Ringside Report by TSS Special Correspondent Raymundo Dioses…ONTARIO, CA -- Lightweight heavy hitter William Zepeda dropped and stopped Giovanni Cabrera in round three in front of several thousand fans in the main event of a Golden Boy Promotions televised event live on DAZN from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Zepeda, (31-0, 27 KOs) was able to overcome a strong start from Cabrera, figuring out Cabrera’s style and eventually landing at will which led to the early rounds knockout.
“There’s not one individual that can handle my body shots. It’s something that me and my team have been working on,” said Zepeda.
Cabrera was active early on with lead right hands finding a home on Zepeda’s face. An uppercut jolted Zepeda in what was a first-round win for Cabrera after three minutes. The confidence continued from Cabrera who stood and traded with Zepeda in round two. An uppercut from Zepeda landed flush with a minute left in the second as Cabrera began to back up following exchanges.
Zepeda’s shots began to take effect in round three as an accumulation of punches landed on Cabrera, who is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Cabrera (22-2) went down from a combination and referee Thomas Taylor counted out the full ten-second knockout with Cabrera still on one knee. Time was 1:58 of round three.
“I want all the world champions. I’ve done all my homework, now it’s up to (promoter) Oscar De La Hoya to do his homework,” said Zepeda. De La Hoya responded in the ring on DAZN to Chris Mannix by naming all the champions in the lightweight division.
Zepeda, who hails from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, is ranked No. 1 by the WBC, WBA and IBF and No. 2 by the WBO. Zepeda’s name his come up against the more known names in his division, with bouts against Shakur Stevenson and Vasyl Lomachenko discussed within the boxing world.
Zepeda defeated Maxi Hughes on March 16, 2024 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via TKO stoppage in what was promoted as an IBF/WBA championship eliminator.
The Cabrera fight represented Zepeda’s third bout of 2024 and fourth straight stoppage win.
In June 2024 Zepeda signed a multi-year contract extension with Golden Boy Promotions. “There is no one more exciting or dangerous in the lightweight division than Zepeda,” said Golden Boy Promotions founder and chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “Every time out, he is a threat to either break a Compubox record or take out an opponent in the first round, or both.”
CO-MAIN EVENT
In a Mexico versus Puerto Rico showdown, Ricardo Sandoval (Mexico) overcame a strong start from Angel Acosta (Puerto Rico), adjusted to his opponent’s style and scored a last round stoppage win for the World Boxing Council’s Silver Flyweight title.
Sandoval, (25-2, 18 KOs) stayed on the outside while Acosta parried in and out of position early in the fight. Acosta landed a flush right hand to end the first three minutes of the bout. Another big right hand would land for Acosta in the second as the fight started to swing in the Puerto Rican’s favor. Round two ended with landed shots from both fighters.
A left hook from Acosta in the third wobbled Sandoval and Acosta continued to hit Sandoval while coming inside. A battle of attrition ensued in the fourth with the fighters looking to press the action.
In the sixth Sandoval landed a fan-friendly combination in what was his most effective round of the fight. The combinations continued from Sandoval who was turning the fight in his favor. Sandoval held an advantage in landed punches at 71-60 through round eight.
An unpopular stoppage came in at 1:23 of the final round as referee Raul Caiz stepped in following an uppercut thrown by Sandoval. Interviewed by DAZN and press afterwards, Sandoval said he welcomed a rematch with Acosta whose record fell to 24-5.
DAZN OPENER
Team USA member and prized prospect Joel Iriarte repeatedly tagged Yainel Alvarez in the opening round of their televised welterweight match. Punches landed in round one was 21 for Iriarte to 5 for Alvarez. An uppercut followed by a combination ended matters in round two at 2:41 via referee stoppage.
“I’m excited to keep on going… I was able to use all the tools in my toolbox. I want to remain active and keep on moving this year,” said Iriarte (3-0, 3 KOs) to assembled media in the locker room of his ambitious plan to fight five to six more times this calendar year.
