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New welterweight world champ

08/01/2006

Carlos Baldomir is the new world welterweight champion after a surprise win over Zab Judah at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

The Argentine fighter took a unanimous points decision after the twelve round bout.

The shock win sees Baldomir take Judah's WBC title as a mandatory challenger and his WBA and IBF titles have become vacant.

Baldomir was in control throughout the fight, but hammered home his advantage in the seventh round.

He landed a savage punch which left a groggy Judah staggering the remaining of the round.

Judah failed to match up to the promise he showed in the early rounds and could find no way back.

The judges all scored the fight in favour of the challenger, by scores of 115-113, 115-112 and 114-113.

The only problem for Baldomir was a cut he sustained from an accidental clash of heads.

"After the seventh round, I knew I had won," said the 34-year-old victor.

"The head-butt was an accident and I was never afraid of the fight being stopped, even though I was bleeding quite badly. My corner took care of me," he added.

He became only the third fighter to defeat Judah and is in illustrious company. The American's two previous conquerors were Kostya Tszyu and Cory Spinks.

Judah blamed Don King's promotional schedule for the defeat.

"I have no excuses, but my promoter messed me up," moaned Judah.

"All week, I was doing his job of promoting the fight by making appearances all over the place."

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