Carlson edges Cen-Torres in controversial decision!

They say “never leave it in the hands of the judges”.. Bantamweight Jose Cen-Torres (13-5, 1 KO) did and came up short against fellow country-man Carlos Carlson (13-0, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario Ca. Cen-Torres of Kanasin, MX came out winging wild shots and seemed to catch Carlson off guard. Carlson, of Tijuana MX, pressed the action but could only land a few body shots here and there. The elusive Cen-Torres boxed in the middle rounds and used footwork to fight off the attack. The defending Carlson finished strong as he pursued Cen-Torres through the final rounds but it seemed Cen-Torres had done enough to earn the victory. Unfortunately for him, after eight rounds, the deciding two judges would have Carlson slightly ahead with scores of 79-77. The third judge had it even at 78-78. Despite an unhappy crowd who boo’d the decision, Carlson remains unbeaten and retained his WBC Latino title.

In the co-feature, welterweight prospect Jonathan Garcia (14-0, 11 KOs) remained unbeaten with an eight round unanimous decision over a tough Michael Balasi (10-4, 7 KOs). Though Balasi pressed the action and made a valiant effort, Garcia was just on a different level. The Watsonville fighter fought off the aggressive Balasi and countered with accurate combinations that won round after round. After eight rounds of action, the judges would have Garcia well ahead with scores of 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73.

Also on the card,

Unbeaten lightweight Cesar Villarraga (3-0, 2 KOs) shut out Dominic Coca (8-9, 2 KOs) over six rounds to earn scores of 60-54 all around. Villarraga’s work rate and accuracy earned him the victory over the game Coca.

Super flyweight Javier Lapizco (5-0, 1 KO) earned a hard-fought majority decision over a tough Christian Lorenzo (2-1, 1 KO) of South Central L.A. The quicker Lapizco landed accurate combinations over four rounds to earn scores of 39-37 twice while the third judge had it even at 38-38.

Super welterweight Malik Bazille (2-2) outworked Tavoris Teague (2-0, 1 KO) to earn scores of 39-37 all around. Bazille worked behind his southpaw jab and pressed the action over the four round affair.