Zepeda-Prograis Undercard

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Unified IBF/WBO female minimumweight world champion Yokasta ‘Yoka’ Valle (27-2, 9 KO’s) of Costa Rica won a majority decision over IBF/WBO light flyweight champion Evelyn ‘La Princesita’ Bermudez (17-1-1, 6 KO’s) from Argentina in the co-feature bout Saturday night on the Zepeda-Prograis undercard at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Coming out aggressive from the opening bell, Valle didn’t hesitate, taking it to Bermudez. Valle attacked on the inside in the second as Bermudez boxed from a distance outside, Connecting with combinations in round three Valle took it to Bermudez as she kept coming. In the fourth, Valle and Bermudez traded away to close the round as the crowd was on their feet.

Landing crisp and getting extension, Valle controlled in the fifth as she outworked Bermudez who continued to fight back. Valle was non-stop continuing to go at Bermudez in the sixth, fighting smart and aggressive. In the seventh, Valle connected solidly and continued to dictate the pace. Yoka continued to box effectively through eight rounds as Bermudez stood her ground. Late in the ninth round, Valle cornered Bermudez and kept working. The tenth, and final round Valle appeared to be in control timing Bermudez and connecting with good punches as she was well on her way to the decision.

The judges scored the fight 99-91, 97-93, and 95-95.

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Junior middleweight Fernando ‘EL Feroz’ Vargas Jr.(7-0, 7 KO’s), son of ring legend Fernando Vargas, scored a spectacular knockout over  Alejandro Martinez, (3-3-1, 2 KOs). Vargas picked his shots early on in the opening round, connecting on Martinez. In the second, Vargas drilled Martinez sending him to the canvas twice and forcing referee Ray Corona to immediately wave off the bout at 2:40 of the second.

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Super bantamweight Nathan Rodriguez (10-0, 7 KOs), of nearby Pico Rivera, California won a hard fought unanimous decision over a tough and durable Jerson Ortiz (17-6, 8 KO’s) from Nicaragua in going the distance eight rounds. Off to a slow start in the first, Ortiz made it a rough fight in the second as Rodriguez showed composure and boxed. After a vicious exchange, Rodriguez dropped Ortiz in the third as he was up but Rodriguez dropped him a second time. Continuing to fight, a barrage of punches by Rodriguez appeared to have Ortiz finished but the Nicaraguan fought on. Ortiz urged Rodriguez to fight on in the fourth as the two had a brief exchange.

Past the halfway mark in the fifth, Rodriguez boxed with Ortiz wanting to make it a street fight. Rodriguez continued to show the superior skill in the sixth but that did not keep the tough Ortiz from fighting, landing a solid right backing Rodriguez. Ortiz landed a low blow in the seventh as referee Jack Reiss warned him, Rodriguez kept boxing. The eighth and final round, Ortiz pressed as Rodriguez stuck to the plan boxing away and working his way to the decision win.

In the end after completing eight rounds the judges scored the bout 80-70, 79-71, and 79-71.

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Lightweight Eduardo Estela (14-1, 9 KO’s) of Uruguay handed South Central LA’s Ruben ‘Ace’ Torres, (19-1, 16 KOs) his first defeat in winning a unanimous decision. Estela got things started roughing up backing Torres to the ropes and scoring a knockdown as Torres was staggered forcing his glove to touch the ropes. Torres boxed away sticking the jab as Estela stalked early in the fight. Continuing to fight from a distance and box, Torres peppered away with the jab as Estela pressured.

In the sixth, Estela kept the pressure on as he backed Torres to the ropes. There was no doubt, Torres was in for a big test as Estela continued to bring it. Estela attacked and backed Torres in the seventh with a series of punches, but the hometown fighter kept boxing holding his own against the aggressor. The eighth and final round Estela kept coming, with Torres sticking the jab and staying in the pocket in what was a highly competitive bout from the opening to final bell.

After completing eight rounds the judges scored the bout 78-73 for Estela, 76-75 for Torres, 76-75 for Estela as the knockdown in the opening round made the difference.

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Living legend Fernando Vargas’ other son was also in action as Amado ‘El Malvado’ Vargas (5-0, 2 KO’s) of Las Vegas, went four rounds with Osmar Olmos Hernandez (1-2) in a featherweight bout. Vargas dropped Hernandez in the opening round and continued to attack. Displaying his aggression throughout the fight, Vargas fought like his father showing offense, heart, and toughness in route to a unanimous decision win. The judges scored the bout 39-35, 38-36, and 38-36.

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Super featherweight Austin Brooks (9-0, 3 KO’s) of La Mesa, California stopped Jesus Roman (8-6, 3 KO’s) in three. Brooks floored Roman near the end of the third as the referee Jerry Cantu waived the bout at 2:03 of the third round.

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Middleweight Eric Priest (9-0, 7 KO’s) of Los Angeles made quick work of Luis Vera from Argentina. Priest finished off Vera at 1:45 of the first round.

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In the opening bout from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California Jacob MaCalolooy (4-0, 3 KO’s) of San Diego scored a second-round knockout over Terrance Jarmon (3-2, 1 KO). MaCalolooy knocked down Jarmon as the referee reached a ten count at 1:02 of the second round.

Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla

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