Carlos Carlson edges Pedro Melo after 8
In front of a sold out crowd at the Omega Products outdoor Arena in Corona Ca., Carlos Carlson (17-1, 11 KOs) did just enough to sway the judges and get the eight round decision over a tough Pedro Melo (13-8-2, 4 KOs).
After an uneventful first round, Carlson walked into a huge right hand that put him on the canvas. Carlson was given time to recover after taking at least one other shot while he was already down. When the action resumed, Melo went on the attack but could not finish the Tijuana fighter. Carlson pressed the action for the remainder of the fight and there was no doubt who the aggressor was but Melo boxed well and hurt Carlson on multiple occasions. After eight rounds, all three judges would agree that Carlson did enough to earn the victory with scores of 76-75. The crowd however and some of us at ringside felt Melo had landed the cleaner more effective shots and deserved the win.
In the co-main event,
Undefeated heavyweight LaRon Mitchell (9-0, 9 KOs) continued his KO streak with a first round dismantling of Curtis Lee Tate (7-6, 6 KOs) of Tennessee. A left uppercut sent Tate to the canvas in the opening seconds of the round. A follow up barrage sent the six foot heavyweight crashing to the canvas moments later. After a third knockdown, referee Ray Corona mercifully stepped in and stopped the action at the 1:18 mark.
Also on the card,
Super featherweight Erick Ruiz (14-3, 6 KOs) edged out a split decision victory over a game Fernando Fuentes (6-5, 1 KO) after six rounds of action. Fuentes was the more active of the two but Ruiz seemed to land the more effective shots. In the end one judge scored it 58-56 for Fuentes while the deciding two had it 58-56 and 60-54 for Ruiz.
Middleweight Miguel Trejo (2-0, 2 KO) made quick work of Brahmabigi Montgomery (1-0-1) stopping him with a over-hand right that sent Montgomery crashing to the canvas and unable to continue. Referee Ray Corona immediately stepped in and waved it off without a count.
Jr. welterweight prospect Manuel Mendez (5-1-1, 2 KO) stopped Luis Silva (2-6, 1 KO) in the second round of a scheduled 4. A right hand in the final seconds of the opening round sent Silva to one knee. A second knockdown in the following round had Silva’s corner calling for the stoppage. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. waved it off at the request of Silva’s corner. Official time was :37.
Welterweight Joseph Rios (1-0) scored a four round unanimous decision over Jose Mejia (1-2, 1 KO). Rios was making his pro debut and managed scores of 39-37 and 40-36 twice.