Lots of action last night at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Philippines where Bert Batawang, Rodel Mayol and Federico Catubay all rolled on to victory.
36 year old southpaw light flyweight Batawang, 52-7 (36), enjoyed his second win in a row following a failed bid to unseat IBF Champion Ulises Solis by stopping well-traveled Thai Samransak Singmanassak, 32-19-1 (36), in the fourth.
Singmanassak had a 12 year youth advantage on his side going into the bout and was giving Batawang a good fight before walking into the perfect right hand that knocked him out at 0:37 of the fourth round. With the win, Batawang secures the vacant WBO Oriental Light Fly title.
Mandaue City resident Rodel Mayol, 24-3 (19), returned to the win column with a fifth round stoppage of another Thai fighter, Wisan Sor Suchanya, 9-7-1 (2), at light flyweight. More…
Two good cards last night with some of the country’s best in action on a busy Friday night in Ratcha Anachak Thai.
We start off in the North-East city of Buriram where WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Feather king Thong Por Chokchai, 18-5-1 (11), made the first defense of his second title reign by stopping seasoned Japanese operator Nobuhisa Doi, 21-11-6 (7), in four frames.
Southpaw Chokchai was thrown into the deep end early in his career, going 6-4-1 (3) in his first three years before reeling off a 12-1 (8) mark ever since, suffering his only loss to former WBC Super Feather titlist Sirimongkol Singwancha in May of last year.
Also on the bill was big punching former WBC super bantam title challenger Napapol Kiatisakchokchai, 45-2-1 (39), who kept busy with a ten round points win over professional debutante Ewan Borne, 0-1 (0), of Indonesia. More…
There was a good show at the Sparkassen Arena in Kiel last night with IBF Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham putting in a dramatic finish to knockout big-hearted American visitor Elvin Ayala in the twelfth and final round to retain his title for the seventh time.
Ayala showed good boxing skills in the early going but began to absorb withering fire by the middle rounds when the champion began to close distance and fine range.
Abraham landed a picture perfect right hand in the fifth to canvas the challenger but could not improve upon his work to end the bout at that time. Ayala battled back but simply didn’t have the power to keep Abraham off. More…
Popular middleweight Matthew Macklin took on the still dangerous former IBF Light Middleweight Champion Yory Boy Campas last night on a Brian Peters promotion at National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland and the 25 year old Birmingham man walked away with a well deserved unanimous decision after ten solid rounds of action.
Campas started the bout as he would finish it; surging forward. The 36 year old warhorse came at Macklin all night long and to his credit, the younger man largely avoided the kind of slugfest that Campas was looking for.
Macklin managed to box Campas and control the pace of the bout with the jab and stinging counters to both the head and body. Macklin shook Campas several times but never managed to truly hurt the former world champion, who for his part caught the local favorite with good overhand rights on occasion. More…
It was a big Friday night at the Kendron Wavell Service Club in the Brisbane suburb of Chermside with names such as Mick Shaw, Nathan Briggs, Chris McCullen and of course, Alex Leapai all on the victory roll.
Leapai, 9-2-2 (7), retained the OPBF Heavyweight title with a solid unanimous decision win over Sydney’s Michael “Iron Rhino” Kirby, 3-1-1 (1), after twelve rounds. Kirby tried a persistent body attack but lost points in the middle rounds for low blows, further damaging his chances.
The 28 year old Logan City based Leapai was making the first defense of the belt he won from Nathan Briggs las November at this same venue.
Perhaps indicating an emminent rematch with Leapai, Briggs, 17-5 (15), was also on the bill and delivered his usual heavy-handed performance in stopping New Zealand journeyman Sam Leuii, 13-23-1 (9), in the first. Leuii had already climbed off the canvas once in the brief affair but was out on his feet when referee Tony Kettlewell stopped the one-sided punishment with a second left in the round. More…
There was a good card at the world famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo last night with several high level bouts on tap.
