Boxing Shorts Tarver wins to make case for title

MASHANTUCKET – Antonio Tarver stopped Danny Santiago in the fourth round here Saturday in a US light-heavyweight fight that should give the 39-year-old winner a chance to fight for a major title.

Tarver knocked down Santiago twice, sending him through the ropes the first time late in round four and using a pair of left hooks to crumple his foe to his knees to prompt referee Steve Smoger to halt the bout 2:53 into the round. “We came here.We executed.We got busy.We did what we were supposed to do.Now we’re on to the next stage,” Tarver said.”I felt good.I’m a patient fighter.The only thing that matters is the end result.”Forrest stops Piccirillo MASHANTUCKET – US veteran Vernon Forrest knocked down Michele Piccirillo three times and stopped the Italian in the 11th round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council light middleweight crown.Forrest improved to 40-2 with his 29th victory by early stoppage when referee Arthur Mercante halted the fight 2:21 into the 11th round.It was the first defence of the title he took from Argentina’s Carlos Baldomir in July.”I give myself a grade of B-plus,” Forrest said.”He hit a little bit more than I expected but I got the win so I’m happy with that.”Forrest knocked down Piccirillo for the last time thanks to a stunning right hand that backed the European to the ropes, then another right that bucked the challenger’s legs and sent him sprawling awkwardly backwards.’Filipino Flash’ Donaire stops Maldonado MASHANTUCKET – Philippines star Nonito Donaire stopped Mexico’s Luis Maldonado in the eighth round here Saturday to keep International Boxing Federation flyweight crown.The ‘Filipino Flash’ pounded the challenger throughout the bout, ending matters 76 seconds into the eighth round with a powerful left hand in his first title defence.”I guess my validation was today but I didn’t feel my best,” Donaire said.”I felt sluggish.I didn’t have my legs.I don’t know what the problem was.I couldn’t move well so I tried to rely on my upper body movement.”Donaire, who claimed the crown from Armenian Vic Darchinyan in July, improved to 19-1 with his 12th early stoppage for his 18th triumph in a row despite hurting his left hand early in the fight.Nampa-AFP”We came here.We executed.We got busy.We did what we were supposed to do.Now we’re on to the next stage,” Tarver said.”I felt good.I’m a patient fighter.The only thing that matters is the end result.”Forrest stops Piccirillo MASHANTUCKET – US veteran Vernon Forrest knocked down Michele Piccirillo three times and stopped the Italian in the 11th round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council light middleweight crown.Forrest improved to 40-2 with his 29th victory by early stoppage when referee Arthur Mercante halted the fight 2:21 into the 11th round.It was the first defence of the title he took from Argentina’s Carlos Baldomir in July.”I give myself a grade of B-plus,” Forrest said.”He hit a little bit more than I expected but I got the win so I’m happy with that.”Forrest knocked down Piccirillo for the last time thanks to a stunning right hand that backed the European to the ropes, then another right that bucked the challenger’s legs and sent him sprawling awkwardly backwards.’Filipino Flash’ Donaire stops Maldonado MASHANTUCKET – Philippines star Nonito Donaire stopped Mexico’s Luis Maldonado in the eighth round here Saturday to keep International Boxing Federation flyweight crown.The ‘Filipino Flash’ pounded the challenger throughout the bout, ending matters 76 seconds into the eighth round with a powerful left hand in his first title defence.”I guess my validation was today but I didn’t feel my best,” Donaire said.”I felt sluggish.I didn’t have my legs.I don’t know what the problem was.I couldn’t move well so I tried to rely on my upper body movement.”Donaire, who claimed the crown from Armenian Vic Darchinyan in July, improved to 19-1 with his 12th early stoppage for his 18th triumph in a row despite hurting his left hand early in the fight.Nampa-AFP