Rustam Nugaev got a dubious victory after Marvin Quintero injured his left hand and the bout had to be halted at the end of round four of their scheduled ten round Jr. Welterweight bout at the Pala Casino Spa and Resort in Pala, California.
Quintero, who was fortunate to be in the fight after missing Friday’s weigh in due to a visa issue coming in from Mexico, was even the fight by using his legs and landing solid shots with both hands. Nugaev was slowly upping his activity rate in round’w three and four. Quintero landed a nice left hand to the forehead of Nugaev just as the 4th round ended and he began to motion that he was in discomfort.
In between round’s, Quintero said he could not continue and Nugaev was ruled the winner.
Nugaev, 143.2 lbs of Russia is now 27-6-1 with 17 knockouts. Quintero, 142 lbs of Mexico is now 25-5.
“I was just getting into a grove when the bout was halted,” said Nugaev. “My body attack was starting to wear down Quintero. I can see that he was starting to slow down as I was coming forward. He was a very tough opponent and he was very effective with his punches but I was never hurt. I feel I was on my way to knocking him out before the fight was stopped. My promoter Gary Shaw has big plans for me this year and I’m ready to fight for a world title. I’m taking on anyone who wants to step in the ring with me. I will be a champion very soon, all I need is an opportunity.”
Roman Morales scored five knockdowns en route to a eight round unanimous decision over Khabir Suleymanov in a Bantamweight bout.
In round two, Morales dropped Suleymanov with a hard right hand. He later landed a hard right that had Suleymanov holding on. Later in the round, Morales scored a 2nd knockdown from left hook. Morales scored another knockdown in round five from a short left hook. Suleymanov began to bleed form the right eye from an accidental headbutt in round seven. Morales dumped Suleymanov in twice in round eight from right hooks.
Morales, 118 1/2 lbs won by scores of 80-67, 79-68 and 79-68 and is now 18-0. Suleymanov, 119 lbs is 16-4.
Dusty Hernandez Harrison remained undefeated as he scored a 6-round unanimous decision over Mike Belasi in a Welterweight bout.
Harrison was the boss throughout the fight with the exception for a brief moment in an eventful 2nd round. Harrison sent Belasi from a barrage of punches that was finished up by a left. With Harrison looking to capitalize on the knockdown, he got caught with a perfect straight left hand that sent him to the canvas. Harrison steadied himself and had very little trouble for the rest of the contest. He scored a 2nd knockdown in round five from a combination that was finished with a series of right hands.. Belasi did well to make it the distance.
Harrison, 147 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 60-53, 59-54 and 59-54 and is now 20-0. Belasi, 147 lbs of Honolulu, HA is now 10-4.