Super middleweight contender Erik Bazinyan stayed unbeaten with a 10-round unanimous decision over Jose Macias, on Thursday, at Montreal Casino, Montreal.

Bazinyan (30-0, 21 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 6 super middleweight, won by scores of 98-92 (twice) and 97-93. Bazinyan dominated early before Macias (28-12-4, 14 KOs) come on in the second half to produce some action-packed rounds.

Bazinyan, a 28-year-old boxer-puncher, originally from Armenia but now lives in Canada, controlled the early going with his better skills, largely because of his jab and occasional right hand. However the upset-minded Mexican owns wins over Canadian’s Francis LaFreniere (MD 8) and Steven Butler (TKO 5) and was looking for another scalp.

Both exchanged shots late in Round 4 and the crowd responded with cheers of appreciation. While that was good for the fight, it wasn’t good for Bazinyan. The Mexican grew in confidence and started the fifth well. Bazinyan had to let Macias blow himself out before closing the fifth round strong.

Erik Bazinyan (right) vs. Jose Macias. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

By the seventh, Macias was the busier fighter, though Bazinyan was doing the cleaner work. Bazinyan was forced to respond with a long, stinging right. However Macias was determined and came back with his best moment of the fight, rocking Bazinyan, hurting him with a combination.

Macias looked to continue any shift in the plot in the eighth, only for Bazinyan land his own shots. In the final two rounds, Macias gave his all and backed up Bazinyan, who had to gather himself and fight off the ropes.

Bazinyan is a well-rounded fighter, not spectacular but very workmanlike. He was clearly the better boxer but had a few problems late in the fight which won’t bode well for him in the upper echelons. However he did fire back after difficult periods in the fight.

Steve Claggett (left) vs. Alberto Machado. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

In chief support, Steve Claggett scored arguably the best win of his career stopping, former junior lightweight titlist Alberto Machado in three rounds to claim the vacant NABF junior welterweight title.

There was no feeling-out process and both men went straight to it, which suited Claggett, who landed several clean left hooks and straight right hands that snapped the visitor’s head back. The 33-year-old ended the opening round with an exclamation point when he landed a big uppercut on the bell.

The second round continued in a similar vein. Claggett’s cleaner work started to wilt Machado, who eventually touched down after receiving a clubbing right hand late in the round. He was able to carry on and was saved by the bell.

Steve Claggett (left) vs. Alberto Machado. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

However it was a mere stay of execution. The beatdown continued in Round 3. Claggett (35-7-2, 25 KOs) swarmed all over Machado (23-4, 19 KOs), dropping him with a combination and finishing him off with a left to the body. Machado gathered himself and got to his feet but it was the beginning of the end. He was dropped again and his corner threw in the towel at 2:29 of Round 3.

Claggett, a 15-year veteran, looked very fresh and, despite his time in the sport, looks to have improved. If anyone deserves a big fight, it’s Claggett.

The undercard:

Avery Martin Duval (left) vs. Andres Sanchez Ramirez. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Up and coming junior lightweight Avery Martin Duval impressively stopped Andres Sanchez Ramirez at 1:52 of the third round. The first two rounds were nip and tuck before Duval (10-0-1, 6 KOs) separated himself from Sanchez (6-7-3, 2 KOs), initially landing a left hand and, as he spun away, he landed a big right hand that dropped Sanchez to the floor. Although the Mexican rose, the referee called off the fight.

Thomas Chabot (left) vs. Luis Bolanos Lopez. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Exciting junior lightweight Thomas Chabot edged Luis Bolanos Lopez over eight exciting rounds by split decision. Both men looked to engage throughout and had the fans cheering. Chabot looked to back up Bolanos, who then tried to fight back throughout. Chabot was cut in Round 7 but it didn’t threaten the fight. When the scorecards came in, Bolanos took the first scorecard 77-75 but that was outvoted 78-74 and 77-75 in favor of Chabot. Chabot moves to 9-0, 7 KOs, while Bolanos dips to 4-3-1.

Alexandre Gaumont (right) vs. Piotr Bis. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Middleweight Alexandre Gaumont (8-0, 6 KOs) hurt Piotr Bis (6-3-1, 2 KOs) in the second round and wouldn’t let his man off the hook. Bis tried to tie up Gaumont but the local fighter landed a right uppercut that dropped Bis late in the round. The Polish fighter scrambled on the canvas and, though he made it to his feet, the action was stopped by the referee.

Christopher Guerrero (right) vs. Heriberto Santillan Montano. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Three-time Canadian national amateur champion, Christopher Guerrero (7-0, 3 KOs) scored his third consecutive inside-the-distance win against Heriberto Santillan Montano (3-1, 2 KO). Guerrero worked over Montano and ended matters at 2:37 of Round 5. Guerrero is a welterweight but this fight took place at 157 due to a late change of opponent.

Wilkens Mathieu (right) vs. Jesus Frias Rodriguez. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Touted local super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu (3-0, 2 KOs) dominated the opening exchanges against Jesus Frias Rodriguez (4-2, 2 KOs) behind a strong jab. A big right hand dropped his Mexican opponent, who was counted out at 0:39 of the second round. It is still early but Mathieu, the younger brother of Lexson, a talented super middleweight before retiring undefeated and going into the finance business, looks to have considerable upside.

Jhon Orobio (right) vs. Reymundo Gutierrez. Photo credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger

Rising junior lightweight Jhon Orobio (3-0, 3 KOs) easily beat Reymundo Gutierrez (1-1, 1 KOs) in one round. The Colombian-born fighter was too quick and skilled for the Mexican and after he landed several hard shots, Gutierrez wobbled on unsteady feet and the referee jumped in at 1:33 of the round. The 19-year-old Cali native has moved to Montreal and looks like one for the future.

ALSO ON RINGTV:

Super middleweights Erik Bazinyan and Jose Macias make weight for NABF title bout – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Erik Bazinyan feels he is in a ‘must-win fight’ against Jose Macias on Thursday in Canada – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Steve Claggett aims to make his case for a title bout by taking on former champ Alberto Machado – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Alberto Machado aims for a reset in his career as he takes on Steve Claggett – The Ring (ringtv.com)

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright.