By Francisco Salazar
LOS ANGELES - Junior bantamweight Joshua Franco and junior welterweight Jonathan Navarro are two young prospects who took a chance in moving from their hometown of San Antonio to Southern California to train with Robert Garcia.
The move has paid off dividends thus far and their future looks very bright.
Franco displayed solid ring generalship and power Friday night, knocking out veteran Victor Pasillas in round three at the Belasco Theatre.
With the win, Franco improves to 9-0, 5 KOs. Pasillas falls to 8-7-2, 5 KOs.
With their hometown halfway across the continental United States, Franco and Navarro have adapted well to training with Robert Garcia.
Franco has displayed power to go with his skill-set, as was evident with his highlight-reel knockout of Bryan Bazan on September 17.
Pasillas, who had not fought in almost two years, figured to give Franco a test, whether going rounds or attempting to pull off the upset against 21-year-old. He entered the Franco fight having lost three of his previous four bouts.
Franco, who was the naturally bigger fighter, looked to impose his will and strength onto Pasillas. Not to be outdone, Pasillas was able to score on the inside, but was not busy enough to win rounds.
The end came with about 30 seconds left in the third round. As Franco and Pasillas were on the inside, Franco unleashed a three-punch combination, finishing with an uppercut to the head. Pasillas dropped face-first to the canvas, prompting referee Raul Caiz, Sr. to stop the bout at 2:32.
Junior welterweight Jonathan Navarro (8-0, 5 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Angel Rodriguez. Navarro was the busier fighter, landing repeatedly to the head of Rodriguez, who was game but was not able to keep up with his younger foe. Rodriguez (5-7-3, 4 KOs) was able to stand in the pocket at times and connect with right hands, but was not busy enough to win rounds. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Navarro, 60-54, 60-54, and 59-55.
Lightweight Ryan Garcia (8-0, 7 KOs) dropped Devon Jones four times en route to a second round knockout. Garcia dropped Jones twice in the opening round, the last one right at the bell to end round one. The southpaw Jones (2-2, 1 KO) was game, but left himself open to get again with right hands. Garcia dropped Jones twice more, prompting referee Raul Caiz, Sr. to stop the fight at 55 seconds.
Junior welterweight David Mijares won a workmanlike six round unanimous decision over Evincii Dixon. Mijares (5-0, 3 KOs) was the busier fighter, successfully getting on the inside of the taller Dixon's reach. Mixon went down from a right hand from Dixon (7-16-2, 2 KOs) with less than a minute left in round six, but referee David Mendoza ruled it a slip. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Mijares, 60-54, 60-54, and 58-56.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com 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, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing