10/16/2024
Top Rank on ESPN Plus Recap, Results and Grades. Plus results from the rest of the boxing weekend: King Artur crowned undisputed, Tsutsumi upsets Inoue, Nakatani dominates, Casimero wins (and loses), Cafu prevails, Wardley-Clarke meat parade highlight a good boxing weekend.
The eyes of the boxing world were fixed on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this weekend for the undisputed light heavyweight championship bout between WBO, WBC, and IBF unified champion Artur Beterbiev and WBA champion Dmitry Bivol. The clash of champions was only part of a packed weekend that also featured explosive heavyweight action in Riyadh and other notable bouts across the globe.
The boxing world then turned its attention to Japan for Teiken Promotions’ historic event, featuring seven world title fights. The action-packed two-night event was headlined by the WBA Bantamweight Championship clash between Seiya Tsutsumi and Takuma Inoue, with several other bouts sharing the ESPN+ spotlight.
Top Rank and ESPN+ blessed boxing fans by televising the majority of the action at no extra cost to boxing fans. Shame on DAZN for charging boxing fans $19.99 for an undercard, especially after telling their subscribers it would come at no extra cost.
Brunch Boxing was there to cover every punch, knockdown, and story behind the gloves. Here’s a full breakdown of the event, from results to grades, plus results from around the world in this action-packed, drama-filled weekend of boxing.
Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs) MD12 Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
In a thrilling, tactical battle, Artur Beterbiev edged out Dmitry Bivol by majority decision to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Scores of 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 gave Beterbiev the win, as he successfully defended his IBF, WBC, and WBO titles and captured Bivol’s WBA championship.
Bivol started strong with quick footwork and consistent jabs, frustrating Beterbiev early. However, as the rounds progressed, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and thudding power punches began to wear down Bivol. The final rounds saw Beterbiev close the gap with aggressive combinations, forcing Bivol into retreat and securing the win. Beterbiev’s power and perseverance once again proved too much for his opponent, even against an elite boxer like Bivol.
What’s Next:
We’re likely headed towards a rematch between the two competitors.
Grade: B+
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Fabio Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) TKO1 Frazer Clarke (8-1-1, 6 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
The heavyweight rematch between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke ended in devastating fashion, as Wardley scored a first-round TKO. A powerful overhand right from Wardley sent Clarke stumbling into the ropes. Wardley followed up with a barrage of headshots, forcing Clarke to his knees with a gruesome jaw injury. The referee stopped the fight, sealing Wardley’s victory in just one round.
What’s Next:
Wardley’s stock is rising fast, and a top-tier heavyweight bout could be next, potentially facing someone like Dillian Whyte.
Grade: A+
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Chris Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) KO7 Kamil Szeremeta (25-3-2, 8 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Chris Eubank methodically dismantled Kamil Szeremeta, ending with a seventh-round knockout after four knockdowns.
What’s Next:
Who knows with Eubank?
Grade: F
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) TKO6 Jack Massey (22-3, 12 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Jai Opetaia defended his cruiserweight title with a dominant performance over the overmatched Jack Massey.
What’s Next:
Opetaia is likely to face the winner of the November 16 unification bout between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith.
Grade: F
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ben Whittaker (8-0-1, 5 KOs) TD5-Draw Liam Cameron (23-6-1, 10 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ben Whittaker and Liam Cameron fought to a technical decision draw after their bout was stopped when Whittaker suffered an injury. The two combatants went tumbling out of the ring after it appeared Whittaker pulled Cameron over the top rope in an effort to hold his opponent. Whittaker was unable to continue with what he characterized as an ankle injury. Because four rounds had already been completed, the bout went to the scorecards. The judges had it 58-57 for Whittaker, 58-57 for Cameron, and 57-57, making the bout a draw.
What’s Next:
A rematch SHOULD be next, but Whittaker appears to want to stay far away from Cameron.
Grade: F
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Skye Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO) UD10 Raven Chapman (9-1, 2 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Skye Nicolson retained her WBC Women’s Featherweight Championship, outboxing Chapman over ten rounds.
What’s Next:
Nicolson says she is going to face her real mandatory, Tiara Brown next. The bout has yet to materialize, despite Nicolson previously saying she would fight Brown.
Grade: F
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Overall Event Grade: B
Fan Grade: C+ or lower
Tokyo, Japan
Fight of the Weekend: Seiya Tsutsumi (12-0-2, 8 KOs) UD12 Takuma Inoue (20-2, 5 KOs)
In the fight of the weekend, Seiya Tsutsumi upset Takuma Inoue to win the WBA bantamweight title. Tsutsumi’s relentless pressure and incredible stamina overwhelmed Inoue, who was unable to keep up with the pace. A standing count in the tenth further cemented Tsutsumi’s victory on the scorecards.
What’s Next:
Tsutsumi will look to unify with one of the other bantamweight champions.
