Controversial Fight Series: Cotto-Clottey

by Dafs117, Siren1927 and Mentaldynamo

As part of The Boxing Tribune’s preview of Yuri Foreman’s maiden defence of his WBA junior middleweight title against Miguel Cotto, we revisit Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey in the Puerto Rican’s closest fight of his career.

At The Garden – WBO Welterweight Title
MIGUEL COTTO (33-1, 27 KO, WBO Titleholder)
vs.
JOSHUA CLOTTEY (36-3, 29 KO)
June 13, 2009 | Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

June 13th, 2009

This was Miguel Cotto’s first real comeback test since his devastating first career defeat to the hands of Antonio Margarito. Suspicions were raised when Shane Mosley’s camp found an illegal substance in Margaito’s handwraps, which led many to believe that his win against Cotto was not legit. The victory still stands, and Cotto had begun his comeback trek with a one-sided beatdown of Michael Jennings, stopping him in the fifth round.

Joshua Clottey was no Michael Jennings. Viewed to many as an underrated top-end welterweight, Clottey was going to be a much tougher opponent for Cotto to break down. In 2006, Clottey had gone the distance with Margarito, starting brightly before a hand injury forced him into retreat. The Ghanaian was coming off the most impressive victory of his career, a technical decision over Zab Judah to capture the vacant IBF welterweight title.

Clottey didn’t defend his IBF title and blamed Cotto for failing to file paperwork on time to make the contest a unification fight. This had no effect on the purse however, as the marketing was successful and the gate was huge, partly because it was held on the eve of the Puerto Rican Parade.

This was Miguel Cotto’s first fight without long-time trainer and uncle Evangelista Cotto, who were involved in several arguments in their fiery relationship. In front of a pro-Cotto crowd, Clottey’s defence frustrated Cotto early on, and it proved in the middle rounds as Cotto resulted into wild shots. Cotto was also cut in round three, the worst cut of the year. Was Cotto’s late surge enough for victory? Or did Clottey’s middle-round cleanout ensure an upset?

The Boxing Tribune have replaced the judges with our own set of scorers. The three judges will be Dafs117, Siren1927 and mentaldynamo. They will give their round-by-round opinion, with a quest to find if Cotto was on the right-end of a split decision at the Garden.

Round 1

Dafs117 – “Both fighters start well, not landing much but getting their punches off in bunches. Cotto begins to land a couple of body shots as he begins to stretch out a lead in the round, and very late on, he lands a left hook which catches an off-balance Clottey who touches down.” 10-9 Cotto [-1 knockdown for Clottey]

Siren1927 – “Great start to the fight, with both fighters jabbing well and both looking to attack the body early. Cotto is finding a home for his straight right already, and it’s a pretty even first round until Cotto drops Clottey, who to be fair looked off balanced.” 10-9 Cotto [-1 knockdown for Clottey]

Mentaldynamo – “High tempo start from both fighters, knockdown clinches it for Cotto.” 10-9 Cotto [-1 knockdown for Clottey]

Round 2

Dafs117 – “Clottey begins to land a couple more scoring shots this round, sweet uppercut and a nice right hand at the end of the round to win the round. The more accurate punches came from Clottey and probably the best defence.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “Cotto is firing away nicely but he cannot break through the guard of Clottey. Clottey keeps on firing uppercuts which are mostly blocked too. Cotto is throwing a lot, but not landing. Clottey landed the most telling blows in this round for me.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Although Cotto looked more active, Clottey landed the cleaner, sharper blows.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 3

Dafs117 – “Clottey’s left hand can’t miss in the opening minute as he fires a hook followed by a handful of jabs onto Cotto’s chin. Cotto’s peek-a-boo style is ineffective, as Clottey finds his range to land left uppercuts. Cotto throws more punches, but they simply don’t find their target, and a nasty clash of heads causes blood to trickle above the Puerto Rican’s left eye. This round should separate the judges, Lederman gives it to Cotto for out-jabbing, but for me, he doesn’t land anything to compare to Clottey.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “For the first minute, we have Cotto teeing off and landing one punch. Clottey is again landing clean, he’s found a home for that left to the body. Cotto uses the jab he forgot in the last round to actually catch Clottey twice, then he forgets it again. However he is starting to catch Clottey now and he takes the round on activity for me.” 10-9 Cotto

