While Martin Cardona, 129.4 lbs., of Tucson, AZ, attempted to box and move, Cruz, 131 lbs., effortlessly cut the ring off, often countering his adversary’s jab with quick overhand rights. Cruz took advantage whenever he had Cardona trapped against the ropes, digging shots to the midsection. The powerful left hook of Cruz was on display as well and it was clear that Cardona was breaking down. Feeling that their charge was sustaining too much punishment, Cardona’s corner elected not to send him out for the fifth frame, resulting in a TKO victory for Cruz. With the impressive victory, Cruz improved to 15-0 (8 KOs), while Cardona fell to 19-6 (14 KOs).

For as long as the bout lasted, Brooklyn southpaw Shawn “Killa” Cameron, 153.4 lbs., stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Francisco Reza, 153.6 lbs., of Torreon, Mexico, banging away in combination. In round one, Reza landed a short right hook to drop an off-balance Cameron for a flash knockdown. Cameron, however, was not hurt and quickly arose to rock Reza in the red corner with a right hook. The Brooklynite continued to press forward as the bout progressed, remaining very accurate with a large volume of power punches. A barrage of shots in round five felled Reza in a heap, prompting referee Harvey Dock to stop the action at the 1:55 mark. Cameron’s record improved to 10-0 (5 KOs), while Reza has now hit .500 with a record of 14-14 (11 KOs).

(Photo Credit: Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment)

Junior middleweight prospect Patrick Day, 153.6 lbs., of Freeport, NY, dominated the sturdy Lenwood Dozier, 151 lbs., of Washington, D.C., over eight exciting rounds. Day’s jab was on point allowing for straight-right followup shots. He soon closed the distance and began to slow Dozier down with a focused attack to the body over the course of the action. As the bout progressed, Dozier’s punch output dwindled, with the exception of round six when he fought in a more spirited manner. Day continued to overpower Dozier with an impressive offensive arsenal in the closing frames to earn three scorecards of 80-72 for a unanimous decision victory, upping his record to 11-1-1 (6 KOs). Dozier’s record is now 9-8-1 (4 KOs).

Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon, 155 lbs., of Lindenhurst, NY, burst out of her corner at the opening bell throwing bombs, repeatedly landing compact straight rights to the chin of Natalie King, 157.2 lbs., of Tampa, FL, until her foe was forced into a shell unable to return fire, forcing a stoppage just 19 seconds into the bout. Napoleon is now 3-0 (3 KOs), while King remains winless at 0-4.

Brooklyn southpaw brawler Mikkel LesPierre, 142.8 lbs., pinned Detroit’s Larry Ventus, 139.6 lbs., against the ropes for much of the opening round, peppering him with flurries. Ventus was dropped to the seat of his pants in round two from a combination. In the third round, Ventus elected to box and create distance, but LesPierre quickly caught up to him, knocking him down another two times to end the bout by TKO at the 1:13 mark. LesPierre is now 9-0-1 (4 KOs), while Ventus fell to 6-9-1 (3 KOs).

LesPierre was credited with a knockdown in round two from a left. Lespierre sent Ventus to the canvas in round three from a right to the body. LesPierre ended thing when he sent Ventus down for a 3rd and final time from a left hook and the fight was stopped at

Sergiy Lipinetc remained undefeated with a 3rd round stoppage over Kendal Mena in a scheduled 8 round Jr. Welterweight bout.

In round two, Lipinetc dropped Mena with a hard right. Lpiinetc dropped Mena hard with the same shot a round later and the fight was stopped.

Lipinetc, 141.8 lbs of Moscow, RUS is 7-0 with 6 knockouts. Mena, 141.6 lbs of Sa Cristobal, DR is 20-2.

Peter Dobson scored a 3rd round stoppage over William Walters in a scheduled 6-round Welterweight bout.

Dobson dominated and landed a big left hook and the bout was stopped at 1:33 of round three.

Dobson, 147.8 lbs of Bronx, NY is 5-0 with 4 knockouts. Walters, 147.6 lbs of Sacramento, CA is 2-8.

Steve Woodall remained undefeated by pounding out a 6-round majority decision over Devaun Lee in a Super Middleweight bout.

Woodall, 161.6 lbs of Miami won by scores of 58-56 twice and 57-57 and is now 8-0-1. Lee, 161.6 lbs of Queens, NY is 4-2.

Dauren Yeleussinov won a 6-round unanimous decision over Henry Beckford in Super Middleweight bout.

Yeleussinov, 162.6 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 60-54 on all cards is now 3-0. Beckford, 163 lbs of Uniondale, NY is 2-3.

Maxito Sanvill and Danny Rosenberger battled to a spirited draw in a 4-round Welterweight bout.

Sanvil controlled the first two rounds while Rosenberger came on in round’s three and four.

Scores were 39-37 Sanvill and 38-38 twice.

Sanvil, 145.4 lbs of New York is 2-0-1. Rosenberger, 145.4 lbs of St. Petersburg, FL is 0-0-2.

Ivan Baranchyk scored a 3rd round stoppage over Alfred Hall in a scheduled 6-round Welterweight bout.

In round three, Baranchyk landed a body shot that sent hall to the canvas for referee David Fields 10-count at 41 seconds of round three.

Baranchyk, 142.2 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 8-0 with 7 knockouts. Hall, 144 lbs of Jackson, MI is now 4-11-2.

According to Dan Rafael, WBC Super Middleweight champion Badou Jack will defend his crown on August 22 against former two-time title challenger George Groves in Las Vegas.

“Badou Jack is a terrific fighter. He’s a young man who is focused on his career. I think guys like him — they become better fighters when they become champions,” said Leonard Ellerbe of Mywesatsaid. “I think he’s going to have a long reign as a super middleweight champion, and he’s the kind of guy who, after this fight with George Groves, won’t be creeping up on anybody. George Groves is an excellent fighter, but he can’t beat Badou Jack.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the WBO has stripped Floyd Mayweather for not paying the $200,000 sanctioning fees for his May 2 fight with Manny Pacquiao.

“The WBO world championship committee is allowed no other alternative but to cease to recognize Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the WBO welterweight champion of the world and vacate his title for failing to comply with our WBO regulations of world championship contests,” the WBO wrote Monday in its resolution.

“The WBO has the utmost respect for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and all that he has accomplished during his storied career,” the WBO wrote in its resolution. “Mr. Mayweather has always agreed with and understood that world championships have both privileges and responsibilities and that status as WBO champion is subject to and conditioned on compliance with the WBO rules and regulations.”

The Mayweather camp was displeased by the ruling.

“It’s a complete disgrace,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com. “Floyd will decide what, or if any, actions he will take. But in the meantime he’s enjoying a couple of hundred million he made from his last outing and this has zero impact on anything he does.

