All challengers in their very own turf fell short in snagging the belts from the champs. The reigning champs went 4 out of 4 in retaining their belts but 3 out of 4 in getting the win as home town decision still played a cameo in the results of the title fights.
Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez keeps his trilogy hopes alive against Manny Pacquiao by knocking out Houston-native Juan Diaz in the 9th. Marquez retains his Ring Lightweight belt and captures the vacant WBO and WBA Lightweight titles. This is a guaranteed fight of the year candidate with a number of non-stop exchanges. I don't remember any clinches in this all-action brawl. Diaz kept attacking as expected while Marquez's savy counter punching was in full display even in close range. Marquez was cut in the 5th but managed it. Diaz's cut in the 8th obviously bothered him. He got caught with a wicked right when he first went down in the 9th. A right uppercut finished Diaz off with the referee rightfully stopping the fight without even counting. In Marquez's post-fight interview, he seem inclined to move up in weight and looking into a fight with Pretty Boy Floyd while giving up on his quest for a trilogy against Pacman. He even mentioned that Mayweather is the real pound-for-pound champ. It was a subtle slant against the current pound-for-pound king. In my opinion, it was a change in his approach in finally getting Pacquiao in the ring for the final time. Marquez's 2 extra belts put Mexico a title ahead of the US and takes the top spot in the list. ESPN; Boxing Scene; Fight News
In the main supporting bout in Houston. Chris John of Indonesia retains his WBA Featherweight title via what I believe is a controversial draw against hometown favorite Rocky Juarez. Juarez did rally in the last 2 rounds but John, from my couch's vantage point, had enough rounds in his favor to win the fight. But, of course the judges had a better view than from my couch. Besides, the score was 114-114 across the board. It would have been a disaster if Juarez won, even though I predicted the fight for him. John at least showed the American audience or the boxing world for that matter that he is a legitimate and deserving featherweight champion. In fact, with the belt since 2003, he is the second longest reigning titleholder. I hope the "semi" bad hometown decision will not deter John from fighting again in this side of the Pacific. A rematch with Juarez outside Texas will be something I'd like to see or against the winner of the Steven Luevano-Bernabe Concepcion WBO title fight. ESPN; Boxing Scene; Fight News
As for the Oaxaca, Mexico card; Donnie Nietes of the Philippines successfully retained his WBO Mini Flyweight title against Mexico's Erik Ramirez via unanimous decision. Unfortunately, I didn't see the fight. I tried looking for a live stream but did not find out about one until the fight was over so I can not make any comments about the fight itself. The only thing I noticed is that one of the judges scored the fight 113-111. Since it was reported that Nietes won convincingly and knocked Ramirez down 4 times then according to that score, Ramirez won 7 rounds. Something fishy there. Anyway, the other scorecards are more like the way the fight was reported, 116-108 and 115-109. Boxing Scene; Fight News
In the main event of the Oaxaca card, Nicaragua's Roman Gonzalez successfully retained his WBA Minimumweight title against Oaxaca-resident Francisco Rosas via majority decision. Again, did not see it so no comment on the actual fight. I just find it hard to believe that one judge scored it a draw. #1 minimumweight boxer in the world against an unranked yet hometown fighter. Well, your theory is as good as mine. Nietes' win will probably catapult him in the Ring magazine rankings and a Gonzales-Nietes unification bout will be interesting. If Nietes climb high enough then it could be for the vacant Ring Strawweight title too. Fight News; Yahoo
Prediction Results:If Ramirez wasn't saved in the 12th then I could've nailed it.
Overestimated Gonzales and underestimated Marquez.
Missed the John-Juarez guess, but thanks to the hometown advantage, I also managed a draw.
So, I still got 3 winners correct and a draw.
My Running Score: 6-0 and 1 draw.
Doing good so far and with no title fights next weekend, my "O" still ain't gonna go.
So, here's the latest tally with Mexico overtaking the US in what seem to be insurmountable a few months ago.
As of Mar. 1, 2009
Rank | Country | No. of Titles | Title Holders |
1st | Mexico | 11 |
|
2nd | USA | 10 |
|
3rd (2 are tied) | Puerto Rico | 5 |
|
3rd (2 are tied) | Ukraine | 5 |
|
5th (2 are tied) | Armenia | 4 |
|
5th (2 are tied) | Panama | 4 |
|
7th (4 are tied) | Argentina | 3 |
|
7th (4 are tied) | Japan | 3 |
|
7th (4 are tied) | Philippines | 3 |
|
7th (4 are tied) | UK | 3 |
|
11th (5 are tied) | Ghana | 2 |
|
11th (5 are tied) | Hungary | 2 |
|
11th (5 are tied) | Poland | 2 |
|
11th (5 are tied) | Romania | 2 |
|
11th (5 are tied) | Thailand | 2 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Colombia | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Denmark | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Germany | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Indonesia | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Italy | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Nicaragua | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Russia | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | South Africa | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Uzbekistan | 1 |
|
16th (10 are tied) | Venezuela | 1 |
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