LAS VEGAS (July 12, 2014) Main Card– Canelo Alvarez wins in a split-decision victory over Erislandy Lara.
Judge Jerry Roth scored it 115-113 for Lara, Dave Moretti 115-113 for Canelo and Levi Martinez 117-111 for Canelo.
Canelo landed 23 percent of his total punches including 73 power shots to the body.
A decorated Cuban amateur, Lara spent most of the fight running from Canelo limiting Canelo’s chances of landing more punches and scoring.
“I came to fight, I didn’t come to run here,” Canelo said. “You don’t win by running. You win by hitting. He does have a great jab and he moves around, but you don’t win a fight that way. You don’t run.
“I want to leave people with a good taste in their mouth. This wasn’t the fight I expected; I wanted to go toe to toe. He didn’t come to fight. He came to run. He’s a great boxer – I respect him – but he has to learn how to throw more punches.”
When he learns how to fight then I’ll give him the rematch,” Canelo said. “For now, my birthday is coming and we’re going to have fun.”
Lara was upset with the split decision.
“One hundred percent I won this fight,” Lara said. “I was controlling the rounds and, worse, I made him look bad in front of his fans. People know I won this fight.
“The body shots connected but they didn’t have any force. I still have no respect for him. I’m asking for a rematch. One hundred percent I’ll do the same and we’ll win again.”
In the other matches Abner Mares came back from the first loss of his career with a unanimous decision victory over Jonathan Oquendo, score 96-94, 98-92 twice.
Mares suffered the cut from a punch in the fourth round, but his cut man, “Jacob “Stitch” Duran did a good job of closing the gash.
Mares landed 49 percent of his power punches, doubling up Oquendo (24 percent).
Francisco Vargas defeated Juan Manuel Lopez via TKO when Lopez’s corner stopped the bout after a vicious third round.
Lopez was knocked down with 20 seconds to go in the third after eating a huge right hand.
“I knew he was hurt but I know he’s a warrior,” Vargas said. “My corner was making preparations to be able to knock him out. I won by throwing combo punches to Lopez’s upper and lower body. Once I did that, I knew he had lost control.
“I’m very happy for this moment. I want to tell everyone that I’m ready for anybody at 130 pounds.”
In the opening bout of the PPV, Mauricio Herrera defeated defending WBA Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Johan Perez by majority decision (114-114, 116-112 twice).
Herrera was also the more effective fighter, having thrown and landed more power, jabs and total shots.
“It was difficult at first because he had a very awkward style,” Herrera said. “It took me a minute to figure it out and he was making me miss a lot of shots at first. But once I relaxed and adjusted to the awkward style I was able to get into rhythm, take control of the fight and put more pressure on him. I felt like I was a hungrier fighter here tonight and that’s why I pulled away with the victory.
“I graduated tonight – graduated to the next level.”
“I felt that Mauricio had a difficult style and that it was a close fight,” Perez said. “Ultimately, I felt that I won the fight. I am really surprised by the decision and I want an immediate rematch.”
Tomoki Kameda (30-0, 19 KOs) defended the WBO Bantamweight World Championship with a brutal 7th round knockout victory over Pungluang.
