Francois Scarboro Jnr said prior to Friday’s bout that his first pro fight on the road would be one of his best. He lived up to that claim, knocking out the previously unbeaten Onyx Sanchez-Medina at 2 minutes of the first round.
Claudio Marrero made Gonzalo Fuenzalida fold with repeated body shots Saturday night. The 33-year-old Dominican southpaw floored Fuenzalida with left hands to the body in the third, fourth and fifth rounds, which led to a fifth-round, technical knockout win at Alamodome. Referee Jon Schorle stopped their scheduled eight-round lightweight bout 43 seconds into the fifth round, as soon as Fuenzalida went down for the third time in as many rounds.
O’Shaquie Foster and Rey Vargas eventually had to be separated Friday after they made weight in San Antonio. Vargas and Foster flexed for the cameras, before Foster took exception to Vargas touching him once they met their contractual obligations for a 12-round, 130-pound championship match Saturday night at nearby Alamodome. Mexico’s Vargas and Foster, of Orange, Texas, both officially weighed in at 129½ pounds for their “Showtime Championship Boxing” main event.
A lineup of talented fighters, including a former titleholder, Olympic bronze medalist, Pan American gold medalist and a highly touted prospect in his pro debut, will highlight a four-bout streaming presentation on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Showtime Boxing Facebook page this Saturday, February 11 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Later on tonight, Chris Colbert will take on late replacement Hector Luis Garcia in a featherweight showdown that will serve as Showtime's main event. Colbert was originally scheduled to face Roger Gutierrez for the super WBA junior lightweight title that Gervonta Davis vacated when he decided to campaign in the lightweight division.
As far as Xavier Martinez is concerned, last month’s pre-birthday win was all of the celebrating he needs to experience. The unbeaten junior lightweight prospect proved his mettle in his latest win, surviving two knockdowns in a disastrous 8th round to outpoint Claudio Marrero two weeks ago in Uncasville, Connecticut. Martinez rallied back to sweep the balance of the fight and keep his perfect record intact, all within hours of his 23rd birthday.
Mohegan Sun, CT. - In the co-main event, unbeaten contender Xavier Martinez (16-0, 11 KOs) survived two knockdowns to win a unanimous decision over Claudio Marrero (24-5, 17 KOs) in their WBA Super Featherweight Title Eliminator. After 12 rounds, all three judges scored the fight for Martinez, by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 twice.
Martinez, Marrero Fight Photos Gallery - Mohegan Sun, CT. - In a WBA super featherweight eliminator, Xavier Martinez (16-0, 11 KOs) overcame near disaster to win a twelve round unanimous decision over veteran Claudio Marrero (24-5, 17 KOs). The scores were 115-111, 114-112 and 114-112. (photos by Amanda Westcott)
Xavier Martinez will head into his 23rd birthday with his most competitive and satisfying win to date. A pair of knockdowns put a scare into the junior lightweight prospect, who bounced back from a disastrous 8th round to claim a 12-round unanimous decision win over Claudio Marrero. Judges Tom Carusone and John McKaie scored the contest 114-112 each, while judge Glenn Feldman had it 115-111, all for Martinez in their title eliminator Saturday evening from a crowdless Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Martinez, Marrero Scorecard BoxingScene Live - Former world champion Sergey Lipinets will face unbeaten Custio Clayton for the Interim IBF Welterweight Title headlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, October 24 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.