December 13, 1999

CONTRERAS OUTPOINTS NAVARRO; BECOMES NEW WBU WORLD SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION

On Saturday, 11th December 1999, the WBU World Super Bantamweight Title (122lbs) changed hands as Mexico's Carlos Contreras scored a unanimous points victory over Carlos Navarro (USA). The fight took place at the Freeman Coliseum in San antonio, Texas, USA, on the undercard of Ayala's third fight since being released from prison. The card was promoted by Lester Bedford, and the bout between Navarro and Contreras was co-promoted by Cedric Kushner Promotions, Ltd.

In a very entertaining bout, Navarro dominated the first three rounds, but the Mexican came back to score a unanimous points victory; the judges scored the fight 116-111, 115-112, 117-110 in favour of Contreras, the new champion.

In the postfight interview, Carlos Navarro said that he lost every round. Navarro told the interviewer that he didn't feel like himself but that he didn't want to make any excuses.

Carlos Contreras, of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, improves to 12-4-1 with 9 knockouts. He has had most of his fights in Mexico. In December of 19998, he lost on points to Adan vargas in a bid for the NABF Bantamweight title.

Carlos Navarro, Of Los Angeles, California, USA, suffered his first defeat after 19 consecutive victories. He now has a record of 19-1 with 15 knockouts.

Navarro was a very successful amateur fighter, and after turning professional in July of 1996 he continued to enjoy the success he experienced as an amateur. He captured the WBU World Super Bantamweight Title in February of 1998, scoring a unanimous points victory over Nicky Bentz in Indio. In this fight there were six knockdowns, five by Navarro and one by Bentz; the fight was voted Fight of the Month by International Boxing Digest. Navarro went on to defend the WBU Title against Ruben Diaz, whom he stopped in the eighth round. He made the third defence in November of 1998 against Marcos Badillo, knocking out the challenger in the third round. Just over one month later, he came to England to defend his title against Johnny Armour; Navarro stopped the Brit in the fourth round.

Good luck to our new champion!