Brewster Strains to Win Over Meehan

It would not be a Lamon Brewster title fight without a dash of controversy.

Brewster, the World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion who won the belt in bizarre fashion, eked out a split decision victory in his first defense over Kali Meehan at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday night.

The announced crowd of 9,128 heartily booed the verdict when it was announced. Judge Adalaide Byrd scored it, 114-113, in favor of Meehan, judge Dave Moretti scored it, 114-113, for Brewster and judge Nelson Vasquez scored it, 115-113, in favor of Brewster. The Times had Meehan winning, 114-113.

Brewster, who fights out of the Broadway Boxing Gym at 108th Street and Broadway in Los Angeles, admitted that he was leery of his former sparring partner in the 12th round.

“I was just saying, ‘Please get tired. Please go down. Please get tired,’ ” said Brewster, who improved to 31-2.

“I definitely felt that I did enough to win ... [but] I am not happy at all with my performance. I knew I had to be patient, but I was a little too patient.”

Brewster seemed to suffer from paralysis by analysis in the early rounds, giving Meehan almost too much respect. And Meehan seemed to gain confidence from the backfiring ploy.

“I’m happy I stood here for 12 rounds for the heavyweight title,” said Meehan, who fell to 29-2. “A lot of people don’t believe I belonged here. But I think I do.... I hope the boxing public in America can say I’m good enough to be here.”

Meehan enjoyed a three-inch height and nine-pound weight advantage and leaned on Brewster often.

It was in the eighth round that Meehan pummeled Brewster against the ropes enough that Byrd and Moretti scored the round, 10-8, in favor of Meehan, despite Brewster’s staying on his feet.

Brewster, though, answered with his most impressive round, coming out of his crouch to catch Meehan with hard-hitting roundhouse punches and combinations.

“It’s all about heart and determination,” said Brewster, who won the title April 10 when Wladimir Klitchko collapsed and could not continue after the fifth round despite dominating the fight up to that point.

“That’s why I didn’t go down when he had me on the ropes. I’ll be glad to give him a rematch if that’s what the people want, but that’s up to my promoter, Don King.”

King, however, said Brewster’s next opponent would be Evander Holyfield.

In the co-featured bout, undisputed welterweight champion Cory Spinks (34-2) retained his belts with a dominant unanimous decision over Miguel Angel Gonzalez (49-4-1), all three judges scoring the bout 118-109.