The heir apparent to the Puerto Rican boxing throne was in top form last night, headlining a big show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as Juan Manuel Lopez kept his WBO super bantam title against opponent Olivier Lontchi.

Lopez was the definite favorite to retain going into the clash as Montreal based Cameroon native Lontchi had yet to rise above his regional status as NABA titlist and was in over his head.

A champion who can punch like Lopez, particularly a southpaw, presents a very difficult entry test onto the world stage and Lontchi wisely chose to stick and move in the early rounds, catching the oncoming champion with jabs before escaping.

But Lopez began to close distance and force the bout to the inside and along the ropes, where his strength advantage was evident. More...

Tonight, on Saturday June 27th, Star Boxing's jr. middleweight contender Andrey Tsurkan (26- 4, 17KO) takes on 23-year-old up and coming prospect, and 2004 U.S. Olympian,Vanes "The Nightmare" Martirosyan (24-0, 15KO).

The pair clash on the undercard of Latin Fury 9, headlined by WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez defending his title against Olivier Lontchi. More...

Click for larger image © Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

Vic Darchinyan picked up one of the best wins in his career by besting Mexico's Jorge Arce in a barn burner to retain the WBC, WBA and IBF Super Flyweight titles at The Pond in Anaheim, CA.

The war of words between the pair had started long before the actual fight and the intensity in the ring matched the bad blood press buildup once the action started.

Arce made good on his promise to take the fight to southpaw Darchinyan but the Mexican firebrand's defense wasn't up to the task of handling the quick hands of the Australian resident. More...