Check out Eric Armit’s comprehensive fight report in The Week in Boxing – October 31, 2018.

 

Highlights

-Regis Prograis outpoints Terry Flanagan to go through to the WBSS super lightweight semi-finals

-Ivan Baranchyk stops Anthony Yigit to win the vacant IBF title and join Prograis in the WBSS semi-finals 

-Daniel Jacobs gets split decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko to win the vacant IBF middleweight title

-Alberto Machado obliterates Yuandale Evans inside a round to hold on to his WBA featherweight title

-Felix Alvarado batters Randy Petalcorin to defeat to become IBF light flyweight champion

-Kubrat Pulev decisions Hughie Fury in an IBF final eliminator and brother Tervel win the vacant European Union title

-Dominic Boesel retains the European light heavyweight title with decision against Enrico Koelling

-John Ryder knocks out Andrey Sirotkin and Jordan Gill halts Sean Doyle to capture the Commonwealth featherweight title

-Kiko Martinez wins the European title with victory over fellow-Spaniard Marc Vidal

 

WORLD TITLE FIGHT SHOWS

 

October 27

 

 

New Orleans, LA, USA: Super Light: Regis Prograis (23-0) W PTS 12 Terry Flanagan (33-2), Super Light: Ivan Baranchyk (19-0) W RTD 7 Anthony Yigit (21-1-1). Super Light: Subriel Matias (12-0) W DISQ 1 Fernando Saucedo (62-9-3).

Prograis vs. Flanagan

Prograis floors out outpoints Flanagan to make his way through to the semi-finals of the WBSS.

Round 1

Although Flanagan was coming up from lightweight he was much the bigger man. Both fighters were cautiously probing but when they did open up the two best punches were a lefts to the head from Prograis.

Score 10-9 Prograis

Round 2

A close round. Flanagan was throwing right jabs but having trouble nailing down the clever Prograis. Both landed hard rights but Prograis was the quicker man and had slotted home some jabs

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 20-18

Round 3

Flanagan had not been throwing enough punches over the first two round but he started to let his hands go more in this one. He drilled home some hard jabs and countered well and did enough to take the round.

Score 10-9 Flanagan                                                                    Prograis 29-28

Round 4

I was tempted to score this one 0-0 as neither fighter landed a real punch. Plenty of jabs which fell short and plenty of clever movement but no hits for either man.

Score 10-10 tied                                                                          Prograis 39-38

Official scores: 38-36, 39-37 and 39-37 for Prograis

Round 5

Prograis upped his pace in this one. Flanagan was boxing behind a high, tight guard and Prograis was having difficulty getting through with any big punches. Flanagan connected with a good left to the head but Prograis responded with a body punch and his work with his jab was enough to take this round.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 49-47

Round 6

Prograis went up through the gears and took this one clearly. He was getting home time and again with jarring jabs and following in behind the jab to score to the body. Flanagan was throwing punches but Prograis used clever upper body movement to slip them and countered quickly landing a heavy left. The best punch in the fight so far.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 59-56

Round 7

Flanagan had no answer to the speed and accuracy of |the right jabs from Prograis. They were zipping through Flanagan’s guard as Prograis circled changing angles and following the jab with straight lefts. Flanagan was struggling to get into the fight.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 69-65

Round 8

Flanagan was trying to get his own jab working again but was having to eat jabs from Prograis. Prograis threw a quick left over the top of Flanagan’s jab which clattered into the side of Flanagan’s head and sent him down to his hands and knees. . He got up at five and when the eight count was over Prograis leapt in trying to put Flanagan away. Instead of crumbling Flanagan fired back and scored more and harder punches than he had so far in the fight. Prograis landed some head punches that sent Flanagan back into the ropes. He looked in trouble but again matched Prograis punch for punch to the bell. A great round, but a 10-8 round and Flanagan was cut over his left eye.

Score 10-8 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 79-73

Official scores: 77-74, 79-72 and 79-72 for Prograis

Round 9

The bell to start this round marked the first time that Prograis had gone past the eighth round in a fight. This was a quiet round after the drama of the eighth. Prograis just did enough to win it but Flanagan worked well with his jab. He was lucky not to see the cut worsened as Prograis brought his head up inside and it crashed into the left side of Flanagan’s face. Close round.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 89-82

Round 10

Prograis took this one with his right jab. He was circling Flanagan firing home single jabs but not following up with any other punches. Flanagan was too slow to block the jabs and was throwing too few punches for a man clearly behind in the scoring.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                     Prograis 99-91

Round 11

Flanagan stuck to his task here. He boxed well slotting his jab through the defence of Prograis who was doing more posing than punching. He was neglecting his own jab and getting caught with jabs he should have avoided. A jolting right jab from Flanagan was the punch of the round.

Score 10-9 Flanagan                                                               Prograis 108-101

Round 12

Prograis went back to his jab and took the round. He was just too quick whipping the jab through Flanagan’s defence and this time following up with some lefts. Flanagan managed to land a few jabs but not enough.

Score 10-9 Prograis                                                                Prograis 118-110

Official scores: 117-110. 118-109 and 119-108 for Prograis

The New Orleans-born Prograis goes through to the semi-finals where he will face WBA champion Kiryl Relikh. He is the favourite to win the tournament and he showed here just why that is. He has real hand speed, power in both hands and a clever, tricky style. Having gone twelve rounds will also benefit him. Flanagan just met a much better fighter on the night but performed well enough to have hopes of a world title fight next year after he gets himself a couple of wins.

Baranchyk vs. Yigit

Baranchyk wins the vacant IBF title and progresses to the semi-finals of the WBSS as a very brave Yigit is forced out of the fight after seven rounds with his left eye totally shut so it was the sensible decision for Yigit’s well-being. The Belarusian was well ahead on all three cards at the end.

Round 1

Yigit scored early with some southpaw lefts but Baranchyk was finding the target with stabbing jabs and when they stood and exchanged Baranchyk was the one landing with sharp hooks inside. Yigit fired home some long lefts but Baranchyk attacked the body and took the round

Score 10-9 Baranchyk

Round 2

Baranchyk dominated the round. He was much the stronger and was scoring with hard accurate hooks and uppercuts through Yigit’s guard. The action really became hot with Yigit storming into the attack only to be driven back by the power of the hooks from Baranchyk and already the Swede was cut over his left eye and showing a swelling under the eye.

Score 10-9 Baranchyk                                                       Baranchyk 20-18

Round 3

Yigit started this one aggressively but he was soon on the retreat and under fire. Baranchyk was stringing together some brutal combinations. Yigit boxed well in the middle of the round sliding home right jabs and straight lefts but Baranchyk was the one landing as the round closed but he was warned for a couple of low punches.

Score 10-9 Baranchyk                                                       Baranchyk 30-27

Round 4

The pace of the fight was frantic. For me Yigit took this one. He was getting through with jabs and banging lefts past Baranchyk’s guard. He outworked the Russian for most of the round. Baranchyk tried to end the round strongly but Yigit was more accurate.

Score 10-9 Yigit                                                                 Baranchyk 39-37

Round 5

Once again Yigit boxed well but the power of Baranchyk was proving the decisive factor. He was throwing bunches of wicked body punches. There was a time out as Baranchyk was given a stern warning for hitting on the break and another break when (surprise, surprise) the tape came loose on Baranchyk’s gloves. The Russian finished the round with a fierce attack. Yigit’s left eye was now totally closed.

Score 10-9 Baranchyk                                                       Baranchyk 49-46

Round 6

Big round for Baranchyk. A jarring jab sent Yigit stumbling and Yigit finally seemed to be weakening under the pressure. Baranchyk attacked throughout the round. He worked Yigit over in a corner for a spell and kept pressing. His accuracy was slipping and Yigit kept fighting back but Baranchyk took this one.