Fighting under the guidance of renowned trainer Joel Diaz, Coachella Valley native Manuel Flores utilized a solid jab to set up his left hand against Nohel Arambulet in the super featherweight division. Flores picked up the activity in round two which led to two knockdowns and a stop of the action by referee Jerry Cantu at 1:59 of round two.
Flores, (18-1, 14 KOs) has now won his last three fights following his first career loss in June 2023 to Walter Santibanes. Arambulet falls to 23-7-2 (13 KOs).
“I give myself a B minus only because I didn’t get Arambulet out of there until the second round,” said Flores, who is planning on moving back down to the bantamweight division in his next outing. “I’m ready to dominate at 118 pounds, I’m going to go down and get the gold. I’ll fight anyone to prove I’m the best.”
UNDERCARD
SONORA’S CAMPA WITH UD OVER MARTIN
In a match-up of veterans, Pedro Campa gloved up against Chicago’s Alex Martin in a 10-round welterweight contest. The match was devoid of sustained action with the fighters clinching and feinting throughout the contest.
The scorecards had it 97-90, 96-91, 94-93 for Sonora, Mexico’s Campa (36-3-1, 24 KOs) with Martin falling to 18-6 (6 KOs).
CABRERA PRODUCES THIRD ROUND KO OVER SHIELDS
Sonora, Mexico’s Gael Cabrera notched a knockdown in round one and made opponent Mychaquell Shields take a knee at the end of round two in what resulted in a stoppage in the third round in an impressive performance from the featherweight southpaw.
Cabrera, (5-0, 3KO) threw haymakers at abandon which had effective results as Shields, (2-5) was unable to respond. Referee Raul Caiz waved off the contest at 1:09 of round three.
MORENO VALLEY LIGHTWEIGHT GARCIA DEFEATS BUENAOBRA
Joshua Garcia, (9-0, 4 KOs) defeated Jason Buenaobra via six round decision win in a six round lightweight lackluster affair.
A product of the Philippines, Buenaobra proved a difficult opponent who was hard to time and figure out. A combination finally softened up Buenaobra, (10-11-3, 4 KOs) in the second. The midway rounds were mostly uneventful.
The result from the judges was a majority decision at 58-56, 59-55 and 57-57.
ONTARIO’S SALDIVAR STOPS CANTO
Ontario, California native Anthony Saldivar, (7-0, 3 KOs) dominated Roman Canto over two lopsided rounds with the middleweight landing at will against his overmatched opponent. At fifty-two seconds referee David Sullivan called off the contest as Canto had no offense to speak of and was in danger of receiving unnecessary damage.
Saldivar was last seen at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on April 4, 2024 where he notched a unanimous decision win over Henry Rivera.
VICTORVILLE LIGHTWEIGHT LUNA NOTHCES FIRST ROUND KO OVER WALKER
Daniel Luna scored an impressive first round knockout over Joseph Walker with three minutes of solid offense which led the referee to halt the fight from going into the second round. A left hook with a minute left in round one from Luna, (4-1, 3 KOs) shook Walker, yet the tough fighter from Forrest City, Arkansas clinched and recovered. When Walker got back to his corner once the round ended, referee Raul Caiz waved off the contest.
Luna is tall and lanky for a lightweight and moved and boxed well from the outside as well as when in close quarters.
SWITCH HITTING LLAMIDO WITH DECISION OVER ALLEN
The night of fist throwing began with featherweights Japhethlee Llamido and Ryan Allen in an entertaining eight round-bout as the fighters fought an even terms with plenty of action and offense from both combatants.
Llamido, (12-1, 4 KOs) switch hit, throwing punches from the orthodox and southpaw positions and scored a knockdown in round five. Allen, (10-8-1, 5 KOs) recovered well and in the sixth the Las Vegas native kept his hands busy in what was a great bounce back round.
End results were a unanimous decision win for Llamido at 78-73, 80-71 and 77-74.
