Boxing results and recaps, Oct. 12-13: Dorin Spivey defies father time, Rakhim Chakhkiev dominates, Ava Knight reigns supreme

While I often cover pretty obscure cards, many of which showcase fighters that you aren't likely to see on TV in the future, this recap doesn't fit the bill. Expect to see several of these fighters down the line. And remember who taught you about them first.

2012-10-12 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

This was broadcasted live over the internet via GFL.TV, presented by Dee Lee Promotions.

Antowyan Aikens UD6 Steven Tyner

Aikens, after a lengthy and successful amateur career, enters the bout with a 5-0 pro record. Tyner comes in at 3-6-2. Aikens, a tall super middleweight, did well when he maintained his range but wound up in trouble when he fell in after throwing shots. He was shaken a few times in the 2nd round. Round 3 began ugly with a lot of grappling but Aiken found more of a rhythm toward the end. Momentum appeared to continue to shift into Aikens' direction from there on, clearly winning the 5th, so far his best round in the fight. Considering the fight was originally scheduled for 4 rounds, you have to wonder if Tyner simply wasn't prepared to go any longer.

Dorsett Barnwell TKO4 Shun Lewis

Barnwell, the taller and longer man, worked behind the jab and walked Lewis down but did so with his lead left hand down. Barnwell relied on his slickness to make up for the openings he gave. When he landed the jab he sometimes followed up with the straight right hand which shook Lewis in round 2 multiple times, hurting him badly at the end. The 38 year old Lewis continued to take a beating through round 4, where he was knocked down. He got up to keep fighting but was apparently injured while throwing a hook. Lewis basically just quit but the referee called a time out and let doctors come in to investigate before waving the fight off and awarding Barnwell the victory by TKO.

Frankie Filippone UD6 Reggie La Crete

Not much in the 1st round. Both fighters felt each other out. Not a lot of clean punching. After an Ali shuffle in round 2 Filippone's boxing took over the fight from there on. Filippone, a southpaw, had much better timing. La Crete, despite being the bigger and stronger man, wound up hurt in round 4 by big left hands from Filippone. The boxing lesson from Filippone continued in the 5th and 6th rounds. Filippone landed whatever he wanted, jabs, straights, uppercuts, hooks. La Crete couldn't get off. He was embarrassingly lost. All judges had it 59-55 for Filippone, apparently all awarding La Crete the first round.

Dorin Spivey MD10 Rod Salka (95-95, 96-94, 97-93)

As Anthony Karperis vs Justin Johnson was scrapped, this main event came on slightly before 10 PM. Much of the bout was fought at a calculated pace which favored the 39 year old Spivey. Salka, 10 years Spivey's junior, spent a lot of his time circling and staying out of range while Spivey got off first and caught Salka with follow up shots as Salka pulled straight back. Salka deserved no more than 2 of the first 7 rounds at best. But then Spivey and Salka traded right hands in the 8th round that shook both fighters. Salka continued to show signs of life in the 9th and arguably won it by landing another big right hand. The two exchanged on pretty even terms in the last round making a draw seem possible if anyone gave Salka the last 3 rounds. Judge Larry Layton actually did render an even verdict (95-95) while judges Eugenia Williams and Eugene Grant had it 97-93 and 96-94 respectively. This was Spivey's 2nd defense of the NABA lightweight title in his second reign as NABA champion. Prior to the win Spivey was rated #8 by the WBA which currently has a world title vacancy. Spivey, pushing 40, clearly doesn't have much time left to make his move to get the first and likely only world title shot of his career. Standing in his way is the winner of November's scheduled meeting between Richard Abril and Sharif Bogere. Both would easily be favored to beat Spivey, but I doubt he cares.

2012-10-12 Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany

This event was broadcasted live over the internet via some German site I can't remember the name of. Immediately afterward it was archived at livestream.com.

