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Philippines, 03 Dec 2025 |
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THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras By Eric Armit PhilBoxing.com Wed, 03 Dec 2025  Whittaker drops Gavazi. HIGHLIGHTS -Egidijus Kavaliauskas wins the European welterweight title with a controversial decision over champion Samuel Molina -Erislandy Alvarez, Lazaro Alvarez and Moussa Gholam score wins in Cuba -Olympian Ben Whittaker scores spectacular first round win over Benjamin Gavazi, Cameron Vuong and Gavin Gwynne fight to a draw and Francesco Hennessey wins the vacant WBC International title -Jeamie Tshikeva outpoints Frazer Clartke to win the vacant British heavyweight title -Muhammad Yaqubov and Cristian Cruz draw, Adelaida Ruiz outscores Alexas Kubicki for the vacant WBC super flyweight title and Justin Pauldo and Eric Bafdillo score wins - Richard Malajika come off the floor to outpoint Vince Paras in an IBO super flyweight title defence - Muhammad Waseem survives three knockdown to outpoint Kongfah CP and retains WBO Gold title MAJOR SHOWS: NOVEMBER 29 DERBY, ENGLAND: HEAVY: JEAMIE TSHIKEVA (9-2) W PTS 12 FRAZER CLARKE (9-2-1). WELTER: JOEL KODUA (10-0) W PTS 10 BOBBY DALTON (11-1). BANTAM: FRANCESCA HENNESSEY (7-0) W PTS 10 FABIANA BYTYQI (22-3-2).CRUISER: JACK MASSEY (23-3) W TKO 4 IVAN GARCIA (10-5-1). Tshikeva vs. Clarke TSHIKEVA (TKV) upsets the odds and wins the vacant British title as he beats CLARKE on a split decision. Clarke, the bigger and heavier man, made a good start. He was the better technician and he landed well with short punches over the first two rounds. It was a close-quarters fight with both making constant use of uppercuts inside. Tshikeva began to get into the fight from the third scoring with some hard left hooks but his mouthguard was dislodged and he was docked a point for low punches. Both were guilty of too much holding as they tried to work inside. Tshikeva shook Clarke with a right in the fourth and landed a strong uppercut but Clarke banged back with an uppercut as he finished the round strongly. It was a similar story in the fifth as they both had success with uppercuts. Neithjer had a very sound defence so it was turning into a trial of strength with neither looking to give an inch. Tshikeva looked to have taken the sixth again with uppercuts and left hooks. He was also using his jab more and getting on the front foot. Tshikeva connected with uppercuts and left hooks at the start of the seventh but Clarke replied in kind in a close eighth and they both dug in body punches with Tshikeva warned for going low again. Both fighters had slowed in the ninth round and looked arm weary. Clarke tried to box more and had some success but Tshikeva landed a crunching left hook to make it a close round. A Clarke jab knocked out Tshikeva’s mouthguard in the tenth but again Tshikeva’s left hook was getting through. The eleventh was a near disaster for Clarke. Suddenly he fell apart. Tshikeva connected with a left hook and a totally exhausted Clarke seemed out on his feet. He was stumbling and holding and not punching back and the referee would have been justified in stopping the fight. Somehow Clarke made it to the bell but only just. His corner came close to pulling Clarke out of the fight but Clarke dredged up some energy and fought hard to the last bell. Scores 115-113 and 115-112 to Tshikeva and 115-112 to Clarke. Tshikeva had lost on a sixth round stoppage against David Adeleye in April so was a big outsider. He is British of Congolese parentage and made a name for himself as a successful amateur wrestler before turning to boxing. Olympic bronze medallist Clarke had been stopped in one round by Fabio Wardley in British title fight in October last year and at the very least needs a long rest after this gruelling fight. Kodua vs. Dalton KODUA outpoints champion DALTON to win the English title. Dalton was forcing the action from the first piling forward throwing plenty of punches. Kodua withstood the pressure and scored with well place counters. Dalton kept coming with Kodua getting through with shots to head and body and starting a swelling around Dalton’s right eye.. In the fifth an uppercut shook Dalton badly and opened a gash under his right eye. Dalton survived an examination by the doctor at the start of the seventh but was also bleeding from the nose. He continued to try to take the fight to Kodua but was walking onto hard counters worsening his facial damage. Kodua was landing savage punches and he fought off a big effort from Dalton in the ninth and won on scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 97-94. Kodua showed good defensive skills and effective offence. Dalton was making the first defence of the title and will come again. Hennessey vs. Bytyqi HENNESSEY, 21, impresses in winning a wide unanimous decision over more experienced BYTYQI. Hennessey outboxed the Czech with slick movement and accurate countering. Bytyqi applied plenty of pressure hoping that Hennessey, going ten rounds for the first time, might fade but Hennessy stayed strong all the way and won on scores of 100-90 on all three cards. Hennessey wins the vacant WBC International title. Her second title in only her seventh fight. Bytyqi, the former WBC Atom title holder, was 20-0-2 but is 2-3 in her last 5 Massey vs. Garcia MASSEY recovers from a count in the first to halt GARCIA in the fourth. A shot from the Argentinian sent Massey tumbling into the ropes in the first and the referee applied a count. Massey began to land heavily in the second and third with Garcia willing to stand and trade. A counter left hook in the fourth floored Garcia heavily and although he beat the count he was in no condition to continue. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: BEN WHITTAKER (10-0-1) W TKO 1 BENJAMIN GAVAZI (19-2). SUPER LIGHT: CAMERON VUONG (9-0-1) DREW 10 GAVIN GWYNNE (18-4-1). MIDDLE: TOM COWLING (15-1) W PTS 10 AARON BOWEN 7-0). SUPER FEATHER: IBRAHEEM SULAIMAAN (10-0) W TKO 6 NICO OGBEIDE (6-2-1). LIGHT: ZELFA BARRETT (34-3) W PTS 8 LIAM DILLON (15-5-1). 
