By Rick Reeno
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - In a WBC final lightweight eliminator, former champion Jorge Linares (36-3, 23KOs) boxed his way to a ten round lopsided unanimous decision over tough as nails Nihito Arakawa (24-4-1, 16KOs). The scores were 98-92, 100-90, 100-90
Linares used his better footwork, boxing ability, and speed, to keep Arakawa at bay for the first two rounds. Arakawa began to find a home for his punches in the third and things were getting closer as both were landing well in the fourth.
Linares went back to boxing in the fifth, tagging Arakawa with accurate shots on the inside and from the distance. He was using defense and stayed on his toes for several of the following rounds. During the eight, there was a clash of heads that opened up a small cut around Linares' left eye. In the final two rounds, they were trading leather but it was Linares who controlled the action with his boxing ability.