The loss of Beibut Shumenov vs. Yunier Dorticos and the elephant in the room that was Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko left last night’s PBC on FS1 show somewhat overshadowed. That didn’t seem to bother Claudio Marrero, who picked up the interim WBA featherweight title with a ninety-second knockout of Carlos Zambrano.
Marrero (22-1, 16 KO), making his first title bid since losing a competitive decision to Jesus Cuellar in 2013, lowered Zambrano’s (25-1, 11 KO) right hand with a sweeping right hook and filled the gap with a straight left that sent him to his knees for the full ten count.
Zambrano and Marrero were previously ranked #1 and #3 by the WBA behind Super champion Leo Santa Cruz and standard champion Abner Mares. Time will tell if the WBA’s inconsistent belt-culling program will pit Marrero against one of the two.
Far bet it from me to be a backseat promoter, but maybe picking an experienced puncher wasn’t the best choice Mayweather Promotions could have made when their fighter was coming off a 16-month layoff.