HIGHLIGHTS:
- Claressa Shields wins the WBA and WBC middleweight titles with a victory over champion Kaye Scott and there are wins for Troy Isley, Bernice Ferreira, Ashleyann Lozada, and Atif Oberlton.
-Australian middleweight Michael Zerafa returns with a win and heavyweight hope Teremoana Teremoana gets another early finish.
-A big show in Russia sees former amateur gold medallists from Russia and Uzbekistan score wins.
- A show in Buenos Aires sees Sofiane Oumiha, Samuel Carmona and Aldana Lopez win minor WBA titles
MAJOR SHOWS:
AUGUST 15
ATLANTA, GA, USA: MIDDLE: CLARESSA SHIELDS (19-0) W TKO 6 KAYE SCOTT (5-2-1). MIDDLE: TROY ISLEY (17-0) W PTS 10 JOSEPH HICKS (12-2). SUPER BANTAM: ASHLEYANN LOZADA (5-0) W PTS 10 PAULETTE CUESTA (19-6-1). SUPER FEATHER: BERNICE FERREIRA (11-0) W DISQ 8 CAROLINE VEYRE (11-2). LIGHT HEAVY: ATIF OBERLTON (17-0) W PTS 10 ROAMER ANGULO (29-5). SUPER MIDDLE: DaVELLE SMITH (15-0) W TKO 6 HAKIM LOPEZ (16-2) .
Shields vs. Scott
SHIELDS brushes aside champion SCOTT to win the WBA and WBC titles. Shields targeted Scott’s body with solid left hooks from the start and to add to Scott’s problems punches from Shields raised an ugly hematoma on the left side of Scott’s forehead. Shields attacked relentlessly through the second and although Scott showed a good chin she had neither the power nor speed to match Shields and it was clear this fight was not going the distance. Shields continued to land heavily with volleys of punches to the head and body over the third and fourth. Trying to match Shields for output and power was suicide for Scott but the ferocity of the attacks from Shields left her no alternative. Shields showed her superiority in the fifth as she allowed Scott to back her to a corner drawing Scott into exchanging punches. For a full 30 seconds Scott stayed there trading shots which showed real guts but in the end that only served to have Scott tired and vulnerable and Shiels landed some hard head punches at the end of the round. Shields closed the show in the sixth. She landed a sickening left hook that wobbled Scott and then sent her staggering along the ropes and half out through them. With the ropes having held Scott up the referee gave Scott a standing count. When the eight count was completed Scott still seemed a little unsteady but the fight continued until a series of punches had Scott reeling and the fight was stopped. A brave performance from 42-year-old Scott but the outcome was inevitable. Shields had given up IBF, WBA, WBC, WBF and WBO versions of the middleweight title to move up to win the heavyweight title. She had never weighed more than 175 lbs in her heavyweight title fights but had reportedly had to come down from an out of action 198 lbs to make the weight of 159 ¾ for this fight. There is talk of a fight with Lauren Price another Olympic gold medal winner. Price holds the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBC welterweight titles and has never weighed more than 147 lbs in a fight. Shields was down at 143 lbs when she held the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super welter titles so perhaps a deal can be done. Shields is also said to be eyeing Canadian Tamm Thibeault who holds the IBF and WBO middleweight entitles so there are options for Shields.
It is curious that although the words power and ferocity can describe Shields she has only won 4 of her 19 fights inside the distance!
Isley vs. Hicks
ISLEY gains revenge for a loss to HICKS at the USA Trials for the Tokyo Olympics but as things worked out it was Isley who went to the Olympics and who won here. Hicks had both height and reach over Isley and started well using his jab to pierce Isley’s guard and landing a hard right in the second that shook Isley. It was payback time in the third as Isley rattled Hicks with a left hook. Isley was down in the fourth but it was rightly ruled a slip and he upped his output and looked to have taken the round. He lost the advantage from taking that round when he was deducted a point in the fifth for kidney punches. Isley was taking the fight to Hicks and winning rounds on his higher work rate. Their styles did not mix well and the crowd often booed the lack of action in the second half of the fight. Hicks was still finding gaps with his jabs but was just not busy enough and although he had a good ninth Isley finished strongly and took the decision on scores of 96-93 twice and 97-92. After being inactive for a year Isley has won three fights in the last two months and this win netted him the vacant WBA Continental USA title. He is No 9 with the WBC so has some way to go to land a title shot. Hicks had lost a split decision against Wendy Toussaint in 2025.
