34 years ago

Date: 4th February 1990

Title: IBF World Featherweight Title

Promoter: Forum Boxing

Tv: NBC Sportsworld

Jorge Paez
( 33 - 2 - 2 )
Weight: 126 lbs

Troy Dorsey
( 9 - 2 - 2 )
Weight: 126 lbs

Jorge Paez successfully defended his IBF World Featherweight Title for the sixth time on February 4, 1990, at the Las Vegas Hilton, edging out Troy Dorsey in a fiercely contested 12-round battle. The fight, promoted by John Jackson and broadcast on NBC Sportsworld, lived up to its billing as a high-paced clash between two fighters with contrasting styles. Paez, weighing 126 pounds on his second attempt, faced the relentless pressure of Dorsey, also 126 pounds, who entered as the IBF's sixth-ranked featherweight contender.

The second round provided the fight's sole knockdown when Paez landed a clean right hand that sent Dorsey to the canvas. True to his reputation, Dorsey bounced back immediately, resuming his high-volume attack and pinning Paez to the ropes, where much of the action unfolded. From that moment, the tone of the fight was set: Dorsey's endless stamina and aggression against Paez's heavier, more precise shots.

Throughout the bout, Dorsey's work rate overwhelmed in quantity, but Paez's ability to land the more damaging punches kept him competitive. The contrast between Dorsey's non-stop combinations and Paez's counterpunching created a seesaw dynamic that made scoring every round challenging. The relentless pace left no room for lulls as Dorsey charged forward without respite, and Paez tried to pick his moments to retaliate.

The decision, however, sparked controversy among the ringside crowd. Two judges, Robert Byrd and Juan Jose Ramirez, scored the fight narrowly for Paez at 114-113, while Dave Moretti saw it 115-113 in favour of Dorsey. The split decision favouring the defending champion did little to satisfy those who felt Dorsey's unyielding pressure and volume should have earned him the victory.

For Paez, the win marked another successful defence of his title in 1988, but the result left questions lingering. The pair met again five months later in a rematch, with the second fight ending in a split decision draw, further solidifying the rivalry and fueling debates over the true victor of their initial encounter.