In the main event, 25 year old Yokohama man Ichitaro Ishii, 19-2-1 (16), won the Japanese Lightweight title on his second try, stopping Okinawa based Hiroshi Nakamori, 23-2-1 (14), in the second, halting the ten bout win streak of Nakamori in the process.
Ishii attempted to lift the belt from experienced southpaw Kengo Nagashima last April but was repelled via a competitive unanimous decision.
Chief support on the bill was provided by Nagashima, 33-3-2 (15), who tangled with former super feather world title challenger Jimrex Jaca, 28-4-3 (13), of the Phillipines, pounding out a close unanimous decison after a ten round battle of southpaws.
Nagashima voluntarily gave up the Japanese title after three successful defenses and could return to rematch Ishii.
On the undercard, another Okinawan, Mirai Ishigaki, 13-3-1 (8), was on the bill and crushed rival Masahiro Ishido, 8-3-1 (4), of Osaka in just one round.
We kick off this brief Friday night report in America where there was an IBO Featherweight crown at stake at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT. Reigning champion Thomas “The Rock” Mashaba came into the clash on the strength of ten straight victories, nine of which were for either the IBO belts at 126 and 122 or the South African Super Bantam title.
But challenger Cristobal Cruz brought that success to a grinding halt. The 30 year old veteran of Mexican ring wars put on the performance of his 15 year pro career by mounting a furious high volume attack that the champion could not match. After 12 gruelling rounds, Cruz, 36-11-1 (23), won two of the scorecards 115-113 while Mashaba, 20-2-4 (12), managed to go 114-114 on the third , resulting in a majority decision victory for the challenger.
On the undercard, the unheralded Jose Luis Gonzales, 11-2-1 (9), battled highly touted light middleweight prospect Jason LeHoullier, 21-0-1 (8), to a draw for the vacant NABA title.
At the New Alhambra in Philadelphia, PA, native Tanzanian Rogers “The Tiger” Mtagwa, 25-12-2 (17), followed up his split decision win last year against Aldo Valtierra, 24-10 (13), with a more clear-cut unanimous decision.
Speaking of rematches, we head down to Estadio Socios Fundadores in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, where Hector David Saldiva, 25-1 (19), avenged the only loss of his career by wiping out Jorge Daniel Miranda, 25-5 (9), in the first round to annex the Argentine Welterweight title. More…
For many it was a foregone conclusion that IBF Super Middle Champ Lucian Bute would win his maiden title defense last night at the Bell Centre in Montreal but few expected crafty old William Joppy to make it as far as he did before being stopped at 1:08 of the tenth frame.
At 28 years of age and standing 6 foot 2, southpaw Bute held spectacular advantages over the 37 year old, 5 foot 9 inch tall former three time middleweight world champion and the Romanian native didn’t hold back.
Joppy’s reflexes were gone and he hadn’t beaten a top opponent since a shaky majority decision over Howard Eastman in 2001 and it’s a mystery as to just why he was put in front of a current world champion at super middleweight to begin with.
Bute’s fans turned up in droves, packing out the Bell Centre to watch the local hero batter the American all night long, with the champion getting to use his entire arsenal with great success.
But Joppy still had an iron chin and he soaked up punishment round after round until he finally started to show deterioration in the ninth, when Bute rammed home body shots to canvas the challenger at the end of the round. More…
Lots went in last night that we aren’t already reporting on here at SaddoBoxing so with no further ado, we hit the continent of Australia where at the Mansfield Tavern in the Brisbane suburbs, Mick “Pony” Shaw, 24-8-2 (7), was held to a draw by unheralded Ipswitch welterweight, Jason Kanofski, 4-1-3 (1).
22 year old Kanofsky was taking a big step up to be sure but held his own against former Australian Light Welter Champ Shaw, who had been recently campaigning as a lightweight.
Heading into New South Wales, there was a good bit of action at the Leagues Club in Wyong where ex-IBF Pan Pacific/WBF Welter titlist Chad Bennett, 21-2-3 (14), continued his campaign as a light middle by stopping Thai southpaw Mike Wansprasert, 13-16-2 (6), in the second to win his third bout on the trot.
Also on the bill, much-hyped Russian KO artist Victor Oganov, 27-1 (27), made his return bout following a ninth round stoppage loss at the hands of Fulgencio Zuniga last September for the vacant IBO Super Middle crown by finishing the low risk Thai light heavy Anont Donpradith, 0-8 (0), in the second.
Donpradith has now been KO’d for the sixth time in eight losses.
Speaking of Thailand, we head north to Witthayakom School in Tamaka where longtime PABA Bantam beltholder Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat, 23-1 (16), decisioned former Filipino and WBO Asia Pacific Champ Glenn “The Rock” Porras, 12-2 (6), to retain his title for the ninth time.
Bangkok saw former WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight kingpin Devid Lookmahanak, 18-1 (9), regain his old title by posting a wide points decision over Japan’s Makoto Tanigawa, 12-4-1 (3). More…
We start off this week’s installment of Friday night at the fights in France and if you were in Martigues, the venue La Halle des Martigues was the place to be as stocky, Haitian born French Light Middleweight Champ Jimmy Colas, 23-4 (10), pounded his way to the European Union title by flooring Spain’s Miguel Angel Pena, 27-13-4 (10), three times enroute to a second round TKO victory.
The 27 year old Colas regains his old title after losing it to one of his former victims, Christophe Canclaux, in January of last year and hits a new high water mark in a career that has seen him challenge unsuccessfully for the full European crown against current WBO 154 lb kingpin Sergiy Dzinziruk and hand four previously undefeated fighters their first losses.
On the undercard, Mohammed Medjadji, 20-5 (4), regained the French Super Feather belt by stopping Karim Chakim, 12-8 (5), in the eighth frame and impressive novice Malik Bouziane, 7-0 (1), retained his French Bantamweight title with a ten round points decision over veteran Jean Marie Codet, 16-21-5 (7).
On over to The States, there were a couple of Europeans going at it at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT with France’s Ali Oubaali, 21-3 (17), coming off the canvas in the sixth to win his second fight in America by decisioning Britain’s Ashley Theophane, 20-3-1 (7), over ten rounds at light welter.
Also at Mohegan Sun, welterweight Delvin Rodriguez, 22-2-1 (13), handed Troy Browning, 20-1-1 (8), his first loss. More…
Aside from the results that we’ve already reported on here at SaddoBoxing, there was good action across the globe and we start at The Casino in Montreal, Canada where two important prospects were in action.
Welterweight Antonin Decarie, 18-0 (5), dominated former IBF Lightweight title challenger Israel Cardona, 36-9 (28), by a wide points decision after ten rounds while featherweight Olivier Lontchi, 15-0 (6), had a more difficult challenge, posting a hard fought unanimous decision over Henry Arjona, 17-10-1 (11).
Onto America, where at the Park Theater in Union City, NJ, welterweight Henry Crawford, 18-0 (8), stayed perfect with an eight round unanimous decision over Thomas Davis, 12-7-2 (7) and at the Aquarius Hotel in Laughlin, NV, heavyweight Devin Vargas, 15-0 (6), outpointed Charles Davis, 17-15-1 (4), over eight rounds.
At the Civic Auditorium in La Porte, IN, light heavyweights Nick Cook, 15-1-2 (9), and Marcus Oliveira, 12-0-1 (9), fought to a draw after ten rounds while lightweight Don Moore, 15-0-1 (10), posted a six round decision over Randy Dodds, 6-23 (3).
Heading over to Europe, at Hala Globus in Lublin, Poland, former IBF Cruiserweight Champ Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, 40-2 (30), stopped Gabor Halasz, 20-11 (8), in four. More…
There was a lot of boxing this past Saturday night and this time we start at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines where there was an important clash at super flyweight.
