The Past Week In Action 12 October 2015
Kissimmee, FL, USA: Feather: Orlando Cruz (22-4-1) W PTS 10 Gabion Cota (18-5-1).
Super Welter: Emmanuel De Jesus (16-0) W TKO 4 Cosme Rivera (38-22-3,1ND).
Cruz vs. Cota
Cruz outpoints Cota but the Mexican makes him fight hard all of the way. The clever
southpaw boxing of Cruz was allowing the Puerto Rican to get off first and Cota found Cruz
an elusive target. Cota kept coming forward trying to get Cruz trapped on the ropes but Cruz
was ducking and diving and countering with Cota wild with his punches. In the fifth both a
left and right from Cota landed low and Cruz was given some recovery time. Cota continued
to press the action in the sixth but was reaching with his punches and leaving himself open
for bursts of combination punches from Cruz and the Mexican shipped a hard right hook and
straight left at the end of the eighth. Cota started the ninth with a concerted ferocious attack
pinning Cruz on the ropes for almost a minute with Cruz only able to block or absorb Cota’s
punches with no chance to counter. That effort left Cota punched out and as the round closed
it was Cruz hunting down Cota and trapping the Mexican on the ropes and unloading. Cruz
landed a low punch and was given a stern warning to keep his punches up. Cota was walking
Cruz down in the tenth taking the Puerto Rican to the ropes and swinging wide hooks from
both hands. As in the ninth when the storm blew itself out Cruz was the one forcing Cota
back and landing from both hands. As they tired Cruz missed a punch and slipped to the
canvas but it was rightly not counted and Cruz finished strongly. Scores 99-91, 97-93 and 9694 all for Cruz. The first score was unfair on Cota and the last too close. Cota had struggled
to make the weight but it did not seem to affect him. The 34-year-old Cruz wins the vacant
WBO NABO super feather title. He suffered back-to-back losses against Omar Salido for the
WBO title in October 2013 and a ten rounder against Gamaliel Rodriguez in April last year.
He was then inactive until returning in June with a win. “ Flash” Cota, 22, has lost 4 of his
last 5 fights but Cruz was never able to relax against the young man from south of the border.
De Jesus vs. Rivera
De Jesus remains unbeaten with win over veteran Rivera. The bout was halted at the end of
the fourth round due to a bad cut under the right eye of Rivera. The tall 22-year-old Puerto
Rican “Pirate” now has 10 wins by KO/TKO. He was Puerto Rican amateur champion, Pan
American Junior champion and represented Puerto Rico at both the World Youth
Championships and the Pan American Games. He is one of the hottest prospects in Puerto
Rico. Rivera is a former IBF/WBC/WBA welter title challenger but at 39 that is history and
he is 3-7 in his last 10 fights.
Ghent, Belgium: Cruiser: Dmytro Kucher (23-1-1) DREW 12 Bilal Laggoune (19-0-2).
Super Welter: Sasha Yengoyan (33-2-1) W TKO 7 Fouad El Massoudi (13-6).
Kucher vs. Laggoune
The European title remains vacant after Kucher and Laggoune finish all even. Kucher was the
favourite and started out that way forcing the fight and taking the early rounds. It was midfight before Laggoune sorted out a response and then he got into the fight and picked up a
few rounds. Kucher got back into the fight and although Laggoune had a good ninth and
looked to have edged the eleventh Kucher took the tenth and then the last round and with his
early superiority looked to have won comfortably. The judges could not agree amongst
themselves. Scores 118-112 for Kucher, 115-113 for Laggoune and 114-114 denying Kucher
a deserved victory. It can be tough to win in the other guy’s backyard even with neutral
judges. Hopefully the EBU will order a return. Ukrainian Kucher, 31, dropped a majority
decision to Illunga Makabu for the vacant WBC Silver title in July 2013 and this is only his
third fight since then. He is No 9 with the WBC. Former undefeated European Union
champion Laggoune, 22, was in his first real tests. He was lucky to keep his unbeaten tag but
Kucher was a tough opponent and he is young enough to take any lessons on board and can
only improve.
Yengoyan vs. El Massoudi
“The Beast from the East” finally wears down and stops El Massoudi. There is nothing fancy
about Yengoyan’s style which is built on strength and punching power rather than skill and
accuracy. El Massoudi had the edge in those departments and after a couple of even rounds
the Frenchman built a lead. Yengoyan’s strength began to tell, in the sixth as he was landing
some heavy shots. A left in the seventh had El Massoudi on the ropes and in deep trouble.
Yengoyan’s follow up barrage saw the referee stop the fight over the protests of El Massoudi
but it looked a timely stoppage. The 30-year-old Armenian-born Yengoyan, a former WBFed
champion, makes it 22 wins by KO/TKO. He has won 12 of his last 13 fights with the loss in
there being to former IBF welter champion Jan Zavcek in a defence of the WBFed title in
April. El Massoudi, 27, was 8-2 in his last 10 fights going into this one and this is his first
loss by KO/TKO.
Cerete, Colombia: Bantam: Vargas Yeison (8-0) W PTS 10 Elkin Rosario (4-11-2).
Super Bantam: Luis Diaz (16-2-1) W KO 3 Yael Made (6-2).
Yeison vs. Rosario
Yeison wins vacant national title with unanimous decision over Rosario. The unbeaten
Yeison made his usual fast start having Rosario in trouble in the first from a series of hard
lefts with Rosario only just lasting to the bell. Yeison continued to be on top in the next three
rounds but Rosario banged back in the fifth with a series of hard body punches. The fight was
more even from that point with both trading bombs in the eighth but with Yeison finishing
stronger top take the decision and the national title. First ten round fight for promising 26year-old former Colombian amateur champion Yeison. Four losses in a row for Rosario.
