On Sunday in Tokyo, Fernando Martinez picked up a second piece of the world super flyweight title with a mild upset of Kazuto Ioka. Martinez owned the IBF belt and added Ioka’s WBA scalp to his bedpost. That gives the Argentinian globetrotter one more belt than Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez if you are keeping score.

Of course, there isn’t a little man on this planet who would be favored over “Bam” at the moment, excepting Naoya Inoue who competes two divisions up at 122. The San Antonio southpaw was so impressive in dismantling Juan Francisco Estrada on July 29 that he stifled all talk of whether he belongs on the pound-for-pound list. The debate now is about his placement; how high should it be? But despite Bam’s towering presence in the 115-pound division, there are some good fights out there for him beginning with Martinez.

Kazuto Ioka brought quite a resume. The first fighter from Japan to win world titles in four weight divisions, he was 31-2-1 heading in with both losses by split decision and was appearing in his twenty-fifth world title fight. But Martinez showed no fear of him. He took the fight to Ioka and closed strong, winning by scores of 120-108, 117-111, and 116-112. (The 120-108 tally by California judge Edward Hernandez Sr was assailed as ludicrous; the fight was much closer than that…but there was no disputing the verdict, the right guy won.)

A fight with Bam Rodriguez, who was in attendance, would be the most lucrative for Fernando Martinez, but he has other options. WBO belt-holder Kosei Tanaka is out there as is former pound-for-pound king Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. Both are in action this month. Chocolatito (51-4, 41 KOs) fights this coming Friday on his home turf in Managua against Colombian journeyman Rober Barrera (27-5). Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs) defends his belt on July 20 in Tokyo against Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1). Tanaka has won four straight since getting dominated and stopped by Ioka in 2020.

The outcome of the Ioka-Martinez bout was no surprise to Matt McGrain who previewed the contest in these pages. And, as McGain noted, Martinez doesn’t have much time left to build up his fan base outside South America and the Orient. His current record (17-0, 9 KOs) betrays the fact he turns 33 next week.

The smaller weight divisions have never attracted a large following in the United States, but that has something to do with a historical dearth of American-born fighters at the pinnacles. Bam Rodriguez is making even casual fans stand up and take notice and his ascent comes at a time when his division is percolating.

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Once again Shane Mosely Jr. proved he belongs in the upper tier with a convincing victory over former two-time world champion Daniel Jacobs by unanimous decision in the semi-main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA, on Saturday.

A stunned crowd of more than 18,000 saw Mosley (22-4, 12 KOs) bloody and out-fight New York’s Jacobs (37-5, 30 KOs) in almost every round.

It was the fifth straight win for Mosely who has continued to sparkle regardless of the competition. Some skeptics expected him to meet the end of the road against Jacobs, but the former middleweight just couldn’t get it going against the son of boxing hall of famer Sugar Shane Mosley.

After 10 rounds two judges scored it 99-91 and another 100-90 for Mosley.

Nate Diaz once again ventured into the boxing ring but this time emerged with a win by majority decision over fellow MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal after 10 entertaining rounds.

A year ago, Diaz (1-1) fought Jake Paul and lost by decision. This time he faced fellow UFC fighter Masvidal (1-1) in boxing and perhaps won because of more familiarity with fighting with boxing gloves.

Masvidal had boxed before but it was nearly 20 years ago.

After 10 rounds one judge scored it 95-95, while two others saw it 97-93 and 98-92 for Diaz.

Other Bouts

In a battle between two boxing families Amado Vargas (11-1, 5 KOs) floored Sean Garcia (7-1-1, 2 KOs) with a body shot in the fourth round and then won by stoppage in the sixth round of their lightweight match.

Vargas, the son of the great Fernando Vargas and Garcia the brother of popular star Ryan Garcia, fought furiously from the start. Both fighters proved eager to show superiority in the family feud.

Though Garcia tried to rally, Vargas was able to overwhelm him with a volley of blows that forced the referee Edward Collantes to end the fight 46 seconds into the sixth round.

A battle between a boxer and MMA fighter saw Chris Avila (6-1) defeat former UFC champion Anthony Pettis (1-1) after six rounds in a light heavyweight match.

Photo credit: Esther Lin / Fanmio

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Shakur Improves to 22-0 and Christmas Comes Early for Conceicao in Newark

Fighting on his home turf, Newark-bred Shakur Stevenson, a three-division title-holder, advanced to 22-0 (10) while successfully defending his WBC lightweight title with a unanimous decision over heavy underdog Artem Horutyunyan (12-2) at the Prudential Center. The judges had it 119-109, 118-110, and 116-112.

Shakur entered the pro ranks after losing a split decision to Robeisy Ramirez in the final round of the bantamweight competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He promised an explosive performance in his last fight owed to his promoter Top Rank, but he delivered a workmanlike performance against his spunky German-Armenian adversary who did not punch hard enough to give Shakur any anxious moments. It was a match devoid of any drama.

Co-Feature

Although O’Shaquie Foster closed an 11/5 favorite, there were many folks that thought the fourth time would be a charm for Robson Conceicao. The 35-year-old, two-time Olympian and 2016 gold medalist was 18-2-1 heading in with the only blemishes in world title fights, most recently a draw with Emanuel Navarrete. And those that favored the Brazilian over the defending WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster cashed in when Conceicao was awarded a split decision, winning by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 with the dissenter favoring O’Shaquie by 115-113.

But hold the phone. Although Conceicao wrested away the title in a bout with no indelible moments, the verdict is certain to create a furor on social media. In his post-fight interview, Foster said that he thought that he had scored a shutout and he had a sympathetic ear in unofficial ESPN scorer Mark Kriegel who had Foster winning 11 of the 12 rounds. Judge Ron McNair had Foster winning 116-112, but he was overruled by his colleagues Tony Lundy and Paul Wallace who voted for Conceicao by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, respectively. It will be interesting to see how New Jersey boxing head Larry Hazard addresses the controversy.

More

In a 10-round lightweight affair that was fan-friendly despite being one-sided and messy, former Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis scored a unanimous decision over rugged Mexican campaigner Miguel Madueno. Davis, who was already ranked in the Top 5 by three of four relevant sanctioning bodies after only 10 pro fights, won by scores of 99-91 across the board.

A glutton for punishment who rarely took a backward step, Madueno, 31-2 heading in, maintained his distinction of having never been stopped. Madueno’s punches were often wide, but he did manage to graze referee David Franciosi with a short left to the kisser at the end of the sixth round. Franciosi, a 20-year-veteran as a ring official, earned every penny he was to be paid and should get a bonus.

In the opener of the main ESPN card, Abdullah Mason, a 20-year-old, can’t-miss, blue-chip prospect from Cleveland, had too much smoke for San Juan’s Luis Lebron who was rescued from further punishment by the referee at the 1:18 mark of round three.

Mason (14-0, 12 KOs) bloodied Lebron (20-6-1) and had him on the deck twice before the second round was over. He finished the job in the next stanza.

Also

In a ho-hum fight between two 30-year-old junior lightweights, Eridson Garcia, a Dominican fighting out of Houston, won a comfortable decision over Connecticut’s William Foster III. The judges had it 99-91 and 98-92 twice. Garcia improved to 19-1 (12). It was the second loss in 19 starts for New Haven’s Foster.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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