At stake was an IBF official eliminator and it was a battle of the southpaws as former WBO title challenger Z Gorres went at it tooth and nail with ex-longtime IBF/IBO Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan for twelve rugged rounds.
Both men were canvassed early but returned to engage in a torrid shootout that saw numerous changes of fortune for each. The heavy-handed Darchinyan appeared to take control over the championship rounds but Gorres’ numerous visits to the floor were all ruled slips.
When the smoke had cleared, the fight was declared a draw, much to the displeasure of Team Darchinyan. Gorres goes to 27-2-1 (15) while Darchinyan sees his C.V. to 29-1- (23). More…
The amazing Luis Ramon “Yory Boy” Campas will take part in his 102nd bout when he climbs through the ropes to meet Finnish national boxing hero and former European champ Amin Asikainen at middleweight tonight at the Toolo Sports Hall in Helsinki.
36 year old Campas, 91-10 (73), will be making his first European appearance in a career that started in 1987 and saw him through three defenses of the IBF Light Middleweight title in the late 1990’s.
32 year old Asikainen, 23-1 (15), won the European crown with an eight round stoppage of Sebsatien Sylvester in 2006 but after two successful defenses, the German relieved the Finn of that belt in their rematch last year.
Asikainen has only been stopped once but will really gets his chin tested as Campas still packs a massive punch, nearly sending upcoming world title challenger John Duddy to his first loss when the pair clashed in 2006.
Red hot super bantamweight Steve Molitor retained his IBF title with a superb 12 rounds points verdict against challenger Ricardo Castillo last night at the Casino in Rama, Ontario.
A former Mexican champion and ex-WBA title challenger from Mexicali, Castillo used his strength advantage to put Molitor on the back foot but could never pin the champion down to draw him into the trenches.
Molitor was cut above the eye in the fourth from a head clash but handled this career first setback well, keeping Castillo at bay and landing crisp counters on the oncoming challenger.
The champion stepped up his own offense in the final rounds and cruised comfortably to a 118-109 win on all three scorecards.
Molitor improves to 26-0 (10) while Castillo loses for the third time in four bouts to fall to 33-5 (22).
At the Prefectural Gym in Osaka, Japan earlier today, the WBC and WBA Bantamweight Champions kept their titles against stern opposition. WBC kingpin Hozumi Hasegawa turned back the aspirations of European Champion Simone Maludrottu by unanimous decision while WBA ruler Wladimir Sidorenko did the same against challenger Nobutu Ikehara.
Southpaw Hasegawa, 23-2 (7), defended his belt for the fifth time by outboxing the tough Maludrottu, 26-2 (10), who had held the Continental crown over eight defenses until relinquishing the title to contend for the WBC, via scorecards of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112.
Sharp boxing Sidorenko, 21-0 (7), made his sixth defense with a good win over Japanese Champ Ikehara, 27-2 (19), by scores of 119-110, 118-110 and 116-112.
In a major Continental upset, Belorussian super feather Sergey Gulyakevich outpointed the heavy handed reigning European Champion Leva Kirakosyan over twelve rounds at Datch Forum in Milan, Italy last night.
26 year old Gulyakevich outboxed the favored Kirakosyan, an Armenian residing in Spain, and managed to avoid the champion’s massive punching power while annexing the European title via the varying scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 115-113.
Kirakosyan, 26-5 (17), had previously won eight of his last twelve bouts by KO and had twice victimized British Champion Carl Johanneson during that period. Gulyakevich, 24-1 (12), had been stopped on cuts last year in a failed bid to lift the European title from Alex Arthur before the Scotsman gave up the belt and won the WBO crown. More…
2007 was a bittersweet year for Ricky Hatton as the wildly popular 140 lb British superstar established himself in the states with a decision over Juan Urango before climbing to the heights of the American boxing scene with riveting KO of Jose Luis Castillo, only to be torn down in style by modern day great Floyd Mayweather in a step up to welterweight.
