Julio Cesar Martinez Defeats Jay Harris By Hard-Fought Unanimous Decision
In what turned out to be a terrific back and forth battle, Julio Cesar Martinez (16-1-1, 12 KOs) was forced to work. However, he did enough to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision win (118-109, 116-111, 115-112) over Jay Harris (17-1, 9 KOs) to retain the WBC World Flyweight title for the first time at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
THE BREAKDOWN
Fireworks got started early and often as the defending champion attacked from the opening bell with shotgun jabs and power combinations to the head and body. By the end of the first round, Harris’s face was already showing the effect of the shots from Martinez.
It’s not as if Harris was doing a terrible job, quite the contrary. In fact, he landed his fair share of shots on Martinez from both in the pocket and on the outside. The power of the 25-year-old from Mexico City was the difference, as Harris was now bleeding from the nose and over his left eye at the end of the fourth.
The high intensity and impact from both men continued in the middle rounds. A couple of things were showing themselves to be very clear. Harris was a far better fighter than many of the prognosticators felt heading in, as there were times he was out-boxing the champ.
And, he was proving to be tough as an oak with a chin of granite as well. At times, he was getting the better of the action, displaying terrific skills.
However, the thunder from the fists of Martinez was overwhelming. He would put Harris down by way of a wicked right-hand to the body early in round 10. The champion cemented the victory with that knockdown, as these two warriors continued to trade with back and forth shots until the final bell.
Overall, this was a very good fight. Martinez praised Harris for his toughness. Stating he has no fear of anyone, his goal is to become the man at flyweight before moving up in weight to 115-pounds. For the fighter known as “El Rey”, he has the style and demeanor of a potential star among the sport’s Little Big Men.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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