Martin upsets Avalos

In a battle of unbeaten Bantamweights, It was Chris Martin who pulled off an upset victory after he clearly out boxed the more heralded Chris Avalos over ten rounds to gain a split decision at The Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Avalos fought decent early as he was trying to mix up punches as he switched from orthodox to southpaw. That strategy maybe was an early sign of desperation as Martin began to time and counter Avalos as he seemed to lean in with his shots and Martin caught onto that and began his offense.

Martin settled into a rhythm and gained the confidence to even hold his hands down and and engage in some mid-fight “smack talking” in the face of Avalos.

Avalos did not have an answer to the slick, counter punching Martin and Martin started landing hard shots that began to effect Avalos.

Martin punctuated the fight with a hard right hand just before the bell.

Martin, 120 lbs of South San Diego, CA gave up twenty-five percent of his purse for coming over the 118 lb weight limit but won by scores of 98-92 and 97-93. A third judge somehow watched a different fight then most and scored the bout 98-94 for Avalos. Martin is now 19-0-2.

Avalos, 118 lbs of Lancaster, CA is now 16-1.

Power punching Lateef Kayode was extended past four round for the first time but it didn’t matter as he systematically broke down Alfredo Escalera Jr. and finally stopped him after eight round of their scheduled ten round Cruiserweight bout.

Kayode dictated the action throughout the affair as he boxed well landing power shots that focused on the body. In round eight, Kayode turned up the heat as he landed a hard body/head combination with the left hand that sent Escalera back to the ropes that referee Joe Cortez ruled a knockdown. Kayode tried to end things but time ran out on the frame. Escalera had a look of resignation as he walked back to the corner and Cortez stopped it between rounds.

Kayode, 198 lbs of Lagos, Nigeria is now 13-0 with twelve knockouts. Escalera, 199 1/2 lbs of San Juan, PR is now 18-3-1.