By Ken Hissner: At the Stockton Arena, Stockton, California, Saturday over ESPN+ and ESPN, Bob Arum (Top Rank) presented in the Main Event WBO Middleweight champion Zhanibek ”Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly destroyed Steven “Bang Bang” Butler in two rounds. In the Co-Main Event WBC Silver and WBO International champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney and Vicent “Asero” Astrolabio for the vacant WBO World Bantamweight title.
In the Main Event WBO World Middleweight champion southpaw Zhanibek “Qazaq” Alimkhanuly, 14-0 (9), #159.2, of Zhilandy, KAZ, and Oxnard, CA, stopped NABF champion Steven “Bang Bang” Butler, 32-4-1 (26), #159.6, of Montreal, CAN, at 2:35 of the second round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first round, Alimkhanuly took it easily. In the second round, an uppercut from Alimkhanuly had Butler hurt, and a follow-up barrage of punches dropped him for an 8-count. Referee Jack Reiss gave him plenty of time to recover before Alimkhanuly continued the beating drawing blood from the nose and having him out on his feet and down again, with Referee Reiss finally waving it off.
In the Co-Main Event, WBC Silver and WBO Int’l Bantam champ Jason ‘Mayhem’ Moloney, 26-2 (19), #117.8, of New South Wales, AUST, won a majority decision over Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio, 18-4 (13), #117.2, of General Santos City, PH and Las Vegas, NV, 12 rounds, for the vacant WBO World Bantam title.
In the first two rounds, Moloney had the advantage though it went back and forth. In the third round, Moloney had the edge until the final half-minute when Astrolabio had him hurt. In the fifth and sixth rounds, Moloney continued boxing well, landing his jab with Astrolabio countering.
In the seventh round, Moloney continued boxing well, but the fans didn’t appreciate it. In the ninth and tenth rounds, Moloney started throwing more power punches than in previous rounds.
In the twelfth and final round, Astrolabio knowing he was behind, was throwing wild punches looking for a knockout. Moloney continued out-landing him.
Scores were 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112, as did KH.
Gabriel Flores, Jr., 22-2 (8), #134 ½, of Stockton, CA, knocked out Derrick “Soja” Murray, 17-9-1 (6), #134.4, of St. Louis, MO, at 0:30 of the first round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round, a lead left hook from Flores on the chin and down went Murray forcing Referee Gerard White to wave it off without a count.
Middle southpaw Javier Martinez, 8-0-1 (2), #161, of Milwaukee, WI, got shortchanged in a split draw against Joeshon “Shontime” James, 7-0-1 (4), #161 ¼, of Sacramento, CA, over eight rounds.
In the first round, right from the start, James showed how much stronger he was as southpaw Martinez put out a jab with little else. In the second round, Martinez landed a good left on the chin halfway through the round on the chin of James. He easily took the round. In the third round, Martinez pushed James to the canvas onto his back. The action picked up after that and again favored Martinez.
From the fourth through the sixth, there was too much wrestling than boxing and Referee David Hartman did too little to stop it. In the seventh round final seconds, Martinez landed several lead lefts on the chin of James. In the eighth and final round, both looked exhausted.
Scores were 79-73 James, 77-75 Martinez, and 76-76. 78-74 KH.
Feather southpaw Ruben “Drac” Villa IV, 20-1 (7), #126 ½, of Salinas, CA, stopped Maickol “El Coyote” Lopez Villagrana, 16-5 (8), #126 ½, of Mexico City, MEX, at 1:55 of the fifth round of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first two rounds, Villa had his way for the most part. In the third rounds, final minute Villa had Villagrana out on his feet with uppercuts to the chin for, In the fourth round, a left on the chin from southpaw Villa dropped Villagrana for an 8-count from Referee Gerard White. Living nearby, the fans were cheering for Villa.
In the fifth round, after taking a beating for two minutes, Villagrana was sparred a knockout when referee White stepped in wisely, calling a halt.
Welter Brian “The Assassin ll” Norman, Jr., 24-0 (19), #148, of Atlanta, GA, defeated Jesus Antonio Perez, 24-5 (18), #147, of Tijuana, Baja California, over eight rounds.
In the first three rounds, Norman used an effective jab that Perez kept walking into, trying to cut off the ring. In the fourth round, Norman decided to stay in the middle of the ring and fight it out, getting the better of Perez.
In the fifth round, Norman went to the body, digging in with left uppercuts. In the seventh round, a clash of heads caused a cut over the right eye of Perez, who had a good round. In the eighth and final round was the best one of the night; Perez had an advantage but ended up slipping to the canvas ending the fight as Referee Jack Reiss called it a slip.
Scores were 77-75 twice and 78-74, as did KH.
Super Feather Amada “El Malvado” Vargas, 8-0 (3), #129 ½, of North Las Vegas, NV, easily defeated Bernardo Manzano, 2-5 (0), #129 ½, of Tlalnepantla, MEX, six rounds.
In the first round, it was all Vargas, the son of former champion Fernando. In the final minute, Manzano went down from tripping while referee Edward Collantes scored it a knockdown. In the second and third rounds, Vargas continued the attack, with Manzano throwing occasional rights trying to keep Vargas off of him. In the fourth and final round, Vargas hurt Manzano with a right to the rib cage in the final minute of the fight.
All scores were 40-35, as was KH.