Moments ago at the Theater in Madison Square Garden, New York, undefeated former featherweight champion Nicholas Walters defeated Miguel Marriaga via unanimous decision. After failing to make the featherweight limit of 126 pounds, it was clear that Walters was the bigger man inside the ring. Walters did a good job of varying his shots early, mixing them up to the body and head. Marriaga, however, was game and also found a home for his right hand.
Although Marriaga was landing some solid combinations, they didn't seem to be having an impact on the undefeated former champion. By the middle rounds, Walters began walking down Marriaga, unfazed by the punches that were coming his way. The champion continued to chop away at the body before unleashing his own right hand, which began to do damage. Walters began to unload some devastating shots in the 9th round and was able to send Marriaga to the canvas at the end of the round.
To his credit, Marriaga continued to take the fight to Walters, but he simply didn't have enough on his punches to get any respect. Walters continued to chop away at the body and land his right hand upstairs. Both fighters continued to trade leather until the final bell. In the end, the judges scored the bout 118-109, 117-110, and 119-108, all in favor of Nicholas Walters.
Also on the undercard, undefeated lightweight prospect Felix Verdejo kept his undefeated record intact after winning a dominant unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Ivan Najera. Although Najera was game, it was Verdejo who was landing more often with the better punches. After dropping Najera in the 5th round, Verdejo continued to dominate the fight down the stretch. In the end, the judges scored the bout 100-88, 100-88, and 99-89, all in favor of Verdejo.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]