ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -Mike Arnaoutis successfully defended his USBA junior welterweight title Friday night, unanimously outpointing Lanard Tyner in a 12-round bout at Bally's Atlantic City.
``It was a tough fight, but I thought I controlled it,'' said Arnaoutis, a native of Greece who lives in Somers Point. ``I'm ready to get back to the next level.''
Judges Luis Rivera and Jean Williams both favored Arnaoutis by a 118-110 margin. Judge David Robertson scored it 116-112.
Arnaoutis (19-2-2) earned his second straight victory after consecutive losses to WBO champion Ricardo Torres and No. 1 contender Kendall Holt.
Tyner dropped to 19-1.
``Arnaoutis didn't beat me. I beat myself,'' Tyner said. ``I think I proved I can beat all those top guys.''
Arnaoutis, 28, nearly ended the fight in the seventh with a combination that forced Tyner into the ropes, but couldn't put him away. Tyner fought back in the ninth and eventually opened a cut above Arnaoutis' right eye.
``He hurt me in the seventh,'' Tyner said. ``I definitely felt a little funny. But I hurt him, too.''
