in the twelfth for various infractions which made the scoring much wider than the action justified. Scores 116-111, 115-112 and 114-112 all for Gago with five points looking too wide a margin even with the deductions. Gago, 32, a former undefeated Spanish champion, has lost two tough assignments against Viorel Simion and Lee Selby and will be hoping to get a couple of nice paydays out of his new title. French champion Dos Santos came close here but his indiscretions cost him dear.

Fortea  vs. Cosio

Fortea makes it a Spanish treble as he wins the vacant WBC Latino title with unanimous decision over Panamanian Cosio. Over the first two rounds it looked as though Fortea might end this early as he floored Cosio in the second round. However Cosio was far from finished and he turned the fight around and fought back hard. Fortea’s jab gave him the edge in some of the action but Cosio more than held his own and in the end despite some widely differing scoring this was a very close call for Fortea. Scores a way out 98-91, 97-93 and a more representative 95-94 for Fortea. The tall 27-year-old from Valencia was inactive in 2016 and this is his third win since returning in 2017. The 36-year-old “Turbo” Cosio has been a useful fighter in his time but this is his fourth loss in his last five fights

Jones vs., Nicolae

Tall Essex youngster Jones had too much skill for Romanian Nicolae and boxed his way to a comfortable points victory winning every round. The 21-year-old former BBB of C Southern Area champion gets his fifth win as he rebuilds after a tenth round stoppage loss to Craig Poxton in February last year. Poor Nicolae is now 1-9 in his last 10 fights.

 

Plainville, MA, USA: Super Welter: Greg Vendetti (19-2-1) W TKO 1 Alex Duarte (13-5-1). Light: Ryan Kielczewski (28-3) W TKO 1 Israel Rojas (13-22).

Vendetti vs. Duarte

The local “Villain” Vendetti gets this one over quickly as he blitzes Duarte and halts him just before the bell to end the opening round. The busy 27-year-old was having his third fight of the year. He gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO and extends his winning streak to 14. New York-based Brazilian Duarte has now lost 5 of his last 6 fights with all five losses coming inside three rounds.

Kielczewski vs. Rojas

In another poor match Kielczewski ended things even quicker blowing away Rojas in just 99 seconds for his second first round win in a row-both against very substandard opposition. After a run of 22 wins the 28-year-old “Polish Prince” hast lost close fights to Danny Aquino, Miguel Flores and Frank De Alba and is being slowly rebuilt. Mexican Rojas is 3-7 in his most recent fights with all seven losses by KO/TKO inside four rounds.

 

New York, NY, USA: Middle: Daniel Jacobs (34-2) W PTS 12 Maciej Sulecki (26-1). Heavy: Jarrell Miller (21-0-1) W PTS 12 Johann Duhaupas (37-4). Welter: Daniyar Yeleussinov (1-0) W TKO 3 Noah Kidd (3-1-1).

