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The Past Week in Action 15 November 2022: Sunny Edwards Defeats Felix Alvarado; Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Seniesa Estrada Retain Belts By Eric Armit PhilBoxing.com Wed, 16 Nov 2022  Edwards (L) defeats Alvarado (R) in England. Highlights: -Sunny Edwards retains the IBF flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Felix Alvarado -Zhanibek Alimkhanuly beats Denzel Bentley on points in WBO middleweight title defence - Seniesa Estrada outpoints Jazmin Villarino in defence of her WBA minimumweight title -Natash Jonas outpoints Marie Dicaire to unify the IBF, WBC and WBO super welter female titles -Australian Steve Spark gets a disqualification win over previously unbeaten Montana Love -Dalton Smith makes a successful defence of the British super lightweight title with a points victory over Kaisee Benjamin World Title/Major Shows November 11 Sheffield, England: Fly: Sunny Edwards (19-0) W PTS 12 Felix Alvarado (38-3). Super Bantam: Shabaz Masoud (11-0) W TKO 12 Jack Bateson (17-1). Super Fly: Marcel Braithwaite (14-3) W PTS 12 Thomas Essomba (11-7-1). Middle: Hebert Conceicao (3-0) W PTS 6 Gideon Onards vs. Alvarado Edwards retains the IBF belt with some brilliant boxing but a strong finish from Alvarado makes it tight. Round 1 Edwards was immediately on his bicycle dancing around the ring firing jabs. Alvarado was chasing but mainly in vain as Edwards changed guard and changed direction and speared Alvarado with quick shots from both hands. Score: 10-9 Edwards Round 2 Alvarado chased fiercely inn this one desperately trying to trap Edwards on the ropes or in a corner. He had some success with solid body punches but Edwards, even on the back foot, was sliding punches through Alvarado’s guard and then stopping and planting accurate shots with both hands. He was also stopping Alvarado from working inside by holding. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 20-18 Round 3 Alvarado is also pretty quick and, in this round, he did a better job of hunting Edwards down. He manged to pin Edwards against the ropes and bombarded him with punches until Edwards fought his way off the ropes. Alvarado kept chasing and was ducking under Edwards punches with Edwards off target with his counters. Score: 10-9 Alvarado Edwards 29-28 Round 4 Edwards was back on target. He was darting around the ring slinging long straight shots at distance and then backing up and catching Alvarado with counters. Alvarado was warned for having his head low but Edwards was getting off with plenty of holding. If Alvarado overreached himself Edwards was right there with a counter. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 39-37 Round 5 It was very much a case of Alvarado chasing in vain again. Edwards fast footwork and continual changes of direction left Alvarado struggling to find a target. Edwards stopped a couple of times and whacked Alvarado with a bursts of punches and was then off again with Alvardo chasing but not catching. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 49-46 Round 6 Another round for Edwards and another frustrating round for Alvarado. Edwards foot work was dazzling and the constant changes of direction were confusing Alvarado. Edwards kept choosing his time to fire a burst of punches and kept slotting punches through Alvarado’s guard. Edwards was warned for pushing Alvarado’s head down but not for holding. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 59-55 Round 7 Alvarado’s best round so far. He had Edwards trapped against the ropes for two extended periods as he hammered home punches to head and bod. Edwards was managing to score with short hooks inside but the major scoring came from swinging hooks from Alvarado. Score: 10-9 Alvarado Edwards 68-65 Round 8 A close round but one for Alvarado. He was again closing Edwards down better and scoring with hooks to the body. Edwards looked to have slowed a bit and his punch output was down and a strong finish gave the round to Alvarado. Score: 10-9 Alvarado Edwards 77-75 Round 9 Edwards was slowing. He was only rarely making those smart changes of direction and was spending more time against the ropes trading punches. Alvarado was finding the target with clubbing shots to head and body. Edwards was still landing some quality shots but Alvarado was winning the exchanges. Score: 10-9 Alvarado Edwards 86-85 Round 10 Alvarado continued to look the stronger and Edwards was nothing like as mobile. For the last two minutes of the round Edwards lay with his back against the ropes. He was blocking and bobbing and weaving with some smart defensive work but Alvarado was connecting with hefty shots to head and body. Edwards tried to escape from the ropes but he no longer had the speed and was forced back by Alvarad until the bell. Score: 10-9 Alvarado TIED 95-95 Round 11 Brilliant round from Edwards. He had found his mobility again and now Alvarado was looking tired. Edwards was slotting punches home with Alvarado swinging wildly and being open to counters and he looked arm weary. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 105-104 Round 12 Alvarado made a blazing start to the round and it looked as though it was going to be his. That success was short-lived as Edwards then went back to moving and countering and a desperate Alvarado was leaving himself open trying to find a big punch as Edwards skated through to the final bell. Score: 10-9 Edwards Edwards 115-113 Official Scores: 115-113 Edwards, 115-113 Edwards, 116-112 Edwards Third defence of the IBF title for Edwards and one of his most difficult. He is now looking for a fight with Jesse Rodriguez who relinquished the WBO super fly belt to campaign at flyweight. Rodriguez is No 1 challenger for the vacant WBO title opening the way for the unification of the IBF and WBO titles. Alvarado was No 3 with the IBF but with positions 1 and 2 vacant was the highest rated fighter. A former undefeated IBF light flyweight title holder his relentless pressure tactics had