Local favorite Juan Diaz scored a close split decision in 12 rounds over Australia’s Michael Katsidis for the IBO world lightweight title Saturday night at the Toyota Center In Houston, Texas. It was an important fight, with both fighters coming off their first pro losses, and it was hometown favorite Diaz who was too fast, too sharp and too good though one judge apparently watched with his eyes closed, Two judges scored it 115-113 and 116-112 for Diaz while the third had Katsidis winning 115-113.
Former world title challenger Rocky Juarez (27-4, 19 KOs) scored an eleventh round TKO over ex-WBO junior lightweight champion Jorge Barrios (47-3-1, 34 KOs). Despite two dubious point deductions for low blows in rounds three and nine, Barrios outboxed the hometown favorite over much of the fight. Juarez came on late, however, dropping Barrios in the eleventh and the fight was stopped due to a wicked cut or should I say disgusting cut on the right side of Barrios’ lip. Time of the stoppage was 2:55.
Photos by Chris Cozzone
2 good fights @ Boxing after dark, they both needed a win and they got it.
And I guess that’s what happens when you start boxing with you mouth open, you aether get your jaw broken or you get a chunk of your face ripped off, not even Tyson could have cut that better!
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