Jacobs vs. Sulecki

Jacobs keeps his name in the frame for a shot at the winner of Gennady Golovkin vs. Saul Alvarez but has to fight hard to beat Sulecki in a fast-paced technical battle. Sulecki made a confident started moving well jabbing sharply and trying rights with Jacobs just short with some straight rights. Jacobs did better in the second with some fast combinations but Sulecki landed a good counter right. Already it was clear this was going to be a technical battle with Sulecki sticking to the jab and straight rights and Jacobs with a bit more variety in his work which he showed with some speedy combinations in the third. Jacobs was switching guard and changing angles in the fourth and hooking well to the body. Sulecki still stuck to the jab and was moving in straight lines so Jacobs was able to dodge many of the Pole’s punches but Sulecki was scoring enough to keep the rounds close. Sulecki did better in the fifth. He started to put some variety into his work still jabbing hard and accurately but mixing in sweeping hooks to the body and matching Jacobs when they both threw punches in a fiery ending to the round. The Pole looked to edge the sixth boxing behind his jab, getting home with rights and just being quicker to the punch. Jacobs started the seventh by changing to southpaw but a quick attack from Sulecki saw him change back to orthodox. Sulecki continued that momentum throughout the round getting the jab/straight right home and scoring with a flashing combination with Jacobs not really landing much. The eighth was a closer round. Sulecki was confident enough to stay in the pocket and swap punches and Jacobs connected a few times late in the round to have the edge. The early action in the ninth was equal but Jacobs was firing speedy combinations to the body over the remainder of the three minutes. A close tenth went to Jacobs but only just. Both landed some good shots but Jacobs finished the round with a bundle of accurate punches. Sulecki had never been past the tenth round before but he showed no signs of tiredness. Jacobs clearly won the eleventh round. He was quicker to the punch and landed some hard right crosses over Sulecki’s jab and although the Pole rallied it was one for Jacobs. Sulecki came out fast for the last and was clipped by a right and then nailed by a perfect right inside which sent him down. He was up quickly and fought back hard but was rocked a few more times before the final bell. Scores 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 all for Jacobs. The 31-year-old “Miracle Man” is No 2 with the WBA and WBO, No 3 with the WBC and No 3(2) with the IBF so it will be the of the year at best before he gets another title shot. Sulecki, 28 exhibited excellent skills and good movement and showed he belongs at this level. His performance should be enough to earn him some big fights in the future.

Miller vs. Duhaupas

Miller gets wide unanimous victory over Duhaupas in a gruelling contest that illustrated the strengths and weaknesses of the unbeaten Miller. Miller took control from the outset. He was quicker with his hands and more mobile and shook Duhaupas with an over hand right. With the Frenchman getting home some jabs late in the round. Duhaupas made the mistake of taunting Miller early in the second and paid for it as Miller trapped him on the ropes and landed a series of hooks and uppercuts. Duhaupas got some respite after a low punch from Miller and then made good use of his jab and landed a hard right but Miller finished the round with a flourish. The third round belonged to Duhaupas. He scored repeatedly with his jab and banged home rights with Miller letting his work rate drop. Miller was back in charge in the fourth. He out jabbed Duhaupas and scored with some hurtful right uppercuts and also took the fifth which was mainly fought in close where Miller was able to land hooks and uppercuts. Duhaupas may just have edged the sixth as Miller only worked in short bursts with Duhaupas able to stay outside and use his jab. Miller turned the heat up in the seventh scoring early with thudding rights only to then decide to spend time just bobbing and weaving and taunting Duhaupas before landing more swings late in the round. Miller took the eighth and although again his work rate was low he landed enough and finished the round with a flurry of punches. In the ninth Miller worked hard landing some jarring shots at the start and end of the round with Duhaupas having some success with his jab in between times but it was clearly Miller’s round as was the tenth where he pressed hard for three minutes pummelling Duhaupas with hooks with the Frenchman countering but taking a lot more than he was giving. Both were tired in the eleventh with Miller dominating the exchanges and taking the round which ended with them standing and trading with their defences gone missing in action. There was some confusion in the corner of Duhaupas when it seemed the ringside physicians were contemplating stopping the fight and even after Duhaupas left his corner the referee took him to a neutral corner so the physicians could examine him again but the Frenchman wanted to continue. Miller punched away throughout the round with Duhaupas doing his best to punch with him but again it was Miller’s round. Scores 119-110 twice and 117-111 for Miller. Miller showed he could take a good punch and went twelve rounds for the first time. At 6’4” he is the right height for today’s heavyweight division but at 304lbs (138kgs) he is carrying too much weight and his relatively short 78” reach will be a disadvantage against both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. Duhaupas allowed him to set the pace here but he may find it different against Joshua and Wilder who will both force him to fight much harder. He is No 3 with both the WBA and WBO. With the IBF No 1 position vacant he is the second highest rated fighter at No 3 after No 2 Kubrat Pulev. The 37-year-old Duhaupas again showed he has a good chin with only Wilder and Alex Povetkin beating him inside the distance and he did well to go the full twelve here to give Miller a good test.

