Erislandy Lara-Vanes Martirosyan ends in draw after nasty cut opens from clash of heads

In the HBO doubleheader on Saturday evening, the heated junior middleweight clash between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan ended in a technical split draw, as the fight was stopped due to a terrible clash of heads which produced a huge cut over the left eye of Martirosyan. The fight went to the scorecards, and with many difficult rounds to score, it was not entirely shocking that the fight was split as to how the judges saw the action.

The official scorecards read: 86-85 Martirosyan, 87-84 Lara, 86-86. Take a look at some great fight photos from the event right here and more details on the verdict.

The draw is a disappointing conclusion, especially in a fight with so much importance for the division, and one which had some much fire and drama behind it. It’s likely that these guys get in the ring for a rematch, but Martirosyan is going to have to be on the shelf for some time following that huge Vitali Klitschko-esque cut on his eyelid.

In the opening fight of the evening, undefeated Mikey Garcia kayoed Jonathan Victor Barros in the 8th round of their fight. Garcia send him down to the canvas with a huge left hook, and while Barros beat the count, he told the referee that he did not wish to continue fighting. It’s certainly way past time that Garcia gets in there with a true top level opponent and hopefully we see that next.