By Geno McGahee
Arely Mucino, 28-3-2, 10 KO’s, survived a serious scare in the 9th round to hold onto her WBO Flyweight title over Yairineth Altuve 10-3, 10 KO’s, by a unanimous decision by scores of 97-91, 98-90 (twice). The first couple of rounds were a firefight with both fighters exchanging heavy punches. In the fourth round, a push would be credited as a knockdown and put Altuve into a position of desperation.
In the seventh round, Mucino would score a legitimate knockdown with a right to the body and it looked like Altuve had run out of gas, but she came back and hurt Altuve badly in round nine with a vicious left hook. Taking away any chance to win was the rotund doctor checking the champion after the minute break after round nine and gave her another minute to recover. Altuve came on strong in round ten but all was lost and Mucino had recovered enough to last to the final bell and retain her title. It was a great fight, but the ref and doctor seemed rather shady.