Rakhim Chakhkiev KO9 Epifanio Mendoza

In the main event of the evening the undefeated, unibrowed, Russian "Machine" Chakhkiev easily dispensed with Colombian journeyman Epifanio Mendoza inside 9 rounds after 3 knockdowns. Mendoza experienced brief career resurgence in 2011 when he knocked out undefeated Puerto Rican prospect and former 2008 light heavyweight Olympian Carlos Negron in what I considered to be the upset of the year. In the same Olympics southpaw Chakhkiev earned a gold medal in the heavyweight division but has been brought along even more carefully than Negron so far as a pro. But as for Chakhkiev -Mendoza, a cross between an overhand left and a hook put Mendoza down in the 2nd round. Through much of the fight Mendoza was punished by hooks to the head and body. A jab followed by a straight left hand put a retreating Mendoza down again early in the 9th round and a right/left hook combination put him away for good. The last combination didn't appear to land all that cleanly but Mendoza was simply too worn down to continue. Rakhim made the 2nd successful defense of his WBC Baltic cruiserweight title.

Ismail Oezen TKO4 Michal Bilak

Oezen often walked Bilak down using his tight guard to pick off Bilak's ineffective and often slapping shots. Oezen, after pushing Bilak back by landing a good combination, was dropped himself by a counter right hand followed by a left hook early in round 4. Mostly annoyed that he lost his balance Oezen went right back to work and Bilak went right back to his wild slapping hooks. After landing a left hook on Oezen's right elbow followed by a miss upstairs Bilak immediately notified the ref that he hurt his left arm in the process and was unable to continue. Oezen won by TKO in an ending he did not appear to be thrilled by. Although Bilak had lost his last 15 straight bouts and Oezen was only 5-0, this bout was somehow for the German International light heavyweight title.

Ina Menzer TKO2 Renata Domsodi

Menzer, former unified triple world champion at featherweight, has been slowly working her way back into the title picture after a 2010 upset defeat to Canadian Jeannine Garside, Menzer's only loss as a pro. Domsodi provided little resistance for Menzer and never took advantage of Ina's pawing jab. Menzer was allowed to set up any combination she liked without much effort. A lead right uppercut signaled the end for Domsodi in the 2nd round. Menzer followed up with a left hook that mostly missed but kept pressing as Domsodi fell back. Menzer landed follow up overhand rights that left Domsodi helpless in the corner before the referee stepped in. With the win Menzer picked up the vacant WBO European female featherweight title. While perhaps a step closer to getting another WBO title shot, as long as the beastly Alejandra Marina Oliveras is champion I don't much like Menzer's chances and I doubt her team would even take the fight.

Vitali Tajbert UD6 Michal Dufek

Former world champion Tajbert did what he was expected to do and dominated his inexperienced, although previously unbeaten opponent. Tajbert, former WBC super featherweight champion, hasn't had a meaningful fight since losing his title to Takahiro Ao in 2010. Ao is scheduled to defend against Gamaliel Diaz later this month. Tajbert was just too skilled for Dufek and more or less played with him for 6 rounds to cruise to a decision victory.

Yavuz Keles KO1 Artiom Gromov

The taller Keles used his jab to set up right hands, which eventually found their mark midway through the round and put Gromov down. Although Gromov got up he was quickly put down again, this time merely by a jab to the body. Somehow it was enough to keep Gromov down the full 10 seconds. Even Keles was surprised.

Maria Lindberg UD6 Floarea Lihet

Lindberg was simply too big, strong, and active for her undersized opponent and just bossed her around the ring. Lihet to her credit was game, stood her ground for as long as she could, and was more than willing to exchange. Lihet just didn't have enough firepower.

Samir Said TKO1 Milan Ruso

The taller Said dropped Ruso with a right/left hook combination that honestly appeared to land on Ruso's arms. Ruso got up and fought back aggressively briefly before Said unleashed some more hooks that got Ruso covering up and hunched over until the referee waved it off. This time I could tell that at least the right hooks were getting through clean. That said, most of these shots were still arm punches (and by that I mean Said didn't have his body weight behind them).

Samariddin Holboev UD4 Andrei Hramyka

In perhaps the most competitively matched fight on the entire card (on paper) 10(3)-2(1)-0 Holboev pressured and out hustled 9(9)-1-3 Hramyka. Hramyka often found himself on the ropes, covering up and bent over. Hramyka, native of Belarus, is lightweight champion in his home country.

2012-10-13 Galich Hall, Krasnodar, Russia

This was televised by Russia TV 2, which has a logo that sort of looks like "POCCNR 2", with the N and R backwards. I believe the 4 bouts I recap below were the only ones televised.

