Note: More comprehensive bout descriptions will come later on as there were some technical difficulties. The focus with the live results was to get them up as soon as the fights were over.
LAS VEGAS– In an exciting and back and forth classic between Mexico’s Miguel Beltran, Jr. (27-2, 17 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Rocky Martinez (26-1-1, 16 KOs), Martinez regained the WBO 130-pound title he lost years ago to Ricky Burns as he edged a 12-round split-decision over Beltran in a fight the pro-Mexican crowd felt he won. The difference on the scorecards was the point Beltran lost in the 11th round from referee Russell Mora as Martinez won 114-113 on two scorecards with Beltran winning 116-111 on the third.
Middleweight contender Matthew Macklin (29-4, 20 KOs) of Great Britain needed just 2:26 to annihilate Canada’s Joachim Alcine (33-3-1, 19 KOs), putting him down twice before referee Jay Nady stepped in to save him.
Cuban standout Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs) outpointed a game but green Robert Marroquin (22-2, 15 KOs) of Texas in a mostly dull bout. Rigondeaux had a tougher time than expected night as Marroquin buzzed him good in the 3rd, but multiple knockdowns helped Rigondeaux prevail by scores of 118-108 three times. Rigondeaux kept his WBA 122-pound title in the process.
Former member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team Mike Lee (11-0, 6 KOs) of Chicago picked up another victory over a lesser skilled opponent as he won a shutout over Paul Harness (4-4-1, 3 KOs) of Kansas City, Mo. Scores were 40-36 thrice.
In an intriguing match-up, Willie Nelson (19-1-1, 11 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio and John Jackson (13-1, 12 KOs) of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands engaged in a competitive junior middleweight contest where Nelson’s experience prevailed over Jackson’s youth, earning a unanimous 10-round decision. The first round was an extremely wild one as both guys landed nearly every power shot they threw, though neither guy was seriously hurt. Nelson staggered Jackson a few times in the bout and that provided much of the cushion he needed to get the win on the scorecards by 98-92 and 96-94 twice scores.
Michael Medina (26-3-2, 19 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico dominated Rugffin, N.C.’s James Winchester (15-5, 5 KOs), putting him down in the 2nd, and also the final round, of their scheduled eight-round junior middleweight contest. Medina prevailed via scores of 80-72 thrice.
Nigerian Wale Omotoso (23-0, 19 KOs), now fighting out of Hollywood, Calif., scored a virtual shutout of Daniel Sostre (11-7-1, 4 KOs) of Highland, N.Y. Despite dominating the fight, Omotoso still showed some glaring weaknesses that the better opponents will be able to take advantage of when his team decides to step up the competition. Scores were 80-72 and 79-73 twice.
