Saturday, April 24, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Carrera decisions Martinez, but 10-rounders must wait

By ROYCE FEOUR
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Junior featherweight Adam Carrera looked sharp and ready to move up to 10-round status while winning a unanimous eight-round decision over Ray Martinez on Friday night at The Orleans.

Even though Carrera dominated, Guilty Boxing vice president Jeff Grmoja said he intends to give the Cathedral City, Calif., native another fight or two in scheduled eight-rounders before letting him go 10 rounds.

"Stamina is not the question," Grmoja said. "I just don't want him moving up too fast. He's young (21). He's progressing, but I'm old school."

Carrera, 122 1/2 pounds, won every round on all three judges' scorecards. Adelaide Byrd, Bill Graham and Glenn Trowbridge each scored it 80-72.

Carrera (14-1) boxed well and landed good jabs throughout. He also landed left-right combinations in his fourth straight win since his only loss 11 months ago, a first-round knockout by Angel Mata at The Orleans. In his next fight, Carrera won an eight-round decision over Mata.

"This was one of my sharpest fights," Carrera said. "I felt pretty good. I was overpowering (Martinez) and showed him his plan wasn't going to work. His plan was to let me go in. I jabbed well. I was punching in and boxing. I used two different styles tonight."

Carrera said he is patient and can wait for his first 10-round fight.

"Right now we're working on it," he said. "I think my first 10-rounder will be in my hometown. The more experienced I am, the better and easier it will be in the ring."

Martinez, 24, from Phoenix, was a game fighter but was simply outclassed in falling to 10-3. He had won four consecutive bouts since losing two straight in 2002.

For complete results, see Scoreboard, Page 8C