Monte Carlo Showdown results

Alexander Besputin vs Radzhab Butaev
Alexander Besputin became the new WBA regular world welterweight title with an action-packed points win over Radzhab Butaev. The pace never dipped in the entire 12 rounds and Besputin won by 116-112 on all three judges scorecards.

Both fighters hurt one another during the fight but it was Besputin's superior footwork that set the pair aside. Always turning his opponent and rarely allowing Radzhap to set his feet, Besputin was a worthy winner and new WBA world champion.

Cecilia Braekhus vs Victoria Noelia Bustos
Undisputed and unified female world welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus retained her titles with a workmanlike decision win over Argentina's Victoria Noelia Bustos. Bustos never stopped trying to clip the champion with wide hooks that did occasionally land but not enough to win her more than a couple of rounds on the judge's scorecards. The scores were 98-92 twice and 99-91 which reflected Braekhus's dominance.

The plan is to make a fight against two-weight world champion Katie Taylor which would probably be the biggest female world title fight in history. Let's hope it gets made.

Zhilei Zhang vs Andriy Rudenko
Former Olympic silver medalist Zhilei Zhang showed excellent boxing skills to easily win his WBO Oriental heavyweight title fight against Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko, the judges scoring the contest 99-91, 98-92. and 97-93 all in favour of Zhang.

The 6ft 6In Chinese heavyweight looked in poor condition and it told after 5 rounds as he slowed badly which allowed Rudenko back into the fight. Zhang still had enough weight behind his shots to hurt Rudenko and win most of the later rounds.

Zhang needs to get in world-class condition because the opposition now knows that he is vulnerable in the late rounds due to poor conditioning.

Joe Cordina vs Enrique Tinoco
British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Joe Cordina made the move down to super-featherweight look like the right one by outpointing tough Mexican Enrique Tinoco over 10 fast-paced rounds to win the WBA Continental 130lb title.

Scores were 98-92 twice and 96-94. The fight was always entertaining and close. The scores were harsh on Tinoco who never let Cordina rest. But, the Welshman looked world-class tonight and will be the better fighter for having faced a tenacious and skilful opponent in Tinoco