brought him 33 wins by KO.TKO including 13 in his last 14 fights so a real test for Edwards. Masoud vs. Bateson Something of an upset as Masoud stops unbeaten Bateson in the last round. This was a fast-paced entertaining bout. Bateson found the target with rights against southpaw Shabaz but Shaba was quick and accurate with his right jab and straight lefts. Bateson often switched guards and had success in both stances but Masoud kept pressing and looked the harder puncher scoring with hurtful body punches to slow Bateson. It was a battle between Bateson’s higher work rate and Masoud’s accuracy as they went punch for punch. Masoud finally broke through in the twelfth flooring Bateson with a great left hook. Bateson beat the count but was then driven to the floor under an array of punches. He got up but was under fire and just about to slide to the floor again when the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Masoud wins the WBA Inter-Continental belt with his fourth inside the distance victory and shows he made the right decision to drop his university studies to concentrate on boxing. Bateson was making the first defence of the title. Essomba vs. Braithwaite Braithwaite fails to make weight for this British title eliminator but wins a split decision. takes a split decision against Essomba in a WBC International title defence. Essomba started well and fished well but Braithwaite took over from the fourth. A busy Essomba outworked Braithwaite in the first and made the second close as he worked inside. Essomba also looked to have the edge in the third. Braithwaite, although taller than southpaw Essomba had boxed as high as super light and his superior strength began to tell as he landed some thumping body punches. The styles were not a good mix and there was too much clinching and Braithwaite was sweeping up the rounds. The action was stopped during the eighth as the referee suspended the fight due to due a mob invading the ringside and punches being thrown. Essomba sparked again over the last three rounds but it was not enough to overtake the lead Braithwaite had built. Scores 117-111and 116-114 for Braithwaite and 116-113 for Essomba. Fifth successive victory for Braithwaite. Cameroon-born Essomba is a former English bantam and Commonwealth flyweight champion. Conceicao vs. Onyenani Brazilian Olympic gold medallist in Tokyo Conceicao given a reasonable work out by England’s Onyenani. Conceicao took a couple of rounds to settle but then went on to outbox Onyenani to take the referee’s decision on a score of 60-54. Early days for the 24-year-old Conceicao who will take a little while to adjust tom the professional ranks. Cutral Co, Argentina: Light: Claudio Daneff (17-2-1) W PTS 10 Axel Isla (7-2). Daneff vs. Isla Southpaw Daneff takes a split decision over a very competitive Isla in defence of the national title. Daneff outboxed home town fighter Isla over the first two rounds but fierce attacking from Isla in the third put Daneff on the back foot. From there Isla marched forward forcing Daneff to trade punches resulting in close, action- filled rounds. Daneff’s accurate counters gave him a slight edge but Isla scored heavily in the ninth to make it close. Scores 97-93 and 96-94 for Daneff and 96-94 for Isla. Third defence of the title and sixth win in a row for Daneff. Isla, the Argentinian No, 12 performed well above that rating. Gold Coast, Australia: Middle: Ben Mahoney (13-0) W TKO 1 Narong Bunchan (28-11). Too easy for former undefeated Australian super welter champion Mahoney as he stops poor Thai Bunchan in just 57 seconds in a terrible mismatch. Bunchan was giving away 5” in height and had lost his last two fights inside a round one of them in 47 seconds Rome, Italy: Light: Marvin Demollari (11-4) W PTS 10Daniel Spada (13-0). Demollari wins the vacant Italian title on a majority decision after a gruelling scrap with Spada. Demollari was giving away height and reach against the technically better boxer in Spada. From the start Demollari just marched forward willing to take shots to get close and he had Spada under relentless pressure for all ten rounds. Spada scored well at distance and landed plenty of counters from both hands as he continually switched guards. Demollari was bleeding from the nose from the second round but his heavy clubbing punches wore Spada down and Demollari was the stronger over the closing rounds. Scores 97-93 twice and 95-95. Albanian-born Demollari, a naturalised Italian, was having his second shot at the national title. Spada was going ten rounds for the first time and that was a factor but at 24 he has time to bounce back. Moscow, Russia: Light: Albert Batyrgaziev (7-0) W PTS 10 Ricardo Nunez (23-4). Light: Artur Subkhankulov (3-0) W RTD 4 Ruslan Berchuk (13-16). Batyrgaziev vs. Nunez Olympic gold medallist Batyrgaziev outpoints seasoned pro Nunez. Batyrgaziev had the better skills but Nunez was always dangerous. Batyrgaziev’s higher work rate saw him taking the first three rounds but Nunez presses hard and had a good fourth as the action heated up. Nunez continued marching through Batyrgaziev’s punches but was not as accurate as in the fourth and Batyrgaziev skills saw him sweep the middle rounds. Nunez continued to bring the pressure to Batyrgaziev but was being outscored and only a lack of punching power from Batyrgaziev kept Nunez in the fight as Batyrgaziev boxed his way to the unanimous decision. Scores 99-91 twice and 100-90. Southpaw Batyrgaziev, 24, beat Lazaro Alvarez and Duke Regan on the way to his gold medal in Tokyo. Panamanian Nunez was stopped in two rounds by Gervonta Davis in a WBA super feather title fight in July 2019 Subkhankulov vs. Berchuk Southpaw Subkhankulov gets his second inside the distance win as Berchuk retires after four rounds. Subkhankulov won two silver medals and two bronze in the Russian championships. Fifth loss in a row for Berchuk. London, England: Light Heavy: Willy Hutchinson (15-1) W TKO 7 Luca Spadaccini (8-5-3). Feather: Nick Ball (17-0) WTKO 1 Jesus Ramirez (22-1-3). Heavy: David Adeleye (10-0) W KO 2 Elvis Garcia (9-4). Hutchinson vs. Spadaccini Hutchinson continues hid rebuilding process with stoppage of Spadaccini. The Scot controlled the fight from the outset slowly breaking done a gutsy but overmatched Spadaccini. It was just really a case of whether Spadaccini could last the full ten rounds but he failed. In the seventh Hutchinson rammed home a succession of punches that drove Spadaccino to the ropes. Hutchinson landed some more stunning shots and Spadaccino went down. He got up but was holding his right wrist to indicate he was injured and did not want to continue and the fight was stopped. Hutchinson, a former World Youth champion, was stopped in five rounds by Lennox Clarke in a fight for the vacant British and Commonwealth super middle titles in March 2021 and was then inactive for 15 months before returning with a win in June. First inside the distance defeat for Spadaccini who has lost in two shots at the Italian title. Ball vs. Ramirez Ball Obliterates Ramirez in the first round. Ball dropped the taller Ramirez with a left hook inside the first minute. Ramiez bounced up immediately but after the eight count Ball landed another left hook sending Ramirez down on his back. He again beat the count but then went down under a succession of punches. He made it to his feet but was forced back to the ropes and under fire when the referee stopped the fight. Ball, rated No 12 by the WBO, gets his tenth win by KO/TKO and retains the WBC Silver title for the second time. Mexican Ramirez was 14-0-2 going into this one and had won 6 of his last 7 fights by KO/TKO Adeleye vs. Garcia Adeleye blasts out Mexican Garcia in two rounds. Adeleye landed heavily in the first and then ended it in the second. He floored Garcia twice. Garcia made to his feet each time but was down again from rights and although he was up at eight the fight was stopped. Ninth inside the distance victory for the 6’ 4 ½” 25-year-old Londoner but Garcia no test as he was 157lbs when he turned pro and 215lbs for this fight. November 12 Manchester, England: Super Welter: Natasha Jonas (13-2-1) W PTS 10 Marie Dicaire (18-2). Super Light: Dalton Smith (13-0) W PTS 12 Kaisee Benjamin (16-1-1). Heavy: Frazer Clarke (4-0) W PTS 6 Kamil Sokolowski (11-27-3). Middle: Tyler Denny (15-2-3) W PTS 10 Bradley Rea (14-1). Jonas vs. Dicaire Jonas retains her WBC and WBO titles and relieves Dicaire of the IBF title with a wide unanimous decisioning their all-southpaw clash. Dicaire marched forward from the start trying to force Jonas ion to the back foot but Jonas boxed cleverly moving side to side and countering Dicaire with accurate jabs and straight lefts. She showed her power by jolting Dicaire with a left in the second. Dicaire used herb longer reach tom score in the third but Jonas was able get inside to also score well and had a good round. Both had some success in the fourth and fifth as Dicaire came forward throwing straight punches and putting Jonas under pressure but Jonas more than matched her accurate punching and had built a good lead. Dicaire connected with a hard right in the sixth, a god round for her but Jonas banged back rocking Dicaire with a left in the seventh and outscoring Dicaire in the eighth. Both were showing the signs of the hard contest in the ninth but Jonas had paced the fight well and took the last two rounds to win on scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. A remarkable achievement by Jonas as she had previously won the IBO and WBC titles at super featherweight four divisions below her current weight category and both Katie Taylor, who won a very narrow decision over Jonas in 2021, and Claressa Shields could reasonably with her reach. Dicaire’s only other loss came in 2021 when she lost to Shields but she had bounced back later that year to win the vacant IBF title. Smith vs. Benjamin Smith holds on to his British title with points victory over Benjamin. These are two skilful boxers and they produced an entertaining classy fight. Both are quick with Smith’s superior firepower giving him an advantage. After a cautious and close first three rounds both began to score in earnest from the fourth with Smith taking control and building a lead. Benjamin shook Smith with a right in then eighth and scored well in the ninth. Smith was back in control in the tenth finding the target with left hooks and accurate rights and he finished strongly over the last two rounds to widen the gap. Scores 117-112,116-113 and 115-114 for Smith. The 25-year-old from Sheffield has ten wins by KO/TKO and could have a big year in 2023. Benjamin was unbeaten in his last thirteen fights. Clarke vs. Sokolowski Olympian Clarke finally gets some rounds under his belt against the ever reliable Sokolowski. The Pole constantly rolled forward with Clarke spearing him with jabs some hefty rights. Sokolowski had occasional success but Clarke was boxing well withing himself. A clash of heads opened gash on Sokolowski cheek and body punches from Clarke slowed him but he was never in any real trouble. Referee’s score 60-54 for the Tokyo bronze medallist who more than doubled his previous ring time. Sokolowski had drawn with unbeaten 25-0 Marcin Siwy in September. Denny vs. Rea Denny outpoints Rea in English title defence. The aggression and higher work rate of Denny saw him build a lead. He seemed to be ion his way to a well-deserved victory until a vicious left to the body had him in agony. He grabbed Rea and held on desperately to survive and was deducted a point. Rea attacked hard in the tenth and took the round but Denny took the decision on scores of 95-94 twice and 97-92. Denny has 15 wins but all on points. Rea was up at ten rounds for the first time. Las Vegas, NV, USA: Middle: Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (13-0) W PTS 12 Denzel Bentley (17-2-1). Minimumweight: Seniesa Estrada (23-0) W PTS 10 Jazmin Villarino (6-2-2). Light: Raymond Muratalla (16-0) W TKO 6 Miguel Contreras (12-2-1). Light: Carlos Balderas (14-1) W TKO8 Esteban Sanchez (18-2). Heavy: Antonio Mirales (6-0) W KO 1 Eric Perry (5-1-1). Super Bantam: Floyd Diaz (8-0) W TKO 4 Edgar Cortes (9-7-1,1ND). 
