Former two-time world title challenger Jose Zepeda won a 10-round majority decision over Kendo Castaneda in a junior welterweight bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Zepeda controlled the action for the most part, with Castaneda having a couple of moments late in the fight.

Zepeda landed 149-446 punches. Castaneda was 93-422.

Zepeda who challenged for both the lightweight and junior welterweight world titles won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93.

Zepeda, 143.9 lbs of La Puente is 32-2. Castaneda, 143.9 lbs of San Antonio, TX is 17-2.

“He was a late replacement, but he was tough in there. I didn’t take Kendo lightly because I knew what he was capable of. He had only one loss by decision coming into tonight,” Zepeda said. “Anybody with a belt at 140 pounds is who I want to fight. A championship fight is my goal, and that is what I am working towards.”

Luis Alberto Lopez won a 10-round split decision over world-ranked Andy Vences in a junior lightweight bout.

Lopez came forward and threw more and landed more shots. It seemed that Vences was more consistent through out the affair.

In round six, Lopez rocked Vences with a hard uppercut, and that set off a good round as Vences was in trouble.

In round seven, a clash of heads opened up a cut over the left eye of Vences.

Lopez landed 170-656 punches. Vences was 162-580

Lopez, 128.2 lbs of Mexicali, MEX won two cards by 96-94 scores. Venes won a card 96-94.

Lopez is 21-2. Vences, 129.5 of San Jose, CA is 23-2-1.

“I felt I won the fight with my pressure. It was a close fight, but I was confident I did enough after the final bell sounded,” Lopez said. “Credit to Vences. I thought he was knocked out earlier in the fight, but he came back like a warrior.”
 
Said Vences, “I thought I won a close fight, but I am not going to complain about the decision. It was a good, close fight. No excuses. I prepared well for 10 hard rounds.”

Andres Cortes fought through a knockdown and cut to remain undefeated to hammer out an eight-round unanimous decision over Alejandro Salinas in a lightweight bout.

In round two, Cortes was bleeding over the left eye from a clash of heads. In round four, Salinas landed a hard right that sent Cortes down. The cut worsened with another headbutt in round seven, but Cortes was able to outland and out throw Salinas down the stretch by scores of 79-73, 78-74 and 76-75. Cortes landed 129-452; Salinas was 102-384.

Cortes, 132.5 lbs of Las Vegas is 13-0. Salinas, 133 lbs of Youngstown, OH is 10-4.

Gabriel Muratalla remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Sergio Lopez in a bantamweight bout.

Muratalla outlanded Lopez 112-60.

Muratalla, 118.9 lbs of Fontana, California won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37, and is now 4-0. Lopez, 119.1 lbs of Las Vegas is 4-6-3.

Bensalem, PA-Joe Hand Promotions returns to Parx Casino® to kick off the fall boxing season on September 20th with Xcite Fight Night 5. The event will be headlined by a lightweight showcase between Steven “The Hitman” Ortiz and Alejandro “Popo” Salinas.The card is co-promoted by BAM Boxing and features matchmaking by Hall of Famer J. Russell Peltz.

This event is only for adults age 21 and older. Tickets priced at $50, $75 and $100 are on sale at Joe Hand Promotions (215-364-9000). You can also purchase tickets from the Hold My Ticket Call Center at (1-877-466-3404) and at www.parxcasino.com

Ortiz (10-0-0, 3 K0s), a Philadelphia native, won the vacant USA Pennsylvania State lightweight title in his last bout against Jeremy Cuevas in February. He’s excited to remain close to home for his return to action.

“I’m glad to be back in the ring again, after months of hard and dedicated training,” Ortiz said.

That training will be valuable, as his opponent Alejandro Salinas (10-2-0, 9 K0s) is also a state champion from Ohio. Ortiz is excited for the challenge.

“He’s a very skilled fighter and has an outstanding record,” Ortiz said. “The only difference is, he hasn’t fought anyone like me, my power, my speed. I’m very dangerous. He will soon know that. It’s going to be a great fight.”

In the co-feature, exciting prospect Omar Kabary Salem (9-0-0 4 K0s) takes his biggest step up in competition by facing former ABF USA Middleweight champion Jamaal “Da Truth” Davis (18-15-1, 7 K0s) in a super-middleweight battle.

The undercard features a classic battle between orthodox and southpaw – as well as PA versus New Jersey- as undefeated Joshafat Ortiz (6-0-0 4 K0s) takes on Andrew “Sweet Pea” Bentley (5-3-0 1 K0). That fight will take place at super featherweight.

The Bucks County native Milton “El Santo” Santiago (17-0-0 3 K0s), returns to the ring after more than 16 months away.

Super lightweights Daiyann Butt (4-0-0 2 K0s) and Tyhler Williams (3-0-0 2 K0s) are both looking to continue their win streaks at Parx Casino as they return again to Xcite Fight Night in separate fights.

ABOUT PARX CASINO®

Parx Casino® is owned and operated by Greenwood Racing, Inc. and is the #1 revenue generating casino property in Pennsylvania. Parx Casino® is conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia, I-95vexit 37 or PA Turnpike exit 351 (westbound), exit 352 (eastbound) on Street Road in Bensalem Bucks County. Parx features over 200,000 square feet of gaming; 3,270 slot machines and 148 live table games; 40 poker tables; live racing & simulcast action; Parx Grill, an upscale signature restaurant; Foodies quick service dining; Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab House and Sports Bar; Jax sports bar; Circle Bar; Bambu Noodle House; The Lucky Cheese ~ gourmet grilled cheese eatery; XLounge, luxury casino lounge and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. One year ago, Parx debuted a $50M expansion that included the 1,500-seat live entertainment venue, Xcite Center; Liberty Bell Gastropub, farm-to-fork inspired menu; Oliveto, New York City style pizza and Italian Classics; Parx Poker, new
custom built private poker room. In 2019, Parx launched sports betting and opened a massive year-round Beer Garden to rave reviews. For more information on Parx Casino®, visit www.parxcasino.com.