In a battle of former world champions, Jesus Ramirez won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jose Pedraza in a junior welterweight bout at The Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
It was a tactical fight with Ramirez looking to push forward, while Pedraza was getting in good work while working off the back foot and countering. In round, nine, the right eye of Pedraza began to swell.
Ramirez landed 133 of 554 punches; Pedraza was 110 of 586.
Ramirez, 139.8 lbs of Avenal, CA won by scores of 116-112 on all cards and is now 27-1. Pedraza140 lbs of Cidra, PR is 29-4.
Ramirez said, “Jose Pedraza is a smart, experienced fighter. He was going to find a way to survive and put up a fight. He was there boxing towards the end of the fight. My hat’s off to him and his team. He was well-prepared. It was a great fight. I got to see where I am right now.
“I’m going to go back, work and stay focused and stay active. That’s one thing that’s affected me these last couple of years. I’ve trained so many times for a little bit of fights. My inactivity, my discouragement throughout training camps, it really took a big toll on me. I’m ready to stay active and stay motivated. There’s a lot of really great fighters coming up to 140. There’s a lot of really good fighters at 140 right now.”
Torrez Jr. stops Melson in 2
2021 U.S. Olympic Silver Medal winner, Richard Torrez Jr. made a successful pro debut as he stopped Allen Melson in round two of their six-round heavyweight bout
In round one, Torrez dropped Melson in the corner with a little combination. Melson’s nose began to bleed. Torrez began to bleed badly over his left eye from a clash of heads. In round two, Torrez dropped Melson with a straight left. the fight ended when Torrez dropped Melson with a left after a furious exchange, and the fight was stopped at 1:23.
Torrez, 228.2 lbs of Tulure, CA is 1-0 with one knockout. Melson, 201.8 lbs of Alabama is 6-4.
Torrez said, “After the cut, I knew I had to get back to basics, and that’s what I did. I made sure to avoid additional head clashes, and I got the job done in the second.
“Sure, the cut is frustrating, but I’m not going to let it ruin the celebration. What a night. It was everything I’d hoped it would be.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to make a good first impression, especially in front of my home fans. They brought the energy, and I fed off the energy they gave me. The Central Valley is home, and I am proud to represent my people.”
Gonzalez stops Santisima in 9
Joet Gonzalez stopped Jeo Santisima in round nine of a scheduled 10-round featherweight bout of former world title challengers.
In round eight, Samtisima started to swell under his right eye. In round nine, Gonzalez landed a couple of right hands and the fight was stopped at 2:05.
Gonzalez, 125.8 lbs of Glendora, CA is now 25-2 with 15 knockouts. Santisima, 125.2 lbs of the Philippines is 21-4.
Gabriel Flores Jr. gutted out a 10-round majority decision over Abraham Montoya in a junior lightweight bout.
Flores looked good early, but seemed to tire in the middle rounds and started eating flush punches. Flores was better in the final frame.
Flores landed 177 of 503 punches; Montoya was 174 of 597.
Flores, 131.6 lbs of Stockton, CA won by scores of 96-94 twice and 95-95 and is now 21-1. Montoya, 131.8 lbs of Mexicali, MEX is 20-3-1.
Hector Tanajara and Miguel Contreras fought to an eight-round split draw in a lightweight bout.
Tanajara won a card 78-84, Contreras took a card 77-75 and a third card was even at 76-76.
Tanajara, 135 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 19-1-1. Contreras, 134.2 lbs of Bakersfield, CA is 11-1-1.
Karlos Balderas stopped Aelio Medquita in round two of a scheduled six-round lightweight bout.
Seconds into the bout, Balderas landed a big right hand that sent Mesquita down for a knockdown. Towards the end of the round, it was another right that sent Mesquita to the deck for a 2nd time. In round two, Balderas landed another right sent Mesquita down and the fight was over at 38 seconds.
Balderas, 134.2 lbs of Santa Maria, CA is 12-1 with 11 knockouts. Mesquita, 131.2 lbs of Guajua, BRA is 20-7-1.
Javier Martinez remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Donte Stubbs in a middleweight bout.
In round two, Stubbs began to bleed from his nose. In round three, Stubbs dropped Martinez with a straight right.
Martinez, 161.8 lbs of Milwaukee, WI won by scores of 59-56 and 58-55 twice and is now 6-0. Stubbs, 163 lbs of Riverside, CA is 6-4.
Charlie Sheehy remained undefeated with an opening round stoppage over previously undefeated Johnny Bernal in a scheduled four-round lightweight bout.
In round one, Sheehy rocked Bernal with a hard right and followed up with another hard right that sent Bernal into the ropes for a knockdown. Sheehy hurt Bernal again with a left hook. Sheehy then landed a vicious combination that forced a referee stoppage at 2:33.
Sheehy, 134.2 lbs of Brisbane, CA is 2-0 with two knockouts. Bernal, 135 lbs of Denver, CO is 2-1.
6’9″ Antonio Mireles remained perfect as he stopped previously undefeated Brandon Hughes in round two of their scheduled four-round heavyweight bout.
In round one, Mireles landed a perfect jab-straight left that sent Hughes down on his face. Moments later it was another straight left that put Hughes down just before the end of the round. In round two, Mireles landed a big left hand that hurt Hughes and the fight was stopped just as Hughes hit the canvas at 1:04.
Mireles, 259.4 lbs of Des Moines, IA is 3-0 with three knockouts. Hughes, 282.4 lbs of Phoenix, AZ is 2-1