![Dominican unbeatens Garcia, Puello take WBA global titles Dominican unbeatens Garcia, Puello take WBA global titles](https://www.kuwaittimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/p13a-5.jpg)
MIAMI: Unbeaten Dominicans Hector Garcia and Alberto Puello gained International Boxing Affiliation titles on Saturday in championship bouts at Hollywood, Florida. Garcia took the WBA tremendous featherweight global identify with a unanimous choice over Venezuela’s Roger Gutierrez. Judges gave the 30-year-old southpaw the victory by means of one rating of 118-110 and two rankings of 117-111.
“Thank God for this victory after such a lot sacrifice,” Garcia stated via a translator. “The victory used to be crucial for me and for my nation.” Puello took a cut up choice over Russian Batyr Akhmedov to seize the vacant WBA tremendous light-weight global crown, turning into the primary Dominican global champion within the 140-pound department. “I gave the second one identify to the Dominican Republic,” Puello stated via a translator. “The birthday celebration has already began.”
Puello progressed to 21-0 whilst Akhmedov fell to 9-2 as two judges scored the battle 117-111 for Puello whilst the 3rd noticed it 115-113 for Akhmedov. Puello felt insulted by means of the Russian after he previous rejected Puello as a sparring spouse in a coaching camp. “He stated I couldn’t be in his camp as a result of I didn’t have sufficient skill,” Puello stated. “I confirmed him this night.” Garcia progressed to 16-0 along with his 8th consecutive triumph whilst Gutierrez, 27, fell to 26-4 with one drawn by means of shedding the second one protection of his 130-pound department crown.
The battle with Garcia used to be postponed from remaining month after Gutierrez stuck Covid-19, making it a complete 12 months since his prior bout. Garcia landed a troublesome left to the champion’s head within the fourth spherical and tagged Gutierrez to the frame within the 5th, the challenger atmosphere the early tempo. The South American battled again overdue, touchdown a troublesome proper and forged left hook within the eleventh spherical and each saved punching to the general bell. “I used to be on the lookout for that tremendous punch that will knock him down the remaining 3 rounds,” Garcia stated. “However it wasn’t there.” – AFP