By Ken Hissner: At the Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Thursday over ESPN+ promoter Camile Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management) presented in the Main Event NABA and NABF Super Middleweight champion Erik Bazinyan of Canada defended against Jose “El Chanquito” de Jesus Macias of Mexico in a solid ten round bout that could have gone either way.
In the Main Event, NABA and NABF Super Middle champ Erik Bazinyan, 30-0 (21), #168, of Yerevan, Armenia and Montreal, Quebec, CAN, defeated Jose “El Chanquito” de Jesus Macias, 28-12-4 (14), #168, of Jalisco, MEX, over ten close action-packed rounds.
In the first round in his sixth appearance (3-1-1) in Canada, Macias made it interesting though Bazinyan had the edge. In the second and third rounds, Macias held his own. In the round, Bazinyan had a big round, landing several power punches to the body and head of Macias.
In the seventh round, Macias had Bazinyan hurt halfway through the round and out on his feet, barely making it to the bell. In the eighth round, Bazinyan came back well enough to win the round. In the ninth round, both had their moments, with Macias having an edge. Bazinyan fighting more southpaw than orthodox. In the tenth and final round, Macias started strong, but Bazinyan came back well. Referee Martin Forest.
Scores were 97-93 and 98-92 twice with 95-95 KH.
In the co-feature, former IBF North American champ Steve “The Dragon” Claggett, 35-7-2 (25), #139 ¼, of Calgary, Alberta, CAN, stopped former WBA Super Feather champ southpaw Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado, 23-4 (19), #139 ½, of San Juan, PR, at 1:29 of the third round of a scheduled ten rounds for the vacant NABF Super Lightweight title.
In the second round, a double left hook from Claggett on the chin in the final 30 seconds dropped Machado for a 9-count from referee Steve St German. In the third round, a right uppercut from Claggett on the chin dropped Machado when Referee St. German called a halt.
Super Feather Avery “The Future” Martin Duval, 10-0-1 (6), #130, of Montreal, CAN, stopped southpaw Andres “Martillo” Sanchez, 6-6 (3), #128 ½, of Durango, MEX, at 2:07 of the third round of a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round, both boxers had their moments in a close round. In the second round’s final seconds, Duval rocked Sanchez in the back of the head. Referee Yvon Goulet never warned him. In the third round, a left hook from Duval on the chin and down went Sanchez for an 8-count. Upon rising, referee Goulet waved it off.
Super Welter Christopher Guerrero, 7-0 (3), #157, of MEX and Montreal, Quebec, CAN, stopped Heriberto “Demoledor” Santillan, 3-1 (2), #156 ½, of Mexico City, MEX, at 0:20 of the fifth round of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, the shorter 5:08” Guerrero forced the action against the much taller 6’0” Santillan ending with a right to the chin of Santillan. In the second round, Santillan landed a 3-punch combination having Guerrero backed into a corner. Guerrero ended the round with a right on the chin of Santillan.
In the fourth round’s final minute, an overhand right from Guerrero drew blood from the nose of Santillan. For some reason, the referee brought in the ring physician to check Santillan. In the fifth round, Guerrero hurt Santillan with a right and followed with a flurry of body shots ending with a right on the chin spinning Santillan around and forcing the referee to wave it off without complaint.
Middle Alexandre Gaumont, 8-0 (6), #159 ½, of Buckingham, Quebec, CAN, stopped Piotr “Majic” Bis, 6-3-1 (2), #159 ½, of Tarnow, POL, at 3:00 of the second round of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, Gaumont dropped Bis halfway through the round with a right on the chin for an 8-count. In the second round’s halfway point, with his back to the ropes in a corner, Gaumont landed a right uppercut to the chin, dropping Bis for an 8-count. Upon rising, the referee wisely waved it off.
Feather southpaw Thomas “The Ghost” Chabot, 9-0 (7), #127 ½, of Thetford Mines, Quebec, CAN, won a highly disputed decision over Louis “Archi” Bolanos Lopez, 4-3-1 (0), #126 ¾, of Mexico City, MEX, over eight rounds.
In the first round, it was close, with Bolanos having a slight edge being the busier of the two, drawing blood from the nose of Chabot with a straight right. In the second round, the action continued with Bolanos landing left hooks to the chin and Chabot ending it with a left to the chin of Bolanos.
In the third round, Bolanos out-landed Chabot ending with a strong finish. In the fourth round, it went back and forth with a better finish by Chabot. In the fifth round, Bolanos continued getting the better of the local favorite.
In the sixth round, Bolanos had the edge until a left uppercut from Chabot to the mid-section hurt Bolanos with twenty seconds remaining. In the seventh round, Chabot got a nasty cut on his left eyebrow in the final minute that seemed to spur him on.
In the eighth and final round, the action got better with both letting it all hangout. It was close at the decision will be interesting though Bolanos did enough to win or at least get a draw. Referee Albert Padulo
Scores were 77-75 Lopez, 78-74 Chabot and 77-75 Chabot. 79-73 Lopez KH.