Summer’s salivating lineup finally gets underway, and this weekend did not disappoint, with mainstream fights unfolding on both sides of the pond. Touted upstart Chris Eubank Jr clashed with a seasoned Arthur Abraham in London, while battlers Miguel Berchelt and Takashi Miura exchanged dynamite in Los Angeles. Here’s how the action played out:
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Arthur Abraham
In London, England, Chris Eubank Jr had zero problems dominating veteran and former titleholder Arthur Abraham en route to a Unanimous Decision. Ringside judges tallied the Super Middleweight contest at 118-110 (twice) and 120-108, with the latter card mirroring that of Boxing Base’s.
Abraham (46-6, 30 KO) looked every one of his 37 years tonight as he failed to gain any serious momentum while covering up behind a clamshell guard. Abraham was slow, outgunned, and quite simply out of place in this fight. However, if anything, he did prove himself to be one of the most durable fighters on the planet.
While there are certainly bigger challenges out there for Eubank (25-1, 19 KO), the rising Middleweight star appears to be maturing into a well-rounded fighter who knows the importance of killing the body. The 27-year-old unloaded vicious, meaty combinations all night long, with enough design to suggest he stands a good chance of matching up well in September’s World Boxing Super Series tournament.
Eubank Jr vs. Abraham: Undercard
- Martin J Ward (18-0-2, 8 KO) clocked up win number nineteen following a back-and-forth, competitive clash with Anthony Cacace (15-1, 7 KO) to defend his British Junior Lightweight title.
- Lee Selby (25-1, 9 KO) had too much in his utility belt for veteran former titlist Jonathan Barros (41-5-1, 22 KO), winning on scores of 119-108 and 117-110 (twice) and claiming a 12th round knockdown to boot. Selby’s latest IBF Featherweight title defense now opens the door to a potential clash with Carl Frampton.
- Kid Galahad (23-0, 14 KO) retained his unbeaten Featherweight slate with a 10th round stoppage of Dennis Ceylan (21-6, 10 KO).
- Michal Syrowatka (15-1, 11 KO) climbed off the deck in the 1st to rally back and eventually drop and stop Junior Featherweight prospect Robbie Davies Jr (19-1, 7 KO) in the final stanza.
Miguel Berchelt vs. Takashi Miura
In Los Angeles, California, Miguel Berchelt defended his WBC Junior Lightweight title in style, handily beating Takashi Miura via Unanimous Decision. Berchelt, who further launched his appeal off the back of upsetting Francisco Vargas in January, was the ring general for the most part tonight, employing a heavy, sharp offense, coupled with busy, tactical mobility.
Berchelt (32-1, 28 KO), who was awarded scores of 116-111, 119-108 and 120-109, demonstrated his power in the 1st round by dropping Miura with a left hook to the temple. Miura (31-4-2, 24 KO) remained game, and did find a home for his dangerous left on occasion, but ultimately struggled to establish a sustained attack due to Berchelt’s constant movement. Still, you’ve got to respect Miura for going out swinging. Literally.
Berchelt, armed with a belt and dynamic, fierce skill set, remains one of today’s 130-pound kingpins. And with guys like Gervonta Davis, Orlando Salido – not to mention Vasyl Lomachenko – roaming the current Top 10, the division is looking red-hot for the foreseeable future.
Berchelt vs. Miura: Undercard
- Jezreel Corrales (22-1, 8 KO) settled for a Technical Decision over Robinson Castellanos (24-12, 14 KO) to retain the WBA Junior Lightweight title, with a nasty clash of heads in the 10th halting the action. Corrales, a newcomer to the Golden Boy stable, endured a surprisingly turbulent night against a gnarly, on-point Castellanos before scorecards of 94-94, 94-93 and 96-92 secured victory. Both men tasted canvas; Corrales twice in the 4th, and Castellanos once in the 7th.
- Sullivan Barrera (20-1, 14 KO) won a comfortable Unanimous Decision over Joe Smith Jr (23-1, 19 KO), with the Cuban’s refined tool set separating this pair of Light Heavyweight punchers. Scorecards came in at 96-93 and 97-92 (twice).
- Diuhl Olguin (12-6-3, 9 KO) conquered Horacio Garcia (32-3-1, 23 KO), with their Featherweight encounter met by tallies of 77-73 (twice) and 76-74.
Spills your thoughts on Eubank Jr vs. Abraham, Berchelt vs. Miura, plus the rest of the night’s supporting acts below.