Diaz vs. Made
Local fighter Diaz extends his unbeaten run to 14 with knockout of Made. Diaz jumped on
Mead in the first round and had the DR fighter under fire for the whole three minutes. Mead
had a better second round but it was still Diaz landing the heavier punches. Within the first
minute of the third a series of punches put Made down. He made it to his feet but a right from
Diaz put him down again and Made was counted out. Now 9 wins by KO/TKO for the 22year-old “Machete” Diaz. Second loss by KO/TKO for Dominican Made.
Dojo, France: Light: Daouda Sow (18-0) W PTS 8 Bibi Ondoua (11-6).
Former undefeated French champion Sow given eight goods rounds of work by Ondoua. The
classy Sow, fresh from three weeks training in Florida, landed some hard shots in the first but
fellow Frenchman Ondoua shook them off. The high pace set in the first continued through
the eight rounds. Southpaw Sow’s speed, accuracy and pressure threatened to overwhelm
Ondoua at times. Sow’s skills often had Ondoua swishing air but Ondoua was able land more
punches than might have been expected against Sow but Ondoua is a light puncher. Sow won
the unanimous decision but Ondoua also came out with credit. Only the referee scored this
one and he had it 79-73 for Sow. The 32-year-old Sow was a silver medallist at the 2008
Olympics beating current IBF super feather champ Jose Pedraza in one of the early bouts in
the series. He has also competed in the WSB and AIBI Professional League. His big test will
come in November when he faces fellow Frenchman Yves Mendy. Ondoua had won 7 of his
last 8 fights.
Marcken Calais, France: Middle: Joffrey Jacob (11-0) W PTS 8 Nodar Robakidze (1415-3). The Jacob clan’s youngest active member continues unbeaten but is given a good fight
by travelling loser Robakidze. Jacob had to overcome a facial cut caused by an accidental
elbow in the first. He is a quick stylish boxer but lacks real power and the good and the bad
showed here as he generally dominated but never looked like stopping Robakidze. Scores 7872 twice and 77-75 all for local fighter. For Jacob, 22, it was his second time over eight
rounds. Robakidze, 22, is 0-6 in fights in Britain and is heading that way in France.
Clermont-Ferrand, France: Light Heavy: Igor Mikhalkin (17-1) W PTS 12 Hugo
Kasperski (26-6-1). Mikhalkin retains European title with convincing unanimous decision
over hometown fighter Kasperski. Kasperski shook Mikhalkin with right early but the
Russian southpaw had the superior technique outboxing and out-jabbing the Frenchman who
just could not find an answer to the Russians southpaw jab and accurate lefts. Mikhalkin kept
getting through with choice uppercuts and left hooks. He had his tactics spot on and even
Kasperski admitted he had not been able to find an answer. Kasperski tried to find the punch
he needed in the last round but even then he was walking onto counters as Mikhalkin picked
him off in an impressive performance. Scores 117-111, 117-111 and 116-113. Second
defence of his EBU title by 30-year-old Hamburg-based Mikhalkin, the WBC No 11, but he
needs to be more active with just 6 fights in the last 5 years. The 28-year-old Kasperski had
won his last 5 fights but says he will review with his coaches where he goes from here.
Osaka, Japan: Feather: Hiroshige Osawa (28-3-4) W TKO 5 Shota Yamaguchi (13-2).
Osawa beats Yamaguchi on a cut. Yamaguchi tried to use his youth, aggression and a body
attack to wear down the more experienced Osawa. In the second a punch from Osawa opened
a bad cut over the left eye of Yamaguchi. Knowing the cut was bad Yamaguchi launched
wild attacks in the third and fourth forcing Osawa to the ropes but not being to land a decisive
punch and Osawa was in control at the end of the fourth. In the fifth punches worsened
Yamaguchi’s cut and at the end of the round the referee stopped the fight despite the protests
from Yamaguchi’s corner. The 30-year-old former OPBF champion, the WBO No 11, is 120-1 in his last 13 fights. Yamaguchi, 25, had won 5 of his last 6 fights and was moving up to
ten rounds for the first time.
Prachuap, Thailand: Minimumweight: Samartlek (23-5) W TKO 8 Oscar Raknafa (1212). Super Fly: Norasingh (17-0-1) W TKO 2 Kichang Kim (6-3-1).
Samartlek vs. Raknafa
Samartlek wins the vacant WBC ABC title with stoppage of Indonesian Raknafa in a poor
match. The 30-year-old Thai was stopped in eleven rounds by Japanese star Naoya Inoue in a
challenge for the WBC light fly title in September last year. This is his sixth win since then.
Now 9 losses in a row for Raknafa.
Norasingh vs. Kim
Another bit of rubbish sees Norasingh halt Indonesian teenager Kim in two rounds.
Norasingh, 29, retains his WBC ABC Silver title and has won 8 of his last 9 fights by
KO/TKO. He is rated WBA 3/WBC 13. Kim, 19, “The Lion of Borneo”!! Goes to 3 losses by
KO/TKO but as with many Indonesians I am not sure his record is complete. A pity to see the
WBC lending its name to rubbish like this.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Super Feather: Victor M Rodriguez (38-4-1) W TKO 9 Diego
Chaves (14-11-4). Rodriguez has to shed some rust before beating Chaves. In his first fight
for 19 months Rodriguez made a slow start conceding the first round to Chaves and sharing
the next two as Chaves looked quicker and sharper. Rodriguez got rolling in the sixth as
Chaves seemed to tire. A right to the chin put Chaves down in the seventh and had him badly
shaken and in real trouble with a right to the chin in the eighth and a follow-up shower of
punches. Chaves was finished and he did not answer the bell for the ninth round. Rodriguez,
30 was beaten in three rounds by Adrien Broner for the vacant WBO feather title in 2011.
Third loss by KO/TKO for Chaves who is 4-2 in his last 6 fights.
October 10
Manchester, England: Light: Terry Flanagan (29-0) W TKO 2 Diego Magdaleno (28-2).
Super Welter: Liam Smith (21-0-1 ) W TKO 7 John Thompson (17-2). Super Middle
Luke Blackledge (20-2-2) W PTS 12 Lee Markham (14-3-1). Light Thomas Stalker (101-2) DREW 10 Craig Evans (14-2). Super Welter: Jimmy Kilrain Kelley (16-0) W PTS
10 Martin Fidel Rios (16-7-3). Super Light: Jack Catterall (13-0) W PTS 10 Jarkko
Putkonen (12-1). Super Feather: Adrian Gonzalez (12-1) W TKO 4 Jon Kays (21-51).Bantam: Ryan Burnett (11-0) W KO 2 Robert Kanalas (10-5). Middle: Vijender
Singh (1-0) W TKO 3 Sonny Whiting (2-2).
Flanagan vs. Magdaleno
Hugely impressive win by Flanagan as he retains his WBO title with second round stoppage
of Magdaleno. Flanagan made a confident start establishing his jab early and with Magdaleno
seeming to have trouble with his footing as he slipped to the canvas twice in the opening
round. Magdaleno was down again from a slip at the start of the second but the next time he
went down it was no slip. A heavy right hook from Flanagan put Magdaleno down. He was
up and took the eight count but had not really recovered. Flanagan leapt on the challenger
with a left uppercut and a fusillade of hooks with Magdaleno again going down. He got up
but when the action restarted Flanagan had him trapped on the ropes and continued to unload
punches from both hands to force Magdaleno to the canvas for the third time. The referee
might have stopped it then but he gave Magdaleno every chance allowing the fight to
continue but with Magdaleno again trapped on the ropes and not fighting back the fight was
stopped. Great win for the 26-year-old local fighter. He won the title in unfortunate
circumstances when Jose Zepeda suffered a dislocated shoulder in the second round of their
fight for the vacant title in July but if that left with Flanagan with a feeling he had something
to prove he did it here in the way he blasted out his No 1 challenger. He must feel he would
have a good chance in unification fights with either WBC champion Jorge Linares or the
winner of the WBA title fight between champion Darleys Perez and fellow-Brit Anthony
Crolla if either fight can be made. Magdaleno, 28, had lost on a split decision against Roman
Martinez for the WBO super feather title in 2013 but had successfully rebuilt with five wins.
Smith vs. Thompson
Smith overcomes a pedestrian start to catch up with and dispose of Thompson to win the
vacant WBO title. He becomes the first of the four Smith brothers to win a world crown. The
taller and quicker Thompson was the busier in the first round and although not always
accurate he could put the first round in the bank. Thompson continued to utilise his long
reach to score with jabs and straight rights and although Smith always looked dangerous
Thompson was pocketing the rounds and building a good lead. Smith managed to score with
some rights in the fourth but Thompson was proving an elusive target and Smith was having
trouble getting past the jab as the American edged the fifth. Smith finally began to let his
hands go in the sixth. He was stalking Thompson shaking him with a right and thumping
home heavy rights and lefts. Thompson slipped over late in the round but was nailed by some
brutal punches and was glad to hear the bell. Smith knew he had hurt Thompson badly in the
sixth and went out to end it in the seventh. Smith had Thompson under fire but the American
was trying to fight back until a crunching right put him face down on the canvas. Thompson
tried to get up but pitched down onto the canvas again and the fight was over. Twenty-sevenyear-old Liverpudlian Smith, a former undefeated CBC and British champion, was not a
noted puncher in his early fights getting only 5 wins by KO/TKO in his first 16 fights but that
has changed and he has won 6 on the bounce inside the distance. Brother Paul has failed in
two shots at the WBO super middle title but his other siblings, Callum and Stephen could
soon follow in Liam’s footsteps. “Apollo Kid” Thompson,26, had done nothing until he
climbed off the floor to win the ESPN Boxcino Tournament in May but was No 5 with the
WBO with other fighters above him unavailable.
Blackledge vs. Markham
Blackledge retains the CBC title with very close unanimous decision over Markham. This
one was close all the way with neither boxer really opening a gap in the points. It started
badly for Blackledge as he emerged from the first round with a cut over his right eye. He then
began to pick up points when boxing from a distance and the injury situation was levelled up
as Markham had a swelling by his left eye in another clash of heads. It was a very open fight
with both fighters trying to dominate the ring centre with Markham making Blackledge fight
in close and looking to be the heavier puncher. Blackledge gradually began to increase his
work rate and was going to the body more. The contest was gruelling but not really catching
fire but with neither dominating it was hard to score. Both tried to swing things their way
over the closing rounds with Markham looking to have shaken Blackledge with a right in the
eleventh but Blackledge outworking Markham in the last. Scores 116-113, 116-114 and 115114 for Blackledge. First defence of his CBC title for the 25-year-old from Accrington. His
losses were a close decision against Erik Skoglund in Denmark and a first round stoppage
against Rocky Fielding for the CBC title in 2013. Since then Blackledge has won 6 in a row
including a close unanimous verdict over Liam Cameron for the vacant CBC title. “ Banjo”
Markham, 27, had shared a split draw with Frank Buglioni in May and deserves a return.
Stalker vs. Evans
Once more Stalker gets a disappointing outcome as he tries to fulfil the promise he showed as
an amateur. Evans took the first round looking sharp and surprising Stalker with his fast start
as he had Stalker stumbling. Stalker was unfazed by a hard right in the second and did
enough to offset the deficit from the first round. Both landed some good punches in the third
but Evans shaded it with a flourish at the end. After an even fourth Stalker took the next
three rounds upping his work rate and making good use of his edges in height and reach to
outbox the Welshman. Evans was not finished as he edged the eighth and looked unlucky not
to be credited with a knockdown in the ninth when he seemed to land a punch before Stalker
went down but it was ruled a slip. Stalker seemed to have made the decision safe by
decisively winning the last round knocking out the Welshman’s gumshield with a left and
landing some good combinations to round off a good fight. The judges were divided at the
end of this entertaining all-southpaw contest with scores of 97-93 for Stalker, 96-94 for
Evans and 95-95. The WBO European title remains vacant. The 31-year-old former
Commonwealth Games gold medallist, European silver medallist and World Championships
bronze medallist is now 1-1-2 in his last 4 fights having been stopped by Jack Catterall in
October in a fight for the vacant WBO European title at lightweight. Evans, 26, was no
slouch as an amateur himself being Welsh and British champion and getting a bronze medal
at the EU championships and competing at the World Championships. He was coming off a
creditable points loss to Scott Cardle for the vacant British title.
