No. 6 world-rated contender and long time Manny Pacquiao spar-mate Ray Beltran (28-6-1, 17 KOs) was robbed of his life long dream of winning a world title when heavily favoured Ricky Burns (36-2-1, 11 KOs) received an absolute gift twelve-round draw that allowed him to escape with his WBO lightweight world title in tow. Beltran beat Burns up in nearly ever round and dropped him in Round 8 for good measure. It was Burns who jumped out to a fast start in the first round looking very fast with a swift offensive attack. Beltran looked very calm and poised under pressure and started to come on in Round 2. The veteran visitor took command in the early going and used a big left hook to get the defending champion?s attention several times. Burns had a good round in the sixth but Beltran came on strong in Round 8 and dropped the hometown hero with a huge left hook. The defending champion beat the count but it was all Beltran down the stretch as it appeared Burns may have injured his jaw. Beltran wouldn?t be denied and he kept his foot on the gas in the championship rounds but after the final bell sounded a ridiculous score of 115-112 Burns was read followed by a still curious tally of 115-113 for Beltran. The farce was completed with the final score reading 114-114 which officially rendered the bout a draw. Beltran, from Los Mochis, M?xico, entered his first world championship fight having won six of his last eight fights, including USBA or NABF title victories over Carlos Vinan, Henry Lundy and Jihoon Kim. What should have been a victory today would have been his crowning achievement but with the official verdict it is Ricky Burns who retains the WBO 135-pound world title on home soil.
