Battered Chavez retains title
Julio Cesar Chavez survived a bruising battle with David Kamau to retain his World Boxing Council super-lightweight title on a unanimous verdict in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Fighting with a cut over his left eyelid, a bloody nose and trailing on one scorecard and level on a second after seven rounds, Chavez staged a furious comeback to take his 96th win in 98 fights.
A questionable knockdown in the eighth round turned the fight in Chavez's favour. Kamau was counted down by the referee, Mills Lane, when he hit the floor after a jab from Chavez struck him on the shoulder. Television replays showed that he lost his footing on the wet canvas as he was preparing to throw a counter-punch. "I wasn't hurt," Kamau said. "He pushed me."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies