Honorio upsets Molina ; Ramos decisions Perez in action filled Featherweight affair

Martin Honorio scored a mild upset as he scored a wide unanimous decision over previously undefeated prospect John Molina Jr. in a ten round Lightweight bout at The Pechanga Hotel and Resort in Temecula, California.

Honorio used his vast experience advantage as he mixed up combinations to the head and body while using just enough movement to get out of the way of the hard punching Molina. Molina started to show the effects of Honorio’s punches as early as round as he started to show redness on his nose. Molina did get in a lot of offense of his own as he fought back and continued to look for the big shot that would have been the equalizer.

In round six, Honorio’s shots produces sweeling under the right and a headbutt caused redness on the right side of Molina;s face. In round seven, Honorio landed some good body work that was followed up by a big right hand. Later in the round he landed another right that drove Molina back. Honorio continued his excellent work in round nine as stunned Molina with a body shot.

Honorio was moving up from fighting most of his career at Featherweight and the Mexico City native won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 to improve his record to 27-4-1. Molina, 134 lbs of Colvina, CA is 18-1.

“The weight difference was definitely a factor for the first few rounds, but I got more comfortable as the fight went on,’’ Honorio said. “This is definitely the biggest win of my career. He hit me a few times but he never stunned or hurt me. But I felt like I was hurting him.

“I would love to give him a rematch, but only if the fight was made on my terms, at 130 pounds. I fought this one on his terms.’’

Said Molina, who entered the ring at less than 100 percent: “I had a battle out there today. The fact that I had the flu is no excuse. (But) I couldn’t pull the trigger. I couldn’t do what I wanted tonight.

“It hit me last minute. I slept until 5 p.m. today. I had the opportunity to pull out of the fight but I didn’t because it was a sold out crowd and I had a responsibility because I am the favorite.

“Martin Honorio is a great fighter and he did well tonight. Am I satisfied? Absolutely not. Do I want a rematch? Yes.‘’

Rico Ramos scored eight round unanimous decision over Alejandro Perez in an exciting two way Featherweight bout.

Perez had a solid round one as he began to work the body of Ramos. Ramos came back in round two as he dropped Perez with a big right hand. Ramos punctuated round three as he landed a big right that set off ten unanswered punches that was ended by a big left hook. Round four was a tremendous round with each guy standing his ground and at different points getting better of the back and forth brawl. Ramos was very effective countering both in the middle of the ring and off the ropes. Perez landed a big right hand in round six for which Ramos walked through. In round seven, Ramos landed a big left that drove Perez across the ring that was followed by two uppercuts.

Ramos, 121 3/4 lbs of Los Angeles, CA won by scores of 80-71, 80-71 and 78-73 to remain undefeated at 14-0. Perez, 124 lbs of Salinas, CA is now 14-2-1.

“I did very good,’’ Ramos said. “He was strong and to accomplish what I did in the ring took a lot of hard work in the gym and it paid off. We did what we had to. I went into the ring expecting him to be strong and I had to use my movements and my jabs.

“I was expecting to win every round but didn’t plan of ever dropping him. I got head-butted a couple times but it didn’t hurt me – it gave me more adrenaline and got me going.”