Whitaker Retains Title, Beating Marquez

Pernell Whitaker, of Norfolk, Va., retained his world lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Benji Marquez of Puerto Rico Thursday in a championship boxing doubleheader at Madrid.

Whitaker, a left-hander, piled up an insurmountable lead in points with his stinging right jabs and bloodied Marquez’s face with powerful left hooks to win for the 25th time in 26 pro fights.

Also on the card, World Boxing Assn. cruiserweight champion Robert Daniels retained his crown by fighting to a draw with former champion Taoufik Belbouli.

Belbouli, the French-Tunisian former champion, dominated the middle rounds of the 12-round fight, but Daniels rallied in the last two rounds to keep his title.