Mentaldynamo – “Clottey controlled the round with his jab, backing Cotto up and using it to land his right.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 4

Dafs117 – “Clottey again starts strongly, and his defence is just excellent. They trade heavy leather with Cotto going to the body and Clottey firing back. The cut is really bothering Cotto as he wipes the blood away. Kellerman suggests that Cotto can’t see the right hand coming, and he’s right. Cotto with a late flurry and Clottey tries to answer back. Brilliant round!” 10-9 Cotto

Siren1927 – “Both start the round on fire, throwing and connecting, though if I’m honest Cotto's head movement wins the early exchanges. Clottey then comes right back and Cotto, looks as though he is going to steal the round then acts like a clown and Cotto steals it right back.” 10-9 Cotto

Mentaldynamo – “Controlled the round with the jab, and again backed Cotto up with right hands. Clottey also blocked most of Cotto’s punches.” 10-9 Clottey

After 4 Rounds: Dafs117 – 38-37 Cotto; Siren1927 – 39-36 Cotto; 38-37 Clottey;

Round 5

Dafs117 – “Clottey blocks Cotto’s shots before landing a huge right hand. Another right hand lands from the Ghanaian, and another. Cotto keeps pawing at that cut and it’s really hurting him. Clottey comes in with another right and Cotto basically just slams him to the canvas. Clottey complains, and rightly so in my view, that was a cheap shot from Cotto. Poor officiating from Arthur Mercante Jr., who tells him to walk it off, and on the replay, Clottey slips more than I originally thought. This is getting feisty and Clottey complains about his knee.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “Clottey starts this round really well and around the two minute mark lands a lovely double jab right hand combo. Cotto slams Clottey to the ground and special mention must go to the ref who simply tells Clottey be a man, be a champ and walk it off. Clottey wins the round but by God I wish I could take a point off for being a wimp.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Clottey blocks Cotto’s shots before landing his own right hands. Clottey wins because he lands the cleaner, more precise shots.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 6

Dafs117 – “Cotto presses and Clottey stands still and gets hit. Cotto traps him in the corner, digging at him punch by punch. Clottey counters with a straight left and they trade, before Clottey goes back into defence mode. Cotto keeps him in the corner landing heavy shots, but Clottey keeps on firing back. Clottey’s mobility is non-existent this round, maybe his knee is a problem. Big round for Cotto, but also a tough round for the Puerto Rican.” 10-9 Cotto

Siren1927 – “Cotto is on fire at the start of the round, throwing and landing multiple shots. Clottey’s mobility is clearly an issue here. Cotto traps him in the corner, but Clottey fires back and catches Cotto, but he’s still trapped in there. They trade leather at the end but Cotto kept him in that corner all round.” 10-9 Cotto

Mentaldynamo – “It looks like Clottey took a round off, getting his breath back after a high tempo start. Cotto dominates and wins the round easily on my card.” 10-9 Cotto

Round 7

Dafs117 – “Cotto really taking control of the fight right now, and I don’t know how much Clottey hurting from that slip/throw has to do with it. Cotto with four unanswered punches, two land. Clottey’s movement is better this round for sure, but getting outpunched. Clottey gets away a combo that ended with a nice right hand. Clottey hurting Miguel, but Cotto gets out of danger. Clottey is the one cranking up the pressure. Another big right, and he takes this round fairly handily. Cotto fires hard near the bell.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “How else can you explain this round other than say Clottey just simply beats Cotto up. Cotto fires enough back to at least be competitive but Cotto has a massive target on that cut eye and Clottey’s right hand can’t miss.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Again, Clottey landed the cleaner shots and backed up Cotto with that lead left jab.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 8

Dafs117 – “Cotto goes back to pressure Clottey on the ropes again, but Clottey is still able to get his punches away. Cotto then backs himself onto the ropes, de ja vu to the Margarito fight. Clottey lambasts Cotto with rights, that uppercut is hurting Cotto as he grabs both eyes. Cotto now unloads in the corner. Clottey shakes his head like a badass. Clottey takes the round for me, but very close.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “Before we even start the round, I’m wondering why the fight hasn’t been stopped, that eye is terrible and I’ve seen far less serious cuts stop fights. The actual round starts with Clottey still in his groove; he gets inside and lands some decent shots. Cotto backs him to the ropes before Clottey flurries out of it. Cotto is continually dabbing at his eye and Clottey is punishing him for it. The amount of right hands Clottey is landing is unreal. Cotto backs him back into the corner in an attempt to steal the round however, Clottey shakes his head and I shake mine.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Cotto’s exciting burst at the end of the round not enough to win it. His flurry of punches is not as good as the cleaner 1-2’s from Clottey.” 10-9 Clottey

After 8 Rounds: Dafs117 – 76-75 Clottey; Siren1927 – 76-75 Cotto; 77-74 Clottey;

Round 9

Dafs117 – “It’s Clottey’s turn to stalk early in the round as Cotto moves backwards, not doing much. Another Clottey right lands again. Cotto coming forward with 40 seconds left, but not finding much. Now he’s punching! Clottey resets at mid-ring and jabs Cotto. Cotto’s just not breaking the defence enough to win these rounds, in my humble opinion. Clottey landed the better shots this round.” 10-9 Clottey

Siren1927 – “Nothing of note in the first minute, seconds later Clottey lands a nice straight right then flurries almost straight afterwards. Both fighters are feeling the pace and are not doing much. Both fighters come to life in the last 30 seconds both landing roughly equal. It’s a tough round to score, but I’ve given it to Clottey based on accurate punching.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “More effective punches came from Clottey in that round, and Cotto doesn’t seem to have anything left as his cut gets worse.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 10

Dafs117 – “Clottey chasing Miguel around again for the first half of the round and Cotto is just not in this fight right now. Lampley thinks Clottey is slowing, I agree, but Cotto is just staying away more than before. Cotto, like in the Margarito fight, has just stopped his work to the body and is head hunting albeit unsuccessfully. Round is winnable for either with 40 seconds to go. They trade leather, most punches miss. Another card-splitting round. I’m going with Cotto.” 10-9 Cotto

Siren1927 – “The first minute of the round is beautiful for Cotto, he doesn’t land much but his footwork and ring generalship are on display for everyone here. Cotto has found something here; he is bobbing and weaving, throwing a few and then moving out of range. It almost wins him the round, but Clottey lands around 12 punches in the last 40 seconds to steal it.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Not much action in round ten, but Clottey kept coming forward so I award the round to the Ghanaian on effective aggression.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 11

Dafs117 – “Everyone from HBO is excited. Cotto outworks Clottey, who has really slowed down now. The pace is getting to him, and Cotto picks and pecks. Good idea, he needs the rounds. Clottey lands a meaningful right, but it’s Cotto’s round.” 10-9 Cotto

Siren1927 – “Another close round, it’s now Cotto’s turn to throw the most of the punches and starts to fire back at Clottey. Both fighters have their moments and it’s another tough round to score. You have the sense that if Clottey had thrown a few more he would’ve taken the round hands down. He just about took it, but only just.” 10-9 Clottey

Mentaldynamo – “Much of the same as Clottey keeps coming forward and dictating the pace of the fight.” 10-9 Clottey

Round 12

Dafs117 – “Both come out to win the round and Cotto moves around the ring as Clottey pressures. Cotto lets his hands go, Clottey follows suit, nothing lands though. Cotto turns to southpaw and smacks Clottey in the back of the head. Good call from Mercante Jr., it looked an accident. Clottey tries to find time as he complains for a low blow, nothing given. Cotto with five punches, nothing coming back from Clottey. Left hand from Cotto, and a right from Clottey. Brilliant fight, a rough tussle.” 10-9 Cotto

Siren1927 – “Another tough round to score and unfortunately, more Joshua Clottey bad acting classes. Cotto is just much more active and his defence is actually better in this round. Cotto stole it for me. He didn’t so much as win the round; it was Clottey that lost it.” 10-9 Cotto

Mentaldynamo – “It was a close round, but Cotto just did enough to win it. Cotto had his moments, but that was it, just moments.” 10-9 Cotto

Official Scores: Don Trella – 116-111 Cotto; John McKaie – 115-112 Cotto; Tom Miller – 114-113 Clottey;

Miguel Cotto successfully defends his belt by split decision

BTBC Scorecards: Dafs117 – 114-113 Cotto; Siren1927 – 114-113 Clottey; Mentaldynamo – 116-111 Clottey;

Joshua Clottey wins via split decision

BTBC Combined Scorecard

Round 1 – 10-9 Cotto (3-0); [-1 knockdown for Clottey]
Round 2 – 10-9 Clottey (0-3);
Round 3 – 10-9 Clottey (1-2);
Round 4 – 10-9 Cotto (2-1);
Round 5 – 10-9 Clottey (0-3);
Round 6 – 10-9 Cotto (3-0);
Round 7 – 10-9 Clottey (0-3);
Round 8 – 10-9 Clottey (0-3);
Round 9 – 10-9 Clottey (0-3);
Round 10 – 10-9 Clottey (1-2);
Round 11 – 10-9 Clottey (1-2);
Round 12 – 10-9 Cotto (3-0);

Total – 115-112 Clottey;

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Controversial Fight Series: Vazquez-Marquez III

With the fourth fight only around the corner, The Boxing Tribune's panel of judges take another look at Israel Vazquez's stunning last gasp victory over Rafael Marquez to win via split decision. But did Marquez do enough to win on the basis of the opening rounds? Dafs117, Siren1927 and Sooterkin are the judges and will decide if the right warrior got the nod in the best trilogy in living memory.

The Tiebreaker - WBC Super Bantamweight Title
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (42-4, 31 KO, WBC Titleholder)
vs.
RAFAEL MARQUEZ (37-4, 33 KO)
March 1, 2008 | Home Depot Center - Carson, CA

Round 1

"It's on." -- Al Bernstein

Siren 1927 - "Rafael Marquez just edges the round in what is probably the tamest round of the trilogy, they only go to war for two of the three minutes, which in this series is quite disapointing!" 10-9 Marquez

Dafs117 - "Vazquez starts on the inside, with Marquez looking to score with the jab. Marquez lands a sweet counter left after Vazquez misses with a left hook. Vicious left hook to the body from Marquez. Vazquez stuck with a jab, but fires back with some body work of his own. Marquez stuns Vazquez, but Vazquez comes back with an uppercut of his own. Vazquez is punishing Marquez on the inside, before Marquez rocks Vazquez with a hook. Great start." 10-9 Marquez

Sooterkin - "Bright start from both fighters, but Marquez edges the round with the better work behind the jab." 10-9 Marquez

Round 2

Siren1927 - "Great round with lively back and forth action. Both guys are really going at it, amazing action from both sides. 10-10 is probably fair, but as you all know we don't do even rounds in The Boxing Tribune." 10-9 Vazquez

Dafs117 - "Vazquez doubles up on the jab, and now they have a jabbing contest. Vazquez backs Rafael to the ropes, but Marquez wisely gets out quickly. A stiff jab from Marquez, and a right from Vazquez makes Marquez think twice about coming forward off the jab. Hook to the body from Vazquez, Marquez keeps jabbing. Those are just brutal jabs. Marquez is winning this round again. Vazquez shakes Marquez! Marquez shakes Vazquez! Monster left hook to the body from Marquez." 10-9 Marquez

Sooterkin - "It's a level pegging round until the final minute or so, where Marquez's greater jab work and a huge left hook to the body wins him the round." 10-9 Marquez

Round 3

Siren1927 - "Marquez dominates the round and wins it on pure activity in my opinion. Another great round." 10-9 Marquez

Dafs117 - "From the 15 rounds that they've fought so far, we've learned that as hard as Marquez hits, Vazquez hits harder. As good a boxer as Vazquez is, Marquez is better. And it looks to stay that way here. They're trading inside again. Vazquez opens with a counter right. Vazquez is definitely the aggressor, but Marquez lands again with that 1-2 combo that Vazquez defended so well in the second fight. Hard right from Vazquez, and follows up with a left hook. The first low blow from Marquez. Just a warning this time. Slight edge to Vazquez." 10-9 Vazquez

Sooterkin - "The aggression from Vazquez topped with the accurate hooks and body work win him a very tough round that could really go either way." 10-9 Vazquez

Round 4

Siren1927 - "Marquez outboxes Vazquez for the majority of the round, before dropping him. Then with fifty seconds to go in the round, the fight finally wakes up as they both get hurt, swing for the fences and show us what the word heart actually means." 10-9 Marquez (-1 knockdown for Vasquez)

