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Philippines, 19 Mar 2025 |
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The Past Week in Action 17 March 2025: Teraji Stops Akui to Unify WBA/WBC Belts; Olascuaga, Santiago Win in Japan; Ball Retires Doheny in 10 By Eric Armit PhilBoxing.com Tue, 18 Mar 2025  Teraji connects at Akui. Highlights: -Kenshiro Teraji unifies WBA and WBC flyweight titles with last round stoppage of Seigo Akui -Anthony Olascuaga retains the WBO flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Hiroto Kyoguchi -Rene Santiago outpoints champion Shokichi Iwata to win the WBO light flyweight title - Nick Ball retains the WBA featherweight title as JT Doheny retires after the tenth round. And there are wins for Andrew Cain over Charley Edwards and Ionut Baluta over Brad Strand. -Keith Thurman returns to action and stops Brock Jarvis and there are inside the distance wins for Michael Zerafa and Carlos Tapia - Austin Williams outpoints Patrice Volny and there are wins for Edgar Berlanga and Jemaine Ortiz Major Shows MARCH 12 Sydney, Australia: Super Welter: Keith Thurman (31-1) W TKO 3 Brock Jarvis (22-2). Middle : Michael Zerafa (33-5) W TKO 7 Besir Ay (19-2). Middle: Cesar Tapia (18-0-1) W TKO 6 Sergei Vorobiev (20-3-2). Light Heavy: Kirra Ruston (5-0) W RTD 6 Tonga Tongotongo (9-1). 
Thurman vs. Jarvis Impressive return to action for Thurman as he destroys Jarvis in three rounds. in the first round Jarvis launched an attack with body shots but Thurman clinched then sent home some body shots of his own. By the end of the round Thurman was controlling the action with his jabs. Jarvis was trying to walk Thurman down in the second but whilst retreating Thurman was landing some hooks to the body and Jarvis could not pin him down. In the third Thurman stepped up his pace. He was slipping jabs through the guard of Jarvis and again landing with left hooks to the body. They both landed left hooks then Thurman caught Jarvis with a right to the head that had Jarvis hurt. Thurman exploded with an array of punches until Jarvis dropped to the canvas with his head resting on the bottom rope. A dazed Jarvis made it to his feet at nine but when the action resumed three head punches from Thurman sent Jarvis down heavily and the referee immediately waived the fight over. This was the first fight since February 2022 for the 36-year-old former WBA and WBC champion. He collected the vacant WBA International title and called out Tim Tszyu who was part of the commentary team. Jarvis started out as a super flyweight winning titles as he worked his way through the divisions and was 20-0 until being knocked out in one round by Liam Paro in 2022. 
Zerafa vs. Ay Zerafa stops Ay in the seventh round to win the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title. The pace was slow early as Zerafa worked to establish his jab in the first and landed a few good body punches . Ay was livelier in the second trying to take the fight to Zerafa but was stopped in his tracks by a left hook and Zerafa ended the round with a couple of tasty combinations. He had Ay under pressure in the third with the referee warning Ay for holding. Zerafa continued to land with rights in the fourth. The fifth saw Zerafa rock Ay with a right but the bell sounded before Zerafa could build on that. Zerafa handed out more punishment in the sixth connecting with big rights but it was beginning to look as though this one could go the distance. Zerafa was standing with his back to the ropes in the seventh but as Ay attacked Zerafa turned Ay against the ropes and connected with a right to the head that dropped Ay. He was up quickly but a brutal three-punch combination dropped him on his rump. He beat the count and convinced the referee he was okay but one more right from Zerada had the referee stopping the fight. Zerafa lost on a second round kayo against Erislandy Lara for the secondary WBA middleweight title in March last year. Ay had a 17-bout winning streak but against very modest opposition. Tapia vs. Vorobiev A returns to the ranks of winners for Tapia after a disappointing draw against Endry Saavedra in October. Vorobiev made an aggressive start moving inside in the first two rounds and letting his hands go and Tapia fired back making the two rounds close. Vorobiev was still full of aggression in the third and again both had some success in an entertaining scrap. The fourth saw more fiery exchanges with Tapia landing the heavier shots. The fifth started as a slower round and then as Vorobiev sent out a lazy jab Tapia unleashed a thunderous right cross to the head that sent Vorobiev crashing to the floor on his back. He quickly rolled over to kneel on the canvas watching the count and was up at eight. The referee had him take a couple of strides to the side, Vorobiev did so without a trace on unsteadiness but the referee waived the fight over despite vigorous protests from Vorobiev. Eleventh inside the distance win for Tapia and he will probably never again land a punch as spectacular as the one that floored Vorobiev. He wea WBO 10 and IBF 14 going into this fight so has a lot of work to do to land a title shot. I felt sorry for Vorobiev. He should never have been able to get after the thunderbolt from Tapia but he did and looked quite composed and capable of fighting on. Ruston vs. Tongotongo Ruston wins the Australian title with retirement victory over Tongotongo. Both had won all of their fights inside the distance so this was not expected to go the full ten rounds. There was naturally some caution over the early rounds as both had to respect the power of the other. Russell began to get on top in the fourth and shook Tongotongo with some heavy rights late in the fifth. Russell forced Tongotongo to the ropes in the sixth and kept him there connecting with some fearsome rights that eventually had Tongotongo sliding to the floor. He made it to his feet and lasted to the bell but did not come out for the seventh. An impressive power show from former Australian amateur champion Ruston who had taken less than five rounds for his other four wins. Tongotongo had won a few lesser titles but could not match the power of Russell. MARCH 13 Tokyo, Japan: Fly: Kenshiro Teraji (25-1) W TKO 12 Seigo Akul (21-3-1). Fly: Anthony Olascuaga (9-1) W PTS 12 Hiroto Kyoguchi (19-3). Light Fly: Rene Santiago (14-4) W PTS 12 Shokichi Iwata (14-2). 