Lozada vs. Cuesta
Southpaw LOZADA wins the vacant WBA Gold title with a decision over CUESTA. Lozada dominated from the start hurting Cuesta with a body punches in both the first and the second. Lozada applied plenty of pressure in each round. Cuesta had a fairly good fourth but Lozada continually found the target with body punches from both hands. Cuesta’s troubles worsened in the sixth which saw her suffer a bad cut over her right eye caused by a punch. Lozada continued to boss the action and she had a tired Cuesta in trouble in the last. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91 for Lozada. Cuesta has come up short in fights for the WBO, WBC and WBA titles.
Ferreira vs. Veyre
IBO champion FERREIRA beats WBC champion Veyre on an eighth round disqualification to unify the two titles. Although their professional experience was very similar Veyre had been a top level amateur whereas Ferreira had just a handful amateur fights. South African Ferreira was taking the fight to Veyre but the Canadian was showing clever skills in moving away from Ferreira’s punches and landing sharp counters. She looked to have won the first three rounds but Ferreira was starting to up the pressure making Veyre work hard. Late in the fourth Veyre started to hold to smother Ferreira’s attacks and was deducted a point. She continued to show she had the better skills but her lack of power was making it difficult for her to keep Ferreira out. By the seventh Ferreria was hounding Veyre around the ring with the Canadian forced to clinch and losing another point. When she continued to hold in the eighth the referee disqualified her. Ferreira was defending the IBO title and wins Veyre’s WB C belt. Veyre had won the vacant WBC title with a points win over 50-3 Delfine Persoon in February despite losing points for holding in the fifth and ninth rounds.
Oberlton vs. Angulo
OBERLTON boxes his way to a career high victory as he easily outpoints ANGULO. On paper Oberltonwas facing his toughest test so far but he sailed through with a wide unanimous decision over WBC super-middleweight title challenger Angulo. Oberlton at 6’3” had slight edges in height and reach against Angulo but the quickness of Oberlton’s punches gave him a third edge. The Colombian had taken Gilberto Ramirez the distance in a fight for the WBO super middle title and lasted into the tenth round in a fight for the vacant WBC title against David Benavidez and gone the distance with Edgar Berlanga. Oberlton began by controlling the early action with his jab and when he added in hooks and uppercuts it was a mix that put the fight beyond Angulo having any hope of winning. Neither fighter was ever in any real trouble and Oberlton won 100-90 on all three cards and collected the vacant WBA Continental Americas light heavyweight title. His win over Carlos Gongora in May had seen him climb to No 5 with the WBA and 11 with the IBF so he has more work to do to get anywhere near a title fight. Angulo, 42, is 3-4 in his last 7 fights
Smith vs. Lopez
SMITH gets his tenth inside the distance win as he beats LOPEZ in six rounds. In the first the taller Smith, wearing Kronk trunks and with Sugar Hill Steward in his corner, used his long reach to score with jabs and dropped in overhand rights that shook Lopez early. Lopez was coming up short with his jab but managed to land some good body punches. Smith continued to find the target with fast jabs in the second and Lopez was struggling to get inside and a left hook and long right shook him in the third. Smith began to put together some hurtful combinations in the fourth and fifth although Lopez never stopped coming forward but Smith continued landing long rights. A right to the head in the sixth saw Lopez sag at the knees and touch the canvas. He was given a count and when the action resumed Smith bombarded Lopez with punches until the referee came in and stopped the fight. Lopez had won his last 4 fights but Smith was just too good for him.
AUGUST 12
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA: HEAVY: TEREMOANA TEREMOANA (12-0) W KO 2 DeANDRE SAVAGE (11-2,2 ND). MIDDLE: MICHAEL ZERAFA (35-5,1ND ) W RTD 8 ALEJANDRO ORTIZ (26-2).
Teremoana vs. Savage
TEREMOANA crushes a hapless SAVAGE in two rounds. A jab and an overhand right from Teremoana quickly had Savage retreating throughout the opening round. A big right shook Savage in the second and had him clinching. Another right snapped back Savage’s head and he slid sideways to the floor. He crawled along the canvas then stopped and got as far as kneeling on one knee on the canvas and was counted out. Ther 28-year-old Australian Teremoana has taken less than 15 rounds for his 12 wins and at 6’6” and 267 lbs is an imposing figure and has real power. Savage, 6’3” and 296 ¾ lbs was obese and no test for Teremoana.