Kelley vs. Rios
Kelly wins the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title with decision over Argentinian Rios. The
Wythenshawe fighter came close to ending this in both the second round when he floored
Rios with a left and when he put the Argentinian down again in the third. A resolute Rios
recovered to have good spells in the sixth and seventh but never really threatened Kelley’s
victory. Scores 100-87, 99-89 and 98-89. Good win for Kelley as he goes ten rounds for the
first time and looks strong. Former Argentinian middleweight champion Rios,23, lifted the
Argentinian title in 2014 with an upset kayo of Billi Godoy(29-2) but is now going through a
rocky spell and is 3-6-1 in his last 10 fights
Catterall vs. Putkonen
Classy southpaw Catterall wins but with a sub-standard performance. Catterall won every
round but never seemed to be stretching himself. The Finn had no answer to Catterall’s jab to
head and body and the Chorley southpaw was soon also slotting home right and left hooks.
To his credit Putkonen stuck to his thankless task as Catterall clinically ground down his
resistance on his way to the decision. Scores 100-90 from all three judges. Catterall retains
his WBO Inter-Continental title for the second time. Perhaps the 22-year-old WBO No 9
needs better opposition to bring out the best in him. First ten round bout for Putkonen who
was out of his depth.
Gonzalez vs. Kays
Gonzalez wins grudge match as he floors Keys four times to win the vacant WBO InterContinental title. The danger signs were there for Keys in the first as Gonzalez puts him over
with a right late in the round. Kays tries to impose himself in the second but Gonzalez slams
home a left/right combination and Kays finds himself on the floor again. The third again saw
a determined Kays trying to take control and he has a better round getting through with some
punches. Kays is forcing the fight again in the fourth but is floored twice by thumping rights
from Gonzalez and the fight is halted. The 24-year-old Gonzalez was born in California but
has an English mother, an adopted English father in trainer Lee Beard and has spent long
periods training in the USA so has his feet planted on both sides of the Atlantic. He turned
pro at 17 but after losing to journeyman James Ancliff in 2010 did not fight again for almost
30 months. Since returning to action he has won 7 fights the last 3 by KO/TKO. Third loss by
KO/TKO for 32-year-old Kays a former English featherweight champion.
Burnett vs. Kanalas
Burnett wins the vacant WBO European title with ridiculously easy stoppage of late
substitute Kanalas. Burnett spent the first round walking Kanalas down with the Hungarian
just going backwards around the ring and pushing out an occasional southpaw jab. Burnett
threw some fast rights but was unable to land solidly. At the start of the second Burnett
caught Kanalas with a vicious right to the chin as the Hungarian was trying to slide along the
ropes out of harm. Kanalas got up and convinced the referee he was able to continue. Burnett
stepped in and Kanalas went down again under a series of punches. Again he got up and was
allowed to continue but he was punched/bundled to the floor again and the referee stopped
the fight without a count. Ten wins by KO/TKO for the 23-year-old Belfast prospect but this
was a poor match-up and a waste of an opportunity for Burnett to get in some rounds before
his fight with Jason Booth next month. Kanalas has now lost 4 of his last 5 fights three of
those by KO/TKO and in his last fight in August he lost in a fight for the Hungarian light
flyweight title!
Singh vs. Whiting
Indian Singh gets his pro career off to a flying start with a stoppage. Sing showed some
classy movement in the first and had Whiting under fire at the end of the round. Whiting tried
to take the fight to Singh in the second but as Singh settled he was looking more relaxed and
bossing the bout. Whiting came out punching in the third but Singh let the storm blow itself
out and then had Whiting eating punches until the referee stopped the one-sided beating. The
tall 29-year-old was India’s most successful amateur, he represented them at three Olympic
Games, five World Championships and the Commonwe4alth Games and Asian Games. He
won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and at the 2009 World Championships and
the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was a multi-time gold medallist at the Asian Games. He
scored wins over Badou Jack and Sergey Derevyanchenko in his vested days. It will be
interesting to see how he makes out as a pro.
Caracas, Venezuela: Light: Jorge Linares (40-3) W KO 4 Ivan Cano (23-7-2). Middle:
Alfonso Blanco (12-0) W PTS 12 Sergey Khomitsky (30-12-3). Heavy: Alex Ustinov (321) W KO 1 Maurice Harris (26-20-3,1ND). Light Fly: Carlos Canizales (10-0) W PTS 11
Robert Barrera (12-1). Cruiser: Max Vlasov (31-2) W PTS 6 Gusmyl Perdomo (22-6).
Linares vs. Cano
Linares gets an easy home defence of his WBC title and beats Mexican Cano inside four
rounds. Linares shook Cano in the first and fired home some body punches on the inside with
Cano getting through with a couple of rights. Cano ploughed forward in the second throwing
plenty of punches but leaving himself open to counters from the sharper Venezuelan. The
breakdown gets going in the third as a body punch puts Cano down late in the round. Cano
tries to come forward again in the fourth but Linares fires a right to the head followed by a
vicious left hook to the short ribs. Cano takes two or three steps back and then goes down on
one knee clutching his right side. As the referee is counting it is obvious that Cano is in
agony and is not going to get up and the count is completed. Second defence of his WBC title
for the 30-year-old “Golden Boy” in his first fight in his homeland since 2010. He was due an
easy defence after the vicious blood-filled match with brave Kevin Mitchell and this gives
him 27 wins by KO/TKO. He seemed to be living up to that “Golden Boy “tag in winning his
first 27 fights and collecting the WBC feather and WBA super feather titles but after inside
the distance losses to Juan Carlos Salgado (73 seconds of the first round), Antonio DeMarco
and Sergio Thompson he looked likely to fall short. However he is now a three division
champion and has won 9 in a row so going in the right direction. Cano gave it a try but in his
last six fights had won two, lost two and drawn two so was never really going to threaten
Linares..