Yeleussinov vs. Kidd

This was an easy fight pro fight for Yeleussinov. The Kazak former amateur star was too quick with both his right jab and his footwork for the rank novice Kidd and countered hard when ever Kidd tried to come forward. Yeleussinov was landing some hard lead lefts and when Kidd stupidly tried to switch to southpaw he unbalanced himself and Yeleussinov landed a series of hard shots. An explosive straight left put Kidd down in the third. He made it to his feet but more lefts and a couple of body punches put him down again and the fight was stopped. The 27-year-old Yeleussinov has great amateur credentials having won gold and silver at the World Championships and gold at the 2016 Olympics. Kidd thrown in way over his head.

 

Philadelphia, PA, USA: Super Bantam: Isaac Dogboe (19-0) W TKO 11Jesse Magdaleno (25-1). Super Middle: Jesse Hart (24-1) W TKO 7 Demond Nicholson (18-3-1). Heavy: Bryant Jennings (23-2) W PTS 10 Joey Dawejko (19-5-4). Feather: Shakur Stevenson (6-0) W TKO 2 Roxberg Riley (12-1).Super Feather: Robinson Conceicao (7-0) W PTS 6 Alex Rynn (6-2).Light: Joseph Adorno (7-0) W KO 1 Jorge Padron (3-2).

21

Magdaleno vs. Dogboe.

Huge upset as young Ghanaian Dogboe climbs off the floor in the first round and overpowers champion Magdaleno to win the WBO title and become the youngest world champion in Ghanaian boxing history

Round 1

Dogboe made a quick, confident start coming forward taking the fight to Magdaleno and throwing a series of hooks. He paid for the confidence when as he was standing in front of Magdaleno throwing hooks to the body Magdaleno landed a short right and a left to the head  that sent Dogboe back and down. He was up immediately and looked shaken but not hurt. After the count Magdaleno was throwing plenty of punches looking to end things and shook Dogboe badly with a southpaw left but Dogboe made it to the bell.

Score 10-8 Magdaleno

Round 2

It had been a bad opening round for Dogboe as he suffered the first knockdown of his career but he showed no sign of being fazed by it. Both fighters fought cautiously early in the round. Over the closing minute Dogboe took Magdaleno to the ropes and opened up firing to head and body with both hands. Magdaleno banged back but Dogboe had edged the exchanges.

Score 10-9 Dogboe                                                                                 19-18

Round 3

Dogboe was taking the fight to Magdaleno in this one but the champion was landing some accurate left counters. As Dogboe advanced a left to the head shook him making his legs wobble and forcing him back. He was hurt and although he fired back fired back it was Magdaleno’s round.

Score 10-9 Magdaleno                                                                            29- 27

Round 4

Dogboe’s round. He marched forward for three minutes firing sweeping hooks with Magdaleno trying to counter. Dogboe was doing the scoring with Magdaleno busy covering up and being outscored.

Score 10-9 Dogboe                                                                                 38-37

Official scores: 38-37 Dogboe, 38-37 Magdaleno, 38-37 Magdaleno

Round 5

This was a pivotal round. Magdaleno had to get on the front foot but when he tried to within just 20 seconds of the round starting he was nailed by a short, powerful right hook to the chin and went down then rolled over and got up on  one knee looking to his corner. He was up at five but looked shaky. Dogboe pounded away at Magdaleno with hooks to head and body with Magdaleno pinned to the ropes and trying desperately to hang on. He was taking a pounding with Dogboe landing crunching shots to head and body. Magdaleno showed some good defensive work and mocked Dogboe’s efforts but he had to soak up punishment right to the bell. Normally you might look for two knockdowns to make it a 10-7 but this was one-sided enough for 2 ½ minutes for it to justifiably be a 10-7 round with the referee looking closely at the punishment Magdaleno was taking and being concerned enough to go  Magdaleno’s corner at the end of the round to check on Magdaleno’s condition.

Score 10-7 Dogboe                                                                                 46-47

Round 6

The paced dropped in the sixth. It was a recovery round for Magdaleno and he tried to box on the outside. Dogboe won the round by trapping Magdaleno on the ropes and working him over a couple of times with hooks and straight rights.