Score 10-9 Baranchyk                                                       Baranchyk 59-55

Round 7

Start of the round and within seconds Baranchyk’s tape comes loose. Is anyone working on trying to cure this seemingly too complicated equipment failing? I digress but surely something such as a very tight non-abrasive elasticised material can be slipped over the boxers wrist before the gloves and tape are fitted and then pulled into place over the wrist enclosing the tape and stopping it from coming loose-rant over! Back to the fight. The action was messy with neither fighter landing much. Baranchyk pushed Yigit’s head down and the referee deducted a point. Baranchyk finished the round strongly forcing Yigit back and digging to the body-with the tape from his wrist again flapping in the wind.

Score 9-9 (point deducted from Baranchyk)                      Baranchyk 68-64

Official scores:                                             

In the interval the referee and the doctor were in Yigit’s corner and with his left eye closed by a huge swelling it was decided the fight was over.

The 25-year-old Russian-born Baranchyk showed why his nickname is “The Beast”. He is tremendously powerful and a wicked puncher when it come to hooks and uppercuts. He is going to give any super light problems and he is waiting for the winner of Josh Taylor vs. Ryan Martin. Yigit fought all the way in this one but even without the closed left eye he would have found Baranchyk too strong for him. He showed some quality work and real grit and he will be back fighting at the highest level again when he recovers from this one/

Matias vs. Saucedo

Chaos reigns as Saucedo is disqualified due to one of his seconds climbing onto the ring apron during the round. Saucedo was on the back foot from the start. Matias tracked him and let loose with a couple of punches. The last a jab which saw Saucedo fall into a corner. Matias then unloaded a hail of punches with Saucedo slipping to the floor. The Argentinian was up quickly and bounced on his toes as the referee counted out the eight seconds. Saucedo walked forward and got home a couple of body punches but Matias prowled after him and drove home a left hook to the body and Saucedo sunk to his knees. Matias landed a punch whilst Saucedo was almost on his knees and the referee deducted a point from the Puerto Rican. Saucedo  was up quickly again and as Matias pursued him Saucedo fired some quality punches but Matias either blocked or ignored them and a left to the body sent Saucedo down for the third time. He bounced right back up and was taking punishment when almost unnoticed one of his corner men seeing Saucedo taking too much punishment stepped up onto the ring apron but the bell went to end the round. There was then total confusion. No one was sure what was happening. Both fighters were up and ready to start the second round. Although the referee had not seen Saucedo’s corner man on the apron before the bell to end the first but when it was pointed out to him he disqualified Saucedo.  if a corner man climbs onto the ring apron during a round it is an immediate disqualification for his fighter. It was correct but Matias was unhappy as he lost his 100% record of wins by KO/TKO. It is doubtful whether Saucedo could have lasted another round.  Saucedo won’t be happy to have a disqualification loss on his record.

 

New York, NY, USA: Middle: Daniel Jacobs (35-2) W PTS 12 Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-1). Super Feather: Alberto Machado (21-0) W KO 1 Yuandale Evans (20-2).Super Welter: Patrick Day (16-2-1) W PTS 10 Elvin Ayala (29-12-1). Welter: Radzhab Butaev (10-0) W RTD 3 Azael Cosio (21-8-2,1ND). Light: David Oliver Joyce (9-0) W PTS 6 Jorge Zacazontetl (4-5-1).

Jacobs vs. Derevyanchenko

Jacobs finally wins a full title as he takes a split verdict over a combative Derevyanchenko to win the vacant IBF title having only previously held the secondary WBA title.

Round 1

Derevyanchenko made the livelier start. He was on the front foot probing with his jabs and throwing a couple of rights. He landed a light punch on the break and Jacobs made the basic error of looking to the referee to complain and was nearly nailed by a right. That woke Jacobs up and with just over 20 seconds remaining in the round he landed a right to the head which saw Derevyanchenko pitch forward. He put both gloves on the floor to steady himself and as he straightened up Jacobs darted in trying to land another punch. Since Derevyanchenko’s gloves had hit the floor the referee threw himself at Jacobs to stop him landing more punches. There were only five seconds left in the round but enough time for a fierce exchange.

Score 10-8 Jacobs

Round 2

After a cautious start Derevyanchenko came forward quickly and landed two hard lefts and a right to the head of Jacobs that made Jacobs stumble. From then Derevyanchenko was pressing the fight hard and out jabbed Jacobs.

Score 10-9 Derevyanchenko                                                        Jacobs 19-18

Round 3

A fired-up Derevyanchenko was chasing down Jacobs but Jacobs was boxing cleverly and was quicker and more accurate with his jab. Derevyanchenko had some success when he trapped Jacobs in a corner. Jacobs switched to southpaw then back to orthodox and although under pressure his work with the jab gave him the round but it was close.

Score 10-9 Jacobs                                                                       Jacobs 29-27

Round 4

The pace was quickening with Derevyanchenko chasing the elusive Jacobs. Both landed hard jabs, but the impressive work was the body punching from Jacobs and he landed a thudding right to Derevyanchenko’s head.

Score 10-9 Jacobs                                                                       Jacobs 39-36

Official scores: 39-36, 39-36 and 39-36 all for Jacobs

Round 5

Derevyanchenko started this with connecting with a couple of stiff jabs and then with left hooks to the body and later connected with a right to the body. Jacobs landed a left hook counter as Derevyanchenko moved in but Derevyanchenko responded with two left hooks and just before the bell banged home a right to the head.

Score 10-9 Derevyanchenko                                                        Jacobs 48-46

Round 6

The Ukrainian was again the one forcing the fight and he started this one with some jarring jabs. Jacobs was having difficulty getting away from the ropes but when he did they stood and traded quality hooks, uppercuts and short rights with both landing heavily It was the best moments of action so far. Derevyanchenko continued to take the fight to Jacobs but Jacobs was more accurate which was just enough to give him a very close round

Score 10-9 Jacobs.                                                                      Jacobs 58-55

Round 7

A close round. They fought inside in the early part of this round but the pace had dropped from the frantic exchanges in the sixth. Again accuracy from Jacobs was enough for him to take the round as he landed some crisp body shots before the bell.

Score 10-9 Jacobs                                                                       Jacobs 68-64

Round 8

Jacobs spent much of the round against the ropes with Derevyanchenko searching for openings. When Derevyanchenko did move in Jacobs was catching him with cute uppercuts and when Derevyanchenko stepped back he was being speared with jabs. Derevyanchenko got through with a couple of hooks but Jacobs had more variety in his work and a better defence.

Score 10-9 Jacobs                                                                       Jacobs 78-73

Official scores: 76-75 Derevyanchenko, 77-74 Jacobs, 77-74 Jacobs

Round 9

Derevyanchenko chased and chased in this round. Jacobs was circling the perimeter of the ring pinging Derevyanchenko with jabs and using upper body movement to let Derevyanchenko’s punches slide by. Jacobs was switching guards and landed a couple of hard straight lefts and won the round

Score 10-9 Jacobs                                                                       Jacobs 88-82

Round 10

A much better round from Derevyanchenko. He was ducking and weaving under Jacob’s punches and the connected with a series of head shots probably his best combination to this time Jacobs worked with his jab late in the round but Derevyanchenko had outscored him.

Score 10-9 Derevyanchenko                                                        Jacobs 97-92.

Round 11

Derevyanchenko carried where he left off in the last round pressing for three minutes. He landed some clubbing punches to the body but was finding Jacobs a difficult target. Jacobs cut loose over the last thirty seconds but Derevyanchenko matched him and ended the round strongly and just edged it.

Score 10-9 Derevyanchenko                                                    Jacobs 106-102

Round 12

Derevyanchenko put in a huge effort here. He just kept punching. Jacobs was scoring with some choice counters but was taking plenty of head punches as he forgot defence and traded with Derevyanchenko with the Ukrainian staging a strong finish as they battered away at each other.

