HIGHLIGHTS
JULY 24
-Tyson Fury beats Mariusz Wach on a seventh round retirement in Thailand and British heavyweight Simon Ibekwe knocks out Daniel Baer (Dietz) in 28 seconds.
-Demetrius Andrade returns with a win as he knocks out Douglas Ataide in the first round and Kevin Walsh stops Dannis Aguero in the first
JULY 25
-Anthony Joshua climbs off the floor twice in the first round then knocks out Kristian Prenga in the second round
-Hamzah Sheeraz outpoints Simon Zachenhuber in defence of his WBO super middle title and Josh Kelly decisions Caoimhin Agyarko in IBF welterweight title defence and there are wins for Jacon Bank and Reito Tsutsumi.
JULY 26
-Tim Tszyu outpoints Errol Spence who announces his retirement
-Edgar Berlanga stops Steven Butler and there are wins for Richardson Hitchins, Jalil Hackett and Vladyslav Sirenko
MAJOR SHOWS:
JULY 24
PATTAYA, THAILAND: HEAVY: TYSON FURY (36-2-1) W RTD 7 MARIUSZ WACH (39-13). HEAVY: SIMON IBEKWE (7-0) W KO 1 DANIEL BAER (15-2-1).
Fury vs. Wach
FURY gets in some rounds as he beats Poland’s WACH on a seventh round retirement. Typical start from Fury as he circled a very slow Wach who was just following Fury around the ring. Fury was a continually poking Wach with jabs and switching stances and a long right split Wach’s guard. Wach exerted a bit of pressure in the second firing more jabs and coming in behind them but with little success. Fury continued to fight on the retreat slinging jabs and occasionally putting together brief combinations or single overhand shots before he ended the round with a little burst of punches. It was jab, jab, straight right or left from Fury in the third with Wach too slow to block the light punches or fire counters. Fury was too often just throwing a couple of punches then falling into a clinch. Fury was again circling the ring going backwards and spearing Wach with jabs in the fourth. Wach was trying hard to close Fury down in the fifth but Fury kept his jab in Wach’s face using his stick and move tactics and now more often just firing a couple of punches then falling into a clinch. After a quiet start to the sixth Fury suddenly upped his attacks firing jabs and straight rights and letting fly with some heavy clubbing punches. They both connected with overarm rights in the seventh and traded punches with Wach finding some success. Fury landed a left hook to the body and a right to the head and Wach looked exhausts and although not noticeably hurt retired at the end of the round. Easy night for Fury as he prepares for a fight against Anthony Joshua. Fury was 277 ¾ lbs when he struggled against Francis Ngannou in 2023, was 262 lbs and then 281 lbs in losing to Olek Usyk in 2024 and 268 lbs when he beat Arslan Makhmudov in April and 264 ½ for this fight so should be in reasonable condition if the Joshua fight happens later this year. Wach’s condition was evidenced from the 291 lbs he weighed for this fight. Not a career high but 17 lbs heavier than when he lost to Viktor Vykhryst in March.
Ibekwe vs. Baer
British heavyweight IBEKWE knocks out 6’8” German BAER in 28 seconds. Ibekwe stormed forward from the bell catching Baer cold. He forced Baer across the ring to the ropes and landed a left hook to the body and a thunderbolt of a right to the head. Baer was out cold before he hit the canvas face first and the referee just waived his arms to signify the fight was over. Ibekwe, 30, was a surprise package. He was having his first fight for ten months and had scored only three wins inside the distance and fought in only 4 and 6 rounds fights against poor opposition and BoxRec had him at No 29 in their British ratings. Before turning his hand to boxing, Ibekwe had trials with some Premier League football teams He reputedly had only 21 amateur fights winning some regional titles. Baer had changed his name from Dietz to Baer last month and his only other loss was a split decision against 16-1 Granit Shala in a fight with both the IBF International and IBO Inter-Continental belts on the line.