Blanco vs. Khomitsky
Blanco wins the interim WBA title but not yet!. The Venezuelan was too quick and skilful for
the Ukrainian and he was clever enough to stay off the ropes and stay centre ring where he
had room to use his reach to spear Khomitsky with his jabs. He has a hands down constantly
moving style that Khomitsky never really solved. Blanco would lean in with his hands at belt
level pull back from Khomitsky’s punches and then with his superior hand speed score with
quick combinations. Khomitsky just kept rumbling forwards banging to the body when he
could but Blanco was an elusive target. The Venezuelan would occasionally take the lead
forcing Khomitsky back with swinging hooks from both hands and then be moving again
before Khomitsky could counter. One thing in Khomitsky’s favour was that Blanco is not a
hard puncher. He tends to swing his punches rather than snapping them so that they are
sweeping and spectacular but not powerful. Despite his best efforts, and he made plenty,
Khomitsky was never really in the fight with a chance and Blanco was confident enough to
dance his way through the last round with his hands way below his waist taunting Khomitsky
with the Minsk-based Khomitsky not being able to land the bombs that have won him in
other fights. Scores 119-109 twice and 118-112. The 29-year-old Blanco has had only 12 pro
fights but he had a very successful time as an amateur winning silver and bronze medals at
the World Championships and competing at the 2008 Olympics. He scored wins over James
DeGale, Vijender Singh, Darren Sutherland, Ezequiel Maderna, Marco Periban, Shawn
Porter and Dmitry Chudinov and was a gold medal winner at the South American Games.
Khomitsky, 41, lost to Martin Murray on points in 2013 and was stopped inside the distance
by Robert Stieglitz in July last year. However he had become a bit of a scourge for unbeaten
British fights stopping Frank Buglioni and knocking out Adam Etches. The WBA title? Well
only the idiots at the WBA could tie themselves in knots this way. This fight was for the
interim WBA title. Yes that’s the one that Chris Eubank Jr currently holds and is going to
defend against the WBA No 13 Tony Jeter on 24 October. However because he had not
defended the title since winning it on 28 February (these are the guys who have allowed
Andre Ward to go almost two years without a defence) they are going to take the title away
from him and give it to Blanco-but not until after the Jeter fight!! That makes it a
meaningless fight for Eubank as he losses the title whether he wins or loses and then there is
the question of what happens if Jeter should win? He wins a title that the WBA have said will
automatically be given to Blanco on 25 October. Only the idiots at the WBA are capable of
tying themselves into such knots !!!
Ustinov vs. Harris
Ustinov wins in farcical fight. The Russian towered over Harris and used his height and
strength to push Harris back to the ropes a couple of time throwing some cuffing punches
with Harris complaining they landed on the back of his head. Harris prodded out a couple of
jabs but Ustinov took him to the ropes threw a left hook to the side of Harris’s head and as
Harris stumbled backwards Ustinov threw a right that made minor contact with the top of
Harris’s head. Harris went down spread-eagled on the canvas and the referee waived the fight
off. It was a long way from a convincing finish. The 38-year-old 6’7 ½” (202cm) Russian
wins the vacant WBA International title. He has 23 wins by KO/TKO and wins over David
Tua, Chauncy Welliver and Travis Walked but was halted in 11 rounds by Kubrat Pulev in
2012. Harris, 39, a pro for 22 years has 13 losses by KO/TKO.
Canizales vs. Barrera
Canizales wins the WBA Fedelatin title with majority decision over Colombian Barrera in a
clash of unbeaten Latin American prospects. This was a close hard-fought contest that really
could have gone either way. In Colombian Barrera would probably have got the verdict but in
Venezuela it went to Canizales with two judges giving him the fight and the other seeing it as
a draw. Canizales had won his previous 9 fights by KO/TKO without having to go beyond
the third round. Barrera, the defending champion, had a win over world rated Gilbert Pedroza
and was rated WBA 4/IBF 15(13). Both have talent and both will be heard from again.
Vlasov v. Perdomo
Vlasov outpoints Perdomo in pedestrian paced six rounder. Their styles did not mix well with
Vlasov having trouble sustaining his attacks again the DR southpaw. Perdomo fought only in
spurts and spent too much time with his back to the ropes and rarely raised his pace. The DR
fight suffered a cut over his right eye and survived a doctor’s inspection but it remained a
low key fight with Vlasov strolling to victory. Scores 60-54 twice and 59-55.
Lowell, MA, USA: Welter: Gabriel Bracero (24-2) W KO 1 Danny O’Connor (26-3).
Super Bantam: Jonathan Guzman (20-0,1ND) W TKO 9 Danny Aquino (17-3). Super
Feather: Ryan Kielczewski (24-1) W PTS 10 Rafael Vazquez (16-2). Middle: Gary
O’Sullivan (22-1) W KO 2 David Toribio (21-16).Light: Stephen Ormond (19-2) W KO
1 Michael Clark (44-14-1). Light: Patrick Hyland (31-1) W TKO 8 David Martinez (187-1). Heavy: Adam Kownacki (12-0) W PTS 8 Rodney Hernandez (8-3-1). Light:
Fernando D Saucedo (57-6-3) W TKO 2 Carlos Fulgencio (19-17-1).
