-Donaire vs. Sidorenko Results, Soto vs. Antillon Results, Alvarez vs. N’Dou Results & Much More-
The action kicked off a bit early, with a smattering of mid-week action.
Former cruiserweight king Jean-Marc Mormeck squeaked by Timur Ibragimov via split decision. Despite the depletion of talent in the heavyweight division, it is problematic if the 38-year old Mormeck will ever become a factor. Since losing a cruiserweight unification to David Haye in 2007, Mormeck has won 3 straight since returning a year ago. In his other 2 outings, he struggled with Vinny Maddalone and Fres Oquendo.
Friday Shobox Results
On Friday in Miami, a trio of Cuban-born prospects all notched wins. 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Yudel Jhonson, Yordanis Despaigne, and Yunier Dorticos took care of their journeymen opponents. With the recent influx of young Cuban amateur stars in the pro game, it is only a matter of time before their dominance is felt at the very highest levels.
Luis Franco—another top Cuban amateur star—moved to 8-0 after dominating talented Eric Hunter. Repeated low blows earned Hunter the hook in the 8th round of a Friday Shobox card. In the main event, hard-slugging cruiserweight Lateef Kayode scored his 13th consecutive stoppage in KO’ing Ed Perry in the 6th round of an entertaining-enough scrap. The Freddie Roach-trained Kayode is showing improvement, though he still has a decidedly raw edge. It should be interesting to see how far he goes.
Ricky Burns in Action; Dimitrenko vs. Sosnowski Canceled
On Saturday in Scotland, newly crowned WBO 130-pound titleholder Ricky Burns notched a decision over obscure challenger Andreas Evensen.
From Germany, an interesting main event between Alexander Dimitrenko and Albert Sosnowski was scratched at the last minute, when Dimitrenko fainted in his dressing room. The details are still a bit sketchy, but the cause being given by his team is food poisoning. Dimitrenko left the arena on a stretcher.
On the undercard, undefeated Manuel Charr squeaked by U.S. upset specialist Zack Page. Despite a 21-31-2 mark, Page has become the heavyweight Emanuel Augustus. The decade-long contendership of former Cruiserweight titleholder Juan Carlos Gomez continues to trudge along, as he stopped long-serving American journeyman Harold Sconiers. 2008 Heavyweight Olympic Gold Medallist Rakhim Chakhkiev, now fighting at cruiserweight, moved to 7-0 and is worth watching in the future.
The freefall of former exciting cruiserweight contender Darnell Wilson continued on Saturday, as he lost an 8-round nod to Alex Laepai in Australia. Since his unforgettable highlight-reel knockout of Emmanuel Nwodo, Wilson is only 1-5—his only win being over an 11-44-3 fighter.
Donaire vs. Sidorenko Results
From Anaheim, the PPV card featuring Nonito Donaire and Humberto Soto produced plenty of excitement. First, Donaire was explosive in stopping Wladimir Sidorenko in the 4th round. With Fernando Montiel reigning supreme atop the division and a 4-man tourney beginning next weekend, Donaire needed to be compelling and that’s just what he did—stopping a respected veteran in Sidorenko’s first inside-the-distance defeat. Donaire is now signed to fight Montiel on February 19. Can’t wait for that one.
Soto vs. Antillon Results
WBC Lightweight Champion Humberto Soto got by on the skin of his teeth, eking a close 12-round nod over determined challenger Urbano Antillon in a sizzling encounter. Soto was more technical, but the dogged effort of Antillon had him in good stead throughout. A point deduction in the 5th round cost Antillon a draw. Rematch, anyone?
The Soto-Antillon war helped make up for late pullout of Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. His opponent Pawel Wolak stopped tough Jose Pinzon in the 7th round.
Alvarez vs. N’Dou Results
On Saturday night from Veracruz, Mexico, fast-rising Saul Alvarez added the name of another former world titlist to his resume with a whitewash of Lovemore N’dou. Only one judge gave a round to N’dou, who called on all his guile and ointment to last the full 12. On the undercard, featherweight contender and former titleholder Daniel “Ponce” DeLeon scored a 7th round stoppage over Sergio Medina.
On to Next Week…
On Thursday, heavyweight contender and former two-division champion Tomasz Adamek takes on tough Vinny Maddalone.
On Saturday, Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko defends against undefeated but unsung Dereck Chisora in Germany.
A much-anticipated matchup takes place as Amir Khan takes on Marcos Maidana. The closer we get to fight night, the more it seems like this is going to a heck of a bout.
A compelling 4-man bantamweight tournament begins on Saturday. Yonnhy Perez fights a rematch with Joseph Agbeko. In their first fight, Perez upset Agbeko via clear unanimous decision. In addition, Vic Darchinyan tangles with Abner Mares in what should be a fight fan’s delight. The winner of these fights will meet in the final with the eventual winner looking to face the victor of Montiel-Donaire later in 2011.
