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Casamayor claims WBC crown

08/10/2006

Cuban-born Joel Casamayor has beaten American Diego Corrales for the WBC lightweight title in Las Vegas after the fight was decided by the judges' score cards.

Two judges from last night's bout had Casamayor ahead with scores of 116-111 and 115-112, while a third judge scored Corrales in front 114-113.

After the ruling, the new champion admitted: "I was a little concerned when it went to the cards."

Casamayor came out fast and took an early lead which Corrales could never claw back despite sending his opponent sprawling in the fifth, though Casamayor contended that it was a slip and returned to his feet sharply.

Both men scored with heavy punching in the latter rounds, Casamayor mainly with his left, while Corrales landed some punishing right hooks, particularly in the ninth.

Corrales had been beset by weight problems all week and was forced to give up his belt and 20 per cent of his fight purse after failing to make the required 135 pound weight limit on Friday.

Trainer Joe Goossen thought that his fighter's weight issues had a lot to do with his performance, saying that "there is something to be said about not eating for five days".

This is the third time the pair have squared up against each other having previously won one contest each. Casamayor won the first by TKO and Corrales took the rematch by a split point decision.

The win improves Casamayor's record to 34-3-1 with 21 knockouts; Corrales is now 40-4 and has indicated that he is now likely to move up to welterweight.

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