JULY 25
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA: HEAVY: ANTHONY JOSHUA (30-4) W KO 2 KRISTIAN PRENGA (20-2). SUPER MIDDLE: HAMZAH SHEERAZ (24-0-1) W PTS 12 SIMON ZACHENHUBER (29-2). SUPER WELTER: JOSH KELLY (19-1-1) W PTS 12 CAOIMHIN AGYARKO (18-1). SUPER FEATHER: REITO TSUTSUMI (5-0) W TKO 2 ALVINO HERRERA (18-1-2) . SUPER MIDDLE: JACOB BANK (20-0) W PTS 8 PAWEL AUGUST (18-1). SUPER WELTER: NISHANT DEV (6-0) W TKO 1 CESAR Diaz (10-3). LIGHT HEAVY: OLEKSANDR KHYZHNIAK (2-0) W TKO 2 LENNY PATRACH (8-1-1). SUPER FLY: MIKIE TALLON (15-0) W KO 1 ORLANDO PINO (17-4).
Joshua vs. Prenga
JOSHUA recovers from a nightmare first round to beat PRENGA in the second. Joshua was jabbing with Prenga looking to duck and come inside. Prenga closed the distance and threw a right then landed a right uppercut that sent Joshua back and down only 20 seconds into the fight. Joshua was up quickly but looked shaken. He was jabbing again but a right sent him back to the ropes. He was wobbly and looked to clinch. Prenga lunged in with another right but then wrestled Joshua to the floor with the referee rightly not applying a count. Prenga tossed another right which connected and he pushed Joshua down. The referee decided the punch had put Joshua down so gave him a count. Joshua was up quickly and although Prenga connected with another right Joshua saw out the remaining seconds. A horrible 10-7 start suffered by Joshua. The second round saw a composed Joshua jabbing with Prenga looking for a chance to land another right. Joshuia forced Prenga back with jabs and then connected with a couple of straight rights that had Prenga backing away along the ropes. Prenga lunged forward with a wild attack but missed then backed off again. Joshua connected with a long right cross shaking Prenga and sending him into the ropes then landed a right/left/right combination that dropped Prenga who ended up suspended on his back hanging over the bottom rope. The combination was so clearly a finisher that one of Joshua’s team climbed through the ropes as the referee started his count which could have led to a disqualification but he quickly climbed out of the ring, The referee stopped the count at six as Prenga was on his hands and knees and was not going to get up. That nightmare first round for Joshua aroused fears that his proposed fight with Tyson Fury, one the biggest fights in British heavyweight history, was going up in smoke but Joshua put it back on the agenda. Joshua again showed he is vulnerable and whilst Fury was unimpressive against Wach he will probably start as favourite against Joshua. Albanian, Prenga 35, showed he could be dangerous but was unhappy when Joshua put him under pressure. By flooring Joshua twice in the first round his profile will have exploded so he should have some good paydays coming his way
Sheeraz vs. Zachenhuber
SHEERAZ successfully defends the WBO title but in a very low key performance and has to settle for a majority decision over ZACHENHUBER. This one made a slow start with both fighters cautious in the first round but Sheeraz began to get in his stride in the second finding the target with left hooks to the body. Southpaw Zachenhuber was working well behind his right jab but a left hook to the body at the end of the third had him wincing. Sheeraz was on the front foot over the fourth, fifth and sixth but not pressing hard and Zachenhuber was jabbing well and countering with left hooks to the body making the rounds close. Sheeraz was just not working hard enough and rarely using his jab preferring to get close behind a high guard and fire a little bunch of punches without full leverage. He was making Zachenhuber look a lot better than he was. Although always on the back foot Zachenhuber was boxing neatly and taking advantage of every opening that Sheeraz gave him. Zachenhuber might have been encouraged that he was still there for the second half of the fight and had a good seventh. Sheeraz was back in control in the ninth but was boxing at a pedestrian pace and just not throwing enough punches. Sheeraz was having an off night and Zachenhuber lacked the speed or power to take advantage of that and a disappointing fight closed to the sound of boos. Sheeraz won on scores of 116-112 and 115-113 for Sheeraz with the third judge scoring it a draw at 114-114 which was too generous to an admittedly much better effort from the German than expected. With Christian Mbilli defending the WBC title against Saul Alvarez in October a good performance here might have put Sheeraz at the front of the queue for a unification fight against the winner. That could still happen but it would be despite rather than because of Sheeraz’s performance here. Zachenhuber had lost his unbeaten tag when being outpointed by Pawel August three months ago but in typical sanctioning body convoluted figuring Zachenhuber gets the title shot and Pawel gets an eight round fight on the undercard
Kelly vs. Agyarko
KELLY outpoints AGYARKO in IBF title defence.
