By Ernest Gabion & Luis Sandoval

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Andres Gutierrez and Carlos Valcarcel put on an action packed fight for the fans in attendance at the MGM Grand to open up Showtime’s SHO Extreme fights. There was back and forth action throughout the contest and each fighter took turns landing flush hard shots. While Valcarcel was definitely game, it was Gutierrez who was consistently landing hard uppercuts inside. While Gutierrez was having his success, he did eat more than his share of left hands but his sheer activity made up for it. Both fighters went toe to toe until the final bell but it was Gutierrez who was awarded a Unanimous decision as he stay undefeated.

Francisco “Bandito” Vargas, the former Mexican Olympian, faced his first stern test in Victor Sanchez as both guys would go to war throughout the four rounds they fought.  Vargas, the harder puncher of the two, was trying to be the first to stop the southpaw Sanchez and while he had him hurt in stretches he was unable to do so.  Vargas wins a unanimous decision by scores 40-36 on all three scorecards improving his record to 13-0 (10KOs). Sanchez drops to 3-4 (0KOs).

Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson, who is best known for knocking out Jorge Linares in one round earlier this year, was back in action as he took on Puerto Rican Carlos Claudio. Thompson started slow as he only attacked Claudio’s body for the most part. In the 2nd round he decided to pick up the pace and a straight right to the midsection put Claudio down. He would beat the count but his corner called a stop to the fight giving Thompson a 2nd round TKO victory.

Opening the card was Honduran prospect Eddie Gomez out of the Bronx, NY taking on Quinton Whitaker.  After a spirited first round that saw Whitaker go down from a low blow then come alive afterward, Gomez was simply too much for Whitaker.  The 2nd round saw Gomez pummel and drop Whitaker two times and by the start of the third Gomez had another TKO win when ref Vic Drakulich stops the contest at 15 seconds. Gomez improves to 10-0 (7Kos) while Whitaker drops to 9-10 (6KOs).