Score 10-9 Dogboe                                                                                 55-57

Round 7

Magdaleno started the round well and finished it well but for most of the round Dogboe was in charge. He again had Magdaleno fighting with his back to the ropes and landed some rib bending hooks and shots to the head,.

Score 10-9 Dogboe                                                                                 64-67

Round 8

Magdaleno got back into the fight in this one. He was much quicker than Dogboe, stayed off the ropes scoring with quick punches and then either skipping away or tying Dogboe up on the inside.

Score 10-9 Magdaleno                                                                            74-76

Official scores: 77-72 Dogboe, 76-74 Dogboe, 77-73 Dogboe

Round 9

Another round for Magdaleno. Again he kept moving slotting home right jabs and catching the advancing Dogboe with left counters. These rounds were going the way the fight was expected to go  with the hand and foot speed of Magdaleno giving him the edge. Dogboe is not fast-footed he plants his feet flat on the canvas to give himself a solid base for power punching and sacrifices some speed.

Score 10-9 Magdaleno                                                                            84-85

Round 10

Dogboe needed to turn this around and he did. He dominated the round pressing and harassing and keeping Magdaleno pinned to the ropes for long periods. Magdaleno stupidly gestured for Dogboe to bring it on and the Ghanaian did with body punches from both hands and uppercuts with Magdaleno unable to fire back.

Score 10-9 Dogboe                                                                                 93-95

Round 11

Dogboe continued his body attacks at the start of this round with Magdaleno looking to hold but Dogboe pulled himself free and landed a couple of punches to the head with Magdaleno weakened by the body punches dropping to his knees. He got up at eight but was obviously in deep trouble. Dogboe forced Magdaleno into a corner and pounded away with hooks to the body until Magdaleno went down on his knees and the referee stopped the fight.

Great win for the 23-year-old Dogboe and a great boost for boxing in Ghana. The 2012 Olympian gets his thirteenth win by KO/TKO. After that opening round knockdown, the first he has suffered in his career, he proved too strong and aggressive for Magdaleno. His road to the 2012 Olympics had a couple of bumps along the way as he lost to Jessie Lartey at the Ghanaian selection tournament and lost again in final African Qualifier. His Olympic dream ended in the first series as he was beaten 10-9 by Japan’s Satoshi Shimizu. However he stayed on in Britain and won the ABA title in 2013 (he wore a Union Jack on one sleeve as he came into this title fight) before turning pro with a win in Switzerland and having fights in England and the US. He then went home to build a huge following with a series of impressive victories and lifted the interim WBO title. Azumah Nelson tabbed him as a future world champion and there will be comparisons but he has a long way to go before he ranks up there alongside his role model Ghana’s and perhaps Africa’s greatest ever fighter but then he is only 23. Magdaleno was making the second defence of his WBO title. Injury had kept him out of the ring for a year which could not have helped his case but at 26 he has the talent to put this loss behind him and rebound strongly.

Hart vs. Nicholson

Hart stops Nicholson to keep on track for another title shot. From the start this one was fought at a fast pace. Hart had the longer reach and tried to work on the outside over the early rounds. Nicholson was able to get inside and wobbled Hart with a right just before the bell to end the first round. Hart had a big third being credited with two knockdowns. The first looked more a case of Nicholson tripping but the second was legit as Hart landed some powerful left hooks and a right. Nicholson beat the count but was badly shaken. Both tired quickly and the fifth and sixth turned into close quarters brawls with Hart scoring with a series of left hooks in the fifth and Nicholson out landing Hart in the sixth and getting through with a damaging right uppercut. Nicholson was pressing hard in the seventh when Hart landed a long right that landed behind the ear of Nicholson. He did not go down but squatted on his haunches which caused some confusion and although neither his body nor his gloves touched the canvas the referee pulled Hart back whilst Nicholson walked to a corner looking a bit dazed. The referee indicated the fight should continue and Hart piled in landing heavy punches to the head driving Nicholson across the ring. Nicholson slumped to the floor sliding down Hart’s legs. The referee took up the count with Nicholson still complaining he had been hit on the back of the head. Strangely the referee counted to eight and signalled Nicholson to get up. This went on for a few seconds and in fact it was almost 20 seconds before Nicholson got up at which point the referee waived the fight over with Nicholson still complaining about the right from Hart. The Philadelphian wins the vacant WBC NABF title and gets win No 20 by KO/TKO. He is still No 1 with the WBO so in line for a return with Gilberto Ramirez having lost a close decision to the WBO champion in September but he is No 3 with the WBC so he could decide to go in that direction. Nicholson was 8-1-1 going in with a draw against Immanuwel Aleem and a sp[lit decision loss to Steve Rolls in recent action.

Jennings vs. Dawejko

Jennings just too big for Dawejko and wins unanimous decision. With huge edges in height and reach over Dawejko Jennings worked on the outside in the first two rounds slotting home jabs and some body punches against a static Dawejko. In the third Dawejko managed to get inside and score with some thumping left hooks to the body and overhand rights. Dawejko continued to roll forward in the fourth and had some success early but Jennings finished the round strongly with a hard right and some quick combinations. Over the fifth, sixth and seventh Jennings chose to box spearing Dawejko with his jab and when he did chose to stand and trade banging in some uppercuts. Dawejko kept trying to track Jennings but was too slow. Jennings started the eighth coming forward forcing Dawejko back with his jab and raking him with long rights and then boxed through the rest of the round changing angles and poking home jabs. It was the same in the ninth with Jennings able to score from distance and avoid Dawejko’s attempts to get close. Jennings landed a big right early in the round but Dawejko just kept plodding forward. Jennings shook Dawejko a couple of times with rights in the last but Dawejko was still there trying to get close enough to do some damage to the bell. Scores 98-92 for Jennings from all three judges. The physical differences meant this was not a tough test for Jennings but he put in some good work as he waits for a big fight.  Back-to-back-losses to Wlad Klitschko and Luis Ortiz saw him take 20 months out and this is the fourth win for the 33-year-old from Philadelphia. He is currently rated WBO 7/WBA 13. At 5’10” and with short arms Dawejko is always going to struggle against big heavyweights but he was a useful 5-0-2 in his last 7 fights and never stopped trying here.

Stevenson vs. Riley

Stevenson puts away Riley in two rounds. The hot Top Rank prospect took the first and then finished it in the second. He put Riley down and although Riley made it to his feet when the action recommenced he was taking some serious punishment and the referee stopped the fight. Third win by KO/TKO for the brilliant 20-year-old Olympic silver medallist. Riley was trying to move up to eight rounds for the first time but it was never going to go that far.

Adorno vs. Padron

Recent Top Rank teenage signing Adorno gets his sixth first round win as he puts Pardon down and out in just 71 seconds.  The 18-year-old National Golden Gloves bronze medallist must be one to watch and he has a younger brother who is still an amateur but every bit as talented. Mexican Pardon never in with a shout.

Bronze 2016 NGG

Conceicao vs. Rynn

Olympic gold medal winner Conceicao takes every round against Rynn. The 29-year-old Brazilian won on score of 60-54 from all three judges but for some reason I don’t have the same level of confidence in Conceicao as I do for Stevenson. Canadian-based Mexican Rynn took Irish hope John Joe Nevin eight rounds in losing to him.

 

El Paso, TX, USA: Welter: Joselito Lopez (36-7) W PTS 10 Miguel Cruz (17-1). Super Middle Anthony Dirrell (32-1-1) W PTS 10 Abraham Han (26-4-1). Feather: Claudio Marrero (23-2) W KO 1 Jorge Lara (29-1-2). Super Welter: Erickson Lubin (19-1) W TKO 4 Silverio Ortiz (37-22). Super Light: Kevin Watts (12-2) W TKO 5 Ryan Karl (15-2). Super Feather: Miguel Flores (22-2) W TKO 2 Raul Chirino (11-8).