Teraji vs. Akui Behind on the cards Teraji scores dramatic last round stoppage after a titanic battle with Akul to retain his WBC title and collect Akul’s WBA title. Teraji was the favourite but Akul was there to win and matched Teraji punch-for-punch over the first two rounds landing some hard rights in some explosive exchanges and forcing Teraji onto the back foot. Whilst boxing on the back foot Teraji was investing in some powerful body work over the third and fourth and putting together some impressive combinations but seemed unable to hurt Akul. The furious action continued in the fifth with both scoring well and the sixth was three minutes of war as Teraji changed tactics refusing to be backed up and was standing and trading. He was getting the better of the exchanges over the middle rounds and again attacking the body as Akul looked to be slowing but was still dangerous with his rights. Teraji changed tactics again from the eighth going back to boxing and that seemed to boost Akul who was the one landing the heavier shots. The ninth was close but Akul was on a roll and over the tenth it was Teraji who was showing signs of tiring. Akul had a big eleventh as he shook Teraji with a left hook and although Teraji banged back hard Akul was driving forward forcing Teraji to back off and finished the round strongly. At that point the fight was in the balance. Two judges had Akul in front 105-104 with the third having it 106-103 for Teraji. Akul only needed a good last round to unify the WBA and WBC titles. Akul was forging forward until Teraji exploded a right to the head that staggered Akul. Teraji chased Akul along the ropes landing rights. Akul was rocking under a storm of punches trying to hold. Akul managed to fire back a couple of punches but Taraji exploded again and had Akul stumbling back across the ring and the referee came in and stopped the fight. A dramatic ending to a great fight. Teraji is looking to become a three-division champion by going after Jesse Rodriguz in a challenge for the WBC super flyweight title -and what a fight that would be. Akul was making the third defence of the WBA title and raised his profile considerably by his showing in this fight. A return would be a natural progression but if Teraji goes after Rodriguez Akul must be in with a chance of getting a shot at the WBA or WBA flyweight belts. 
Olascuaga vs. Kyoguchi Olascuaga retains the WBO title with a unanimous decision over Kyoguchi. The scores were wide but the fight seemed very close with many seeing Kyoguchi as a clear winner . Both connected with good left hooks in the first with Kyoguchi scoring well to the body. Kyoguchi was tending to curb his normal all-out aggression forcing Olascuaga to change from his counter punching approach and Olascuaga was less comfortable with that making it a close fight over those opening rounds. By the end of the fourth one judge had it 39-37 for Olascuaga, one had it 39-37 for Kyoguchi and the third had it even at 38-38. Kyoguchi went back to his aggressive approach from the fifth and Olascuaga more than matched him with accurate work to head and body as Kyoguchi drove forward and Olascuaga swept those rounds with the result that after the eighth the scores were 79-73 and 78-74 for Olascuaga and 76-76. Kyoguchi launched big attacks over the eighth and ninth and looked to have taken both rounds as he pinned Olascuaga against the ropes firing hooks to the body. Her also looked to have edged the tenth but an incident in the eleventh crushed his hopes. As he chased Olascuaga into a corner Olascuaga threw a right hook which did not look hard but as Kyoguchi continued to come forward and missed with a right he bent his right knee which touched the canvases and was given a count putting the decision beyond doubt and Olascuaga looked to have edge in the last. Scores 118-109, 117-110 and 114-113 for Olascuaga. He seems to grown in confidence with every fight and might even be thinking of a return with Kenshiro Teraji, the only fighter to have beaten him. Kyoguchi is a former IBF minimum and WBA light fly champion so was looking to become a three division champion. 
Santiago vs. Iwata Iwata loses the WBO title in his first defence as challenger Santiago boxes his way to victory and holds off a frantic last charge by Iwata. After some early sparring Iwata was walking through Santiago’s punches ignoring defence and banging home shots to the body looking to slow down the quicker challenger. His pressure tactics looked to be working and he was able to land some hurtful shots. Santiago then seemed to settle into the fight comfortable on the back foot and as Iwata continued to ignore defence Santiago was boxing with class meeting Iwata with hard, accurate counters and easily dodging Iwata’s frantic attacks. Iwata knew his title was slipping away and attacked hard bombarding Santiago with punches with Santiago standing his ground and firing back in an exciting finish. The Puerto Rican challenger was a big winner on scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-12. Iwata had lost in a challenge for this WBO title against Puerto Rican Jonathan Gonzalez in 2022 but had won the title with a stoppage of Jairo Noriega last October. Santiago had also lost in a title shot against fellow-Puerto Rican Gonzalez in March last year but had his tactics right here. MARCH 15 Liverpool, England: Feather: Nick Ball (22-0-1) W RTD 10 T J Doheny (26-6). Bantam: Andrew Cain (14-1) W PTS 12 Charley Edwards (20-2,1ND). Super Bantam: Ionut Baluta (17-5-1) W PTS 10 Brad Strand (12-2). Super Fly: Jack Turner (11-0) W TKO 2 Ryan Farrag (23-6). Light: Jadier Herrera (17-0) W TKO 7 Jose Macias (21-4-2). 
