Mohamed Rodriguez Upsets Manuel Mendez in Ontario
Jr. welterweight Manuel Mendez (15-2-2, 11 KOs) hadn’t lost a fight since his pro debut in 2010 but on Friday night at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario Ca. Mohamed Rodriguez (10-4, 3 KOs) ended a five year win streak with a fourth round knockout.
Mendez came out and applied pressure but Rodriguez moved well and picked his shots. One of those shots, a well placed right hand had Mendez on shaky legs. A follow-up barrage put him down for the count in round three. Mendez would survive the round and was having some success going to the body in the fourth but at the 54 second mark, referee Lou Moret would be standing over a downed Mendez waiving it off following a barrage of punches.
In the co-feature, jr. welterweight Jessie Roman (22-3, 10 KOs) stopped Erick Martinez (13-8-1, 7 KOs) in the fourth round of a scheduled eight. The fight seemed to be pretty evenly matched in the opening round but as the fight went on, Roman’s body work slowed the output of Martinez and had him calling for the end after four complete rounds. Referee Rudy Barragan waived it off at the request of Martinez’s corner.
On the undercard.
Undefeated featherweight Rafael Rivera (25-0-2, 15 KOs) scored a third round KO over Ruben Tomayo (24-10-4, 16 KOs). After a slow start, the shorter Rivera was able to get inside and work the body. A series of body shots put Tamayo down for the count in the third. Referee Lou Moret reached the count of ten with Tamayo still on the canvas, distracted by his corner’s instructions.
Super featherweight prospect Michael Dutchover (5-0, 4 KOs) went the distance with a tough Miguel Carrizoza (10-2, 2 KOs) to win a six round unanimous decision. Dutchover was clearly the more polished fighter but continually got hit with the counter left hook of Carrizoza, so much that his right eye began to swell. Dutchover, however was much more accurate and landed the bigger shots to earn a unanimous decision. Scores were 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56
Unbeaten bantamweight Saul Sanchez (3-0, 2 KO) stopped Cristian Bartolini (2-4, 2 KOs) in the opening round of a scheduled four. A left hand floored Bartolini midway through the round and left him unable to continue.
Heavyweight Sergey Kuzman (12-1, 7 KOs) dropped Malcolm Tann (24-5, 13 KOs) four times before getting the fourth round KO victory. Time was 1:19