Whittaker vs. Gavazi WHITTAKER demolishers a ridiculously overmatched GAVAZI in the first. Whittaker was quickly piercing Gavazi’s defence with jabs. Gavazi tried some jabs but came up short. Whittaker circled Gavazi probing with his jab then cut loose marching forward connecting with a serries of left hooks and rights to the head that sent Gavazi down. He was up quickly and tried to take the fight to Whittaker but a brutal left hook/right to the head combination shook him badly and the same combination sent him down flat on his back and the referee immediately stopped the fight. Whittaker makes it seven wins by KO/TKO and lifts the vacant WBC Silver title. A spectacular finish but Whittaker is wasting his time fighting no-hopers such as Gavazi. Eleven of Gavazi’s opponents had negative records and the rest were not much better. gwynne.fn.450w.jpg"> Vuong vs. Gwynne VUONG and GWYNNE fight to a majority draw. The last time these two met Vuong won a close unanimous decision. This one was even closer. The tactics very much followed the pattern of the first fight with Vuong boxing cleverly and Gwynne marching forward firing punches. Vuong boxed skilfully on the back foot in the early rounds and moved in front. Gywnne gradually began to get inside and was banging away with left hooks to the body slowing Vuong. Gywnne outworked Vuong over the seventh and eighth to close the points gap. Vuong rallied and matched Gywnne in the ninth before just doing enough to edge a close tenth. Scores 95-95 twice and 97-93 for Vuong. Both thought they had done enough to win and the fight was so close that indeed either fighter could have walked away with the decision 
Cowling vs. Bowen COWLING springs a mild upset as he recovers from a knockdown to take a split decision over unbeaten BOWEN. Cowling overcame height and reach edges and a fifth round knockdown to decision Bowen and win the vacant BBB of C Midlands title. Scores 95-94 twice for Cowling and 96-93 for Bowen. Sulaimaan vs. Ogbeide SULAIMAAN stops OGBEIDE in the sixth in a fight for the vacant BBB of C Midlands Area title. Sulaimaan was too quick and too slick for Ogbeide and the constant movement from Sulaimaan had Ogbeide waiting too long to let his hands go. Sulaimaan picked up the pace in each round and hurt Ogbeide with a body punch in the fourth and ended it in the sixth. He dropped Ogbeide and although Ogbeide made it to his feet he was pinned against the ropes and Sulaimaan fired a burst of punches until the referee stopped the fight. Fifth win by KO/TKO for the talented English champion. Ogbeide outclassed Barrett vs. Dillon BARRETT outpoints DILLAN who makes Barrett work hard for his win.Classy boxing from Barrett as he continually circled the aggressive Dillan spearing him with jabs and firing quick rights. Dillan keeps pressing but Barrett got into his stride over the middle rounds landing some hurtful body shots. Dillan had some success when he could catch up with Barrett and steal a round but Barrett was never really troubled as he boxed his way to victory. The referee scored it 78-74. Barrett lost to Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov for the vacant IBF super feather title in 2022 and was outpointed by James Dickens in February this year. He has moved up to lightweight with three wins. Three losses in a row for former British and Commonwealth champion Dillan. FRESNO, CA, USA: SUPER FEATHER: MUHAMMAD YAQUBOV (23-1-1) DREW 10 CRISTIAN CRUZ (24-7-2). LIGHT: JUSTIN PAULDO (20-2,1ND) W RTD 7 NIKE THERAN (20-2). LIGHT: ERIK BADILLO (19-0) W PTS 10 ELWIN SOTO( 21-4-1). SUPER FLY: ADELAIDA RUIZ (18-1-1) W PTS 10 ALEXAS KUBICKI (13-3). SUPER LIGHT CARLOS BALDERAS (17-2) W PTS 10 RICARDO QUIROZ (13-7). LIGHT: CHARLIE SHEEHY (12-0) W KO 6 D’ANGELO KEYES (18-7). Yaqubov vs. Cruz YAQUBOV and CRUZ fight to a disappointing draw. This was an all-southpaw match and neither looked comfortable fighting another left-hander. There were few highlights with very little in the way of extended trading and neither fighter really imposed himself on the fight .The pace was fast and both showed plenty of speed and skill and a draw was about right. Scores 97-93 Cruz, 96-94 Yaqubov and 95-95. Yaqubov retains the WBC USA title. The Tajik boxer was beaten on points by O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC Silver title in 2022 but five wins including victories over Pablo Vicente and William Foster have seen him climb to No 4 with the WBC but this result will not help his campaign for a title fight. Cruz lost to Romain Villa for the WBC Silver title last year but had registered two wins this year. 
