At Barys Arena, Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kazakhstan Saturday MTK Global Fight Night and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing presented WBC World Bantamweight Champion Nordine Oubaali, of France, defending his title for the first time and Zhankosh Turaov winning the WBC Inter-continental title over ESPN+.

WBC World Bantamweight champion southpaw Nordine Oubaali, 16-0 (12), 117.5, of Bagnolet, Seine-Saint-Denis, France, stopped Arthur “El Matador” Villanueva, 32-4-1 (18), 117.5, of Bacolod City, Philippines, at the end of the sixth round.

In the first round the champion Oubaali came out throwing punches keeping Villanueva on the defense the entire round. In the second round Oubaali kept up the pace landing well to body and head of Villanueva.

In the third round Oubaali landed combinations and solid to the body and head throughout. Villanueva had no answer for him. In the fourth round Oubaali’s punches began taking its toll on Villanueva.

In the fifth round Oubaali kept up the attack on Villanueva. In the final minute Villanueva got in his best shot a right on the chin of Oubaali. In the sixth round a left uppercut on the chin followed by a right hook from the southpaw Oubaali dropped Villanueva halfway through the round. Oubaali jumped on Villanueva landing punch after punch to the head. By the end of the round Villanueva’s face was puffed up and red. The corner of Villanueva advised the referee their fighter was not continuing.

In the Main Event Zhankosh “Da Kazakh Kid” Turarov, 24-0 (17), 139.7, of Akkol, KAZ, and Pahokee, FL, stopped Mauro “El Rayo” Maximiliano Godoy, 34-5-1 (16), 139.6, of Centenario, Neuquen, Argentina, for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight title at 2:00 of the third round.

In the first round Turarov kept up the pressure landing numerous right hands to the chin of Godoy in the final minute of the round. In the second round Turaov continued pressing Godoy who missed many countering punches.

In the third round Turarov landed a rocking right to the chin dropping Godoy to his knees. He tried beating the count but couldn’t as the referee called it a halt.

Featherweight David “Punisher” Oliver Joyce, 11-0 (8), 127.4, of Mullingar, Ireland, easily defeated Breilor “Zulianito de Oro” Teran, 27-18-1 (20), 126.3, of Caracas, VZ, over 10 rounds.

In the first round Joyce chased and Teran ran landing jabs at times. In the second round Joyce landed a good body attack as Teran did less moving around the ring. In the third round the body attack of Joyce caused a third warning from the referee for Teran holding though he got in some good punches.

In the fourth round Joyce is less busy looking for a right hand finisher. Teran has slowed down staying against the ropes for the most part. In the fifth round Joyce continued solid body shots with left hooks. Teran continues to hold to slow Joyce down.

In the sixth round Teran is trying to survive while Joyce is landing more than ever in the bout. In the seventh round the referee takes a point away from Teran for continual holding. Joyce landing numerous head shots hurting Teran.

In the eighth round Joyce continued punishing Teran. Do to a clash of heads Joyce suffered a cut along the left eyebrow. In the ninth round Teran warned for holding time and time again. Joyce looking to land the right to finish him with most missing.

In the tenth and final round trying hard to finish off Teran, Joyce could hurt him inside the final minute with a combination on the chin. Teran managed to survive.

Scores were 100-89, 100-88 and 100-87 with this writer 100-89.

Lightweight Viktor Kotochigov, 10-0 (4), 134.9, of Almaty, KAZ, defeated Jairo “Doberman” Lopez, 24-11 (16), 134, of Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, MEX, for the vacant WBC Intercontinental title.

In the first two rounds it was an exchange of jabs for the most part. In the third round Kotochigov landed numerous rights to the chin of Lopez. In the fourth round and fifth rounds Kotochigov countered well as Lopez kept coming forward

In the seventh round both fighters got their licks in being the most competitive round up to this point. In the ninth round both exchanged well. In the final minute Kotochigov rocked Lopez with a right on the chin hurting him.

In the tenth and final round Lopez needing a knockout kept coming forward landing some wild punches. At the end of the round Kotochigov countered Lopez to the delight of the crowd.

Scores were 97-93, 99-91 and 98-92 with this writer 99-91.