Pedraza decisions Molina

Former two-weight world champion Jose Pedraza won a 10-round unanimous decision over former U.S. Olympian Javier Molina in a junior welterweight at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Molina suffered a cut under his left eye in round three from a punch.

Pedraza outlanded Molina 164-49.

Pedraza, 141.6 lbs of Cidro, PR won by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice and is now 28-3. Molina, 141.7 lbs of Norwalk, CA is 22-3.

Pedraza said, “They do name me the ‘Sniper,’ and that means I have to be patient, and when my moment comes, I have to take advantage of it. That’s what I did tonight because I was able to wear him down, break him down and make him fight my fight. It was the experience that I’ve had at the top level that helped me finally put it together. I’ve had the experience, I’ve had the talent, and it’s just on a night like this that I’m happy I could put it all together.
 
“I do believe I’m ready for a world title opportunity. Whoever it happens to be between Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez, I want the winner of that fight. If for some reason I can’t get a world title shot against them, I do want to respectfully ask Jose Zepeda for the rematch.”

Ajagba decsions Rice

Efe Ajagba won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jonnie Rice in a heavyweight bout.

Ajagba outlanded Rice 131-39 over the 10-rounds and won by scores of 99-91 twice and 98-92.

Ajagba, 242.3 lbs of Nigeria is 14-0. Rice, 265.4 lbs of Los Angeles is 13-6-1.

Ramirez decisions Caraballo

Former Olympic Gold Medal winner Robeisy Ramirez won an eight-round unanimous decision over Felix Caraballo in a featherweight fight.

Ramirez outlanded Caraballo 225-71.

Ramirez, 125.9 lbs of Cuba won by scores of 80-72 twice and 79-73 and is now 5-1. Caraballo, 125.7 lbs of Marguez, PR is 13-3-2.

Ruiz decisions Solis

Leo Ruiz won a six-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Solis in a junior middleweight bout.

In round five, Ruiz lost a point for a low blow. Later in the round, Solis was deduced a point for spitting out his mouthpiece.

Ruiz outlanded Solis 125-47.

Ruiz, 151.4 lbs of San Bernadino, CA won by scores of 59-53 twice and 58-54 and is now 8-0. Solis, 151.4 lbs of Cancun, MEX is 4-5-1.

Christian Montano remained undefeated with a six-round unanimous decision over Ryan Adams in a super middleweight fight.

Montano, 167.3 lbs of Huston, TX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 58-56 to raise his mark to 10-0. Adams, 165.5 lbs of St. Louis, MO is 7-3-1.

Bryan Lua stopped Luis Norambuena in round two fo their scheduled four-round lightweight bout.

In round two, Lua landed a perfect left hook to the chin that put Norambuena on his back and the fight was stopped at 2:27.

Lua, 134.5 lbs of Madera, CA is 6-0 with three knockouts. Noarambuena, 134 lbs of Talca, CHL is 4-7-1.

Jahi Tucker turned professional with a 1st round stoppage over DeAndre Anderson in a scheduled four-round welterweight bout.

Tucker swarmed Anderson with volume punches, and the fight was stopped at 2:56.

Tucker, 143.6 lbs of Deer Park, NY is 1-0 with one knockouts. Anderson, 147.1 lbs of Birmingham, AL is 1-2.

Kasir Goldston made a successful pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision over Iasiah Varmell in a welterweight fight.

Goldston, 142.8 lbs of Albany, NY won by scores of 40-36 and 39-37 twice and is now 1-0. Varnell, 142.8 lbs of Kenosha, WI is 3-3.




Eric Puente Remains Undefeated with Unanimous Decision over Luis Norambuena in Las Vegas

NEW YORK (Sept 14, 2020) – Split-T Management lightweight Eric Puente remained undefeated by winning a four round unanimous decision over tough veteran Luis Norambuena on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

Puente boxed well and used his jab to set up good shots, which included several hard uppercuts and lefts to the body on the hard charging Norambuena. Puente kept Norambuena at bay, and came home with the victory.

Puente, 137.7 lbs of San Diego, California won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 4-0. Norambuena, 135.6 lbs of Talca, Chile is 4-6-1. Puente was the 9th undefeated foe for Norambuena in his 11 bout career.

“I am so happy that I was able to go out there, and get the chance to show the world what I can do,” said the 21 year-old Puente. “I put a lot of work in. I want to give a big thanks to ESPN, Top Rank and Split-T Management for the opportunity. I can’t wait to come back again soon.”

Puente is promoted by Top Rank.