“Floyd Mayweather has a great deal of respect for each and every organization, as he has always had in his 19-year career, but he will not be dictated to by any organization or person as it relates to his decision making.”

“I don’t know if it will be Monday [May 4] or maybe a couple weeks,” Mayweather said in the news conference. “I’ll talk to my team and see what we need to do. Other fighters need a chance. Give other fighters a chance. I’m not greedy. I’m a world champion in two different weight classes. It’s time to let other fighters fight for the belt.”

The WBO also reclassified the Bradley-Vargas bout as for the interim title. With the WBO withdrawing recognition of Mayweather as its welterweight titleholder, it soon will formally elevate Bradley, who won a unanimous decision against Vargas, to full titleholder.

“I’m not surprised at all because of the individuals involved we’re talking about,” said Ellerbe, believing that WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel went out of his way to help Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Bradley and Vargas and who is close to the WBO.

“We have the best attorney in the game, John Hornewer, and we are fully aware of what our rights are,” Ellerbe said. “Floyd will decide what he wants to do.”

Ramon Alvarez and Richard Gutierrez battled to a no-contest as Gutierrez could not continue due to a cut inside his mouth due to a headbutt in round four of their scheduled 10-round Super Welterweight bout at Centro de Usos Multiples in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

Former world champion, Hernan Marquez scored an 8th round stoppage over Jose Alfredo Tirado in a scheduled 10-round Super Flyweight bout.

Marquez dropped Tirado in round one from a perfect straight left.

In round eight, Marquez continued to land power shots and the fight was stopped at 2:09 of round 8.

Marquez, 116 lbs is now 39-5 with 28 knockouts. Tirado, 116 lbs is 27-16

Victor Mendez scored a 2nd round stoppage over Eden Marquez in a scheduled 6-round Super Bantamweight bout.

Mendez dropped Marquez twice in round two with the 2nd knockdown having Marquez not beat the 10-count at 2:28 of round two.

Mendez is 18-2 with 15 knockouts. Marquez is 28-19-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, the WBO deadline for Floyd Mayweather to announce to fight for their title has come ans it is unclear if the sanctioning body will strip the superstar.

“I don’t know if it will be Monday [May 4] or maybe a couple weeks,” Mayweather said after the Pacquiao fight. “I’ll talk to my team and see what we need to do. Other fighters need a chance. Give other fighters a chance. I’m not greedy. I’m a world champion in two different weight classes. It’s time to let other fighters fight for the belt.”

Gilberto Gonzalez scored a 4th round stoppage over late replacement Hevinson Herrera in three wild rounds of their scheduled 10-round Super Lightweight bout at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.

In round two, Herrera hurt Gonzalez when he landed a barrage of punches on the ropes. Gonzalez came back later in the round to pummel Herrera with thudding shot after thudding shot that had Herrera hurt. Round three started out with Gonzalez being pushed down and appeared to injure his knee. Gonzalez limped around for a minute but that did not stop him from putting it on Herrera by landing a furious assault on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:49 of round three.

Gonzalez, 139.4 lbs of Mexico City, MEX is 26-3 with 21 knockouts. Herrera, 139 lbs of Barranquilla, COL is 17-11-1.

Gonzalez landed 51-123 punches while Herrera was 40-148.

“The ref shouldn’t have stopped it, plain and simple,” said Herrera. “I knew I had him hurt, and my biggest mistake was that I wore myself out trying to finish him because I knew I could end it.”

“He landed some good shots, and he’s a tough guy,” Gonzalez said following the fight. “In the end, I think the referee made the right choice. I was hitting him a lot, and the referee made a good choice. I’m glad I was able to put on a great show and come away with such a decisive win.”

Diego De La Hoya remained perfect by scoring a 4th round stoppage over Jose Eestrella in a scheduled 8-round Featherweight bout.

De La Hoya scored a knockdown in round four when a straight right hand knocked Estrella through the ropes. De La Hoya jumped on Estrella and landed a barrage of punches and the fight was stopped at 2:36.

De La Hoya, 123.3 lbs of Mexicali. MEX is now 11-0 with 7 knockouts. Estrella, 123.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 14-7-1.

De La Hoya landed 113-310 punches. Estrella landed 55-194

“There is a lot of pressure on me with my family name and it really motivates my opponents to come out strong to try and beat me,” said De La Hoya. “My team and I worked hard and were well prepared and it feels great to win by knockout and live up to the De La Hoya name.”

Oscar Negrete remained undefeated by scoring an 8-round unnanimous decision over Ramiro Robles in a Featherweight bout.

Negrete, 120 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 11-0. Robles, 123 lbs of Guanajuato, MEX is now 12-4-1.

Negrete landed 238-734 punches. Robles landed 196-800.

“His style didn’t surprise me,” said Negrete of Robles. “My team and I were well prepared but he (Robles) has a great chin. My team and I are working towards a world title so fights like these show I’m here to not only win but give the fans a great show.”

“He’s a strong fighter and he hurt me early on to the body, but I did feel a second wind as the fight went on and so I kept punching,” said Robles of his fight against Negrete.

Mickey Bey vacated his IBF Lightweight title, thus his belt against Denis Shafikov wont happen according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The IBF informed us that Mickey Bey is no longer recognized as their lightweight champion. Besides saying thank you, my initial response was what took so long,” Carl Moretti, vice president of Shafikov promoter Top Rank, told ESPN.com.

Shafikov, who will still fight on the July 18 card in a 10-round nontitle bout against an opponent to be determined, has been ordered to face former junior lightweight titlist Rances Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs) for the vacant belt, although Barthelemy fought June 21 at junior welterweight and it remains to be seen whether he will come back down in weight to face Shafikov.

“Once he decided to not accept Floyd’s and Leonard’s generous offer to fight on ESPN2 the week of Mayweather-Pacquiao, I knew we we’re headed down this road,” Moretti said. “We move forward to fight Rances Barthelemy for the vacant title, but first we appreciate the IBF letting Denis fight on July 18 in Macau because of what he has to endure through this odyssey.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Juan Carlos Payano will defend his Bantamweight crown against three-time U.S. Olympian Rau’She Warren on August 2 in Winter Park, Florida on Bounce TV.

The tripleheader will also include the scheduled 10-round semifinal bouts of a four-man junior middleweight tournament.

In one fight, Yudel Jhonson (17-1, 9 KOs), 34, a 2004 Cuban Olympic silver medalist who defected and now lives in Miami, will face Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs), 27, of Mexico.

In the other semifinal, John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs), 26, of the U.S. Virgin Islands — one of the fighting sons of former world titleholder Julian Jackson — will square off with Dennis Laurente (49-5-5, 30 KOs), 37, of the Philippines, in the other semifinal bout.

