Sigmon wins WBC-US belt, Jameel McCline upset

Super Middleweight Contender Scott Sigmon thrilled the sold out crowd in Greensboro at the Guilford Convention Center, by scoring a third round TKO over game but outgunned Jimmy Campbell. WIth the victory Sigmon wins the WBC-US Title and catapults himself into the Super Middleweight picture. The fight was fought in a phone booth from the outset with Sigmon throwing and landing more and heavier shots. Sigmon took control of the fight late in the second when he landed a big left hook and straight right hand that visibly shook Campbell. Sigmon again hurt Campbell as the bell rag to end the second. Sigmon came out and jumped on Campbell in the third dropping him three times before referee Bill Clancy mercifully called a halt to the bout. Sigmon moves to 20-3 (12KO’s) while Campbell drops to 13-6. After the fight Sigmon said that he was proud to represent the WBC and looks forward to bigger challenges.

In the co-main event, former contender Jameel McCline looked to continue his comeback against journeyman Harold Sconiers. Apparently, Sconiers did not get his copy of the script. Sconiers pressed the fight from the beginning and landed more frequently than McCline who looked to be loading up trying to stop Sconiers with one well placed shot. That shot almost came. Late in the fifth McCline who was clearly behind on the cards landed the best shot of the night and looked to have Sconiers in trouble but McCline couldn’t follow up and close the show. (more…)

Yuba wins fourth national belt

By Joe Koizumi

35-year-old veteran southpaw Tadashi Yuba (40-7-2, 30 KOs), 159.25, acquired his fourth national belt as he won the vacant Japanese middleweight throne by dispatching JBC top ranked Carlos Linares (8-2, 8 KOs), 160, a Japan-based Venezuelan, at 0:39 of the seventh round on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.

It was a grueling bout as both displayed what they had to such a fullest extent that they became apparently exhausted as the contest progressed. In the first three sessions it was Carlos, the younger brother of formerly two-time world champ Jorge Linares that was in complete command to have the crowd sense that it would be a matter of time. Linares had the elongated southpaw at bay with his fine showing of resistless aggressiveness. The tide amazingly turned in the fourth as Yuba, obviously behind on points, attempted a do-or-die attack and fortunately floored the aggressor with a solid left midway in the round. (more…)

Chavez Jr. retains title

By John Cannon and Rolando Salazar at ringside
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (45-0-1, 31 KOs) successfully defended his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio (53-6-1, 47 KOs) on Saturday night before 14,120 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Rubio put forth a valiant effort, however the effort wasn’t enough to capture the title as the judges at ringside scored the bout 118-110, 116-112, and 115-113.

Rubio struck first as he connected with a straight right hand at the end of the first round. Chavez Jr. started coming on in the third round as he threw some combinations that landed to the head of Rubio. Both fighters exchanged a nice little flurry of punches between each other late in the third round. Rubio stunned Chavez Jr. late in the fourth round as he caught him with a nice combination. Chavez Jr. started unloading some bombs to the body of Rubio in the fifth round which seemed to hurt him a little. Rubio threw a nice little uppercut to the right side of Chavez Jr.’s head which sent it snapping back a little in the seventh round. Chavez Jr. caught Rubio with a nice uppercut in the eighth round which stunned him and then followed up with some nice combinations late in the round. Rubio became a little more active late in the ninth round as he got in a couple of good shots. Chavez Jr. continued to unload with combinations in the tenth round in which Rubio had absolutely no answer for. Rubio started to become active early in the eleventh round as he was unloading everything he had. But Chavez Jr. answered back and unleashed a series of combinations once again which had Rubio against the ropes. Rubio weathered it and both fighters became involved in an old fashioned slugfest late in the round.