Zerafa vs. Ortiz
ZERAFA begins his rehabilitation with an eighth round stoppage of Venezuelan ORTIZ. Zerafa won the battle of the jabs from the start and was able to get through with hooks from both hands. As Zerafa upped the pace Ortiz work became more ragged. An overhand right rocked Ortiz in the third and a right sent him reeling into ropes in the eighth and a right dropped him face down on the canvas. Ortiz only just beat the count and made it to the bell and then retired. Zerafa was rebuilding his standing after being heavily criticised in a no contest decision fight against Nikita Tszyu in January. Zerafa reported to the doctor that he could not see after a clash of heads in third round so what was warming-up to be a classic battle ended on a no contest decision with many feeling it was a cop out by Zerafa. He looked sharp in this fight and a return with Tszyu should sell well. Ortiz suffers his second inside the distance defeat. His record is heavily padded with low level opposition and BoxRec has him No 247 in the world.|
AUGUST 14
NABEREZHNYE CHELNY: RUSSIA: SUPER MIDDLE: DZHAMBULAT BIZHAMOV (4-0) W PTS 10 VLADIMIR MIRONCHIKOV (8-1). WELTER: KHAVASBEK ASADULLAEV (9-0) W PTS 10 SERGEY LUBKOVICH (20-1-2). SUPER BANTAM: MIRAZIZBEK MIRZAKHALILOV (6-0) W RTD 4 CHINGIZ NATYROV (10-1). LIGHT: MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN (10-0) W RTD 4 HENRY OTEBA (10-2). WELTER: RUSLAN SELIMYAN (15-0) W PTS 10 IVAN KAMBAGIRE (9-3-1). HEAVY: KHALIMJON MAMASOLIEV ( 9-0) W PTS 8 GERMAN SKOBENKO (6-22-2).
Bizhamov vs. Mironchikov
Russian BIZHAMOV gets a close unanimous decision over Russian-born Serb MIRONCHIKOV. This was a close battle between two well matched fighters and there was not really much between them in many of the rounds. Both worked well with their jab with Mironchikov just having a slight edge and forcing the pace over the first four rounds scoring well with left hooks. Bizhamov upped his pace from the fifth and looked to have taken the sixth and seventh. Mironchikov had visibly slowed in the eighth but dredged up some reserves to edge the ninth. The result was in the balance but Bizhamov had a little more left in the tank and deservedly took the last round and decision on scores of 96-94 twice and 97-93. Bizhamov wins the vacant IBF European title. In the amateurs Bizhamov had won gold and silver at World Championships and silver at the European championships. Mironchikov won a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games and bronze at the World Championships.
Asadullaev vs. Lubkovich
On a good night for Uzbek boxers ASADULLAEV took a unanimous decision overRussian LUBOVICH. This was a close, tactical clash withsouthpawAsadullaev on the front foot forcing the fight from the start. Lubovich dealt with the pressure in the first but then Asadullaev, whilst not as accurate, was winning the rounds on quantity if not quality. Lubovich worked his way into the fight over the middle rounds but the relentless pressure from Asadullaev saw him take over and build a winning lead then hold off a strong finish from Lubkovich over the ninth and tenth. Scores 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 with the first two scores a little harsh on Lubovich but Asadullaev the right winner. A better outcome for Asadullaev than when he won the final at the Asian Championships and was stripped of the gold for taking a bite out of his opponent.
Mirzakhalilov vs. Natyrov
Uzbek MIRZAKHALILOV scores a victory by retirement over previously unbeaten Russian NATYROV to win the vacant IBF European title. Natyrov was a bit livelier in the first but Mirzakhalilov was on the front foot taking the fight to Natyrov in the second. Mirzakhalilov upped pressure in the third getting through with stiff jabs and solid rights to the head. Natyrov was forced to fight with his back against the ropes and his left eye was almost closed. Mirzakhalilov connected with clubbing rights and left hooks to the body as he unloaded on Natyrov in the fourth and Natyrov retired at the end of the round. As an amateur Mirzakhalilov won gold medals at the World Championships, the Asian Games and twice at the Asian Championships.
Mamosoliev vs. Skobenko
Uzbek MAMASOLIEV remains unbeaten with a points win over Russian SKOBENKO. Teenager Mamosoliev had by far the better skills and was younger and faster than 33-year-old Skoblenko. With Mamasoliev’s first eight opponents only having 7 wins between them he found Skobenko a resilient opponent who whilst tiring late was never really in trouble. No scores available but after a close first Mamosoliev looked to have swept the next seven. Mamosoliev won the IBA Youth, the Asian Under-22’s and a gold medal at the World Boxing Cup Ninth inside the distance loss for Skobenko
Grigorian vs. Oteba
Southpaw GRIGORIAN proves too good for Ugandan OTEBA. Russian Grigorian was landing heavy lefts from the start and despite Oteba boxing well he did not have the power to compete. Body punches from Grigorian took their toll on Oteba and the Ugandan seemed to suffer a hand injury. Grigorian tried hard to end the fight early but Oteba saw out the full ten rounds. Scores 100-90 twice and 99-91. Grigorian, 22, wins the vacant IBF Youth title.
Selimyan vs. Kambagire
Russian SELIMYAN outpoints Ugandan southpaw KAMBAGIRE. Selimyan led from the start landing body punches with both hands and with very little coming back from Kambagire it was a dull one-sided fight. Kambagire had mainly fought over 4 and 6 rounds so his output dropped over time and he was really just looking to stay the distance. No scores available but Selimyan, 23, looked to have won every rounds. He had won his last 8 fights inside the distance so a disappointment here. Kambagire had a 9-bout winning streak going in but the 9 fighters he had beaten had only 12 wins between
AUGUST 15
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: FEATHER: ADRIAN ROBLEDO (14-1) W DISQ 9 JOHN LARYEA (17-1-1). SUPER FEATHER: SOFIANE OUMIHA (8-1) W PTS 10 FREDDY LAINEZ (22-6-1). SUPER WELTER: PIERGIULIO RUHE (20-1) W TKO 7 DAVID ALVAREZ (18-1).FLY SAMUEL CARMONA (14-1) W PTS 10 JOSBER PEREZ (24-5). ATOM: ALDANA LOPEZ (16-0) W PTS 10 ELIZABETH CRUZ (12-4). WELTER CRISTIAN AYALA (16-3-1) W KO 3 ALGERBIS GONZALEZ (12-6).
Robledo vs. Laryea
Local fighter ROBLEDO beats Ghanaian LARYEA on a ninth round disqualification to win the vacant NABA title. Robledo boxed his way in front over the first four rounds then floored Laryea in the fifth. Laryea had been carless with his head and in the seventh was deducted a point for a butt. He continued to commit infractions and in the ninth after getting away with a couple of low punches he was disqualified when he went low again. Laryea was a disappointment. He was unbeaten and had won his last 12 fights but here lost his head and the fight. This was touted as a WBA qualifier.
Lopez vs. Cruz
Unbeaten Argentinian LOPEZ boxes her way to victory over Mexican CRUZ but loses her WBA International title on the scales as she failed to make the weight. Southpaw Cruz was having her first fight since October 2024 but made Lopez fight hard for her victory. Lopez had spent most of her fights at light flyweight and was the bigger fighter with the longer reach and she boxed solidly accumulating the rounds as she countered Cruz’s aggression and was a good winner. Scores 100-90. 98-92 and 97-93. Lopez remains in line for a shot at the WBA Atom title.
Oumiha vs. Lainez
OUMIHA retains the WBA Fedelatin title with a points win over LAINEZ. Nicaraguan Lainez was aggressive from the start but there was a huge gulf in class. Oumiha’s hand speed saw him constantly finding the target and clever upper body movement had Lainez swishing air when he tried to respond. When Lainez drove forward he was walked onto counters but Oumiha’s lack of power allowed Lainez some success. It was a classy display from Oumiha, almost an exhibition at times, as he put together impressive combinations that had Lainez befuddled but despite a big effort over the closing rounds he just could not put Lainez down or out. Oumiha won scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 but it was hard to see how a judge had Lainez winning three rounds. Oumiha, 31, was World Champion three times, twice won Silver medals at the Olympic Games and a Gold at the European Games but at 31 and with over 150 amateur fights it seems his best days may be behind him. Lainez fought hard but never looked like winning.