Grade: A+
Kenshiro Teraji (24-1, 15 KOs) TKO11 Cristofer Rosales (37-7, 22 KOs)
Kenshiro Teraji captured the vacant WBC Flyweight Championship with a dominant performance, battering Rosales until the referee stopped the fight.
What’s Next:
Teraji will likely look to unify with one of the other champions in the division. The winner of the November 30 bout between Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai is also a possibility.
Grade: B
Shokichi Iwata (14-1, 11 KOs) TKO3 Jairo Noriega (14-1, 3 KOs)
Shokichi Iwata became the WBO Junior Flyweight Champion, knocking out Noriega in the third round.
What’s Next:
A unification bout with one of the other junior flyweight champions is likely, specifically Masamichi Yabuki.
Grade: B
Seigo Yuri Akui (21-2-1, 11 KOs) SD12 Thananchai NKL (25-2, 15 KOs)
Seigo Yuri Akui retained his the WBA Flyweight Championship with a split decision victory over Thananchai NKL. Scores were 115-113, 117-111 and 113-115.
What’s Next:
Akui will look for a unification with Kenshiro Teraji.
Grade: B
Junto Nakatani (29-0, 22 KOs) TKO6 Petch CP Freshmart (76-2, 53 KOs)
Brunch Boxing #10 pound for pound Junto Nakatani scored a sixth-round TKO over challenger Petch CP Freshmart to retain his WBC Bantamweight Championship. Nakatani dominated the overmatched CP Freshmart from beginning to end in a gross mismatch.
What’s Next:
Nakatani will take on Jason Moloney in April in the US. The possibility remains that Nakatani will first come back on the December 24 Naoya Inoue card.
Grade: B
Phumelele Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KOs) SD12 Kosei Tanaka (20-2, 11 KOs)
Phumelele Cafu shocked the boxing world by defeating Kosei Tanaka to capture the WBO Super Flyweight Championship. Scores were 114-113, 114-113 and 113-114.
What’s Next:
We’re likely headed to a rematch of the bout, as the other two champions are busy for the rest of the year.
Grade: B+
Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) vs. Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (28-3-1, 14 KOs) ends in a no contest
Anthony Olascuaga retained his WBO Flyweight Championship after his bout with Jonathan Gonzalez ended in a no contest. The contest ended in the first round, when a clash of heads caused by Olascuaga ramming into Gonzalez like a billy goat, opened a terrible cut over the left eye of Gonzalez. Gonzalez could not see out of the eye and the fight was stopped. Olascuaga was making the first defense of the of the WBO title.
What’s Next:
Olascuaga intends to file a complaint with the WBO to get the no contest changed to a knockout victory in his favor. The complaint will likely go nowhere and is nonsense. The WBO should order an immediate rematch.
Grade: F
Overall Event Grade: A
Fan Grade: B+
Yokohama, Japan
John Riel Casimero (34-4-1, 23 KOs) TKO1 Saul Sanchez (21-4, 12 KOs)
Former three-weight world champion, John Riel Casimero obliterated Saul Sanchez in the first round of their bout. Casimero sent Sanchez sprawling to the canvas with a left hook. Sanchez beat the count, but Casimero followed up, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Before the bout, Casimero missed weight by almost two pounds. After the bout, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced that it has suspended Casimero for a year.
Hiroto Kyoguchi (19-2, 12 KOs) MD10 Vince Paras (21-3-1, 15 KOs)
Hiroto Kyoguchi edged Paras in a majority decision to close out their trilogy. Paras fought well, but was unlucky on the cards. Scores were 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94.
Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-2, 10 KOs) vs. Masamichi Yabuki (17-4, 16 KOs)
Yabuki captured the IBF Junior Flyweight Championship with a ninth-round stoppage of Sivenathi Nontshinga.
Stockton, California
Gabe Flores Jr. (25-2, 8 KOs) UD8 Dennis Contreras (24-15-1, 22 KOS)
Gabriel Flores dominated Dennis Contreras to win a lopsided unanimous decision in the main event of the BLK Prime Nightmare in the Arena event in Stockton, California. The Stockton native continues to work his way back into title contention after two years of setbacks. Scores were 80-72, 80-72 and 80-72.
Goppingen, Germany
Firat Arslan (56-9-3, 41 KOs) KO2 Angel Gabriel Ledesma (13-6-1, 7 KOs)
Firat Arslan knocked out Angel Ledesma to continue his long, storied career. The former WBA Cruiserweight Champion is 54 years old and has been a professional since 1997. Arslan has no intention of retiring.
Final Thoughts:
It was a busy, drama-filled weekend for boxing fans worldwide, with standout performances from Artur Beterbiev, Seiya Tsutsumi, and Fabio Wardley. As the sport continues to evolve, these fighters and their performances will shape future championship scenes across multiple divisions.
Other Results:
Dominique Francis (16-0, 10 KOs) KO4 Julio Carrera (18-1-1, 14 KOs)
Tenshin Nasukawa (5-0, 2 KOs) UD10 Gerwin Asilo (9-1, 4 KOs)
Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.
Brunch Boxing Support Links:
Comments