Big time boxing fans thought that the fight between Rocky Martinez and Juan Carlos Burgos could steal the show this past Saturday night. Well the fight didn't steal the show but the judges stole a victory from one of the fighters.
It was a pretty good fight, and a lot closer than the HBO commentators ringside would have you believe. But because the judges assigned to this title fight were so inexperienced, having worked only a few title fights or in the case of one judge; zero title fights, the decision left a lot to be desired.
Burgos controlled the fight for the most part. He used his punching power and good footwork to keep the fight in the center of the ring. The only time Martinez could mount an offensive attack was when he would get Burgos up against the ropes and land heavy shots to the body and head. However even when Martinez was in control, Burgos would still land very hard shots to the body of Martinez, shots that seemed to take a lot out of the champ in the later rounds. But even though the early rounds were fought in the center of the ring and all scored in Burgos' favor, the later rounds were much closer and harder to score. Still when the scores were announced everyone watching the fight was suprised. One judge had it 117-111 for Burgos, as did HBO unofficial ringside judge Harold Lederman. A good score, even if it had Burgos winning a few more rounds then some people thought he had. The second judge scored it 114-114 which was a decent score card but perhaps gave the champion Martinez a little too much respect. The last judge was by far the worst. That judge scored the fight 116-112 for Martinez. Although it was a close fight, no one thought Martinez won, especially by that wide of a margin.
Once again a pretty good fight is spoiled by horrible judges. Burgos was so dissapointed in the decision that he is petitioning the WBO to order a rematch. That rematch would be welcomed by fans, the second time around should provide more action because the fighters will know what to expect. Maybe then Burgos can win the title he should have won on Saturday night.
It was a pretty good fight, and a lot closer than the HBO commentators ringside would have you believe. But because the judges assigned to this title fight were so inexperienced, having worked only a few title fights or in the case of one judge; zero title fights, the decision left a lot to be desired.
Burgos controlled the fight for the most part. He used his punching power and good footwork to keep the fight in the center of the ring. The only time Martinez could mount an offensive attack was when he would get Burgos up against the ropes and land heavy shots to the body and head. However even when Martinez was in control, Burgos would still land very hard shots to the body of Martinez, shots that seemed to take a lot out of the champ in the later rounds. But even though the early rounds were fought in the center of the ring and all scored in Burgos' favor, the later rounds were much closer and harder to score. Still when the scores were announced everyone watching the fight was suprised. One judge had it 117-111 for Burgos, as did HBO unofficial ringside judge Harold Lederman. A good score, even if it had Burgos winning a few more rounds then some people thought he had. The second judge scored it 114-114 which was a decent score card but perhaps gave the champion Martinez a little too much respect. The last judge was by far the worst. That judge scored the fight 116-112 for Martinez. Although it was a close fight, no one thought Martinez won, especially by that wide of a margin.
Once again a pretty good fight is spoiled by horrible judges. Burgos was so dissapointed in the decision that he is petitioning the WBO to order a rematch. That rematch would be welcomed by fans, the second time around should provide more action because the fighters will know what to expect. Maybe then Burgos can win the title he should have won on Saturday night.
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