Martin defeats Picasso to win WBC Silver featherweight title

Carl Jammes Martin won the WBC Silver featherweight title, defeating David Picasso by split decision in a 10-round bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Filipino boxer secured the victory after judges favored him on two scorecards. Reports agree on the result but differ on the exact scores: one account listed 96-93 and 95-94 for Martin, with 95-94 for Picasso; another gave Martin 96-93, Picasso 95-94 and the third judge 95-95. The official scorecards were not available to resolve the difference. Martin, who moved up to featherweight for the contest, was described in post-fight accounts as the busier fighter, landing clearer power punches and setting the pace. Picasso had height and reach advantages, but accounts said he had quiet stretches and did not sustain his offense consistently. Several rounds were close, and the fight went the full ten rounds. One account reported that Martin suffered a flash knockdown in the seventh round, when his gloves touched the canvas after he was hit by a jab. He recovered and continued to press the action. The knockdown detail was not reported across the other accounts. The win marked a significant step for Martin, who entered the bout unbeaten and...