News: Weiss To Now Face Karaxha, Rene Santiago Wins Big, Alex Vargas, More

The much awaited rematch between Frenchman Jordy Weiss (30-0-1) and Spaniard Jon Miguez (17-0-1) - that was to go ahead tomorrow (October 31) in Laval, France - fell through late last week when Miguez was forced to pull out due to a back injury.

However, the show is still on and today it was announced by the EBU that Belgian boxer Meriton Karaxha (30-7-4) has accepted to step in on very late notice and save the event for promoter Gerard Teysseron and EuroProm.

At stake is the vacant EBU welterweight title. The first fight between Weiss and Miguez was also for the vacant title but ended in a disputed draw and a rematch was ordered. 

IN OTHER NEWS: All Star Boxing made history in Nicaragua on Friday night as it presented a world class show from the famed Alexis Arguello Arena in Managua, Nicaragua.

The program was toppled by Rene "Chulo" Santiago knocking out Nicaraguan Kevin Vivas to claim the WBO Interim Jr Flyweight Title in front of a rowdy crowd, as it was the first world title fight in Nicaragua after 21 years. Santiago looked impressive, boxing his way through the first half of the fight and later closed the show with a knockout in the twelfth and final round.

Many former world champions were on hand to support the show including Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, The Alvarado Brothers, Adonis Rivas, amongst others. There was also an exciting tribute to the late Alexis Arguello, right before the main event ring walk glaring over the Jumbotron.

The night's action continued with a civil war in the co-feature. Managua's Harvin "Manimal" Aguirre (9-0 6 KO's) was forced to go the distance against the rugged crosstown rival, Tipitapa's Israel Lopez (11-4-1 8 KO's) winning a majority decision (78-74, 76-76, 78-74) and staying unbeaten. Aguirre was using his distance, keeping Lopez charge at bay. From he 5th round on Lopez was able to close the gap landing straight lefts and uppercuts but a little too late.

The evening's special attraction was a women's vacant NABO/WBO Flyweight bout. Acoyapa's Eveling "La Colocha" Ortega (6-4 2 KO's) kept her winning streak going, fending off Silvia Duran (3-1 2 KO's) in a 6 round back and forth affair. Ortega becomes the first ever NABO female champion from Nicaragua.

Hondurian Gerardo "Chocolate" Sanchez (8-1 5 KO's) of Tegucigalpa, defeated Eduardo "Chino" Alito (11-0 5 KO's) over 8 fast rounds to claim the vacant WBO Latino Jr Flyweight Title.

Kicking off the TV portion hard hitting Alex Vallecillo (5-0 5 KO's) of Managua squared off against Christian "Dinamita" Jimenez (5-1 4 KO's) of San Salvador, El Salvador in a thrilling bout, Vallecillo got the better half of the exchanges stopping Jimenez with a devastating left hook at the official time of 1:30 in the 3rd round.

19 year old Michael Carmona (4-0 1 KO's) stopped Miguel Tercero (2-4) in the opening round in the evening's walkout bout.

Over the weekend, "Rockin' Fights 45" was presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing at The Paramount in Huntington, New York.

In the main event, Alex Vargas (now 14-0 5 KO’s, Bellport, NY) went toe to toe with Julio Rosa (now 8-4 4 KO’s, Orlando, FL) for the vacant WBA Continental USA Super Lightweight Title. Out of the gate, in a shock to the sold-out crowd, Rosa landed a perfectly thrown clean straight right hand that sent the undefeated Vargas to the canvas for the first time in his professional career.

Facing such an adversity for the first time, Vargas responded well, centering himself and fighting his style of fight. While some rounds were close, and at times the fight became more of a battle of wills, Vargas settled in and edged out the close rounds with technical skills, fighting his way back to earn a unanimous decision victory and the new WBA Continental USA Champion. (78-73 x2, 77-74).

In the WBA Continental USA Super Welterweight championship co-main event, Wendy Toussaint (now 15-2 7 KO’s, Huntington, NY) wasted no time getting to work as he staggered Jerome Jones (now 7-2 6 KO’s, Phoenix, AZ), in the first thirty seconds, before unloading an onslaught of punches. Both men would settle in, but Toussaint was a man on a mission, dictating the action and controlling the tempo of the fight.

A Toussaint one-two combination at the end of the first round sent Jones to the canvas for the first time. Then with 29 seconds left in the third round, and Jones pinned in the corner, Toussaint dropped Jones for the second time. With just 2 seconds left in the third round, and another Toussaint onslaught, Referee Pat Sullivan stepped in to call a stop to the fight, declaring Wendy Toussaint the winner by TKO3, and the new WBA Continental USA Champion.