Ruhe vs. Alvarez
German-based Italian RUHE makes a successful second defence of the WBA Gold title with a seventh round stoppage of Venezuelan teenager ALVAREZ. The young Venezuelan made a good start but Ruhe easily dealt with Alvarez’s aggression and settled down to outbox the Venezuelan. Round by round Ruhe found more and more gaps in Alvarez’s defence firing fast, accurate combinations and slowly braking him down with Alvares eventually just looking to survive. Two knockdowns in the seventh, the first from a right hook to the body and the second from a burst of punches that saw Alvarez drop to a knee, brought the stoppage. Ruhe, who has an Italian mother and German father, makes it 14 wins in a row. The Gold title gets him a No 6 position with the WBA but his opposition has not been strong so he is not yet rated by the other sanctioning bodies. Alvarez’s 18-0 looks good but to add some balance his first 15 opponents had only 7 wins between them and 11 had never won a fight
Carmona vs. Perez
Spaniard CARMONA retains the WBA Inter-Continental title with a points win over experienced Venezuelan PEREZ. Classy display by Carmona. He was too quick and too mobile for the rugged but limited South America. Carmona was in control both at distance and inside. His quick hands constantly pierced Perez’s guard and he was equally effective at southpaw or orthodox. Perez was just too slow to really threaten Carmona. He had some success in the ninth but other than that Carmona dictated the pace of the fight. Carmona put in a big effort in the tenth landing a right that sent Perez flying into the ropes but Perez survived to the bell. Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Carmona. He lost to Julio Cesar Martinez in a challenge for the WBC flyweight title in 2022 and this is his seventh win since then. He is No 5 with the WBA and is hoping to fight his way to another title shot. Perez lost to Artem Dalakian for the WBA flyweight belt in 2020 and was knocked out in seven rounds by Kazuto Ioka in a challenge for the WBA super flyweight title in 2023. He had won his last 4 fights but against opponents with combined records of 3-38-1
Ayala vs. Gonzalez
AYALA climbs off the canvas in the first to stop Venezuelan GONZALEZ IN the third. In the first Ayala was trying to find a way past the longer reach of the rangy southpaw Gonzalez and was put down by two counter lefts. He was not badly shaken and took the fight to Gonzalez in the second scoring with rights to the body and Gonzalez spent the round circling the ring and clinching whenever Ayala got inside. Ayala caught up with Gonzalez in the third and a left hook to the body sent the Venezuelan down writhing in pain and he was counted out. Ayala wins the vacant WBA Fedelatin title. He is 7-1 in his last 8 fights. Gonzalez has lost 4 of his last 5 fights with all four losses coming inside the distance.
SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIAN: SUPER WELTER: CARL HEILD (17-0) W KO 3 OSCAR CUERO (16-11).
Santa Marta-based Bahamian HEILD extends his winning record with a victory over Colombian CUERO. Heild was taller than Cuero and had a longer reach. His game plan was to use his reach to keep the smaller Cuero outside and it worked as in the third he dropped Cuero for the count with a right to the temple as Cuero tried to bore his way inside. Hield has won all of his fights inside the distance. Now 40, he was one of Bahamas best amateurs. Cuero, also 40, suffers his fifth inside the distance defeat.
MIAMI, FL, USA: SUPER BANTAM: ALEX VALLECILLO (16-1) W PTS 8 ROBERTO PUCHETA (14-30-3). FEATHER: MIKE PLANIA (32-5) W KO 1 LUIS MAY (23-24-1). HEAVY: ALEKSEI DRONOV (12-0) W TKO 1 RAMON OLIVAS
Vallecillo vs. Pucheta
VALLECILLO extends his winning streak to nine as he outpoints Mexican PUCHETA. Nicaraguan Vallecillo, the house fighter looked to have won this one clearly but had to settle for a split decision. Scores 78-74 and 77-75 for Vallecillo and 78-75 for Pucheta.
Plania vs. May
PLANIA blasts out MAY in the first. Plania got straight down to business throwing left hooks that had May backing up but Mays also let fly with hooks in response. Plania drove forward with a series of punchers then stepped in and landed a left hook to the body that sent May down on one knee and May was counted out. Plania , 29, was having his first fight since January last year so might have wished for a little more ring time but had to settle for his nineteenth inside the distance victory. May, 42, is very shop worn and this is his ninth defeat by KO/TKO.
Dronov vs. Olivas
Russian heavyweight DRONOV had no trouble in disposing of Mexican OLIVAS in the first round for his tenth inside the distance victory. The 24-year-old, 6’5” Dronov, was European champion at Cadet and Youth level, won the Youth World title and was Youth Olympic champion and Russian champion at elite level. Olivas now has 25 losses by KO/TKO.
About the Author
Born in Scotland, Eric Armit started working with Boxing News magazine in the UK in the late 1960’s initially doing records for their Boxing News Annual and compiling World, European and Commonwealth ratings for the magazine. He wrote his first feature article for Boxing News in 1973 and wrote a “World Scene” weekly column for the magazine from the late 1970’s until 2004. Armit wrote a monthly column for Boxing Digest in the USA and contributed pieces to magazines in Mexico, Italy, Australia, Spain, Argentina and other countries. Armit now writes a Weekly Report covering every major fight around the world and a bi-weekly Snips & Snipes column plus occasional general interest articles with these being taken up by boxing sites around the world. He was a member of the inaugural WBC Ratings Committee and a technical advisor to the EBU Ratings Committee and was consulted by John McCain’s research team when they were drafting the Ali Act. He is a Director and former Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council. Armit has been nominated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame the past two years (2019 and 2020) to which he said, “Being on the list is an unbelievably huge honour.”
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