Boxing News Boxing News
Last night at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Marcos Rene Maidana and Joan Guzman won world title bouts, although only Maidana could lay claim to the belt on offer.
Hard-punching Maidana, 28-1 (27), put his Interim WBA light welter crown at risk, facing previously undefeated Victor Manuel Cayo, 24-1 (16), of Dominican Republic.
Cayo made the mistake of standing and trading with the champion, a body punching specialist from Jose Leon Suarez, Argentina, and hit the canvas in the second round as a result.
But the challenger refused to adapt in the face of higher firepower and went back at it with Maidana, who ended matters with a spearing body shot at 1:38 of the sixth frame.
Maidana is now in line to face the winner of the upcoming Amir Khan vs. Paulie Malignaggi WBA title bout.
The undercard saw Ali Funeka, 30-3-3 (25), rematch Joan Guzman, 30-0-1 (17), but only Funeka could win the vacant IBF lightweight belt as Guzman showed up at Friday’s weigh-in as a welterweight.
Once the bout started, Guzman still had the quickness advantage over the taller Funeka but was getting outworked by the middle rounds.
In the sixth, Guzman surprisingly knocked down the South African but couldn’t finish off Funeka, who survived the round. The fighters went toe to toe afterward during rounds which were too close to call until Guzman elected to stick and move over the last two frames.
Guzman was awarded the decision after the 12th, winning a split decision 116-111, 114-113 and 113-114 on the cards.
Super middle prospect Daniel Jacobs, 19-0 (16), had a short night’s work as his bout with Jose Miguel Rodriguez Berrio, 20-5 (12), was waved off after a one-sided first round.
