By Ken Hissner: At the Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, Thursday over DAZN promoter Oscar De La Hoya presented in the Main Event previously unbeaten Manny Flores, who was upset by the stronger Walter Santibanes. In the co-feature, former Featherweight world champion Jelena Mrdjenovich won an unpopular majority decision over Calista “Cali” Silgado over 10×2 rounds.
In the Main Event, southpaw Manny Flores, 15-1 (11), #119 ½, of Coachella, CA, lost by a lopsided decision to southpaw Walter Santibanes, 12-2-1nc (2), #118 ¾, of Phoenix, AZ, over ten rounds.
In the action-packed first two rounds, it was close, with Santibanes finishing the stronger of the two in both rounds. In the third and fourth rounds, several times Santibanes landed half a dozen unanswered punches switching from southpaw to orthodox.
In the fifth round, Santibanes, who lost six years while imprisoned, fought like a man possessed, finishing landing after the bell and getting a warning from Referee Jack Reiss. In the sixth round, Santibanes rocked Flores with a minute remaining with a right hook to the chin remaining in control with power punches.
In the seventh round Flores again was staggered by a flurry of half a dozen punches halfway through by the stronger Santibanes. In the eighth round, Santibanes continued to rough up the local favorite.
In the ninth round, Santibanes continued pitching a shutout hurting Flores with a minute remaining with half a dozen unanswered punches. In the tenth and final round Flores became the aggressor, knowing he may need a knockout to win in a close round, and maybe the first, he may have had an edge.
Scores were 100-90 and 99-91 twice, as did KH.
In the co-feature, former Feather World champ Jelena Mrdjenovich, 42-12-2 (19), #125 ½, of Red River, CAN, won an unpopular majority decision over upset-minded Calista “Cali” Silgado, 21-17-4 (16), #122 ¾, of Santiago de Tolu, COL, over 10×2 close rounds.
In the first round, wild-swinging Silgado made a fight of it while Mrdenovich countered well, with Silgado landing a punch after the bell. In the second round, Mrdenovich was more aggressive, taking the round and was the one hitting after the bell. In the third round, Silgado rocked Mrdenovich in the final minute with a left hook on the chin.
In the fifth round, Mrdenovich continued using her jab while Silgado swung wild overhand rights landing one near the end of the round. In the sixth round, Mrdenovich started using her rights to even things up. In the eighth round’s final seconds, Silgado rocked Mrdenovich with a left hook on the chin.
In the ninth round, Silgado came on looking for a knockout, swinging wildly with Mrdenovich jabbing and grabbing. In the tenth and final round, Mrdenovich was warned by Referee Jerry Cantu for holding. A clash of heads in the final minute caused a small cut on the forehead of Mrdenovich. Silgado did well enough to take the round and earn a draw against the 40-year-old former champ.
Scores were 95-95, 97-93, and 96-94 Mrdenovich with 95-95 KH.
21-year-old Super Feather “June Bug” Daniel Garcia, 6-0 (5), #130 ½ of Westminster, CA, stopped “Duro” Luis May, 22-17-1 (8), #130 ¾, of Cancun, Quintana Roo, MEX, at 1:13 of the first round of a scheduled 6.
In the first round, a double left hook to the body from Garcia and down went May for the count from Referee Ray Armendariz.
18-year-old Super Bantam southpaw Gael “El Terrorista” Cabrera, 1-0 (1), #126 ¾, of Sonora, MEX, impressed in stopping overmatched southpaw Ulises Rosales, 0-7 (0), #129 ½, of Tijuana, Baja California, MEX, at 1:29 of the first round of a scheduled 4.
In the first round, the taller Cabrera, who was 201-9 in the amateurs, a minute into the round landed a left to the body for a delayed knockdown as Rosales went back several steps after being hit and dropped to the canvas on his knees for an 8-count from Referee Jerry Cantu. Seconds later, another left to the body from Cabrera, and down went Rosales face first to his knees forcing Cantu to wave it off without a count.
Super Feather Patricio “Cacahuate” Manuel, 3-0 (0), #130 ½, of L.A., CA, defeated late sub Alexander Gutierrez, 0-2 (0), #129, of Lake Elsinore, CA, over four rounds.
In the first round, Manuel was the aggressor and had a slight edge. In the second and third rounds, Gutierrez countered well with his right after being hit by Manuel, who him overall in two close rounds. In the fourth and final round halfway point, a clash of heads caused a nasty cut on Manuel’s left eyebrow, but he came back strong enough to take the round. The referee was Jack Reiss.
All judge’s scores were 40-36, as was KH.
Ring Announcer Joe Martinez