Photos by Mikey Williams / Top Rank




Kavaliauskas stops Zewski in 8

Former world title challenger Egidijus Kaviauskas stopped Mikael Zewski in in round eight of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

In round three, Kavaliauskas started to swell under his right eye.

In round eight, Kavaliauskas landed a huge right uppercut that hurt Zewski badly. Kavaliauskas jumped on Zewski and put him down with about 10 unanswered punches. Kavaliauskas came out in round eight and landed a booming right in the opening seconds that put Zewski down again, and the fight was stopped at seven seconds.

Zewski was ahead on two cards 67-65 and Kavaliauskas was ahead 67-65 on the other card at the time of the stoppage.

Kavaliauskas, 146.5 lbs of Lithuania is now 22-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Zewski, 147 lbs of Trois-Rivieries, CAN is 34-2.

Kavaliauskas said, “I was controlling the fight. I was never in danger. I was never hurt.
 
“I wanted to knock him out faster, but it happened this way. You can never count on the knockout. I was working. I was putting pressure on him. I saw him slowing down round by round. I saw him getting weaker and weaker. I was just blocking his punches and not feeling his power.
 
“I don’t think Crawford has any other choices at welterweight. I can ask his team, with all due respect, to give me a rematch because these guys have no opponents yet.”

Gonzalez Decisions Marriaga

Joet Gonzalez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Marriaga in a battle of former featherweight world title challengers.

In round nine, Marriaga was cut over his right eye.

Gonzalez landed 234 of 732 punches. Marriaga was 127 of 622.

Gonzalez, 125.8 lbs of Glendora, CA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93 and is now 24-1. Marriaga, 125.9 lbs of Ajona, COL is 29-4.

Gonzalez said, “This puts me back in the position I want to be. I wanted to be back in with tough guys. I told my manager, Frank Espinoza, and my team at Golden Boy that I didn’t want no tune-up fights. I wanted to show people that I could compete with the top guys and be in with heavy hitters and boxers and compete for another title real soon.
 
“I want another world title shot. I think I’ve earned it.”

Jumakhanov stops Ramos

Aleem Jumakhanov stopped Jorge Ramos in round three of a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In round three, Jumakhanov dropped Ramos with a hard right to the head for the ten count at 2:02.

Jumakhanov, 126.5 lbs of Reseda, CA is now 9-3-2 with five knockouts. Ramos, 127 lbs of Laredo, TX is now 7-3-1.

In a battle of undefeated bantamweight, Manuel Flores stopped Jonathan Rodriguez in round five of a scheduled six-round bout.

In round three, Flores put Rodriguez down with a left hook. In round five, Flores landed a hard left that snapped the head of Rodriguez back, and then a follow up flurry had the fight stopped at 1:11.

Flores, 117.3 lbs of Coachella, CA is 9-0 with six knockouts. Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is 8-1.

Anthony Chavez won a six-round unanimous decision over Adan Gonzales in a junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Gonzales dropped Chavez with a right over the top. The replays showed the knockdown was caused by a headbutt and was rescinded. In round three, Chavez landed a left hook that drove Gonzales into the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown.

Chavez, 129.1 lbs of San Bernadino, CA won by scores of 58-56 on all cards and is now 9-1. Gonzalez, 129.1 lbs of Denver, CO is 5-4-2.

Eric Puente remained perfect by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Luis Norambuena in a lightweight bout.

Puente boxed well and used his jab to set up good shots, which included a couple of nice uppercuts.

Puente, 137.7 lbs of San Diego, CA won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 4-0. Norambuena, 135.6 lbs of Talca, CHL is 4-6-1.




Split-T Management’s Undefeated Lightweight Eric Puente in action against Luis Norambuena on Saturday Night in Las Vegas

NEW YORK (Sept 11, 2020) – Tomorrow night at the MGM Conference Center in Las Vegas, Split-T Management’s undefeated lightweight Eric Puente will take on his most experienced foe to date when takes on Luis Norambuena in a four-round bout.

Puente (3-0) will be making his 2nd start of 2020, as he is coming off a decision win over Diego Elizondo on July 7th at the MGM Grand.

Puente, 21, of Vista, California was a 2016 National Youth Open Champion, and was a member of Team USA. Puente was a favorite to be a member of the 2020 United States Olympic Team.

Despite having a record that reads 4-5-1, Norambuena of Chile has wins over three undefeated fighters, and Puente will be 9th undefeated foe in the 11 fight career for the 28 year-old.

At Friday’s weigh-in, Puente was 137.7 lbs. Norambuena was 135.6

The bout can be seen live on ESPN+ beginning at 7:30 P.M ET / 4:30 P.M. PT.

Puente is promoted by Top Rank.

Photos by Mikey Williams / Top Rank