Boxing News Boxing News
There were two good cards last night in Mexico with the bill at Estadio Arturo C. Nahl in La Paz featuring an IBF Minimumweight title clash between Raul Garcia and Ronald Barrera.
Undefeated Garcia had already defeated Barrera once by unanimous decision as the pair met in February of last year during an IBF title eliminator and on the strength of that victory, Garcia captured the IBF crown with a split decision over Florante Condes last June.
Two dominant defenses later against Jose Luis Varela and Garcia, 26-0-1 (16), showed just how much better he’s become by stopping Barrera, 26-6-1 (16), at 2:26 of the sixth round last night.
The 26 year old southpaw from La Paz could be looking for a title unification clash with fellow unbeaten lefty Oleydong Sithsamerchai, the WBC champion from Thailand, heavy-handed WBA minimumweight champ Roman Gonzalez of Panama, who also has never been defeated, or perhaps WBO titlist Donnie Nietes of The Philippines.
On the undercard, Los Mochis super feather Humberto Mauro Gutierrez, 25-1-1 (19), was coming off an important rematch victory over the only man to defeat him to date, Guadalupe Rosales, last October but nearly walked into disaster last night.
The 20 year old southpaw went up to lightweight in a stay busy bout against crosstown rival, light welter Carlos Parra, 8-8-1 (6), and managed a majority decision verdict after eight tough frames of combat.
There was another all-Los Mochis clash on the bill as super feather Miguel Beltran Jr, 18-0 (14), stopped Martin Armenta, 14-20-3 (10), in the third at lightweight.
At Gimnasio Ninos Heroes in Tepic, remarkable 18 year old welter Saul Alvarez, 26-0-1 (19), dropped big punching opponent Michael Rosales, 19-3 (17), in the first before finishing the job at 2:53 of the tenth round.
Alvarez has stopped his last four opponents since winning a difficult decision against crafty American boxer Larry Mosley in October of last year. The Juanacatlan teenager retained his NABF crown with the win last night against Rosales.