Dafs117 - "Long right from Vazquez lands, followed by a body attack. Nice right from Marquez, countered with a solid left from Vazquez. They trade their signature punches, Marquez's straight right and Vazquez's left hook. Marquez is back to controlling the fight with his jab. A left hook from Marquez stuns Vazquez, and a right hand to follow and down goes Vazquez! He's up and a little wobbly, but he comes back straight on Marquez! Amazing stuff, Marquez is wobbled! Left hook from Vazquez, right hand from Marquez! Left hook clatters Vazquez, and another right from Marquez! Right from Vazquez, uppercut from Marquez! BELL!" 10-9 Marquez (-1 knockdown for Vasquez)

Sooterkin - "The best round of the trilogy, as Marquez floors Vazquez with a solid right hand, before Vazquez comes off the canvas to wobble Marquez. Great stuff." 10-9 Marquez (-1 knockdown for Vasquez)

After 4 Rounds: Siren1927: 39-36 Marquez; Dafs117: 39-36 Marquez; Sooterkin: 39-36 Marquez;

Round 5

Siren1927 - "Another fantastic round, Izzy edged it on the basis of better work and more accurate power shots." 10-9 Vazquez

Dafs117 - "Just about recovered from the last round, ready for the next? Accurate combo from Marquez, but Vazquez comes back with a 1-2 of his own. This is incredible! Vazquez with an uppercut, Marquez with a left hook. Vazquez stings him with a short check hook. Big left hook from Vazquez! Marquez is wobbled, but lands a thudding body shot. Vazquez is now getting inside and doing his thing. Huge straight right from Marquez! Vazquez is getting beaten pretty soundly at this point. The jab is scoring, the right hand is now effective, and his left hook might even be outscoring him too." 10-9 Marquez

Sooterkin - "Marquez with the better work again this round, working behind the jab and scoring to the body effectively." 10-9 Marquez

Round 6

Siren1927 - "Marquez starts well and controls the whole round until the last fifty seconds, where he's stunned by Vazquez for a second after a wonderful combination. However, it's not enough to take the round on my card." 10-9 Marquez

Dafs117 - "Out they come again, Vazquez throws a 1-2 and they keep trading, there are no breaks in action, nothing stops either of them from fighting forward. Vazquez is working the combinations much more than he has in the previous rounds. Marquez's jab has been amazing tonight, keeping Vazquez from fighting in the pocket for a long period of time. Stinging right hand from Vazquez, who hurts Marquez again! The tension is growing, and this is a close round. A Marquez round, but Vazquez is rocking Marquez and slowly getting himself back in the fight. My card is very wide towards Marquez, but every point has been earned." 10-9 Marquez

Sooterkin - "Vazquez stuns Marquez a couple of times in the round, and his body of work is greater than Marquez's jab work." 10-9 Vazquez

Round 7

Siren1927 - "Anybody got a coin? Vazquez dominates early but then Rafael comes back with a cracking left hook-straight right combo but then he's hurt by Vazquez and I'm mentally drained watching the fight. God knows how those two feel." 10-9 Vazquez

Dafs117 - "Vazquez and Marquez come out once again firing on all cylinders. Hard short right from Vazquez, who hurts Marquez again. Marquez is known for fading in these rounds. Vazquez is looking a lot better this round. Crunching right from Marquez to the side of the head then a shot to the chest. Vazquez throws two jabs and corners Marquez, who escapes once more. This is a super round for Vazquez, but Marquez comes back with a combo! Marquez hurts him again, left hook to the jaw! Marquez with a nasty uppercut! Marquez is measuring him! Hard shots land in bulk! Brilliant round!" 10-9 Vazquez

Sooterkin - "A thrilling round with back and forth action throughout, where Marquez seems to make a comeback to level up the round, but I don't think he's done enough." 10-9 Vazquez

Round 8

Siren1927 - "Pass me that coin again Dafs. I've given this to Izzy by the margin of a cigarette paper. Both of them trade bombs, both continue to steal the momentum from the other. If only all fights were like this." 10-9 Vazquez

Dafs117 - "Marquez with combos, and now they trade absolute bombs. Another hard-fought round, and this one has been really even. Vazquez scores with 1-2's, taking the lead. Big right from Vazquez. Marquez answers back! Marquez with hard shots on the inside, taking control once again. Can this get any better? Massive right from Vazquez! Right uppercut from Vazquez! These two men are warriors. Marquez is getting tagged!" Vazquez 10-9

