The key action was in the US at the USC Galen Centre in California on a show headlined by a WBC Heavyweight world title bout. The bout saw Bermane "B Ware" Stiverne (24-1, 21) became the first American based Heavyweight based champion via an exciting and very impressive 6th round stoppage over Chris Arreola (36-4, 31). Arreola had his success, especially in rounds 2 and 3, but it always seemed like Stiverne was waiting for his moment which came in round 6 as he ripped Arreola a new one dropping him twice.
Although Stiverne has been ordered to fight Deontay Wilder next we do have a feeling Wilder's team may try and find a way out of that bout as Wilder simply isn't ready for a hard hitting, highly skilled, fast handed tough guy like Stiverne who would eat Wilder alive if they met later this year.
On the same card as the Arreola/Stiverne bout fans also got to see Eric Molina (21-2-2, 15) defeat the 45 year old DaVarryl Williamson (27-8, 23) who seems likely to have had his comeback ended with this stoppage loss.
Another Heavyweight bout on this show saw Romania's Razvan Cojanu (10-1, 5) score a 5th round stoppage over Rodricka Ray (5-7-1, 2). This was Cojanu's 10th straigth victory and he has developed a lot since his loss, on debut to Alvaro Morales. From what we understand Cojanu will return to the ring in July to fight Hunter Sam in China for the WBO Asia Pacific title in a bout we are really looking forward to.
In the UK we had a trio of bouts with the most notable of those seeing a victory for the young and promising Hughie Fury (14-0, 8) who out pointed fellow Brit Danny Hughes (12-3-2, 2). Although it was a good win on paper for Fury it wasn't a great performance, in fact it again seems like Fury is showing signs of too many fights too soon and probably needs a few months break between now and his next fight.
The other bouts on this British show saw David Howe (11-2, 6) defeat Ladislav Kovarik (10-17, 5) via 3rd round TKO and Kash Ali (7-0, 1) claim his first stoppage, also in the 3rd round, as he stopped Luke Martin (0-4-1).
One of the lowest profile bouts was in France as Alban Galonnier (4-6-1, 3) took a decision over busy journeyman Edgars Kalnars (25-28, 16). This bout was Galonnier's first win in almost a year, ending a 2 fight losing streak.
Other low profile bouts, albeit it contests fought stateside, saw Antonio Mignella (3-0, 3) stopping the debuting Armando Herrera Jr (0-1) inside a round, Dwight Gipson (1-1, 1) stopping Joe Rice (0-1) in 3 rounds and Jonathon Guidry (1-0-1, 1) fighting to a 4 round draw with Ronald Baca (1-0-1).