By Miguel Maravilla
WBO World Flyweight Champion Anthony “La Princesa” Olascuaga (13-1, 9 KOs) of East L.A. defended his title with a tough unanimous decision victory over Yuberjen Martinez (7-1, 7 KOs) of Colombia in the co-feature bout.
Making his Matchroom Boxing debut and fighting in his hometown for the first time in his career, Olascuaga traded jabs with Martinez to start, but things picked up quickly as they exchanged punches late in the opening round. Martinez came out attacking in the second, backing Olascuaga against the ropes, but the champion responded with some big counter shots, stopping Martinez’s momentum and closing the round strong. It was a fast-paced fight heading into the third as Olascuaga and Martinez continued trading punches. In the fourth, the champion continued working behind his jab and countering the Colombian’s attacks.
Martinez was aggressive to begin the fifth as he worked effectively on the inside, slowing Olascuaga’s momentum and appearing to outwork the champion. Reaching the halfway mark in the sixth round, Martinez boxed effectively, working his jab and feinting as Olascuaga stalked him, looking to engage. Past the halfway point of the seventh, Martinez boxed confidently while Olascuaga continued stalking and looking to get his hands inside. Ripping away to the body in the eighth, Olascuaga appeared to drop Martinez, but referee Thomas Taylor immediately ruled it a slip. Staying close on the inside, Olascuaga remained busy, slowing Martinez’s momentum.
In the ninth, Olascuaga kept up the pressure as Martinez circled the ring. “La Princesa” stayed busy and dictated the pace as the undefeated fighter appeared to be tiring. Late in the fight, Martinez came out firing to start the tenth, but Olascuaga remained poised, going downstairs to the body and slowing the Colombian’s momentum. In the championship rounds, the champion continued pressing the action as Martinez was limited offensively but continued fighting. Working away in the twelfth and final round, Olascuaga stayed busy and let his hands go as Martinez slowed, with his right eye appearing to be nearly shut. Olascuaga pressed the action and finished strong, scoring a knockdown in the final seconds of the fight.
After twelve rounds, the judges scored the bout 115-112, 115-112, and 114-113, all in favor of Olascuaga, who retained his WBO flyweight title while handing Martinez his first defeat.
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