Oscar Larios vs Wayne McCullough

On February 10, 2005, Oscar Larios successfully defended his WBC World Super-bantamweight title against Wayne McCullough at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, California. This bout marked Larios' sixth title defence, with McCullough, a former WBC World Bantamweight Champion, attempting to regain a world title.

McCullough had dropped down from featherweight for the first time in five years, hoping to capitalize on his strength and experience against the reigning champion.

The fight was closely contested, with both fighters displaying their skills. However, the judges ultimately favoured Larios, awarding him a unanimous decision. The scores were Kazuo Abe 116-111, Marcos Rosales 118-110, and Marty Sammon 118-109.

Despite the apparent victory on the scorecards, many observers felt that McCullough had done enough to merit at least a draw, if not the win. This perception was partly due to McCullough's strong start, where he appeared to dominate the early rounds before his pace slowed in the latter stages of the fight.

The bout was broadcast on Fox Sports and BBC Sports in the UK, reaching a broad audience and highlighting the interest in both fighters at the time. Goossen Boxing promoted the event, with Jon Schorle officiating as the referee.

Larios vs McCullough was significant for several reasons. Despite the loss, McCullough's performance was praised by many, and it underscored his ability to push top-level opponents to their limits. The fact that he earned a rematch based on his performance in the first fight highlights the respect he commanded within the boxing community, even in defeat.

For Larios, the win added to his already burgeoning reputation as one of Mexico's best-ever Super Bantamweights.