Sooterkin - "Vazquez is beginning to catch Marquez a lot now with big rights and uppercuts. Quite a big Vazquez round." 10-9 Vazquez

After 8 Rounds: Siren1927: 76-75 Marquez; Dafs117: 77-74 Marquez; Sooterkin 76-75 Marquez;

Round 9

Siren1927 - "Marquez edges it for me by clearly hurting Vasquez at the end of the round. Otherwise its a coin toss again." 10-9 Marquez

Dafs117 - "Vazquez's eye looks quite bad. Marquez with a left hook, but Vazquez just won't stop pressurizing. Vazquez is controlling this round again, and he's taking any momentum from Marquez. The combos from Marquez aren't as quick as they were earlier. Vazquez drilled with a straight right, luckily for him the bell comes to save him." 10-9 Vazquez

Sooterkin - "Vazquez with the greater work, and Marquez looks a little tired as we approach the final stages of the fight." 10-9 Vazquez

Round 10

Siren1927 - "A close round in which Rafa shades for his beautiful combination punching. Pat Russel did the correct thing by taking a point off Marquez for the low blow. Is it just me or would any other referee bar Capuchino and Mercante have spoiled this fight? Marquez round." 10-9 Marquez [-1 deduction for Marquez]

Dafs117 - "Vazquez putting the pressure on at the beginning of the tenth round. Marquez's jab is no longer halting Vazquez, as it's just not being thrown or landed much. Vazquez corners him again, but yet again Marquez gets out of there fast. Good shots from Rafael Marquez, a three-punch combo, all of it landing. Vazquez lands a right, and what, is that really what I think it is... A clinch! Marquez with a low blow, and that's the point deduction for Marquez. That could be a big deal come scorecards." 10-9 Marquez [-1 deduction for Marquez]

Sooterkin - "That point deduction could make a big difference to the final scorecards. Marquez wins the round, he looks to be back to his best." 10-9 Marquez [-1 deduction for Marquez]

Round 11

Siren1927 - "Vazquez takes the round for me, he just can't miss with that right hand at the moment and he is clearly dictating the pace in round eleven. Marquez comes back late but its just not enough to overshadow the body of work done earlier by Vasquez." 10-9 Vazquez

Dafs117 - "Vazquez and Marquez will not stop punching. It's special. It's historical. Stiff jab from Marquez, and then with a right. This is fantastic stuff. Vazquez races after Marquez and lands that trademark left hook that's been well defended from Marquez up until now." 10-9 Vazquez

Sooterkin - "It's an even round up until the final minute, where Vazquez presses Marquez and lands the cleaner shots." 10-9 Vazquez

Round 12

Siren1927 - "What a call by Pat Russell. Any other referee would have ended the fight at that knockdown. Instead, Pat used his common sense and allowed the last few seconds to let the fight finish. Izzy dominates this round add in the knockdown and Vasquez wins the fight on my card despite being behind the entire fight." 10-9 Vazquez [-1 knockdown for Marquez]

Dafs117 - "The crowd are going wild, on their feet cheering the warriors on. They touch gloves, and here we go! Vazquez smacks Marquez with a straight right hand and looks physically a lot stronger right now. Vazquez is absolutely owning it. Another right rocks Vazquez and the crowd can't believe it, and neither can I! Vazquez is destroying Marquez, who has no other option but to hold on. He can't do anything else. Vazquez with a 1-2, then a right on the ropes. Marquez hangs on! VAZQUEZ IS GOING FOR IT AND DRILLS HIM AGAIN! MARQUEZ GOES DOWN! THE BELL SOUNDS, WHAT A FIGHT! WHAT A FIGHT!" 10-9 Vazquez [-1 knockdown for Marquez]

Sooterkin - "Brilliant final round from Vazquez, who's hungry for the knockout and hunts down a demoralised Marquez who is hanging onto the ropes before being drilled by Vazquez and called a knockdown. Great round from Vazquez." 10-9 Vazquez [-1 knockdown for Marquez]

Official Scores: Max DeLuca 114-111 Vazquez; Tom Kaczmarek 114-111 Marquez; James Jen-Kin 113-112 Vazquez;

Israel Vazquez successfully defends his WBC title via split decision

BTBC Scorecards: Siren1927: 113-112 Vazquez; Dafs117 113-112 Vazquez; Sooterkin 114-111 Vazquez;

Israel Vazquez successfully defends his WBC title via unanimous decision

BTBC Combined Scorecard

Round 1 - 10-9 Marquez (0-3);
Round 2 - 10-9 Marquez (1-2);
Round 3 - 10-9 Vazquez (2-1);
Round 4 - 10-9 Marquez (0-3) [-1 knockdown for Vazquez];
Round 5 - 10-9 Marquez (1-2);
Round 6 - 10-9 Marquez (1-2);
Round 7 - 10-9 Vazquez (3-0);
Round 8 - 10-9 Vazquez (3-0);
Round 9 - 10-9 Vazquez (2-1);
Round 10 - 10-9 Marquez (0-3) [-1 deduction for Marquez];
Round 12 - 10-9 Vazquez (3-0);
Round 12 - 10-9 Vazquez (3-0) [-1 knockdown for Marquez];

Total: Vazquez 113-112;

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Controversial Fight Series: Marquez-Pacquiao I

As part of The Boxing Tribune’s build-up to Manny Pacquiao’s maiden defence of his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey, we revisit the infamous Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez in one of the most controversial fights of the past decade.

Hearts and Fists on Fire - WBA + IBF Featherweight Title
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (42-3, 33 KO, WBA + IBF Titleholder)
vs.
MANNY PACQUIAO (38-2, 29 KO)
May 8, 2004 | MGM Grand - Las Vegas, NV

May 8, 2004
This was Manny Pacquiao's second fight at 126 pounds, his first was an impressive display against Marco Antonio Barrera, who he stopped in the eleventh round to capture the Ring Championship belt. Pacquiao had made four defences of his IBF title at super bantamweight, and he was ready for a step up in class. He dominated Barrera in his debut at featherweight, leading by a wide margin on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Pacquiao, was favourite to take Juan Manuel Marquez's titles away.

Juan Manuel Marquez had defeated Robbie Peden and Hector Marquez by tenth round stoppage in 2002, Manuel Medina by convincing seventh round technical knockout, and Derrick Gainer via shutout technical decision over seven rounds in an unification fight. Marquez was also ready for a step up in calss.

After the first minute and a half, few gave Marquez a hope that he would come out of the round. He staggered through the latter stages to finish the opening stanza on his feet, cue HBO quotation.

"Manny Pacquiao is a storm! Juan Manuel Marquez has never seen anything like that." - Jim Lampley

To think that Marquez would go on to last the full twelve, and still have a shot at winning the contest is an amazing achievement in itself. Did Marquez do enough to retain his titles and take away Pacquiao's Ring belt? Or did Pacquiao's 10-6 opening round give him enough of an advantage to coast through and win the fight?

The Boxing Tribune have replaced the judges with our own set of officials. The three judges will be Dafs117, Siren1927 and Mentaldynamo. They will give their round-by-round thoughts, with the quest to find the real winner of this thrilling fight.

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Controversial Fight Series: Mayweather-Castillo I

"Which Champion is the Best?" - WBC Lightweight Title

JOSE LUIS CASTILLO (45-4-1, 41 KO, WBC Titleholder)
vs.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. (27-0, 20 KO)
April 20, 2002 | MGM Grand - Las Vegas, NV

by Dafs117/Damon/Richiemerc

April 20th, 2002

After defeating Stevie Johnston in the upset of the year, followed up with a defence against former champ Cesar Bazan, Jose Luis Castillo still came into the ring as an underdog as he defended his WBC lightweight crown in Las Vegas against the highly backed Floyd Mayweather Jr., who had vacated his WBC super featherweight title after eight one-sided defences to fight at lightweight.

Nobody predicted that this fight would be the most debated in Mayweather’s undefeated career, and when Mayweather goes on and on about his spotless record, the haters have an asterisk next to the first contest between the two, touting is at the toughest contest the Pretty Boy has ever been involved in.

Mayweather controlled the first half of the bout with his slickness and skills, which earned him a lead over the opening half of the bout. But did Castillo stage enough of a comeback to scrape a decision? Or did he fall short? Should he have gotten the nod in a bout where he dominated the punch stat numbers?

The Boxing Tribune have replaced the judges with our own balanced panel. The three judges will be Dafs117, Damon and Richimerc, and they'll give their round-by-round opinion, with a quest to find if Castillo was robbed at ringside.

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