Friday night results round-up: John loses, Yaegashi retains & much more

By Peter Wells (@boxingsaddler):



Vetyeka drops John in the 6th round


A weekend of upsets started on Friday night when former unbeaten WBA Featherweight title holder, Chris John lost for the first time in his professional career in his 52nd fight. Now 48-1-3(22), the former Juan Manuel Marquez conqueror - albeit controversially - retired after round 6 against unheralded challenger Simpiwe Vetyeka 26-2(16).

Indonesia's John was dropped and badly shaken in round 6 and was also under pressure in the 5th session. While John was not taking a severe beating, the 34 year old seemed to make a wise call as his South African foe was in full control of the contest.

Vetyeka who came in off the back of a 12th round stoppage of Daud Cino Yordan - who won on the undercard - will likely look for a home-coming in his ensuing defence of his IBO & WBA Featherweight titles.

In Japan, Edgar Sosa failed to end a magnificent 2013 with a world title as his WBC Flyweight title shot ended in a 12 round points defeat. Sosa had previously stunned both Ulises Solis and Giovani Segura with inside the distance victories, but met his match in Akira Yaegashi 19-3(9).

The champion was pushed hard in the second half of the contest as the Mexican challenger began to close the gap after a fast start from Yaegashi. Sosa 49-8(29) came forward throughout, but a lack of head movement made him an easy target for the counterpunching style that Yaegashi employed.

As the fight wore on Sosa had more success and began to drag Yaegashi into a fight of strength rather than skills, but by the contests end his second half rally was not enough losing by margins of 116-112 and a wide 117-111 (twice).

In a far less eventful title fight, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk 49-2-1(35) defended his WBC Cruiserweight title in 6 rounds against Giacobbe Fragomeni 31-4-2(12).



J'Leon Love(right) breaks through in round 6 against Simon(left)

The 44 year old challenger didn't merit the title shot and ultimately lost inside the distance to Wlodarczyk for the second time having drawn the first time they met.

Finally in America 'The Money Team' took to the ring with all but Lanell Bellows winning. Badou Jack 16-0-1(11) won in 6 rounds against Rogelio Medina while J'Leon Love 16-0(9) returned to the ring following a suspension to record a knockout in round 6 against former world title challenger Lajuan Simon.

Both Mickey Bey and Ashley Theophane returned from defeats to record victories in their respective bouts, while Luis Arias, Christopher Pearson, Cortez Bey and Andrew Tabiti all scored wins.