It’s seldom sensible to get right into a struggle with an ex-convict, a lesson Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores realized the laborious means tonight in Indio, California. Walter Santibanes is somewhat over a yr faraway from ending a 55 month stint in an Arizona jail, and he fought an aggressive, punishing model that earned him an enormous upset win and left the youthful Flores (15-1, 11 KO) together with his first skilled defeat.
It could be straightforward to say Flores received uncovered, however the actuality is he hung in powerful in opposition to a completely relentless, hook-and-uppercut intensive assault from Santibanes (12-2, 2 KO). Santibanes was fearless all through, sitting down on laborious punches and marking up the face of Flores early. Flores by no means regarded shaken up by a number of flurries of uppercuts and sharp hooks, however he additionally couldn’t discover an adjustment that stopped Santibanes from throwing them.
Flores actually has rather a lot to study from this one, however the excellent efficiency and high-motor depth of Santibanes was the actual distinction right here. A Flores-friendly hometown crowd booed the official scorecards of 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91, however they have been a good image of the efficiency by Santibanes.
Afterwards, a really completely happy Santibanes mentioned he’s prepared to struggle anybody from 115 to 126 kilos, and he’ll actually be a welcome presence on future Thursday exhibits for Golden Boy, or Saturday night time undercards for anybody searching for a crowd-pleasing performer.
Jelena Mrdjenovich MD-10 Calista Silgado
The chief assist between Jelena Mrdjenovich and Calista Silgado was usually a slog, with referee Jerry Cantu spending extra time separating folks than a chaperone at a center college dance. Mrdjenovich (42-12-4, 19 KO) did finest at vary or smothering the struggle, which she did so usually and aggressively that she was warned she’d lose a degree for main together with her brow.
When Silgado (21-17-4, 16 KO) received in center distance, she landed some sweeping hooks and tomahawking overhand punches that rattled the taller Mrdjenovich. However she didn’t do it in sufficient rounds, because the judges had it 97-93, 96-94 for Mrdjenovich, with the third card a 95-95 draw. BLH had it unofficially 97-93, and Silgado falls to 0-11-1 in her twelve fights inside the USA.
Daniel Garcia TKO-1 Luis Might
Luis Might’s return to the ring after nearly 4 years inactive barely lasted greater than a minute, as “Junebug” Daniel Garcia put him down laborious with a doubled up left hand to the physique. This was the third struggle of 2023 for the 21 yr previous Garcia (6-0, 5 KO), and there’s no purpose to assume he gained’t be proper again to work once more quickly. Might (22-17-1, 8 KO) didn’t land a critical punch on him.
Gael Cabrera KO-1 Ulises Rosales
Profitable professional debut for Gael Cabrera, however opponent Ulises Rosales was clearly overmatched earlier than the opening bell even rang. Rosales (0-7) entered not solely winless, however wearing common shorts with pockets. Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO) had Rosales down on a physique shot throughout the first minute, then down and out lower than midway by means of the primary spherical.
Patricio Manuel UD-4 Alexander Gutierrez
Patricio Manuel remained undefeated in a full of life little opener, sweeping all rounds on all playing cards for a unanimous choice over Alexander Gutierrez. No actual drama, apart from complaints from Gutierrez (0-2, 0 KO) after a conflict of heads within the 4th spherical. Didn’t compromise the struggle, although, and Manuel improves to 3-0 with the win.