Kelly was too quick for Agyarko in the early exchanges. After a low action opening round which Kelly just edged he was confidently coming forward with a low guard and firing jabs from hip level piercing Agyarko’s defence and dodging Ayako’s counters with some classy footwork. With Kelly pivoting and changing angles Agyarko struggled to get a foothold in the fight and when they did stand and swap punches Kelly was landing the more effective blows. Agyarko had some minor success in the third and fourth but he was being outboxed and outscored. Kelly looked to have won the first five rounds but things changed in the sixth. After previous warnings Kelly was deducted a point for a punch to the back of Agyarko’s head. Agyarko began to close Kelly down applying plenty of pressure and a left hook in the seventh opened up a small cut to go with one that had opened in the fifth round. Agyarko had a strong eighth and in the ninth a huge gash was opened on Kelly’s nose by Agyarko’s head. Kelly rebounded to outscore Agyarko in the tenth and although the eleventh was close enough to be scored either way and despite his face begin a mask of blood from the nose injury Kelly had a strong twelfth. Scores 115-112 twice and 114-113. First defence and ninth win in a row for Kelly. Next he wants Jaron Ennis. With his relatively less experience it was a commendable effort from Agyarko and he will work his way back to another title shot.
Tsutsumi vs. Herrera
Highly-touted former amateur stand-out TSUTSUMI finishes HERRERA in two rounds. Southpaw Tsutsumi rocked Herrera with a left and then floored him. Herera only just made it to his feet and was down again. He arose and survive the remaining seconds. Another knockdown in the second ended the fight. Tsutsumi, 23, a former World Youth champion, was rated No 14 by the WBA before this fight. Herrera had won his last 14 fights but against substandard opposition.
Bank vs. August
World rated Dane BANK boxes his way to victory over polish-born Brit AUGUST. Bank was in control from the first bell in this fight. August forced the fight but Bank used his superior skills and after edging this first round he just progressed from there. He handled August’s attacks with a casual ease and was finding gaps for his jab and straight rights. Bank picked up his pace in each round and was handing out quite a bit of punishment but seemed to lack the punch to end the fight early. August just could not get past Bank’s jab and with his lack of power he really had little to offer against the classier Dane and Bank was a comfortable winner at 80-72 on all three cards. Bank had beaten Tyron Zuege and William Scull inside the distance so a bit disappointing he could not finish August early. In the crazy way boxing works August had outpointed Simon Zachenhuber in April-but Zachenhuber gets the world title fight.
Dev vs. Diaz
Indian hope DEV destroys Peruvian Diaz in the first round. This was a total mismatch. Dev floored Diaz three times in the first round and the fight was stopped. The 6’1” , 25-year-old, Indian southpaw gets his fifth win by KO/TKO. He represented India at the Paris Olympics losing to eventual silver medallist Marcio Verde from Mexico on a split decision
Khyzhniak vs. Patrach
Ukraine’s former Olympic and World champion KHYZHNIAK blows away a courageous PATRACH in two rounds. Khyzhniak came flying out of his corner throwing punches forcing Patrach to the ropes and keeping him there for three minutes. Khyzhniak was throwing hooks, uppercuts and straight punches in a relentless stream and ignoring defence. Patrach was close to being over whelmed at times but just kept absorbing the punishment and firing back with heavy counters for the whole three minutes of a wild opening round. Khyzhniak was less frenzied in the second throwing more jabs and not being so wide open, He was still firing hard, fast punches from both hands and a right hook sent Patrach into the path of a left hook that floored him heavily. Patrach was up at eighth and ready to fight on but another fierce attack from Khyzhniak saw Patrach drop to a knee and after initially starting the count the referee stopped the fight. Apart from his 2024 Olympic and World gold medals Khyzhniak also won gold at both the European Championships and European Games, a silver at the 2021 Olympics and gold at the world Youth Championships. He scored wins over Ben Whittaker (twice), Arlen Lopez, Joshua Bauatsi, Troy Isley, Heriberto Conceicao, Gleb Bakshi and Lewis Richardson and with over 150 amateur fights he is expected to star as a professional. French “Gypsy” Patrach showed he could take and dish out punishment and is provisionally scheduled to fight for the French light heavyweight title in October.