Score 10-9 Derevyanchenko                                                     Jacobs 115-112

Official scores: 114-113 for Derevyanchenko, 115-112 for Jacobs and 115-112 for Jacobs

Now that he has the IBF title Jacobs is looking for Saul Alvarez next although a return with Gennady Golovkin would be a huge fight. He could choose to defend against Britain’s Martin Murray who at No 4 was listed one place behind Jacobs in the IBF ratings. He won this one on the basis of his superior skills against a strong determined contender and Brooklyn-based Derevyanchenko certainly made Jacobs fight hard all the way for victory.

Machado vs. Evans

Round 1

Machado demolishes challenger Evans with three knockdowns and it is all over inside a round. Evans made a quick, confident start in this all-southpaw contest coming in behind his jab and landing a left to the body. Just past the minute mark a flashing straight left to the head from Machado floored Evans. He was up quickly and after the eight count drilled Machado with a right jab that had Machado stumbling back. Machado threw another straight left that was short and then another that crashed onto Evans head and sent him staggering back. He was on stiff lags and Machado hammered home shot after shot with both hands. Evans did not lift his hands to defend himself and totted over putting his gloves down to stop his fall then straightened up. He touchdown with the gloves which meant a count. He looked unsteady but did the moves the referee requested and was allowed to continue. Machado threw a quick burst of uppercuts and hooks at lightning speed and as Evans landed on the floor on his back the referee immediately stopped the fight. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican certainly lived up to his “El Explosivo” nickname. This is his seventeenth win by KO/TKO and he retains his WBA title in his second defence. At 5’10” he is very tall for the weight and that plus the speed and power of his punches were reminiscent of a young Alexis Arguello.  He is one of those curious cases of being  right-handed but boxing southpaw. Second loss by KO./TKO for 29-year-old Evans with the other being a first round stoppage against Javier Fortuna in 2012. He was a two-time National Golden Gloves champion before turning pro but had gone through a couple of spells of inactivity not fighting in 2013 or 2014 and also missing out in 2016 but wins last year over 21-1Bilel Dib and unbeaten Luis Rosa landed him in the WBA ratings at No 9. He can come back from this.

Day vs. Ayala

Day outpoints veteran Ayala. The young fighter from Freeport finally seems to be finding his feet in the pro ranks as he gets his fifth win in a row. Day had the fight winning punch in his jab which constantly found its way past the defence of Ayala and also broke up Ayala’s attacks. Body punches also played their part with Ayala in trouble from a shot to the ribs in the fifth. There was a scare for Day in the eighth when he was rocked by a right but he recovered quickly and boxed his way to the final bell. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Day who was making the second defence of his WBC Continental Americas title.  A former National Golden Gloves champion Day had a couple of early stumbles losing to Alantez Fox and being stopped in the first round by 9-14-1 Carlos Garcia Hernandez but in his last three fights had beaten Virgilijus Stapulionis, 15-0 Eric Walker and Kyrone Davis. Ayala, 37, lost to Arthur Abraham in a challenge for the IBF title back in 2008 but with this defeat he is 1-6 in his last 7.

Butaev vs. Cosio

Butaev blows away seasoned pro Cosio inside three rounds. Butaev was connecting with rights to head and body over the first two rounds and ended it in the third.  Late in the round a cluster of heavy punches had Cosio floundering and although he made it to the bell he retired. Eighth win by KO/TKO for the Russian “Python”. This is only his second fight this year due to a shoulder injury. He reportedly was 8-1 in bouts in the WBS and also scored wins over Cuban Roniel Iglesias and Denys Berinchyk in the amateurs. Panamanian Cosio, 37, is in the victim category now having won only one of his last six fights with four of his losses by KO/TKO.

Joyce vs. Zacazontetl

Joyce moves to eight wins but has to get off the floor to outpoint Mexican Zacazontetl. A left hook floored Joyce in the first but he paid Zacazontetl back putting the Mexican down in the second. No more scares for Joyce as he drilled Zacazontetl with strong jabs and straight rights over the next four rounds to take the decision. Scores 58-53 twice and 58-54 for Joyce. The 30-year-old Joyce has left it late to turn pro but as an amateur he was Irish champion four times, European Union champion twice, competed at the 2016 Olympics and scored wins over Luke Campbell and Carl Frampton. Four losses in a row for Zacazontetl.

 

October 29

 

 

Manila, Philippines: Light Fly: Felix Alvarado (34-2) W TKO 7 Randy Petalcorin (29-3-1). Fly: Giemel Magramo (22-1) W TKO 3 Petchpraya (17-2). Super Fly: Jade Bornea (13-0) W TKO 5 Macrea Gandionco (12-7-3).

Alvarado vs. Petalcorin

Alvarado overpowers gutsy Petalcorin and floors him three times on his way to winning the vacant IBF title.

Round 1

Petalcorin was off the mark quickly spearing the advancing Alvarado with southpaw jabs. He landed a couple of nice body punches and a straight left. Alvarado marched forward taking Petalcorin to the ropes and fired a fusillade of punches including some wicked lefts and right to the body. Petalcorin responded with hooks of his own but Alvarado continued to attack driving Petalcorin to the ropes again and landing some hefty stuff. Petalcorin was countering but was taking more than he was giving as Alvarado continued to pound Petalcorin’s body

Score 10-9 Alvarado

Round 2

Alvarado was fighting a war of attrition. He had Petalcorin trapped on the ropes for the full three minutes and never stopped throwing punches. Not all of them landed and Petalcorin scored with hard counters from both hands but nothing deterred Alvarado. He has throwing bunches of hooks to the body and sending rights through the middle of Petalcorin’s guard.

Score 10-9 Alvarado                                                                    Alvarado 20-18

Round 3

Petalcorin actually found some space to box in this one. Alvarado started the round on a low key and Petalcorin was connecting with right jabs and left hooks. Alvarado stormed his way through the last minute again showing the ferocity of the first two rounds but Petalcorin’s early work just took the round

Score 10-9 Petalcorin                                                                  Alvarado 29-28

Round 4

It was three minutes of mayhem again from Alvarado. He never stopped throwing punches he was slinging hooks from both hands firing straight rights and curving shots around Petalcorin’s guard and on to the side of the Filipino’s head. Alvarado was missing lots of times and Petalcorin was landing counters but being outpunched and looking tired.

Score 10-9 Alvarado                                                                    Alvarado 39-37

Official scores: 39-37 Petalcorin, 39-37 Alvarado, 38-38

Round 5

Petalcorin started the round with a series of hooks and uppercuts to the body which looked promising but he was punching with a harder puncher and soon had his back to the ropes again. Alvarado’s punch rate dropped but he was still out landing Petalcorin who was finding it difficult to get the strength to counter effectively.

Score 10-9 Alvarado                                                                    Alvarado 49-46

Round 6

Petalcorin was up on his toes stabbing home right jabs and firing a couple of hooks but then Alvarado took over again. With Petalcorin on the ropes Alvarado pounded him with huge head punches and hooks and uppercuts. Petalcorin found the strength to rally but again was under heavy pressure at the bell.

Score Alvarado 10-9                                                                    Alvarado 59-55

Round 7

Early in the round a left to the body and two clubbing rights to the head saw Petalcorin drop to one knee. He was up at nine and his body language said he was finished but the fight continued. Alvarado drove Petalcorin back with a series of punches and Petalcorin went down on one knee again. He got up at eight and all the referee did was ask him if he was alright when it was obvious he was not. The referee is there to make those decisions not the fighter and because of that although Petalcorin bravely tried to punch with Alvarado he again went down after a succession of head punches and was counted out as he was rising.

Alvarado finally gets a title. His two losses came in 2013 when he lost on points to Kazuto Ioka for the secondary WBA light flyweight title and in 2014 when he was outpointed by Juan Carlos Reveco for the secondary WBA flyweight title. Since those two losses the 29-year-old Nicaraguan has compiled 16 wins 15 of them by KO/TKO. Petalcorin, 26 lost only one of his first 26 fights before losing to Omar Kimweri in 2016 but had rebuilt with six wins. Here he just could not live with the power or punch output of Alvarado.

Magramo vs. Petchpraya

Magramo destroys Petchpraya with a body punch in the third. Magramo stalked Petchpraya over the first two rounds. Petchpraya scored with some counters but Magramo just ignored them and In the third he sunk a rib bending left to the Thai’s body and that was the end. The 24-year-old “Pistolero” the WBO No 7 makes it 18 wins by KO/TKO as he retains his WBO Oriental title. Magramo’s only loss is a very close decision to world title challenger Muhammad Waseem in 2016. Petchpraya’s record had been carefully built to avoid any risks.

Bornea vs. Gandionco

Prospect Bornea makes it nine wins by KO/TKO as he halts overmatched Gandionco in five rounds. The former top level amateur looks one to watch. Sixth loss by KO/TKO for Gandionco.

 

October 26

 

Vesoul, France: Bantam: Georges Ory (10-2-1) W Josh Wale (27-10-2).

Local fighter Ory wins the vacant European title with very close majority decision over Wale. Southpaw Ory boxed well over the early part of the fight. He was getting inside the longer reach of Wale to score and then getting out. He knew Wale had the power so was not going to trade if he could avoid it. The Frenchman switched guards and showed a sound defence. He built a lead but then began to tire over the second half of the fight and Wale came on strongly banging to head and body with Ory countering with straight rights. This really was a fight of two halves and it came down to whether the judges felt that Ory’s early work had been overtaken by the stronger finish by Wale but they ruled otherwise. Scores 116-114 and 115-113 for Ory and 114-114. The 26-year-old Frenchman completes a treble having won the French, European Union and European titles in successive fights. It was a big event for Vesuol as this was the first European title fight held there in the last 24 years.  Wale will feel he won this one and it was close enough to have gone either way but you get no favours in the other guy’s back yard. Hopefully wale will get a return.

 

London, England: Super Fly: Sunny Edwards (9-0) W PTS 10 Ryan Farrag (19-3). Super Bantam: Neslan Machado (15-0,1ND) W PTS 10 Fadhili Majiha (23-11-4). Welter: Michael McKinson (15-0) W PTS 10 Sammy McNess (10-2). Welter: Johnny Coyle (10-0-1) W PTS 6 Arvydas Trizno (27-84-3).

Edwards vs. Farrag

Edwards outboxes former European champion Farrag to retain his WBO European title. Farrag was his usual aggressive self pressurising Edwards from the start but “Showtime” Edwards was too quick and slick. He  stayed out of trouble and outscored Farrag in every round. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Edwards. The 22-year-old from South London was making the first defence of his WBO title. The younger brother of world title challenger Charlie Edwards he is immensely talented with a great future. Farrag, a former English and European champion lost big fights to Karim Guerfi and Ryan Burnett but had scored two wins this year and is rated No 6 bantam by the EBU.

Machado vs. Majiha

In his third fight in the UK young Cuban Machado gets a split verdict over unknown Tanzanian Majiha. Machado fought mostly on the back foot as Majiha forced the fight. Machado was down but he was trying to avoid a glancing punch and went over putting his left glove on the floor. It was counted as a knockdown which left Machado with some work to do. The judges all saw a different fight here as Machado took the decision on scores of 98-91 and 96-93 with the third judge scoring it 96-93 for Majiha. The 22-year-old “Pitbull” wins the vacant WBA International title. He seems to have a problem with Tanzanians as he outpointed Nasibu Ramadhan in July by a score of 76-74 but scored two knockdowns in the fifth round which must have been a 10-8 or even 10-7 so without the knockdowns the best he would have gotten was a draw. Majiha, 25, the WBA Pan African champion, has been landed with some very tough jobs on his travels losing to Jerwin Ancajas, Marlon Tapales and Vusi Malinga.

McKinson vs. McNess

Portsmouth southpaw prospect McKinnon wins the vacant WBC International Silver title with wide unanimous decision over Londoner McNess. McKinson boxed on the back foot drawing the lead and countering. His good defensive work and hand speed were enough to win this one but McNess pressed hard and scored with some good rights to the body to make the rounds close. Scores 99-90, 98-91and 98-92. McKinnon had his best win so far in November when he stopped experienced Colin Lynes in six rounds. McNess had won his last three fights.

Coyle vs. Trizno

Essex southpaw Coyle extended his unbeaten run to 21 as he won every round against Trizno. The quality of his opposition has been unimpressive and despite his unbeaten run he is down at No 25 in the EU ratings. However the 25-year-old takes a big step up in December when he faces unbeaten Akeem Ennis Brown for the vacant IBF European title. Lithuanian Trizno is a horrible 1-15 in his last 16 fights.

 

Coronda, Argentina: Welter: Demian Fernandez (10-1) W PTS 10 Diego Ramirez (16-2). Mild upset as Fernandez faces home town fighter Ramirez and comes away with a close unanimous decision. This was a war all of the way. The taller Fernandez was driving Ramirez around the ring then Ramirez was opening up and putting Fernandez on the back foot. Neither paid much attention to defence in a stirring contest. It was close until Fernandez took over in the ninth and tenth to capture the decision. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Fernandez. The 28-year-old from Buenos Aires, the Argentinian No 10, collects the interim WBO Latino title. He was going ten rounds for the first time and gets his seventh win on the trot. Southpaw Ramirez, 23, the Argentinian No 1had won his last 14 fights but now he will drop down the domestic rankings as well as losing the interim title.

 

Quilmes, Argentina: Bantam: Fernando Martinez (6-0) W KO 1 Carlos Ruben Ruiz (21-12 Argentinian super fly champion Martinez obliterates Ruiz inside a round. After forcing Ruiz onto the retreat Martinez landed a left hook that had Ruiz staggering back. Martinez follower up with another left hook and a right to the head and finally a left to the body. Ruiz dropped to his hands and knees and was counted out. Martinez represented Argentina at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships and won a gold medal at the Americas Olympic Qualifier to get to the Rio Olympics. He also fought for the Argentinian Condors in the WBS and won the national title in his fourth fight. Ruiz is way, way down the slope and this is his ninth loss in his last ten fights.

 

Lagos, Nigeria: Cruiser: Olan Durodola (29-6) W TKO 3 Maroy Sadiki (15-2-1). Cruiser: Tony Salam (11-2) W TKO 6 Chamunorwa Gonorenda (12-14). Super Middle: Habib Ahmed (26-1-1) W TKO 2 Sunday Ajuwa (13-5).

Durodola vs. Sadiki

Disappointing end to this one. Durodola was punching too hard for DRC fighter Sadiki, The DRC fighter tried to match Durodola’s power but was under heavy fire in the third round when he suddenly stopped fighting and turned away. He was limping badly and seemed to have injured a muscle in his right leg. He had to be helped back to his corner with Durodola proclaimed the winner. The Nigerian banger wins the vacant WBFederation title. Second loss to Durodola for Sadiki who was stopped in five rounds in Ghana in September last year.

Salam vs. Gonorenda

Salam gets revenge for a hotly disputed loss to Gonorenda in Zimbabwe in August. Salam had promised Nigeria he would reverse that loss and he did. He made a faster start than in the August fight and looked fitter and stronger. He had Gonorenda under pressure for most of the rounds. Gonorenda launched an attack in the sixth taking Salam to the ropes but Salam spun off the ropes and put Gonorenda there. He then cut loose with a barrage of punches and with nothing coming back from Gonorenda the fight was stopped. Salam wins the WBFederation African title and a fight with Durodola would seem a logical step. After going 8-1 in fights in Britain Salam was then out of action for seven years before returning with a win in September last year and he us now 3-1 since his return. Gonorenda had won his last five fights.

Ahmed vs. Ajuwa

First fight for Ghanaian Ahmed since being halted in six rounds by Gilberto Ramirez in a challenge for WBO title in February. Initially the Nigerian was competitive but fell apart in the second round,. Ajuwa staged a big attack landing some head punches and forcing Ahmed back. Ahmed then drove forward pounding Ajuwa with a series of clubbing rights to the head and Ajuwa stopped fighting, waived his arm, turned and walked away forcing the referee to stop the fight. The “Wild Hurricane” makes it 18 wins by KO/TKO but this was too easy. “Golden Child” Ajuwa has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights.

 

Lublin, Poland: Middle: Lukasz Maciec (25-3-1) W PTS 8 Damian Bonelli (23-4).

Maciec outpoints Bonelli but the Argentinian gave him plenty of trouble early. Over the first three rounds Bonelli was often forcing Maciec to the ropes and landing left hooks and straight rights. Maciec finally started to roll from the fourth rocking Bonelli with some heavy rights and bringing his own left hook into play more often. Bonelli went down but it was rightly ruled a slip. Bonelli pressed hard at the end but the experienced Maciec boxed and battled his way to the win. Scores 79-73, 78-74 and 77-76 all for Maciec. The Pole’s only loss was a points decision against Hugo Centeno in 2015. He had only one fight in 2016 and was inactive in 2017 so needs to fight more often as he has dropped out of all of the ratings. Bonelli, 40, has now lost three in a row one in Canada and two in Poland.

 

Oviedo, Spain: Welter: Aitor Nieto (23-6-1) W TKO 4 Jonathan Valero (9-4).

Neighbourhood fighter Nieto has no trouble defending his national title. The tall “El Diamante” was miles ahead of Valero in every department. He took control in the first round and by the second Valero had swollen cheeks; blood from the nose and cuts Valero’s was already bruised and battered. Nieto handed out more punishment in the third and it was no surprise that the referee stopped the fight in the fourth. The year has not gone to well for Nieto with losses to unbeaten fighters Jordy Weiss and James Metcalf but this win will make 2018 a bit less painful for Nieto. Valero was later found to have suffered an orbital bone fracture. He is 3-1 in his last 4 fights with one of those losses also to Weiss.

 

October 27

 

Sofia, Bulgaria: Heavy: Kubrat Pulev (26-1) W PTS 12 Hughie Fury (21-2). Cruiser: Tervel Pulev (12-0) W TKO 2 Leonardo Bruzzese (19-6). Middle: Fouad El Massoudi (16-11) W PTS 10 Gennady Martirosyan (26-4). Super Welter: Yosif Panov (13-3) W PTS 10 Stiliyan Kostov (21-9).

Pulev vs. Fury

Pulev outpoints Fury to open the way to a fight with Anthony Joshua. Fury began in the “Fury” style with his hands down, plenty of movement and stabbing out his jab. Pulev made a slow start having difficulty in letting his hands go as he tried to solve Fury’s tactics. Pulev was trying to set Fury up for a right cross but it was his jab that was proving his best punch and in the second a jab opened a cut over the left eye of .Fury. Concerned about the seriousness of the cut Fury launched a furious attack at the start of the third that had Pulev stumbling. Gradually the fire died out but that early attack was enough to give Fury the round. The fight was becoming messy. Fury was tending to dive in with his attacks and his head always seemed to end up under Pulev’s arm until the referee pulled them apart. The pattern of the fight remained the same over the middle rounds with Pulev tracking Fury and letting fly with jabs and then flinging wild rights. Fury kept on the retreat probing with his jab and then trying to land big right crosses. Fury seemed at times to be worried about the injury over his eye and gradually some of the fire went out of his work and he spent more and more time retreating around the perimeter of the ring only firing an occasional big right trying to turn the fight his way. It was not an entertaining fight. Fury’s counters kept him in the fight but more and more it was Pulev scoring with his powerful jab and Fury throwing less and less punches. Pulev scored with two heavy rights in the eleventh. Fury came out throwing punches in the last but with Fury totally exhausted they lacked power and Pulev soon had Fury on the retreat and was the one doing the scoring as the round closed. Scores 118-110, 117-111 and a surprisingly close 115-113 all for Pulev.   This win makes the 37-year-old Pulev the mandatory challenger for the IBF title. He is strong but oh so slow and I can’t see him causing Anthony Joshua any problems. Fury was a disappointment and he performed way below the form he showed in losing a majority decision to Joseph Parker but at 24 he has plenty of time to rebound from this.

Pulev vs. Bruzzese

Younger brother Tervel makes it a winning night for the Pulev family as he halts Italian Bruzzese in two rounds. After some preliminary jabs Pulev stepped inside and landed a couple of left hooks to the body . Bruzzese tried to keep Pulev out with his jab but the Bulgarian connected with a right to the head and a left to the body and Bruzzese dropped to his knees. He beat the count and again tried to work with his jab but Pulev muscled him to the ropes and Bruzzese went down under a few clubbing shots. Again he beat the count and the bell went. Bruzzese went forward behind his jab in the second but a heavy right cross put him on the floor on his back. He tried to rise but tumbled over again and the fight was stopped. Pulev, 35 wins the vacant EU title. He won plenty of gold medals as an amateur and also took a silver at the European Championships and a bronze at the 2012 Olympics losing to Oleg Usyk. Argentinian-born Bruzzese, a former Italian champion, was having his third shot at winning a EU title.

El Massoudi vs. Martirosyan

Frenchman El Massoudi wins a split decision over Martirosyan. Scores 99-93 and 98-94 for El Massoudi and 96-95 for Martirosyan. After a run of six losses in seven fights El Massoudi has suddenly come good as last month he scored a fourth round stoppage victory over 19-0 Pole Patryk Szymanski. Armenian-born Russian Martirosyan lost to Dmitry Pirog for the WBO middle title way back in 2011but then had only one fight in almost six years before scoring three wins last year.

Panov vs. Kostov

Panov continues his good run with unanimous verdict over Kostov to pick up the national title. Scores 98-94, 98-95 and 97-94 for Panov. He was 2-3 in his first 5 fights with the three losses being against unbeaten British fighters. From there he has won eleven in a row. Kostov has been going in the opposite direction and is now 1-5 in his last 6.

 

London, England: Super Middle: John Ryder (27-4) W KO 7 Andrey Sirotkin (15-2). Feather: Jordan Gill (22-0) W TKO 7 Sean Doyle (17-3-1). Super Welter: Ted Cheeseman (15-0) W PTS 12 Asinia Byfield (14-2). Cruiser: Isaac Chamberlain (10-1) W  PTS 10 Luke Watkins (13-2). Middle: Felix Cash (10-0) W PTS 10 Stephen Danyo (14-2-3). Super Feather: Martin Joseph Ward (20-1-2) W KO 2 Mohammed Kambuluta (18-5).Feather: Reece Bellotti (13-1) W PTS 6 Brayan Mairena (10-4-1).