Pauldo vs. Theran PAULDO is shaken in the second but then takes over and beats THERAN on a seventh round retirement. Both were trying to establish their jab in the first with Pauldo quicker and switching well from head to body. Late in the in the second a left hook from Theran almost unhinged Pauldo’s legs and Theran jumped on him firing punches. Pauldo held and dodged and made it to the bell. Pauldo had recovered and they both had some success in a close third. Pauldo’s hand speed and accuracy put him in control in the fourth and fifth as he easily pierced Theran’s guard with jabs and dug in left hooks to the body. In the sixth all of the pressure was coming from Pauldo as he came forward behind his jabs firing combinations to head and body. Theran faded out of the fight and in the seventh he soaked up plenty of punishment getting a few seconds break as the action stopped after a low punch from Pauldo. As the round drew to a close it was all Pauldo as he walked Theran around the ring landing hooks and uppercuts with Theran just trying to survive and Theran did not come out for the eighth. Pauldo had knocked out former IBF super featherweight champion Shavkatdzhon Raskhimov in February and is No 11 with the WBC.Colombian Theranlost a close decision against Michael Magnesi in Italy in 2023 and had scored two low level wins since then. Badillo vs. Soto Southpaw BADILLO scores a wide unanimous decision over fellow-Mexican SOTO. Badillo was sharper in the first but Soto banged back to score with some heavy rights to the head over the second and third to take a slight lead. That was as good as it got for Soto as Badillo upped his output and whacked Soto with a series of savage punches in the fourth and fifth. Soto had a better sixth but that was followed by another big seventh round for Badillo as he pounded Soto with punches. Badillo also outscored Soto in the eighth and rocked him with a right in the ninth. Soto needed a knockout but it was Badillo who came close to ending it early as he exploded with a barrage that had Soto reeling and Soto only just survived. Badillo won on scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92. With 19 wins Badillo is making good progress. Former WBO light flyweight champion Soto lost his title to Jonathan Gonzalez in 2021 and dropped a close decision (1 point on each card) against Hekkie Budler in 2022. Ruiz vs. Kubicki RUIZ wins the vacant WBC title as she floors and outpoints Canadian KUBICKI in a war. This one was hard fought. Ruiz’s experience and prodigious output won the fight for her. She continually pumped out bunches of straight shots from both hands with Kubicki willing to stand and trade with her. A series of head punches sent Kubicki down in the fifth but she got straight back up and went back to war. Scores 97-92 twice and 99-90. Ruiz had lost a split verdict against Ginny Fuchs in August last year for the interim version of the title. Kubick was coming off a seventh round stoppage defeat against Gabriela Fundora in September Balderas vs. Quiroz BALDERAS wins a split decision in an entertaining scrap between too well-matched fighters as he outpoints QUIROZ. Balderas had to overcome the height and reach edges enjoyed by Quiroz but was able to get inside and work to the body. The fight was stopped in the fourth to give Quiroz some recovery time after a low left hook. Balderas was constantly coming fortward and finding gaps for his jab and hooks inside and had better defensive skills. The fight was close until Balderas clinched the decision as Quiroz tired late allowing Balderas to put together some sharp combinations. Scores 97-93 twice for Balderas and 96-94 for Quiroz. Balderas, an Olympian in 2016, has failed to impress in the paid ranks. Fifth defeat on the bounce for Quiroz. Sheehy vs. Keyes Californian prospect SHEEHY gets his seventh inside the distance victory as he stops KEYS in the sixth round. Sheehy’s longer reach and fast hands allowed him to control the fight from the first. Keyes kept trying to come forward behind his own jab but was under more and more pressure as the fight progressed. A right to the head saw Keyes drop to one knee in the sixth and although he got up when Sheehy drove him to the ropes unleashed a burst od punches Keyes went down again and the fight was stopped. Seventh inside the distance finish for former top amateur Sheehy. Keyes falls to 1-5 in his last 6 bouts. LAHORE, PAKISTAN: BANTAM: MUHAMMAD WASEEM (14-2) W PTS 12 KONGFAH CP (50-8-2). WELTER: MOHAMED MIMOUNE (25-7) W PTS 12 TARIK ZAINA (17-3-1). FEATHER: EDUARDO BAEZ (25-7-2) W PTS 10. ALEX DILMAGHANI (21-4-1). MIDDLE: JIMMY KILRAIN (30-3) W KO 4 CHAIWAT MUEANPHONG(13-9-1). SUPER WELTER: JESUS SARACHO (16-2-2) W PTS 10 PETER DOBSON (16-3). Waseem vs. Kongfah WASEEM wins a unanimous decision over KONGFAH (Jakrawut Majungoen) in defence of his WBO Gold title. The visiting Thai came close to finishing this in the first. He twice dropped Waseem with left hooks. The first flooring was not heavy but the second was perfectly delivered and had plenty of power behind it. To his credit Waseem recovered and swept the next three rounds with some classy box/fighting. Another shock came in the fifth when as Waseem was unloading on Kongfah he was nailed by a counter left hook that sent him down. From there Waseem controlled the fight . He was finding gaps with his jabs and stepping inside to land hooks and uppercuts from both hands and was a good winner despite the 10-7 and 10-8 rounds. Scores 114-111 twice and 115-110. Waseem has lost to Moruti Mthalane and Sunny Edwards in IBF title fights. Now he needs to be more active as this is only his sixth fight in six years. At one time Kongfah was 41-1-1 but has never fought for a world title. Mimouna vs. Zaina French veteran MIMOUNE won a closed unanimous decision over Moroccan-born Britisher Zaina to lift the vacant WBO Gold title on scores of 115-113 twice and 116-112. Southpaws Mimoune, 38, is a former IBO champion and has also held the welterweight title. Zaina has done a lot of his fighting in Mexico and will benefit from the experience of going twelve rounds with such a seasoned campaigner. Baez vs. Dilmaghani A disappointment for DILMAGHANI as he drops a split decision to Mexican BAEZ . Scores 97-93 and 96-94 to Baez and 96-94 to Dilmaghani. Baez was halted in six rounds by Emanuel Navarrete in a challenge for the WBO featherweight title in 2022. This win makes him 4-4 in his last 8 fights. Southpaw Dilmaghani was 18-1-1 before losing to Samir Ziani for the European belt in 2020 and has had periods of inactivity so is now 3-2 in five fights spread over 5 years. Kelly vs. Mueanphong England’s KELLY wins the vacant National Boxing Association and WBA Asia South titles with a kayo of Thai MUEANPHONG. Kelly lost to Liam Smith in a challenge for the WBO super welter title back in 2015. He then won seven in a row before losing to Dennis Hogan and Jaime Munguia. He was inactive in 2024 and has now scored two low level wins this year in Pakistan. Mueanphong, 39, suffers his fifth defeat by KO/TKO. Saracho vs. Dobson Mexican southpaws SARACHO outscores New York’s DOBSON. Scores 96-94 twice and 97-93. Dobson lost on points to Conor Benn in 2024. NOVEMBER 28 KAUNAS, LITHUANIA: WELTER: EGIDIJUS KAVALIAUSKAS (25-3-1) W PTS 12 SAMUEL MOLINA (32-4-1). 
KAVALIAUSKAS wins the European title with a very controversial decision over defending champion MOLINA. In the early rounds the much quicker Molina was stabbing jabs through the guard of the oncoming Kavaliauskas. He was constantly moving changing angles and darting in quickly and scoring. Kavaliauskas was cut over his right eye in a clash of heads in the fourth but began to close Molina down over the middle rounds. He was constantly marching forward and his single hard rights were more eye catching than the flashy work from Molina. There was a break in the action at the start of the seventh. The canvas had proved so slippy that a team came in with towels trying to solve the problem and that became a regular feature. Kavaliauskas was also cut outside his left eye but he kept putting Molin a under pressure and Molina’s punches lacked the power to keep Kavaliauskas out. Molina came on strong over the closing rounds. Kavaliauskas was bleeding heavily and Molina was taking control coming forward more throwing more punches and using his superior speed to get past the guard of Kavaliauskas. The local fighter was now also cut on the bridge of his nose and bleeding from the nose. Molina clearly outscored Kavaliauskas in the last and looked to have done enough to win. Scores 115-113 twice for Kavaliauskas and 115-114 for Molina. Kavaliauskas lost on a ninth round stoppage against Terence Crawford in a challenge for the WBO welter title in 2019. He lost to Vergil Ortiz and was inactive in 2024 before losing to Souleymane Cissokho in May. He badly needed this win and will be looking to rebuild on it. Molina was distraught and