Boxing News Boxing News
Not a whole lot went on last night but there were a few notable bouts to cover and we start at the Salle du Bouvy in La Louviere, Belgium where hometown hero Carmelo Ballone, 20-2-1 (9), stopped Romania’s Eugen Sorin Tanasie, 14-1-1 (6), in the eighth to annex the vacant European Bantamweight title.
The belt became vacant when reigning champion Simone Maludrottu of Italy signed on to challenge WBC kingpin Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan next month. Tanasie came into the bout as the European Union titlist but could not overcome the more experienced Ballone, who came close to knocking off Maludrottu during a split decision loss two years ago.
Speaking of Italy and European titles, former heavyweight champion Paolo Vidoz, 24-4 (13), went back into action for the first time since failing to regain his former crown in a rematch against Vladimir Virchis back in May. Vidoz made short work of Hungarian novice Zoltan Peto, 6-4 (1), stopping the Budapest native in the first round at the Palabam in Mantova, Italy.
At the Arena El Jefe in Monterrey, Mexico, light middle Michael Medina, 18-0-2 (45), stayed perfect with a seventh round KO of Christian Solano, 20-14-4 (15), who’s only win over his last seven bouts was a shocking second round stoppage against highly touted and previously undefeated Brit welter John O’Donnell in May.
Monterrey based Medina for the first time retained the WBC Fecombox title he won in August by decisioning Rogelio Sanchez and could be in line for Mexican title shot.
Heading north to America, at Dickerson’e Events Center in Las Cruces, NM, lightweight Urbano Antillon, 21-0 (14), scored the biggest win of his career by rubbing out the seasoned Adrian Valdez, 18-6-3 (10), in a single round.
Valdez had previously taken current IBF Featherweight Champ Roberto Guerrero almost the full 12 rounds before being stopped in the final frame of a NABF title challenge and nearly pulled off an upset of future European Super Bantam titlist Bernard Dunne three years ago.
25 year old Los Angeles based Antillon has stopped his last four opponents within the first three rounds since pulling out a ten round split decision verdict over Fernando “The Thief” Trejo, who had just handed Antillon’s stablemate Jose Armando Santa Cruz his first loss in an NABF Lightweight title contest.
Also on the bill, heavyweight prospect David Rodriguez, 27-0 (25), outpointed journeyman Marcus McGee, 19-15 (9), over eight rounds.
We wrap things up at Sukhothai Thammathirat Universit in Nonthaburi, Thailand where ex-WBC Feather and Bantam Champ Sirimongkol Singwancha, 58-2 (33), caged the vacant PABA Light Welter crown by posting a wide points verdict over Arnel Porras, 9-13-3 (4), of the Phillipines.