Spivey, Witherspoon victorious

By Chris Perry at ringside

The Super Brawl I main event promised to be a brawl, and it delivered. In the end, Portsmouth, Virginia fighter “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey (40-6-0, 30 KOs) captured the NABA Lightweight Championship defeating Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Victor Vasquez (14-6-1, 7 KOs) when referee Lindsey Page called a halt to the bout 25-seconds into the seventh round following a barrage of straight right and left hands landed by Spivey. Both fighters went toe-to-toe throughout the contest presented by Diane Fischer’s Dee Lee Promotions, LLC at the Tropicana Casino and Resort Showroom in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In the Super Brawl I co-feature, Philadelphia’s Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon (29-2-0, 21 KOs) knocked out Greenville, Kentucky’s David Saulsberry (7-5-0, 7 KOs) with a powerful right hand landed 42-seconds into the second round. Witherspoon captured the Independent Boxing Syndicate North American Continental Heavyweight Championship with the victory.

Donaire defeats Vazquez to win WBO belt

By John Cannon and Rolando Salazar at ringside
Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

In a clash for the vacant WBO super bantamweight belt, pound-for-pound star Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18 KOs) effectively used his left hand and combinations throughout the entire fight and went on to score a hard fought twelve round split decision over former champ Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-2-1, 17 KOs). The bout too place Saturday night as the Chavez Jr.-Rubio co-feature before 14,120 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

After both fighters used the first round to feel each other out, Donaire started working the body of Vasquez in the second round and connected with some solid left hooks. But Vasquez encouraged Donaire to keep throwing at him as round two continued. Donaire connected with a solid left uppercut in the third round which put Vasquez against the ropes. Donaire was going for the kill but Vasquez was able to escape and get out of the ropes and weather the storm. Vasquez had his most productive round of the fight as he caught Donaire with a couple of straight right hands to the head in the fifth. Vasquez started to turn the tide in round six as he was connecting with some solid shots to the head area of Donaire. Donaire answered back in the seventh round as he stunned Vasquez with some solid shots late in the round. Donaire nailed Vasquez with a thunderous body shot halfway through the eighth round. Donaire dropped Vasquez in the ninth as he nailed him with a solid uppercut, left hook combo. Vasquez popped Donaire with a solid shot to the face in the tenth round. However, Donaire answered back by throwing a series of combinations to end the round.

The judges at ringside scored the bout 115-112 (Vasquez), 117-110 (Donaire) and 117-110 (Donaire).

Rios stays unbeaten

By Francisco Salazar at ringside
Photos: Big Joe Miranda

Junior lightweight Ronny Rios stopped Jeremy McLaurin in the fourth round of a scheduled eight round bout at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, CA. Although both fighters fought in spurts throughout the fight, Rios (17-0, 8 KOs) landed the more effective punches of the two. In the fourth round, Rios wobbled McLaurin (9-3, 5 KOs) with a left hook to the head. McLaurin tried to fight back, but Rios pinned him in a corner, throwing and landing punches to the head and body. When McLaurin looked as though he was not able to defend himself, referee Raul Caiz, Sr. stopped the bout at 2:31.

“He had an awkward style,” said Rios afterward. “I was a little hesitant because I didn’t want to get caught since he had a long reach. I did not want to take any risks, so there was no need for me to rush. I just had to be patient and I had to get on the inside. I definitely wanted to give the fans excitement, but I didn’t want to get carried away.” For more details and photos click here…

Off TV Results from San Antonio, Texas

By John Cannon and Rolando Salazar at ringside
Photo: Naoki Fukuda

In a clash for the WBC silver super welterweight title, unbeaten former Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (32-0, 20 KOs) took apart 41-year-old Troy Lowry (27-12, 15 KOs). Martirosyan dropped Lowry with a left hook to the body in the first round. Even though Lowry was able to answer the standing eight count, Martirosyan continued the attack throughout the remaining two minutes of round number one. Lowry developed a deep cut over the left brow of his eye in the second round due to continuous shots by Martirosyan. Martirosyan hurt Lowry in the third round as he connected with a straight right hand which sent him to his knees. Once again Lowry got up but was put into the ropes as Martirosyan fired away with combinations. Referee Laurence Cole put a halt to the bout at the 2:53 mark of the third round.

Welterweight Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso (21-0, 18 KOs) defeated Nestor Rosas (9-3, 6 KOs) when the referee stopped the bout due to unanswered blows 55 seconds into round six. Omotoso caught Rosas with a series of right hands to the body in the fifth round which hurt him. Omotoso continued the onslaught in the sixth round as he punished the head and body area of Rosas with those right hands.