Ball vs. Doheny Ball successfully defends his WBA title as an incredibly brave Doheny retires after the tenth round Round 1 After spending the first minute just probing with his jab Ball drove forward throwing punches with Doheny retreating along the ropes. Doheny avoided Ball’s punches and responded with a left to the body and a left hook to the head. Doheny backed Ball to the ropes and landed a couple of shots then danced away when Ball tried to attack. Ball chased Doheny into a corner and after the bell when Doheny had his back turned Ball deliberately kicked Doheny in the back of the knee and Doheny dropped to the canvas. The referee sent Ball to his corner and Doheny got up. The referee chose to take no action but Ball it was senseless act by Ball. He could have been disqualified if Doheny had been unable to continue. What a silly way to lose a world that would have been! Score: 10-9 Doheny Round 2 Doheny was boxing on the back foot with his hands down constantly feinting a jab to distract Ball. Ball was being frustrated by the clever movement of Doheny and Doheny taunted Ball who was waiting too long to fire punches allowing Doheny to skip away with Doheny doing what scoring there was. Score: 10-9 DohenyDoheny 20-18 Round 3 Doheny abandoned the hands down approach and did not move as much. Ball drove home a right to the body and did a good job of cutting off the ring when Doheny tried to circle away. When Doheny did come forward Ball quickly stepped back leaving Doheny short with his punches. Ball scored with a left then blocked a burst of punches from Doheny. They traded against the ropes then Ball landed a quick pair of punches. A close round. Score: 10-9 BallDoheny 29-28 Round 4 Ball upped the pressure in this round making Doheny fight at a faster pace than the 38-year-old’s legs would want. Ball was connecting with body punches but Doheny was scoring with counters catching Ball with a bunch as Ball stood in range but not punching. Score: 10-9 DohenyDoheny 39-37 Official Scores: Pawel Kardyni 39-37 Ball. Judge Jose Torres 39-37 Ball, Judge John Latham 39-37 Ball Round 5 Ball scored heavily with body punches at the start of the round and then put together a good combination. Ball chased Doheny down and connected with a left and right to the body. Doheny was continuing to box cleverly on the back foot but Ball ended the round with a strong attack Score: 10-9 BallDoheny 48-47 Round 6 Doheny connected with a couple of left hooks to the body but Ball briefly trapped Doheny in a corner and landed a couple of punches. Ball wrestled Doheny to the canvas and was given a warning of a deduction if he did it again. Doheny dropped his hands again and whilst frustrating Ball was doing no scoring himself. Ball landed a heavy right to the head then a left and another right that staggered Doheny. Score: 10-9 BallTIED 57-57 Round 7 Ball again came forward chasing down Doheny but Doheny landed a hard left. Doheny was still boxing with real skill but had slowed. Ball landed a left to the body and a right and Doheny’s work was becoming ragged under the pressure. Ball connected with a right and Doheny responded with a right and left and ended the round with a flurry of punches. Closer round again but Doheny’s legs looked leaden and his right eye was almost closed Sore: 10-9 BallBall 67-66 Round 8 Ball started by landing a couple of useful hooks and then put together a combination of shots to head and body. There was no bounce now in Doheny. He was flat-footed and throwing fewer punches. A right from Ball had Doheny retreating and he stalked Doheny landing punches with Doheny firing but back but there was no snap left in his punches Score: 10-9 BallBall 77-75 Official Scores: Pawel Kardyni 79-73 Ball. Judge Jose Torres 79-73 Ball, Judge John Latham 78-74 Ball Round 9 Ball landed a couple of rights and then gave Doheny a hard push throwing Doheny down. As the referee promised he took a point of Ball for that. Doheny landed a great body punch and came forward throwing punches but Ball forced him back landing with lefts and rights to the head and ended the round with a burst of punches. Score: 9-9 EvenBall 86-84 Round 10 Doheny looked to be exhausted and Ball drove him to a corner and banged home punches. Doheny tried to escape and Ball followed him landing hooks until Doheny managed to get off the ropes. Doheny dug up some reserves and fought back. Thet was a brief phase but Doheny got some relief whist the referee warned him for a low punch but his right eye was now closed. Ball launched a fierce attack bombarding Doheny with punches to the bell. Doheny retired at the end of the round. Score: 10-9 BallBall 96-93 Second successful title defence for Ball who was just too strong and too aggressive for Doheny to hold off. There is now talk of a fight against Naoya Inoue perhaps in Sudi Arabia at the end of the year provided the WBA do not step in to try to force Ball to defend against his mandatory challenger Mirco Cuello. Former IBF super bantamweight champion Doheny had been beaten in seven round by Inoue in September and if he makes the sensible decision to retire at 38 and after two such brutal fights he can go with his head held hight after the tremendous courage he showed here. Cain vs. Edwards Liverpudlian Cain gets a split decision over Edwards as deserved compensation for his frustrating night. From the outset this fight featured Liverpool’s Cain constantly chasing down the ever moving Edwards for twelve rounds. The pattern was set in the first as Cain came forward on the front foot looking to engage and Edwards continually circling around the ring picking Cain off with jabs and staying clear of any sustained exchanges. Edwards was cut on the side of his head with a punch in the first but that never became a factor. Cain chased Edwards down throughout the fight but found Edwards a very elusive target and Edwards was able to slide away from trouble and pierce Cain’s