Beltran swipes NABF crown from top-ranked Lundy by majority decision on ESPN
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (July 27, 2012) – Upset-minded Raymundo Beltran won the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title Friday night at Resorts Casino Hotel, beating top-ranked Hank Lundy by majority decision, 95-95, 96-94, 96-94, in the main event of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
The aggressor throughout the night, Beltran (26-6) gave Lundy (21-2-1) problems along the ropes, limiting Lundy’s ability to utilize his jab by constantly applying pressure. Though Lundy’s stiff, left jab helped keep the Mexican challenger at bay, Beltran refused to back down, consistently catching Lundy with hard rights and lefts while Lundy had his back against the ropes.
Lundy, ranked No. 1 among lightweights in the World Boxing Council (WBC) entering the fight, had his sights set on WBC title-holderAntonio DeMarco, who will defend his title against challenger John Molina in September, but the loss will likely cost Lundy his No. 1 ranking in the upcoming polls.
Friday’s main event picked up in the third round when the two exchanged blows in the closing seconds. Lundy got in the last shot, staggering Beltran with a hard left hook. The two smiled at one another, tapped gloves and then retreated to their respective corners at the end of the round. Lundy kept working his jab in the latter half of the fight, arguably putting together his best round in the seventh, but Beltran never quit and escaped with the upset win.