Unbeaten super bantamweight Raul Hirales (16-0-1, 8 KOs) barely got past Shawn Nichol (5-9, 5 KOs). Nichol put together a valiant effort against the undefeated Hirales. However, Nichol wasn’t able to give Hirales his first loss of his career as he lost by split decision. The judges scored the bout 59-55 (Hirales), 59-55 (Nichol) and 58-56 (Hirales). (more…)

Hernandez beats Cunningham again

By Karl Freitag
Photo: Photo Wende

In an IBF-mandated rematch, IBF cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (26-1, 13 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Steve “U.S.S.” Cunningham (24-4, 12 KOs) on Saturday night at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, Germany. After winning the first three rounds with his body attack, Hernandez dropped Cunningham twice in round four. Cunningham barely survived the round, but recovered well in round five and used his quickness to outbox Hernandez for much of the rest of the fight, but Hernandez closed strong staggering Cunningham in the last round. Scores were 116-110, 116-110, 115-111.

The rematch was ordered after the stoppage in Hernandez’ favor by ring doctor Walter Wagner in the first fight was deemed inappropriate. This time Hernandez didn’t need the doctor’s help. For lots more notable results, click here.

Cordoba returns to ring, stops foe

By Robert Coster

Former WBA super bantamweight champion Ricardo “Maestrito” Cordoba (38-3-2, 24 KOs) of Panama returned to the ring after almost 15 months of inaction, making it a quick evening’s work with a two round stoppage of Miguel Cogollo Valdez (19-8-2, 13 KOs) of Colombia. The fight was held Friday night at the Sheraton Hotel in Colon, Panama. Cordoba’s previous fight was a decision loss in November of 2010 to Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBA Interim title. In an another noteworthy result, rising lightweight Evens Pierre (21-1, 16 KOs) of Haiti scored a shutout decision over sturdy Colombian visitor Aristides Perez (20-7-1) in an eight round contest.

Arroyo, Gonzalez triumph

Photos: PRBBP/Jose Perez

Former Olympian and amateur world champion McWilliams Arroyo (10-1, 9 KOs) beat Gilberto Mendoza (4-2, 1 KO) by TKO when Mendoza couldn’t respond to the bell in round four with an injured right shoulder on Friday night at the Coliseo Luis Aymat Cardona in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.

Brother McJoe Arroyo’s fight didn’t take place because his foe, Kadel Martinez, didn’t pass his physical.

Unbeaten flyweight Jonathan González (8-0, 7 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO of Samuel Gutiérrez (5-10-3, 0 KOs). The referee stopped the fight at 1:01 of the fifth round due to the punishment taken by Gutierrez.

In an upset, jr welterweight Ramesis Gil (7-3-5, 5 KOs) won by six round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Luis Joel González (9-1-1, 5 KOs) when judges scored it 59-55, 58-56 and 58-56. (more…)

Chilemba defeats Miranda

By Andreas Hale and Anthony Springer Jr. at ringside
Photo by Chris Cozzone 

WBC #6, WBA #13, and WBO #14-rated light heavyweight Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (19-1-1, 9 KOs) scored a bloody ten round unanimous decision over Edison “Pantera” Miranda (35-7, 30 KOs) on Friday night at the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas. Miranda was hampered by a cut on the side of the left eye that bled profusely after an unintentional headbutt in round three. Scores were 97-91, 96-92, 96-92.

In a heavyweight attraction, Magmoed Abdusalamov improved to 13-0 with his 13th knockout coming in the 2nd round against previously undefeated Pedro Rodriguez. Although the rotund bellied Rodriguez (8-1) came out with his guns blazing, Abdusalamov weathered the early storm and pelted his foe with a number of unanswered blows in the second round before referee Russell Mora came to the rescue at the 1:04 mark.

