Photo by Omar Martinez/RBRBoxing
Wednesday, October 14, 2015, Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN (PBC on ESPN) featured former two-division world champion Devon Alexander “The Great” (26-4, 14 KOs) against Mexican Aron Martínez (20-4-1, 4 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight bout, from Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Before the fight, Alexander was clear of his intentions, saying that he wanted to make a statement against Martinez and show that his last performance was not the best that he had.
Apparently, Martinez didn’t get the memo that he was a 50-to-1 underdog (according to ESPN’s commentating duo of Teddy Atlas and Joe Tessitore) and what ended up happening was Martinez took the fight to Alexander for 10 rounds.
Alexander, the same guy who outboxed heavy-handed brawlers such as Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana, could not get out of his own way against Martinez and played right into the underdogs hands.
Martinez dug his head in Alexander’s chest for much of the contest and wailed away with power punches.
#AlexanderMartinez #Boxing pic.twitter.com/8onCXvb4eI
— RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) October 15, 2015
It wasn’t always clean or effective, but Martinez did attack for the majority of every round and racked up points on the judges’ scorecards by landing the better shots.
Going into the final round, Alexander’s long-time trainer Kevin Cunningham pleaded with his fighter to let his hands go, even telling him that he needed a knockout to win.
Although he won the round, Alexander did not show the necessary urgency to change the outlook of the fight. Final scores were 96-94 and 97-93 (twice).
Martinez can certainly hold his head high knowing that in 2015 he has given Robert Guerrero hell (and to some people he won that bout) and defeated Devon Alexander.
After the fight, Martinez spoke about the great opportunities he’s been given this year and about scoring bigger fights in the future.
For the St. Louis product, Alexander, he must reevaluate his career and decide if it’s time to hang ’em up, though immediately after the fight he didn’t seem ready to do so.
Photo by Omar Martinez/RBRBoxing
The PBC on ESPN telecast kicked off with featherweight world champion Lee Selby (22-1, 8 KOs), making his US debut against Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel (54-5-2, 39 KOs), a former three-division world champion.
In a tougher-than-expected showcase bout, Selby walked away with a unanimous-decision victory over the veteran Montiel.
Selby held a substantial size advantage, which led many to believe that he would run over the aging Mexican, but that wasn’t the case at all.
Selby wasn’t in any huge danger throughout the bout and landed the more telling blows–mainly lead right hands–in the 12-round fight, but Montiel certainly had his moments and even backed Selby up with well placed hooks in numerous rounds.
Selby made things easier for himself when he used his jab (which he acknowledged after the fight) and kept Montiel at a distance with sharp combinations, but he left a lot to be desired by repeatedly getting tagged by the 36-year-old Montiel.
“My jab, reach and speed were my biggest advantages tonight. That was how I got the win,” said Selby.
Not the scintillating American debut that Selby was hoping to make, but it was his first title defense and certainly a learning experience.
Lee Selby defeats Fernando Montiel by UD. Scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112 #Boxing #PBConESPN pic.twitter.com/nWCtWTZY1A — RoundByRoundBoxing (@RBRBoxing) October 15, 2015
Other Results
In early action, Lionell Thompson got the stoppage victory over Thomas Hanshaw.
Photo by Omar Martinez/RBRBoxing
Alexis Santiago won an eight-round unanimous decision over Gustavo Molina.
Photo by Omar Martinez/RBRBoxing
Ivan Redkach got the win with a stoppage in Round 3 over Erick Martinez.
Photo by Omar Martinez/RBRBoxing