Fighters in attendance: Arnold Barboza, Scrappy Ramirez, Alexis Rocha, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya.
Photo credit: Al Applerose
Zepeda, (31-0, 27 KOs) was able to overcome a strong start from Cabrera, figuring out Cabrera’s style and eventually landing at will which led to the early rounds knockout.
“There’s not one individual that can handle my body shots. It’s something that me and my team have been working on,” said Zepeda.
Cabrera was active early on with lead right hands finding a home on Zepeda’s face. An uppercut jolted Zepeda in what was a first-round win for Cabrera after three minutes. The confidence continued from Cabrera who stood and traded with Zepeda in round two. An uppercut from Zepeda landed flush with a minute left in the second as Cabrera began to back up following exchanges.
Zepeda’s shots began to take effect in round three as an accumulation of punches landed on Cabrera, who is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. Cabrera (22-2) went down from a combination and referee Thomas Taylor counted out the full ten-second knockout with Cabrera still on one knee. Time was 1:58 of round three.
“I want all the world champions. I’ve done all my homework, now it’s up to (promoter) Oscar De La Hoya to do his homework,” said Zepeda. De La Hoya responded in the ring on DAZN to Chris Mannix by naming all the champions in the lightweight division.
Zepeda, who hails from San Mateo Atenco, Mexico, is ranked No. 1 by the WBC, WBA and IBF and No. 2 by the WBO. Zepeda’s name his come up against the more known names in his division, with bouts against Shakur Stevenson and Vasyl Lomachenko discussed within the boxing world.
Zepeda defeated Maxi Hughes on March 16, 2024 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via TKO stoppage in what was promoted as an IBF/WBA championship eliminator.
The Cabrera fight represented Zepeda’s third bout of 2024 and fourth straight stoppage win.
In June 2024 Zepeda signed a multi-year contract extension with Golden Boy Promotions. “There is no one more exciting or dangerous in the lightweight division than Zepeda,” said Golden Boy Promotions founder and chairman Oscar De La Hoya. “Every time out, he is a threat to either break a Compubox record or take out an opponent in the first round, or both.”
CO-MAIN EVENT
In a Mexico versus Puerto Rico showdown, Ricardo Sandoval (Mexico) overcame a strong start from Angel Acosta (Puerto Rico), adjusted to his opponent’s style and scored a last round stoppage win for the World Boxing Council’s Silver Flyweight title.
Sandoval, (25-2, 18 KOs) stayed on the outside while Acosta parried in and out of position early in the fight. Acosta landed a flush right hand to end the first three minutes of the bout. Another big right hand would land for Acosta in the second as the fight started to swing in the Puerto Rican’s favor. Round two ended with landed shots from both fighters.
A left hook from Acosta in the third wobbled Sandoval and Acosta continued to hit Sandoval while coming inside. A battle of attrition ensued in the fourth with the fighters looking to press the action.
In the sixth Sandoval landed a fan-friendly combination in what was his most effective round of the fight. The combinations continued from Sandoval who was turning the fight in his favor. Sandoval held an advantage in landed punches at 71-60 through round eight.
An unpopular stoppage came in at 1:23 of the final round as referee Raul Caiz stepped in following an uppercut thrown by Sandoval. Interviewed by DAZN and press afterwards, Sandoval said he welcomed a rematch with Acosta whose record fell to 24-5.
DAZN OPENER
Team USA member and prized prospect Joel Iriarte repeatedly tagged Yainel Alvarez in the opening round of their televised welterweight match. Punches landed in round one was 21 for Iriarte to 5 for Alvarez. An uppercut followed by a combination ended matters in round two at 2:41 via referee stoppage.
“I’m excited to keep on going… I was able to use all the tools in my toolbox. I want to remain active and keep on moving this year,” said Iriarte (3-0, 3 KOs) to assembled media in the locker room of his ambitious plan to fight five to six more times this calendar year.
Fighting under the guidance of renowned trainer Joel Diaz, Coachella Valley native Manuel Flores utilized a solid jab to set up his left hand against Nohel Arambulet in the super featherweight division. Flores picked up the activity in round two which led to two knockdowns and a stop of the action by referee Jerry Cantu at 1:59 of round two.
Flores, (18-1, 14 KOs) has now won his last three fights following his first career loss in June 2023 to Walter Santibanes. Arambulet falls to 23-7-2 (13 KOs).
“I give myself a B minus only because I didn’t get Arambulet out of there until the second round,” said Flores, who is planning on moving back down to the bantamweight division in his next outing. “I’m ready to dominate at 118 pounds, I’m going to go down and get the gold. I’ll fight anyone to prove I’m the best.”
UNDERCARD
SONORA’S CAMPA WITH UD OVER MARTIN
In a match-up of veterans, Pedro Campa gloved up against Chicago’s Alex Martin in a 10-round welterweight contest. The match was devoid of sustained action with the fighters clinching and feinting throughout the contest.
The scorecards had it 97-90, 96-91, 94-93 for Sonora, Mexico’s Campa (36-3-1, 24 KOs) with Martin falling to 18-6 (6 KOs).
CABRERA PRODUCES THIRD ROUND KO OVER SHIELDS
Sonora, Mexico’s Gael Cabrera notched a knockdown in round one and made opponent Mychaquell Shields take a knee at the end of round two in what resulted in a stoppage in the third round in an impressive performance from the featherweight southpaw.
Cabrera, (5-0, 3KO) threw haymakers at abandon which had effective results as Shields, (2-5) was unable to respond. Referee Raul Caiz waved off the contest at 1:09 of round three.
MORENO VALLEY LIGHTWEIGHT GARCIA DEFEATS BUENAOBRA
Joshua Garcia, (9-0, 4 KOs) defeated Jason Buenaobra via six round decision win in a six round lightweight lackluster affair.
A product of the Philippines, Buenaobra proved a difficult opponent who was hard to time and figure out. A combination finally softened up Buenaobra, (10-11-3, 4 KOs) in the second. The midway rounds were mostly uneventful.
The result from the judges was a majority decision at 58-56, 59-55 and 57-57.
ONTARIO’S SALDIVAR STOPS CANTO
Ontario, California native Anthony Saldivar, (7-0, 3 KOs) dominated Roman Canto over two lopsided rounds with the middleweight landing at will against his overmatched opponent. At fifty-two seconds referee David Sullivan called off the contest as Canto had no offense to speak of and was in danger of receiving unnecessary damage.
Saldivar was last seen at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on April 4, 2024 where he notched a unanimous decision win over Henry Rivera.
VICTORVILLE LIGHTWEIGHT LUNA NOTHCES FIRST ROUND KO OVER WALKER
Daniel Luna scored an impressive first round knockout over Joseph Walker with three minutes of solid offense which led the referee to halt the fight from going into the second round. A left hook with a minute left in round one from Luna, (4-1, 3 KOs) shook Walker, yet the tough fighter from Forrest City, Arkansas clinched and recovered. When Walker got back to his corner once the round ended, referee Raul Caiz waved off the contest.
Luna is tall and lanky for a lightweight and moved and boxed well from the outside as well as when in close quarters.
SWITCH HITTING LLAMIDO WITH DECISION OVER ALLEN
The night of fist throwing began with featherweights Japhethlee Llamido and Ryan Allen in an entertaining eight round-bout as the fighters fought an even terms with plenty of action and offense from both combatants.
Llamido, (12-1, 4 KOs) switch hit, throwing punches from the orthodox and southpaw positions and scored a knockdown in round five. Allen, (10-8-1, 5 KOs) recovered well and in the sixth the Las Vegas native kept his hands busy in what was a great bounce back round.
End results were a unanimous decision win for Llamido at 78-73, 80-71 and 77-74.
Fighters in attendance: Arnold Barboza, Scrappy Ramirez, Alexis Rocha, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya.
Photo credit: Al Applerose
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