By Andy Rivera

Lee Montoya captured a unanimous decision over Orlando Cantera on Saturday night at the Downs of Albuquerque Expo. Montoya showed a side most haven’t seen from him, boxing and using jab to confuse Cantera. Cantera to his credit was able to withstand Montoya’s powers-shots. Montoya also showed the fans he can fight a composed fight and not just look to knock his opponents head off. It may have been Montoya’s most complete win as a pro, showing his versatility. In capturing his 10th win against 1 loss, while Cantera falls 8-4-2. Judges Bill Gant and Margaret Garcia scored the bout a shutout, 80-73, while Esther Lopez scored it 79-73 all for Montoya.

Both Montoya and Cantera came out slow looking to see what each other had, Montoya would use his jab to try to set up his vicious right hand, missing by just an inch on several occasions.  Montoya was able to connect to Cantera’s body with right hands. Montoya captured the round by being the more aggressive fighter.

Much of the same in the second, as Montoya was coming forward and Cantera retreating. Montoya was using his jab more, while not neglecting the body, going with his left hook to Cantera’s side of the body.

The third saw Montoya get a little closer to Cantera, landing hard right hands to the body and head, Cantera would hold each time Montoya landed something with meaning. It was another round where Montoya would dominate with Cantera not throwing much of anything.

Montoya peppered Cantera in the fourth & fifth rounds by popping his jab at will on Cantera’s head. Cantera looked more confused as he was unable to get close to the taller Montoya. Montoya looked more confident as the fight progressed. Cantera was able to land a few left hooks to Montoya’s body but other then that had nothing to keep Montoya from dominating the fight up to this point.

 More domination for Montoya as he kept his composure while landing hard one-two’s (jab-right) to the head of Cantera, Cantera had no answer for Montoya. Montoya looked to show the fans he can box as well as be the knockout artist he is. Cantera to his credit is a slick fighter and gave Montoya the experience he’ll need when taking on the next level of fighters.

Montoya once again picked apart Cantera, who looked content to survive against the power-punching Montoya. Using his jab and landing hard right hands to the head of Cantera. Montoya didn’t look sloppy as he controlled the round and showed the fans he can be disciplined.

Montoya has kept busy in 2006 and looks forward to fighting four or five fights this year, he has been kept busy the past six months in racking up his third straight win since suffering his only loss as a pro last spring. He hopes a minor title belt is in the future.

GOMEZ CRUISES TO VICTORY OVER RODRIQUEZ

Joe Gomez captured a unanimous decision over durable Victor Rodriquez in a closer fight then the scorecards had led us to believe. Gomez captured his 8th win by scores of 78-72 from Judge Esther Lopez, Judge Margaret Garcia scored the fight 79-71 and Judge Bill Gant scored the bout 80-72. BoxingScene.com/NewMexicoSportsNews.com scored the bout a little closer 77-73.

Although the fans started to boo early in round one, not knowing the way Gomez fights, he picks his opponents apart then when he see he has them in trouble he pounces on them. Gomez who was not much active in the opening stanza was able to land a few hard rights to the head of Rodriquez; getting his attention and winning the round.

Round two Gomez picked up the pace and had Rodriquez hurt on a few occasions landing hard right hands to the head of Rodriquez. Rodriquez would try to land rights of his own but not successful.

Gomez found pay dirt in round three landing a hard right hand that put Rodriquez on the seat of his pants and in trouble, he was able to get up, Gomez looked for the kill going after Rodriquez putting him down again, this time with a left hand. Rodriquez told referee Lorenzo Saiz that it was a slip, but Saiz ruled it a knockdown, giving Gomez a 10-7 round.

Round four Gomez looked to take his time again landing his right hand with accuracy, but to Rodriquez credit he fought back, although not land enough shots to win the round, he started to connect.

Rodriquez captured his first round in the fifth, as Gomez looked to back peddle more and box, Rodriquez would come forward and out work Gomez who looked content to box and wasn’t as of aggressive.

Rodriquez seemed to give up the sixth and seventh by letting Rodriquez smother him on the ropes and land hard shots to the body and head. Gomez was far the most talented fighter, but looked to feel he had the fight in control after his big third round. Rodriquez was also able to open a small cut on the left side of Gomez eye which was opened with a right hand by Rodriquez.

In the eighth the blood was streaming down the right side of Gomez’s cut, Rodriquez was the aggressor while Gomez back peddled more and fired right hands to the head of Rodriquez. Gomez did land enough to edge Rodriquez in the final round.

Gomez  a native of Bloomfield, New Mexico raises his record to 8-1, while the tough Rodriquez falls to 6-6

MCCARTEY STUNS ROMERO

Dale McCartey stunned come backing Jacob Romero with a third round stoppage in a fight that may have been halted to early. Romero who last fought three years ago and was headed for a showdown against Hector Munoz June 10th, but now it looks like McCartey will step in and battle Munoz.

McCartey did good early keeping pressure on Romero, who looked tentative while not throwing much. McCartey would   win the round while being more active. McCartey would land right hands to Romero’s head, but Romero wouldn’t respond back.

Much of the same in the second as Romero would jab but back away while throwing his punches. McCartey would once again land hard rights to the head of Romero, with Romero once again not responding.

In the third round McCartey would trap Romero on the ropes landing a five punch combination, in which Romero didn’t look in trouble, but referee Rocky Burke jumped in and halted the action. Romero looked more stunned that Burke halted the fight, with the win McCartey improves to 3-3, while Romero loses for the third time in a row, drops to 10-3-1.

UNDERCARD

In under-card action Willie Villanueva had a tougher then expected time with Gabe Gonzalez. Villanueva captured a unanimous decision but looked sloppy falling to the canvas several times after missing wildly. Scores of the bout were 40-35 on two of the judges cards while the third had it 39-35.

Villanueva who looked impressive in his pro debut this past February against former Mexican Amateur Champion Cesar Holguin, wasn’t the same this night, although he was able to land the harder shots on the tougher the noted Gonzalez.

David Marquez scored a unanimous decision over Joe Cruz, Marquez didn’t due much in the first round, where as Cruz was able to out punch him, but Marquez was a different fighter the rest of the fight countering accurately with hard right hands and left hooks to the head. Marquez did land a few devastating right hands to the body of Cruz. Cruz was able to withstand them but the shots took a toll on Cruz as the fight progressed.

In the end all three judges were in agreement as they scored the bout 39-37 for Marquez. Marquez is now 3-1, while Cruz suffers his first loss going to 2-1.

In the opening card of the night, Jodi Esquibel defeated Melissa Shaffer with a four unanimous decision capturing all four rounds on the scorecards. Esquibel looks to have emulated the style of her stable-mate Holly Holm and trainer Mike Winkeljohn, as she was able to fire her shots and retreat out of Shaffer’s shot. Esquibel is now 3-0, while Shaffer falls to 8-4.