Though he's no longer the WBA champion Nicholas Walters (26-0, 21 KO's) took care of business Saturday night at Madison Square Garden on HBO by defeating longtime nemesis Miguel Marriaga (20-1, 18 KO's). Scores were 118-109, 117-110, 119-107. Marriaga suffered the first loss of his career at the hands of Walters who he beat in the amateurs.
It was everything but the explosive fight that many expected. The tactical battle that took place was one of many blocked and missed punches from both sides. Walters controlled the entire fight from the outside with his jab as he out-boxed the smaller Marriaga. Marriaga had a few moments early in the fight landing a couple big right hands on Walters. Throughout the fight Walters was able to take control landing his own big shots on Marriaga, hurting him at the end of the eighth, and managing to score a knockdown in the ninth. Walters was able to cruise his way to a unanimous decision victory.