Carlos Carlson (15-0, 10 KOs) earned a scrappy majority decision win against Jose Cen-Torres (13-5, 1 KO) in the “Locked n’ Loaded” main event from the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif. Scores were 77-75, 76-76, 77-75.
While both boxers were active, it was Carlson that landed the most telling blows. Cen-Torres appeared to lose points by circumnavigating the ring numerous times in various rounds that gave the impression he was unwilling to engage.
Cen-Torres, however, did beat Carlson to the punch in the first half of the fight, landing straight rights and hooks to the body. Carlson, who was making his first title defense, picked it up after the fourth round and established a rhythm that helped him carry the win.
The co-main event showcased up-and-coming junior welterweight Jonathan Garcia (15-0, 11 KOs) of Watsonville, Calif. He faced Michael Balasi (10-5, 7 KOs) of Hawaii. Garcia used a variety of combinations and consistent pressure to win a unanimous decision (80-72, 79-73, 80-72).
Balasi’s only hope of stealing the fight was to get inside, but Garcia threw sweeping rights that usually prevented the southpaw from advancing to his sweet spots. His right uppercut, left hook combination stunned Balasi and pushed him even further from the action. Garcia effectively worked the body with left hooks, and he often followed that with a right hook to the head. Garcia also mixed a steady jab that Balasi failed to time. Simply put, Balasi was hit by nearly every punch in the book through 8 rounds.
Colombian lightweight Cesar Villarraga (4-0, 2 KOs) added another win to his young resume by out-boxing the game and more experienced Dominic Coca (8-9, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles. Villarraga won via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring every round for the Bogota-native (60-54).
Villarraga landed numerous shots to the head and body and appeared to hurt Coca on several occasions, but Coca proved a tough out, as he was able to absorb most of the power punches. Villarraga is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions.
Super Flyweight fights are usually thoroughly entertaining and the 115-pound match up between Javier Lapizco (5-0, 1 KO) of Mexico and Christian Lorenzo (2-2, 1 KO) of Los Angeles thrilled the capacity crowd at the Doubletree Ontario. Lapizco earned a hard fought majority decision win (39-37, 38-38, 39-37). Both boxers dished out plenty of combinations and neither backed away from the center of the ring. Lapizco, however, connected at a higher rate and appeared the more polished prospect.
The opening bout featured super welterweights Malik Bazille (2-2) and Tavoris Teague (2-1, 1 KO). Bazille, out of Los Angeles, won via unanimous decision sweeping it 39-37 on all three scorecards. Bazille, a southpaw, preferred to fight on the outside. He had one effective punch, a lunging jab that routinely confused Teague.
