Danny Roman stops Christian Esquivel after 3
Thompson Boxing celebrated its 16 year anniversary this Friday, showcasing one of their rising stars in the main event of a seven bout fight card at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario ca.
Super bantamweight title holder Danny Roman (18-2-1, 6 KOs) scored a fifth round TKO over veteran Christian Esquivel (28-10, 21 KOs) and retained his WBA-NABA strap. Roman started quick but the vet retaliated and held his own in the first few rounds. Roman took over in the fourth round and landed crisp combinations that had the Mexican fighter retreating. The end would come in the following round when a barrage of shots had Esquivel hurt and holding on. Referee Raul Caiz Sr. would step in and wave it off after a follow up attack. Official time was 1:52.
In the co-feature undefeated Ukrainian Taras Shelestyuk (14-0, 8 KOs) stopped Erick Martinez (11-5-1, 5 KOs) after three rounds and picked up the WBA Intercontinental welter weight title with the victory. A brutal body attack had the Mexican fighter on the run from the opening bell. Shelestyuk never let up and at the end of the third round, the ringside physician would not let Martinez answer the call for the fourth round. Referee Ray Corona would make it official, waving it off as a beaten Martinez sat on his stool.
Also on the card,
Unbeaten Robert Arriaza (12-0, 10 KOs) escaped a late rally to top Cameron Kreal (8-10-2, 1 KO) in a eight round welterweight battle. Arraiza pressed the action at the opening bell and landed big shots in the first half but Kreal hung in and rallied back in the late rounds. Kreal, of Las Vegas had fast hands and put together quick combinations as Arraiza’s offense slowed but in the end, all three judges would have Arraiza ahead with scores of 78-74 and 77-75 twice.
Once beaten bantamweight Sam Rodriguez (3-1, 3 KOs) dealt Ricardo Espinoza (6-1, 5 KOs) his first career loss after dominating the six round contest. Espinoza started well but an elusive Rodriguez moved and countered from all angles. After hitting the deck in the third round, Espinoza was forced to play catch up and went on the attack but Rodriguez stayed focused and continually out landed the Mexican fighter in the exchanges. All three judges would score it 59-54 for the New Yorker, Rodriguez.
Heavyweight Scott Alexander (11-1-2, 6 KOs) escaped with a draw after seemingly being outworked by Boston’s Tracey Johnson (3-2-4) after four rounds. Johnson was simply the more active fighter, he pressed the action and while nothing really landed flush, it was more than the one or two shots Alexander throwing. One judge had it 39-37 for Johnson but was over ruled by the two who scored it even at 38-38.
Welterweight Chris Bautista (4-0) scored a unanimous decision over a game Brandon Broussard (3-1, 1 KO) after four rounds. Broussard was the aggressor but Bautista boxed well and came out with the victory. Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 twice.
Opening the show was Rudy Garcia (1-0) who was successful in his pro-debut, stopping a win-less Joel Cano-Castro (0-2) after two rounds. Garcia went on the attack from the opening bell and Cano-Castro had no answer. The ringside physician made the call after a one-sided second round and Cano-Castro was not allowed to answer the call for the third.