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| Zou Shiming |
At 31, it remains to be seen just how successful Shiming will be in the professional ranks, but anyone who can draw attention to the boxing world at Bantamweights & Below is just fine with me. However, do not be surprised, given the attention being paid to his debut, if Shiming receives a world title shot well before his tenth professional bout. So far, only Xiong Zhao Zhong has been able to win a professional world boxing title for China.
World Class Boxing at Bantamweights & Below:
On Wednesday, February 27, at Todoroki Arena, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, Juan Carlos Reveco won a unanimous decision over Masayuki Kuroda in a twelve round WBA flyweight title bout. The three scorecards read 117-111 twice and 116-112. Reveco made the first defense of the full title, being promoted from interim champion. His dossier improved to 30-1 (16). Kuroda dipped to 21-4-2 (13) and is without a win since 2011. Reveco retained his number ten ranking among my top flyweights.
On Friday, March 8, at Surat Thani, Thailand, Tepparith Kokietgym won a wide decision over Daiboy Sajiro in a twelve round super flyweight bout. The scorecards favored the former world champion by margins of 120-108, 120-109, and 119-109. Singwancha won for the first time since losing his title in December. He raised his record to 22-3 (13). Sajiro fell to 3-6-1 (0). Singwancha held onto his number five ranking among my topflight super flyweights.
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| Sosa stops Solis in two rounds |
On Saturday, March 16, at Megapolis Convention Center, Panama City, Panama, Jhonreil Casimero defeated Luis Alberto Rios by unanimous decision in a twelve round IBF light flyweight title bout. Casimero prevailed by margins of 119-109 twice and 118-108. Casimero raised his record to 18-2 (10). Rios fell to 18-2-1 (13). Casimero held onto his number five ranking among my top junior flyweights. Rios fell out of the rankings for the time being. Pedro Guevara reclaimed the number ten spot at 108 pounds.
Also on this night, at Coliseo Miguel Grau, Callao, Peru, Alberto Rossel won a decision over Walter Tello in a twelve round interim WBA light flyweight title bout. The judges favored the interim champion by scores of 118-113.5, 118-114.5, and 117-111. Rossel move his record to 30-8 (13). Tello fell to 18-7 (7). Rossel retained his number nine junior flyweight ranking in my standings.
On Friday, March 22, at Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana, Joseph Agbeko made his return to the ring in well over a year with a unanimous decision over Luis Melendez. King Kong prevailed by scores of 119-111, 117-111, and 117-113. He raised his ledger to 29-4 (22). Melendez fell to 34-9-1 (25). Agbeko, previously unranked due to inactivity, returned at number five among my top bantamweights.
Bantamweight & Below Featured Rankings: Junior Flyweight (108 lbs)
1. Roman Gonzalez ~ Nicaragua ~ 34-0-0 (29) ~ WBA
2. Adrian Hernandez ~ Mexico ~ 26-2-1 (16) ~ WBC
3. Kazuto Ioka ~ Japan ~ 11-0-0 (7)
4. Donnie Nietes ~ Philippines ~ 30-1-4 (17) ~ WBO
5. Casimero Johnriel ~ Philippines ~ 18-2-0 (10) ~ IBF
6. Raul Garcia Hirales ~ Mexico ~ 33-2-1 (21)
7. Juan Palacios ~ Nicaragua ~ 29-3-1 (22)
8. Ramon Garcia Hirales ~ Mexico ~ 16-4-1 (9)
9. Alberto Rossel ~ Peru 30-8-0 (13)
10. Pedro Guevara ~ Mexico 18-1-1 (13)
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| Milan Melindo |
Milan Melindo is arguably one of boxing's most overdue for a title shot. Melindo, a flyweight contender, owns a record of 28-0 (11). At twenty-five, he is nearing his prime and should be able to win a world championship even in his talent laded division.
Since 2009, Melindo has added victories over Muhammad Rachman, Carlos Tamara, Francisco Rosas, Juan Esquer, and Jesus Geles. Presently, he is ranked number one by the WBO and he may be finally fitting into Brian Viloria's immediate plans.
Melindo returns to the ring on April 6 against Tommy Seran in China underneath Viloria's next title defense. The card is receiving a high profile with Zou Shiming debuting that night and the commentary reunion of Larry Merchant and George Foreman.
Bantamweights & Below: On the Horizon
On March 30, at Arena California, La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, Raul Garcia versus Pedro Guevara in a twelve round light flyweight bout. Also on March 30, at Estadio de Beisbol, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, Mario Rodriguez versus Katsunari Takayama in a twelve round IBF minimumweight title bout.
On April 6, at Venetian Casino & Resort, Macao, Macao, S.A.R., China, Brian Viloria versus Juan Francisco Estrada in a twelve round WBA/WBO flyweight title bout; Milan Melindo versus Tommy Seran in a ten round flyweight bout; Zou Shiming (Pro Debut) versus Eleazar Valenzuela in a four round light flyweight bout.
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| Koki Kameda back in action on April 7th |
On April 8, in Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan, Shinsuke Yamanaka versus Malcolm Tunacao in a twelve round WBC bantamweight title bout; Toshiyuki Igarashi versus Akira Yaegashi in a twelve round WBC flyweight title bout.
On April 13, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Xiong Zhao Zhong versus Carlos Ortega in a twelve round WBC minimumweight title bout. Also on April 13, in Chinandega, Nicaragua, Carlos Buitrago versus Alcides Martinez in a ten round minimumweight bout.
On April 20, at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, Rodrigo Guerrero versus McJoe Arroyo in a twelve round super flyweight bout. Also on April 20, at Arena Roberto Duran, Panama City, Panama, Luis Concepcion versus Anuar Salas in a ten round flyweight bout.
Written by Derek "DBO" Bonnett exclusively for KO Digest
