J Moloney master photo by Mikey Williams Top Rank.jpg
Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (14-0, 9 KOs) defended his WBO world title, losing in the second round to the Canadian Steven Butler (32-4-1, 26 KOs) Saturday night at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.
Alimkhanuly spent the first round gathering data on his opponent, tracking him around the ring and noticing how Butler over-engaged when landing punches.
The 30-year-old Southpaw took advantage of this by landing a counter left uppercut that gave Butler a hard blow in the next round. Alimkhanuly then only needed two or three shots to send him to the canvas.
The fierce attack continued as Alimkhanuly hit hard shot after hard shot, dropping Butler a second time. Referee Jack Reiss allowed Butler to continue, but his legs showed he was on his feet.
Butler had one last chance, but the Zhilandy, Kazakhstan native landed another wave that knocked him down for the third and final time at 2:35 of the second round.
Alimkhanuly said: “Masters. Boxing Stars! Where are you? I’m waiting. Let’s fight. I’m the most avoided boxer. I’m the middleweight king. let’s go. Let’s fight. I’m ready for anyone. whenever. Wherever.”
Jason Moloney wins the WBO title
The third time was the charm of tonight Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (26-2, 19 KOs), winning the vacant WBO world bantamweight title with a majority vote win over a Filipino puncher Vincent Astrolabe (18-4, 13 KOs).
Moloney boxed intelligently so that Astrolabio’s ubiquitous power would not harm him. Astrolabio had some success closing the gap in the early rounds, but in the middle rounds the 32-year-old Melbourne, Australia resident began to control the fight with ease with constant footwork and jabs.
Despite Moloney’s seemingly clear win, one judge scored the fight 114-114. This score was overturned by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 for Moloney to go home as champion.
Moloney said: “I thought I had won by leaving, but winning is all that matters. And now I have this belt for life.
“I broke my arm in the third or fourth round. It hurt every time I threw it. But I knew this was my last chance to make my dream come true.
“That’s half the work done by Team Moloney. Next week (twin brother) Andrew will join me as world champion.”
light weights: King of Stockton, Gabriel Flores Jr. (22-2, 8 KOs), knocked out Derrick Murray (17-9-1, 6 KOs) in the first round of their scheduled eight-round bout. Flores hasn’t fought in his hometown since 2019 and was recovering from nearly 10 months of ring rust, but it only took one counter left hook to knock Murray out. Stop time: :27.
Featherweight: Former world champion contender Villa Ruben “Dragon” IV (20-1, 7 KOs) made a successful Top Rank debut, losing via TKO in the fifth round Maiccol Lopez Villagrana (16-5, 8 KOs). Villa sent Villagrana to the canvas with a left hand in the fourth. The penalty continued into the next round where several unanswered shots forced referee Gerard White to stop the fight at 1:55.
middleweight: In the battle for unconquered prospects, Javier Martinez (8-0-1, 2 KOs) and Joeshon James (7-0-1, 4 KOs) fought to a split draw after eight rounds of fighting. James had more success outdoors, but Martinez was able to hold the fight at close range for long periods, making it easier to land with his left hand through the opponent’s guard. Points: 79-73 James, 77-75 Martinez and 76-76.
junior weight: Beloved Fernando Vargas (7-0, 2 KOs) returned to the ring after four rounds by unanimous decision of the judges Bernard Manzano (2-5). Vargas earned a knockdown in the first round and dominated the rest of the fight with a constant body attack. Points: 40-35 3x.
welterweight: Prominent born in Atlanta Brian Norman Jr. (24-0, 19 KOs) defeated the tough guy Jesus Perez (24-5, 18 KOs) via unanimous decision after eight rounds of action. Score: 77-75 2x and 78-74.