guard with quick counters. Cain landed a hard right in the third and had success whenever he could pin Edwards down but Edwards was moving fast and boxing cleverly . After futile chasing in the fourth and fifth Cain managed to close the distance and put Edwards under sterner pressure in the sixth and seventh landing some body punches to hopefully slow Edwards. Although Edwards was boxing with real skill he was not throwing enough punches and there were no extended exchanges and by the sixth there were already boos over the largely negative tactics of Edwards. Cain kept trying to get Edwards to stand and trade punches but Edwards stuck with his stick and move tactics picking up points pinging Cain with light shots. It seemed as though Edwards might be looking to engage more after he scored well in the tenth but he was not about to change tactics unmoved by the booing and he was back to circling and throwing so little that Cain even walked Edwards down with his hands behind his back in the eleventh trying to tempt Edwards to take a chance. Cain pressed hard in the last but there was no dramatic finish as Edwards yet again took a circular tour of the ring. Although unpopular with Cain’s home supporters Edwards nearly pulled off a win with his hit-and run approach but just came up short as two judges saw Cain the winner on scores of 116-112 and 115-114 with a dissenting vote of 115-113 for Edwards. Cain was defending the British, Commonwealth and WBC International Silver titles. His only loss is a split decision against Ionut Baluta in 2023 and he had scored four wins since then. Former undefeated WBC flyweight champion Edwards lost for the first time since a stoppage against John Riel Casimero in a challenge for the IBF flyweight title in 2016. Baluta vs. Strand Baluta wins unpopular split decision over Strand. Both had early success with Baluta landing with a couple of body punches and Strand rocking Baluta with a left hook. Strand boxed with skill over the second and third. Baluta was looking to take the fight inside but Strand countered with left jabs and hooks from both hands. Baluta continued to come forward in the fourth and had some success but again Strand was fast and accurate with his jabs and hooks. The fifth followed the same pattern but Baluta’s relentless pressure began to have an effect in the sixth as he was scoring well in the early exchange of hooks and Strand was cut over his left eye. The better work came from Strand in the seventh with his quality counters. Strand looked to be slowing in the eighth and Baluta was able to get close and land some useful body punches including a powerful left hook. Strand looked to have built a substantial lead but was down in the ninth. It was not a case of a heavy shot from Baluta but Baluta stepped on Strand’s foot as Strand was drawing it back and that caused Strand to lose his balance. The referee saw it as a knockdown and applied a count making it a 10-8 round for Baluta and that proved decisive. Strand outboxed Baluta in the tenth but the very debateable count was enough to get Baluta the decision on scores of 98-91 (!!)and a 96-94 for Baluta and 97-93 for Strand. Baluta wins the vacant WBO European title. It has been a switchback ride recently for Baluta with wins over TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce a loss to Michael Conlan, a win over Brad Foster, a loss to Liam Davies, a win over Andrew Cain and a draw and loss against Dennis McCann. His last nine fights have all been title fights. Former WBO European super bantamweight title holder Strand ‘s lone defeat was on points against Dennis McCann in March last year. Turner vs. Farrag An impressive Turner stops experienced Farrag in two rounds. Turner knocked Farrag off balance with a right early in the first then pinned Farrag against the ropes and unleashed a barrage of body punches before the referee parted them. Farrag tried a right but Turner landed a better one that set Farrag back on his heels and then again forced Farrag to the ropes and they traded punches. Turner shook Farrag with a right just before the bell. In the second Farrag backed to the ropes and Turner followed him driving home a series of head punches until Farrag ‘s head was snapping back and forward. He looked out on his feet and the referee came in and stopped the fight. Local lad Turner, 23, gets his tenth victory by KO/TKO and wins the vacant WBA International title. Farrag, 37, is a former European bantam champion and current Commonwealth super flyweight title holder but was never in the fight. Herrera vs. Macias Cuban southpaw Herrera punches too hard for Mexican Macias. Herrera lived-up to his reputation as a puncher. After dominating the first he hurt Macias with shots in the second and third and then showcased some skills in the fourth. He could perhaps had finished the fight in the fifth or sixth but was over anxious to impress and sacrificed accuracy for power. Macias was cut over his left eye by a punch in the sixth and was fading fast and took a hammering in the seventh. The referee stopped the fight and had the doctor examine the cut and the fight continued. Macias held and ducked and weaved frustrating Herrera but after Herrea connected with a couple of clubbing head punches the referee stopped the fight. Herrera, 22, was defending the WBA Inter-Continental title and gets his fifteenth win by KO/TKO. He is No 10 with the WBC. It was an impressive display by Herera but by ignoring his skills and not making full use of his height and longer reach showed there is still room for improvement. Macias was strong but limited and suffers his first inside the distance defeat. Orlando, FL, USA: Middle: Austin Williams (18-1) W PTS 12 Patrice Volny (19-2). Super Middle: Edgar Berlanga (23-1) W TKO 1 Jonathan Gonzalez (20-1-1). Super Light: Jemaine Ortiz (19-2-1) W PTS 10 Yomar Alamo (22-4-1). Super Welter:Omari Jones (1-0) W TKO 2 Alessio Mastronunzio (14-6). 
Williams vs. Volny Williams wins a unanimous decision over Volny to retain the WBA Continental Americas belt. The first round saw the busier Williams firing right jabs and lefts to head and body. Volny was using a high guard coming forward but was too hesitant in letting his punches go. Williams connected with a strong left in the second but was warned for a low punch. Volny was livelier than he had been in the first and found the target with hard rights. Williams invested in some hard body punches at the start of the third and domination the action until Volny closed the round with a fierce attack to make it a close round. Both had good spells in the fourth with Volny catching the eye landing good rights early and late in the round. Williams again put in some useful body punching in the fifth. Volny’s high guard was presenting Williams with openings and he took advantage of them. Williams was again busier in the sixth. Volny responded with a hard left hook that briefly rattled Williams but Williams fired back in the final seconds of the round with a hard left of his own that hurt Volny. The pace slowed in a close seventh which Volny might have be edged but Williams had the better of the exchanges in the eighth connecting with jarring left jabs and uppercuts. Williams started the ninth well and they both had some success as they exchanged shots but the best punch in the round was a right uppercut from Volny that shook Williams. It was the same in the tenth with Williams doing useful work early and Volny landing a body shot late. Volny was producing some impressive single shots but Williams was throwing more and landing more. Volny also produced a strong finish at the end of the eleventh. Both went for it in the last in some furious exchanges. There was a mild scare for Williams just before the bell as went he went down but the referee did not apply a count as Williams had tripped over Volny’s legs. Williams rightly took the decision on scores of 118-110, which seemed too wide, 116-112 and 115-113. Both badly needed a win here. Each had a single loss- Williams had been stopped in eleven rounds by Hamza Sheeraz in June last year and Volny was rebuilding after losing a technical decision against Esquiva Falcao in 2021 and then being inactive for 18 months but had scored a win over Steven Butler in June. Before the fight Williams was No 9 with the IBF and WBC and No 7 with the WBA (WBO=Austin Williams who?. Never heard of him!). Volny was unrated so they both have work to do to get into the title picture. Berlanga vs. Gonzalez Berlanga blasts out Gonzalez in the first round. Berlanga was edging forward with Gonzalez retreating. Berlanga missed with a right but then landed a left to the body and a right to the head. He stayed in close and threw three left hooks to the body. Gonzalez threw a couple of punches but they were blocked. Berlanga scored with a couple of strong jabs then a right with Gonzalez shaking his head and grinning to show he was not hurt. He stood and traded with Berlanga and had some success but Berlanga nailed him with a left hook and Gonzalez went face down on the canvas. He was up at six but then a three-punch combination sent him flying into the ropes and then down the ropes to sit on the floor and the referee jumped in and gave Gonzalez another count. After the count a devastating left hook from Berlanga crashed onto Gonzalez’s head and the referee immediately stopped the fight. This was Berlanga’s first fight since losing to Saul Alvarez in September. The fight was for the vacant NABO 168 lbs title but Berlanga did his standing no good by coming in 1 ½ lbs over the weight. After the fight hethrew out challenges to Caleb Plant, Jaime Munguia and Jermell Charlo. A look at Ortiz’s 20-0-1 record might have made this look a reasonable match but Ortiz had not long finished a nine-year stint in prison so he was inactive from 2014 to 2024. He was 145 ½ lbs for his first fight and 167 ½ for this one which tells the real story. Ortiz vs. Alamo Ortiz suffered a tough first round but then made adjustments and went on to win a unanimous decision. Alamo came out firing unsettling Ortiz with his unexpected aggression and landed some good punches. Ortiz adjusted switching guards getting on the front foot and taking the fight to Alamo. His southpaw jab proved effective in allowing him to control the action pressing Alamo to the ropes and unloading punches with Alamo being too busy with defence to apply any useful attacks of his own. A spell in the fourth saw Alamo pinned against the ropes and bombarded with a series of spectacular uppercuts. Alamo did manage to land some sharp counters but he was just being outworked. Alamo just could not get a toe-hold in the fight due to the power shots from Ortiz and was under constant pressure. He did manage to do enough damage to give Ortiz some concern as Alamo’s counters started a swelling around Ortiz right eye that threatened to affected Ortiz vision late in the fight but Ortiz was a big winner on scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92. Both fighters have lost in important fights. Ortiz dropped a decision in a creditable effort against Vasyl Lomachenko in 2022 and a close decision in a challenge for the WBO title against Teo Lopez in February last year. He is currently No 14 with the IBF and 15 with the WBA. Alamo lost consecutive fights against Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins and was coming off a points defeat against Delante Johnson in September. Jones vs. Mastronunzio Olympian Jones turns professional with a second round stoppage of Mastronunzio. The Italian immediately tried to take the fight to the taller Jones but Jones stayed cool and then fired an array of punches. Mastronunzio kept lunging forward but Jones showed some slick footwork to dodge back and then came forward with another burst of hooks and uppercuts. A right rocked Mastronunzio back on his heels and now Jones was the one coming forward throwing punches. Mastronunzio came forward again but was caught by a sneaky right to the head and yet another barrage of punches drove him back. The referee was already looking hard at Mastronunzio who was cut over his right eye but Mastronunzio showed guts as he survived a series of punches to head and body and made it to the bell. Jones had thrown 101 punches in the three minutes. In the second round Jones walked forward firing straight punches to the head which sent Mastronunzio staggering back and the referee stopped the fight. The 6’2”, 22-year-old Jones won a silver medal at the World Championships and a bronze at the Paris Olympics. He showed impressive hand speed, slick footwork and power and is one to follow for sure. Mastronunzio had lost in a challenge for the Italian welterweight title and been stopped in one round by Xander Zayas. MARCH 14 Bethlehem, PA, USA: Light: Joseph Adorno (21-4-2) W TKO 3 Wesley Rivers (8-5). Super Light: Bryce Mills (18-1) W PTS 8 Alex Martin (18-7). Super Feather: Julian Gonzalez (16-0-1) W TKO 1 Armando Frausto(10-561). Middle: Euri Cedeno (11-0-1) W KO 1 Ulices Tovar (11-2). Adorno vs. Rivers Adorno blows away Rivers in three rounds. The fight started with Rivers coming forward behind his jab and firing rights and Adorno retreating looking to throw counters. That was the scene for the first two rounds with Rivers unable to cut off the ring and Adorno sparing with his punches. The third was following the same pattern until suddenly Adorned ambushed Rivers exploding with a burst of punches that sent Rivers back and down. He was up at six but looked shaken. Adorno taunted Rivers during the count and then blasted Rivers with shots to head and body until the referee jumped in to save Rivers. Adorno was 14-0-2 at the start of his career but tougher opposition has seen him go 7-4 since then. Rivers had won his last two fights. Mills vs. Martin Mills extends his winning streak to 12 with a hard-fought unanimous decision over Martin. Scores 78-74 twice and 77-75. Good win tor Mills, 23, but he made it harder than it needed to be and will have to tighten his defence against better opposition. Southpaw Martin is limited but has a good chin and his only inside the distance loss is an eighth round stoppage against rated Oscar Duarte. Gonzalez vs. Frausto Reading’s Gonzalez halts Frausto in one round. Gonzalez shook Frausto with a jab, the first punch he threw in the fight. That punch sent Frausto to the ropes and Gonzalez connected with a hefty left hook. Frausto managed to escape from the ropes but Gonzalez banged home three left hooks to the body. Frausto fired some jabs trying to hold Gonzalez off but Gonzalez exploded with a left hook that put Frausto down heavily. He climbed to his feet but then staggered back to the ropes. Despite that the referee decided Frausto was fit to continue but two more left hooks sent Frausto down again and this time the referee waived the fight over. Now twelve wins by KO/TKO for Gonzalez and ten wins in a row. Frausto has lost 5 of his last 6 fights. Cedeno vs. Tovar Dominican southpaw Cedeno flattens Mexican Tovar in the first round. Cedeno was connecting with hard, accurate shots to head and body. A hook to the head shook Tovar and a hard right set him up for a left to the head that sent Tovar down on his back and out. Cedeno has won his last five fights and has ten victories by KO/TKO. Tovar is 2-2 in his last 4 bouts. San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina: Cruiser: Christian Luis (12-4) W TKO 2 Eduardo Casalicchio (15-3-1). Luis wins the vacant WBO Latino belt as he stops home town fighter Casalicchio in the second round. Luis attacked hard and shook Casalicchio late in the first round. Casalicchio was still shaky from the knockdown and was floored three more times in the second bringing the stoppage. Fighting in the other guys backyard holds no fear for Luis as he won the vacant WBA Fedebol title with a kayo of Chilean Gerardo Mellado in two rounds in Valdivia in November. Casalicchio was unbeaten in his last 14 fights. MARCH 15 Toowoomba, Australia: Welter: Jackson Griffiths (16-0) W PTS 8 Yangcheng Jin (13-10-2). Middle: Dylan Biggs (13-1) W TKO 3 Yeze Wu (8-4). Griffiths vs. Jin Home town fighter Griffiths adds another win as he decisions China’s Jin. Scores 80-72, 79-74 and 78-74. Jackson, 23, had beaten former IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez in November. Jin is 0-3 in fights in Australia. Biggs vs. Wu Biggs stops Wu in three rounds. This was favoured to end early as both were hard punchers. Biggs gets his ninth win by KO/TKO with his only defeat coming against Nikita Tszyu for the Australia super welter title in 2023. Wu had won his last nine fights inside the distance. Maria Enzersdorf, Austria: Heavy: Habib Vuqiterna (12-1) W PTS 10 Ramzi Hadziaganovic (10-3). Light Heavy: Bernardin Jakaj (18-1) W RTD 3 Bosko Misic (31-26) Vuqiterna vs. Hadziaganovic Vuqiterna wins the vacant Austrian title as he take a wide unanimous decision over Bosnian Hadziaganovic. Scores 99-91 on all three cards for Vuqiterna who registers his sixth win in a row. Hadziaganovic had been inactive from 2013 until returning with a win in September last year. Jakaj vs. Misic Kosovan-born Jakaj had won all 16 of his fights before dropping a close decision against unbeaten Constantino Nanga in June last year. This retirement victory over Croatian southpaw Misic is his second since that loss. 21 of Misic’s 26 losses have come inside the distance. Caen, France: Super Welter: Victor Yoka (7-0) W PTS 10 Romain Lehot (11-2-1). Feather: Christ Esabe (18-0) W PTS 12 Jose Sanchez (17-2-1). Super Bantam: Bianca Voglino (6-0) W PTS 120 Sabrina Flamand (4-7-1).Bantam: Elie Konki (14-2) W Oscar Gomez (6-4-2). 7 Yoka vs. Lehot Yoka wins the vacant French title with a comprehensive victory over Lehot. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Yoka. He is the younger brother of Tony Yoka. Lehot had improved his standing going 6-0-1 into this fight. Esabe vs. Sanchez Esabe wins the vacant European Silver title with a majority decision over Spaniard Sanchez. Scores 116-112 twice and 114-114 Esabe was a big favourite and looked a clear winner but he fought with the handicap of an injury to his right arm from the early rounds. The 24-year-old Frenchman is ready for bigger tests. Sanchez started his career with 15 wins and a draw before being beaten by Davide Tassi in 2023. Voglino vs. Flamand Italian Voglino ruined the night for the locals as she won the vacant EBU Silver title with a unanimous decision over former French title contender Flamand . Scores 100-90 and 99-91 for Voglino and although the third official also gave the fight to Voglino he had it 96-94. Voglino had won the Italian title in her fourth fight. Konki vs. Gomez After his exploits in the amateurs there were high hopes for Konki but a dramatic kayo loss against Loic Tajan and a points defeat by Thomas Essomba in a challenge for the European bantamweight title severely dented his hopes. He returned to the ring for the first time in 13 months and