Sutcliffe Gets Some Help Giving Futch a Present : Boxing: He struggles with southpaw replacement Martin but wins a controversial split decision.

WOODLAND HILLS — When the fourth fight of the card was over Wednesday night at the Warner Center Marriott, many in attendance believed than renowned trainer Eddie Futch--molder of Riddick Bowe among others--had received a gift victory for his 84th birthday.

One of Futch’s latest protegees, 20-year-old heavyweight Shane Sutcliffe of British Columbia, won a controversial split decision over Wesley Martin (3-4) a southpaw from Kileen, Tex., who was a late replacement for Brad Powell.

“I’m happy to get the decision,” said Sutcliffe (14-3). “I’m not happy with the performance. He was only the second southpaw I fought.”

It showed.

Sutcliffe leaned into several Martin punches, though he was not seriously injured, fought as if trailing in the seventh and final round.

When the decision was announced, many ringside observers were shaking heads. Two of those heads belonged to Sutcliffe and Martin.

In the preceding match, a cruiserweight bout scheduled for four rounds, paunchy James Mullen of Simi Valley survived an early right cross from Gil Jacobs to win by knockout at 2:59 of the first round.

Nothing subtle about his approach, Mullen missed wildly with a series of big rights before connecting on two lefts to Jacobs’ head as the San Diego native backpedaled to the ropes.

Mullen, who dropped down from the heavyweight division, improved his record to 7-3 with three knockouts.

Jacobs fell to 1-2.

Also on the undercard, a spirited skirmish between super lightweights Jim Nakahara of Los Angeles (8-1-1) and Carlos Guzman (5-3-3) of Canoga Park was ruled a technical draw after the second round, when Guzman accidentally head-butted Nakahara, causing his left eyelid to swell and the eye to close.

Capitalizing on his reach advantage, Danny (Gumby) Lujan (8-1) of Salinas proved too elusive for Jose Herrera (9-16) of Glendale in a five-round super-lightweight fight, winning a unanimous decision.