Mauricio Lara's Move to 130 Pounds Ends in a Majority Draw Against Daniel Lugo

After moving up to 130 pounds in hopes of getting back on the winning path, Mauricio Lara faced Daniel Lugo in Oaxaca on Friday night, but the result was not what he had hoped for. The fight ended in a majority draw, with Lara looking far from his best.

The fight, which served as the chief support bout to the mini flyweight title fight between Adrien Curiel and Sivenathi Nontshinga, was streamed on DAZN. In the early rounds, Lugo (27-2-1, 18 KOs) controlled the pace with a long jab and powerful shots, while Lara (26-3-2, 19 KOs) seemed to be waiting for an opening to land counter shots. However, it was Lugo who landed the more telling blows in the fourth round, leaving Lara looking ragged.

By the sixth round, Lugo was dominating, landing hooks to Lara's body and head. Lara appeared on the verge of a stoppage defeat but managed to survive. In the seventh, Lara turned the tables, landing a pair of right hands that hurt Lugo.

The final two rounds saw both men exchange combinations with growing weariness. One judge scored the fight 96-95 in favor of Lugo, but the other two judges scored it a 95-95 draw.

After the fight, Lara admitted, "I felt like I suffered from those nine months of inactivity. I felt heavy in there at times. I want the rematch as soon as possible."

In another bout, 18-year-old super bantamweight Ernesto Garcia fought hard against the favored, undefeated Arturo Cardenas (13-0-1, 8 KOs) but ultimately lost. Cardenas found his rhythm in the fourth round, using a stiff jab and sneaky uppercuts to control the fight. Despite Garcia's heart and competitiveness, Cardenas won decisively, with judges scoring the fight 100-88 and 98-91 (twice) in his favor.