By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Miguel Vazquez (34-4, 13KOs) saw his title reign come to an end under controversial circumstances, as Mickey Bey (21-1-1, 10KOs) won a twelve round split decision to capture the IBF lightweight championship. The scores were 115-113 for Bey, 115-113 for Vazquez and a ridiculous card of 119-109 for Bey.

It was a slow-paced chess match between two counter punching boxers. In the third round, a clash of heads opened up a cut above the right eye of Vazquez, and also his nose was flowing down pretty good. Vazquez was countering well in the fifth and landing good jabs. The fight was playing out in a pick-em manner where only one or two landed punches separated them.

Vazquez was doing the better boxing and Bey was not being active enough. Mayweather Sr. was pleading with him to let his hands go between rounds. Vazquez just to stuck to his game plan by boxing and Bey never took chances, which created several close rounds.