The most significant bout was also the biggest mismatch as Bulgaria's promising, and very highly regarded, Kubrat Pulev (20-0, 11) forced a corner stoppage of trial horse Ivica Perkovic (20-24, 15). A few years ago Perkovic was ideal for prospects now however he's looking like a horse that needs putting out to the knacker yard and this was his 4th stoppage loss in his last 9. For Pulev it was a case of staying sharp but he'll have had harder sparring sessions.
It was strange that several bouts were in France this past Saturday. That included the one bout that we were genuinely interested in as Frenchman Johann Duhaupas (31-1, 20) took on "The Finnish Butterbean" Janne Katajisto (16-2-1, 8). This bout, for the EBU-EU (European Union) Heavyweight title, saw Duhaupas making the first defense of the belt with a 7th round stoppage of Katajisto who is unlikely to get another big opportunity, though credit to him here as he did come in at a career lightest.
Other bouts in France saw Jonathan Sauteur (2-1) out point the previously unbeaten Bwana Tshilenge (1-1) and Franck Acho (2-0, 1) score a pretty impressive decision victory over the more experienced David Gegeshidze (11-6-1, 2). All 3 were on different shows across France.
In Poland Tomasz Duszak (4-0-1, 2) out pointed veteran Jonathan Pasi (22-29-2, 8) over 6 rounds. This was the second time Duszak had gone 6 rounds in 3 bouts and although he had drawn last time he was taken the distance he did look much better at the distance this time around.
The UK saw James Oliphant (1-7-2) managing to record his first career win as he took a decision over the win-less Luke Martin (0-3-1).
In the US the action was certainly low profile with a trio of very low level bouts. These saw the debuting Ronald Baca (1-0) out point the previously unbeaten Domonique Smith (1-1-1, 1), the debuting Gary Kelly (1-0, 1) stopped the chinny Willie Kyles (2-8, 2) who is still yet to complete the schedule of a bout, and Keith Thompson (7-2, 4) managed to out point Derek Walker (1-12).