The World This Week by Oliver Fennell Dec 4th 2007

Oliver Fennell sums up the international action of interest. Results with relevance to British boxing are in bold. November 27 Italian cruiserweight Vincenzo Rossitto returned from a failed bid for the EU title by stopping Hungarian journeyman Roland Horvath in three rounds in Grosseto, Italy. Rossitto is a three-time European title challenger and a former heavyweight. He was beaten in two rounds by David Haye in 2005. November 29 Japan-based Thai Eagle Den Junlaphan – aka Eagle Kyowa – returned to Bangkok, but it was an unhappy homecoming, as he was relieved of his WBC strawweight title by Oleydong Sithsamerchai. Den Junlaphan is a two-time holder of the belt, for which he has competed in nine consecutive bouts since 2004. Ronald Hearns, son of “The Hitman” Tommy, marked time and improved to 17-0 with an eight-round unanimous decision over James Buggs in Altoona, Iowa. November 30 Antonio Tarver posted a reminder of his status in the competitive light-heavyweight division by knocking out Danny Santiago in four rounds in Foxwoods. Tarver, best known for his role in Rocky Balboa, is making a late run at 38 to seal his legacy, having looked unimpressive in his last two fights after twice besting Roy Jones. Talk is of a challenge to WBC champion Chad Dawson. On this night, Tarver retained his lesser-regarded IBO belt. On the same bill, WBC light-middleweight champion Vernon Forrest was impressive in retaining his belt for the first time, stopping European king Michele Piccirillo in 11 rounds. Also, new IBF flyweight holder Nonito Donaire made his maiden defence, stopping Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado in eight. The biggest little man in boxing, Ivan Calderon, kept his WBO light-flyweight title with a unanimous nod over Mexican contender Juan Esquer in Albuquerque. In the nominal main event, prodigal son Julio Cesar Chaves Jr won a grudge match, KOing Ray Sanchez in six light-middleweight rounds. Also, popular Mexican ex-champ Jorge Arce scored a resounding first-round KO over Medgoen Singsurat for the WBC Latino title. Singsurat, from that most Latino of countries, Thailand, was taken out with a single body shot after just 48 seconds. Panamanian WBA super-bantamweight titleholder Celestino Caballero defeated veteran ex-champ Mauricio Pastrana on an eighth-round stoppage in Panama City. Caballero retained for a third time. Pastrana is a three-time champion between light-flyweight and super-fly, although he hasn't won a world title fight since 2001. On the undercard, former WBO bantamweight ruler Mauricio Martinez registered an eight-round verdict over Manuel de los Reyes Herrera. Martinez won his world title in Manchester, when he defeated Lester Fuentes of Brazil in a wild one, and then crushed Esham Pickering in a round in his first defence. Finally, Santiago Samaniego fell in two rounds to novice Nilson Julio Tapia. Light-middleweight Samaniego, a nephew of Roberto Duran, was a top contender in the late 90s, but has only managed one victory in his last seven starts. It was the end of an era in women's boxing as Regina Halmich signed off on her career with a final victory. The German veteran outscored Israeli Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer over 10 rounds to retain her IBF flyweight championship in Karlsruhe, and then confirmed her retirement. The 31-year-old had been a pro since 1994 and notched up 56 contests, winning all but two (one draw). In that time, she held six world and two European titles between light-flyweight and super-fly. A record-breaking (for either sex) 46 of her matches were for world championships and she defeated British challenger Cathy Brown in 2004. On the undercard, Armenian middleweight contender Koren Ghevor came back from his sterling challenge to Arthur Abraham three months ago, winning by seventh-round disqualification against Nicolas Vicente Perillo Rodriguez of Uruguay. Malcolm Klassen picked up a second victory since losing his IBF super-featherweight title, knocking out Pablo Ernesto Oliveto of Argentina in five rounds in Temba, South Africa. A fighter familiar to British fans appeared on the undercard. Old Simon Ramoni, who fought Patrick Mullings (twice), Michael Alldis and Michael Brodie in the late 90s, lost to inexperienced countryman Bongani Mahlangu. Bantamweight Ramoni was a fine fighter in his day, but is a spent force now, having lost his last four contests. Rey Bautista bouncd back from this summer's crushing one-round defeat to Daniel Ponce De Leon, outscoring Antonio Meza for the WBO Intercontinental super-bantamweight strap in Manila. DeMarcus Corley's career is in tatters after a second consecutive upset defeat. Only 15 months ago, he was fighting Junior Witter for the vacant WBC light-welterweight title (lost on points) and was a slight betting favourite. But now he has dropped from the rankings, probably for good. This time, in Tampa, he was outscored by trialhorse Dairo Jose Esalas over eight rounds. This followed a stoppage loss to unheralded Jose Alfaro in May, meaning “Chop Chop” – a former WBO champion who once pushed Zab Judah and Floyd Mayweather close, has now lost three in a row. Walter Estrada, who gave Scott Harrison a short but good fight in Glasgow three years ago, bounced back from a recent upset defeat, knocking out countryman Elmer Reales in five rounds in Barranquilla, Colombia. Estrada is now up at super-featherweight.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.