HIDALGO, Texas (AP) Undefeated Omar Figueroa unanimously outpointed Scotland's Ricky Burns on Saturday in a super lightweight fight on the Premier Boxing Champions on CBS card at State Farm Arena.
In front of a raucous hometown crowd, Figueroa improved to 25-0-1. He received winning scores of 116-110 from two judges and 117-109 from the other.
''Fighting a fight like that, it takes a lot to go even four rounds, much less 12,'' Figueroa said. ''With a fighter like that, leaning on you and using his weight on you, it's tough. I'm just glad I was in shape and didn't let my fans down.
''I'm a very offensive fighter, so the holding kind of slowed me down. I tried to do what I could and, thankfully, the judges saw that.''
Burns dropped to 37-5-1.
''We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I didn't agree with the deductions for holding,'' Burns said. ''I thought he was holding as much as me and that's why I had to tie him up. ... We moved up in weight for this one but still had some trouble making weight, but I didn't want to jeopardize my chance to fight in America.''
In a bantamweight fight, England's Jamie McDonnell unanimously outpointed Japan's previously unbeaten Tomoki Kameda, receiving scores of 114-113 from all three judges to successfully defend his WBA title and take Kameda's WBO championship.
''I felt in control all the way through,'' McDonnell said. ''It was a great performance. I know I should have just boxed, but I wanted to fight. I didn't think I was going to get the decision being abroad, but it's more than spectacular to come out of here victorious. He's a great, undefeated champion.''
McDonnell (25-2-1) recovered after Kameda (31-1) knocked him down for the first time in his career, landing a sharp right in the third round.
''I think I won the fight. I did enough to win,'' Kameda said. ''He did a lot to win the last rounds, but I did more over the fight. I don't agree with the judges' decision, but I respect it.''
