Camarena Decisions Padilla in Denver

DENVER, Colo. (Pepsi Center) – Hometown prospect Donald Camarena, 16-1 (9 KOs), Denver, 140, successfully defended his WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title with a ten-round unanimous decision over a determined Jorge Alberto Padilla, Jr., 6-2 (1 KO), Mexico City, 138½, on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.

Padilla started fast landing right hands on the southpaw Camarena. It was clear that Camarena had faster hands but Padilla worked at a much higher rate through the first half of the fight.

By round six Camarena appeared to have solved the straight-ahead, straight-up style of Padilla and began to counter well. Padilla continued to throw a high volume by Camarena slipped and blocked a high percentage of Padilla’s barrage.

Camarena, if he is to crack the upper echelons of the division, must increase his work rate and develop combinations. He rarely was well positioned to deliver a mix of punches and relied primarily on single shot counters. Nonetheless he showed considerable talent.

Scores were 96-94, 98-92, 98-92, all for Camarena. The Sweet Science scored the bout 96-95 for Camarena.

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In a four round preliminary bout David Hernandez, 3-2-2 (2 KOs), Denver, 139¾, and James Martinez, 1-2-1 (0 KOs), Grand Junction, Colo., 141¾, battled to a draw.  Hernandez appeared to have the upper hand throughout, hurting Martinez on several occasions. Scoring was 39-37 Martinez, and 38-38 twice. The Sweet Science scored the bout 40-36 for Hernandez.