Rodion Pastukh KO4 Chupaki Chipindi

Despite the ending I didn't think this was a particularly impressive showing from the unbeaten prospect Pastukh, who extended his record to 9-0 with 9 KOs against Tanzanian Chipindi. Although Pastukh definitely landed the harder, more effective shots Chipindi bossed much of the action as Pastukh appeared either tentative or out of shape. Going by Pastukh's lack of muscles and soft body I think he could probably get down to light heavyweight if he tried. He only weighed in at 190 for this fight. Anyways, a right hook to the body put Chipindi down twice in the 4th round and ended the bout abruptly. Go figure that the guy who actually looked in shape was taken out by a body shot. Did I mention this was the main event?

Dmitry Kudryashov TKO5 Isroil Qurbonov

I the co-main event Qurbonov, a bit short and soft around the midsection, was outclassed from the opening bell and dropped by an uppercut about a minute later. Kudryashov easily extended his record to 6-0 with 6 KOs following this mismatch, which unfortunately was for the vacant WBC CIS and Slovenian Boxing Bureau (CISBB) cruiserweight title. Kudryashov landed the jab at will and Qurbonov didn't even try to fight his way inside. Qurbonov was content trying to box Kudryashov from range. Eventually it got to the point where Qurbonov just went to the ropes and took a beating. After a couple pounding sessions against the ropes the referee waved it off.

David Avanesyan UD10 Roman Seliverstov

While the taller and longer Seliverstov clearly had the advantage on the outside, he actually fired his jab off the front foot and fell inside where Avanesyan was able to pick him off. Seliverstov was competitive from the beginning to the end and probably deserved to win some rounds, but he simply did not use his range effectively and smothered his punches. The cleaner and more skillful work came from the once beaten Avanesyan, undefeated since his second pro fight against currently undefeated lightweight prospect Andrey Klimov. At the time this was written Klimov was rated #40 by the WBC. If you ask me he's better than a lot of the guys rated ahead of him.

Alisher Rahimov UD8 Yauheni Kruhlik

Early on I felt Kruhlik was fighting a good, smart fight despite Rahimov's superior skill set. However as early as round 3 it was obvious Kruhlik had less in the tank than his shorter opponent. He started covering up a lot and holding while 2000 Olympian Rahimov teed off. Eventually Kruhlik was deducted points in the 6th and 8th rounds for holding and would go on to lose a lopsided decision. This was Rahimov's first fight since his only career defeat to Ji-Hoon Kim, one of the best 2012 fights ESPN televised their entire "Friday Night Fights" season. Teddy Atlas scored the bout a draw but the official judges all had it for Kim (one by a controversial 6 point margin). Against Kim Rahimov was effective but not as busy. Against Kruhlik being busier was never a problem.

2012-10-13 Coliseo Rafael G Amalbert, Juncos, Puerto Rico

Solo Boxeo Tecate returned to Puerto Rico for another Miguel Cotto / Golden Boy co-promotion. Three bouts were televised in full as was half of one of the undercards.

Braulio Santos TKO2 John Alberto Molina

The taller and much younger Santos simply had too many physical advantages for Molina to overcome. As both threw left hooks simultaneously in the 2nd round, Braulio's shorter hook landed first and put Molina down. Although Molina beat the count the referee deemed him unfit to continue.

Miguel Rafael Tapia UD4 Jose Ruiz

Tapia's superior fundamentals were the difference in the fight as he walked his man down with jabs and right hands that Ruiz struggled to evade. Ruiz put up a good fight throughout regardless and even hoped he pulled off the decision. But ultimately Ruiz was too wide and wasn't landing clean enough. The decision was never in doubt.

Jeffrey Fontanez TKO4 John Nater

In the main event of the evening lightweight prospect Fontanez advanced his unbeaten record to 9-0 with 8 knockouts. From an offensive standpoint I felt the abilities of both fighters were pretty even. Nater had 8 KOs in his 11 wins for a reason. However, Fontanez was much better at ducking and picking off shots. Fontanez really began to pour it on Nater at the end the 3rd round, including a left hook to the head, right hand to the head, and a left hook to the body that landed after the bell. Nater complained but nothing was done about it. Another left hook to the body early in round 4 put Nater down for the count.

Roberto Acevedo UD6 Gabriel Diaz

Telefutura only televised the last 3 rounds of this 6 rounder in full but showed that southpaw Acevedo scored a knockdown with a right hook in the 3rd round. Acevedo, seemingly a defensive artist, spent a large remainder of the fight slipping shots on the ropes, blocking, and countering. The right hook continued to be a money punch for Acevedo when he went back to it. Although a clear winner on paper, you wouldn't know it by looking at Acevedo after the fight. His left eye was nearly swollen shut while Diaz wasn't marked up much at all.

2012-10-13 Palacio de Deporte, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Part of this card was televised in Mexico by Televisa Deportes. I watched it via an online stream thanks to the WBC (perhaps the only thing fans should ever thank them for). Wbcboxing.tv is a great website that streams boxing 24/7, although usually nothing live or very recent. Nonetheless a plethora of world title fights get shown daily and that's not something you're likely to find on any TV station you have at home, unless you're in the UK and have BoxNation.

Ava Knight UD10 Mariana Juarez (97-93, 97-93, 96-94)

Although Dante Jardon-Miguel Roman and Ricardo Alvarez-Mauricio Pintor competed in vacant WBC Continental Americas title fights at super featherweight and light welterweight respectively, the real main event of the card was between IBF champion Ava Knight and WBC champion Mariana Juarez for bragging rights as the baddest female flyweight on the planet. Unfortunately rights (and a brand new "prestigious" diamond title) were all the winner was going to get as the WBC's recent non-unification policy struck yet again. The regular WBC title was still on the line but only for Juarez. Because Juarez lost the WBC title is now vacant but will be fought for yet again later this month when Simona Galassi rematches Renata Szebeledi. In the WBC, money never sleeps. But enough on that for now, let's discuss the female super fight of the week.

In the opening round I felt Knight controlled the ring with her jab, boxed well, and disrupted Juarez's attempts into making it a fight. In round 2 Knight continued to land cleaner with her shorter and more accurate punches. In round 3 Juarez found success with lead straight right hands and uppercuts and ended the round using her jab just as well as Knight had earlier. Juarez switched between southpaw and orthodox in the 4th round and countered the more aggressive Knight often as she came in recklessly. Knight worked the body, threw the harder shots, and forced Juarez back but lacked the composure of Juarez. Knight got back to working her jab in the 5th and set up nice follow up right hands and other combinations. Juarez didn't much like it when Knight got inside and often tried to push or hold to get a break. Knight continued to physically overwhelm Juarez early in round 6 but Juarez actually reversed the roles down the stretch and arguably took the round. Leather continued to exchange on even terms in the 7th round, highlighted by Juarez's overhand rights and Knight's left hooks.

Both women continued to fight at a furious pace in the 8th round but it became evident that even though Juarez could land just as much or more than Knight, she didn't have the same kind of power behind it. Juarez often pushed with her shots while Knight had snap and turned her shots over. The trend continued into the ninth round where Knight followed her left hooks up with right hands. The 10th and final round was very tight. Knight continued to land the better shots but Juarez out hustled her and pushed her back. Both fighters thought they won when the final bell rang and who could blame them? It was a great, action packed fight between the two best female flyweights in the world. Juarez, after escaping her last two title defenses with split decision victories, had her luck run out against Knight but I expect will bounce back and become world champion again soon enough. A few months back Juarez was in talks of moving up in weight to fight super bantamweight champion Jackie Nava but Nava is currently taking a vacation from the ring after learning she's pregnant. Juarez, who has fought as high as a super bantamweight in the past, is likely to move up regardless.

Stay tuned for a follow up article on what this victory means for the winner later today.

If a bout is not mentioned which took place on one of the above cards it's most likely because I haven't got around to watching it yet. In the event that I do watch such a bout at a later time it's still unlikely I will update this recap. My recaps will be posted on Mondays and Wednesdays, devoted to cards that most casual American boxing fans haven't seen or heard of. For available footage of the previously reported bouts follow @sweetboxing on twitter. You may also email the author of this piece at rgbivins@gmail.com