Sunday, July 08, 2001
Camacho Jr. wins controversial decision
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Hector Camacho Jr. remained unbeaten when he won a controversial technical decision over Jesse James Leija early Sunday morning.
Camacho won after it was announced that a ringside physician ruled he could not continue after the fifth round because of a cut above his left eye.
Camacho sustained the cut from a clash of heads in the fifth round of the super lightweight match.
At first, it was understood that doctor Robert Polofsky said Camacho could continue, but Camacho said he couldn't.
Minutes later, it was announced that the doctor ruled Camacho could not go on.
Under the rules, the scorecards were then totaled up. Two judges had Camacho ahead 49-46 after five rounds, and the third had him leading 48-47.
The Associated Press had Leija ahead 48-47.
Before the fight was officially stopped, Leija leaned over the ropes and said, “He doesn't want to fight.”
“He quit,” said Lester Bedford, Leija's manager. “His manager and promoter told him to quit.”
At first, the doctor was heard to say the fight could continue, but then Camacho said he had blurry vision and the bout was stopped.
The disputed, disappointing loss for Leija, the former WBC super featherweight champion from San Antonio, came on his 35th birthday.
The 22-year-old Camacho, whose father is a former WBC super featherweight and lightweight champion, is now 33-0.
The fight at KeySpan Park, the minor league home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, a New York Mets Class-A affiliate, followed Kirk Johnson's unanimous decision over Cincinnati's Larry Donald in a 12-round bout.
Leija, 139 3/4 pounds, was cut badly over his left eye early in the first round. It was not known if the cut was caused by a butt or a punch.
Both fighters landed some good shots, but Leija appeared to have the best of it.
“I was caught by a head butt by Leija, who was throwing elbows,” Camacho said.
“I'm a man,” Leija said. “I fight through it when I'm cut.”
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Camacho Jr. wins controversial decision 
