Carbajal to Defend IBF Title

If you happen to be watching the main event of tonight’s pay-per-view boxing card from Phoenix and think someone left a pair of broomsticks in the ring leaning against the ropes, adjust your television.

The broomsticks are Michael Carbajal and Robinson Cuesta.

The two, perhaps the skinniest men in professional boxing, will meet in a scheduled 12-round bout for Carbajal’s International Boxing Federation light-flyweight championship. Cuesta, of Panama, has been the IBF’s No. 1-ranked contender for more than a year.

At 5 feet 9 and 108 pounds, Cuesta will be the tallest opponent faced by the 5-11, 108-pound Phoenix native and 1988 Olympic silver medalist.

“His height will help me,” said Carbajal (26-0, 14 knockouts). “It makes it a lot easier to punch. I’ve gotten used to it, but fighting short guys is hard. You can’t get any leverage punching down there. To have someone about my height . . . I’m looking forward to it.”

It will be Cuesta’s first fight in the United States. In three years as a pro he is 23-0 with 15 knockouts, including knockouts in his five of his last six bouts. Thirteen of his 15 knockouts have come in four rounds or fewer.

On the undercard, Oscar De La Hoya (1-0) of East Los Angeles will take on Cliff Hicks (13-6) of Charlotte, N.C., in a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.

In his pro debut at the Forum on Nov. 23, De La Hoya, the only American to win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics, stopped Lamar Williams in the first round.

Also, Tommy Morrison (33-1, 29 knockouts) will take on journeyman Marshall Tillman (10-8-1) in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout. A victory by Morrison might set up a match against George Foreman in the spring of 1993.