Ryder vs. Sirotkin

Ryder protects his WBA No 3 rating with stoppage of Russian Sirotkin. The visitor had a good first round. He was penetrating Ryder’s defence with quick, accurate jabs and getting home with a couple of straight rights. He was confident enough to be dancing hands down and Ryder was having difficulty finding the range. Ryder did better in the second. He was throwing more punches and had tightened his guard. Sirotkin was ignoring his jab and was a bit wild with his punches, Sirotkin looked to have edged the third and fourth  His speed and movement were making it difficult for Ryder to land and meanwhile Sirotkin was popping Ryder with jabs and straight rights. There was not much power in Sirotkin’s punches but they were landing. Ryder still did not have an answer to the bobbing, weaving and dancing Russian  in the fifth and Sirotkin was scoring with some wild rights and dangerously driving in head down. The fight changed in the sixth. Ryder was now taking an extra step forward cutting down the ring and putting pressure on Sirotkin. Ryder was scoring with body punches and Sirotkin’s work became ragged. With Sirotkin still diving in head first a  clash of head saw Ryder suffer a bad cut over his left eye. Ryder was hunting Sirotkin down in the seventh landing thudding punches to the body. Sirotkin stumbled forward and down to his knees but it was a fall rather than a knockdown so no count but it was a sign that Sorokin was weakening.  Ryder was forcing Sirotkin around the ring pounding him with punches to head and body and a right hook to the ribs saw Sirotkin go down on one knee and make no attempt to beat the count. The “Gorilla” had made heavy work of this early but his power proved too much for Sirotkin in the end. Now 15 wins by KO/TKO for the 30-year-old southpaw Losses to Nick Blackwell, Jack Arnfield and to Rocky Fielding on a split decision left Ryder some way down the pecking order but a fourth round kayo of 29-1 Dane Patrick Nielsen changed that and his second round kayo of 25-1Jamie Cox put him in sight of a title shot against Callum Smith for the WBA crown in 2019. Sirotkin, 33, had scored wins over former champion Ricardo Mayorga and Canadian hard man Ryan Ford and risen to No 4 in the WBA ratings but his hopes were dashed here…

Gill vs. Doyle

The boxer outpunches the puncher as Gill stops champion Doyle in seven rounds to win the Commonwealth title. Gill led in this one from the outset. He was drilling Doyle with jabs and using clever footwork to frustrate Doyle’s attempts to counter. Doyle managed to land a hard right in the third but Gill continued to outscore the champion. In the fourth it was Doyle’s turn to be shaken by a left hook as Gill stepped up his attacks. He continued to score with jarring jabs and in the sixth a left uppercut had Doyle in trouble and then a series of body punches drove Doyle to the canvas. He beat the count and made it to the bell but it was all over in the seventh when with Doyle on the ropes and Gill connecting with a series of punches the referee stopped the fight. A brilliant performance from “The Thrill” as he gets his sixth win by KO/TKO. Doyle had won the Commonwealth title with a career best performance in halting unbeaten Reece Bellotti in June.

Cheeseman vs. Byfield

After some nasty exchanges in the time leading up to the fight this was a much anticipated grudge match. It was seen as a 50/50 fight but Cheeseman controlled the fight from the start and won a wide unanimous decision to become British champion. The aggressive Cheeseman went onto the attack immediately with Byfield boxing cleverly on the back foot and slotting home counters. Cheeseman stepped up his attacks in the second setting a punishing work rate, getting in close and going to the body. Byfield was finding the target with jabs and rights to the head but lacked the punch to deter Cheeseman and he was too often trapped with his back to the ropes having to fight off strong attacks. A right from Cheeseman floored Byfield in the fifth and he also rocked Byfield with right in the sixth. Byfield rallied in the seventh and had a measure of success as evidenced by the blood from Cheeseman’s nose but Cheeseman connected with strong rights in the eighth and again in the eleventh. They put everything into the last round as they traded punches for the final three minutes of the fight with Cheeseman a clear victor. Scores 117-111 twice and 117-110 all for Cheeseman. The 23-year-old Londoner‘s unrelenting pressure were just too much for Byfield. A former top level amateur Cheeseman already holds a win over experienced Carson Jones and is poised to take on higher level opposition. Byfield had won his last five fights but just met a better and stronger man on the night.

Chamberlain vs. Watkins

Chamberlin beats Watkins on points but needs a last round knockout to secure the win. Chamberlain made a good start stabbing home stiff jabs and countering attempts by Watkins to get inside. Watkins did better in the second round but the superior skill of Chamberlain kept him in front. Watkins began to get through with rights to the head and his aggressive attacks saw him build a small lead. Chamberlain then found his way again and outscored Watkins over the middle rounds doing some useful body work. Watkins stormed back pressurising Chamberlain and shaking him with a right in the eighth and edging the ninth. The fight was on a knife’s edge so both fighters went at it hard in the tenth. Chamberlain controlled his punches better and found the target with a series of hooks which had Watkins badly shaken and with just seconds to go Watkins dropped to one knee but made it to his feet at the bell. Referee’s score 95-94 for Chamberlain so assuming a 10-8 last round for Chamberlain in effect Watkins was only seconds from Victory. The 24-year-old Chamberlain will now be looking for a chance to reverse his only loss a points decision to current British and Common wealth champion Lawrence Okolie in February. Watkins came so close here. He lost his Commonwealth title to Okolie in June so it is now two losses in a row but he can rebound.

Cash vs. Danyo

Cash showcases some excellent skills and outclasses Dutchman Danyo. Cash was on the attack early moving forward behind some jarring jabs and banging home body punches. Initially Danyo tried to box on the back foot but Cash was piercing his guard with jabs and raking the Dutchman’s body with hooks. Danyo turned more aggressive over the middle rounds but with Cash constantly changing angles and firing rapid combinations. Cash connected with some hard punches in the fifth to stagger Danyo and handed out plenty of punishment in the seventh. Cash was going ten rounds for the first time and slowed a little over the closing rounds with Danyo having some success but never enough to win a round. Scores 100-90 for Cash from the three judges. Cash wins the WBC International Silver title and will be looking to add some more titles after collecting his first. He has great skills but looks a little light in punch power at this stage. After being unbeaten in 17 fights it is now two losses in a row for Danyo but the other one was against the WBO No 1 Custio Clayton.

Ward vs. Kambuluta

Early night for Ward. He had some problems with the unorthodox wild swinging style of Kambuluta but ended it in the second. Kambuluta was marching forward throwing wild punches and was nailed by a right to the head that stiffened his legs. A left hook saw him stumble into a corner and he went down under a couple more punches. He grabbed the ropes trying to rise and although he made it he just failed to beat the count. First step on the road to recovery for Ward who lost his European title on a fifth round stoppage against James Tennyson in May. It’s now five fights outside Tanzania and five losses by KO/TKO for Kambuluta

Bellotti vs. Mairena

As with Ward Bellotti was also working his way back after a loss. He was much too good for Nicaraguan Mairena. Faster feet and faster hands was the story here. Mairena kept chugging forward and did enough to take a round but it was cruise control for Bellotti. Referee’s score 59-55. The Watford “Bomber” lost his Commonwealth title to Ryan Doyle in June  and will be looking to build back to go for the British title or target new Commonwealth champion Jordan Gill. Four losses in a row for Mairena. You can expect that run to grow as he is a new addition to the Barcelona-based loser’s school.

 

Weissenfels, Germany: Light Heavy: Dominic Boesel (28-1) W PTS 12 Enrico Koelling (26-2). Cruiser: Roman Fress (5-0) W PTS 10 Bjoern Blaschke (12-10-1).

Boesel vs. Koelling

Boesel retains European title with unanimous decision over fellow-German. Koelling The champion made a confident start outboxing Koelling over the first two rounds. Koelling had some success in the third with left hooks but was outscored by Boesel. The champion was dominating the action both inside and outside. He used his better skills to outscore Koelling on the outside and also had Koelling pinned to the ropes for much of the time. By the half way mark Boesel had built a substantial lead. Koelling had also been working to the body and he focused more of his attacks there. From the seventh round he began to eat into Boesel’s lead. Boesel had a good eighth making things even tougher for Koelling but the challenger was finding the target again with left hooks. He swept the ninth and tenth rounds but with some clever boxing and greater accuracy Boesel halted Koelling’s surge by edging the eleventh. Koelling put in a strong finish in the final round but it was never going to be enough to claw back Boesel’s early lead and Boesel was a good winner. Scores 118-111, 116-113 and 115-113 for Boesel. Boesel was making the first defence of the title that he won with a points victory over Serhiy Demchenko in March. His only loss was a late stoppage by Karo Murat for the vacant European title in July last year. He is the second highest fighter in the IBF ratings at No 4(the first two spots are vacant) and with Murat rated one spot above him a return could see the winner installed as mandatory challenger to Artur Beterbiev. Koelling knows all about Beterbiev having been knocked out in the twelfth round by Beterbiev in a fight for the vacant IBF title in November .Koelling was two places behind Koelling in the IBF ratings and since they were both in the IBF top 10 Boesel now qualifies for the mandatory spot son might vault over Murat.

