The Telefutura Solo-Boxeo Friday night fights from Coliseo Antonio R. Barceló, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, saw hometown favorite Roman “Rocky” Martinez remaining unbeaten with a unanimous decision romp over Mexico’s Cristian Favela who dropped to a hapless 14 win-15 loss work application - but all did not go smoothly as expected. 

Martinez grabs the opening three stanzas while displaying effective jab with mix of brief combinations - clearly the better ring technician than his plodding opponent - then Favela with a good round four. 

Martinez, for reasons unknown goes southpaw during numero cinco and we have a Martinez 3-2 edge in rounds - then the tide turns again in favor of the more complete Puerto Rican who mixes technique with bursts of two-fisted barrages over stanzas six, seven, eight. 

Now round nine and Martinez on the hunt, when rocked and in trouble from a surprise Favela right hand - good news for Rocky the rocked, he’s alert enough to go the grab and hug route and able to survive the round.

Martinez, aware he’s well ahead on points, finishes the final chapter on the run - scoring would then go Martinez 99-91, 98-92, 97-93 - my unofficial had it Martinez 96-94 in points and 6-4 under round by round method. 

Rest of the story:

• Roman Martinez (19-0, 11 KOs) ~ age 25 - in with .500 BA  Favela the opportunities were there to glitter. For most part did exactly that with better textbook skills and flashes of decent power. Problem now, Rocky is perched perilously close at WBO #2 beneath Joan Guzman, Alex Arthur sharing top spot. Clearly two offers the kid can refuse at this time - defense much too porous to even dream of the thought. Fun watch at club level.

• Cristian Favela (14-15-4, 9 KOs) ~ age 27 - wears the opponent label to the letter. The “Hail Mary” right hand that rocked “Rocky” from top to bottom was his single moment. Mexican tough, but not big enough banger to get by on very limited skills.      

• Referee: Roberto Ramirez Jr. - passing grades - not your usual hands on, chatterbox type - lets the flow go.