Newz Forum: BOXING: Martinez wins easy decision over Vargas

MIAMI (AP) - Former WBO bantamweight champion Mauricio Martinez of Panama won a lopsided unanimous decision over Mexico's Jose Vargas Friday night.

Martinez kept Vargas chasing and missing for most of the eight-round super-bantamweight fight at Miccosukee Indian Gaming. He landed frequently lead lefts to Vargas' head while maintaining his distance, and was never threatened during the bout.

All three judges scored it 80-72 for Martinez. There were no knockdowns.

The bout between the two left-handers featured scarce exchanges through the early rounds until Martinez (25-5-1) picked up the pace in the fifth.

Martinez continued to connect with lead lefts in the sixth, opening a cut on Vargas' right eyebrow. The elusive Martinez also was effective with a right jab to the head.

Vargas (12-6-1) continued to attack in the seventh, only to catch repeated jabs and lead lefts. At the bell to end the round, Martinez sent Vargas back to his corner with another left to the head.

For Vargas, the frustrations continued in the eighth as Martinez moved in angles and peppered Vargas with repeated jabs and straight lefts. Late in the round, Martinez snapped Vargas' head back with a right-left combination to the head.

Martinez, 28, won the WBO bantamweight crown with a fifth-round knockout over Lester Fuentes in 2000. After one successful defense, Martinez lost his belt on a ninth-round technical knockout to Cruz Carbajal two years later.

Martinez weighed 119 pounds for the bout. Vargas weighed 120.




[Edited on 12-6-2004 by Ocelot]