by Francisco Salazar

Bantamweight gatekeeper Edwin Rodriguez won a 10-round split-decision over previously-unbeaten Saul Sanchez Friday night at the Omega Products International in Corona, California.

With the victory, Rodriguez improves to 11-5-1, 5 knockouts.

The 26-year-old Rodriguez figured to provide a decent test for Sanchez, who was coming off an eight-round knockout victory over Mexico’s Brandon Leon Benitez on May 10, which also took place at the outdoor venue in Corona, a suburb of Los Angeles.

 The fight was a back-and-forth affair, where both fighters traded and landed combinations. Sanchez would connect, but Rodriguez would fire back as well.

Action during the middle rounds were some of the best in the fight, as both stood and traded in the pocket, bringing fans out of their seats. Both had their moments during the second half of the fight, connecting with equal amount of punches where the rounds were toss-ups with regards to scoring.

One judge scored the bout 96-94 for Sanchez, but the other two judges scored the bout 96-94 for Rodriguez.

“I felt like I did enough to get the win,” said Sanchez, who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of North Hollywood. “I’ll regroup from this and come back stronger.”

Rodriguez has only lost once in his last five bouts. Sanchez drops to 12-1, 7 KOs.

In the co-feature, welterweight Luis Lopez fought to a majority-decision draw against Demarcus Layton of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Lopez closed the distance between the two fighters, doing his best work on the inside. Layton was effective by working behind a consistent jab, following those with straight and overhand right hands to the head.

Neither fighter did anything over the last half of the fight to mount a rally or work to clearly win a round. One judge scored the bout 58-56 for Layton (7-1-1, 4 KOs), while the other two judges scored the bout 57-57.

Lopez, who resides in Corona, goes to 7-1-1, 3 KOs.

Heavyweight Oscar Torrez (7-0, 4 KOs) of nearby Rialto dropped Mexico’s Miguel Cubos (13-21-1, 10 KOs) twice en route to a fifth round knockout victory. Referee Ray Corona stopped the bout at 1:49.

Heavyweight Gabriel Hernandez of San Diego fought to the final bell for the first time Friday night, defeating Mexico’s Daniel Najera (9-4-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 60-54 in favor of Hernandez, who improves to 10-0, 9 KOs.

Junior lightweight Sebastian Salinas (2-0, 1 KO) of Arlington, Texas defeated Modesto’s Michael Gaxiola (4-17) by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Salinas.

Thompson Boxing Promotions promoted the card.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing