Randy Caballero scored a ten round unanimous decision over Manuel Roman in a Bantamweight bout at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California.
Caballero dropped Roman with a left hook in round two. Caballero landed the more solid punches and was in control from the outset. Roman gave an honest effort but did int have much thunder behind his punches.
Caballero, 117 1/2 lbs of Cochella, CA win by scores of 97-92, 96-93 and is now 16-0. Roman, 117 3/4 lbs of Paramount, CA is 15-2-3.
“I loved my performance,’’ Caballero said. “This was exactly the kind of fight I expected. I knew Roman had trained hard and would be tough. He gave me a challenge. I’ve never been hit like that, but I think I proved I have what it takes.”
Caballero continued, “This kind of fight can only help me down the road. The main thing I did well was continually work the jab. This was definitely a big improvement on my first fight on ShoBox.’’
The victory capped a huge night for Caballero and his brothers, Ryan, who won his pro debut in a non-televised fight, and Rommel, who won an amateur bout.
“All three of us had great performances,’’ Randy Caballero said, “and I am very happy about that. This is just the beginning for all of us.’’
“I just got outworked,’’ Roman said. “I just didn’t let my hands go enough and I really don’t know why. I am definitely very disappointed. I felt going in I was ready for a really good showing.’’
In an entertaining Lightweight bout, Michael Perez scored a ten round split decision over Fidel Maldonado in a battle of once-beaten fighters.
Perez had success early in the fight working the body and had a big round four as he had Maldonado on the ropes and seemed to have his opponent hurt. Maldonado fought through a cut around his right eye that was caused by an accidental headbutt. Maldonado would get in occasional straight left hand that kept most of the rounds close.
Maldonado got a second wind and started coming on. In the final round, Maldonado landed a left to the body that was followed by a combination that dropped Perez with just fifteen seconds to go in the fight. Perez was able to make it to the final bell and hold on for the victory by scores of 97-92 and 95-94 while Maldonado took a card at 95-94
Perez, 134 3/4 lbs of Newark, NJ is now 17-1-1. Maldonado, 134 1/2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is now 13-2.
“Except for the last minute I thought I’d totally outboxed him and won every round even though I hurt my left hand in the third or fourth round and my right hand a little after that,’’ said Perez, who also outpointed Maldonado in the amateurs. “The knockdown was more of a flash knockdown than anything else. I was always aware of what was happening.’’
Said Maldonado, “I felt I’d done enough to win even without the knockdown. I know I hurt Perez throughout and he never hurt me once. His punches had nothing behind them. This decision was total bull. The only rounds I felt I lost were the ones I gave away when I was playing possum trying to get him to come in and exchange.’’