Tallon vs. Pino
TALLON beats Venezuelan PINO inside a round. Tallon was coming forward behind his jab with Pino on the back foot. Fallon connected with a left hook to the body and Pino prodded tentatively with a jab. Fallon stepped in and landed another left hook to the body that sent Pina down to the canvas squirming in agony and he was counted out. Fourth inside the distance victory for 21-year-old Liverpudlian Tallon. All four of 40-year-old Pino’s losses have come by KO/TKO.
JULY 26
SYDNEY: AUSTRALIA: MIDDLE: TIM TSZYU (28-3) W PTS 12 ERROL SPENCE( 28-2).). LIGHT: AHMAD REDA (9-0) W PTS 10 PAUL FLEMING (28-3-2). MIDDLE: CALLUM PETERS (8-0) W TKO 7 IVAN ACTIS (13-1-1). LIGHT HEAVY: PAULO AOKUSO (11-0) W KO 10 LUIS TEJEDA (12-1-1).
Tszyu vs. Spence
TSZYU completes his rehabilitation as he takes a unanimous decision over SPENCE. Tszyu made a good start in a lively opener connecting with a right that seemed to shake Spence but Spence countered with a left. Spence evened things up with a good second taking the fight to Tszyu and piercing his guard with a straight right. Tszyu was coming forward behind a high guard keeping Spence under pressure and the third was close with Spence starting the round well but Tszyu landing a couple of useful rights before the bell. Tszyu had the better of the exchanges in the fourth scoring well to the body and stopping Spence in his tracks with a right. It seems to be even after four rounds and Spence looked to have edged ahead as he was busier than Tszyu throughout the fifth. Tszyu started to take control from the sixth as he forced Spence back connecting with hooks to the body and snapped Spence’s head back with a right. Spence was now mainly on the back foot as Tszyu upped his output firing powerful hooks and landing a hard right. Spence made the eighth close but was given a final warning for low punches and Tszyu took the ninth connecting with a hard right hook and again forcing Spence back under pressure. Spence was showing signs of flagging but he was competitive over a close tenth. Tszyu dialled up the pressure over the eleventh and twelfth winning both rounds as Spence tired spending much of the time against the ropes and under fire. Tszyu won on scores of 117-111 twice and 118-110. Inside the distance losses to Sebastian Fundora twice and Bakhram Murtazaliev had cast a shadow over Tszyu’s future. He was 159 lbs for this fight, a career heaviest, and he has his sights set on WBA welterweight champion Erislandy Lara hopefully in Australia. Former IBF, WBA, WBC welterweight champion Spence was having his first fight for three years and has wisely decided to retire.
REDA springs a surprise as he outpoints the more experienced FLEMING. Reda had speed and youth on his side being 15 years younger than Fleming and he attacked hard and set a fast pace. Fleming showboated and tried other tricks to distract Reda but Reda stuck to his boxing and kept pressing. Fleming had some good spells but tired over the late rounds and Reda was a good winner. Scores 99-91, 97-93 and 96-94 for Reda the Australian No 9. Southpaw Fleming, 38 , jogged along in his career not showing any desire to take risks and after going 28-0-1 he lost on a twelfth round stoppage against Charly Suarez in 2023. He was inactive for 21 months before fighting to a draw against Jake Wyllie last December.
