Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez stopped Yunieski Gonzalez in round 10 of an exciting an entertaining 12-round light heabyweight bout at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Gonzalez started off the fight well as he was able to land some hard punches in the opening fraem. In round three, Gonzalez was deducted a point for holding the head.
In round four, they stood toe-toptoe with Ramirez rocking Gonzalez. Every time it looked like Gonzalez was going down or even stopped, he would land a hard right that would drive Ramirez back. In round five, Ramirez continued to batter Gonzalez.
As the rounds went on, Ramirez got into a boxing mode a started piling up rounds with Gonzalez staying dangerous by landing an occasional right hand. In round 10, Ramirez landed a huge barrage of punches that got through the guard of Gonzalez and even snapping his head back several times until the fight was stopped at 1:22.
Ramirez, 174.4 lbs of Mexico is 43-0 with 28 knockouts. Gonzalez, 173.8 lbs of Miami, FL is 21-4.
“He is a great fighter. I knew he was going to be tough because he showed no fear in his eyes,” said Ramirez. “He had nothing to lose, and I knew he was going to come with everything he had. Thank you Yunieski for taking the fight.
“I tried to land body shots and he was prepared. So, I had to change my attacks and focus on hitting him upstairs so I could get the victory. My hand is a little hurt but that is the price you pay to win. I am ready for the next challenge, I want Bivol. He can’t run anymore, I am coming for him,” continued Ramirez.
“I dedicate this fight to Vicente Fernandez, a great Mexican legend. I come from Mexico, and he inspired me to live my dream and I want to show everyone that they can live their dreams too. There are no barriers besides yourself,” concluded Ramirez.
“I am really disappointed in myself,” said Gonzalez. “I always knew Zurdo would be difficult, a tough fighter. But I expected more from myself. This is not the best performance from me, I’m going to back work on myself and get better.”
Estrada Stops Santizo in 4; Retains Minimumweight Title
Seniesa Estrada retained the WBA Minimumweight title with a 4th round stoppage over Previously undefeated Maria Santizo.
In round three, Estrada dropped Santizo with a hard left hook to the head. In round four, it was another left that sent Santizo down and the fight was stopped at 1:51.
Estrada, 104.6 lbs of East Los Angeles, CA is 22-0 with 14 knockouts. Santizo, 103.8 lbs of Guatamala City, GUA is 9-1.
“I give my performance a ‘C’ today because I was getting too ahead of myself. I wanted to the knockout too early so I got caught a few times trying to set it up,” said Estrada. “She was a tough fighter, she is 9-0 with 5 knock outs for a reason, so I knew she was coming in to win. But I knew I had to stop her I just had to be more patient. In 2022 I want to unify the division with a fight against IBF World Champion Yokasta Valle from Costa Rica.”
“Honestly I felt super prepared for this fight,” said Santizo. Seniesa, however, knew how to connect. We fell to the canvas but I feel good, I think maybe the stoppage was too anticipated. But I defer to the referee who is there to protect our health. Now I have to go back to the gym, train and wait for the next opportunity.”
Roach Decisions Alvarado
Lamont Roach Jr. won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Rene Alvarado in a super featherweight bout.
In round five, Roach began to swell under his left eye. In round eight, Roach was bleeding from his nose.
Roach landed 163 of 522 punches; Alvarado was 141 of 881.
Roach, 129.8 lbs of Washington, DC won by scores of 100-90 and 98-92 twice and is now 22-1-1. Alvarado, 129.6 lbs of Managua, NIC is 32-11.
“I feel good about this victory. I just beat a man who was a world champion two fights ago,” said Roach, Jr. “This is the type of victory that I need to show that I am ready for a world title fight. Rene Alvarado is a warrior, a tough guy who I couldn’t knock down, but I feel we did our job today. I want the champion next, Roger Gutierrez.”
“I don’t know what to do anymore. The job we did today was excellent,” said Alvarado. “On my count I believe the fight was mine. When I heard unanimous decision, I knew that was right, but when they said Roach, Jr.’s name I couldn’t believe it. I know I won the fight.”
Marlen Esparza retained the WBC Flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Anabel Ortiz
In round two, Ortiz went down and was scored a knockdown.
Esparza, 111.6 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 100-88, 99-90 and 95-94 and is now 11-1. Ortiz, 111.2 lbs of Mexico City is 31-5.
“My performance was good considering I just came back after contracting Covid-19,” said Esparza. “I wanted to see what it would feel like to come back and I can say that there is some fatigue. We knew she was a counter puncher so we were prepared for it, but I can feel a little of the fatigue. Now that is all over and I know what it feels to come back, I want all the belts. I want Naoko Fujioka from Japan and just unify this division.”
“I think I delivered a great fight, simply the referee did not favor me,” said Ortiz. “He counted two slips that were obviously not knockdowns, she pushed me. I am very unhappy because they put someone in the ring who does not know how to do his job, especially when this is a world title fight. It is a disservice to the sport. They took the victory away from me.”
Victor Morales and Rudy Garcia battled to a 10-round draw featuring undefeated featherweights.
Morales won a card 97-93; Garcia won a 96-94 tally and a third card was even at 95-95.
Morales, 125.4 lbs of Vancouver, WA is 15-0-1. Garcia, 125.2 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 12-0-1.
“I am really upset with the decision, because I feel like I won that fight,” said Garcia. “Morales is a good fighter, I know him from the amateur world, but I think that I pulled off the victory in the end. I really want the re-match to prove that I won this fight.”
“I feel like I won the fight. I feel like I broke him down from the very beginning,” said Morales. “Yes, we got hit. I got things to work on, but I still feel like I won this fight. Let’s do the re-match next, let’s run it back and prove who is the best.”
Ruslan Madiyev won a 10-round unanimous decision over Luis Hernandez in a welterweight bout.
Madiyev, 139.5 lbs of Indio, CA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92 and is now 14-2. Hernandez, 141.8 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 21-2.
“I had seen past fight footage of Hernandez and I noticed that he kept his left hand down,” said Madiyev. “So I made sure to prepare and attack with that right hook, and I kept catching him. I am very proud of my team for the amazing preparation, and I can’t wait to come back in the ring and fight for a title soon.”
Raul Curiel stopped Kendo Castaneda in round seven of their 10-round welterweight bout.
In round three, Curiel landed a left hook that was ruled a knockdown
In round seven, Curiel dropped Castaneda with a body shot and the fight was over at 1:20.
Curiel, 146.4 lbs of Mexico is 11-0 with seven knockouts. Castaneda, 146.6 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 17-5.
“I am very happy to be in Texas and to make my first title defense in front of my family. Castaneda was a strong opponent, but I am glad we were able to show off all our hard work and get a victory. This was one of my best performances and I am so happy to be able to share it with everyone,” said Curiel.
John Ramirez stopped Miguel Rebullosa in round two of their four-round bantamweight fight
Ramirez scored two knockdowns and then landed heavy shots on the ropes and the fight was stopped at 2:21.
Ramirez, 117.6 lbs of Los Angeles is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Rebullosa, 118 lbs of Mexico is 4-13.
Nick Sullivan remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Erick Benitez in a lightweight bout.
Sullivan, 134 lbs of Norfolk, VA won by scores of 39-37 on all cards and is now 5-0. Benitez, 134.6 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 2-2.