Lopez vs. Cruz

Lopez has too much craft and too much experience for Cruz and boxes his way to a wide unanimous decision. Cruz was in the fight briefly over the first two rounds but after that it was Lopez’s fight. He allowed Cruz to make much of the running but showed improved defensive skills and caught Cruz continually with hard counters. Cruz tried going to the body to slow his older opponent but constantly landed low and lost a point in both the fifth and sixth round for that offence. .Lopez totally dominated the second half of the fight. Cruz pressed hard but Lopez was getting the best of the exchanges all the way and Cruz lacked the power to turn the fight around. Scores 99-89 twice and 98-90 for Lopez. The 33-year-old “Riverside Rocky” has lost in non-title fights to Jessie Vargas, a split decision, and Marcos Maidana and in title fights to Victor Ortiz and Saul Alvarez. He is No 6 with the WBA but another title fight is probably out of his reach. Cruz , 27, had scored some useful wins at a lower level but found this too steep a climb and was well beaten.

Dirrell vs. Han

Dirrell has said this will be his last year as a fighter so he could not afford to lose here if he was to land another title fight. There was no danger of “The Dog” losing this one. He outclassed the local fighter with Han never really getting into the fight. Dirrell floored Han with a punch to the side of the head just before the bell to end the first round but Han was never really in trouble again after that. Dirrell was able to slot home jabs and easily evade the wild attacks of Han who was constantly caught with counters as he tried to forge forward. There was bit of rough stuff in the fourth as they both tumbled to the canvas but Dirrell was quickly in control again. Han had occasional success but Dirrell was unfazed and kept drilling Han with single shots and combinations and eased his way to victory. Scores 99-90 twice and 100-89 for Dirrell. His old title, the WBC one, is the one the 33-year-old from Flint should have in his sights as he sits at No 2 behind Callum Smith and has the experience to test young champion David Benavidez. The one round blast out of Caleb Truax on his record might make the IBF title seem a possibility but he has more pull with the WBC as an ex-champion. Han. Also 33, lost split decisions to Sergio Mora and Fernando Guerrero in 2015 and fought a technical draw with J’Leon Love and has probably gone as far as he is going.

Marrero vs. Lara

Marrero ends this all-southpaw scrap in almost the first exchange of punches and crushes formerly unbeaten Lara. Marrero came out firing and Lara stepped up to meet him. Both were throwing wild punches like it was the last round and not the first. Suddenly Marrero beat Lara to the punch with a left inside which crashed into Lara’s chin and put him down heavily. He tried to climb to his feet but before he even got half way up he tumbled back down and the referee waived the fight over in just 33 seconds. Even with the fight over Lara again tried to get up and again fell over. Marrero, a former IBO and interim WBA champion had been on the end of a brutal kayo himself in losing his interim WBA title on a seventh round kayo against Jesus Rojas in September. He certainly made a statement here as he registered his seventeenth win by KO/TKO. Despite his No 4 rating from the WBC Lara had been largely inactive with just one fight in 2015 and one 11 months ago in 2017. Perhaps Marrero felt he could catch a rusty Lara cold and he certainly did.

Lubin vs. Ortiz

Lubin returns to action for the first time since being obliterated inside a round by Jermell Charlo in a challenge for the WBC title in October. Ortiz is vastly experienced but came in as a late substitute and tired quickly being halted in the fourth. At 22-Lubin is still very young in boxing terms and has plenty of time to get back in the picture after what was a very premature title attempt. He has 14 wins by KO/TKO. Ortiz has plenty of mileage on the clock and it is showing as he is 3-8 in his last 8 fights but this is only his sixth loss by KO/TKO.

Watts vs. Karl

Californian “Playboy” Watts halts Texan hope Karl in the fifth round. “Cowboy” Karl was a slight favourite but Watts ignored the odds and scored an important win. Coming in the 25-year-old Watts had lost two tough fights in a row by KO/TKO against unbeaten fighters Eddie Ramirez and Jose Borrego so a vital win and his fifth by KO/TKO. Karl, 26 also lost inside the distance to Ramirez but had come back with two wins.

