By Luis Sandoval
There was nothing on the non-televised portion of the Showtime card at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA that would detract from the shocking result that took place in the evening’s main event. But if there was a bright side to the relatively thin undercard, it meant less time spent exposed to on-again, off-again downpours in the outdoor arena.
Leading the action off camera was super middleweight contender Carlos De Leon Jr (21-2-2, 14KO), who had an easy go of things in scoring a third round knockout over Brad Austin (8-5, 5KO). De Leon, the fighting son of former cruiserweight champion Carlos De Leon Sr, began slow but erupted in the third, scoring three knockdowns against the Tennessee journeyman before forcing a stoppage at 2:19 of the third round.
Junior featherweight prospect Derrick Wilson (4-0, 1 KO) impressed with a four-round decision over game opponent Alvaro Muro (6-10, 5 KOs). Determination only goes so far, a lesson Muro learned the hard way, as Wilson’s fast hands allowed him to repeatedly land flush left hooks and body shots en route to a four round shutout (40-36 on all three scorecards).
It’s been five years since once heralded prospect Marshall Martinez last saw a boxing ring, largely in part to the four-year prison bit he finished serving. Once the bell rang, the undefeated junior welterweight prospect looked right at home as he cruised past Michael Lucero (12-14, 4 KO) in their six-round welterweight bout.
Lucero pressured throughout the fight, but Martinez’s switch hitting and right hand would continue to land as he prevailed to a lanslide unanimous decision. Scores were 60-54 across the board, as Martine now advances to 8-0-1 (5KO).
Teenaged newcomer Jesse Vargas scored his third win in just two months as a pro, stopping Michaelangelo Lynks(6-8-2, 2KO) in the second round of their scheduled four-round junior welterweight curtain raiser.
The show was presented by Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment.