Oscar De La Hoya and Eric Griffin, the most highly-touted U.S. Olympic boxing hopefuls, scored impressive victories Saturday night in the World Challenge at Tampa Convention Center.
De La Hoya, of Los Angeles, was awarded a win over Puerto Rico's Jose Martinez in the 132-pound class when the fight was stopped at 1:14 of the fourth round. The judges' computerized scoring system had De La Hoya ahead 40-4."I didn't know anything about him, but I was prepared to fight anybody," De La Hoya said. "I knew in the first round that I could wear him down. I threw a lot of combinations and body shots."
Martinez was knocked down in the opening round and later received two standing eight counts before the scheduled five-round bout was halted.
Griffin's fight against Rogelio Marcelo of Cuba went the distance, but the winner was in control throughout and outpointed his opponent 36-10.
For Griffin, of Broussard, La., it was his fifth win in five 106-pound meetings with Marcelo.
"He gave it a good battle, but I thought I won all five rounds," said Griffin.