In a junior welterweight fight (138.5 contract weight) former unified lightweight champ Juan Diaz (35-2, 17 KOs) won a controversial twelve round unanimous decision over former IBF 140lb champ Paulie Malignaggi (26-3, 5 KOs) on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Malignaggi got off to a good start, but Diaz cut Malignaggi over the left eye with a punch near the end of round one. Diaz volume punching began to work in round two, however he was cut over the left eye in round two from what was ruled a punch. Diaz suffered a second cut over the same eye from an accidental headbutt in round five. Maglignaggi boxed well from long range over the last six rounds, however it was hometown hero Diaz coming away with a 116-112, 115-113, 118-110 win.
—–
Former two-time featherweight champion Robert Guerrero (25-1-1, 17 KOs) won the IBF junior lightweight championship by unanimously outpointing Malcolm Klassen (24-5-2, 14 KOs) over twelve rounds. Guerrero built an early lead and despite a cut over his left eye gave as good as he got when Klassen started coming on midway through the fight. Scores were 117-111, 116-113, 116-112.