Boxing News Boxing News
Middleweight king Kelly Pavlik retained his WBC and WBO crowns last night at the Beeghly Center in his home of Youngstown, OH.
Pavlik staved off the challenge posed by Los Angeles native Miguel Espino, who brought an 11 bout wins streak to the bout.
Espino had previously suffered close losses to Peter Manfredo and Daniel Edouard in 2004 and 2003, respectively, and had never come close to competing at a level asked of him last evening.
The North Hollywood resident then made the tactical error of taking the action directly to Pavlik, arguably the best boxer and without a doubt the top puncher in the division.
Pavlik and Espino waged an exciting battle from the start, standing at close quarters and letting it rip. Espino ensured he lost the initial frame by losing a point for punching Pavlik after the bell.
The trench war continued until Pavlik began to take control in the third as his considerable power began to have an effect and by the fourth, brave Espino was floored twice.
The California man refused to quit but the end came courtesy of a sharp Pavlik three punch combination at 1:44 of the fifth that convinced Espino’s corner to throw in the towel.
Pavlik retains the titles for the third time and improves to 36-1 (32) while Espino falls to 20-3-1 (9).
There were more fireworks during the preliminary bouts as rising light middleweight star Vanes Martirosyan, 26-0 (17), added the vacant NABO title to his existing NABF strap by belting out Willie Lee, 17-6 (11), in the third.
Ex-WBC heavyweight champ Sam Peter, 33-3 (26), rolled over Gabe Brown, 18-13-4 (12), in the fourth of a scheduled eight rounder and featherweight prospect Miguel Angel Garcia, 18-0 (15), KO’d opponent Yogli Herrera, 22-11 (15), in the third.
