Super lightweight champion Dalton Smith proved he\u2019s no one-hit wonder with a surprising display of technical attributes that provided a split-decision victory over the counter-punching Alberto Puello to retain the WBC world title on Saturday.<\/p>\n
A win is a win for the knockout puncher.<\/p>\n
Smith (20-0, 14 KOs) did not win by knockout against defensive stalwart Puello (25-2) but showed off abilities to match wits with the Dominican former world champion in front of hometown fans in Sheffield, England.<\/p>\n
Nine months ago, Smith traveled to New York City and promptly knocked out then champion Subriel Matias of Puerto Rico to snatch the WBC title away. In today\u2019s match, Smith discovered early that the southpaw Puello was a not easy to hit flush and required a different approach. He adapted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew it was going to be an awkward opponent,\u201d said Smith. \u201cHe respected my power and he is a lot more experienced than me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith and Puello traded feints, jabs and counters at an even pace. Around the eighth round, Smith began pounding the body and that seemed to open up more targets for the British slugger. But he never could catch Puello flush with one of his power shots.<\/p>\n
Neither fighter was knocked down in the fight.<\/p>\n
After 12 rounds, one judge saw Puello the winner 116-112, but two others favored Smith 115-113 (2x), who retains the WBC super lightweight world title.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch a high-level fight,\u201d said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. \u201cThat was a close fight. Alberto Puello is a brilliant fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Shaquie Foster Defeats Navarrete in San Antonio <\/p>\n
O\u2019 Shaquie Foster unloaded his bag of tricks and weapons on Mexico\u2019s vaunted Emanuel Navarrete to unify the super featherweight titles with a convincing win that included two knockdowns in the final round on Saturday.<\/p>\n
There was never a dull moment.<\/p>\n
Foster (26-3, 12 KOs) got his wish to fight \u201cVaquero\u201d Navarrete (40-3-1, 33 KOs) and used his speed, agility and power to defeat the Mexican and walk away with the IBF, WBO and WBC super featherweight world titles in front of the sold-out crowd at San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n
Though Foster had the better footwork and speed, he opted to keep the fight within striking distance and that enabled fans to witness his other strengths of durability and defense on the inside. Navarrete had his moments but had problems connecting.<\/p>\n
Navarrete was forced to resort to mad rushes and was often caught lunging and off-balance. Foster took advantage.<\/p>\n
But the Houston-based fighter also had problems with Navarrete\u2019s unusual style of punches coming from weird angles, especially the uppercuts that the Mexico City fighter is known for throwing. More than a couple connected, but Foster never went down.<\/p>\n
In the 11th round, Navarrete finally landed his vaunted uppercut near the end of the frame and Foster seemed to be in panic mode. But the Mexican fighter was unable to follow up with an attack, and the moment disappeared.<\/p>\n
Navarrete\u2019s team convinced him to go in full attack mode and the three-division champion did his best to mount a total attack. That also meant dispensing with defensive safety and, during a furious exchange, Foster delivered a short right to the chin of Navarrete and down he went. He got up quickly and immediately returned to attack mode, and was then caught with a left hook and down he went again. Foster had beat him to the punch, but Navarrete got up and went back on the attack. The warning bell rang and, before the final bell, Navarrete gave Foster a congratulatory fist bump. He knew he had lost the unification match.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis style was better than my style tonight. He beat me,\u201d said Navarrete. \u201cI was going to try all I could.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three judges saw Foster the winner and the scores were 115-111, 118-108 (2x). He now holds the IBF and WBO titles along with the WBC belt he already possessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew he was going to be strong and awkward,\u201d said Foster. \u201cHe can punch, but I got a chin. I\u2019m strong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other Bouts<\/p>\n
Moreno Valley\u2019s Albert \u201cChop, Chop\u201d Gonzalez (19-0, 12 KOs) needed less than two rounds to eliminate former title challenger Edward Vazquez (20-4, 6 KOs) and cement his credentials as a real featherweight contender.<\/p>\n
Gonzalez started deliberately stalking Vazquez around the ring and looking for weaknesses in the Fort Worth, Texan\u2019s defense. A punch to the guard was the only punch of note. In the second round, Gonzalez turned up the pressure a notch and belted Vazquez to the head and unleashed combinations. Vazquez tried moving away from the attacks, but Gonzalez found an opening for a left hook to the solar plexus. Down went Vazquez, who could not beat the count at 1:04 of the second round.<\/p>\n
It was Gonzalez\u2019 fifth consecutive knockout win and third in under two rounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to stay in the pocket,\u201d said Gonzalez who trains with Robert Garcia in Moreno Valley, Calif. \u201cAnd land that body shot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former lightweight title challenger Frank Martin (20-1-1, 14 KOs) faced former sparring partner Tarik Zaina (18-4-1, 12 KOs) and had problems with his height and reach for the first six rounds before seeing an opening and ending the fight by knockout in their super lightweight contest.<\/p>\n
Detroit\u2019s Martin was coming off a draw and lack of activity. He recently signed a contract with Top Rank and was matched with Zaina, who had sparred with him in the past. During the bout, Zaina kept the fight at a distance with his jabs and body shots. All was going well for the Morocco fighter, but he ran into a left cross to the chin and was delivered to the canvas. Zaina beat the count but was swarmed with nine blows that forced referee Angel Mendez to halt the fight at 2:06 of the seventh round.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got the stoppage. It took me awhile to get it done,\u201d said Martin, adding that Zaina\u2019s 6-feet height was difficult to overcome. \u201cHe\u2019s rangy. He is long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maryland\u2019s Deric \u201cScooter\u201d Davis (13-0, 10 KOs) out-slugged Uruguay\u2019s Joaquin Faccio (10-2, 4 KOs) after eight fiery rounds in a lightweight battle that saw both fighters unload violent bombs on each other. Davis was out-boxing Faccio during the first half easily, so Faccio eliminated the dead time and went to war with Davis for the remainder of the fight.<\/p>\n
Both connected often and with full intensity as Davis whacked Faccio with left hooks to the head and especially to the body. Faccio did not back off and withstood the heavy blows. He retaliated with overhand rights and uppercuts that had the crowd roaring from the violence. After eight rounds, all three judges saw Davis the winner 80-72 (3x).<\/p>\n