By Jake Donovan
Former title challenger Edner Cherry survived a major scare as he barely escape with a majority decision over Juan Carlos Martinez in their Telefutura-televised main event Saturday evening in Cicero, Ill.
Scores were 97-93 and a way-off 99-91 for Cherry and 95-95 even.
Both fighters enjoyed their share of big moments as momentum swayed back and forth all evening. Cherry's awkward style actually played into the hands of Martinez, surging forward and taking advantage of his opponent's wide open stances.
Power shots left Cherry on the back of his heels, but the former title challenger came on strong in the 10th and final round to preserve the win.
Cherry improves to 30-6-1 (16KO) with the win, though enduring a mixture of boos from the crowd on hand for his second straight bout in the Chicagoland area.
Martinez falls to 19-14-1 (7KO) with the loss, his second straight.
In the televised co-feature, youth prevailed in a battle of previously unbeaten prospects as Lamar Russ (10-0, 6KO) had his way with Jose Alonzo (13-1, 7KO), scoring two knockdowns before stopping the Florida native in the fourth round.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter:
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