felt he had been robbed. He certainly looked to have done enough to win and will be hoping for a return. WHITBY, CANADA: MIDDLE: BRANDON COOK (27-3) W RTD 4 MARCOS CORNEJO (19-10). WELTER: CODY KELLY (8-10-3) W PTS 10 KYLE McLAUGHLIN (6-12). Cook vs. Cornejo COOK signs off in style as he beats Argentinian CORNEJO and retires. Now 39, Cook has been a main stay of boxing Ontario and had one of his best nights when stopping Canadian rival Steven Butler in seven rounds. He landed a title shot but lost on a fourth round stoppage against Jaime Munmgui for the WBO super welter title in 2018. Fourth inside the distance loss for Cornejo. Kelly vs. McLaughlin Retains the Canadian title with repeat win over MCLAUGHLIN. No scores available. Kelly had scored a tight unanimous verdict over McLaughlin in April for the vacant title. CHELYABINSK, RUSSIA: CRUISER: TIMUR BIBILOV (10-0) W PTS 10 SERVER EMURLAEV (25-6). SUPER LIGHT: IDRIS ADALAEV (11-1) W PTS 8 PAULUS AMAVILA (11-5-2). WELTER: ASDADCKHUJA MUYDINKHUJAEV (1-0) W TKO 2 AIDOS TASTAYEV (8-8). LIGHT HEAVY: JAVOKHIR UMMATALIEV (1-0) W PTS 6 RAHIM ALIYEV (3-1). Bibilov vs. Emurlaev BIBILOV, 20 and 6’3” takes his wins into double figures as he takes a unanimous decision over 40-year-old Uzbek EMURLAEV. No scores available. Emurlaev is 1-4 in his last 5 fights. Adalaev v s. Amavila Kazakh-born Russian ADALAEV, the WBA Asian champion outpoints Namibian AMAVILA. Again no scores available but a unanimous decision. Just 1 win in his last 6 fights for Amavila. Muydinkhujaev vs. Tastayuev Uzbekistan has been in dominating form in the amateurs and is starting to invade the professional ranks. Southpaw MUYDINKHUJAEV halted Kazak TASTAYEV early in the second round. Muydinkhujaev won gold at the Paris Olympics and this year won gold in the inaugural World Boxing Championships tournament in Liverpool in September. World Boxing is the body now recognised by the International Olympic Committee as representing amateur boxing. Ummataliev vs. Aliyev Uzbek UMMATALIEV , 20, also won gold in Liverpool and he started his profession career with a points victory over unbeaten Azeri ALIYEV. Again a unanimous decision but no scores available. MADRID, SPAIN: LIGHT HEAVY: BOHDAN SOBOL (19-1-1) W TKO 2 OSCAR AHLIN (27-3). LIGHT FLY: TATANIA PEREZ (6-07-1) W PTS 10 AMY NAERT (12-6). Sobol vs. Ahlin Latvian-based Ukrainian SOBOL stops AHLIN in two rounds and wins the vacant WBC Baltic title. Sobol scored a knockdown in the second and Ahlin was cut and was unable to continue . Some confusion as it was said the cut was caused by a clash of heads but if that was the case it would be a No Decision. Sobol had been 18-0 but had lost on a kayo and boxed a draw in his last two fights. After disappointing losses against Bernard Donfack and Patrick Mendy Ahlin had rebuilt with 14 wins. Perez vs. Naert Spaniard PEREZ wins the vacant European title as she outboxes Belgian NAERT. The visitor was looking to box her way to victory by fighting on the back foot and countering. After the first round Perez adjusted her usual style and took the fight to Naert and proved too strong with all three judges turning in 99-91 cards. First ten round fight for Perez. Naert is a former undefeated Belgian flyweight champion. BANGKOK, THAILAND: FLY: THANANCHAI CHARUNPHAK (29-2) W PTS 10 ALEC DEL RIO (8-3-2). THANANCHAI gets a controversial unanimous verdict over Filipino DEL RIO. In a disappointing fight with few highlights Thananchai seemed to have problems in dealing with Del Rio’s southpaw stance and the visitor boxed his way into the lead over the first five rounds. Thananchai had a better sixth and looked about to take over but Del Rio rallied and in the end Thananchai needed a strong last round to make it close but Del Rio was unlucky not to get at least a draw. Thananchai won on scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 with the 96-94 a fairer reflection of the fight. Thananchai, 25, the WBA 6 and WBC 7 at flyweight, was defending the WBC Asian title. He lost a split decision against Seigo Yuri Akui for the WBA title in October last year. Third defeat in a row for Del Rio. NOVEMBER 29 KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA, SUPER FLY: RICHARD MALAJIKA (17-2) W PTS 12 VINCE PARAS (24-4-1). MIDDLE: PHIKELANI KHUMALO (9-2) W KO 1 DONJUAN van HEERDEN (10-4). SUPER WELTER: BRANDON THYSSE (19-4-1) W PTS 10 SHERVANTAIGH KOOPMAN (15-2). SUPER WELTER: ROARKE KNAPP (19-3-1,1ND) W TKO 6 KAGISO BAGWASI (7-1). 
