Maldonado wins decision over Cano

FRISCO, Texas — In what almost certainly will qualify as the biggest victory of his career, Albuquerque junior welterweight boxer Fidel Maldonado Jr. defeated Mexico’s Pablo Cesar Cano by 10-round split decision Saturday night.

In a bout telecast nationally on ESPN2, Maldonado improved his record to 24-3-1 with 19 knockouts. Cano, a former world title contender, is 30-6-1 (21). The judges’ scores were 97-92 twice for Maldonado, 96-93 for Cano.