Flores vs. Chirino

As with Watts Flores was also looking to rebuild after two inside the distance defeats in fights against good opposition. He was too good for Floridian Chirino and halted him in the second round. Houston-based Mexican Flores had scored a win over experienced Mario Briones and over the 25-1 Ryan Kielczewski but was brought down with a bump in losses last year to Dat Nguyen and Chris Avalos. Chirino has lost 4 of his last 5.

 

Aguascalientes, Mexico: Super Middle: Bruno Sandoval (20-2-1) W TKO 1 Devis Caceres (24-9). Super Fly: Damien Vazquez (14-0) W Luis Golindano ((9-1).

Sandoval vs. Caceres

Sandoval returns to the ring with a win as the “Shark” devours “Cat”. The hard-punching Mexican “Shark” ended the fight late in the first round with a solid right hook to the chin of Caceres. Sandoval wins the vacant WBC Latino title and moves to 16 wins by KO/TKO. This is his first fight since his third round kayo loss to Ryota Murata in Japan in December 2016. “The Cat” Caceres loses when he tries to step up and this is his fourth defeat by KO/TKO.

Vazquez vs. Golindano

In a calash of unbeaten youngsters Vazquez wins the vacant WBC Youth Silver title with unanimous verdict over Venezuelan Golindano. It was a tight fight over the opening rounds but then the better skills of Vazquez saw him open a gap and emerge a clear winner. Scores 97-92 twice and 96-93 for Vazquez. The 20-year-old from Las Vegas was moving up to ten rounds for the first time as was Golindano, also 20, who was having his first fight outside Venezuela.

 

Windham, NH, USA: Heavy: Jason Bergman (27-15-2) W TKO 1 Rubin Williams (29-32-1). Super Welter: Ashley Theophane (42-8-1) W PTS 8 Larry Smith (10-36-1).

Bergman vs. Williams

A disgraceful piece of rubbish sees Bergman floor poor old Williams three times before the referee calls the fight off. Bergman lost to Joseph Parker in 2016 and lost his three fights in 2017 but this was a gift for him. Williams, now 42, was 29-2-1 at one time so has lost 30 fights in a row 20 of them by KO/TKO including 9 in the first round. Included in those statistics is a first round loss to Bergman in 2013 when he lasted just 101 seconds. You have to query the quality of any Commission that approves a fight like this and the matchmaker should hide his head in shame.

Theophane vs. Smith

Theophane gets a win as he outpoints Texan Smith. Theophane has lost some of his speed but since Smith’s nickname id “Slow Motion” that was never going to be a problem. The Londoner simply out worked Smith and walked away with a unanimous verdict. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-74 for Theophane. He still hopes to get another title fight but since losing to Adrien Broner for the vacant secondary WBA super welter title in 2016 he is just 2-1 against some very mediocre opposition. Smith just as bad a case as Williams. The 39-year-old from Dallas was once 10-5 so it is now 0-31-1 in his last 32 fights. Did people pay to see this?

 

Clearwater, Florida: Welter: Armando Alvarez (18-0) W TKO 6 Jesus Tavera (9-6).

Alvarez marches on with stoppage of Tavera. The Key West fighter outboxed and out punches a game Tavera and floored him before the fight was halted early in the sixth. The 28-year-old “Gentleman” now has 12 wins by KO/TKO with 6 of his last 7 fights ending inside the distance. Georgian Tavera had won his last four fights but against a much lower level of opposition.

 

Fight of the week: Isaac Dogboe vs. Jesse Magdaleno

Fighter of the week: Isaac Dogboe with honourable mention to Kevin Lejarraga

Punch of the week:  Claudio Marrero’s thunderbolt that flattened Jorge Lara with honourable mentions to Dogboe’s right that put Magdaleno down in the fifth and the right to the temple from Lejarraga that floored Bradley Skeet for the first knockdown.

Upset of the week: Dogboe’s win over Magdaleno

One to watch: Former top amateur from Kazakhstan Daniyar Yeleussinov