Alimkhanuly vs. Bentley Kazakh Alimkhanuly retains the WBO title with a unanimous decision over Bentley. Alimkhanuly’s skill and speed proved too much for Bentley although the challenger performed better than expected. Round 1 Lots of right jabs from Alimkhanuly all falling short until he connected with a southpaw right to the head. Bentley tried some rights but he too was short. Alimkhanuly scored with a couple of combinations but Bentley was understandably cautious in his first fight at this level. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Round 2 Both were looking to draw the lead and counter so not a lot of punches thrown early in the round. Alimkhanuly’s quicker hands allowed him to dart in and score with a left and right when Bentley missed with a punch but it was one punch at a time with no sustained exchanges. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 20-18 Round 3 Alimkhanuly was finding the target again with single lefts and then bouncing out of range when Bentley tried to lead or counter. Alimkhanuly staggered Bentley with a left but when he had Bently in a corner Bently did some impressive bobbing and weaving but again Alimkhanuly was the one finding the target. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 30-27 Round 4 A good round for Alimkhanuly as he found the target throughout the round with fast and hard lefts. Bentley had been circling the ring over the first three rounds but he was more positive coming forward and scoring with some rights, Alimkhanuly was putting together some combinations and landed heavily late in the round. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 40-36 Round 5 A good round from Bentley. He was stepping inside where Alimkhanuly ‘s speed was not a factor and trading punches. He was scoring with solid hooks from both hands and putting together some short burst of punches. Alimkhanuly was still landing lefts but not as many. Score: 10-9 Bentley Alimkhanuly 49-46 Round 6 Alimkhanuly was back in charge. He was not being pressured as much so he was able to score with his right jabs and bang home straight lefts. Bentley was overreaching himself with his punches and Alimkhanuly was taking advantage of that to land lefts with Bentley looking disorganised at times. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 59-55 Round 7 Another round for Alimkhanuly. He was stabbing jabs though Bentley’s guard and putting together series of punches. Bentley was too slow to counter and when he did was being pulled up short by rapid fire shots from Alimkhanuly. He did land a could of good body punches but was being outscored. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 69-64 Round 8 A round for Bentley. Once again he was standing in close to nullify Alimkhanuly’s hand speed and landing clubbing punches to the body and forcing Alimkhanuly to give ground. Alimkhanuly was still finding gaps for when he opened some distance but Bentley was landing the heavier shots. Score: 10-9 Bentley Alimkhanuly 78-74 Round 9 Alimkhanuly’s round. He weas firing bursts of punches from both hands too quick for Bentley to block or avoid. He was going for speed and quantity and not loading up on his punches. Bursts of hooks and straight lefts had Bentley looking bewildered at times. Over the late part of the round Bentley had success as he drove forward landing with clubbing shots. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 88-83 Round 10 Alimkhanuly’s round. He was spearing Bentley with right jabs and hooks and banging home straight lefts then doing the same again. Bentley was just not putting Alimkhanuly under any pressure. Bently came to life over the last thirty seconds with some clubbing rights but Alimkhanuly banged back with more bursts of punches. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 98-92 Round 11 A grueling round as it became a close quarters battle as the stood and traded punches. Bentley scored with hefty rights to the body from both hands but the dominant punch was Alimkhanuly’s left which he crashed home consistently through the round. Score 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly 108-101 Round 12 A strong last round for Alimkhanuly. He staggered Bentley with a left early in the round and then drove Bentley back with more lefts and Bentley was just trying to survive. Bentley then regrouped and walked forward throwing punches. They were both tired. Bentley scored with hooks and Alimkhanuly with his signature straight lefts as they punched away to the bell. Score: 10-9 Alimkhanuly Alimkhanuly118-110 First defence of the title for Alimkhanuly. He won the interim title with a second round stoppage of Danny Dignum but was upgraded to full title holder when Demetrius Andrade relinquished the title. Bentley had been stopped three rounds by Felix Cash in April 2021 but had then three wins against domestic opposition Estrada vs. Villarino In her first fight this year “Super Bad” Estrada retains the WBA minimumweight title with a convincing points win over the feisty but over matched Villarino. After Estrada pressed hard over the first two rounds the challenger shifted into forward gear but Estrada made her pay with stiff counters from both hands. Estrada changed guards regularly which Villarino could not adjust to. Estrada worked well to the body and put together some impressive combinations. Villarino showed a good jab and plenty of aggression without ever threatening Estrada but she did make Estrada work hard. Scores 100-90 for Estrada on the judge’s cards. Estrada was making the second defence of her title. Villarino, holder of the WBA Gold title, lacked the experience to really test Estrada. Muratalla vs. Contreras Another impressive display b y Muratalla as he breaks down and halts a competitive Contreras in the sixth. Muratalla just had the edge over the first two rounds but began to dominate from the third. The speed and