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AP – Jorge Linares, left, of Venezuela, is covered with blood as he fights Antonio Demarco, of Mexico, in …

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham, Ap Sports Writer – 1 hr 58 mins ago

LOS ANGELES – Antonio DeMarco broke Jorge Linares' nose and eventually stopped him in the 11th round of a bloody bout, rallying late to claim the WBC lightweight title Saturday night.

Danny Garcia also battered Kendall Holt to remain unbeaten with a split-decision victory in a 140-pound fight on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins' light heavyweight title fight against Chad Dawson at Staples Center.

The undercard was highlighted by 52-year-old Dewey Bozella's victory in his pro boxing debut after 26 years in prison, but DeMarco also put on a show that left him with Linares' blood all over his white trunks.

The Mexican 135-pounder lost most of the early rounds, but he opened a persistent cut on the bridge of Linares' nose. DeMarco appeared to gain strength during a thoroughly one-sided 11th round, which was finally stopped with 28 seconds left after Linares stopped defending DeMarco's relentless blows to his face.

DeMarco, a Tijuana native, said his trainer told him before the 11th round "to do it for my daughter and for everything I've been through in my life."

"He's a great champion, but this is a dream come true," DeMarco said. "Tonight was my night, and who knows, the next time might be your night, but it was a great fight."

Linares, a former featherweight champion, led 99-91 on one judge's card and 98-92 on the other two cards.

"It was a head-butt that broke my nose," Linares said. "The blood really bothered me, and I couldn't see. It was a big factor in the fight. I did the best that I could. I think I was dominating the fight with my speed and technique, but I couldn't see. I want the rematch."

DeMarco has won three straight fights since the late Edwin Valero stopped him early last year in his previous shot at the WBC belt.

Garcia (22-0, 14 KOs) thoroughly dominated Holt (27-5) to earn a likely shot at the WBC junior welterweight title, largely closing Holt's left eye while showing off superior speed. Garcia hopes to become a player in the highly competitive 140-pound division after three wins in 2011.

"I feel phenomenal," Garcia said. "It's been a long journey. I really think I'm the best fighter he's ever fought, and I proved my critics wrong tonight. My game plan was to stay and box, and not trade, and keep my composure. He hit me with a few good punches. That's what I train for, and I got the job done."

Judge Wayne Hedgepeth scored the bout 115-113 for Holt, awarding five straight middle rounds to the veteran while Garcia battered Holt's face. The other two judges scored it 117-111 for Garcia.

Holt, a former junior welterweight champion, has fought just four times since losing his belt to Timothy Bradley in April 2009.

"He outhustled me," Holt said. "I was looking for the knockout too much. I was looking for the knockout all night. I've got to go back to the drawing board, but I'm still going to fight."

Former NBA player Tim Thomas turned up to support Holt, a fellow native of Paterson, N.J.

Former 140-pound champion Paulie Malignaggi won his third straight fight since getting stopped by Amir Khan last year, claiming an unanimous decision over welterweight Orlando Lora. Malignaggi (30-4, 6 KOs) rallied from a slow start and an early stagger, peppering Lora with his usual high-volume punching plan.

Former welterweight champion Luis Collazo lost an unanimous decision to Freddy Hernandez in an early fight. Collazo (31-5), who lost decisions to Ricky Hatton, Sugar Shane Mosley and Andre Berto from 2006-09, struggled in just his second fight after nearly two years out of the ring.