LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Alfonzo Ratliff scored a 12-round split decision over champion Carlos DeLeon Thursday night to capture the World Boxing Council cruiserweight title.
Judge Jerry Roth of Las Vegas scored it 116-113 for Ratliff; Ray Solis of Puerto Rico had it 117-114 for Ratliff; and Angel Guzman of Mexico scored it 117-114 for DeLeon.
Ratliff, who often looked awkward lunging and missing with long-range bombs, was effective inside, cutting DeLeon on the outside of the left eye in the fifth round. The cut was reopened in most subsequent rounds and affected the champion on several occasions.
DeLeon, 187 , piled up an early lead by dancing out of reach and scoring often with an effective left jab.
The 26-year-old Puerto Rican, who dropped to 38-3-1, lost his advantage over the slower Ratliff when he let himself get tied up and began exchanging punches.
During two of the encounters, however, it was Radcliff who emerged with cuts -- over the left eye in the third round and in the corner of the right eye in the fourth.
Ratliff, who entered the bout as the No. 1-ranked contender, improved his record to 20-2 with 15 KOs. The 29-year-old Chicago native, who weighed 192 , has lost to Tim Witherspoon and Pinklon Thomas, both heavyweight champions when Ratcliff attempted to move up.
