Metcalf Defeats Lejarraga In Bilbao, Spain

 

Jr. Middleweight contender James Metcalf scored an impressive ten round unanimous decision over fellow contender Kerman Lejarraga on Friday night at the Bilbao Arena in Bilbao, Spain. Despite the crowd being heavily in favor of the local favorite Lejarraga, Metcalf used an effective strategy with an emphasis on lateral movement and counter punching to tactically out box the power punching Lejarraga over the course of the ten round contest. Metcalf appeared to score a knockdown of Lejarraga in round three with a short right hand to the head, but it was ruled that the punch landed on the back of the head of Lejarraga.

 

Although Lejarraga tried in spots to turn the ebb and flow in his favor and did land hard punches on Metcalf periodically, it was Metcalf who remained disciplined and was not baited into a toe to toe battle. Metcalf’s combination punching, and ring generalship ultimately were enough to earn the convincing unanimous decision, despite being in his opponent’s home territory.  Official scores were: 97-94, 96-94, and 96-95 James Metcalf advances to 23-2, with 14 Knockouts. Kerman Lejarraga falls to 34-3, with 26 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In a battle for the vacant European Flyweight championship Jairo Noriega scored a twelve round unanimous decision over multi-time European title challenger Angel Moreno. From the opening bell, Noriega’s hand speed, combination punching, and punching power were simply too much for Moreno to combat. Late in the first round a hard and short right hook to the jaw dropped Moreno, but it was not ruled a knockdown. In round five a left hook to the head did drop Moreno. Despite being tactically outgunned and appearing as though he was on the verge of being stopped the “Game” Moreno hung in there and never stopped trying to turn the fight in his favor in what was his fourth attempt to win the European Flyweight championship. Official scores were:116-110, and 118-109 (On two scorecards) in favor of Noriega. Jairo Noriega advances to 12-0, with 3 Knockouts. Angel Moreno falls to 21-5-3, with 6 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Welterweight Jon Miguez scored a sixth round knockout of James Moorcroft. A competitive bout, Miguez’ harder punches dictated the combat though Moorcroft did attempt to fight fire with fire in spots throughout. The effects of the punishment dished out by Miguez to the body and head of Moorcroft gradually took a toll. In round six, a left hook to the body crumbled Moorcroft to the canvas. Moorcroft struggled to get to his feet, but did manage to beat the count. Despite this, his refusal to turn and face the referee when questioned if he was okay to continue resulted in the bout being stopped.  Official time of the stoppage was 1:21 of round six. Jon Miguez advances to 17-0, with 8 Knockouts. James Moorcroft falls to 16-2, with 5 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Bantamweight Fran Mendoza pounded out an eight round unanimous decision over Alexander Mejia. An entertaining bout from the outset, Mendoza consistently forced the action and landed several thudding hooks to Mejia’s head. Despite taking punishment that would likely drop most fighters, Mejia hung in there and even landed some solid shots of his own in some heated exchanges in the latter rounds. Official scores were: 80-72, (On two scorecards) and 78-74 in favor of Mendoza. Fran Mendoza advances to 14-0, with 7 Knockouts. Alexander Mejia falls to 18-3, with 7 Knockouts.

 

In a clash of unbeaten Women’s Lightweights Rhiannon Dixon scored a six round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mahjouba Oubtil. Dixon found a home for her right hand as she frequently landed it to the head of Oubtil throughout the bout. In round three it was a right hand that knocked Oubtil to the canvas. In a strange move, Dixon was deducted a point moments later by the referee for leading with her head, but she was the one wounded by an accidental head clash that opened a cut in her hairline. Despite the cut and the deduction, Dixon continued to press the action and in round six, would score her second knockdown of Outbil to secure the victory. Official scores were: 60-52, 58-53, and 57-54 in favor of Dixon Rhiannon Dixon advances to 5-0, with 0 Knockouts. Mahjouba Oubtil falls to 4-1, with 1 Knockout.

 

Jr. Welterweight Saul Luna began the evening by scoring a six round decision over previously undefeated Rikar Urrutia. An interesting clash of styles occurred in this fight as Urrutia stalked Luna for the majority of the bout, but Luna’s slick counter punching cleaver elusiveness and harder punches were enough for him to earn the decision victory. Official scores were: 58-56, (On two scorecards) and 57-57 (Even). Saul Luna advances to 7-2, with 1 Knockout. Rikar Urrutia falls to 5-1, with 0 Knockouts.  

 

With the Boxing world still abuzz over Dmitry Bivol’s twelve round unanimous decision over superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez several weeks ago, a victory that some called an upset due primarily to Alvarez’ standing within the sport, despite Bivol being the unbeaten WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion and the naturally bigger man going into the fight, some were also surprised that Bivol was able to get the decision victory over Alvarez in Las Vegas considering that Alvarez is viewed as the biggest star in the sport and a hot ticket seller in the United States, particularly whenever he competes in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, Bivol simply did what he needed to do, and even with a crowd firmly against him, was able to get the job done.

 

Though on a smaller scale in terms of mainstream attention, James Metcalf followed a similar approach against Kerman Lejarraga from the standpoint of having to go into hostile territory and seemingly taking the crowd influence out of the equation with his tactical Boxing performance. While some may also consider this victory an upset seeing as Lejarraga was seemingly on the verge of a potential world championship opportunity later this year, Metcalf should be given credit for sticking to his fight plan and making it work for him no matter what the circumstances were. Although one of the appeals of the sport of Boxing is to see fighters go toe to toe, there is something to be said when a fighter produces a performance like that one Metcalf was able to put forth in this fight. The type of performance that could well revitalize a career.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

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Lejarraga KO’s Flatley In 9 In Bilbao, Spain

 European Jr. Middleweight champion Kerman Lejarraga scored a brutal one punch ninth round knockout of Jack Flatley to retain his crown on Friday night at the Bilbao Arena in Bilbao, Spain. The champion established that he was the stronger of the two fighters from the outset by dropping the challenger with a stiff jab through the guard in the first round. Flatley got up on very unsteady legs, but the pattern of the fight was set in motion from this point of the bout onward. A pattern that consisted of  Lejarraga coming forward throwing and often landing hard thudding punches to the body and head of Flatley that kept the challenger on the defensive. As the fight progressed, Flatley attempted to engage toe to toe with the champion in an effort to turn the ebb and flow of the combat in his favor. Kerman Lejarraga advances to 34-2, with 26 Knockouts. Jack Flatley falls to 17-2-1, with 4 Knockouts.

 

 Flatley would have periodic success in landing combinations to the head of Lejarraga, but at no point did Flatley’s punches prevent the champion from coming forward. In round eight, Flatley was dropped for the second time in the fight with a body shot, but in round nine Lejarraga landed a brutal right hand to the jaw that knocked Flatley down and out on the canvas. Flatley went down hard from the straight right hand and hit the back of his head on the canvas. Flatley remained on the canvas for a few minutes, but was able to regain his faculties and did leave the ring under his own power after what was a scary knockout. Official time of the stoppage was :30 of round nine.

 

Also on this card:

 

Undefeated Spanish Super-Middleweight champion Damian Biacho systematically broke down previously undefeated challenger Guillermo Rivero to make the first defense of his title via seventh round stoppage. Biacho allowed Rivero to come forward consistently throughout the bout, but Biacho would gradually accumulate short shots on the inside that eventually created openings. In round four, a short left uppercut to the head dropped Rivero. This would be followed by two knockdowns in round six. First, a combination to the body and head sent Rivero down for the second time. Then, Biacho would get a third knockdown in the bout by landing a straight right hand to the body right as the bell rang to end the sixth round. In round seven, Rivero would be dropped for the fourth time via a hook to the head, which was preceded by a combination of uppercuts that sent Rivero down. Although Rivero was very “Game” and was able to finish the seventh round, at the end of round seven, Rivero’s corner mercifully stopped the fight to prevent their fighter from further punishment. Damian Biacho advances to 12-0, with 3 Knockouts. Guillermo Rivero falls to 8-1-1, with 1 Knockout.

 

Jr. Welterweight Jonathan Alonso scored a dominant eight round unanimous decision over Mohamed El Marcouchi. For eight rounds, Alonso had success in landing his right hand on Marcouchi and as the fight progress, it appeared at points where he may have been able to get a stoppage of Marcouchi, but Marcouchi hang in there for all eight rounds. All three judges scored the bout 80-72 in favor of Alonso. Jonathan Alonso advances to 21-1, with 7 Knockouts. Mohamed El Marcouchi falls to 28-3, with 11 Knockouts.

 

Lightweight Campbell Hatton, the son of former world champion Ricky Hatton, scored the first stoppage of his young unbeaten career by scoring an impressive second round knockout of Attila Csereklye. Hatton hurt Csereklye with a left hook to the body in the first round and dropped him with a right hand that landed on the top of the head. In round two, Csereklye was sent down for a second time with a left hook to the ribcage, Csereklye was able to get up, but Hatton would not let his opponent off the hook and a now relentless attack to the body resulted in Csereklye going down for a third time and this time taking the full ten count while on one knee. Official time of the stoppage was 2:45 of round one. Campbell Hatton advances to 5-0, with 1 Knockout. Attila Csereklye falls to 10-26, with 8 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Flyweight Samuel Carmona scored a first round stoppage of Luis Padilla. Carmona landed a left hook to the body that set off a barrage of unanswered blows that forced a referee’s stoppage of the bout, despite Padilla not going down to the canvas. Official time of the stoppage was 1:30 of round one. Samuel Carmona advances to 6-0, with 4 Knockouts.  Luis Padilla falls to 13-3-2, with 2 Knockouts.

 

The evening began with unbeaten Middleweight Jhon Obregon moved to 9-0 in his career by scoring a six round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Gerome Warburton. Official scores were: 59-55, 59-56, and 59-54 all in favor of Obregon. Jhon Obregon advances to 9-0, with 4 Knockouts. Gerome Warburton falls to 8-1-1, with 1 Knockout.

 

As 2021 winds down, even in the midst of an ongoing global epidemic, Promoter Eddie Hearn continues to prove that Boxing is a true global sport as his company Matchroom Sport, continues to expand it’s Boxing promotional entity into new regions around the world. One of those regions that has benefited has been Spain, which along with several cards that has been staged over the last several years has begun to establish new stars in the sport. Following Sandor Martin’s recent decision victory over Mikey Garcia in the Jr. Welterweight division, Kerman Lejarraga a two-division European champion just may be the next star to emerge out of Matchroom’s multiple promotional branches fighting out of Spain that could see him potentially challenge for a world championship in 2022. While some may be skeptical of this observer’s statement, the fact is Boxing in addition to being a sport also has an entertainment component to it and there is no better way for a fighter to put himself in the discussion of potential world championship than scoring a head turning, devastating knockout. Lejarraga accomplished this in his first defense of the European Jr. Middleweight championship against Jack Flatley. After previously holding the European champion one weight class below his current division as a Welterweight, the only level left for Lejarraga is the world championship level. 2022, just might be the year where he gets an opportunity to showcase his skills on the highest level in the sport.

 

“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

Lejarraga-Flatley Weights From Bilbao, Spain

 The official weigh-in for Friday’s battle for the European Jr. Middleweight championship between champion Kerman Lejarraga and challenger Jack Flatley took place earlier today in Bilbao, Spain. Weights for the entire card, which will take place at the Bilbao Arena and be broadcast worldwide by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN are below.

 

Main Event: European Jr. Middleweight championship – 12Rds.

 

Kerman Lejarraga (Champion) 154lbs. vs. Jack Flatley (Challenger) 154lbs.

 

Spanish Super-Middleweight championship – 10Rds.

 

Damian Biacho (Champion) 167 1/4lbs. vs. Guillermo Rivero 168lbs.

 

Jr. Welterweight – 8Rds.

 

Jonathan Alonso 142 3/4lbs. vs. Mohamed El Marcouchi 142 1/2lbs.

 

Jr. Bantamweight – 8Rds.

 

Samuel Carmona 115 1/2lbs. vs. Luis Padilla 114lbs.

 

Lightweight – 6Rds.

 

Campbell Hatton 137lbs. vs. Attila Csereklye 137lbs.

 

Middleweight – 6Rds.

 

Jhon Obregon 161lbs. vs. Gerome Warburton 161 1/4lbs.

 

Lejarraga vs. Flatley takes place tomorrow (Friday, December 3^rd) at the Bilbao Arena in Bilbao, Spain. The entire card can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 1:30PM ET/ 10:30PM PT (U.S. Times.)