Top Rank has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Al Haymon for among other things breaching the Muhammad Ali act, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“With the financial backing, complicity, and material assistance of Waddell & Reed and other financiers, Haymon is rigging the boxing industry so they can act as manager, promoter, sponsor, and ticket broker for nearly every major professional boxer competing in the United States, all in violation of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, the Sherman (antitrust) Act, and a host of other state and federal laws,” the suit said. “Openly defying the statutorily-mandated ‘firewall’ between manager and promoter — two distinct professional roles that, as described at length below, serve fundamentally different purposes in the boxing industry — Haymon has leveraged his dominance in the boxing management business to injure and exclude competitors in the business of promoting professional boxing matches in the United States.”

“Al Haymon and Waddell & Reed are engaged in a sophisticated scheme to gain control of the boxing industry,” Top Rank attorney Daniel Petrocelli of O’Melveny & Myers said. “As the lawsuit explains in detail, they are violating federal law, defying state regulators and absorbing significant short-term losses to drive legitimate operators out of the business.”

“The Premier Boxing Champions series makes boxing free again, by bringing championship boxing to free TV, with a fighter-first promise and a commitment to the fans to restore boxing to the luster of its heyday. The continued success of this effort will far outlast this baseless lawsuit.”

“In at least some instances, Haymon falsely and fraudulently conceals his role in promoting his clients’ bouts by employing ‘sham’ promoters or ‘frontmen’ — nominal promoters who are in fact controlled or dominated by Haymon,” the suit said, adding that “for a fee” they “rent their promoters’ licenses to Haymon and Waddell & Reed, and function in a perfunctory role under the instruction of Haymon. Ultimately, however, the money passes through Haymon’s accounts, and Haymon makes all material decisions.”

“Paying the purse is a classic promoter responsibility, not the job of a true manager,” the suit said. “Tellingly, Chavez Jr.’s Instagram post was removed minutes after it appeared.

“While Haymon’s sham promoters may formally execute contracts with venues, sponsors, broadcasters, and other stakeholders, and may submit those contracts to state athletic commissions, they do not control the negotiations. Rather, Haymon directs everything himself … The façade of Haymon’s frontmen is underscored by the fact that, more often than not, they do not have promotion contracts with the boxers themselves, as a legitimate promoter normally would.”

“Haymon is essentially sitting on both sides of the bargaining table,” the suit said. “While purporting to act in his clients’ best interests, Haymon has obtained direct and indirect financial interests in promoting his boxers — thereby creating the very conflict of interest the Ali Act sought to remedy.”

“In order to stifle legitimate promoters from competing against PBC, Haymon has obtained exclusivity commitments from broadcasters,” the suit said. “Between these predatory ‘payola’ payments and the expenses of promoting each televised match, Haymon and Waddell & Reed are operating at a significant short-term loss in the millions of dollars. This ‘loss leader’ strategy — which Waddell & Reed has bankrolled and actively participated in — has allowed Haymon to gain unfair advantage in the promoter market to the severe detriment of legitimate competitors like Top Rank.

“Once Haymon obtains monopoly power in the market for promoting professional boxing matches, he will recoup the losses by charging exorbitant prices to broadcasters, sponsors, and consumers. Haymon and Waddell & Reed will be the sole competitor.”

“Haymon reserved prime locations such as Staples Center and The Forum so that they could not be booked by the competition, and then canceled after the competitors were forced to seek other locations,” the suit said. “The tactic unfairly injured his competitors and deprived consumers of access to events with no legitimate business purpose other than to unfairly harm competition.”

“Haymon is exploiting his dominance in the management market to harm and exclude legitimate promoters from the promotion market,” the suit said. “If this conduct continues unabated, and Haymon becomes the de facto sole promoter of Championship-Caliber Boxers, it will become increasingly difficult for any remaining non-Haymon boxers to gain exposure and quality opponents. In order to salvage their careers, non-Haymon boxers will have no choice but to sign up with Haymon — on both the management and promotion sides. As Haymon’s power and influence in both markets grow, he will be able to exert even more control over the entire boxing industry.”

“For decades, the boxing business earned a poor reputation because of some unsavory characters,” Petrocelli said. “Congress stepped in and enacted laws to clean up the industry. Top Rank is trying to ensure that Al Haymon and Waddell play by the same rules as everyone else.”

PHILADELPHIA–Vyacheslav Shabranskyy was dropped twice in the first round but came back to stop Paul Parker in round three of a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout at the 2300 Arena.

Parker struck in round one when he landed a hard left that buckled and eventually dropped Shabranskyy early in the first round. Shabranskyy was clearly hurt and was wobbling around the ring as he was getting hit by Parker’s shots and fell again to the canvas in the last minute of the round. Shabranskyy was able to steady himself in round two and in round three he landed a right hand that hurt Parker. That set off a barrage of punches that spun a prone Parker to eat more shots and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 2:36 of round three.

Shabranskyy, 179.7 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is now 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Parker, 177.6 lbs of Toledo, OH is now 7-1.

D’Mitrus Ballard win a 6-round unanimous decision over Josue Obando in a Light Heavyweight bout.

Ballard, 169.4 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 60-54 and 58-56 twice and is 8-0. Obando, 1681 lbs of Guadalajara, MX is now 11-6.

Lamont Roach won a 6-round unanimous decision over Christian Santibanez in a Lightweight bout.

Roach, 133.6 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 8-0. Santibanez, 134 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 3-5.

Kevin Rivers Jr. remained perfect with a 3rd round stoppage over Luis Lizarraga in a scheduled 6-round Super Featherweight bout.

Rivers dropped Lizarraga in round two with a huge left hook. Rivers came out in round three and landed two thudding left hooks and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 24 seconds of round three.

Rivers. 125.5 lbs of Palmer Park, MD is now 12-0 9 knockouts. Lizarraga, 127.9 lbs of Merida, MX is 5-5-1.

Victor Vasquez scored a 4th round stoppage over Osnel Charles in a sheduled 6-round Lightweight fight. It was the 3rd meeting between Charles and Vasquez

Charles won the first two bouts.

Vasquez dropped Charles at the end of round one with a hard left hook. Charles came back in round two to hurt Vasquez when he landed a big left hook that wobbled the Philadelphia native. Seconds later it was Vasquez who landed a hard four punch combination on the ropes.

In round four, Vasquez landed a big right hand that sent Charles into the ropes. Referee Benji Esteves rendered a 8-rount before Charles stumbled into a far corner and the bout was stopped at 44 seconds of round four.

Vasquez, 135.6 lbs of Philadelphia is 19-9-1 with 9 knockouts. Charles, 135.9 lbs of Atlantic City, NJ is 10-14-1.

Tyrone Luckey won a 4-round unanimous decision over Gang Yong Kim in a Super Featherweight bout.

Luckey dropped Kim in round one with a left hook. Kim came back in round two and tagged Luckey with a hard right. Later in the round, Kim scored a knockdown when a right hand drove Luckey into the ropes and was ruled a knockdown by referee Gary Rosato.

