Pablo Cano Wins Technical Decision; Franchon Crews Wins World Title

LAS VEGAS-After a bloody gash forced the fight to end early Mexico’s Pablo Cano was deemed the winner via technical decision over Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Madiev in a super lightweight clash and Franchon Crews won the female WBC super middleweight world title on Thursday.

Cano (31-7-1, 21 KOs) jumped out early in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with a steady two-fisted attack against Madiev (12-1, 5 KOs). It proved to be extremely important when a violent clash of heads opened up a bloody gash on the left side of the Mexican fighter’s face in round five.

Because the fight was stopped by the referee after five rounds, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission rules, the decision went to the score cards. All three judges deemed Cano ahead by 49-46 scores.

It was Madiev’s first loss as a pro. The Kazakh fighter trains in Big Bear with Abel Sanchez.

In the co-main event ESPN finally televised a female world title bout after a 14 year absence.

Franchon Crews powered through Maricela Cornejo behind combinations to win the vacant WBC super middleweight world title and fulfill a promise to her late mother on Thursday.

“I didn’t know if her will was as strong as mine,” said Crews. “I’m just grateful. This is for my mom.”

Despite only four pro fights but plenty of amateur experience, Crews (4-1) kept Cornejo (12-3, 5 KOs) on her back foot throughout the 10-round fight in winning by majority decision. It snapped a drought by ESPN that had not telecast a female world title fight since 2004 when Layla McCarter fought Chevelle Hallback.

“She was a mover and I was a little overwhelmed at first,” said Crews. “I wanted it so bad. But I used the jab a lot.”

One judge scored it a draw 95-95 but the other two saw Crews the winner by scores of 99-91 each and the owner of the WBC super middleweight world title.

“I thought it would go 10 rounds,” said Crews. “But I was a little worried when they read the cards. I felt I had thrown enough punches to win. I just wanted to show the fans what I could do.”

After nearly quitting the fight game and losing her mom almost two years ago after her pro debut, Crews had finally reached her goal.

“It just reaffirms my belief in the divine order. My journey is already written. I’m just living it,” said Crews. “Now no matter what happens my children will know I was a world champion.”

Other Bouts

Southern California’s Isaac Zarate edged Mexico’s Horacio Garcia by split decision after eight rounds in a featherweight contest. No knockdowns were scored in the fight but Zarate was able to land cleaner blows throughout the match. One judge saw Garcia the winner by 77-75 but two other judges saw it 77-75 and 78-74 for Zarate.

Xu Can (15-2) pulled out a split decision win after eight back and forth rounds against Mexico’s Enrique Berniche (24-11). China’s Can had the reach and height but most of the fight took place inside. One judge scored it 77-75 for Berniche and the other two for Can at 78-74 and 77-75.

Mexico’s Raul Curiel (5-0, 3 KOs) out-hustled New York’s Ryan Pino (7-3, 3 KOs) to win by unanimous decision in a six round welterweight bout. Curiel is trained by Freddie Roach. The scores were 60-54 for Curiel.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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