Sunday 11 September 2016 10:30, UK
Roman Gonzalez became a four-weight world champion after claiming the WBC super flyweight belt with a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Cuadras in California on Saturday.
Gonzalez, who has held world titles at flyweight, light flyweight and minimum weight, becomes the first fighter from Nicaragua to win world titles in four weight divisions, surpassing his hero and mentor Alexis Arguello.
The 29-year-old (46-0), who is considered by many as the best pound-for pound fighter on the planet, also moved within three victories of equalling Floyd Mayweather and Rocky Marciano's unbeaten record of 49-0.
Gonzalez won on all three judges' scorecards by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113, with Mexican Cuadras suffering the first defeat of his career (35-1-1).
"It was a very difficult fight," Gonzalez said. "It was complicated. We both came in with great conditioning. This is the most difficult fight I've had."
Gonzalez, fighting for the first time at super flyweight, dominated the first half of the bout at The Forum Arena and landed with numerous combinations.
But Cuadras, who had previously defended his title seven times, proved a tough customer and responded with powerful straight jabs and combinations of his own in the later rounds.
Cuadras even looked to be the fresher fighter in the 12th as both traded punches in the centre of the ring, however Gonzalez was awarded the victory by the judges.
Meanwhile, Andy Ruiz Jnr (29-0) geared up for his heavyweight clash with Hughie Fury with a unanimous decision victory over veteran Franklin Lawrence (21-2-2) at Tachi Palace, also in California.
Ruiz Jnr looked the far superior fighter and produced a number of punches that troubled the 40-year-old in the early rounds of their clash.
Lawrence managed to take the fight the distance, but offered little in attack with Ruiz Jnr winning on all three judges' scorecards, two seeing the fight 99-91 and the other 100-90.
