Sacramento Prospects Set For Action Thursday

By Mario Ortega Jr. (scaleside)

Former Sacramento, California-based amateur stars, Brandon Gonzales and Stan Martyniouk, are slated to co-headline a five-bout card in their hometown at the Red Lion Hotel on Thursday night. The weigh-in took place Wednesday night at the hotel, and proved to be a bit more eventful than had been expected.

Gonzales (4-0, 4 KOs) had been pulled from the card earlier in the week after several opponents had fallen out. Thursday’s featured eight-round light heavyweight fight was slated to take place between Sacramento’s Ernesto Castaneda (10-7-1, 4 KOs) and Billy Bailey (7-1, 2 KOs) of Bakersfield, California. However Castaneda, reportedly having trouble making the contracted 172-pound weight limit, was a no-show at the weigh-in. A call was placed to Gonzales, who decided to take Castaneda’s place, and likely in effect save the card.

The new six-round light heavyweight main event proves to be more intriguing than the one originally planned. Gonzales, a highly touted prospect, is now in against a fighter that has not lost since his professional debut. In addition, Gonzales had not expected a fight Thursday and is fighting two weight divisions higher than where he normally fights. Gonzales came in at 176 pounds. Bailey weighed in at 173 ½.

In the co-feature, Martyniouk (3-0, 1 KO) takes on Terrance Jett (3-10-2, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a four-round lightweight bout. Martyniouk, once ranked nationally as the #2 amateur lightweight, is coming off his first professional knockout, which took just 30 seconds in May. Martyniouk weighed in at 133 pounds. Jett came in at 135.

Sacramento tough guy Carlos Musquez (3-2-2, 3 KOs) will take on Alex Viramontes (8-5, 3 KOs) of Riverside, California in a six-round welterweight contest. Musquez is coming off a controversial split decision loss to unbeaten Hector Serrano (7-0, 3 KOs). That bout took place in Serrano’s backyard. Viramontes is coming off a decision defeat to well regarded Jesus “Chuy” Rodriguez (19-3, 5 KOs) in May. Musquez came in at 146, while Viramontes scaled 144.

Two Vacaville cousins will make their professional debuts on Thursday night. Geraldo Lopez will take on Glendale, California-based Armenian Artur Galstyan (0-2) in a four-round welterweight fight. Lopez weighed in at 146 ½. Galstyan tipped the scales at 148. Lopez’ cousin, Maximilliano Becerra, will make his pro debut against Andres Reyes (1-1) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round lightweight fight. Becerra weighed in at 133, while Reyes scaled 134.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Uppercut Promotions, are available online at Tickets.com.

Quick Weigh-In Results:
Light Heavyweights, 6 Rounds:
Gonzales 176
Bailey 173 ½

Welterweights, 6 Rounds:
Musquez 146
Viramontes 144

Lightweights, 4 Rounds:
Martyniouk 133
Jett 135

Welterweights, 4 Rounds:
Lopez 146 ½
Galstyan 148

Lightweights, 4 Rounds:
Becerra 133
Reyes 134