WBO Super Bantam boss Juan Manuel Lopez kept his world title belt last night at Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, turning back the challenge posed by WBO Bantam beltholder Gerry Penalosa, who was pulled out by his corner in a battle of southpaws.

36 year old Penalosa of The Philippines had previously won world titles on away ground during his long and distinguished career but the active and heavy-handed Lopez made sure that wouldn't be the case in Bayamon.

The Caguas man took control of the contest from the start and the 25 year old simply outboxed and outpunched the challenger over every round of the contest. More...

WBO Super Bantam Champ Juan Manuel Lopez defends his crown tonight at Coliseo Rueben Rodriguez in Bayamon when he meets the challenge posed by WBO bantam kingpin Gerry Penalosa, who is moving up in weight.

At just 25 year of age, hammer-fisted Caguas based southpaw Lopez, 24-0 (22), will pose a big challenge to 36 year old Penalosa but the visiting Filipino legend has upset the hometown favorite before in big fights, winning the WBC Super Fly and WBO Bantam belts on the road.

Lopez is a certified big puncher but Penalosa, 54-6-2 (36), has proven repeatedly, most recently in a decision loss to Daniel Ponce De Leon in a failed bid for the very same title being fought for tonight, that he has a world class chin. More...

Big weekend in Oz with a good card in both The Philippines and Japan but we kick things off Down Under on Saturday night at Fonterra Echuca Sports and Entertainment Centre in Echua, Victoria.

One of Australia's top light welters, Lance Gostelow, 18-2 (14), roared back from defeat to former PABA Lightweight kingpin Somachai Nakbalee, 12-7-1 (5), of Thailand last October to win the rematch on points after ten hard fought rounds of combat.

Melbourne based Gostelow recaptured the WBO Oriental crown and could be in line for a high profile domestic dustup against the likes of Aussie Champ Chris McCullen or Brisbane veteran Mick "Pony" Shaw.

The chief support bout saw local heavyweight prospect Justin Whitehead, 2-0 (1), win the WBF Asia Pacific belt from Melbourne puncher Kim Heta, 8-3 (6), via ten round decision. Neither fighter had gone more than six rounds previously. More...

WBA Bantamweight Champion Anselmo Moreno retained his belt last night at Figali Convention Center in Panama City with a points decision over challenger Rolly Matsushita after twelve rounds of spirited combat.

Since taking the title in Germany from Wladimir Sidorenko, Moreno, 24-1-1 (8), has been a busy champ, defending the crown in September against Mexico's Cecilio Santos and then jumping in against Filipino Matsushita just six weeks later.

The 23 year old San Miguelito based southpaw could be headed for a lucrative unification bout with either WBO titlist Gerry Penalosa or WBC kingpin Hozumi Hasegawa.

Also on the bill, there was a three round technical draw between Joel Cerrud, 19-3-2 (15), and Ronny McField, 12-2-2 (9), for the WBA Fedelatin Super Featherweight crown and Irving Berry, 12-1-2 (7), posted a split decision against Danys Diaz, 12-3-1 (8), for the Panamanian Featherweight title.

Aside from the big Pacquiao vs. Diaz card in Las Vegas, there was some good action in America this weekend starting off with the latest bout of Irish sensation John Duddy, who outpointed Charlie Howe at The Castle in Boston, MA.

Duddy, 25-0 (17), was coming off a horrific performance against Montreal based Tunisian fighter Walid Smichet in February and needed an impressive win. At 33 years of age with losses to the only name fighters that he had faced, Joey Gilbert and Cornelius Brundage, Howe, 17-5-2 (9), was handpicked for the purpose.

Not surprisingly, Duddy had little trouble practicing his arsenal against the Midwesterner, finding range to both the head and body with equal success with very little coming back in return.

Howe was hurt at times but the big hearted fighter never stopped trying against his more skilled foe, landing a few good shots here and there to keep Duddy from running roughshod over him.

After the bout ran it's ten round course, Duddy was awarded the victory on marks of 100-90 on all three scorecards. More...