By Rick Reeno
MGM Grand,Las Vegas - In his first fight since losing to Tevin Farmer last July, lightweight contender Ivan Redkach (20-2-1, 16 KOs) stopped Demond Brock (13-4-1-, 4 KOs) in the eight and final round.
Redkach controlled the bulk of the fight, but unleashed a vicious combo in the eight that put Brock down and nearly out. Brock managed to beat the count, but then ate punches until the fight was waved off by referee Jay Nady.
Cuban featherweight prospect Leduan Barthelemy (12-0, 6 KO’s), who is the younger brother of two-division champion Rances Barthelemy, won a six round unanimous decision over Jesus Aguinaga (5-4-1) of Phoenix. The scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56.
Featherweight Antonio Santa Cruz (5-2, 2 KOs), who is the younger brother of Leo Santa Cruz, had all he could handle in winning a four round unanimous decision over Victor Torres (2-5-1, 1 KO). It was a really close fight where Torres was very hurt in the first and then dropped Santa Cruz in the second. They threw a lot of punches between them. All three judges scored it 38-37 for Santa Cruz.
Featherweight Jerry Perez (1-0, 1 KO) made his pro debut with a first round stoppage of Javier Cepeda (0-5). Referee Jay Nady waved off the contest after Cepeda was dropped for the third time. Perez is trained by Jose Santa Cruz.
Welterweight Herbert Acevedo (13-2, 6 KOs), who is trained by Jose Santa Cruz, won a six round unanimous decision over Chris Singleton (18-3-2, 8 KOs), who suffered a flash knockdown in the second round. Acevedo was busier, landed the harder punches and pushed the pace of the fight. All three of the official judges scored it 59-54.
