Tonight at the Barclays Center, there was nothing spectacular about Welterweight headliner Guerrero vs Martinez. In fairness, fight fans weren’t expecting too much from this match-up, so let’s not rip into the fighters too much.
Robert Guerrero had a slow start, but even after rallying late in the 10-rounder, many observers still felt he lost. Or should have at least been part-victor in a bout declared a Draw. In fact, the protests of the California crowd could be heard through boos when Guerrero received the Split Decision nod. Official scores came in at 94-95, 95-94, and a ‘what fight were you were watching?’ 97-92.
We won’t mention the judge’s name, cos’ really, what difference does it make?
BoxingBase.com had it 95-94 for Martinez who seemed to edge the battle. The Californian also scored a knockdown in the 4th round. Based on this performance, it has to be said that Guerrero could be headed out of the sport and toward ‘gatekeeper‘ status.
Guerrero improves to 33-3-1, 18 knockouts, and Martinez 19-4-1, 4 knockouts.
On the undercard, Jesus Cuellar got the job done inside the distance to defend his WBA Featherweight title. Despite being under fire in the early rounds, he was the better, bigger fighter, and was able to land too many crunching, clean punches on his foe. Darchinyan, now 39, was game and relentless as always, but was simply outclassed and powered here. Cuellar dropped Darchinyan in the 8th round, with the referee saving the seasoned fighter at the 1:04 mark.
Cuellar jumps to 27-1, 21 knockouts, and Darchinyan 40-8-1, 29 knockouts.
Dominic Breazeale didn’t look the polished product in his Heavyweight bout with Yasmany Consuegra, but did leave the ring with his unbeaten record intact. After being out-boxed in the 1st round, Breazeale knocked down Consuegra in the 2nd, and after doing so again in the 3rd, the referee stepped in to call a 1:49 stoppage.
Breazeale advances to 15-0, 14 knockouts, and Consuegra 17-1, 14 knockouts.
Also on the Premier Boxing Champions card, Oscar Molina won a Unanimous Decision over Todd Manuel in their 8-rounder. Anthony Flores won a Unanimous Decision over Joaquin Chavez in a 4-rounder beforehand.
What did you think of Guerrero vs Martinez, and the NBC-broadcasted fight card? A good ‘free’ night of boxing – at least with Cuellar vs Darchinyan? Or just meh…
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