Forrest too strong for Baldomir

American Vernon Forrest withstood a late rally by Argentinian Carlos Baldomir to win the vacant WBC super welterweight championship by a unanimous verdict.

The judges scored the fight at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington 118-109, 118-109 and 116-111 for Forrest.

Forrest, 36, and like Baldomir a former world welterweight champion, did most of his damage with body shots, while occasionally going upstairs to pick off Baldomir's weaving head.

The fight came to life in the seventh round as both men landed telling blows and Baldomir was encouraged in the ninth when Forrest had a point taken away for a low blow.

But overall it was the American who did the better work and Baldomir, also 36, could have few complaints.

Floyd Mayweather - who had beaten Baldomir in the Argentinian's previous fight - vacated the title to drop a weight division and fight Oscar de la Hoya.

This was the first world title fight in Washington State since 1988 and attracted a sell-out crowd of 2,200.