Superior Hopkins downs Joppy Ruiz earns title bout

The American was awarded a controversial majority decision 117-110 ,114-112 while the third judge scored the fight a 114-114 draw.

The referee deducted two points from Mayorga for hitting after the bell and for hitting behind the head.

The Nicaraguan was beaten for the first time in five years.

"If it wasn't for the referee I would have won the fight," said Mayorga.

" I wasn't intentionally hitting him wrong. He was bending down when I was throwing punches."

Despite the explosive nature of the bout, Spinks was proud to follow in the footsteps of his father and uncle.

The 25-year-old is the son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks and former heavyweight title-holder Michael Spinks.

"You have to keep your head into it and do what you have to do," Spinks said.

"I have been hit hard all my life. I wasn't worried about getting hit by him."

Victor Burgos and Rosendo Alvarez drew the first bout on the Boardwalk Hall undercard in the light-flyweight division.

The fight would have unified the belts with Mexican Burgos the IBF champion and Nicaragua's Alvarez holder of the WBA belt.

American Judah could be lined up to fight Ricky Hatton

Another Nicaraguan Luis Perez successfully defended his IBF junior bantamweight title against Felix Machado.

Perez was awarded a unamimous points decision, in a re-match of a January fight that was marred by a head-butting incident.

"This time it was a clear victory but I know him like the palm of my hand," said Perez.

American Zab Judah knocked out Colombian Jaime Rangel after just 72 seconds to retain the WBO junior welterweight title.

The Brooklyn boxer stunned Rangel with a solid left before knocking him out with a powerful right.

Travis Simms achieved the second and last knock-out of the night as he sent Mexico's Alejandro Garcia to the canvas.

The American took the WBA super-welterweight title from Garcia, whose record dropped to 22-1.