Raul Curiel and Manny Flores Win by Stoppage
Welterweight prospect Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (13-0, 11KO) scored a late, controversial stoppage over Courtney Pennington (17-7-3, 7KO)
This fight did not deliver on the action like the co-main event, and that was due to the fighting style of Pennington. His movement and awkwardness gave Curiel problems throughout the fight.
El Cugar worked off the jab and went to the body early, hoping to nullify the constant movement of his opponent. He found a home for those quick, compact counter-right hands and landed the more eye-catching shots.
Toward the end of the fight, the Mexican started to land more combination punches, taking advantage of a Pennington that was more in survival mode. With seconds left in the last round, the referee stopped the fight after Pennington was hit by a hard right hand. However, he was not hurt and should have been allowed to finish the fight.
Regardless of the controversial stoppage, Curiel was on pace to win the fight but needs to learn to cut off the ring. Moreover, he has to learn how to fight on the inside effectively because he smothered his work on occasions.
MANNY FLORES QUICKLY STOPS JERSON ORTIZ WITH EASE
Bantamweight “Gucci” Manny Flores (16-1, 11KO) bounced back from a devastating loss to pick up an impressive stoppage over Jerson Ortiz (17-7, 8KO).
Gucci fought inspired in front of the home crowd as he went on the attack early with hard power shots. After landing a series of combinations to the head and body, and hard counter shots, Flores floored Ortiz twice in the first round.
In round two, the Californian did not let off the gas and continued the attack after pinning his opponent against the ropes with hard shots. He finally landed a punishing right hand that sent Ortiz crumbling to the canvas as the referee quickly waved off the fight.
Flores wasted no time calling for the rematch against Walter Santibanes, who scored the upset on June 8.
The Flores that showed up tonight is the one fans were hoping to see against Santibanes and hopefully shows up if there is a rematch.
