Despite the headlining Ruslan Chagaev vs. Nicolay Valuev WBA heavyweight title rematch being called off, the show at Hartwell Arena in Helsinki, Finland went on as planned last night.

Local man Juho Tolppola, 22-6-1 (9), failed in his bid to win the European Union light welter title from Italian evergreen Giuseppe Lauri, 48-6 (28), when he was DQ'd in the tenth round.

On the undercard, Colombian born Norway resident Cecilia Braekhus, 12-0 (2), defended her WBA/WBC female welterweight crowns with a points verdict over American puncher Amy Yuratovac, 6-3 (6).

Undefeated Russian light welter southpaw Denis Shafikov, 20-0 (11), gunned down Australia's John Cotterill Jr, 23-8 (10), at 2:00 of the first round while Germany based Swede heavyweight Robert Helenius, 8-0 (4), KO'd former British champ Scott Gammer, 18-4-1 (9), in the sixth of a scheduled eight rounder. More...

Lots of action south of the border this weekend and we start with a big show at Palacios de los Desportes in Mexico City where Edgar Sosa retained his WBC Light Flyweight title for the fifth time by stopping southpaw Takashi Kunishige in the eighth round on Saturday night.

Kunishige, 18-3-1 (2), came into the contest not having lost in over five years and drew with Japanese champion Munetsugu Kayo last time out but facing the WBC Champion proved to be a step too far for the 32 year old from Osaka.

It's a testament to the Japanese visitor's toughness that he lasted as long as he did against the superior skilled Mexico City man but his run came to an end when Sosa forced a referee stoppage at 1:39 of the eighth frame after dealing out much punishment.

On the undercard, NABF Flyweight titlist Adrian Hernandez, 13-0-1 (11), was held to a fifth round technical draw by challenger Eric Ortiz, 28-8-2 (18), a former WBC Light Flyweight Champion.

OPBF Light Flyweight strapholder and Filipino southpaw Juanito Rubillar, 46-10-7 (22), won a WBC title eliminator against Omar Nino Romero, 25-3-1 (11), via a 12 round split decision. More...