LAS VEGAS — Ricardo Mayorga, relentlessly throwing punches from every angle, took a majority decision over Vernon Forrest on Saturday night to retain his WBC and WBA welterweight titles.
The win was Mayorga's second over the previously unbeaten Forrest in less than six months.
The brawling Nicaraguan had scored a major upset by handing Forrest his first defeat in 36 fights when he stopped him in the third round of their Jan. 25 bout in California to take the WBC title.
There were no knockdowns in the rematch, but Mayorga rocked Forrest several times, including in the 10th round when he landed a hard combination in the corner before the reeling Forrest was able to clinch.
Two judges favored Mayorga and the third called it a draw.
Ove Oveson scored it 116-112 for Mayorga, and Larry O'Connell had Mayorga winning 115-114. Judge Jerry Roth scored it 114-114.