21
Bracero vs. O’Connor
Bracero ruins O’Connor’s plans for a revenge win as he knocks out the local star with one
punch. They circled each other with southpaw O’Connor pushing out some tentative jabs and
Bracero throwing a couple of rights that missed. O’Connor tried a straight left but without
much menace behind it and as it slid past the right side of Bracero’s head Bracero threw a
beautiful timed right over the left. O’Connor never saw the punch coming and after it
slammed into his chin he went down and out after just 41 seconds with the referee
immediately waiving the fight off and summoning aid for O’Connor. It was some time before
O’Connor recovered enough to be helped to his feet and taken to his corner. The 34-year-old
Brooklyn-born Bracero needed the win after being floored a couple of times and outpointed
by Felix Diaz in his last fight in April. He is not a noted puncher with just 5 wins by
KO/TKO. When these two met back in 2011 Bracero gave O’Connor his first pro loss on a
wide unanimous decision. First loss by KO/TKO for 30-year-old O’Connor. He had gone 121 since losing that first fight against Bracero but may now have to consider his future.
Guzman vs. Aquino
Guzman impresses with stoppage of Aquino. The Dominican Republic (DR) fighter showed
style and substance as he outboxed and out powered the useful Aquino. Guzman came close
to finishing it when he had Aquino down twice with rights in the second round. Aquino got
up and fought back hard but was aided by Guzman hurting both hands in that second round.
The DR fight then settled down to showcase some excellent skills and slowly grinding down
Aquino. However Aquino is too good a fighter to fold easily and gave Guzman a few
problems and stayed competitive. Guzman was on top in the ninth when a right put Aquino
down. He was badly shaken but protested bitterly when the referee stopped the fight without
even giving him a count. Guzman, 26, has secured all of his victories by KO/TKO with only
a No Decision scarring his otherwise 100% record. This is his fourth win in New England
rings and he already has useful victories over Juan Guzman and Christian Esquivel.
Connecticut-based Mexican Aquino, 26, loses inside the distance for the first time. He was
coming off an upset victory over Ryan Kielczewski (22-0) in April.
Kielczewski vs. Vazquez
Kielczewski gets unanimous decision over Vazquez. Over the first two rounds Kielczewski
peppered the slower Vazquez with a succession of jabs, straight rights and quick
combinations. He had Vazquez in trouble in the third but Vazquez took the punishment and
then finished the round strongly. Kielczewski again had Vazquez in trouble in the sixth but
again Vazquez refused to fold and banged back to hurt Kielczewski in the best round of the
fight. Vazquez was being outworked but kept plugging away and by the end of the ninth both
fighters were showing the signs of battle with Vazquez showing swelling below both eyes
and Kielczewski cut over his left eye. Vazquez needed a knockout in the last round and shook
Kielczewski with a big left hook but the local fighter survived. Scores 97-93 twice and 96-94
for Kielczewski. The 26-year-old “Polish Prince” makes it two wins since that split decision
loss to Aquino in April. Puerto Rican-born Vazquez, 37, had won his last 8 fights 7 by
KO/TKO. He did not turn pro until he was 32.
O’Sullivan vs. Toribio
“Spike” O’Sullivan wins this one with a thudding body punch in the second round. The Irish
fighter had Toribio down in the first before putting the DR fighter on the floor in agony with
a body shot in the second and the referee waived the fight off. The 31-year-old from Cork
makes it 15 wins by KO/TKO. Since being well beaten by Billy Joe Saunders in 2013 and
stuttering to a majority verdict over modest journeyman Joe Medina in June 2014 O’Sullivan
has scored 5 inside the distance wins in a row with none going past the third round. He is
rated No 11 by the WBA. Toribio had been stopped inside a round by Immanuwel Aleem in
May and has 9 losses by KO/TKO.
Ormond vs. Clark
Ormond disposes off oldie Clark inside a round. The Dublin “Rock” targeted the body
immediately and Clark just could not take it. He was sent to the canvas twice and the fight
was over in 109 seconds. First fight for 32-year-old Ormond under the Al Haymon banner
and tenth win by KO/TKO. The former BBB of C Celtic and WBO European champion lost
his European title when he was thrown out in the tenth round for illegal use of the head in a
fight he was losing against the now WBO world champion Terry Flanagan. Clark, 42, has lost
his last 6 fights by KO/TKO.
Hyland vs. Martinez
Hyland gets through an emotional night with late stoppage of Martinez. Fighting for the first
time since the death in spring of his father and in his first fight in his time as an amateur and a
professional without his father in his corner Hyland ground out a stoppage win over Martinez
early in the eighth round. The 32-year-old “Punisher” from Dublin took 19 months out of the
ring after losing on points to Javier Fortuna in December 2012 and this is his fourth win since
then. Martinez, 32, was out for almost 7 years before returning to the ring in July with a
stoppage loss against Miguel Roman.
Kownacki vs. Hernandez
Kownacki continues unbeaten with unanimous decision over Hernandez. The 26-year-old
New York-based Pole took the decision on scores of 78-74 from all three judges. Twice a
winner of the NY Golden Gloves the 6’3” (191cm) 260lbs Kownacki has yet to be put in
against anything except modest opposition. Californian Hernandez had won his last 3 fights.
Saucedo vs. Fulgencio
Argentinian veteran Saucedo gets rare inside the distance win as he halts DR fighter
Fulgencio in two rounds. “El Vasco”, 33, failed in challenges to Chris John foe the WBA
feather title and Rances Barthelemy for the IBF super feather crown his only losses in his last
44 fights but only 10 of his wins have come by KO/TKO. Fuklgencio,34, needs to find
another job. He has lost his last 12 fights 10 of them by KO/TKO.
