Martinez vs Macklin Results: Edwin Rodriguez Outpoints Don George in HBO Opener

Super middleweights Edwin Rodriguez and Don George didn't come close to providing the fireworks they told fight fans to expect and in the end, put on a fairly sleepy fight won by Rodriguez on scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 96-94. Bad Left Hook had it 98-92 for Rodriguez.

[ Live Coverage: Martinez vs Macklin, Main Event Next ]

Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KO) was able to easily control the first few rounds by consistently pumping his jab out, often following it with a right to the body. This simple blueprint did the job before George (22-2-1, 19 KO) started to adjust and more effectively apply some pressure, at which point Rodriguez was able to mix it up a bit better, throwing combination punches and shutting down most of George's offensive output.

Rodriguez, 26, was effective but still didn't look like a real standout -- a solid prospect, but one wonders not so much what his next step is, but frankly if he has a next step in him. There's still a lot to wonder about after last year's disputed win over Will Rosinsky, scored an absurd shutout by the ringside judges, and a win over the limited George doesn't change that. This fight was never really about someone emerging as a real contender in the division, and that's not the outcome. It was more about a good TV fight. It wasn't terrible by any means, but I think it fell short of expectations.

Coming up next, the main event between middleweight world champion Sergio Martinez and Matthew Macklin.