eased his way to a victor over Mexican Gomez on scores of 59-55 twice and 58-56. He was 121 ¾ for this fight so may be trying his luck at the higher division. Milan, Italy: Super Welter: Paolo Bologna (11-0-2) DREW 10 Damiano Falcinelli (16-2-1). Super Feather: Francesco Paparo (10-1-1) W KO 2 Nicola Henchiri (11-8-2). Cruiser: Jonathan Kogasso (15-0) W KO 2 Morike Oulare (7-1). Bologna vs. Falcinelli Bologna holds on to the National title with a split draw against Falcinelli. Scores 96-94 Bologna, 96-94 Falcinelli and 95-95. Bologna was defending the title for the first time and remains unbeaten in his last ten fights. Falcinelli last fight was in November 2022 when he lost on points against Jack Culcay. Paparo vs. Henchiri Paparo retains the Italian title with a second round kayo of Henchiri. Some controversy as Paparo looked to have hit Henchiri when he was technically down. First title defence by Paparo and third inside the distance victory. Kogasso vs. Oulare Kogasso retain the Italian title with a second round stoppage of Oulare. The Congolese boxer floored Guines-born Oulare twice in the second round to end the fight. The 6’3” Kogasso was making the first defence of the title and gets his tenth win by KO/TKO Hermosillo, Mexico: Light Fly: Sergio Mendoza (25-0) W TKO 4 Edinson Martinez (12-5-3). It looked as though Martinez was in over his head when a right jab from Mendoza had him stumbling in the first round. However he proved more resilient and was more than willing to trade body punches with Mendoza over the first three rounds despite soaking up punishment. Mendoza was banging rights to the body and lefts to the head in the fourth and Martinez although shaken a number of times still walked forward until a right to the head put him down. He watched the count and was up at eight but when a left hook sent him staggering back to the ropes the referee halted the fight. Mendoza, 24, looks reedy-thin but packs a punch. This was fight No 22 won by KO/TKO and he was coming off a fourth round stoppage of 32-1-2 Angel Ramos in September. Colombian Martinez had more courage than ability and suffered his fourth inside the distance loss. Ekaterinburg, Russia: Super Light: Ivan Kozlovsky (11-0) W PTS 10 Mohamed Zamani (8-4). Feather: Ivan Chirkov (14-0) W PTS 10 Nasibu Ramadhani (36-20-2). Super Bantam: Chingiz Natyrov (8-0) W PTS 10 Ardy Katompa (6-1-1). Super Feather: Elnur Samedov (20-1) W TKO 6 Saidi Mkola (10-2-1,1ND). Kozlovski vs. Zamani Russian southpaw Kozlovsky wins the vacant Eurasian Boxing Parliament title with a points victory over Afghan Zamani. After a slow couple of rounds Kozlovsky was well in command keeping the fight at distance and scoring with straight rights. Zamani came to life in the third landing some useful body punches. Kozlovsky took over again in the fourth and had Zamani reeling and in trouble in the fifth. Kozlovsky then dominated from there breaking down and slowing Zamani with body punches and Zamani struggled to make it to the final bell. No scores but it looked as though Kozlovsky won every round. Kozlovski has considerable amateur experience behind him and had stopped former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Julius Indongo in 2023. Zamani is 0-2 in fights in Russia. Chirkov vs. Ramadhani Chirkov was too quick and too skilful for experienced Tanzanian Ramadhani. It was all Chirkov as he outboxed a passive Ramadhani. Chirkov is not a heavy puncher and Ramadhani has a good chin so there were no real moments of drama as the rounds were very one-sided. Chirkov had substantial edges in height and reach and Ramadhani lacked the power or pace to overcome those. Ramadhani managed to put Chirkov under some pressure late in the fight but never really did enough to win a round. No scores available. Chirikov won the vacant WBA Asia title. He stated later that he had carried an injury into the fight. Ramadhani is 0-4 in fights in Russia Natyrov vs. Katompa Natyrov gets the decision over Katompa. This was a lively little scrap. Natyrov relied on aggression taking the fight to Katompa and setting a fast pace. Katompa boxed with real skill using plenty of clever movement and good hand speed. He found the advancing Natyrov and easy target and won the early rounds. Natyrov just kept grinding away and had more success as Katompa tired but did not seem to have done enough to overcome Katompa’s early lead but no scores available. Natyrov wins the Eurasian Boxing Parliament title. Natyrov is strong but his defence will let him down against better opposition. DRC’s Katompa impressed and was much better than might have been expected from his limited experience. Samedov vs. Mkola Samedov gets an unsatisfactory win over Mkola. Samedov was marching forward behind a high guard for the whole fight . Mkola was firing punches but most were being blocked and those that did get through were too light to hurt Samedov. Mkola kept moving and punching but was slowing round by round as body punches from Samedov took their toll. In the sixth as Mkola was clinching Semedo clapped a hands to each side of Mykola’s head with the left glove landing at the back of Mykola’s head. The referee pushed Semedo back and when he turbid from the brief pause he found Mkola had already walked back to his corner. Mkola indicated he had been hit on the back of his head then dropped to his knees leaning out through the ropes with his head resting on his hands. He stayed like that for a few minutes and when he showed no sign of continuing the referee declared Samedov the winner giving Samedov his fourteenth win in a row. Tanzanian Mkola took the easy way-out. Bilbao, Spain: Light: Jokin Garcia (11-1-1) W PTS 10 Brian Pelaez (15-8-2). Super Light: Saul Luna (9-2-1) TEC Draw 3 Ander Amatriain (10-1-1). Spanish Middle: Jhon Jader Obregon (13-1) W PTS 10 Alvaro Godoy(7-3). Garcia vs. Pelaez Garcia wins the vacant Spanish title. These two had fought to a majority draw for the title in November but this time Garcia was a clear winner. In their previous fight Garcia had tried to match the aggressive Pelaez punch-for-punch but this time he used his better skills and boxed his way to victory on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93. In addition to the Pelaez fight Garcia had lost to Rafael Acosta in previous shot at this title so it was third time luck for Garcia. Pelaez, who lost on points to Dalton Smith in 2021, had held this title briefly in 2022/3. Luna vs. Amatriain This Spanish title remains vacant after a clash of heads caused the fight