Byrd Retains Heavyweight Title in Disputed Decision

Chris Byrd won a unanimous decision over Fres Oquendo to retain his International Boxing Federation heavyweight title Saturday at Uncasville, Conn.

Byrd controlled the pace, leading Oquendo across the ring, but Oquendo’s counterpunches dominated the middle rounds and appeared to take Byrd off his game plan.

“I give Fres a lot of credit,” Byrd said. “He never really hurt me, but there were a couple of times where I reminded myself that I had to hold my hands up high.”

Oquendo (24-2) was stunned by the decision, as was the crowd at Mohegan Sun casino.

“He hardly hit me,” Oquendo said. “I was the aggressor.”

A left-hander, Byrd led Oquendo with an extended right hand for the first two rounds, but Oquendo’s counters forced Byrd to draw back and protect his head as the fight progressed.

That left Oquendo free to stun Byrd with several strong jabs.

“He was strong and crafty, and there was no doubt that he was ready and wanted it,” Byrd said.

Byrd appeared to have more energy in the later rounds and threw more punches, but Oquendo managed to keep slipping them.

It was Byrd’s first title defense since beating Evander Holyfield for the vacant belt last year.

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On the undercard at Uncasville, Alejandro Garcia stopped Rhoshii Wells in the 10th round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Assn. super-welterweight title and hand Wells his first defeat.

Garcia knocked Wells to the canvas in the closing seconds of the 10th. Referee Frank Cappuccino stopped the fight after a doctor found Wells unable to continue.

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Lightweight Rolando Reyes (19-2-2, 12 knockouts) of Oxnard knocked down Omar Bernal (25-3-2, 7) of Mexico three times in the fourth round of the 10-round main event at the Arrowhead Pond, but Reyes still had to go the distance to pull out a close, but unanimous, decision.

Those were the only knockdowns in the fight, in front of a crowd of about 1,900.

In a preliminary match, lightweight Dmitriy Salita (14-0, 10) got a unanimous decision over Joey Bartole (8-3, 5) in a six-round fight.

Golf

Robert Damron, looking for a high finish to keep his exempt status on the PGA Tour, and Cameron Beckman each shot a six-under par 66 to share the second-round lead in the rain-delayed 84 Lumber Classic at Farmington, Pa.

The third and fourth rounds are scheduled for today.

John Daly, the unofficial tournament host, began hyperventilating on the 15th fairway and withdrew for the third time in his last four tournaments. He was eight over par and in next-to-last place at the time, though he had birdied the previous two holes.

Daly was treated for dehydration and felt better after receiving intravenous fluids, according to Daly’s agent, Bud Martin, who is also the tournament’s executive director.

Jim Ahern shot a bogey-free five-under par 67 to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Champions Tour’s SAS Championship at Cary, N.C.

Miscellany

Justin Gatlin of the United States earned $500,000 by winning the 100 meters at the Moscow Challenge track event, finishing ahead of Britain’s Dwain Chambers. World-record holder Tim Montgomery was third and world champion Kim Collins finished sixth.

Gatlin won in 10.05 seconds.

Chryste Gaines dominated the women’s 100, easily beating Christine Arron of France and world champion Kelli White.

A drunken driving charge against Miami Heat forward Samaki Walker has been dismissed. Walker, a former Laker, was charged with drunken driving after an accident near Columbus, Ohio, in July.