Luckey, 129 1/2 lbs of Middletown, NJ won by scores of 38-36 on all cards and is now 6-4-2. Kim, 130 lbs of Philadelphia is 4-2.

Damon Allen remained undfeated by stopping Luis Rodriguez after round four of their scheduled 6-round Super Lightweight bout.

ALlen, 135.8 lbs of Philadelphia is 7-0 with 3 knockouts. Rodriguez, 138.4 lbs of Carolina, PR is 3-5.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, former world champion Oscar De La Hoya has decided to stay retired after flirting with a comeback last week.

“Over the last six months I’ve had a front row seat as Golden Boy [Promotions] fighters including Canelo Alvarez, Bernard Hopkins, Lucas Matthysse, Jorge Linares and David Lemieux have stepped into the ring and shown what boxing should be all about — a commitment to fight the best, to respect the sport and to put the fans first,” De La Hoya said in a statement. “As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don’t think about coming back — and the performances of these Golden Boy fighters has only added to my desire to return to the ring.

“But I am retired, and after speaking to my family and following a great deal of introspection, I have decided to stay retired. However, I do so with knowledge that many fighters today still pride themselves on the same principles that I adhered to throughout my career. It is now through boxers like those I mentioned and dozens of other Golden Boy Promotions fighters that those values live on.”

“To the many thousands of fans who over the last couple of weeks encouraged me to come out of retirement and fight again, I thank you,” De La Hoya said. “You can rest assured that I will spend the rest of my days around this wonderful sport, even though those days won’t be spent inside the ropes.”

De La Hoya told ESPN.com on Monday that he even sparred 10 rounds with a young fighter — he said he did not know his name — on Saturday morning and did well.

“I still got it,” De La Hoya said.

After the sparring session, De La Hoya said he went home to have “the talk” with his wife, Millie, and their children about whether he should pursue the comeback. He said the plans ended with that conversation.

“My wife was all for it,” De La Hoya told ESPN.com. “But my kids didn’t want to see old Papa get hurt.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.con, a purse bid has been ordered for a Heavyweight title bout between Wladimir Klitscko and Tyson Fury.

CARSON, Calif. – Nothing is ever easy for Timothy Bradley.

Or predictable

In a career full of controversial decisions and crazy finishes, there was another wild ride for Bradley.

Bradley wound up winning a unanimous decision over Jessie Vargas Saturday. But it was in a 12-round fight that referee Pat Russell stopped about seven seconds before it was supposed to end and about five seconds after Bradley was rocked by a huge right hand.

Confusion reigned for a couple of minutes, Vargas thought Russell stopped it because Bradley was hurt and couldn’t continue. Vargas celebrated, thinking he had scored a huge upset. His corner men and friends jumped into the ring to celebrate with him. Meanwhile, Bradley appeared confused. He shook his head in disbelief at what looked to be a loss.

“I knew where I was at all times,’’ said Bradley, who stumbled backwards from an overhand right by Vargas. “I knew where I was at all times. All of sudden, the referee was waving his hands. I didn’t know what was going on.’’

Nobody did.

Turns out, Russell stopped the fight because he thought it was over.

“I thought I heard the bell,’’ Russell told HBO’s Max Kellerman in a chaotic scene at the center of the ring.
Maybe, Russell heard the 10-second warning and mistook it for the final bell. Or maybe he heard an inadvertent bell from somewhere in the StubHub crowd. Maybe, maybe, maybe. It’s only certain that he didn’t stop the fight because of what he saw in Bradley.

“I made the call based on what I heard,’’ Russell said.

That meant the fight went to the scorecards. All three favored Bradley. Judge Max DeLuca had it 116-112. Rocky Young scored it 117-111. On Kermit Bayless’ card, it was 115-112.

Finally, Bradley (32-1-1,12 KOs) could celebrate. In the sudden turn of events, however, there was only frustration for Vargas (26-1, 9 KOs).

“Those seven seconds cost me the fight,’’ he said.
He complained that he wasn’t allowed to finish Bradley. He was denied a triumphant finish, he said.

“Let me finish what I started,’’ he said to Bradley while asking for a rematch.
Okay, Bradley said.
No telling how crazy an encore might be.

Except for seven seconds, Bradley appeared to control the bout

Doubt appeared to creep into Vargas’ eyes as early as the second round. Bradley was applying pressure with muscle and authority. As the round ended, Vargas smiled at him. There was a question, perhaps a prayer, in that smile. It was as if Vargas couldn’t believe that Bradley could sustain the pace.

But he did at a punishing rate. Bradley repeatedly stepped inside Vargas’ four-inch advantage in reach, delivering blows to body and head with the thudding impact of that old jackhammer he swung around during an old-school training camp.

At the end of the fifth, Vargas found himself with his back on the ropes. He would be there again and again in a futile attempt to elude Bradley’s tireless pursuit. There was just nowhere else to go for Vargas in his first bout against a welterweight who is among the division elite.

Bradley was stronger and he knew it. By the seventh, there was a look of resignation instead of doubt on Vargas’ face. By the ninth, there was almost a look of dread. By the tenth, there was inevitability.

But, in the end, there was only chaos. Nothing for new for Bradley

Oscar Valdez down early, wins easily

If the prospect stage is about lessons, super-featherweight Oscar Valdez got one. Passed it, too. But it wasn’t the A-plus kind of grade that put Valdez at the top of the honor roll through his first 16 fights. More like a B-minus.

Ruben Tamayo, a fellow Mexican with a journeyman’s record (23-6-4, 15 KOs) surprised Valdez (17-0, 14 KOs) early with some thing of a pop quiz. Valdez, a two-time Olympian, was on the canvas in the first round.

It wasn’t exactly clear how he got there. Valdez appeared to get his feet tangled up after Tamayo knocked him off balance with a left. Maybe, he tripped. Maybe, Tamayo’s power put him there. Maybe, both.

Whatever it was, it was a momentary stunner.

Valdez looks surprised, even embarrassed. The good news is that he quickly recovered with a poised attack that included stinging jabs to the head and combos to the body. The bad news was that he couldn’t finish Tamayo, who was penalized a point in the seventh for a low blow. Still, it was enough for a 98-90, 99-90, 98-90 win on the scorecards.

Next lesson, please

On The Undercard
The Best: Providence featherweight Toka Khan Clary (16-0-0-1, 10 KOs) landed a huge hook at the end of the sixth round, dropping Colombian Jonathan Perez (33-12, 27 KOs) just as the bell sounded. It looked as if Perez never heard the bell. It also looked as if he had no clue at what hit him or even where he was. He was unconscious before he ever hit the canvas, knocked out at 2:59 of the sixth.

The Rest: Chicago welterweight Ed Brown (6-0, 6 KOs) scored a second-round knockout of Jose Maruffo (7-3-2,) of Phoenix. It was dull, but it was decisive as junior-welterweight Abraham Lopez (1-1) of Rowland Heights scored a unanimous decision over Mexican Joann Valenzuela (1-4-1, 1 KO). And Los Angeles featherweight Leonardo Chavez (4-1, 3 KOs) scored a second-round knockdown and was never threatened in winning a unanimous decision over Mexican Jair Quintero (4-5-2).

Dominic Wade scored a debated split decision over former world champion Sam Soliman in a Middleweight bout at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.

The difference in the fight was a controversial knockdown scored by Wade when it looked like it was a more of a push.

Wade, 162 1/2 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 97-92, 95-94 while Soliman took a card 96-93.

Wade is now 18-0. Soliman, 161 1/2 lbs of Melbourne, Australia is now 44-13-1.

Wade landed just 74-317 punches while Soliman landed 98-450.

Erickson Lubin scored 1st round stoppage over Ayi Bruce in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Middleweight bout

Lubin dropped Bruce in round one from an accumulation of punches. Seconds later, it was another flurry that sent Bruce down and did not beat referee Ray Corona’s count at 2:49 of round one.

Lubin, 152 1/2 lbs of Orlando, FL is now 11-0 with 8 knockouts. Bruce, 151 1/2 lbs of Silver Spring, MD is 15-10.

Oscar Rivas remained undefeated by scoring a 1st round stoppage over Jason Pettaway in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Rivas dropped Pettaway with a right hand to the body that was not ruled a knockdown as Rivas hit Pettaway when he was down. Referee Robert Byrd docked two points from Rivas. Rivas then dropped Pettaway following a barrage of punches and a right hand. Rivas dropped Pettaway again with a left hand and Byrd called off the bout at 2:25.

Rivas, 24 1/2 lbs of Montreal, CAN is 17-0 with 12 knockouts. Pettaway, 222 lbs of Huntington, WV is 17-3.

Dennis Hogan remained undefeated by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over Kenny Abril in a Super Welterweight bout at the Senaca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara, New York.

Hogan, 152 lbs of Queensland, AUS is won by scores 97-93 twice and 96-94 and is now 22-0-1. Abril, 151 lbs of Rochester, NY is 14-8-1.

Former world title challenger Tony Luis won an 8-round unanimous decision over Edward Valdez in a Lightweight bout.

Luis, 137 1/2 lbs of Cornwall, ONT, CAN won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 20-3. Valdez, 136 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 13-11-2.

Jarrell Miller remained undefeated as he scored a 1st round stoppage over Excell Holmes in a scheduled 8-round Heavyweight bout.

Miller landed a barrage of punches on an already bloodied Holmes and referee Charlie Fitch stopped the bout at 2:44 of round one.

Miller, 269 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is 14-0-1 with 12 knockouts. Holmes, 250 lbs of Buffalo, NY is 2-6-1.

Paul Mendez won a 10-round split decision over David Lopez in a Super Middleweight bout in Salinas, California.

Mendez, 163 lbs of Salinas, CA won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 while Lopez took a card 96-94.

Mendez is now 17-2-2. Lopez, 167 lbs of Nogales, MX is 41-16-1.

Andy Vences scored a 4th round stoppage over Santiago Guevara in a scheduled 8-round Jr. Lightweight bout.

Vences landed a right hand to the side of the face that sent Guevara to the canvas. Guevara got to his feet he could not continue at 37 seconds of round four

Vences, 131 lbs of San Jose, CA is now 12-0 with 8 knockouts. Guevara, 130 lbs of Los Angeles, is 8-2.

Alan Sanchez won a 8-round unanimous decision over late replacement Carlos Lozano in a Middleweight bout.

Sanchez, 155 lbs of Fairfield, CA won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice and is now 16-3-1. Lozano, 156 lbs of Ensalnda, MX is 7-5.

Gilberto Ramirez remained perfect as he scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Derek Edwards at the State Farm Arena in idalgo, Texas.

Ramirez, 168 lbs of Mazatlan, MX won by scores of 100-90 on all cards and is now 32-0. Edwards, 168 lbs of Las Vegas is 27-5-1.

Diego Magdaleno scored a strange 7th round stoppage over Jose Gonzalez in a scheduled 12-round Lightweight bout featuring former world title challengers

Magdaleno was cut over the left eye in round six from a punch. In round seven, Gonzalez went down from an apparent low blow and was in discomfort. He crawled around the ring for several minutes and then could not continue at 2:43 of round seven

Magadaleno, 134 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas is now 28-1 with 12 knockouts. Gonzalez, 134 1/4 lbs of Toa Boja, PR is 24-2.

Magdaleno outlanded Gonzalez 57-43.

Former Lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco has announced his retirement following his loss to Rances Barthelemy on Sunday, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“I want to apologize to all who had confidence in me and to my family. I feel at peace and at the same time disappointed with myself,” DeMarco said in a statement. “I thank God and boxing and the people who always supported me for all they gave me during my career. It’s tough, but I know God will show me new goals and dreams to conquer.

“I will miss the ring and all the people, but will always have them in my heart,” Antonio DeMarco, above right, said in announcing his retirement. Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions
“God bless you today and always, and all my fights were for you, my family and people that helped me in my beginnings. Thanks to God for allowing me to fulfill my dream. I will miss the ring and all the people, but will always have them in my heart.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Cruiserweight titlist Marco Huck will defend his title against Kryzystof Glowacki on August 14 on the Antonio Tarver – Steve Cunningham card on Spike TV. The fight will mark the American debut for Huck.

“I will be celebrating two firsts when I step into the ring on Aug. 14,” Huck said. “On the one hand it will be my first fight under the banner of Huck Sports Promotion, who will co-promote the bout in close cooperation with DiBella Entertainment. Furthermore, I will be giving my U.S. debut. The fight against Glowacki will be my first abroad. After leaving (longtime promoter) Sauerland (Event) I said that I wanted to fight overseas. That promise is now being kept.”

“The Pole is unbeaten and has a good KO ratio,” Huck said. “He will also have a lot of locals cheering him on, as many Polish citizens live on the East Coast. It will almost be like a home crowd. I am, however, confident that at the end of the night the fans both on site and in front of their TVs, will be celebrating with me. Boxing fans in America want to be entertained by the warriors inside the squared circle and my style of fighting provides just that, entertainment. Mission USA can begin.”

“I think Marco Huck is a great fighter and also a legit star in Europe,” DiBella said. “If there’s a cruiserweight star, it’s Marco Huck. I’ve been a fan of his forever and we’ve been trying to work together. The PBC has created an opportunity for me to put him on American TV because Showtime and HBO have not embraced cruiserweights. So to have an opportunity to bring the cruiserweight star to the United States and he’s a guy who can hang with heavyweights. I thought he won the fight with Povetkin. I’m thrilled to work with his people and to be his American promoter now. This is Huck’s time to make a move.”