Peters vs. Actis
Another impressive show from Olympian PETERS as he gradually broke down Argentinian ACTIS. The visitor showed plenty of guts but was in over his head. Peters had won every round before bringing the curtain down in the seventh. He drove Actis to the ropes and bombarded him with a series of hard head shots and the referee came in and stopped the fight over protests from Actis. Seventh inside the distance win for Peters.
Aokuso vs. Tejeda
AOKUSO struggled a little at times but finished Dominican TEJEDA in style. Aokuso boxed cleverly at the start landing well at distance and catching Tejeda with counters when Tejeda tried to get inside. Tejeda had just enough success to test Aokuso and showed a good chin. Aokuso scored a flash knockdown in the fifth but as Tejeda showed no sign of flagging Aokuso seemed to lose his way and struggled over the sixth and seventh. Aokuso came out in the eighth and a left put Tejeda down flat on his back and the referee abandoned the count after just three seconds.
NEW YORK, NY, USA: SUPER MIDDLE: EDGAR BERLANGA (24-2) W TKO 7 STEVEN BUTLER (38-6-1). RICHARDSON HITCHINS (21-0) W PTS 10 RICARDO SALAS (24-3-2). MIDDLE: JALIL HACKETT (13-1) W PTS 10 SERGIY DEREVYANCHENKO (16-7). HEAVY: VLADYSLAV SIRENKO (23-1) W KO 10 OTTO WALLIN (28-4, 1ND). WELTER: ARNOLD GONZALEZ 19-1) W PTS 8 EMILIANO MORENO 12-1). HEAVY: KASHAUN DAVIS (12-0) W PTS 8 MIHAI NISTOR (8-1). FEATHER: TROY NASH (8-0-1) W PTS 8 ETHAN PEREZ (8-0-1). SUPER FEATHER: HECTOR SOSA (19-4) W PTS 8DOMINIQUE FRANCIS (16-1).
Berlanga vs. Butler
BERLANGA climbs off the canvas to stop BUTLER in the seventh. Excitement is practically guaranteed when Butler fights. Only 7 of his 44 fights had gone the distance with 32 finished early but five seeing Butler stopped. Out of respect for those inside the distance wins for Butler Berlanga boxed carefully over the first round. Butler drove forward late in the second with Berlanga backing to the ropes. Butler stepped in and missed with a left and a right but then connected with another right through the centre of Berlanga’s guard that was partially blocked but dropped Berlanga. He was up quickly and did not look too shaken. After trying to outbox Butler in the opening two rounds Berlanga decided to fight fire with fire and a series of hooks and hard rights had Butler badly shaken in the third and Butler survived by wrestling Berlanga to the canvas. Butler recovered from the punishment and Berlanga seemed to have tired himself with his efforts to put Butler away in the third so the fourth was a lower key round with Butler probably edging it. Berlanga was back with a bang in the fifth and a right shook Butler. When Butler missed with a right at the end of the round Berlanga connected with a two lefts and a right sending Butler back into the ropes and it was as well for Butler that the bell sounded. The doctor checked on Butler at the start of the sixth and Butler had a good round until a left hook floored him at the end of the round. Berlanga was up 57-55 on two cards and 58-54 on third but Berlanga was not interested in the points. A series of left hooks in the seventh sent Butler down and the fight was stopped. Berlanga was returning for the first time since his fifth round kayo loss to Hamzah Sheeraz a year ago. That loss and inactivity have left Berlanga with work to do to get back into contention. No boredom with Butler but he has lost to Ryota Murata and Zhanibek Alimkhanuly in title fights and a third shot is well beyond his reach.