But what will 2008 hold for “The Hitman” ?
Absorbing a disappointment on the way up, when a fighter is still in the learning process, can obviously help improve the finished article while taking a first loss under the glaring lights of a huge Las Vegas PPV showdown can shatter even the strongest of confidences.
Will Ricky pull a Naseem Hamed, his predecessor as the UK’s top draw, and pack it in after a comeback win against a second tier opponent? Or perhaps we will see the Felix Trinidad method where the previously unbeaten boxer retires for a few years after the modest comeback win but then returns periodically for big money opportunities? More…
It wasn’t the busiest of weekends in the world of boxing, but there were some good fightcards out there and on this occasion, we’re going to work backwards through time.
We start off on Sunday at Challenge Stadium in Perth, Australia, where hometown sensation Danny Green finally managed to cage a full fledged world title by outpointing WBA Light Heavy strap holder Stipe Drews over twelve rounds.
Having tasted the hard punching Green’s power, Drews mostly danced away from the action for the duration of the contest, stopping to fight only in the twelfth and final frame, losing his belt during his first defense and dropping to 32-2 (13). Green, a former interim WBC Super Middle titlist, improves to 25-3 (22), and could be in line for unification bouts with Zsolt Erdei, Clinton Woods or Chad Dawson.
On the undercard, Commonwealth Feather king Jackson Asiku, 22-3 (12), turned back challenger Matt Powell, 10-4-2 (3), in four rounds while lightweight William Kickett, 8-0 (4), graduated from prospect class with a hard fought eight round points win over two time world featherweight title challenger Tommy Browne, 23-5-1 (8). More…
Father time finally caught up with heavily decorated two weight world champion Virgil Hill as the 43 year old was outperformed by challenger Firat Arslan, losing the WBA Cruiserweight title by a wide points verdict at Freiberger Arena in Dresden, Germany.
37 year old Arslan, a former longtime sparring partner of ex-European Champion Luan Krasniqi, sought to wear down the older man from the opening bell and backed up Hill for most of the fight.
Forced to largely rely on his countering skills, Hill kept up a good punch output but was unable to dissuade the oncoming German southpaw, who was able to land with both hands in the early rounds.
Hill attempted to take the steam out of Arslan’s attack in the middle rounds but didn’t have the power to hold onto the center of the ring and was soon again on the back foot.
Arslan fought the fight of his life, rocking the iron chinned champion with big shots down the stretch but was never able to hurt Hill as the American visitor showed good stamina to stay in the bout but he just couldn’t take away the challenger’s confidence. More…
Aside from the Ricardo Mayorga vs. Fernando Vargas bout in Los Angeles, there was a good bit of action across the globe last night and we start in the land Down Under.
At the Croatian Club in the Sydney suburb of Punchbowl, the Australian middleweight title was defended by reigning champion Junior Talipeau, 9-0 (2), who posted a fairly close ten round points win over a very competitive Peter Mitreveski, Jr., 17-5-1 (7).
Local man Mitreveski towered over the stocky New Zealand based champion but lost a point in the first and that margin would prove significant as the challenger fell short on the cards, 96-95, 96-94 and 97-92.
Up north on the Gold Coast, a charity show was held at the Brisbane Convention Center with 20 year old light welter Leonardo “Lenny Zappa” Zappavinga, 12-0 (9), of Sydney staying on track by dropping Ariel Omongos, 4-12 (3), twice in the fourth to win at 2:03 of that round.
There was a high profile domestic matchup at the Fashion Mart in Kobe, Japan, as defending Japanese Bantamweight titlist Masayuki Mitani, 21-2 (10), rebounded off a last round stoppage loss for the OPBF crown in August by holding off former WBC title challenger Teppei Kikui, 21-7 (4), of Yokohama to post a 99-93 and 98-92 (twice) unanimous verdict. More…
