Beltran wins majority decision over Vasquez

Ray Beltran (34-7-1, 21 KOs) won a close majority decision over Bryan Vasquez (35-3, 19 KOs) tonight on ESPN. Official scores were 95-95, 96-94, and 96-94. I scored the fight wider in favor of Beltran, 98-92 for BLH.

Beltran entered the ring looking a full weight class bigger than Vasquez — like head and shoulders bigger — but that didn't stop Vasquez from putting forth a valiant effort. Vasquez used a lot of lateral movement and awkward motions to get off first on Beltran, but Beltran consistently walked right through Vasquez's shots and forced him to the ropes where his bigger shots made an impression.

Vasquez managed to take an awful lot of clean shots, especially Beltran's patented left hook with getting into any serious trouble, and even Beltran admitted afterwards that he was surprised by Vasquez's chin.

In the late rounds an accidental head clash would open up a big cut on Beltran's forehead. The blood was spilling down his face and into his eyes and Vasquez took advantage to get Beltran to the ropes and unload a flurry of punches that stunned Beltran. The only problem was that moment came too little, too late. Beltran took the fight on points.