Jose Pedraza wins vacant lightweight title with near shutout of Andrey Klimov

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jose Pedraza lived up to his nickname, "Sniper," Saturday night, gliding around the ring and systematically picking apart his opponent, Andrey Klimov, to remain undefeated and capture the vacant IBF lightweight title by unanimous decision at the Bartow Arena.

Pedraza, 26, from Caguas, Puerto Rico, extended his record to 20-0 (12 KOs) with the near-shutout victory, outworking Klimov from the opening bell. His edge in quickness enabled him to connect on 50% of his power punches, landing 168 to Klimov's 68. Pedraza also worked his jab early and often, throwing 412 and connecting on 104.

Klimov, from Russia, fell to 19-2 (9 KOs). The title is the first for Pedraza, who hails from the same hometown as middleweight champion Miguel Cotto.

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Judges David Hudson and Bob Hutto scored it a shutout, 120-108, while Nola Oliver scored it 118-109 for Pedraza.

Pedraza started out fighting out of a southpaw stance and appeared to confuse Klimov somewhat. During the middle rounds he switched back to his usual orthodox style and punished Klimov to the head. Klimov's nose began to bleed in the early rounds and continued to bleed throughout the rest of the fight. But the Russian proved to be too tough to put on the canvas, fighting most of the way with blood pouring from his nose.

"I'm very happy, it's something I've been sacrificing the last 14 years to achieve," Pedraza said. "It wasn't easy but a dream come true. Every fighter dreams about becoming a world champion. It was harder than than I thought it would be but I was prepared to do what I had to do.

"It was a great night."

The fight was the main undercard for Deontay Wilder's first defense of his WBC heavyweight title and the first world title fight in Alabama, though technically the Pedraza-Klimov bout was the first.