Premier Boxing Champions
WBA featherweight champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) took a one-sided ten round unanimous decision over Keenan “Bedo” Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a non-title bout on the Thurman-Barrios undercard on Saturday night at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Santa Cruz was troubled by a cut over his right eye from an accidental headbutt, but otherwise he was a non-stop punching machine as usual. Scores were 100-90 3x.
Unbeaten super welterweight Jesus “Mono” Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) scored an impressive sixth round TKO over Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs). A barrage of punches prompted a referee’s stoppage at 2:21.
Former two-division world champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) scored a ten round split decision over previously unbeaten Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a super bantamweight bout. Nery dropped Castro in round one, but Castro got the jab working after that. The smaller Nery had to grind hard to win 96-93 95-94 on two cards. Castro was up 95-94 on the third card.
Late sub Luke Santamaria (12-2-1, 7 KOs) won an upset ten round unanimous decision over WBA #4, WBC #8, WBO #12 welterweight Abel Ramos (27-5-2, 21 KOs). Ramos rocked Santamaria in round one, but Santamaria recovered to win 96-94, 96-94, 98-92.
Super lightweight Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez (13-1, 5 KOs) won a narrow ten round split decision over Ryan “Cowboy” Karl (19-4, 12 KOs). Juarez was deducted a point for an elbow in round seven. An unintentional headbutt made Karl’s face a bloody mess. Karl rallied late. Scores were 95-94 for Karl, 95-94, 96-93 for Juarez.
Unbeaten super lightweights Enriko Gogokhia (13-0-1, 8 KOs) and Kent Cruz (16-0-2, 10 KOs) both kept their Os. Cruz down twice in round five, but managed to claw back for an eight round split draw. Scores: 76-74, 74-76, 75-75.
Middleweight Fernando Vargas, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) dropped Kody Koboski (2-1, 2 KOs) in round one and got a referee’s stoppage in round three.
I’m thinking between the All Rivera fight and now this one, it may be too much for a 22 year old Omar Juarez. This was a brutal fight.
Good for Santamaria. 8-2 is nuts, but I thought he pulled it out and, even if he didn’t, that was a fantastic effort, particularly for a sub.
And the two fights they showed on FOX were fantastic!
I thought that Ramos deserved it and agree that the 8-2 scorecard should result in the judge’s suspension, but it won’t.
Jesus Ramos was in a firefight for the first three rounds, then began pivoting more after punching and slipping punches that were hitting him solidly earlier. He began having success after that and finally buckled Hernandez with a vicious left, which eventually led to the stoppage amid a barrage of punches from Ramos. Hernandez is a really tough nut to crack but Ramos did it in impressive fashion.
Ramos is a bright light in the division and with more experience against top contenders should become a champion. As long as he stays disciplined and listens to his trainers, he has a bright future in this sport. I really enjoy watching him fight.
Thought the cowboy had this one!!!
Me too-Juarez definitely outworked in the later rounds.