Boxing News Boxing News
The vacant IBF super flyweight title was on the line last evening at Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana, Mexico with Rodrigo Guerrero emerging victorious in a thrilling rematch against Raul Martinez.
The pair had faced each other in November of last year in an IBF title eliminator with Martinez winning a 12 round split decision.
Southpaw Guerrero proved difficult from the start last night, using shifting stances and giving the shorter Martinez a variety of problems to solve.
Mexico City based Guerrero struck paydirt in the third, canvassing Martinez with a perfect power left hand.
Martinez beat the count but was fortunate that the knockdown occurred near the end of the frame.
In the fourth, Martinez was back in the fray, at times outboxing and outworking his younger rival until an accidental head clash produced a bad gash in his right eyebrow.
After San Antonio, Texas native Martinez was submitted to a ringside medical examination, the bout was stopped and the scorecards tabulated.
Guerrero was declared the victor by technical decision by marks of 59-56, 57-56 and 57-56.
The Mexican improves to 16-3-1 (10) and wins his first world title while Martinez drops to 28-2 (16).
Chief support was provided by local super bantam Jackie Nava, 25-4-3 (11), who picked up the Interim WBC Female title with a wide unanimous decision victory over less experienced Argentine visitor Soledad Edith Matthysse, 9-3-1 (1).