Malajika vs. Paras MALAJIKA retains the IBO title with a unanimous decision over Filipino PARAS. The fight started badly for Malajika as Paras came out firing punches and dropped the champion in the first. Malajika got up and got into the fight in the second. Paras aggression kept it close for the first six rounds but the 5’7” Malajika made excellent use of the physical edges he had over the 5’2 ½” Paras and boxed his way to a clear victory on scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112. Malajika has won his last 9 fights and has a good claim for a shot at the IBF title. The No 1 and 2 positions in the IBF ratings are vacant. Paras was No 4 and Malajika No 7 and by beating another rated fighter Malajika should go to I or 2 and if he gets the shot has a good chance of beating champion Willibaldo Garcia. Paras had lost only one of his last thirteen fights and he showed he was a real dangerman but Malajika had the skills to beat him. Khumalo vs. van Heerden KHUMALO retains the South African title and wins the vacant ABU title as he stops van HEERDEN in 80 seconds. A body punch had van Heerden hurt and going down in pain. He did get up but the night was stopped seconds later. van Heerden failed to make the weight and was ill from a stomach virus but choose to go ahead with the fight. Thysse vs. Koopman In a typically gutsy performance THYSSE comes off the floor twice to outpoint previous conqueror KOOPMAN. Thysse was down in the second and the fifth but eventually clawed back the lead those two 10-8 rounds cost him and was helped when an under pressure Koopman lost a point in the ninth for holding. Thysse won on scores of 95-92, 95-93 and 94-93. This was the semi-final of a tournament arranged by promoter Rodney Berman. Knapp vs. Bagwasi In the second semi-final KNAPP halted Botswana’s previously unbeaten BAGWASI in the sixth round and will go on to face Thysse in the final. Former IBO title challenger Knapp has lost inside the distance and won a split decision in fights with Thysse so an interesting pairing for the final. VARADERO, CUBA: ERISLANDY ALVAREZ (6-0) W PTS 10 ROGELIO JIMENEZ (14-3-1). LIGHT: LAZARO ALVAREZ ( 10-0) W PTS 10 RAUL GALAVIZ( 15-4-2). SUPER FEATHER: MOUSSA GHOLAM (25-1) W KO 2 NICOLAS BOTELLI (20-10). Alvarez vs. Jimenez Cuban ALVAREZ, a gold medal winner at the Paris Olympics, beat Mexican JIMENEZ. Alvarez won the unanimous decision but he had to fight harder than expected for his win and had to survive a ninth round knockdown. Scores 98-91, 96-93* and 95-94 (one report had it as 95-94 twice). Alvarez, 25, has great potential if he gets serious about his time as a professional. Jimenez is a better fighter than his record shows and has met some good level opponents in recent action. Alvarez vs. Galaviz Multi-titled Cuban amateur ALVAREZ makes a successful third defence of the WBA Continental American title with a decision over GALAVIZ. Alvarez dominated the fight with his superior skills and won on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Gholam vs. Botelli GHOLAM wipes out Botelli in two rounds. Botelli came in as a late substitute and was no test for the hard-punching Moroccan. A series of hooks and uppercuts sent Botelli down and he was counted out. Gholam has 16 wins inside the distance. He lost a split decision to Russian Elnur Samedov but has scored six victories since then. Argentinian and South American champion Botelli was a late substitute. TEMECULA, CA, USA: MIDDLE: LAZARO LORENZANA (19-0) W PTS 10 LUIS ARIAS (22-6-1). LIGHT FLY: TERRY WASHINGTON (6-0) W PTS 10 RICARDO ASTUVILCA (23-5). FLY: JOSE LUIS RUSSELL (17-1) W RTD 6 SALETO HENDERSON (10-3). LIGHT: EMMANUEL PAQUIAO (0-0-1) DREW 4 BRENDAN LALLY (0-0-1) 
Lorenzana vs. Arias Californian LORENZANA moves to 19-0 with a unanimous decision over experienced ARIAS. Lorenzana was just too quick for Arias boxing well both on offence and defence but Arias also had his moments. Neither fighter was ever hurt but Lorenzana, 26, set a fast pace that Arias, 35, could not match and won on scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Arias had only one fight in each of years 2022, 2023 and 2024 but this is his third fight this year. Washington vs. Astuvilca Prospect WASHINGTON goes the distance for the first time and in his first fight scheduled for ten rounds as he outpoints Peruvian ASTUVILCA to win the WBC US title. The Peruvian adopted negative tactics from the start not willing to trade with puncher Washington who showed some excellent skills as well as power and won every round. All three judges had it 100-90 for the 21-year-old southpaw. Fourth loss in a row for Astuvilca. Russell v s. Henderson Mexican southpaw hope RUSSELL gets back in the winning column as he beats HENDERSON. Russell looked on his way to an early night as he floored Henderson twice in the first round. Henderson survived but then soaked up lots of punishment being floored again in the fourth and retired at the end of the sixth. Russell had lost his unbeaten tag in June defeated by Joaquin Cruz. This win looks more impressive on the basis that Henderson had gone ten rounds with Ricardo Sandoval in February. 
