In the main event from the first of two consecutive nights of boxing at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California, unbeaten lightweight Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela (9-0, 6 KOs) scored a tougher than expected ten round unanimous decision over awkward Deiner Monstruo” Berrio (22-3-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday night. Valenzuela outworked Berrio by a wide margin, but Berrio’s unconventional style gave Valenzuela problems also in an entraining fight. Scores were 100-90, 99-91, 98-92.
In a clash of unbeaten super bantamweights, Elon De Jesus (3-0-1, 2 KOs) and Rajon Chance (5-0-1, 5 KOs) battled to a controversial six round draw. De Jesus cut Chance on the forehead with a punch in round three. Referee Jerry Cantu deducted a point from De Jesus for hitting behind the head during a confusing sequence in round four. In round five, Chance turned his back and was clocked several times. Later in the round, a De Jesus uppercut dropped Chance, He beat the count then immediately was allowed extra time to recover while the doctor checked the cut. De Jesus closed the final round strong. Scores were 57-55 Chance, 56-56, 56-56.
In a bout changed from a six-rounder to a four-rounder, super featherweight Amed Medina (4-0, 3 KOs) took a unanimous decision over Abdur Abdullah (4-5, 0 KOs). Medina dropped Abdullah in the first round, but was forced to go the distance for the first time. Scores were 40-35 3x.
Jerry Cantu, never ref a fight again. You are completely incompetent.
Chance tried to get out of the fight twice. Pro game is going to be way too tough for him.
Yep. He’s only 21, he’ll get physically stronger and he’ll work on his skills, but it seems like he’s missing something inside.
he quit twice, ref is an idiot or bought
In carlifornia the judges and referee hate the puerto rican fighters
clearly, he made him quit twice and got a draw, omg
Chance got three chances. He was knocked out twice. He turned his back, and he said he couldn’t see after a knockdown. Ref is bought. Draw. Like old espn fights…sad
Nice KO by DeJesus. Too bad Cantu decided to give Chance a Mulligan.
Cantu should lose his license.
Apparently ‘Berrio’ is Spanish for ‘Broner’. That guy throws a punch once every 35-40 seconds.
Ha! Good one.
Cantu’s total incompetence ruined the evening and cost DeJesus a victory. Disgraceful.
I have nothing but respect for any man brave and discplined enough to get in the ring, especially at the professional level, but let’s face it-it’s been a very uneventful past couple of months in boxing. I just can’t get excited about these types of fights.
Cantú robbed Elon De Jesús.
Dejesus was robbed this is exactly why boxing is in d dissension!!! Fixed
It’s highway robbery! Cantu bought & payed for!!!
terrible “show”
the players knew the play and we viewers thought it was boxing reallies
Chance does not have a mental chance.
The fight should have been stopped in the 5th round after Chance was knocked down. He said he couldn’t see and got a time out. There is no such thing as a time out unless it is to have the doctor look at a cut or if a foul has been committed. Cantu not only was incompetent, he robbed De Jesus of a KO win.
The point deduction was justified because De Jesus hit him behind the head well after Chance leaned over. Just bad judgment on his part. However, he should have won by KO or decision. The judging was questionable, especially since one of the judges gave it to Chance.
As for Velenzuela, I didn’t like the way he stuck his chin up in the air in his last fight and again in this fight. He doesn’t move his head offline but leans back to avoid punches. It may have worked for Ali, but the fighters in his weight class are just as quick and some have long reaches. He’s going to be in trouble if he gets tagged by a power puncher. His offense is still his defense, but he really needs to learn how to keep his head from being taken off in fights against the top fighters.
I’m just not as high on him as some of the announcers were. Granted, Berrios was a tough boxer to fight because he plays possum and defends well, then explodes occasionally. However, Valenzuela really needs a lot of improvement in his defense to deal with the top fighters.
cantu should retire from being a referee get another job but not in boxing