The satisfaction of the Coachella Valley, Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (15-1, 11 KOs), put his undefeated report on the road by taking up Walter Santibanes (12-2, KOs) of Phoenix, AZ, in his first-ever Golden Boy Battle 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 happy to return with highly effective uppercuts and physique pictures that challenged the Coachella favourite. Santibanes continued to point out off his power, dominating the motion within the following rounds, connecting mixtures to the top and physique. The ten-round bantamweight combat 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 through unanimous determination.
“I confirmed nothing however respect to Manny, to my staff, to the gang tonight,” mentioned 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 exhausting within the gymnasium, and that is what I’ve to do; that is my job. I need to go right down to 115 lbs, however I’ll combat whomever they throw at me at any weight. I’ll combat anybody.”
“We’re going again to the drafting board,” mentioned Manny Flores. “We didn’t get the victory immediately, so we’ve to return, regulate and work to return 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 combat. 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 determination.
“My efficiency immediately was what I wanted; it was a tricky combat, it was a variety of motion,” mentioned Jelena Mrdjenovich. “I want I’d have began slightly bit extra aggressive earlier and sort of bought slightly little bit of the ring relaxation out. It’s been since September since I’ve been within the ring and, and, you understand, getting my toes moist and I feel we confirmed some actually good issues. I’m trying ahead to displaying individuals 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 combat. 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 combat off, awarding Garcia one other knockout to his report.
“I need to thank all my followers, managers, sponsors, and coaches for the chance,” mentioned 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 little thing. It’s the perfect punch in boxing, you be taught 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 combat 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 through 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 combat like I’ve in my previous fights as an beginner,” mentioned Gael Cabrera. “Immediately was the start of my skilled profession and I’m trying ahead to persevering with this journey.”
Within the opening combat 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 combat. The combat featured energetic exchanges between each fighters, with Patricio Manuel desirous to dominate the motion. Manuel successfully used his jab to arrange physique pictures, slowing down Gutierrez all through the occasion and awarding him the victory through unanimous determination with scores of 40-36 from all three judges.
“You realize, I wasn’t tremendous pleased with my efficiency immediately. I used to be simply considering extra of placing an influence shot in somewhat than listening to my nook and including extra mixtures,” mentioned Patricio Manuel. “I really feel like in direction of the tip of the combat within the final spherical I began to get extra snug and at last began to hearken to my nook and including extra mixtures, nevertheless it’s a 4 spherical combat. I must be sure that I get there sooner. However, you understand, on the finish of the day, I’m completely happy that I bought a win. And most significantly, that is the place I had my professional debut and folks booed me the primary time due to who I’m. And immediately it was clearly a distinct response, they cheered for me, so that may be a victory. I feel the boxing group 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 feel it reveals each time I step within the room.”
