The satisfaction of the Coachella Valley, Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (15-1, 11 KOs), put his undefeated file on the road by taking over Walter Santibanes (12-2, KOs) of Phoenix, AZ, in his first-ever Golden Boy Struggle Night time on DAZN headliner.
Flores put himself on show as he aggressively pursued Santibanes and visibly rocked him within the second spherical. Nevertheless, Santibanes was completely satisfied to return with highly effective uppercuts and physique photographs that challenged the Coachella favourite. Santibanes continued to indicate off his energy, dominating the motion within the following rounds, connecting combos to the pinnacle and physique.
The ten-round bantamweight battle went the gap, with every fighter delivering a courageous and entertaining efficiency to a boisterous crowd at Fantasy Springs Resort On line casino. The judges dominated in favor of Santibanes with scores of 100-90, 99-91, and 99-91, awarding him a victory by way of unanimous choice.
“I confirmed nothing however respect to Manny, to my crew, to the gang tonight,” stated Walter Santibanes. “I do know the gang will not be in my favor, however I got here to do my job. I attempt to work laborious within the health club, and that is what I’ve to do; that is my job. I wish to go right down to 115 lbs, however I’ll battle whomever they throw at me at any weight. I’ll battle anybody.”
“We’re going again to the drafting board,” stated Manny Flores. “We didn’t get the victory as we speak, so we’ve to return, modify and work to come back again stronger.”
Within the co-main occasion of the night time, feminine boxing veteran and former two-division world champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (42-12-4, 19 KOs) of Hay River, Canada returned to the ring to face former world title contender of Santiago, Colombia, Calista “Cali” Silgado (21-17-4, 16 KOs). The scheduled 10-round featherweight occasion went the gap, with each fighters aggressively pursuing one another all through the battle. Finally, the judges dominated in favor of Mrdjenovich, with scores of 95-95, 97-93, and 96-94, giving the previous world champion a victory by majority choice.
“My efficiency as we speak was what I wanted; it was a tricky battle, it was quite a lot of motion,” stated Jelena Mrdjenovich. “I want I might have began just a little bit extra aggressive earlier and form of acquired just a little little bit of the ring relaxation out. It’s been since September since I’ve been within the ring and, and, , getting my toes moist and I believe we confirmed some actually good issues. I’m wanting ahead to exhibiting folks motion packed fights. So actually grateful to the followers down right here and actually grateful to Golden Boy for the chance.”
Undefeated fighter “Junebug” Daniel Garcia (6-0, 5 KOs) of Denver, CO confronted off in opposition to Yucatan, Mexico’s Luis “El Duro” Could (22-17-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 6-round light-weight battle. A proper cross early within the first spherical despatched Luis Could to the canvas with 1:13 left within the spherical. Unable to stand up, the referee waved the battle off, awarding Garcia one other knockout to his file.
“I wish to thank all my followers, managers, sponsors, and coaches for the chance,” stated Daniel Garcia. “You don’t actually anticipate to get the knock out, you go to within the ring with a plan. However after the jab I threw a proper hand cross and it landed. My plan was to make use of my jab to arrange every thing. It’s the very best punch in boxing, you study that at a younger age. I’m simply going to get pleasure from my time and prepare for the subsequent alternative.”
Sonora, Mexico’s Gael “El Terror” Cabrera (1-0, 1 KO), made his skilled debut in opposition to Ulises Rosales (0-7), of Tijuana, Mexico, in a scheduled 4-round featherweight bout. The battle was waved off on the 1:29 marker of the primary spherical after Rosales hit the canvas twice after being hit with a physique shot within the left aspect of the physique. Cabrera was topped the winner by way of knockout in his first skilled occasion.
“I used to be nervous to be combating on such an enormous stage, in entrance of an enormous crowd and cameras, however as soon as I stepped into the dressing room, I knew I wanted to carry out and battle like I’ve in my previous fights as an novice,” stated Gael Cabrera. “At this time was the start of my skilled profession and I’m wanting ahead to persevering with this journey.”
Within the opening battle of the night time, Patricio “El Cacahuate” Manuel (3-0), of Los Angeles, CA confronted Lake Elsinore’s Alexander Gutierrez (0-2) in a 4-round light-weight battle. The battle featured vigorous exchanges between each fighters, with Patricio Manuel desirous to dominate the motion. Manuel successfully used his jab to arrange physique photographs, slowing down Gutierrez all through the occasion and awarding him the victory by way of unanimous choice with scores of 40-36 from all three judges.
“, I wasn’t tremendous proud of my efficiency as we speak. I used to be simply pondering extra of placing an influence shot in relatively than listening to my nook and including extra combos,” stated Patricio Manuel. “I really feel like in the direction of the tip of the battle within the final spherical I began to get extra snug and at last began to hearken to my nook and including extra combos, however it’s a 4 spherical battle. I must ensure that I get there sooner. However, , on the finish of the day, I’m completely satisfied that I acquired a win. And most significantly, that is the place I had my professional debut and other people booed me the primary time due to who I’m. And as we speak it was clearly a unique response, they cheered for me, so that may be a victory. I believe the boxing neighborhood has seen that I didn’t simply come right here for one present. I’m right here as a fighter. I’ve devoted greater than half my life to this sport. And I believe it reveals each time I step within the room.”
