Raymundo Beltran blamed “politics” for ruining his world title dreams in Glasgow. After appearing to end the fight with a comfortable points victory over Ricky Burns, two of the three judges snatched the world title away from Beltran, with some very questionable scoring.
Burns came into the fight with a point to prove, after he struggled last time out against the classy Jose Gonzalez. Burns started the fight in positive fashion, winning the first round by forcing Beltran backwards, landing his stiff jab and pressing the action with attacks to the body and head. This was one of the few rounds Burns clearly won.
Round two started the same as the last had ended, however Beltran managed to end the round on top, after his solid left hook landed clean to Burns head, appearing to rock the champion. Beltran forced Burns backwards and landed several more left hooks towards the end of the round.
Rounds three through to five were Beltran rounds, as Beltran forced Burns against the ropes and landed his left hook time and time again. Burns absorbed some heavy hooks, as Beltran’s timing with the left hook, was at times, sensational. In round four Beltran landed a massive left hook which sent Burns stumbling backwards. Although Burns managed to stay on his feet, it rocked the champion. Burns finished the last thirty seconds unsteady on his feet as Beltran methodically went to work on Burns.
Burns started round six aggressively, but rarely had much success, landing infrequently and off balance as Beltran kept Burns on the back foot. Beltran continued to walk Burns down, but seemingly lost the round as Burns was the more active fighter.
Beltran took a round off in round seven as Burns began to find some success behind his jab. Burns built on the momentum gained in round six and did enough to win round seven.
Round eight started with a bang as Beltran landed a monster lead left hook, which put Burns flat on his back. Burns was back to his feet on eight seconds, but Burns was clearly hurt from Beltran’s powerful left hook. Burns tried to answer fire with fire, but his wild shots missed there target. Beltran forced Burns back against the ropes with educated attacks, clearly not wanting to punch himself out. Burns survived the round with four rounds remaining.
Round nine was another Beltran round, as the fight was slipping away from Burns. As Burns was in his corner at the end of the ninth round, we finally got an insight into way Burns was struggling so much. Burns told his corner “the right side of my jaw is fu**ed”.
Round ten was yet another round for Beltran as he appeared to have built up a sizeable lead going into the final two rounds. Burns, at the end of the round, again complained of the pain he was suffering with his jaw. His corner tried to motivate the champion, telling him “you’ve got six minutes to keep hold of your title” and to “stop feeling sorry for yourself”.
I gave round eleven to Beltran as he kept Burns on the back foot and landed the cleaner, harder shots. On my score card going into the final round, I had it 107-101. I felt Burns needed the KO to win but I just couldn’t see it happening.
Burns won the final round, making it 116-111 on my card. Unfortunately for Beltran and the wider boxing community, the clear winner on the night, is not the new WBO lightweight world champion. The judges scores were;
Carlos Ortiz (USA) 115-112 Burns
Andre Van Grootenbruel (Belgium) 115-113 – Beltran
Richie Davies (England) 114-114 Draw.
Burns told Sky Sports after the fight, that the ringside doctor had confirmed he had a dislocated jaw and Burns believe it had happened during the first two rounds. Burns admitted his performance was hampered by his injured jaw. Burns would have to go straight to the hospital after the fight, to have his jaw assessed. Based on his last two performances, his dislocated jaw and the fact he has just become a father, I wouldn’t expect to see Ricky Burns back in the ring for at least six months.
When asked by Sky Sports , if he believed he had done enough to win the fight, Beltran answered “Yes, I do, absolutely.” When asked if he could think of a reason why he hadn’t won, Beltran stated “Politics“. “Always the same thing in boxing.” “Its business”.
Beltran was viability devastated with what happened. Beltran commented that the referee was “terrible, just horrible” for his inability to punish Burns for continued holding throughout the fight. I would have to agree. Burns was never even given a final warning, let alone a points deduction. When asked if he wanted the rematch Beltran stated “I want to fight in a fair place, you know, I want to fight in America”. “Lets do the fight in America”.
@PBIAndyC
Scott Heavey – Gettyimages