Hitchins vs. Salas
HITCHINS wins every round as he comfortably outpoints SALAS in his first fight since relinquishing the IBF super light title before joining Zuffa. This was also his first fight at welterweight. He had height and reach over Salas but did not really need either. He was just too fast and too skilful for the limited Salas. He was able to score with ease at distance and his defensive moves were more than enough for anything Salas threw. He used the jab to control Salas and straight rights to punish him. Salas, a reputed puncher with 18 inside the distance wins, was never quick enough to cut off the ring or to threaten Hitchins. There were no real thrills and it was Salas who came near to being stopped when the damage around his eyes resulted in a doctor’s examination. Hitchins might possibly be criticise for not ending the fight early but reportedly he suffered a hand injury in training and injured the same hand during the fight. Scores 100-90 across the board for Hitchins. He will now be building towards a title fight at welterweight and has his sights set on names such as Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. Salas was 8-0-2 in his last 10 fights but Hitchins was in a different class.
Hackett vs. Derevyanchenko
HACKETT comes on strong over the second half of the fight to outpoint a blooded DEREVYANCHENKO. Hackett is 17 years younger than Derevyanchenko so it figured that the longer the fight went and the faster the pace the better it would be for the younger man. Hackett also had edges in height and reach but they would be of lesser import against a fighter with Derevyanchenko’s experience against top class opposition. To some extent that is how it worked out. The early rounds were fought at a brisk pace and were close. Derevyanchenko was cut above his right eye in a clash of heads in the second round. Hackett boxed well but Derevyanchenko found the target with overhand rights and looked to have taken the third and fourth. Hackett upped his pace considerably in the fifth and with just seconds to go in the round connected with a peach of an uppercut that had Derevyanchenko staggering back across the ring. Derevyanchenko had also suffered another cut this over his left eye as heads continued to bash together. Despite the injuries Derevyanchenko had a good sixth but the pace of the fight began to tell on Derevyanchenko and Hackett was bossing the exchanges in the seventh. With blood streaming from cuts over both eyes Derevyanchenko only just survived a doctor’s inspection at the start of the eighth. Hackett took that round and the ninth but Derevyanchenko refused to crumble and he dredged up the strength to outscore Hackett in the tenth. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 for 23-year-old Hackett. He had lost a split decision to Jose Roman in 2024 but rebounded with three unimpressive wins so this was big step up in the quality of his opposition and a big win. Now 40 Derevyanchenko won his first 12 fight and then lost a split decision against Daniel Jacobs for the IBF middleweight title. He was beaten by Gennady Golovkin in a challenge for the IBF and IBO middleweight titles, lost on points to Jermall Charlo for the WBC middleweight title, was beaten on a majority decision by Carlos Adames, lost a close decision to Jaime Munguia and lost to Christian Mbilli so his 16-7 record conceals more than it reveals with regard to the quality of fighter Derevyanchenko is.
Sirenko vs. Wallin
Ukrainian SIRENKO scores a dramatic late stoppage win over Sweden’s WALLIN. The Swede was taller and had a longer reach but decided to take the fight inside which suited Sirenko who scored with some useful body punches. The fight did not generate much excitement with each round being very much like the last and no exciting exchanges. Sirenko looked to have taken the first four rounds but Wallin eventually found some traction in the fifth although the pace was slow. Wallin also boxed better over rounds six to eight. Both fighters were tiring and Sirenko was showing some damage under his right eye. Wallin looked to have narrowed the gap after Sirenko’s good start and a strong finish might see him get the decision. Sirenko took it out of the judges hands in dramatic fashion in the tenth. Just seconds before the final bell and with Wallin pinned against the ropes Sirenko connected with a left, right, left combination that put Wallin face down on the canvas. The referee did not count but indicated for Wallin’s team to get over to their man quickly to get him some medical aid. Wallin was stretched out of the ring to hospital. He was reported to have recovered in the hospital. Sirenko was having his first fight since suffering defeat against Solomon Dacres in July last year. Wallin, 35, had lost an IBF eliminator against Derek Chisora in February 2025
Moreno vs. Gonzalez
MORENO starts slowly then takes over on the way to a unanimous decision over GONZALEZ. González used plenty of pressure to move ahead over the first two rounds coming forward and firing some useful hooks. Moreno settled into the fight in the third boxing better making use of his longer reach, being more accurate and countering well. He was taking over the fight getting the better of the exchanges landing the harder punches. He had built a good lead but Gonzalez was fighting hard to make things close and dug deep to have a good seventh. Moreno decided the outcome with a strong showing in the eighth and won on scores of 78-74 twice and 79-73. Moreno was coming off a loss in his last fight in September so is back on track. After winning his first 15 fights Gonzalez is now a modest 3-2 in his last 5.