Pacquiao vs. Lally In his first professional fight Manny’s eldest son Emmanuel PAQUIAO fights a draw with fellow-debutant LALLY in a lightweight match featuring two fighters making their pro debuts. Lally was looking to overwhelm Pacquiao by some fierce attacks. Pacquiao stayed cool and boxed but Lally looked to have done enough to win but it was scored ba majority draw at 38-38 twice with one judge seeing Lally the winner by 39-37. Lots of pressure on Pacquiao who had been a useful amateur BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: SUPER BANTAM: RODRIGO RUIZ (23-1) W TKO 6 ISAAC ARIAS (18-3). SUPER FEATHER: AYRTON GIMENEZ (23-2) W PTS 10 MAICOL RINCON (12-3-1). MINIMUM: MARTIA SOL BAUMSTARH (14-7-1) W PTS 10 JAZMIN VILLARINO (7-4-2,. Ruiz vs. Arias RUIZ wins the vacant IBF Latino title as he rebounds from his first professional defeat with a sixth round stoppage of Venezuelan ARIAS. Ruiz dominated the fight and a left hook to the head stunned Arias and sent him stumbling into the ropes which prevented him from going down. The referee did not apply a count but as Ruiz again drove Arias into the ropes the referee stopped the fight. Ruiz gets win No 17 by KO/TKO. He was outpointed by unbeaten Russian Mukhammad Shekhov in July. Arias had won his last six fights. Gimenez vs. Rincon GIMENEZ climbs off the canvas to outpoint Colombian RINCON. Gimenez was comfortable boxing on the back foot and controlling the fight. A momentary of danger saw Gimenedrz floored by two rights in the third but Gimenez beat the count and took control again and won the unanimous decision scores of 96-93 twice and 97-92. Gimenez lifts the vacant WBO Latino title. His two losses have come against Michael Magnesi and Liam Wilson. Rincon had won his last 4 fights. Baumstarh vs. Villarino BAUMSTARH floors VILLARINO in the first but then has to work hard to get the unanimous decision. Baumstarh forced the action but Villarino boxed well on the back foot and made the rounds close. Scores 97-92 twice and 98-91. Baumstarh retains the WBO Latino belt. Baumstarh lost a split decision to Sol Cudos for the vacant IBF title in April. Villarino is a former WBA Gold title holder. LIEGE, BELGIUM: SUPER LIGHT: JESSY PETIT- JEAN (20-0) W TKO 4 FLECHER SILVA (19-6). Local fighter PETIT-JEAN returns after over two years away with a fourth round stoppage of Venezuelan SILVA. Eleventh inside the distance victory for Petit-Jean. At 36 time is running out for him and he needs to face better opposition before his career draws to a close. Six losses by KO/TKO for Silva. MONTREAL, CANADA: SUPER WELTER: STEVE ROLLS (23-4) W PTS 10 JEAN MICHAEL POULIN (10-3-3). LIGHT HEAVY: FRANCIS LAFRENIERE (21-7-2) W PTS 10 FRANCY NTETU (19-7). Rolls vbs. Poulin Veteran ROLLS win the vacant Canadian title with a split decision over POULIN. Scores 98-92 and 97-93 for Rolls and 96-94. Now 41 Rolls was having his first fight since being knocked out in 65 seconds by Steven Butler in March last year. Southpaw Pulin, 42, had won the title in March 2024 but was stripped of the title for inactivity. Lafreniere vs. Ntetu LAFRENIERE climbs off the canvas gets a unanimous verdict over NTETU to win the clash of experienced fighters who have both seen better days. Lafreniere used relentless pressure to shut down Ntetu but was dropped a left hook in the fifth. He recovered well and finished strongly to be a good winner. Scores 97-92 twice and 96-93. First fight for six years for former Canadian champion Lafreniere. Ntetu, 43, has been more active but is 2-6 in his last 8 fights. CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO: FLY: DIANA FERNANDEZ (36-4-1) W PTS 10 NAYELI RODRIGUEZ (6-1-1).SUPER FEATHER: MIGUEL ESPARZA (21-0) W PTS 8 DIEGO ANDRADE (16-20-3). Fernandez vs. Rodriguez FERNANDEZ wins the vacant WBC Silver title with a unanimous decision over RODRIGUEZ. This was a fast-paced contests with Fernandez just having the edge in some frantic trading. A clash of heads in the seventh opened a gash over Rodriguez’s left eye which bled heavily and Fernandez was able to stage a strong finish to be a good winner. No scores available. Fernandez has come up short in three shots at a world title but she will hoping this can lead to a fourth. El Paso’s Rodriguez will come again with more experience. Esparza vs. Andrade ESPARZA looks fortunate to get the decision over seasoned opponent ANDRADE. No scores available but a disappointing performance by the 25-year-old local who had knocked out Tshifhiwa Munyai in two rounds in July. Fifth consecutive defeat for Andrade ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND: LIGHT HEAVY: GRADUS KRAUSE (9-0) W KO 2 ROSTAM IBRAHIM (13-2-2). HEAVY: HUGHIE FURY (31-3) W RTD 1 MICHAEL WEBSTER 10-4). Krause vs. Ibrahim KRAUSE wins the vacant IBF European title with a second round win over IBRAHIM. In the first a confident Krause was walking forward behind a strong jab and Ibrahim