Mark Breland Wins Unanimous Decision in Second Pro Fight

Olympic welterweight gold medalist Mark Breland used dominant boxing skills and occasional body-punching to score a six-round unanimous decision over Marlon Palmer Saturday.

The 6-2 Breland controlled the pace in his second professional fight by circling and jabbing his Pottstown, Pa., opponent. Using a four-inch reach advantage to keep Palmer away, Breland waged a cautious battle and chose to exchange punches just once, landing two straight rights just before the bell in the fourth round.

Palmer, 6-1-3 with two knockouts, penetrated Breland’s defense to control the fifth round with strong body-punching.

Judges Rocky Castellani and Frank Burnette gave Palmer that round and scored the fight 5-1 for Breland. Judge Lawrence Wallace scored it 6-0 for the 21-year-old New York fighter.