■ United States
'Filipino Flash' retains title
Philippines star Nonito Donaire stopped Mexico's Luis Maldonado in the eighth round in Mashnatucket, Connecticut, on Saturday to keep his International Boxing Federation flyweight crown. The "Filipino Flash" pounded the challenger throughout the bout, ending matters 76 seconds into the eighth round with a powerful left hand in his first title defense. Donaire improved to 19-1 for his 18th triumph in a row despite hurting his left hand early in the fight. "I've always had that problem but it's OK. I still got the victory," he said. "I'm happy for my country. We have four world champions now."
■ United States
Chavez claims biggest win
Julio Cesar Chavez Junior, the son of the heralded Mexican champion of the same name, stopped Ray Sanchez in the sixth round of a scheduled 10-round super welterweight fight in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday. "I wanted to feel his punches," Chavez said. "He's a good fighter." Chavez (34-0-1, 27 KOs) notched the biggest win of his young career, driving Sanchez (20-2) into the ropes midway through the sixth and launching a flurry of shots to the head. Sanchez dropped to his knees, then couldn't answer after the count at 1:33 of the round. The left-handed Sanchez was touted as the hardest puncher Chavez has faced. "He does hit hard but I knew I was stronger than him," Chavez said.
■ United States
Forrest wins in the 11th
Vernon Forrest successfully defended his WBC super welterweight title in Mashnatucket, stopping Italy's Michele Piccirilloin the 11th round after landing two crushing right hands. It was the first title defense for Forrest (40-2). He won the WBC crown with a unanimous decision over Carlos Baldomir in July. Forrest landed a looping right hand midway through the fourth round that stunned Piccirillo but the challenger quickly regrouped and kept the champion at bay for the rest of the round. Piccirillo was wobbled by a right hand in the seventh, but stayed on his feet. In the ninth, Forest dropped Piccirillo with a stinging right hand for the second knockdown of the bout. Forrest continued to dominate the bout until putting Piccirillo away in the 11th.
■ United States
Tarver stops Santiago
Antonio Tarver stopped Danny Santiago in the fourth round in Mashantucket on Saturday in a US light-heavyweight fight that should give the 39-year-old winner a chance to fight for a major title. Tarver knocked down Santiago twice, sending him through the ropes the first time late in round four and using a pair of left hooks to crumple his foe to his knees to prompt the referee to halt the bout 2:53 into the round. Tarver has won twice since losing to Bernard Hopkins last year. Undefeated World Boxing Council champion Chad Dawson was at ringside and said he wants to fight Tarver when he steps into the ring again in April.
■ Germany
Halmich hangs up her gloves
Regina Halmich, who made women's boxing popular in Germany, ended her career on Saturday after a record 45th defense of her women's WIBF flyweight title the previous day. The 31-year-old German claimed a decision against Hagar Shmoulefeld Finer of Israel on Friday to finish with a 54-1-1 record after holding the title for a decade. Friday's fight was watched on television by 8 million, with an audience share of nearly 40 percent. Those ratings are higher than all but the biggest men's fights in Germany.
RSS