Forty-two year old European Middleweight champion Matteo
Signani scored a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision over forty-one
year old former European Middleweight champion Ruben Diaz on Friday night at
the Palazzetto
Dello Sport in Rome, Italy. In what was Signani’s second title
defense in his second reign of the championship he won for the second time back
in October 2019, Signani’s greater activity proved to be the difference in a
fight that was fought at a methodical pace. Diaz was able to have moments
periodically throughout the twelve round championship bout, but was simply out
worked as the fight progressed in a fight that while not necessarily the most
entertaining, was a solid performance by two fighters over the age of forty.
Official scores were: 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113 all in favor of Signani. Matteo
Signani advances to 31-5-3, with 11 Knockouts. Ruben Diaz falls to 26-3-2, with
17 Knockouts.
Also on this card:
A battle for the European Featherweight championship saw
champion Mauro Forte and challenger Francesco Grandelli fought to a twelve round
split decision draw. An extremely close and competitive fight from the outset
saw both fighters attack in short spurts and seemingly match each other punch
for punch. This resulted in many of the rounds being very close and neither
fighter really being able to stand out from the other. Official scores were
116-113, (Forte) 115-113, (Grandelli) and 114-114 (Even) resulting in the split
decision draw.
Jr. Middleweight Tony Dixon scored a scary one punch
first round knockout of Francesco Russo. Russo began the fight aggressive and
pushed Dixon against the ropes. Dixon however, landed a flush right hand to the
top of Russo’s head that sent him down shaking on the canvas. The bout was
immediately stopped without a count. Official time of the stoppage was 1:03 of
round one. Tony Dixon advances to 12-3, with 4 Knockouts. Francesco Russo falls
to 10-2, with 8 Knockouts. Russo was able to get to his feet after a few
minutes and did leave the ring under his own power.
Undefeaed Italian Women’s Jr. Featherweight champion Maria
Cecchi scored an eight round unanimous decision over “Game” veteran Bec
Connolly. Cecchi’s greater polish, accuracy with her offense and consistent
success landing left hands throughout led to Cecchi earning the convincing
unanimous decision. Official scores were 80-72, (On two scorecards) and 79-73
in favor of Cecchi. Maria Cecchi advances to 6-0, with 1 Knockout. Bec Connolly
falls to 3-11, with 0 Knockouts.
Jr. Welterweight Armando Casamonica moved to 4-0 in his career
by scoring a hard fought six round majority decision over Mauro Loli. A
competitive fight throughout where both fighters had their say, Casamonica’s
quicker hands and cleaner offense were ultimately able to earn the nod on two
official judges to earn the majority decision victory. Official scores were 57-57,
(Even) and 58-56 (On two scorecards in favor of Casamonica. Armando Casamonica
advances to 4-0, with 0 Knockouts. Mauro Loli falls to 5-3, with 2 Knockouts.
Undefeated Light-Heavyweight prospect Hrvoje Sep pounded
out a convincing six round unanimous decision over former two-time European
Light-Heavyweight champion Serhiy Demchenko. From the opening bell, Sep implemented
an attack to the body and head of his opponent and had particular success in
landing his right hand throughout. Demchenko hung in there for all six rounds,
but he simply could not land anything to keep Sep off of him. All three
official judges scored the fight 60-54 in favor of Sep. Hrvoje Sep advances to 11-0, with 8 Knockouts.
Serhiy Demchenko falls to 23-16-1, with 15 Knockouts.
Light-Heavyweight Voldy Toutin began the evening by
successfully making his professional debut with a six round unanimous decision
over Jovan Smilic. Voldy Toutin advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. Jovan Smilic
falls to 0-6, with 0 Knockouts.
This card, which was promoted by promoter Eddie Hearn’s
Matchroom Boxing’s Italian promotional branch in association with Italian
promoter Christian Cherchi’s OPI Since 82 provided a look at one fighter who
could very well be challenging for a European championship in her near future
in Maria Cecchi, one European champion in Matteo Signani, who at age forty-two
is still competing at a high level in the sport, and quite possibly a “Knockout
of the Year” candidate in Tony Dixon’s one punch knockout of Francesco Russo.
While all three fighters are at different stages, as 2022 nears, all three
should be in the view of Boxing fans as fighters to watch.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
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