By Jake Donovan


Undefeated super featherweight prospect Eloy Perez scored perhaps his most explosive win to date with a second-round blitzing of Daniel Jimenez in their main event bout Friday evening at the Sports Complex in Salinas, California.




Perez is generally known for grind ‘em out performances, as reflected in his dismal knockout-to-win ratio. Against Jimenez, he showed a different side as he was explosive from the opening bell. Jimenez was overwhelmed the moment Perez landed his first combination, which came very early in the fight.


As early as the night ended, it appeared that Perez’ hometown fans wouldn’t even get to enjoy more than a round’s worth of action. Jimenez hit the deck twice in the opening frame, with the fight nearly stopped after the first knockdown when the Puerto Rican arose on wobbly legs. The action was allowed to continue, and once again after Jimenez was floored with about 20 seconds left in the round.


Perez never allowed his foe a chance to recover, coming out swarming in the abbreviated second round. He was a bit overzealous in his attack, swinging and missing with a right hand. Jimenez defensively timed the shot perfectly, but walked right into a clean-up left hook that caught him square on the chin and sent him flying into the bottom rope.


The referee immediately jumped in and waved off the bout while Jimenez was still stuck in the ropes, struggling to both free himself and clear his head.


The knockout win is Perez’ first in more than a year, having been extended the distance in each of his past three contests, all of which have aired live on Telefutura Solo Boxeo Tecate. His record improves to 22-0-2 (6KO). More importantly, he’s showing signs of advancing from prospect to contender – both with his fists and in his demeanor.


“I want to fight Adrien Broner, Ricky Burns, the guy from Puerto Rico (Roman Martinez) – any of those guys,” Perez boldly stated after the fight. “I’m ready.”


With more performances like this, it will be tough to argue otherwise.


Heading in the opposite direction, Jimenez’ days as a prospect or even a spoiler appear to have come to an end. The 30-year old falls to 20-4-1 (12KO) with the loss, snapping a three-fight win streak.


Jimenez first rose to fame on the previous version of Solo Boxeo, scoring a major upset over Vicente Escobedo in April 2006. Escobedo was an undefeated prospect at the time and less than two years removed from serving on the U.S. boxing squad in the 2004 Summer Olympics at the time, but Jimenez was unfazed. A fever pitched battle saw Escobedo dropped in the final round to preserve the upset split decision win.


It should’ve served as a turning point in the career of Jimenez, who began 0-1-1 before rolling out to a 17-fight win streak. His winning ways came to an end in 2007 when he was stopped the 12th round of a pay-per-view televised heartbreaker against countryman Roman Martinez. The stoppage loss had lingering effects, as Jimenez fell short against badly faded Jesus Chavez seven months later.


PARISON OUTLASTS MENDEZ IN ACTION-PACKED CO-FEATURE


In the televised co-feature, James Parison won a hard fought split decision over Paul Mendez. Action was tight and fast-paced throughout, as reflected on the scorecards ranging wide in final tallies.


The California-based Mendez was given the nod on one card that had him ahead 58-56, but was trumped by scores of 59-55 and 58-56 for Parison.


The win is Parison’s third straight as he improves to 15-1 (4KO). Mendez snaps a four-fight win streak as he falls to 6-2 (2KO).


OTHER TELEVISED ACTION


Anthony Johnson scored a four-round majority decision over Joe Gumina in a battle of unbeaten Bay Area-based cruiserweights. Johnson (5-0, 1KO) picks up his first win in two years, while Gumina (2-1, 2KO) is extended the distance for the first time in his young career.

 

Local middleweight Rudy Puga Jr. enjoyed a successful pro debut with a 4th round stoppage of hapless journeyman Raul Talamontes. Puga Jr. (1-0, 1KO) was in control throughout the bout and had Talamontes (0-5, KO’d 4 times) in trouble before the referee jumped in to halt the contest at 1:27 of the final round.


Super lightweight newcomer Jonathan Chicas scored a third round stoppage over David Kamara in their televised swing bout. Chicas had Kamara pinned on the ropes and unloading at will when the bout was waved off at 2:45 of the third round. Chicas improves to 3-0 (2KO), though all of his wins have come against fighters making their pro debut, including Kamara (now 0-1).

     

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.