Fress vs.  Blaschke

Fress wins the vacant German title in only his fifth fight. The former top rank amateur outboxed a willing but very limited Blaschke in every round. The speed and accuracy of his jab gave Fress domination and he worked Blaschke over on the ropes when he decided to take the fight inside. He showed excellent technical skills albeit against an inferior standard opponent.  Scores 100-90 for Fress form the three judges. The 24-year-old 6’3” Kazak-born Fress was German Under 17, Youth. Under 21 and Under-23 champion and was runner-up at the German National Championships in 2015. Blaschke was never in with a chance.

 

Madrid, Spain: Feather: Kiko Martinez (39-8-2) W PTS 12 Marc Vidal (11-2-5). Super Middle: Adan Silvera (10-1) W KO 5 Mariano Hilario (17-7).

Martinez vs. Vidal

Martinez powers his way to victory over champion Vidal to win the European title and become the first Spaniard to be a two-division European champion. When they met in May the fight ended in a technical draw just when it was heating up. This time it went the distance and Martinez won clearly. Although giving away height and reach Martinez used his wealth of experience to dodge past Vidal’s jab and score well inside and avoid Vidal’s counters. Martinez had began the fight well with his busier style and the accuracy of his punches. He was able to connect with heavy rights and it was his best punch. Martinez’s punches saw him build a good lead but his work rate dropped in the seventh allowing Vidal the space to claw his way into the fight. Martinez came back again and a booming right in the eleventh had Vidal in trouble and Martinez was a comfortable winner. Scores 118-110, 118-111 and 117-111all for the new champion. The former IBF super bantam king has been voted Fighter of the Year four times by Spain’s boxing fraternity and naturally he now wants Josh Warrington, Carl Frampton or Leo Santa Cruz next. Vidal was making the second defence of the European title.

Silvera vs. Hilario

A mild upset sees inexperienced Silvera blast out Hilario to win the vacant Spanish title. The Canary Islander proved just too strong for the Dominican-born Hilario. He steamed forward throwing punches battering away at Hilario’s defences. Hilario was badly shaken in the fourth and was given a standing count. In the fifth a fearful straight right from Silvera sent Hilario down heavily. Hilario grabbed the ropes and tried to rise but toppled over and was counted out. Silvera, 33, did not turn pro until he was 30. After winning his first nine fights he lost in Portugal to 8-8-1 Rui Manuiel Pavanito so was not given much chance of winning this one. Hilario, 31, a former Spanish and twice EU champion falls to his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

Cutral Co, Argentina: Welter: Luis Veron (16-0) W PTS 10 Jonathan Eniz (21-11-1,1ND). Super Light: Sebastian Aguirre (16-3) W TKO 2 Martin Coggi (35-8-4,1ND).

Veron vs. Eniz

Veron retains the WBO Latino title with very controversial decision over Eniz with a wide divergence in the scoring. Eniz was the quicker man and built an early lead outscoring Veron over the first half of the fight. Veron just could not get to grips with the clever southpaw boxing of Eniz who continually pierced Veron’s guard with straight lefts. It was the sixth before Veron really got into the fight as Eniz’s work rate dropped. The seventh and eighth were close with Eniz rallying and looking to have edged them. Thinking he had an unassailable lead Eniz boxed cautiously over the ninth and tenth which Veron took but it did not look as though he had done enough, Scores 97-93 twice for Veron and 99-91 for Eniz with both scores being unrepresentative of the action. The 27-year-old winner was lucky. A former top amateur who was a member of the Argentinian Condors in the WBS Veron is No 7 with the WBO but did not look like a world rated fighter here. Eniz was 6-1, 1 ND going in having lost to unbeaten Batyrzhan Jukembayev in Canada in May.

Aguirre vs. Coggi

Aguirre disposes of Coggi in two rounds. Coggi, the son of the former world champion, had plenty of height and reach over the crude swinging Aguirre in this all-southpaw clash and took the opening round, In the second as Coggi was boxing confidently Aguirre ducked under a right jab from Coggi and came over the top with a thunderbolt left to the head and Coggi went down on his back and was counted out. Tenth win by KO/TKO for Aguirre who wins the vacant WBO Latino title. He had been a very ordinary 3-3 going in. Coggi”The Little Prince” suffers his fourth loss by KO/TKO.

 

Brugge, Belgium: Super Welter: Vadim Stoljartsjoek (9-0) W TKO 10 Ayoub Nefzi (26-12-2).

Stoljartsjoek wins the vacant Belgian title. Nefzi came in over the weight limit so could not win the title. Stoljartsjoek power kept him in control on this one. Nefzi was never really a force and his chances were not helped by a points deduction in the sixth round for careless use of his head. Stoljartsjoek kept up the pressure and the fight was stopped in the last round. Tajikistani Stoljartsjoek now has seven victories by KO/TKO and he went into this fight on the back of two first round wins. Tunisian Nefzi was 16-0-1 in his early days but is now 0-5-1 in his last six.

 

Nuremburg, Germany: Super Welter: Jama Saidi (14-0) W PTS 12 Sasha Yengoyan (41-4-1). Saidi retains the IBF European title with majority verdict over experienced Yengoyan. Scores 117-111 and 115-113 for Saidi and 114-114. Second defence for Saidi but he was lucky he was fighting ay home as this was very close. The 25-year-old German of Afghan parentage who turned pro at 17 has split his time between boxing and competing at K1. Armenian Yengoyan, 33, is past his peak and has now lost three of his last four fights.

 

Ensenada, Mexico: Welter: Alessandro Riguccini (22-0) W TKO 3 Andres Villaman (14-1). Super Welter: Mario Meraz (26-4) W TKO 7 Manuel Aguilar (20-12,1ND).

Riguccini vs. Villaman

Italian Riguccini wins the vacant WBC Silver title with stoppage of Mexican Villaman. It is now 11 wins on the bounce by KO/TKO and 18 in all for Riguccini. Not bad for a guy who only took up boxing to improve the boxing part of his kickboxing skills. Apart from winning the WBC Silver title he was also a champion at kickboxing, K1 and full contact- and is a computer engineer. Villman’s record is heavily padded with low level opposition. It is strange that with the prestige the WBC claims for their Silver title two fighters who are not even in the top 40 fight for it. Will Riguccini now go into the top 15 for beating such a mediocre opponent?

Meraz vs. Aguilar

Neighbourhood battler Meraz continues to get his career back on track with another win. Over 2013 and 2014 he put together a run of nine wins in ten fight with the loss being to world rated Jason Pagara. He then had only one fight in 2015 and was inactive in 2016 and 2017 before returning and now has two wins over reasonable level opposition this year. Aguilar is 3-8 in his last 11.

 

Culiacan, Mexico: Middle: Omar Chavez (37-5-1) W PTS 10 Nicolas Luques (10-6). Super Light: Pedro Campa (29-1) W Adrian Perez (10-4).

Chavez vs. Luques

Fighting in his home town Chavez wins but struggles to do so. It was evident in the first round that although Chavez had a much longer reach there was no snap to his punches and Luques was able to march forward and score with some hefty hooks. Chavez improved in the second using his jab more but Luques showed some good defensive work. Chavez did better in the third scoring at distance with Luques not able to get close and a punch from Chavez dislodged Luques mouth guard just before the bell. The fourth and fifth were close but there was not much quality work on show. Luques outscored Chavez in the sixth but was rocked by a hard right. Chavez work rate dropped away in the seventh and Luques pressurised him all the way but the Argentinian was missing too many shots and letting Chavez off the hook. Despite that Chavez was now cut on this right cheek. Luques continued to attack a very tired Chavez in the eighth but Chavez banged back hard to have a good ninth. Two exhausted fighters somehow found the strength to punch their way through the last with Chavez the more accurate and just taking the round. Scores 96-94 for Chavez from the three judges. Having lost his last two fights it was vital that Chavez win this one but he was far from impressive and has gone as far as he is going. Luques will feel that he deserved at least a draw but the result looked a fair one-just.

