NBC-BUD BOXING SCORES TRIPLE CROWN By George J. Elsasser

It began as a test ... the NBC Saturday matinee fite special ... a three week affair that opened in a blaze of glory on May 3 with Olympic silver-medalist Rocky Juarez in an eye-catching sixth round TKO over a game Frankie Archuleta.

Then week two ... and another score for the NBC-Budweiser mini-series with Juan Diaz nipping a tough and talented Eleazar Contreras in another barn burner that went the distance.

And today, May 17, the show closed on still another star stealer when Nate Campbell, and unknown to only his closest kin, one Edelmiro "Tiger" Martinez battled to a proverbial duel to the death that finished in a gridlock.

I would find it more than surprising if this dandy of a pugilistic triple crown isn't picked up come the fall season ... it was that good a show.

Now, to the ring action ... Campbell, a young age 31 with numbing punching power had to be seen as the favorite on his scorcher with past jr. lightweight champ Joel Casamayor in his last outing.

Martinez at age 34, and having only 23 pro bouts entering the fray, with no more than nine of his wins ending by knockout, seemed on paper as a tune-up for the power punching Campbell ... but not to be.

Campbell was the constant aggressor from the start ... but Martinez played the role of boxer-puncher like he invented it ... the jab, the movement, and from time to time when pressured he introduced a neat counter right hand.

Still, it was the physically stronger Campbell seemingly slowing down the quicker Tiger ... and after a big Martinez round seven it was Tiger hitting the deck in candle eight courtesy of a big right hand.

But hold the phone ... who but Martinez closes the show by taking rounds nine and ten over six minutes of heated give and take exchanges.

Voting went Martinez 95-93, Campbell 95-93 and decisive vote 94-94 for the draw.

Only blemish in this dandy of a classic was in seeing still another Atlantic City referee blowing the assignment ... but I'll leave that for another time.

Post Script:

Semi final eight rounder saw Kermit Cintrón go to 19-0 with 18 starches with a first round TKO of Luis Rosado who hit the deck twice ... first trip was big right uppercut ... second was another right hand. Cintrón has size and visible power but much too early to predict a future ... needs work in the skills department.

Campbell: Gotta get a complete game going ... at age 31 in a tough division at 30-35 ... can hit with major league power and is legit gamer and conditioned fighter ... but is it enough?

Tiger Martinez: Goes to 20-2-2 and 9 knockouts ... body still good at age 34 ... hopefully, once the eye cuts heal he'll be getting much needed work ... showed all the moves in the game ... is quick and a tough guy.

Semper fi,