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Oscar De La Hoya is contemplating a return to the ring.

“It’s got to be worth my while but this is very serious,” De La Hoya told ESPN.com on Monday. “I have to make sure I am fighting the very best. I don’t have to come back for financial reasons or the lights or the glamour. The only reason I would come back is because I miss the competition of fighting the very best.”

“Right now I feel the best I have felt in my life physically, emotionally, mentally because I haven’t touched alcohol for I don’t know how long. I’m training. I feel great. But it has to be worth my while,” said De La Hoya, an admitted alcoholic and drug addict, who has done at least two stints in rehabilitation to deal with his addictions.

“Would I do it? I don’t know but I wake up every morning thinking that I can,” De La Hoya continued. “I think about Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler. If [Leonard] could do it, why can’t I? We both come from similar situations. We are both hungry for the competition, we’re both ambitious. So you never know. At the same time, I wish time flies by so I don’t have to come back.”

“I want to fight one of them because they are the best and I always fought the best,” De La Hoya said. “That’s what boxing is all about – fighting the best.”

I’ve gotten everything taken care of — my rotator cuffs, my left hand, everything. I’m pain free,” De La Hoya said. “I just feel good and when I walk the streets, everyone tells me, ‘You have to fight Floyd again, you have to fight GGG. You can do it, you can do it.

“I just feel great physically. I’ve been taking care of myself. I’ve been doing the Bernard Hopkins lifestyle. You can turn the clock back to a certain time.”

“I’m not preparing for an actual fight, but I run 8 miles, I can hit the bag for 12 rounds, I can jump rope and do the speed bag. I do all that on a regular basis to stay in shape,” De La Hoya said. “I look great too. I’ve never seen myself look like this. Sometimes that little itch gets me in that certain spot, and when so many people tell me I can do it, it’s trying to convince me that you can.”

“So it will be one of those bittersweet moments,” De La Hoya said. “There will be people who will like it and those who won’t. I want everyone to like it.”

“I feel amazing,” De La Hoya said. “In my life right now, I have so much motivation. I am so hungry and so determined. My plan is long term with Golden Boy, with me personally, my family, my business. I am young, I am healthy and I feel great — 42 is the new 32.”

Rances Barthelemy remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over former Lightweight champion Antonio DeMarco in a Super Lightweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

Barthlemey scored a knockdown in round four from a flurry of punches.

Barthelemy, 139 1/2 lbs of Las Vegas is won by scores of 99-89 on all cards and is now 23-0-1. Demarco, 139 1/2 lbs of Mexico is 31-5-1.

Sammy Vasquez Jr, remained undefeated by scoring a 10-round unanimous decision over Wale Omotos in a Welterweight bout.

In round five, Vasquez was cut over the left eye when the follow through of an Omotoso right hand made his elbow scrape across Vasquez’s face.

Vasquez Jr., 146 1/4 lbs of Monessen, PA won by scores of 98-92 on all cards and is now 19-0. Omotoso, 149 1/4 lbs of Lagos, NIG is 25-2-1.

Vasquez landed 162-594 punches while Omotoso was 134-440.

David Lemieux won the IBF Middleweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

In round two, Lemieux landed a huge left that dropped N’Dam. In round five, Lemieux sent N’Da, to the canvas with a thudding left to to body/left to the head combination. Moments later, it was another crunching left hook that dropped N’Dam for a 3rd time.

N’Dam hit the deck again late in round seven from a right hand.

Lemieux, 160 lbs of Montreal won by scores of 115-109 twice and 114-110 and is now 34-2. N’Dam of France is now 31-2.

In a battle of former world title challengers, Dierry Jean won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jerry Belmontes in a Lightweight bout.

In round two, Jean landed an overhand right that made Belmontes glove hit the canvas for a knockdown.

Jean of Montreal won by scores of 99-90, 99-89 and 98-91 and is now 29-1. Belmontes, 134.4 lbs of Corpus Christie, Texas is now 19-7.

Heavyweight Luis Ortiz remained undefeated with a 1st round blowout over Byron Polley in a scheduled 8-round bout.

Ortiz dropped Polley with an left uppercut to the body in round one. Ortiz scored a 2nd knockdown when he pushed Polley down but it was a ruled a knockdown. Ortiz finished the fight with a perfect left hand that dropped Polley and the fight was stopped at 2:38 of round one.

Ortiz, 230 lbs of Miami, FL is 22-0 with 19 knockouts. Polley, 272 lbs of St. Joseph, MO is 27-19-1.

Shawn Porter won a 12-round unanimous decision over Adrien Broner in a Welterweight bout between former world champions that are based in Ohio at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas

In round eleven, Broner was deducted a point for holding. In round twelve, Broner sent Porter to the deck with a hard left hook.

Porter, 146.7 lbs of Akron, OH won by scores of 115-111, 114-112 and 118-108 and is now 26-1-1. Broner is 30-2.

Terrell Gausha remained undfeated by scoring an 8-round unanimous decision over Luis Grajada in a Jr. Middleweight bout.

In round three, Gausha dropped Garjeda with a right hand

Gausha, 154 lbs won by scores of 79-72 twice and 78-73 and is now 15-0. Grajada, 156 lbs of Mexico is 18-5-2.

Michael Hunter scored five knockdowns en route to a fourth round stoppage over Deon Elam in a scheduled 6-round Heavyweight bout.

Hunter scored a knockdown in round two, two in round three and two more in round four and the bout was stopped.

Hunter, 201 lbs is now 8-0 with 5 knockouts. Elam, 197 lbs of Los Angeles is 14-3.

Andre ward came back after a 19-month layoff to batter Paul Smith and score a 9th round stoppage at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.

Smith was cut above his right eye in round eight. In round nine, Ward started batter Smith to the point where his face was a bloody mess and the fight was stopped at 1:46 of round nine.

Ward, 171 3/4 lbs of Oakland, CA is now 28-0 with 15 knockouts. Smith, who came in 4 1/2 lbs over the 172 pound weight limit at 176 1/2 lbs is no 35-6.

Ward outlanded Smith 231-47.

Undefeated Jr. Featherweights Antonio Nieves and Stephon Young battled to an 8-round split draw.

Nieves won a card 77-75. Young took a card 78-74 and a thired card read even at 76-76.

Young, 122 3/4 lbs of St. Louis is 13-0-2. Nieves, 120 1/2 lbs of Cleveland is 12-0-1.

Former three-time world champion Cristian Mijares scored a 10-round unanimous decision over Vergel Nebran in a Featherweight bout at Salon Sindicato Secc. 47 de Pemex in Ciudad, Mexico

Mijares was shockingly dropped in round two and began to bleed from nostrils in round five.

In round nine, Mijares landed a hard right hook that sent Nebran to the canvas. Mijares landed a furious barrage that made Nebran’s nose begin to bleed very badly.

Mijares, 128 lbs of Durango, MX won by scores of 97-91, 98-90 twice and is now 52-8-2. Nebran, 128 lbs of Manila, PHL is 13-9-1.

Pedro Tut won a 6-round unanimous decision over Angel Chan in a Featherweight bout.

Tut of Cancun, MX is now 7-1. Chan of Campeche, MX is 0-1.

Irma Garcia won a 8-round unanimous decision over Marisa Portillo in a female Super Bantamweight bout.

Garica won by scores of 80-72 on all cards and is now 12-1-1. Portillo is 16-10-2.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Roberto Garcia is overweight and will not be able to fight undefeated Errol Spence Jr. this Saturday night in Las Vegas in a bout that was to be televised by NBC.

Promoters are looking for a new opponent.

2012 British Olympian Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle will fight in a Lightweight elimination bout on August 1st, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“The stage is set for the one of the biggest sporting events the city of Hull will ever see,” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn. “Two world-ranked lightweight contenders will battle it out in an official eliminator for the WBC world title. It’s east versus west, a city divided with everything on the line.”

Although they have been friends, comments that Campbell made about Coyle in Britain’s Boxing Monthly got Coyle riled up and have strained their friendship. Coyle addressed the situation at the kickoff news conference to promote the fight.

“I was annoyed that he called me an associate. I think that was personal,” Coyle said. “He forgets the days when we didn’t have any money at all and we were selling toys for a pound a go. I traveled five hours to watch him in the ABA [amateur] finals, shared a room with him in Australia. I think that’s a bit more than an associate.

“It had been playing on my mind. He’s said a few things in the press and even in the press conference. It’s disappointing and I think it’s unnecessary. The fight doesn’t need bad blood. It would sell on two Hull lads that are mates getting in there and the best man winning a tear-up. We have been friendly in the postfight interviews up to this point, so why has it changed? Is it because I said I was going to knock him out? I am not going to outbox him. I am just being truthful. It’s business.”

Campbell downplayed their personal relationship.

“I have had a close-knit group of friends since I was a kid; they are my friends,” he said. “I see Tommy once in a blue moon. That’s it. We have a past, we’ve boxed in the same gym, traveled to Australia and Denmark before, but we hang around in different circles though, and, really, who cares?

“If he has a problem, he should ring me instead of trying to get sympathy votes. It’s not like he comes ’round to my house for a cup of tea and we go out and socialize. We’re not proper mates. I respect everything he has done in boxing, and he’s a great fighter. I don’t dislike Tommy at all. We just see friends differently.”

“I think that this is the wrong fight for him at the wrong time. I’ll be too much for him,” Coyle said. “I think Luke is being chucked in at the deep end against me

“People keep saying I need to step up. You don’t get a better step up than a world title eliminator,” he said. “My team sees me day in, day out, and I am making great progress. They evaluate each fight and we believe in each other, and if that is the path that they have chosen, then that’s the right path for me.

“I have never had it easy in boxing in 14½ years. I’ve always done it the hard way, and I believe that WBC champion Jorge Linares is the best lightweight in the world, so it’s not the easiest route. But we’re not bothered about that. We want to take the right route and take on the best.

“This is a massive event for the city. It’s a one-time thing. I don’t think they’ll see a fight like this here again — two local lads with good followings, both top fighters and boxing in a world title eliminator. The city won’t see this again — that’s what makes it special for Hull.”

Former world title challenger Jose Felix Jr. won a 10 round unanimous decision over Yakubu Amidu in a Super Lightweight bout at Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California.

In a wild round nine, Felix landed a short right that sent Amidu to the canvas. Amidu came back later in the round to land hard right that deposited Felix to ground.

Felix, 136 3/4 lbs of Los Mochis, MX won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice and is now 30-1-1. Amidu, 136 1/4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 21-7-2.

Carlos Carlson scored a 4th round stoppage over Heriberto Delgado in a scheduled 6-round Featherweight bout.

In round two, Carlson dropped Delgado with a right hand. Carlson was cut above his left eye in round three from an accidental headbutt. Carlson dropped Delgado with a body shot in round four. Delgado got up but wate a three punch flurry on the ropes and the bout was stopped at 1:43 of round four.

Carlson, 124 1/2 lbs of Tijuana, MX is now 18-1 with 11 knockouts. Delgado, 125 lbs of Tijuana, MX is 11-3.

Deontay Wilder made the first defense of the WBC Heavyweight title with a 9th round stoppage over Eric Molina at the Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

In round three, Molina rocked Wilder with ahard left hook. In the end of round four, Wilder dropped Molina with a short left hook. In round five, Wilder landed a right hand that made Molina turn his back and then he was deposited on the deck from a left hand. Wilder then chased Molina croess the ring and dropped him again with a clubbing right.

In round nine, Wilder landed a perfect left hook that sent Molina flat on his back and the fight was stopped.

Wilder, 229 lbs of Tuscaloosa, AL is now 34-0 with 33 knockouts. Molina, 239 1/4 lbs of Rio Grande Valley, TX is 23-3.

Wilder landed 149 of 303 punches. Molina landed 49 of 188.

Jose Pedraza won the vacant IBF Jr. Lightweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Andrey Klimov

Klimov suffered a mouse under his left eye in round five. Pedraza landed 272 punches of 750. Klimov was just 121 of 556.

Pedraza, 129 3/4 lbs of Cidra, PR won by scores of 119-109 and 120-108 twice and is now 20-0. Klimov, 129 lbs of Klimovar, RUS is 19-2.

Dejan Zalticanin scored a 4th round stoppage over Ivan Redkach in a battle of previously undefeated Lightweights in a bout scheduled for 12-rounds.

In round three, Redkach was cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt. In round four, Zlaticanin droped Radkach with a huge left. Moments later, Zlaticanin landed ahug flurry on the ropes and the bout was stopped with Redkach covering up at 1:24 of round four.

Zlaticanin, 134 1/2 lbs of Popgordia, Montenegro is now 17-0 with 10 knockouts. Redkach, 134 1/2 lbs of Los Angeles, is 18-1-1.

Zlaticanin landed 49-144 punches. Redkach was 48-231.

Julian Williams remained undefeated by scoring a 6th round stoppage over Armen Ovsepyan in a scheduled 10-round Jr. Middleweight bout.

Williams dropped Ovsepyan in round one with a quick right hand. Williams continued to dominate and staggered Ovsepyan several more times in the opening frame.

In round six, Williams opened up on Ovsepyan and unleashed a series of headhsots and the fight was stopped at 2:33 of round six.