In a clash of unbeaten lightweights, Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs) outpointed Hylon Williams Jr. (15-1, 3 KOs) over eight by scores of 80-72, 79-73, 79-73. (more…)

Frampton retains Commonwealth belt

Carl Frampton sent out a chilling warning to his rivals with a stunning seventh round knockout of Kris Hughes as he defended his Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title on Saturday at York Hall, Bethnal Green. In the build up to the fight, much of the focus was on a potential fight with British champion Scott Quigg, but Frampton proved his focus was true as he put together a punch-perfect performance that culminated in a violent right hook at the start of the seventh round that ended the fight. (more…)

Smith rounds up the Renegade

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Saturday night at the First District Plaza, Percy Custis of Shuler’s Gym Promotions had to work hard to put together a night of boxing and entertainment for the more than 400+ in attendance. Several fights fell out, forcing Percy to scramble to complete the card at the last minute. The originally proposed main event featuring veteran heavyweights Gerald Nobles and Marlon Hayes had to be scratched, forcing Percy to move 53-fight veteran super middleweight Dhafir “No Fear” Smith against young upstart Quinton “The Renegade” Rankin, who entered the ring with a record of 4-1, 3 KOs. Though the fight looked good on paper, it was a sloppy affair with Dhafir Smith 25-22-7, 4 KOs taking a hard earned six round unanimous decision victory over the slick counter-punching southpaw. (more…)

Welliver defeats Mensah

By David Finger

In a tougher than expected brawl, WBC and WBO ranked heavyweight contender Chauncy Welliver continued his climb up the world rankings in title defense Saturday for the New Zealand National Boxing Federation (NZNBF) heavyweight title, the WBC Asian Boxing Council heavyweight title and the WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title in Auckland, New Zealand. Welliver won the fight with a dominant 10th round TKO over Ghana’s Moyoyo Mensah, but the African proved more than willing to brawl with the bigger man in the early rounds. Although Welliver admitted that the fight was “difficult” in the first half for the fight, his size and power began to wear the smaller man down, prompting Mensah to surrender in the tenth round. The fight, which goes down as a tenth round TKO for Welliver, puts him closer to a world title fight in 2012, and exciting development not only for American fight fans in the Pacific Northwest, but also boxing fans in New Zealand, where the popular American has made his second home. (more…)

Algeri remains unbeaten

By Peter Frutkoff at ringside
Photos: Peter Frutkoff

Promoter Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing returned Saturday night to the Paramount Theater in Huntington, Long Island, New York with his “Rockin Fights” series. In the main event, hometown favorite Chris Algieri (13-0, 6 KOs) hammered out a lopsided eight round unanimous decision over Curtis Smith (10-6, 5 KOs) in a junior welterweight contest. Scores were 78-74, 80-72, 80-72. More photos…

Results from Mexico City

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Featherweight Robinson Castellanos (14-9, 9 KOs) took a ten round unanimous decision over Orlando Rizo (14-3, 9 KOs) to retain his WBC silver for the third time on Saturday night at the Jose Cuervo Salon in the Polanco district of Mexico City. Judges scored it 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111, which accurately reflected what happened in the ring.

Also WBC female silver bantamweight beltholder Zulina Muñoz (33-1-2, 23 KOs) won by knockout in three rounds over former WIBA world champion Paulina Cardona (19-11-4, 9 KOs) to retain her title for the third time. (more…)

Sanabria halts Ramunal

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Lightweight Alejandro Sanabria (31-1-1, 24 KOs) scored a knockout at 2:05 of the fourth round against Jhunriel Ramunal (12-5-1, 6 KOs) to defend his WBC silver belt for the first time on Saturday night at the Manuel Bernardo Aguirre Gym in Chihuahua, Mexico in front of 10,000+ boxing fans. Sanabria will now seek a world title fight against his compatriot and current WBC lightweight world champion Antonio DeMarco.

In the co-feature, hot middleweight prospect Marcos “Dorado” Reyes (23-1-1, 21 KOs) won by knockout in the third round at 2:27 over Isaac Mendez (11-4, 9 KOs) to retained his WBC Fecombox belt. (more…)

Little Tyson victorious in Tunica

By Przemek Garczarczyk

Poland’s Kamil “Little Tyson” Laszczyk (7-0, 5 KO) won the Mid-South featherweight belt during the main event in Tunica, Mississippi, winning 60-54 on the scorecards after a hard battle in every round against seasoned Texas champion Samuel Sanchez (7-3, 3 KO). “It was a lot tougher fight that I expected. Sanchez came to fight, had two months to prepare and never backed down. I liked this challenge but it was a real test versus a fighter with a lot more experience in American-style boxing that I had. At least until this night,” said 21-year-old Laszczyk, a Polish national champion fighting now for Global Boxing in North Bergen, New Jersey. (more…)

Nava wins WBA title in Tijuana

By Gabriel F. Cordero
Photos: Rafael Soto/Zanfer

On Saturday night in Tijuana, “Aztec Princess” Jackie Nava easily defeated Panamanian Chantall Martinez to snatch the WBA super bantamweight world title. Scores were 100-89, 100-89 and 99-90 all to Nava. For Nava this was world title fight number 15 and her fights in 2011 against compatriot Ana Maria Torres are considered some of the best in the history of women’s boxing. More results and photos

Buendia-Rodriguez draw in Fort Worth

By Jeff Zimmerman at ringside

In a back and forth affair in the main event of Paulie Ayala’s Gloves & Guitars, lightweights Miguel Buendia (7-1-1, 4KO) and Angel Rodriguez (5-7-3, 4KO’s) battled to an 8 round majority draw. The scores read 78-74, and 76-76 twice. (more…)

Grano TKOs Minto in third round

Report and photo by Boxing Bob Newman at ringside

In an NABF heavyweight title eliminator, Tony Grano (19-2-1, 15 KOs) scored a spectacular third round KO over former cruiserweight title challenger Brian Minto (35-4, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. In a good action fight, Grano dropped Minto twice in the third round and the bout was stopped. Time was 1:04.

In an eight-round heavyweight contest, Eric “Danger” Fields (20-1, 15 KOs) easily outpointed Derrick Brown (13-7-3, 11 KOs) by scores of 80-72, 79-73, 79-73. Click here for full report

Flores stops Pineda; Spinks tops Powell

By Clint Rosser at ringside

WBO #3 cruiserweight BJ Flores (27-1-1, 16 KOs) scored a sixth round TKO over comebacking 40-year-old former welterweight title challenger Hugo Pineda (39-6-1, 28 KOs) on Saturday night at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri. Flores dominated the fight, dropping Pineda in round two and getting a stoppage in round six. Referee Mike Englund waved it off at 2:34.

Former two-division world champion Cory Spinks (38-6, 11 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Sechew Powell (26-4, 15 KOs) in an important IBF jr. middleweight eliminator. Spinks controlled most the rounds with his jab to win by scores of 115-113, 115-113, 116-112.

Brähmer wins in comeback fight

By Karl Freitag

After three consecutive late pull-outs that cost him his world title, former WBO light heavyweight champion Jürgen Brähmer (37-2, 30 KOs) finally made it back into the ring on Saturday night to score a fourth round TKO over José Maria Guerrero (29-3-1, 11 KOs) at the Grand Elysée in Hamburg, Germany. In his first fight in 21 months, Brähmer looked good as he landed his southpaw power shots against Guerrero in round one, and the “100 Year Talent” floored Guerrero with a left uppercut in round two. The bout ended when referee Jürgen Langlos stopped the fight in round four to have the ring doctor look at a cut suffered by Guerrero and the bout was stopped. Time was 2:27. (more…)

Melindo stops Esquer

By Dennis Principe

WBO #1 flyweight Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the Philippines kept his Intercontinental crown via a 7th round TKO over a game but outclassed Mexican Juan “Panterita” Esquer Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu. Melindo, 23, peppered Esquer with stiff jabs, uppercuts and punishing 4 to 5-punch combinations, all in precision manner. In round five Esquer got floored with a low blow that saw the Mexican wince in pain and rolled around the ring. Esquer tried to stand up at least six times but fell each time. After a few minutes Esquer continued fighting and survived the round.

In the 7th canto Esquer trapped Melindo in the neutral corner but threw a clear low blow. Referee Danrex Tapdasan came in for a momentary halt but Esquer surprisingly fell down and claimed he was hit by a low blow. Replays through a wide screen inside the venue however showed Esquer not being hit by any punch. Tapdasan waived off the fight after Esquer refused to stand up. Official time was 2:16. (more…)

Prescott rebounds with KO win

Junior welterweight Breidis Presscott (25-4, 20 KOs) of Colombia ended his two fight losing streaking scoring a third round stoppage of countrymen Joel Cassiani Friday night. The main event bout took place at the Coliseo Cubierto in Puerto Colombia, Colombia.

