ShoBox Recap: Martin Outclasses Avalos, Kayode Batters Escalera

Joseph R. Holzer recaps last night's ShoBox card.

As Showtime commentator Steve Farhood continuously reminds viewers, the network's ShoBox series consistently showcases the rising talents of the sport. What sets this show apart from others is how the frequently unbeaten -- albeit untested -- prospects face challenges from other up-and-comers or the sometimes more dangerous veterans known as "gatekeepers."

This match-making has resulted in some damn fun fights over the years. The likelihood of an upset is exponentially greater on ShoBox than other cards, as is the competitive factor.

Fans would believe the fighters on Friday's show -- with a combined record of 64-2-3 with 41 knockouts -- would offer some high drama. Instead, they got a couple one-sided affairs. One by brute force. The other by flawless execution.

In the co-feature set for 10 rounds, Lateef "Power" Kayode stayed true to his nickname by dismantling an overmatched Alfredo Escalera Jr in a cruiserweight bout. Kayode (13-0, 12 KOs), who has uber-trainer Freddie Roach in his corner, is a raw talent. He looks like a natural cruiser, not a blown-up light heavyweight or starved heavyweight. The Nigerian is physically imposing with a chiseled physique and determined glare.

Still, Kayode is green. Stepping into the ring with a dozen wins against Contender alum Escalera (18-3-1, 12 KOs) shouldn't have been as easy as he made it look. Kayode wants to brawl more than box, throw wide shots to setting up behind the jab. Still, his -- well -- power was too much for Escalera to even earn a round.

By the eighth round, it appeared Escalera was beaten mentally as well as physically. Kayode finally took advantage of this by knocking Escalera down with seconds to spare. Referee Joe Cortez noticed Escalera was unsteady legs on his way to his corner and the bout was called off moments after the eighth round ended.

Bantamweights took top-billing as Chris Avalos squared off against Chris Martin. Martin (19-0-2, 5 KOs) who had fought eight weeks prior and two weight divisions north, missed the 118-pound limit by two pounds and was penalized 25 percent of his purse. Those distractions didn't stop Martin from putting on a clinic.

Martin fought with flare, easily countering Avalos' sometimes wild attack, beating Avalos to nearly every punch and taunting at each opportunity that knocked. The bout was virtually even through four rounds, but Martin controlled the remaining six with a beauty of a boxing lesson.

The hard-hitting and previously undefeated Avalos (16-1, 13 KOs) was clearly frustrated, whether it was by Martin's extracurricular antics or his own inability to solve any puzzle Martin presented. He was beaten clearly and cleanly by an opponent with a heavier toolbox than his own. Martin just had more dimensions. It was like sudoku against a Rubik's cube.

Martin took a split decision. Judges Robert Hecko and Danny Nelson scored it 98-92 and 97-93, respectively. Somehow John Mariano came up with a head-scratching 98-94 card in favor of Avalos. Put it into perspective: Mariano believed Avalos only lost two of the 10 rounds and decided not to have one even round, but two of them?

Boxing scoring is subjective, and it's always going to draw controversy. There is no reason to have a card as bad as Mariano's, though. The most amateur of viewers would be able to see Martin won that bout by a landslide.

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