Davis vs. Nistor
DAVIS takes a wide unanimous decision over NISTOR. Davis had everything going for him in this fight. At 6’3” he was a couple of inches taller than Romanian Nistor and at 306 lbs was 73 lbs heavier. When you include his being 8 years younger it was obviously going to be an uphill battle for Nistor. Davis made a good start showing faster hands and a useful uppercut. A clash of heads in the third saw Nistor cut badly over his right eye and he was already just looking to survive. Nistor was having problems dealing with the huge bulk of Davis and lost a point in the fifth for holding. Nistor had no way into the fight but he used his considerable experience from his time in the amateurs and lasted the distance. Davis won on scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72. It is the first time he has gone the distance for a win. Nistor’s claim to fame was beating Anthony Joshua inside the distance in the European Championships in 2011 and he also scored wins over Otto Wallin, Jose Larduet, Guido Vianello, Filip Hrgovic and Frazer Clarkie
Nash vs. Perez
In a clash of unbeaten fighters NASH overcomes a slow start to take a majority verdict over PEREZ. The first two rounds were close with Perez just doing enough to win them. Nash changed that from the third improving with every round with his accurate counters finding plenty of gaps in Perez’s poor defence and he swept the late rounds to win on scores of 79-73 twice and a strange 76-76
Sosa vs. Francis
Argentinian SOSA ends the unbeaten run of Floridian FRANCIS. Ther first three rounds of this fight were wild. Sosa was badly shaken and close to going down in the first. A right from Sosa had Francis hurt in the second and he held hard to remain upright. Sosa was cut and wobbled but fired back and floored Francis with a left hook. The fourth and fifth saw Francis settle to do some boxing using his langer reach and 4” height advantage. Sosa was throwing a lot and missing a lot but still outscored Francis in the sixth and seventh and just edged a close eighth. Sosa wins on scores of 79-72, 78-73 and 77-74. Good win for former IBO featherweight champion Sosa who won the IBO belt with a scary kayo of James Dickens in 2023. Disappointment for 25-year-old Francis who will improve with more experience.
JULY 24
MAZATLAN, MEXICO: JESUS ARECHIGA (26-2) W KO JOSE FLORES (8-5).
Local hero ARECHIGA makes it 18 victories by the quick route with a kayo of FLORES. Arechiga won his first 21 fights before losing two in a row but is rebuilding.
UNCASVILLE, CT, USA: DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (33-1) W KO 1 DOUGLAS ATAIDE (20-6-1 ). FEATHER: KEVIN WALSH (21-0) W TKO 1 DANNIS AGUERO (20-6).
Andrade vs. Ataide
Former WBO light middle champion ANDRADE beats modest Brazilian ATAIDE in the first round. A long overhand left to the head two minutes into the fight had Ataide tottering back. Andrade followed him landing more punches then a clubbing right dropped Ataide on his back and it was all over. Andrade, 38, was having his first fight since losing on a sixth round retirement against David Bevavidez for the Interim WBC super-middle title in November 2023. Ataide is now 1-3 in his last 4 fights.
Walsh vs. Aguero
WALSH stops AGUERO in a short but explosive battle. Aguero struck first and had Walsh badly shaken by a right. When he tried to follow up he was met with a right hook counter that had his legs doing a little dance. Walsh then connected with hooks and uppercuts that dropped Aguero. He scrambled to his feet and was walking on stiff legs and a right cross sent him tumbling down and the referee stopped the fight. Brockton’s Walsh, 33, has wins over Tramaine Williams and Michael Conlan but his only rating is No 14 with the WBC. Fourth loss in a row in a run of hard fights for Dominican Aguero
JULY 25
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: SUPER WELTER: RODRIGO CORIA (16-8) W PTS 10 GERARDO VERGARA (21-2) .LIGHT: ALFREDO SOTO (19-1,1 ND) W KO 2 DENIS FIERRO (9-3).
