Perfect Paro, Gervonta’s joy & brilliant Billam-Smith

By Eric Armit

HARD-hitting highlights from the past week of action

Gervonta Davis knocks out Frank Martin in WBA lightweight title defence.

David Benavidez outpoints Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the WBC interim light heavyweight title.

Albert Puello takes a split decision over Gary Antuanne Russell in fight for the WBC interim super-lightweight title. 

Carlos Adames wins a unanimous decision against Terrell Gausha in a WBC middleweight title defence. There are wins for Mark Magsayo and Kyrone Davis.

Chris Billam-Smith retains the WBO cruiserweight title with a unanimous decision against Richard Riakporhe. Jack Massey outpoints Isaac Chamberlain for the European and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles. Tokyo silver medallist Ben Whittaker also wins.

Australian Liam Paro scores an upset points win over champion Subriel Matias to win the IBF super-lightweight title.

Mexican Jorge Garcia stops Roarke Knapp in a fight for the vacant IBO super-welterweight title.

Kevin Lele Sadjo wins the interim WBC super-middleweight title with a points win over Argentinian Palacio.

Abass Baraou retains the European super-welterweight title as he decisions Macaulay McGowan.

Herbert Conceicao outpoints Esquival Falcao in a clash of Brazilian Olympic medallists.

Daniel Blenda Dos Santos decisions Thomas Faure and wins the vacant European light-heavyweight title.

Who won the week?

Fight of the week (Significance): With Gervonta Davis winning, there is still faint hope for Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson or Vasiliy Lomachenko. 

Fight of the week (Entertainment): Abass Baraou vs Macauley McGowan was a great fight as they went to war in every round.

Abass Baraou outpoints Macaulay McGowan

Fighter of the week: Gervonta Davis for his crushing win over unbeaten Frank Martin.

Punch of the week: I go for the left hand from Davis that spelt goodnight for Martin. An honourable mention to the brutal right from Jorge Garcia that finished Roarke Knapp.

Upset of the week: Liam Paro was very much an outsider against Subriel Matias.

Prospect watch: Puerto Rican southpaw Yankiel Rivera 6-0 showed real class beating more experienced Victor Sandoval.

Fight Card Observations

Rosette: How about one shared between losers for a change? Macauley McGowan and Jonathan Escobedo were both expected to lose. They did, but their guts and determination refused to let them play the role of a compliant loser, and Baraou and Aguilar had to fight like hell to emerge the winner. 

Red Card: To the WBC, who certainly have a taste for temporary titles, with the latest being David Benavidez vs Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Albert Puello vs Gary Antuanne Russel for interim titles. Obviously, the WBC doesn’t want to miss out on any barrel scrapping sanctioning fee. In case you forget, Artur Beterbiev and Devin Haney are real champions.

• Must have been “hearts in the mouth” time for the money men when Gervonta Davis did an acrobatic somersault off the top rope in his victory celebrations.
• A few unbeaten records were spoiled at the weekend, with Frank Martin, Gary Russell, Elijah Garcia, Richard Riakporhe, and Lerrone Richards all losing.
• Disgraceful to see a cameraman already in the ring and focusing on Gervonta Davis whilst the referee was still counting over Frank Martin.
• It seems like every fighter taking part in a fight has to have his music blaring out a loud, strident battle cry. Well, not every fighter. French light-heavyweight Thomas Faure’s music was mislaid, so it did not get played. Since it is “Ode to Joy,” perhaps his embarrassed manager hid it.