SANTA YNEZ, CA (June 14, 2013) – Tonight Gary Shaw Productions and the Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., put on another great night of boxing. The show titled “Central Coast Championship Night” had the fans in attendance on their feet with a plethora of action packed bouts.
In the main event, popular undefeated lightweight prospect Alejandro Luna and Sergio Rivera fought for the vacant “WBC Youth” interim and “Central Coast” lightweight titles.
Luna, for the first time in his career fought the entire fight from the southpaw stance. It proved to be a good strategy for Luna in the early rounds as he avoided punches from a distance. In the middle rounds both fighters were exchanging blows, going toe to toe for portions of those rounds. In the final round a hard right hook sent Rivera to the canvass. Rivera got up only to take more punishment before the referee stopped the bout at 1:53 of round eight. Alejandro Luna improves to (14-0, 10 KOs) while Sergio Rivera’s record goes to (14-12, 10 KOs).
“This was different for me as I was fighting from the southpaw stance, but I felt comfortable,” said Luna. “I was able to land my hooks that I know were wearing down my opponent. As it turned out I caught him with a nice right hook and put him down in the final round. I’m happy with my performance and I want to thank Gary Shaw for this opportunity. I also want to thank my fans who came out to support me.”
In the co-main event local fan favorite, Francisco Santana (15-3-1, 8 KOs) successfully defended his “Central Coast Championship” title with a 6-round unanimous decision victory over and a game Leshon Sims (5-14, 3 KOs). Santana applied continuous pressure from the opening bell backing Sims up throughout the fight. Sims hung in there and had some moments where he landed some hard shots late in the bout, but couldn’t get in a grove. Scorecards read 60-54, 59-55 twice all in favor for Santana.
“Sims was tough and put up a great fight,” said Santana. “I’m always looking to improve on my boxing skills and I think I did that tonight. I want to thank Gary Shaw for bringing me back to my hometown. After a few more wins I feel I’ll be ready to fight for another regional title.”
Undercard Results
(8-round Lightweight bout) – Russian native Rustam Nugaev used his pressure style to wear down Nigerian Daniel Attah. A short left hand to the head put Attah down in round two, followed by another straight left in round four that sent Daniel down for the second time. After Attah’s corner seen him take too much punishment they threw in the towel and the bout was halted at the 2:29 mark of round four. Nugaev wins by KO. Rustam Nugaev (24-6-1, 14 KOs) vs. Daniel Attah (28-15-1, 11 KOs)
(4-round Super-Welterweight bout) – Making their pro debuts, Arnold Barboza Jr. and Gustavo Lopez fought four hard rounds. Barboza Jr. was the more polished fighter landing the cleaner shots throughout the fight. Lopez made a great effort in the fourth to close out an entertaining final round. At the end Barboza Jr. was victorious winning a unanimous decision on all scorecards which read 40-36. Arnold Barboza Jr. (1-0) – Gustavo Lopez (0-1)
(6-round Flyweight bout) – Defending her “Central Coast Championship” title Maria Suarez dominated a game Elizabeth Cervantes winning by way of a unanimous decision. Suarez outclassed Cervantes in every round, landing numerous punches to head and body. All judges scored the bout 60-54 for Suarez. Maria Suarez (5-0-1) – Elizabeth Cervantes (3-11, 1 KO)
(4-round Jr. Welterweight bout) – Luis Olivares looked spectacular against an overmatch Juan Zuniga winning by way of a TKO. After a series of hook to the body and head a hard right cross landed flush on the face of Zuniga and the referee stopped the bout at the 1:38 mark of round one. Luis Olivares (4-0, 3 KOs) – Juan Zuniga (1-12-1
(4-round Jr. Welterweight bout) – In an entertaining bout, Kevin Watts used hard power shots to counter the boxing skills of Donte Watts. Both fighters had their moments but it was Watts who landed the harder blows wining a majority decision in his pro debut. Scorecards read 38-38, 39-37 for Watts. Donte Strayhorn (1-1) – Kevin Watts (1-0)
