By Eric Armit
EXTREMELY EXCITING highlights from the past week of action
Gervonta Davis knocked out Frank Martin in his WBA lightweight title defense.
David Benavidez edged Oleksandr Gvozdyk to win the WBC interim lightweight title.
Albert Puello takes a split decision over Gary Antuanne Russell in his fight for the WBC interim super lightweight title.
Carlos Adames won by unanimous decision over Terrell Gausha in his WBC middleweight title defense. There were wins for Mark Magsayo and Kyrone Davis.
Chris Billam-Smith retained his WBO cruiserweight title with a unanimous decision against Richard Riakporhe. Jack Massey edged Isaac Chamberlain for the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles. Tokyo silver medalist Ben Whittaker also won.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 15: Chris Billam-Smith punches Richard Riakporhe during the WBO World Cruiserweight Title fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park on June 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Australian Liam Paro scored an upset by defeating champion Subriel Matias to win the IBF super lightweight championship.
Mexican Jorge Garcia stops Roarke Knapp in his fight for the vacant IBO super welterweight title.
Kevin Lele Sadjo won the interim WBC super middleweight title with a points victory over Argentinian Palacio.
Abass Baraou retained his European super welterweight title with a decision over Macaulay McGowan.
Herbert Conceicao overcomes Esquival Falcao in a battle between Brazilian Olympic medalists.
Daniel Blenda Dos Santos decisioned Thomas Faure and won the vacant European light-heavyweight title.
Who won this week?
Match of the Week (Meaning): With Gervonta Davis’s win, there are hopes for Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson or Vasiliy Lomachenko remain obscure.
Fight of the Week (Entertainment): Abass Baraou vs Macauley McGowan was a great fight as they came out fighting every round.
Abass Baraou defeated Macaulay McGowan
Fighter of the Week: Gervonta Davis with a crushing victory over undefeated Frank Martin.
Punch of the week: I left-handed from Davis to say goodnight to Martin. An honorable mention to Jorge Garcia’s brutal right to finish off Roarke Knapp.
Annoyance of the week: Liam Paro is a complete outsider against Subriel Matias.
Prospect Watch: 6-0 Puerto Rican men’s tennis player Yankiel Rivera showed real class in defeating the more experienced Victor Sandoval.
Observe the battle card
Rosette: How about one shared among the losers for a change? Macauley McGowan and Jonathan Escobedo are both expected to lose. They did, but their courage and determination did not allow them to play the role of obedient losers, and Baraou and Aguilar had to fight like hell to emerge as the winner.
Red card: To the WBC, which certainly likes interim titles, with the latest being David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Albert Puello vs. Gary Antuanne Russell for the interim titles. Clearly, the WBC doesn’t want to miss out on any barrel removal penalty fees. In case you forgot, Artur Beterbiev and Devin Haney are the real champions.
- Moneymakers must have been “heartbroken” when Gervonta Davis did a somersault off the top rope during his victory celebration.
- Several unbeaten records were broken over the weekend, with Frank Martin, Gary Russell, Elijah Garcia, Richard Riakporhe and Lerrone Richards all losing.
- It was embarrassing to see a cameraman already in the ring and focusing on Gervonta Davis while the referee was still counting Frank Martin.
- It seemed like every fighter in battle had to let his music ring out in a loud, shrill war cry. Well, not every fighter. The music of French light-heavyweight Thomas Faure was lost so it was not played. Since it was “Ode to Joy,” his embarrassed manager probably hid it.
