NEW YORK CITY: Argenis Mendez retained his International Boxing Federation junior lightweight world title yesterday with a majority draw against Arash Usmanee on the first fight card promoted by former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.
Tyson, whose ring career veered from triumph to disgrace, was much in evidence at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York, in his latest incarnation as the head of Iron Mike Productions.
In the main event, Dominican Mendez retained his belt against Usmanee, an Afghan-born Canadian who was getting his first world title chance.
Usmanee was the more aggressive fighter, with one judge rewarding his relentless effort by scoring the bout 115-113 in his favor.
But the more skilled Mendez was able to avoid the worst that Usmanee had to offer and in the later rounds was able to dictate the pace and counter effectively.
The two other ringside judges scored it 114-114, allowing Mendez to keep the title he earned in March with a fourth-round knockout of Mexico’s Juan Carlos Salgado.
Mendez emerged with a record of 21-2-1 with 11 wins inside the distance, while Arash now has a record of 20-1-1 with 10 knockouts.
On the undercard, Argentina’s Jesus Cuellar posted a unanimous decision over Dominican Claudio Marrero to claim the World Boxing Association interim featherweight title. AFP