Caseros, Argentina: Super Fly: Omar Narvaez (44-2-2) W PTS 10 Diego L Pichardo L
(16-7-1). Narvaez shows there is still life in the old boy as he gets wide unanimous verdict
over Pichardo in this all-southpaw scrap. The little former double WBO champion started
slowly with Pichardo probably doing just enough to edge the opening round as he switched
guards to try to confuse Narvaez but after that it was Narvaez doing most of the scoring. As
early as the third there was already signs of a swelling under Pichardo’s right eye which
would be a concern throughout the fight. Whether swarming forward with quick
combinations or counter punching Narvaez was the boss. Pichardo had to survive a doctor’s
examination late in the fight and he did well to keep going with only limited vision out of that
eye. Narvaez showed his trade mark stamina and although always in control he just could not
find the punch to end it early. Scores 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91 as Narvaez wins the WBO
International title. First fight for the 40-year-old Argentinian since losing his WBO title to
Naoya Inoue in December now he wants a chance for revenge. The 30-year-old Buenos
Aires-based Dominican Pichardo had won his last four fights.
Rome, Italy: Super Bantam: Abigail Medina (15-3-2) W TKO 6 Emiliano Salvini (1721-2) W. Light: Pasquale Di Silvio (19-7-1) W Vincenzo Finiello (10-1-2). Middle:
Emanuele Blandamura (23-2) W Mugurel Sebe (18-79-4).
Medina vs. Salvini
Medina retains his EU title with stoppage of Italian veteran. Medina used his advantages in
height and reach to score freely banging in punches to head and body with Salvini having
difficulty getting onto the fight. Over the next three rounds Medina seemed to ease up and
Salvini finally had some success. The Italian tried switching guards in the fifth but Medina
came alive again in earnest in the sixth switching on the power and driving Salvini around the
ring with a succession of heavy shots. The referee seemed willing to let it continue but
Salvini’s corner climbed on the ring apron and the referee then halted the beating.
Dominican-born “Bebe” Medina, 27, was making the first defence of his title. He put up a
good performance when losing an eight rounder against Jamie McDonnell in 2013 and has
rebounded with six wins. His mandatory challenger is Brit James Dickens which will be a
tough test. Local fighter Salvini, 36, the Italian champion is now 2-4-1 in his last 7 fights.
Di Silvio vs. Finiello
Di Silvio makes successful defence of his Italian title. These two got to it straight away
slugging away toe-to-toe with a few bits outside the rules thrown in. Di Silvio suffered a bad
gash on his right eyebrow in the third round and despite Finiello having a good fifth round Di
Silvio had the better of the action in the sixth and seventh. At the end of the eighth the doctor
had a look at the wound on Di Silvio’s eyebrow and the fight was stopped and went to the
scorecards. Scores 77-75 twice and 79-74 all for Di Silvio. First defence in his second reign
as champion for the 36-year-old “Puma “from Rome. Two losses in consecutive fights in two
shots at this title for Finiello.
Blandamura vs. Sebe
Blandamura eases back with points victory over Romanian veteran Sebe. The Italian started
slowly and then wound things up in successive rounds. Sebe is a very experienced loser and
knows how to slip, slide, duck and dive his way through six rounds and was never in real
trouble. Blandamura, 35, was having his fight since a brutal knockout loss to Michel Soro for
the vacant European title in June. Sebe, 39, has a whole heap of losses but only seven of
those have been by KO/TKO.
Los Cabos, Mexico: Bantam: Alberto Guevara (22-2) W TKO 6 Rolando Magbanua
(25-4). Minimumweight: Luis Ceja (28-5-3) W TKO 3 Valentin Leon (38-31-3,1ND).
Guevara vs. Magbanua
Guevara halts Filipino to keep his hopes of another world title shot alive. Magbanua was
looking to trade with Guevara from the outset feeling he had the harder punch. Guevara
cleverly nullified the Filipino’s attacks and slotted home punches of his own. Magbanua kept
forcing but Guevara continued to find gaps in the Filipino’s defence and eventually
Magbanua began to wilt. By the sixth it was a one-sided fight and the referee stepped-in to
save Magbanua from further grief. Guevara, 25, the IBF No 10(8) lost on points to Leo Santa
Cruz for the IBF bantam title in 2012 and in 2013 was knocked out in nine rounds by
Shinsuke Yamanaka in a challenge for the WBC title. He took a year out after that loss and
this is his fourth win since then.”Smooth Operator” Magbanua, 30, won 6 on the bounce
before being stopped by modest Rey Laspinas in June so now two inside the distance losses
in a row.
Ceja vs. Leon
Ceja stops experienced Leon. Ceja had Leon down from a right in the first round and
continued to chop away at Leon until the referee stopped the fight in the third round. Ceja lost
only one of his first 26 fights but then went 2-4 in his next 6. He has started to rebuild with 4
wins. Leon, 36, has 19 losses by KO/TKO.
Mexico City, Mexico: Super Welter: Ramon Alvarez (22-4-2) W TKO 4 Ben Tackie (3013-1). Fly: Martin Tecuapetia (13-6-3) W TKO 3 Ronald Ramos (37-15-4). Welter:
Alejandro Barrera (28-2) W PTS 10 Jose de Jesus Macias (18-3-3).
Alvarez vs. Tackie
Predictable inside the distance win for Alvarez over Ghanaian veteran. Alvarez was looking
to take Tackie out in the first round with punches to head and body. From the second his
main focus was the Ghanaian’s body and that quickly had an effect with an already slow
Tackie slowing even further. Tackie was a bit more competitive in the third landing a few
counters. Alvarez ended it in the four driving Tackie into a corner and unloading with both
hands until the referee stopped the fight. “Inocente” Alvarez, the elder brother of Saul, has 7
wins and a No Decision in his last 8 fights with victories over Omar Chavez and Vivian
Harris. He was to have fought Jorge Paez Jr but when Paez was injured Tackie stepped-in.
The 42-year-old Ghanaian, a former IBF/WBA/WBC super light title challenger, was having
his first fight for four years.
Tecuapetia vs. Ramos
Tecuapetia comes in as a late sub and halts Colombian. When former light fly champion
Francisco Rodriguez was ruled out Tecuapetia stepped in a very short notice. He punched too
hard for the veteran southpaw and halted Ramos in the third. He floored the Colombian who
took the mandatory count whilst on his knees but was still unsteady when he got up and the
fight was stopped. The Mexican “Devil” moves to 10 wins by KO/TKO. He lost to top rated
Filipino Milam Melindo on a majority decision in May last year and has two wins and a draw
since then. Southpaw Ramos, 39, lost to Julio Cesar Miranda in a challenge for the WBO fly
title in 2010
Barrera vs. Macias
Barrera wins the most competitive fight on the show with split decision over Macias. It was
an even fight over the first five rounds but from the sixth although it remained close Barrera
looked to have the edge. Scores 97-93 and 96-95 for Barrera and 97-94 for Macias. The
Ignacio Beristan trained Barrera, 29, has now won 8 of his last 9 fights including good
victories over Abner Lopez and Juan Macias Montiel but does not really seem to be going
anywhere. Macias, 23, was a very live opponent being 13-0-1 in his last 14 fights.
Managua, Nicaragua: Super Feather: Rene Alvarado (23-5) W TKO 1 Eusebio Osejo
(28-16-2). “Twin” Alvarado wipes out Osejo inside a round in an all local battle. These two
had fought each other back in 2012 when Alvarado halted Osejo in seven rounds. Osejo had
claimed he was sick before that fight. This time he probably felt sick after the fight. A big
right from Alvarado put Osejo down heavily. He made it to his feet but after the mandatory
count but was defenceless against the follow up attack from Alvarado and the fight was
halted. The 26-year-old former WBC Silver champion gets win No 16 by KO/TKO. He
needed the win after going 2-3 in his previous 5 fights with the losses in important fights
against Rocky Juarez, Eric Hunter and Joseph Diaz. Osejo, 29, a former Nicaraguan Feather
champion, now has 6 losses by KO/TKO.
Laviana, Spain: Super Middle: Jose Manuel Iglesias (10-4) W PTS 10 Blas Miguel
Martinez (21-9-1). Iglesias wins the Spanish title with points victory over champion
Martinez. The hometown fighter had huge physical advantages over Martinez (6’5” 196cm
vs. 5’9” 175cm). Despite those advantages Iglesias often chose to fight inside making things
harder for himself than they needed to be. Swiss-born Martinez was the harder puncher and
he fought his usual aggressive style but with a sound defence. The fight was hard fought and
close with the home advantage perhaps a factor as Iglesias took the unanimous decision. The
34-year-old “Punky” had lost to Xesus Ferreiro in 2014 in a previous shot at the national title
and was knocked out in 77 seconds by Callum Smith in April. Martinez 34, was making the
first defence of the title he won from Ferreiro in May and was coming off a one round
stoppage loss to Brit Jamie Cox in July.
London, England: ). Super Light: Johnny Coyle (11-0-1) W PTS 10 AJ Faizy (6-2-1).
Middle: John Ryder (21-2) W PTS 6 Adam Jones (5-11-4
Coyle vs. Faizy
Coyle wins the WBC Youth Inter-Continental title with unanimous victory over Faizy.
Basically Coyle won this one on the basis of his better skills and excellent use of his
southpaw right jab. Faizy pressed hard trying to get past the jab but never really had much
success. As the rounds progressed whether on the front foot or the back foot Coyle scored
well to the body and landed plenty of fast combinations. Faizy kept applying the pressure
putting in a big effort in the seventh but Coyle blocked most of the shots and scored with
uppercuts of his own. A left had Faizy hurt in the last but he was never really in any danger
of failing to go the distance. Scores 100-90 twice and 100-89 for Coyle. The 22-year-old
Southern Area champion from Essex is making good progress. Faizy, 22, put everything into
this one but was just up against a much better boxer on the night.
Ryder vs. Jones
Ryder gets back to winning ways with decision over Jones. Ryder forced Jones to the ropes
with some stiff jabs and worked the body in the first. Ryder continued those tactics over the
remaining five rounds throwing in some wicked uppercuts along with hooks from both hands.
Jones tried unsuccessfully to smother Ryder’s work inside but also fired some hard right hand
counters to earn a round and show he was still in the fight. Referee’s score 59-56. The 27year-old “Gorilla” Ryder only lost to world title challenger Billy Joe Saunders on a waferthin decision and scored a stoppage over Billi Godoy but lost last time out against Luke
Blackledge for the vacant British title in May so his first win on his way back. Jones, 23, was
coming off a good with over Anthony Fitzgerald.
Newport, Wales: Light Heavy: Enzo Maccarinelli (40-7) W TKO 5 Jiri Svacina (12-167.
Super Light: Mitch Buckland (10-0) W PTS 10 Ally Black (5-2).
Maccarinelli vs. Svacina
Maccarinelli has no trouble handling Czech Svacina. Maccarinelli eased his way into the
fight without putting in full effort. By the third body punches already had Svacina looking as
though he wished he was somewhere else. The Czech was down three times before the
referee took pity on him in the fifth. Now 32 wins by KO/TKO for the 35-year-old former
EBU, CBC and WBO cruiser champion and his second victory since his loss to Juergen
Braehmer for the secondary WBA light heavy title in April last year. He is No 2 with the
EBU and there is talk of a fight with Roy Jones. Svacina is 1-14 in his last 15 fights.
Buckland vs. Black
Cardiff fighter Buckland wins the vacant BBB of C Celtic title with decision over previous
victim Black. Southpaw Buckland controlled the fight with his jab. Black was competitive
without ever seeming to challenge Buckland’s ascendancy. The tough Scot had lost on a nose
injury against Buckland in July and Buckland’s accurate punches again had Black’s nose a
mess and he also had bruising around an eye by the end of the fight. Scores 99-92 and 100-91
for Buckland the 22-year-old brother of former British super feather champion Gary. Mitch is
a former Celtic champion at lightweight. Black was up at ten rounds for the first time.