accuracy of his jab and power punching had Contreras under pressure. Contreras did not back down and tried to match Muratalla but was rocked badly. Muratalla continued to boss the fight in the fourth but Contreras put in a big effort in the fifth trying to stem the tide. Muratalla ended it in the sixth staggering Contreras with a chopping right to the head. He then forced Contreras to the ropes and connected with a series of rights until the referee came in and saved Contreras. Thirteenth victory by KO/TKO for the 25-year-old from California who is more than ready for rated opposition. In a couple of useful results Contreras had drawn with Hector Tanajaro and outpointed Josec Ruiz. Balderas v. Sanchez Balderas too good for Sanchez and stops him in the eight. A lively first round saw them both land left hooks simultaneously. Baldera’s punch was the more powerful and sent Sanchez staggering back. Balderas followed up with a series of right hands that sent Sanchez dropping down to sit on the bottom rope and he was given a count. From there Balderas controlled the action. He shook Sanchez with a combination in the second and hurt Sanchez with body punches in the fourth and fifth and handy out serious punishment in the sixth and seventh. In the eighth Balderas connected with a left and a right which sent Sanchez stumbling backwards the referee jumped in and stopped the fight. Balderas, a 2016 Olympian, gets his twelfth win by KO/TKO. His name is Carlos but he boxes as Karlos. Mexican Sanchez won his first sixteen fights but was coming off a sixth round loss against unbeaten Keyshawn Davis in April. Mirales vs. Perry Mirales blasts out pitiful Perry in the first. This one was farcical and Mirales got it over quickly. He found the target with rights to the head and dropped Perry face down on the canvas. Perry struggled to his feet but was counted out before he made it. The 6’9” Mirales has taken less than nine rounds for his six wins. The 5’10” Perry was eleven inches smaller than Mireles but at 279 ¾ lbs was 10lbs heavier Diaz vs. Cortes Top tip Diaz takes out Cortes in four. Both were quick and the first two rounds were fairly even. Diaz started to take over late in the third switching guards and landing sharp counters. In the fourth a right hook from Diaz put Cortes down. He made it to his feet and walked to a corner but his legs were unsteady and after the eight count the referee waived the fight over. Third inside the distance win for the 19-year-0ld Diaz who collected a cupboard full of gold medals as an amateur. Cortes was 3-0, 1ND going into this fight. Cleveland, OH, USA: Super Light: Steve Spark (16-2) W DISQ 8 Montana Love (18-1-1). Super Feather: Thomas Mattice (20-3-1) W PTS 10 Christian Tapia (15-1). Super Light: Richard Hitchins (15-0) W RTD 8 Yomar Alamo (20-2-1). Feather: Raymond Ford (13-0-1 W KO 8 Sakaria Lukas (25-2-1). Super Feather: Raynell Williams (14-1) W PTS 6 Ryizeemion Ford (8-3). Spark vs. Love Australian Spark wins as Love is disqualified for hoisting Spark over the top rope and out of the ring. Although Spark was taller the difference was magnified with Love fighting out of a crouch. Spark was leaping forward quickly in a lively start. In the second Spark rocked Love with a left hook and then drove Love along the ropes connecting with a right that floored Love. Love recovered and began to work his way into the fight. He was finding the target with southpaw lefts and taking control. A clash of heads just ten seconds into the sixth saw Love cut over his left eye and a swelling under the same eye. The referee asked the doctor to examine the injuries and it took a long discussion before the doctor cleared the fight to continue. As they clinched Love put his head down and drove Spark across the ring to the ropes. He then put both gloves on the top rope and by pulling down on the top rope and putting upward pressure on Spark and leaning forward he sent him tumbling over the top rope. Spark landed on the ring apron on his rump and then on his feet on the floor. Spark immediately climbed back in the ring. There was then some confusion until it became clear that the referee had disqualified Love. Love and his team argued long and loud but the disqualification stood and it was the right decision for me. Spark had been stopped in three rounds by Tim Tszyu but had then scored three inside the distance wins. Love had beaten Ivan Berinchyk, Carlos Diaz and Gabriel Valenzuela and was No 6 with the IBF. The nature of the may have a big impact on his rating and it remains to be seen what happens to unrated Spark. Mattice vs. Tapia Mattice scores an early knockdown but then has to fight hard the rest of the way for a points win over Tapia. Mattice used his longer reach to try to box on the outside but an aggressive Tapia was hustling and harrying. In the second Mattice shook Tapia with a left hook and then dropped him with a left and a right. Tapia recovered and was again putting Mattice under pressure. Just when it seemed Tapia was getting on top a left to the head had him in trouble again in the fourth. It was close from there but in the seventh a big overhand right sent Tapia stumbling back across the ring. He survived Mattice’s attempts to capitalise on that but it took precious time for Tapia to recover and Mattice ran out a good winner. Scores 96-93 twice and 97-92 for Mattice. Very narrow losses against Isaac Cruz and Luis Melendez left Mattice at the exit door but this victory over unbeaten Tapia is a big step in the right direction. He also lifts Tapia’s WBC Continental Americas belt. Tapia had scored some wins over credible opposition so now has to work his way back. Hitchins vs. Alamo Hitchins proves too slick and hard punching for Alamo. Hitchins had his jab working well from the start and Alamo was quickly on the back foot. Alamo just did not seem to want to take any chances. Hitchins handed out plenty of punishment in the third with Alamo unable to find an answer to Hitchins’s jab. Hitchins stepped up the pressure and was putting together some impressive combinations with Alamo struggling to make any impression. Hitchins scored heavily in the eighth and Alamo retired at the end of the round. Hitchins wins the IBF NABA belt. He lost out at the US Olympic Trials for Rio with the place going to Gary Antuanne Russell but has Haitian antecedents and he won his way through the Americas Qualifier only to lose to Rusell in Rio. Disappointing showing from Alamo who’s only other loss was a split decision against current WBO No 2 Liam Paro. Ford vs. Lukas Ford knocks out Lukas in the eighth round. The fight started badly for Lukas as he was down in the first minute of the fight. Ford threw a little bunch of punches. The last punch just brushed by Lukas but he was off balance and in dodging tumbled down and was given a count. He was not badly shaken and he took the fight to Ford with both swinging wildly. Ford was quicker and had the power but found Lukas an awkward if willing opponent. The fight was untidy but Ford gradually took control and shook Lukas in the sixth with a left hook. In the seventh Lukas lost a pointy for holding as he tried to stifle Ford’s attacks but he was caught by a series of head punches in the eighth before a thunderous right hook sent him crashing to the canvas and he was counted out. Seventh win by KO/TKO for Ford and fourth defence of his WBA Continental title. He is No 7 with the WBA and 14 with the IBF. Namibian Lukas had fought a split draw against Tugstsogt Nyambayar in January. Williams vs. Ford Williams, Love’s older brother, continued his come back with a points win over Ford. Williams put Ford down in the opening round and won on scores of 60-53 on all three cards. Williams, 33, competed at the 2008 Olympics, the 2007 World Championships and the World Series of Boxing. He turned pro in 2013 but after a loss in 2007 did not return to the ring until scoring a win in September this year. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Feather: Alberto Melian (10-2-1) W KO 6 Carlos Rodrigues da Silva (13-1-1,1ND). Light: Alan Chaves (11-0) WKO 2 Keine Montenegro (13-1). Middle: Jonathan Wilson Sanchez (22-6-1) W RTD 4 Diego Chaves (28-9-1). Melian vs. Rodrigues Melian finishes Brazilian Rodrigues in six rounds. The taller Brazilian took the fight to Melian in the first but quicker hand speed saw Melian doing the scoring. Rodrigues did better in the second and third getting through with left hooks to the body but he lacked power. Melian outscored Rodrigues in the fourth and then began to find the range with his right in the fifth and hurt Rodrigues with a left hook to the body at the bell. They traded punches in the sixth until Rodrigues back off under the pressure from Melian who landed a scorching left hook to the body that sent Rodrigues down on one knee. It looked as though Rodrigues just beat the count but they referee decided he had not, Melian, an Olympian in 2012 and 2016, gets his ninth win by KO/TKO and collects the WBO Latino belt. He lost two tough fights in the USA but is 4-0-1 since returning home. Rodrigues showed some nice moves but crumbled under pressure. Chaves vs. Montenegro Chaves beats Venezuelan Montenegro in two rounds. Montenegro made a flashy star but once Chaves opened up he was rocked a couple of times and then floored. He was hurt a couple more times but made it to the bell. Chaves ended it in the second with a left hook to the body which sent Montenegro down and he was counted out. Six inside the distance wins in his last seven fights for the 21-year-old southpaw prospect who wins the WBO Youth title. Sanchez vs. Chaves Sanchez batters Chaves to defeat in four rounds. Chaves out boxed Sanchez in the first but after that it was all Sanchez. He took the fight inside and battered away at the body of Chaves and landed some hard clubbing rights to the head. After a punishing fourth Chaves did not come out for the fifth. Encouraging win for Sanchez was has failed in three shots at the national title. Chaves, 36, a former WBA interim title holder lost to Keith Thurman in a title defence in 2013. Recent form is one win in his last six fights so retirement might be a good idea. Brampton, Canada: Super Middle: Shakeel Phinn (24-3-1) W PTS 10 Vladimir Belujsky (12-5-1). Light: Josh O’Reilly (17-1) W KO 3 Jorge Amaya (7-4). Welter: Josh Wagner (14-0) W KO 3 Yaser Yueksel (13-6-1). Phinn vs. Belujsky “Jamaican Juggernaut” Phinn rolls on as he scores wide unanimous decision over Irish-based Slovakian Belujsky on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Third win this year for Phinn. Belujsky lost on points against Jack Cullen in April. O’Reilly vs. Amaya O’Reilly gets back into the winner’s enclosure as he knocks out overmatched Mexican prelim fighter Amaya in three rounds. Just a confidence booster for O’Reilly after being stopped in one round by James Tennyson in December 2020. Amaya is 1-3 in his last four contests. Wagner vs. Yueksel Wagner gets his fifth win this year as he stops Turkish-born German Yueksel. Wagner made good use of his advantages in height and reach and forced the stoppage in the third round. Eighth inside the distance win for Wagner. Yueksel had recovered from a run of four losses with two wins but Wagner was just too big for him. Charlottenburg, Germany: Super Welter: Jack Culcay (33-4) W PTS 8 Damiano Falcinelli (15-2). Heavy: Granit Shala (13-0) W PTS 10 Luis Marin (9-4). Middle: Thomas Piccirillo (11-0-4) W PTS 8 Nourredine El Goumi (4-12-1). Cruiser: Tahir Kahrovic (19-0) W KO 2 Attila Koros (16-31-1). Super Middle: William Skull 920) W PTS 8 Abdel Adriel (26-26-3 Culcay vs. Falcinelli Culcay gets a unanimous decision over Italian Falcinelli and eight rounds of work. Falcinelli used his longer reach to pose some problems for Culcay but Culcay’s superior skills, extensive experience and higher work rate were too much for Falcinelli. Scores 79-74, 79-76 and 77-75. The visitor pressed hard and gave Culcay,37, the IBF No 2, the sort of fight he needed as he keeps his hopes alive of a shot at Jermall Charlo’s super welter belts. Falcinelli was beaten on a three round stoppage by Haro Matevosyan in May 2021 and then inactive until returning with a win in July this year. Shala vs, Marin German Shala, 26, keeps his 100% record as he easily decisions Venezuelan Martin. Shala was heavier but more mobile than a tubby Marin who never really posed any problems for Shala who mainly worked with his jab but shook Marin occasionally with rights. Scores 100-90, 99-91 98-92 for Shala whose opposition has been moderate at best. First ten round fight for Marin the Box Rec No 442. Piccirillo vs. El Goumi Abysmal match as Italian-born German Piccirillo drops and outpoints France’s El Goumi. Scores 80-70, 80-71 and 79-72 for Piccirillo. Just one win in his last twelve fights for El Goumi. Kahrovic vs. Koros German “Tommy Punch” sweeps aside Hungarian Koros in two rounds. Koros was on the floor twice and under heavy fire in the second when then fight was stopped. First fight since August 2021 for Kahrovic and thirteenth victory by KO/TKO. Another abysmal match with Koros now having lost his last eleven fights. Skull vs. Adriel Cuban Skull was a very late addition to the show and used his fight against Argentinian just to stay active and he won every round. He stuck basically to his left jab and was content to have some target practice and let Adriel go the distance. Scores 80-72 on all three cards for Skull. He had outpointed Evgeny Shvedenko in an IBF eliminator in July. Adriel is 0-9 in fights outside of Argentina but only four of his losses have been by KO/TKO. Scandicci, Italy: Light Heavy: Vegan Mustafa (25-5) W PTS 10 Sascha Arsumanjan (8-2-1). Kosovan-born Mustafa wins the vacant IBF European title with a unanimous decision over German Arsumanjan. The 43-year-old Mustafa took the decision on scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94. Sixth victory in his last seven fights for Mustafa. Arsumanjan just a six and eight round prelim fighter. Windhoek, Namibia: Fly: Immanuel Josef (14-4-1) W TECDEC 6 Tisetoso Modisadife (7-4). Fly: Fillemon Nghutenanye (10-0-1) W KO 7 Ally Ngwando (8-2-2). Welter: Harry Simon (18-0) W RTD 2 Limbani Chukapa (10-9). Middle: Lukas Ndafoluma (22-6,1ND) W TKO 5 Mussah Mkwanda (11-13-2). Josef vs. Modisadife Josef gets a technical decision over South African Modisadife. The local fighter had to fight hard as he and Modisadife traded heavy punches for five rounds. Josef just had the edge but in the sixth a clash of heads saw Josef badly cut and the fight was stopped and went to the cards with Josef in front 58-56 on the three cards. He was making the second defence of the WBO African belt. Nghutenanye vs. Ngwando Namibian Nghutenanye retains the WBA Pan African title with a seventh round kayo of Tanzanian southpaw Ngwando. Nghutenanye controlled the fight from the start with Ngwando not really getting into the fight until the fourth round. Nghutenanye continued to boss the exchanges until flooring Ngwando with a body punch and he was counted out. First defence of the title for Nghutenanye. Simon vs. Chukapa Simon much too good for Malawian Chukapa. Simon landed heavily in the first and second rounds and Chukapa did not come out for the third. Twelve wins for Simon by KO/TKO. Simon, 25, is the son of former WBO middleweight title holder Harry Snr. and he is being fed a diet of really poor opposition with Chukapa having lost 5 of his last 6 fights. Ndafoluma vs. Mkwanda Ndafoluma stops aging Mkwanda in five rounds. Ndafoluma scored a knockdown in the second round and the one-sided bout was halted in the fifth giving Ndafoluma his eleventh win by KO/TKO. Mkwanda, 43, mixing out of his class. Moscow, Russia: Light Heavy: Igor Mikhalkin (24-3) W PTS 10 Dilmurod Satybaldiev (13-2). Middle: Rokhman Akhmetkhanov (5-0) W TKO 4 Sergei Gorokhov (11-5-2). Mikhalkin vs. Satybaldiev Mikhalkin took this fight at short notice but came out the winner. Mikhalkin boxed comfortably on the back foot spearing the crouching Satybaldiev with right jabs and straight lefts. Satybaldiev shook Mikhalkin with a right to the had in the second but was having to soak up plenty of punishment. Mikhalkin stopped Satybaldiev in his tracks with a left in the fourth but Satybaldiev had Mikhalkin stumbling with a right in the fifth. Mikhalkin continued to find the advancing Satybaldiev an easy target but Satybaldiev was strong and aggressive and had Mikhalkin dipping at the knees from a right in the ninth. Mikhalkin was tiring and suffering a bad cut over his right eye in the tenth but deservedly took the decision but no scores available. A former IBO title holder and European champion Mikhalkin was having his first fight for fourteen months. He had just one fight in 2019, was inactive in 2020 but had two fights last year. Satybaldiev had won nine of his last ten fights with some useful opponents beaten in that run but was out for over four years before returning last November. He was favourite here have beaten Maxim Vlasov in May. Akhmetkhanov vs. Gorokhov Akhmetkhanov makes a successful first defence of the Russian title with fourth round stoppage of Gorokhov. Akhmetkhanov comes from a family of wrestlers and was a ten-time champion of Moscow at freestyle. Fourth consecutive loss for Gorokhov. Bristol, England: Middle: Aaron Sutton (15-0) W PTS 8 Joel Julio (39-13). Bristol boxer Sutton adds another win as he outpoints Colombian Julio. Referee’s score 78-75. Sutton had won his last three fights inside the distance. Júlio on a steep downward path as this is his tenth win in a row. Acapulco, Mexico: Super Bantam: David Picasso (23-0-1 W TKO 5 Alexander Mejia (19-5). Picasso floors Mejia four times and halts him in the fifth round. The smaller Mejia took the fight to Picasso in the first but Picasso was scoring with jabs and left hooks to the body and Mejia was forced to back off as Picasso powered home his punches late in the round. Mejia was game and tried to walk through Picasso’s punches in the second and had some success. He pressed hard and did enough to win the round. Mejia was on top in the third until Picasso exploded with a left hook to the body and a right uppercut which floored Mejia. He beat the count but was taking heavy punishment and slipped to one knee avoiding Picasso’s punches. He was given another count. He was rocked some more but Mejia made it to the bell. Picasso shook Mejia time and again in the fourth but Mejia did not crumble. Picasso dropped Mejia in the fifth with a series of left hooks to the body. Mejia made it to his feet and Picasso continued to batter him with punches from both hands when the fight had to be stopped due to a piece of loose tape on Picasso’s glove. Once that was done Picasso drove Mejia to his knees with a storm of punches and the referee waived the fight over. Twelfth win by KO/TKO for the 22-year-old Picasso. First inside the distance loss for Nicaraguan Mejia. November 13 Dubai, UAE, Super Feather: Jadier Herrera (9-0) W RTD 4 Franklin Manzanilla (21-9). Super Feather: Delfine Persoon (47-3,1ND) ND 1 Ikram Kerwat (11-3,1ND). Herrera vs. Manzanilla Cuban prospect Herrera floored experienced Venezuelan Manzanilla four times and Manzanilla did not come out for the fifth round. Herrera, 20, retains the WBC International title and has six wins by KO/TKO. Former WBC super bantam title challenger Manzanilla was 3-3 in his last six fights. Persoon vs. Ikram There was a controversial ending to this fight. In the first round Persoon landed a big right and Roy Jones trained Kirwat dropped to the floor on her hands and knees. Persoon then threw two punches when Kerwat was on her knees facing away from Persoon. The first missed but she then leant round and threw another which landed but not heavily and Kerwat collapsed face first on the canvas. Initially Kerwat was counted out but because of those two illegal blows from Persoon the fight was declared a No Contest. Fight of the week (Significance): Tied as Sunny Edwards win over Felix Alvarado and Natasha Jonas win over Marie Dicaire both open the door to some interesting future title fights. Fight of the week (Entertainment): Shabaz Masoud vs. Jack Bateson was a great little scrap Fighter of the week: Natasha Jonas Britain’s first ever female Olympic boxing gold medallist. Fighting four division above her starting weight and still winning and unifying titles. Punch of the week: The left hook to the body from Alan Chaves that finished Keine Montenegro was agony laden. Upset of the week: None really Prospect watch: Super Lightweight Richardson Hitchins 15-0 (7) impressed in beating 20-1-1 Yomar Alamo at the weekend. Observations Rosette: Two good shows in Las Vegas and Manchester produced some good fights Red Card: To the “fans” who staged a mini-riot at the Marcel Braithwaite vs. Thomas Essomba for no discernible reason-madness It is not always the boxers who have some strange names. How about two of the venues at the weekend: Inn of the Mountain Gods in New Mexico and Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland! Interesting to see that a female match between Beatriz Ferreira and Tayanna Cardoso in Cleveland was fought over four three minute rounds. I sometimes wonder if some boxers have screw-on legs of differing thickness. Take Russian Dilmurod Satybaldiev. When he fought in 2017 he weighed 167 ½ lb. He was out of the ring until November 2021 when he weighed 211 ½ lbs so 34lb heavier by May 22 he was 185 ¼ down 26lb and at the weekend he was 174 ¾. If he keeps that up he might get a shot at Sunny Edward next year. - Two fighters were in action at the weekend who both had a chance of making Olympic history. They did not fight each other at the weekend but when Albert Batyrgaziev and Duke Ragan faced each other in the Olympic final in Tokyo the winner would be the first professional boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. To Batyrgaziev went the honour. It is quite common for boxers to graduate from college or university with a degree in sports management or some similar degree related to sport. Not too often you get a graduate in Mechanicalizing technologies and power equipment in forestry, agricultural and fisheries. Not too many boxers around with a degree like that. If Artur Subkhankulov is not successful as a boxer you could say he has other fields he can try. - It is curious what we accept as normal in boxing. Felix Alvarez was the highest rated IBF flyweight when he challenged Sunny Edwards. He was No 3 but places 1 and 2 were vacant. The reason they were vacant is that none of the rated fighters had beaten another rated fighter so could not be No 1 or 2 but there is no requirement to have beaten a rated fighter to get to anything between No 3 and 15- Only in boxing. About the Author 
Born in Scotland, Eric Armit started working with Boxing News magazine in the UK in the late 1960’s initially doing records for their Boxing News Annual and compiling World, European and Commonwealth ratings for the magazine. He wrote his first feature article for Boxing News in 1973 and wrote a “World Scene” weekly column for the magazine from the late 1970’s until 2004. Armit wrote a monthly column for Boxing Digest in the USA and contributed pieces to magazines in Mexico, Italy, Australia, Spain, Argentina and other countries. Armit now writes a Weekly Report covering every major fight around the world and a bi-weekly Snips & Snipes column plus occasional general interest articles with these being taken up by boxing sites around the world. He was a member of the inaugural WBC Ratings Committee and a technical advisor to the EBU Ratings Committee and was consulted by John McCain’s research team when they were drafting the Ali Act. He is a Director and former Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council. Armit has been nominated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame the past two years (2019 and 2020) to which he said, “Being on the list is an unbelievably huge honour.” Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eric Armit.  |
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