Jorge Paez, who escaped with a draw the last time he fought Louie Espinoza, rallied in the last half of the fight Saturday to capture a 12-round split decision over Espinoza and retain his IBF featherweight title.
Paez, winning for the second straight time by split decision, successfully defended his 126-pound International Boxing Federation crown for the seventh time.Paez took six of the last seven rounds on the cards of two ringside judges to beat Espinoza. They fought to a draw last May during their first meeting for the IBF crown.
Judges Patricia Jarman and Jerry Roth both had Paez winning by 115-113 margins, while Dalby Shirley had Espinoza ahead by the same margin. The Associated Press had Paez winning 114-113.