Williams, 153 3/4 lbs of Philadelphia is 20-0-1-1 with 12 knockouts. Ovsepyan, 153 1/4 lbs of Glendale, CA is 14-5.

Williams landed 195-372 punches. Ovsepyan was 42-224.

Ahmed Elbiali scored a 1st round stoppage over Donta Woods in a scheduled 8-round Light Heavyweight bout.

Elbiali dropped Woods with a right hand in round one and the fight was stopped at 1:04.

Elbiai, 175 1/2 lbs of Miami is 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Woods, 174 1/2 lbs of Atlanta is 8-5.

NEW YORK–Nicholas Walters won a 12-round unanimous decision over Miguel Marriaga in a Featherweight bout at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The bout was to be contested for Walters WBA championship but he was stripped of the title on Friday as he checked in one pound over the Featherweight limit at Friday’s weigh in. Marriaga was eligible to win the title.

In round four, Marriaga landed three hard left hooks that got Walters attention. the action started to pick up in round five as Walters opened the frame with a combination. Marriaga fought back with some solid action of his own.

In round eight, Walters landed a chopping right to the head that stunned Marriaga. In round nine, Walters began to up the pace as he swiftly jabbed his way in and threw some good right hands and mixed in lefts to the body. At the end of the round, Walters landed a perfect right hand counter that sent Marriaga to the canvas. Marriaga made one final push in the final stanza as he landed a solid right that drove Walters back but it was too little too late for Marriaga

Walters, 127 lbs of Montego Bay, JAM won by scores of 118-109, 117-110 and 119-108 and is now 26-0. Marriaga, 125.2 lbs of Arjorna, COL is now 20-1.

“”fter two weeks I will decide if I will move up to 130.Whoever is the best is who I want to fight. I want to fight the best.Even though I couldn’t make the 126 I wanted to come here and give them a good show and that’s what I did. I hurt him a few times but it was late in the rounds.Amatuers and the pros are two different thigs. You can’t bring the amateurs to the pros. I am a lot more organized than I was in the amateurs.The crowd is used to people knocking down people. I have not fought in six months. He was a tough guy. I hurt him. I did hurt him. Some guys would go down but he is tough and he stayed up.In the last round I hurt him too, with a body shot. I was trying to get him out but I just couldn’t get him.” said Walters

“I got tired toward the end He is very strong. I felt like i was fighting a welterweight. I tried my best but he was just too good. he has got better since the last time we fought, ” Said Marriaga

Felix Verdejo was impressive as he scored two knockdowns en route to a 10-round unanimous decision over Ivan Najera in a Lightweight bout.

In round two, Najera tried to make the fight but Verdejo opened up with some ripping combinations in the corner. In round three, Verdejo continued to land power shots to the head of Najera. In round four, it was more toe to toe action with the quicker Verdejo landed some perfect shots to the face but Najera not only took them but tried to fight back. Finally in round five, Verdejo was able to put the strong chinned Najera on the canvas with a perfect left hook. Verdejo went in for the finish but Najera was able to withstand a huge barrage of punches on the ropes.

At the end of round seven, Verdejo landed a perfect hook that sent Najera down for a second time. In round ten, Verdejo landed one booming right from the southpaw stance that drew a large reaction from the Pro-Verdejo crowd at the Theater.

Verdejo, 133 lbs of San Juan, PR won by scores of 100-88 twice and 99-89 and is now 18-0. Najera, 131.4 lbs of San Antonio, TX is now 16-1.

Verdejo landed 194-487 punches while Najera was 101-333.

Roy Jones – “Verdejo threw evrey kind of punch you could think of.”

Harold 100 – 88

How does 18-0 sounds?
Great, Im happy with the work we did tonight, I brought happiness to my Country and that its what I wanted to do.

You fought a warrior
Yes we knew he was a tuff opponent , with a lot of experience and we knew it was going to be tuff.

What went to your mind when you knock him and he would come back up?
I was relax, and I was concentrated in the fight, I was trying to hit him to see if it I could end it but , we had to go the long distance, but we did a good job.

How was it to hear you name and Puerto Rico at MSG/
I was awesome , I’m happy with the Puerto Ricans fans , Im proud to be Puerto Rican

You are being compare to Tito Trinidad
Its an honor to be compare with a star like Tito , someone who gave so much happiness to my Country , I will continue to work hard to get new goals

Whats next?
We have to see how my hand its doing , but we will continue to work hard for the future

Hand?
It was not 100 % but it was efficient
Yes that’s part of my job but we are happy with the work with did

Message for fans
Continue to support me, you will have Felix for a long time
Seanie Monaghan scored a 9th round stoppage over Fulgencio Zuniga in a scheduled 10-round Light Heavyweight bout.

In round two, they had a furious exchange with Monaghan getting the better of the action. Monaghan controlled the bout as he landed a power shots but Zuniga kept coming forward. Finally in round nine, the activity got to Zuniga wilted and Monaghan landed a punch to the back for good measure as Zuniga fell to the ground. The fight was then halted at 2:09 of round nine.

Monagahan, 175.8 lbs of Long Beach, NY is now 25-0 with 16 knockouts. Zuniga, 174.8 lbs of Padilla, COL is now 27-11-1.

George Arias scored a 2nd round stoppage over Eric Cason in a scheduled 4-round Heavyweight bout.

Arias scored a knockdown in round two and the fight was stopped after a follow up barrage.

Arias, 227.2 lbs of Bronx, NY is now 4-0 with 3 knockouts. Cason, 198.2 lbs of Davenport, IA is now 2-4.

Christopher Diaz win a 6-round unanimous decision over Marcello Gallardo in a Featherweight bout.

Diaz, 127 lbs of Baranquilla, PR won by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 twice and is now 11-0. Gallardo, 126.4 lbs of Renton, WA. is mow 5-3-2.

Jason Sosa scored his 11th consecutive stoppage as he took out Santiago Bustos in round five of a scheduled 8-round Lightweight bout

In round two, Sosa pounded Bustos all over the ring with thudding shots with both hands.

In round five, Sosa landed a hard right that sent Bustos to the ropes. He then landed a blistering left and an uppercut that sent Bustos to a knee. Bustos got to his feet only to eat about five more shots that sent him to the canvas. he got to his feet but the fight was called at 2:20

Sosa, 130.8 of Camden, NJ is now 16-1-3 with 12 knockouts/ Bustos, 129.8 lbs of Palma de Mallorca, SPA is 7-7-1.

In the opening bout, Mike Reed remained undefeated by pounding out an 8-round unanimous decision over Luis Gonzalez in a Super Lightweight bout.

Reed, 140.2 lbs of Waldorf, MD won by shutout scores of 80-73 and 80-72 twice and is now 15-0. Gonzalez, 140.2 lbs of San Juan, PR is now 11-2-1.