Vergara vs. Coria
CORIA wins this all-southpaw clash for the vacant Argentinian title with a points victory over favoured VERGARA. Not a good night for Vergara as he failed to make the weight coming in 4 lbs over the contract weight and even lost despite scoring a second round knockdown. Scores 97-92 and 95-94 for Coria and 96-93 for Vergara. Coria had been 5-5 in his last 10 fights. Vergara was 20-0 before losing on a ninth round stoppage against Charles Conwell in 2024
Soto vs. Fierro
In another clash of southpaws SOTO knocked out FIERRO in the second round. Soto was throwing heavy punches from the start and in the first Fierro stood and traded with him. Soto continued his attacks in the second and put Fierro down and out with a right. Soto was making the second defence of the South American title.
ALMATAY, KAZAKHSTAN: LIGHT HEAVY: ALI AKHMEDOV (26-2) W TKO 3 ASEMAHLE WELLEM (11-3-1). BANTAM: YELSHAT NIKHEMTTOLLA (22-0-3) W PTS 10 BENNY CANETE (13-2). SUPER MIDDLE: BEK NURMAGANBET (16-0) W KO 5 ARTYSH LOPSAN (24-4-2).
Akhmedov vs. Wellem
AKHMEDOV wins the vacant IBO interim title with victory over WELLEM. Akhmedov dropped South African Wellem in the second round and twice more in the third and the fight was stopped. Now 19 wins by KO/TKO for Akhmedov who has moved up to light heavyweight after his loss to Maciej Sulecki last year. Wellem had won his last 4 fights.
Nikhemttolla vs. Canete.
Chinese-born Kazakh NIKHEMTTOLLA retains the WBA Asia title with a points win over Filipino CANETE. Southpaw Nikhemttolla won on Scores of 98-92, 98-93 and 96-94. Nikhemttolla had drawn each of his last two fights and is No 12 with the WBA. Canete had won his last three bouts.
Nurmaganbet vs. Lopsan
NURMAGANBET makes it 16 wins as he kayos Russian LOPSAN in the fifth round. The 6’1” Kazakh southpaw has won 14 of his fights inside the distance and is a member of Saul Alvarez’s training camp and regular sparring partner of Canelo’s. Second loss in a row for Lopsan.
TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN: SUPER LIGHT: SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV (26-2) W KO 1 MARK URVANOV (26-82).
Former IBF super lightweight title challenger ERGASHEV finishes experienced Russian URVANOV in the first round. The 24-year-old southpaw lost in a challenge to Subriel Matias for the IBF title. He also lost on a split decision against 8-2 Julian Smith in 2024 but has now rebounded with three wins by KO/TKO making it 24 wins inside the distance. Urvanov is 1-5 in his last 6 fights.
About the Author
Born in Scotland, Eric Armit started working with Boxing News magazine in the UK in the late 1960’s initially doing records for their Boxing News Annual and compiling World, European and Commonwealth ratings for the magazine. He wrote his first feature article for Boxing News in 1973 and wrote a “World Scene” weekly column for the magazine from the late 1970’s until 2004. Armit wrote a monthly column for Boxing Digest in the USA and contributed pieces to magazines in Mexico, Italy, Australia, Spain, Argentina and other countries. Armit now writes a Weekly Report covering every major fight around the world and a bi-weekly Snips & Snipes column plus occasional general interest articles with these being taken up by boxing sites around the world. He was a member of the inaugural WBC Ratings Committee and a technical advisor to the EBU Ratings Committee and was consulted by John McCain’s research team when they were drafting the Ali Act. He is a Director and former Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council. Armit has been nominated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame the past two years (2019 and 2020) to which he said, “Being on the list is an unbelievably huge honour.”
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