INDIO, California Nestor Garza of Mexico left countryman Enrique Sanchez's face a bloody mess Saturday night as he won a share of the World Boxing Association super bantamweight title. The 22-year-old Garza survived a shaky start to slug his way to a unanimous decision that improved his record to 35-1. Sanchez lost for the first time in career, falling to 24-1-1 as the judges gave the decision to Garza by scores of 116-111, 115-112 and Sanchez was stripped of the title after failing to defend in the proscribed time after winning it in February. Carlos Barreto claimed the interim title and will face Garza to crown a sole WBA champion.

Garza was dropped with 40 seconds left in the first round and was wobbled in the opening minute of the second frame. But Garza rebounded in the third, sending Sanchez to the canvas with a straight right in the opening minute. Garza continued to apply the pressure, attacking Sanchez and landing the heavier punches. After five rounds, Sanchez's face began to puff up around both eyes and he also was hampered by a bloody nose suffered in the opening round.

Sanchez rallied in the sixth and wobbled Garza early in the seventh. But in the 10th, Garza's relentless pressure opened a gash over Sanchez's eye, which bled until the final bell. (Reuter)