While there weren’t any marquee fights on the premium networks such as HBO or Showtime this weekend, there was a hefty dose of boxing action across the globe, including some big name fighters. Right here, view a round-up of the results, including Juan Manuel Lopez returning to the ring, a surprising loss for former titleholder Felix Sturm, and a solid effort from Carlos Molina on Friday Night Fights.
Juan Manuel Lopez Wins in Return
Fighting for the first time in nearly a year, due to a suspension involving the post-fight aftermath from his rematch with Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez scored a 9th round TKO over Aldimar Silva Santos on Saturday night in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The fight was held at a catch-weight of 128 lbs, which is between the Featherweight and Super Featherweight divisions, and it’s unclear which division JuanMa will be competing in moving forward.
Of course, the Featherweight division is home to a lot of Top Rank names, including Mikey Garcia, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., and soon, Nonito Donaire. So there’s lots of potential for big fights there.
JuanMa improves 32-2 with 29 KO victories. Both losses came by stoppage to Salido.
Carlos Molina Victorious on Friday Night Fights
King Carlos Molina did what he was supposed to do on Friday night in Chicago, in the televised main event of a Friday Night Fights card, outworking and easily decisioning former two-division champ Cory Spinks. Official scorecards read 119-106, 119-106 and 120-105, a virtual shutout for Molina, who was credited with two knockdowns (including one standing 8 count) in the fight. Spinks was also deducted a point.
Molina improves to 21-5-2, with 6 KOs, and Spinks falls to 39-8, 11 KOs. Going all the way back to his rematch against Zab Judah in 2005, Spinks is just 5-6. He just doesn’t seem to have much “fight” left in him at this point. As for Molina, he’s hoping he finally gets a big fight this summer.
Also on the card, Antwone Smith took home a decision over Jose Luis Castillo, who has found himself competing as high as junior middleweight these days.
Stealing the show was undefeated Polish heavyweight prospect Artur Szpilka, who scored a brutal one-punch kayo over Mike Mollo.
Soliman Over Sturm
Sam Soliman took home a surprising victory over Felix Sturm on Friday night. The official scorecards read 116-111, 114-113, 114-113 for Soliman, who may be getting a title-shot against fellow Aussie Daniel Geale, fresh off a title defense and rematch victory over their compatriot Anthony Mundine.
Soliman improves to 42-11, 17 KOs, and Sturm drops to 37-4-2, 16 KOs. Without his belt, Sturm has apparently fallen out of favor with the usually beneficial judging he receives.
In other European action, Juergen Braehmer defeated Eduard Gutknecht in Berlin on Saturday night.