Also hot middleweight prospect Alex Theran (6-0, 4 KOs) of Colombia remained unbeaten with a shutout unanimous six round decision of countryman Juan De Angel. The official scores weree 60-54 by all three judges. The event was promoted by Juan Carlos Devia/Probox Del Caribe.

Provodnikov, Kim victorious

Junior welterweight Ruslan Provodnikov (21-1, 14 KOs) scored a sixth round KO over game local favorite David “El Torito” Torres (21-3-2, 13 KOs) on Friday night at the Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. Provodnikov dropped Torres with a right hand in round one, dominated the fight, then floored Torres twice in the sixth to end it. Time was 2:53.

Former lightweight world title challenger Ji-Hoon “Volcano” Kim (23-7, 18 KOs) scored an entertaining ten round unanimous decision over Yakubu “The Black Mamba” Amidu (17-3-1, 15 KOs). Scores were 96-94, 98-92, 97-93. No knockdowns. Amidu was cut midway through the fight above the left eye.

6’5 unbeaten cruiserweight Garret Simon (6-0-1, 5 KOs) needed just 55 seconds to finish Marcus Dickerson (4-4-2, 2 KOs).

Aityo remains unbeaten

Egypt’s top prospect light heavyweight Hany Atiyo (12-0, 8 KOs) kept his unbeaten record intact Friday night. Atiyo ground out a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision over veteran countryman Mazur Ali. The bout took place at the Cairo University Indoor Hall in Giza Egypt. Judges Saleh Abdulberi and Lophe Debes scored the bout 118-108 while Hany Hassan had it 117-109. Referee for the bout was Heshem Pasha. Richard Nwoba /LouaaBoxing promoted the event.

Late Report: Sheika-Hayward

Report and Photos by Rich Hundley III
Photos: Rich Hundley III

Former title challenger Omar Sheika (31-11, 21 KOs) won a war with the always durable Charles Hayward (7-4, 3 KOs) this past Saturday in the main event of “Saturday Night Fights at the Hamilton Manor” in Hamilton, NJ. The balance of power changed hands several times during the contest, with both fighters slugging it out much to the enjoyment of the crowd. Hayward continuously landed his big right while Shieka powered through and outlasted Hayward, who had trouble keeping up at the end. Sheika won a split decision with the scores of 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93. (more…)

Ceja Brothers victorious in Mexico

By Gabriel F. Cordero

Mexican flyweight prospect Luis “Gallito” Ceja (21-1-3, 17 KOs) won via twelve round unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112 and 116-112) over Argentinian Carlos “Bad Boy” Ruiz (11-1, 7 KOs) to retained the WBC Fecarbox title in the main event of “Clash of Nations” on Saturday night at the Jilotepec Convention Center, State of Mexico in an event organized by Baja Boxing and broadcast by Televisa.

In the co-feature, undefeated Julio “Pollito” Ceja (18-0, 17 KOs) stopped experienced former world title challenger Ronald Barrera (30-9-2, 19 KOs) of Colombia at the 2:21 of the fourth round to be crowned WBC bantamweight Fecarbox champion.

Namauu Beats Godfrey at the Boat

By Shamus Young at ringside

Cruiserweight Henry Namauu improved to 10-4 with a unanimous decision over Joell Godfrey (now 13-6-1) over ten rounds at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. Godfrey had a reach advantage and could win exchanges in the middle of the ring, but he chose to rope –a-dope for long stretches of rounds. Perhaps Godfrey was doing rope-a-dope as a tribute to Ali’s 70th birthday, but it was an ineffective tribute. Godfrey’s defense wasn’t tight enough, so plenty of scoring blows came through. And when he wasn’t on the roles, Godfrey just wasn’t moving his hands often enough to win the round. Namauu just piled up points. Scores were 99-91, 97-93, and 96-94. Fightnews had it 96-95 for Namauu. (more…)