A roundup of the past week’s notable boxing results from around the world: Saturday at Inglewood, Calif.
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai W12 Juan Francisco Estrada – Full recap Retains world junior bantamweight title Scores: 117-111, 115-113, 114-114 Records: Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1, 39 KOs); Estrada (36-3, 25 KOs)
Rafael’s remarks: Early fight of the year alert! To nobody’s surprise, Sor Rungvisai, a 31-year-old southpaw from Thailand, and former unified flyweight titlist Estrada, 27, of Mexico, put on a great fight in the “Superfly 2” main event. Sor Rungvisai, who twice defeated Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez in upsets in 2017, and mandatory challenger Estrada battled brutally hard throughout this blazing fight, but Estrada gave up too many early rounds. Sor Rungvisai, with big leads on the scorecards through the first half of the fight, had to hang on down the stretch as Estrada came storming back, setting the stage for a tremendously action-packed 12th round, a definite round of the year candidate. In the end, Sor Rungvisai eked out the deserved majority decision in a fight that probably will result in a fall rematch.
McWilliams Arroyo W10 Carlos Cuadras – Full recap Junior bantamweight Scores: 98-92, 97-93, 95-95 Records: Arroyo (17-3, 14 KOs); Cuadras (36-3-1, 27 KOs)
Rafael’s remarks: Former two-time world title challenger McWilliams Arroyo, 32, of Puerto Rico, hadn’t fought in the 22 months since then-flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez manhandled him in a near-shutout decision. But he moved up in weight to face former world titlist Cuadras, 29, of Mexico and ground out a decision in a tough, competitive fight that could open the door for yet another title opportunity. Cuadras was the busier fighter, but Arroyo probably got the nod from two judges because he was the heavier hitter. Cuadras suffered his second loss in a row, having also lost a tight decision to Juan Francisco Estrada last September in a title eliminator on the original “Superfly” card.
Donnie Nietes TKO7 Juan Carlos Reveco – Full recap Retains a flyweight title Records: Nietes (41-1-4, 23 KOs); Reveco (39-4, 19 KOs)
Rafael’s remarks: Nietes, 35, of the Philippines, has for years been one of boxing’s best-kept secrets outside of his country. But he’s the real deal, having won world titles in three weight classes and beaten several quality opponents. He did it again, dominating his first defense against Reveco, 34, of Argentina, a former junior flyweight and flyweight titlist. Unbeaten since 2004, Nietes took it to the lethargic Reveco from the outset, punishing him with stiff jabs, badly hurting him with a right hand in the sixth round and then dropping him with an onslaught of shots early in the seventh. Although he beat the count, Reveco was finished and his corner threw in the towel, causing referee Eddie Hernandez Sr. to end the fight at 53 seconds.
Artem Dalakian W12 Brian Viloria – Full recap Wins a vacant flyweight title Scores: 118-110 (three times) Records: Dalakian (16-0, 11 KOs); Viloria (38-6, 23 KOs)
Rafael’s remarks: Viloria, 37, of Los Angeles, has had a fine career in which he has won four world titles (junior flyweight and flyweight) and always fought his heart out, but this performance showed that his time has past. On the flip side, it was a coming-out party for Dalakian, 30, of Ukraine, who fought outside of his country for the first time and turned in a superb all-around performance with good offense, defense and boxing skills. He looks like he’d be a handful for anyone at 112 pounds, as he dominated the shorter, slower Viloria, who bled profusely in the final two rounds from a terrible cut on his forehead caused by an accidental head butt.
Artem Dalakian W12 Brian Viloria – Full recap Wins a vacant flyweight title Scores: 118-110 (three times) Records: Dalakian (16-0, 11 KOs); Viloria (38-6, 23 KOs)
Rafael’s remarks: Viloria, 37, of Los Angeles, has had a fine career in which he has won four world titles (junior flyweight and flyweight) and always fought his heart out, but this performance showed that his time has past. On the flip side, it was a coming-out party for Dalakian, 30, of Ukraine, who fought outside of his country for the first time and turned in a superb all-around performance with good offense, defense and boxing skills. He looks like he’d be a handful for anyone at 112 pounds, as he dominated the shorter, slower Viloria, who bled profusely in the final two rounds from a terrible cut on his forehead caused by an accidental head butt.
