Walter Santibanes Makes Easy Work of Flores; Mrdjenovich Rallies to Victory
In a big upset, 10-1 underdog Walter Santibanes (12-2, 2 KOs) outboxed and outfought previously unbeaten “Gucci” Manuel Flores on the way to a near-shutout unanimous decision (100-90, 99-91, 99-91) victory at Fantasy Springs in Indio, California in a ten-round bantamweight contest.
Santibanes was in control from the opening bell. The 32-year-old used his speed and movement to pile up the points in the early rounds. The corner of Flores urged their charge to apply more pressure and slow his opponent down with body shots. But Flores had no answers for Santibanes and his rapid-fire combinations.
By the middle rounds, Santibanes was doing whatever he wanted. During moments of the fight, he was toying with Flores. At the final bell, Santibanes was fresh as a daisy, while Flores looked like a beaten and defeated man.
Santibanes is one of the sport’s feel-good stories. He’s less than two years removed from serving a six-year stint in prison. Following tonight’s emphatic win, he looks like someone worth keeping an eye on in the lower-weight divisions.
JELENA MRDJENOVICH EARNS TOUGH WIN OVER CALISTA SILGADO
In an excellent battle filled with back-and-forth action, two-time women’s featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (43-12-2, 19 KOs) scored a majority decision win over rugged Colombian Calista Silgado (21-17-4, 16 KOs) at Fantasy Springs in Indio, California in a ten-round featherweight contest.
Mrdjenovich pumped the jab early and often, attempting to establish herself as the boxer. But Silgado has an awkward style. She troubled Mrdenovich all night with overhand rights and left hooks. It was an even fight at the halfway mark.
But in the end, the greater punch output of the former world champion proved to be the difference. For every single power shot Silgado was able to land, Mrdjenovich responded with two and three-punch combinations. The crowd booed the verdict. But in the estimation of this reporter, the right woman had her hand raised in victory.
At age 40, Mrdjenovich wants one last crack at a world title. This win puts her in a position to possibly face the winner of the upcoming August 5 battle between undisputed women’s featherweight champion Amanda Serrano and Heather Hardy.
Be the first to comment