Ryan Martin Wins Decision Over Late-Sub Cesar Villarraga

By Francisco Salazar

The Forum, Los Angeles, California - Lightweight Ryan Martin won an eight round unanimous decision over late-sub Cesar Villarraga, who took the fight on three days' notice when Fermin de los Santos was not allowed to enter the United States due to an expired work visa.

The taller Martin was able to utilize his long reach to rain punches down onto Villarraga. Martin (16-0, 9 KOs) dropped Villarraga with a right cross to the head in the fourth round. Martin continued to dominate the action in the second half of the fight, keeping Villarraga (9-2, 4 KOs) honest by landing two-three punch combinations to the head anytime Villarraga mounted an offense.

All three judges scored the bout in favor of Martin, 79-72, 79-72, and 78-73.

Junior flyweight Seniesa Estrada (8-0, 1 KO) won an eight round unanimous decision over Nancy Franco. Estrada was in control during most of the fight, even stunning Franco in the second round.

Ring announcer Mark Kriski, who is a broadcaster at KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles, incorrectly announced Franco (14-10-2, 4 KOs) as the winner, bringing down a cascade of boos from the crowd at The Forum. After an inspector with the California Athletic Commission corrected Kriski, Estrada was correctly announced as the winner.

In the opening bout, lightweight Brahmabigi Montgomery (2-1-1, 1 KO) stopped Chazz Moleta in the fourth round. Montgomery dropped Moleta with a right hand in round three and dropped him again in round four. Moleta, who was making his pro debut, beat the count, but referee Zac Young stopped the bout at 2:44.

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 FSaalzarBoxing