to be stopped and declared a technical draw. Luna looked to have taken the first two rounds but Amatriain was having a good third when a clash of heads saw Amatriain suffer a cut high on his forehead. It did not look to be in a threatening place but the doctor recommended the fight be stopped so they will have to do it all over again. Obregon vs. Godoy Colombian-born Obregon retains the national title with a wide unanimous decision over Godoy. He floored Godoy in the fifth and Godoy was docked a point in the sixth for continually losing his mouthguard. Obregon won on scores of 99-89 twice and 98-90. This was Obregon’s second defence of the Spanish title. His lone loss was a twelfth round stoppage against Bruno Surace for the vacant EBU Silver title in December 2023 . In his next fight Surace knocked out Jaime Munguia in six rounds. Godoy had won 5 of his last 6 fights. Dubai, UAE: Super Light: Hovhannes Bachkov (7-0) W KO 2 Jose Rivas (10-1). Light: Jono Carroll (24-3-1) W Alexander Prado (11-0). Bachkov vs. Rivas Bachkov finishes Rivas in two rounds. The taller Rivas tried to use his jab to keep the advancing Bachkov off but was just prodding with no power. Rivas certainly worked hard pumping out punches but it was quantity without quality and Bachkov landed some hooks that had far more behind them and a left to the body at the end of the round clearly hurt Rivas. Bachkov connected with a couple of hooks to the head at the start of the second then walked through the punches from Rivas and landed a left hook to the body that dropped Rivas to his knees. Rivas was up at eight but another body punch put him down again. He beat the count but a left to the body sent him down rolling in agony and the referee counted him out. Armenian Bachkov wins the vacant WBC Continental title- his first as a pro. Bachkov won a bronze medal at both the Olympics and the World Championships and gold at the European Championships and European Games but has had only seven fights since turning pro in 2020 as he has dipped back into the amateurs for some championships. Venezuelan Rivas had faced only very low level opposition. Carroll vs. Prado Carroll gats back on track with a win. He took a unanimous decision over eight rounds against Venezuelan Prado. Scores 80-71 twice and 79-72. First fight for Carroll since his nineth round stoppage loss to Albert Batyrgaziev in July last year. Prado’s record very deceiving as the elven fighters he had beaten only had 8 wins between them. London, England: Middle: Linus Udofia (21-2) W PTS 10 Constantine Williams (7-2). Super Bantam: Nyall Berry (13-1) W TKO 3 Lewis Frimpong (9-2). Super Light: Kay Prospere (16-2-1) W PTS 10 Mikey Sakyi (13-5). Udofia vs. Williams Udofia takes a unanimous decision over Constantine in a English title defence. Scorers 97-93 twice and 99-91. Udofia is in his second reign as champion and is now aiming for a shot at the Commonwealth or European belts. Constatine had won the BBB of C Southern Area belt in October. Berry vs. Frimpong Berry wins the vacant English title beating Frimpong on a third round stoppage. Frimpong stared fast and tried to put Berry under pressure. Berry stayed cool and when an opening presented itself he floored Frimpong heavily in the third. Frimpong staggered to his feet but stumbled and fell back into the ropes brining an immediate stoppage. Third victory in a row for Berry. First inside the distance loss for Frimpong, Prospere vs. Sakyi Prospere outpoints Sakyi in their British title eliminator Prospere won on scores of 97-93 twice and 98-93. Prospere will now go on to challenge champion jack Rafferty. Long Beach, CA, USA: Super Light: Amado Vargas (12-0) W PTS 8 Eduardo Hernandez (8-3). Super Feather: Natan Rodriguez (18-0) W KO 2 Jorge Villegas (14-5). Light Heavy: Lawrence King (18-1 ) W PTS 8 William Langston (12-4-1). Vargas vs. Hernandez Vargas just squeezes past Hernandez on a majority decision. Both fighters had spells on the front foot in a close first but Hernandez had the better of the exchanges in the second and third jabbing strongly and scoring with some good combinations. Vargas was still very much in the fight and was busier in the fourth but was still having problems with Hernandez jab and his attacks were untidy. Hernandez clouted Vargas with a strong right hand in the fifth and looked to have outworked Vargas in the sixth. The fight seemed to be sliding away from Vargas but he finished strongly over the seventh and eighth. Vargas got the win on scores of 78-74 and 77-75 with the third card reading 76-76. Vargas, 24, is the son of Fernando Vargas the former IBF and WBA super welterweight champion but he did not look impressive. Rodriguez vs. Villegas Rodriguez blasts out Villegas in two rounds. Rodriguez quickly went to work in the first putting Villegas against the ropes and unloading to head and body and handing out steady punishment. Villages was trapped against the ropes again in the second and Rodriguez drove home a right to the body that had Villegas dropping to one knee to take a count. Villegas was down again from a right to the head and left to the body and although he got up a burst of punches from Rodriguez had the referee stopping the fight. Twelve wins by KO/TKO now for 20-year-old Rodriguez who looks a good prospect. Fourth inside the distance loss in a row for Villegas. King vs. Langston Southpaw King outpoints Lawson. King was quicker and the better technical boxer. He used sharp southpaw jabs to keep Langston on the retreat and had no trouble dealing with Langston’s attacks. He shook Langston a couple of times in the fifth and Langston had some success when they traded punches but King was always in control and won on scores of 79-73 on all three cards. After an early career loss King has won 14 in a row 12 by KO/TKO. Langston was 6-0-1 going into this one. Fight of the week: (Significance): All four title fights (the three in Japan and the one in Manchester are significance for their respective divisions)., Fight of the week: (Entertainment): Kenshiro Teraji vs. Seigo Akul was a Fight of the Year candidate Fighter of the week: Kenshiro Teraji for his dramatic come from behind last round stoppage of Akul Punch of the week: The booming right from Cesar Tapisa stood out in a week with many big punch finishes Upset of the week: Rene Santiago was an outsider against Shokichi Iwata Prospect watch: Only one pro fight but Omari Jones stands out 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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