By Rafael Soto

Ramon 'Inocente' Alvarez (27-6-3, 16 KO's) knocked down Argentinean Nicolas Luques (15-5, 5 KO's) in the third round and won a unanimous decision with scores of 97-92, 96- 93 and 98-91 after 10 rounds at middleweight, in the main event of a Zanfer Promotions card from the Metro Workers Gymnasium in Mexico City.

In the first round, Alvarez was better, but also Luques showed part of his arsenal; nevertheless, in the second episode it was the Alvarez that connected with solid combinations that nearly caused the referee to step in to stop the fight.

With a powerful right, Luques went down to the canvas in the third round, and again Alvarez went after him in search of knocking him out, but the round ended and the Argentine walked back to his corner on unsteady legs - although he could not avoid the danger of Alvarez's punches.

Stamina was the main enemy of both boxers in the second half of the battle, and thanks to that the Argentine had a little opportunity to recover and even cut the left eyebrow of Ramón in the eighth round.

For the ninth, Luques fought back and threw better punches, but could turn the tide in the manner that he and his team expected.

The surprise of the night was Mauricio Lara, who took the undefeated record of Sergio Chirino from Oaxaca at the start of the third episode, as the medical team of the Professional Boxing Commission of the Mexican capital did not allow Sergio to continue, following a deep cut on the bridge of the nose.

Lara, who had been overtaken in the first round by the speed and accuracy of Chirino Jr., improved to 11-2 and 6 KO's, while Chirino, who had already practically closed the right eye of his opponent, was left with a record of 9-1 and 4 KO's.

In an entertaining fight, Luis Fernando Robles secured a solid unanimous decision victory, by defeating Fernando Curiel after six intense rounds in which the young Robles showed good technique against an opponent who never stopped pressing him.