Colombian Welterweight Champion Jeovanis “Meque” Barraza (22-1, 15 KOs) defeated Argentinian southpaw Jorge “Tomatito” Martin Garcia (13-7-1, 6 KOs) by way of an 8-round unanimous decision to capture the vacant ABF Continental Americas super welterweight title in the headliner on last night’s “Down & Dirty” card, presented by Reyes Boxing Club at Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts.

“A+ effort by all the fighters, B delivery by the promotional team, because we started an hour late,” promoter Michael Reyes commented. “The main event was wonderful, 8 hard fought rounds for a title. Garcia has one helluva heart. He’s a champion. ‘Meque’ did his job. He saw some things he needs to work on that we’ve talked about in the gym. Overall, it was a great experience.”

Colombia and Argentina are bitter archrivals in sports like a South American version, albeit in boxing, of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Both main event fighters made their United States debuts. The more skilled Barraza was tested by the tough, determined Garcia, but Barraza’s blistering body shots consistently set up his powerful head shots.

In the sixth round, Barraza’s constant pressure and effective combinations eventually wore down a tiring Garcia, who landed on the canvas twice, but he wouldn’t stay down. The seventh round was batting practice for Barraza, who hit Garcia with everything but the kitchen sink. Despite a vicious body assault that brought Garcia to his knees, he rose once again and somehow survived until the very end.

“It was a really good fight,” Barraza said after his fight. “He (Garcia) was tougher than I thought he would be. The big news is that I’m fighting here in the United States for the first time and leaving with a title belt.”

Barraza, who pitched a near shutout (80-69, 80-69, 79-70), collected another title belt and, more importantly, came out of the fight unscathed and sharp for his Nov. 13th showdown in Anaheim (CA) with Alexis Rocha (17-1, 11 KOs) in the co-feature on a DAZN show, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, and headlined by Jamie Munguia vs. Gabriel Rosado.

“I don’t have to change a thing,” Barraza noted. “I can continue my training for this fight, especially sparring, because I can continue  with the same guys I sparred for this fight.”