Two former sparring partners of ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao have scored big regional title wins in fights cards in the US, Sunday morning.
Lightweight Raymund "Sugar" Beltran scored a stunning upset over WBC No.1 ranked ?Hammerin? Hank Lundy with a majority ten round decision at the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City to with the NABF lightweight title while undefeated Shawn ?Showtime? Porter came through in a tough and sometimes dirty battle with a unanimous ten round decision over former world title challenger Alfonso Gomez to capture the vacant North American Boxing Organization welterweight title at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
Porter who suffered a cut due to an accidental head-butt in the 1st round also suffered a nasty gash over his right eyebrow in 9th but the ring doctor allowed the fight to continue enabling Porter who exchanged some big body shots with Gomez but got the better of the exchanges as the fight progressed, to win a unanimous decision.
Judge Kermit Bayless had Porter ahead 98-92, Steve Morrow a much closer 96-94 and Marty Sammon a comfortable 97-93 margin for Porter.
With the win in an action-packed bout the undefeated 24 year old Porter who was Pacquiao?s main sparring partner when he was preparing for his battle with Miguel Cotto improves to 20-0 with 14 knockouts while Gomez drops to 23-6-2 with 12 knockouts.
Beltran who served as Pacquiao?s sparring partner with David Rodela when Pacquiao was preparing for several fights including his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera won by a close majority decision.
Beltran suffered a cut over the left eye in round three but came back to hammer Lundy in a bout where both fighters landed some telling blows and were rocked more than once.
Judge Barbara Perez had it even at 95-95 while Ron McNair and John Poturaj turned in identical 96-94 scorecards for Beltran who captured the North American Boxing Federation title.
With the win the 31 year old Beltran improved to 26-6 with 17 knockouts while the 28 year old Lundy dropped to 22-2-1 with 11 knockouts.
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