The first weekend of October 2014 saw some of boxing’s biggest names leave the ring victorious following their world title defenses.
In Mashantucket, Connecticut, Rances Barthelemy had no trouble shutting out challenger Fernando Saucedo. In a bout which featured no knockdowns, the scorecards could not have been wider at 120-108 between all three judges ringside. Bathelemy’s Unanimous Decision allowed him to return home with his IBF Junior Lightweight belt intact, and extends his unbeaten record to 21 wins, 12 knockouts, while Saucedo’s drops down to 52 wins, 8 knockouts, 6 losses, 3 draws.
In Los Mochis, Mexico, Featherweight Jhonny Gonzalez certainly kept in line with his wrecking machine reputation. Following 3 knockdowns – in the 3rd, 5th and 9th rounds – the referee saved challenger Jorge Acre from anymore unnecessary punishment, halting the bout at the tail end of the 11th.
Gonzalez’s WBC Featherweight strap was never in danger of switching hands, which was further evident when scores of 97-89, 99-87, 99-87 emerged. The stone-fisted Gonzalez improves to 57 wins, 48 knockouts, 8 losses, while Acre drops to 64 wins, 49 knockouts, 8 losses, 2 draws.
In Leeds, England, unbeaten prospect Josh Warrington had a short night’s work after dropping and stopping opponent Davide Dieli. The 4th round TKO victory further plumped the Yorkshire-born fighter’s career, earning him the European Featherweight title in the process. Warrington’s record climbs to 19 wins, 3 knockouts, while Dieli’s reduces to 15 wins, 5 knockouts, 4 losses.
Ricky Burns won a wide 97-71 Points Decision over Alexandre Lepelley on the night’s undercard bout. Lepelley was dropped in the 1st round, and also deducted a point in the 7th following an intentional head butt. By no means a noteworthy scalp, Burns will still be pleased to have clocked up the win after losing his WBO Lightweight title to Terence Crawford back in March.
Dave Ryan also came away victorious after being awarded a Majority Decision over Tyrone Nurse. In a very tight contest, Nurse was dropped in the 1st and 2nd round, and came extremely close to scoring a draw when the numbers came in at 113-113, 114-113, 114-113.
Let us know how you felt about the weekend’s boxing results below.
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