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

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Martin Retains European Jr. Welterweight Championship:Results From Barcelona, Spain

 

European Jr. Welterweight champion Sandor Martin scored a workmanlike twelve round unanimous decision Kay Prosper to retain his European championship on Friday night at the Vall d'Hebron Olympic Palace in Barcelona, Spain. In a largely uneventful bout, Martin used his elusive southpaw stance and lateral movement to dictate the tempo of the combat from the opening bell. Prospere, who was very “Game” throughout the entire fight just could not find a way to land any consistent offense on the champion. Only adding to the frustration, Prosper was penalized a point in round eight for an unknown reason as it did not appear he had committed a foul. While not an entertaining or memorable bout to watch, Martin simply did what he needed to do to retain his title. Official scores were: 119-107, 117-110, and 117-109 in favor of Martin. Sandor Martin advances to 38-2, with 17 Knockouts. Kay Prosper falls to 14-2-1, with 7 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Jr. Middleweight Kerman Lejarraga overcame two knockdowns to score a seventh round stoppage of Jez Smith. A fight that was fought primarily on the inside m Smith seemed to get the upper hand early. In rounds three and four, Smith scored identical knockdowns of Lejarraga with short right uppercuts to the head. Despite appearing to be in control of the fight, Smith was not able to take advantage of the two knockdowns he was able to score and by round six, Lejarraga had turned the ebb and flow in his favor dropped Smith with a hard left hook to the body. At this point in the fight, Smith seemed to be fatigued and this created the opening for Lejarraga to stagger him with a right hand to the jaw. A barrage of unanswered punches forced the fight to be stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:31 of round seven. Kerman Lejarraga advances to 32-2, with 25 Knockouts. Jez Smith falls to 12-3-1, with 5 Knockouts.

 

 

In a battle for the European Featherweight championship, champion Andoni Gago and former European Jr. Featherweight champion Gavin McDonnell fought to a five round technical draw. A contrast in style with the shorter pressure fighter Gago trying to get inside the taller and longer McDonnell, Gago appeared to open a cut over the right eye of McDonnell with a left hook early in round one. Gago’s pressure led to more openings and even though McDonnell tried to keep the champion at distance he had increased difficulty as the fight progressed. The cut also gradually worsened and ultimately caused a stoppage of the shortly after the start of round five. What appeared to be a clear stoppage victory in favor of Gago turned into a technical decision as it was ruled that the cut McDonnell suffered in round one was caused by an accidental clash of heads. 

 

Although one official judge had scored every round in favor of McDonnell 50-46, the two other official judges scored the fight identically 48-48 resulting in a technical draw. Andoni Gago advances to 24-3-4, with 7 Knockouts. Gavin McDonnell advances to 22-2-3, with 6 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Featherweight prospect Bernard Torres scored a second round stoppage of veteran Anuar Salas. An otherwise uneventful first round quickly changed when Torres connected with a beautiful left hand behind a right jab from the southpaw stance that dropped Salas. It appeared as though Salas may not have been able to beat the ten count, but he was able to get up at the count of nine. Torres closed the show in round two dropping Salas with an overhand left along the ropes. Although Salas struggled to get up and was up by the count of eight, he was in no position to continue and the bout was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:33 of round two. Bernard Torres advances to 14-0, with 6 Knockouts. Anuar Salas falls to 20-9-1, with 12 Knockouts.

 

 

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight Luke Willis scored a six round decision unanimous decision over veteran Ricardo Fernandez. Official scores were: 59-54, and 60-54 (On two scorecards) in favor of Willis. Luke Willis advances to 10-0, with 1 Knockout. Ricardo Fernandez falls to 9-6, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Women’s Welterweight prospect April Hunter began the evening by scoring a four round majority decision over Elsa Hemat. Official scores were: 38-38, and 39-37 (On two scorecards) in favor of Hunter. April Hunter advances to 3-0, with 0 Knockouts. Elsa Hemat falls to 1-4, with 0 Knockouts. 

 

While Sandor Martin has a Boxing style that may not be crowd pleasing, it is certainly effective as with his victory over Kay Prosper he has now successfully defended his European Jr. Welterweight championship twice and is currently on a nine bout winning streak. Although such statistics along with an awkward style does not always translate into world title contention, Martin could be in a position to challenge for a world championship within the next year if he continues to win.

 

“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