World Boxing Weekend Roundup: Alvarez, Kameda, Barthelemy Win

We kick things off in America’s capital of Boxing, Las Vegas, where last night at the MGM Grand there were several major world level bouts.

In a major non-title clash at light middle, former WBC/WBA champ Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 44-1-1 (31), posted a controversial split decision over current WBA ruler Erislandy Lara, 19-2-2 (12), with Alvarez taking two cards 117-111 and 115-113 while Lara won the third 115-113.

Shifty southpaw Lara frustrated Alvarez early by staying on the move until the Mexican star focused on the body, slowing the footwork of the WBA champ. Cuba’s Lara regrouped in the later rounds but it wasn’t enough to sway two of the judges.

Lara complained bitterly about the decision but don’t expect a rematch as Alvarez will be looking for a chance to take the WBO strap from Demetrius Andrade, if “Canelo” can still make 154 pounds.

Still reigning WBA titlist Lara will likely remain a largely avoided fighter due to his awkward, running style.

WBO bantam champ Tomoki Kameda, 30-0 (19), of Japan, made a successful second defense with a seventh round body-shot KO of Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu, 46-3 (31), a former holder of the WBO strap, in what had been a competitive contest.

Mauricio Herrera, 21-4 (7), lifted the Interim WBA light welter crown by outworking Johan Perez, 19-2-2 (13), via a 114-114, 116-112, 116-112 majority decision.

Other bouts of note on the bill included former two-weight world champion Juan Manuel Lopez, 34-4 (31), suffering a third round retirement at the hands of Francisco Vargas, 20-0-1 (14), for the WBO International/NABF super feather crown and former three-weight world champion Abner Mares, 27-1-1 (14), who outpointed Jonathan Oquendo, 24-4 (16), 98-92, 98-92, 96-94 after ten rounds.

Heading across the Atlantic, we fun aground at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England where heated cruiserweight rivals Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly, who clashed as light heavies in 2011, shared a bill in preparation to a rematch later in the year.

Former world title challenger Bellew, 22-2-1 (14), continued to find added punch power at the higher weight as he halted Julio Cesar Dos Santos, 26-2 (23), in the fifth for the WBO International belt while ex-WBO light heavy champ Cleverly, 28-1 (14), stopped Alejandro Emilio Valori, 15-5 (11), in the fourth for the WBA Intercontinetal trophy.

Super middle Rocky Fielding, 19-0 (11), captured the vacant WBA Intercontinental bauble by finishing off Noe Gonzalez Alcoba, 30-4 (22), in the fifth.

On Thursday, we go back to America with a world title contest at American Airlines Arena in Miami as IBF super feather champ Argenis Mendez, 21-3-1 (11), rematched Rances Barthelemy, 20-0 (12), after their two round no-contest in January.

This time Barthelemy won a clear-cut 115-111 unanimous decision on all the cards even after having two points deducted for low blows.

At a towering 5’11, Barthelemy presents a difficult option for any of the other champions at super feather and could have a hard time getting a unification clash.

The undercard saw former IBF super middle titlist Jeff Lacy, 26-5 (18), get stopped in the second round by Cuba’s Umberto Savigne, 13-1 (10), in defense of the WBC Latino light heavy belt.