Alex Martin earned his second straight upset win over a previously unbeaten opponent.
Chihuahua’s Luis Hernandez was dealt his first career defeat as he was outboxed over ten rounds by Chicago’s Martin. Scores were a surprisingly wide 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91 in favor of Martin in their regional title fight Saturday evening at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Action seemed more competitive in the early going than were suggested in the scores, even if accurate. Hernandez looked to force an aggressive pace while Martin preferred to box. The latter won out, with Hernandez struggling to match his opponent’s skill level.
Martin flipped the script in the second half of the fight, standing his ground and picking apart Hernandez in the closing rounds to prevail in his first fight since the pandemic. The win advances his record to 16-3 (6KOs), coming 14 months after scoring an eight-round majority decision win over then-unbeaten Angel Ferrio last January. That victory has aged remarkably well in light of Ferrio’s recent come-from-behind knockout win over former 130-pound titlist Alberto Machado this past Thursday in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Hernandez falls to 21-1 (19KOs). The 24-year-old knockout won his previous two fights in Dallas—his lone other stateside appearances—before falling well short on this occasion.
George Rincon was extended the distance for the first time since Sept. 2018, though he kept his perfect record intact with an eight-round unanimous decision win over Merida, Mexico’s Luis Solis. Scores were 80-71, 80-71 and 79-72 in favor of Rincon in their junior welterweight scrap.
The fight jumped off to a fast pace, with Carrollton’s Rincon (11-0, 7KOs) keen on extending his five-fight knockout streak. Solis (25-12-4, 21KOs) was hurt on several occasions and even dropped in round six courtesy of a hook but was able to last until the final bell against the locally based unbeaten prospect.
Dallas’ Hector Valdez enjoyed a successful homecoming, outpointing Alberto Torres over eight rounds in their junior featherweight contest. Scores were 78-74, 78-74 and 79-73 in favor of Valdez in the first bout of the evening.
Torres made Valdez work in the early going, with the Sacramento-based southpaw landing right hooks while keeping the action on the inside. Valdez found his groove in round three, connecting with right hands and left hooks which drew cheers from his local supporters who arrived in time for the curtain raiser. Torres (11-4-3, 4KOs) was game but the difference in skill level was evident as Valdez (14-0, 8KOs) landed the cleaner punches over the long haul.
With a win all but secured, Valdez let his hands go in the 8th and final round as he looked to close the show in style. Torres continued to come forward, with both fighters exchanging near center ring at fight’s end.
All three bouts aired live on Golden Boy Promotions’ Facebook page preceding the main telecast which airs on DAZN. Headlining the evening, Vergil Ortiz (16-0, 16KOs) faces Maurice Hooker (27-1-3, 18KOs) in a 12-round regional welterweight title fight.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
