IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina (17-0, 9 KOs) went the distance in scoring a twelve round majority decision over Edward Vazquez (15-2, 3 KOs) on Saturday night at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Vazquez was anything but an easy defence for Cordina, showing grit and determination that pushed the Welshman all the way.

The American thought he had done enough as the scores of 114-114, 116-112, 116-112 were read out, reacting badly to the announcement that resulted in a few insults traded after the final bell.

“He was a tricky, clever fighter but he lost the fight, end of story,” Cordina said “Going into the 10th, my corner told me it was probably level”

“I didn’t box my best but I think I did enough to get the decision. That is why we have judges at ringside. He [Vazquez] couldn’t beat me on my worst night. He’s a sore loser and now he’s gone off to have a little cry.”

Light flyweight Adrian Curiel (24-4-1, 5 KOs) upset the odds in the nights undercard fight, sensationally knocking out IBF world champion Sivenathi Nontshinga (12-1, 9 KOs) in the second round. Curiel landed a bomb of a shot in the second that put to bed the defence of Nontshinga. Time was 1:09.

Welterweight Souleymane Cissokho (17-0, 9 KOs) was unanimous in his defeat of Isaias Lucero (16-2, 10 KOs). Cissokho dropped Lucero with a short right in round two to punctuate the result from the judges of 118-109, 118-109, 117-110.

In a rematch, female super bantamweight Ramla Ali (9-1, 2 KOs) avenged her earlier loss to Julissa Alejandra Guzman (13-3-2, 7 KOs) with a ten round decision. Scores were 96-94 3x.

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Heavyweight Efe Ajagba (19-1, 14 KOs) continued taking pludits from the watching public with another stunning display in stopping Joe Goodall (10-2-1, 9 KOs) in the fourth round on Saturday night at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Ajagba laid the foundation in the third, rocking Goodall before an onslaught in the fourth prompted a stoppage by referee Tony Weeks. Time was :50.

“I was out of boxing for a long time,” said Ajagba. “When I came back with Stephen Shaw (in January 2023), my confidence was not there. I had just come back from surgery, and I had to get back into shape. But right now, I came back with full confidence. That’s why I took him out. My team pushed me in training camp. They made me work extremely hard in this camp to make sure I win the fight. I sparred a lot of different guys to make me stay strong.

“Whoever they offer me to fight, I’m ready to go. I will go back with my team to talk about that.”

Lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs) dominated the previously unbeaten Diego Torres (18-1, 17 KOs). Muratalla dropped Torres in the eighth with the bout being stopped shortly thereafter. Time was 1:45.

Junior lightweight contenders, Henry Lebron (19-0, 10 KOs) scored a ten round majority decision over William Foster III (16-1, 10 KOs). Scores were 95-95, 96-94, 99-91.

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Unified IBF/WBO female minimumweight champion Yokasta “Yoka” Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) was successful in the defence of her titles against former two-time world champion Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz (33-6, 4 KOs) at the Polideportivo de Cartago in Costa Rica. Valle was impressive in stopping the aggressive Ortiz from getting any traction as he swept the judges scorecards by 100-90, 99-92 and 99-91.

Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (26-0, 19 KOs) scored a second round stoppage of Kelvinyer Salazar (19-3-1, 12 KOs).

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In a clash for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title, Noel Mikaelian (27-2, 12 KOs) stopped Ilunga Junior Makabu (29-4, 25 KOs) in round three on Saturday night at Casino Miami Jai Alai in Miami Florida.

Mikaelian dropped Makabu in the second with a right hand. In round three, Mikaelian floored Makabu again, courageously Makabu beat the count but the referee waved it off. Time was 1:00.

“I didn’t expect the knockout so early, but I knew my hand would be raised (in victory) at the end of the night,” said Mikaelian. “I’m so happy. I waited two years. I was so close to winning that belt and this time I didn’t want to leave any doubts.

“I had a great camp…I’m the first German to win a world championship on American soil in 90 years, since Max Schmelling.”

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