World Weekend Wrap Up: Narvaez, Marquez, Cleverly Victorious

We kick things off on our weekend report by heading to Villa Maria, Argentina where WBO super flyweight maestro Omar Andres Narvaez stayed busy with a defense at Anfiteatro Municipal on Saturday.

The occasion marked the tenth time that Narvaez, 42-1-2 (23), has retained the WBO belt, as the 38 year old “El Huracan” completely overwhelmed 20 year old inexperienced Mexican opponent Antonio Garcia, 13-2 (6).

Garcia, the reigning WBO Latino bantam titlist, had previously only faced four opponents with winning records, one whom he lost against, and was likely weakened by attempting to make 115 pounds, which he actually failed to do.

Not surprisingly, the left handed Argentine master had little trouble disposing of Garcia, who was KO’d in the fourth round.

It would be nice to see Narvaez, who could be nearing the twilight of his career, be put in a position to try and unify the super fly belts, perhaps going on the road to face WBA titlist Kohei Kono of Japan or WBC ruler Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

Heading north to the US, former three weight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, 56-7-1 (40), showed no signs of slowing down at age 40, posting a wide points decision over ex-Interim WBA light welter beltholder Mike Alvarado, 34-3 (23), to capture the vacant WBO International welterweight crown at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

Marquez proved he still has sharp countering skills as he made Alvarado miss and pay countless times, culminating in a beautiful right hand that put “Mile High” down in the eighth round.

But Alvarado returned the favor in the ninth by dropping Marquez, who went on to win a 119-108, 117-109, 117-109 UD.

With the win, Marquez becomes mandatory challenger to WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, who has already faced the Mexico City man four times.

The undercard at the Forum saw light welter contender Viktor Postol, 26-0 (11), surprisingly KO former WBC Silver welter titlist Selcuk Aydin, 26-3 (19), in the 11th round.

Crossing the Atlantic, we make land at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales where former WBO light heavy ruler Nathan Cleverly, 27-1 (13), made a cruiserweight comeback after losing his world title to Sergey Kovalev.

Cleverly annexed the WBA Intercontinental strap by battering outgunned 39 year old opponent Shawn Corbin, 17-5 (12), at close quarters before the action was waved off in the second frame.

Also on the bill, featherweight Lee Selby, 19-1 (7), neared closer to a world title shot by boxing circles around opponent Romulo Koasicha, 21-4 (12), in defense of the WBC International belt.

Selby is now mandatory challenger to WBC champion Jhonny Gonzalez of Mexico, one of the most feared punchers in the sport.

Ex-WBA light welter titlist Gavin Rees, 38-4-1 (18), gained revenge with a hard-fought split decision at lightweight over former British super feather supremo Gary Buckland, 28-4 (9), who posted a split decision against Rees in February.

34 year old Rees, who has also held the European and British lightweight straps, vowed before the clash to retire regardless of the outcome.