was being forced to hold to get some respite. Krause was switching guards but was caught by a couple of rights. Krause’s jabs had Ibrahim on the back foot in the second. A coupe of rights had Ibrahim stumbling. He landed a right only for Krause to connect with an even harder one that put Ibrahim down on his hands and knees. He was up early and Krause went wild trying to finish it leaving himself open to counters. He shook them off then landed three left hooks that dropped Ibrahim on his back with the referee immediately stopping the fight. The 24-year-old Dutch fighter has won all of his fights inside the distance including four in England. He is strong and can punch but will need to tighten his defence against better opposition. Ibrahim lacked the power to compete. Fury vs. Webster FURY disposes of an overmatched WEBSTER. Fury landed some big rights in the first and Webster did not come out for the second claiming a back injury. Former WBO title challenger Fury was inactive in 2022 and 2023 and since returning has now won five fights against very modest opposition. Third defeat in a row for Webster. MANAGUA, NICARAGUA: SUPER FEATHER: BRYAN JIMENEZ (18-2) W PTS 10 ISRAEL LOPEZ (11-8-1). JIMENEZ outpoints LOPEZ in an all Nicaraguan fight. Jimenez boxed on the retreat as Lopez continually threw himself forward firing punches. Jimenez easily found gaps for counters and had no trouble blocking or dodging Lopez’s flailing arms. Easy night for Jimenez as reflected in the 100-90 cards from the judges. Jimenez had won 8 in a row before losing a close point verdict against unbeaten Shamar Canal in July. Southpaw Lopez now with five losses in his last six fights. WROCLAW, POLAND: MIDDLE: KAROL WELTER (20-1) W TKO 4 MISTO ABDULAEV (11-2). WELTER scores his twelfth win in a row as he stops ABDULAEV in the fourth. From the start Welter stormed forward putting Germany’s Abdulaev under pressure and he ended it in the fourth with a left hook to the body. Welter wins the vacant Polish International title. After 11 wins it is now 2 inside the distance losses for Abdulaev. ZARAGOZA, SPAIN: MINIMUM: VITTORIA BINI (7-1-1) W PTS 10 CRISTINA NAVARRO (7-4). MIDDLE: EZEQUIEL GURRIA (21-4) W PTS 10 ALCORAC CABALLERO (8-2). Bibi vs. Navarro A disappointment for the locals as Italy’s BINI wins the vacant EBU title with a split decision over NAVARRO. Bini boxed well to offset the aggression of Navarro. There was never much between them but the better boxing and greater accuracy of Bini justly saw he lift the title. Scores 97-93 and 95-96 for Bini and 97-93 for Navarro. Bibi had drawn in a previous attempt to win this title., Navarro had won over six rounds against Bini in 2023. Gurria vs. Caballero Zaragoza’s GURRIA took a wide unanimous decision over inexperienced CABALLERO to win the national title. The better skills and experience made it a relatively easy night for Gurria. Caballero tried to put Gurria under pressure but Gurria was never troubled and with only two inside the distance wins Caballero lacked the power to compete effectively. Scores 98-92 twice and 99-91. Gurria was beaten in two rounds by Hamza Shreertaz in 2021. BANGKOK, THAILAND: SUPER MIDDLE: ELLIOTT MATTHEWS (26-0-1) W PTS 8 AHMAD SAMIR DAWRANI (12-6-1,1ND). LIGHT HEAVY: JACK SCOTT (20-3, 1ND) W PTS 10 HARALD PFINGSTL (18-1). WELTER: REYMART SOLEDAD (8-0,1 ND) W KO 5 APINUN KHONGSONG (25-5). Matthews vs. Dawrani Watford southpaw MATTHEWS continues unbeaten as he takes a unanimous decision over Afghan DAWRANI. Scores 80-72 twice and 79-73 for Matthews. In his four previous fights Matthews has fought in Ghana, Thailand, Colombia and Tanzania. His last fight in England was in 2018 and he was then out for over five years. Dawrani is based in Thailand. Scott vs. Pfingstl England’s SCOTT wins the WBC Asian title as he outpoints Austrian PFINGSTL in a slow, one-paced fight. Scott mainly boxed southpaw but was changing guards occasionally and always coming forward. Pfingstl was on the retreat in every round and showed very little fire and neither fighter really impressed. Scores 98-92 twice and 100-90. Eighteenth win in a row for Scott who has previously won the WBO European, WBC CISBB and GBU belts. Pfingstl, 42, showed nothing. Soledad vs. Khongsong Filipinjo SOLEDAD knocks out KHONGSONG in the fifth. Both were firing bombs from the start. In the fourth a punch from Soledad went low and the referee gave Khongsong some recovery time. It only delayed the end as in the fifth a body punch from Soledad sent Khongsong back and down in some pain and he was counted out. Soledad has good power and has won six of his fights inside the distance. He wins the WBC Asan Continental title. Fifth loss by KO/TKO for Khongsong who was knocked out in one round by Josh Taylor in a challenge for the IBF and WBA super light titles. 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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