Bilbao Arena, Bilbao, Spain - For the vacant World Boxing Association Continental super welterweight title, James Metcalf (23-2, 14 KOs) boxed his way to a ten round unanimous decision over Kerman Lejarraga (34-3, 26 KOs).
The scores were 97-94, 96-94 and 96-95.
Metcalf came out with a good jab, as Lejarraga was pressing forward. The left side of Metcalf's face was already swelling from Lejarraga's power. In the second, Metcalf continued to box and move. Lejarraga was cutting off the distance and looking for big punches but missing a lot of them. In the third, Lejarraga decided to jab with the jabber. Metcalf was still outboxing him with the jab. Lejarraga was not connecting often, but he was connecting here and there with the much harder shots. There seemed to be knockdown by Metcalf, but it was waved off by the referee who deemed it was caused by a shot to the back of the head.
Lejarraga did better in the fourth, as he applied more pressure and connected with some solid punches. More urgency in the fifth, with Lejarraga coming forward and landing more often with his harder shots. Metcalf came back in the final minute with punches of his own. The sixth and seventh were close, with both having comments of success. Lejarraga seemed to be tiring, with Metcalf taking advantage and standing his ground when needed and controlling the distance with the jab.
In the eight, both men had swelling and cuts on their faces from the grueling fight. Metcalf was edging Lejarraga with his boxing ability. The same scenario was playing out in the ninth, with Metcalf using his boxing to give fits to Lejarraga. In the tenth and final round, Metcalf continued to box well as Lejarraga was pressing forward and looking to land something big to change the fight. However, it was Meltcalf landing the bigger punches as Lejarraga was attempting to get inside.
Jairo Noriega (12-0, 3 KOs) captured the vacant EBU flyweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Angel Moreno (21-5). The scores were 116-110, 118-109 and 118-109.
Noriega controlled the majority of the fight, with knockdowns scored in the first and fifth. Moreno, who was game and hung in there, managed to last until the final bell.
In a welterweight shootout, Jon Miguez (16-0, 8 KOs) broke down and stopped James Moorecroft (16-2) in the sixth round.
It was a give and take battle, with Miguez landing the harder and more accurate shots. In the sixth, Miguez rocked Moorecroft and then battered him with a variety of shots to send him down. Moorecroft struggled to make it up and the fight was waved off.
Super bantamweight Fran Mendoza (14-0, 7 KOs) fought his way to an eight round unanimous decision over Alexander Mejia (18-3).
In a fight filled with numerous exchanges, Mendoza won with tallies of 80-72, 80-72 and 78-74.
Lightweight Saul Luna (7-2, 1KO) picked up a minor upset with a six round majority decision over undefeated Rikar Urrutia (5-1). The scores were 58-56, 58-56 and 57-57.
British prospect Rhiannon Dixon (5-0, 0 KO) won a dominant six round unanimous decision over undefeated Mahjouba Oubtil (4-1). The scores were 60-52, 58-53 and 57-54.