Campa vs. Perez

Boy this was a wild one until a thunderbolt from Campa finished it in the second round. Campa was wading in scoring with heavy rights in the first. Southpaw Aparicio was taller with a longer reach but under pressure from Campa he was just standing and throwing sweeping but inaccurate punches. The referee stopped the fight and asked the doctor to examine a serious cut Campa had suffered in a clash of heads. Campa was cleared to continue and the mayhem continued. Campa was landing rights again and Aparicio was just punching out blindly. He paid for that. Just before the bell a huge right from Campa dumped him on his back and although he managed to struggle to his feet he was too late to beat the count.  Campa “The Rock” from Hermosillo won his first 27 fights but in a big upset was halted in seven rounds by 11-8-1 Carlos Jimenez in October. This is win No 3 since then. Aparicio’s tactics were suicidal as he made no attempt to use his physical edges but tried to outpunch Campa.

 

Lyubertsy, Russia: Light: Pavel Malikov (14-1) W KO 2 Ernie Sanchez (19-13-1). Welter: Olek Ivanov (16-4) W PTS 10 Dmitry Mikhaylenko (23-4). Light: Roman Andreev (22-0) W TKO 3 Evgeny Vazem (8-6).

Malikov vs. Sanchez

Malikov wins the bizarrely named Eurasian Boxing Parliament title with kayo of Sanchez after a short, fierce battle. Malikov was coming forward connecting with solid jabs and hooks to the body. Sanchez fired some hefty counters but body punches from Malikov had him on the back foot. Malikov continued to bombard Sanchez with hurtful body punches until a left to the ribs saw Sanchez take a couple of steps back and then go down on his hands and knees and get counted out. Sixth win by KO/TKO for the 32-yearold local fighter. He won his first 13 fights but in April lost for the first time on an eighth round kayo against Daud Yordan.  Filipino Sanchez drops to 4-7 in his last 11 fights.

Ivanov vs. Mikhaylenko

Youth won here as Ivanov outworked Mikhaylenko to take the unanimous verdict. Ivanov did his best work inside. Mikhaylenko was the harder puncher but was not stringing his punches together and from the second round was hampered by a cut over his right eye. Ivanov was taking Mikhaylenko to the ropes and pounding away to the body with bursts of hooks and when the action moved off the ropes he was spearing the advancing Mikhaylenko with jabs. Mikhaylenko came on strongly over the closing rounds but Ivanov already had the fight won by then. Scores 100-91, 98-92 and 96-94 for Ivanov. The Russian-based Ukrainian Ivanov, 24, has won 7 of his last 8 fights. Mikhaylenko, 32, was 21-0 at one time and scored wins over Sechew Powell, Ronald Cruz, Johan Perez and Karim Mayfield but had fallen away and was 2-3 going into this fight.

Andreev vs. Vazem

Andreev wins this mismatch. He took the first two rounds keeping his left jab in Vazem’s face and driving left hooks to the body. Vazem countered but was always going backwards. In the third a left hook to the body had Vazem retreating to the ropes and another one sent him down on one knee. He got up but was still in some pain. He nodded that he was able to fight on but by then the towel had already come in from his corner. Andreev is No 1 lightweight with the WBO but the strength of his opponents does not justify that high a position and BoxRec has him rated No 23. Vazem tried hard but he is really just a four and six round fighter.

 

Newport, Wales: Light: Gavin Gwynne (10-0) W PTS 10 Myron Mills (12-1). Welter: Tony Dixon (11-2) W PTS 10 Kieran Gething (6-2-1). Super Welter: Ryan Toms (16-15-3) W TKO 2 Fred Evans (5-1). Fly: Andrew Selby (11-0) W TKO 2 Adam Yahaya (18-4-1).

Gwynne vs. Mills

Gwynne outpoints Mills in British title eliminator. These were two well-matched fighters with Gwynne having big advantages in height and reach which he used to build and early lead. Mills scored well to the body over the middle rounds only for a strong finish from Gwynne just do enough to get the verdict. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Gwynne.  The 28-year-old Welsh champion will be looking to challenge Lewis Ritson but it may be too early in his career for such a hard fight. English champion Mills had scored wins over good domestic opposition in Luke Paddock and Marcus French.

Dixon vs. Gething

This Welsh Area title fight was even closer than the Gwynne vs. Mills fight. Dixon controlled much of the fight with his jab but Gething pressed hard. In the end it was a fourth round knockdown scored by Dixon that decided the fight on the referee’s card although Dixon did look to have won well. The referee gave the decision to Dixon seeing it 95-94. Last time out in December Dixon lost on points to Ted Cheeseman so a very welcome victory. Gething had lost his last six but this was close enough to justify a second match.

Toms vs. Evans

This was a big shock and dented the hopes of one of the best amateur boxers produced by Wales. Great things were expected from the 27-year-old from Cardiff but Toms blasted those expectations. Although only possessing a very ordinary record Toms is a known puncher and he shook fellow-southpaw Evans with lefts in the first. A left put Eva\ns down early in the second and another left put him down for the second time. Evans tried to punch his way out of trouble but he was driven to the ropes and was being bombarded with punches as the referee halted the fight. Tenth win by KO/TKO for 36-year-old Toms. He was 2-4-1 before this one but had scored upset stoppage wins in the past over 17-1 Lloyd Elliott and 17-3 Arthur Hermann. Evans, 27, had won gold medals at the Commonwealth Championships and the European Championships and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games beating the current WBO No 1Custio Clayton, WBO 2 Egidijus Kavaliauskas and Taras Shelestyuk on the way to the final. There has to be a question mark over him now.

Selby vs. Yahaya

With his European title fight with Vincent Legrand postponed Selby took this one to keep busy. He took more chances that usual standing right in front of Yahaya and trading punches. The defensive wizardry of Selby left Yahaya swishing air but the gutsy Tanzanian tried to march forward through the hail of punches from Selby. The local fighter piled on the punches again in the second with Yahaya trying to fight back but he was cornered and taking punishment and the referee stopped the fight. Selby is No 1 with the WBC and already has a win over current champion Cristofer Rosales. A date is awaited for the delayed Legrand European title fight but as well as the No 1 spot with the WBC he is the highest rated challenger with the IBF at No 3 (positions 1 and 2 are vacant)  so a world title shot early in 2019 is assured and the fight with Legrand may seem an unnecessary risk. Yahaya way out of his depth but then most fighters are when faced by Selby and he had gone the distance with unbeaten Tommy Frank just 15 days ago,

 

San Antonio, TX, USA: Feather: Ramon Cardenas (16-1) W PTS 10 Ramsey Luna (14-7) Cardenas wins an all-Texan contest to collect his first title as a pro as he gets narrow decision over Luna for the vacant American Boxing Federation title. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93 for Cardenas.  First ten round fight for the 22-year-old from San Antonio. Luna from Corpus Christi started his career with a run of eleven wins so is now 3-7 in his last 10.

 

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Ivan Baranchyk vs. Anthony Yigit

Fight of the week (Significance): Daniel Jacobs vs. Sergiy Derevyanchenko

Fighter of the week: Ivan Baranchyk with honourable mention to Felix Alvarado

Punch of the week:  Both the first straight left and the following uppercut from Machado were great punches. Honourable mention to the left from Sebastian Aguero which flattened Martin Coggi

Upset of the week: Demian Fernandez 9-1 was not expected to beat 16-1 Diego Ramirez and prospect Fred Evans stoppage at the hands of Ryan Tom was a shock.

Prospect watch: Ted Cheeseman 15-0 was impressive in his win over Asinia Byfield and Filipino flyweight Giemel Magramo 22-1 Filipino looks good