By Alexey Sukachev

Challenge Stadium in Mt Claremont, Western Australia - Being tested by his toughest opponent since his April 2009 comeback, IBO cruiserweight champion and former WBA light heavyweight titleholder Danny Green (31-3, 27 KOs) performed one of the rarely seen transformations in boxing. He gave up his trademark aggression in favor of a more sophisticated and smart piece of the Sweet Science to defeat previously undefeated BJ Flores (24-1-1, 15 KOs) over twelve tactical rounds.

Green was his usual self in the first couple of rounds ,trying to stalk the bigger American around the ring. That suited Flores, who was out of the ring for more than a year, as he perfectly kept circling and peppering Green with his fast and sharp jab.

Feeling the initial approach wasn't enough, "The Green Machine" suddenly became a stylist in the third and gave Flores an opportunity to do some work himself. That caught the American boxer by surprise. Flores would have been better off by working his jab, but to apply some pressure to his suddenly negative opponent had ultimately proved be too much for him. He did well initially, until Green fully adjusted to the plan "B". Flores had even landed some power punches and could have been on even terms with the local favorite up until the seventh round. BScene had it a draw at the moment - 57-57.

The second part of the match-up was considerably different, however. Flores did too little and definitely didn't throw enough power punches to give Green a stern test. On the other hand, Green improved his counter jab and was also successful with his sparse but intensive attacks. There weren't many punches by either boxer but more moving, ducking and defense work. Flores obviously chose not to take any risks in order to avoid any punishment from Green. The Australian felt his superiority but made a decision to sacrifice a possible knockout for a softer, easier way to the victory.

All three judges were unanimous: 117-112, 118-111 and 118-110 - for Danny Green, who was WBO #2, IBF #5, WBC #8 and The Ring #7 cruiserweight on his way in. Flores was #7 by the WBA, coming into this fight. Green retained his IBO title for the third consecutive time. 

FULL UNDERCARD RESULTS

In an ugly half-mauling and hald-wrestling affair, WBO #10 light welterweight Steve Wills (15-0-2б 8 KOs) outtoughed and outlasted journeyman Casey Gilmour (7-4-3, 1 KO) over six rounds. Both fighters turned this bout into a street brawl with excessive holding and wrestling. Gilmour was deducted a point for holding & hitting in the last round. All three judges awarded the decision to Steve Wills, thus making it unanimous: 59-55 and 59-54 (twice). BoxingScene also had it 59-54.

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In a freaky brawl, American heavyweight Mike Wilson (5-0, 3 KOs) got the better of Jae Bryce (1-1) of New Zealand over four rounds. Bryce, a wild enforcer, hunted after much taller jab specialist Wilson but failed badly despite setting a huge cut over Wilson's right eye. More to that, it was Bryce who went down on a big left hand by Wilson in the last round. All three scorecards were identical: 40-36 - for Mike Wilson. BoxingScene saw it 40-35.

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Super featherweight prospect Matt Garlett (5-1, 4 KOs) continued his rise up in ranks with the third-round stoppage of former Australian champion Quinton Donohue (7-10-1, 3 KOs). Donohue was down twice in the second and was finished off by a right hand of Garlett in the third stanza. Time was 2:24.

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Several notable heavyweights, particularly Eliseo Castillo, Adam Richards and Brian Minto among others, saw their careers at least temporarily derailed after recent not-so-successful attempts to get down in weight and to take a swim at cruiserweight waters. On the other hand, Shane Cameron (26-2, 20 KOs), one of the best Kiwi fighters around, did a bit better in his 200lb debut. Cameron, fighting in the lower weight class for the very first time, struggled mightly but was successful to get past Australian journeyman Anthony McCracken (13-5, 5 KOs) with a dubious unanimous decision over twelve rounds.

That was a tough fight for the Kiwi and an entertaining scrap for local fans from its very beginning. Bigger and presumably more powerful Cameron tried to press the action against smaller but better technician in McCracken, while the latter choose to box circles around the Zealander and to use quick flurries on his way in. The first round was even with neither fighter getting the edge. In the second, McCracken used his jab and ocassional right hands to trouble the opponent but Cameron came back big in the third stanza.

From that moment on, the fight was slowly turning into a grueling (but tactical at the same time) and see-saw affair betwenn two even fighters. The local fighter used his right hand to land flush on Cameron's chin and rocked him several times. The Kiwi's defense wasn't tight at all, as he allowed the Australian to tag him with clean, hard shots. Cameron was also increasingly bleeding down the stretch from big cuts over both of his eyes. McCracken ate his share of punishment as well. He was checked at his liver section and he was also tagged by several overhand rights by Cameron, but body punches were crisper.

Cameron preserved better for the last part of the bout. Oppositely, McCracken fatigued badly to the twelfth round and was lucky not to be taken out by Cameron, who smelled his opportunity. Amazingly though, the Australian was able to find room for several hard shots, which confused Cameron even at the very end of the fight. It was an even collision between two quality boxers but judges saw this otherwise. The decision went to Cameron, who took it unanimously: 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112. BoxingScene had it 115-115 - a draw. Cameron acquired the vacant IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title and also became a mandatory challenger for BJ Flores vs. Danny Green winner.

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Former amateur standout (five-time Australian and eleven-time New South Wales champion at unpaid ranks) Sam Ah See continued his first-round kayo series with an easy annihilation over professional loser Mhelvin Hernandez at Challenge Stadium in Mt. Claremont, Australia. Southpaw Ah See (now 3-0, 3 KOs in the first round) used his money punch, a powerful left hand, to trouble an overmatched Filipino from the outset. Hernandez (1-12) was shortly down on a left hook, then rocked again for a standing eight, and finally finished off by the promising prospect at 2:04 of the starting stanza.